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Hanna Skandera's education reform agenda reads like a page from the Foundation for Excellence in Education's playbook.
A nonprofit education reform advocacy group founded by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, FEE has made an industry of advocating for the types of education reforms Skandera, the secretary-designate for the New Mexico Public Education Department, is pushing: teacher evaluations, an A-F school grading system, virtual charter schools, holding kids back if they can't read by third grade.
In fact, Skandera is such an effective ambassador for FEE's reform message that the nonprofit has helped fly her across the nation, and even to London, for board meetings and conferences as vice chairwoman of the FEE-operated Chiefs for Change, "a coalition of state school chiefs and leaders who share a zeal for education reform." And a slew of recently released emails reveals that FEE officials have helped craft education-related bills before they reach the New Mexico Legislature.
The emails—obtained by the nonprofit In the Public Interest through freedom of information requests in several states—show that FEE's close ties to education officials aren't just about advocacy. According to Deputy Communications Director Jacqueline Barreiros, "the majority" of FEE's operational expenses come from "private foundations, nonprofits and philanthropies" such as the Broad Foundation. But FEE also relies on donations from corporations like Apple Inc., Intel Corp. and textbook giant McGraw-Hill to fund its education summits, at which donors can gain access to officials who may be in a position to help them capture a slice of public funding.
FEE's affiliation with one donor is particularly relevant to New Mexico. Connections Academy, a Baltimore, Md.-based for-profit corporation that operates tuition-free, publicly funded virtual charter schools in 22 states, helped sponsor an October 2011 summit in California for which Skandera was listed as a speaker. Although the emails offer no direct evidence of Skandera's meeting with Connections Academy officials, the summit designated certain time slots for Chiefs for Change participants (like Skandera) to meet with corporate sponsors (like Connections). Travel vouchers also show that "Foundation Funds" paid $1,107 to fly state Rep. Dennis Roch, R-Colfax, to the same summit. Three months later, Roch sponsored a bill allocating $1 million for PED to transition to a new teacher evaluation system.
To be sure, meeting with corporate education firms is neither uncommon nor illicit. Often, it can help public officials learn about new and beneficial education programs and products.
But critics worry that establishing close ties between public officials and for-profit education firms can lead to decisions that put those companies' interests over the needs of students.
Last summer, for instance, Connections sought to open a virtual charter school in New Mexico. The Public Education Commission, a nine-member board elected by New Mexico voters, turned it down. But this January, Skandera overturned the PEC's decision. Now, commissioner Jeff Carr says the PEC may vote to challenge Skandera's decision in court.
Behind this legal and political snafu is a very basic question: Are Skandera's reform efforts designed to benefit New Mexico's chronically underperforming students, or cookie-cutter formulas crafted by nonprofits whose donors merely want a piece of PED's $2.56 billion budget pie?
Donald Cohen, the president of In the Public Interest, says the emails show that FEE's relationship with public officials is "influence on steroids," in which officials like Skandera are "staffed and financed by private companies."
"This is clearly an interesting effort and seems a little bit more than the usual lobbying," Cohen tells SFR. "…There's only one reason for a private company to want to meet with [a public] official: That's money."
Skandera's ties to FEE and similar groups date back to early 2011, just after her appointment as PED secretary. (She still hasn't been confirmed by the state Senate.)
On Feb. 9, 2011, Skandera issued a press release naming her advisory team. It included FEE Senior Policy Fellow Christy Hovanetz and John Bailey, then the director of education consulting firm Whiteboard Advisors.
The emails show that Hovanetz had significant influence over education-reform bills in New Mexico—even before Skandera officially named her as an adviser.
On Jan. 17, for instance, Skandera emailed Hovanetz: "Good news! The gentleman who prepared the bill is amenable to all the changes we talked about. Do you want to take a stab at drafting language…? Or, should I send your attachment to our leg[islative] drafters and see what they can do with it?"
"Maybe see what they can do with it first," Hovanetz replied, "and I will revise their language."
On Feb. 22, 2011, Skandera emailed Hovanetz again, seeking clarification on third-grade retention—the policy of holding back any student who can't read by third grade. To Skandera's question about identifying struggling readers before they reach third grade, Hovanetz responded: "Even if they have been identified as a struggling reader we should hold them back regardless of previous identification."
Bailey also helped draft New Mexico education bills—and, in June 2012, he joined FEE's ranks as the executive director of its Digital Learning Now! initiative, which advocates for publicly funded digital education programs such as virtual charter schools.
Digital Learning Now! receives funding from the same for-profit corporations that donate to FEE, including K12—an education contractor that has poured more than $26,000 into New Mexico lawmakers' campaigns, including at least $6,000 to Gov. Susana Martinez and her political action committee, Susana PAC—and Pearson, Connections Academy's parent company.
Locally, New Mexico Connections Academy has requested $2.4 million in state funding, increasing to $14.25 million by its fifth year.
SFR caught Skandera on the phone, but she declined to comment.
"Chiefs for Change is a [sic] internationally recognized organization of state chief officers that are known as leaders when it comes to education," PED spokesman Larry Behrens writes in an email. "So much so that several members, including Secretary Skandera, have been asked to testify before Congress about education reform." (FEE, incidentally, paid her way to Washington.)
Paul Gessing, a board member of New Mexico Connections Academy and president of the libertarian Rio Grande Foundation, says he thinks it's positive to have more schooling options in New Mexico—including Connections Academy, which he says would offer a STEM-oriented curriculum (science, technology, engineering and math). The school's board of directors, he says, would also be able to part with Connections and choose a different contractor if necessary.
"You can call for-profit education providers a special interest," he says, "but you have to acknowledge in the same sentence or same breath that teachers' unions or other lobbyists for the status quo are special-interest groups."
But Viki Harrison, the executive director of Common Cause New Mexico, says FEE's involvement in local education policy raises concerns.
"It is unconscionable to think that our public education system is being manipulated by companies that will monetarily benefit from legislation pursued in New Mexico," Harrison writes in an email to SFR. "Using industry dollars to pay for trips for our government officials leaves constituents in the dark about who is really footing the bills for legislation passed in our state."


text:
British handcyclist Karen Darke has won the women's Prudential RideLondon HandCycle Classic.
She has pulled off the victory just a year after a career-threatening collision with a car.
Darke beat the Paralympic and world champion Sandra Graf, overtaking her around the 10-mile mark.
She finished the race in 45:52seconds- 40 seconds ahead of the Swiss competitor.
Darke said: "Two months before last year's race I was hit by a car and I limped around the course wondering if I would ever be able to race properly again.
"It is so lovely to be back and to be able to win in this way. I feel very lucky.
"I have not been going that well in road races.
"But this is a really good course with a few wicked hills. I have got the worlds in three weeks time so it gives me great confidence for those.
"The rain today was no trouble at all. I live in Inverness, so this is nothing."
Jennifer Browning, also from Britain, finished third.

subset: commoncrawl


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Cool shirt... Until you wash/dry it :(
By Disappointed Star Wars Geek
from Jacksonville, FL
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The shirt fit great until it was washed. It's now essentially a 80's style half shirt with an unidentifiable character on it. Too bad... My kid was thrilled when he got it.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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I was happily surprised when I opened my gift.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Watermelon marketers are forecasting a strong sales year, with comparatively few winter weather events having gotten in their way.
"Last year was a challenge, but all in all, it turned out OK," said Art Perry, chief executive officer of George Perry & Sons Inc., Manteca, Calif., which grows seedless watermelons in several regions.
"You can always say it could always be better, but doing the job correctly, it came through OK."
For awhile, weather problems during the early part of the growing season last year led to a glut during certain times, Perry said.
"We had fruit bunched up," he said. "Because of the cool weather, it came off at one time. But you have to commend the stores. They did a wonderful job of moving it."
As of March 22, cartons of size 5s in red-flesh seedless watermelons from Guatemala were priced at $20-20.50, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Size 6s from Guatemala were $21.50. A year earlier, size 6s from Guatemala were $20.The Florida season was shaping up to arrive a bit early this year, said Mark Arney, executive director of the Orlando, Fla.-based National Watermelon Promotion Board.
"We've had much better growing conditions than we had last year, when we had a real cold snap," he said. "This year, it came earlier, so everybody is hoping it continues that way."
Import numbers were ahead of last year, he said.
"Prices, while not as high as last year, at this point, I think people are reasonably satisfied," Arney said.
Rick Sullivan, president of William Manis Produce Marketing in Plant City, Fla., agreed that the outlook for the season leading up to Memorial Day will be better than last year.
"Last year, the Memorial Day … market was high and strong," he said. "This growing season has been much better, so I'd anticipate there will be more melons with a better marketable price."
Greg Leger, president and partner with Leger & Son Inc., Cordele, Ga., said he anticipated harvesting would begin by April 25.
"It's going to be early compared to last year, but last year was not normal," he said.
"We had to replant. But it's been absolutely perfect this year. We anticipate a good start in late April and get into volume around the first of May."
Ward Thomas, owner of McAllen, Texas-based Majestic Produce Sales Co., said weather last year complicated the market.
"It worked out good last year until Memorial Day," he said. "Everybody replanted because of the Florida freezes, and then way too much production came out by Memorial Day, and the melon market was down for awhile."
He said he anticipates a better market overall this year.
"It's going to be a little bit different this year, but I don't really know, he said.
Retail activity will pick up as the spring progresses, said Dan Van Groningen, vice president of Van Groningen & Sons Inc., Manteca.
"Many watermelons are going to do fine during the off-season., but when we get into May, many chains want to get into your conventional seedless watermelon," he said. "But the mini watermelon is becoming very popular, especially in Japan. We've gotten a lot more interest in mini's, but the quality has to hold up on that ride."
The cantaloupe and honeydew markets have been brisk, marketing agents said.
"The past few weeks, we saw the demand for honeydews pick up, particularly for smaller sizes," said Don Johnston, melon program director for Frontera Produce, Edinburg, Texas.
"There's more of the larger sizes available, and with everything in short supply, that's where the demand is. And it has been similar on the cantaloupes, as well. The demand has picked up over the last several weeks, and primarily on 12s and 15s — the smaller sizes. The larger sizes have been abundant and they've been lagging behind a little bit.
As of March 22, half-carton packages of size 9 cantaloupes from Guatemala were priced at $10-13, and size 12s, $16-17, according to the USDA. Size 9s from Honduras were $11.50; 12s, $14-17; and 15s, $17-18. At the same point in 2010, 9s from Honduras were $20-20.50; and 12s and 15s were $20-23. Size 9s from Guatemala were $18.50; 12s, $20-21; and 15s, $21.
Two-thirds cartons of sizes 5 and 6 honeydews from Guatemala were priced at $16-17; and 8s, $17.50-18. Size 4s from Honduras were $13.50; 6s, $16-18.50; and 8s, $16. A year earlier, 4s from Guatemala were $15; 5s were $18; and 6s were $16.50-18.
Brent Harrison, president of Al Harrison Produce Co., Nogales, Ariz., said the honeydew market was doing well, but watermelons presented a few challenges.
"It's hard to get watermelon in winter for some varieties," he said. "We're trying to get some varieties that do that. So we're trying for varieties that maintain that, especially coming from the southern states of Mexico. They're asking for the right variety all the time."
Chris Ciruli, partner in Rio Rico, Ariz.-based Ciruli Bros., said his company would start its melon deal in late April, with honeydews coming out of Mexico.
"Typically we should see good production as we go into the first part of May," he said. "You can write some good ads for that time. You normally see a very reasonable f.o.b. as you compete against watermelons and other melons as a promotable item. And the crops look to be in good shape coming out, after the cold weather we had in Mexico early on."
Monique McLaws, marketing manager for Dulcinea Farms LLC, Ladera Ranch, Calif., said the honeydew market had been "relatively flat over the past couple of years but is still a large and significant segment in the market."
Dulcinea has a HoneyBliss trademarked honeydew that can help "bring some excitement to the category," McLaws said.
The cantaloupe market has been consistently strong, said Michael Warren, president of Pompano Beach, Fla.-based Central American Produce.
"We're basically in the middle of our season now," he said in late March.
"We're starting the second part of it. It's grown in Guatemala and Honduras. We'll be having good supplies through the second week of May. We're growing the Caribbean Gold there with a big emphasis on the harvest time, and we're getting a very high flavor profile, with high brix."


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Programs: Bone Builders
October 2012 News:
WalMart grants $50,000 to the Fairbanks Community Food Bank to support their Bone Builders program! THANK YOU! Read more
Without a summer school lunch program, many kids could go hungry. Since the summer of 2002 the Food Bank has collected used backpacks and filled each one with about 5 pounds of kid-friendly snacks - juice, fruit and granola bars.
Kids pick up backpacks at the Food Bank and Joel's Place, a faith-based youth center. Together Joel's Place and the Food Bank were able to give backpacks to around 150 children each summer.
Unfortunately the Tanana Valley region's childrens' need for a supplemental summer food program has not diminished.
Join the Bone Builders program
To sign up for a Bone Builders backpack, download and fill out the Bone Builders backpack form and call Joel's Place at 907-452-2621 to make arrangements. The completed application can also be dropped off or faxed at:
- Joel's Place
- Fairbanks Community Food Bank
Bone Builders
May No Child Go Hungry
May 2016
This was such a grea success with helping us get food we needed for this program! Along with the Letter Carriers Event, we brought in so much food and money, thanks to TVTV and their competition. Part of the competition was that the loser and winner of CBS 13's very own game, had to kiss a pig! You can watch that LIVE video clip here
Filling a need by filling a backpack
June 18, 2002
No one should have to go hungry, but certainly not children who are forced to try to learn and grow –– or just enjoy summer –– on an empty stomach.
Read more of "Filling a need by filling a backpack"...
Snack-filled packs ready for needy kids
June 17, 2002
A novel weapon in the war on hunger is being used in Fairbanks this summer –– backpacks. The Fairbanks Community Food Bank has teamed up with Joel's Place, a faith-based youth center, to distribute backpacks containing snacks to young people in need.
Read more of "Snack-filled packs ready for needy kids"...


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KELSEYVILLE -- Karon Thomas' ultimate goal is to create an art shop into something for everyone.
"The whole purpose of the store is for it to be an asset for the community," Thomas said. "I'm trying to mold the store into something for everyone."
She originally opened Creations Art Supply, located at 3924 Main St. in Kelseyville, because Thomas said there was no other shop in the area like it for artists.
"I started this for the people who were working on a painting and just needed that one thing to finish it," she said. "Now, they can just come here instead of traveling to buy it."
The store has supplies such as acrylic paint, pastels, watercolors and oil-based paint, as well as comic book supplies, crafting material and ceramics.
Aside from supplies, the art store also offers pregnant belly molds for expecting mothers, hosts birthday parties and has several classes for adults and children every month.
Kids' classes are for children ages 5 to 12, and classes vary from bandana paintings to water color classes. Thomas said she likes to offer different classes to keep the children entertained and excited about art.
She said the Friday night kids' classes give parents a couple of hours to enjoy downtown and have dinner.
"Knowing their kids are safe doing something creative, they get a chance to do something on their own around town," she said. "I'm trying to keep the streets of Kelseyville alive and busy."
Adult classes are open for beginning and intermediate students for classes such as charcoal painting and oil pastels.
A multimedia workshop is also available every Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Participants bring a piece of art they are working, sit around a table feed off each other's creativity to figure out how to complete it, Thomas said.
In March, Thomas will have a bra art class for breast cancer awareness. For the cost of $5, students can decorate bras that will be sold at a silent auction April 15 as a fundraising even for Relay for Life.
Thomas also plans to offer more classes during the summer to give kids something to do.
The store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. the first and third Friday of the month.
To register for classes, call 279-2960.
For more information, visit creationsartsupply.com.
Berenice?Quirino?is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. She can be reached at 263-5636, ext. 36 or at email@example.com.


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Royals Minor League report: July 22
Omaha Storm Chasers (53-49)
Memphis 6, Omaha 3
LP: Clay Mortensen (4-2)
HR: Justin Maxwell (7), Francisco Pena (20)
Omaha dropped to 1-1 at Memphis. Justin Maxwell's homer tied the game at 1-1 in the second. Memphis built a 6-1 lead before Francisco Pena's solo shot in the seventh. Pena is second in the PCL with 20 home runs. Johnny Giavotella posted three hits and an RBI. Clay Mortensen lost a second straight start, allowing four runs, nine hits and a walk while striking out three over 4.2 innings.
NW Arkansas Naturals (15-17 second half, 40-62 overall)
Arkansas 12, NW Arkansas 6 (11 innings)
LP: Ali Williams (4-2)
HR: Cheslor Cuthbert (9)
The Naturals lost in 11 innings as Arkansas plated six in the final frame, capped by Adam Melker's grand slam. Cheslor Cuthbert hit a two-run homer in the third and was a double away from a cycle. Jorge Bonifacio added a single, two RBI, two walks and a run. Bonifacio is ranked third among Royals prospects by MLB.com while Cuthbert is 18th. Max Ramirez was 3-for-5 plus a run. Starter Tim Melville (5.2 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) held Arkansas to one run until the sixth.
Wilmington Blue Rocks (16-15 second half, 49-50 overall)
Wilmington 9, Carolina 2
WP: Sean Manaea (3-7)
HR: Jared Schlehuber (4), Daniel Rockett (3)
Wilmington scored eight in the first en route to a series-opening win. The inning featured three-run homers by Jared Schlehuber and Daniel Rockett. Schlehuber had three hits on the night, as did Cam Gallagher. Seventh-ranked Royals prospect Bubba Starling added two hits and his team-leading 45th RBI. Fourth-ranked prospect Sean Manaea turned in a career-high 7.0 innings, fanning six while allowing a lone run, three hits and three walks.
Lexington Legends (11-20 second half, 40-61 overall)
The Legends were idle after a trip to Charleston and Savannah. They'll host the same two teams, beginning tonight against Charleston. Lexington also announced a July 28 makeup date for Monday's postponement at Savannah.
Idaho Falls Chukars (18-17)
Great Falls 6, Idaho Falls 3
LP: Torey Deshazier (3-1)
HR: None
The Chukars finished with a 1-3 mark against Chicago's Pioneer League entry. Ryan O'Hearn had three hits, boosting his average to .392, which is second in the league. Desmond Henry had two hits, two RBI and a run. He's batting .314 (11-for-35) with at least one run in each of his last seven games.
Burlington Royals (14-17)
Burlington 2, Danville 1
WP: Niklas Stephenson (1-2)
SV: Evan Beal (3)
HR: None
Burlington scored two in the second and held on for an opening win. Jose Martinez and Leland Clemmons each drove in a run. Niklas Stephenson tossed 5.0 scoreless innings for his first professional win.


text: Super Wammer · #1 February 27, 2012 · Report post I'm driving down for the day on Sunday and after 3 hours in the car I'm going need a decent feed. The day is a big treat for me, all that lovely hifi and a pass out from the wife and kids. I have lunch sorted with my pie on order. Where can I go either in Melton or nearby for a breakfast of beauty? I'm thinking perfectly poached eggs, local sausage and bacon, Heinz beans, mushrooms, thick toast.....nom nom nom. A glorious view out of the window and a waitress with a very short skirt would be nice too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - High school football fans in northeast Florida, sit back and relax. Friday night's semifinal matchup between Bolles and Yulee has just about everything you could ask for.
Derrick Henry, the national all-time career rushing leader, will lead his Hornets against the defending state champ Bulldogs in a class 4A state semifinal at Yulee at 7:30 p.m.
For Bolles, the game plan is simple: Try to stop Henry, a 6-foot-3, 243-pound running back and Alabama commit.
The bulldogs have a guy on their side who's also tough to stop: Head coach Corky Rogers, who has 10 state championships and is 12-0 in state semifinal games.
Yulee coaches and players say they like the idea of playing this game at home. Head coach Bobby Ramsay admitted that if he had to play against Bolles, he wanted to do it at his team's stadium. His hornets will now get that chance.
"(They're) extremely well-coached, extremely disciplined football team," Ramsay said of Bolles. "You know what you're going to get, you know what you're going to have to do. You got to be a fundamental, disciplined team if you're going to win."
Expect a healthy dose of Henry, who has 104 carries in his two playoff games this season.
"We need to play well," Rogers said. "You make a tackle on (Henry), just think about it, you tackled a guy that made more yards than anybody in history. Use it as a motivation that way."
Several other local teams will also be in action as the playoffs continue.
Fletcher hosts Apopka in an 8A regional final. Columbia travels to Navarre and Gainesville hosts Armwood, both 6A regional finals.
In 5A, Bishop Kenny hosts Godby, also a regional final. And University Christian heads to Warner Christian in a class 2A state semifinal game. UC (11-1) is seeking its first state title since 1994.
In Georgia, Camden County and Ware County will play in third-round playoff games as they look to advance to the state semifinals.
Copyright 2012 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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New Orleans — It's been 11 years since this city hosted a Super Bowl, and in many ways that game and its ancillary aspects were a quaint affair just a decade ago when compared to this year's production.
From the hype, to the technology, to the marketing, to the wrangling for the game, things have become more polished, competitive and corporate. Those responsible for landing Super Bowl XLVII wonder what's in store should the city secure the 52nd Super Bowl in 2018.
"We've been planning this since 2009. It is an organizational chart that resembles mission control," said Mark Romig, president and CEO of the New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corp. "Every aspect is managed to the minute detail. It has got to be done perfect."
It wasn't always that way, though.
New Orleans hosted its first Super Bowl on Jan. 11, 1970, a cold, miserable day. It was only the fourth football world championship, something the country was just embracing, remembers Bill Curl, spokesman for the Superdome from 1977 to 2010.
When the Super Bowl first came to town, Curl was a young sports information director for Tulane University, which hosted the game at its mammoth outdoor stadium in the heart of Uptown.
Unlike today, there was no week-long lead up to Super Bowl Sunday. There were no glitzy parties hosted by major corporations with A-list celebrities serving as headliners. There was no need for cavernous convention center space to accommodate thousands of journalists from around the world. The Associated Press reported a day after that first New Orleans-based game that people had trouble giving away the $15 tickets.
"In 1970 for the Super Bowl, our (media) hospitality consisted of two 6-foot tables in the lobby (of one of the local hotels)," Curl said. Included on those two tables 43 years ago: brochures about local tourist sites and two bowls: one for wet wipes to clean off fingers stained with ink from newspapers and a bowl of Tylenol to help with hangovers.
"It was kind of a last-minute thought," Curl recalled recently from the middle of today's media center, a massive newsroom in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for broadcast, print and Internet reporters from across the world.
When the city next hosted the game in 1972, it had already begun to grow, creating a snowball effect that has seen it explode in scope and size.
"But that first time around it was pretty rudimental," Curl said. "It was get the two teams in town, play the game, get the trophy."
The Super Bowl really began to morph, Curl believes, after the Crescent City hosted its first game and as fewer and fewer game tickets were given to the home team and more were given to the visiting teams and corporate sponsors, resulting in more visitors going to games.
"I think, maybe, when they came here for the early Super Bowls there were so many great things to do that they expected that wherever they went, so other cities had to manufacture something," Curl said. When Pontiac, Mich., hosted the game in 1982, that city created an entertainment district and called it Bourbon Street, Curl recalls. "Others tried to emulate what we had right here, so the entertainment grew."
But with fewer locals going to the game, the NFL needed to find things for them to do. Born of that need were events such as the NFL Experience and concert series. Offshoots of those events include other parties and concerts and the marketing and corporate sponsorships blossomed.
"These events occur because there are corporate sponsors that can underwrite at the sums that are important to put on this big show which means there are more parties, more requirements for hospitality," Romig said. "The footprint is larger, the events each year seem to outdo the previous year, so the bar is raised every year from a standpoint of food and beverage to the wow factor."
As the game's popularity has skyrocketed since its inception in 1967, security has become key to keep the event safe for those working and celebrating.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas said it's taken 18 months of meetings with local, state and federal officials to write the security plan for this game.
That was much more complex than the last Super Bowl he worked here in 1997, when he was the No. 2 man in the NOPD.
"Back then the Super Bowl was not this seven-, eight-, nine-day event like it is now," Serpas said. "It's monstrous."
The biggest challenge for this year's game, Serpas said, is the city has fewer police on the force but more hotel rooms to hold more visitors and more area to police because of game-related events.
But, security officials point out, the safety plan has evolved and now includes local, state and federal law enforcement.
New Orleans hosted the first post-9/11 Super Bowl on Feb. 3, 2002. That was the first National Special Security Event, the same level event as the presidential inauguration, for example, and was overseen by the U.S. Secret Service, said Jeffrey Miller, the NFL's vice president and chief security officer. That was the catalyst for change in security procedures that exist today, such as metal detectors at each entrance.
"What we did was adopt many of the best practices and principles from that game, and we took that on throughout the course of the last 11 years," Miller said. "I can't even talk about some of the stuff we do, but suffice to say it is a very secure event."
Miller said there is a standing security committee that updates the safety plan each year, and security for next year's Super Bowl is already being planned.
While the 9/11 attacks permanently changed people's Super Bowl experiences, technology has also drastically changed the Super Bowl.
The last time the city hosted the game, none of today's social media sites existed, and cellphones did little more than make calls.
But with the proliferation of smartphones and the ability to instantly post comments and pictures to a worldwide audience via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, a social media command center is part of the Super Bowl host committee's duties this year. It's only the second year social media has played a part in the game, and the first year it's been part of the host committee's formal operating plan, according to Tiffany Starnes, vice president of FSC Interactive, a local online marketing company that helped to operate the social media center.
Volunteers monitor the social networks for every post about the game that is sent from within 10 miles of the media center. Responses are sent to as many messages as possible. The city this week launched a social media campaign asking people to use the hashtag #BestOfNola to share tips about things to see and do.
The social media aspect is two-fold, Starnes said. Not only do visitors and locals exchange tips, the city can better market itself.
"This is really more of a larger project to showcase what's great about New Orleans," Starnes said.
And this year for the first time, social media will be implemented into the halftime show, with users submitting photos to the production.
Since technology changes so quickly, and because the Super Bowl social media center is still in its infancy, Starnes said she's not sure how the host committee will write its proposal for the 2018 game, which the city has already said it is seeking.
Romig agreed that the possibilities for five years from now are endless and unknown.
"Change is constant," Romig said. "1970 — no one could have even imagined going ahead to 2013 and knowing that we'd be hosting our 10th Super Bowl. No one could've imaged the Superdome back then, let alone how far we've come."


text: Founded as Grand Isle Sportswear in the 1990s in New Orleans, this classic clothing line was created to marry the highest quality clothing with the utmost attention to comfort. For generations, people have relied upon the rivers for commerce and recreation in both rural towns and big cities; Grand River Clothing Co. promises to keep that ideal alive, bringing you the finest quality clothing, inspired by that very American tradition. At G&L Clothing we offer high-quality Grand River Stretch Jeans and denim shorts, in hard to fit sizes and in a variety of colors and styles. Browse our selection today and call with any questions regarding size, style, and availability.


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Every disc I've come across as some variation of "Rancho Cucamonga CA" embossed on the bottom of the disc. Sometimes it's "CAL" or San Marino or etc.
I got a Pro Destroyer in the mail today that didn't have that. Its that normal? I know its an older one, but the dude I bought it from wasn't sure how old. He also didn't notice that that section of the emboss was missing. It has the patent number, and "Innova Champion Discs, INC. www.innovadiscs.com" and that's it. This could be normal, but I really don't know.
Also, one of my leopards (the newest one) has the CAL and the other is CA. What's the difference? I'm sure this is on another, but since I'm asking another question that isn't, maybe I can just get this answered for me too!
Thanks guys.
This disc has a blue foil "Goes Twice as Far" circle stamp with the word "BENT" below it. Maybe that will help, not sure.


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Thea these are all absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Vinton, Virginia
I have about 30 more pictures in this group but am going to try and limit it as there are so many quilts to show you... but I don't want you to miss out on any so am going to put just one of each design...
Thea, these are beautiful, thanks for sharing
gini in north idaho
Thea were all these by one person? or a Tentmaker's exhibit! Just amazing
These are beautiful and amazing. Were they done by hand or machine I wonder?. Thanks for sharing.
Joni -
'Stitch Like an Egyptian: Tentmakers of Cairo' is a new exhibit showcasing the intricate, ancient art of Egyptian tentmaking. Brought to the U.S. by the American Quilter's Society, the project hopes to "make the world aware of the beautiful yet shrinking art," according to the DigitalJournal.com. The exhibit's curator is Jenny Bowker, an international textile artist.
Modern technology has pushed the art to the side as machines and computers are built to replace manual labor and hand-made items. Unique designs are thus copied and resold by businesses around the world. The American Quilter's Society has taken action to increase interest and appreciation of these traditional appliques.
Bonnie Browning, Executive Show Director for AQS, explained: "We began a three-continent collaboration to make arrangements for 'Stitch Like an Egyptian: Tentmakers of Cairo' to debut at the AQS Quilt Show in Grand Rapids."
The exhibit's artists include Hosam Hanafy Ahmed Mahmoud and Tarek Abdelhay Hafez Abouelenin, who will be on hand to explain and demonstrate their technique. The tentmakers are from Khan Khayamiya, the market of the trade in Old Islamic Cairo. Their skills and techniques have been passed down through many generations. In fact, "There were tents found in Pharaonic tombs from 2,000 B.C… There are pictures in the Rameses panels are Abu Simbel of tents lined up," said curator Jenny Bowker.
thanks for the photos. I saw the video a while back and was fascinated at how they make these pieces.
Chiliwist Valley
Thank you for sharing these pic! They are truly amazing!!


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A Better Bounce
Now that Ben Bernanke's testimony has concluded, there's better bounce action. But it hasn't been very impressive given the intensity of yesterday's selling. Markets that come down that fast and hard usually rebound strongly for at least a little while, but the bounce buyers have been hesitant.
The good news is that the market really needed the correction of the past week to get better trading setups. I'm not confident that this pullback is over, but I'm working on a shopping list and I will be looking for buys....121 more words left in this article. To read them, just click below and try Real Money FREE for 14 days.
There's no substitute for a trading floor to get great ideas, so Jim Cramer created a better one at Real Money and blogs there exclusively. We then added legendary hedge fund manager, Doug Kass, with his exclusive Daily Diary and best investing ideas. Staffed with more than 4 dozen investing pros, money managers, journalists and analysts, Real Money Pro gives you a flood of opinions, analysis and actionable trading advice found nowhere else, and allows you to interact directly with each expert.
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Created in 1962, Havaianas were the first style of flip flops to be made out of rubber, guaranteeing comfort and durability. Designed and manufactured in Brazil to reflect the Brazilian lifestyle, Havaianas have become a symbol of Brazil for over the past 48 years. The Havaianas collection at OFFICE has a wide variety of colours, styles and sizes to suit any Brazillian lifestyle.
Key products this season include the original Havaianas Brasil flip-flops in a variety of bright colours as well as the classic white and black. We also have the Brasil Logo, Top Flip-Flop, Top Metallic and Slim Flip Flop.


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Notre Dame outplayed Kentucky (4-2) inside during the first half and held the Wildcats to a season-low 40 percent shooting for the game. Students rushed the floor after the Irish wrapped up their second win over the Wildcats in the past 13 meetings.
The senior captains of the top-ranked Notre Dame football team, linebacker Manti Te'o, defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore, tight end Tyler Eifert and tackle Zack Martin, got a standing ovation when they were introduced at halftime.
Julius Mays led Kentucky with 16 points and Nerlens Noel had 10.
Two of Kentucky's heralded freshmen struggled. Archie Goodwin, who is averaging 19 points, was 1 of 7 shooting and finished with three points and Alex Polythress, who is averaging 18.4 points, had just one basket and was 1 of 3 from the free-throw line.
Cooley added 11 rebounds for the Irish, who outrebounded Kentucky 33-27. Noel and Goodwin each had seven rebounds.
After struggling early, the Irish made 9 of 10 shots during a 24-11 run at the end of the first half and Kentucky couldn't get any closer than 10 points in the second half.
Notre Dame led 36-25 at halftime. The lead was around 10 points when Cameron Biedscheid, who had 10 points, hit a 3-pointer to ignite a 10-0 run that included a 3-pointer by Grant and another jumper by Biedscheid and gave Notre Dame a 55-35 lead.
Kentucky used a 13-4 run to cut the lead to 59-48 on a dunk by Willie Cauley-Stein with 3:31 left.
The Irish, who struggled inside in their overtime loss to Saint Joseph's, outscored the Wildcats 20-12 inside in the first half, although the Wildcats evened it up in the second half.
Notre Dame wore black uniforms with stitched green letters, and the crowd wore black in support of the team.


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Lay Construction, Inc.
102 Drew Street
Harrodsburg, KY 40330
(859) 733-9496
(859) 733-9915 (fax)
Festival season for the Mercer Chamber is here! First comes Pioneer Days August 18th-20th and the Fort Harrod Jazz Festival September 15th-17th. Both are free chamber events at Fort Harrod State Park. Want more? Check out the events tab above for way more fun stuff in Mercer County!


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ATLANTA — The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve a treatment for diabetic eye disease made by Alimera Sciences, the drug maker said Dec. 23.
In its complete response letter, the FDA requested additional safety and efficacy data for the drug, Iluvien (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal insert), a treatment for diabetic macular edema, a problem that commonly affects people with diabetes.
The agency also reported that it had found problems with current good manufacturing practices during inspections in August and September 2010 of plants operated by two of Alimera's third-party manufacturers. According to Alimera, the manufacturers are in the process of resolving the problems.
A complete response letter means that the FDA has finished reviewing an approval application for a drug but issues remain that preclude final approval.
"We appreciate the FDA's efforts to complete a priority review of our NDA and look forward to working closely with the FDA toward approval of Iluvien for the treatment of DME," said Dan Myers, Alimera president and CEO. "To expedite the process, we have requested a meeting with the FDA to clarify the path to regulatory approval."


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Adobe Merchandising enables retailers to execute online merchandising strategies that optimize marketing effectiveness through increased conversions and average order value (AOV). By improving shoppers' ability to find and select products, and promoting products based on business goals and metrics, and helps retailers grow their online channel.
Merchandising managers at retail and eCommerce businesses need to execute merchandising quickly and effectively — without having to lean on technical or IT resources. They also know that they must engage visitors and convert them to shoppers by leveraging online marketing strategies such as search and email. A significant part of this challenge is increasing AOV by getting shoppers to purchase more products that lead to higher margins.y grow and shape the business.
Adobe Merchandising allows merchandisers to manage multiple brands and products online, connect shoppers with the products they want and take actions that reflect real business metrics.
Deliver on this vision with a combination of broad native functionality and robust part.


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Change of name for much loved Winnington pub
7:00pm Wednesday 9th April 2014
By James Wilson
7:00pm Wednesday 9th April 2014
By James Wilson
A NORTHWICH pub has taken on the name of one of the town's most famous sons after undergoing a complete refurbishment.
Formerly known as Winnington Lodge, the pub's owners have decided to rename it as the Sir John Brunner and boasted of creating 15 new jobs at the same time.
The Winnington Lane pub has been refurbished with a new, what the company has called, 'flame-grill inspired decor', new furniture and kitchen equipment, as well as a new menu focused on steaks and grills which are served on 'sizzling hot skillets'.
The company decided to name the pub after John Tomlinson Brunner.
John established a chemical factory at Winnington in the late 1870s with a chemist named Ludwig Mond, where they used the Solvay process of producing Soda Ash.
After a slow start, Brunner Mond and Company became the wealthiest British chemical company of the late 19th century.
Brunner was an influential character in the area and used his wealth to benefit the wellbeing of the community, investing in schools and community buildings such as the National School in Over, Winsford.
Phil Davidson, general manager of the Sir John Brunner, said: "The decision to change the pub's name wasn't taken lightly but we felt it's the right thing to do to celebrate the pub's new beginning as a Flaming Grill pub.
"The pub will still remain at the heart of the community and we wanted to use our relaunch as an opportunity to celebrate someone who has had such a positive influence in the area – Sir John Brunner is that man and we're proud to celebrate his heritage with our new name.
"We can't wait to see who makes it on to our 'Hall of Flame' when taking on our food challenges, they're definitely not for the faint-hearted."
Alongside the usual pub classics sit some of the more adventurous meals like the pub's infamous 1kg Flaming Challenge Burger.
The burger features two flame-grilled 12oz beef burgers, two breaded chicken fillets, spicy chilli beef, melted cheese slices, onions, crispy bacon and onion rings, all served with a giant helping of chips.
© Copyright 2001-2017 Newsquest Media Group


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34 35th St., Unit 26, Brooklyn, NY, 11232
Troika Ranch
|Eyebeam CV
|Exhibiting Artist
Troika Ranch is the collaborative vision of artists Mark Coniglio and Dawn Stoppiello. Established in 1994, and maintaining a troika of home bases in Portland, Oregon, New York City and Berlin, Germany, Troika Ranch produces live performances, interactive installations, and digital films, all of which combine traditional aspects of these forms with advanced technologies. The artists' mission in producing this wide range of art experiences is to create artwork that best reflects and engages contemporary society.
Troika Ranch collaborated with 3 Legged Dog in the Eyebeam hosted performance 16 [R]EVOLUTIONS.
Tags: 3 Legged Dog


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You'd think, right?This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
I'm relatively certain Simon doesn't think that way. Entitled fans are a different animal, though. Pay for merchandise or the price of a ticket and all of a sudden the player isn't a human being anymore.


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Step back in time with a local author and discover a rural Hook of fruit trees and horse-drawn carts.
Historian Mark Davison, author of both 'Hook Remembered' and 'Hook Remembered Again', will give a talk on the area's past at – where else? – the Hook Centre.
Davison's books show off Hook's history in glorious sepia and black-and-white tones in hundreds of photographs.
You may already know about famous residents like Enid Blyton, and that aviation legend Harry Hawker is buried at St Paul's, but there is always more to learn.
Old Hook – a time traveller's guide; Hook and Chessington Library, Hook Road, Chessington; Marc h 20, 2.3pm; £2; booking essential; call 020 8547 5006.