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Go Birding
Inwood Hill Park
Nesting** Spring Migration*** Fall Migration*** Winter**
(no star = birding is not very productive, * = somewhat productive, ** = productive, *** = very productive)
Inwood Hill Park, owned by the City of New York/Parks and Recreation is perched on the northernmost tip of Manhattan. The central portion of the Park rises steeply into a rocky ridge named Inwood Hill, approximately 230 feet above sea level. The western border is the Hudson River, offering magnificent views of the Palisades in New Jersey. Much of its 196 acres are lush woodlands that include a magnificent understory of witch-hazel, spice bush, and dogwood. The canopy is red oak and tulip trees. Some of the tallest trees in Manhattan are found in the Clove, a small, forested valley that extends along the eastern base of the ridge.
Brown Thrasherby D. Speiser
In a single year, 150 bird species have been spotted in Inwood Hill Park. Hairy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee and White-breasted Nuthatch nest in the wooded uplands. Eastern Kingbird and Brown Thrasher, which also nest in the park, are seen in the clearings.
At the northeast corner of Inwood Hill Park, where it meets Spuyten Duyvil Creek, two small bays indicate the salt marsh system that once surrounded Manhattan Island.
You can start your birdwalk at Inwood Hill Park by entering at 218th Street and Indian Road. During spring migration, check along the bays and shoreline, particularly the mudflats at low tide, for shorebirds (Solitary and Least sandpipers) and gulls. In spring and early summer, Belted Kingfisher and Northern Rough-winged Swallow are regular visitors. Warbling Vireo and Orchard Oriole regularly nest in this area. In the summer, Great Egret are found, and, from time to time, Black-crowned Night-Heron roost in the trees along Baker Bay, the smaller bay.
To explore the ridge, follow the paved paths that go into the woods from the southwest corner of the soccer field. The northern (on the right) path winds its way around and onto the north side of the ridge (under the Henry Hudson Bridge take the switchback upward). The southern route (on the left) goes into the Clove before climbing the ridge. Either way is good.
At the top of the Clove path there is an intersection; bear hard right on a paved path that goes northward along the east side of the ridge, listening for Indigo Bunting (nesting) that are often on the west side of this path. Eastern Screech-Owl also nest in the vicinity. Approximately 400 yards after the intersection, a side road comes in on the left (west). Stay on the main road, beyond the point where the side road splits off, to a junction with a small side trail leading to a lookout over a stone wall. Here you are level with the tops of tall trees growing in the valley, a good vantage to view treetop warblers, particularly in the morning when the east side of the ridge catches the sun. These tiny wonders actively forage for insects in the treetops and rapidly dart from tree to tree looking for places to rest and feed.
Eastern Bluebirdby D. Speiser
Back on the main path going south (retracing your steps) take the road to the west that leads to a small overgrown field. Here you can find woodland edge birds. Eastern Bluebird are regular visitors in March and November. From the west side of the field is a view -- not to be missed -- of the Hudson River and across to the Palisades. In the fall you can watch hawks and waterfowl migrating south along the river. As you gaze across the river to the Palisades, Turkey Vulture may be seen soaring in the updrafts.
After exploring the ridge, you can return the way you came or take the north path, which goes past the Henry Hudson Bridge toll booths before swinging under the bridge and switching back down to the east side of the ridge. The north path leads to the soccer field where you started.
Bald Eagleby D. Speiser
When you are under the bridge, you may choose to take a path that leads westward to the Hudson River and the ball fields. This path crosses the Amtrak railroad tracks via an overpass. For a more direct route to this portion of the river's edge, start at Dyckman Street, at the southern end of the park, and walk westward. From a pier where Dyckman Street meets the river, savor the view across the Hudson and watch for migrating cormorants, ducks, and gulls. Bring a scope and perhaps a chair and search the river for ducks and, if you are lucky, Bald Eagles in winter.
Although the path system is not extensive, it is easy to get confused. For the sake of orientation, remember while you are on the ridge, the Hudson River is always to the west.
Special Features
Inwood Hill Park has a number of very interesting geological and historical features. Inwood Hill's stony promontories contain all three types of New York City bedrock – gneiss, marble, and schist. A large outcropping of marble is visible on the northeast side of the intersection of Seaman Avenue and Isham Street. Glacial potholes are exposed on the west side of the rock wall near the upper end of the Clove path.
Inwood was the site of a Native American village (Shorakapkok) and was at one time believed to be the place where, in 1626, according to legend, Peter Minuit "purchased" Manhattan Island from the Manhattan Indians in exchange for objects then valued at 60 guilders (now believed to be worth $600). A rock tablet at the far end of the soccer field commemorates this transaction. In the 1890s, Native American artifacts were unearthed from caves in the ridge on the west side of the Clove. Some caves, actually rock overhangs, are still visible.
During the Revolutionary War, the north end of the ridge (then called Cock Hill) was the site of an earthen fort and the surrounding areas the site of a Hessian encampment. Dyckman House, a colonial era farmhouse at Broadway and 204th Street (2 blocks from the park) houses a small museum with artifacts from the period.
Inwood Hill Park has many wildflowers not found in the more heavily used city parks, among them Dutchman's-breeches, trillium, May apple, and jack-in-the-pulpit. The overgrown meadow on the ridge is particularly attractive to butterflies.
Eastern Towheeby D. Speiser
When To Go
For spring migrants, the best times are the third week in April through mid-May. Many migrants persist into late-May. June is good time to look for nesters. The morning hours from sunrise to midday are best, although on a "wave" or "flight" day the park is productive all day long. Because Inwood Hill Park has considerable woodlands, it holds migrants longer than Central Park or Riverside Park.
September and October are peak times to look for fall migrants. Look for hawk flights along the Hudson River from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.
Optimal Weather Conditions
During spring migration, the best birding days are those following nights of light southwest and, to a lesser extent, westerly winds. The best fall flights, including hawk migration, follow nights of west to north winds.
Personal Safety
Most people in Inwood Hill Park are using the ball fields and playgrounds, so, with the exception of a few joggers and dog walkers, the birding areas are a bit desolate. We recommend that birders go out in groups of two or more.
At the river overlook on the top of the ridge, a hole has been made in the fence that leads to an open rock ledge. Because the ledge slopes down to a dangerous drop-off to the parkway below, do not go beyond the fence.
The paths and stairways are steep and not very well maintained. In the winter they can be slippery. In spring, summer and fall, beware of poison ivy along their edges.
Getting There
Google Map to Inwood Hill Park
For Additional Information on Inwood Hill Park
Inwood Hill Nature Center
218th and Indian Road
Phone: (212) 304-2365
Hours: Open Wednesday -Sunday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Resource Persons for Inwood Hill Park Birding:
2012 - Joseph DiCostanzo, past- President, Linnaean Society of New York, and Research Assistant, Great Gull Island Project, American Museum of Natural History
2001 - Joseph DiCostanzo, Adele Gotlib, and George Karsch


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Hailed as a spiritual successor to the Saturn cult-classic Guardian Heroes and featuring the art work of Kinu Nishimura, beloved for her character de-signs in the Street Fighter series, Code of Princess' blend of cooperative and competitive action RPG brawling - up to four players in VS mode, local and online - offers gamers an exciting, unconventional hardcore experience.

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A new blog: the 1967 Chicago White Sox
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WSI Personality
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Downs, Il.
Posts: 586
Originally Posted by
Lip Man 1
It's not that the Sox didn't care about hitting or didn't try to get it. Some of the players they thought were going to do very well (Ken Berry immediately comes to mind) never became the hitters they thought they were going to be.
They became good players with exceptional defensive skills for the most part, but just never could hit like other players on other teams.
Also factoring in were the fact that Comiskey Park was not a hitters park by any means and the 'frozen baseballs' in the mid 1960's.
As stated the Sox knew what they were lacking and made serious attempts to get players like Frank Robinson, Yaz and Hawk Harrelson on to the team...to no avail.
I'll return in a minute posting a link to the story I posted that has the details of those 'near misses'
And I agree 1967 was a great year, Stanky almost pulled off a miracle but the 1964 season was better with a better club and a better team.
1964 started to slip away when the Sox lost a double header to the lowly washington Senators who started Bennie Daniels and Dave Stenhouse. Two pitchers with bad records (although Daniels wasn't a bad pitcher...)
Thanks for the response, I know free agency wasn't there to help back then. Just curious as to why the 64 season gets so little play as a great baseball season when 67 is talked about at naseum. I have my theory, that if the Red Sux didn't win it and the White Sox or another team did, it wouldn't get near the airplay and love it does now. The race in the NL in 64 had 4 teams within a few game also I believe .
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Paul Mckee's Stealthy, 455, Six-Speed '65 F-85
Musician Harry Chapin once wrote a song called "Circle" that spoke of how we always seem to end up back at the beginning in life. The message is strong because it's so true, even for car crafters. Way back in 1969, Paul McKee's first car was a '64 F-85 hardtop, purchased after his father would not allow him to buy the '57 Chevy Paul really wanted. Paul drove the Olds until he graduated from high school in 1970, when he bought a brand-new '70 Chevelle. Press the fast-forward button and Paul now lives in Mesa, Arizona, but has decided that his first car was the one with more than a few good memories and deserved to be re-created.
A search ensued until one of Paul's employees showed up at work one day wheeling a borrowed '65 Olds F-85 hardtop in factory blue with a white bucket seat interior. It was at this moment that the circle became complete. Paul bought it that day for $3,000 and began planning out all sorts of scenarios for the car. Somehow another four years slipped by before any serious work began on the Olds, but the plan had been to upgrade the existing 350 engine and 350 trans in favor of something much more aggressive.
Suddenly, Paul and son Phillip decided the Hot Rod Power Tour would be a great trip with the Rocket, but there were barely 100 days standing between that decision and the start of the tour. That deadline was like a line in the sand–and the thrash was on. "I really didn't want to paint the car, so we didn't," Paul says. This simple acknowledgement made the rest of the buildup possible, yet the patina'd cruiser still needed an edge to set it apart. That came by way of a complete Air Ride Technologies Street Challenge system that would use air pressure and sensors to place the F-85 at the desired ride height. The selection of an air-assisted suspension also bled over into the decision around rolling stock. Paul contacted his local tire distributor, which worked with Rushforth Wheels to construct four custom-offset front 19s and rear 20s for the F-85 that would mount a set of aggressive Falken tires.
Any good Olds virtually demands a 455 motor, and this effort was no exception. After locating and rebuilding a suitable candidate with a hydraulic camshaft, mild compression, and a set of aluminum Edelbrock heads and intake, Paul called Supercars Unlimited in Beaverton, Oregon, and found a complete repro dual-snorkel air cleaner assembly and then drilled holes in the core support to pull air in from just behind the headlights.
The next big question was which transmission to employ. Most Olds cruisers are followed up by some type of automatic transmission, but Paul broke with tradition, contacting Tyler Beauregard at American Touring Specialties (ATS) for help in stuffing in a T56 six-speed gearbox. Paul and Phillip had previous experience with ATS in using a T56 in an early Camaro, so this seemed like a logical next step. The work turned out to be much more effort than a Camaro swap, since the entire Olds transmission and driveshaft tunnel had to be removed and raised roughly 3 inches to clear the trans and the driveshaft at the car's lower ride height. With the floorpan surgery completed, Paul hung the A-body pedal assembly and then installed the ATS adapter plate that mounts the hydraulic clutch master cylinder. This manages the hydraulic throwout bearing for the ATS-supplied Viper T56 six-speed with its 0.50:1 Sixth gear, which drops that 4.11:1 gear down to a more effective 2.05:1 for highway cruising.
With the highway calling, the two McKees and Paul's brother-in-law, Clarence Evans (C.E.), put long hours into the Olds to get it ready, as their deadline approached. "C.E. has the patience of Job when it comes to the interior work," Paul says. That work included a complete Vintage Air conversion, but for the rest of the interior, all Paul had to do was add a set of door panels and front seat covers. The rest of the Rust Belt can hate him for how the car was virtually rust-free and complete, right down to the patina paint and original exterior emblems.
A last-minute change to increase the backspacing on the front wheels to ensure adequate tire clearance placed the entire Power Tour deadline in jeopardy. But with a red label effort from the people at Rushforth (perhaps there is significance in the company name), Paul's front wheels arrived the day before they were scheduled to depart. The engine did suffer some detonation problems from a poorly designed PCV system that pulled oil into the intake manifold, but overall, Paul reports the F-85 performed flawlessly, achieving an impressive 18-mpg overall highway mileage effort on its cross-country jaunt.
Paul's early Olds A-Body effort might now be termed a fixation, as he has lately acquired a pristine '64 Olds sedan that is in the midst of an LS2 and six-speed conversion and another '64 330ci, four-barrel V-8 car sporting an original four-speed. But even though it appears that the circle has indeed been completed, there might be room for a few more Oldsmobiles if the opportunity presents itself.
Tech Notes
Who: Paul McKee
What: '65 Oldsmobile F-85
Where: Mesa, Arizona
The original drivetrain in the '65 was a 330ci V-8, but that's been superseded by a rebuilt 455 Olds with a stock crank and rods, 9:1 compression forged pistons, and a mild hydraulic flat-tappet Cam Motion custom grind. In addition, Paul added a set of aluminum Edelbrock heads and the matching Performer dual-plane intake with a 750-cfm Q-jet he obtained from Summit Racing. The cast Olds valve covers are straight out of the GM Performance Parts catalog and have been modified for a PCV valve pickup tube that plumbs into the dual-snorkel air cleaner from Supercars Unlimited. What looks like a decal on the air cleaner is actually a laser-etched piece of acrylic created by Paul's son, Phillip, who works at Universal Laser Systems. Phillip also did the custom-laser etching on the steering wheel horn button.
Since the Olds isn't a high-revving engine, they decided to stick with a set of stock exhaust manifolds, also from Supercars Unlimited. Paul and Phillip then laid out the 3-inch cross-pipe exhaust system, plumbing it back to the DynoMax Super Turbo mufflers.
ATS supplied the Viper-spec T56 trans, as well as the McLeod modular bellhousing that adapts the 455 to the trans. The clutch is a Centerforce II system relying on an ATS-supplied hydraulic master and throwout bearing system. The off-white cup mounted on the firewall is the reservoir for the clutch master cylinder. Paul and Phillip also constructed their own custom trans crossmember to complete the installation using a Hurst shifter.
The stock Olds 10-bolt was deemed unworthy, so Paul opted for the durability of a complete Moser 12-bolt housing spinning a set of 4.11:1 gears with an Eaton posi.
This was one of the first orders of business with the Olds. Paul elected to establish an aggressively low stance using a complete Air Ride Street Challenge system that integrates tubular upper and lower control arms for the front and rear suspensions that also includes adjustable shocks and large sway bar diameters.
If you're gonna run 19- and 20-inch wheels, then the Pro Touring fashion police insist that impressive discs be present to back 'em up. Paul understands this necessity and chose a Baer track system up front with 13-inch drilled rotors followed up with a 12-inch Touring version in the rear, both with twin-piston calipers.
While some muscle cars look cartoonish with tall 20-inch wheels, Paul makes the rotating package visually strong on the Olds mainly due to its low stance. The Olds also has a very narrow rear wheelwell, but Paul still managed to stuff a 20×8.5-inch Rushforth wheel with 4.25-inch backspacing to mount the 275/35R20 Falken FK 452 tires while opting for a slightly smaller 245/35R19-inch tire in front with a matching Rush-forth 19×8-inch wheel with a 6-inch backspacing.
This is where Paul saved a ton of time because the decades-old paint has survived surprisingly well in the Arizona desert heat–as has all of the brightwork.
Paul says the interior was in such good shape, all he had to do was add new door panels and front bucket seat covers. The detail work included fixing the vent system, adding the Alpine stereo, and damping the outside noises with Dynamat. An ididit tilt column allowed for a cruise control module, which makes those long highway miles a little easier to take.


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Major Section: PROGRAMMING
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call. For more information, see sys-call.


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A growing number of electrical professionals have embraced structured wiring technology.
Keith Bott, owner of Bott Electric, West Berlin, N.J., is typical of this new breed of electrical contractor. In business for more than 18 years, Bott now concentrates on high-end custom homes in the southern New Jersey that sell from $400,000 to well over $1 million. He is intrigued by the new low-voltage technology and like the builders he works for, he sees how structured wiring is affecting the future of residential construction — and his own outlook on the future.
"When you get into structured wiring, your business changes," he said. "I now need to keep current on the latest technologies. Service and support after the sale became even more important. And I have a lot more face time with the builder and the homeowner."
Bott said that a home built in the 21st century without a structured wiring system is quickly destined to become obsolete. He also recognizes that structured wiring can lead to significant growth and profitability for his business. To do this, Bott had to be up on the latest home networking technologies and feel comfortable working one-on-one with customers partly as a salesperson, partly as a consultant.
The quality of his work is more important than ever, because he knows a satisfied customer will lead to repeat business and referrals. The need to build long-term relationships with builders is nothing new. But working so closely with homeowners is a major change.
Another significant difference is his relationship with homeowners, which sounds more like the relationships interior designers have with their clients. For instance, Bott's first meeting with the homeowners occurs soon after they meet with the builder and sign the contract for their new custom-built home. He gets together with them again while the house is still under construction to review furniture layouts in every room and once more after the homeowners have been living in their new home for a month or two.
Contractors like Bott are wearing many hats — consultant, salesperson, marketer, installer and student.
"I thought that because I had been pulling wire for years, I would know how to install Cat. 5e cable in a home," Bott said. "I didn't realize how much I needed to learn until I took a training course. Now I send all of my technicians to take the course so I can be assured that everyone in my company is installing structured wiring in homes the right way."
The salesperson
Since structured wiring and home automation are still relatively new technologies, a learning curve exists for both electricians and builders. Fortunately, manufacturers have programs to get them up to speed. But who can the homeowner turn to for help in getting a structured wiring system that meets their needs? It's the electrical contractor in his new role as consultant, system designer and salesperson.
When Bott meets with homeowners for the first time, most have only a vague awareness of structured wiring and home networking.
"I don't talk about structured wiring systems right away," Bott said. "In fact, it's a lot easier for customers when I translate the technology into tangible lifestyle benefits."
So a typical conversation may begin with questions about the family's use of computers. Do they have more than one? Would they like to link their computers into a high-speed home network so they can share a single Internet connection, files and peripheral equipment such as printers and scanners?
Bott has found that customers usually respond to those questions with an enthusiastic "yes." The conversation then focuses on ways the system can solve problems and add conveniences. For example, if customers are having trouble with cable TV reception in their existing homes, Bott explains that a module in the structured wiring system, called a bi-directional video amplifier, can deliver crystal-clear reception to every room in the house where a structured wiring wallplate has been installed. For customers who complain about noise on their telephone lines, he describes another system component that eliminates crosstalk. There's also a telephone patch panel that makes it easy to add or change phones in any room, at anytime in the future.
By presenting the system's capabilities as new ways of improving the homeowner's lifestyle, the electrician can help the customer justify the cost of the system.
"Once the customer said 'yes' to the basic structured wiring system, I introduce other lifestyle benefits they can enjoy by purchasing additional system components," he said.
As a certified installer of the Leviton Integrated Network home system, Bott can offer the homeowner indoor and outdoor cameras for home monitoring, audio/video components for whole-house audio/visual distribution, routers and hubs for high-speed computer networking, as well as home automation equipment.
The consultant
As soon as the customer has a basic idea of the conveniences and benefits of a structured wiring system, it's time for blue-sky thinking.
"I ask my customers to tell me everything they could ever imagine doing in their home so I can add that to the plan for their consideration," Bott said.
This includes telephones, computers, audio and video equipment, lighting controls, home security and energy management. During this phase, the customer needs the electrician to guide the discussion.
"I really want to help my customer plan for the future and realize all the things a structured wiring system can do for them," Bott said. "I also don't want them to lock themselves into one and only one room layout."
So furniture layouts are reviewed, and important questions raised. Will the room always be laid out the same? What about the location of computers, printers and other electronic equipment connected to the system? Will they change in the future?
At their next meeting, Bott uses the customer's house plans to show them how their ideas have created the system layout, down to the details of where the wallplates would be installed in each room. Included in the layout is the cost associated with each wallplate.
"It's all about working within the customer's budget and helping them make good choices," Bott said. Thus, if the homeowner's budget does not allow for the installation of the entire system during construction, the electrician can suggest the best ways to reduce costs while still allowing for future expansion.
For example, if there is easy access to second-floor rooms through an attic, the electrician can recommend installing the wiring and wallplates only on the first floor, and save the installation in the upstairs rooms for a later date. However, Bott has found that once his customers realize that the decisions they make today will affect the future, they see the advantages of installing as much of the structured wiring system as they can afford during the construction phase, when the installation costs are lower.
In the final stage of system design and layout, Bott conducts a walk-through of the home with the customer, before the drywall has been nailed up. At this point, it's easier for the customer to visualize where the furniture will go, and to make sure there are enough wallplates to accommodate any future changes.
The student
When he got interested in structured wiring, Keith Bott discovered that he had a lot to learn. Besides getting trained on installation techniques, the contractor, in his role as consultant and salesman, needs to understand how families interact with structured wiring systems. To help do this, Bott decided to install a customized structured wiring system in his new 3,000-sq-ft home while it was under construction.
"I went with a high-end system in my own home because that's what I would be installing in these custom homes," he said. "I really wanted to experience the lifestyle benefits first-hand so I could give my customers the best possible advice."
In designing his own system, Bott quickly recognized that it would be prudent and cost-effective to install multiple runs of Cat. 5e cable in certain rooms, such as the family room and the living room, before the walls went up.
"Cat. 5e cabling isn't that expensive," Bott said, "so preparing for the future with multiple drops in every room was really in my best interest. I learned this in my home, and that's what I advise my customers."
Bott had a second rationale for installing a structured wiring system in his own home: to use his home as a test bed for new technology and networking equipment that will be developed in the future. He installed two structured wiring cabinets in his basement. One cabinet houses phone and data networking components, the other has the cable distribution modules. By using two cabinets, he ensured sufficient space for adding new system modules in the future. "The two-cabinet arrangement worked so well in my home, I now recommend it to all my customers," Bott said.
He also installed a home automation controller, which is integrated into the structured wiring system along with the vendor's power-line carrier lighting control devices. As Bott explains, home automation is the second layer of a structured wiring system in a residence, and it gives the homeowner many conveniences and safety benefits. In his own home, Bott has integrated the telephones, lighting, the security system and the HVAC.
When he describes what a home automation system can do, he focuses not on the technology, but on the lifestyle benefits. For example, he has told a customer about how his own son uses the security system. When his son comes home from school, he enters his ID into the security system's keypad, which then automatically places a call to Bott's cell phone, letting him know his son has arrived home safely.
"It's all about convenience and peace of mind," Bott said.
Bott also faced another learning curve when he got into programming the home automation devices. However, the benefits they provide are really important to his customers and highly profitable for him. Since Bott has both a structured wiring system and home automation capabilities in his own home, he can describe how he and his family use them, which is helpful to customers seeking his advice on their own installations.
The service provider
Another major shift in business practices for this new breed of new electrical contractor is the opportunity to establish long-term relationships with customers. Before he took on structured wiring, Bott said he had the typical contractor mentality of "get in and get out." That has changed, and now he recognizes that high-quality workmanship is important both to him and his customer.
"If a contractor does a poor structured wiring installation, the customer is only going to call and demand that he rip out the system, and that's not what he wants," Bott said. "He's better off when he takes his time and ends up with satisfied customers, because homeowners will call him back to do more work in their home."
Bott reports significant revenue from service calls, and has added staff so he can be more responsive to his customers. He also anticipates future business from his customer base from upgrades to the structured wiring system and reprogramming of the automation controller.
"I'm now thinking about mailing postcards out to my customer base whenever a new piece of equipment comes on the market that I think my customers would want to have installed," Bott said.
Whether they are installing structured wiring systems in custom homes, like Bott, or tract homes or modular homes that sell for $200,000 or less, electrical contractors are in an ideal position to grow their business with structured wiring. They have established relationships with builders, and they are already on the construction site to install the higher voltage wiring. They also know they can rely on the manufacturers of structured wiring products for technical support and training.
By working with their builders as part of a team, electrical contractors help the builder gain a competitive advantage, while they achieve greater profitability and repeat business. Along with the builder, contractors should be prepared for more demanding customers who expect more service and support.
"This is a great time to be an electrical contractor," Bott said.
The author is corporate channel development manager for Leviton Manufacturing Co., Little Neck, N.Y.


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CompTIA A+ certification validates foundation-level knowledge and skills necessary for a career in PC support. It is the starting point for a career. The international, vendor-neutral certification proves competence in areas such as installation, preventative maintenance, networking, security and troubleshooting.
CompTIA A+ certified technicians also have excellent customer service and communication skills to work with clients.
Two exams are necessary to be certified: CompTIA A+ Essentials, exam code 220-701; and CompTIA A+ Practical Application, exam code 220-702.
CompTIA A+ Essentials measures the necessary competencies of an entry-level IT professional with a recommended 500 hours of hands-on experience in the lab or field. It tests for technical understanding of computer technology, networking and security, as well as the communication skills and professionalism now required of all entry-level IT professionals.
CompTIA A+ Practical Application is an extension of the knowledge and skills identified in CompTIA A+ Essentials, with more of a "hands-on" orientation focused on scenarios in which troubleshooting and tools must be applied to resolve problems.
Candidate job roles include enterprise technician, field service technician, PC or support technician and IT administrator. CompTIA A+ is part of the certification track for corporations such as Microsoft, HP and Cisco. Other technology companies, including Dell, Intel, Lenovo and Ricoh, have made CompTIA A+ certification mandatory for their service technicians. The U.S. Department of Defense recognizes CompTIA A+ and the Department of Homeland Security requires it as part of their computer forensics program.
The CompTIA A+ certification is accredited by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The CompTIA A+ certification may be kept current through the CompTIA Continuing Education program.The CompTIA A+ certification may be kept current through the CompTIA Continuing Education program.


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The International Centre for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation (ICACBR)
Disabling Attitudes on Disability
In Bangladesh, one of the most densely-populated countries in the world, it is difficult enough to walk down the street without being pushed and shoved in all directions. But imagine trying to make that same journey in a wheelchair, on crutches, or with any physical disability. What about trying to work and go to school and live a "normal" existence where there is little to no accessibility in any public or private facilities?
However challenging these physical barriers may seem, they are often not the most difficult ones to overcome: attitudes to, and perceptions of, disability are often the biggest obstacles. In Bangladesh, where an estimated 1014% of the population is disabled, there is little awareness of disability, its causes or consequences. As a result, many "traditional" and superstitious ideas on the subject still prevail, especially in rural settings. Disability is often seen as a curse from God – inflicted as retribution for the sins of the disabled person's parents. Many believe that disability is infectious and will spread though physical contact. Access to education and employment for persons with disability is almost non-existent.
"Because of these negative attitudes, the physically disabled in a country like Bangladesh are very disadvantaged and extremely vulnerable," says Dr. Malcolm Peat, Executive Director of the Queen's International Centre for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation (ICACBR). This is especially true for girls who, as Peat explains, are victims of "double disability," as the status of women in the country remains poor.
Since 2011, Peat and the core ICACBR team of Djenana Jalovcic (Director), Beth Richan (Project Manager), and Darko Krznaric (Project Manager, Interprofessional Project on Disability, Maternal and Child Health [IPODMCH]), have worked directly with health care professionals, persons with disabilities and communities in Bangladesh to educate them on the nature and causes of disability, raise awareness, and challenge prevailing attitudes through the establishment of what is known as "Community Based Rehabilitation" (CBR). CBR is a multi-sectoral strategy achieved through the transfer of skills, the building of local expertise, and the creation of an environment that empowers persons with disabilities to access and benefit from education, employment, health care and social services. Established in 1991 as a Centre of Excellence funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the ICACBR's mandate is to advance the development of CBR worldwide.
The ICACBR has spearheaded international CBR initiatives with vulnerable populations in Canada and in over 15 countries in the Asia Pacific Region, Central and South America, Central and Eastern Europe and Africa, including those in conflict, post-conflict and democratic transition. To carry out their work, the ICACBR team works with networks of clinicians, disability advocates, researchers, educators, and students. Essential to the success of CBR initiatives are the partnerships with local governments, education/research institutions, and NGOs. The ICACBR works with these groups to develop curricula, to educate and train rehabilitation practitioners, and to design sustainable CBR services that will continue to thrive once the team returns to Kingston. In all of this work, mutual respect, cultural understanding and creativity are key.
Currently, the ICACBR is in Bangladesh leading the CIDA-funded IPODMCH initiative. In developing countries like Bangladesh, almost 500,000 women die and 1.5 million are disabled annually of childbearing-related causes. Eleven million children die annually, the majority of preventable causes; the mortality rate for children with disabilities is 80%. Bangladesh has among the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world.
Working with a local partner, the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), their goal is to educate and train over 1000 health professionals, students in health studies and 12,000 community members, including children, in five regions in Bangladesh. The training stresses the benefits of seeking skilled health care providers during pregnancy, labour and post-birth, to improve birth practices, nutrition, hygiene, and growth and development to reduce risk of death and disability. It also provides strategies to positively influence attitudes towards disability, support development and the inclusion of women and children with disabilities from birth.
The ICACBR hopes to again join forces with the CRP to break down the barriers, superstitions, and stigmas within communities, which prevent disabled children from enjoying equal rights and opportunities. Dr.Peat is quick to stress how important it is to involve children in these projects. "They are the future of Bangladesh and the ones that can make a real difference. Getting the children involved in these projects is a wonderful thing – they can change attitudes and do so much positive work with their energy and excitement."
Profile by Melinda Knox
(e)Affect Issue 3, Spring 2013


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With their 1956 Blue Note classic 6 Pieces of Silver, the Horace Silver Quintet had helped establish hard bop as the most exciting new direction in jazz in some years. Only two members of that group, saxophonist Junior Cook and drummer Louis Hayes, remained with pianist Silver when the Quintet took the stage at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1958, and as formidable as the lineup on that record had been, the additions of Louis Smith on trumpet and Gene Taylor on bass for the Newport session gave the Quintet a new ferocity that was only hinted at two years earlier. Smith's tenure in the band was relatively short-lived (he would soon be replaced by Blue Mitchell), and his playing on this date is monstrous, making the discovery of this long-lost, incendiary live set that much more significant. Smith's soloing here is economical yet full of panache, and when he and Cook meet up the sound radiates both coolness and fire, as paradoxical as that may seem. Taylor and Hayes are the model for small group jazz, tight but always one step ahead. And Silver, of course, is pure mastery throughout. There are only four tunes performed here, two of them, "Cool Eyes" and "Señor Blues," are the highlights of the 1956 masterwork. The latter closes out the set and never lets up: Silver, in his extended, perfectly realized solo, buries himself deep within the melody, explores its every nuance, peeks outside of it, and finds his way back in. The saxophone and trumpet offerings are thrill-packed and the bassist and drummer make sweet but dynamic statements. "Tippin'," which opens the show, had, improbably, been the B-side of a 45 rpm single, but here it's a grand tribute to the art of the groove, an exercise in funk long before that term became ubiquitous. It swings madly, lyrical and vibrant, reminding once again why Horace Silver has been, for more than 50 years, one of the defining names in jazz piano, as well as a bandleader who always knew how to get more out of his crew. Silver's only official live recording, Doin' the Thing (At the Village Gate), would be released in 1961, three years after this Newport date, making this the earliest complete Silver live show in circulation. Which pretty much says all that needs to be said.
Horace Silver
Live at Newport '58
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Dianne Norwood Dixson
Dianne Norwood Dixson, age 56 of Malvern, died Friday evening, March 29, 2013
in the Hot Spring County Medical Center.
Graveside services will be held on Monday afternoon, April 1, 2013 at two o'clock in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery off Highway 222, with Brother Jerry George officiating and under the direction of J. A. Funk Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.


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Prayer by Rev. S. R. Brockunier, of the M. E. Church.
Minutes read and approved.
MR. PAXTON offered the following:
RESOLVED, That voting by ballot is the mode best calculated to secure at all popular elections an independent and untrammeled expression of the people's will, so essential to the maintenance of free government.
MR. STEVENSON of Wood, the following:
ARTICLE 1. - On Elections.
Section 1. In elections by citizens, every white freeman of the age of 21 years, having resided in this State one year, and in the election district where he offers to vote, ten days immediately preceding such election, and within two years paid a state or county tax, which shall have been assessed at least ten days before the election, shall enjoy the rights of an elector; but a citizen of the United States, who had previously been a qualified voter of this State, and removed therefrom, and returned; and who shall have resided in the election district, and paid taxes, as aforesaid, shall be entitled to vote, after residing in the State six months: Provided, that white freemen, citizens of the United States, between the ages of twenty-one and twenty-two years, and having resided in the State one year, and in the election district ten days, as aforesaid, shall be entitled to vote, although they shall not have paid taxes.
Sec. 2. All elections shall be by ballot, except those by persons in their representative capacities, who shall vote viva voce.
Sec. 3. Electors shall in all cases, except treason, felony, and breach of surety of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance on elections, and in going to and from them.
MR. DERING, the following:
RESOLVED, That the legislature shall not pledge the faith of the State for the payment of any bonds or contracts, or obligations, for the benefit or use of any person or persons, corporations or body politic whatever.
RESOLVED, That the Committee on Education inquire into the expediency of inserting a provision in the Constitution for the establishment of a general free school system throughout the Commonwealth.
RESOLVED, That no capitation tax shall be imposed upon, or collected from, any citizen of this State until they shall have attained the age of twenty-one years.
MR. BATTELLE, the following:
RESOLVED, That the Committee on Fundamental and General Provisions be requested to inquire into the expediency of requiring all elections by the people to be by ballot.
MR. POWELL, the following:
RESOLVED, That the Committee on the Executive Department, be requested to inquire into the expediency of fixing the salary of the governor at a sum not exceeding $2,500 per annum.
MR. PARKER, the following:
Every white male citizen of the United States, of the age of twenty-one years, who has been a resident of this State for one year, and of the county, city or town where he offers to vote for six months next preceding an election, and who shall have previously paid or tendered all annual capitation taxes, due and payable, of two dollars each, (the one-half thereof to be applied to the support of public free schools, and the balance towards the construction and maintenance of public highways, the latter to be paid in money or labor, at the option of the person paying) and who shall have taken an oath to support the Constitution of the United States, and of this State, and no other person, shall be qualified to vote for members of the general assembly, and other officers elective by the people. And no person shall have the right to vote who is of unsound mind, or a pauper, or who is guilty of having given or tendered, or aided in giving or tendering to any person any money, intoxicating liquor or other thing, except counsel and advice, with intent to influence votes at any election held under this Constitution; and the person accepting any such bribe shall also be disqualified from voting thereafter; and no person who shall be in actual rebellion, committing treason against the government, of this State, or the government of the United States, or who shall have been convicted of treason, committed against either of these governments, or of any other infamous, offence, shall be allowed to vote at any election held under this Constitution.
MR. HERVEY, the following:
ARTICLE III.- Qualification of Voters
Sec. 1. Every white male citizen of the Commonwealth, of the age of twenty-one years, who has been a resident of the State for one year and of the county, city or town, when he offers to vote, for six months next preceding an election, and no other person, shall be qualified to vote for members of the general assembly, and all officers elective by the people; but no person in the military, naval or marine service of the United States shall be deemed resident of this State by reason of his being stationed therein, but if any such person shall have been a resident of this State at the time he entered the service of the United States, and one year next preceding the time he offers to vote shall have expired, then any such person shall be considered a citizen within the meaning of this section and entitled to vote as herein provided. And no person shall have the right to vote who is of unsound mind, or a pauper, or who has been convicted of bribery in an election, or of any infamous offence.
Sec. 2. The general assembly, at its first session after the adoption of this Constitution, and afterwards as occasion may require, shall cause every city or town, the white population of which exceeds five thousand, to be laid off into convenient wards, and a separate place of voting established in each; and thereafter no inhabitant of such city or town shall be allowed to vote except in the ward in which he resides.
Sec. 3. No voter, during the time for holding any election at which he is entitled to vote, shall be compelled to perform military duty except in time of war or public danger, to work upon the public roads, or to attend any court as suitor, juror or witness; and no voter shall be subject to arrest under any civil process during his attendance at elections, or in going to and returning from them.
Sec. 4. In all elections, votes shall be given by ballot, and not viva voce.
MR. BROWN of Kanawha, the following:
RESOLVED, That the Supreme Court of Appeals, ought to consist of three eminent jurists, to be elected by the legislature, and continue in office during good behavior.
MR. HAYMOND, the following:
The banks of this Commonwealth, shall have the right to issue notes of any denomination less than five dollars.
And said banks shall be prohibited from receiving foreign notes or bills of exchange for collection; and all notes discounted by said banks shall be made payable at their counter.
MR. WILSON, the following:
RESOLVED, That all appropriations made by the state legislature, for internal improvements, shall be submitted to the legal voters of the State, and if sanctioned by them, shall then be returned to the said legislature, and be sanctioned by them before it becomes a law.
All which were appropriately referred.
MR. VAN WINKLE. I am instructed by the Committee on Fundamental and General Provisions to ask permission, if they shall have a partial report prepared before another meeting of the Convention, to have it printed without first submitting it to the Convention. It will save time, sir, because otherwise we shall have to come here tomorrow with nothing to do but lay the report on the table and wait for it to be printed. If we have it printed it will give some time for consideration.
The motion was agreed to.
MR. PARKER offered the following:
The judicial power of the State shall be vested in a superior court, and such inferior courts as the general assembly shall by law establish and justices of the peace.
The superior court shall have jurisdiction in cases of law and equity throughout the State, to be defined by law, provided it shall be the court of last resort for the State, shall decide all questions of law arising therein, or coming thereto by appeal from any inferior court, or justice of the peace: shall have exclusive jurisdiction of all capital cases, at the trial of which, at least three of the justices thereof shall be present, and shall also have exclusive jurisdiction of writs of habeas corpus, mandamus; prohibition and quo warranto. Some one of the justices of said court shall hold, at least, two terms a year in each county of the State, for the trial of equity cases and questions, of fact to be tried by a jury; and five, at least, of the justices thereof shall hold a term once a year at the seat of government, for the purpose of deciding matters of law and shall cause reports of their decisions to be published annually. The times for holding terms in the respective counties, and at the seat of government, shall be prescribed by law. The superior court, shall consist of a chief justice and such number of associate justices, as the general assembly shall by law prescribe, to be elected by the qualified voters of the State, for the term of twelve years, to receive competent salaries, to be determined by law, which salaries shall not be reduced during their continuance in office, and they shall be ineligible thereafter; provided that the person receiving the highest number of votes at the first election held for the purpose, under this Constitution, shall be the chief justice and hold his office for the term of twelve years, unless sooner removed in the manner prescribed in this Constitution; the persons receiving the two next highest number of votes shall be associate justices, and hold their office for the term of ten years; the persons receiving the two next highest number of votes shall also be associate justices, and hold their office for the term of eight years; and if more than four associate justices shall be prescribed by law, such additional justices shall be the persons receiving the next highest number of votes, and shall hold their office for the term of six years, subject always to removal in the manner prescribed in this Constitution. If at such election two or more persons shall receive an equal number of votes, it shall be determined by lot to which class they shall belong; all justices of the superior court, chosen afterwards to fill any vacancy that shall occur, or to fill any additional office of associated justice, which the general assembly shall prescribe the jurisdiction and duties of the several courts and of justices of the peace, subject only to the limitations contained in this article; also the mode of electing or appointing the judges of the inferior courts that shall be established, and justices of the peace, with their respective compensation, terms of office and qualifications, provided no judge of any inferior court that shall be established, shall be re-eligible, and provided further, that no inferior court shall be established, which shall be constituted on the plan of the present existing county courts of the State of Virginia.
There shall be an attorney general, and such other attorneys for the State, as shall be prescribed by law, who shall be chosen by the qualified voters of the State, and hold their office for the term of four years, and to be re-eligible. Their respective duties, qualification and compensation, shall be prescribed by law.
MR. WILLEY, the following:
1. There shall be a Supreme Court of Appeals and circuit courts. The jurisdiction of these courts, and of the judges thereof, except so far as the same is conferred by this Constitution, shall be regulated by law.
2. The State be divided into circuits, as follows:
3. The general assembly may, from time to time, re-arrange the said circuits; and after the expiration of ten years from the adoption of this Constitution may, from time to time, increase the number of circuits, so as the whole number shall never exceed
4. For each circuit a judge shall be elected by the voters thereof, who shall hold his office for the term of years, unless sooner removed in the manner prescribed by this Constitution. He shall, at the time of his election, be at least thirty years of age. During his continuance in office he shall reside in the circuit of which he is judge, and shall not be re-eligible to the same office during the next term.
5. A circuit court shall be held at least four times a year by the judge of each circuit, in every county and corporation thereof, wherein a circuit court is now or may hereafter be established. But the judges may be required or authorized to hold the courts of their respective circuits alternately, and a judge of one circuit to hold a court in any other circuit.
6. The Supreme Court of Appeals shall consist of three judges, who shall be elected by the voters of the Commonwealth, and shall, at the time of their election, be at least thirty-five years of age. They shall hold their offices for the term of twelve years, unless sooner removed in the manner prescribed in this Constitution.
7. The Supreme Court of Appeals shall have appellate jurisdiction only; except in cases of habeas corpus, mandamus and prohibition. It shall have no jurisdiction in civil cases when the matter in controversy, exclusive of costs, is less in value or amount than $ except in controversies concerning the title or boundaries of land, the probate of a will, the appointment or qualification of a personal representative, guardian, committee or curator; or concerning a mill, road, way, ferry or landing, or the right of a corporation or a county to levy tolls or taxes; and except in cases of habeas corpus, mandamus and prohibition, and cases involving freedom or the constitutionality of a law.
8. When a judgment or decree is reversed or affirmed by the Supreme Court of Appeals, the reasons therefor shall be stated in writing and preserved with the records of the case.
9. Special courts of appeals, to consist of three judges, may be formed of the judges of the Supreme Court of Appeals and of the circuit courts, or any of them, to try any case or cases which may come before the Supreme Court of Appeals, in respect to which any of the judges of said court may be so situated as to make it improper for him to sit on the hearing thereof.
10. Judges shall be commissioned by the governor, and shall receive fixed and adequate salaries, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office. The salary of a judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals shall not be less than $ , and that of a judge of a circuit court not less than $ per annum; and each shall receive a reasonable allowance for necessary travel.
11. No judge, during his term of service, shall hold any other office, appointment, or public trust, and the acceptance thereof shall vacate his judicial office; nor shall he, during such term, or within one year thereafter, be eligible to any political office.
12. No election of judge shall be held within thirty days of the time of holding any election of electors of President and Vice- President of the United States, of members of Congress, or of the general assembly.
13. Judges may be removed from office by a concurrent vote of both houses of the general assembly, but a majority of all the members elected to such house must concur in such vote; and the cause of removal shall be entered on the journal of each house. The judge against whom the general assembly may be about to proceed shall receive notice thereof, accompanied by a copy of the causes alleged for his removal, at least twenty days before the day on which either house of the general assembly shall act thereupon.
14. The officers of the Supreme Court of Appeals shall be appointed by said court, or by the judges thereof in vacation. Their duties, compensation and tenure of office shall be prescribed by law.
15. The voters of each county or corporation in which a circuit court is held shall select a clerk of such court and an attorney for the Commonwealth, whose term of office shall be years. The duties and compensations of these officers and the mode of removing them from office shall be prescribed by law; and when a vacancy shall occur in said offices the judge of the court held in the county or corporation where it occurs shall appoint a clerk or attorney for the Commonwealth (as the case may be) pro tempore, who shall discharge the duties of the office until the vacancy is filled.
16. At every election of a governor, an attorney general shall be elected by the voters of the Commonwealth for the term of years. He shall be commissioned by the governor, shall perform such duties and receive such compensation as may be prescribed for by law, and be removable in the manner prescribed for the removal of judges.
17. Judges (and all other officers, whether elected or appointed,) shall continue to discharge the duties of their respective offices after their terms of service have expired until their successors are qualified
18. Writs shall run in the name of the Commonwealth and be attested by the clerks, of the several courts. Indictments shall conclude: Against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth.
Which were referred.
The Convention then adjourned.
|November 26, 1861
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Chapter Eleven: First Constitutional Convention of West Virginia


text:
★ – Also designed for 2018 PSAT preparation
Links to important study documents prepared by or recommended by Martha
I attended your Sunday morning classes in February to prepare for the ACT. I utilized all of the formula sheets, worksheets, tips/tricks, and practice ACTs you provided in hopes of increasing my score for the April test. After taking the ACT on April 13th, I desperately hoped to recieve my goal score and be finished with the ACT. The scores were released today, I have earned the score I hoped for, and I am officially finished with the ACT!
I wanted to thank you for the time, effort, and enthusiasm you put into your classes. After taking your class, my score increased 5 points! I have passed your name and information on to numerous classmates who are determined to do better.
After taking your 4-week course, [our daughter] improved her scores from a 32 to a 34, with a perfect score in science and a 35 in math. Her superscore is now a 35. She wants to go into engineering so these scores are exactly what she was hoping for to give her the best opportunities.
Your classes gave structure and your knowledge allowed [our daughter] to spend time studying the most important things. We are impressed! ... The service you provide is such a great one. It's obvious you care about the students... It's important work. It doesn't go unnoticed.
[Our son] just got his ACT test scores today and he did GREAT! Much higher than he thought he could do! He won't need to retake the ACT. I really believe that your course was instrumental in achieving the score and that he wouldn't have done as well if he did not take your class so we both thank you!
After getting a 29 on my first ACT, I attended your four class sessions and the ACT workshop right before
the June ACT, and I received a 33 this time. Thank you for what you taught us in the class.
I just want to thank you for your excellent ACT classes...I am thrilled that I got a 34 on the ACT! I could not have
done it without your help. Thank you so much for putting in an incredible amount of effort to help prepare
us for these standardized tests.
The scores for the May 3rd SAT examination were posted on Collegeboard.com ... and I was thrilled to discover that I had received
a perfect score of 2400. Prior to taking your SAT/ACT course at UC Blue Ash, I had felt prepared to achieve around 2200 - 2300 but your instruction
in grammar and general test taking strategy helped me bridge those last elusive 100 points. Simulating the SAT in your course, practicing the essay,
and discussing common problems and errors genuinely helped me do my very best on testing day.
[Our son] really felt like your course helped him prepare for the exams. He got a perfect score on the PSAT. He got perfect scores on the reading and
writing sections of the SAT, but he missed a couple questions on the math section. He took it a second time and got a perfect score on the math section
so his superscore was a perfect 2400.
Thanks again for your magic touch, [our daughter] received a composite of 35 on her ACT.
...thank you for helping me learn the tricks and trades of the ACT. With your instruction and many practice tests, I was able to bump my score
of 29 into a 33! As you can image, I am ecstatic about it!
We have no doubt that [the] ACT/PSAT prep-class helped our son score well on both. The reading/grammar review reinforced and reminded him of much, and test
taking tips, including subtle things like how to spot trick questions, really helped him. Our son received a 34 composite on his first try at the
ACT and a 35 on the re-take. Thanks, Martha!
You are a rockstar...[my son] improved 5 points overall from a 24 to a 29. He increased his score in English
from 24 to 32 and in Reading from 26 to 33.
My daughter increased her ACT score by 4 points thanks to your class. We are so grateful that we heard about your
classes and signed her up. She really enjoyed your class and spoke fondly of your husband as well.
I wanted to let you know that [our daughter] scored a 30 on the ACT test she took in June (first try!).
With [our daughter] being what I call a non-reader (only when she has to), I was really worried about the
Reading section but, with your help, it was her highest score. With the help you gave [her sister] and
now [our daughter], I tell everyone who is interested about how worthwhile your courses are. Thank you.
My daughter has improved 4 ACT points since attending sessions with Martha Geller. Her score was originally 21 and
she received a 25 (after several tries, as her score kept improving 21, 22, 23, 24, 25). The 25 allowed her to
receive a scholarship and made a difference for my child to attend the college of her choice.
What better support for your child's academic career than to participate in Martha's
sessions. ... I highly recommend her.
In fact, my next child will be in her ACT preparation classes in the future.
Thanks so much for an amazing class—I learned so much!
You rock! Thanks!
[Our son] told us continuously that you taught him more about English than he had learned in most of high school. He took very seriously your prep tips and worked diligently on past tests to look at the errors he had made and correct them... At the end of his sophomore year he received a 22 and brought that score up to a 24 in his junior year with [his high school's] prep class.
He is now a senior and took the ACT in September and we are thrilled to let you know that he received a score of 31. He has made a 9 point gain in the last year and a half...a 7 point gain since your course.
[My daughter] just got her September ACT results: up 4 points over her best previous score!
Thank you so much! Your lessons obviously helped her, and were worth every penny!
Thanks a bunch! Also thought I'd let you know that your class helped me improve from a 26 ACT to 29 so I appreciate your help.
I just wanted to drop you a note to say, THANK YOU! My daughter took
your ACT course this spring and increased her ACT score by 4 points. She got a 31 on her test in June. We sent her to your class
because of the success that her older sister had with [your] PSAT class and subsequent test.
If you ever need a referral for your classes, do not hesitate to phone me. I sing your praises to whoever will listen.
Your expertise was invaluable.
I just wanted to thank you for your excellent ACT class. Because of your class, I got a composite score of 35 on my first ACT. I definitely did much better than I expected to (especially on the math sections) thanks to the material we covered in class.
All of the practice booklets you gave us were extremely helpful as well. I am very happy that I took your SAT and ACT classes! Thank you so much for your guidance!
Thank you so very much for all you do! We are so grateful that [our son] was able to get into your class. His ACT score went from a very respectable 30 to an amazing 35!!!!! As you could imagine, he is so happy as we are proud.
Reading and grammar [were my son's] weak points before, but he got 100% on both. [He] said: "That class really helped, I [didn't] know how to identify the tone of a paragraph before. Mrs Geller told us to highlight the strong word and suddenly I'm good at it."
Thanks for offering your classes – clearly they work!
We are very pleased with [our daughter's] first ACT result of 32 on the December 2011 test. [Our daughter] definitely felt your course helped her attain that score!
Thank you for offering such a good program. I do not know how you keep those kids interested for such a long time but my son is enjoying the class, and that says a lot!! Thank you!
OK, we have proof that you are THE GREATEST!!!...[Our son's] scores just came in and he increased his scores on every section...his composite increased from 68th percentile to 87th percentile...thank you very much!
My daughter received her scores today. Her composite score went to a 26 from a 22. Needless to say, we are very pleased...Her Reading score went from a 22 to a 30.
Very impressed with the individual attention students are getting, I just want say thank you.
[My son] has always been an outstanding straight A student but he was slow on the test taking...he is a perfectionist. Your class showed him the tricks to faster test taking and it has changed his life forever... Your class hit home and he finishes in plently of time now and has such confidence. Thank you so much. He currently has a 4.1 GPA and as he told you just found out today, he got a 33 on the ACT. I literally cried. I am so proud of him... He has endless opportunities and you are such a part of this success. Thank you so much for everything you have done for [him] and are doing for so many students everyday.
I really appreciate all the help you've given my Senior daughter. She did very well on tests and has remarked to me how she "heard your voice" during the tests--how to analyze questions to answer well...
Due to your help, [our son] did quite well on all tests; he scored a 33 on the ACT test (first time taken). [He] will attend Davidson College on a soccer scholarship in the Fall!
My daughter took your course and was a National Merit Commended student. She is at UC as a full Cincinnatus Scholar. We attribute part of her academic success to your excellent course!


text:
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|Sayville, N.Y.
|High School:
|IM/Mid-Distance Freestyle
2010-2011 (Sophomore): Second team All-Ivy as a member of both the 800-yard freestyle and 400-yard medley relays that took second place at the Ivy League Swimming and Diving Championships… 800-yard freestyle relay earned NCAA B cut and set a Yale record with a time of 7:20.23… 500-yard freestyle: Finished ninth at the Ivy League Championships with a time of 4:52.70… Won the event against Penn and Dartmouth with a time of 4:59.90… 1,650-yard freestyle: Finished 16th at the Ivy League Championship with a time of 17:10.09… Fastest time in the event was 17:02.61 in a second-place finish at Boston University's Terrier Invitational… 1,000-yard freestyle: Won the event against Brown with a time of 10:16.77… 200-yard freestyle: Swam a 1:51.71 in the prelims of the Ivy League Championships… Won the event against UConn with a time of 1:54.28… 100-yard freestyle: Won the event against Cornell with a time of 53.66… Best time was 52.90 at Boston University's Terrier Invitational.
2009-2010 (Freshman): 500-yard freestyle: Finished fifth at the Ivy League Swimming and Diving Championships with a time of 4:50.85, earning first career NCAA B cut… Won the event five times during the season… Best time before Ivy League Championships came in a second-place finish at the Terrier Invite, a time of 4:57.93… 1,000-yard freestyle: Finished sixth at the Ivy League Swimming and Diving Championships with a time of 10:12.78…Won the event against Penn and Dartmouth with a time of 10:18.63… Best time before the Ivy League Championships was 10:17.17 in a second-place finish against Columbia… 200-yard freestyle: Finished third at the Ivy League Swimming and Diving Championships with a time of 1:49.86… Won the event twice during the season against UConn and Cornell… Fastest time before the Ivy League Championships was 1:52.24 against UConn.
Before Yale: Attended Sayville High school and captained the Sayville-Bayport-Bluepoint varsity swim team as well as Islip Aquatics… NYSPHSAA State Champion in the 500-yard freestyle and All-American in the 200-yard IM and 500-yard freestyle… Earned Suffolk County MVP honors and went undefeated in county during senior year.
Personal: Member of Timothy Dwight College… Sociology major… Daughter of Joan and Michael Weaver and has three siblings… Older sister, Lindsay, attends Barnard College… Has two younger brothers, Jesse and Christopher.
Why I Chose Yale: "I felt a connection to the value of a well-rounded education and a passion for excellence."


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Week 44 - Friday
by, August 2nd, 2013 at 09:34 PM (1309 Views)
I was tired this morning but felt a lot better. Later in the day I found out its not swimmers ear but is an inner ear infection and I was put on a series of antibiotics. the pool was stupid as scy.
Warm up
400 free with snorkel
6x50 catchup on 45
Main sets
6x100 swum as 75 fast on 1.05, 25 streamline kick with 10 seconds rest)
3x200 fast on 2.30
12x50 shark fin drill
16x25 no breath on 40
8x50 kick on 1min
Warm down
100 easy
Total 3400scy
I went 42s on the first two and then dropped to 40s on the fast 75s. The 200s did not feel very good but I went 2.02,2.01,2.00.


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Dow AgroSciences and Monsanto Company recently announced a new business agreement between the two companies that allows cross licensing of products and technologies. Both companies say the outcome for farmers will be more accessibility to new products and technology.
In the agreement, Dow receives a commercial license to certain Monsanto seed stock and biotechnology traits. It also receives royalty-bearing rights to create and license finished hybrids, which combine Roundup Ready Corn 2 technology with Dow's Herculex I and Herculex Xtra technologies, to licensees of Monsanto's Roundup Ready Corn 2.
The two companies also established nonexclusive cross licenses of certain technologies, including their Bt patents.
The two companies have agreed to settle outstanding legal disputes. Mycogen is withdrawing its appeal regarding the synthetic Bt patent, and Monsanto is withdrawing its appeal regarding the Cry1F gene.
"We're pleased to have reached a settlement that will bring new product options to the market and have a long-lasting impact for our customers," reports Jerome Peribere, president and CEO, Dow AgroSciences.


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Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, and Phondari, Pirate Queen of Mars, find themselves in the clutches of Phodari's old master, Xen Brega. But before Xen was Phondari's master, he was her slave. Phondari wasn't the kindest of mistresses, and Xen's looking for a little vengeance. He's invited Phondari and Dejah to dinner... to be the main course! If Dejah and Phondari can escape the butcher's knife, Dejah might just learn a thing or two about the mysterious coin she discovered, and why Phondari is so interested in it. Get ready for Dejah Thoris #8: The Hoard of Segotha!
DC Teams with Joe Hill for Pop-Up Horror Line of Comics, Hill House


text: Loyola wins $500,000 NEH Challenge Grant to support Messina December 6, 2013 | By Nick Alexopulos Loyola University Maryland has been awarded a $500,000 Challenge Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to support Messina, the University's unique first-year program designed to help first-year students adjust quickly to the academic rigor of college and build a foundation for success both personally and professionally. The grant will fund a new faculty position in a humanities discipline, along with the development of programming that will be integrated in the Messina experience for first-year students. "This award is an external affirmation of one of Loyola's most important initiatives," said Douglas Harris, Ph.D., faculty co-director of Messina and associate professor of political science. "Such a prestigious honor is the kind of thing that you would expect of an institution that strives be to the nation's leading Catholic, comprehensive university." Roughly one third of Loyola's current first-year class is participating in Messina. The program will include all first-year students beginning in fall 2015, and the new faculty member funded by the NEH grant is expected to arrive that same semester. The academic department hiring that faculty member will then commit at least six additional course sections to Messina per year to bolster the already robust humanities-based seminar course offerings central to Messina's program design. All Messina students choose an interdisciplinary course pairing within one of three chosen themes; students take one course in the fall and one course in the spring, and professors teaching these courses collaborate with one another to ensure continuity of thematic, connected learning across disciplines. To extend the experience outside of the classroom, Messina students are housed in Loyola's residence halls according to the theme they choose to encourage consistent intellectual exchange in different environments. The extra-curricular experience also includes theme-specific lectures, speakers, events, and activities, programming that will continue to expand as a result of the NEH award. "The funding is critical because Messina programming brings the world of the humanities closer to the first-year student experience," said Michael Puma, Messina's student development co-director. "In the big picture, NEH has given us a great public vote of confidence in what we knew personally and what is widely known on campus – that Messina is a tremendous demonstration of collaboration, vision, and creativity. This certainly strengthens our future." NEH Challenge Grants strengthen the humanities by encouraging non-federal sources of support and helping institutions secure long-term improvements in and support for their humanities programs and resources. Recipients are required to match NEH funds on a three-to-one basis. More than 200 humanities projects received awards in this cycle totaling $14.6 million, which includes Challenge Grants as well as grants in other categories. Loyola is one of only five universities and nine institutions in all to receive a $500,000 grant, the highest increment awarded. "It puts Messina on the map nationally," Harris said. A full list of NEH grant recipients is available at neh.gov. About the National Endowment for the Humanities: Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation.


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U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission
Housekeeper Fired Because of Her Pregnancy, Federal Agency Says
BALTIMORE – A Rockville, Md., apartment complex violated federal law when it fired a housekeeper soon after she disclosed that she was pregnant, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit it announced today.
The EEOC charges that after a housekeeper, Amada Lucero, informed Greystar Management Services, L.P., that she was pregnant, the company required her to bring in medical documentation confirming that she was pregnant and clearing her to work with cleaning chemicals. Even though Lucero had been performing the job satisfactorily, and was medically cleared to perform her regular job duties without restrictions, Greystar abruptly fired her because of her pregnancy, the EEOC contends in its lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court of the District of Maryland, Civil Action No. 1:11-cv-02789.
Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, prohibits discrimination based on sex, including pregnancy. The EEOC first attempted to reach a pre-litigation settlement before filing suit. In its lawsuit, the EEOC seeks injunctive relief prohibiting discriminatory employment practices based on sex or pregnancy, as well as lost wages, compensatory and punitive damages and other affirmative relief for Lucero.
"Pregnancy discrimination charges nationwide increased almost 25 percent in the last five years, and such a dramatic increase unfortunately illustrates that too many employers are ignoring their legal obligation not to discriminate against pregnant workers," said Spencer H. Lewis, Jr., district director of the EEOC's Philadelphia District Office, which oversees Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and parts of New Jersey and Ohio.
EEOC Regional Attorney Debra M. Lawrence added, "This lawsuit should educate all employers that they must treat pregnant employees as they do other employees with short-term medical conditions. If an employer illegally fires a woman because of her pregnancy, the EEOC will take vigorous action to vindicate her right to earn a living and to support herself and her family."
The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.


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Section 7: The Seed: a Fact of Creation
Don't you see that God sends down water from the sky and then in the morning the Earth is covered in green? God is All-Subtle, All-Aware. (Qur'an, 22:63)
At upper right, the fossil of a maple seed dating back to the middle Eocene (almost 60-65 million years ago) and a present-day maple seed. ("Acer stewarti;" http://lsweb.la.asu.edu/kpigg/acer.htm) Obviously, there is no difference between them. This is evidence that seeds have not evolved over time, but have been created in their present form by God.
So far, we have given examples of different kinds of seeds, mentioning how plants produce and disperse their seeds. We've explained how the diversity of plants on Earth is thanks to the information contained in their seeds, enabling them to grow from the soil in the much same way for millions of years.
From this information, the conclusion to be drawn is that there is a perfect structure in seeds. So how have seeds with such an excellent structure come into being?
According to evolutionary theory, all living and non-living forms that exist on Earth – as well as the perfect order in the universe – are the result of coincidence. Plants, and accordingly seeds, have also come into existence by chance. But evolutionary sources give no clear information on the evolution of seeds.
Whichever evolutionary text we examine on the subject, we encounter a series of hypotheses, imaginary scenarios built on those hypotheses, inconclusive theories, and unrealistic charts, all based on these groundless claims.
When we examine the fossils of seeds, we can see clear evidence of creation. Seed fossils approximately 350 million years old (from the Devonian geologic period) have the same protective outer layer, embryo, and reserve of nutrients.58
Left: The fruit of the nipa palm, and a fossil of this fruit dating back to the Eocene (almost 65 million years ago). (Dr. Paul D. Taylor, Eyewitness Guides, Fossil, London, p. 36.)
Grape seed fossils found in Denmark dating to the middle Miocene era. The authorities of the museum housing the fossils emphasize that they are identical to modern grape seeds. ("Vitis sp. Endocarps;" http://lsweb.la.asu.edu/kpigg/grapes.htm)
These seeds' special structures have the same characteristics now as they did millions of years ago, having undergone no change to the present day – a very clear indication that they have not undergone any imaginary process such as "evolution."
From time to time, evolutionist publications acknowledge the impasses concerning seeds, in confessions like this:
Many gaps exist in our present knowledge of seed development. More information is needed on... extension of the pollen chamber in cycads, role of the pollination drop, postpollination growth of ovules... structure of the megaspore membrane.59
From the above, we can draw an obvious conclusion.
Evolutionary theory is in as much of a deadlock over the emergence of plants and seeds as it is concerning other life forms on Earth.
These living things have been created by God. Seeds, as well as the plants that grow from them, have possessed all the mechanisms, complex systems and astonishing features in perfect form from the moment they first appeared.
Evolutionists use such terms as "developing over time," "coincidental changes," and "adaptations arising from necessity," all assertions with no factual basis, and from a scientific point of view, meaningless.
(left) Fossil of this plant, with its flowers and fruits, is structured exactly like those of the present time. This fossil of the Archaefructus species is 140 million years old, the oldest known flowering plant fossil.
The blue object at above left is a fossil of the fruit of crepe myrtle. The bottom picture shows the actual crape myrtle. At above right is a fossil of the same plant's seed dating to the middle Miocene (almost 22 million years ago).("Shirleya grahamae Lythraceae;" http://lsweb.la.asu.edu/kpigg/mystery1.htm)
58 Raven, Evert, Curtis, Biology of Plants, p. 326.
59 Kozlowski, Seed Biology, p. 66.


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Your source for national high school football scores, standings & ratings
2017 Bishop Dwenger (Fort Wayne, IN)
08/18 Beat Wayne (Fort Wayne, IN) 27-12 [opponent rating: 6.8] [performance: 21.8]
08/25 Beat North Side (Fort Wayne, IN) 37-0 [opponent rating: -19.3] [performance: 9.7**]
09/01 Beat South Side (Fort Wayne, IN) 48-14 [opponent rating: -9.3] [performance: 19.7**]
09/08 Lost to Homestead (Fort Wayne, IN) 42-0 [opponent rating: 27.9] [performance: -1.1**]
Lost to Carroll (Fort Wayne, IN) 28-24
[opponent rating: 16.1] [performance: 1.1*]
09/22 Beat Concordia Lutheran (Fort Wayne, IN) 27-0 [opponent rating: 11.2] [performance: 38.2]
09/29 Beat Bishop Luers (Fort Wayne, IN) 15-14 [opponent rating: 11.4] [performance: 26.4*]
10/06 Lost to Snider [R. Nelson] (Fort Wayne, IN) 34-31 [opponent rating: 40.2] [performance: 25.2*]
10/13 Beat Northrop (Fort Wayne, IN) 38-18 [opponent rating: -3.2] [performance: 16.8]
10/20 Beat South Side (Fort Wayne, IN) 41-7 [opponent rating: -9.3] [performance: 19.7**]
[4A playoffs]
10/27 Beat New Haven (IN) 13-6 [opponent rating: 15.2] [performance: 30.2*]
[4A playoffs]
11/03 Beat Wayne (Fort Wayne, IN) 41-20 [opponent rating: 6.8] [performance: 27.8]
[4A playoffs]
11/10 Beat Angola (IN) 34-0 [opponent rating: 21] [performance: 50**]
[4A playoffs]
11/17 Lost to Lowell (IN) 21-7 [opponent rating: 29.9] [performance: 14.9*]
[4A playoffs]
*Single game performance rating adjusted to 15 points above or below (depending upon win/loss) the rating of the opponent instead of using the true margin of victory. This is done in order to properly credit the win itself as being the most important thing-- short of doing that, a 1-point win would nearly be equal to a 1-point loss, and of course it is not. The actual number used for this, again currently 15, may fluctuate over time as it is derived by analyzing the margin of victory of every game played nationally and taking the 40th percentile of all those margins. (Capped at 15 to avoid early-season small sample size anomalies.)
**Single game performance rating may have been adjusted to 29 points above or below (depending upon win/loss) the rating of the opponent instead of using the true margin of victory. This is done so as to not reward teams for scheduling/running up the score against vastly inferior opponents. The actual number used for this, again currently 29, also may fluctuate over time as it is derived by analyzing the margin of victory of every game played nationally and taking the 63rd percentile of all those margins.
Please note that double-asterisked (and
out) games are considered to be less "true results" when ratings are created by the system because the margin of victory needed to be artificially decreased for the reasons mentioned above. As such, performances without the double-asterisk (truer results) are weighted much more heavily by the system in order to create the season rating for each team than are results involving mismatched teams. In other words, in cases where it appears a team is taking a hit to their rating simply because they played a very weak team...the hit indeed exists (and it's important that it does because we strongly believe in strength of schedule) but it is not as large as it appears at first glance. The rating for a team generally just ends up being roughly the average of those non-grayed out games.


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A licuado, from the Spanish term for liquefied, is a fresh fruit beverage made from blended fruit, milk or water and occasionally ice. Though licuados are served throughout Latin America, they are especially popular in Mexico, where they are one of many fruit based beverages. Any kind of fresh fruit or fruits can be used in to make licuados, depending upon availability and personal preference. Sweeteners, such as honey or sugar, are frequently added to licuados, though they are not always necessary due to the inherent sweetness of the fruit itself. Licuados are a refreshing addition to a hot summer day and a lovely alternative to other chilled beverages.
4 c watermelon, seeds removed and cut into chunks
2-4 c water
1 lime, thinly sliced
1. Place watermelon chunks in blender. Blend until watermelon is a thick liquid, stirring well so that all watermelon has been blended.
2. Place 2 cups water in a large beverage container, at least 8 cups in size. Pour in blended watermelon and thoroughly stir to combine. Add additional water if desired, up to 4 cups. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
3. Garnish with sliced lime and serve chilled. Maybe be kept in the refrigerator for a day or two.
Serves 3-4