text:
Town Square
The other difference between Gunn and Paly
Original post made by Parent, JLS Middle School, on Jun 17, 2007
To look at JLS, which was traditionally the ms feeder into Gunn (although that is changing) we only need to look at what is happening. The band and orchestra programs are growing so much that the concerts have to be separate to enable both programs enough time and space for parents at the concerts. Music is often the one extra curricula activity that academic minded parents allow because of all the studies that says musicians produce better academics.
On the other side, for example the 6th grade basketball program at JLS struggled to field three teams, some members of which had never played Y Ball or NJB and had perhaps done one summer camp in the sport, whereas Jordan had 6 or 7 teams. The calibre of these teams were also much higher than the JLS offering.
Another way of looking at this is Little League Baseball. This sport is run outside of schools, but does have a north/south divide on Oregon and Page Mill which is similar to the high school divide. The teams in the north are growing at an alarming rate and the increases are being made here. The teams in the south are not, and in fact there was discussion this season of reducing the number of majors teams because of lack of talented players at this level. The fact that the good south teams struggle to beat an average north team coupled with the fact that this weekend's tournament is between two north teams shows where the talent does lie.
It does appear that the families who are interested in doing well in academics move into the Gunn area, whereas those who want to do well in sport move to the Paly district. For an average sports player, it may be argued that they move to the Gunn district so that they have a better opportunity of getting onto one of the senior teams.
To say that the people who value academics are typically of one ethnic group and the sports from others, may lead to this post being edited, so we should not go there. But, the fact remains, this city is getting divided by the American love of sport!!
Comments (59)
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jun 17, 2007 at 2:19 pm
I'm not sure I follow your reasoning about middle school music. Jordan has a huge, successful music program with multiple bands. Jordan feeds into Paly.
a resident of College Terrace
on Jun 17, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Jordan has a great, successful music program (including needing to have separate band and orchestra concerts) and I believe the majority of the 7th and 8th grade kids choose music and foreign language as their electives.
Each school from elementary to high school has its own personality, down to the sports they play. Some schools seem to be into baseball, some into soccer, some into tennis, swimming, etc. Jordan girls seem to be really into volleyball - I don't know if thats true at Terman and JLS. I don't think it matters.
Rather then assuming that Gunn kids are not into sports, maybe the ones they enjoy are just not the mainstream team sports - baseball, basketball and football. Maybe there are great tennis players, etc.
While there is certainly a different demographic at the two schools, if you look at the colleges that both senior classes got into, I think you'll find that its a fairly even representation of great schools.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jun 18, 2007 at 5:33 pm
The winning "Paly" basketball team from the class of '06 had three of it's top players that were students who lived in the Gunn attendance area and but chose to go to Paly. One of the quarterbacks from the winning Paly football team actually maintained a Portola Valley address (went to middleschool there and claims it as home for college). Many of the students in the south are recruited by private schools. So I think that it is not actual attendance area that makes an athlete.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jun 18, 2007 at 9:34 pm
"We always hear about the academic differences between the two high schools"
I'm new here, and I don't know about these. What are the perceived differences? Pros and cons of each? I thought scores, for what they're worth, are high at both schools.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Jun 19, 2007 at 6:48 am
Scores ARE high at both schools. For a wealth of information, go to Web Link. Click on the Testing and Accountability tab, then on Accountability Progress Reporting (APR). Select API Reports - District Level, and enter "Palo Alto" when prompted for district. Hit submit, and when you get a list of reports, choose the second option: Base API List of Schools in District.
There you will see API scores for all of our elementary, middle and high schools. Gunn and Paly are two points apart. By selecting other reports you can see the breakdown by ethnicity and other categories.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jun 19, 2007 at 9:25 am
Thanks, Been Around. That is interesting data, especially the breakdowns. I think I saw some of this in the paper this spring.
The high schools do seem nearly identical as far as scores, but I get the sense that Gunn and Paly have different academic reputations. Is there anything to this? Is it based on past differences that have since disappeared? An economic difference?
a resident of Meadow Park
on Jun 19, 2007 at 9:47 am
Way back when, Gunn had the reputation for getting the Stanford faculty children, so there was a large concentration of children of parents who seemed demonstrably interested in their academics. I have no idea how the city is divided a few decades later, and whether the Stanford faculty kids are still mostly concentrated at Gunn. There was also a general sense that Gunn was stronger in math and science and Paly was stronger in English and more liberal arts type subjects. My impression is that this division is no longer so true, but that's only based on what I read in these posts.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jun 19, 2007 at 10:14 am
There is a traditional perceived difference between the two high schools which is possibly perpetuated more by realtors than anyone else. The couple of points apart in scores can put them quite a long way apart on lists of "the best high schools in the country". The reality is that they are both very good schools.
Gunn gets the LAH kids and Paly gets the EPA kids, although I think that Stanford kids are now in both schools due to the fact that Stanford people live all over PA and not just on campus.
Many people think their homes are worth more just by being in the Gunn area. It is also fairly easy to get a student transferred from Gunn to Paly and nigh on impossible to get a Paly student into Gunn. This is more to do with the size of the catchment area rather than as a guide to grades. Gunn fills up first with students coming from the middle schools and residents who enroll on time and when it gets full (whatever that means) it is closed to new enrollees.
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jun 19, 2007 at 11:02 am
Seems to me, I started hearing more about the split when Gunn was, I think, no. 50 or so on the Newsweek listing and Paly was in the mid-300s. That ranking is based on AP test taking and Gunn students average more than Paly. It was around then I started seeing RE ads boasting of "Gunn High School".
Also, I thought Paly was having some administrative issues around the same time, losing principals at a fairly rapid clip.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Jun 19, 2007 at 4:24 pm
What Newsweek uses to determine the schools that get on its top high schools list is the number of AP tests taken divided by the number of graduating seniors. The actual scores received by the students do not figure into the equation at all. See Web Link
Depending on the college, a student can conceivably save a lot of money in tuition expenses by getting a 4 or 5 on an AP test and getting college credit instead of having to take the course.
In my opinion, any analysis of what makes a high school great should be free from criteria that have financial incentives associated with them. There could be lots of reasons why more Gunn than Paly students choose to take AP tests, and I'm really happy the PAUSD administration opted out of Newsweek's poll this year.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Jun 19, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Oh, and to Parent: "The couple of points apart in scores can put them quite a long way apart on lists of "the best high schools in the country."
Paly's API Base is two points higher than Gunn's this year, not the other way around!
a resident of Midtown
on Jun 19, 2007 at 5:25 pm
There is also a small but statistically significant difference in ethnic make-up of the two schools. Gunn has about 32% students that report themselves to be Asian, while Paly has about 19%. Gunn has 54% white (not Hispanic) while Paly has 62%. Other ethnic groups are much smaller percentages and probably not a significant difference between the two.
But as the numbers show, this has not turned out to make a difference in API scores or college acceptance rates. Not sure about SAT scores, but they are probably quite close as well.
a resident of College Terrace
on Jun 19, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Houses are more valuable in the Gunn district? Would you rather pay for a house in Barron Park (no offense, it is a lovely, walkable neighborhood) or Crescent Park?
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jun 19, 2007 at 10:42 pm
I'm not sure you can extrapolate much on the ethnic difference. Asian SATs average higher than Caucasian, but the Caucasian group is much larger and economically diverse. This is still somewhat true in Palo Alto, which has some middle and working-class Caucasian holdovers--mostly in South Palo Alto, which has noticably lower Caucasian API scores than Paly.
a resident of Midtown
on Jun 20, 2007 at 9:54 am
I have heard that Paly has a more economically diverse population - the extremely wealthy Old Palo Alto and Crescent Park neighborhoods, along with lower income apartments along Alma and downtown. Gunn is reputed to be more homogeneous middle/upper middle class.
But I don't know if that is true.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Jun 20, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Well, Gunn has the Los Altos Hills kids.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jun 20, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Would you rather pay for a house in Barron Park (no offense, it is a lovely, walkable neighborhood) or Crescent Park?
Are you kidding....Hands down, I would rather be in Barron Park. Different strokes for different folks; that what makes the world go round.
a resident of College Terrace
on Jun 20, 2007 at 5:51 pm
The Barron Park comment was based on a previous one that parents think a house is worth more in the Gunn district than Paly's. North PA real estate (Paly district) is worth much more, often ridiculously so.
IMHO - Barron Park is wonderful.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jun 20, 2007 at 6:13 pm
I think that it is not the real estate itself that is worth more, it is more that there is a hidden bonus included in the price. In other words, that if a boundary change was made moving a house from Paly to Gunn it would increase house prices in that changing area by a certain amount. Some old timers feel this is the case and realtors are definitely giving prospective buyers and sellers that information.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Jun 20, 2007 at 7:10 pm
"if a boundary change was made moving a house from Paly to Gunn it would increase house prices in that changing area by a certain amount."
I always thought it was the other way around, especially for old-timers. It's the great North-South divide. Actually, it's an even finer resolution, divided into approximate thirds: North, South and West. It's based more on elementary school borders. Just look at the big uproar within the Southgate community about - horrors - moving their neighborhood school from Walter Hays in the North to Escondido in the West. Their fear is based on property values and the perception that their real estate values will go down with a neighborhood school change.
If things have changed (evened out somewhat) then I agree with OhlonePar that it's an outcome of the Newsweek ranking from a few years ago.
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jun 20, 2007 at 9:15 pm
The North/South split was pretty clear when I first moved here, with the north being distinctly more snooty. It's partly the housing stock--the north had the big old houses of Crescent Park and Professorville, while a lot of the south was Eichler land and ex-military housing like Sterling Gardens. Eichlers have since gained a certain cache and, of course, a lot of McMansions have been built.
The Paly district has some of the Alma apt., but Gunn has the Ventura area and some of the apts on Middlefield. The lowest scoring schools--Barron Park, Juana Briones and Escondido feed into Gunn.
But this is all very relative--I love Barron Park and have lived on both sides of the divide. And as far as Gunn and Paly are concerned--two points for Paly this year, I think it was one point for Gunn the year before.
At which point, I think we can really say statistically insignificant.
And, yeah, the Newsweek ranking should use test results as a measure. Well, no, actually it just sucks.
a resident of Escondido School
on Jun 21, 2007 at 11:35 am
OhlonePar, (I sure wish I knew who you are!) Escondido actually feeds into Jordan and then Paly.
I get a kick out of the whole discussion of which elementary school is better than the next, and which high school is better than the other. You really can't go wrong with any one of them. A superficial look at Newsweek's ranking system or other similar rankings gives a correspondingly superficial view, with hair-splitting differences between them. However, a close inspection of the STAR test results across grades and over a period of years puts Paly's math department ahead of Gunn's - which isn't necessarily the common perception in the community. There are some rather alarming statistics, for those with the patience to go digging for comprehensive answers. STAR test results for all schools within the district (and state) are here Web Link.
Some of the more interesting statistics:
Over the course of 4 years (2003-2006) Gunn tested progressively fewer Freshmen in Algebra I (55% down to 38%) while Paly tested roughly 55% for each of those 4 years. Of those tested, Paly's mean test scores were even or higher than Gunn's. A larger percentage of Freshmen at Gunn take Geometry, progressively more every year. When the percentage of Freshmen taking Geometry was similar between the two schools, Gunn scored higher than Paly. As more Freshmen enrolled in Geometry at Gunn, their mean scores dropped compared to Paly's Freshmen.
So the first trend that these numbers seem to indicate is that there's more pressure at Gunn for students to enter a level of math that they may not be fully prepared for. Or maybe it also indicates that Paly is more rigid in their entry requirements?
The next statistic that I find disturbing is how many Juniors are doing 'below' or 'far below' basic. The Freshmen at both HS's are failing at a similar rate. The Sophomore failure rate is somewhat improved at Paly and somewhat deteriorated at Gunn. Both schools have an increased percentage of 'below basic' and 'far below basic' Juniors, but while Paly saw an increase and recent correction, Gunn's trend is bothersome. The percentage of Gunn Juniors in any math class who performed below/far below basic for the years 2003-2006 were approximately 11%, 19%, 24%, 24% respectively. (!) For comparison, Paly Juniors were 16%, 17%, 19%, 14%.
One way to interpret this is that students who aren't fully prepared for the level of mathematics they enroll in are more likely to fail – eventually. Or, perhaps it indicates that while Gunn's math department is serving the top students well, the students who struggle in 9th grade are at greater risk of being left behind by the time they are Seniors. I don't know. Maybe it's the middle school math foundation that differs. Maybe the high school math departments are very similar but it's parental pressures that contribute to the differences.
A brief look at a school's overall API score might simply reflect that there are many high-achieving students who attend the school. That one little number doesn't tell *how* the students became so advanced (is it a reflection of the school, outside tutoring, extra summer classes, parent involvement, innate ability, etc.), nor does it demonstrate how well the school advances 'average' or below average students. I would argue that a better measure of the quality of a school is how well it is able to progress ALL students, not just those at the top.
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jun 21, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Yet Another,
Oops, sorry about the Escondido mistake--I was thinking of the west side schools, but, of course, Escondido's closer to Paly. Nixon's enrollment splits then, or does it just go Gunn--heck, maybe I'll just stick to the north and south clusters . . .
I'm a pretty obscure person in real life--if you figured out who I was it wouldn't mean much, frankly.
Regarding Gunn and Paly's math score. I was told by a school admin type that Gunn allowed kids to take the math track (that's not the right word) of their choice, while Paly requires that kids pass a test to be on one of the accelerated math tracks.
So, yes, you could well be right that kids at Gunn are taking math courses that are beyond their skill level whereas the Paly kids are prevented to some degree from doing so.
The other story I've heard on the PA high schools is that they're great when you're on the upper tracks, but if you're not, you can end up in basketweaving--literally. But this is third-hand. there's no question that there's a lot of parental influence and innate ability--I think there is an unusually high percentage of very bright kids in the district, and I think it's accidental stress factor. And it's such a techhie area, there's a lot of push to be *good* at math. I suspect a lot of the kids who are "average" at math here would be good elsewhere. Which leaves the average types quite possibly just sort of disengaging from a subject where they already see themselves as "dumb."
I'm with you that a high school should be measured by how it does with all its students--teaching bright, motivated kids with advantages isn't that difficult. In many ways, the school that impresses me is Menlo-Atherton--huge range of backgrounds, skills and expectations. That school's a demographic juggling act and, so far, it seems to keep its balls up in the air.
a resident of College Terrace
on Jun 21, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Both high schools are good and have terrific students. At least for incoming freshman, the 8th grade math teacher decides what math level you will take, based on a placement test, your grades, effort, etc. Ellie Slack (former Paly Math teacher, now Jordan Math Instructional Supervisor) puts it well when she says that it is better to do well in a lower math than poorly in a higher math.
I think at the middle and high school level, the top students do well, the bottom students get support and the middle get left out. Many of these students would be star students in most other districts.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Jun 21, 2007 at 3:44 pm
The last comment reminds me that I recall the newspaper (Paly's student newspaper, Campanile??) had a story about how 8th grade parents at Jordan pretty much insist their kids be placed in the higher 9th grade ENGLISH lane when sign-ups for 9th grade take place, and they have the ability to make that choice, and this results in a certain amount of apparent incorrect placements and students struggling to keep up with the higher lane (more reading, longer essays, etc.)
The point was, almost nobody IS in the lower lane, there is such a stigma, and this COULD not reflect reality/ accurate placements. It was stated that parents were worried about their kids being around disciplinary problems in the lower lane. It was recognized that something needed to be done to alter the perceptions that are out there among parents. I suspect there is a lot of work for tutors out there!
a resident of Escondido School
on Jun 21, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Ah, yes, another Paly parent, it's all coming back to me now. The kids at Paly who aren't in the advanced lane call the regular lane "stupid-kid English", as in "I'm in stupid-kid English". Funny thing was, most - if not all of them - were FAR from stupid.
a resident of Midtown
on Jun 21, 2007 at 4:14 pm
I have heard similar comments from JLS students, i.e. I'm in the stupid kid math class.
But at least from JLS to Paly we were told that the teachers assigned lanes for English and math.
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jun 21, 2007 at 5:09 pm
The irony with English is that too much studying and tutoring can be counterproductive. Top English students like to read--a lot. And that takes time. If you're overbooked, (or maybe underbooked) it's not going to happen. Vocabulary lists can boost an SAT score, but they won't give you a feel for how to use a word.
a resident of Midtown
on Jun 25, 2007 at 9:10 am
What a fascinating and helpful,and respectful discussion! We're struggling right now to decide where our children will attend high school and these are just the kinds of issues that are so difficult to discern by looking at information from PAUSD itself or the newspapers that are sponsored by the local real estate industry. Please add more!
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Jun 25, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Another Paly parent,
I think you need a student to clue you in. Unless the Paly administration changes the academic requirements of each lane, the number of kids choosing the higher lanes DOES accurately reflect reality.
What´s taught in freshman through junior year English and science is a joke. Even in the ´accelerated´ lanes it´s a joke. In the non-advanced lanes it´s virtually no work. Anyone who´s willing to work at all in those subjects enters the advanced lanes. Only those who are totally unwilling to work (and this includes some of my best friends) choose the lower lanes.
Social studies is not laned in freshman and sophomore years. That´s a mistake. The material in those classes is worth about twenty minutes on Wikipedia. I did not work in freshman and sophomore year social studies. I remember talking to my friends quite a bit, I remember getting an A, but I don´t remember working. APUSH overwhelmed me a bit, because I´d never been made to work in a social studies class in my life.
Only AP and honors classes involve anything resembling work at Paly. Don´t worry about ´accelerated´ classes.
a resident of Palo Verde
on Jun 25, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Your comment really hit home, and while this is slight tangential to the discussion....
"The other story I've heard on the PA high schools is that they're great when you're on the upper tracks, but if you're not, you can end up in basketweaving<...snip snip-comments removed>.. Which leaves the average types quite possibly just sort of disengaging from a subject where they already see themselves as "dumb."
I have to jump in here, as the parent of one of these kids, I can tell you that Gunn can be toxic (I wish it were just basket-weaving!). Gunn (and I presume Paly) are great for above average, traditional learners. If you have a kid who is not it can be h*ll for all concerned. My child did graduate, barely, after 5 years of struggle, much of this against the school and administration. I learned that there is very little room for average or below average (and I do mean Gunn/Paly average)kids in PAUSD. Do not kid yourself, there is a cost to the average or below average kids for those high test scores.
I did see great improvement once my child was moved to "District School". At District School, kids are allowed to work out a course of independent-directed study with a single teacher. Its very hands-on and personal. I count this as a major contributing factor in my child's graduation. This must be expensive for the school district, but I consider it a cost of those high test scores.
My child is doing well now, but with 20/20 hindsight, I would have definitely pulled this child out of PAUSD before Middle school. PAUSD is like Lake Woebegone.... (...all our children are above average)
a resident of Los Altos
on Jun 25, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Can someone explain why Gunn/Paly are considered so much better than Menlo Atherton or Los Altos High School. It seems like the students are quite similar, other than some lower income communities feeding into the other schools. Are there other differences in education? College admissions?
a resident of Community Center
on Jun 25, 2007 at 1:54 pm
English Language Learnerrs
Paly 1.0%
Gunn 8.0%
Socioeconmically disadvantaged:
Paly 3.3%
Gunn 4.9%
a resident of College Terrace
on Jun 25, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Dear Erik -
I'm glad you are sharing your thoughts about Paly. It sounds like you are one of the lucky students who do well without studying too hard. Many students are not so lucky.
I have asked Paly and Gunn students about the work and many of them spend HOURS on homework and projects. They do receive good grades, but they work very hard.
Academics come easily to some people, just like baseball comes easily to some, art to others. Your comments are not fair to those who truly have to study to get good grades.
a resident of South of Midtown
on Jun 25, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Not only do schools have their own personality, grade levels do too. If you could sit in the teacher's lounge, you would learn that by 3rd grade the class has a personality. Do the parents volunteer? Do the kids work hard? Is it a rowdy group? A thinking class? Do the parents show up for school functions? Do the kids volunteer in the community? Are they kind, athletic, talented? It Pretty much sticks with the class through 12th grade, with some minor changes.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Jun 25, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Erik, I'm going to have to disagree with you about Social Studies - it makes a big difference which teacher you have for freshman year, the standards and work varied a lot depending on the teacher this past school year and I saw that with my own two eyes...
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jun 25, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Thank you for sharing the flip side of the district. When I was in school, bright kids pretty much coasted through, for better for worse. But in Palo Alto, I talk to teenagers who just seem to feel so inadequate--they're perfectly bright hardworking kids, but they're not stars. On the whole, I find them very likable--they seem sincere, idealistic and not hugely egotistical, but there's just this sense of feeling that they're not going to measure up to the endless expectations here.
The other thing I'm seeing is that the big disparity in districts really hits kids in the worse districts. I have a friend whose kid, she thought, was performing perfectly well academically--until she tried to get her into a private school and found that her child was a year behind--literally--the competition.
I mean, in Palo Alto, do you even blink if you hear a kid's a year ahead in math? So how do you feel if your kid's at grade level?
Or, for that matter, that being a year ahead in math doesn't make you a math star around here.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jun 25, 2007 at 9:10 pm
I heard sports are better at Paly because NorPA families have more $$$ to pay for private trainers. Have no idea if true.
a resident of Barron Park
on Jun 26, 2007 at 1:34 am
A few comments to this nice thread;
It used to be that VTP kids went to Jordan and Paly. Now they can opt to stay with their elementary cohort provided they don't need ESL services offered promarily at Gunn.
Soc Studies at Gunn DOES depend on the teacher - 5 years ago it seemed my son spent a lot of time with that awful textbook; this time around (child #2, different teacher) the work load seems less.
Don't forget the legendary 11th grade SAT stories: Because they mean absolutely NOTHING to the kids as far as college aps go, they legend is that they go down the page and fill in all of one bubble. I've heard kids admit to this, but don't know if it's really true or not. There is a corresponding dip in 11th grade SAT scores, so maybe the students are smarter than the admin who keeps pushing this ridiculous assessment(?) tool down our throats - oops my bias is showing...
BP VS CP: If you want a more rural setting, donkeys, a maypole, no sidewalks, then BP is for you. If you need a little more maintained feel, then you probably should consider living in a different neighborhood. As the French say, to each his own taste.
Finally - sometimes Escondido's SI kids go back to their home school for high school (I know, Erik, not you!), so that could skew the #'s.
In terms of soc-econ housing - Gunn gets kids from Terman apts, the trailer park and the apts on Los Robles. Many of these units are for lower income families just as some of the Ventura addresses are NOT low-income anymore. Data are only as useful as the little stories behind them!
a resident of Escondido School
on Jun 26, 2007 at 9:49 am
"Don't forget the legendary 11th grade SAT stories: Because they mean absolutely NOTHING to the kids as far as college aps go, they legend is that they go down the page and fill in all of one bubble."
Did you mean to write STAR? You would think that the test givers screen for such antics, but maybe that's too obvious to expect.
I've been analyzing the 2003-2006 STAR math test scores at both high schools and there is a big dip in scores in junior year. There's also a large decrease in the % of 'Advanced' students. One explanation could be that, at least for math, the high-achieving juniors aren't being tested anymore: they're taking calc, stats, analysis, etc., whereas the tests are primarily for Alg1, Geo, Alg2.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Jun 26, 2007 at 12:00 pm
they must have meant to write "STAR."
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jun 26, 2007 at 6:08 pm
Okay, what's the deal with the social studies teacher. I heard of a Gunn student who did a huge project and got a zero on it because the margins were wrong. I heard it from the teen involved, so it's not a third-hand exxaggeration, but is this sort of off-the-point nonsense standard?
CP v. BP--I like BP, but CP strikes me as having a wider variety of large, older housing stock. I like the lot size and quietness of BP, but there are some stunning houses, okay, mansions, in CP.
Sigh, I was sort of bummed out when I realized my dream house in Palo Alto was owned by Steve Jobs--I mean that just sort of underlined how *far* that residential dream was from my reality.
a resident of The Greenhouse
on Jun 27, 2007 at 4:25 am
Steve may someday move to Woodside. The house may be on the market in a couple of years.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jun 27, 2007 at 9:20 am
oops, yes, I meant STAR, sorry!
The AP debate is a very interesting one and probably could be its own thread. AP classes, from what I understand (my son took 3), are more interesting, and provide challenging material. You don't have to take the test for college credit at the end. But if you do, there is some studying to be done and if you focus on that and blow off the STAR because the dates are close, then your STAR score won't show your actual proficiency.
The debate comes in when the discussion about the "pressures" of taking AP classes, how many is too many etc? But as I said, another thread...I hope kids take the APs for content and fun learning, getting through college in 3 years - why?
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jun 27, 2007 at 9:57 am
Well, maybe there will be an open house and I can look inside, but I don't think even winning the lottery would qualify me as a buyer.
Maybe some Google millionaire will enjoy it.
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jun 27, 2007 at 10:00 am
another mom,
I thought a lot of the private colleges don't give AP credits--mine, long ago and far away, didn't. A lot of them won't give them for just passing scores of 3.
a resident of Meadow Park
on Jun 27, 2007 at 10:49 am
My college (also long ago and far away) did not give credit for a 3 but getting a 4 or 5 allowed you to take some pretty interesting, more advanced courses as a Freshmand and skip the intro -- like US History, English, French etc. You didn't get to apply the AP classes toward graduation I don't think (though I can understand that not every kid has parents willing to sponsor a four year college adventure, and for them it would be useful to take and pass as many AP classes as possible in order to avoid paying for that 4th year).
But takingthe APs and then going on to more advanced classes was fun. Which brings me back to a problem I discussed on the other thread about taking math twice -- as a student I always was excited when I could move forward in learning. It would have bored me to tears to take the same class twice just for the grade. Not only that, but my parents would have derided me for wasting my time and their money. My kids are only in elementary school, but I can confidently say that from me they will get the message that the point is to learn and stay intellectually curious, not to get an A+. It's served me well in life and I don't want to raise people who are afraid to take intellectual risks.
a resident of Midtown
on Jun 27, 2007 at 10:52 am
I'm sure that STAR tests are important to PAUSD, but I can't see why they would ever be important to the student taking them - particularly when elementary school kids have the tests forced on them year after year.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jun 27, 2007 at 11:09 am
Sorry I wandered off the Gunn v Paly thread. I went to High School in Oakland 30+ years ago. We didn't have AP offerings, but your counsellor could recommend that you apply for a program called the AHSSP (advanced high school student program) where you could take classes at CAL or Merrit or Hayward State. If you did that your senior year, you were pre-admitted for the Fall. But, yes, you did need a car to be able to do the commute one day a week. I took 5 years anyway (double major, year abroad). I loved CAL and would have stayed a student forever, but at some point my folks were tired of paying that exhorbitant $250/quarter fee!
The point is that high school and college were fun. Failing was an option, and learning from it was the preferred outcome. I hope my kids understand that as well... If Gunn and Paly provide life lessons and a challenging and engaging set of course offerings, then the rivalry is moot.
Thanks, Threads and Natasha, I'm with you...
a resident of Midtown
on Jun 27, 2007 at 11:38 am
The original point raised was about athletics, which is an interesting question in itself. It doesn't seem likely that there is an innate difference in the athletic abilities of the two districts, but Paly does have some very successful teams.
Perhaps one successful team leads to another. Star athletes ask to transfer to the school with the better team; better qualified coaches want to work at the school with the better team; lesser players improve because they are practicing with more skilled players . . .
Add in a well-regarded athletic director at Paly, and it is easy to see why one school dominates in competitive sports.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Jun 27, 2007 at 12:36 pm
I think you should give my experience a little more credit. I´ve spoken to my smartest friends and my dumbest friends about school, and they tend to see the situation the way I do. My friends, smart and dumb, in higher-lane classes take them because they want to work. My friends, smart and dumb, in lower-lane classes take them because they do not want to work in those subjects.
I've spent plenty of hours on Paly assignments. I've worked on some, too. There´s a difference between hour-spending and working. Hour-spending is the process of doing an assignment, while working is the process of committing a subject to knowledge. Hour-spending does not become easier with greater aptitude, while working does.
The lower lanes at Paly tend to involve hour-spending and zero work. The higher lanes at Paly tend to involve a little more work. Only AP and honors classes tend to involve more work than hour-spending.
Those students who are willing to work at a given subject (however hard they may have to work at it) choose the higher-lane classes. In two-lane subjects, there´s a hard and fast choice: students choose between the class that makes them work and the class that makes them spend hours. Only math has more than two lanes, so only math gives students anything like a real choice.
Another Paly parent, I think I know which freshman social studies teacher you´re talking about. He´s an exception, and there are a couple of other exceptional teachers, but they don´t change the situation.
a resident of Downtown North
on Jun 27, 2007 at 2:16 pm
"dumbest friends"? They may consider this an oxymoron.
Social studies is as hard as you make it. You can breeze through it with little thought or you can actually try to understand all sides of the issues and consider various options/approaches. If you think it's easy, it's because you aren't trying. You can still get an "A" by simply regurgitating what you're taught and that may be the only criteria that drives you.
Given your comment on the Mandarin 4-1 forum, it would appear that you need to apply yourself more in this area.
I'm still not clear on this thread. If Paly is better both academically (per latest test scores) and at sports - what is the "other" difference here?
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Jun 29, 2007 at 10:19 am
Disagree with me if you want to, hate me if you must; in fact, feel free to slight my principles, but if you´re going to do the last one, put your good name to it. I go to school because I want to learn. If you want to accuse me of anything else, and you think you still have the right to post anonymously, then you´re a coward and I have nothing more to say to you.
Between the snide ad hominems and the condescension, confused had a point. Social studies--as a subject-- is as hard as you make it. That´s why it´s so disheartening that so much of Paly´s social studies curriculum emphasizes regurgitation instead of learning. Only APUSH, out of the classes I´ve taken, regularly demands that students consider multiple approaches to an issue. The others tend to demand that students repeat words they´ve heard in lectures.
That´s the situation as I, a direct witness, see it. If any of you out there see it some other way, I´d love to hear your reasons.
a resident of Downtown North
on Jul 2, 2007 at 9:42 am
Erik, you really don't get it do you? You don't make the rules and the world isn't black and white.
Here's some advice (though I'd be surprised if you followed it given that you'll see it as condescending/patronizing): Take a copy of your posts, keep them for another 20 years, take them out and read them. I guarantee you'll appreciate the experience. You may cringe a little but you'll have a good laugh.
a resident of Crescent Park
on Jul 2, 2007 at 10:48 am
Erik - interesting that your favorite class is AP history - a friend's son, who loves history, thought that was the worst, cover things briefly, teach to the exam class.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 6, 2007 at 7:17 pm
I was talking to a friend today who had moved from my neighborhood to North of Oregon. This meant that they had changed leagues in baseball. They told me that there is a huge difference in attitudes. When they lived here they felt it was all about having fun, learning the game, and very even balanced. Their opinion changed when they moved to the other side of Oregon (which makes a difference in baseball). They found that the teams on the north were much more competitive, more aggressive in style and not as laid back. Families were willing to spend more money on specialized training and the goals of the players were very different from what they were used to.
If this is just Little League, then I wonder if the difference in attitudes to the athletic programs at the schools are similar?
a resident of College Terrace
on Jul 9, 2007 at 1:23 pm
I think the difference in Little League is the opposite from the difference in HS. Gunn appears to be the more competitive aggressive school.
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jul 9, 2007 at 5:13 pm
hey - are people just in this to promote their real estate investment?
a resident of JLS Middle School
on Apr 22, 2008 at 5:52 pm
That is so not true!!! I have a sibling who goes to paly and she was top in her class for all of middle school in most subjects. Bad reasoning!!!
Don't miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to be notified of new comments on this topic.
Cherries and Berries
By Laura Stec | 3 comments | 1,532 views
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength . . .
By Chandrama Anderson | 2 comments | 978 views
Meeting Other New Parents
By Cheryl Bac | 0 comments | 722 views
They Are the Lucky Ones
By Max Greenberg | 1 comment | 148 views
One more week to vote!
Don't forget to cast your ballot online. Voting ends May 29th. Stay tuned for the results in the July 21st issue of the Palo Alto Weekly.


text:
Crown molding can be intimidating, because walls often aren't flat and nailing is difficult. Don't worry. This three-piece system solves those problems. Here we'll show you how to install trim on the walls and ceiling first, then add the crown. The three combined look elegant and go up more easily than a single large piece. We'll also walk you through the tricky cuts at corners.
The built-up crown we chose for this project combines standard crown molding with two pieces of base trim. The result is a large, dramatic crown that's easier to install and less expensive than single-piece crown molding of similar size.
Experiment with built-up molding combinations to make your decision easier. Nail or glue samples together and hold them against the ceiling.
Three-piece Crown Molding
Crown molding can be intimidating, because walls often aren't flat and nailing is difficult. This three-piece system solves those problems. In this article, we'll show you how to install trim on the walls and ceiling first, then add the crown. The three combined look elegant and go up more easily than a single large piece.
Before you go shopping, make a quick sketch of the room and jot down the length of each wall. If possible, buy pieces that are long enough to completely span each wall. This will save you the trouble of "scarfing" pieces together (Photo 20). Inspect each piece before you buy. Look for splits at the ends and deep milling marks that will be hard to sand out. If you plan to use a light-colored stain (or no stain at all) select pieces of similar tone. You could install crown using a miter box, handsaw and hammer. But we strongly recommend using a miter saw and brad nailer. These tools don't just make the work faster—they provide better results. A miter saw lets you shave paper-thin slices off moldings until the length is perfect.
Although crown molding is usually installed alone, you can easily combine it with other trim for a larger, richer look. The stock trim available at any home center provides dozens of possibilities. You could combine more pieces than we show here or use contrasting woods for a two-tone effect. But don't get carried away. Select a style that's compatible with your existing trim. A crown that protrudes more than 5 in. onto the wall or ceiling might be too dominant or heavy looking in a room with an 8-ft. ceiling.
Aside from style, built-up crown has this big benefit: It eliminates nailing frustrations. With one-piece crown, you can only drive nails where there's framing behind the drywall. In other areas, you have to add nailing blocks or use glue (which often makes a mess or can't form a strong bond on the narrow edge of the crown molding). With built-up crown, you deal with these trouble spots more easily when you install the rail trim. Then, when you install the crown molding, you have solid, continuous base to nail into.
Whether you copy one of the designs shown here or create your own, put together a sample and preview it in the room (Photo 1). Traditional lumberyards often have the largest selection and usually have free samples on hand. At a home center, you may have to buy short pieces to create your sample.
Run masking tape around the walls and ceiling so that about 1/2 in. of the tape will be covered by the rail trim. Mark the rail positions with a chalk line. Locate studs and ceiling joists.
You'll need chalk lines to position the rail trim, and marks at studs and ceiling joists so you know where to drive nails. Most carpenters would put these lines and marks right on the walls and ceilings and hide them with paint later. That means a lot of fussy painting along the new trim.
Here's an easier method: Stick bands of 2-in.-wide masking tape to the walls and ceiling. Masking tape can pull off paint, so use an easy-release tape like 3M's Scotch-Blue Painter' Tape. If you plan to paint the walls or ceiling, wait a couple of weeks before you apply the tape. (If your walls or ceiling is heavily textured, this method won't work because the tape won't stick well.) Snap chalk lines and mark framing locations on the tape (Photo 2). Install the trim over the tape and leave the tape in place to protect the walls and ceiling when you paint or finish the trim. When the finishing is done, cut and remove the exposed tape, leaving the covered tape in place permanently (Photo 21). Use a sharp knife blade and apply just enough pressure to slice through the tape.
At inside corners, a coped end fits over a square-cut end. In rectangular rooms, the last piece is often coped on both ends. In odd-shaped rooms like this one, you can usually avoid double-coped pieces. Outside corners are formed by two miter cuts.
Find the right miter angle for the ceiling rails at inside and outside corners. Miter scraps to 45 degrees and hold them in place along the chalk lines. If there's a gap, adjust your saw's angle and cut again until they fit tight.
Glue the ceiling rails into place with construction adhesive. Nail the rails to joists wherever possible. Where you can't hit ceiling joists, drive nails into the drywall at a 45-degree angle. Angled nails will hold the rails in place until the adhesive sets.
Nail the wall rails to studs with 2-in. brads. Cut coped ends for inside corners. Then miter outside corners using the same angle-finding technique shown in Photo 3.
A long piece of molding is clumsy to handle and hard to measure and cut accurately. Installing it first makes it easier because the first piece has square cuts at both ends—no coping.
Work to the right
With the first piece in place, add the piece to the right next and work around the room in that direction. That way, you'll make most of your 45-degree cuts with the miter saw set to the left (Photo 9). With the saw set to the left, the motor is out of the way. That makes the molding easier to hold and the cut mark easier to see. Use construction adhesive on all rail—even where you can nail into studs and ceiling joists. That way, you can use just enough nails to hold the trim in place until the adhesive sets, and you'll have fewer nail holes to fill. Apply the adhesive lightly so the excess doesn't squeeze out and make a mess.
Miter the ceiling rails at both inside and outside corners. The corners of a room usually aren't perfectly square, so you'll have to use test pieces to find the exact angle for each corner (Photo 3). The crown molding tips and techniques shown in the rest of this article will help you install the wall rails. The wall rails are mitered at outside corners and coped at inside corners. Coping the wall rails is just like coping the crown (Photo 11) except that you stand the trim upright against the saw's fence when you make the 45-degree miter. Outside corners (Photo 14) are fussy no matter when you tackle them. But in most cases, installing them last lets you avoid ending up with a piece that's coped on both ends. If you have a wall that's too long for a single piece of molding, install a scarfed piece last to avoid a double cope (Photo 20).
Measure the run and drop of the crown molding. Then nail two blocks together to make a marking gauge that duplicates the run and drop.
Mark the position of the crown molding's edges on the rails using your gauge. Place guidelines at all corners and every 2 ft. along walls. Use the marks to position the crown.
Fastening crown molding directly to walls can be a headache, but well-fastened rail trim makes nailing the crown foolproof. Make a marking gauge the same size as the crown, then use it to position the crown on the rail.
Measure accurately using a two-step technique. First measure from a corner and make a mark. Then measure from the other corner to the mark and add the two measurements.
Square-cut both ends of the first piece of crown and nail it into place. All the other pieces are cut square (or mitered) at one end and coped at the other.
The first piece of crown molding is cut square on both ends. Measure the length on the bottom rail. Make square cuts with the crown lying flat on the miter saw's bed.
Attach extensions to your miter saw's fence with screws or hot glue. Then screw on stop blocks, using your marking gauge upside down to position them.
Cut crown molding at a 45-degree angle to prepare for coping. Place the molding upside down against the stop blocks. Before you cut, make sure the direction of the miter matches the slash mark.
To make miter cuts for copes and outside corners, you have to lean the crown molding—tilted at exactly the correct angle—against the saw's fence (Photo 11). Pencil lines on the bed or fence can help you position the crown right, but fence extensions and stop blocks make positioning fast and foolproof. If your fence doesn't already have holes that let you screw on extensions, you can drill holes. Or you can fasten the extensions with hot-melt glue and pry them off later. Besides providing a taller fence if needed, the extensions let you screw on stop blocks (Photo 10).
You're probably wondering why you should go through the slow, fussy process of coping when you could just miter trim at inside corners. The answer is that wall corners are never quite square, and coped joints fit tight even when corners are badly out of square. Whether you're installing crown molding, chair rails or baseboard, coping is faster than finding the right miter angle through trial and error. If you really want to avoid coping, use corner blocks (available at most home centers and lumberyards). With these decorative blocks placed at inside and outside corners, you only need to make square cuts.
Cut a cope by following the edge left by the miter cut. Hold the saw at an angle to undercut behind the face of the molding. With many moldings, you have to cut away one section to get at another.
Test-fit the coped end using a scrap. Perfect the cut with a rasp. If you need to remove lots of wood from the backside of the molding, use a sanding drum and drill.
Push the coped end into place and check the fit. If the cope fits tightly but the piece is too long, shave the square-cut end on the miter saw.
"Spring" sections of crown into place. Jam the square-cut end into its corner. Then bend the middle outward as you guide the coped end into place. Let the crown straighten to force the coped joint tightly together.
Coping starts with a 45-degree cut on the miter saw, just as if you were going to make a miter joint at the inside corner. This cut leaves an edge along the face of the trim that acts as a guideline for your coping saw. Cut along that edge and the resulting shape will fit against an adjoining piece of crown. Chances are your first attempt won't turn out perfectly, but after a couple of practice runs you'll be able to make good-looking inside corners. Here are some tips for smooth, successful coping:
Mark the length of outside corner pieces by coping one end and holding the piece in place. To get the angle right, use scraps of crown and the method shown in Photo 3. Draw a slash mark on the crown to indicate the direction of the miter cut.
Miter outside corners with the molding upside down. Cut the piece about 1/16 in. beyond the length mark and then shave off a bit if the piece is too long.
Check the length at outside corners using a test scrap. When the length is right on, set the piece aside. Then cope, miter and test-fit the other outside corner piece.
Making a piece of crown fit between two inside corners is a combination of careful measuring and trial and error:
Erase small cracks in outside corner joints by rubbing with a utility knife handle. This crushes the wood fibers inward and closes minor gaps.
Join sections of crown on long walls using "scarf" joints. Set your miter saw to 22-1/2 degrees and make scarf cuts with the molding upside down just as you did for other miter cuts.
Outside corners
The joint at an outside corner is formed by two simple miter cuts, but making them fit takes several steps (Photos 16 – 18). Don't rush the process—outside corners are usually prominent and so are mistakes. If the crown will have a varnish finish, select two pieces with similar grain patterns.
Double copes
If your room doesn't have any outside corners or require scarf joints, you'll finish the job with a piece that's coped on both ends. This isn't as tough as you might think. The key is to start with a piece that's mitered to the right length. Miter both ends and hold the piece in place to check the fit. Then cope the ends as usual.
Scarf joints
On a wall that's too long for a single piece of molding, you'll have to "scarf" pieces together (Photo 20). The angled cuts of a scarf joint are less visible than square cuts. If you plan on a varnish finish, select pieces that have similar color and grain patterns. Cut and install the longer piece first so the shorter piece can overlap it at the joint. Glue the joint.
Odd-angle corners
Coped joints only work in square corners. If you have nonsquare inside corners—such as 45-degree corners in a window bay—you have to miter them. Find the correct angle for each corner using the method shown in Photo 3. Treat odd angle outside corners just like square outside corners.
Remove the masking tape after finishing the crown. Run a sharp utility knife lightly along the rail to slice the tape.
Fill and sand all the nail holes, then prime and paint as needed. Finally, remove the tape. Don't wait too long–even painter's tape will pull flakes of paint off if left for several weeks. Also be sure to cut the tape where fresh paint from the crown dripped onto it so the new paint doesn't pull away with the tape.
I've installed miles of crown molding, so you might think every piece I cut slips perfectly into place on the first try. Wrong. I intentionally cut each piece a smidgen too long and then shave them with my miter saw until they fit perfectly. Sometimes I make three or four trips back to the saw before I finally get it right. To keep the trips short, I set up shop in the room I'm working on. This can take an hour or more and makes a mess, but it saves time in the long run. Here's some setup advice:
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you'll save time and frustration.
Carpenter pencil, chaulk
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
E3, LOS ANGELES -May 14, 2003. -Capcom® Entertainment, the U.S.-based
subsidiary of Capcom Co., Ltd of Japan, has announced Onimusha 3 and
revealed the celebrities who will join this multi-million dollar project.
Set to star in the next installment of the award-winning series is Takeshi
Kaneshiro, who reprises his role as Samanosuke Akechi from the original
Onimusha. Joining him is Jean Reno, the world-renowned movie star who
is best known for his roles in 'The Professional', 'Big Blue' and 'La
Femme Nikita.' The talent behind Onimusha 3 includes four computer graphics
experts including Donnie Yen, an action director, who has appeared in
such movies as 'Blade 2', 'Shanghai Nights', the Oscar nominated film
Onimusha 3 is the tale of a man who has just "returned" and
a man who has just "arrived." This saga of two different stories
transcends four centuries from ancient Japan to modern day. Capcom plans
to release Onimusha 3 in 2004 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment
Onimusha 3 boasts the following features:
· As a first for the series, Onimusha 3 will use full polygonal
backgrounds as Capcom strives to realize the title real and dramatic
camerawork. Players will exalt the battle scenes, as they are full of
depth, and even more sword slashing action.
· The opening movies have been pushed to a new level. Capcom
has enlisted the talents of Hong Kong action star and director Donnie
Yen as the CG action director. Returning to the Onimusha project is
Robot, the company responsible for making all of the Onimusha opening
movies and Yamazaki Takeshi, the CG movie director. Onimusha 3 is a
collaboration of several talented staff members as they focus on bringing
a masterpiece that rivals even the biggest blockbuster movies.
· Flagship, the company responsible for scripting the stories
for Onimusha: Warlords and Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny increase the
level and depth of the story for Onimusha 3. With more drama and thrills
than before, Onimusha 3 will weave an epic tale bringing the series
to a whole new level.
· Onimusha 3 introduces a 'dual hero system', bringing not only
a deeper story, but also a game chock full of content and detail! The
design of the 'dual hero system' offers two very different kinds of
action, giving the player unique ways to enjoy the game as they experience
very different styles of excitement!
The year is 1582 and Takeshi Kaneshiro as Samanosuke is the man who
just returned. The stage is set at the burning Honnoji Temple, as the
famous Onimusha warrior Samanosuke Akechi fights. As he faces the demons
in front of him, he is compelled to move forward by hatred for his true
enemy, the undying Nobunaga Oda, ever latching on to his crazed ambition.
Samanosuke prepares for the long-awaited final battle against Nobunaga.
The year is 2004 and Jean Reno as Jacques Blanc is the man who has arrived.
A peaceful French city is suddenly attacked by demons. In the blink
of an eye, the town is transformed into a nightmarish nest of Genma
demons who are slaughtering the civilians and soldiers one by one. Within
this nightmare, appears one man, a man who stands up against the Genma
Why has Samanosuke suddenly appeared in present Paris and Jacques in
feudal Japan? What fate awaits these two men? What will be the final
outcome of each of their stories? Players will find out the truth when
they play the game.


text:
Gracedale is central to Democrats' Northampton County executive primary race
The three Democratic candidates looking to succeed John Stoffa as Northampton County Executive are waging a campaign that concentrates on economic development -- at least on the surface.
But in separate interviews with WFMZ.com, they all acknowledged the issue that is the linchpin of all they hope to accomplish is Gracedale, the county nursing home.
The winner of the primary will face off in November against Bangor Mayor John Brown, who is running unopposed for the Republican nomination.
Northampton County Council member Lamont McClure, who led a coalition in the fight two years ago to keep the nursing home in Upper Nazareth Township under county control, said Gracedale "is at the forefront of everything we're going to do."
Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan put operating Gracedale "in the most efficient and effective way" at the top of his priorities list.
And Glenn Reibman proudly pointed out that Gracedale turned a profit of about $600,000 a year during his previous stint as county executive from 1998 to 2006.
This year, Gracedale could finish the year $4 million to $5 million in the red.
McClure, 42, said by the end of his first term as executive, he could make the nursing home "net neutral," so over time the county would not have to use tax money to support Gracedale. He could do this because "I have become intimately involved in the financing."
McClure said he would "stabilize finances" by working closely with the outside management firm brought in by council to manage Gracedale and through negotiations with nursing home employees, who he said have already made "important, if painful concessions."
Callahan, 43, was a bit more cautious in estimating how fast the red ink can be eliminated, but not in his commitment to Gracedale. "In next two to three years, we may be able to get that [deficit] number under $2 million," he said. "Revenue neutral? I don't know. You have to strike a balance between affordability and quality of care."
However, Callahan added, he believes providing nursing home care "is a core function of the county, and Gracedale should remain under county control and ownership." He drew on his experience as mayor to make a comparison. "I never made money running the fire department, but it was my responsibility to provide safety for residents."
Reibman, 68, has put forth a bolder idea to make Gracedale turn a profit than either of his opponents: Import Monroe County residents to fill beds at the nursing home. "It's a little out of the box, but I'm an out-of-the-box kind of guy," Reibman said.
Reibman noted that he has had discussions with Monroe County commissioners, and at least two of the three are interested in selling the county's 75-bed Pleasant Valley Manor in Snydersville. "We could work out a deal where Monroe residents can come to Gracedale. … Maybe [Monroe County] can bring some of their [nursing home] personnel here too. Right now, it's a vision. But we would be helping another county with their problem and they would be helping us with our problem."
At the moment, Northampton County officials are considering reducing Gracedale's bed space from 725 to 688 to potentially earn hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in incentives from the state for meeting certain occupancy requirements.
"No matter how many beds in Gracedale, I want to have it running at full capacity," Reibman said.
McClure has made a bold pledge of his own: not to raise property taxes in the next four years. He said he can make that promise "because I have become knowledgeable about the budget during my seven years on [county] council."
McClure pointed out that the county has been running a large surplus, and a 2007 half-mill tax increase earmarked for open space preservation will raise $83 million over 20 years. And while he prides himself on being a protector of open space and environmentally sensitive land, McClure said, "We're not going to spend $83 million over 20 years on open space, and there's no excuse for a $60 million surplus."
He chided his opponents for "going to the well of the taxpayer" to solve their fiscal difficulties, saying it has been their "default position" to raise taxes.
Callahan responded by noting under his administration, Bethlehem had surpluses two years in a row for the first time since 1993. "We had a $1 million surplus last year alone, and we have $90 million less in debt today than when I took office."
Callahan said he can bring to the county the expertise that brought in $2 billion in investment and 5,500 jobs to Bethlehem during his 10 years as mayor. Like McClure and Reibman, he said he would appoint a director of Community and Economic Development to coordinate the county's efforts with the businesses, regional entities and local municipalities.
But just as important, Callahan said, "is making sure there are fewer vacant storefronts in our boroughs."
Using a sports analogy, Callahan said, "I've always believed that economic development and urban revitalization is much more of a singles and doubles game than it is about home runs. There are key properties in every downtown, and it's important to revitalize and redevelop those … finding a willing community with a willing property owner, and having the county facilitating those projects."
Reibman, who said he was known as "the economic development executive" during his two terms leading the county, believes the county has not been as aggressive as it should in attracting new jobs.
He said his first order of business would be to again consolidate the divisions of community and economic development and appoint a director whose job would be to encourage businesses to relocate to Northampton County, upgrade infrastructure, and improve job training at local high schools and colleges. "There should also be economic partnerships with other counties," he said. "We should reach north to Monroe County."
As for increasing taxes from 6.4 mills to 10.2 mills during his second term as executive, Reibman said the county was coping with "the biggest downturn since the Great Depression." Working with a council of six Republicans and three Democrats, Reibman says he made financial decisions "to plug the holes" until certain investments took hold, "and because of that investment in the county, we haven't had to have a tax increase in the county -- other than the half-mill for open space in 2007 -- for 10 years."
Reibman also noted that there were no property tax increases in his first four years.
The candidates were each asked what special quality sets them apart from their opponents.
McClure said he has the ability to do "tough things." He pointed to the fight to keep Gracedale county-owned. "I took the lead. I brought the coalition together and led it. It showed me and the public that I have the leadership to be county executive. … I had no idea what public thought of that, and didn't care what political winds dictated."
Callahan pointed to his "willingness to step up and make difficult decisions, regardless of the political consequences. I've been tested in ways that are unique. I am exactly the kind of leader Northampton County needs right now."
Reibman was succinct: "Experience. Vision. Results."
DISCLAIMER FOR COMMENTS: The views expressed by public comments 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 USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links may be removed by the moderator.
Allentown, PA 18102
- %
This Week's Circulars
Latest from the newsroom
- Lehigh Valley 69 News


text:
CSU breaks down water restriction rules to customers
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Colorado Springs Utilities gave a breakdown of new water restrictions on Wednesday for its customers. City Council approved the water shortage ordinance and tariff on Tuesday. The changes will go into effect Monday.
The changes apply for residents that receive a Colorado Springs Utilities water bill each month.
Residents in odd-numbered homes will water on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Residents in even-numbered homes will water on Wednesdays and Sundays. Businesses can water on Mondays and Fridays. If your assigned days don't work for you, you can apply for an alternative plan with CSU.
Customers must water for no more than three hours before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on their assigned days. CSU said the goal behind the watering times is to minimize water evaporation and maximize the water your lawn receives.
Customers who wash their cars, boats or trailers must do it on Saturdays, Sundays or their assigned day. Also, they must use a bucket or a hose with a positive shutoff nozzle while washing. A positive shutoff nozzle lets users shut the water on and off by hand while using the hose.
Hoses with positive shutoff nozzles can be used to water trees, shrubs and gardens any day of the week. However, these hoses cannot be used to water grass.
Drip irrigation systems are still allowed any day but only for watering trees, shrubs and gardens under the new restrictions.
Water restrictions will not apply to residents with well water.
As for rain water, that's regulated by the state, not CSU. It must be used with 72 hours of collection.
CSU said it's taking an education-first approach. Customers not following the rules will receive one notice before CSU issues a $300 fine. In order to be issued a fine, a CSU worker must witness and videotape a customer watering illegally. The maximum fine is $1,000. CSU could shut off a customer's water but it said it's never had to do that.
CSU also adjusted its tiered rate systems so some customers could see their water bill go up. Customers using less than 2,000 cubic feet of water won't see changes in their bill. A cubic foot of water is roughly 7.48 gallons. 25 percent of CSU customers fall within CSU's third tier so they use more than 2,000 cubic feet a month. Under the new water shortage prices, every cubic foot of water over that 2,000 limit will come with a $0.177 charge.
Not all residents in the Pikes Peak Region are facing similar water restrictions. Manitou Water, Security Water, Widefield Water, and Stratmoor Water said they haven't implemented water restrictions for their customers. Cherokee Metro Water will roll out similar water restrictions to Colorado Springs Utilities Water customers starting Monday.
CSU said no one is exempt from these rules. It said water restrictions aren't easy for the company, it estimates it will lose $18 to $22 million in water revenue under the rules.


text:
American Council on Exercise4851 Paramount DriveSan Diego, California 92123
Receive unique offers and information on specialist programs, workshops, free webinars and more.
Get introduced to the systematic and comprehensive approach to exercise programming for all ages and abilities formulated by the American Council on Exercise (ACE). The ACE Integrated Fitness Training® (ACE IFT®) model is a two-part training plan that uniquely integrates assessments and programming to facilitate client engagement, adherence and behavior change. Learn techniques for improving posture, movement, flexibility, balance, core function, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular endurance, and muscle strength.
You will learn:
Awsome training tool.
I personally disagree... although there is useful information here you are basically paying for a chapter of review information to read. I'm sorry but this was more of a review and the reason I rated it so low is because it cost an awful lot of money! One can buy a few books for this price that will offer even more information. I was expecting more from this course. I didn't realize that ACE doesn't have a return credit or return policy. I thought I would try a continuing education with ACE and after spending so much on this and no refund or customer service that responded to my emails this will be the last continuing education program I will buy from ACE.
This was another helpful tool in reviewing for ACE final exam!! Excellent!
How Would You Rate This Product Out of 5 Stars?
The American Council on Exercise reserves the right to discontinue the sale and/or support of any continuing education course at any time, in order to cancel, correct, or update content based on current industry standards, guidelines, and/or technological advances. Notification will be given 6 months prior to expiration to allow for course completion and no refund will be given for expiring courses.


text:
Working on Certs
I am a technical school instructor, part time and programmer the other part.
I have my Network+ and Linux+ certs. My question is - Is it better to go for Security+ first before CEH or just skip that one and go on to the CEH?
Thanks for the site and for your answers in advance.


text:
- Admissions
- Academics
- Campus Life
- Athletics
- Cost & Aid
- News & Events
- About Plattsburgh
The sociology minor allows students to explore a wide range of topics to fit their own interests. Students will take Introduction to Sociology, Sociological Theory and Research Methods to gain an understanding of the underlying principles of sociology, and can then choose from courses in different areas, such as Sociology of Families, Sociology of Minorities, and Juvenile Delinquency.
A sociology minor is compatible with many different majors on campus. It will help you to understand the society in which you live, and how the structures of society impact you and others.
If you would like to learn more about the sociology program at SUNY Plattsburgh, please contact:
Dr. Lauren Eastwood, Chair
Office: Redcay Hall 134
Phone: (518) 564-3309
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
How-To: Unattended Ubuntu Deployment over Network
Posted by chantra on 23rd June 2007
there is many ways of installing Linux. Nowadays, the most common one is probably by using a CD. Download the CD, stick it in your CDRom drive and let's roll!!!
If you intent to deploy Ubuntu over several computers, this can easily become cumbersome.
This tutorial will explain how to install Ubuntu/Debian through the network using preseed files so you can turn on your computer, walk away and come back later with your fresh install up and running.
Tags: network, system
Posted in Administration, HowTo, Networking, System | No Comments »


text:
LINKEwwwww, not only is it ugly, but it's a Honda, ewwwwwwwwwwww, yuck!Thoughts? Comments?
Yeah...Not doing it for me. I never thought I'd say this, but I'd take a Venza over this. But I'd take a CX-7 over either.
I used to like Honda. They seem to be loosing it, like BMW! That thing is just plain UGLY. Hondas Aztech! Accord Coupe and Civic better not get ruined.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------You should be buying a manual, because driving a muscle car without that visceral command you get from using your left foot to connect that massive engine to the wheels is pointless. DUB Magazine on the Mustang GT 5.0
wow...some cars look good in the back or the front but this just looks ugly all around...i bet they put a 4 cylinder in this
I heard it's going to have the 3.5L V-6, but that doesn't make it any more appealing to me.
It's weird how this thing looks like a mish-mash of Chrysler products. Namely the Crossfire, Sebring, and Caliber
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------There are always at least two sides to a story, and all sides will claim to be true
Oh Honda, you've ruined this car! It reminds me of this, and I've ALWAYS puked a little in my mouth when I see this Hyundai!
From the back it doesnt look so bad. A little trendy for honda... But it looks pretty good IMO.The front however, Im not so sure. It looks visually heavy and I will have to reserve judgment until I see one in person.I hated the lexus rx350 when I saw it in pictures, but on the road it doesnt look so bad. Perhaps that will be the case with the crosstour.Overall though, kudos to honda for actually taking some chances.This would be pretty cool with a peppy 4-cylinder and a 6-speed manual.
Yeah...hideous in the front. It looks as massive as a Ford Super Duty with that schnoz.The rear end, however, I will agree with other posters here - it looks pretty cool.Am I correct that the Crosstour will only be offered with the V6? Doesn't that seem like a problem seeing as how people overwhelmingly are buying 4-cylinder engines nowadays? I would never buy a car this huge with a 4-cylinder, because something this heavy needs a V6 or larger to get out of its own way.What do you think? V6 only cause for worry?
I kind of like it. The rear looks great, pretty much the whole body dose. As for the front, I wouldn't call it ugly, but it is obnoxious. Overall I really like how Honda thought outside the box with the design. It certainly doesn't look like your typical Honda.
Yep, it's ugly. But we already new it would be.
I'm sure that It'll look much better in person. We call all cars ugly when they're released then when we actually see them driving around they really aren't that bad.
Wasn't it bad enough that we already had one thread about this atrocity?
---------------------------------------------------On the internet you can be anything you want. Its strange that so many people choose to be stupid.
Do you have to be Asian to find this vehicle even remotely acceptable?
luxurycars:I'm sure that It'll look much better in person. We call all cars ugly when they're released then when we actually see them driving around they really aren't that bad. O.k....


text:
Smocked Drape
- Overview
The Smocked Drape's sheer cotton voile is smocked by hand in a diamond pattern on top and falls in graceful pleats.
- Adorned with a hand-smocked diamond pattern over the top 8".
- Sheer 100% cotton voile is airy and provides high light filtration.
- Hangs from the pole pocket or converts to ring-top style with clip rings. Use with 10 Clip Rings (sold separately).
- Sold as individual panels.
- Dry-clean for best results.
- Imported.
- Dimensions & Care
- 42" wide x 63" long
- 42" wide x 84" long
- 42" wide x 96" long
- Pole Pocket: 3" high
- Machine wash cold, gentle cycle.
- Use only non-chlorine bleach, if needed.
- Line dry.
- Dry-clean for best results.
- Shipping & Return Info
UPS can deliver most in-stock items within 4-5 business days.
Next Day Delivery and Processing
We can arrange for next day delivery to most destinations within the contiguous 48 states, for an extra charge of $17.50 per address. If we receive your order by 6pm PT Monday through Friday, you'll receive your order the next business day; orders placed on Friday after 6pm PT through Sunday will arrive on Tuesday. Note: Next Day Delivery service is not available for some oversized items, White Glove Delivery, out of stock items, personalized items or for items shipped directly from the manufacturer.
Select oversized items have an additional delivery and processing surcharge; this charge is listed below the item price.
View the complete Shipping and Delivery Information page.
We take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of each and every Pottery Barn product and we hope you love your purchase. If for any reason you do not, you have 30 days – or 7 days for all Quick Ship upholstery items – to return your purchase for a full refund or exchange. You can return most non-furniture items to your local Pottery Barn store – FREE.
Delivery fees are non-refundable and prior purchases are not eligible for a price adjustment. The following items are non-eligible for returns or exchanges:
- Monogrammed items
- Mattresses
- Gift cards
- Special-order items (including made-to-order upholstery and custom order rugs)
- Final Sale items (identified by a price ending in $.X7 or $.X9)
- Items damaged through normal wear and tear.
Questions? See our full Returns Policy.


text:
2 armed men rob woman outside medical marijuana business
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - A woman was robbed at gunpoint by two men as she was leaving a medical marijuana dispensary Monday night.
Police say as the 55-year-old woman left the business on the 2300 block of E. Bijou St., a man came out of a white mini-van, pointed a gun at her and demanded her purse. The suspect struggled to get the woman's purse, at which point a second suspect from the mini-van came out and also pointed a gun at the woman. The suspects eventually stole the purse and drove away.
One suspect is described as a black man with a goatee. He is between the ages of 25-30 and is about 5'8" tall.
The second suspect is also described as a black man between the ages of 20-30. He is about 5'6" tall.
A third suspect, the driver of the mini-van, was only described as a black man.
The mini-van is an older model. It has a plastic covering on the rear window. The front, passenger door was described as "rusty and beat up."
If you have any information about this case, you are asked to call police at (719) 444-7000.


text:
|Topic Review (Newest First)
Plants for sale(or trade) in Charlotte
I have a lot of plants in my 2 heavy planted tanks need to get rid. I am open to trade for shrimps or any interesting plants. I live in uptown Charlotte near CPCC Central Campus school. Local pick up please since I never ship plants before (or if someone helps me with it I can try to ship).
Narrow Leaf Java Fern
Small one is 15$ (lot of leaves, and short)
Large one is 25$ (lot of leaves, and tall)
Anubias Nana Petite
Small one is 10$ (small leaves)
Big one is 15$ (big leaves)
Broad Leaf Ludwigia (Ludwigia Repens)
One stem is 1$ (about 5 inches)
I have about 10 stems
Aponogetons!!! They bloom and produce more plants
Small and large one is 1$ each (small can be 2 inches and large can be 15-20 inches with a lot of leaves)
Floating plants (water lettuce, duckweed and frogbit)
A hand full for 5$
Ludwigia stems (Idk what kind???)
One stem is 4$ (8-10 inches)
Hemianthus Micranthemoides
I will give half of what I have in the picture for 15$
Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides
A hand full for 10-15$
I also have xmas moss and weeping moss.
One full ziplock bag of xmas moss is 10$ (5x5 inches)
Half of my weeping moss in the picture is 10$
P/s: my tanks
|Posting Rules
You may post new threads
You may post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


text:
Follow Harriet on Twitter
About Harriet
- The Poetry Foundation's blog for poetry and related news.
- More about Harriet
- Contributors
- Archive
Posts Tagged 'Carville Annex'
on the small press, its recent past, production, present future, circulation: part one April 17, 2014: A few years ago I read Capital, Volume I with some friends from work. I was the person in this reading group who kept bringing up chapbooks. Someone else kept bringing up higher education. Our jobs. [...]


text:
Popular property highlights
Wingate by Wyndham Dallas Love Field is located within a few miles (5 km) of University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and Children's Medical Center of Dallas. This 89-room hotel has conveniences like free breakfast, an indoor pool, and free in-room WiFi. Near the airport, it's also near University of Dallas and Frontiers of Flight Museum.
Free hot/cold buffet breakfast is offered each morning.
All of Wingate by Wyndham Dallas Love Field's 89 rooms are recently renovated and have an array of amenities, including microwaves, refrigerators, and coffee makers. TVs come with cable channels, and guests can stay connected with free WiFi and wired Internet. Beds are dressed in premium bedding and pillow menus, and bathrooms offer hair dryers and free toiletries. Other amenities include free newspapers, free local calls, and safes.
Guests staying at Wingate by Wyndham Dallas Love Field enjoy an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a spa tub. There's free parking, as well as a free airport shuttle (available 24 hours). The 24-hour front desk has staff standing by to help with luggage storage, and answer any questions about the accommodations. Additional amenities include free WiFi in public areas, conference space, and a business center.
Property features
- Free hot/cold buffet breakfast
- Free WiFi and wired Internet in rooms and public areas
- Free parking
- Free airport shuttle
Wingate by Wyndham Dallas Love Field
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
Complimentary amenities provided at Wingate by Wyndham Dallas Love Field include an airport shuttle (please contact the hotel to arrange pick-up), complimentary buffet breakfast, and wireless Internet access. The business center includes 2 conference rooms with event catering and banquet facilities. This 3-story Dallas hotel includes an indoor pool and a spa tub with partially open rooftop, as well as a 24-hour fitness facility.
- Number of meeting rooms - 2
- Total number of rooms - 89
- Number of floors - 3
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- 24-hour front desk
- Free airport transportation
- Business center
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Free breakfast
- Conference space
- Fitness facilities
- Elevator/lift
- Airport transportation
- Laundry facilities
- One meeting room
- Luggage storage
- Free self parking
- Conference space size (feet) - 753
- Conference space size (meters) - 70
- Spa tub
- Indoor pool
- Free WiFi
- Free wired high-speed Internet
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Indoor pool
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Cribs/infant beds (complimentary)
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi , Free wired high-speed Internet
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi , Free wired high-speed Internet
Free self parking
Room Amenities
Wingate by Wyndham Dallas Love Field offers 89 air-conditioned accommodations with safes and complimentary newspapers. Beds feature premium bedding. A pillow menu is available. Premium cable television is provided. Guests can make use of the in-room refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee/tea makers. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.
Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wired and wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones; free local calls are provided (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is provided daily. Renovation of all guestrooms was completed in December 2016.
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Premium bedding
- Air conditioning
- Phone
- Premium TV channels
- Private bathroom
- Free toiletries
- Television
- Cable TV service
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Free newspaper
- Free local calls
- Refrigerator
- Coffee/tea maker
- Free wired high-speed Internet
- Microwave
- Daily housekeeping
- Hair dryer
- Shower/tub combination
- Rollaway/extra beds (free)
- Iron/ironing board
- In-room safe
- Desk
- Free WiFi
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Pillow menu
Where to Eat
Wingate by Wyndham Dallas Love Field provides complimentary buffet breakfast.
Nearby Things to Do
This Dallas hotel offers an indoor pool, a spa tub with partially open roof, and fitness equipment. The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
- Accessible bathroom
- Roll-in shower
Hotel Policies
Minimum check-in age is 21
Check-in time ends at midnight
Check-in time starts at 3 PM
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is 11 AM
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Kids stay free! Children 17 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
- Free rollaway/extra beds!
- Free cribs (infant beds)!
- Pets not allowed
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
This hotel requires a 50% deposit for any bookings where payment for the stay will be made on site instead of at the time of booking. For more details, please contact the office using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
- Deposit: USD $100.00 per stay
Hotel Name
- Wingate Dallas Love Field
- Wingate Dallas Love Field Wyndham
- Wingate Wyndham Dallas Love Field
- Wingate Wyndham Hotel Dallas Love Field
- Wingate Wyndham Dallas Love Field Hotel
We should mention
This property offers transfers from the airport. Guests must contact the property with arrival details on arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. Children 17 years old and younger stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding. The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.


text:
Stay connected with us to get the latest health and fitness news, innovative workouts, healthy recipes and wellness tips.
Change Location
ACE Fit Share
Dried porcini give an earthy, punch to this Italian classic. Although it tastes great hot from the oven, the fennel-and-mushroom combination mellows beautifully overnight.
Nutrition Profile:
Diabetes Appropriate
Gluten Free Diet
Healthy Weight
Heart Healthy
High Potassium
Low Calorie
Low Carb
Low Sat Fat
Low Sodium
Serves 8
Prep Time 45 min
Total Time 100 min.
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Step 2
Place mushrooms in a large bowl, pour boiling water over them and let soak.
Step 3
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large, high-sided skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown chicken on all sides, turning occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
Step 4
Reduce heat to medium and add peppers and onion to the pan; cook, stirring often, until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in fennel; continue cooking, stirring often, until wilted, about 3 minutes.
Step 5
Add garlic, rosemary, orange zest and thyme; cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Pour in vinegar and cook for 1 minute, stirring and scraping up any browned bits. Remove from the heat.
Step 6
Drain the mushrooms in a fine sieve lined with a paper towel; reserve the soaking liquid. Rinse the mushrooms, then coarsely chop. Stir them into the pan along with the soaking liquid, wine, tomato paste and salt. Return to the heat, bring to a simmer, then pour the mixture over the chicken. Cover the baking dish with foil.
Step 7
Bake the cacciatore until bubbling, about 45 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving (or follow make-ahead instructions).
Featured Workouts
Check out our 12-week fitness plan designed to boost your strength, endurance, muscle definition, energy level and overall health.
Flatten your stomach and build strength in the muscles that provide stability and mobility for the spine, pelvis, ribs and hips.
Focus on pulling, rotating and building strength with workouts created alongside Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes.
This workout provides a challenging total-body workout that can be done from the comfort of home with no equipment other than bodyweight and space.


text:
Members of the Boulder Chamber, a nonprofit business support and advocacy organization, visited CU-Boulder July 29 to learn about the university's latest advances in space science and aerospace.
The Aerospace Industry Insights event, held at Fiske Planetarium, brought together local, state and federal officials; CU-Boulder faculty, students and administrators; and leaders from the local business community. The purpose of the event, the first in a series sponsored by CU-Boulder and the Boulder Chamber, was to highlight for the business community CU-Boulder's research and innovation in order to foster continued partnership and economic growth.
Chancellor DiStefano opened the program by talking about partnership, observing that the state of Colorado--through its leadership and expertise in both academia and industry--is poised to take the lead in aerospace.
Speakers from CU-Boulder's Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences department took advantage of the technological capabilities at Fiske Planetarium to demonstrate the university's capacity to truly lead in this industry. Aerospace Engineering Sciences Professor Brian Argrow explained that the aerospace field is "much broader than just space," sharing his work on the weather applications of unmanned air systems (or "drones"). Dave Brain, assistant professor at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, then shared exciting updates on MAVEN, CU-Boulder's NASA mission to Mars, which is on track to arrive at Mars on Sept. 21.
Jeff Osterkamp, vice president of engineering at Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., shared his thoughts on the value of collaboration between CU-Boulder and private industry.
"We're proud to be aligned with CU and continue this connection," Osterkamp said. "We support CU by providing things like environmental test capabilities. The core benefit that Ball receives from this relationship is from the people at CU. We are able to utilize nationally recognized resident experts here in this strong research community."
By the end of the evening, it was easy to see that in many ways, Colorado is already a national leader in the space industry. It boasts the nation's second largest aerospace economy, employing more than 160,000 people, and there are more than 400 space-related companies in the state. CU-Boulder plays a pivotal role in transforming Colorado's aerospace industry by providing these companies with some of the leading minds in the field.