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Thursday, April 28, 2016
When is Math More Than Math?
Last week I was working with some high school students who were working on some test review problems. As an aside, what is with these people who are writing horrible test and test review questions? Do they have to go through some special training to learn how to write questions that only reinforce students' belief that math has no relevance to their lives? Okay, I'm stepping away from the rant.
Anyway, I was working with students who were working on some math problems. They sighed as they read the first problem. Yes, it was a stupid question so they were immediately frustrated by the stupidity of the question. So I told them, "Yes, the problem is stupid but the math is not, so let's break it down." Computational thinking.
Sure, this is a skill we try to teach all students. How to figure how what is relevant and what is not. How to read between the lines to figure out what is being asked of them. How to figure out when to add, subtract, multiple, or divide. How to make connections between the domain-specific language and other vocabulary. Yea, this is a lot.
So we backed up to review the table and the words in the problem. That's when I had an "Aha!" moment. They didn't know how to read the table. They didn't understand the relationship between the rows and the columns or what each represented. So we backed up a bit more.
Then I drew bad pictures to represent what the problem was asking them to do. Then they started drawing pictures because they were still struggling to figure out the very simple math they were being asked to do. And then, as we working on the second row, one student noticed the pattern. That fast she saw it and filled out the rest of the table without doing the math. She was exasperated when I asked her to explain how she knew what to do, but then she saw how excited I was that she'd discovered this thing and I wanted her to explain it to her friends, in Spanish if that was easier. Heads nodded.
Okay, back to the table so we can figure out the next part of the problem. "Miss, what's the point?"
"What happens if the store orders too many green shirts when people really wanted blue ones?"
"The store has to put those green shirts on sale."
"Right. Which means they might not make back the money they spent which means they might not make a profit or which means they might not have enough money to pay you."
Now I had their attention and now we could talk about how creating a table to graph actual sales is important. If only the math test prep people created questions that connected to what kids are doing and learning in real life and the hard way. Maybe then the kids would see how math matters.
But let's get back to when math is more than math because math is more than math because, as I said, it's reading, critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, and more. And it makes me laugh and annoyed when many of us say we're not "math people." I'm guilty of it myself but the reality is that math is part of much of what I do, in work or otherwise. Every. Single. Day.
I like math. I don't love math and I have no desire to understand higher level mathematics like trigonometry and such but I know it has a purpose and I'm grateful for those who like it, love it, do it.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Computational Thinking: New, but Not New
You thought it was pretty cool, or pretty creepy, when Amazon could make recommendations for purchases based on what you'd just bought. Or enticed you by telling you what other people bought when they bought whatever you'd just added to your cart. Peer pressure in shopping. What do they know that I don't?
What's behind those two very straightforward examples? Big data. Lots and lots and LOTS of data. Floods of data. All being crunched and analyzed by algorithms, and then further crunched and analyzed by the people who decide will appeal most to your data profile. Cool, and creepy.
The more we know about big data and its ongoing influences, the better. That's true. In spite of, or perhaps because of how uncomfortable it might make some of us. However, the fact that big data is not going anywhere underscores even more the importance of computational thinking.
You can figure out the gist of computational thinking by breaking down its name: computational + thinking. Maybe it makes you think people are expecting kids to learn how to think like computers. Hmmm, not exactly because, after all, computers are being trained to think like humans. However, without getting too weird, yes, in some ways, computational thinking is streamlined thinking and may seem a little too concrete for some. I think, however, perspective has a lot to do with it.
There are some who believe that computational thinking is the skill of the 21st century, and it could be. The folks at Queen Mary, University of London define computational thinking this way:
. . . a collection of diverse skills to do with problem solving that result from studying the nature of computation. It includes some obviously important skills that most subjects help develop, like creativity, ability to explain, and team work. It also consists of some very specific problem solving skills such as the ability to think logically, algorithmically, and recursively. It is also about understanding people.Some time ago I was asked if I knew anyone who might help with a data analysis project. I took a deep breath because this sounded boring to me, but then I was told the project was to analyze data for what wasn't there. Say what? In other words, not looking for specific patterns and trends in the data, but looking for what wasn't in the data. I found that immensely interesting though I couldn't imagine being the one to do the work. Still, the question of what don't you see stayed with me.
But let's get back to computational thinking.
Perhaps it might also remind us how interconnected our learning can be. That what we learn in science or math can often contribute to what we are able to do in ELA and social studies.
My friend Lori Feldman is a special needs educator and she's been talking about computational thinking for several years now. This chart from a Google class on computational thinking shows the relationship of computational thinking and subject areas that are not computer science. I've no doubt we could come up with lots of examples for each of the concepts and many related in the same subject area. For example, analyzing a character could be "recognize and find patterns or trends." I've no doubt musicians, dancers, architects, graphic designers, poets, gardeners, and many others could find applications for each of these computational thinking concepts, too.
The point is computational thinking is not new and, most importantly, it's relevant in areas other than computer science.
Even more importantly, computational thinking is a skill we have to integrate in our teaching as teachers and one we have to help our students develop and refine.
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
EdTech is NOT an option
I had to check my smartphone to make sure I hadn't embarked on some sort of weird time travel. I shook my head a little thinking maybe the fumes were getting to me.
But no, the conversation was on-going. Finally I could no longer keep quiet, which comes as no surprise to anyone who knows me. I asked, gently and respectfully, what grade the teacher taught. 6th grade.
I nodded and then asked, still gently and respectfully, if she was able to use any technology in her classroom.
This 30-something teacher lit up, though not entirely in a good way as this question started another mini-rant. Yes, she has a classroom cart of Google Chromebooks. Yes, the administration provided some training for her and they're easy enough to use but she just didn't understand the big deal over using technology in the classroom. She thought they did just fine with their textbooks though occasionally she took them to the computer lab to do "some stuff."
I must have managed to keep a straight face because she looked at me as though she thought I might or did agree. I took a deep breath. I asked her if she knew what kind of technology her students might be using in the middle school. She looked puzzled and a little perplexed. "Why would I need to know that?"
I nodded. Sagely, I hope. Taking another calming breath. "Well," says I, "it might be helpful to know the technology expectations for 7th grade so your students are ready. I mean, if they're not prepared that could reflect badly on you or your school."
She raised an eyebrow; her stylist paused. They just stared for several seconds. Then the client turned back to the mirror, looked at her stylist's reflection, and said, "Anyway. . . ".
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I wish I could say we were at a crossroads or on the cusp of something wonderful as teachers embrace technology in the classroom, as parents support and encourage technology in the classroom, but I know that is not true. Clearly. I wish I could say someone might be able to change this teacher's mind, and maybe someone can. I don't know what's at the root of her clinging tenaciously to her textbooks.
There's a video circulating on Facebook: If the World Were 100 People. Some of that data is here; more detailed statistics and sources are here. It suggests that 75% of the world's population has access to a cell phone. According to Internet Live Statistics, roughly 46% of the world's population has access to the internet.
Because if people can read, even a little bit, they can learn. What this suggests to me is that the potential for virtual learning becomes globally explosive. Which means that teachers who find comfort in textbooks--and I'm not saying textbooks are terrible and have no place--need to rethink their perspectives about teaching and learning. Fast.
All technology in the classroom is not and does not have to be "high tech," but teachers who shun technology are doing their students a huge disservice. In fact, I'd go so far to say they are doing their students harm.
Technology as an integral part of learning is not an option.
Friday, April 1, 2016
Every Student Succeeds. . .We Hope
I'm not trying to be philosophically difficult here. I'm really not. We know, we know, that what constitutes success for one individual does not constitute success for another. With all of our emphasis on differentiation and personalization, we know, we know, that not every student learns the same way, has the same passions and interests and abilities, has the same drive. So why, WHY do we insist on trying to measure students' learning and success by a standardized test?
It makes no sense.
NCLB initiated a quick march to pacing guides and uniform practices. We all had to be on page 72 by Tuesday, or else. In theory, ESSA intends to "break the old all-or-nothing cycle of centralization or decentralization" observes Michael V. McGill in "Making the Most of ESSA" in the March 9, 2016 issue of Education Week.
He further notes that Washington has to promote equity and provide resources beyond states' capacities and that "they" must foster a dialogue. Yes, well, maybe. I'm guessing "they" represents the Department of Education, but, in my opinion, the DOE is far too removed from understanding what equity and appropriate resources look like in most cities, towns, and villages in the United States. What works in some parts of Houston won't work in others. What works in Wichita, KS won't work in Hiawatha, KS. What works in some parts of CPS won't work in others. Not so much "won't" work, but won't be the best solution. In other words, what promotes equity and satisfies resource needs in one school in one part of any place may not be the same solution for any other school.
And that makes the jobs of local and state education officials and administrators even more complex.
As McGill also notes, "This dialogue must start with the understanding that there is no single education problem in America. What works depends heavily on what is at the local level. . . The very policies will enhance the distinctiveness and originality of every school and its surrounding communities." While the DOE might be able to help facilitate a conversation, I'm not convinced they will help in too many ways.
What is good about the ESSA is the amount of latitude it gives states to meet their respective educational needs. What's bad about the ESSA is the same thing if the thinking and the actions at the state level do not change. The education officials at the state level need to recognize the potential gift in the ESSA and take a giant step back.
What I think needs to happen starting now is this.
Initiative Audit
State education officials need to encourage local school boards and school administrators to do conduct a no-holds-barred audit of all of their initiatives. They need to be ruthless, even with any administrators pet project. With a clear-cut rubric (I have one), they need to assess if an initiative has been implemented with any fidelity and if it is making or has made any difference. If not, it goes. It should go without saying that classroom teachers need to be represented on this audit team as they're the ones who have to implement every scheme and initiative. This kind of an audit should be conducting at the end of every school year because just as there is such a thing as project creep, there is such a thing as initiative creep. Stuff just keeps getting added without thinking through unintended consequences.
Policies and Processes Audit
Every school has a binder of policies and processes and I have no doubt that some of them conflict. A different team of administrators and teachers needs to review all of the policies and processes with a powerful magnifying glass and make recommendations that benefit the entire school and with a view towards the next two or three years. This audit should be conducted every two years, at least.
Technology Audit
Get the IT "team," the media specialist, and some teachers who like to use technology and want to use technology on this team to take a close and objective look at what the school has and what the school needs for the upcoming school year and with a view towards the next two or three years. Is the infrastructure sufficient? Does this team have any recommendations for the Policies and Processes Audit team? What kind of funding is needed to upgrade technology? What kind of funding is needed to get any additional necessary technology? What kind of funding is needed to get any additional technology that would help students succeed at another level? The technology audit should be completed at the end of every school year. If nothing else, it helps provide insight into loss and breakage trends but can also provide insight into usage trends.
Community Partnerships
If there aren't many community partnerships, figure out why not. These partnerships can include local businesses as well as local community colleges and universities. Building these partnerships benefits teachers and students. Perhaps there will be opportunities for internships or apprenticeships. Perhaps there will be opportunities for guest lecturers, from businesses or from colleges and universities. Perhaps there will be opportunities for dual credit, for extended learning the school can't offer, for scholarships. This should be on-going. I'd have an assistant principal and a couple of teachers, maybe not the "obvious" choices, as part of the team that meets quarterly to do a status check on the community partnerships and see what else they could be doing to retain and build partnerships. By the way, not all partnerships have to be immediately local. And, these partnerships may help contribute to finding a way to some degree of equity.
We have become content to rely on governments to provide for us, but schools need to take some control over their own futures. They need to be able to articulate their needs clearly and specifically. The state officials need to be able to facilitate and coordinate cooperation locally and federally; that's no small task if local and state agencies are honestly going to try to meet the needs of individual schools.
At the end of the day, it's not about federal, state, or local governments. It's not about local school boards or teachers' unions. It's not about PTOs. It's about the kids. It's always about the kids. Or should be.
One of my favorite quotes about success was given to me by a former student. Booker T. Washington said,
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.Some of our kids have a lot of obstacles to overcome. Some of our kids have different, less obvious obstacles to overcome. The solutions for our high-poverty schools are different from the high-achieving and often wealthier schools.
As we think about what it means for every kid to succeed, let's not try to apply a single solution or set of policies or assessment method or funding calculus to our schools. Let's do the very hard work of individualizing what it means to provide equity and resources to our schools, and enabling our teachers to do what they do best: focus on the kids.
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Mountains and nature combine to form the centre of an enjoyable holiday. Over 900km of well marked walking and hiking paths await the mountain lover. Climb/hike any degree of difficulty or mountain bike the powerful inspirational world. Discover the radiant mountain backdrop of the Rofan, the Weidersberger Horn and Gratlspitz. 360 degree beautiful panoramic views.
The natural deep blue lakes in the area are perfect for swimming, boating, diving, splashing around or just relaxing. The more adventurous will find a lot of action with wild water swimming, tubing, rafting and kayaking in the gorges and canyons of the rushing mountain streams and rivers.

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BBC Studios and Post Production (BBC S&PP) has installed technical galleries for studio spaces at Elstree Film Studios, including the George Lucas Stages, which now feature a Studer Vita 8 for mixing and an OnAir 3000 handling studio routing. BBC S&PP has also refurbished the sound and other control areas for Studio D at its own studios nearby. Having moved out of Television Centre (TVC) in west London, BBC S&PP is now using programme making facilities at both the BBC facilities and the Film Studios at Elstree, to the north of the capital. S&PP will not be moving into the proposed new studios at TVC until at least 2015 so it was decided to build dedicated galleries for large-scale TV production at Elstree Film Studios' George Lucas Stages and two other four wall spaces. The shared galleries for the George Lucas Stages 1 and 2 have been built into former offices and dressing rooms alongside the studios. The audio gallery (pictured) houses a Studer Vista 8 and an OnAir 3000 that were previously in the control area of Studio 1 at TVC. Since the move the Vista 8 has been upgraded to new VistaMix software, which features R128 loudness processing. Because no AES router has been installed the OnAir 3000 is connected to the Vista 8 for studio routing purposes, as well as grams play-in from two SpotOn systems. The suite is equipped for 5.1 mixing, with monitoring on ATC loudspeakers. Wall boxes in both Lucas stages are connected to the gallery over fibre. Sound supervisor Andy Tapley explained that George Lucas 1 is used for "big light entertainment shows", such as the current ITV production Your Face Sounds Familiar, and the forthcoming BBC ratings hit Strictly Come Dancing, which is mixed in 5.1 and involves more than 60 radio microphones. Elstree Film Studios' Stages 8 and 9 have also had galleries added; the gallery for 8 has been built on the first floor above the stage while the one for 9 is housed in a Portacabin outside. Danny Popkin, technical development manager for BBC S&PP, comments that the sound areas for both are "almost identical" to that of the George Lucas Stages, featuring Vista 8s and OnAir 3000s. The same combination also appears in the refurbished sound gallery for Studio D at BBC Elstree Studios. These desks were removed from Studio 6 at TVC and have been installed in an enlarged audio control room away from the production and lighting galleries. BBC S&PP will continue to use Studio D after the move back to TVC; Popkin explains that the gallery equipment is intended to be in service for at least another five years. www.bbcstudiosandpostproduction.com
BBC S&PP fits galleries for Elstree studios
BBC Studios and Post Production (BBC S&PP) has installed technical galleries for studio spaces at Elstree Film Studios, including the George Lucas Stages, which now feature a Studer Vita 8 for mixing and an OnAir 3000 handling studio routing.


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Whether you are moving within the Tri City, India or moving overseas, Aagarwal Packers & Movers provides a comprehensive range of removals services to suit your needs including international removals domestic moving services.
Whether you are managing group moves, corporate relocation or the relocation of an individual, our team at EMS has the expertise and moving services in place to support the assignee and their families, the assignment manager and the whole business.
The different forms of transport we offer are very important to each individual relocation. We understand the importance of working with the assignee to manage expectations on the volumes, time scales and staying within the policy requirements.
Aagarwal Packers & Movers offers removals and storage throughout the India, and with our local offices we can always ensure a friendly, good value service that will suit your specific needs. We can also provide assistance with storage, with our network of warehouses around the country, and offer a professional packing service that will keep your belongings safe during your move. Moving Office? If you need office removal or corporate moving services, Aagarwal Packers & Movers can guarantee a professional and local service anywhere in the UK. Britannia has the expertise and knowledge to assist with moving services for employees relocating within the India or moving to overseas assignments.


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A child in Germany was the recipient of the world's first transgenic stem cell skin implant where a healthy LAMB3 gene was added to lab-grown skin cells via a virus.
Doctors in Germany saved a life with an experimental skin transplant. How could this change how we see implants in the future?I'm a sucker for medical miracles, aren't you? #disasteraverted #nocodeblueClick To Tweet
As I read more about future developments, I see a life filled with those emphatic tears. I mean, scientists are growing body parts in a lab now. How long until we can just replace anything?
That's why I couldn't pass this story up when it crossed my desk. There's nothing else quite as heartwarming or heart-wrenching as a story where doctors narrowly avoid a code blue. Especially when the subject is a child.
Let me get to the point. Recently, a child in Germany was the recipient of the world's first transgenic stem cell skin implant. It's a bit of a harrowing tale, but it has an awesome ending that could benefit other patients around the world.
Let's start at the beginning.
A Drastic Plan That Came Together
To tell this story, we need to know a few things about the patient. Since we don't have a name, we'll call him 'Harry'.
Harry was a newborn baby, born in early 2015 with a genetic skin disorder. His LAMB3 gene was faulty, which made his body unable to anchor the outer layer of skin to the inner layer.
As a result of his condition, Harry was missing skin. He was covered in blisters, and all of the antibiotics and painkillers in the world weren't going to fix that. The baby spent five weeks in intensive care, but his doctors and parents refused to give up.
They opted to try an experimental procedure to save Harry's life. First, they clipped off a tiny, precious square of existing skin. Then, they experimented with it until they found a solution.
The idea behind the experiments was to inject a functioning LAMB3 gene into Harry's skin via a virus. From there, they could grow those cells into sheets of synthetic skin. It took them about four months to do, but soon the skin was on the way to the hospital.
The treatment was a success. Seven and a half months after he entered the hospital, Harry left without a wound on his body.
So far, the treatment has been successful, and his gene-corrected skin seems to be accepting the transplants. Still, it will be important to monitor Harry's health for decades to see if the transgenic stem cells are reliable.
If I were Harry, I'd take that deal, and thank medical science for it. Since I'm not Harry, though, I think it's only proper to question whether or not this kind of treatment should be commonplace.
Anything to Avoid Code Blue
Skin made from transgenic stem cells is a very new prospect. We've all heard of things like 3D-printed human skin, but this takes it to the genetic level.
This means a couple of things. First, it brings up the debate over whether or not we should be altering aspects of the human genome. I think that in extreme cases such as Harry's, though, it's kind of a moot point.
After all, if I were his parent, I'd do anything to save his life.Who wouldn't do anything to save their kid's life? #nobody #that'swhoClick To Tweet
While this procedure was extreme, it wasn't entirely unheard of. In 2017, we saw medical breakthroughs that reduced the risk rate of transplants and regenerate cells. In a way, this procedure is a combination of both of those things.
First, Harry's transplant skin had to be accepted, which was easy because it was made from his own stem cells. Second, his body has to regenerate those skin cells on its own, which it seems to be doing thus far.
Cases like this one support the use of stem cells to ensure transplant acceptance.


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Catering for up to 16 divers, the Deep Blue motor yacht is a fantastic liveaboard experience for divers wanting to explore the sites around Darwin and Wolf Islands. With 11 highly experienced crew members on board, the Deep Blue shows its guests the very best of the Galapagos Islands with visits to Cape Marshall, North Seymour and Cousin's Rocks in addition to the world-renowned diving found at Wolf Island and Darwin Island. Guests are even able to visit Bartolome and Santa Cruz during their stay on board the Deep Blue.
The Deep Blue vessel offers a highly functional diving deck with kitting up space, multiple hot showers, Nitrox refills and camera tables for all those bringing photographic equipment along. Diving takes place from the vessel's 2 dedicated diving dinghies, which makes for a carefree diving experience.
There is also a spacious sun deck with a shaded area offering comfortable seating and sunbeds. On the main deck, guests can make use of the air-conditioned saloon as well as the entertainment area. The entertainment space comes complete with a DVD player and movie library, games, a music system, a fully-stocked bar, fish identification books and a satellite phone for staying in touch. The dining space is where all the delicious meals are served on board the Deep Blue. Guests often rave about the food on board, which consists of organic Chinese, Italian, local and international fare. Meals are freshly prepared and served buffet style, and the onboard chef makes use of only the freshest local ingredients.


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1. Lido - it's a beach in Venice but also in New York. It looks like a common place to have fun (having sausage and beer). I think it's a metaphor of plain life and I guess the beach is just a symbol of that. New York - because they spent lots of time in New York and in San Francisco.
2. "Klaus and the Rooster have been there too"
Who is Klaus? Here: funtrivia.com/askft/…
and here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
The Rooster - drug dealer - LA slang, here:
3. "Hanging with the mayor and all his friends
And nobody cares"
Because they are all the same when they do drugs
Now, I will not go into explanation of next couple of strophes in detail, yet I will give you some clues:
knock twice = when somebody taps it's vein
rap with your cane = cane it -> consuming excessive amounts of Alcohol and or drugs
here: onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/…
skinny girl = syringe
Ruthie = wild, crazy girl
here: chacha.com/question/…
silver key = needle
red door = vein
Jackson = $20 bill (shot price)
And, this is the link where you may find the best explanation of the song:
If somebody has time and/or will, it would be nice to have us informed if something new is found about other verses. Or, someone may put together the whole story - I just threw some facts.
(And, being that I am not native English speaker, I apologize if something in my writing is not understandable.)


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Charlie Hebdo vigil in Chicago: remarks by Consul General of France
Remarks by Consul General of France Vincent Floreani on the occasion of the gathering organized at the Alliance Française de Chicago in support of the victims of the attack against the French magazine Charlie Hebdo.
(January 7, 2014)
We are together tonight to pay our respects to the people slain today in Paris. Twelve innocent people killed. Ten journalists, courageous, talented, who were defending freedom of press, freedom of press which is the core of our democracies. Two police officers implementing the rule of law and who were protecting the magazine, Charlie Hebdo. I would kindly request you to stand up and to observe a minute of silence in memory of these people.
We must remain united. The terrorists want us to be divided, but we should not make any confusion between a small group of terrorists and a whole religion, which is a religion of peace. I would like to express my gratitude, the gratitude of the French government and the French people to our American friends. We received many messages of solidarity through the day, including words of support from President Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry and Senator Dick Durbin, both of whom expressed their solidarity in French, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
I would like to quote Mayor Emanuel's letter which says, "My heart goes out to the families of the victims. I cannot begin to imagine the pain that the families are experiencing during this time of grief and tragedy. Please note that our thoughts and prayers are with you and the French Republic."
This attack was not only an attack against France, but also an attack against the values we share with our American friends and with so many countries throughout the world.
The terrorists wanted France to be on its knees, but we are standing up together here tonight to support our values. Tens of thousands of people were marching through the main cities of France to support our values. It was the same in many European cities and also in many U.S. cities. We are determined to arrest and bring the perpetrators to justice. We are determined to continue the combat against terrorist groups. We know we have your support.
Merci beaucoup./.


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CEAVCO Audio Visual recently launched an online Lookbook highlighting some of the company's best video, audio, and lighting work. See why CEAVCO's clients from around the country and around the world love what they see and hear. Visit www.ceavco.com/lookbook.
Good Lighting Brings Presentations to Life
CEAVCO Audio Visual recently purchased the MAC Aura and MAC Viper, versatile moving light fixtures that provide superior onstage lighting. These LED fixtures use a fraction of the power of traditional tungsten lights, making them extremely cost efficient.
Says Ryan Wentworth, CEAVCO's senior lighting director, "My goal is to work with you to bring your themes, ideas, and presentations to life. I want to make your event the absolute best it can be."
Check out a short Lookbook video showing how Ryan and his team use lighting to help make live events engaging, educational, and entertaining.
Rental and Staging Network Spring Meeting in Las Vegas
In April, CEAVCO Audio Visual will attend the spring meeting of the Rental & Staging Network (RSN), which will be held in Las Vegas. RSN is an organization that encourages networking and sharing of best practices among likeminded industry executives. The 25 RSN member companies are part of a nationwide alliance of the audio visual industry's best providers, offering a consistent level of professionalism, knowledge, capabilities, and live event production experience wherever their clients' events are happening.
While in Vegas, CEAVCO will also attend the NAB Show. NAB – the National Association of Broadcasters – is the premier trade association for broadcasters, and attendees at the annual show represent every sector of the industry. Check out the Rental & Staging Network webpage.
Paul Kirchhevel Celebrates 46th Anniversary at CEAVCO
Paul Kirchhevel recently celebrated his 46th anniversary at CEAVCO Audio Visual. He started at the company back in February 1969, working as a repair technician and later as an installer. In the 80s, he was largely responsible for building the company's video and audio rental division, which eventually evolved into a live event company.
Says CEAVCO president Matt Emerson, "I give credit to Paul for establishing our culture of client service and for always doing the right thing and standing behind our products and services."
Matt Emerson Named President of InfoComm Board
CEAVCO Audio Visual President Matt Emerson was named President of the Board of Directors of InfoComm International on January 1, 2015. It's his sixth year serving on the board. "I have the opportunity to work with some of the best minds in the industry," said Matt. "The experience has been incredibly enriching."
InfoComm, the association that represents the commercial audio visual industry worldwide, hosts trade shows around the world, where the industry's foremost experts share best practices on innovative, technology-enabled solutions. In 2015, CEAVCO will be sending a team to the June show in Orlando, Florida, and Matt will also attend the shows in Sao Paolo, Brazil, in May and Mumbai, India, in September.
For more information, visit www.infocomm.org.
AV Alliance Adds New Global Members
AV Alliance, a global network of audio visual production specialists, recently added members from Panama, Mexico, Australia, Japan, and France, thereby expanding the organization's global reach. As a member of AV Alliance, CEAVCO Audio Visual is able to travel with clients to event locations around the world such as Hong Kong and Zurich in collaboration with AV Alliance's international partners.
By working with the world's best audio visual companies, CEAVCO is able to go where our clients go while ensuring consistency of staff, service, and quality.
Learn more about AV Alliance here.
LDI Lighting Show — the Latest Video and Audio Gear in Action
CEAVCO Audio Visual's team attended the LDI Lighting Show in Las Vegas in November 2014 to network with attendees from 88 countries and learn about the latest video and audio gear in action. Check out some highlights from the show.
CEAVCO Travels Around the Country — We Go Where Our Clients Go
CEAVCO Audio Visual recently signed a two-year agreement with a national organization of finance professionals based in Washington, DC, to provide comprehensive audio visual services at their annual conference in San Francisco. CEAVCO also recently signed a multi-year agreement with a Colorado-based nonprofit organization that advocates for all sectors of the global space industry through space awareness activities, educational programs, and major industry events.
CEAVCO Provides AV Production for the Cyberspace Symposium
For the past 8 years, CEAVCO Audio Visual has provided full-scale AV production for the Cyberspace Symposium at the 5-star Broadmoor Hotel and Conference Center in Colorado Springs. The event draws government and industry leaders from around the nation. When organizations host events at the world's best hotels and conference centers, they choose to partner with a world-class AV company like CEAVCO to make sure the job is done right.
Check out our Look Book video on the event here.
CEAVCO AV Production for the Universal Cheerleaders Championship
CEAVCO Audio Visual recently provided video, audio, and lighting production for the Universal Cheerleaders Association Mile High Championship at the National Western Complex. CEAVCO helped the competition stay on schedule to keep the audience entertained and give athletes and coaches peace of mind. The 2014 event was held at the National Western Complex in Denver, a 600,000 square foot venue that holds more than 10,000 people.
Read the Look Book story here.


text: Prtzdle 269 Posted August 10, 2019 Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 1 hour ago, Terri Schehr said: It got a little loose. I'd rather them get it out of their system last night than tonight. I thought Devils had a rough brass show but what do I know? I'm sure some expert will fix my thinking. Bwahaha I thought the tempo was slower for much of the show than it had been the last several competitive runs. I'm confident they will be better tonight!! Go Blooooo ✌🏼😎🎺🥁🏳 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites


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State Information
Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness
Location: 1200 Negron Drive
Hamilton, NJ 08691
Mail: PO Box 091
Trenton, NJ 08625
(609) 584-4000
Office of the Attorney General
Hughes Justice Complex
25 Market Street
P.O. Box 081
Trenton, NJ 8625
(609) 292-9660
Local Information
Essex County Office of Emergency Management
560 Northfield Avenue
West Orange, NJ 07052
Tel: (973) 324-9750
Fax: (973) 324-9759
Hudson County
595 County Ave
Building One
Secaucus, NJ 7094
(201) 319-3871
Newark Fire Department
Office of Emergency Management
1 Lincoln Avenue, Room 206A
Newark, NJ 7104
(973) 733-3660
Citizen Corps
Get Involved in Preparing your Community. Citizen Corps, Homeland Security's grassroots effort, localizes preparedness messages and provides opportunities for citizens to get emergency response training; participate in community exercises; and volunteer to support local first responders. To learn more and to get involved, contact your nearest Citizen Corps Council by visiting www.citizencorps.gov.
New Jersey State Citizen Corps Council
NJSP Office of Emergency Management
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628
(609) 963-6995


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1501 Dozier Rd
Montgomery, AL 36117 Directions
The Aroostook Golf Course understands your need for variety. But variety can also be an unlikely tool that sharpens your game. Such is the case as Aroostook Golf Course features two eighteen hole championship courses. In addition to the beautifully landscaped and manicured greens and fairways, there are complete practice facilities that are designed to help work on the various aspects of improving your game. This course is also ideal for corporate events.
50 Ocala Dr
Montgomery, AL 36117 Directions
7160 Byron Nelson Blvd
Montgomery, AL 36116 Directions
3800 Davenport Dr
Montgomery, AL 36105 Directions
2855 Lagoon Park Dr
Montgomery, AL 36109 Directions
When you play golf, don't settle for anything but the best. That's what the Lagoon Park Golf Course offers, as it has been consistently ranked as one of the Top 50 public courses in the United States. Enjoy beautifully manicured greens and fairways on this par-72 championship layout that also offers additional amenities like a luxurious club house and equally impressive practice ranges and greens.


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WASHINGTON — The Justice Department on Monday defended its record of prosecuting criminal civil rights cases after an independent study concluded the number of prosecutions had dropped significantly under President Bush.
The analysis by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University found that the number of criminal civil rights defendants prosecuted had dropped from 159 in 1999 to 84 last year.
After initially declining comment on the study, the Justice Department said Monday the research was "incorrect" and the true number of defendants prosecuted last year was 151, actually higher than the 138 it said were prosecuted in 1999.
"This administration believes in and has vigorously enforced the criminal civil rights laws," said Justice Department spokesman Eric Holland.
David Burnham, a co-author of the study at TRAC, said the research was based entirely on numbers provided under Freedom of Information Act requests by the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys, a part of the Justice Department.
The same information, Burnham said, is used in the department's reports to Congress and to investigative agencies such as the Government Accountability Office. It was backed up, he said, by similar downward trends in civil rights enforcement TRAC found in records kept by federal courts.
The Justice Department also said TRAC was mistaken in saying it had received about 12,000 civil rights complaints each year, including 2003. The number of complaints last year was about 9,500, officials said.
However, the Justice Department's own Internet site on Monday continued to say it receives "approximately 12,000 criminal civil rights complaints annually."
© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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It's May! The sun is shining, the days are longer than ever, and that means it's time to play some video games.
I've been enjoying asking what games you all are playing each month, so I wanted to do the same thing for May. Rather than list all the games I'm playing (though the top image is a pretty strong clue about one of them), I thought I'd get right to it and ask you all what you're up to. So, let's take it Kinja: What games are you playing in May?


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Auction Type: Online Auction
Auction Highlights: Crossville Studios of Tennessee has purchased 2 Colorado based wholesale Tile & Stone Distributors. This purchase and merger of companies has resulted in thousands of square feet of excess tile and stone inventory that must be liquidated. Public online auction will include large format porcelain tiles, natural stone tiles, decorative mosaics as well as 3cm thick slab material in man-made quartz, 3cm natural granite, marble, quartz and travertine slabs. All porcelain, ceramic and natural stone tile to be sold is first grade material.
General Auctions, New Merchandise
All tools that may be required for disassembly and removal of auction items is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please do your due diligence during inspection to determine what will be needed. If you have any questions at all, contact us prior to bidding.
It is the buyers' responsibility to pick up all purchased lots. Roller personnel is there to assist/locate items but not to verify all items have been picked up. We will attempt to assist with this, but it is ultimately the responsibility of the buyer.
Roller & Associates, Inc.
7500 York Street,Denver, Colorado 80229
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© 2020 Roller & Associates, Inc.


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Decorating Feral Rule # 452
19 comments:
Oh, the ole hot glue gun... ;-) LOVE the centerpiece!ReplyDelete
Hot glue guns and feathers....dangerous :-) Beautiful centerpiece. Is that a boutonniere (I had to look that word up :-) in the first pic? I love it!ReplyDelete
They are gorgeous! and oooo yes, the hot glue guns can be a painful issue!ReplyDelete
Are those sheds supporting the centerpiece? How absolutely gorgeous!ReplyDelete
so i'm guessing the flower dye has worn off by now...ReplyDelete
Between the dye and the glue, you are going to need fancy gloves if you keep this up! Lovely work though.ReplyDelete
Oh I love it the old Feral Woman is back and cracking me up with laughter. Great job. Welcome back girl. Hugs BReplyDelete
Absolutely beautiful. You are very talented. But I hope you have your hair tied back while working on these projects. We wouldn't want the mother of the bride ending up with blued and glued ends now.ReplyDelete
Gorgeous and so very creative!ReplyDelete
ouch! But gorgeousReplyDelete
If I hadn't seen the picture and you said there were antlers in the center piece, I would have said you were nuts. I really like it!ReplyDelete
Be careful with that glue gun!
Looks good, specially like the fly fishing fly. You are soooo creative!ReplyDelete
Looks beautiful, pretty sure Bride Arwen will approved. Glue guns are dangerous, be careful! You are a hoot!ReplyDelete
well, i like them!! and yes, i have a love hate relationship with glue guns.ReplyDelete
Me and a hot glue gun is an accident waiting to happen! I always wanted to be artsy / crafty but I definitely did not get that in my dna!ReplyDelete
Talented lady! Love it. Sure it will get approved! Yes...gloves!ReplyDelete
It looks like your mishaps will pay off in the end....You might need to start shopping for those gloves that slide right on up to your armpits:)ReplyDelete
Gorgeous. Your header took my breath away. I have seen these and took photos of these guys and gals almost the same setting.ReplyDelete
Cool! We used antlers in our centerpieces as well. They are shabby-chic!ReplyDelete
Just found your blog! Love it lots!
I am feral, I dont respond at all like most domesticated bloggers- However thank you for even wanting to leave a comment, as long as it doesnt involve death threats or name calling, I might even respond!


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Chargers head coach Norv Turner told reporters yesterday his San Diego squad was "as tough a group of guys as I've been around…they've responded in every kind of adversity." Given that these statements came shortly after a 34-24 loss to Tampa Bay, highlighted by Phillip Rivers' early Xmas present for Leonard Johnson, it was entirely fitting Norv was hit with the followup question, ""In your estimation, if they do respond and they still do play hard but still continue to lose, is that acceptable?". The San Diego Union Tribune's Nick Canepa details Turner's flustered reaction :
Norv's face went the color of a blood orange, he raised his voice dramatically, and went off like I've never seen him go off before. "What do you think? What do you think the answer to that question is? Answer it for me. No, it's not acceptable. You know the answer to that. Is it acceptable having a blocked punt and an interception for a touchdown? No, it's not acceptable to play hard and not win, but that's what happened."
As he walked past me and gave me a semi-friendly look, I mentioned that whatever was under his collar was a bit hot. He took about five steps toward the locker room and then came back toward me.
"I'm not hot under the collar," he said, his voice still angry. "You ask a stupid question you should get a stupid (bleeping) answer."
Well, it really wasn't a stupid question. If Norv constantly didn't tell us how hard his guys work, how they overcome adversity, how they're "mentally and physically tough," how they respond, maybe, just maybe, it would have qualified as one.


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Gov. Chris Christie wants a bill on parole eligibility rewritten to include a rollback of the controversial new early-release program for violent criminals.
Christie on Wednesday conditionally vetoed a bill lawmakers sent to him that would modify the current limitations on the New Jersey Parole Board to set futue parole eligiblity. As written, the
bill would have increased the cycle from every 3 years to every 10 years of mandatory parole review.
The conditional veto also would repeal the mandatory early-release provisions. A statement from the administration said ""the danger of this law to the public is real and has already been tragically demonstrated with the murders of two individuals, allegedly by two inmates released under the mandatory provisions."


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There is no love lost between Theon Greyjoy and the evil Ramsay Bolton on Game of Thrones, but off-screen Alfie Allen and Iwan Rehon, who play the characters respectively, are pretty chummy. In fact, they're even closer than some might realize. Last night, the actors stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote the sixth season of the hit HBO show, and we got to see their real life bromance for ourselves.
After showing a clip from the show where Theon and Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) are on the run after escaping Winterfell, Kimmel wanted the on-screen enemies to prove that the hatred on Game of Thrones is in fact acting. "You know what would be a really nice thing and sell this whole idea that this is actually acting: We've seen so much unpleasantness between the two of you, if you were just to hug between the two of you, I think it would be really sweet…" Kimmel said before Allen and Rheon hugged it out.
However, it didn't just stop at a hug—the duo also shared a brief kiss. Let's start the romance rumors now.
RELATED: Game of Thrones's Emilia Clarke Wants to #FreeTheP on the Hit Show
Watch it all go down above, and get ready to see Allen and Rehon on Game of Thrones when it premieres Sunday, April 24.


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Loan Amount
Up to $500,000
Estimated Repayment Terms
1-5 Years
Interest Rate
Starting at 7%
Speed of Funding
As fast as 1 day
Life gets pretty hectic sometimes. We juggle work, family, and other various responsibilities. It's vital that we find time to take care of ourselves. Thanks to those in fitness industries, we have places to get fit and fabulous!
At Fast Capital 360, we realize how much work (and money) it takes to keep your businesses moving. New, unique equipment and amenities are only part of what a competitive gym needs to succeed.
Maybe you want to remodel your reception area to offer a more welcoming appearance to new and prospective members or offer more classes the other gyms in town don't have. Either way, all of these costs add up.
The fitness world is a big one with many competitive aspects. As essential as keeping up appearances from the neck up is, keeping our bodies in shape for our busy lives is even more important. Your potential clients are looking for a clean facility with plentiful, state-of-the-art equipment – and that doesn't come cheap.
So whenever you need funding for your facility, we've got your back! Just think of us as your trainer. We're proud to partner with many business owners in your field by offering great business funding options. We'll help you get all of the essentials and assist you with working capital during the slower times in your business.
Fitness and Beauty Business Loans
Finding small business loans online used to be impossible. Just 15 years ago, beauty and fitness business loans only came from the big banks. As the internet continued to grow and banks made it more difficult for small business owners to get the funding they needed, online lenders stepped in.
Today, our company offers lending agreements that have serious benefits over the ones found at major financing institutions. We've designed our funding alternatives to traditional loans for gyms, fitness studios, yoga classes, martial arts studios and other small businesses that need business cash advances.
Applications for gym funding at the big banks take hours to complete and require filling out dozens of pages. Our application for funding alternatives to traditional loans take applicants just minutes to complete.
Instead of keeping you waiting around for 90 days just to learn if your financing program has been approved, our approval process takes hours. Most applicants receive their approval in just 60 minutes.
Once your fitness facility is approved, in most cases, we can deliver your funding in just one business day. We don't think you should have to wait around to receive the cash your fitness business needs.
Fast Capital 360 is a member of the Responsible Business Lending Coalition. We've pledged to keep our fast approval on funding alternatives to traditional loan agreements fair and transparent without confusing terms & conditions.
Running a fitness business is hard enough without having to wade through piles of paperwork just to get the capital you need. Our business advisors are standing by six days a week to help you understand all of your financing options for your gym, crossfit facility, fitness studio or other business.
Call us at (800) 735-6107 to speak to one of our Fast Capital business advisors today!
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