text:
You know how you get a gut-check impression of things…I've been having that feeling as I talk to school folks around the state about our SIS (Student Information System) initiative here at ISBE. This is a huge project (not new knowledge for those of you who have been following its development) that will touch every public school student in Illinois. Also, it is a necessary undertaking to advance our ability to do many other important things, such as preparing required reports, reducing paperwork, following students over time and supporting value-added or growth accountability models. Nearly every state in the nation is also involved in similar efforts.
When a colleague recently asked "what is this SIS thing," I figured it was time for another update to the field.
The following topics have been outlined by the numerous staffers involved in this project in an attempt to address some of the key issues concerning SIS development. If you have further questions after reading this, please call the ISBE Help Desk at 217-558-3600.
1. Need for ISBE Student Information System
The primary purpose of the ISBE Student Information System (ISBE SIS) is to assign unique identifiers (SIDs) to every public school student in Illinois. The assignment of identifiers will enable us to capture demographic, enrollment, program indicator and assessment data for all students, thereby allowing us to better report information required under NCLB, IDEA, the Illinois Report Card and other federal and state mandates.
The ISBE SIS is not designed to replace student information management software currently used by school districts. ISBE will collect only the information necessary to meet its reporting needs. With the full implementation of the ISBE SIS, aggregate reporting requirements like the Fall Housing Report and the End of Year Report will no longer be necessary.
Moreover, one of the major promises of the new system is that the entire assessment process will be streamlined and less subject to error. Student identifiers and other demographic information will be sent to ISBE's assessment vendor for pre-coding on answer sheets. This identifying information along with test answers will be scanned, processed and returned to both the home district and ISBE. ISBE anticipates very little need for manual intervention by districts, with much less cleanup work having to be done by local staff. Finally, this improved process will most certainly increase both the quality and timeliness of the data.
2. Participation in ISBE Student Information System Will Be Required for All School Districts
ISBE has filed a proposed amendment to Agency rules with the Secretary of State to require that all districts participate in the ISBE SIS. This proposed amendment was posted on the ISBE Home Page on Friday, July 8, 2005. To review this proposed amendment, go to http://www.isbe.net, click on the Rules link in the left-hand menu, click on the Proposed Rules and Amendments and click on Text of Rulemaking on Proposed Amendments to Part 1 at the bottom of the page. Please note the deadline for public comment is Tuesday, September 6, 2005.
3. Required "Phase 1" Data Elements
There are 23 required Phase 1 data elements for each student. Their definitions and code sets are available at the ISBE Student Information System home page. These elements are classified into three categories: demographic, enrollment and program participation.
Demographic Data (six elements)
· Legal Last Name
· Legal First Name
· Legal Middle Name
· Date of Birth
· Gender
· Race/Ethnicity
Enrollment Data (seven elements)
· Home Region-Count-District-Type-School Code (Home School-also see #10 below)
· Serving Region-Count-District-Type-School Code (Serving Entity-also see #10 below)
· Enrollment Date at the Serving Entity
· Type of Enrollment in the Serving Entity
· Grade Level I at the Serving Entity
· School Year at the Serving Entity
· FTE at the Serving Entity
Program Participation (10 indicators)*
· Supplemental Educational Services (SES) Indicator
· Homeless Indicator
· Limited English Proficient (LEP) Indicator
· Individualized Education Program (IEP) Indicator
· IEP Accommodation Indicator
· 504 Accommodation Indicator
· Career/Technical Education Indicator
· Migrant Indicator
· Free/Reduced Lunch/Low Income Indicator
· Century 21 Indicator
*Note: These indicator fields are now required to have either a "yes" or "no" response when a student is submitted for a SID (a change from our pilot activity).
4. Phase 1 File Formats
Files may be submitted as:
· Comma-delimited text files
· XML files
· Comma-separated value (CSV) files converted from an EXCEL template.
The file formats can be found at the ISBE Student Information System home page.
5. Contacting ISBE SIS Project Staff
Call the ISBE Help Desk at (217) 558-3600 or send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com with the subject line "ISBE SIS Inquiry."
6. IWAS Sign Up Required to Access ISBE SIS
Coming in mid-August to the ISBE SIS Home Page:
"We are pleased to announce that the IWAS SIS production system has been turned on. If you do not yet have an IWAS account, you may apply for one by going to the ISBE Student Information System home page and clicking on the IWAS link at the top of the page. Once you are at the IWAS site, click on the Sign Up Now link and follow the instructions."
Your superintendent will be notified that you have applied and are awaiting her/his approval. Once approval has been granted and the ISBE Student Information System has been turned on, you will be able to upload and download files to and from the ISBE SIS. You also will be able to request student identifiers for new students using the Web-Based Student Locator Service.
7. Sign Up for ISBE SIS Training.
From the ISBE SIS Home Page:
ISBE SIS Training
"In preparation for the statewide rollout of unique student identifiers for the ISBE Student Information System, school districts that did not participate in the pilot project have been advised to attend a half-day session which is designed to demonstrate the features of this system and provide hands-on practice for school or district staff. Each district should send two participants, one whose role is to enter student information into the school district's student administrative package (SAP) and another whose role is to interact with the school district's SAP vendor or in-house technical staff to upload or download batch files."
We have held 35 training sessions at 14 locations geographically situated across Illinois during this past several weeks, ending this Thursday, August 11, 2005. For those who still need to get in under the wire, session-specific online registration forms and logistical information, including directions, are provided at SIS Registration.
8. An Important Date
August 15 - Production ISBE SIS will be turned on. School District batch live data may be submitted for SID assignment. The web-based student locator system will be available for online assignment of SIDs. Updates to existing student data will be accepted.
Also, District batch test data may be submitted to validate export process and test ISBE SIS validations.
9. Software Vendor Interactions with School Districts
Some vendors are charging additional fees for modification to their existing packages; others are not. Downloading existing data from local packages to an EXCEL spreadsheet template, adding columns to enter missing required ISBE SIS data and converting the file to a comma-separated value (CSV) file for submission to ISBE could be an alternative to incurring additional expense.
10. Region-County-District-Type-School (RCDTS) Codes for Home Schools and Serving Entities*
The RCDTS codes are found in the Directory of Educational Entities which has a link on the ISBE SIS website.
The RCDTS code is 15 digits in length:
Region 2 Characters
County 3 Characters
District/Entity 4 Characters
Type 2 Characters
School 4 Characters
The codes that are found in the Directory of Educational Entities are listed in RCDST order. The user must rearrange to map to ISBE SIS RCDTS:
*Note: RCDTS codes for special education private facilities will be available by August 1, 2005.
11. Submitting and Updating Student Data (Procedure modified 6/20/2005)
Only home Districts and Schools may request an SID and send and receive original or updated demographic, enrollment and program participation indicator for students. This information must come from student management packages or other data sources maintained by the home district and/or school.
Let me close by reiterating that if you have any questions on what is to be happening at the local level, please make sure to contact us at the Help Desk. While this massive project is a necessary undertaking, we want to do everything possible to not add to your frustration level during its implementation.
Have a great week.
Randy Dunn
Also included in this week's message:
Interrupted School Days/Heat Policy
A major responsibility of a local school superintendent is the health and safety of students. Section 18-12 of the School Code permits a school district to count as a full day of attendance any school day where "a school district has provided at least one hour of instruction but must close the schools due to adverse weather conditions . . . ." 105 ILCS 5/18-12. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has interpreted "adverse weather conditions" to include excessive heat. A partial day of attendance under this provision of Section 18-12 is referred to as an "Interrupted Day" (as long as the partial day is announced the "day of" and not in advance, see the boldfaced language below).
With regard to excessive heat, then, ISBE allows three options:
If an Emergency Day or Interrupted Day is utilized, a school district must, within 30 days of occurrence, submit to their Regional Office of Education an Amended Calendar electronically through the ISBE Web Application Security system (IWAS). The ROE will then forward the Amended Calendar to ISBE for approval. The Calendar Code for an Emergency Day is ED. The Calendar Code for an Interrupted Day is XID. The Calendar Code XID requires Student Attendance Time to verify a minimum of 1 instructional clock hour was conducted as well as a brief explanation of why the day was interrupted.
According to ISBE's policy, though, if the district's announcement that it will be closing on any day or days after less than five clock hours because of excessive heat is made in advance of the shortened day (e.g., the previous day or week as opposed to the "day of"), the school district cannot consider the day(s) to be Interrupted Days; instead, the day(s) must be counted as Emergency Day(s) (and so reflected on the Amended Calendar). Under those circumstances, a school district cannot count the shortened day as a full-day of attendance.
We hope the reminder of this information will be helpful for the upcoming school year. If you have any questions, please contact Marj Beck at email@example.com or 217-782-5256.
Permissible ISAT/IMAGE test for grades 3-8 window for 2006
For the 2005-06 school year only, the Illinois State Board of Education will allow a school district to move its two week state test window for ISAT/IMAGE one week early for the following reasons stated below, in addition to the reasons stated in the Illinois School Code. The early state test window is March 6 – 17, 2006. This permission is granted only if all criteria listed below are met.
1) The district spring break occurs during the week of March 27 – 31, 2006, which is immediately after the regular state test window, of March 13 – 24, 2006,
2) The local school district board approved its 2005-06 school calendar prior to ISBE's notice about the state test window of March 13 – 24, 2006,
3) Testing during the regular state test window (March 13 – 24, 2006) would jeopardize proper handling and return of state test materials or would jeopardize test security. Such concerns need to be documented by district personnel and approved by the local school board, and
4) The State Board is notified by December 1, 2005 of this decision.
School treasurer bonds
Section 3-8 and Section 8-2 of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/3-8 and 105 ILCS 5/8-2) require Regional Superintendents of Schools to file an affidavit with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) showing which treasurers of school districts in their region are properly bonded. This affidavit must be filed by September 1 of each year. Copies of the actual school treasurer bond do not have to be filed with ISBE.
Section 8-2 of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/8-2) requires each treasurer of a school district to be properly bonded. The penalty of the bond shall be 25 percent of the amount of all bonds, notes, mortgages, moneys and effects of which the treasurer is to have custody. The bond shall be increased or decreased from time to time, as the increase or decrease of the amount of notes, bonds, mortgages, moneys and effects may require. The bond shall be payable to the township trustees of schools over the district or payable to the school board of the district, whichever is applicable. The bond shall be filed with the Regional Superintendent of Schools. School districts do NOT need to file a copy of their bonds with ISBE.
Section 3-8 of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/3-8) describes the duties of the Regional Superintendent of Schools upon receipt of the treasurer bonds. When the bond of any school treasurer is filed with the Regional Superintendent of Schools, the Regional Superintendent shall carefully examine it. If the bond is found to be in all respects according to law and the sureties sufficient, the Regional Superintendent shall endorse his/her approval and file it with the papers of his/her office. If the bond is in any respect defective or if the sureties are insufficient, the bond shall be returned for correction.
Electronic version of the Affidavit and other information can be found on the ISBE website at:
www.isbe.net\sfms\html\t_bonds.htm. Please contact Michelle Heninger at 217-785-8779 or e-mail her at email@example.com with any follow-up questions.
Clarification on driver facilities that will allow school bus driver "S" endorsements
We have received an update from the Illinois Secretary of State on driver facilities that will allow school bus drivers to receive the new "S" endorsement.
Effective August 1 through September 30, school bus drivers can only go to designated facilities to add the "S" endorsement to their CDL license. If testing is required, all drivers must go to a CDL Regional facility only.
To assist with determining what is a designated facility that will be allowed to issue the "S" endorsement, please go to www.cyberdriveillinois.com and click on "Find Your Nearest Drivers Facility". You may go to any facility in the state with the exception of the Chicago and Vicinity Area. In this area of 28 facilities you may only go to Elk Grove Village, South Holland, West Chicago, Libertyville or Plano.
If companies want to arrange a sizable group to go to a facility to have the "S" endorsement added to their license they must make arrangements in advance. This can be done through your local driver's license regional managers. If you do not know who your regional managers are, you may contact the Illinois Secretary of State Safe Ride Section at 217-782-7674, Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and they will give you the appropriate person to be able to help you schedule a mass visit.
Legislative update
Below you will find the list of bills that have been signed by the Governor since the last update. Please refer to www.isbe.net/legislative.htm for a more complete description of each piece of legislation. Additionally, if you would like to access the full text for any piece of legislation, go to www.ilga.gov on the left hand side of the page, you can search for legislation by bill number. For a House Bill, type in HB and the bill number (ex: HB 1) or for a Senate Bill, type in SB and the bill number (ex: SB 1). The bill status page for that particular legislation will come up. Click on "full text" to see the entire bill.
HB 312 PA 94-0478 Effective immediately, this legislation amends the School Code by providing that in addition to a unit of instruction studying the events surrounding the Holocaust, every public elementary school and high school curriculum will include a unit of instruction studying other acts of genocide across the globe, including, but not limited to, the Armenian Genocide, the Famine-Genocide in Ukraine and more recent atrocities in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Sudan. HB 404 PA 94-0438
Effective July 1, 2005, this bill allows that a shortened school day (below the required 5 clock hours) as a result of the Prairie State Achievement Examination, will count towards the 176 days of pupil attendance if the required time has been accrued prior to the examination.
This legislation re-establishes the Gifted and Talented Children Article of the School Code. The Article shall apply beginning with the 2006-2007 school year. School districts shall continue to have the authority and flexibility to design education programs for gifted and talented children in response to community needs. This article sets forth minimum requirements that must be met by local programs for the education of gifted and talented children in order for the programs to be approved by the State Board of Education and to qualify for State funding if available. The local educational agency operating the program must submit a written program description to the State Board demonstrating the fulfillment of the requirements. A child shall be considered gifted and talented in any area of aptitude and, specifically, in language arts and mathematics, by scoring in the top five percent locally. The local program for the education of gifted and talented children must use a minimum of 3 assessment measures used to identify gifted and talented children in each area in which a program for gifted and talented children is established and provide a fair and impartial appeal process within the school, school district or cooperative of school districts operating a program for parents or guardians of aggrieved children. Requires the State Board to designate a staff person who shall be in charge of educational programs for gifted and talented children. The local program must also provide a description of how gifted and talented children will be grouped and instructed in order to maximize the educational benefits the children derive from participation in the program and a show that the certified teachers who are assigned to teach gifted and talented children understand the characteristics and educational needs of the children and are able to differentiate the curriculum An Advisory Council on the Education of Gifted and Talented Children is reestablished. It provides that initially, 4 members of the Advisory Council shall serve terms through January 1, 2007 and 3 members will serve terms through January 1, 2009.
This legislation also further amends the School Code with respect to school districts other than the Chicago school district by providing that nothing in the School Code may preclude an elected school board member from participating in a group health insurance program provided to an employee of the school district that the board member serves if the board member is a spouse or unmarried child of that employee.
Effective immediately :
HB 3680 PA 94-0439 Effective July 1, 2005, under the provision allowing a school board to provide free transportation when conditions are such that walking constitutes a serious safety hazard, this legislation continues to require that a school board annual review the conditions and make a determination as to whether or not the condition still exists, but removes the requirement that a school board certify those findings to the State Superintendent of Education.
SB 69 PA 94-0426 This legislation states that the total amount from driver education fees and reimbursement from the State for driver education cannot exceed the total cost of the driver education program in any year and must be deposited into the school district's driver education fund as a separate line item budget entry. The money in the district's driver education fund can only be used for the funding of a high school driver education program approved by the State Board of Education that uses instructors certified by the State Board of Education. This legislation is effective upon becoming law.
Effective January 1, 2006 :
SB 1493 PA 94-0432Effective immediately, this legislation amends Article 5 Trustees of Schools for Class II county school units (Cook County). An elementary district that, when combined with "another" elementary district, has a fall 2004 enrollment of 5,000-7,000 and coterminous boundaries with a high school district that crosses township boundaries, may withdraw from the jurisdiction of its current township treasurer and trustees of schools in order to use the township treasurer and trustees that serve the high school district. Subject to written notice to all involved by certified mail within the same 30-day period, affirmative vote of 5 members of the school board and adoption of a resolution and approval by a majority of the voters in the elementary district voting on the question. All rights, title, securities, etc. attributable to the elementary district vest in the receiving trustees of schools. This provision is repealed on January 1, 2010.
This legislation also amends Section 5-2.1 to allow electors in a high school district that crosses township boundaries to vote for both the trustees of the township in which the voter resides and the trustees of the township in which jurisdiction becomes assigned. Additionally, a waiver of a mandate established under a provision concerning eligible voters may not be requested.
Effective immediately, with regard to funds appropriated from the Driver Education Fund to the State Board of Education for reimbursement to school districts for providing driver education, this legislation provides that (i) as soon as may be after each quarter of the year, the State Comptroller shall draw his or her warrants upon the State Treasurer as directed by the State Board of Education, (ii) the warrant for each quarter shall be in an amount equal to one-fourth of the total amount to be distributed to school districts for the year and (iii) payments shall be made to school districts as soon as may be after receipt of the warrants. This legislation also removes a provision that prohibits the amount of driver education reimbursement made on account of any student from exceeding the per pupil cost to the district of the classroom instruction part and the practice driving instruction part combined and a provision that requires claims for reimbursement to be submitted in duplicate by each school district to the State Board of Education prior to October 1 of each year on such forms and in such manner as prescribed by the State Board.
HB 1851 PA- 0441 Effective July 1, 2005, this legislation removes the requirement that school districts file estimated reimbursement claims for costs of transitional bilingual education by certain dates and that the State Superintendent of Education transmit vouchers of the estimated claims to the Comptroller by certain dates. With regard to reimbursement claims for transitional bilingual education programs, this legislation provides that failure on the part of the school district to prepare and certify the final adjusted claims may constitute a forfeiture by the school district of its right to State reimbursement (now, failure on the part of the school district to prepare and certify the final adjusted claims on or before July 20 of any year and its failure thereafter to prepare and certify such report to the regional superintendent of schools within 10 days after receipt of a notice of delinquency shall constitute a forfeiture by the school district of its right to State reimbursement).
School breakfast program start-up incentive grant funds are available
Are you interested in beginning a School Breakfast Program? Are you looking for funds to assist you to in starting a School Breakfast Program? Does your school have at least 40 percent of the students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches? If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, review the links at http://www.isbe.net/nutrition, click on School Breakfast Programs, then School Breakfast Start-up Incentive Grants to learn about this opportunity to receive funds to begin a School Breakfast Program. Federal grants of $2700 per site are available. The application deadline for the Federal grants is November 20, 2005 and the program must start no later than December 1, 2006. State grants of $3500 per site are available. Priority for the State program will be given to schools which have 40 percent or greater free and reduced-price eligibility and apply by October 31, 2005. Please contact us at 800/545-7892 or 217/782-2491 if you have any questions.
Take advantage of FREE nutrition education and training services
Illinois Nutrition Education and Training (NET) staff are gearing up for the next school year to support children's' health and achievement with the development of two new workshops: Local Wellness Policy and Building a Better a la carte Program.
For teachers, an online e-learning Team Nutrition curriculum program is being developed. Check the Illinois NET website for updates, to check out loan library materials, request workshops and more! Bookmark http://www.kidseatwell.org to view the complimentary services NET provides today!
Satellite seminar program on local school wellness policy
Mark your calendar and make plans to view the October 18, 2005, two-hour satellite seminar on Local School Wellness Policy development. The primary goal of the program is to provide child nutrition professionals and other key players in the school and community an opportunity to hear the most current school wellness policy information.
The National Food Service Management Institute is sponsoring the satellite seminar.
Visit http://www.nfsmi.org for further information.
KidsFest coming to DuPage Expo in St. Charles
October 14 and 15, 2005
Illinois Nutrition Education and Training (NET) Program is pleased to announce the second KidsFest, a fun event for K-8 children and their families. The first one, Food, Fun & Fitness Expo was held in Chicago last October.
Vision for the Event: obesity is the number one health problem of today's children. The goal of this premier two-day event for children and families is to engage government, community and corporate partners in an annual event that strives to make a difference for Illinois children. This fun, interactive event will help raise awareness of children's health issues while providing the skills and encouragement kids need to make smart food choices and adopt an active lifestyle.
Highlights: Over 5,000 children, family members and school staff are expected to participate in the two days of fun while learning about healthy choices. This annual hands-on event includes exhibits that actively engage children in learning about healthy food and fitness choices, opportunities to taste healthy food and "get physical" and motivational food and fitness programs on two main stages.
Call the Illinois NET Program at 815-895-9227 or 800-466-7998 for more information
Weekly News Clips
This week's news clips may be reviewed at: http://www.isbe.net/news/2005/newsclips/050805.htm


text:
Wisconsin's U.S. senators are among the scheduled speakers at a remembrance of last year's Sikh temple shooting.
Sens. Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin are expected to be at the federal courthouse in Milwaukee on Friday. They'll be part of a special observance ahead of Monday's one-year anniversary of the shooting.
A white supremacist had walked into the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek and killed six worshippers and injured five others. He died in a gun battle with police.
The anniversary events begin with the courthouse remembrance. Oak Creek's mayor and members of the U.S. Department of Justice will also speak.
Also on Friday, temple officials will begin religious ceremonies that will run through the weekend. A candlelight vigil will be held Monday night.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Music Review: TURNmusic truly something newBy Jim Lowe
Staff Writer | July 14,2014BURLINGTON It was a truly incongruous situation, avant-garde classical music in a hip Burlington nightclub, but it worked both musically and for the audience.
TURNmusic, a new music ensemble created and directed by Anne Decker, debuted Wednesday at ArtsRiot, a nightclub and restaurant, performing largely contemporary classical music and the audience of some 50 20- and 30-somethings seemed to love it.
It didnt hurt that the performances and the music were largely first-rate. Decker, who has conducted for a number of ensembles, including the Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble, Vermont Opera Theater, etc., has assembled 10 topnotch Vermont instrumentalists and is planning a season of concerts. This program will be repeated July 18 at the Green Mountain Club in Waterbury Center.
The music ranged from cutting-edge to the mundane, plus one traditional folk song. The work that showcased the entire ensemble was Nico Muhlys Drones, Variations, Ornaments, a 20-or-so-minute multi-tonal work that challenged the audience nearly as much as it did the players.
Muhly (b. 1981) is a Randolph native who is finding success internationally, including in the New York opera world. Drones, Variations, Ornaments is a brilliantly crafted work that explores tonalities and rhythms, yet can be taken as dramatic, even operatic storytelling. Ably conducted by Decker, it proved an adventure, one that Wednesdays audience seemed to really enjoy despite its thorniness.
Most sublime was Brooklyn composer Missy Mazzolis Dissolve, O my heart for unaccompanied violin. Mazzoli (b. 1980) based this work on J.S. Bachs famous Chaconne for solo violin, beginning with the same chord, and employing Bachs 18th century violin techniques, as well as those of Eugene Ysayes of the 19th century, and even a touch of Appalachian fiddle, resulting in a decidedly 21st century work but with the introspection of the original.
Mary Rowell, a Vermont native who has found success in the New York new music world as well as Vermonts venerated Craftsbury Chamber Players, played the work with authority and imbued it a Bach-like spirituality. The audience responded, at first, with awe, then enthusiasm.
Offering some relief from these multi-tonal works was Colin McCaffreys Crossing Jordan. The East Montpelier singer-songwriter (b. 1968) lent his attractive baritone to his beautiful traditional ballad, but the accompaniment by the ensemble was spicy both tonally and rhythmically. (McCaffrey added his able electric guitar to other works on the program, including the Muhly.)
Another success was Stomp, a highly rhythmic and tonally striking work by David Biedenbender (b. 1984). The jazz-infused work seemed to imagine a barn dance gone awry and, though employing complex musical language, proved brilliantly crafted and most entertaining.
Comparatively, Judd Greensteins Change and Jason Treitigs Spring, both minimalist works, felt pretty tame. Sarah Kirkland Sniders Thread and Fray too seemed minimalist, but wove an interesting fabric. The program closed with Julia Wolfes Reeling, an attractive mix of pop and contemporary classical elements.
TURNmusic certainly made an auspicious debut, introducing truly new music to a new audience successfully.MORE IN Vermont NewsMONTPELIER Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt. Full StoryVermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell plans to join the U.S. Full StoryMONTPELIER Gov. Full Story
- Most Popular
- Most Emailed


text:
Don't believe Ohio's 'voter suppression' numbers
A report by two Democrat legislators that there were nearly 60,000 cases of "voter suppression" in Ohio last November would be cause for concern but for one fact: There weren't.
In general, the general election last fall went well from the standpoint of votes being cast and counted in an orderly manner and Ohioans being able to vote by convenient methods, Secretary of State Jon Husted reported this spring. After asking for information from all 88 county election boards, Husted said he had heard of just 135 cases of voter fraud and none of real vote suppression.
Then, earlier this month, state Sen. Nina Turner, whose district includes Cuyahoga County, and state Rep. Kathleen Clyde of Kent released their own report. Both are Democrats. They insist there were nearly 50,000 cases of voter suppression in Ohio last November.
That might lead some people to believe nearly 60,000 Buckeye State voters were told they could not vote – but that simply is not the case.
Turner and Clyde's calculation included 34,299 provisional ballots not counted, 13,190 absentee ballots rejected, 9,483 people who tried to vote at the wrong polling places and were told they could not and 2,188 complaints by Democrat Party attorneys – not voters themselves.
Provisional ballots are, by definition, suspected of not being cast properly, so it is no surprise many of them were rejected after examination. It also is no surprise that 13,190 absentee ballots were rejected because they were not filed legally. As for the 9,483 people who went to the wrong polling places, the franchise carries with it some responsibilities – including knowing where to vote.
And, as Husted noted, thousands of rejected absentee ballots came from people not registered to vote in Ohio.
As for whether there was suppression of absentee voters, consider this: During the 2008 general election, 1,733,579 absentee ballots were cast. Last fall the total was up to 1,876,174.
And in 2008, 69.97 percent of registered voters in Ohio cast ballots. Last fall the percentage was up to 70.51. That hardly suggests much of an effort at voter suppression.
Were some Buckeye State residents who wanted to vote unable to do so last fall? Undoubtedly. That is unfortunate, and something Husted and the county boards need to address.
But was there anything approaching the massive amount of suppression claimed by Turner and Clyde? Absolutely not.


text:
From paper that sees everyday use, such as printer paper and ruled pads, to receipt rolls, Quill has the inventory to keep your office running smoothly.
Quill has the variety and excellence that you're looking for; with us, you'll always find what you need at the right price. Check out our impressive selections of all paper types, including large quantity, brochure, carbonless and graph paper.
Can't find what you need? Contact Us
©Quill Lincolnshire, Inc. 2016, All Rights Reserved.
This Web site is intended only for use by U.S. residents.


text:
Wordsmith Talk
|About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us
You are not logged in. [Log In] Wordsmith.org » Forums » (Old) Weekly themes. (have been consolidated into a single forum above) » Beheading words » carpet vs. rug Register User Forum List Calendar Active Topics Search FAQ
Topic Options
#124163 - 02/29/04 03:13 PM carpet vs. rug
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 01/18/01
Posts: 13858
What is the difference between a carpet and a rug? I tend to think of a carpet as covering more space than a rug.
But the dictionaries give them as synonyms.
From a story I'm reading:
Instead of the luxurious apartment I had prepared myself to behold, a plain, scantily-furnished room opened before me, of a nature between a library and a studio. There was not even a carpet on the polished floor, only a rug.....,
#124164 - 02/29/04 03:55 PM Re: carpet vs. rug
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 06/24/02
Posts: 7210
Loc: Vermont
I think of carpet as going from wall to wall, and a rug as having a bound edge. I might use a hunk of carpet as a rug, but only temporarily..._________________________
formerly known as etaoin...
#124165 - 02/29/04 03:56 PM Re: carpet vs. rug
old hand
Registered: 01/12/01
Posts: 771
Loc: Portland, Oregon
Yeah, I think of carpet as having that wall-to-wall quality, whereas a rug just covers a portion of the floor... throw rug, area rug, mug rug ... no one I know would ever say "throw carpet".
#124166 - 02/29/04 04:40 PM Re: carpet vs. rug
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 01/18/01
Posts: 13858
I don't ever remember seeing wall to wall carpeting anywhere
when I was a kid.
#124167 - 02/29/04 04:48 PM Re: carpet vs. rug
Registered: 01/06/04
Posts: 1475
Loc: California
If a carpet goes from wall to wall, why would anybody talk about wall-to-wall carpeting? Or an area rug? (I.e., if it only covers an area anyway?) Also, there used to be talk about a flying carpet, not a flying rug. You get called onto the carpet, but have the rug pulled out from younder yourself. Carpet is from Latin/Italian and rug is from Scandinavian.
#124168 - 02/29/04 04:54 PM Re: carpet vs. rug
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 06/24/02
Posts: 7210
Loc: Vermont
well, I wuz jes' sayin'...
good points all, jheem._________________________
formerly known as etaoin...
#124169 - 02/29/04 04:58 PM Re: carpet vs. rug
Registered: 01/06/04
Posts: 1475
Loc: California
well, I wuz jes' sayin'...
Oh, so was I, eta. Just tryin' to glom onto their meaning(s).
#124170 - 02/29/04 05:00 PM Re: carpet vs. rug
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 12/24/00
Posts: 2661
Loc: Chicago
... and now it's all booged up.
#124171 - 02/29/04 05:55 PM Re: carpet vs. rug
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 12/01/00
Posts: 13803
I would say that a carpet is fancier than a rug. Just as a general thing. A Persian carpet, for example, is of a finer thread and a more complex design than a Navajo rug.
#124172 - 02/29/04 06:12 PM Re: carpet vs. rug
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 01/18/01
Posts: 13858
All the wall-to-wall carpet I have ever seen is solid
color. Any pattern would greatly complicate the job
of laying it to look right.
Moderator: Jackie
Forum Stats 8968 Members
16 Forums
13870 Topics
222532 Posts
Max Online: 3341 @ 12/09/11 02:15 PM
Newest Members Tatanka17, Marci, dorrick, thedesertsimmom, LostAuthor
8968 Registered Users
Who's Online 0 registered (), 42 Guests and 2 Spiders online. Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters (30 Days)
wofahulicodoc 57 LukeJavan8 41 may2point0 37 delirium 4 DavidLaurence 1 Curtis 1 A C Bowden 1
Top Posters
wwh 13858 Faldage 13803 Jackie 11613 tsuwm 10538 LukeJavan8 8541 Buffalo Shrdlu 7210 wofahulicodoc 6943 AnnaStrophic 6511 Wordwind 6296 of troy 5400
Board Rules · Mark all read Contact Us · Wordsmith.org · Top
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.
Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat
© 1994-2016 Wordsmith


text:
« Back
Construction frenzy in the central square of Juba, the capital of South Sudan. Construction has been booming in recent years and has accelerated as technology has become diffused and natural resources have been tapped for the first time.
"African Game Change"
Op-Ed, Newsweek
April 30, 2012
Author: Niall Ferguson, Member of the Board, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Belfer Center Programs or Projects: Science, Technology, and Globalization; Science, Technology, and Innovation Project
When Scottish missionary David Livingstone first glimpsed Victoria Falls in 1855, he was awestruck: Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight. Amen.
Forget Niagara. When you stand on the banks of the mighty Zambezi just before it thunders over the cliffs and into the ravine below, you tremble at the vast and pitiless power of nature.
I first came to this place 10 years ago, retracing my boyhood hero Livingstones footsteps. On this visit, however, I was more concerned with Africas future than with its past.
In the years that lie before us, a great struggle will play out south of the Sahara: a struggle between man and Malthus. According to the Rev. Thomas Malthuss famous principlesometimes called the Malthusian trappopulation grows geometrically, but the supply of food increases arithmetically. Viewed in those terms, many African countries today seem doomed to misery and vice. Between now and 2050, according to the United Nations, the population of Africa will increase by 965 million. Approximately two fifths of the total increase in world population will happen here. It is unlikely that African agriculture will be able to keep pace.
Here in Zambia the average woman has a total of 5.8 births, one of the highest rates in the world. With that kind of reproduction, its no wonder the population of Africa has increased by more than 260 percent since the 1960s. How many African countries have increased their agricultural production by that much? Answer: 11, and Zambia isnt one of them.
A fifth of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is aged between 15 and 24, one of historys biggest youth bulges. I asked the recently elected vice president of Zambia what his biggest problem was. He sighed. Jobs. Somehow creating jobs for all these young people.
So is Africa heading over a demographic waterfall? Maybe not.
Two things are changing the continents prospects. The first is the surging demand for the natural resources that are so abundant in Africa. Countries such as Guinea, South Africa, Nigeria, and Angola are among the worlds richest in terms of reserves of gold, platinum, oil, and (for all I know) unobtainium. The past 10 years have seen a surge of investment in Africa by the Chinese and others. In Zambia, defunct copper mines are back in business.
The other game changer is mobile telephony. Ten years ago little more than 1 percent of Zambians had a cellphone subscription. Today the proportion is approaching a third. Never before have Africans been able to communicate across distance more easily. More importantly, cellphones are giving poor Africans access to basic financial services for the first time.
So there is hope. Take a look at the pace of economic growth in much of Africa, and the picture is brighter than at almost any time since the end of colonial rule. It may not matter if population outstrips agricultural production in individual countries, so long as enough Africans are producing hard commodities that fetch high prices on world markets. Trade will do the rest.
The real obstacles to prosperity in Africa are not, after all, Malthusian. If Western governments had the will to override their small-but-powerful agricultural lobbies, free trade in farm produce would be a boon for African farmers.
Yet a bigger problem even than our protectionism is the dismally low quality of African governance. Zambias recent peaceful and democratic change of government remains a rarity. Neighboring Zimbabwe continues to languish under the senile dictatorship of Robert Mugabe. Somalia is the worlds most lawless country. Mali has just suffered a coup. And so the woeful list goes on.
The naive view is that such instability is due to the resource curse: the idea that valuable commodities can be more a bane than a boon. But as Oxford economist Paul Collier argued in The Plundered Planet, the real trouble is not the resources, but the defective political institutions that sit on top of them.
No one understands better how postcolonial regimes degenerate than V.S. Naipaul, whose novel A Bend in the River perfectly captures the corrosive interactions of a delusional dictator, a mutinous army, and a graft-hungry bureaucracy. Yet Zambia shows that better political options are now possible in Africa.
Walking by the falls, I saw two young Zambian girls joyously dancing in the soaking spray. I dared to hope they were dancing on Malthuss grave.
For more information about this publication please contact the Belfer Center Communications Office at 617-495-9858.
For Academic Citation:


text:
Lynn Camp Brook Trout Restoration
Gerry Romer, Steve Gillespie and I had the great fun of helping out with the brook trout restoration project on Lynn Camp and its tributaries on Monday. The day started out a little slow our official participants got a late start because of some weather impacts but we quickly got down to work once everyone was assembled at the parking area above Tremont.
Steve got started in earnest first, rigging ropes to get equipment down to the bottom of the gorge at the base of the cascades. Gerry and I went with a group up to the Marks Creek trail and carried in the equipment for setting up treating stations at the upper end of Marks. Pretty good hike for a couple of codgers, led by two twenty-somethings from Oregon who are trail runners when they arent working for the Park Service. I only wish I had seen this upper section of Marks Creek before it was closed down some beautiful little pools cascading down the mountain! We got the stations set up, ate a lunch and headed back down to Lynn Camp. From there we started what was reported to be a 900 meter fish shocking expedition. Gerry and I worked at carrying buckets, netting fish and Gerry got to carry a backpack frame with an empty container for porting the captured fish back downstream. They left the carrying of the full containers as well as the gas powered shockers to the younger, hunky park service and TWRA guys and we were glad to let them have it.
Most of the trout we captured were transported over to Thunderhead Prong along with some black-nosed dace. A few of the trout were kept to be put in a mesh cage to be used as the equivalent of coal mine canaries once the treatment starts on Wednesday. On a side note, there is a bear up in the Lynn Camp Prong area that really appreciates the cages of captured trout left for him in the river. Needless to say, Ranger Steve was not amused with the bear helping himself to these tempting morsels. We were advised that, if we ran into this bear, we were to pick up a large rock and try our best to knock him in the head with it (via throwing, I presumed). Funny, this wasnt one of the responses I would have settled on in a quick moment of contemplation at encountering this hungry beast.
When Gerry and I got back down to the cascades, we were able to appreciate the fruits of Steve Gs efforts. A nice looking network of ropes down the side of the gorge and an assemblage of equipment was set up at the base of the cascades maybe Steve can elaborate on the purpose of all this gear.
This was a great group of Park Service folks that we got to spend the day with. People from Oregon, Yellowstone, North and South Carolina (other places you guys remember Gerry and Steve?). Gerry and I worked our fannies off and, yet, they were still there at the end of the day. There was even time to wet a fly at the end of a long day of work. Lots of fun in support of a great project. Steve and Gerry, feel free to add in your two-cents worth on this report. Steve was planning on working three days on the project so I would be interested in reading what happened at todays session.
Charlie B
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.
Hey Charlie!!
Take a look over at "Fisheries Management & Biology". I couldn't help myself. I got out of the whirlpool last night and started typing... along the way I discovered something new about this message board: There's a 10,000 character limit on any post. Yeah, I had to do considerable editing to bring it in under 10,000 characters.
Anyway, had a great time yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and Steve and having the opportunity to put in some time on this thing. Still undecided about Thursday morning. The cold clear light of day revealed just how out of shape I really am. You know that old saw about finding muscles you didn't know you had?? Well my muscles are finding places they didn't know they had!!
As you can see Charlie has really summed up everything very well. Also I spent most of that day rigging ways to transport stuff down to the bottom of the Cascades. This was a lot of fun for me, I was able to use skilles I learned years ago in rigging. (Note: This was the first time I have used them outside of school) I was unable to return today, but I will be there tomarrow I have a few pics (to busy to take many) and I will get more tomarrow and I will post them for you all to see. In total agreement with Charlie this was a great group of people to work with and they kept us total informed and updated on the entire project (Lynn Camp) I will also post tomarrow night as to the capture of THE BEAR. This was well worth the sore, tired bodies and I would recommend anytime you have a chance to work with the GSMNP guys do it.
HEY GUYs You may have to teach the New Guy how to add pics
Attempt Great Things For Christ,
Expect Great Things from Christ!
Steve Gillespie,
The Gypsy
Steve, Check out Gerry's report under Fisheries Management and Biology. Much more extensive report of the day - and much more color.
Charlie B
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.
Wed. on Lynn Camp
I have added Wed. news and report on the Fisheries Management & Biology
Board along with the ones from yesterday and Mon. To Sum it up great work, with great learning, and great fun.
Alan M. If you read this and would like to add something put over on the Management board. I look foreward to seeing your post.
Attempt Great Things For Christ,
Expect Great Things from Christ!
Steve Gillespie,
The Gypsy
Boy, the bears must have thought they had stumbled into a Cracker Barrel.
|Thread Tools
|Display Modes
Linear Mode
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:42 PM.


text:
The former director of President Barack Obama's Iowa campaign has announced his candidacy for Iowa Secretary of State.
Democrat Brad Anderson made the announcement Thursday during a press conference at the Capitol. He may be up against incumbent Republican Secretary Matt Schultz.
Schultz declined to comment on the seat challenge saying he has not decided whether he will run for re-election in 2014.
Anderson says he disagrees with the incumbent Republican's stringent proposal on voter identification. He calls Schultz's "fruitless investigations" a waste of taxpayer dollars and intimidates Iowans from voting.
The challenger plans to tackle voter fraud by installing an electronic voter eligibility check-in system at the polls.
He has already garnered support from a long list of big-name Democrats like former Iowa Governors Tom Vilsack and Chet Culver.


text:
Loads to do at Sky Ride Hull
Sky Ride Hull on Sunday 19 August is going to be a great opportunity to join in a huge traffic-free bike ride – but even if you don't want to join the ride, there's plenty to do on the day.
There'll be a range of entertainment at Queen Victoria Square, the Marina and the Humber Street area from 10.00am until 3.00pm for everyone who wants to enjoy the atmosphere without getting on a bike.
With Cycling Polo demonstrations at the Humber Street area, Dr Bike at the Marina and the brilliant Bob's Bikes in Queen Victoria Square there's loads for the whole family to do. There'll also be Beech Holme Tandem Club, music, The Deep, a forest style track to ride your bike round in Trinity Square, a children's BMX area, fun bikes for anyone to come and try and a pedal powered scalextrix and samba music to accompany your ride and even a magician.
There'll also be a chance for youngsters to get a real taste for racing their bikes. Go-Ride Racing is British Cycling's exciting entry level competition programme, helping young people under 16 make a gradual transition into competitive cycling. There'll be free races taking place throughout the day at Sky Ride Hull, aimed at novice racing cyclists.
Don't forget if you'd like to join the ride, you can register for free here and be in with a chance of winning some great prizes.


text:
National Park Monopoly
Code: M8392
Member Price: $34.15
Non-Member Price: $39.95
Have fun while appreciating our national treasures. America's most popular board game combines with Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and many others for hours of fun and learning. Here's your chance to "buy" the Everglades or Mesa Verde-but watch out for that Go To Jail square! Includes six collectible pewter tokens based on National Park themes.


text: Hello. My daughter is 2 weeks old. I am breastfeeding and every day seems to bring a different challenge. I have a lot of milk. And by a lot I mean like I can feed her all night long and be so uncomfortable in the morning that i pump out a good 10 oz or so and still have some left in there. That is what I pump just to be comfortable. At first she was nursing well. Alittle lazy at the breast but it she seemed to be gulping away for the time she was on. Now it seems like she only nurses for a few minutes(like 5) and then she pulls off. She either pulls off or falls asleep. I have done what the LC's have suggested and taken her clothes off while nursing, played with her ears, feet, etc...She is pretty lazy on the breast. At first she was eating pretty infrequently but the Lc's said not to worry because she was gaining and pooping and peeing. Now, she is eating for a few minutes, falling asleep or pulling off and then wants to eat again in 10 minutes. This goes on and on. It is frustrating because it doesnt seem like she is taking that much milk from me and each time she pulls off milk squirts everywhere. IT is all over her, me, the furniture....and when she is done eating she seems uncomfortable and cries sometimes. Before pulling off she will seem so frustrated with eating and start tugging on my nipple and grunting like she is angry. Then a few minutes later she wants to eat again and the same pattern goes on and on. I just dont know what to do. I am now giving her a bottle now and then because my husband thinks that my milk is just too fast for her. I have a 15 month old too so it is very hard to pump each time before nursing like the Lc's have suggested. Also, she seems to grunt quite a bit like she is uncomfortable. I just feel like I have so much milk that there is no reason to put her on formula, but I am getting frustrating with the constant feeding which seems like is not satisfying her. If it were satisfying her I wouldnt be so frustrated.Also, my first daughter had a milk allergy so I am not eating much dairy trying to prevent the same situation. And she nursed every 3 hours on the dot and be satisfied until her next feeding. I know I shouldnt compare them but that is all I really have for experience! Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.


text:
Welcome To Tactegra
Tactegra is a management consulting firm that helps companies improve the way they do business. We're experts in Integrated Process Solutions, Project and Operations Support, Lean Six Sigma, and Organizational Change Management. Our people are experienced consultants focused on creating value for your business. We are intelligently efficient.
We're looking for innovative and professional individuals who are passionate about delivering excellent service. If you are interested in joining our team, check out our current career opportunities.
You need answers. We're here to help. Contact Us to talk with one of our experts today.
Check out our recent company awards and recognitions.
Tactegra Integrated Process Solutions (T.I.P.S.)
Is your company looking to lower your production costs, increase efficiency, create better working conditions, improve risk position, and offer consistent delivery of products and services to your customers? If so, we have some T.I.P.S. for you. Read more.


text:
New book reveals Vt.'s hidden slave historyBy Kevin OConnor
Staff Writer | January 19,2014Provided Photo
Harvey Amani Whitfield, a professor at the University of Vermont, is author of the new book The Problem of Slavery in Early Vermont, 1777-1810.Vermont prides itself on a progressive history as the first state to approve same-sex civil unions and, before that, to abolish billboards and, before that, to adopt a bottle-return law and, before that, to offer a public school system from first grade through college and, before that, to outlaw slavery.
But what if that last fact, the one that began all the boasting, has an ugly flip side?
This assertion may not fit easily into the popular notion of Vermont as the first region in North America to completely abolish slavery and offer rough equality for African Americans, said Harvey Amani Whitfield, a professor at the University of Vermont. In fact, the state is home not only to a rich abolitionist history, but also to the more troublesome story of slavery.
So begins Whitfields new book, The Problem of Slavery in Early Vermont, 1777-1810, set for preview this Martin Luther King Jr. Day before publication by the Vermont Historical Society next month.
Schoolbooks and scholars routinely credit Vermonts 1777 constitution for categorically abolishing slavery, making the state the only one to do so before the end of the American Revolution. But Whitfield has unearthed dozens of bills of sale, runaway notices, court documents, census records and other papers that prove many people of color remained in bondage for nearly three decades more.
If you were black in Vermont in the 1780s, you could vote, take a white person to court and own property, Whitfield said in an interview. But at the same time you could be kidnapped or your children held as slaves. Slavery just didnt end it was a longer process that took at least 30 years.
The black population increased in the Green Mountains from about 25 in 1770 to 270 in 1790 to 870 in 1830. But the constitution only granted freedom to men older than 21 and women older than 18, so children could lawfully remain slaves before being sold to residents in other states.
In addition, such prominent residents as Vermont Supreme Court judge Stephen Jacob and Ethan Allens brother, Levi, and, as late as 1835, daughter Lucy Caroline Hitchcock ignored the law and owned servants.
Whitfield, a self-described African-descended person, doesnt want anyone to view his revelations as a slam against the state.
Its not a gotcha moment Im simply saying the end of slavery was contested, contingent, complicated and messy. I think a lot of historians knew the constitution was problematic, and we needed to do more research.
Indeed, Whitfields peers are hailing his work.
From time to time, an historian comes along and overturns everything we thought we knew about an event in the past, Northwestern University professor Timothy H. Breen said. This is an important contribution to the study of race and racism in Revolutionary America.
The book, according to University of Virginia professor Alan Taylor, deftly reveals the challenges of abolishing slavery even in Vermont, so long assumed to have been founded on equal rights and universal freedom.
Whitfield didnt set out to write an expose.
Ive always been interested in black history in New England, he said, and just wondered if I could find some primary sources on what was going on around the revolutionary era in Vermont.
The historian spent years scouring his universitys special collections in Burlington, the Vermont State Archives outside Montpelier and courthouses as far south as Bennington.
As I found more and more, I realized there is this far more nuanced story.
Yes, he said, the states 1777 abolition provision served as an essential foundation for the end of slavery in Vermont and an important monument to the slow legislative strangling of slavery in the North.
But records also show blacks faced continued trafficking, exploitation and discrimination, often because of a lack of law enforcement.
It doesnt mean the founders didnt take an important step, Whitfield said, but there is a difference between ending slavery and establishing meaningful freedom.
The book isnt scheduled for publication until Feb. 1, but the author will preview it at noon Monday at the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier and 7 p.m. at the UVM Memorial Lounge in Burlington and sign copies from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier.
In the preface, Whitfield said his 148-page book is meant for an educated (not simply scholarly) audience with interest in the Green Mountain States history.
We want everything said in 140 characters or less, he said in an interview. This is much bigger, broader and complex.
kevin.oconnor @rutlandherald.com
In his own words
The point of this work is not simply to show that Vermont had slavery and denied equality to free blacks. For it is quite clear that slavery persisted after 1777 and free blacks struggled for meaningful citizenship. Nor is the intention to argue that slavery and racism are the dominant themes of Afro-Vermont history.
Instead, the point here is to advance a more nuanced interpretation of local black history and race relations by including the story of slavery within the overarching themes of emancipation and freedom.
The end of slavery must be viewed as a long process that occurred over thirty years (1777-1810), during which time emancipation, slavery, freedom, racism, hopes for natural rights, re-enslavement, de facto slavery, and fleeting notions of black citizenship existed simultaneously.
This created a remarkable context for race relations whereby Afro-Vermonters could achieve freedom and some aspects of meaningful citizenship, but also faced the persistent threat of slavery, kidnapping, and the bondage of their children.
An examination of Vermont slavery elicits multiple questions about its nature, essence, and eventual abolition. How emancipatory was the abolition provision of 1777? Why did the framers write it in such vague terms? Why did Vermont forego enforcement provisions? How and why did slavery persist?
We need to understand the struggle between the forces of continued slavery and the movement toward freedom. These tensions in early Vermont beg for further study.
From Harvey Amani Whitfields The Problem of Slavery in Early Vermont, 1777-1810, available from the Vermont Historical Society to buy or order at most bookstores after Feb. 1.MORE IN NewsNarration and audio production by RH Alcott Full StoryNarration and audio production by RH Alcott Full Story
- Most Popular
- Most Emailed


text:
First, last and always
Senior Mareena DiMilia was named the Outstanding Female Field Athlete for the second straight year. She ran the opening leg in the winning shuttle hurdle relay, won the javelin and took second in the hammer. Other T-V girls winners included Katlynn Greffrath in the high jump and long jump. Autumn Bender won the 2000 steeplechase and the freshman 800. She was second in the freshman/sophomore 1500. Mary Alongi was second in the 1500 racewalk. Caroline Martin was third in the F/S long jump. Monticello's Jordan Fredell won the triple jump and was third in the 400 hurdles. Sullivan West's Hannah Feinman was second in the long jump and the triple jump. Fallsburg's Kelsey Moody was second in the high jump, while Meagan Horowitz won the F/S pole vault. Fellow Lady Comet Kali Seastrand was second in the F/S long jump while Nyasia Harris was thing in the F/S shot put. Sullivan West's Autumn Thiele was second in the F/S discus while Courtney Meyerer took second in the Freshman 800. She teamed up with Megan Robisch, Rosa Martinez and Erin Sumfleth to win the F/S 1600 relay. Liberty was third in the girls 300 shuttle relay, while Monticello Boys winners included T-V's Aric Boyes in the shot put and the hammer throw, Aidan Woolsey in the pole vault and Josh Winters in the javelin.
Other Sullivan County finishers included Monticello's Shane Jackson in the 100. He took third in the 200. Sullivan West's Anthony Rydell won the discus. Monticello's Brian Stickle won the F/S shot put, Terry Duncan was second in the 400, Mike Rogers took second in the pole vault and Kyle Haynes was second in the F/S long jump. The Monties were second in the 400 relay. Tri-Valley was third in the 300 shuttle relay and the F/S 1600 relay. In team standings, in addition to T-V's first place in Division II boys and girls, Monticello was sixth in Division I girls and third in Division I boys. In Division II boys SW was third, Fallsburg was third and Liberty was seventh and Eldred was ninth. In Division II girls Sullivan West was second, Fallsburg was third, Liberty was seventh and Eldred was ninth.
For times and distances of all of the finishers, visit www.sportsinsights.com. For an album of photos, visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com.


text:
January 24, 2012 —
SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY—Put aside any talk of winter doldrums or "Blue Monday," for there's plenty to smile and cheer about as we reach the midpoint of the season. Let's start with indoor track to laud some local kids who receive far too little attention for their rigorous endeavors. Here is the current Sullivan County leaderboard, diligently compiled by Eldred Coach Bill Kroohs. Athletes listed are tops among Sullivan County contenders in their events.
Boys 55, Shane Jackson (M), 6.5; 55H, Damon Lopez (T-V), 7.9; 300, Jackson (M), 36.8; 1000, Omar Lopez (T-V), 1:30.89; 1600, Alex Campanella (E), 4:21.82; 3200, Campanella (E), 9:41.7; 800 Relay, (M), 1:38.9; 1600 Relay, (E), 3:46.8; 3200 Relay (T-V), 8:36.6; Triple jump, Andy Hazelnis (L), 38-9.5; Pole vault, Eugene Morton (T-V), 10-6; and Shot put, Brendan Tierney (T-V), 48-4.25; Girls 55, Lara Heslop (L), 7.3; 55H, Vicky Tingley (T-V), 9.74; 300, Tania Walker (M), 44.4; 600, Autumn Bender 1:56.26; 1500, Bender (T-V), 5:11.92; 3000, Bender (T-V), 11:17.3; 800 Relay B, (L), 1:58.8; 1600 Relay, (SW), 4:30.2; 1500 Racewalk, Rachel Deppa (SW), 7:35.8; Long jump, Nikole Snyder (L), 14-10.25; High jump, Katlynn Greffrath (T-V), 4-10; Triple jump, Erika Bowring (E), 31-9.5; Shot put, Mareena DiMilia (T-V), 38-11.75; and Pole vault, Breanna Brucher (E), 8-6.
In boys basketball, Sullivan West's dramatic reversal of fortune from two prior one-win seasons continues. The now 8-4 (2-1) Bulldogs are only one win shy of qualifying for sectionals by dint of their overall record. A dramatic 49-45 home league win over O'Neill was a potent antidote to a stultifying 86-23 loss to NYSPHSAA Class B champion Burke Catholic in the Eagles' aerie. Patrick Pierce had 14 points in the O'Neill win and John Masten posted 13. After beating O'Neill, the Bulldogs hammered the Family Foundation School 70-33, as E.J. Franskevicz scored a career-high 21 points including a trio of treys. Tri-Valley 4-4 (2-2) defeated Eldred 3-5 (0-4) in a Division V league clash by the score of 56-52, as they were paced by Cody Exner's 18 points. Fallsburg 6-2 (3-1) downed Tuxedo 2-8 (0-4) in another Division V encounter. Michael Robinson led all scorers with 17 points in the road win for the surging Comets. Meanwhile Liberty 0-9 (0-3) lost to Burke 87-47.
In girls basketball, Sullivan West 2-8 (0-3) garnered its second win of the season by hammering Family 51-4. Samantha Smith led the Lady Bulldogs with 17 points on the night. Chester 8-2 (4-2) defeated Fallsburg 6-5 (1-4) by the score of 61-45 in a Division V encounter. Tri-Valley (8-0) remained unbeaten after downing Livingston Manor in a non-league fray 51-31. A key Division V rematch with Chester, a team it beat on the road by one point, was played on January 23. Tuxedo downed Eldred 4-5 (2-3) by the score of 53-17.Monticello 5-4 succumbed to Washingtonville 54-41 in a non-league game.
In wrestling, Tri-Valley showed great improvement in bouts against Ellenville and Eldred-Fallsburg as it got some nice wins during the night from Kyle Rogers (113), John Monforte (145), Jared Ratner (132), Kevin Palko (152) and Hunter Kennedy (160). E-F lost a non-league nail-biter to Ellenville 39-36, the same margin that defined their defeat to the Blue Devils in the Goshen tourney. E-F defeated Tri-Valley 48-26. Kudos to some of the E-F standouts, including Adam Hurwitz (138), Nick Perrello (113), Domique Veles (195) and Jesse Corcoran (285). E-F remains atop of Division II-B with a 3-0 league record.
In alpine skiing at Belleyare Mt., Monticello's girls were first in a Division I encounter with Fallsburg/T-V in second. Monticello's Haley Heins was first; SW's Kendall Menges was second. In the boys run, SW's Drew Biillard was tops; T-V's Ryan Erts finished third.
Visit www.sportsinsights.com [1] for ongoing stories and albums of photos.


text:
Just What Happened: An innocent man is accused of throwing a musician from a skyscraper window.
The Angry Birds: A bored young wife heartlessly kills her husband's beloved pet canary, bringing a terrible fate upon herself.
The Last Will of Dr. Rant: A hideous apparition prevents a scholar from examining a rare manuscript.
The Martian Eyes: A man finds himself drawn in by a drunk's vivid warnings of ongoing Martian infiltration, that will lead to the invasion of the earth and the subjugation of mankind.
Related Products


text: Host a stylish Thanksgiving meal with dinnerware and decorations from Crate and Barrel. We offer a full range of products for a Thanksgiving feast, including cookware, tableware and more. Cook up a tasty turkey using our nonstick roasters and carving knives. Set the table with our gorgeous dinnerware sets, serveware and wine glasses, and dress it up with our beautiful tablecloth and dinner napkins. In addition to our plates, flatware and serveware, we also offer beautiful Thanksgiving decor. To give your mantel a festive touch, try our pillar candles, elegant candle holders and our other rustic fall decor. Shop our selection of Thanksgiving decorations and dinnerware.


text:
America's most dangerous states
Published On: Oct 25 2013 10:18:22 AM CDT
Find out where violent crimes like rape, murder and robbery are most common. Here are America's most dangerous states.
The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms Of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms.


text:
"I have been listening to you on EWTN for about one year now. I left the Catholic Church 42 years ago and have been attending Protestant churches. After many struggles during this last year, I finally went to confession on Sunday. Thank you all so much for helping me on my journey home."
~ Peggy
0 results
Subscribe to Catholic Answers Magazine
"Build schoolhouses then for the religious education of your children as the best protest against a system of education from which religion has been excluded by law."
~ Bernard J. McQuaid, Bishop of the Diocese of Rochester; in firm command to his flock, after the failure of the State to remedy the injustice to Catholic parents who were forced to pay education taxes to support public schools detrimental to their faith.


text:
Hugh Hefner And Crystal Harris Marry On New Year's Eve
Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris' second try at marriage has worked out -- the couple wed on Monday at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills.
The 86-year-old groom and his 26-year-old bride exchanged vows shortly before ringing in the new year.
18 months ago Crystal and Hef were set to walk down the aisle, but the model-turned-lingerie store owner got cold feet and ended their relationship. The couple reunited this past May and became engaged early in December, announcing their New Year's Eve wedding plans.
This time the wedding went off without a hitch, and Crystal confirmed she was ready to go through with it this time on her Twitter page.
"Today is the day I become Mrs. Hugh Hefner. Feeling very happy, lucky, and blessed," she wrote.
The wedding was small and only a handful of family and friends attended. Hefner's son Cooper wasn't even there, he was away in London hosting the company's New Year's Eve party at the Playboy Club.
Harris shared a self-portrait of her "pale pink 'mermaid' dress" before the big event; and the couple tweeted their first photo as a married couple after the ceremony.
"Happy New Year from Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Hefner!" they wrote.
The marriage is the first for Harris and the third for Hefner; who was previously married to Mildred Williams from 1949 to 1959, and to Kimberley Conrad from 1989 to 2010.


text:
INGREDIENTS:2 Tbsp. olive oil ¼ cup all-purpose flour 2 cups pearl onions, peeled and halved 1 cup carrot cut into 1/8 in. thick slices ½ cup fennel cut into 1/8 in. thick slices 1 2 in. cinnamon stick ½ tsp. ground cumin ½ tsp. ground ginger 1 large pinch saffron threads, crushed 2 cups boiling-type potatoes, such as red or Yukon gold, peeled and cut into 3/4 in. dice 1 cup vegetable broth 2 cups California raisins 2 cups cooked garbanzo beans (liquid drained if using canned) 1½ cups summer ...
Register to view this Article
Why Register for FREE?
Registering for Premium Content on Food Management will give you INSTANT access to invaluable articles and media content that industry professionals rely on. You will have access to our special reports, feature articles, and industry analysis. It's FREE, easy and quick.


text:
You are here
Ball Peen Hammer Wooden Handle 48 oz.
Head Weight:
48 oz. (1360.78 g)
Overall Length:
16'' (406 mm)
3.70 lbs. (1.7 kg)
Wear safety goggles. Strike squarely - avoid glancing blows.
This tool can be made to chip if struck against another tool or other hard object, resulting in possible eye or other injury.


text:
The camp coaches would like to express a sincere thanks to Ms. Ann's Daycare and Momentum Fitness and Physical Therapy for helping sponsor the camp. These local businesses have been wonderful supporters of Bulldog and Lady Bulldog athletics not only this year but in past years. It is people like Ann Gutierrez, Ramon Soliz, and Dusty Soliz that help kids in our community stay active and fit, and the camp staff truly appreciates their dedication to the students here in TR.
We would also like to send a big thanks to McDonald's here in TR for supplying ice cream treat coupons to all the campers.
Also a big thanks to the parents of the kids for keeping your kid active throughout the summer and we look forward to next year's basketball camp.
Coach Sheppard, Coach Herrera and Coach Dugger,


text:
Information on scrapbooking, redoing a teen's room on a budget and making delicious decadent desserts will be the featured topics on "Creative Living" at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and noon Thursday. Do you have drawers, tubs and shoe boxes full of pictures — or hundreds of photos on your computer? Tyleen Caffrey, an independent scrapbooking consultant […]
Desserts, redecorating featured on show
December 18, 2010
Filed Under: Faith and Lifestyles Tagged With: desserts, featured, information, redecorating, redoing, scrapbooking, teen


text:
Mosquito Hostel
The Mosquito Hostel - has a great location.It is close to everything: the Train Station ( 5 min walk) and the Main Square (5 min walk)! So there is no need to drag your heavy luggage through the whole city while trying to find your hostel:)
We are called a Backpackers paradise with awesome facilities where you can drink your own alcohol, enjoy free dinners, chill out and meet some interesting people!
Our facilities include 10 rooms ranging in size from twin /double / triple private rooms to 6 /10 /12 bed dorms (each bed has a thick mattress, comfy duvet, bed linen and reading lamp) with three bathrooms ( 24hr hot showers), 2 common areas and a fully equipped kitchen with a balcony for those who smoke :)
What do you get at Mosqutio Hostel Krakow ?
- 700 meters from Train / Bus Station
- 450 meters from The Main Square
- right next to the Traditional Food Market Stary Kleparz
- 5 meters to ATM / 20 meters to 24 hour mini market
- 10 meters to bus/tram stop
- walking distance to all main attractions in Krakow
- comfy beds with thick comfortable mattresses
- modern interior design in all rooms
- balcony in some of the private rooms
- Laundry for 0,00 PLN (0,00 euros)
- Airport pick up for 80 PLN ( 18 euros )
- We cook for you! Free dinner is provided on every day of the week - Mosquito Hostel Pub Crawl / Bar Tour on every day of the week
- events (vodka tasting, drinking games, mulled wine, shisha smoking, familly dinner cooking) every day of the week
- adapters
- great selection of games, books, magazines and guide books
- unique decor, warm colors to make you feel like you're at home
- custome made furnitures designed for travellers needs
- the nicest & friendliest & most helpful ever
- multilingual
- eager to provide best tips for shopping, eating and going out
- always on duty
- will take you out and show the best what Krakow has to offer
- will help you find best way to get to your next destination
- 24/7 reception - check-in - security
- lockers for each dorm guest
- keys to the main gate for each guest
- safe on request
- backpackers paradise
- peaceful vibe
- easygoing & friendly
- a great place to meet other travelers
Value For Money
- Free yummy breakfast
- Free dinners
- Free linen & comfortable duvets
- Free Walking Tour
- Free coffee and tea all day long
- Free Internet & WiFi
- Free huge security lockers
- Free laundry
- Free Luggage storage
- Free Maps & Info
We are suited to a wide audience since we offer a great combination of party & chill where travelers from all over the world meet. If you are a person who wants to make new friends, have a beer, enjoy the hostel atmosphere and beautiful Krakow, you are really welcome! Our success is based on the respect to others!!!
Our staff works very hard to have a very respectful and peaceful vibe without the crazy drunken atmosphere offered at most other hostels. Our goal is to make you feel like Mosquito is your second home!
Mosquito's activities:
MONDAY - Cooking together is the best way to make new friends! FAMILY DINNER will be served at 7.15 pm. Come earlier to cook with us. At 9pm you'll have chance to compete with other travelers during GAMES EVENING
TUESDAY - Time for challenge! Let's beat the other team with FLIP CUPS game! But before you need to try our CHINESE FOOD at 7.15 ;)
WEDNESDAY - Have you ever tried polish ZAPIEKANKA? Not yet? Come to our kitchen at 7.15pm and grab one! In the evening enjoy peaceful vibe of SHISHA with other travelers.
THURSDAY - How to warm up after all day of sightseeing ? Try our homemade SOUP! If you are still no warm enough, join us at 9.15pm and try hot and spicy MULLED WINE!
FIRDAY - Paradise for Pastafarians; PASTA time! We're never fed up with drinking! Let's play DRINKING GAMES and check who will be the last man standing ;)
SATURDAY - You have a chance to try the most known polish food tonight PIEROGI. Let's face it and you won't miss POLISH VODKA SHOTS, will you? ;) Tonight in common room at 9pm. Be there!
SUNDAY - LECZO is the perfect comfort food for Sundays! Make a team and join us for TRIVIA at 9.15pm! Don't know the rules ? No worries ! Let's play !
And what is the most important, all of those events are totally free of charge!You just need to sign up on the list!
If you wnat to do some sightseeing: We offer discounted tours to AUSCHWITZ - Birkenau, Wieliczka SALT MINE, Zakopane & others. You don't have to go to any meeting point, the tour guide will pick up from the hostel!
Are you arriving early in the morning? No worries!Feel free to check in early and wait for your room or bed in our common area.
If Krakow is the place to be, then Mosquito is the hostel to be at.
Note : Our Triple Room with shared bathroom has 1 double bed and 1 single beds! Guys - don't be surprised :) . If you want to book Triple with 3 single beds choose Triple Ensuite.
REMEMBER CANCELLATIONS ARE ONLY ACCEPTED BY EMAIL AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE ( till 00.01 am two days before your arrival).
AGE LIMIT 18 - 45 years old for Dormitories.
People out of this brackets are welcome to stay in our private rooms. 2 weeks cancellation policy for groups.
No smoking policy throughout hostel
WE DO NOT ACCEPT STAG/BACHELOR/HEN PARTIES If you are this type of group you will be asked to leave the hostel and will be charged for your whole reservation.
GROUPS - from APRIL - OCTOBER we accept max 6 people per booking. If you try to make a seperate booking for group bigger then 6 people you will loose your HW deposit and during the check in you will be denied to check in and will charged for the entire stay
Availability & RatesTo view availability and prices please select dates and click 'Update Dates'
Hostel Facilities & Policies
- 24 Hour Reception
- 24 Hour Security
- Adaptors
- Age Restriction
- Airport Transfers
- Board Games
- Book Exchange
- Free Breakfast
- Cable TV
- Common Room
- Credit Cards Accepted
- DVDs
- Elevator
- Telephone/Fax Facilities
- Free City Maps
- Free WiFi
- Hair Dryers For Hire
- Hot Showers
- House Keeping
- Self-Catering Facilities
- Laundry Facilities
- Linen Included
- Security Lockers
- Luggage Storage
- Meals Available
- Meeting Rooms
- No Curfew
- Non Smoking
- Outdoor Terrace
- Reading Light
- Safe Deposit Box
- Steam Room
- Taxes included
- Tea & Coffee Making Facilities
- Tours/Travel Desk
- Towels For Hire
- Vending Machines
- Washing Machine
Cancellation PolicyThis property has a 2 day cancellation policy. Failure to cancel within this time will result in a cancellation charge equal to the first night of your stay.
Must-Read Hostel InfoThis property has specific Terms & Conditions.
REMEMBER CANCELLATIONS ARE ONLY ACCEPTED BY EMAIL AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE ( till 00.01 am two days before your arrival).
AGE LIMIT 18 - 45 years old for Dormitories.
People out of this brackets are welcome to stay in our private rooms. 2 weeks cancellation policy for groups.
No smoking policy throughout hostel
WE DO NOT ACCEPT STAG/BACHELOR/HEN PARTIES If you are this type of group you will be asked to leave the hostel and will be charged for your whole reservation.
GROUPS - from APRIL - OCTOBER we accept max 6 people per booking. If you try to make a seperate booking for group bigger then 6 people you will loose your HW deposit and during the check in you will be denied to check in and will charged for the entire stay
DirectionsShow MapHide Map
Mosquito Hostel is just 5 minutes walk from Train Station and also 5 minutes walk from Main Square.
PLANE - please not that the train connection to the City Center due to construction works will be suspended from 1st of February 2014 :(
If you are coming by plane, the easiest way to get to our hostel is to take the train leaving from the airport train terminal to the Main Train Station. From the airport terminal building there is a FREE shuttle bus, which takes you to the train terminal or you can just walk 200meters.
The train operates from 5.28 am till 11.15 pm. The ticket is for 12 PLN /20 PLN round ticket( you can buy it in the train ). It takes around 19 minutes to get to the Main Train Station. Then follow the instruction below.
In case of late arrival there's also night bus 902 to Krakow.
The cheapest way to get to Krakow is to take a local bus number 208, 292 or 902. One ride cost 4,00 PLN / 2,00 PLN (discounted) but it last up to 45 minutes. Bus will take you next to the Train Station and then follow directions written below.
There are two levels of the bus station. If you are on the first level go downstairs to the level 0. On the level O go to the tunnel's entrance and go straight to Galeria Krakowska (then follow directions written below). If Galeria Krakowska is closed turn left to Railway Station and then follow directions written below.
To leave Train Station go downstairs to the tunnel , then turn right to enter the big mall Galeria Krakowska. Now you are at the level -1 of this mall, use modern escalators to get to the level 0 and look for an exit to Pawia Street. On Pawia street turn left and go straight along the street to the big intersection then turn right on Basztowa street.
*If the shopping mall Galeria Krakowska is closed, follow these directions: Leave the train station and go downstairs to the tunnel then turn left at the stairs which will lead you to the main building of the station. Head towards the building and before you enter take a right turn when you see Galeria Krakowska. When you reach the big square head for the hotel named 'Andels' cross at the pedestrian crossing and find the street named Pawia which is behind the hotel. When you reach Pawia street turn left and head towards the big intersection. Now look on your right side for Basztowa street? That's right! Go ahead!
After 2 minutes of walking you will reach Tram Stop called Basztowa Lot - turn right along LOT Polish Airlines office and you will see our orange MOSQUITO HOSTEL sign. There will be a big gate on your right shoulder. Look for an orange MOSQUITO sign on the intercom. When you get in take first and only door on the left side. Then you have privilege to take an elevator to the 2nd floor. Blue Mosquito Hostel door will be on your left. Welcome to our hostel ! You made it ! :)
We can organize an Airport Pick Up for you. Just send us request by email with your name, flight number, arrival day and we will pick you up and bring straight to the hostel.
Airport pick up from Krakow Balice Airport : 80 PLN (1-4 people), 100 PLN (5-8)
Airport pick up from Katowice Pyrzowice Airport : 330 PLN (1-4 people), 360 PLN ( 5 - 8 people )
Located Near
Mosquito Hostel is located next to the old traditional food market - Rynek Kleparski, in front of the Green belt park which surrounds Old Town, close to Barbacan.
Its just 5 minutes walk from the Train Station and also 5 minutes walk to the Main Square.
10 meters - ATM. 20 meters - Mini-market open 24/7.
10 meters - Tram/Bus Stop.
Best located Krakow's hostel