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Volume VI, No. 9
Educational Entrepreneurs: Creating Models to Change the Way Schools Do Business
What's New
- From the U.S. Department of Education
- From the Office of Innovation and Improvement
- American History
- Education Reform
- Raising Student Achievement
- Reading
- Teacher Quality and Development
- Technology
- Charter Schools/School Choice
- Raising Student Achievement
- School Improvement
- Teacher Quality and Development
- Technology
Educational Entrepreneurs: Creating Models to Change the Way Schools Do Business
Jim Collins writes in his landmark book, Good to Great, "When you combine a culture of discipline with an ethic of entrepreneurship, you get the magical alchemy of great results." Not only is this phenomenon occurring in the business sector, but it is also helping transform the social sector. Part of a fast growing trend in our society, "social entrepreneurship" is the idea of applying business principles to address social problems to impact and create necessary social change. The concept is being applied in organizations across the country to feed the hungry, build low-income housing, develop youth leadership, and foster stronger economic communities. The same is true in education, where entrepreneurs are the innovative thinkers who are helping schools and school districts transform into high achieving and results-driven organizations.
Education entrepreneurs have created many new operational models to change the way schools do business. Some of the key areas of the K-12 community where social entrepreneurs are gaining attention include changes in human capital, delivery of instruction, and leveraging innovation. Their success stories are worth examining for their potential to teach new lessons, inspire change, and serve as models to replicate.
Human Capital
Getting teachers to work in urban or rural districts, especially ones serving low-income and minority students, is not always easy, but The New Teacher Project (TNTP) and its Teaching Fellows programs have made it less difficult. TNTP, created in 1997 by Michelle Rhee (who just completed her first year as chancellor of Washington, D.C. Public Schools) is a 130-person, revenue-generating nonprofit dedicated to increasing teacher quality in high-need or hard-to-staff schools (The Education Innovator, May 2007). Since its inception, the organization has trained or hired approximately 28,000 teachers to serve in more than 200 school districts by creating innovative programs that expand the pool of available high-quality teachers. TNTP has done this by identifying barriers to hiring good candidates and advocating for necessary policy reforms; working with school districts to optimize their teacher hiring and school staffing functions; ensuring the poorest schools have access to the best candidates and that schools open fully staffed; and developing new and better ways to train, prepare and certify teachers for public schools. TNTP's efforts have been so successful that it was recently awarded a 2008 Social Capitalist Award, which is given by Fast Company.com, a community platform for people passionate about business ideas, to nonprofit companies that apply the tools of business to solve the world's most pressing social problems.
The Teaching Fellows program, an alternative route to teacher certification, developed as one of TNTP's core lines of business and operates in more than 15 locations nationwide. These nonprofit programs operate on a fee-for-service basis, and often, under performance-based contracts that keep them focused on goals and outcomes. They are highly selective and are designed to recruit and train high-achieving professionals from other fields to become teachers for hard-to-staff schools. The New York City Teaching Fellows (NYCTF) program, for example, has made a huge difference in the district and is credited with helping improve student academic achievement. A 2007 study published by the Urban Institute found that the NYCTF program helped to "level the playing field" by narrowing the gap between the qualifications of New York City teachers in high-poverty schools and low-poverty schools. Other studies have had similar findings. Launched in 2000, NYCTF has addressed the critical shortage of teachers in New York#8217;s most troubled schools, in high-need subject areas such as mathematics, science, and special education. It has done this through the "alternative route program," which accelerates the process of bringing new teachers into the classrooms that need them most. Rather than completing a traditional teacher education program prior to entering the classroom, Fellows engage in a short, intensive, pre-service training program and complete further academic requirements while they teach.
Delivery of Instruction
As he accepted the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur 2008 award, CEO and Founder of K12 Inc., Ron Packard thanked the judges "for recognizing the advancement of high-quality education as a worthy entrepreneurial endeavor." K12 offers online curriculum and programs in the K-12 market. Responding to the need for a workforce that is prepared for the global economy, the company began developing research-based programs in 2000, as it consulted with experts in the various fields and examined many state standards, research reports, and model curriculum programs. K12 delivers services through partnerships with public virtual schools, an accredited, private online international academy, and through individualized products, which are used by after-school providers or by families that home-school their children. By recognizing the need for individualized instruction, harnessing the power of the Internet and distance learning, and providing more students better access to more and higher-level courses, K12 is helping to maximize learning for a greater number of students.
For example, in 2004, when the William H. Hunter School in Philadelphia moved to a new building, the school's leadership decided to create new facilities with the latest technology for all of its classrooms. As part of this effort, Hunter partnered with K12 to provide an innovative online curriculum. Students at Hunter were largely unaccustomed to the latest technology; of the 600 students, 95 percent qualified for free and reduced-price meals. To help the school adopt the curriculum, K12 trained the teachers and worked with grade-level teams and the school administration to boost student achievement.
The results have been impressive. In 2005, Hunter students significantly improved their performance on the Pennsylvania State Math Assessments. For the third grade, there was a 46 percentage point increase in mathematics performance (as compared to a 31 percentage point increase for the district as a whole). This resulted in 86 percent of students performing at or above the proficient level, as compared to 52 percent of students reaching this target in the district as a whole in 2005. For the fifth grade, students made a 22 percentage point gain (as compared to a 15 point gain for the district), which brought 45 percent of Hunter fifth graders (and 46 percent of all district students) to a level where they worked at, or above, proficient levels. This was the first time that all third and fifth graders at the school met or exceeded the adequate yearly progress (AYP) math goals.
Virtual High School (VHS) takes another innovative approach to online learning. It is a nonprofit organization focused on providing high-quality online education to schools, regardless of size, wealth, or location. Through participation in VHS, schools can expand course offerings available to their students, giving them the opportunity to take innovative, high-quality courses that may not otherwise have been available. VHS is not a replacement for a traditional school, but rather a complementary program for students seeking supplementary instruction.
VHS offers over 200 courses in a full range of subjects, in addition to Advanced Placement (AP) and pre-AP classes. There are membership options for individual schools, districts, and consortia of schools. Generally, each school commits one teacher to teach a VHS course, and, in return, the school may offer the opportunity to take a VHS online course to a certain number of students per year. Once schools become members, they can begin enrolling students. A 2003 grant from the U.S. Department of Education resulted in the formation of an Online Advanced Placement Academy (Online AP Academy). The grant enabled many low-income high schools and middle schools to deliver AP content to students. VHS piloted an International Baccalaureate curriculum that is now in use, too. VHS aims to be self-supporting through grants and membership fees, and advises schools on how to budget for their services by offering courses and webinars in grant writing. An international jury awarded VHS the Stockholm Challenge Award 2001, which recognizes projects that make good use of information technology and result in a positive impact on people's lives.
The Power of Leveraging Innovation
By partnering with and learning from education entrepreneurs, many school districts are seeing excellent results. Several organizations are helping these education innovators expand their impact and reach by investing in their vision and connecting their work with public school systems. NewSchools Venture Fund is a unique nonprofit that raises money from individual and institutional investors for entrepreneurs who want to transform education, especially in the urban sector. Created by social entrepreneur Kim Smith and venture capitalists John Doerr and Brook Byers, NewSchools has identified specific investment strategies, and their current endeavor focuses on several key cities, including New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Oakland, and New Orleans. According to fund managers, "We chose these target communities because of their size, history of underperformance, and potential for transformative change." Earlier funds addressed other key leverage areas such as standards, choice, and accountability. NewSchools requires ventures that are seeking the fund's participation to submit a business plan and meet specific eligibility requirements including the ability to produce measurable outcomes for K-12 public education in the U.S., be scalable and sustainable, and be led by a passionate entrepreneur. It not only invests in organizations, but also assists them by helping them to build capacity, serve on their boards, set annual goals, and offer management assistance. The fund has also started several inititives that serve to connect education entrepreneurs so they may learn from one another, build relationships, and share strategies.
NewSchools is committed to results-driven entrepreneurial education ideas. The firm advocates for social change because it has seen change happen through ventures it has funded. It believes in the force of nonprofit organizations that work in partnership with creative mayors and school superintendents. The impressive list of ventures -- over 25 nonprofit and for-profit organizations -- includes Acelero Learning, Carnegie Learning, Green Dot Public Schools, Lighthouse Academies, New Leaders for New Schools, Uncommon Schools, and Teach for America, among others. The missions of the organizations differ, but they all have an impact on underserved children.
Just three years old, the Charter School Growth Fund (CSGF) is helping increase the capacity of education entrepreneurs to serve more children; it offers funding and development to proven, high-quality charter school operators. CSGF, started by John Lock, a venture capitalist who, after a successful first career, decided he wanted to do something to help students succeed, calls itself "a social venture investment fund to significantly increase the capacity of proven education entrepreneurs to serve more children." The money in the fund comes from a handful of "anchor funders," as Jennifer Stern, a CSFG partner, called them in a National Public Radio interview. Stern said that these are major, active funders who are trying to transform access to charter schools and help innovative entrepreneurs "build scalable, self-sufficient schooling organizations that provide quality educational options to thousands of underserved families in diverse communities."
Charter operators who have demonstrated that they can successfully run one or more schools, shown significant achievement gains with underserved youth, and are dedicated to expanding their charter network, are eligible to apply for CSFG funding. CSGF operates with the support of over $140 million for the development and expansion of charter school management and support organizations to increase the achievement of a greater number of low-income and minority students nationwide. Most charter operator applicants are initially offered help with their business plans and development growth plans. CSFG works closely with them during the planning phase to determine whether there is a strategic fit and whether the operators will be funded. The goal is to create 100,000 new, permanent seats for underserved students by 2015.
In the 21st century, it will take innovative leadership to help prepare more children for the demands of the information age. New ideas for high quality public charter schools, new ways to hire highly qualified teachers, innovative online content and curriculum, and capital investment in entrepreneurial ideas and organizations are all new ways of doing business that are helping to transform the education landscape.
- The New Teacher Project
- NYC Teaching Fellows
- K12 Inc.
- Virtual High School
- NewSchools Venture Fund
- Charter School Growth Fund
What's New
From the U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings joined more than 300 national leaders in Washington, DC, for the Aspen Institute's National Education Summit. The Secretary kicked off the summit with a dynamic presentation entitled, "Our Children - Joining the Fight for Education Reform." She released five education indicators that will complement No Child Left Behind (NCLB) by providing a snapshot of national trends. Following her presentation, she participated in a discussion with Roy Romer, Chairman of Strong American Schools, Joel Klein, Chancellor of the New York City Public Schools, and Tom Donohue, President & CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Juan Williams of Fox News and National Public Radio moderated the discussion.
The purpose of the bi-partisan event was three-fold: (1) to highlight the impact of the under-performing education system on multiple community sectors, including business, the economy, health care, and national security; (2) to establish a broad consensus on critical reforms necessary for producing an effective education system that will adequately support all sectors of the society and prepare children, regardless of background or family income, for lives of opportunity and citizenship; and (3) to produce and release an action plan outlining the steps necessary for building adequate public support to sustain effective education reform. (September 15)
Secretary Spellings named 320 schools as 2008 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools. The award honors schools for helping students achieve at very high levels and for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap. A complete list of 2008 NCLB-Blue Ribbon Schools is available at http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/awards.html. (September 9)
Secretary Spellings named 16 members to the National Technical Advisory Council, which had been announced as part of the proposed regulations to strengthen NCLB. The Council's purpose is to advise the Department on complex and technical issues regarding the design and implementation of state standards, assessments and accountability systems. (August 13)
Eight appointments were announced as nominees to serve as Members of the Board of Directors of the National Board of Education Sciences (NBES). NBES is the presidentially appointed advisory panel of the Institute of Education Sciences (Institute) at the U.S. Department of Education. The board performs a host of duties, ranging from reviewing and approving the research priorities of the Institute to advising and consulting with the director on the policies of the Institute. (August 12)
Secretary Spellings released a statement on the class of 2008 ACT scores saying that scores "have remained largely steady, which is encouraging given that the number of test-takers has expanded rapidly to include many more students than ever before." However, scores in English declined, and Spellings called this "unacceptable when 90 percent of the fastest growing jobs require at least some post-secondary education." (August 13)
A Back to School edition of "Education News Parents Can Use" profiled key strategies for improving student academic achievement and showcased schools that have proven successful in closing the achievement gap and helping all students perform at high levels. The show featured information on NCLB's focus on data dissemination and informed decision-making that has helped transform the roles of parents and teachers. The broadcast also spotlighted the Department's Teaching Ambassador Fellowship program. The fellows -- classroom teachers on leave from their schools to work on policy at the U.S. Department of Education – gave their perspectives on improving learning. For more information, go to http://www.ed.gov/edtv/. (To watch this and other archived webcasts, visit http://www.connectlive.com/events/ednews/.)
The Institute of Education Sciences' What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) has released three new reports. One report, which focuses on intervention, examines "Reading Mastery," a curriculum designed to provide explicit instruction in language arts and reading, while a second intervention report focuses on "Open Court Reading," a basal program for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The third report is a "quick review" and highlights a study that examined whether Los Angeles charter schools have higher growth in student achievement than traditional public schools. The study found that the academic performance index in charter schools increased more from 2005-06 to 2006-07 than it did in matched comparison traditional schools, but that the results are considered inconclusive by WWC because there is no evidence that the schools were initially equivalent. (Aug. 12)
A new report PDF-[1.22 MB] from the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance examines what happens to high school dropouts when they return to their studies and the circumstances that conspire to keep them out of school. Of 3,856 students who were studied, more than one-third dropped out again at least once over five years and 31 percent re-enrolled. In the end, only 77 of the 419 students who dropped out and re-enrolled went on to graduate within five years. (July 2008)
Free new children's books are available to registered groups through the 2008 Back to School Book Donation. Earlier this year, the Department teamed with First Book and Random House to launch the 2008 Summer Reading Initiative. This initiative was the first stage of a national distribution of over 850,000 free new Random House children's books to schools, libraries, and literacy organizations serving low-income youth across the U.S. This summer, 550,000 books were distributed. Later this fall, the Department has plans to announce the availability and subsequent distribution of the remaining 300,000 books earmarked for this campaign. Since 2006, the Department has partnered with First Book and major U.S book publishing companies to distribute three million children's books. For more information, go to http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/bookcampaign/. (Note: To be eligible to register with First Book, an entity must: (1) serve children, at least 50% of whom are from low-income households, (2) be a Title I or Title I-eligibl school, or (3) be a military family support program.).
From the Office of Innovation and Improvement
Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Office of Innovation and Improvement Douglas B. Mesecar visited Guadalupe Schools in Salt Lake City to present a charter schools program grant to the Utah State Department of Education. Earlier, Mesecar visited the Idaho Arts Charter School in Nampa, Idaho, to present a $3,386,402 Charter School Program grant award to the Idaho State Department of Education. In addition, in July, Mesecar visited the Self Enhancement Inc., Academy in Portland, Ore., to present a $9,500,000 Charter School Program grant award to the Oregon Department of Education. The competitive grants are through the Department's charter schools program this year, which supports states' efforts to plan, design, implement and disseminate information about charter schools. Additional states receiving grants are Florida and New York. (August 21)
American History
This fall, after receiving an unprecedented number of applications, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) will give more than 26,000 schools and public libraries free education resource materials—which include reproductions of 40 great American works of art and an illustrated teacher resource book with lesson ideas for all grade levels—through the "Picturing America" program. This NEH program is designed to promote the teaching and understanding of American history and culture by introducing students to some of America's artistic treasures. For schools and public libraries that did not apply during the initial application period, the NEH is now accepting a second round of applications through October 31 – materials will be delivered in spring 2009. For more information and to apply, go to http://picturingamerica.neh.gov. (September 2008)
Education Reform
The Thomas B. Fordham Institute invites the public to the first in a series of "Great Education Debates." "Resolved: A Stronger Federal Role in Education is needed in the 21st Century. Lessons from NCLB and Beyond," will be held on September 24, from 5 – 6 p.m. Participants for this debate include: Hon. Roy Romer, Chairman, Ed in '08 and former governor of Colorado and Jon Schnur, Co-founder and CEO, New Leaders for New Schools for the affirmative; and Deborah Meier, Senior Scholar, New York University and Diane Ravitch, Research Professor, New York University and Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution for the negative. Thomas B. Fordham Institute, 1016 16th Street NW, 7th Floor, Washington, D.C. RSVP to Christina Hentges at firstname.lastname@example.com or 202-223-5452.
A new report from Achieve shows that individual state efforts to set college- and career-ready standards for high school graduates have led to a large degree of consistency in requirements for English and mathematics learning. This "common core" is detailed in Out of Many, One: Toward Rigorous Common Core Standards from the Ground Up. All 16 states discussed in the report are members of Achieve's "American Diploma Project" network. (July 2008)
Raising Student Achievement
In preparation for the "back-to-school" season, the federal government's Web portal, USA.gov, has posted a collection of Web sites with resources for students, parents, and educators. Among the highlighted resources are online libraries for students and downloadable versions of the U.S. Department of Education's Helping Your Child booklets for parents. (September 2008)
Students, schools, and districts recently received results PDF-[420 KB] from the first-ever Algebra II end of course exam from the American Diploma Project. The exam was developed jointly by 14 states. "The exam represents an important baseline from which states can now improve," said Michael Cohen, president of Achieve. (August 2008) Average scores on the verbal, mathematics, and writing sections of the SAT college-entrance exam were identical to last year's, ending a trend in declining scores that began after the test was revised three years ago. A report released by the College Board also showed continued but slowing growth in the number of high school seniors taking the SAT. (August 2008)
Jumpstart's "Read for the Record" is a campaign designed to bring attention to the importance of early education. By encouraging hundreds of thousands of children and adults to read the same book on the same day, Jumpstart aims to break a world record and make early education a priority. Join in the effort and read Corduroy with a child on Oct. 2. More information is available online. (September 2008)
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) offers many resources for the back-to-school season. From "Junie B. Jones" to "Wayside School," RIF offers book lists for children of all ages, ideas for educators, and tips for parents to help them make their children's assigned reading more enjoyable. (September 2008)
Teacher Quality and Development
Urban teacher residencies (UTRs) represent one way that high-needs districts can recruit, prepare, and retain new teachers. In a new report PDF-[738 KB], the OII-funded Academy for Urban School Leadership in Chicago and the Boston Teacher Residency are examined, showing that there is promising evidence that UTRs are attracting a new pool of talented and diverse recruits and preparing them to be successful in urban classrooms. The report was collaboratively authored by the Center for Teaching Quality and the Aspen Institute's Program on Education and Society. (August 2008)
As NASA plans for long-duration missions to the moon, plant growth will become an important part of space exploration. As a result, NASA and the International Technology Education Association have launched the latest "NASA Engineering Design Challenge," which is to create a lunar plant growth chamber. The design challenge is open to elementary, middle, and high school students. More information is available online. (September 2008)
The "World Wise Schools" program offers free cross-cultural educational resources online including podcasts, videos, slide shows, and electronic newsletters. Each resource reflects the overseas experiences of Peace Corps volunteers and aims to help children develop a greater understanding of the world around them. (September 2008)
Congress has approved the creation of a new federal research center as part of the latest reauthorization PDF-[969 KB] of the Higher Education Act. The new National Center for Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies will be charged with helping to develop innovative ways that educators can use digital technology in classrooms. The center will be established under the U.S. Department of Education and will be managed as a nonprofit organization, overseen by a board of directors. (August 2008)
Innovations in the News
Charter Schools/School Choice
Charter schools in Maryland are increasing, both in Baltimore City, where the charter movement has been robust since the state's charter legislation was enacted, and in at least five of the state's 23 counties. Baltimore County's first charter school, Imagine Discovery, opens this year with 460 students, and another 350 on its waiting list. According to Maryland State Department of Education officials, is dispelled by the fact that 80 percent of the state's charter-school students are African-American, and many are from economically disadvantaged families. [The Baltimore Sun] (August 24)
Parents of more than 160,000 home-schooled students in California may continue to do so, even without teaching credentials, a state appellate court ruled, reversing an earlier decision. The court upheld the position of the state Department of Education and state Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, who have allowed home schooling as long as parents file paperwork with the state establishing themselves as private schools, hire credentialed tutors or enroll their children in independent study programs run by charter or private schools or public school districts. [More—The Los Angeles Times] (August 9)
Raising Student Achievement
The typical experience of the high school freshman is changing as the number of ninth-grade-only public schools increases. The number of schools has grown from 127 in the 1999-2000 school year to 185 in 2005-06, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Ninth grade is a critical year and districts, such as Southside Independent School District of San Antonio, are choosing the ninth-grade-only option as a way to improve student success and retention through high school. [AP] (August 23)
In Pennsylvania, 50 high school students participated in a two-week financial-literacy course through the Upward Bound program of East Stroudsburg University. The program was part of an initiative created by the National Endowment for Financial Education. The intent is to better prepare high school students for the financial decisions that they will inevitably face. A 2006 survey by Harris Interactive found that only 20 percent of college students feel "very well prepared" to manage their money upon entering college. [More—Education Week (premium article access complements of Edweek.org)/Associated Press] (August 4)
The Monroe Technology Center in Leesburg, Virginia, unveiled a new academy for science, technology, engineering and math. The Loudoun Governor's Career and Technical Academy's goal is to increase student interest in technical careers by offering industry certification in four career clusters aligned with state and regional workforce demands. Students will have opportunities to receive college credit through dual enrollment at Northern Virginia Community College and Virginia Tech. The academy plans to serve 125 students this school year. [More—The Washington Post] (August 3) (free subscription required)
School Improvement
In Dallas, a second early college high school opened this school year, helping to meet the call from the Texas High School Project and state legislature for a "college-ready culture" in the state's high schools. Like the 32 other early college high schools statewide, the Dallas Early College High School is recruiting students whose parents did not attend college and who may consider college attendance a financial impossibility. [More—The Dallas Morning News] (August 25)
Teacher Quality and Development
Technology is increasingly helping new teachers connect to resources, mentors, and other advice to help them through the critical first months and years in the classroom. Several networks, such as Teachers Linked In Networked Communities, are serving novice teachers in multiple sites, including Denver, Memphis, and Seattle. Some, such as the Denver site, grew naturally out of the mentor-to-teacher-candidate relationships at the University of Colorado at Denver, to continue critical conversations despite distances and other barriers. In Illinois, the Illinois New Teacher Collaborative, a partnership between the state board of education, the University of Illinois, and the State Farm Companies Foundation, shares best practices for new teacher induction statewide. [More—Education Week] (August 21) (paid subscription required)
South Dakota joined the ranks of states using the Internet to mentor new teachers this month. The state's Teacher-to-Teacher Support Network will serve more than 100 first-year teachers via e-mail, phone calls, and a video conferencing system sponsored by the state education department. The new effort is "about supporting our newest teachers so that they are successful and remain dedicated to the profession," according to Melody Schopp, director of accreditation and teacher quality for the state. The ratio of mentors to new teachers is one-to-two, and mentors will receive $1,000 for the year, while participating teachers receive $500. [More—The Argus Leader] (August 11)
Pennsylvania's Classrooms for the Future is a laptop initiative entering its third year. The focus of the distribution is on high schools, and with 152 school districts being added this school year, up to 500,000 students in 543 high schools, and over 90 percent of the state's districts are being reached. State support of $5 million this year is providing computers, high-speed Internet access, and software for high school classrooms. [More—The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette] (August 1)
Lockheed Martin Corp., as part of its development of the Orion spacecraft that will carry American astronauts to the moon and Mars, has launched an online resource for students and teachers about NASA's plans for these upcoming missions. Orion's Path, as it is called, contains 41 short segments geared to middle-school students on the SpaceClass Web site. Teachers can integrate the one- to two-minute installments into existing lessons to cover such topics as the moon's origins and environment as well as the engineering behind spacesuits. Students are able to log on to "virtual labs" to go into more depth on areas of interest. [More—Rocky Mountain News (Denver)] (July 28)
As American children and youth spend increasing amounts of time on the Web and less on traditional reading of novels and other texts, researchers are beginning to explore questions that can inform the debate over the value of time spent online versus reading books. According to a recent study by the National Endowment for the Arts, in the past 20 years the percentage of 17 year-olds who read every day dropped from a third to just over a fifth. Literacy researchers are now investigating such questions as how reading on the Internet affects reading skills. [More—The New York Times] (July 27) (free registration required)
Office of Innovation and Improvement
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In the breathtakingly rugged Turkish province of Hakkari, pristine rivers surge through spectacular mountain gorges and partridges feed beneath tall clusters of white hollyhock. I'm attending the marriage celebration of 24-year-old Baris and his 21-year-old bride, Dilan, in the Kurdish heartland near the borders of Syria, Iran and Iraq. This is not the actual wedding; the civil and religious ceremonies were performed earlier in the week. Not until after this party, though, will the couple spend their first night together as husband and wife. It will be a short celebration by Kurdish standards—barely 36 hours.
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Neither eating nor drinking plays much of a role at a traditional Kurdish wedding. On the patio of a four-story apartment house, guests are served only small plates of rice and meatballs. Instead, the event is centered on music and dance. Hour after hour, the band plays lustily as lines of guests, their arms linked behind their backs, kick, step and join in song in ever-changing combinations. Children watch intently, absorbing a tradition passed down through generations.
The women wear dazzling, embroidered gowns. But it's the men who catch my eye. Some of them are wearing one-piece outfits—khaki or gray overalls with patterned cummerbunds—inspired by the uniforms of Kurdish guerrillas who fought a fierce campaign for self-rule against the Turkish government throughout much of the 1980s and '90s. The Turkish military, which harshly suppressed this insurgency, would not have tolerated such outfits just a few years ago. These days, life is more relaxed.
As darkness falls and there is still no sign of the bride, some friends and I decide to visit the center of Hakkari, the provincial capital. An armored personnel carrier, with a Turkish soldier in the turret peering over his machine gun, rumbles ominously through the city, which is swollen with unemployed Kurdish refugees from the countryside. But stalls in music stores overflow with CDs by Kurdish singers, including performers who were banned because Turkish authorities judged their music incendiary. Signs written in the once-taboo Kurdish language decorate shop windows.
By luck, we encounter Ihsan Colemerikli, a Kurdish intellectual whose book Hakkari in Mesopotamian Civilization is a highly regarded work of historical research. He invites us to his home, where we sip tea under an arbor. Colemerikli says there have been 28 Kurdish rebellions in the past 86 years—inspired by centuries of successful resistance to outsiders, invaders and would-be conquerors.
"Kurdish culture is a strong and mighty tree with deep roots," he says. "Turks, Persians and Arabs have spent centuries trying to cut off this tree's water so it would wither and die. But in the last 15 to 20 years there has been a new surge of water, so the tree is blossoming very richly."
Back at the wedding party, the bride finally appears, wearing a brightly patterned, translucent veil and surrounded by attendants carrying candles. She is led slowly through the crowd to one of two armchairs in the center of the patio. Her husband sits in the other one. For half an hour they sit quietly and watch the party, then rise for their first dance, again surrounded by candles. I notice that the bride never smiles, and I ask if something is amiss. No, I'm told. It is customary for a Kurdish bride to appear somber as a way of showing how sad she is to leave her parents.
The party will go on until dawn, only to resume a few hours later. But as midnight approaches, my companions and I depart, our destination a corba salonu—a soup salon. In a few minutes we enter a brightly lit café. There are two soups on the menu. Lentil is my favorite, but when traveling I prefer the unfamiliar. The sheep's head soup, made with meat scraped from inside the skull, is strong, lemony and assertive.
Isolation has long defined the Kurds, whose ancestral homeland is mountainous southeast Anatolia in what is now Turkey. Isolation helped them survive for thousands of years, while other peoples—Phrygians, Hittites, Lydians—faded from history's pages. Sitting outdoors in a wooden chair, resplendent in a traditional ankle-length Kurdish gown, Semi Utan, 82, smiles wistfully as she recalls her childhood. "In my time we lived a completely natural life," she says. "We had our animals. We made yogurt, milk and cheese. We produced our own honey. Herbs were used for healing the sick. No one ever went to a doctor. Everything was tied to nature."
Today there are an estimated 25 million to 40 million Kurds, mostly Muslim, about half in Turkey and most of the others in Iran, Iraq and Syria. They are arguably the largest ethnic group in the world without an independent state of their own—a situation that, for many Kurds, is in painful contrast to their former glory and is a source of frustration and anger.

subset: commoncrawl


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A Lodge with a View in Western Carolina
Grandview Lodge • Waynesville, NC
Escape Kit
- A Two-Night Stay for Two in a Two-Queen Room ($149)
- Or, a Two-Night Stay for Up to Four in the Grandview Cottage ($345)
- Combine Unlimited Vouchers for an Extended Stay
The Destination
Waynesville, North Carolina, is a quaint historic town nestled between the Pisgah National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Though just 30 minutes from Asheville, the community's personality is all its own, with a downtown filled with art galleries and cafes, as well as the revived Frog Level District—a former swamp. Waynesville hosts parades and festivals throughout the year, including Folkmoot USA, the international music and dance festival.
The Digs
Waynesville's Grandview Lodge makes the most of western North Carolina's open-air beauty. Rustic mountain décor and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere make the lodge a comfortable home away from home. Each room is individually decorated with its own theme, a soft bed, and warm wood paneling. Step outside and you'll be surrounded by gorgeous mountain scenery.
The Diversions
• Haywood Arts Regional Theater
• The Chef's Table
• Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures
• Nantahalia Outdoor Center
"Wonderful experience, great hospitality, congenial hosts, within easy access to Blue Ridge Parkway and Ashville. Will go back at the earliest opportunity and will be glad to recommend it to others."-- TripAdvisor
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the fine print
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- Queen Room based on double occupancy with a max of 4
- The Cottage is based on quad occupancy with a max of 6
- Additional people are $25 per person per night (16 and older) and $15 per person per night (under 15 years old)
- The Cottage and 3 rooms are pet friendly and require a $25 fee; based on a two-night stay
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- Other conditions apply • PAID AND PROMOTIONAL VALUES EXPIRES ON June 30, 2013 • PAID VALUE DOES NOT EXPIRE • PAID VALUE EXPIRES ON June 30, 2018 • PROMOTIONAL VALUE EXPIRES ON June 30, 2013 • Enjoy By June 30, 2013
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12/22/2015: What's the difference between a compulsive gamers' brain and that of the average Joe? A new study rolls out the MRI machines and took a peak inside their skulls.
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Esteban Gonzalez
Esteban Gonzalez, 84, of Key West, Fla., passed away Friday, July 12, 2013, at Lower Keys Medical Center. Born Aug. 2, 1928, in Santa Clara, Cuba, to the late Antonio and Rosa Maria (Hernandez) Gonzalez, Esteban came to the United States 54 years ago. He was a fisherman by trade.
Surviving are his wife, Maria Caridad Gonzalez of Key West; daughters Maria Elena Gonzalez, Anita (Frank) Zamora and Gricel (Wayne) Owen, all of Key West; brothers Ramon Ignacio Gonzalez and Victor Gonzalez; grandchildren Alejandro (Evalina) Carbonell, Frankie (Brittany) Zamora; Jerika (Luis) Rodriguez, Jason Zamora, Fallon Owen; great-grandchildren Emilee Rodriguez, Sophia Rodriguez, Connor Zamora and Palmer Zamora.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, July 15, 2013, at Dean-Lopez Funeral Home, 418 Simonton St., Key West. Visitation will precede the ceremony, starting at 1 p.m.
Burial will be in Key West City Cemetery. The Dean-Lopez Funeral Home is entrusted with all funeral arrangements.


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Through this manufacturer's Custom Order Upholstery Program, customizing your living room is only a month away. This streamlined custom order process allows you to personalize this item with the perfect upholstery color, texture and type for your home. Each option is tested for durability and affordability, meaning that this item can usually be upgraded to a custom order fabric for less than a couple hundred dollars. An in-house delivery fleet ensures quick drop-off so Custom Order items can often times be in your home in 28 days or less. Visit us at one of our retail locations to check availability, pricing and to see the fabric options in person.
The manufacturer of this item is so proud of its cushions that it backs them with a 10 year manufacturer warranty. In addition to being fully reversible, which helps extend fabric life, this item's loose cushions also include built-in air vents to ease the process of escaping air when a cushion is sat upon, ultimately extending the life of the foam.
This collection was crafted on the value - It's what's inside that counts. Backed by a manufacturer lifetime frame warranty, this item is created from engineered hard wood, a manufactured wood made from multi-layer plywood that provides strength at an outstanding value. The engineered hard wood is then precision cut for interlocking accuracy and reinforced at points that receive the most wear.
Each seat cushion on this item comes with a specially engineered, self-healing zipper. On occasion, the daily stress that is placed on furniture can cause a cushion's zipper to pop, allowing the foam to compress incorrectly when the cushion is sat upon. This collection's self-healing zippers prevent that from happening. If for some reason a cushion's zipper should pop, merely un-zip and re-zip the piece, and watch as the zipper fixes itself.
Since 1964, this item's manufacturer has been crafting American made upholstered furniture in the foothills of East Tennessee. When other furniture suppliers decided to take their manufacturing overseas, this group's manufacturer remained in the US, offering American made furniture with a wide selection of American made fabric options.
This living room sofa will help you to create a casual environment in your home where you can relax with family and friends. Its design elements include smooth rounded arms with an elegant silhouette and tapered wood legs that give off a more contemporary style. The seat cushions are soft and include features that help them maintain their look and feel for longer. This sofa is designed by a manufacturer who is known for creating quality furniture that stands up to family use.
The Duke Living Room Sofa with Casual Style by England at Darvin Furniture in the Orland Park, Chicago, IL area. Product availability may vary. Contact us for the most current availability on this product.
A home is a place to relax. A place to enjoy the simple pleasures of life with your family and friends. Sometimes, the best way to create that environment is with a collection that offers a simple and casual elegance. This living room furniture group does just that. It is designed with lines that are smooth. It has rounded arms that flow with an elegant silhouette but are still casual. Wooden feet in a tapered style add to the simple feel and help the collection to look a little more updated and contemporary.
The Duke collection is a great option if you are looking for Casual furniture in the Orland Park, Chicago, IL area.
These images are representative of this group as a whole and may differ from this item.
Browse other items in the Duke collection from Darvin Furniture in the Orland Park, Chicago, IL area.
This item has been tagged as: Sofa, Couch, Couches, Backless Sofas, Conversation Sofas, Conversational Sofas, Theater Seating, Theatre Seating, Home Theater Furniture, Angled Sofa, Davenport, Stationary Sofa, Stationary Couch, Home Theater Seating, Upholstered Sofa, Upholstered Furniture, Sofa Couch, Living Room Furniture, Furniture, Seating
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[quote user="GMENAGAIN"]
[quote user="bELIeve_in_Giants"]I'd say:
1) Eli
2) Peyton (have to put him second until we see how the arm is doing)
3) Rivers
4) Romo
5) Vick
6) Cassell
8) Palmer
So, if you add up their ranking with the lower number the better, NFC = 17; AFC = 19
Slight edge to NFC East, but it's really a wash.
I think that I would flip-flop Rivers and Romo (neither has won a SB but Romo's numbers were sick last year and Rivers had an off year), and would put Palmer ahead of RGIII and Cassell. </p>
Still gives you the same 17-19 score . . . .. </p>[/quote]
yeah, I'm not sure what to make of Palmer at this point in time and who knows about RG3 yet.


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Engineering students at the University of Colorado Boulder are gearing up for several days of intensive activity next week, when they will celebrate Engineering Days and display their hands-on design projects at the annual spring Engineering Design Expo.
Engineering Days, or E-Days, is an annual celebration of the engineering profession organized by the University of Colorado Engineering Council, or UCEC, and student honor societies. Activities include a water rocket launch, high school and college egg drops, a carnival and other fun activities for students.
The college egg drop will be held Friday, April 26, starting at 1 p.m. on the west side of CU-Boulder's Engineering Center. Students will compete for cash prizes by creating innovative contraptions to protect a raw egg when dropped from the eight-story office tower. Categories include Best Use of an Engineering Principle, Largest Volume Entry and Biggest Splash, among others. More details and a schedule of Engineering Days events can be found at http://engineering.colorado.edu/ucec.
On Saturday, engineering students will demonstrate their hands-on design projects at the Engineering Design Expo. This year's event will showcase 80 team projects by engineering undergraduates, from freshman to senior, as well as high school students from Skyline High School in Longmont and Centaurus High School in Lafayette. The college-wide event is open to the community from noon to 3 p.m. at the Integrated Teaching and Learning Laboratory, located at Colorado Avenue and Regent Drive.
Student projects will be set up both inside and outside the ITL Laboratory, and will include assistive technology for people with disabilities, new energy solutions, games for health, Rube Goldberg machines, and much more. Visitors can vote for their favorite project to win the "People's Choice Award."
For more information about the Engineering Design Expo call 303-492-7222 or go to http://itll.colorado.edu.
Derek Reamon, ITLL, 303-735-0484
Kumar Thurimella, UCEC, 303-506-4520
Carol Rowe, 303-492-7426


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Last Modified: Monday, October 14, 2013 10:08 AM
ST. FRANCISVILLE (AP) — Jurors in the first-degree murder trial of Angola 5 inmate Barry S. Edge heard testimony from relatives of the Louisiana State Penitentiary officer killed nearly 14 years ago, as well as from Edge's family members.
On Saturday, a jury convicted the 53-year-old Edge of first-degree murder of Capt. David Knapps during a botched escape attempt from the Angola prison's Camp D on Dec. 28, 1999.
The Advocate reports (http://bit.ly/19IW1ci) the jury will return Monday for more testimony on the question of whether they should give Edge a death sentence or a life sentence. A unanimous verdict is needed for the death penalty.


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Freshman forward T.J. Warren scored 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting as sixth-ranked NC State routed UMass, 94-76, in the semifinals of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
Senior forward Richard Howell added 19 points and nine rebounds for the Wolfpack (3-0), who shot 56.5 percent from the field. Junior guard Lorenzo Brown had 11 points and 10 assists.
Junior guard Jesse Morgan led UMass (2-1) with 15 points. Senior forward Terrell Vinson had 13 points and seven rebounds, and junior point guard Chaz Williams recorded 13 points and five assists. The Minutemen shot 40.3 percent and turned over the ball 17 times.
NC State, which never trailed, jumped out to a 12-2 lead. The Wolfpack led by 16 at the half, 48-32, as Scott Wood (15 points on 5-of-9 treys) hit three 3-pointers in the final 3:22 of the period, including one at the buzzer. NC State never let UMass get back in the game in the second half, with the lead peaking at 27.
The Minutemen play Tennessee in the third-place game on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. NC State advances to meet Oklahoma State (led by former UMass coach Travis Ford) in Sunday's title game at 6:30 p.m.
We had an impromptu visit from Peter King from SI / MMQB to our Fenway Studios and decided to talk some NFL and Patriots with him.
Pete talks with The Senator, Phil Perry about the Patriots trading for Dwayne Allen, ruling out a return to New England for Martellus Bennett. They also talk about the potential future of Patriots backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo and some of the big names in NFL free agency
Pete, Thornton and Price give their final thoughts and predictions for the Super Bowl.
Dale, Holley and Rich Keefe discuss NBA lottery pick Lonzo Ball with his very outspoken father Lavar Ball. The guys touch on the Celtics, his feud with his sons' high school coach, Lonzo being better than Steph Curry and much more.
Kirk, Gerry, and Alex Reimer discuss whether or not Isaiah Thomas will win a title in Boston.
Gerry, Kirk, and Trenni react to the Celtics loss against the Suns.
Joe and Tim talk with Red Sox first baseman Sam travis, who made his MLB debut tonight going 2-4 and scoring a run in the Red Sox 9-4 win over the Texas Rangers.
Our weekly check-in with John Farrell from Fenway.
Texas Rangers first baseman Mike Napoli joins Rob Bradford to talk the art of hugging, why some clubhouses work and some don't, and some previously untold stories about his time in Boston.
Dale, Holley and Keefe interview the newest coach of the Boston Bruins for the first time, Bruce Cassidy.
Guys talk the Bruins season so far and the All-Star Break
Hour 4: Gerry and Tomase go back and forth on terror in our world today.
Hour 3: Michael Holley has a crazy Celtics take and Gerry is pissed about our podcast equipment.
Hour 2: David Price has it easy in Boston and Headlines with Kirk.
Andrew Hawkins is the latest in a string of wide receivers coming through Foxboro. A Seattle council woman has the all the reasons why Colin Kaepernick should play again. And Gronk is doing more Gronk things.
Tyronn Lue. Greg Popovich. Brad Stevens. Steve Kerr and Mike Brown. You have to imagine that these NBA coaches are having some major impact on their teams...right?
Shaq and Charles Barkley were at each other again. Rob Gronkowski has a restructured contract that encourages more participation. And more rule changes from the NFL!
Dale, Holley and Keefe sit down with Sox skipper John Farrell for our weekly State of the Sox chat live from Fenway.
Dale, Holley and Keefe discuss the Celtics loss in game 4 to Cleveland and the series overall.
We discuss the place of Tyronn Lue among the NBA's elite coaches and compare and contrast him with the Celtics' Brad Stevens. Plus Keefe still can't suffer Lebron James, and Holley isn't feeling Marv Albert at all.
Kirk Minihane talks to the author of the best selling book "The Stranger in the Woods" Mike Finkel. It is a crazy story of a hermit leaving in Maine. Mike is also the author of "True Story" which was made into a movie staring Jonah Hill and James Franco. Mike talks about how the movie came out, his thoughts on Jonah Hill portraying him, and if it was true to the book.
Kirk Minihane, Springsteen super fan, is joined by Garry W. Tallent, founding member of the E Street Band. Kirk and Garry talk about what it's like on tour with Bruce, how the band goes about selecting songs for the tour, Garry's projects away from the band, and Garry's upcoming solo tour that will bring him to the New England area.
Kirk Minihane, future radio hall of famer, sits down with current radio hall of famer Howie Carr. Kirk and Howie talk about Howie's latest book Kennedy Babylon. If you like famous people engaging in sex scandals, hard drug taking, and murder this is the podcast for you. Its a fascinating look at Boston's most famous family and the problems that took the family down.
Ken Laird and Chris Curtis are in after a K&C Wednesday show for the post-show gossip.
Rich Keefe & Ryan Davey discuss the best sports video games of all-time. They break them down by sport and then ultimately crown a Top 5. Plus This Week in #DORK and the Pick of the Podcast.
Ben, Russ, and Alex talk about the European leagues coming to a conclusion, the ridiculous end to John Terry's time at Chelsea, and of course the Revs are heading to NY on a mini win streak but the fans don't seem to care about the on-field product anymore.
Hour 3: The terrorist is identified and Kirk discusses the brewing tension with Ken and Curtis.More from this show
Hour 3: Gerry and Kirk talked about a big win for Cleveland and a rough night for LeBron.More from this show
Hour 4: Pete Sheppard has taken over Fort Myers.More from this show
Hour 1: Reimer, Gerry and Kirk discussed the terrorist attack in ManchesterMore from this show
Hour 2: Pete makes his debut on Shemon and Sheppard and Kirk talks about Pope Francis meeting Trump.More from this show


text: Blanpain wants work sentence for smoking parents. There has to be a smoke prohibition in all of the public places like restaurants and bars , but also in places where children are, like at home and in the car. Says professor emeritus Roger Blanpain known for his crusade for a non-smoking world. He wants that parents whom continue smoking in the presence of their children must be able get work sentences. They just legalized soft drugs and now this so we can smoke a joint but no cigarettes :surprised:


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Highlanders and All Blacks flanker Adam Thomson is seriously contemplating a move offshore.
Thomson is off contract at the end of the season and is being courted by his current Super Rugby team and the Blues.
After spending several years playing second fiddle to Jerome Kaino in the All Blacks, he now appears to behind Liam Messam and Victor Vito in the pecking order.
"It's a possibility. I've played a lot of rugby here and not getting any younger and I've got to look at opportunities and look at the future so I'm off contract so it's certainly nice to have a look at the options,'' he told Radiosport.
He says the argument for heading offshore is compelling.
"Money is a big thing and with me especially, there's only a finite amount of time you can play. You can't play into your 40s and 50s unfortunately so you have to make the most of the opportunity you've got right now.''
The Blues, rebuilding under new coach John Kirwan, are believed to be keen for him to make the move up north. Thomson also spends a lot of time in Auckland with his partner.
Thomson told the Otago Daily Times in the weekend that the first decision to make was whether or not he'll stay in New Zealand.
"I've enjoyed my time down here. In saying that, I'm not getting any younger and I need to start looking at the future.
"Whether that's committing to New Zealand rugby ... that's probably the first decision I have to make. Once I've made that decision, then I can decide what franchise I play for."
Thomson, 30, said he had no firm offers, as such, but was "talking to people".
He has been the Highlanders' best player for years and has played all his provincial rugby for Otago and all his senior club rugby for Otago University. Losing him will be a blow for all those organisations.
"I've enjoyed my time down here but there are other options now," Thomson said.
"There's a lot to say for a player who can play his whole career for one franchise or one province. I've got a lot of respect for guys that have done that.
"But also, when you get to my age and have played for this long, maybe a different environment can spur you on a bit."
Thomson enjoyed playing for Otago on Saturday but conceded he was disappointed not to be helping the All Blacks beat the Wallabies at Eden Park.
His international career seems to have hit a speed bump. Messam has returned to the fold and Vito adds extra physicality, so Thomson's unique blend of pace and talent on the blindside flank has been sidelined in the opening rounds of the Rugby Championship.
"I'm a bit disappointed. But in saying that, I came out of the Super rugby season pretty knackered. I've freshened up and put a bit of weight back on.
"Hopefully I can play one more game for Otago and come back into contention for the next test."
Thomson was impressed with the pace of his Otago teammates, most of whom he barely knows, and their willingness to play at a high tempo.
- Newstalk ZB/Otago Daily Times


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Tarangire- Land of the elephants
Trip Start Jun 10, 2012
89Trip End Aug 20, 2013
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Transformations: The girls learned how to pee over a hole in the ground really well. In fact- Jesse prefers it. We had a bathroom that had both options- the "hole in the ground" version and the western toilet you sit on- Jess said she definitely wants to use the cleaner version where you don't touch your bottom where others have.
We also got a chance to taste the fruit of the boabab tree. It's very powdery in texture and melts in your mouth. I really liked it. Sophia not so much.


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A dirt-track racer for more than a quarter-century, Lloyd, 43, ranks as one of Florida's top dirt Late Model drivers. His resume includes two Ocala Speedway championships (1992-1993), two O'Reilly Southern All-Stars Series titles (2007-2008), five National Late Model Series crowns and over 130 career feature wins, but he's never come close to victory in limited appearances on the nationally-renowned WoO LMS.
Lloyd would love to change that on Friday night when the nation's premier tour contests a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event at Ocala Speedway, a unique track that will join Volusia Speedway Park outside Daytona Beach as only the second facility in Florida to host a WoO LMS show. He's hoping his vast knowledge of the quirky layout benefits him against the invading Outlaws regulars, most of whom have never raced at Ocala. The track, after all, is new to the dirt scene; it operated with a dirt surface from 1952-1995, then spent more than a decade as a paved track before having clay put back down prior to the 2008 season.
"It's definitely an odd-shaped track," said Lloyd, who has won four times over the past two seasons at Ocala. "I basically describe it as being shaped like an egg. Turns one and two have a big radius and are wide, and then there's a dog-leg on the backstretch that you pretty much run through on the gas. Turns three and four are tighter, like the pointed end of the egg.
"Because of the shape, it's hard to get used to racing around there. The two ends are like two different tracks and you don't need a lot of motor – especially come feature time – because it usually slicks up, so it puts more emphasis on the driver positioning his car in the right spots.
"I feel like I've got an advantage because I have so many laps there," he continued, shifting his thoughts to Friday's program. "I absolutely love the racetrack, and I think I know what tires (compounds) to run there because I'm one of the few guys from down here in Florida who has experience with open-tire racing (the WoO LMS event does not have a tire rule).
"But I also know the guys coming (with the WoO LMS) are good for a reason. Some guys might not have run at Ocala in years – and a lot of them probably have never run there – but they'll roll up to the racetrack on Friday, take a look at it and know what to do. It won't take them long to figure the place out, so we'll have to be on top of our game."
Primarily due to commitments with his business (he operates Marion Machine & Tool in Ocala) and family (he's married with three sons), Lloyd doesn't get many chances to do battle in WoO LMS events. He's entered only nine events – all at Volusia Speedway Park – since the tour was reincarnated under the World Racing Group banner in 2004, and his three career A-Main starts show finishes of 16th (2008), 18th ('08) and 19th ('09).
But while his WoO LMS statistics are unspectacular, Lloyd is confident that his self-owned equipment (cars built by Snow Brothers Racing of Jacksonville, Fla., and Pro Power engines) has the juice to compete with the big stars – and with a little home cooking on his side, he might just have that extra magic to spring an upset.
"I've won races that have paid as much as $20,000, but nothing would mean more to me than winning a World of Outlaws race," said Lloyd, who also plans to follow the WoO LMS to the event scheduled for Saturday night (March 20) at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga. "I want that trophy that says 'World of Outlaws' on it. It would be the biggest race I've ever won."
Ocala Speedway's pit gates are scheduled to open at 1 p.m. on March 19 and the grandstands will be unlocked at 5 p.m. Racing is set to start at 8 p.m.
General admission tickets to the WoO LMS program, which will also include action for the track's Hobby Stock and Mini-Stock divisions, will be $25 (adults), $12 (ages 6-16) and free for kids 6-and-under. Pit passes will cost $35 and $15 for children 12-and-under.
More information on Ocala Speedway is available by logging on to www.ocalaspeedway.com or calling 352-622-9400.
For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel) and DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award); in addition to contingency sponsors Eibach Springs, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pink Carburetors, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis and Wrisco Aluminum.


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|GTA V Latest News | #GTAV | #GTAOnline
2004 Merry Christmas
GTAGaming.com - General News | @ 06:14 PM MDT | By Neil
This will likely be one of the final news posts of 2004, so I'm taking this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and I hope Santa is brilliant to you all. 2004 was my first year at GTAGaming, and I've loved every minute of bringing coverage of GTA: San Andreas and GTA: Advance to our visitors. The level of support everyone gives us through the forums, comments and in the wider world is mind-blowing. Thank you all!
Looking forward, 2005 will surely present more exciting opportunities, with the release of San Andreas on Xbox, and more importantly PC (I love mods!). Could we also see a PSP version of our favourite series being announced and released?!
Once again, thank you everyone for supporting us so much over the past twelve months and we look forward to providing the same level of coverage next year!
PS: I hope you're all loving the 'Ganton Trees' graphic at the top. Just a little number I knocked together specifically for this news post!
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If Mr. Smith Can Go...So can we!
Trip Start Jun 09, 2009
14Trip End Jun 23, 2009
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Where I stayed
Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill
The damp and heavy air filled the morning as we meandered down the two lane country highway to hilly Gettysburg. Stop! I hit the brakes and went off the paved surface on to the gravel side --- to see a marker they had on the road. "Here is the spot…" as the marker read. Picture after picture I was amazed that something so important was just off the road all alone. Back on the road again I got the truck back up to about 45 when I hit the brakes again. Stop! Hopped out and took in all history had to offer
Gettysburg's story could fill this whole blog…and you history nuts know what I am talking about. In a nutshell, the South's General Robert Lee gambled on a push beyond Washington into tight northern territory. He was on a roll after campaigns in Manassas and Charlottesville and Anteidem…why stop there he thought. For 3 short days in July of 1863, his tail got kicked by the Federal's General….Meade. Lee got too cocky and it cost him. The carnage alone totaled 31,000 on both sides. The town was just about wiped off the map. After 100 days of burying the dead and clearing body parts quite frankly, Lincoln wanted a national cemetery built to honor those who died. Four months after the battle, he was asked to give a few remarks before the governor spoke, to dedicate the new cemetery. In his hotel in downtown Gettysburg, he sat in the room on the second floor all the way to the right and quickly jotted down his "remarks." Little did he know those words of "Four Score and Seven Years Ago….and Of the People, By the People, and For the People" would be etched into the American fabric forever
Pure silence sinks into the soil when you are out there. Trees rustle with the breeze, visitors walk in awe, while all imagining what sunrise was like when those first canons fired.
And to think how close Lee was to Washington! That's what scared the hell out of the Union. And I could see why when we drove on to the National's Capitol in an hour flat.
(Cue the John Williams Music) As we entered Washington, the sun finally broke enough to see the towering spike (Wash Monument) in the distance. We made it! Felt like Chevy Chase weeping when the family pulled into Wally World. And I know you will not believe me when I tell you this….but when we crossed the Washington Memorial Bridge, just west of the Lincoln Memorial, our tripometer from Houston read 1776 miles. That's right….1776. Doesn't get much cooler than that, huh?
We literally threw our bags in the room and got on the streets
Dinner at Union Station….believe me its not your father's train station. Its like the Galleria in Houston. Had crab cakes at a place aptly named "America."
Now I type in the glow of monitor letting Brian catch some sleep. I have the curtains open as we face the Capitol. (Didnt mention that we are one block from the Capitol did I?) It's dome being sprayed with beams of light at the base is blinding white in the dark night. The stoic building has this Godfather effect on the twinkling traffic lights and street lamps below…keeping an ever watchful eye it seems on the National it governs. The occasional honk of a horn or passing siren provides the soundtrack for that classic "big city never sleeps" feel that I so love. How many deals…handshakes…inaugurations...fillabusters…hearings..impeachments… have taken place inside its walls. I could look out my window all night. I love it here. This is my Xanadu.
Tomorrow morning….service at the National Cathedral, and then….well – you'll find out. I will tell you though, we do have some pretty hot tickets for this town that not everyone can get. Here til Thursday…Dispatch out.


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As the climate warms, moss growth dramatically spreads on the continent's peninsula.
New River Dolphin
January 27, 2014|
DNA sequencing study reveals a new river dolphin species in South America.
January 27, 2014|
DNA sequencing study reveals a new river dolphin species in South America.
January 24, 2014|
Mistimed sleep disrupts human transcriptome; canine tumor genome; de novo Drosophila genes; UVA light lowers blood pressure; aquatic microfauna fight frog-killing fungus
January 23, 2014|
Researchers seek insight into the pigmentation patterns of guppies and zebrafish.
January 23, 2014|
An analysis of the transcriptomes of several fruit fly strains reveals dozens of possible de novo genes in each.
January 23, 2014|
Two studies provide insight into the genetics of the disorder and show again how complex it is.
January 21, 2014|
Researchers develop mouse lines to help them see whether the maternal or paternal X chromosome is inactivated.
January 20, 2014|
A mistimed sleep cycle drastically reduces the number of genes that are expressed in a 24-hour rhythm.
January 17, 2014|
Yet another genetic study of modern canines, both wild and domestic, supports the notion that humans domesticated dogs before growing crops.
January 17, 2014|
Debating the origins of placental mammals; H. pylori-human coevolution; ant, bee, and wasp queens emit similar pheromones; profiling protein expression in single cancer cells
January 16, 2014|
Researchers show that scorpion venom toxins are closely related to defensive proteins from venomous insects.


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North American Semiconductor Equipment Industry Posts February 2011 Book-to-Bill Ratio of 0.87
SAN JOSE, Calif. – March 17, 2011 – North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.58 billion in orders in February 2011 (three-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.87, according to the February Book-to-Bill Report published today by SEMI. A book-to-bill of 0.87 means that $87 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.
The three-month average of worldwide bookings in February 2011 was $1.58 billion. The bookings figure is 4.7 percent more than the final January 2011 level of $1.51 billion, and is 26.7 percent above the $1.25 billion in orders posted in February 2010.
The three-month average of worldwide billings in February 2011 was $1.83 billion. The billings figure is 2.3 percent more than the final January 2011 level of $1.79 billion, and is 79.8 percent more than the February 2010 billings level of $1.02 billion.
"Billings increased for the third month in a row, while bookings improved over 4 percent from the figure reported in January," said Dan Tracy, senior director of Industry Research & Statistics. "February bookings are over 25 percent higher than the bookings reported one year ago."
The SEMI book-to-bill is a ratio of three-month moving averages of worldwide bookings and billings for North American-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers. Billings and bookings figures are in millions of U.S. dollars.
September 2010
October 2010
November 2010
December 2010
January 2011 (final)
February 2011 (prelim)
Source: SEMI March 2011
The data contained in this release were compiled by David Powell, Inc., an independent financial services firm, without audit, from data submitted directly by the participants. SEMI and David Powell, Inc. assume no responsibility for the accuracy of the underlying data.
The data are contained in a monthly Book-to-Bill Report published by SEMI. The report tracks billings and bookings worldwide of North American-headquartered manufacturers of equipment used to manufacture semiconductor devices, not billings and bookings of the chips themselves. The Book-to-Bill report is one of three reports included with the Equipment Market Data Subscription (EMDS).
SEMI is the global industry association serving the manufacturing supply chains for the microelectronic, display and photovoltaic industries. SEMI member companies are the engine of the future, enabling smarter, faster and more economical products that improve our lives. Since 1970, SEMI has been committed to helping members grow more profitably, create new markets and meet common industry challenges. SEMI maintains offices in Beijing, Bengaluru, Berlin, Brussels, Grenoble, Hsinchu, Moscow, San Jose, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.semi.org.
Association Contacts
Dan Tracy/SEMI
Tel: 1.408.943.7987
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Deborah Geiger/SEMI
Tel: 1.408.943.7988
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Editor's Note:
Next SEMI Book-to-Bill: April 21, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. PST
For information on SEAJ Book-to-Bill Report, visit www.seaj.or.jp
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Connecticut Wedding at Eolia Mansion from Katie Stoops PhotographyWe have Katie Stoops to thank for sending us this beauty this morning, and let me just say, it's worthy of a big thank you. I would squeeze her if I could. It's elegance meets garden party - complete with pretty as can
View CreditsRead More


text: Need a simultaneous interpreter at your next big conference? Translation Excellence, a professional language services company located in Aurora, CO, is here to help! Our certified linguists are ready to help you communicate in over 135 different languages! For more information or a free quote, call 720-325-0459 or visit our website at www.translationexcellence.com.


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Thanks. As long as I have these then I'm good to go.
Welcome to the Quilting Board!
Thanks. As long as I have these then I'm good to go.
I did a search and found the foot on Jenny's sewing studio for $9.95....www.jennys-sewing-studio.com
Pat, Lover of Art Deco and Applique
I want one! Now I have to go through all those feet I have and see if I have one!
I put one of the ones I posted the pic on above on my Alden. Worked good until he who shall not be named switched to a different stitch pattern. At which time the needle came crashing down on the little flat divider bending that and breaking in two.
The foot no longer feeds right. I'm gonna try to fix it.
And, the over edge foot for the slant shank Singer snap on ankle will not fit the Singer low shank snap on ankle. The low shank ankle is just enough wider to prevent it. There must be some difference in needle placement to require separating them.
Here's the page, Joe http://cart.jennys-sewing-studio.com...73_101_164_168 It's a snap-on for a low shank Singer. Styled like the slant shank snap-on one you have but for a low shank.
I've been looking...etsy, ebay, bonanza, etc...& still don't see a low shank one that ISN'T a snap-on.
Thanks Pat.
Gonna hit up my LSMG tomorrow and see if he has one or two. That would be easier than the internet.
I became curious as to whether or not I had overcast attachments for any of my machines. Hit paydirt with my Elna SU and Elna 7300. The SU overcast foot is exactly like the ones you have Joe. The 7300 is a snap on foot but it does have two wires that the stitches cross over. There is even a little bristle brush to the side of the wires. Must have some purpose but unsure as to what it is.
Gone on your road trip yet???
Sweet Caroline
So then the two I have are or at least were part of an Elna accessory set. Cool.
I like the second one. I'll bet that brush is meant to do something, but I can't think of what.
No road trip yet. It will be at least the 19th before we can head out. Looks like this trip will be a very interesting one too. Besides what we need to pick up we'll meet up with Miriam and compare notes with at least two or three machines we have in common, maybe do some trading and maybe buy some things. Fun times will be had by all.


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Discussion in 'Audio, Video & Gadget Tech' started by alexv, Jan 11, 2013.
Walmart has the harness for aftermarket stereo with chime adapter for 39.00
Welcome to the club, it's good to have you here. :glasses:
**Moved to Audio,Video, Gadget Tech**
Welcome! :great:
Cheap harness equals piss poor sound quality and radio interference. Walmart sucks...anti-union, anti-American dbags.
Separate names with a comma.


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Intruder shot by homeowner faces charges
MISSOULA, Mont. - The Missoula County Attorney confirmed charges have been filed against the 22-year-old man who took a bullet to the stomach during a home invasion early Sunday morning.
County Attorney Fred VanValkenburg said Dillon Torey Franklin has been charged with felony burglary, criminal mischief, criminal trespass to vehicles and disorderly conduct.
Police say around 2:00 a.m. Sunday, a homeowner woke up to glass breaking and somebody entering his house. The homeowner told police he warned the intruder he had a gun, and told him to leave but when he didn't, the 77-year-old man shot the intruder in the stomach.
Franklin is still in the hospital at this time and will not appear in court until he has been released.
VanValkenburg said the homeowner who shot Franklin will not be charged. Under Montana law, people have the right to protect their homes using any means necessary.


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If you feel this item is offensive in any way, let us know.
Just give us an indication of what you find objectionable
(sometimes it isn't neccesarily clear), and we'll look into it.
Item ID: 71044
(With challenge lifted, next step to airport plan is relocation of playing fields)
What is inappropriate about this item?


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Just as I suspected, one of the queens will be hatching either today or tomorrow on 3/22-23. Maybe this one was a 2 days old larva. I check on 3/19 but found no hatch queen yet.
Tonight at 1:45am 3/22, I felt something not right. At first I didn't know what to do with 4 hives waiting for the new queen to emerge. Juggling with 4 hives made my head dizzy on which frames go with which hives. I need to set up one hive for their orientation flight tomorrow morning while waiting for the soon to be queen to hatch. So I went out there to set up my hive at 1:45am. I took a new hive reduced it to 3 frame box. Then took 2 frame of bees from the split hive and one frame of bees from the original hive with a queen cell on it. As I was looking thru this one frame, I found out that the queen cell had a hole in it that one of the workers had went inside. Curious, anxious and excited, I try looking for the potential hatched queen bee. I knew she was there somewhere but not sure on which frame. Then I looked at the other side and found her crawling along with the other newly hatched worker bees. Surprised I found her! She is not little but not really big either with a long body. She is golden Italian more yellow than her Mother queen bee. Everything is in tact with nothing missing on her. Now I supposed that she will do her orientation flight within one week, eh? Wish me luck that she will returnall mated. One down and 3 more to go!
p.S. With the homemade wire cage, I did caged the other 2 qc almost 3 but thinking one can be left uncage since this hive not has a queen yet. Those bees do defend their queens aggressive crawling all over my gloves in the dark. They moved very fast and never gave up fighting. Would not let me cage their queens.


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Elegant Colosseum Apartment + Wi-Fi
Maksimum Konuk Sayısı6
Yatak odası2
Boyut70 metrekare
Floor No.2(with elevator)
- Aile / Çocuk dostu
- Mutfak
- Evcil hayvan girebilir
- Klima
- Çamaşır makinesi / Kurutma makinesi
- Binada asansör
- Havlu
Accommodation summary
|via di san giovanni in laterano, 00184 Roma, İtalya
|Mülkiyet türü
|Referans kodu
|Acceptance rate
|Response time
|A few hours
|Calendar updated
|5 days ago
One double bed and 2 double sofa beds accommodate 6 guests. The modern kitchen is fully equipped with stainless steel appliances and opens on the living room with a smart TV. The high-quality bathroom includes laundry facilities.
It takes less than 20 minutes on the metro to reach Piazza di Spagna Square and the Spanish Steps and about 25 minutes to reach the Vatican. Termini Train Station is just over 10 minutes away by metro. By bus is is just 10 minutes to Rome's renaissance centre, home of the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.
The Colosseum is not the only sight in the area. Visit the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine, and the Capitoline Museums. The Basilica of St. John of Lateran is also 5 minutes away by foot. Restaurants, bars, and supermarkets are just steps away.
Ev kurallarıThe check in time must be communicated almost 10 days before the stay.
It can be possible to leave your luggage in the apartment from 10.00 but you will have to wait until the end of the cleaning of the apartment.
After 20:00 there is an extra 40€ for arrivals after 24.00 the extra 60 euro. After midnight, every hour later,will be charged 10€ more for each hour.For delay on the check in, after half an hour on the time communicated, it is applied an extra: 15€ for every hour delay (or part of it). Upon arrival will be required tax of 3,50euro per person per night. Children up to 10 years of age do not pay the fee soggiorno.è not introduce other guests who were not registered in the rental contract.
Upon the arrival it is request a security deposit (200€) that will be refund after the check of the apartment at the end of the stay. The deposit have to be paid with paypal and it is refund maximum 24h after the check out.
It is forbidden to move the furniture and smoke in the house.
- Re-change of sheets and towels for stays less than one week;
- Charges of various detergents;
- Charging of napkins and tablecloths;
- Reload toilet paper than the one already in distribution;
- Sugar, salt, various oils, coffee, tea or spices of various kinds.
|> 2 misafir için ücret
|TRY 42 misafir başına/ekstra gece
|Check-in Saati (Sonrası)
|Check-in before
|Check-out Saati (Öncesi)
|İptal Koşulları
Bu mülk için yapılan yorumlar
We had a very pleasant stay in Roma. The accommodation is very good, in a large characteristic building. The rooms were big enough for our family of four. The street is quiet and the apartment is extremely well located, near the Colosseum and very close to San Clemente. Restaurant Luzzi is very good.
The help of Antonio was outstanding. He organized the transfer from the airport and he gave us practical tips about the apartment and the city.
All in perfect order!
Nice appartment, 10 minutes walk from the Colloseum and metro.
Elegant contactperson, who was very helpfull and gave a quick guided tour through the appartment. Appartment was clean and everything we needed was there. Remember to have lunch / diner at the 'Trattoria' between the appartment and the Colloseum!
Wimdu and the appartment ... HIGHLY recommendable!
Arjen Verhoef
The apartment is very close of the coliseum and you can walk for going to anywhere place.
Is perfect for using only for sleep and breakfast, and rest a little.
For a families with two or three childs I think is perfect.
Quiet community and you have a lot of services around, like supermarkets and restaurants.
The host was very friendly and his tips were very good, thanks.
The apartment was big and really nice, really close to Colosseum, the guy who was in charge to give the keys was a bit confuse but at the end everything was clear and perfect.
The location is really perfect and very close to the Colloseum and Piazza Venezia.
The apartment is very nice and good equipped.
The only thing which was not perfect was that one bed-room has no door to close, as it is open to the living room.
Contact with the owner and pick-up from the airport etc. was perfect.
We would rent it again.
We had a great time in Rome based at the appartment. It was very hot but the air conditioning kept us cool. The location is fantastic - I could never quite get over being able to see the Colosseum from the street downstairs. This is a particularly good location if you interested in the Ancient archaeological remains. Also good for public transport and tourist bus tours.
The block is pleasant and well mainained, it has an authentic Roman feel. The apartment is not large but was ample for us and out two teenage boys as a sightseeing base. It was well equipped and clean - we had everything we needed.
Antonio met us at the airport and was very friendly and polite in spite of us being delayed by nearly an hour waiting for our suitcases. His car was very large and comfortable (and air conditioned!). He was very helpful and flexible in showing us the flat, giving info and meeting at the end of our stay.
Would recommend.
Lekker centraal gelegen. Vanuit de straat uitzicht op het Colosseum. Leuke restaurantjes en terrasjes in de buurt. Ook dichtbij een metrostation. Appartement is klein, maar voldoet aan alle wensen. We hebben via Nausicaa een transfer van en naar het vliegveld geregeld. Dat is ook prima bevallen.
Mooi appartement op een zeer gunstige locatie in het centrum op steenworp afstand van het Colosseum. Ideaal voor een stedentrip naar Rome!!
Un poco tarde pero .. la anfitriona muy maja, nos ayudo con sitios cercanos y estaba a una llamada de cualquier cosa que necesitáramos. la única pega fue que éramos dos matrimonios y la segunda cama no es cama en si, si no un sofá cama, creo que poner dos camas vendría mejor.
El sitio esta a tres calles del coliseo excelentemente ubicado y con un Carrefour express y un sitio de comida del Sur que es lo masssss. Super recomendable.
- Kalite güvenceli konaklama
- Her ev sahibi telefonla doğrulanmıştır
- SSL şifrelemesi ile güvenli ödeme


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I am a newbie to beekeeping, have only been keeping hives again for a few years. I just began catching swarms with the hope of building up my small apiary. I've found there is a lot I don't know and a lot to learn.
The local agricultural center is, as well as pest control companies, giving out names of people on their lists who remove swarms. Like other beekeeps in the area, I'm getting calls about swarms moving into or becoming established in houses. I've never tried to remove a swarm from a house and I did not realize until talking with Iddee that there was another way (the trap-out method) of successfully removing bees from a home, other than getting a carpenter and actually going into the structure and removing them and the comb, which is costly to the homeowner and which I have no experience doing. Many people can't afford to do this.
The other alternatives seemed to be to either live with the honeybees, which most people, don't want to do, find a way to make them leave, or kill them. If they are killed or made to leave, the honey still remains in the walls and will cause a problem, draw more bees or other insects. So I was for awhile at a loss on what to advise people to do.
I read about putting steel wool in the entrance where they were coming and going from, advised folks that called as best I could when they indicated they could not afford to have construction done or when they chose to kill the bees instead of having them removed. This resulted, apparently, in a few colonies being killed. Though I was trying to help people who had these insects invade their homes, I wish I'd never advised them. If people choose to kill honeybees then that's their choice but it's not mine.
Other beekeepers in the area also are advising that they can't remove the bees from houses and for folks to call the exterminators. I got a call this afternoon from a woman who had bees going into her brick foundation and had gotten into the insulation and in the house. The ag center had given her several references for folks to call to remove them. It was later in the afternoon before I received her message and could explain to her about the trap-out method and that the bees could have been removed without being killed. She had contacted other beekeeps who told her nothing could be done and it was best to exterminate them. By the time I spoke with her she had called a pest control company and had them exterminated.
These beekeeps didn't know they could be removed with the trap-out method.
Few beekeps who remove bees seem to use this method, many like me did not know about it, even the bee person at the Forsyth Agricultural Center hadn't heard of it and had trouble understanding how it worked. I did too at first until I saw Iddee use it.
The Forsyth County Beekeepers Association has a website and a section on honeybee removal. They state that " Trapping is sometimes done, but it is rarely practical because it takes several weeks and doesn't remove 100% of the bees. If you do decide to exterminate them, any large quantities of honey left behind should be removed to avoid staining and destruction of inside walls or ceilings. The honey and nest debris may also attract other bees, insect pests and rodents."
Yet Iddee says the Trap Out method he uses works, and that the bees will go in and remove the honey. Wouldn't it be more practical and certainly beneficial to use this method? In it, apparently, the bees exit via a cone that they cannot enter back in through. The trap-out is left in place until the bees have left the house and made their home in a nearby hive that has brood comb in it. Once the colony is established the trap out (cone over the entrance) is taken down, the bees go in and remove the honey but return to the hive, their new home, rather than remain in the house. Then, the entrance to the house closed up so other bees can't get in. It's not inexpensive, but certainly it is not as expensive as tearing into a home or office building, or paying someone to go in and take out the bees comb but leave the resulting repairs needed the burden of the homeowner. And as bees are needed it seems most prudent and practical.
And given that more bees are needed, and more beekeepers, couldn't some sort of grant be developed to help homeowners with the costs of this kind of removal? Maybe beekeepers that do these removals could be paid through these funds, offsetting their expenses and the resulting expense to the homeowners, encouraging apiculture?