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Instilling self-esteem is thought by many to ensure well-adjusted, respectful, motivated kids who are not only loving and lovable, but who accept criticism, exhibit self-control, and challenge themselves, too. Indeed, several websites are dedicated to its promotion, and May is actually Self-Esteem Month, Boost Your Self-Esteem Month, and/or National Teen Self-Esteem Month—take your pick.
Meanwhile, the stated purpose of The National Association for Self-Esteem is "to fully integrate self-esteem into the fabric of American society so that every individual, no matter what their age or background, experiences personal worth and happiness."
And such efforts have been very successful, with countless, well-meaning parents and teachers joining in for kids' sake.
As a result, competition is downplayed, praise is plentiful—deserved or not—and feeling good is the goal . . .
• Many schools have done away with honoring a valedictorian at graduation ceremonies—or they've named more than one.
• Intelligence is no longer the sole factor in determining giftedness. Indeed, according to Pennsylvania law, "A person with an IQ score lower than 130 may be admitted to gifted programs when other educational criteria in the profile of the person strongly indicate gifted ability."
• Grading scales have taken a hit, too. Many schools now use a grading scale where 90 to 100 constitutes an A, and so on. Only a few call anything lower than a 64 an F; most stick with 59 for that.
• Red pens are out, replaced by pinks and violets, so as to be less disheartening.
• Homework has come under the gun, too, with parents complaining that too much homework is being assigned. As a result, teachers are told to cut back—even when it comes to our gifted students.
• To soften failure, some districts insist that teachers record nothing less than a grade of 50% on a student's report card, regardless of his/her actual and lower percentage.
• Countless sports organizations now hand out trophies to every kid on the team, saying, "We believe everyone is a winner."
• Cars nowadays sport "My child is an honor roll student at . . ." bumper stickers, spreading the praise near and far.
And where has this feel-good mentality gotten us?
Says Minneapolis author and pediatrician Dr. Ernest Swihart, "It's had serious repercussions. These young adults who were raised in the 80's, now in their 20's and in the workplace—those who received praise, rewards, and prizes for everything they did without working very hard—often are very entitled and self-absorbed, and they don't understand not being promoted, they don't understand not even being hired, and they don't understand not getting praised every day."
Meanwhile . . .
1. According to a University of California, Irvine survey, one-third of the students said they expected B's just for attending lectures; 40% said they deserved a B just for completing the required reading.
Said a senior at the University of Maryland, "If you put all the effort you have and get a C, what is the point? If someone goes to every class and reads every chapter in the book and does everything the teacher asks of them and more, then they should be getting an A like their effort deserves. If your maximum effort can only be average in a teacher's mind, then something is wrong."
2. Regarding a recent Brookings Institution report, journalist Jay Matthews wrote, "Countries such as the United States that embrace self-esteem, joy, and real-world relevance in learning mathematics are lagging behind others that don't promote all that self-regard." According to that report, only 6% of surveyed Korean 8th graders feel confident in their math scores compared with 39% of our students—yet Korean students always outscore ours on international assessments.
Indeed, Jean Twenge and W. Keith Campell, authors of The Narcissism Epidemic, say, "We've built up the confidence of our kids, but in that process, we've created a generation of hot-house flowers puffed with a disproportionate sense of self-worth and without the resiliency skills they need when Mommy and Daddy can't fix something."
So now the question is, have you ever . . .
1. Complained that your child has too much homework?
2. Praised your child for the very slightest reason?
3. Made excuses for your child's poor showing on a test or assignment?
4. Requested that your child retake a test to improve a grade?
5. Gone out of your way to make your child feel good about him/herself?
6. Typed a paper, done an assignment, or helped your child complete a project for a good grade?
7. Questioned a teacher for disciplining your child?
8. Refused to have your child to serve a detention?
9. Asked that a teacher offer extra credit and bonus points to bolster grades?
Nodding in the affirmative to even a few of these questions suggests that you may be contributing to the problem, despite your good intentions.
Explains award-winning author Melissa Fay Greene, "When we muffle our children in a haze of supportive words and blunt their experiences of consequences, we could be making it harder for them to deal with the real world . . . We must stand back and let each child enjoy—or suffer—the rich, complicated, ambiguous experiences of his or her own life."
Instead, applaud effort and time on task, praise only genuine accomplishment, and help your child see obstacles as opportunities, failure as feedback. As one eighth grader put it: "You never fail until you stop trying."
That, after all, is the heart of true self-esteem.
Carol Josel is a learning specialist who worked with middle school children and their parents at the Methacton School District in Pennsylvania for more than 25 years and now supervises student teachers at both Gwynedd Mercy College and Ursinus College. Along with the booklet, 149 Parenting School-Wise Tips: Intermediate Grades & Up, and numerous articles in such publications as The Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy and Teaching Pre-K-8, she has authored three successful learning guidebooks: Getting School-Wise: A Student Guidebook, Other-Wise and School-Wise: A Parent Guidebook, and ESL Activities for Every Month of the School Year. Carol also writes for examiner.com; you can find her articles at www.examiner.com/wise-parenting-in-philadelphia/carol-josel. For more information, go to http://www.schoolwisebooks.com or contact Carol at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Listen to Dr. Mike Robinson discussion about the validity of Year Round School Calendars and Traditional School Calendars and the impact if any on student achievement. School districts around the country have begun to re-examine the benefits and challenges of extending school days and the school year. In Washington DC, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and schools chancellor Kaya Henderson are considering expanding the school day and school year as an attempt to improve overall test scores and increase graduation rates. Currently the school week for students attending the District of Columbia Public Schools consist of 30 hours, which according to Mayor Gray is simply no longer enough time.
Many champions of the extended school day and year believe adding more time will increase the ability of American students to compete with their global peers. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, a chief proponent of the longer school year, says American students have fallen behind the world academically. However, there are those who do not support an extended school day or school and suggest there is little to no evidence that support an improvement in academic performance. "Opponents of extended school point out that states such as Minnesota and Massachusetts steadily shine on standardized achievement tests while preserving their summer break with a post-Labor Day school start" (Julie Carr Smyth (2013).
Listen to Dr. Mike Robinson on Parent Talk Live, home of important educational discussions germane to parents and their communities. His guest will be Tina Bruno, Program Director with the Coalition for a Traditional School Calendar.
Tina Bruno is the executive director of the national advocacy organization, The Coalition for a Traditional School Calendar. Under her direction the cry of parents for a longer summer vacation has become a national issue and many states have enjoyed the passage of school start date legislation. Tina has been guest on MSNBC, CNN and Fox News and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, and hundreds of daily and weekly newspapers. Tina works with thousands of parent volunteers from around the nation as she educates policymakers, members of the media and voters about the negative impact of non-traditional school calendars. Tina is a graduate of The University of Northern Iowa and currently lives in San Antonio, Texas with her daughter.
Dr. Yolanda Abel
Children are one of our most precious gifts. As parents it is our responsibility to rear them well and prepare them to go out into the world and fulfill their destiny. Kahlil Gibran said it well, "Your children are not children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not for you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you." With this in mind, all parents should be mindful of how they treat one another and how the parental relationship impacts the child.
So often when we think or discuss parenting of Black children in general it seems as if the focus of the conversation often becomes the plight of the single mother and bemoaning the absence of fathers. While the Black community is varied in its composition, the issue of female headed households and noncustodial dads is a real one.
The percentage of children residing in a single parent household in the U.S. was 34% in 2009. In the state of Maryland it was 34% as well. However, when you disaggregate by race, there are 67% of Black children, in the U.S., residing in single family homes. In the state of Maryland 59% of Black children are living in a single family home (Kids Count, 2011). National data informs us that almost 50% of Black children living in single family households reside with their mother, while less than 4% of Black children reside with their fathers. There are a variety of variables that impact who a child lives with and how the parents and other adults help to support the child's overall development.
This article is focusing on mothers and fathers who are no longer in a relationship with each other, but share a child. How do people continue to work together in the best interest of the child they created? How do you navigate blended families? How do you set aside personal disappointments and keep the child at the focus of the relationship? These may not be easy questions to answer based on our personal circumstances. However, our vision must be what is best for the child we created together. How can we put our son or daughter first and provide the best possible upbringing?
It is not easy and I am not suggesting otherwise, but it is something we have to do. It is important that we promote father involve with schools and in children's school-based lives. Children are less likely to repeat a grade, be suspended, or expelled if their nonresident fathers are involved in schools. Children are also more likely to earn A's, enjoy school, and participate in extracurricular activities,
Father involvement with schools can make a difference for the better (Nord, 1998).
How do we do that? The mother's relationship with the father influences his involvement with the child's school based life. Fathers who are romantically involved with the mother of their child are more likely to be involved in their child's school-based lives. So, what happens when parents are no longer together? The noncustodial fathers' involvement in school-related activities is influenced by the child's grade level, the household income, mother's level of education, and the child support payment history (Nord, Brimhall, & West, 1997). In this instance, school-based involvement is defined as attending (a) a general school meeting, (b) attending a parent-teacher conference, (c) attending a school or class event, or (d) serving as a volunteer. So, if mom is the primary caregiver, how does dad find out about these events so he can attend, if possible?
Communication geared toward the child's welfare needs to be a focus. Schools tend to communicate with the parent who registers the child for school and to send information to the contact address or phone number that is provided. So, if there are no legal reasons to prevent it, the contact information of the noncustodial parent should be provided as well. As the custodial parent we should also communicate ourselves with the noncustodial parent around issues that support the child we have together. Remember, children tend to have better outcomes when their noncustodial fathers are involved.
Be realistic as each of you works to support your child. While money is important in being able to provide for a child it is not everything.
A child needs parents who are physically present and active in his or her life. Encourage the noncustodial parent to attend school functions, spend quality time reading, go to community events, or any other activity that expands a child's horizon's and opportunities for learning.
Be together apart. Remember that each of you is responsible for the upbringing of a well adjusted and healthy child who feels capable and confident to step out into the world and give his or her best. Ideally, we need two loving parents for this to happen. Each parent contributes something unique to the child's
life and developing perspective.
Be cautiously honest about what you say about the other parent and why the two of you are no longer
together. Remember that the child is a blend of both of you. It is hurtful to attack the other person or to tell a child that she or he is just like their "no good father". Words have power. When talking with your friends and /or family members make sure the child cannot hear you and whatever your comments are, especially if you are angry at something the father did or did not do.
Be optimistic; parenting is one of the most challenging things a person can do. There are moments of doubt, confusion, worry, etc. throughout the parenting process whether we are single parents or cohabiting parents. By keeping our focus on the long-term goal of rearing a child who is well-adjusted and able to become a productive member of society we can make it through the hard times. How can we focus on the good as it relates to our child and his or her father? "What is the impact on
the child?" should always be the guiding question as we consider what to do or not to do.
Be consistent in your actions. Most children do well when there are consistent routines in their life. Mean what you say and say what you mean as you talk with your child and his or her father. If something happens and the routine needs to be changed, share that information with the child. Do not allow a child to wonder what she or he did wrong or why daddy doesn't love me. Something seemingly inconsequential can have long-term negative consequences for a child.
Strive for accountability. Things do happen in life, but for the most part we need to commit to being involved in our child's life and show up when we say we are and be on time and engage with our child. Reflect back on your own childhood, what are the fondest memories you have of your own father? If he was not a part of your life, how did that make you feel? How does it still make you feel? Did you promise yourself that you would always be there for your child? Are you keeping that promise?
Remember, it is all about the child. Fathers and mothers each have a critical role to play in the lives of their children. This is a reminder to do your part. We need to facilitate all fathers' being a connected and integral part of their children's lives.
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Learning the relationships between letters and sounds is a critical skill for becoming an effective reader. Although, in some instances, there are children who learn to read fluently without letter-sound correspondence, for most, it is one of the first steps on the path to reading fluently and accurately. Once letter sound correspondence is firmly in grained in a child's mind they will start to recognize familiar words effortlessly and figure out new words. Some children learn to understand the relationship between letters and sounds naturally during whole class lessons and repeated reading with family members. However, many children need more direct phonics instruction in small groups or one-on-one to become effective readers.
Phonics is one of the most commonly used approaches to reading instruction. Students learn letter-sound relationships, how to sound out words, and exceptions to common rules.
Below are some clues that a child would benefit from more direct phonics instruction than what they are already receiving in the traditional classroom setting.
The child has:
Children who are having trouble with reading may also avoid tasks in a variety of ways. These can include: talking, playing with objects, looking elsewhere, saying a task is too hard or boring, crying, or refusing to complete the work.
Here are five teaching strategies to try with a child (at-home or in school) to help develop reading skills. These strategies can be used for children just learning to read or children who are having trouble learning to read.
1) Point to letters anywhere in the child's school, home, or community, and ask her to name them and tell you the sound. If she doesn't know, tell her and have her repeat it. Don't over do it. Do it randomly and naturally not to put the child off to this activity.
Related Article: 10 Fun At-Home Activities to Teach Letter Sounds to Your Kids
2) For children who have some letter-sound knowledge already, always encourage them to write or spell words to the best of their ability before telling them how to spell the word. If they are really struggling, encourage them to say each sound in the word before they write the letter. If they need help with the sounds, provide guidance for them and encourage them to write the letter when you say each sound. After they make their attempt at the word, praise them for their effort and let them know any corrections they need to make or letters they need to add.
3) Explain that there are "irregular" words that we come across when reading, which cannot be sounded out phonetically. These are called "sight words" because they must be remembered at first sight. Example include are, said, and was. A fun game for practicing sight words is Zingo Sight Words by Think Fun. In this game, children learn to recognize sight words while playing bingo. See a picture below:
Related Article: 5 Fun Activities to Teach Your Child Sight Words
4) Have children sort pictures that correspond with a particular sound. For example, all pictures that end with the "L" sound, go in one pile, all pictures that end with the "X" sound can go in another pile. Have the child say the word and ending letter sound each time she sorts a picture. You can also do this activity with beginning sounds, middle sounds, etc. You can cut the pictures out from magazines or purchase picture cards such as Smethport Photo Language Cards Rhymes as shown below.
5) Engage children in reading and writing activities that encourage them to apply the phonics rules they are currently learning in school. For example, if you teach the "ch" sound, have the child write sentences or read stories with words like chase, chair, and chew.
Additional Information
Remember to always stay calm when working with a child or student, even if you think they should be getting something that they are not getting. If you get frustrated with them, they may start to feel anxious, angry, inferior, stupid, etc. which will lead to a less productive learning session. Encourage children to practice a little each day (e.g. between 5 and 20 minutes depending on their frustration tolerance). For suggestions on ways to encourage children to complete tasks or assignments they do not want to do, read our articles How to Use Timers to Motivate Children, A Tip to Encourage Compliance in Children, and How to Use Praise with Children to Achieve Positive Behavior Results.
If your child is significantly struggling with learning to read or acquiring other academic skills, despite consistent practice and guidance, talk to your child's school and/or doctor. They should be able to refer you to the appropriate professionals to determine what might be interfering with your child's progress and what additional strategies might help.
Recommended Books:
Chicks and Chickens: Learning the Ch Sound (Power Phonics/Phonics for the Real World)
Making Words, Grades 1 – 3: Multilevel, Hands-On Phonics and Spelling Activities
Thank you for visiting educationandbehavior.com! We have free strategies, information, and resources to help adults support children, with and without special needs, in the areas of learning, behavior, and development. Visit our Learning & Behavior Blog for more information!
The 3 Rs
What matters most in terms of student achievement and growth? For several years now, the new 3 Rs: Rigor, Relevance and Relationships have been buzz words for fixing what ails our education system. Undoubtedly, these factors contribute greatly to the success of educational programs.
Rigor implies that students are challenged with schoolwork and learning experiences that stretch their knowledge. Rigorous instruction helps students understand concepts that are complex, ambiguous or contentious. Additionally, through rigorous learning experiences, students acquire skills that can be applied in a variety of contexts, from educational to career and civic contexts (edglossary.org).
Relevance is connecting learning to student interests, cultural experiences and real-world issues. Personal and life relevance in the classroom are intended to motivate students and equip them with practical skills, knowledge and dispositions that can be applied throughout their lives. In doing so, we are able to effectively educate the whole child and prepare him for successful citizenry.
While the importance of building positive student/teacher relationships in the classroom cannot be understated, I would argue that relationships should be developed while building resilience. Resilience is usually defined as an ability to bounce back or recover from adversity (Ginsburg, 2006). Due to societal, family and peer pressure, students today are often operating within a state of stress. Whether in a state of poverty or affluence, our young people need to be taught how to be resilient in the face of adversity and stress.
The Need to Build Resilience
Stress in children and adults looks vastly different today than it did even ten years ago. With the influence of social media, the pressure to fit in, to be accepted or even to be seen plays a crucial role in the lives of many of the young people in our classrooms. Here's a true story that emphasizes the need for students to be taught how to build resilience.
A sixth grade girl, who we will call Sadie, moved due to family financial problems. Her mother had a live-in boyfriend who did not work. Her mother was also an alcoholic who likely drank to cope with her own stress. On several occasions, Sadie witnessed her mother being berated and shoved by the boyfriend. Sadie did not appear to be happy or well-adjusted but, since she was new, she tried to fit in with other students in her diverse middle school. In doing so, she would post outrageous statements on her Facebook page hoping to get their attention. It worked. She soon fell in with a group of girls who were older and who were sexually active.
As the school year progressed, teachers noticed that Sadie was not focused on school. While they were glad to see her interacting with other students, it was clear that she was not making positive choices. What her teachers did not realize was that Sadie was using sex as an escape from the life.
When kids are stressed, their first impulse is to relieve the discomfort. According to Ginsburg (2006), this is not done in a rational, well thought out fashion. Instead, kids are impulsive and tend to follow pathways that are readily available to them. In Sadie's case, that meant unprotected sex with boy that she barely knew. In the absence of resilience, negative strategies such as this are easy, quick fixes that do relieve stress, but also come with harmful consequences. As educators, we can offer support for students like Sadie through our relationships but even more so by teaching students in ways that empower them to build their own resilience.
Competent Students are Resilient Students
Ginsburg's work identifies "A Web of 7 Cs" that impact resilience. The 7 Cs are competence, confidence, connection, character, contribution, coping, and control. While each of these will impact student outcomes, teachers can readily bolster and influence competence in the kids in their charge. Competent students are resilient students.
What can teachers do to grow and develop competent students? Competence is the ability to do something successfully or efficiently (dictionary.com). Personalizing learning is a key component to building student competence. Students attain competence through positive learning experiences where they find success. Teachers can support and enhance this by ensuring that instruction is based on individual student needs. By personalizing learning, teachers can create an atmosphere where students are naturally curious and are encouraged to take risks.
Teachers build student competence through personalized learning by:
Knowing their students as learners. As educators, we know the value of being data-driven. Moving beyond student achievement data is vital as teachers work to get to know and understand their students. Where are they from? What motivates them? What are their fears? Teachers forge connections with students by first knowing who they are. Otherwise, learning cannot be personalized. How would feeling connected change the experience of a student like Sadie?
Creating a safe learning environment. As Maslow proposed in his hierarchy of human needs, basic wants/needs must be met before students can devote their attention to learning (Hoffman, 1999). Classrooms should provide a sense of belonging. Positive relationships are woven seamlessly into safe and supportive learning environments. In many schools, there are students, like Sadie, who do not live in safe, healthy homes or communities. The classroom should provide a safe haven for all students. Students who feel safe can develop competence which will in turn strengthen their resilience.
Involving the students in the learning process. Student engagement is a clear goal of an effective learning environment. What this really means is that students are not just engaged but are involved, not only with the context of what is being taught but also in the learning process, understanding what they need to do to improve and taking responsibility for furthering their own progress. Anchor charts, interactive notebooks, and problem-based learning are excellent constructs that allow students to shape what they learn. Personalizing learning will help students increase academic growth because they will own their learning (Bray, 2013). Perhaps when students are more involved in their learning throughout the school day, they will be less likely to engage in or explore dangerous and unsafe behaviors. Empowering students in this way will lead to competent learners and to more resilient youth.
A well-rounded educational program should include Rigor, Relevance and Resilience. Resilience is not a simple concept. Building resilience in young people can be done by supporting them as they become competent learners. Personalized learning is one avenue to this end. As teachers work to truly know their students and provide a classroom environment where students feel safe, students will be empowered to contribute more to their own learning. By doing so, students like Sadie will be given more opportunities to grow and to succeed.
About the Author
Dr. Avis has served as an elementary, middle and high school principal giving her a wide-range of knowledge and practical experiences. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction for Guilford County Schools, the third largest school district in North Carolina. Dr. Avis has presented dozens of professional presentations and seminars at conferences and workshops throughout the U.S.
Contact Dr. Avis:
Follow on Twitter @DrAvisW
Bray, Barbara. Rethinking Learning. Barbarabray.net; 2013.
Gingsburg, KR, Jablow, MM. A Parent's Guide to Building Resilience in Children and Teens. Chicago, IL: Contemporary Books; 2006
Glossary of Education Reform. edglossary.org. Great Schools Partnerships; 2014
Hoffman, E. The right to be human: a biography of Abraham Maslow. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1999
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On April 9, 2013, Governor Martin O'Malley signed into law a bill that gives the Prince George's County Executive new education governance powers. Effective June 1, 2013, County Executive Rushern Baker will have the power to appoint the Prince George's County School Board superintendent, three members of the school board, and the board chair and vice-chair.[1] In adopting this governance structure, Prince George's County joins a growing number of large school systems that have moved from elected to executive-appointed school boards.[2] Prominent examples include Chicago, Boston, Cleveland, and New York City.
What happens when an elected school board disappears? In a recent report published by the Center for American Progress, my co-author Kenneth Wong and I argued that mayoral governance in large urban school systems has, on average, generated academic improvement.[3] But we also pointed out that the improvement is not consistent over time, or across grade levels and subject matters. This report was the most recent in a decade-long research project on the effects of executive-appointed school boards.
When an executive is given new powers in education governance, attention is often placed (and rightly so) on the nature of those powers. Conversation and headlines focus on who the executive will appoint as superintendent and board members. Something that often gets overlooked – and will be the focus of this short essay – is the extent to which the governance reform is permanent or contingent on performance and citizen approval.
Put another way, when an elected school board disappears, we should ask: will it ever re-emerge? The answer depends on how the state law is crafted. Below I review the range of options that states have employed, and situate the recent Maryland legislation within this framework.
States have four basic options for statutorily prescribing an "end game" to executive-appointed school boards. These options are:
Where does the new Maryland legislation fall on this spectrum? Let's take a look at the actual language (which appears at the very end of the bill):
(b) On or before December 31, 2017, the County Executive, the Chief Executive Officer, and the Prince George's County Board of Education shall submit a final report on academic progress and improvement in the management of the Prince George's County public school system, and recommendations concerning the continuation, modification, or termination of the governance system established by this Act for the public school system, in accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, to the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, the House Committee on Ways and Means, the Prince George's County Senators, and the Prince George's County Delegation.
(c) During the 2018 regular legislative session, the General Assembly shall deliberate and determine whether the provisions of this Act shall be terminated and of no further force and effect. If the General Assembly does not take any action to terminate this Act, the provisions of this Act shall continue to be in full force and effect.[8]
Read carefully, it seems that Maryland has adopted something in-between options #1 and #2: the governance reform will be permanent unless the 2017 report recommends otherwise and spurs the legislature to action. I have placed in boldface the final line of the bill, which should not be overlooked: unless the legislature acts, the default position is for the new governance structure to remain in place. Note too that there are not further stop-gaps, e.g. no requirement for a 10-year evaluation or county-wide referendum.
In short, unless a citizen-led effort to produce a referendum is successful, it's unlikely that – other than voting for (or against) their state legislators and their county executive – the citizens of Prince George's County will have no direct voice on this governance reform.
If I had been writing the legislation, I would have been supportive of creative governance innovation, but would have coupled it with two missing protections. First, I would have allowed for a county-wide referendum at five years, allowing citizens an effort to vote on retention of the reform. Not only does this provide a potential brake (if the vehicle of reform has veered off course), it also allows citizens to voice their support for the program (as they did in Boston and Cleveland). Such support can add to the executive's political capital, and spur further innovations.
In addition to the referendum, I would have also added a sunset provision for ten years out. A decade of data and experience allows educational professionals and legislative experts an opportunity to carefully assess the added-value of the governance model. At that point, the legislature can consider whether the reform should be made permanent. Sunset provisions can generate policy reexamination and reinvention – both of which may be needed if the reform path in Prince George's County follows that in other executive-led districts. Whether the goal is to reignite the system with a renewed vision, or to replace it with an alternative governance structure, the sunset provision provides policymakers with an opportunity to build on previous progress.
Maryland legislators did not choose to adopt either of these two provisions, so what is to be done? I recommend three things. First, legislators might revisit this bill in future legislative sessions and consider amending it to allow for more citizen input. Second, the governance team must strive to be as transparent as possible in explaining and executing its decisions. Third, students, parents, and citizens should be vigilant in making their voices heard and their perspectives considered.
Already we see such grass-roots opposition emerging in Prince George's County. In Maryland, the legislation was opposed by members of the current school board, and currently efforts are underway by a group called Citizens for an Elected Board to place a referendum on the ballot in 2014 to return to an elected school board.[9] This is similar to 2009 in New York when debate grew heavy over re-authorizing the law that gives the New York City mayoral school board appointive powers. In New York, while proponents of mayoral control touted improved student outcomes, groups such as the Grassroots Education Movement emphasized the need for transparency and citizen access.
In response to such criticism, executives posit a model of executive accountability. Discussing the bill, County Executive Baker reflected that, "They're giving me the ability to say to voters that come June 1, I will be accountable for education … If it does not improve, you know exactly where to go."[10] This is similar to the sentiment expressed over fifteen years ago by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino: "Mayor Daley and I share a very important philosophy. Neither one of us is willing to wash our hands of public education. We refuse to let our schools fall by the wayside and join the chorus of politicians saying the failure of the schools isn't their fault. No, Mayor Daley and I believe that when it comes to educating our kids, the buck stops in the mayor's office."[11]
The logic of executive-appointed boards is, as these quotes suggest, that accountability in the education sector is tied to electoral consequences: if you don't like the way the executive is running the schools, then vote her/him out of office to show your displeasure. This logic, of course, is subject to a variety of criticisms, including the point that executives need not necessarily improve school performance, but merely make it appear that the schools are improving.[12] Also, the mayor need only appease a majority of the electorate (which may be distinct from the citywide population because not all residents are registered and likely voters).[13]
We don't know what will happen in Prince George's County in terms of future academic achievement and fiscal management, but we do know from the details of the legislation that executive-appointed school governance is here to stay unless legislators act again. Whether, and how, this new state legislative action occurs will depend on district performance and on the level of civic involvement from students, parents, and citizens. Without a formal avenue for changing the governance reform built into the law, grass-roots channels will become all the more important for maintaining accountability over time.
Author bio: Dr. Francis X. Shen is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Minnesota Law School. Dr. Shen conducts empirical and legal research in education and crime, with a focus on the intersection of law and neuroscience. He received his B.A. from the University of Chicago, his J.D. from Harvard Law School, and his Ph.D. from Harvard University. He was a doctoral fellow in the Harvard University Multidisciplinary Program in Inequality & Social Policy, supported by the National Science Foundation. Dr. Shen has published a number of articles on education governance, and co-authored The Education Mayor (2007, Georgetown Univ. Press). Additional information on his research can be found online at: www.fxshen.com
[1] 2013 Maryland House Bill No. 1107, Maryland 433rd Session of the General Assembly, 2013
[2] Kenneth K. Wong, Francis X. Shen, Dorothea Anagnostopoulos, & Stacey Rutledge, The Education Mayor: Improving America's Schools (Georgetown Univ. Press 2007).
[3] Kenneth K. Wong & Francis X. Shen, Mayoral Governance and Student Achievement (2013).
[4] Francis X. Shen, Community Support For Mayoral Control Of Urban School Districts: A Critical Reexamination, 44 Education and Urban Society 342 (2012).
[5] Id.
[6] Id.
[7] Joseph P. Viteritti, When Mayors Take Charge: School Governance in the City (2009, Brookings Institution Press).
[8] Emphasis added.
[9] Tracee Wilkins, Effort to Put Prince George's County Schools Changes on Ballot (May 3, 2013)
[10] ABC 7 News, Rushern Baker says school takeover bill is a 'good compromise' (April 8, 2013)
[11] Quoted in: Mike Brown, Boston: Daley, Menino Say Mayors Key to Better Public Schools, Press Release, The United States Conference of Mayors (1996).
[12] Francis X. Shen, Community Support For Mayoral Control Of Urban School Districts: A Critical Reexamination, 44 Education and Urban Society 342 (2012).
[13] Id.
The difference between parenting young children and parenting tweens and teens, is The fact tat with older children we should "talk less and listen more." Your middle and high school-age daughters and sons have already heard pretty much everything you have to teach them. Hundreds and hundreds of times. By the time most kids reach preadolescence they start tuning out what their parents are saying. When we close our mouths and listen more to what our children are telling us, we have a golden opportunity to be re-introduced again and again, to the young adults our children are becoming.
© 2015 Created by Michael A. Robinson.


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Results 1 to 1 of 1
Thread: The Keeper
April 14th, 2011 #1
The Keeper
The Keeper | 90x60 cm | Oil on Canvas | Art by Edbon Sevilleno 2011
The narrative of this piece, it's about a young Datu (a prince) who once offended a forest witch, and made a cursed on him turning him into a Jungle Fowl. He could only be human again if he could convince 57 virgins to serenade him during blue moons. He befriended a dwarf that will keep him and help him on his ordeals in return of a big favor.
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- Art: Forest Keeper
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Last edited by edsefile; April 15th, 2011 at 12:58 AM. Reason: The image is so big.
Members who have read this thread: 1

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Rated 4.8 out of 5 by 4 reviewers.
Rated 5 out of 5 by AlexQ amazing stay my wife and myself spend the weekend in this hacienda, great place to relax away from kids and the daily activities, the staff makes everything feel like home from the moment you drive into the hotel, Uxmal is only a few minutes away but the experience of only relaxing here with great service and great food makes this place a one of a kind. Thank you for a great stay with you. February 4, 2015
Rated 4 out of 5 by Denalou Secluded rest and relaxation! The location, the attentive staff, and exquisite splendor of this property makes this the place to experience for total rest and relaxation. If you want to "get-a-way" from it all, this is the place. Be open-minded to another way of living and appreciating a culture, you will find peace, taking a pause from your life, here. November 17, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by Marthy really luxery If you want to have an unforgettable exprience in spending a day in a really wonderful hotel, than book this hacienda! Everything was great! August 4, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by RASF Absolutely amazing From the moment we turned off our engine, the staff from the hotel approached us to help with our luggage and offered to park our car. The welcoming party upon our lobby arrival was great. It sure made us feel special, as part of the SPG program. The food was amazing. The staff was great with local information and our rooms were astonishing. Anyone with a weekend relax in mind should definitely choose this hotel. September 26, 2013
1-4 of 4


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Use the tools below to refine your search by only displaying reviews with a certain number of star ratings or to only show reviews from a certain time period. Eg click on '1 star' to just display the reviews we have which received a 1 star rating click or 'Within the last month' to display just reviews posted over the last month.
Written on: 02/04/2015 by RationalReviewer (1 review written)
After my 14 year old Lawnflite started to show its age we decided to look at a Hayter. Good name, renowned for quality, carries the "by appointment" logo. What a mistake. The drive mechanism fell apart inside a month, a wheel fell off, it struggles to collect the cuttings, leaving a trail of uncollected grass. Constantly cuts out and is completely unreliable. The exhaust guard fell off and the whole thing is generally of a poor quality. Our local dealer has been exemplary but Hayter have left a… Read Full Review
Written on: 19/07/2014 by monty007 (12 reviews written)
This is the second Hayter we have purchase, we purchased this based on the previous Hayter which lasted for years. This one is dreadful expensive brand made of cheap components. This is only just 18 months old, it has had 3 pull strings which start the mower, the rest snapped, the mower has started rusting badly despite it being kept indoors, now the screw thread for collapsing the push arm just spins and wont undo, which meant the nut is spinning inside the plastic screw handle. The only way… Read Full Review
Written on: 18/04/2014 by Abbey87 (1 review written)
It has a small engine and it only suitable for small lawns. It will struggle with long grass and not recommended if there is a lot of moss in the lawn. My Hayter lasted for less than a year. It seemed to be doing the job last year and I was pleased with it, but when cutting the lawn for the first time this year the engine was struggling even though the grass was about one inches high. I took it to a lawn maintenance engineer who informed me the engine had burnt out and it was a write off. They… Read Full Review
Written on: 13/09/2013
I had ha a Hayter harrier 19inch lawnmover circa 1970 something with a solid cast aluminium body and variable speed drive...served me well, built like a tank,thought i"d treat myself to brand new model because of the name I went with a Hayter Spirit 41 16.............Big mistake....muffler bolt snapped due being poor quality steel or bad heat treatment.....the auto drive is not up to the job even on two inch long dry grass, I currently rough cut the grass with a 15 year old McCulloch cheapo… Read Full Review
Written on: 28/08/2013 by Duffy3034 (1 review written)
Bought this mower because it had a good British brand name only to find it was made in China From new cuts out constantly despite changing oil and petrol As for the warranty try and get some service Hayter blame the engine Briggs and Stratton The retailer says contact Hayter And the local or agent does not want to fix as I did not buy from them… Read Full Review
Written on: 13/08/2013
I've had my Hayter Spirit 41 autodrive for about 4 years. I have a medium lawn area so the mower isn't under a great deal of stress yet the plastic body has cracked in several places and now the hollow handle has completely split on both sides at the base. To service the machine and replace the handle will cost about £180.00. The engine is still OK hence the 1 star. I will put the £180.00 saving from the repair towards a more expensive Mountfield and hopefully this will give me greater… Read Full Review
Written on: 15/07/2013
bought the hayter because of there name and because it had the briggs and stratton engine.I had previously had a mower with a chinese engine and assumed the hayter engine was british.The mower has never run properly and cuts out after a couple of minutes with no throttle or choke and no apparent way to adjust it ( it was while looking for adjustment i found the engine was of chinese manufacture),im at the mercy of the local hayter agent who seems to know less than i do… Read Full Review
Written on: 02/03/2013 by Caborn (1 review written)
I have had my hayter spirit for three years, I have serviced it every year before the cutting season, I have a large back lawn, average front lawn and also cut my aged neighbours, so as you may have gathered my mower does a lot of work, On servicing my mower ready for the fourth season I found the bearings on the roller had worn out and consequently had worn the shaft, I purchased new bearings and made a new shaft in my own workshop, I decided to strip the hydro gearbox to change the oil and… Read Full Review
Written on: 30/09/2012
Fell into the trap of buying this cheap and nasty mower mid 2011 to replace 20 yr old Mountfield Empress. Just outside the guarantee the rear roller has collapsed, costing £40+ for a replacement, and looks like a nightmare job to fit. Thankfully the old Empress came out of the shed and started 2nd pull after sitting for 12 months. As soon as this contraption is repaired it will be seeking a new owner. Haven't experienced some of the engine problems reported but mine occasionally backfires… Read Full Review
Written on: 18/08/2012 by hayterhater (1 review written)
Never easy to start, have to have muscles like an Olympian. Carburation gets worse and worse no adjustment and when presented runs poorly and does not pick up. Only works with bone dry grass. The local agents are not interested in solving problems. By far and away the worst mower ever in my experience. It is heavy to manouver and tends to fall over on tight corners… Read Full Review
Written on: 07/04/2012 by Eckford (1 review written)
It took me years to afford a new mower & after taking advice from other gardener's over this period, I decided to purchase the Hayter Spririt 41. My pride & joy; for the 1st year, with everything working as and when required. Season two, the engine took longer to start, but put up with it. Year three useless. Now the fourth is upon us & the same situation. Stripped Carb;cleaned; new fuel;oil,spark. Primed and splutters into life until the fuel in the chamber burns up, then stops. So I'm going to… Read Full Review
Written on: 11/04/2012
I have found my machine performs well on all aspects as indicated above. However I am now having problems with the pulleys such that I keep loosing the power to the roller. I am wondering if I should have the veritable pulley replaced?
Also a general comment It is also a pity that the roller is not split to assist turning.
Written on: 18/03/2012
A fabric grass box! Maybe there are sum who keep their mower in a mouse free shed but sadly I am not one of them… Read Full Review
Written on: 10/03/2012 by clevermrs (1 review written)
I purchased this junkpile in August 2011 and it had to have warranty work done twice to get it to start. I have tried starting it agin today and the same thing again. CRAP… Read Full Review
Written on: 19/12/2011 by Mark8112 (1 review written)
After a year or so of average use the drive to the rear roller failed. Now the top bearing has failed and the machine needs a new engine at £250 so its been scrapped. They are trading on the Hayter brand with a piece of junk!… Read Full Review
Written on: 30/10/2011 by Tonyellis101 (1 review written)
Takes 20 minutes to start. My son is 18 and a competitive rower. He says starting it is worse than his rowing training. It's going back to the dealer for a third time and I hope they will offer to take it back… Read Full Review
Written on: 16/03/2011 by dpike (1 review written)
I bought a Hayter Spirit and have had nothing but trouble with it. It has been back to the retailer twice within 4 months of purchase and now i have just paid £103 to have it fixed again… Read Full Review
Written on: 23/08/2010 by ajhighton (1 review written)
I purchased the Hayter Spirit 41 with rear roller to replace an ageing MDT LawnFlite, that has served me well for the last 18 years. Rather than walking behind a Rolls Royce of a machine I seem to be folowing a Trabant as it pops and sputters around the garden. Power from the Briggs and Stratton engine fitted is poor. Handlebar is uncomfortable, cut quality only passable and awkward to manouevre. Plus point effortless starting. Overpriced for what it is. Not to be recommended and does nothing… Read Full Review
Written on: 20/08/2010
I don't know if I am doing something wrong but the thing just won't start. My previous Hayter was ancient in comparison but it started first time every time. I ony got rid of it because it was falling apart! I can see a trip to my local Honda dealer coming up… Read Full Review
Written on: 20/07/2010
When I bought it it was to replace a long serving Hayter. At first just thought it lived up to its Hayter branding, then the problems started. By the end of the 1st summer the engine was lumpy and cutting out, the next spring it was serviced by the supplier alleging poor quality petrol whilst handing over a £120 bill (the cost of a cheap mover that works). By the end of that summer it was running lumpy again and now in its 3rd summer it has to be restarted 20-30 times on a small lawn. The… Read Full Review
Written on: 10/07/2010
An excellent mower which was purchased as a replacement for our cylinder model, which was expensive to service.
I needed another model such as a rotary, because I could maintain & sharpen the blade myself,and the rear roller was the perfect choice as it allowed me to mow the beds & borders by allowing the front wheel to overhang the edge of the beds without a problem.And it cuts as low as the cylinder!!
It does however run at a fairly brisk pace & only has this one speed.
Hoping for a minimal… Read Full Review
As rated by our community of reviewers
" DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT , BOUGHT TWO OF THESES MOWERS AND ONLY GOT ... " Read More
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Written by Rowallen94
" Awful mistake " Read More
" Worst mower ever " Read More
" Gears keep breaking " Read More


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This festival is a multi-cultural event held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin over the 4th of July. All of the events & festivities happen in Menomonee Park, on the shores of beautiful Lake Winnebago. The area is rich with Native American Historical significance.
Go back in time to the 1870's when Oshkosh had 24 sawmills, 15 shingle mills, and 7 sash and door factories and was known as the "Sawdust City"! Experience these times of the 17th century Fur Trappers when you visit the Historical Village Enactment held at the annual "Sawdust Days" festival. Featuring five days of music, food, fun, Veteran's Parade and the largest 4th of July fireworks display in the Fox Valley on the shores of Lake Winnebago along with SABOR-A-MEXICO, the largest Latino Festival north of Milwaukee.
With 4 stages of music, Sawdust Days is one of the country's most unique family festivals since it's really 3 separate festivals in 1. Over 150,000 people attend over 5 days.
The Budweiser Mainstage features Rock, Blues, Americana & Rockabilly bands from throughout the USA. Variety Stage Features Rock-n- Old Rock, Blues, Reggae, Cajun and German…Something for everyone! Sabor-a-Mexico features the largest free Hispanic Ethnic festival north of Chicago.
Is a non-profit organization run by volunteers. Proceeds from the festival go to pay for expenses such as; tents, toilets, entertainment, insurance, advertising, ½ of the 4th of July Fireworks, fencing, security, grounds, etc. Profits are donated to Menominee Park and the Festival of Lights. Oshkosh Sawdust Days is a vehicle for many non-profit and service groups from Oshkosh and the surrounding area to raise money for their respective causes and is the largest source of revenue for Oshkosh AMVETS Post #7 with the main portion of the money raised at Oshkosh Sawdust Days going to community projects such as: The United Cerebral Palsy, Military funeral services, student scholarships and directly to all the Veteran's hospitals in the State of Wisconsin. We look forward to making the 2015 festival the best one yet
The Oshkosh Sawdust Days, Inc. Executive Board


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Cheryl Cole has made us spit our breakfast out with excitement with her UK and Ireland
tour news.
Cheryl Cole has announced a UK arena tour for October 2012. Copyright [Getty]
We can't get enough of Cheryl Cole here at omg! so the news she's touring in just a matter of months has got us squealing with delight.
Cheryl Cole will play ten arena shows in early October in Belfast, Dublin, Nottingham, London, Sheffield, Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and her home town Newcastle.
[Related article: Cheryl Cole gets a new BFF in Katy Perry, wants to date Prince Harry]
The singer tweeted this morning: "UK and IRELAND !! I'm coming to seeee yooooouuuu.. :D #AMILLIONLIGHTSTOUR !! Who's coming ?!?!?!"
Her new album A Million Lights (released under the name Cheryl, a la Madonna) is out on Monday, following up her second solo record Messy Little Raindrops from 2010.
Cheryl Cole performed at the Capital FM Summertime Ball this weekend. Copyright [Wenn]
Cheryl Cole has already released 'Call My Name' from the album, and told omg! at the Capital FM Summertime Ball that 'Screw You' or 'Under The Sun' will be the second single.
This weekend, Cheryl Cole tweeted: "I CANT BELIEVE WHAT I AM SEEING.. How can Call My Name be no 1 on itunes and i only put it out at Midnight.."
[Related video: Cheryl Cole reveals next single as Call My Name goes to #1]
Looks like a sign of good things to come.
Tickets for Cheryl Cole's tour go on sale this Friday 15 June at 9am with a pre-sale from Wednesday.
It's in our diaries already.
Cheryl Cole's 2012 Tour Dates
Belfast Odyssey Arena (October 3)
Dublin O2 (4)
Nottingham Capital FM Arena (6)
London O2 Arena (7)
Sheffield Motorpoint Arena (9)
Liverpool Echo Arena (11)
Birmingham LG Arena (12)
Manchester Arena (13)
Glasgow SECC (15)
Newcastle Metro Radio Arena (17)


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As conference and meeting venues go in Hampshire, you'll be hard
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Accessibility is key; the hotel is 10 minutes from junctions 8
and 9 of the M3 and just off the A34, with Southampton
Airport just 23 miles away. The hotel is 20 miles from
Newbury and 46 miles from Sunbury.
Having undergone substantial investment in recent years all 16
conference and meetings rooms offer state-of-the-art facilities
including dedicated and un-contended internet bandwidth. From
the largest suite, the Norton Suite seating up to 340 delegates to
the smaller board rooms of the Manor House, there is a room to suit
all business needs.
For something a little different the 17th century Tythe Barn makes
an exceptional conference venue. And thanks to our ongoing
investment, the original oak beams, oak flooring and thatched roof
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Norton Park is surrounded by 54 acres of beautiful grounds
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Having held our annual awards at Norton Park last year, we were confident of a great service and a warm welcome. However the staff on the night, led by Faisel Bulime and Katrina Ward, exceeded our expectations and nothing was too much trouble.
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Davie County Board of Education to Vote on New SchoolUPDATED 8:33 AM EST Mar 05, 2013
Leaders look to relieve overcrowding at the county's only high school. Ericka Miller has the story.
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For four years, I lived in Akron, Ohio. These four years were fascinating, because Akron somehow manages to be completely bizarre and profoundly... More >>
Linus of Hollywood's Let Yourself Be Happy is not a "new" album, inasmuch as it came out over a year ago. However, Let Yourself Be Happy... More >>


text: What exactly is Search Engine Optimization,or as it is affectionately known as SEO? It can be best described as the process of affecting the visibility of a website, or web-page, in a search engine's natural, or organic, (unpaid) search results. To simplify this technical garble, it simply means that the higher ranked on the search results page, and more often a site appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine´s users. SEO's formulate how search engines, such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo operate. They analyze what people are searching for on these engines, what key words are being typed into the search engines, and most importantly, which engine is the preferred workhorse for their targeted audience. The ability to optimize a website might involve several things, such as editing content, coding relevant to specific keywords, and removing barriers to the indexing activities (webcrawlers, ants) of search engines. While there are numerous companies out there that promise you the world, and brazenly guarantee you top spot on search engines, there's also the old adage that "consumer beware". For the most part, however, most reputable marketing organizations that offer SEO digital marketing services have similar strategies for providing optimization, but for the purpose of this article, two companies will be the focus of attention. The first organization to be examined is a company by the name of Mediative.com. Mediative is one of North America's premier integrated digital marketing companies that provide performance marketing services and access to diverse media platforms. In 2011, they ranked #1 by TopSEO's survey. The company helps marketers enhance their branding image, influence buyers and generate revenue through a complete suite of performance and advertising solutions. They provide a wide array of services such as SEO, social media strategy, user experience, pay per-click advertising, web analytics, performance media platform, lead management optimization, and mobile strategy to name a few. Mediative concentrates their effort on the growth of online sales and leads, instead of just increased traffic. In examining their website, the company appears to be knowledgeable and dynamic. They assert that they're fueled by data, research and experience. From a client's perspective, Mediative offers solutions for a variety of entities, such as publishers, retailers, advertisers, ad agencies, and marketers. They report to have a great leadership team, who will professionally court their customers for producing results, and after reading the testimonials, there is nothing to the contrary to suggest otherwise. When looking for a company to "optimize" your organizations performance services, Mediative is well worth looking at to help you. The next company to be reviewed is Mindshark Marketing. This company was named as the best SEO company in North America in 2012 by Top Reviews Today. Mindshark operates in several countries and offers full service Internet marketing solutions for all size businesses. Specialized services are available for multi-national corporations and large brand organizations, including Media Buys, Brand Development, and Media Agency services. The company reports to be a leader in the digital marketing field because they have an innovative approach for bringing new services to the market before the competition. One example of this innovative style is Google's Instant Optimization that combines a database of search histories, a probability engine and some AJAX programming. The search engine displays the most likely non-paid and PPC searches based on the characters that have been typed so far, and this can save billions of hours of searching. Mindshark's optimizing strategies consist of a number of intricate factors that are crucial for any SEO development. An example of their focus is in the area of social media expansion that might involve: •Identifying social networks that increase visibility and two-way performance •Initiating an interactive widget campaign •Managing you social media profile to attract visitors •Creating profiles on the top 10 social and bookmarking sites •Targeting with secondary sites as potential drivers The importance of implementing an SEO strategy, regardless whether it's for an individual, or varying sized company, cannot be overstated. In today's competitive online market, leveraging good marketing plans pays off, not only for the customer, but for the reputation of the company that helps to make it happen. While evaluating Mediative and Mindshark for this editorial, one important feature stands out for both companies'; they're obviously in sync with what is happening in the digital marketing world. In researching these tech superstars, there appears to be a consistent upside of dealing with either company, and little, if any downside. Because of this, they have achieved notoriety for reaching the pinnacle of success and staying on top in the SEO industry.


text:
Video Industry News Video Company News Technology Industry News Technology Company News Novelty Industry News Novelty Company News Gay Industry News Gay Company News Legal Industry News All Company News
Released: Mar 01st, 2007
Running Time: 182
Director: Jack Napier
Company: Vouyer Media
Cast: Roxy West, Mia Freak, Tawni Ryden, Jack Napier, Britney Stevens, Dick James, C J Wright, Tommie Ryden, Kiara Marie, Tia Tanaka
Critical Rating: AAAA
Genre: Gonzo
This lengthy release has a lot going for it. In addition to the interracial aspect, it features big Jack Napier in control and heralding every scene. Napier shines when adding fun to the mix, and he really comes across as having a blast – in more ways than one.
The main event is his romp with real life sisters: Tommie and Tawni Ryden. Without adding any girl/girl, his threesome with these sisters is a delight to watch as they strategically manipulate Napier in a manner intended to carefully avoid any adverse attention or publicity.
Pre-nom for Best Interracial Release.
Retailing: Push the interracial aspect with big Jack Napier and mention that real sisters do him in one scene.


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Farkles, farkles, farkles
View Single Post
The Examiner
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Clearwater, FL USA
Oddometer: 5,972
Originally Posted by
I'm almost positive this will not be a popular thread.
Why do so many folks feel the need to 'farkle' their bikes. I'm just browsing Touratech's site and I'm looking at these prices just scratching my head. People are paying absorbent amounts of money to dress up their bikes and these aftermarket companies are laughing all the way to the bank.
Everyone knows having farkles doesn't help re-sale value (maybe it will help make a sale).
Personally, I'd rather save the money and invest it in a trip, or put it towards more long term goals such as retirement. I also use the money to use on camping/hiking gear that will have a real usable value, rather than an aesthetic quality.
Before people chime in defending farkles, I do know a lot of them serve a utilitarian purpose, such as wider foot pegs, PIAA lights for more visibility on the road for oncoming traffic, etc. People that are firm believers in farkling, do you try to buy farkles used first, to offset the jaw dropping sticker retail price?
So my question is, why do you farkle?
as was said above....
because I CAN
because i work 100 hours/week
because i have already planned for and continue to contribute to my retirement
because i already send my daughter to one of the best universities in this country
because i already write 33 paychecks every 2 weeks... without them bouncing
companies like touratech are VERY SUCCESSFUL because there are thousands more like me
folks have been "customizing" all kinds of things since the dawn of time and that surely won't end with OUR generation.
you don't HAVE to farkle any bike if you don't want to
I really don't believe that anyone want to convince a single person to spend the money he or she doesn't want to. I'm well aware that folks have parted with their money in part because they were convinced to do so because of the excitement of others about the purchase of certain products. It isn't that the thread is going to be unpopular because of your initial words it's just that you and I have a different viewpoint. I believe that's what makes the world go round.
does farkling make fiscal sense... HELL NO
have i lost THOUSANDS of dollars farkling all of my previous bikes.... HELL YES
am i sad about that.... NO
will i farkle my NEXT bike... if i'm able... surely YES
'11 R1200 GS Adventure with a DMC M72DX Sidecar
& '14 R nineT (march, 2014)
Live life like you mean it... but take your family and friends (and DOGS) along for the "ride"
ClearwaterBMW screwed with this post 10-10-2013 at
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By James Slater: The fight Miguel Cotto has been craving for since the summer of 2008 is all set to go: Cotto will get the chance to exact revenge over Antonio Margarito on December 3rd in New York. According to Fightnews.com, the controversial Mexican recently received the doctors okay to begin training. Tony underwent surgery on his right eye, which was badly damaged in his brutal loss at the hands of Manny Pacquiao, and the surgery was a success.
The venue for the fight will likely be Madison Square Garden, and the fight will see Cotto, 36-2(29) defending his WBA light-middleweight title. The word is there will be no catch-weight involved in this fight.
Margarito is obviously happy his career is not over - as it looked to be a few weeks ago, when it was reported he had a detached retina - while Cotto has ached for a revenge fight with the man he feels may well have used loaded gloves in the July 2008 encounter. Cotto, now 30, lost his unbeaten record with the 11th-round TKO he suffered. Worst still, some critics said he quit in that 11th-round. Stung by the loss, Cotto was deservedly incensed when he subsequently found out that his conqueror attempted to cheat (at least Margaritos trainer attempted to cheat via illegal hand-wraps) ahead of his next fight, with Shane Mosley.
Cotto began thinking back, wondering whether or not there was anything fishy about Margaritos gloved hands in his fight with the man. Cotto has since said he strongly suspects Margarito may have cheated against him, and now, in what is sure to be a huge Pay-Per-View attraction, Junito will have the opportunity to satisfy his doubts in a fair fight.
Of course, Margarito, 38-7(27) insists he never fought with anything other than legal hands when he came back from an early Cotto lead to sensationally get the stoppage. Now, with promoter Bob Arum fully aware he has a most intriguing rematch on his hands, the two warriors will finally settle their differences. Can Margarito beat Cotto again? Or will the Puerto Rican hero prove that he is correct with regards to his suspicions of his rival having used unfair means to get the win?
Cotto was boxing very well in the first half or so of the 2008 encounter, and his later fading and being badly busted up was attributed to the sheer strength and determination of Margarito. But the sight of Cotto taking a knee was quite shocking - was he the victim of loaded gloves? We will never know, but in the minds of the fighters themselves and in the minds of their many fans, a win on December 3rd will fully vindicate whichever fighter it is who emerges triumphant.
Since the summer of 2008, both guys have suffered beatings at the hands of the mighty Pac-Man. Cotto was able to rebound and win and then retain a new world title. Margarito, on the other hand, has not won a meaningful fight since his win over Cotto. Its tough to know how much either guy has left, 33-year-old Margarito especially.
The rematch may well have arrived at a time when both guys are in possession of diminished skills yet huge hearts. As such, with neither guy willing to yield, we could be in for a real war in 2011s final month.
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I has the most amazing experience finding MY dress!! Sonia was my consultant and was so much fun and helpful! Our appointment was at 12:30 and once I had found my dress I wanted my extended family to see it so Sonia stayed with us and rejacked me up once they all arrived we were there till about 4:30. She definitely made my experience one I will never forget. Thank you so much! I'm happy to say I'm a Wedding Angel!!
I was referred to wedding angels by one of my friends who is also getting married. I'm so glad she did. I felt right at home when I went to try on dresses there the first time. I went with one of my bridesmaid's who was very supportive, but I knew all along, I wanted my mom. My mom was coming in town the next week, so I made another appointment to come back in and try on dresses. I met with Leslie who was absolutely wonderful. She helped me feel confident, listened to my concerns, and helped me find a beautiful dress. It was a wonderful experience and I'm so glad I found my dress at Wedding Angels. Thank you again and I look forward to my wedding day so I can wear my one of a kind beautiful dress!
Weddings Angels was the 4th store I went to and needless to say, I was ready to find my dress. Right when I walked in (and was actually late because of another appointment), the staff was exceptionally nice. I was immediately met by Karin, who was so bubbly and sweet. I felt very taken care of and supported by her and the staff (especially since I raised my concern about the lack of plus sizes in most stores). I told her my selections and what I was going for and she wanted me to try on this new dress that was gorgeous. I put on the dress and immediately fell in love with it- my first dress that I tried on! I knew that this was it- I was smiling from ear to ear. Karin was thrilled and was very encouraging without being overbearing about the dress. My mother and MOH knew it was the one as well. Karin helped me try on accessories and was super accommodating. The experience overall was extremely positive, a relief since I found my dress and I wouldn't have asked to get it at a better place. I have not gone through alterations yet but my experience so far has been awesome. The staff treated me like a close friend and I felt very taken care of. Awesome place!!
Can't say enough about Wedding Angels. WA was the second store we went to. The first didn't have much in our price range. A couple of friends recommended Wedding Angels so we felt comfortable the experience would be good. Well, our experience was great! Ellen was our consultant that day. We walked in and on the mannequin was a dress that fit the vision my daughter had for her dress. It was by Casablanca. Once we found out that it could be customized, that was it! Dress bought. Even with the customization, it was still within budget.
Wedding Angels allows you to visit your dress and my daughter took full advantage of it. We must have gone back 4 times between looking for a veil, accessories and after her hair and make up trial to see how the final product would look. The staff at Wedding Angels was so patient with her, treating her like a first time customer even though her dress had already been bought. Since my daughter lives out of town, she couldn't make the alterations times with Larissa so she went to see Irina down the street. The process was flawless. Irina did a great job and transferred the dress to WA when it was time to be steamed and when my daughter wanted to visit her dress one last time during alterations! My daughter got married last weekend 1/2/2015. She was stunning in her dress.
I purchased my MOB dress and MOG dress (my son got married in October) from wedding angels. Once again the service was great! Larissa did a great job with my alterations. My dresses fit perfectly!
We can't thank you enough for such a pleasant experience!
Wedding Angels provided an amazing gown buying experience. From the minute we walked in we were assigned a consultant (Christine!) and a private room. We were also allowed to roam the store freely to choose gowns for me to try on. Christine was always nearby to answer questions or offer suggestions. The purchase process was also simple and the boutique coordinated with the seamstress and steamed my gown after alterations. I could not have been more satisfied!
Congratulations on your recent wedding! Christine takes great pride in knowing that her brides are happy from start to finish! Thank you for your kinds words and for being a Wedding Angels bride!
Wedding Angels was wonderful! I love their huge selection of dresses! They were easy to work with throughout the entire process. They steamed my dress and had it ready for me on the day I needed to take it to my venue. Honestly could not have asked for better service from them!
Thank you, Lauren! It was a pleasure having you as a Wedding Angel's bride! Your gown was absolutely beautiful and we are glad we could be a part of your wedding memories.
Wedding Angels is incredible! Everybody there is lovely and they make the dress-buying process so fun and easy! It's hands down the best bridal boutique in the Atlanta area - 2 of my friends and myself have all found our dresses there and loved every minute of interaction with these ladies!
Our staff is so touched by your review! We work very hard to make this time in our brides' lives special and low-stress. We are honored that you and your friends have trusted us with your wedding day attire.
I can't say enough about Wedding Angels!!! I met with Ellen who was fun to work with. I ended up finding THE dress that day! She made the process fun and took the stress out of it and stayed right within my budget! The entire staff was very friendly and professional through the entire process! They took great care of my flower girl and matron of honor also! You can't go wrong with Wedding Angels - they have an amazing selection at great prices!!
Mary Beth, your Casablanca gown was stunning! Ellen has been in the bridal fashion industry for many years and has a special eye for detail. Thank you for being a Wedding Angels bride!
The ladies were amazing at helping me pick out my perfect wedding dress. Very professional and kind hearted.
We truly appreciate your business and are grateful for the trust you have placed in us. Our staff is passionate about making this process fun, and we appreciate that our excitement comes through to our brides!
I attended the Brides Across America event at Wedding Angels in July 2014. I was the very last person that first day and they went above and beyond to help me find my perfect dress and were more than helpful when I found the one. It fit perfect and needed very little alterations. I would recommend them first to anyone searching for their perfect gown. The ladies are very sweet and helpful. They truly value each and every client that turn to them for their gowns.
Missy, thank you for giving us the opportunity to show our gratitude for your service and sacrifice! It was an honor to have you find your dream wedding gown during our Military Gown Giveaway! God bless you and your fiance and thank you for your service in our armed services!
Great experience. Purchase through pick up - all good.
Thank you Christine! We're happy to hear that we exceeded your expectations! Best wishes in your new marriage!
Christine was truly our Angel. I had a very nice time at Wedding Angels. The previous shop I took my daughter to told her to pick 5 gowns and that was all .They never really helped us , and they left us a lone several times. Christine went over each style they carried and gave suggestions to help my daughter . I was impressed that she knew so much about the fabrics of the dresses and was very passionate about finding us the perfect gown. I thought she was very professional and also very funny. Not many people get the best of both worlds.Thank you Wedding Angels !
Christine is our Assistant Manager, and she has been in bridal for nine years. Your kind words mean so much to her! Her knowledge is extensive, and she is truly passionate about educating her brides. We are lucky to have her as a Wedding Angel! Congratulations on your wedding!
From the Mother of the bride: Wedding Angels of Roswell was absolutely wonderful to work with. From the first time we walked in to look and purchase the wedding gown, returning to purchase a sash for the dress and bridal veil, to the alterations, and the wedding day... they were attentive and professional. Wedding Angels provided the most personalized service of all the bridal stores we had visited, as well as having a wide selection of beautiful and unique wedding dresses.
Ellen was our sales consultant and was extremely helpful, patient, honest and just delightful. We loved working with her. Ellen's suggestion of coming back and "visiting" the wedding gown at the store after help to reduce the bridal anxiety of.. did I pick the right dress? Great suggestion.
There were a number of visits for alterations. Everyone at Wedding Angels was professional and patient throughout this process. Christine, the lovely assistant manager, worked with bride, mom and the Wedding Angels seamstress to make sure all was perfect. She devoted quite a bit of her time to the alterations of the dress. Christine has fabulous eye for detail and making sure that all would be perfect. The dress was perfect! Thank you to Larissa, who did the alterations.
We also asked if it would be possible for one of the "wedding angels" come to dress the bride the Sunday of the wedding. Karin, the delightful manager, immediately checked schedules. She ultimately came down to the hotel to help dress the bride. Karin was amazing, and so totally helped to reduce the stress of dressing both for mom and bride.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.. Wedding Angels- you are wonderful!
We just adored helping your daughter achieve perfection in her gorgeous Hayley Paige gown! Your family is delightful to work with, and we were happy to go the extra mile in dressing your daughter on her wedding day! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of such a sacred time. Karin, Christine, Larissa and the rest of the "Angels" are deeply touched by your kind words. Blessings to your daughter and her new husband!
I had the best experience at Wedding Angels! They were so amazing to me. I came in wanting a more homey experience after visiting another Salon that was huge and only had about 12 dresses in my price range. Not only did Wedding Angels have more options for me to try on, the consultant listened to me and I was able to try on dresses I was 100 times more comfortable in than at the other Salon. I actually had fun at my appointment at wedding angels and all the stress was gone. I found my dress and my veil at Wedding angels and thanks to their amazing options I was able to find a dress that was under $1,000 dollars and came $1,500 UNDER Budget!!! I cannot recommend Wedding Angels more! I will be going back for mother of the Bride and bridesmaids dresses! Thank you!
Finding your wedding gown should be fun and stress-free! Thank you for letting us know that we made your experience a memorable one. Our entire Wedding Angels team aims to give our brides honest feedback in a warm and comfortable environment. We really enjoy what we do, and we hope it shows! Thank you for sharing your experience, and best of luck as a newlywed!
I simply cannot say enough wonderful things about the ladies at Wedding Angels. This is truly a boutiqe-style experience with very personalized service. Karin and her staff have been so flexible and accommodating, and have gone above and beyond to make sure every detail surrounding my bridal attire and that of my bridesmaids is taken care of. They are as excited as we are about the big day and I can't wait to be able to show them pictures of what they helped make happen!
Julie, we had such fun helping you and your daughters look fabulous on your wedding day. We are dying to see those pictures you promised of the custom made gown Karin designed for you! May your new marriage and your family continue to be blessed with love and good health.
I tried on few dresses before going to Wedding Angels, so I knew pretty much what I was looking for. Christine was very helpful and honest. With her help, I found the dress and it was the first one I tried on there! The process was very easy and smooth! Thank you Wedding Angels =)
Fei, your gown was amazing. We are so thrilled that you loved it. The sample was custom designed for our boutique! Christine is nothing if not honest, and her brides love that about her! We could not be more excited to hear that you enjoyed the process of getting your gown here. Congratulations on your new marriage, be well!


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Featured Wine
Cedar Creek Ranch & Vineyards 2010 Fair Play Sangiovese (Sierra Foothills)
The Wine Program
The program focuses on local producers, while providing balance with selections from other wine-growing regions, including Oregon, Burgundy, New Zealand and South Africa. There are 140 wines on the list, along with 25 by-the-glass options and five or six wine flights. Four wine taps at the bar showcase wines from nearby vineyards.
Favorite Dish
The only item that hasn't changed since Taste opened in 2006 is the "mushroom cigar"—shiitake, crimini and oyster mushrooms wrapped in phyllo dough, baked and served with a mushroom and white truffle oil sauce.
Corkage Policy
Corkage is $15 per bottle, but the fee is waived on the second Thursday of every month.
Photo by Andrew Rutherford
Photo by Andrew Rutherford