pimblr.com

At Fort Benning in Georgia, the Army has assigned soldiers suffering from PTSD to housing located just 200 yards away from firing ranges. The “barrages from rifles and machine guns” make these wounded soldiers “cringe” and “stay awake and on edge,” and recently “sent one soldier to the emergency room with an anxiety attack.” Complaints to medical personnel and officers have brought no relief.
55 percent: Americans surveyed who said their families were financially worse off than they were a year ago. The USA Today/Gallup poll finds that “Americans are more downbeat about their personal financial situations now than they’ve been in decades.”
CQ reports that in just the first three months of this year, “three of the nation’s biggest telecommunications companies have employed 37 lobbying firms to urge lawmakers to include such immunity in any overhaul of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.” These companies and their allies spent more than $14 million lobbying during this time.
A new report by NASA’s inspector general concludes that the Bush administration’s “distortion and suppression of climate science” is “‘inconsistent’” with the law that established the space program 50 years ago.” The report found a “sustained pattern of activities, largely supervised by senior political appointees, that included muting or withholding news releases on global warming” and blocking scientists from the media.
Even Dick Cheney believes that John McCain’s gax tax holiday is a bad idea. “I think it’s a false notion, in the sense that you’re not going to have much of an impact, given the size of the gasoline tax on the total cost of the gallon of gas,” Cheney said.
“We have the first global warming bill in history that is comprehensive, bipartisan and that enjoys support across the country,” said Al Gore of Senate climate change legislation being debated this week. “While it’s important that people change their light bulbs, it’s even more important that we change the laws.”

thinkprogress.org

COVINGTON - District administrators and board of education members for Covington Independent Public Schools want to know what community members think of starting a Montessori school here.
The idea will be discussed at a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Ninth District Elementary School cafeteria at 28th and Indiana streets.
Gina Lofquist, director of the Montessori Teacher Education Program and Lab School at Xavier University, will be there to explain the Montessori method.
Board member Jim Vogt asked that the idea be explored.
“I think it’s good for us to look at educational options that might work for some students and not for others,” Vogt said. “I think the more we get away from this one-size-fits-all mentality, the better we’ll be.”
The Montessori method was developed by Maria Montessori in the early 1900s. The philosophy is that teachers act more as observers of children who work independently using a hands-on approach.
For example, at Prince of Peace Montessori School in Covington, students are given their assignments at the beginning of the week with a goal of completing a certain amount of work each day at their own pace. They use beads to do math and flash cards for spelling and geography. They can work where they’re most comfortable - at tables or on the floor.
There are a few Montessori preschool and kindergarten programs in Northern Kentucky. Cornerstone Montessori in Highland Heights offers the method for preschool through sixth grade. Prince of Peace offers it for grades 1-8.
Lynda Jackson, executive director of learning support for Covington schools, has visited Sands Montessori Elementary in Cincinnati Public Schools and John F. Kennedy Montessori Elementary in Louisville.
She concluded from her observations that strong parental involvement would be necessary for any child in a Montessori program. She said criteria would also have to be developed to determine for which children this approach would work. Those who need more structure would likely struggle. Those who are more self-sufficient could flourish in this type of environment.

news.enquirer.com

The Rocket Man is headed to Fairbanks.
Sir Elton John will perform at the Carlson Center on May 29, according to Joe Wooden, the regional general manager for SMG of Alaska, which manages the venue. The pop superstar — who boasts more than 200 million in album sales, membership in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame and knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II — is making his debut in Alaska.
With a career that spans nearly 40 years, John is famous for his flamboyant style, piano prowess and songs like “Rocket Man,” “Daniel” and the best-selling single in history, “Candle In the Wind.”
Wooden said he expects the show to sell out in a matter of hours. “This is by far the biggest concert that I can ever remember coming to Alaska,” he said.
Carlson Center box office manager Kristin Baysinger said Alaska is benefiting from a stopover that John is making following a concert in Hong Kong. He’ll perform on consecutive nights in Anchorage and Fairbanks before continuing to Las Vegas.
Baysinger said specific details of the concert are still being worked out, but she expects at least eight sections will be opened on the Carlson Center floor, using a configuration the arena has never used before. The venue will do its best to maximize space while maintaining good sight lines, she said, with an expected capacity of about 6,500 seats.
“Basically, we will have every seat available that we can get,” Baysinger said.
Ticket prices for the event are set at $115 and $75, not including fees. Tickets for the event go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, and will be available at Fred Meyer Ticketmaster outlets, the Carlson Center box office, 456-4800, and www.ticketmaster.com.
Sounds like a heck of a deal. $115 to see the a middle aged prima donna sing a few songs in an acoustic nightmare of a venue, and tell us what crappy people Americans are. On second thought, I think I’ll just go somewhere and drop a rock on my foot. Less painful.

newsminer.com

Elton John will perform in Sullivan Arena on May 28. The show is part of his 2008 “Rocket Man: Number Ones” tour.
Tickets will be available starting at 10 a.m. on Monday, with a six-ticket limit per purchase. Ticket prices will range from $56.50 to $116.50, including the municipal surcharge, said Joe Wooden, regional general manager of SMG of Alaska Inc. The show’s promoter is Los Angeles-based AEG Live.
“This will be the biggest thing we’ve had here in recent memory,” Wooden said.
He noted that this would be Sir Elton’s first performance in Alaska and that, in addition to the Anchorage show, John would also perform at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks the following night.
In a recent interview with TV personality Larry King, John expressed an interest in performing in the U.S. states in which he had not yet appeared, and he mentioned Alaska specifically. (Vermont and Delaware were the other two.)
Since his first hit, “Your Song,” in 1970, John has sold more than 200 million records, recorded numerous Top 40 hits and 35 gold and 25 platinum albums. His most recent CD, “Rocket Man: Number Ones,” released in March, features newly compiled and digitally mastered hits spanning the singer-songwriter’s career and forms the core of what the Anchorage audience can expect to hear.
Reserved tickets for the Anchorage performance will be available Monday online at Ticketmaster.com, Charge-by-Phone at 562-4800, Fred Meyer Ticketmaster outlets and Sullivan Arena box office.

adn.com

Jennifer Aniston and musician John Mayer have been spotted enjoying a date together.
The pair spent the whole of Friday together, when they had lunch in a Miami restaurant that opened just for them, before dining together that evening, too.
Charles Bell, general manager of Michael's Genuine Food & Drink in the Miami Design District, which opened its doors for the pair early at 3:30 p.m. for the 90-minute meal, told People: "I was happy to accommodate them.'
Jen, currently in Miami shooting new flick Marley & Me with Owen Wilson, reportedly ordered a chicken salad, while Mayer had a Serrano ham sandwich, 'which Jen ate some of', revealed Bell.
He added: 'I can't speculate on what kind of meeting it was but they looked happy and seemed to have a great time.'
The pair carried on the date that evening, and later hit the Casa Tua on South Beach.
With his arm around her, Mayer, 30, and Aniston, 39, left the restaurant a bit before 1 am. When they returned to her hotel, they were an onlooker saw them holding hands.
If Aniston is Mayer's new girlfriend, she will be following in the footsteps of Cameron Diaz and Jessica Simpson, who have both dated the singer.
Monday 28 April 2008

marieclaire.co.uk

Freetown and Carnival Gardens Strikers notched up wins in the opening round of matches in the Antigua Commercial Bank, Caribbean Airways, Curtly Ambrose Two-day competition over the weekend.
Freetown defeated Seatons by 51 runs in a one day affair after a wet pitch forced a postponement of the first day.
Freetown batting first scored 245 for eight off 38 overs. Austin Richards Jr. slammed 61, Stanley Desilva hit 51 and Claxton Ralph struck 27. Machelle Pelle grabbed three for 17, Selwyn Hopson picked up two for 78, and Goldwyn Prince claimed two for 16.
Seatons were then dismissed for 194 with Selwyn Hopson and Goldwyn Prince getting 54 each and Clarence Fredrick chipped in with 28.
Wesley Williams captured four for 50, Jenson Joseph picked up three for 16 and Austin Richards Jr. took two for 62.
Strikers defeated John Hughes by five wickets. John Hughes made 280 for seven declared. Everton Meade hammered 137, Magoland Roberts made 36 and Ishan Phillip contributed 24. Charn Ranjohn bagged two for 44 and Geetesh Harrilall took two for 46.
Striker replied with 283. Harilall slammed 86, Ranjohn cracked 65 and Ashfaq Ahmad struck 57.
John Hughes then made 202 declared in their second innings. Wendell Bachelor cracked 88, and Everton Meade struck 58. John Sewsankar captured three for 51.
Strikers set 200 for victory, Strikers reached their target for the loss of five wickets with Geetesh Harilall getting 57, Owen Graham 35 and Sewsankar 32.
Off-spinner Elroy “Debble” Francis captured three for 52.
Swetes and St. Paul’s played to a draw. Swetes, batting first, scored 167 for eight from 55 overs. Ridley Jacobs hit 69 and Jermaine Otto got 26. Alphonso “Blacks” Jarvis captured four for 50 and Curtis “Hammer” Roberts claimed three for 39.
In reply, St. Paul’s made 203 for one with Sherman “Passion” James cracking 136 and Aldrich “Thread” Meade getting 50 not out.

antiguasun.com

Who can it be now? How about Colin Hay, the voice and songwriting talent behind 1980s mega-hitmakers Men at Work. Hay’s been on the comeback trail for a few years now and he’s built enough of a fan base that he shouldn’t have any trouble filling the World Cafe Live for his two shows Wednesday and Thursday nights.
Hay’s still-intact wit and warmth defined the now-classic Men at Work albums — which contained Aussie-heavy Top 10 hits like “Down Under,” “Overkill” and “Who Can It Be Now?” during the MTV hey-day of the mid-80s.
More recently, Hay’s “I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You,” became a memorable part of the “Garden State” movie soundtrack, earning praise from even John Mayer: “This is without a doubt my favorite song of the year,” Mayer wrote in Esquire Magazine. “I’m still trying for a tune like this of my own.”
As frontman for Men at Work, Hay was responsible for one of the most identifiable sounds in ’80s pop music: infectious, blue-eyed soul with a pointedly quizzical lyrical outlook. For the past 16 years, guitarist/singer Hay has worked primarily as a solo artist.
Over the past few years, Hay’s solo material has been given increased exposure thanks to actor Zach Braff (TV’s “Scrubs” and “Garden State”) and producer/director J.J. Abrams (”What About Brian,” “Alias”). Both Abrams and Braff have taken personal interests in Hay and his music, featuring Hay’s songs in television and film projects.
Hay’s current album, “Are You Lookin’ At Me?,” is his first record of new material in more than five years and is a tuneful and insightful meditation on love, life, sobriety and perseverance.
And if you’re in the mood for something truly sizzling, check out Alo Brasil at the World Cafe Live Saturday night. A band consisting of 12 Philadelphia musicians spanning three generations Alo Brasil was born out of a passion for Brazilian music.

courierpostonline.com

Westside Grill rallied past New Hope Community Church 17-10 Thursday to move to 3-0 in Men’s E League play at Christmas Hill Park.
The Grillers turned an 8-5 deficit into a 16-8 lead by pushing across 11 runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Alex Vega sparked the Westside fifth with a base-loaded triple. Jose Rodriguez added two doubles, Rick Gonzalez a double and single in the rally.
Matt Galindo and Nick Casares each went 3-for-3 for the winners. Matt Elam homered and Rudy Rodriguez and Larry Reimal each posted a pair of RBI-singles for 2-2 New Hope.
Walton & Sons Masonry is 4-0 in E action after a 22-17 verdict over Chippendale’s in eight innings.
Jason Mesa stroked a lead-off home run as Walton & Sons scored eight runs in the top of the eighth. Tyler Maslanka homered and Marc Vegas and Mesa each collected four hits for the league leader. Jason Kearns, Paul Bianchi and Kevin Giordanengo each went 4-for-6 for Chippendale’s.
Heinzen Manufacturing struck for six runs in the top of the seventh to upset the Bomb Squad 15-12.
Trailing 12-11 with two out, Rudi Groppe clubbed a two-run triple for a 13-12 edge for Heinzen. Manny Freitas followed with a two-run home run.
John Jimenez hit two home runs and Randy Garcia delivered three hits for the winners. Ryan Bell went 3-for-4 and Oscar Robles homered for Bomb Squad.
The Claddagh Brew Crew reached 3-0 atop the Men’s EE League Thursday at Las Animas Park with a 16-4 decision over the Borrachos.
Randy Russo lined a two-run double to help Claddagh to seven runs in the second inning. Joey Hoiberg helped the Crew with a three-run triple. Mike Keith scored three Claddagh runs.
Mark Cisneros and Mando Uribe each delivered a two-run home run for the Borrachos.

gilroydispatch.com

MIDDLETON Close to 100 people attended the annual Town Meeting Wednesday night.
All but three of 19 articles were decided. The remaining articles will be decided at a later date.
Article 4 generated the most discussion. It sought $500,000 for the development and construction of a highway garage and salt storage facility.
John Mullen, resident and recently elected selectmen, gave a presentation about the article. According to Mullen, the project would cut the response time for highway vehicles during storms because more salt and a mix of salt and sand could be made in larger quantities ahead of time. Currently the highway crew must make small batches of the mix and load it on the truck because there is not enough room in the sheds for storage.
Mullen said the $500,000 would be acquired through a 20-year bond and the estimated tax impact would be $27 per $100,000. According to Mullen, if the article passed the old highway garage could then be fixed up and used as a new fire station.
During discussion of the article, residents’ main concern was how long the garages would be able to last with the amount of work they see and if the roofs would hold up during periods of heavy snow. Mullen said that the garages had a warranty and were able to hold a large amount of snow on the roof.
A two-thirds ballot vote was required for the article to pass. The article ended up failing with 52 yes votes and 39 no votes.
At the end of the meeting a motion was introduced to reconsider Article 4. After a count of hands, the amendment passed with 43 yes votes and 20 no votes. Town moderator Jack Savage decided the article would be discussed Saturday, March 29, at the Old Town Hall on Kings Highway at 10 a.m.

fosters.com

Before there was Temple, John Chaney had Cheyney State. And the relationship was just as made-for-each-other as it would later become on North Broad Street. Only on a different level.
But success is success. The main reason he's in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame are the 516 wins and five Final Eights his teams accumulated in 24 seasons with the Owls. Yet in a decade at Division II, Chaney's Wolves went 225-59, including an NCAA title in 1978.
It's all part of the resume. And, in many ways, the most satisfying part.
"I think, in my humble beginning, I enjoyed that more," Chaney recalled yesterday. "I was teaching [Health and Physical Education] classes during that time. I think the biggest distinction was, there was a closeness that was there. Now you come to a big school, where there's 35,000 [students]. They all knew my name, but I didn't know theirs. At Cheyney, I could yell all the kids' names out, that weren't basketball players, that I knew. They hung around, boys and girls. Even the president would come to practice. Of course, Peter [Liacouras] did that at Temple, too.
"I'd always have a lecture, every morning, just like I'd do with my team. You would reach its highest peak of interest, then cut it off. Somebody said, 'Why'd you leave them hanging?' But when you [do that], the next time you introduce it they're like, 'Yeahhhhh!' Try that with kids. It works. Take that lollipop out of their mouth. I'm going give it back, when you do this or do that."

read_more