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Miami Marlins (63-79) at Philadelphia Phillies (70-71)
Nathan Eovaldi (3-5, 4.85) vs. Roy Halladay (9-7, 3.87)
Time: 7:05 PM, Citizens Bank Park
Weather: Mostly Sunny, 75
Media: Twitter and Facebook
"From the cradle of liberty, Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Do we have closure? No. No, the heinous acts of terrorism last Tuesday will be with us for as long as we all shall live." — Harry Kalas, 2001.
Phillies baseball is exciting once again! The Phillies have won five straight, and if they win tonight, they'll be back at .500.
But let's put baseball aside for a minute and remember those who lost their lives eleven years ago. We will never forget the tragedy on September 11, 2001, and we will never forget those who lost their lives.
LINEUP: Rollins SS, Pierre LF, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Ruiz C, Brown RF, Mayberry CF, Martinez 3B, Halladay P.
Your Gameday Beer – Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Today's beer is Black Chocolate Stout by the Brooklyn Brewery (famous for its lager). As the title implies, it's a dark sweet brew. The chocolate flavor is nearly matched by the coffee, vanilla, toffee and roasted malt undertones but is certainly the centerpiece in the 10.6% stout. This dessert beer is heavy enough, so have it in place of coffee after dinner along with a biscuit of some sort. – By Brian
0 Comments
Need this game.
Its crucial
Go phils!
I wanna see Babe Ruf!
Last night vs a lefthander was the time to start him at first.
I am hoping the next time a left hander starts it happens.
9/11 memory: I remember that they cancelled baseball for a few days. My comment at the time: there wasn't any point in cancelling the Phillies games, because there weren't enough people there to make it a worthwhile terrorist target. My, how times have changed… weeknight games at the Vet back then got about 18,000 people.
What kind of year is this guy having Chooooooooch. It is just crazy how much this guy is on even after being out and beat up for a while. If he stays on fire any chance he gets one or two MVP votes even missing the time he has
If Chooch had stayed healthy, It's highly possible that the top three National League MVP candidates could all have been catchers.
Posey, Molina, Ruiz-
I don't think that has ever happened before.
Melky is no longer in the race, but I can't help but wonder how much he helped Posey in terms of RBI, I guess we'll never know.
Dom Brown coming through and Chooch running well. Scoring from second on that hit. I may be starting to believe the Dom hype might be real
"From the cradle of liberty, Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Do we have closure? No. No, the heinous acts of terrorism last Tuesday will be with us for as long as we all shall live." Harry Kalas
Thank You Amanda, I'd forgotten Harry's words. God bless America.
Well, so far good, up 2 B4 comin' up, see how much edge can be had before the pen is asked id step up, and the Natti leading the Bucs, 4-1.
Doc continues giving what he can. Get back in 9 inning shape, and I would hope he'll be fine, but I suppose that's for next year.
Woo! Nicely done Rollins/Pierre. That's how you play some small ball right there (Aided by the wild pitch).
Yo, Glute…
If ya feel like answering this, go for it.
After Doc came back from injury, and was so so early on, you posed the question have we seen the best of him.
Maybe by posiing the question, you were stating your opinion, and I missed that.
But with a couple months back now, what's your view on the subject?
HAHAHAHAHA!!! RBI single for Doc!!! Way to help yourself out!
(hey, it worked!)
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Oh, that catcher is kicking himself now!!!
J-Roll! Brantley feels even worse now thats for sure. I was saying to myself, he's gonna go yard now.
Looks like I get to watch the Padres again tongiht.
And come on Braves.
Show some life!
Hats off to Howard for that attempted catch
And it is not his fault the manager hits a suy with a .310 sluffing 4th vs lefties.
At some point that will probably end this magaical run.
Just dumb decisions.
But it hasnt yet.
And I must say I was the first one on this bandwagon
Ken you can get me a shot and a beer at the parade now
and you will take your steak with it how? Cheese steak, that is.
There are times I think I miss your idiotic Howard Bashing, but then when I read your drivel, I realize I do not. He has played less then half a year and if you project his numbers he once again would have over 30 HR and 120 RBIs, I know I know they are antiquated stats and all that matters is sybermetrics, I have said it before and I will say it again. The difference in this team compared to last year, is Howard missing the first half. Last year, you had JRoll, Chooch, Vic, Poly, and Chase miss a lot of games. Yea the pen Sucked, and Doc was hurt, but the Phillies were well over 500 last year, and this year they were under 500 until he came back.
When ya think about Jimmy having 1 homer by around the end of May, while it's not really what he's paid for, his homer total now, 18, is pretty impressive. Sure, you'd maybe trade a lower total for OBP, but still, homers aren't a wasted tool.
On the board, Bucs cut to 4-3, and the Braves totally suck. Can't win when ya want 'em to, break your heart when ya don't. Only 1-0, Crew.
I think he's paid to generate runs (and play defense, of course). I don't think it's that important how he generates those runs.
Hold your breath, Rosenberg is pitching…man this guy is just nooooooo good.
Oh wait thats Lindblom. Almost as bad.
Oy!!! I left the room for a little bit and came back to…WTF???
Horst is usually more reliable than this. But if they're taking out Horst, who the hell are they going to put in?
If they blow this game, I am going to be apoplectic.
Now he puts in Rosenberg? Oh no. Here comes a 3-run homerun.
Wonder if maybe we see Ruf bat this inning.
Thanking Michael Brantley even more now for dropping that sure out behind the plate. Yikes. I'm a nervous wreck and we've still got the 8th and 9th to go. A couple insurance runs will be nice. While they have been throwing well lately, any combination of Bastardo, Aumont, and Papelbon to close this game out with a 1 run lead does not instill the most confidence in me. Bastardo is up and down, Aumont has been good but he is young and you never know when that meltdown can happen, and Papelbon, well, we have all seen that movie before. Fingers crossed.
Howards slugging percentage is going to fall under .300 vs lefties.
How clueless would you be to not use a right handed bat there?
Beta do you have the slightest comprehension of the sport?
How many game sthis year have we seen team move around the Phillies line up to get to Howard late in a game only to bring in a lefty and its over.
Talk about idioiotic.
And it will cost this team and it already has.
Do you understand how bad the numbers are?
I guess it wouldnt be the net though without morons.
And be happy the old man lives in la la land with you.
But me I want to win.
And yea you hit for howard there dummy.
Unless you want to lose.
slugging percentage isnt sabermatretics you goof.
Pitchers slug over .300 though
WHEW!!! 3 outs to go…
The way I figure it, it's not enough to keep Stanton in the park. Lee could still drive one. Getting him out would be really, really good. This is Papelbon's kind of game. Who knows, but I think he'll do fine.
Aumont is very impressive. Chooch handled him perfectly.
And only 23 years old. This could be a nice piece of that Phillies future we've been missing.
Its bad enough the old man did it again tonight.
But I have to have some GOOF on an internet site call me idiotic.
For wanting to pinch hit for a guy sporting a .175 BA .225 on base .325 slugging pctvs lefties
You almost have to wonder hwo they even manage to log onto a site.
and if that wasnt so bad he calls me an idiot and says that this guy with these crap stats is the reason the team is surging.
No you cannot make this up.
And yes Einstein if they make the playoffs and in that 1 game wild card if you are facing a lefty he would be sitting on the pine for me. And most other comptant managers.
Who arentlost in 2006 when it is 2012.
There is no reason to not PH for him in the 7th tongiht with the bases loaded and Ruf sitting on the bench.
2 run lead… will that be enough???
Cmon Papelbon, Cincho but case or whatever personality you have tonight. Cards lose tonight and we get even closer. I'm so fired up! Go Phils!
Pittsburgh lost their game, but Milwaukee and St Louis are winning theirs.
Winner winner chicken dinner.
Time for me to watch the Padres game.
Sorry for the lastest rant.
But I havent dealt with a dullard in a while.
It isnt bashing on anyone to be realistic and point out their stats.
I simply want to win the games.
I am not invested in any of your sacred cows. If they help the team win I like them.
Howard facing a lefty late in a close game is not helping this team win.
Him starting vs a lefty is also not helping this team win.
This is not a bash on your man crush or a diss.
You can goto baseball reference.com and look at the numbers yourself.
These are called facts.
Pittsburgh is toast.
Liek when I used to tell you to not worry abotu the Mets when they had 9 game leads.
Cards and Bucs and Dodgers matter.
Sea level.
Got it.
If the Phils can get help in 1 out of 2 late games, it'll be a good night. Pick up games on 2 opponents. Win about 4 of the next 5, Pick up 2 games on challengers in those nights, sets up a pretty good positioning for the last couple weeks.
The boys should be fired up in the clubhouse. It's a good, good feeling.
As you well know Andrew, Manuel did what 99% of managers would have done with their star slugger.
Maybe even 100%. I don't think any manager is going to pinch hit for their $125mil slugger late in a close game, even if the stats suggest that they should.
No they wouldnt.
But you guys keep going on believeing.
And its all fine and dandy until it costs you a game or a season.
I am always reminded of the Giants sitting their 2 biggest contracts ( zito and Rowand ) to win a title.
That could never happen here. I get that,
But a win is a win and hes gine vs righties.
Again, some evidence to back up your claims would be nice. Does Girardi PH for Cano? Does Gardenhire PH for Morneau?
Does Cano or Morneau have a .175 average or .325 slugging percentage vs lefties or righties?
If they did they would.
But they dont.
Just an FYI "star" players dont sport .225 averages and .725 OPSs vs both lefties and righties..
Howard hasnt been a star for several years.
And he isnt now.
He is adequate vs right handing pitchng. Hardly feared or a star.
But the team is playing well and I am enjoying things.
I have always told the truth here. And my record of being right about things is pretty good.
I knew awhile ago they would make this run.
And this team is more of a threat than the great 102 win team was last year.
Because the stale line up was shaken up.
I liked Pence and Shane but any new blood helps.
Id been begging for a shake up for a long time.
If it had happened with the line up last year. You wouldnt have losr in round 1 with one of the gratest staffs ever.
This year the staff isnt nearly as good.
But the team has more of a chance.
And if Howard was limited in his facing left handed pitchers from this day forward.
The chances to win a world series go up.
Just a fact.
He is
Gotta agree, as I know that Howard has some bad numbers in certain situations, Baseball is not played or managed using a computer.
This organization has invested a lot in him, he is recovering from a big injury he is still not 100% will not be till next year. Love him, Like him, or hate him, be frustrated with him, but he has been one of the big reasons this team and organization is where it is. As a players manager like Manual he uses his instinct, the feel for the situation and such. like it or not that is what Charlie is.
Just JRoll is the lead off guy with a low On base percentage, Utley will always be our 3 hole and Howard is our 4 unless hurt.
The best players on this team have ALWAYS been streaky, but Howard puts up 30-40+ HR 120RBIs a year when healthy… pretty sure it is not all against Right handers.
So chill out alittle they are playing well and Howard is a big reason why so is Utley.
Howard is not a star.
I thought you were about stats, so
09- 45/141
10- 31/108- missed 20 games
11- 33/116
12- 10/40 in 55 games so you do that over 162 that is 30/120
Cano has less than that with a 300 avg depends on what you are paid to do
Howard is paid to drive in runs pretty sure he is still a star just coming back from injury.
Think there is more truth to your hatred for him than your obsessions with his avgs against Lefties.
I am not bashing him.
You guys can never realize that.
The contract doesnt matter. He is slugging under .325 vs lefties.
This is not some computer stat.
It is one of the original back of baseball card stats.
And its not something new to this year.
Remember the 3 pitch strike outs vs Athur Rhodes last year?
And yes as Howard has regressed the last 5 years his inabilty to hit lefties is more prounounced.
The disparity wasnt always so shocking.
Last year In a full season Ryan Howard slugged .347 vs left handed pitching.
I guess there is a disconect here. Where you guys do not understand how awful and unacceptable that is.
This was in a full year and before the injury.
So its not a 2012 thing. Its jsut actually even worse this year as the regression continues.
Andrew, to answer your question:
Cano vs. lefties: .226 avg, .287 obp, .335 slugging
Morneau vs. lefties: .231 avg, .265 obp, .308 slugging
I don't believe they're platooned or pinch-hit for, but maybe you know different.
Howard was 37th in OPs lst year before the injury.
In the NL.
Sorry but star first baseman dont rank behind 3 shoertstops in OPs
And he was healthy.
A lot of you are living 4 or 5 years ago.
I dont hate anyone. He is a good guy. etc etc.
He helps vs riotties.
But no he is nto a star anymore.
At least not by playing level of a first baseman.
But yes alot of you believe he is and Wheeler and Mccarthy will certainly drill in all the positives.
So I dont blame you guys for thinking he is.
But the cold reality is he isnt. and hes not even close.
Among all the fighting we love to do ….. good news
San Diego is now up 3-2
Make that 5-2
just to give you some idea of the regression.
He does have a career slugging percentage of .433 vs lefties.
But you have to understand that that includes last years.347 in a full healthy season and this years .325
His inability to hit left handed pitching is just the easiest part to see.
Sorry these things jump out at me. I know they dont to everyone.
And I am not hating or bashing either. I am analyzing.
Big difference.
Rollins not running to first I will hate on. This is not hate. This is watching the games for myself and seeing the obvious.
Howard's struggles against lefties are well documented. The fact remains that rightly or wrongly, a 30-35 HR, 120 RBI slugger is still considered a star, and I challenge you to identify ONE manager who would pinch hit for him to gain a platoon advantage.
Also, I'm willing to chalk this year up to recovering from the achilles tear.
Before this year, he had been fairly consistent since 2008. This is his OPS+, or OPS relative to the league, in 2008-11:
125, 141, 127, 126
Ok Schenk.
Except the stats from last year before the injusry are eerily similar.
Leyland would. And Morneau gets lots of days off and they always happen when there is a lefty on the mound.
I am not in a need to prove anything to anyone though.
But you guys can believe you want.
I dont have favorites etc etc I just judge what I see on the field.
Remarkably the Padres are winning 5-2 in the 5th inning.
Kershaw and Wainright both pitch, and the Phillies gain ground on both. So much for baseball atheism. Tell me the baseball gods don't exsist.
The incredible thing, and this may well be true for other sports, is that I'm sure history is littered with contendersand late chargers playing .550 in September, but it is absolutely amazing how it feels like everyone of 'em either plays .700, or .300 during the 9th month. Can't anyone avoid streaks? It is WEIRD. At the rate things are going, the Phils will clinch early enough to set their rotation for the play in game. No, that's not cockiness, or delusion, it's a statement of fact…the club is getting exactly what it wants from everyone else. Save the Freaking Braves. Maybe they shock the world today, and cool Milwaukee, winers of like 17 of 22.


text:
Volume III
Department of Defense Education Activity Schools
What's New
- First Lady Laura Bush convenes White House Conference on Helping America's Youth;
- Secretary Spellings announces "Furniture for Schools Task Force;"
- Secretary Spellings addresses National Congress of American Indians Conference;
- EdSource releases study of California elementary schools serving low-income students
- Reach Out and Read supplies books to medical providers;
- National Writing Project weblog gives voice to teachers writing about Hurricane Katrina.
- OII awards Teaching American History grant to program in Lamar, Colorado, plus information about
- Leadership
- School Reform
- Reading/Writing
Education Is First Line of Defense for Department of Defense Schools
The transplanted American students are immersed in the history, culture, and language of their home-away-from home in Mons, Belgium. They are protected by the mons, or mountains, which surround the town. They pet a cast iron monkey, which guards the City Hall (built before Christopher Columbus came to North America), with their left hands for good luck. Each year, to celebrate the city's survival from the black plague in 1349, they watch the "Golden Chariots Procession."
These students also witness history in the making as their fathers and mothers, who are stationed with the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), participate in that history as members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces. Their parents might be among the number of NATO forces from around the world currently amassing to help with earthquake relief in Pakistan, for example.
These children attend SHAPE Elementary School and are attuned to history because the military community there values education. This value translates into high student achievement in the 220 Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools that form a system serving about 97,000 students in the United States, as well as in countries such as Belgium, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
Recently, the U.S. Department of Education announced the results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) fourth and eighth grade reading and math assessments, and DoDEA schools' performance was stellar. Students' scores as a whole were not only high, but, on closer look, they also revealed a narrow achievement gap.
Data for DoDEA schools is available with NAEP state data. On the fourth grade reading assessment, for example, DoDEA schools' average score was the third highest of all the states (226, with Massachusetts scoring 231 and Vermont and New Hampshire each scoring 227). DoDEA schools had the second lowest percentage of students scoring below basic in fourth grade reading of any state (25 percent). On the eighth grade reading assessment, these schools had the highest percentage of students reading at the basic level or better (83 percent). NAEP math scores were equally impressive, with 85 percent of fourth graders and 76 percent of eighth graders performing at the basic level or better.
High performance on the NAEP assessments has been sustained over time. Since 1996, the average scores for fourth and eighth grade reading, writing, mathematics, and science have all been above the national average.
What is it about this school system that produces such positive results in student achievement?
Even though the schools face challenges similar to those in many U.S. public schools—high rates of poverty; high percentages of minority students; parents with only a high school education; transitory populations (as families move when a parent is transferred to another post); and, very often, single parent households (as a father or mother is deployed for training or combat)—their students achieve. A study conducted by researchers at Vanderbilt University PDF(651KB), (TN) found common characteristics of the schools in the DoDEA system that overcome these barriers to student achievement. The schools have
- Centralized standards with local decision-making;
- Standardized testing for all students;
- Curriculum and professional development aligned with strategic learning goals;
- High expectations for all students;
- Competitive pay scales and no out-of-field teaching;
- Quality pre-school and after school programs;
- Prevalence of smaller schools; and
- A commitment to parent involvement.
Part of the DoDEA central commitment has been to help students develop strong writing skills. For over 25 years, DoDEA has had a relationship with the National Writing Project (NWP) to support this commitment. From 1978 through 1989, teachers participated in NWP workshops and institutes in the United States and abroad. At the time, Joan Gibbons, worldwide coordinator of English language arts, helped teachers establish Writing Projects in Germany and in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean Regions. In 1986, Dr. Gibbons examined the NWP connection and asked how many of the teachers teaching in the DoDEA schools had participated in NWP programs. The response showed that nearly all—99.7 percent—had; and the commitment to writing paid off. On the 1998 NAEP eighth grade writing assessment, the percentage of DoDEA students scoring at proficient or higher was 14 percent above the national average.
Other centralized aspects of the DoDEA system include the use of the Reading Recovery program with first graders for one-on-one reading instruction, and the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program (see Innovator, Aug. 8) with older students to encourage them to take challenging courses to prepare for college-level study.
As an attempt to further coordinate among schools in the system, those schools located within the United States are currently testing a technological approach to linking data about students' reading skills. Students in kindergarten through second grade use handheld devices to demonstrate their phonological awareness, alphabetic understanding, and fluency with text in an attempt to make it easier to assess their reading skills on a regular basis. The portable devices are also designed to enable teachers throughout the system to share information and maintain students' progress as the students move from school to school. The program, "Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills," was developed to ensure that students are reading at the appropriate grade level by the time they enter third grade.
The general "corporate commitment" to quality education spills over onto the individual military bases. The military pays for teacher professional development during the summer and the school year. Military personnel are expected to attend parent-teacher conferences and are allowed to volunteer at schools each month. Overall, the system and the culture of the military merge to provide equitable resources to all schools, while valuing and respecting diversity and supporting ongoing education and training for everyone (including parents themselves. This commitment to education is evidenced by the number of military who participate in the Troops to Teachers program, as well).
The respect for diversity—and unity in diversity—is evident in the comparatively narrow achievement gap at DoDEA schools. As one teacher was quoted in the Vanderbilt report, "Your study is looking at why minority students do better. I think the answer to that question is that all our students do better. There are no 'minority' students here."
On the 2005 NAEP assessments, the average score difference for fourth grade reading is 14 points between African American and White students, with Hispanic and Asian students' average scores in between. At the eighth grade level in reading, there is an 18-point difference in the average scores of White and African American students. The difference in these scores is narrower than it was in 1998 when the point difference for African American and White students on the eighth grade reading assessment was 22 points, while the difference on the fourth grade assessment was 18 points.
An example of a stateside school illustrates the DoDEA school system's approach in action. Fort Campbell High School (FCHS) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is located where the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division is posted. In May 2003, First Lady Laura Bush gave the commencement address, saying, "Congratulations to the faculty of Fort Campbell High. You've done a wonderful job of developing the minds and talents of this class. You've given them values, lessons, love..."
Academic growth of all students is paramount. According to the school's course guide, "The primary purpose of FCHS is to provide a program of study, which includes challenges, rewards, and relevancy to the students' educational and/or vocational goals." The school's student body is diverse and reflects the racial/ethnic make-up of the military as a whole. Of the 560 students, about one-third are African American, 14 percent are Hispanic, 7 percent are Asian/Pacific Islander, and the rest are White.
The school offers a range of academic programs from 14 Advanced Placement (AP) courses for all students, to supplemental help in reading and math. Students who need extra academic help are given support early. For example, entering freshmen with below-average math scores, receive an additional 50 minutes of algebra each day, and a reading lab offers help for those who score poorly on reading tests. The emphasis on academics results in 99 percent of Fort Campbell High students graduating, and nearly 80 percent going on to college.
In addition to classes at the high school, students have been able to participate in dual enrollment at a local university. Academic rigor is further bolstered by the DoDEA Honors Diploma, offered to students in the class of 2008-2009. To earn this diploma, students will need to have completed, passed, and taken the exam for a minimum of four AP courses and will need a minimum grade point average of 3.8 out of 4.0.
The Officers' Spouses' Club at Fort Campbell reinforces the emphasis on academic excellence by sponsoring competitive college scholarships for the sons and daughters of military personnel of all ranks. The scholarships are merit-based, and students are judged on community involvement, personal achievement, and academic achievement (including ACT/SAT scores; AP, advanced, or honors courses taken; and academic honors and awards).
The DoDEA system and the schools themselves see education as a full-time, year round "tour of duty." A website offers "Summer Family Learning in Math and Science," which families can do together as supplemental learning activities during the summer, year round, or while waiting for Mom or Dad to return home. It models the value of learning for all throughout the military community. As Irene Dugdale Lee, a music teacher at Seoul American High School in Korea and the 2005 DoDEA Teacher of the Year, says, " I believe every student entering my classroom has the potential to be a virtuoso and deserves the opportunity to develop his or her musical talents."
Fort Campbell High School was recognized as a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School in 2001-2002. When SHAPE Elementary School was named a Blue Ribbon School in 2000-2001, Audrey Griffin, the vice principal, said, "It's like being named the high school valedictorian. It validates what we are doing...the honor is a celebration of learning."
- Department of Defense Education Activity
- National Assessment of Educational Progress
What's New
From the White House
First Lady Laura Bush convened the White House Conference on Helping America's Youth at Howard University in Washington, DC. More than 500 parents, civic leaders, educators, and researchers gathered to discuss problems facing America's young people. Speakers included medical doctors and representatives from such groups as First Things First (see Innovator, Oct. 27). The "Community Guide to Helping America's Youth," released at the conference, is available online. (Oct. 27)
From the U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announced the "Furniture for Schools Task Force" to streamline the process of getting furniture and supplies to schools affected by hurricanes. Assistant Secretary Henry Johnson joined the Secretary's Regional Representative Kristine Cohn for a visit to the Second Street Elementary School in Bay St. Louis (MS) to discuss the task force formed by the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Logistics Agency, the General Services Administration, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (Nov. 1)
Secretary Spellings addressed the National Congress of American Indians Conference. She emphasized that No Child Left Behind has raised the bar for all students and supports closing the academic achievement gap. She added that the release of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) state-by-state Report Card showed, "Scores for American Indian and Alaska Native students increased in math at every level over the last two years. And we're also seeing an upward trend in reading." (Oct. 31)
Raising Student Achievement
EdSource, an independent, nonprofit research organization, has released findings from a study of California elementary schools serving low-income students. The purpose of the study was to examine why some of these schools have higher academic performance index (API) scores. Researchers found four practices associated with higher scores: making student achievement a priority; implementing a coherent, standards-based curriculum; analyzing student assessment data from multiple sources; and ensuring an adequate supply of instructional resources. (Oct. 26)
Reach Out and Read, an OII grantee, is providing books to medical providers and others serving families displaced by hurricanes. Medical providers in need of books for their patients can email: email@example.com. Reach Out and Read also has developed new materials to help in the recovery effort: Reach Out and Read for Medical Providers Working with Families after Hurricane Katrina PDF (65KB), and Tips for Parents on How Books Help Children Cope with Stress PDF (27KB) (Oct. 25)
The National Writing Project has a weblog for teachers to express how Hurricane Katrina has affected them. Sherry Swain of the Mississippi Writing/Thinking Institute describes the devastation in Bay St. Louis (MS), "Trees uprooted, homes splintered...Scraps of fabric clinging to every bush or tree like some kind of ghost community." And she offers tips for coping, "The Tent [on the grounds of a school] is a wonderful community gathering place, sort of like the old country store." Teachers may join the blog as a way of healing the trauma of surviving a natural disaster, sharing impressions and experiences, or documenting the firsthand account of an event in history. (Oct. 20)
Innovations in the News
American History
The Southeastern Board of Cooperative Education Services in Lamar (CO) has received an OII Teaching American History grant. Secretary Spellings said in awarding the grant, "...this is the time to celebrate the founding principles of our great democracy and the men and women who made our freedom possible, as well as those who have fought and continue to fight for that freedom. These Teaching American History grants will deepen teachers' knowledge..." [More-Lamar Daily] (Oct. 18)
First Lady Laura Bush honored Roseanne Lichatin as the 2005 Preserve America History Teacher of the Year. The award is a joint effort of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (NY) and the "Preserve America" White House initiative, chaired by the First Lady. Ms. Lichatin is a teacher at West Morris Central High School in Washington Township (NJ). West Morris is a recipient of a Teaching American History grant, and Gilder Lehrman partners with Teaching American History grantees. [More-Observer Tribune] (Oct. 20)
Eastern Washington University in Spokane (WA) was awarded a Teaching American History grant for the "Freedom Moves West" program that will involve 60 teachers in year-long graduate seminars, 200 teachers in in-service workshops, and 300 new teachers in summer courses and workshops using digital archives and resources of the Museum of Arts and Culture and the Eastern Washington University History Department. [More-The Easterner] (Oct. 11)
The National Association of Secondary School Principals and MetLife have selected a National High School Principal of the Year who literally stands on rooftops for his students. Mel Riddile once fixed the air conditioning system on the roof at J.E.B Stuart High School in Fairfax County (VA) so that his students would not have to miss school due to hot weather. But fixing ventilation systems is not all that Principal Riddile has achieved: test scores at the school have improved, 40 percent of students are involved in the school's rigorous International Baccalaureate program, and absenteeism has been sharply reduced. [More-The Washington Post] (Oct. 23) [free registration]
School Reform
The Nevada Commission on Educational Excellence has decided to award $78 million in state money to schools that propose innovative approaches to improving student achievement. The Commission was created early this month to receive applications for the funds, and $22 million has already been set aside to start full-day kindergarten during the upcoming school year. The Commission will set up nine review teams for the applications, which must be submitted to the State Education Department before December 16. [More-Nevada Appeal] (Oct. 26)
Annie Herbert, wife of Doug Herbert, OII Special Assistant for Arts Education and Teacher Quality, is a reading specialist at Bonnie Branch Middle School and member of the Howard County (MD) Reading Council. She is also managing "Books for the Bayou's Babies," a book drive for children who have been affected by recent hurricanes. The bookstores, Jr. Editions and Daedalus Books, in Columbia (MD) offer 20 percent discounts on books donated to the effort. The Ellicott City (MD) Barnes and Noble stores will start their holiday book drives early so that books can be donated to the cause before Thanksgiving. [More-The View] (Oct. 26)
Since Hurricane Katrina, writing has helped many students digest what has happened. It has been a way to help them cope with their own tragedy or express sympathy for disaster victims. The Louisiana State University Writing Project organized the "Katrina Writing Project," offering notebooks to displaced people of all ages so they could write down their impressions. One college student from New Orleans wrote, when she left for college she "...was tired of seeing the same old crooked things on my block...Why am I looking back now? Well, when a friend is in trouble, you do not turn your back on her. But in my case it's a city. A city that has given me laughter and tears..." [More-Seattle Post-Intelligencer]
Last Modified: 08/12/2009

subset: commoncrawl


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This is the safe that fits in a medicine cabinet and keeps prescription medication secure. The safe's 113" cu. interior secures up to seven 4"-tall bottles inside a steel-fortified ABS/nylon composite case. The safe has recessed, concealed hinges and two 1/2"-diameter locking steel door bolts that prevent unauthorized access. The safe only opens with the included key and it is less than 4" deep for unobtrusive storage inside a medicine cabinet, drawer, or on a nightstand. Pre-drilled holes and the included hardware enable the safe to be mounted to a wall, shelf, or countertop. Exterior: 12" L x 4" H x 3 1/3"D; Interior: 11 1/3" L x 4" H x 2 1/2" D. (3 lbs.)
Lifetime Guarantee
The Medication Safe comes with The Hammacher Schlemmer Lifetime Guarantee at no additional charge. If this product ever disappoints you, for any reason, you may return your Hammacher Schlemmer purchase for exchange, credit, or refund.Should you have any questions, we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please call 1-800-321-1484 to speak with a product specialist or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com to receive a response within one hour.
May we recommend:
COPYRIGHT © 2016 HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER & COMPANY, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. W106147 E. 57th ST • NEW YORK, NY • 10022 • 1-800-_321-1484


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Class 8
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|CBSE Class 8 - MathCBSE Class 8 - Math Syllabus
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Composition for AMLOGARD METAmlodipine(25 mg),Metoprolol(5 mg)
food interaction for AMLOGARD MET
alcohol interaction for AMLOGARD MET
pregnancy interaction for AMLOGARD MET
lactation interaction for AMLOGARD MET
Avoid Amlogard met 25 mg/5 mg tablet with high-fat meals such as olive oil, nuts & seeds (Brazil nuts), dark chocolate, butter and meat.
Taking Metoprolol with alcohol may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and/or changes in pulse or heart rate.
Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the foetus, however, there are limited human studies. The benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk. Please consult your doctor.
SALT INFORMATION for AMLOGARD MET
How it works
Common side effects
How it works
Common side effects
SUBSTITUTES for AMLOGARD MET
- AMLOPIN M 25 MG/5 MG TABLET(10 tablets in strip)USV LtdRs. 6.50/tabletRs. 65save 24% more per tablet
- AMLOKEM M 5MG/25MG TABLET(10 tablets in strip)Alkem Laboratories LtdRs. 6.65/tabletRs. 66.50save 22% more per tablet
Top Cardiologists
- Dr. Rajneesh KapoorMBBS, MD, DNB
- Dr. Hemant GandhiMBBS, MD, DM
- Dr. Balbir SinghMBBS, MD, DM, Fellowship, Fellowship
- Dr. R. R. KasliwalMBBS, MD, DM, Fellowship
- Dr. Monik MehtaMBBS, MD, DM, Fellowship
Expert advice for AMLOGARD MET
- Notify your doctor if you are or planning to become pregnant.
- Amlodipine can cause swelling in the ankle or feet. Notify your doctor if it bothers you.
- The missing dose of the Amlodipine can cause your blood pressure to go up suddenly, which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. You can take the medicine at the same time every day to avoid forgetting it.
- You may get a headache that lasts for a short time, after starting Amlodipine. This should become less noticeable after a few days.
- Amlodipine may cause dizziness in the first few days of starting the treatment.
- Your doctor may recommend a change in the lifestyle to lower your blood pressure. It may include:
- Consume fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and reduce saturated-total fat.
- Reduce daily dietary sodium intake as much as possible, ideally to 65 mmol/day (1.5 g/day sodium or 3.8 g/day sodium chloride).
- Regular aerobic physical activity (at least 30 minutes/day, most days of the week).
- Swelling, bleeding or tenderness of gums may occur after starting the treatment. Brushing and flossing of teeth carefully and regularly may prevent this.
Frequently asked questions for AMLOGARD MET
Q.Is amlodipine safe?
Amlodipine is safe if used at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration as advised by your doctor
Q.Is amlodipine a diuretic/ blood thinner/ beta-blocker/ statin/ ACE inhibitor or a nitrate?
Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker, not a diuretic, blood thinner, beta-blocker, statin, ACE inhibitor or a nitrate
Q.Can I take amlodipine with Viagra?
Amlodipine does not have any significant interaction with sildenafil, the active ingredient of Viagra. However, consult your doctor before taking both the drugs together
Q.Does amlodipine cause gout or coughing?
Amlodipine does not cause gout, in fact it can be taken by gout patients for the appropriate indication. Coughing is a very rare side effect of amlodipine
Q.What is Eslo 2.5 or Amlopres-5 used for?
Eslo 2.5 or Amlopres-5 are some of the trade names of amlodipine and used for the same indications as amlodipine.
Q.Is metoprolol safe?
Metoprolol (also available as metolar XR 50/ met Xl/ metolar/ embeta XR) is safe if used at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration as advised by your doctor
Q.Is metoprolol a diuretic/ beta blocker/statin/ MAOI/ ACE inhibitor or ARB/ calcium channel blocker?
Metoprolol belongs to the class of beta-blocker drug. It is not a diuretic, statin, MAOI, ACE inhibitor or calcium channel blocker
Q.Is metoprolol tartrate the same as toprol XL?
Metoprolol tartrate and toprol XL are same and Toprol xl is the brand name of the generic drug metoprolol
Q.Can I take metoprolol with amlodipine/ Nyquil /Xanax/ Aspirin/ Ibuprofen/ Benadryl/ Zoloft/ Lisinopril?
Metoprolol can be taken with amlodipine, Lisinopril, Xanax and Aspirin. It is advised to take Nyquil and Metoprolol with doctor's advice, because Nyquil contains antihistamines which might elevate blood pressure. Ibuprofen is NSAID, which interacts with metoprolol and should be avoided. Metoprolol may slow down the heart rate, and diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness, so Benadryl should be taken only if needed and under doctor's advice. Metoprolol tartrate oral will increase the level or effect of Zoloft (sertraline) by altering drug metabolism
Q.Does metoprolol cause hair loss/ headache/ lower heart rate/ lower blood pressure/ weight gain/ memory loss/ itching/ cough/ itching/ gas?
Metoprolol may cause some of these effects. Always consult your doctor if you experience such side effects.


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Clayton Wakida, KITV Digital Media Manager
KITV Digital Media Manager
Clayton Wakida joined KITV4 News in August 1999 as an intern. He came on as a part-time associate producer in January 2000.
He has been a producer and associate producer for every single KITV4 News newcast, including being a longtime producer for the weekday morning newscast as well as the weekend morning newscasts.
Clayton decided to go for the job of Digital Media Manager with his experience in computers, mobile device, website building and social media. He became Digital Media Manager in October 2011.
Clayton has taken on the big news stories on the website and on KITV's mobile products. He helped the public be informed during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in November 2011; helped Hawaii prepare for a tsunami warning in October 2012; and, he manned the computer for hours while tracking Hurricane Flossie in July 2013 while taking care of the debut of the KITV Hurricane Tracker app, which went to the #8 spot for weather apps in the iTunes App Store. He also stayed up overnight tracking Hurricane and Tropical Storm Iselle as it hit the Big Island in August 2014.
Clayton is looking for more ways to take KITV's digital products to the next level as we head into our digital future.


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Potty training can be a stressful time for parents and children. To help ease the process, try following these tips.
When to start: The Mayo Clinic says children are typically ready to start being potty trained around the age of 2, but some aren't physically or emotionally ready until they are a bit older.
Is your child ready? The Mayo Clinic says there are some key signals to watch for to determine if your child is ready to be potty trained. Some of these include: showing interest in the potty chair or toilet; telling you or showing you when they have to go to the bathroom; keeping their diaper dry for two hours or longer throughout the day; the ability to pull his or pants up and down and the ability to sit on and get up from the potty chair.
Big changes coming? You might want to hold off on potty training if you know your child is about to experience big changes in his or her life. According to the Mayo Clinic, the arrival of a new sibling or moving into a new house can complicate the potty-training process.
Have the right attitude: Before you begin potty training your child, first make sure you have the right attitude for the process. The Mayo Clinic suggests keeping a sense of humor and positive attitude throughout the process.
Get familiar with the chair: It's important to get your child familiar with his or her potty chair. The Mayo Clinic suggests encouraging your child to sit on the potty chair – even with his or her diaper on – just to get used to it. Make sure to tell your child what the potty chair for and why it is used.
Spend time 'trying': When first training your child, allow them to sit on the potty chair for a few minutes several times a day, the Mayo clinic suggests. Give them toys to play with or even a book to read as they "try" to go to the bathroom in the potty chair. It's important to praise your child while he or she is sitting there and "trying."
For boys – sit, then stand: The Mayo Clinic suggests first teaching boys to use the potty chair while sitting. Once they are more trained, then you can show them how to urinate while standing.
Watch for signs: When you see signs that your child needs to use the bathroom, try to get them to a toilet as fast as possible. The Mayo Clinic says this will help them learn to recognize the signs that they need to use the bathroom.
Give them the honors: When your child uses the potty chair or toilet, let them have the honors of flushing it!
Incentive charts: To help keep your child interested in potty training, you might want to give them incentives. The Mayo Clinic suggests having them put stickers on a chart, or rewarding them with more time at the park or more stories at bedtime.
Shopping trip!:When it appears your child is on the road to success with potty training and is about ready to be out of diapers, celebrate the event by going shopping for new, big-kid underwear, the Mayo Clinic suggests.
Dress appropriately: While your child is still working on potty training, try to keep him or her in outfits that are easy for them to take off so they can go to the bathroom. The Mayo Clinic suggests avoiding overalls during this time.
Prepare for nighttime: Overnight potty training can take a lot longer to master than daytime training. The Mayo Clinic says it can take years for some kids to master overnight bladder control. For these reasons, consider having your child sleep in disposable training pants or putting a plastic mattress cover on his or her bed.
When to postpone training: If you've been trying to potty train your child for a few weeks and he or she is resisting the process and not catching on, you might want to consider taking a break and trying again later. You child might just not be ready to be potty trained yet.
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The best really scary movies I have ever seen were filmed in black and white, either by design or because they were made before the popularization of color techniques.
Lest I be mistaken for a Cretan, I want to make it clear I am not talking about "The Blair Witch Project."
The other night, when I returned from someplace — I don't recall just where — "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" was on the movie channel — fortunately, the one which doesn't have commercial interruptions.
Bette Davis' portrayal of a woman enmeshed in her own delusions made me comment to my wife that there simply are no actresses like that anymore — none who could carry it off. I named a few wannabes whose fan clubs I won't offend by doing so here.
She reminded me that, of course, there are — and there are. Meryl Streep, Katherine Bates, Sandra Bullock, to name a few.
In all honesty, though, returning to the topic of horror films — or scary films, to be more exact, the premise of fear isn't built on blood and gore, and may not even be built on supernatural elements — the Baby Jane movie was simply a story of a descent into madness.
In fact, the presence of too much blood and explicit killing is a giant turnoff. I would much rather be scared within my mind, than within my stomach.
"Psycho" — the original Alfred Hitchcock version, I can't honestly speak to the remake.
"Citizen Kane" — what, you don't think "Citizen Kane" was scary? What could be scarier than ending up like he did?
A movie, the name of which escapes me, that my buddies and I saw one Halloween at a college movie fest, about Jack the Ripper.
The original Twilight Zone shows, the ones made when Rod Serling comes on at the beginning and talks to the audience. (By the way, how many knew that Rod Serling was one of the original 101st Airborne, back in World War II?) That might win a trivia game.
One of the best scary books I ever read, "Ghost Story" by Peter Straub, starts off with a group asking each other the question "What scares you the most?" To this, the main narrator responds "I won't tell you that, but I'll tell you the worst thing I ever did." Predictably, the two are linked events.
Real fear, for me, doesn't occur within the context of some guy in a mask running around with a chain saw — that's just stupid. Here, I know I date myself, but for me, real fear occurs in exploring the twists and turns of a mind that has become warped, like the Bette Davis character, or a trap that seems inescapable, like "Open Water," which I foolishly watched the night before I left for a weekend of scuba training.
Think about it. Shock is not the same as real, nightmare inducing fear.
I'll take the second any day.


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The Secret World of the FirstSearch Administration Module
Guest speaker Tina Baich, Assistant Librarian from Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) gives an overview of resource sharing settings in the OCLC FirstSearch Administration Module, including creating and modifying Constant Data, Direct Request Profiles and Custom Holdings. This refresher on your library's administration settings will help you prepare you for your upcoming transition to the new WorldShare Interlibrary Loan service. [WebEx recording, 53 minutes]
This event has passed.
Start Date
16 February 2012
End Date
16 February 2012


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Health care and safety in Mali
|Health care and safety in [[{{#explode:Health care and safety in Mali| |5}} {{#explode:Health care and safety in Mali| |6}} {{#explode:Health care and safety in Mali| |7}}]]
|The Peace Corps' highest priority is maintaining the good health and safety of every Volunteer and trainee. Medical programs emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative approach to disease.
Serving as a Volunteer overseas entails certain safety and security risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar environment, a limited understanding of the local language and culture, and the perception of being a wealthy American are some of the factors that can put a Volunteer at risk.
|[[Image:Flag_of_{{#explode:Health care and safety in Mali| |5}}.svg|50px|none]]}}
See also:
The Peace Corps' highest priority is maintaining the good health and safety of every Volunteer. Peace Corps medical programs emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative, approach to disease. The Peace Corps in Mali maintains a clinic with three full-time medical officers, who take care of Volunteers' primary healthcare needs. Additional medical services, such as testing and basic treatment, are also available in Mali at local hospitals and clinics. If you become seriously ill, you will be transported to a medical facility in the region or to the United States.
- 1 Health Issues in Mali
- 2 Helping You Stay Healthy
- 3 Maintaining Your Health
- 4 Women's Health Information
- 5 Your Peace Corps Medical Kit
- 6 Before You Leave: A Medical Checklist
- 7 Safety and Security—Our Partnership
- 8 Factors that Contribute to Volunteer Risk
- 9 Summary Strategies to Reduce Risk
- 10 Support from Staff
- 11 Security Issues in Mali
- 12 Staying Safe: Don't Be a Target for Crime
- 13 Support in Mali
Health Issues in Mali
Major health problems among Volunteers in Mali are rare and are often the result of a Volunteer's not taking preventive measures to stay healthy. The most common health problems in Mali are minor ones that are also found in the United States, such as colds, diarrhea, headaches, dental problems, sinus infections, skin infections, minor injuries, STDs, emotional problems, and alcohol abuse. These problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in Mali because environmental factors raise the risk or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses and injuries.
The most common major health concerns in Mali are malaria, amoebic dysentery, hepatitis, meningitis A, C, W, and Y, and HIV/AIDS. Because malaria is endemic in Mali, Volunteers are required to take antimalarial pills. You will also be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, meningitis A and C, tetanus and diphtheria, typhoid, and rabies.
Helping You Stay Healthy
The Peace Corps will provide you with all the necessary inoculations, medications, and information to stay healthy. Upon your arrival in Mali, you will receive a medical handbook. At the end of training, you will receive a medical kit with supplies to take care of mild illnesses and first-aid needs. The contents of the kit are listed later in this chapter.
During pre-service training, you will have access to basic medical supplies through the medical officers. However, you will be responsible for your own supply of prescription drugs and any other specific medical supplies you require, as we will not order these items during training. Please bring a three-month supply of any prescription drugs you use, since they may not be available here and it may take several months for shipments to arrive.
You will have physicals at midservice and at the end of your service. If you develop a serious medical problem during your service, the medical officer in Mali will consult with the Office of Medical Services in Washington, D.C. If it is determined that your condition cannot be treated in Mali, you may be sent out of the country for further evaluation and care.
Maintaining Your Health
As a Volunteer, you must accept considerable responsibility for your own health. Proper precautions will significantly reduce your risk of serious illness or injury. The old adage "An ounce of prevention …" becomes extremely important in areas where diagnostic and treatment facilities are not up to the standards of the United States. The most important of your responsibilities in Mali is to take preventive measures.
Malaria is a major health issue in most parts of Africa, including Mali. The most important step in preventing malaria and many other tropical diseases is to avoid mosquito and other insect bites. The best ways to avoid insect bites are to sleep under a mosquito net (provided by Peace Corps), wear long sleeves and pants whenever possible, use insect repellent, and be sure there are functional screens on your windows and doors. Mosquitoes bite primarily from dusk until dawn. Since no one can entirely prevent all mosquito bites, Volunteers in Mali must take antimalarial pills; failure to do so is grounds for administrative separation from the Peace Corps.
Many diseases that afflict Volunteers worldwide are entirely preventable if proper food and water precautions are taken. These diseases include food poisoning, parasitic infections, hepatitis A, dysentery, Guinea worms, tapeworms, and typhoid fever. Your medical officer will discuss specific standards for water and food preparation for Mali during pre-service training.
Abstinence is the only certain choice for preventing infection with HIV/AIDS and other STDs. You are taking risks if you choose to be sexually active. To lessen risk, use a condom every time you have sex. Whether your partner is a host country citizen, a fellow Volunteer, or anyone else, do not assume this person is free of HIV/AIDS or other STDs. You will receive more information from the medical officer about this important issue.
Volunteers are expected to adhere to an effective means of birth control to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. Your medical officer can help you decide on the most appropriate method to suit your individual needs. Contraceptive methods are available without charge from the medical officer.
It is critical to your health that you promptly report to the medical office or other designated facility for scheduled immunizations, and that you let your medical officer know immediately of significant illnesses and injuries.
Women's Health Information
Pregnancy is treated in the same manner as other Volunteer health conditions that require medical attention but also have programmatic ramifications. The Peace Corps is responsible for determining the medical risk and the availability of appropriate medical care if the Volunteer remains in-country. Given the circumstances under which Volunteers live and work in Peace Corps countries, it is rare that the Peace Corps' medical and programmatic standards for continued service during pregnancy can be met.
If feminine hygiene products are not available for you to purchase on the local market, the Peace Corps medical officer in Mali will provide them. If you require a specific feminine hygiene product, please bring a six-month supply with you.
Your Peace Corps Medical Kit
The Peace Corps medical officer will provide you with a medical kit that contains basic items necessary to prevent and treat illnesses that may occur during service. Kit items can be periodically restocked at the medical office.
Medical Kit Contents
Ace bandages
Adhesive tape
American Red Cross First Aid & Safety Handbook
Antacid tablets (Tums)
Antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin/Neomycin/Polymycin B)
Antiseptic antimicrobial skin cleaner (Hibiclens)
Butterfly closures
Calamine lotion
Cepacol lozenges
Dental floss
Diphenhydramine HCL 25 mg (Benadryl)
Insect repellent stick (Cutter's)
Iodine tablets (for water purification)
Lip balm (Chapstick)
Oral rehydration salts
Oral thermometer (Fahrenheit)
Pseudoephedrine HCL 30 mg (Sudafed)
Robitussin-DM lozenges (for cough)
Sterile gauze pads
Tetrahydrozaline eyedrops (Visine)
Tinactin (antifungal cream)
Before You Leave: A Medical Checklist
If there has been any change in your health—physical, mental, or dental—since you submitted your examination reports to the Peace Corps, you must immediately notify the Office of Medical Services. Failure to disclose new illnesses, injuries, allergies, or pregnancy can endanger your health and may jeopardize your eligibility to serve.
If your dental exam was done more than a year ago, or if your physical exam is more than two years old, contact the Office of Medical Services to find out whether you need to update your records. If your dentist or Peace Corps dental consultant has recommended that you undergo dental treatment or repair, you must complete that work and make sure your dentist sends requested confirmation reports or X-rays to the Office of Medical Services.
If you wish to avoid having duplicate vaccinations, contact your physician's office, obtain a copy of your immunization record, and bring it to your pre-departure orientation. If you have any immunizations prior to Peace Corps service, the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for the cost. The Peace Corps will provide all the immunizations necessary for your overseas assignment, either at your pre-departure orientation or shortly after you arrive in Mali. You do not need to begin taking malaria medication prior to departure.
Bring a three-month supply of any prescription or over-thecounter medication you use on a regular basis, including birth
control pills. Although the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for this three-month supply, it will order refills during your service. While awaiting shipment—which can take several months—you will be dependent on your own medication supply. The Peace Corps will not pay for herbal or nonprescribed medications, such as St. John's wort, glucosamine, selenium, or antioxidant supplements.
You are encouraged to bring copies of medical prescriptions signed by your physician. This is not a requirement, but they might come in handy if you are questioned in transit about carrying a three-month supply of prescription drugs.
If you wear eyeglasses, bring two pairs with you—a pair and a spare. If a pair breaks, the Peace Corps will replace it, using the information your doctor in the United States provided on the eyeglasses form during your examination. We discourage you from using contact lenses during your Peace Corps service to reduce your risk of developing a serious infection or other eye disease. Most Peace Corps countries do not have appropriate water and sanitation to support eye care with the use of contact lenses. The Peace Corps will not supply or replace contact lenses or associated solutions unless an ophthalmologist has recommended their use for a specific medical condition and the Peace Corps' Office of Medical Services has given approval.
If you are eligible for Medicare, are over 50 years of age, or have a health condition that may restrict your future participation in healthcare plans, you may wish to consult an insurance specialist about unique coverage needs before your departure. The Peace Corps will provide all necessary healthcare from the time you leave for your pre-departure orientation until you complete your service. When you finish, you will be entitled to the post-service healthcare benefits described in the Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook. You may wish to consider keeping an existing health plan in effect during your service if you think age or preexisting conditions might prevent you from reenrolling in your current plan when you return home.
Safety and Security—Our Partnership
Serving as a Volunteer overseas entails certain safety and security risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar environment, a limited understanding of the local language and culture, and the perception of being a wealthy American are some of the factors that can put a Volunteer at risk. Property thefts and burglaries are not uncommon. Incidents of physical and sexual assault do occur, although almost all Volunteers complete their two years of service without serious personal safety problems. In addition, more than 84 percent of Volunteers surveyed in the 2004 Peace Corps Volunteer Survey say they would join the Peace Corps again.
The Peace Corps approaches safety and security as a partnership with you. This Welcome Book contains sections on: Living Conditions and Volunteer Lifestyle; Peace Corps Training; and Your Health Care and Safety. All of these sections include important safety and security information.
The Peace Corps makes every effort to give Volunteers the tools they need to function in the safest and most secure way possible, because working to maximize the safety and security of Volunteers is our highest priority. Not only do we provide you with training and tools to prepare for the unexpected, but we teach you to identify and manage the risks you may encounter.
Factors that Contribute to Volunteer Risk
There are several factors that can heighten a Volunteer's risk, many of which are within the Volunteer's control.
Based on information gathered from incident reports worldwide in 2004, the following factors stand out as risk characteristics for assaults. Assaults consist of personal crimes committed against Volunteers, and do not include property crimes (such as vandalism or theft).
- Location: Most crimes occurred when Volunteers were in public areas (e.g., street, park, beach, public buildings). Specifically, 43 percent of assaults took place when Volunteers were away from their sites.
- Time of day: Assaults usually took place on the weekend during the evening between 5:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.— with most assaults occurring around 1:00 a.m.
- Absence of others: Assaults ususally occurred when the Volunteer was unaccompanied. In 82 percent of the sexual assaults the Volunteer was unaccompannied and in 55 percent of physical assaults the Volunteer was unaccompanied.
- Relationship to assailant: In most assaults, the Volunteer did not know the assailant.
- Consumption of alcohol: Forty percent of all assaults involved alcohol consumption by Volunteers and/or assailants.
Summary Strategies to Reduce Risk
Before and during service, your training will address these areas of concern so that you can reduce the risks you face.
For example, here are some strategies Volunteers employ:
Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of theft:
- Know the environment and choose safe routes/times for travel
- Avoid high-crime areas per Peace Corps guidance
- Know the vocabulary to get help in an emergency
- Carry valuables in different pockets/places
- Carry a "dummy" wallet as a decoy Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of burglary:
- Live with a local family or on a family compound
- Put strong locks on doors and keep valuables in a lock box or trunk
- Leave irreplaceable objects at home in the U.S.
- Follow Peace Corps guidelines on maintaining home security Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of assault:
- Make local friends
- Make sure your appearance is respectful of local customs; don't draw negative attention to yourself by wearing inappropriate clothing
- Get to know local officials, police, and neighbors
- Travel with someone whenever possible
- Avoid known high crime areas
- Limit alcohol consumption
Support from Staff
In March 2003, the Peace Corps created the Office of Safety and Security with its mission to "foster improved communication, coordination, oversight, and accountability of all Peace Corps' safety and security efforts." The new office is led by an Associate Director for Safety and Security who reports to the Peace Corps Director and includes the following divisions: Volunteer Safety and Overseas Security;
Information and Personnel Security; Emergency Preparedness, Plans, Training and Exercise; and Crime Statistics and Analysis.
The major responsibilities of the Volunteer Safety and Overseas Security Division are to coordinate the office's overseas operations and direct the Peace Corps' safety and security officers who are located in various regions around the world that have Peace Corps programs. The safety and security officers conduct security assessments; review safety trainings; train trainers and managers; train Volunteer safety wardens, local guards, and staff; develop security incident response procedures; and provide crisis management support.
If a trainee or Volunteer is the victim of a safety incident, Peace Corps staff is prepared to provide support. All Peace Corps posts have procedures in place to respond to incidents of crime committed against Volunteers. The first priority for all posts in the aftermath of an incident is to ensure that the Volunteer is safe and receiving medical treatment as needed.
After assuring the safety of the Volunteer, Peace Corps staff provide support by reassessing the Volunteer's work site and housing arrangements and making any adjustments, as needed. In some cases, the nature of the incident may necessitate a site or housing transfer. Peace Corps staff will also assist Volunteers with preserving their rights to pursue legal sanctions against the perpetrators of the crime. It is very important that Volunteers report incidents as they occur, not only to protect their peer Volunteers, but also to preserve the future right to prosecute. Should Volunteers decide later in the process that they want to proceed with the prosecution of their assailant, this option may no longer exist if the evidence of the event has not been preserved at the time of the incident.
The country-specific data chart below shows the incidence rates and the average number of incidents of the major types of safety incidents reported by Peace Corps Volunteers/trainees in Mali as compared to all other Africa region programs as a whole, from 2000–2004. It is presented to you in a somewhat technical manner for statistical accuracy.
To fully appreciate the collected data below, an explanation of the graph is provided as follows:
The incidence rate for each type of crime is the number of crime events relative to the Volunteer/trainee population. It is expressed on the chart as a ratio of crime to Volunteer and trainee years (or V/T years, which is a measure of 12 full months of V/T service) to allow for a statistically valid way to compare crime data across countries. An "incident" is a specific offense, per Peace Corps' classification of offenses, and may involve one or more Volunteer/trainee victims. For example, if two Volunteers are robbed at the same time and place, this is classified as one robbery incident.
The chart is separated into eight crime categories. These include vandalism (malicious defacement or damage of property); theft (taking without force or illegal entry); burglary (forcible entry of a residence); robbery (taking something by force); minor physical assault (attacking without a weapon with minor injuries); minor sexual assault (fondling, groping, etc.); aggravated assault (attacking with a weapon, and/or without a weapon when serious injury results); and rape (sexual intercourse without consent).
When anticipating Peace Corps Volunteer service, you should review all of the safety and security information provided to you, including the strategies to reduce risk. Throughout your training and Volunteer service, you will be expected to successfully complete all training competencies in a variety of areas including safety and security. Once in-country, use the tools and information shared with you to remain as safe and secure as possible.
Security Issues in Mali
When it comes to your safety and security in the Peace Corps, you have to be willing to adapt your behavior and lifestyle to minimize the potential for being a target of crime. As with anywhere in the world, crime does exist in Mali. You can reduce your risk by avoiding situations that make you feel uncomfortable and by taking precautions. Crime at the village or town level is far less frequent than in Bamako and regional capitals; people know each other and generally will not steal from their neighbors. Safety concerns in Mali follow.
A large percentage of crimes affecting Volunteers take place in Bamako, and they almost all fall into the general category of purse snatching or pickpocketing. You can avoid such incidents by taking taxis when visiting Bamako and by not carrying anything that resembles a passport pouch, fanny pack, or backpack. Use the same precautions you would use in any large city in the world.
Security incidents are less common in villages and small towns and typically involve petty theft from a Volunteer's house while he or she is away. Such incidents can be minimized by establishing good relationships with neighbors, informing neighbors and friends when you are going to be gone, and locking all windows and doors.
Volunteers report various types of harassment, such as having objects thrown at them by small children, being called names, and receiving overt sexual comments. While sexual harassment of women is quite common, sexual assault is rare.
Alcohol consumption and cross-cultural differences in gender relations are often associated with sexual assaults. Just as in the United States, you can avoid some of the risk by changes in your own behavior. You will receive a thorough briefing on strategies for dealing with harassment during training.
Motor vehicle accidents are another risk in Mali because of crowded public transport and the lack of seat belts. Travel at night is discouraged. Safer options and further tips for avoiding transportation risks are discussed during pre-service training. Carjackings have been on the rise in northern areas of the country, but they are usually nonviolent, with an apparent motive of robbery and theft of the vehicle. Peace Corps vehicles and Volunteers have not been involved in such incidents.
Unlike other countries in the region, political violence and border conflicts have not presented security risks to Volunteers in recent years. Should you become the victim of violence, the medical office in Mali will be there to help you. It is important that you involve the medical office to receive appropriate care, including care for your emotional well-being.
Staying Safe: Don't Be a Target for Crime
You must be prepared to take on a large degree of responsibility for your own safety. Only you can make yourself less of a target, ensure that your house is secure, and develop relations in your community that will make you an unlikely victim of crime. In coming to Mali, do what you would do if you moved to a new city in the United States: Be cautious, check things out, ask questions, learn about your neighborhood, know where the more risky locations are, use common sense, and be aware. You can reduce your vulnerability to crime by integrating into your community, learning the local language, acting responsibly, and abiding by Peace Corps policies and procedures. Serving safely and effectively in Mali may require that you accept some restrictions on your current lifestyle.
Volunteers attract a lot of attention both in large cities and at their sites, but they are likely to receive more negative attention in highly populated centers than at their sites, where "family," friends, and colleagues look out for them. To avoid becoming a victim of crime, keep your money out of sight by using an undergarment money pouch, the kind that stays hidden under your shirt or inside your coat. Do not walk in downtown Bamako at night—always take a taxi. Elsewhere, if you must walk, be sure to go with a companion. In addition, always carry Peace Corps identification (which you will receive in training) and emergency numbers for the Peace Corps office and staff.
Preparing for the Unexpected: Safety Training and Volunteer
Support in Mali
The Peace Corps' approach to safety is a five-pronged plan to help you stay safe during your two-year service and includes the following: information sharing, Volunteer training, site selection criteria, a detailed emergency action plan, and protocols for addressing safety and security incidents. Mali's in-country safety program is outlined below.
The Peace Corps/Mali office will keep Volunteers informed of any issues that may impact Volunteer safety through information sharing. Regular updates will be provided in Volunteer newsletters and in memorandums from the country director. In the event of a critical situation or emergency, Volunteers will be contacted through the emergency communication network.
Volunteer training will include sessions to prepare you for specific safety and security issues in Mali. This training will prepare you to adopt a culturally appropriate lifestyle and exercise judgment that promotes safety and reduces risk in your home, at work, and while traveling. Safety training is offered throughout service and is integrated into the language, cross-cultural, health, and other components of training.
Certain site selection criteria are used to determine safe housing for Volunteers before their arrival. The Peace Corps staff works closely with host communities and counterpart agencies to help prepare them for a Volunteer's arrival and to establish expectations of their respective roles in supporting the Volunteer. Each site is inspected before the Volunteer's arrival to ensure placement in appropriate, safe, and secure housing and work sites. Site selection is based in part on any relevant site history; access to medical, banking, postal, and other essential services; availability of communications, transportation, and markets; different housing options and living arrangements; and other support needs.
You will also learn about Peace Corps/Mali's detailed emergency action plan, which is implemented in the event of civil or political unrest or a natural disaster. When you arrive at your site, you will complete and submit a site locator form with your address, contact information, and a map to your house. For the emergency action plan to operate effectively, Volunteers must keep Peace Corps staff informed of their whereabouts at all times; failure to keep staff informed of your whereabouts at all times can result in administrative separation from the Peace Corps. If there is a security threat, Volunteers in Mali will gather at predetermined locations until the situation is resolved or the Peace Corps decides to evacuate.
Finally, in order for the Peace Corps to be fully responsive to the needs of Volunteers, it is imperative that Volunteers immediately report any security incident to a Peace Corps medical officer. The Peace Corps has established protocols for addressing safety and security incidents in a timely and appropriate manner, and it collects and evaluates safety and security data to track trends and develop strategies to minimize risks to future Volunteers.


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Name of Film about China
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2000 11:47 pm
I may be recalling this movie wrong, but I think I saw it in college (sometime in the early 90's) and it is about a woman in china, around the tiem of the revolution, I cannot recall much about it except several scenes. There was a scene in a hospital where a baby was born in bad condition and and no one could help beacue all of the doctors were removed as they were educated. There was anotehr scene where shadow puppets acted out osme folklore. This movie was in the news a lot when it was released as it was banne d in chine. I really want to find this movie as I LOVED it and want to add it to my fledgling movie collection.


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He was born on Jan. 5, 1942 in Fort Worth to Benson and Maiella Wells.
He was actively involved with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Gary enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
Gary is survived by his wife Barbara Wells of Kyle, son Greg Wells and fiancé Kathleen Mitchell of Wimberley, daughters Melissa Wells of Kimberley, Kristina Landry and husband Mark, currently in the Philippines, Robin Wells of Austin, grandchildren Benson, Stephen, Hayden, Makay, Ryan, Madelyn and Kyndle, sisters Marilyn Belknap and husband Jim of Goliad and many friends.
Visitation was Saturday, Dec. 15 at Harrell Funeral Home in Kyle from 6 to 8 p.m. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 17 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Kyle Stake Center.
Graveside service will be at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17 the Glendale Cemetery in Goliad
Arrangements by Harrell Funeral Home,1715 Kirby, Kyle, TX (512) 268-8200.


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I have grown up in Homer, graduating from Homer High in 2010. I have recently heard talk about a recreation center to be built in Homer. I have dreamed of this day since I fell in love with basketball years ago, shooting hoops in my driveway in the frigid cold, trying to perfect my shooti...Wed, 12/11/2013 - 4:08pm
Two weeks ago, Homer High School's Lady Mariners secured first place in the Northern Lights Conference for the third consecutive year. They also took the conference's academic award for the fourth time since 2005. Unfortunately, the Mariners' state championship hopes came to an end Saturday at...Thu, 06/06/2013 - 3:48pm
Since May 22, the Homer Lady Mariners have defeated the Skyview Panthers, split a senior night double header against the Kodiak Bears, and then finished their regular season by shutting out the Kenai Kardinals on the road. Hannah LaRue stole the show on both sides of the ball against the Panthers on...Wed, 05/29/2013 - 3:00pm
The Homer Lady Mariner softball team hosted six games this last week, finishing 3-3 with wins against league opponents Soldotna and Kenai before losing two games to East High, and then one against Service. They finished the action on Saturday by avenging their loss to the Service Cougars.The M...Wed, 05/22/2013 - 3:19pm
Put a Mariner on dry land and what do you get? A track and field team to be proud of, as the Homer High School boys and girls teams proved at the ASAA 3A State High School Track and Field Championships held last weekend at Lathrop High School in Fairbanks.With 20 boys and girls squads facing off in ...Wed, 05/22/2013 - 3:16pm
The Homer Lady Mariners dominated on the road last weekend, shutting out the Houston Hawks twice by scores of 27-0 in a Friday doubleheader, and picking up a 10-2 win on Saturday against the Wasilla Warriors. Friday's inaugural Valley game showed the Mariner bat speed early as they tallied 15 runs...Wed, 05/15/2013 - 4:43pm
After a successful Region III Championship meet held at Nikiski High School, the Homer Mariners are sending 14 athletes to compete in 25 events this weekend at the Alaska State Track and Field Championships at Lathrop High School in Fairbanks. During last weekend's Regional Championships, An...Wed, 05/15/2013 - 4:38pm
More than 1,000 wrestlers packed into Wasilla's Menard Sports Complex last weekend for three days of state tournament action. Homer's Popeye Wrestling Club finished their season earning 43 medals throughout the ranks of their 35 competitors. Junior Calvin Johnson led the pack, becoming Hom...Wed, 05/08/2013 - 5:20pm
The Lady Mariners wasted little time on Tuesday, rallying for 10 runs in a single inning to defeat the Soldotna Stars 14-1 at Homer's Jack Gist field. The game ended after four innings due to the 90-minute time limit. The final score was Homer 14, Skyview 1. Hannah Larue pitched for Homer an...Wed, 05/08/2013 - 1:46pm
The Homer Mariners and Huskies collectively hosted the 2013 Kenai Peninsula Borough Finals on Friday and Saturday at the Homer High School track. The track drew12 other schools from the peninsula's middle and high school's track and field talent. The girls team of the Homer Middle School H...Wed, 05/08/2013 - 1:36pm
Homer News ©2016. All Rights Reserved.


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©1997 Simms Taback; (P)2008 Penguin
"Awful narration"
The children did not care for this, and neither did I. It nears being obnoxious!
"Why did I never realize how creepy this was?!"
Because I never heard it read by this narrator! I downloaded this for my daughter, hoping for the silly song - like quality I recall from my childhood. This narrator only emphasizes the morbidity of this story. Not sure how to feel about this!
"Fun story"
My daughter loved this story and the silly voices used to narrate it. great job and fun story!
"Great book for kids."
This book is cute for children. The reader is amusing to listen to. My son really like the book and has listened over and over again in the car.
"My 3 year old loves this!"
Funny; Simple; Classic
It's a classic story that is the perfect length for my three year old. Stuart Binder does a great job - it's the perfect tone for small children and keeps them engaged.
My daughter asks for this each time we get in the car. She can also recite the entire book by memory. Not just the book, but the tone and inflections that Stuart Binder gives in his performance.
"This narrator is awsome."
The narrator was exciting and the story was funny.
This book made me laugh allot.
I recomend this book for anyone who has kiids or may be in a bad mood.
"Does not show pictures! Don't waste money!"
As the same as my review for "the little red hen"...does not show pictures of the whole book..stays on the first page.
Report Inappropriate Content
If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.


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In the spring, the new leaves on river birch often become distorted and take on a corrugated appearance. This is caused by an infestation of the spiny witch-hazel gall aphids, Hamamelistes spinosus. The aphids also produce honeydew, which falls on things underneath the river birch tree. The leaves attacked by the aphid eventually turn brown and drop from the tree. Fortunately, they produce another flush of leaves and the tree suffers no real harm.
Like several other aphids, the spiny witch-hazel gall aphid has a very interesting life cycle. As the name implies, part of the year is spent on witch hazel and part on river birch.
Overwintering eggs are laid on witch-hazel in June and July. These eggs hatch the following spring and the new aphid nymphs crawl to the flower buds to feed. If no flower buds are present, these aphids die. Feeding on the flower buds induces the plant to form a spiny gall. A second generation of winged aphids develops inside the galls, but then leaves and moves to birch. These winged aphids give birth to scale-like females that settle and hibernate on birch until the following spring.
As the birch leaf buds open, the scale-like aphids move from the bark to the leaves and begin feeding. This causes the birch leaves to form the characteristic corrugated galls. The undersides of the corrugations are filled with aphids and white granular material.
Winged aphids that will migrate back to witch-hazel or wingless aphids called accessory females develop inside these galls. The winged aphids migrate to witch-hazel and give birth to a generation of wingless males and females. These wingless aphids mate, and the females lay eggs on witch-hazel for overwintering. The accessory females that remained on the birch tree produce additional generations of winged aphids that migrate to witch-hazel later. These winged females then give birth to males and females that also lay eggs for overwintering.
Should controls be applied for this aphid? Usually, the birch trees will drop the infested leaves and produce fresh foliage. No harm appears to be done to the tree. High numbers of aphids may cause twigs and small branches to die in some situations. Young trees, less than 15 feet tall, can be sprayed without too much difficulty. Treatments should be applied at bud break in early spring to prevent gall formation. This must be done every year unless the witch-hazels can be found and eliminated. Once the corrugated galls form, control will be very difficult with contact insecticides. Another option is to use a systemic insecticide applied to the soil beneath the tree.
The roots take up these materials and the insecticide is carried in the sap. Sucking insects, like aphids, are very susceptible to this type of treatment. Always read the label carefully before purchasing a pesticide being sure that it lists the host plant and the insect. Be sure to follow all label directions exactly.


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This is the Council Venturing Committee Meeting. The committee assists the Denver Area Council on all major functions of the Venturing program including program. All are welcome to attend!
If you have a question, comment, or suggestion, please e-mail: Webmaster
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2014 Acura RLX debuts at L.A. Auto Show
All-new flagship goes on sale in spring 2013
Acura showed off its all-new flagship sedan Wednesday at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The 2014 Acura RLX replaces the old RL with an exterior that draws cues from other recent Acura sedans, like the ILX and TSX.
For a flagship vehicle like this, the best parts of the car are on the inside. There, leather and wood cover most surfaces.
The center console features two screens: an 8-inch screen for navigation, and a 7-inch screen to access functions like the radio, air conditioning and voice-to-text features.
The interior also has a standard 10-speaker audio system, which can be upgraded to a 14-speaker system. There's also a sunroof and three-zone automatic climate control.
Don't let all that luxury make you think the new RLX is just another luxury barge. "The RLX embodies the Acura commitment to create vehicles with outstanding handling that truly respond to the will of the driver," said Jeff Conrad, vice president and general manager of Acura Sales.
That performance starts with an all-new 3.5-liter direct injection V-6 engine that generates 310 horsepower and 272 pound-feet of torque. Handling all that power is a new all-wheel-drive system which moves the rear wheels as well as the front wheels when changing lanes or making a tight turn.
Other handling and safety features include a lane-departure warning system, forward collision warning system and adaptive cruise control.
Lighting the way forward is a new array of LED headlights that Acura says helps drivers see clearer and farther in the dark.
The big new Acura will go on sale in the spring of 2013.
Distributed by LAKANA. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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By Bruce Krasnow
The New Mexican
A year ago, when the New Mexico Legislature convened for a 60-day session, the state was dead last in job growth.
A year later, New Mexico is still dead last in job growth.
The state labor force grew less than 1 percent during the most recent three-year period, from Jan. 1, 2011, the day Gov. Susana Martinez assumed office, through Nov, 30, 2013, according to data provided to The New Mexican by Christopher Erickson, an economist at New Mexico State University.
Joining New Mexico in the bottom five for the three-year duration are Alaska, Maine, Alabama and the District of Columbia.
The analysis this year shows there was some job growth during the Martinez administration, as a year ago the state was one of two still showing employment losses.
Both the governor and lawmakers have vowed to put jobs and economic development at the fore of the 30-day legislative session that opened this week — and the first words Gov. Martinez spoke during her State of the State speech were, "Our focus must be on two of the most pressing issues, jobs and education."
For her administration, that means more job training, recruitment of college researchers and professors, expanding the health care workforce and tax incentives for business startups.
But experts say that might not make a big difference with voters and business leaders, as the governor and many lawmakers face re-election in coming months.
"They're still very concerned and they're scared. They're really not feeling that comeback," said Beverlee J. McClure, president of the Association of Commerce and Industry, who served alongside lawmakers on an interim committee called the Jobs Council to develop an economic development strategy for New Mexico. "But we saw the states that are adding jobs, the states that are coming back from the recession, have a plan and that plan is statewide and is regionalized so every region has a piece of that. It's a very, very important first step."
"New Mexico is the most reliant state in the nation on the federal government," Martinez spokesman Enrique Knell said Wednesday, "and the dysfunction in Washington hits New Mexico in a disproportionate way, affecting revenues and causing employment growth in certain parts of the private sector to be offset by government job losses. "
As for lawmakers, House Speaker Kenny Martinez of Grants, Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen of Las Cruces and others spoke Wednesday about a decades-long approach for job growth. After meeting during the interim as the Jobs Council, lawmakers as well as business and industry leaders said they have initiatives that will add 160,000 jobs in New Mexico over the next 10 years, a sevenfold increase over today's pace.
The council came up with the number as part of an estimate of what it will take to gain full employment in the state — based on population growth, future job losses and worker migration. "This is a very strategic architecture of job creation," House Speaker Martinez said Wednesday.
But don't expect a quick fix.
"New Mexico's slow growth is attributable to federal sequestering," economics professor Erickson in an email last week. "Federal spending accounts for a higher share of income in New Mexico than in any other state. Of course, many have argued for reduced dependence on federal spending as important to development in New Mexico, but how to get there from here is not obvious. Certainly, there are no quick fixes."
Likewise, Mark Lautman an economic development consultant hired by the Legislature, said Wednesday that agreeing on a plan and sticking with it is more important than throwing money at things that might not work.
"When you start speaking about rankings, where we can be, that's pretty tough because you don't know what everybody else is going to do," Lautman said. "This isn't a spigot you turn on and off. Job creation is a lot harder now than it was six or seven years ago."
What the governor and the Legislature did last session — business tax cuts and reform, tourism promotion and job training — will improve the employment numbers, but "you can't just drop all the money and all the resources in one session and expect everything to turn around the next year," he said. "It takes two or three years to get rolling, and it's really a dog-year's game — it takes about seven years for things to really move the needle."
Speaker Martinez and Papen say the work of the Jobs Council will be extended another year. For this session, however, it is requesting money for the following:
• $10 million for a discretionary closing fund to draw projects pursuant to the Local Economic Development Act.
• $2 million for a Cooperative Marketing program, which will allow participants in the certified cities program to hire additional people to help regions focus economic growth in targeted fields.
• $1.5 million for New Mexico Partnership to expand for outreach and marketing.
• $1.5 million for the Job Training Incentive Program to make it permanent.
• $250,000 to develop and test a job-creation program focused on solo workers who work on contract for firms around the United States.
• $200,000 for certified business incubators.
• $100,000 to fund and support regional efforts to pilot a program for forest restoration and biomass development on U.S. Forest Service land.
• $2.5 million to expand marketing and develop visitor-experience activities for the Department of Tourism.
• $500,00 for online customer service training in the hospitality and tourism fields.
• $150,000 for the Higher Education Department to develop a workforce gap-forecasting model that will identify the number of jobs that will be needed in the future, and the skills, knowledge and experience that those jobs will require.
The Jobs Council also is pushing an expanded summer youth employment program that would include mentoring; a grant program that can help local groups with their recruiting efforts; and a pilot project that would fund physics education in middle schools.
Kenny Martinez said the outline of the Jobs Council is to target specific industries in specific regions and then track results. So every dollar spent by the Legislature for economic development should be tied to job growth in the targeted sectors — manufacturing, digital media, tourism, health and social services, emerging technologies, health, export services, solo independent workers, and agriculture are among the projected growth sectors.
Some of the proposals are already in the governor's budget and Knell, the governor's spokesman, said "there's plenty of room for common ground," especially with increasing money for tourism, job training and finding a way to close the deal for businesses who want to come to New Mexico.
"The Jobs Council has also talked about the importance of a strong closing fund in New Mexico — one that will allow us to compete with other states to attract companies and jobs to the state. Unfortunately, the LFC's budget underfunds this economic development tool," Knell said. "We only received $3.3 million last year, and the LFC is only proposing $4 million for the coming year. This sort of underfunding does not help us compete for jobs."
In her Tuesday speech, the governor also touted a new report from Ernst & Young that shows the business tax cuts and reforms from last session are starting to get noticed.
She said New Mexico now has the best manufacturing tax structure in the West and has enacted "the most significant tax reform in a generation" that is "sending the loudest message yet that New Mexico is striving to become a business-friendly state."
Terry Brunner, state director of rural development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who serves on the Jobs Council, also said Wednesday that New Mexico needs to be smarter with the way it interacts with the federal government and show it has defined economic targets and priorities.
"What other states are doing is readjusting to the new federal climate," he said. Don't just "sit back and take the cuts, but be aggressive and thoughtful in how to work with the feds these days." Brunner added that 160,000 jobs "is a huge lift for this state. However, if you have clear targets and a strategy behind it, you can get it done."