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I asked prior Lakeville City Councilmember and current Met Council member Wendy Wulff if she'd be interested in answering some questions from me and the readership about the cool shit she does for the South Metro and more. Thanks to those of you who submitted questions and thanks much to Wendy for being one of the only local politically charged people I have asked for an interview to actually respond to me. Kudos for that.
Wendy Wulff is a semi-regular contributor here and has posted more comments than I expect most people in the political arena would ever be comfortable posting here. She said that she probably won't be around much after Monday due to the holiday but she'll eventually get around to answering your comments below (for fuck's sake people, comment on one of these interviews ok? :)) but it just may be a few days.
Without further ado…
You use Twitter and you're a web designer by trade. Being knowledgeable with computers and social media what do you think about the use of social media by elected and appointed officials to engage constituents? What do you use your various social media accounts for and do you see yourself changing how you utilize the various services in the future? (reader submitted)
Most of the people I follow on Twitter are either political or news types. Although I don't tweet much, I do enjoy reading other people's news, in an ADD sort of way. I signed up for a Facebook account to keep an eye on what my kids are doing. Mostly, I find Facebook annoying. I don't care if you found a lonely cow wandering on your farm in Farmville – at least I can block those things, but I can't help but think, "Get a life".
I see social media as another communication tool – it can be useful or not so useful, depending on the user. There are some politicians that use Twitter and Facebook to pretend like they really want to communicate, even as they are avoiding actually having a real conversation – I don't have any respect for that at all. My experience has been that electronic communication in general allows you to communicate quickly and easily with the people who are really interested, but there aren't all that many people who are really interested, unfortunately.
You ran for Lakeville mayor in 2008 but didn't end up winning the election. What was the #1 thing that you believed you could bring to Lakeville that no one else could?
I never thought that after the election, every single interview would include something like "ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2008." I don't think there is anything that "no one else could" do – I was asked by my colleagues and others to run because of my leadership role on the council. I was actually the 4th member of the council at that time to run and lose – Holly and Kerrin both ran for mayor and lost in 2004, Laurie ran and lost in 2006. Life goes on.
Now that you're on the Met Council, what's the #1 thing you would really like to do there?
Just what I have been doing – bringing people together to solve problems. Reducing the sewer connection fee for outdoor restaurant seating was a huge issue for a number of cities across the metro, and had been for years, but it didn't have anyone to bring everyone together to find a solution. I was in the right place to bring the pieces together. There are several other things I am working on right now – they aren't very glamorous, but I enjoy the challenge of identifying things that aren't working well, and coming at them from a different direction, to find a solution.
During your interview with Jeff Achen on Thisweek's "The Show", you stated, "we were told you can have a surface lot with 200 spaces and three buses a day…well that's not worth $750,000." Has your view of the Lakeville transit situation changed at all now that the lot has been opened for some time and that there are five morning and five afternoon trips currently running? Do you think that the residents of Lakeville are utilizing this lot more or less than you originally thought?
Too soon to really judge – I have heard from quite a few people who are happy about the new service, and I liked it when I rode it a couple of weeks ago. I was surprised at how much faster it is than the Cedar Ave service. There are still parts of the overall project that aren't done yet – the HOV/HOT lane will be extended on the northbound side down to the 35W/35E split. You will be able to go all of the way to downtown Mpls, which should make the bus more comfortable and even faster, as you won't have to deal with any shoulders. Over time, if the ridership increases, there can also be more trips, which makes it more convenient, which leads to even more riders. The Apple Valley station went through that several years ago. Thus far, the Lakeville I-35 station seems to be off to a good start.
Big park and rides are by far the most efficient way to run transit. There were quite a few people within government that didn't want Lakeville to get a big park and ride, but wanted to force Lakeville into the transit taxing district anyway. Rep. Mary Liz Holberg worked very hard, for many years to make sure that if transit was extended to Lakeville, it would include a big park and ride, and be part of a voluntary agreement, rather than by force. I worked with her on that for about 6 years, and also worked with Councilmember Mark Bellows to craft an agreement that the City Council could support unanimously. We offset the cost of the transit tax increase by cutting the city levy. That surprised a lot of people, but I just thought it was common sense.
On a slightly related note what do you think about the mass transit situation in the South Metro as a whole? Do you believe BRT will improve transit service along the Cedar Ave corridor?
On both the Cedar Ave corridor and the I-35 corridor, there are still quite a few issues to be worked out in implementing BRT. How successful the lines are depends on how well we work through those remaining issues.
BRT certainly has the potential to improve service. It is unfortunate that we did LRT first in the region, instead of BRT. BRT was an emerging idea at the time, and the metro areas that have pursued BRT have gotten a lot more done, at a much, much lower cost than LRT. People haven't seen BRT yet here, and really won't see it in its full implementation for a while, in large part because so much money has been devoted to LRT. With BRT, you can have all of the comfort, convenience, and amenities of LRT, except that it runs on rubber tires instead of very expensive rails. Met Council Chairman Peter Bell has said repeatedly that BRT offers most of the benefits of LRT, at a small fraction of the cost. I would argue that BRT, if done right, is better than LRT, because it also offers flexibility – you can have a combination of express, limited stop, and full service on the same line, and if it breaks down, the other BRT vehicles can just drive past, instead of having to put emergency bus service in place to shuttle people around the problem until it is fixed. You can also add new stops relatively quickly and easily, instead of spending several years, and many millions of dollars to lay more rail.
Also, LRT cars have a 40 year life. While they are shiny and new right now, would people be as enthusiastic if they were riding in one from 1975? With BRT, the vehicles cost a lot less, and you can get new ones after 12 years, so that you can better take advantage of technology improvements. We could have had 5 BRT lines for the cost of Hiawatha, and we wouldn't have people thinking that you have to have rails to have that level of service.
As for the transit situation in the South Metro as a whole: don't believe everything you read in the newspapers. For example, the recent story about the contract for service to Lakeville was a rehash of old allegations, all of which had been answered months ago. The Met Council followed the transit agreement with Lakeville exactly as it was written, and followed normal bid procedures. No story there, yet it was regurgitated as news. Why?
Overall, the relationship between the Met Council and MVTA is a lot more cordial than you might think from reading the newspapers.
What's the most challenging aspect of being a Lakeville North pole-vaulting judge? (reader submitted)
The most challenging aspect was the fact that I didn't know anything whatsoever about pole vaulting. After a quick class on what to do, though, I found it to be great fun, and it was nice to be able to interact with the kids and help out the team. The track and field parents work as officials at the meets, and then donate their wages back to the team, so I did that for a couple of years. I also got to embarrass my son by wearing my ladybug gardening clogs to the meets. Sometimes you just need to find happiness in the small things.
I see you will be working on a committee to establish Transitway Guidelines in 2010. Can you give us your thoughts on how you will attempt to influence the outcomes related to facilities, fare collection and governance of this project?
I think it is important that we have an agreement throughout the region on exactly what is BRT –vehicle types, station amenities, fare collection, etc, instead of trying to reinvent the wheel each time. Having an agreed upon standard saves on both planning and maintenance costs, makes it easier for users to understand, and helps residents and businesses along proposed routes to understand what to expect. I support local control, but it has to be balanced with consistency in the system. I am not really comfortable with the language of your question – "attempt to influence the outcomes." To me, influencing the outcomes suggests coming into it with a preconceived result in mind. I don't have that.
You have continued to move up in the ranks of local politics over the years. I assume that the Met Council is not your final stop. What are your plans for the future?
Thus far, I have pretty much just gone with the flow – I go where I am needed and can make a difference. I really love what I am doing right now, and haven't made any plans – I generally find the most interesting opportunities have been the ones that I didn't expect.


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State Superintendent Janet Barresi, after feeling the pressure from voters and state officials, finally exempted two students at Moyers Public School from state testing Wednesday after the school's superintendent posted an impassioned note on the system's Facebook page, and it went viral!
State Superintendent Janet Barresi, after feeling the pressure from voters and state officials, finally exempted two students at Moyers Public School from state testing Wednesday after the school's superintendent posted an impassioned note on the system's Facebook page, and it went viral!
Barresi said the status, which garnered thousands of likes and shares despite the page itself being followed by only about 700 people, came to her attention late Tuesday. It also inflamed tensions between Barresi and her detractors, even leading one state senator, unaware the exemption had already been granted, to call for her resignation.
The students, two sixth-graders in the Moyers Public Schools System, lost their parents, Rodney and Crystal Sutterfield, in a two-car crash Sunday that claimed four lives about a mile west of Grant on U.S. 271.
Moyers' superintendent, Donna Dudley, said on the school's Facebook page Tuesday that she had personally exempted the two students from state mandated tests, despite believing the State Department of Education had declined the school's request.
Dudley said Wednesday the school has just 215 students, and at the time Dudley posted the status, she said she feared the school's letter grade could drop if the students missed testing.
"That was my concern," Dudley said. "We're a small school ... with a testing population as small as what we have, every student counts. And I felt like, reading some of the comments on the post, I'm just the tip of the iceberg on denials for issues that should receive exemptions."
Education Department spokesman Phil Bacharach said an "honest miscommunication" led to Dudley's belief that the exemption request had been denied, and Barresi said Wednesday she had spoken to Dudley earlier in the morning to apologize for the "miscommunication between our staffer and (Moyers') testing coordinator."
But Dudley said later Wednesday their testing coordinator had been told Monday by Joyce DeFehr, Oklahoma's director of state testing, that the two students could not receive an emergency exemption "because those were reserved for medical issues with students."
She did say 'Why don't we wait and see and the kids can come back and test then,'" Dudley said she was told. "My stance was that it doesn't matter if they come back this week or the week after, I don't think a test at this point in their lives is valid."
Barresi said exemption requests, which are handled on a case-by-case basis, don't typically rise to her level. However, she was notified of the Facebook post, in which Dudley said she feared the school getting an "F" for not meeting their testing percentage, had come to her attention Tuesday night. Initially believing it to be an "urban legend," she nevertheless verified the post Wednesday, then contacted Dudley.
Despite the school system's Facebook page having less than 700 likes, Dudley's post had been shared more than 2,500 times and liked more than 5,000 times. Most, if not all, of the comments supported Dudley's post, and many called for state residents to contact Barresi's office, urging her to grant the exemption.
And as the post spread through the Internet, it caught the eye, and ire, of one state senator.
State Sen. Jerry Ellis, D-Valiant, held a news conference Wednesday afternoon in order to apply pressure on the state Education Department, he said.
Despite the exemption already being approved, Ellis said Barresi needed to resign her post as state superintendent.
"It shouldn't have to go to this (public pressure) to get something done," Ellis said. "I asked for her resignation. ... It's terrible. It's a lack of common sense, and she needs to resign."
The post was as follows:
"In my 25 years in education I have seen many changes. As a teacher, principal and superintendent, I have always tried to make these changes adapt to our particular school in a way that follows the guidelines but also takes into consideration the individual child.This has worked relatively well as I feel that we follow state guidelines and our students' needs are always considered. Personally, as an educator, I have always felt that too much emphasis has been placed on testing but if that is what is required by individuals more qualified than myself, then that is what we will do. However, with that being said, I find myself in a very difficult position. We have a family of students whose parents were both killed in a car accident this week. When our district test administrator called the State Department of Education to ask for an emergency exemption for these students, it was denied. This is not considered a reason for exemption by the SDE. The SDE believes these students should be tested and their scores be used to not only judge them but also used to evaluate their teachers and their school at a time in their life that is unimaginable to most. So as administrator of our district, I have made the decision to go against the SDE rules and exempt these students from taking their tests. This may or may not cause our school to receive an "F" on our school report card for not meeting our testing percentage but it is the only decision that best meets the needs of our students. As an educator and a human being with a reasonable amount of common sense, I don't feel like any test these students take during this time would be valid in any way. Testing and its importance are quickly escalating out of control and our common sense appears to be going in the opposite direction.
Donna Dudley"


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The Alzheimer's Association, Greater Illinois Chapter is seeking outgoing and engaging volunteers interested in becoming Alzheimer's Association support group facilitators. Professional experience in dementia care is not required, although experience with dementia as a family member or health care professional is preferred. Potential facilitators must undergo a screening and background check and new volunteers receive training. To apply, visit alz.org/illinois, click on Volunteer and select Support Group Facilitator on the application form.
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By Chas Sisk, The Tennessean
Blacks voted in greater proportion than whites - both nationwide and in Tennessee - during the 2012 election, helping carry President Barack Obama to a second term.
Data released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau show that African-Americans, as a group, were more likely than non-Hispanic whites to have cast a ballot in the November vote for president.
The same phenomenon could be found across much of the South and in Tennessee, where the Census Bureau estimates black participation outstripped white voting by more than 6 percentage points.
Many black voters came out to re-elect the nation's first African-American president. But data also show the participation gap between white and black voters has, for the most part, been narrowing for decades, suggesting the Obama bump may not be an aberration.
"(Obama's victory) was bigger than a lot of people expected, particularly because Republicans were making assumptions about turnout that were just wrong," said John Geer, a professor of political science at Vanderbilt University.
The Census Bureau estimates that 17.8 million blacks, about 66 percent of the nation's black citizenry, voted in the 2012 election. Nearly 1.7 million more blacks voted in 2012 than in 2008, when turnout among African-Americans was seen as one of Obama's keys to victory.
Meanwhile, turnout among non-Hispanic whites fell by 2 million to 64 percent, the Census Bureau found. Non-Hispanic whites were the only group to vote in fewer numbers in 2012.
The Census Bureau based its analysis on survey data. The differences fell outside the margins of error.
The trend appears to have been similar in Tennessee. Black participation rose to 61 percent in 2012 from 59 percent in 2008. White participation declined slightly, to 55 percent in 2012 from 56 percent in 2008.
As they did elsewhere, blacks in Tennessee are believed to have voted for Obama over Republican nominee Mitt Romney by an overwhelming margin. But with white voters outnumbering blacks 5 to 1 in Tennessee, Romney carried the state by more than 20 percentage points.
The surge in black turnout shows the growing importance of minority voters, Geer said. Not only are non-whites growing as a share of the population, they also might turn out in greater numbers for some candidates.
Democrats capitalized on that dynamic in 2008 and 2012. Republicans might be able to do so in 2016 by recalibrating their policy positions, especially if they were to nominate a Latino, Geer said.
But the race of the candidate may not be the only factor. Republican messaging and policies leading up to the 2012 election also appear to have prompted more blacks to go to the polls.
Many blacks were angered by GOP rhetoric toward Obama, particularly attacks on his health care reform plan and calls for him to prove his citizenship, said Charles Kimbrough, an African-American minister who worked on get-out-the-vote efforts in Nashville.
Some blacks also were upset about Tennessee's new voter identification requirement, likening it to past efforts to suppress the black vote.
"I think there were several reasons that caused people to vote," he said, "and, of course, the right to vote is one of those things. ... We're going to stand for equal justice."


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Communications and Theatre ArtsThe Study of Communications and Theatre Arts
Mission Statement. The Department of Communications and Theatre Arts seeks to lead students to an understanding of the theory, practice and ethical implications of their chosen fields in keeping with the university's liberal arts mission to educate undergraduate students for productive and reflective lives of achievement, leadership and service in a diverse and rapidly changing world.
Encompassing Theme. The fields of communications and theatre arts focus on how people use messages to generate meaning within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, performances and media. The fields promote effective and ethical practice.
Theatre Arts Objective Statement. The collaborative nature of theatre is conducive to the liberal arts focus of Susquehanna University. Experience in both classroom and practicum of dramatic theory, theatre history, dramatic literature, performance, design and technical areas of theatre prepares our students for successful endeavors, regardless of their chosen vocations. The theatrical productions staged at Susquehanna provide vital cultural enrichment to the university community at large. The mission of this theatre arts program is to graduate majors well versed in the fundamentals of each creative aspect of the collaborative field.
Teacher Certification. The department offers a program leading to teacher certification in communications. Majors choosing this program also complete additional requirements specified by the Department of Education. Communications and theatre students interested in teacher certification will complete the following courses: CO:191 Interpersonal Communication, CO:192 Public Speaking, CO:275 Media Analysis, CO:281 Mass Media and Society, CO:392 Intercultural Communication, CO:481 Media Law and Ethics, CO:501 Practicum, TH:142 Theatre Production, TH:151 Acting, TH:253 Theatre History-Moliere to the Present, TH:353 Structure of Drama, TH:501 Practicum (4), EN:200, EN:250, EN:275. In addition, the students should see the Department of Education section to learn more about additional education courses needed for secondary education certification in communications. Students who think they may be interested in teaching certification should schedule a meeting with the university's Department of Education as soon as possible.
Internships. The department strongly encourages students to participate in internships. In today's job market graduates face the old paradox of not being able to get the experience necessary to get the jobs that require experience. Internships provide a strong solution to that situation across many fields.
Recent communications internships have included positions with a major advertising agency, a producer's office in New York for a major television talk show, a technology manufacturing corporation, and a television station, as well as an editorial assistant for a publishing firm, and as a public relations assistant for a major symphony orchestra. Other communications interns have worked with a national sports club as a marketing assistant, with several radio stations and newspapers, and at hospitals, a banking institution, and with dozens of other employers.
Honors. The departmental honors program encourages and recognizes outstanding performance in communications and/or theatre arts. To graduate with department honors, candidates:
- complete major requirements under guidance of a faculty advisor,
- petition the department head in writing no later than the end of the junior year,
- maintain a 3.4 cumulative GPA in department courses,
- produce an acceptable written or production thesis based on one year of senior research/production work (CO:503/TH:503 Honors Study) beyond the required 48 semester hours,
- submit the thesis at least two weeks prior to graduation, and
- successfully complete an oral defense of the honor thesis.
Honors work not meeting the required standards will be applied as a university elective course. Departmental honors may be taken separately from or in conjunction with the university Honors program.
Honor Societies: Lambda Pi Eta (communication), Alpha Psi Omega (theatre arts), and The Society for Collegiate Journalists (journalism). Students who meet the requisite national and local standards are eligible to join these national honorary societies.
Optional Studies Program in Theatre and Television. Students wishing to combine theatre arts studies with television will complete the following courses: TH:151 Acting I, TH:245 Introduction to Design, TH:252 Theatre History I: Beginnings to Shakespeare, TH:253 Theatre History II: Moliere to the Present, TH:451 Directing, TH:501 (performance or design), TH:501 Practicum (major seminar), CO:190 Introduction to Communication Theory, CO:271 Broadcast Announcing, CO:282 Fundamentals of Television Production, CO:381 Video Editing, CO:382 Television Documentary Production, CO:481 Media Law and Ethics, CO:501 (two practica).
Optional Studies in Theatre Arts and Business. Students wishing to combine theatre arts studies with appropriate business courses as an undergraduate preparation for a graduate studies major in theatre administration are required to complete the following theatre arts courses: TH:151 Acting I, TH:245 Introduction to Design, TH:252 Theatre History I: Beginnings to Shakespeare, TH:451 Directing, TH:501 (one each in the following: performance, design/technical, open and major seminar), plus four semester hours from other theatre courses, and the business minor.


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Buckeyes Prove Their Prowess, Down Leopards
Dec. 9, 2012
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Making their longest trip of the season to Columbus, Ohio, the Lafayette women's basketball team could not bring home a victory, falling to No. 20 Ohio State on Sunday afternoon, 81-41.
Lafayette Athletics, as a partner in the mission of the College, provides an incredibly effective learning experience for student-athletes through competitive NCAA Division I athletics. Lafayette sponsors 23 varsity sports with more than 600 student-athletes.Mission Statement | Leopard Tradition | Staff Directory | Feedback
The Lafayette Sports Network (LSN) handles all multimedia elements and advertising sales for athletics at Lafayette College. LSN is the Patriot League leader in delivering high-quality programming worldwide via television, radio, streaming video and satellite.Advertising and Sponsorships | Digital Media | LSN TV


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Gear Review
If I had to pick one pair of shoes to wear every day, it would be these shoes. They simply do not get in the way. They are comfortable, flexible, supportive, lightweight, and cute. Living in the Northwest, I have never once had my feet get wet wearing these shoes in the rain and snow (which is saying something)! My roommate and I both own a pair and practically live in them. I have absolutely no complaints about these shoes, they are wonderful!
View More Details on KEEN Presidio Shoe - Women's


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William H. Craig, DVM
Dr. Craig is the Chief Medical and Underwriting Director of San Antonio-based PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance. With over 30 years of experience in veterinary medicine, Dr. Craig is passionate about pets and how to keep them healthy and happy for a lifetime.
Posts filtered on Category
Diabete in Pets: A Silent Epidemic
November is American Diabetes Month. Just like in humans, this disease is devastating to our pets when left undiagnosed and untreated. [Read More]
Breast Cancer Awareness for Pets
While everyone is sporting pink ribbons this month in honor of breast cancer awareness, many people don't realize that pets can also suffer from the disease. Mammary gland tumors are common in dogs and cats, especially those that aren't spayed or were spayed later in life. [Read More]
World Rabies Day
On September 28, the importance for vaccinating pets against rabies becomes a global issue. World Rabies Day is in its sixth year of educating the public worldwide on rabies and the prevention of the potentially fatal disease. [Read More]
Healing Under Pressure
While attending the International Veterinary and Emergency Critical Care Specialists (IVECCS) convention this past week, I came across a company providing cutting edge care for their pet patients. What made the work they were doing so incredible was it had moved beyond the boundaries of animal medicine and onto the battlefield to help the injured soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. [Read More]
It's (Dog)Flu Season Again
Canine Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs first discovered as a cause of severe respiratory illness in a group of racing greyhounds in 2004. Dog flu continues to be a threat to primarily groups of dogs held in close quarters, such as in breeding facilities, shelters, boarding kennels, dog shows, and pet stores. [Read More]
Common Illnesses in Older Pets
By keeping up with regular veterinary visits and at home check-ups for your pet, you are doing your part in helping to ensure they have a healthy and happy life. With the benefit of advances in veterinary medicine and pet care, our pets are living longer than ever before. [Read More]
Caring for Older Pets
Pets age an average of five to seven times the rate of humans, which suggests that health problems in your pet may develop at a faster rate than you might assume, making them senior citizens by the age of seven. As a result, it is increasingly more important to take your older pet in for […] [Read More]
A Snake in the Grass
The insistent curiosity of dogs makes them more susceptible to a snake strike, especially hunting and working dogs that spend most of their time out in the field, where the snakes that are big enough to pose a threat are more likely to be found. [Read More]
Stem Cell Therapy for Pets
After talking about amounts owners that spent on their pets last week, I want to go into more detail about some of the advancements in veterinary medicine that are paving the way for healthier and happier lives for our pets. Some areas of research and therapy are progressing faster than that in human medicine. Stem cell therapy is at the leading edge of this evolution. [Read More]
No Recession for Pet Pampering
Although the whole country was dealing with an uncertain economy in 2011, pet owners didn't appear phased. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) released 2011 pet industry spending figures, announcing that overall spending in the pet industry was at an all time high in 2011, surpassing $50 billion. The forecast in 2012, despite a skeptical economy, is even higher – a projected 3.8 percent increase in spending to in excess of $52 billion. [Read More]
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Don't forget to check your spam folder if you cannot find the email. For further assistance please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com .Okay
Twigs and Moss
Hand-decoupaged with a vintage-style illustration of a bird's egg and nest, this glass tray brings the beauty of the outdoors into your decor. Food safe.
The brainchild of mother-and-daughter team Susann Haas (a former restaurateur and interior decorator) and Melissa Star (who has a background in luxury fashion retail), Twigs Moss is dedicated to the art of decoupage. Each unique piece is created by hand in a small studio off the Okatie River in South Carolina using prints collected from antiques markets worldwide.


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Organic Swiss Dark Chocolate Bar with Chili - 72% Cacoa
By Chocolat Stella
Organic Swiss Dark Chocolate Bar with Chili - 72% Cacoa. All natural organic dark bar with a pleasant "afterburn."
All Swiss Chocolates
Neuchatel Chocolates imports all of their raw chocolate directly from Switzerland.
5th Generation Swiss Chef
Chef Albert Lauber is a fifth generation Swiss Chef, born , raised, and trained in Switzerland.
Time Tested Recipes
With over 40 years experience, Chef Albert has created a masterful collection of Swiss Chocolate confections.
Only the Best Ingredients
Chef Albert uses only the finest ingredients available to create his confections.


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ANNOUNCEMENTS: View "Clergy Day" Videos on Featured Videos Page
Are you searching for the Love that surpasses all love?
Are you being called from loneliness, confusion, or isolation to fellowship, truth, and friendship?
Are you seeking the peace the world cannot give or take?
In this famous Caravaggio painting, The Calling of Saint Matthew, Jesus Christ is calling Matthew out of the only life he has known to a life he can hardly imagine. Are you being called to new life in Jesus Christ?
Meet some of our members who have answered this call


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Want to help us make a great book? Participate in manuscript review.
Manuscript Reviewers read chapters when they are completed—fresh from the author—and provide valuable feedback. They comment on the writing, technical content, examples, source code, Table of Contents, and even offer their opinions on the state of the technology or reader needs. The goal of a manuscript review is to improve the quality of the book prior to publication, by testing the content's relevance, accuracy, readability and scope of coverage.
All you need is to be interested in the book's topic. While expertise is certainly helpful, we need reviews both from experts and beginners. The manuscript review is a vital part of making a great book and all Manning chapters are reviewed multiple times by many people..
Once you have joined our reviewers pool, we will let you know about upcoming reviews. Some reviews are structured, with a set number of chapters to be reviewed, and a fixed start and end date, which helps reviewers check their schedule to make sure they are able to participate. Other manuscripts have ongoing chapter-by-chapter reviews, that allow you to grab each new chapter as it comes in and then read it and share your thoughts with us.
Interested? Reviewers are not paid but you will be acknowledged in the book you reviewed and will receive a complimentary copy of the eBook and printed book. This invitation is open to anyone with feedback to share, including MEAP subscribers.


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Rick Perry 2012 Campaign for President– News and updates
Our coverage of TX Governor Rick Perry\'s 2012 campaign for president including news, updates, and media from the Houston Chronicle, MySA, and Hearst.
Posts by Author
Rick Perry reportedly quitting GOP race today
National news organizations are reporting that Texas Gov. Rick Perry will drop out of the GOP presidential race today. Perry announce his withdrawal before tonight's debate in advance of the Saturday South Carolina primary, CNN said, citing two sources familiar with his plans. Politico reported this morning that they have two sources that say Perry […] [Read More]


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Upcoming Events
Denham Springs sports a vibrant community filled with annual events and seasonal activities that you will enjoy attending with your family and friends. Check the calendar for many more events but don't miss the favorites listed below. If you have an event planned in the City of Denham Springs, contact the site web master to have your event included on the city calendar.
Chef's Evening and Wine Tasting: Don't miss this popular, pre-Christmas affair. Regional restaurants set up tables in various shops in the Antique & Arts Village, serving scrumptious specialties and wines while patrons not only enjoy the food and drink, but visit with old friends and shop great sales. This annual Main Street sponsored event is a favorite with locals and there are limited tickets. Call (225) 667-8308 for more information and ticket sale locations.
Mardi Gras Parade: This South Louisiana style parade takes place two Saturdays prior to Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras Day), and rolls just days after the annual Mardi Gras Ball. For crazy Krewe-member floats and non-Krewe floats, marching bands and other entries, join the Krewe of Denham Springs as it hosts an afternoon full of fun and excitement. Parade starts at Denham Springs High School at 3:00 p.m., rolls south on Range, west on Florida and concludes on Veterans Blvd.
For more information, contact Margaret Humphreys Walker at email@example.com or by calling (225) 715-1850.
Pioneer Day: Travel back in time as artisans and craftsmen dress in period clothing, exhibit tools and equipment of yesterday and demonstrate how our ancestors produced their wares and products. Come enjoy the day as they line up on Mattie Street (closed to traffic). Inside the Old City Hall Welcome Center and Museum, you'll find quilters and rug hookers. Many vendors will have their products for sale. Stroll up and down Range Avenue where the downtown merchants have special sales at all of the shops in the Antique & Arts Village. For more information, call (225) 667-8308 or (225) 667-7512.
Spring Festival: This one day festival is bursting at the seams with unique and interesting arts, crafts, music, entertainment, demonstrations, a 5K run and delicious foods, as well as a pet costume and talent show and children's activities. Produced by the Antique Merchants Association and the Arts Council of Livingston Parish, the festival is one of the area's premier events. Festival is scheduled from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the Antique & Arts Village of Denham Springs. Range Ave., Railroad Ave. and Mattie St. are closed to traffic in the area as the streets are lined with booths. The Jazz portion of the festival is held at Train Station Park at Range and Railroad Avenues. Visitors are welcome to bring chairs or use the provided seating. This event is held the last Saturday in April. For more information, call (225) 667-8308. Vendors call (225) 665-4666.
Fall Festival: Produced by the Antique Merchants Association, first Saturday in October shoppers are sure to find a treasure trove with over 150 vendors showcasing outstanding crafts and goods. Creative types, artisans and yummy food and drink vendors make for an interesting and exciting day. Other attractions include fire trucks, smokehouse and the Bloodmobile. Kids thrill to the free rides courtesy of the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Department. Mattie Street becomes "Arts Avenue" with local artists displaying a variety of unique works. For more information, call (225) 667-8308. Vendors call (225) 665-4666.
Christmas Parade: The second Saturday in December, the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce sponsors the best Christmas Parade anywhere with numerous floats, marching bands, choirs, school, church and civic organization entries. Come and join our city for a Christmas parade you'll never forget. Parade starts on Yellow Jacket Boulevard at Denham Springs High School, rolls south on Range, west on Florida and ends on Veterans Blvd. For more information please call the Chamber of Commerce at (225) 665-8155.
Farmers Market: Denham Springs was a national produce-shipping hub in the middle of the Twentieth Century and that tradition continues with a Farmers Market open early until noon every Saturday on the New Covenant campus along the Range Corridor at Florida Avenue and Hummell Street. Regional farmers peddle fresh produce, grain-fed beef and food products and craftsmen display original wares.
In The News
::>>:: City Status Report from Mayor Jimmy Durbin
::>>:: Reinventing downtown Denham
::>>:: Subdivisions tying into Denham Sewer
::>>:: Denham Springs gets clean audit
::>>:: DS retail growth with Albertson's, Sam's coming
::>>:: City saving money with Bass Pro bond strategy
::>>:: Denham wins environmental leadership award
::>>:: Council approves sign ordinance
::>>:: Crime in Denham Springs continues to drop::>>:: Juban Crossing Heralds Explosion in Growth


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When America's pastime kicks off its post-season tomorrow, even a long suffering NY Mets fan could stay passionate about the game in October, thanks to a unique social media campaign by Major League Baseball. "Fans love to talk baseball to other fans. So social media was a natural solution for us to facilitate engagement and extend the conversation" says Jackie Parkes, CMO of MLB. However, Ms. Parkes went a step further by creating social currency through content and integrating it with pop culture.
The hub of the activity is the "MLB Fan Cave", a 15,000 square-foot location in York City. Major League Baseball has transformed this space into an exciting arena by mixing baseball talk with band performances, video content creation of visiting players, interactive technology, and art, all designed to attract young adults. Ms. Parkes gave me tour of the space, designed by ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Paul DiMeo. The Fan Cave features a wide array of fun items including six PlayStation 3s loaded with MLB-licensed games and an 18-foot-tall statue of Willie Mays that has its own Twitter feed.
The league ran a contest, searching for a couple of die-hard fans willing to spend practically every waking moment there watching all 2,430 Major League Baseball games this season on a massive wall of 15 televisions, and sharing their experiences with other fans. Contestants submitted 10,000 videos of themselves, and among the 10 finalists was a Mormon minister, a doctor, a lawyer, an off-Broadway actor, and a guy who was earning in the seven figures and was willing to give it up, possibly redefining the meaning of the term "a baseball nut." A lead singer of an LA band, and an ex-actor, won the contest. The two chronicled everything that was happening during the games and at the "Fan Cave" by tweeting, posting to Facebook, blogging and starring in a web series. They have sent more than 12,000 tweets since Opening Day and have written more than 300 blog posts, while visits by more than 120 celebrities and MLB players were documented in more than 200 videos, like the one below with R.A. Dickey spoofing "Star Wars."
With its commitment to social media, MLB is transforming its equity from a sport label to an entertainment brand. "We're not looking at marketingdifferently, we're looking for all sorts of content," Ms. Parkes said when asked how MLB's marketing approach has changed. "We used to be about 30-second TV spots. Now it's about connecting and sharing more through social media."
If only the Mets could change magically that fast, too.
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Young Leaders Partner with GSUSA
March 12, 2010
Shonda Prince
Girl Scouts of the USA
212-852-8534, email@example.com
Michelle Tompkins
Girl Scouts of the USA
212-852-5074, email@example.com
New York, N.Y. — Girl Scouts of the USA has selected 16 young women from across the country as National Girl Scout Consultants to work with and advise the National Board of Directors and staff.
"These intelligent, driven, and passionate young leaders will play a significant role in shaping the ongoing work of GSUSA," said Kathy Cloninger, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. "They are lending their voices to a Movement that wants, needs, and values their contributions."
The National Girl Consultants are part of GSUSA's National Board Leadership Lanes program, which offers Girl Scouts an opportunity to influence both operational and policy decision making. The 16 girls will work as an advisory group, partnering with staff members on projects ranging from program development to research and merchandising. This year, five young women (Natalia, Sohini, Marissa, Jenni, and Ashley) have returned as "E-Advisors," a modified version of the traditional National Girl Consultants. Four of the girls are participating in the National Board's World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and Advocacy task groups. Two young women have joined the National Board Leadership Lanes as Young Alumnae Volunteers (YAV) focused on Public Policy and Advocacy, and College Volunteer recruitment. The young women help to mentor the other participants while learning about nonprofit work.
By facilitating youth-adult partnerships, these leadership opportunities help these young women to influence decision-making processes in Girl Scouting. GSUSA is proud to demonstrate "Girl-led" in action and welcomes the 2010 National Board Leadership Lanes participants.
This year's participants were selected from the 2009 National Young Women of Distinction and the 2009 National Board Leadership Lanes participants. Each participant demonstrates a commitment to lending their voice to the Girl Scout Movement and exhibiting the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
Following are 2010 National Board Leadership Lanes participants:
Toni, National Girl Consultant, Advocacy Task Group Member
Palm Desert, Calif.
Toni enjoys public speaking and acting. She was the emcee for the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Girl Scout National Council Session/51st Convention ceremonies, where she spoke to more than 8,000 delegates. In October 2009, she was honored to be the first student to receive the Hispanic Women's Corporation National Youth Leadership Award, and was the emcee for the Hispanic Women's Corporation Youth Conference. She is a high-honor student and is deeply involved in her community, actively participating in the National Charity League, the Palm Desert Youth Committee, and Girl Scouts. Toni portrayed Anne Frank in her high school's production of the Diary of Anne Frank. She is currently working on her Girl Scout Gold Award. Her goals are to increase youth awareness of Alzheimer's disease and encourage teens to volunteer at senior programs for adults who are impaired. This is Toni's second term as a National Girl Consultant and her first term as an Advocacy Task Group Member.
Jenna, National Girl Consultant, WAGGGS Task Group Member
Erie, Pa.
Jenna is honored and excited to return for a second term as a National Girl Consultant. This is her 12th year in Girl Scouting. In addition to this leadership role, Jenna enjoys travel and service through Girl Scouting. She has participated in Pathways to Politics, the Colorado Horseback Adventure, and Amazon Adventure: Peru through Girl Scout destinations. She is a high school junior and serves as editor of the school's literary magazine, president of the history club, and committee chair for Model U.N. Jenna is an active participant in speech and Debate, the French, Spanish, and environmental clubs, and the school orchestra. She also studies dance and violin. She worked on Marketing and Branding, the Travel Pathway, and the third Journey book series with staff partners. She looks forward to participating in the WAGGGS Task Group this year.
Monisha, National Girl Consultant
Cupertino, Calif.
Monisha is a senior in high school and will be attending college in the fall. She plans to study medicine and biological sciences, with a focus on microbiology and neurological sciences. She has been very involved in working with people who have visual impairments, in continuation of her Girl Scouts Gold Award project. She established a disability center in Chennai, India. Monisha is a 2009 National Young Woman of Distinction.
Ángeles, National Girl Consultant
Guaynabo, P. R.
Ángeles is a 2009 National Young Woman of Distinction. " I am very excited for what is to come of the magnificent recognition." She is involved in art and currently participates in the National Honor Art society in her school. Art is one of her biggest passions, because it has been something that she has loved since she was a little girl. Sports are a big part of her life, too; moreover, she is a dedicated soccer player. She also participates in the United Nations model team for her school and has won several prizes in competitions. Ángeles has been a Girl Scout for 10 years and her Girl Scout Gold Award project is called Clínicas de Soccer en Juan Domingo en Acción. She is looking forward to a great year, filled with new things to learn and accomplish as a National Girl Consultant.
Emma, Young Alumnae Volunteer
Washington, D.C.
Emma is a 2008 Young Woman of Distinction. At the 2009 National Corporate Leadership Meeting in St. Louis, Emma served as the emcee for the 2009 Young Woman of Distinction awards ceremony luncheon. She also attended and spoke at the 2008 National Council Session/51st Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. In 2009, Emma served as a National Girl Consultant, working with staff on projects and interacting with the National Board. When she has time off from excellent Girl Scout opportunities, Emma studies as a sophomore at Georgetown University. She is pursuing a Government major as well as minors in Social and Political Thought and Arabic. She originally hails from Brentwood, Tenn.
Jennifer, National Girl Consultant
Greenfield, Wis.
Jennifer is a high school sophomore as well as an athlete, and a very involved Girl Scout. She is not in a troop but serves as the President of the Teen Board in Wisconsin. She plans programs for girls to help girls with life questions they feel more comfortable talking to other teens about. "This is my second year as a National Girl Consultant and I have loved every minute. Influencing decisions on a national level is an all-around wonderful experience." Jennifer feels that Girl Scouts has truly helped her to become the young woman that she is today.
Maris, National Girl Consultant
New Orleans, La.
Maris is currently a first year student at the United World College of the Adriatic in Italy, working toward her International Baccalaureate (IB). She has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and is a part of Mariners Troop 592 in New Orleans. Her hobbies include dancing, writing, traveling, and learning about foreign languages and cultures. Maris hopes to study Anthropology or International Relations in college. A 2009 National Young Woman of Distinction, Maris' Girl Scout Gold Award project involved renewing the tree canopy lost to Hurricane Katrina in the New Orleans East neighborhood.
Taylor, National Girl Consultant, Advocacy Task Group Member
La Plata, Md.
Taylor is a high school senior. This is her second year in the National Board Leadership Lanes. She has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and has loved every minute. Taylor is a driven student and will be graduating magna cum laude in June. She is the president of her school's Driver Safety Task Force, an active member of the Student Government Association in both her school and her local county. She is a member of the National honor Society and of the Word Language Honor Society. She would like to study medicine. Taylor has worked on planning the new brand campaign, planning for the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting, and spoke with her local council about her interaction with the National Board. She has also advocated for letting older girls know that they can still be Girl Scouts. This year she is excited to work with the Advocacy Task Group. She truly believes "Girl Scouts can lead anywhere."
Vivian, National Girl Consultant
Austin, Texas
Vivian is a high school junior. She was recognized as a 2009 National Young Woman of Distinction for her efforts in fostering fellowship between Chinese-speaking American teens. The Chinese children either lost their parents or were injured by the May 12, 2008 earthquake that struck Sichuan, China. Vivian has benefited so much from the Girl Scouts programs, such as destinations, and hopes to encourage other young women to pursue these wonderful opportunities. She is an avid fan of tennis and the Olympics, and hopes to attend medical school and become a neurologist.
Shannon, National Girl Consultant
Basking Ridge, N.J.
Shannon is a 2009 National Young Woman of Distinction. Her Girl Scout Gold Award project was the creation of her non–profit SHARE (Shannon's After-School Reading Exchange) which focuses on educating African girls so they can empower themselves, their families, and their communities. Shannon is a high school junior and will return to Tanzania again next year.
Jasmine, Young Alumnae Volunteer
Jacksonville, Fla.
Jasmine is a double major in History and English at the University of North Florida. Her academic interests include social history and youth development issues. She looks forward to her 2010 term as a Young Alumnae Volunteer. She is the founder and former President of the Campus Girl Scouts chapter at UNF. She has enjoyed learning about how national policy is formed at GSUSA and observing the implementation of national policy at the local level. She also enjoyed exploring and visiting the National Headquarters in New York City with the other National Board Leadership Lanes participants.
Hanna, National Girl Consultant
Birmingham, Ala.
Hanna is a senior in high school and has been a Girl Scout for 13 years. For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Hanna wrote a book that shows the signs and symptoms of dyslexia and how it affects a child. Hanna has also been honored as a 2009 National Young Woman of Distinction. Hanna teaches religion classes to children with disabilities, volunteers with a local Girl Scout brownie troop, and also helps to advise her local Girl Scout council. She is excited to join the second group of National Board Leadership Lanes participants and is ready to face new challenges and to meet new people.
Natalie, National Girl Consultant
Lacey, Wash.
Natalie is a high school sophomore, who is passionate about sports and staying active in school as well as her community. She has been in Girl Scouts for 11 years. She has earned her Girl Scout Silver Award and is working on her Girl Scout Gold Award. She enjoys traveling and has traveled on three Girl Scout destinations. She is currently preparing for a fourth trip. This is her second year as a National Girl Consultant and her first year as a WAGGGS Task Group member.
Malia, National Girl Consultant
La Cañada, Calif.
Malia is a 17-year old high school student, who also takes classes at her local community college. She loves people and enjoys spending time figuring out how to help them by developing new ideas. She works as an intern for California State Senator Carol Liu, and mentors a group of younger girls at her church. She is president and founder of her high school Italian Club and is also a dual citizen of the U.S. and Italy. Malia enjoys school, surfing, writing, reading, history, playing piano, and shopping with friends. She is a 2009 National Young Woman of Distinction and has been in Girl Scouts since she was a Girl Scout Daisy in kindergarten.
Leah, National Girl Consultant
Chicago, Ill.
Leah was honored to be selected as a 2009 National Young Woman of Distinction. Her Girl Scout Gold Award focused on her love of theater. She wrote an original play and toured it around the city of Chicago, visiting hospitals and after-school programs. She then transformed the script into a picture book. Leah is a high school senior and runs the student theater troupe. She also volunteers teaching Spanish to first grade students. Leah has been a Girl Scout for 11 years.
Emily, National Girl Consultant
Wilson, N.C.
Emily is sixteen years old and has been a Girl Scout for twelve years. She loves working with the few older girls in her local Girl Scout council and planning events for younger Girl Scouts. She wants their experiences to be as great as her own. She is really interested in math and history. Emily loves animals and spends most weekends working at the local no-kill animal shelter. She has been an active contributor to Girl Scout research projects.
Morgan, National Girl Consultant
Atlanta, Ga.
Morgan is a first-year student at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. She is studying Business with a concentration in NonProfit Management to further develop her skill as a social entrepreneur. Morgan has been a Girl Scout for 12 years, and is currently a troop leader for a group of eighth grade girls in Atlanta. She recently completed her Girl Scout Gold Award project, focusing on issues surrounding victims of domestic violence. She is a 2009 National Young Woman of Distinction. She is also the founder of Stronghold Atlanta, a non-profit organization that provides help to women and children who have been victims of domestic violence. In her spare time Morgan enjoys theater, the outdoors, spending time with family, going on adventures, and loves to play Scrabble.
Hosanna, National Girl Consultant
Twin Falls, Idaho
Hosanna is a member of the Silver Sage Council in the beautiful state of Idaho. She loves horseback riding, snowboarding, surfing, and kayaking. She is a 2009 National Young Woman of Distinction. For her Girl Scout Gold Award, Hosanna founded 2-Way Street, an organization that helps refugee at-risk and immigrant youth acclimate to life in the United States. 2-Way Street does this through mentorship, community service organizations, and educational resources.
Learn more about the highest awards in Girl Scouting.
About Girl Scouts
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.4 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect, or donate to Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U (800-478-7248) or visit www.girlscouts.org.


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- 2
- people in the U.S. have this name View Keri Holm on Whitepages
Meaning & Origins
Respelling of either Kerry or Ceri.
|870th in the U.S.
Northern English, German, and Scandinavian: topographic name for someone who lived on an island, in particular a piece of slightly raised land lying in a fen or partly surrounded by streams, Middle English, Middle Low German holm, Old Norse holmr, or a habitational name from a place named with this element. The Swedish name is often ornamental.
|2,563rd in the U.S.
Nicknames & variations
Kerie, Keria, Kerry, Kerri, Kerrie, Keriya, Kerii, Keriah, Keriy, Kera
Holmes, Holman, Helm, Holmberg, Holmquist, Holmgren, Holmstrom, Hulme, Holmen, Holmer