Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center Receives $51K in Grants for 09-10 School Year
Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center serves high school students from both Calhoun Middle High School and Gilmer County High School along with adults from the area continuing their education. Nine programs of study (Automotive Technology, Building Construction, Business Education, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Environmental Technology, Health Occupations, Networking Technologies and Welding) are available to high school and post graduate students. Also, two Alternative Learning Centers serve high school students in need of credit recovery, and Adult Basic Education is provided which includes GED classes and testing.
Since opening in 1975, there has been a decrease in funding for the Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center. Instructors have taken it upon themselves, with no extra pay, to secure funding through grant writing. The West Virginia Department of Education, Division of Adult and Technical Education annually awards Program Modernization Grants of up to $20,000 for new technology and equipment to keep programs current with industry. This spring seven instructors from C-GCC submitted grant proposals for the 2010 fiscal year, and a record four were awarded totaling $51,000.
Instructor Mike Jackson requested funding of a firearms simulator and homeland security lab to address the newly approved Content Standards and Objectives (CSO’s) for his classes. Similar to the training at the West Virginia State Police Academy, students will learn proper weapon use in simulated situations. The modernization grant for the Criminal Justice program was $17,000.
A grant of $16,000 was awarded to Networking Technologies. New student workstations, a server with software and network security, and a fiber optical installation kit were requested by instructor Zane Gherke. To hone their 21st century skills the thinking and reasoning, students will utilized this new equipment and be prepared for the workplace.
With President Barack Obama’s call for computerized heath and medication records, instructor Karen Blankenship requested five new classroom computers and software for the Health Occupations lab. The medical record software is similar to that used at Minnie Hamilton Health Center to provided training to students in this program of study. The modernization grant awarded to Health Occupations totaled $10,000.
An $8,000 modernization grant was awarded to the Environmental Technology program. A class set of 10 global positioning system (GPS) handheld units, geographic information system (GIS) software, and two new classroom computers were requested by instructor Kris Snyder. With the GIS software students will be able to combine known data with spatial relationships and determine the use of natural resources.
Modernization grant proposals emphasizing innovative thinking and 21st century skills are given most favorable consideration. These grants cannot be used to fund personnel or facilities. ~~ By Bryan Sterns - C-GCC Director ~~
Evenings Set for Parents to Activate Edline Accounts at GCHS
Gilmer County High School has set aside three evenings for parents to activate Edline accounts. The Media Center Computer Lab will be open from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Tuesday, September 15 and Monday, September 21, 2009 and on Parent Teacher Conference evening, Monday, September 28, 2009 from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. Parents must call in to reserve a time slot for any of three of sessions being offered so that the activation codes can be ready for parents.
Edline is an easy way for parents to keep-up-to-date online. Once a parent has activated his account, and GCHS has posted information, a parent can use Edline to check your child’s latest grades, receive email alerts when new grades are posted, receive emails with school or class information, see what homework is not turned in and read notes from your child’s teachers, view team and club activities, verify attendance, view “combined calendar” to see all the events from the school calendar and your own child’s classes and activities, read daily announcements, lunch menus, school policies and classroom news. A parent can access this secure information from any computer that has Internet access.
Gilmer County High School was the pilot school for Gilmer County last year. Since Edline became operational last year, the parents who have activated accounts have given Edline high marks. This year, Edline is available in all Gilmer County schools.
“The response to Edline has been extremely positive,” said GCHS Principal Mrs. Nasia P. Butcher. “Seventy-five of the parents activated Edline accounts at 7th grade orientation last week. We have set aside these three evenings to help parents activate accounts. While the process takes less than 10 minutes, the benefits of knowing how your child is academically progressing is timeless. This is an excellent tool for everyone—teachers, students, and parents.”
To schedule an time slot for Edline activation, please call the GCHS office at 304.462.7960.
The West Virginia Trappers Association will have their 2009 convention at the Gilmer County Recreation Center in Glenville, Friday - Sunday, September 18 - 20, 2009.
A root auction will be on Saturday, September 19,2009, and demonstrations for trapping, snaring, skinning and fleshing will occur.
In addition, vendors will be selling trapping supplies.
There will be a seminar on small game cooking on Friday, September 18, 2009.
For more information, call Scott at 304.462.7270 or Janet at 304.772.5586 or visitwww.wvtrappers.com .
More WV Schools Are Adding Gender Specific Classrooms
More West Virginia schools are adding gender specific classrooms, all girls in one class and all boys in another class.
Doctor Leonard Sax with the National Association of Single Sex Public Education says parents should be given the option of putting their kids in those classrooms. He says there’s proof such a splitting of the sexes works, helping students learn better, especially at the elementary school and middle school levels.
“There’s lots of variations among girls. There’s lot of variations among boys,“ Doctor Sax said on Thursday’s MetroNews Talkline.
“A coed format works fine for some girls and some boys but, clearly, some girls learn better in the all girls format. Some boys learn better in the all boys format. So, why not make that format available?“
Doctor Sax was in West Virginia recently to talk about same sex public education at schools in Wood County, Raleigh County and Kanawha County. Already, several West Virginia schools have gender specific classes.
“We live in a sexist society, a society that says art and poetry are for girls and computers and cars are for boys.“ Sax says the gender specific classes change that, if teachers are trained properly to teach all boys or all girls.
“With just a little bit of training, you can help teachers to use this format to bring down gender stereotypes and you can have the girls write stories about hunting and have the boys write stories about babysitting.“
Some argue that students grow up to live in a coed world, but Doctor Sax says the real world is nothing like middle school.
“In the real world, what’s important is, ‘Are you competent? Do you know what you’re doing? Do you show up for work on time?‘ That’s more important, 99.9% of jobs, that’s more important than whether or not you’re pretty,“ he says.
“But in the coed classroom, what’s really important is ‘Are you pretty? Are you cute?‘ and not whether or not you know what you’re talking about.“
Outdoor Youth Challenge at National Hunting and Fishing Days Celebration
Changes in the format of the annual Outdoor Youth Challenge will allow more participation from youngsters to test their skills in hunting, fishing, and other activities, according to Division of Natural Resources Director Frank Jezioro. The Outdoor Youth Challenge is part of West Virginia’s Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days, scheduled for September 26 and 27, 2009 at Stonewall Resort State Park in Lewis County.
“This celebration is one of the best outdoor recreation events held in West Virginia, with hands-on learning and instructional opportunities for youth and the entire family in celebrating West Virginia’s wildlife and outdoor heritage,” said Jezioro.
A major change instituted last year and continuing this year involves removing the competition factor in all the Outdoor Youth Challenge events, unless a youth requests to be competitively scored. Last year the result was more than 350 youngsters over the two-day weekend participating in approximately 20 different events, up substantially from previous years.
Any youth between 6 and 18 years of age may participate in the Outdoor Youth Challenge events. However, those youths 11-18 years of age who would like to compete will still be able to do so, with five scored competitive events which include casting for accuracy, archery, .22 rifle, muzzleloader and skeet shooting.
All youths who wish to participate must complete a free, on-site registration. They will be given a color-coded registration card with map showing the Outdoor Youth Challenge events. The Outdoor Youth Challenge will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. There will be approximately 25 events and each youth must complete at least 10 events to be eligible for prize drawings. Upon completion of each event, the youth’s registration card will be validated by the official overseeing that event.
Two types of registration will be offered for the Outdoor Youth Challenge. The first will be for those youths 6 to 18 years of age who would like to participate in the Youth Challenge event just for the fun and experience, but do not wish to compete. The second type of registration will be for youths 11-14 and 15-18 years of age who wish to compete in the scored events. The numerical score for the five scored competitive events will be recorded on the youth’s registration card. These youths, in addition to completing the scored events, must also complete at least five of the un-scored Youth Challenge events.
Again this year, the grand prizes are two lifetime hunting and fishing licenses. For those youths who want to compete in the five scored competitive events, a Junior Conservation Camp Scholarship (junior group ages 11-14) and a state Conservation Camp Scholarship (senior group ages 15-18) will be awarded each day. Many other quality prizes, dealing with hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation activities, will also be given away each day.
For more Outdoor Youth Challenge information call Shawn Head at 304.637.0245
In an effort to meet the ever-increasing need for nonprofit professionals and volunteers and to encourage involvement in community service, the Glenville State College Business Department is now offering a minor in Nonprofit Leadership and Management. This twenty credit hour program includes: Principles of Accounting, Applied Business Communications, Dimensions in Professional Development, Business Law, Human Resource Management, Principles of Marketing, Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations, and Nonprofit Practices and Procedures.
In addition, Glenville State College is also offering the American Humanics Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. American Humanics (AH) is a national alliance of colleges, universities, and nonprofits dedicated to educating, preparing, and certifying professionals to lead nonprofit organizations. AH was founded in 1948 by H. Roe Bartle, a thirty-year professional in the Boy Scouts of America, who was concerned about the lack of educational opportunities available to young people desiring careers in the service community. The American Humanics Program is now offered on over sixty campuses across the country. Glenville State College will be the only college or university in West Virginia to offer this program for at least the next five years.
“The addition of the Nonprofit Leadership and Management minor and the American Humanics Certification to our curriculum at Glenville State College will broaden our students’ options for employment in both the profit and nonprofit sectors,” said Dr. Sherry Jones, GSC Professor of Business Education and Department Chair.
Any student of Glenville State College, regardless of major, is eligible to take the new minor and/or earn the American Humanics Certification. Non-degree seeking students are also welcome to enroll in the American Humanics Certification Program which takes approximately one year to complete. All students who want to earn AH Certification must also complete a three-hundred hour internship in the nonprofit sector.
Meredith Gillett is the GSC American Humanics Coordinator. “Students who earn American Humanics Certification increase their marketability. The required internship will provide valuable real-life field experience. Many nonprofit organizations seek and recruit AH students. The link that AH has with over sixty institutions results in great networking opportunities,” she said. American Humanics trains professionals for many of the country’s most respected nonprofits including: the American Red Cross, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America, Boy Scouts of America, The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Camp Fire USA, Feeding America, Girls Incorporated, Girl Scouts of the USA, The Humane Society of the United States, Junior Achievement, March of Dimes, National Urban League, United Way of America, Volunteers of America, and YMCA of the USA.
Gillett relocated to her native West Virginia from California to head the AH program. She has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector beginning in Girl Scouts as an active member then became Program Director at a summer camp in Kansas City, Missouri. She completed an internship with the national office of Camp Fire USA, and following her AH Certification and Bachelor’s degree, she became an Exploring Executive for the Boy Scouts of America in Little Rock, Arkansas. Gillett will be starting a Student Association for those involved in the AH program and those interested in community service.
The first nonprofit class, NPLM 101 – Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations will be taught at Glenville State College during the Spring 2010 semester. Among other topics, this class will focus on the following: mission and role of the nonprofit organization; board and committee development; and program planning, implementation, and evaluation. A second class, NPLM 201 – Nonprofit Practices and Procedures will likely be taught in the Fall 2010 semester and will focus on the following: fundraising and grant writing; public relations; and effective risk and crisis management.
The Glenville State Robert F. Kidd Library is building its collection of books and periodicals in the nonprofit area to support learning about nonprofit organizations.
In working with many nonprofit organization executives over the years, Glenville State College President, Dr. Peter Barr, realized the need for trained nonprofit professional in a vastly expanding industry. “Glenville State College will now be educating the nonprofit leaders of the future. The practical knowledge and experience that students will gain from these programs will better prepare them to meet the needs of the nonprofit sector,” he said.
Nonprofit organizations interested in taking advantage of the Glenville State College American Humanics intern program or seminars that will be available are invited to contact Gillett for more information.
Individuals interesting in taking one or more nonprofit classes or for more information about the GSC Nonprofit Leadership and Management minor contact Gillett at 304.462.6260 or “meredith.gillett@glenville.edu”. ~~ Bob Edwards - GSC Public Relations Department Assistant ~~
The Flatwoods Days Spaghetti Dinner will be held Friday, September 4, 2009 from 4:30 PM to 6:45 PM at the Flatwoods Community Building.
The menu is Spaghetti, Salad, Roll, Dessert and Drink.
The cost is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children 10 and under.
This is sponsored by Flatwoods Park and Recreation.
Contact Paul Beatty at 304.765.5568 for tickets.
Three public hearings on possible judicial reforms in West Virginia will be held over the next month.
The first hearing from Governor Joe Manchin’s Independent Commission on Judicial Reform will come Friday at Marshall University’s Memorial Student Center in Huntington. The focus of the hearing will be on campaign finance.
Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner, Honorary Chair of the Independent Commission, is scheduled to attend the hearing on Monday, September 21, 2009 at West Virginia University’s College of Law where the topic will be judicial selection.
The final hearing, focused on judicial organization, will be held on Monday, September 29, 2009 in the Governor’s Press Conference Room at the State Capitol in Charleston.
The Independent Commission has until Sunday, November 15, 2009 to present its findings to Governor Manchin.
Ask University of Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez about Mike Barwis, and the superlatives will flow.
“He’s my guy,‘’ Rodriguez told the Detroit Free Press in the summer of 2008. “I won’t go anywhere without him.‘’
Barwis has been Rodriguez’s strength and conditioning coach for six years - four at West Virginia University, two at Michigan. The 46-year-old Rodriguez, entering his second season at Michigan, has said Barwis might be even more important than Rodriguez’s assistant coaches because of all the time Barwis spends working with players.
But how much time is too much?
The NCAA, which governs college athletics, has strict limits on how much time coaches can require players to spend on their sport. But Rodriguez’s team has routinely broken the rules since he took over in January 2008, people inside the program told the Free Press.
Numerous players on the 2008 and 2009 teams said the program far exceeded limits intended to protect athletes from coaching excesses and to ensure fair competition.
Two players called Michigan’s offseason requirements “ridiculous.‘’ The players described the coaches’ expectations as an ongoing concern among many teammates. Parents of several players agreed.
The players and parents agreed to talk only if they were not identified because they said they feared repercussions from the coaching staff.
The Free Press outlined the allegations to U-M officials on Friday and requested responses from Rodriguez, Barwis, compliance director Judy Van Horn, athletic director Bill Martin and President Mary Sue Coleman. U-M issued brief written statements from Rodriguez and Van Horn.
Rodriguez said, “We know the practice and offseason rules, and we stay within the guidelines. We follow the rules and have always been completely committed to being compliant with all NCAA rules.‘’
Van Horn said, “Compliance and administrative staff conduct in-person spot checks of practice during the academic year and summer. We have not had any reason to self-report any violations in this area with any of our sports.‘’
Officials said Martin and Coleman were unavailable. Athletic Department spokesman Bruce Madej said Barwis would not comment because Rodriguez speaks for the football program.
‘It was mandatory’
In the past two offseasons, players said, the Wolverines were expected to spend two to three times more than the eight hours allowed for required workouts each week. Players are free to exceed the limit, but it must be truly voluntary.
The players said the offseason work was clearly required. Several of them said players who failed to do all the strength and conditioning were forced to come back to finish or were punished with additional work.
“It was mandatory,‘’ one player said. “They’d tell you it wasn’t, but it really was. If you didn’t show up, there was punishment. I just felt for the guys that did miss a workout and had to go through the personal hell they would go through.‘’
In addition, the players cited these practices within the program:
Players spent at least nine hours on football activities on Sundays after games last fall. NCAA rules mandate a daily 4 -hour limit. The Wolverines also exceeded the weekly limit of 20 hours, the athletes said.
Players said members of Rodriguez’s quality-control staff often watched seven-on-seven offseason scrimmages. The non-contact drills, in which an offense runs plays against a defense, are supposed to be voluntary and player-run. They are held at U-M’s football facilities. NCAA rules allow only training staff - not quality-control staffers - to attend as a safety precaution. Quality-control staffers provide administrative and other support for the coaches but are not allowed to interact directly with players during games, practices or workouts.
If the NCAA investigates and concludes that U-M willfully and repeatedly violated the rules, the NCAA could find the football program guilty of major violations for the first time in the football program’s history.
For this report, the Free Press interviewed 10 current or former players and the parents of four others. In separate interviews, five players gave almost identical accounts of how the program is run, and a sixth player confirmed most of the descriptions. Other players, as well as parents of additional players, discussed the conditions in general. Several players declined to be interviewed at length but did not dispute the allegations when asked specifically about them.
‘All the rules are . . . clear’
At U-M’s football media day last week, two of Rodriguez’s freshmen talked freely about the tough training regimen for the Wolverines, saying they spent many hours in workouts during the offseason.
Those freshmen apparently were unaware of the NCAA’s time-commitment rules. But some veteran players who came in under previous coach Lloyd Carr said they were familiar with the rules, and Carr’s staff followed them.
One veteran player said the Wolverines talk to each other about the excessive hours under Rodriguez “all the time, but there is nothing we can do about it.‘’
Chuck Wynne, director of Communications Strategy for the NCAA, said the time limits went “to one of the central tenets of the NCAA, which is: We’re all about student-athlete well-being. We recognize that student-athletes need a balance in their lives.‘’
Wynne was commenting generally, not about the specifics of the U-M players’ accounts. Former coaches at other schools, also speaking generally, said the rules were important and, they believed, widely followed.
“All the rules are pretty clear,‘’ said former Baylor University coach Grant Teaff, executive director of the American Football Coaches Association since 1994. “Rules are rules. Some carry greater penalties than others. The rules are to be adhered to, period. You’re not partially married. You’re either married or you’re not married. ...
“If you’re my neighbor, and I see you’re breaking the rules, my responsibility if I want to criticize you for breaking the rule is turn you in. It’s not to turn around and start breaking the rule because you are doing it.‘’
Teaff said most of these rules were instituted in the last 20 years for the health and safety of players.
The coaches association is often consulted by the NCAA and sometimes proposes rules changes. Rodriguez has been on the AFCA’s Board of Trustees since 2005.
One player, echoing the words of others, said the workouts in the past two offseasons at Michigan “affected people’s grades. People were falling asleep in class.‘’
One parent said: “It’s very difficult for kids that take the programs seriously. They’re exhausted. According to the coaches, what they’ve told our kids is, ‘This is permitted.‘“
The players said they had not personally reported their concerns to the athletic department’s Compliance Services Office - and, in fact, had signed forms stating that rules had been followed.
“They were making us sign those - you’d get in trouble if you didn’t sign,‘’ one player on the 2008 team said. “We signed that and joked about that: ‘We work out way more than this.‘ We can’t do anything. We were trying to play.‘’
‘Wow, this is absurd’
In December 2007, Rodriguez and Barwis walked into the weight room at Schembechler Hall, home to the football program, and immediately declared it inadequate. At their request, athletic director Bill Martin spent more than $1 million upgrading it.
Martin also authorized the expansion of the football staff. Carr, before retiring, had three people on his quality-control staff; Rodriguez has five. Barwis has seven full-time assistants (some work with other U-M teams), one part-time assistant and 10 interns - a significant increase over Barwis’ predecessor, Mike Gittleson.
Barwis received a $190,000 salary last year, school records show. The only members of the football program who were paid more were Rodriguez - who makes $2.5 million annually and whose contract runs through 2013 - and his offensive and defensive coordinators.
Barwis has been praised in some corners for his advanced workout techniques and for getting players into the best shape of their lives.
Earlier this month, he told fan Web site GoBlueWolverine.com: “In reality, the work that they do, the commitment that they have and things they are put through, they are not going to be put through it at any other level, at any other time in their lives. The NFL guys we have back think, ‘Wow, this is absurd the amount of work they are putting in.‘“
In 2006, when Barwis and Rodriguez were at West Virginia, Barwis described the Mountaineers’ offseason workout regimen to the Associated Press: On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the players did Olympic and conventional lifts, functional and balance training, injury prevention, core training, plyometrics and explosive training, functional flexibility and conditioning. Tuesdays and Thursday were for speed, agility and flexibility training.
Barwis runs the same program at U-M.
Several players said that on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the past two offseasons, they were expected to be in the weight room for three to four hours, followed by a run of 45 minutes to an hour.
Players said that on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they were expected to spend two to three hours working on speed and agility. That brings the total time commitment to 15 to 21 hours a week - more than the NCAA’s weekly 8-hour limit, which includes time spent watching film.
On top of the strength and conditioning, many players are expected to participate in seven-on-seven scrimmages five days a week, for about 45 minutes a day, during much of the offseason.
Why do Barwis’ workouts take so long? The volume of weight-lifting sets and exercises is only part of the explanation.
By Michael Rosenberg and Mark Snyder
Detroit Free Press
DETROIT - Ask University of Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez about Mike Barwis, and the superlatives will flow.
“He’s my guy,‘’ Rodriguez told the Detroit Free Press in the summer of 2008. “I won’t go anywhere without him.‘’
Barwis has been Rodriguez’s strength and conditioning coach for six years - four at West Virginia University, two at Michigan. The 46-year-old Rodriguez, entering his second season at Michigan, has said Barwis might be even more important than Rodriguez’s assistant coaches because of all the time Barwis spends working with players.
But how much time is too much?
The NCAA, which governs college athletics, has strict limits on how much time coaches can require players to spend on their sport. But Rodriguez’s team has routinely broken the rules since he took over in January 2008, people inside the program told the Free Press.
Numerous players on the 2008 and 2009 teams said the program far exceeded limits intended to protect athletes from coaching excesses and to ensure fair competition.
Two players called Michigan’s offseason requirements “ridiculous.‘’ The players described the coaches’ expectations as an ongoing concern among many teammates. Parents of several players agreed.
The players and parents agreed to talk only if they were not identified because they said they feared repercussions from the coaching staff.
The Free Press outlined the allegations to U-M officials on Friday and requested responses from Rodriguez, Barwis, compliance director Judy Van Horn, athletic director Bill Martin and President Mary Sue Coleman. U-M issued brief written statements from Rodriguez and Van Horn.
Rodriguez said, “We know the practice and offseason rules, and we stay within the guidelines. We follow the rules and have always been completely committed to being compliant with all NCAA rules.‘’
Van Horn said, “Compliance and administrative staff conduct in-person spot checks of practice during the academic year and summer. We have not had any reason to self-report any violations in this area with any of our sports.‘’
Officials said Martin and Coleman were unavailable. Athletic Department spokesman Bruce Madej said Barwis would not comment because Rodriguez speaks for the football program.
‘It was mandatory’
In the past two offseasons, players said, the Wolverines were expected to spend two to three times more than the eight hours allowed for required workouts each week. Players are free to exceed the limit, but it must be truly voluntary.
The players said the offseason work was clearly required. Several of them said players who failed to do all the strength and conditioning were forced to come back to finish or were punished with additional work.
“It was mandatory,‘’ one player said. “They’d tell you it wasn’t, but it really was. If you didn’t show up, there was punishment. I just felt for the guys that did miss a workout and had to go through the personal hell they would go through.‘’
In addition, the players cited these practices within the program:
Players spent at least nine hours on football activities on Sundays after games last fall. NCAA rules mandate a daily 4 -hour limit. The Wolverines also exceeded the weekly limit of 20 hours, the athletes said.
Players said members of Rodriguez’s quality-control staff often watched seven-on-seven offseason scrimmages. The non-contact drills, in which an offense runs plays against a defense, are supposed to be voluntary and player-run. They are held at U-M’s football facilities. NCAA rules allow only training staff - not quality-control staffers - to attend as a safety precaution. Quality-control staffers provide administrative and other support for the coaches but are not allowed to interact directly with players during games, practices or workouts.
If the NCAA investigates and concludes that U-M willfully and repeatedly violated the rules, the NCAA could find the football program guilty of major violations for the first time in the football program’s history.
For this report, the Free Press interviewed 10 current or former players and the parents of four others. In separate interviews, five players gave almost identical accounts of how the program is run, and a sixth player confirmed most of the descriptions. Other players, as well as parents of additional players, discussed the conditions in general. Several players declined to be interviewed at length but did not dispute the allegations when asked specifically about them.
‘All the rules are . . . clear’
At U-M’s football media day last week, two of Rodriguez’s freshmen talked freely about the tough training regimen for the Wolverines, saying they spent many hours in workouts during the offseason.
Those freshmen apparently were unaware of the NCAA’s time-commitment rules. But some veteran players who came in under previous coach Lloyd Carr said they were familiar with the rules, and Carr’s staff followed them.
One veteran player said the Wolverines talk to each other about the excessive hours under Rodriguez “all the time, but there is nothing we can do about it.‘’
Chuck Wynne, director of Communications Strategy for the NCAA, said the time limits went “to one of the central tenets of the NCAA, which is: We’re all about student-athlete well-being. We recognize that student-athletes need a balance in their lives.‘’
Wynne was commenting generally, not about the specifics of the U-M players’ accounts. Former coaches at other schools, also speaking generally, said the rules were important and, they believed, widely followed.
“All the rules are pretty clear,‘’ said former Baylor University coach Grant Teaff, executive director of the American Football Coaches Association since 1994. “Rules are rules. Some carry greater penalties than others. The rules are to be adhered to, period. You’re not partially married. You’re either married or you’re not married. ...
“If you’re my neighbor, and I see you’re breaking the rules, my responsibility if I want to criticize you for breaking the rule is turn you in. It’s not to turn around and start breaking the rule because you are doing it.‘’
Teaff said most of these rules were instituted in the last 20 years for the health and safety of players.
The coaches association is often consulted by the NCAA and sometimes proposes rules changes. Rodriguez has been on the AFCA’s Board of Trustees since 2005.
One player, echoing the words of others, said the workouts in the past two offseasons at Michigan “affected people’s grades. People were falling asleep in class.‘’
One parent said: “It’s very difficult for kids that take the programs seriously. They’re exhausted. According to the coaches, what they’ve told our kids is, ‘This is permitted.‘“
The players said they had not personally reported their concerns to the athletic department’s Compliance Services Office - and, in fact, had signed forms stating that rules had been followed.
“They were making us sign those - you’d get in trouble if you didn’t sign,‘’ one player on the 2008 team said. “We signed that and joked about that: ‘We work out way more than this.‘ We can’t do anything. We were trying to play.‘’
‘Wow, this is absurd’
In December 2007, Rodriguez and Barwis walked into the weight room at Schembechler Hall, home to the football program, and immediately declared it inadequate. At their request, athletic director Bill Martin spent more than $1 million upgrading it.
Martin also authorized the expansion of the football staff. Carr, before retiring, had three people on his quality-control staff; Rodriguez has five. Barwis has seven full-time assistants (some work with other U-M teams), one part-time assistant and 10 interns - a significant increase over Barwis’ predecessor, Mike Gittleson.
Barwis received a $190,000 salary last year, school records show. The only members of the football program who were paid more were Rodriguez - who makes $2.5 million annually and whose contract runs through 2013 - and his offensive and defensive coordinators.
Barwis has been praised in some corners for his advanced workout techniques and for getting players into the best shape of their lives.
Earlier this month, he told fan Web site GoBlueWolverine.com: “In reality, the work that they do, the commitment that they have and things they are put through, they are not going to be put through it at any other level, at any other time in their lives. The NFL guys we have back think, ‘Wow, this is absurd the amount of work they are putting in.‘“
In 2006, when Barwis and Rodriguez were at West Virginia, Barwis described the Mountaineers’ offseason workout regimen to the Associated Press: On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the players did Olympic and conventional lifts, functional and balance training, injury prevention, core training, plyometrics and explosive training, functional flexibility and conditioning. Tuesdays and Thursday were for speed, agility and flexibility training.
Barwis runs the same program at U-M.
Several players said that on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the past two offseasons, they were expected to be in the weight room for three to four hours, followed by a run of 45 minutes to an hour.
Players said that on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they were expected to spend two to three hours working on speed and agility. That brings the total time commitment to 15 to 21 hours a week - more than the NCAA’s weekly 8-hour limit, which includes time spent watching film.
On top of the strength and conditioning, many players are expected to participate in seven-on-seven scrimmages five days a week, for about 45 minutes a day, during much of the offseason.
Why do Barwis’ workouts take so long? The volume of weight-lifting sets and exercises is only part of the explanation.
Barwis assigns players to groups of eight or 10. Every player in a group must complete a weight-lifting set before any of them can move on to the next task. Barwis and his assistants work with them.
At the school’s news media day, the Free Press asked freshman Brandin Hawthorne what winter conditioning was like. Hawthorne, a linebacker from Pahokee, Fla., enrolled in January.
“It’s crazy,‘’ said Hawthorne, who was not complaining about his coaches and was apparently unaware of the time-limit rules. “I work out at 8. We’ll work out from, like, 8 to 10:30. We come back later, have one-on-ones, seven-on-sevens, a little passing. Then I’ll go watch a little film.‘’
The Free Press also asked freshman receiver Je’Ron Stokes about Michigan’s offseason program. Stokes, from Philadelphia, arrived at the Ann Arbor campus in June.
“Hooooo!‘’ Stokes said. “A typical week is working from 8 a.m. in the morning to 6 or 7 at night, Monday through Saturday.‘’
And that was starting in June?
“Yes, sir,‘’ Stokes said. “We do the weight room at least three times a week, and seven-on-sevens and one-on-ones. Speed and agility on the other days. Every day we have something new to get ready for the season. The coaches have done a great job of stressing the importance of getting us ready for the big season that we’re about to have.‘’
Stokes was not complaining. Like Hawthorne, he apparently was unaware of the rules.
On top of the regular workout schedule, every Tuesday during winter term, a few players on the team are required to spend additional hours at Schembechler Hall for what they call Torture Tuesdays. Players say Rodriguez created Torture Tuesdays to maintain school discipline and class attendance.
Those players must show up before dawn on Tuesday for a series of rigorous physical tasks: Army crawls, barrel rolls, long piggyback rides, wheelbarrow races back and forth across the field. Sometimes the players have to move every dumbbell in the weight room to the other side in a few minutes.
Players have been known to get physically ill on Torture Tuesdays because of the workouts. But they are still expected to complete their two to three hours of speed and agility work later that day.
‘We work hard’
Barwis is the first to say he is demanding.
“Occasionally, some people do go the other way when it’s a little too much work for them,‘’ Barwis told the Free Press in January 2008, his first month on the job. “Regardless, it’s a system where we work, we work hard, we expect to outwork the opponent, we will outwork the opponent. ...
“When you’re tired and don’t feel like doing it, you’re going to do it anyway. It’s a pretty simple process.‘’
Several players said the offseason hours contributed to the program’s high attrition rate - more than 20 players have left the program early since Rodriguez was hired. They said that Michigan coaches have a saying: “Workouts aren’t mandatory, but neither is playing time.‘’
This echoes the words of Rodriguez’s All-America center at West Virginia, Dan Mozes. In the summer of 2006, Mozes told the Associated Press: “The way I say it is, ‘The workouts aren’t mandatory, but neither is your playing time.‘“
Six months ago, Rodriguez and Barwis hired Mozes as a part-time assistant strength coach.
According to NCAA rules, coaches must do more than just declare weight-room workouts as “voluntary.‘’ If attendance is kept or an athletic department staffer relays information about the activity to the coaches, the activity is mandatory.
Michigan players said their offseason conditioning was done at the direction of Rodriguez’s staff.
“They know the rules,‘’ one player said. “Of course they know the rules. There was a time when the offensive line coach [Greg Frey] told me, ‘You’re not doing nothing different than anybody else in the country is.‘“
But veteran players told the Free Press that Carr and his director of weight training and conditioning, Gittleson, strictly followed the NCAA rules. Players were expected to spend up to eight hours a week pushing themselves in the weight room during the offseason, but anything beyond that was truly voluntary. They also were encouraged to fit their workouts around their class schedules.
Players said that offseason workouts are not the only dramatic change under Rodriguez.
Under Carr, offseason seven-on-seven drills were run by players, without coaches or staff members present, players said. The only staffer there would be a trainer, in case anybody got injured, as allowed under NCAA rules.
Several players said Rodriguez’s coaches were more likely to insist they participate in seven-on-seven scrimmages, which have become more frequent. They also said that members of the program’s quality-control staff frequently watched seven-on-sevens.
“They usually just watched and would write down who wasn’t there,‘’ one player on the 2008 team said.
Another said graduate assistants would track them down.
“The phone would ring: ‘Where you at? ... You gotta come.‘ ‘I’m in class.‘“
Quality-control staffers are not allowed to attend voluntary drills, according to the NCAA.
Players also said members of the coaching staff sometimes lingered nearby to watch seven-on-seven scrimmages. Players said the coaches were not physically coaching them, but their presence made it apparent that attendance was being noted and their performances were being evaluated. NCAA rules require such scrimmages to be voluntary.
And when the season started, every week began with a violation.
‘Sundays were miserable’
The 2008 Wolverines were shocked by how much Rodriguez required on fall Sundays.
Rodriguez required his players to arrive at Schembechler Hall by noon the day after games. They would then go through a full weight-lifting session, followed by individual position meetings and a full-team meeting. Then, at night, they would hold a full practice. Often, they would not leave the practice facility until after 10 p.m.
In September 2008, three weeks into Rodriguez’s first season, senior defensive tackle Terrance Taylor talked about his previous Sunday.
“It was, like, 10 hours,‘’ Taylor said. “Everybody was like, ‘Where were you at?‘ ‘I was at practice all day.‘ My parents were still here. They were like, ‘Where were you at?‘ I was like, ‘I was at the building all day.‘“
The NCAA limit is 4 hours a day for required activities.
“The Sundays were miserable,‘’ one player said. “I could never get healthy. You’d go through a game and then go through a hard workout. Sundays would just kill you.‘’
The NCAA also limits teams to 20 hours a week, and Rodriguez apparently exceeded that limit as well.
The NCAA counts competition days - usually Saturday for U-M football - as 3 hours against the weekly limit, even though players at all programs actually devote six or seven hours to football on those days, not counting travel.
With three hours on Saturday and a full day on Sunday, players tallied about 12 hours on those two days. They were off Monday. Players said they would spend an additional three to four hours with the team on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, bringing the weekly total to 21- 24 hours.
They also had to work out on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. There was a walk-through of the plays for at least an hour on Fridays.
‘I wish I had more time’
As he prepares for his second season, Rodriguez has said he is pleased by how hard his players are working, especially in the weight room.
Rodriguez has posted a big sign above the entrance to the team’s weight room that says, “Through these doors walks the best conditioned, most disciplined, and hardest working football team in America.‘’
If that’s true, it did not show on the field last fall. For the season, the Wolverines were outscored, 166-157, in the first half - and 181-86 in the second half, when conditioning is crucial.
Michigan finished with a 3-9 record. The low point came in October, when the Wolverines lost at home to Toledo.
Two days after that loss, Rodriguez was asked if there were anything he would have done differently in his short tenure.
“The only thing I wish I would have had in the last seven, eight months, is I wish I had more time to spend with the players,‘’ Rodriguez said. “You have NCAA rules. We can’t go over the time limits, all that.‘’ ~~ By Michael Rosenberg and Mark Snyder - Detroit Free Press - AP ~~
The annual Copen School reunion is set for Saturday, September 5, 2009.
We had a wonderful time last year and will use the same format this year.
Bring a covered dish and a lawn chair.
Please don’t put off coming, as we are aware that several students and two teachers have passed away since our first reunion.
Any questions, call 304.853.2396
The flashlight tour of the monster landing will be Friday, September 4, 2009 at 9:00 PM.
The cost is $5.00.
Participants will meet in front of Granddad’s Store, Flatwoods. Contact Steve Smith at 304.765.3194 to purchase advance tickets or for more information.
Today is Monday, Aug. 31, the 243rd day of 2009. There are 122 days left in the year.
Thought for Today: “Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess.“ - Edna Woolman Chase, American fashion editor (1877-1957).
Today’s Highlight in History:
On Aug. 31, 1803, explorer Meriwether Lewis departed Pittsburgh, sailing down the Ohio River; he joined up with William Clark in Louisville, Ky., the following October. (The next year, Lewis and Clark began their famous expedition toward the Pacific coast.)
In 1886, an earthquake rocked Charleston, S.C., killing 60 people, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
In 1888, Mary Ann Nichols, the apparent first victim of “Jack the Ripper,“ was found slain in London’s East End.
In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an act prohibiting the export of U.S. arms to belligerents.
In 1941, the radio program “The Great Gildersleeve” debuted on NBC.
In 1954, Hurricane Carol hit the northeastern Atlantic states. Connecticut, Rhode Island and part of Massachusetts bore the brunt of the storm, which resulted in nearly 70 deaths.
In 1969, boxer Rocky Marciano died in a light airplane crash in Iowa, a day before his 46th birthday.
In 1980, Poland’s Solidarity labor movement was born with an agreement signed in Gdansk that ended a 17-day-old strike.
In 1986, 82 people were killed when an Aeromexico jetliner and a small private plane collided over Cerritos, Calif. The Soviet passenger ship Admiral Nakhimov collided with a merchant vessel in the Black Sea, causing both to sink; up to 448 people reportedly died.
In 1988, 14 people were killed when a Delta Boeing 727 crashed during takeoff from Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.
In 1989, Britain’s Princess Anne and husband Mark Phillips announced they were separating.
Ten years ago: Detroit’s teachers went on strike, wiping out the first day of class for 172,000 students in one of the largest teachers’ strikes in years. (The walkout lasted nine days.) An LAPA Boeing 737 crashed on takeoff from Buenos Aires, Argentina, killing 64 people.
Five years ago: At the Republican National Convention in New York, first lady Laura Bush and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger praised President George W. Bush as a man of strength and compassion. Palestinian suicide bombers blew up two buses in Beersheba, Israel, killing 16 passengers. A woman strapped with explosives blew herself up outside a busy Moscow subway station, killing 10 people.
One year ago: With Hurricane Gustav approaching New Orleans, Mayor Ray Nagin pleaded with the last of its residents to get out, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on those who were staying and warned looters they would be sent directly to prison. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Edwin O. Guthman, who served as press secretary to Robert F. Kennedy, died in Los Angeles at age 89. Former CBS newsman Ike Pappas died in Arlington, Va., at age 75.
Today’s Birthdays:
Broadcast journalist Daniel Schorr is 93
Baseball Hall-of-Famer Frank Robinson is 74
Actor Warren Berlinger is 72
Rock musician Jerry Allison (Buddy Holly and the Crickets) is 70
Actor Jack Thompson is 69
Violinist Itzhak Perlman is 64
Singer Van Morrison is 64
Rock musician Rudolf Schenker (The Scorpians) is 61
Actor Richard Gere is 60
Olympic gold medal track and field athlete Edwin Moses is 54
Rock singer Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze) is 52
Rock musician Gina Schock (The Go-Go’s) is 52
Singer Tony DeFranco (The DeFranco Family) is 50
Rhythm-and-blues musician Larry Waddell (Mint Condition) is 46
Actor Jaime P. Gomez is 44
Baseball pitcher Hideo Nomo is 41
Rock musician Jeff Russo (Tonic) is 40
Singer-composer Deborah Gibson is 39
Rock musician Greg Richling (Wallflowers) is 39
Actor Zack Ward is 39
Golfer Padraig Harrington is 38
Actor Chris Tucker is 37
Actress Sara Ramirez is 34
Rhythm-and-blues singer Tamara (Trina & Tamara) is 32
NFL player Larry Fitzgerald is 26
21st Century Community Learning Center Bidders’ Conference to be Held
West Virginia’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers Bidders’ Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM at Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, WV.
Participants will learn how to apply for funding to operate afterschool, summer and weekend programs to assist student learning and development. Attendance is mandatory for organizations applying for 21st CCLC funding.
The West Virginia Department of Education will award up to 20 grants to eligible public and private organizations that support the implementation of community learning centers. Eligible applicants include schools and school systems, non-profit agencies, city and county agencies, faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, for-profit corporations, among others. Funding is set to begin July 1, 2010.
The 21st Century Community Learning Center program supports local community learning centers that provide academic opportunities for children, particularly students who attend high poverty and low performing schools that have not met adequate yearly progress under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
Such programs should meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects; offer students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offer literacy and other educational services to families of participating children.
Registration for the event, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch, is required for participation in the conference. A registration form and other information are available on the 21st CCLC Web site at http://21stcclc.k12.wv.us.
For more information, contact Sallie Harrington, assistant director of the West Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Title II – School and School System Improvement, at 304.558.7881, or “sharring@access.k12.wv.us”. The mailing address is West Virginia Department of Education, Building 6, Room 230, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, WV 25305.
TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, meets every Tuesday at the Gilmer County Public Library.
Weigh-in is from 5:15- 6:00 PM, and the meeting is from 6:00- 7:00 PM.
For more information, please contact Loretta Pugh at 304.462.7777 or Linda Peggs at 304.462.5017
William Albert “Bill” Bailey
Age 55, of 401 John Street, Weston, WV, died Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at home, following an extended illness.
He was born August 14, 1954 in Ravenna, OH, a son of the late Rafael Garcia, Sr. and Lucille Singleton Garcia.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Nancy Wargo.
He is survived by his fiancé, Sissy Billings of Weston; two daughters, Mindy Bailey of Weston and Sissie Leanna Carter and husband Mark of Durham, NC; three sons, Jason Mulholland and wife Beth Ann, Harry Billings and Terry Paul Billings, all of Weston; ten grandchildren; sisters and brothers; Karen Evans and husband Everett of Barberton, OH, Brenda Berry and husband William of Warren, OH, Betty Williams and husband Roger of Warren, Linda Garcia of Warren, Lucia Martin and husband Larry of Warren, Rafael Garcia, Jr. of Warren and Miguel Garcia and wife Me’Chelle of Leavittsburg, OH; two brothers-in-law, Larry Snider and wife Mary of Weston and James Wargo; and several nieces and nephews.
Bill had previously worked at the Weston State Hospital, glass factories surrounding Weston, and on drilling rigs for local oil and gas companies.
He was a member of the Fraternal order of Eagles, Weston.
Friends may call from 12 to 1 PM Friday, August 28, 2009 at Boyle Funeral Home, 322 Main Avenue, Weston, WV.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Friday, August 28, 2009 at the Boyle Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Elwood Mayle officiating.
Boyle Funeral Home, Weston.
The West Fork Conservation District Board of Supervisors’ monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2009, at the USDA Service Center at Mount Clare, beginning at 9:00 AM. Contact Dinah Hannah, Administrative Officer, at 304.627.2610 with any questions.
Supreme Court DVD Foundation Of Justice To Be Shown At Culture Center, On WV Public Broadcasting
A 27-minute documentary about the history of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, the Supreme Court Chamber designed by architect Cass Gilbert, and the structure of the West Virginia court system will be debuted at 6:00 PM September 2, 2009 at the West Virginia Culture Center.
Foundation of Justice: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia will be shown to an audience of invited guests at the conclusion of the West Virginia State Bar s annual reception for the Supreme Court on the first day of its Fall Term of Court. The press is invited to join the Court s guests to watch the film after the Bar reception ends.
The film will be shown to the public at 9:30 PM September 3, 2009 on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
The Supreme Court in September 2007 agreed to fund the film, which was produced by MotionMasters of Charleston and completed late this spring.
It is narrated by Justice Thomas McHugh. Supreme Court Administrator Steve Canterbury suggested Justice McHugh would be perfect for the project long before anyone knew about Justice Joseph P. Albright s illness, or that then-Senior Status Justice McHugh would be appointed to fill in for him either during his illness or after his death.
I wanted to narrate the film. I felt very close to the judicial branch of government, Justice McHugh said. I wanted to do my part to tell others about the judicial branch. I really wanted to see our history more documented. Our history has been lost sometimes. I wanted to give those who follow us a glimpse of how we performed our duty to West Virginia.
The DVD is designed to be the length of about one class period, plus allow for some discussion time. Justice McHugh made a presentation about the DVD to the West Virginia Board of Education on August 13, and received the Board s permission to distribute it to state schools. The Supreme Court has since sent copies to middle school West Virginia studies teachers and high school teachers of civics, history and law courses, in both public and private schools.
Members of the Court staff are working with the West Virginia Civics Literacy Council on coordinating use of the DVD with Constitution Day activities. Constitution Day is September 17, 2009.
To obtain copies of The Foundation of Justice DVD contact Public Information Officer Jennifer Bundy at 304.340.2305, or Public Information Specialist April Harless at 304.340.2306.
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup cocoa
pinch salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
3 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
Direction:
In large saucepan, combine sugar, milk, cocoa, salt, and butter and mix well. Bring to a boil and cover saucepan for 30 seconds to allow steam to wash sugar crystals down sides of pan. Stir mixture and bring it to a boil that can’t be stirred down for 1 minute. Then remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until smooth. Add oatmeal and mix well. Do not use regular or instant oatmeal; quick-cooking oatmeal is essential to the success of this recipe.
Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to let the oatmeal absorb some of the liquid.
Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper or parchment lined baking sheets or Silpat sheets. Let cool until you can touch the mixture; then reshape the cookies to make them more a ball shape. Let cool completely; store at room temperature. You can also pour this mixture into a 9” square pan that has been greased with unsalted butter, let cool, then cut into squares.
Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) - You can’t give up the things you want to do on the 30th and 31st because someone is trying to get you to take on responsibilities that don’t belong to you. It’s time to do for you not others. Make a concerted effort on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd to do things that will build your confidence and improve your image. It’s time to update your look and take care of any flaws that bother you. Perfection is the name of the game and you can acquire it by making a few little adjustments that compliment your overall appearance. Don’t let someone’s comments or agenda get you down on the 4th and 5th. You will do far better if you follow your own path and set your own timetable.
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) - You need a break from the mundane routine at home on the 30th and 31st. Fill your time with a little adventure and you will hook up with someone who intrigues you. Look at future prospects on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd and you will realize what you must do to stay in the game. Don’t let anyone giving you false information lead you in a direction that best suits him or her instead of you. Trust in your own findings and you will be the one who gains ground. Don’t let a love issue distract you from something important that you must tend to. Have a little faith in you on the 4th and 5th and you will be able to turn a negative into a positive. Your knowledge and experience will pay off.
Gemini (May 21-Jun 20) - Be careful what you promise on the 30th and 31st. If you plan to take on additional responsibilities make sure that you will get something beneficial in return. Don’t give up freedom to impress someone. Do what needs to be done on the 1st 2nd and 3rd and you won’t be disappointed. Relying on others will lead to opposition and added responsibility. A romantic encounter will prove to be more enticing and thought provoking leading to soul searching and reassessment. Deal with emotional issues on the 4th and 5th and you will eliminate the worries that have been meddling with your ability to make a necessary decision. Follow your heart and do not look back. It’s your turn.
Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22) - Don’t stop short of your potential on the 30th and 31st. You can make gains far beyond your wildest dreams if you are responsible and take charge of whatever situation you face. Don’t let anger lead you in the wrong direction on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. You need to focus on learning and gaining ground not fighting a losing battle. Protect your home and family but don’t start a feud. You are better off walking away. An outing or short trip will help you rationalize what must be done. You’ll find it much easier to make a decision on the 4th and 5th after spending time with loved ones and sharing your thoughts and plans. Once you take action everything will fall into place.
Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) - Stop procrastinating and you will be able to put things behind you on the 30th and 31st. You may have to deal with a sticky situation but once you do it will clear the way for bigger and better things. Emotions will lead to a parting of the ways on the 1st 2nd and 3rd if you allow stubbornness and a lack of compromise to stand between you and someone you care about. You can find a happy medium if you are willing to sit down and discuss what everybody considers a fair deal. Making unexpected changes on the 4th and 5th that take everyone by surprise will not be the answer to your situation. You will have to reconsider your actions to accommodate someone you love.
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) - Do your thing and don’t worry about what others think on the 30th and 31st. You have a game plan and regardless of anyone questioning your intent you must pursue your dreams. You may have too much riding on one deal on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Try to diversify in order to hedge your bet and come out at least even. Expect the unexpected and you will be ready for any twist that could potentially cost you. An added responsibility is likely to set you back. Don’t be afraid to take action, hesitation will lead to loss. Emotions can make you do the most unlikely things on the 4th and 5th. Before you allow anyone to take advantage of you consider what you will be left with in the end.
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) - Protect your home and family on the 30th and 31st from anyone trying to upset your personal plans or meddle in your affairs. Don’t take on addition financial stress to appease others. Stop playing a guessing game and start to make your move on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Your networking skills should lead to a deal that you cannot refuse. There are gains to be made if you utilize your intellect and originality to develop a plan that catches the interest of someone with the means to help you pull things together. A little extra effort put into one of your ideas on the 4th and 5th and you’ll have something phenomenal to present when the time is right. Work hard play hard.
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) - Stop going in circles and start to make progress again by changing your direction or traveling to a destination that will inspire you to take a different approach on the 30th and 31st. You’ll have to watch out for any unusual distraction at home or with people you are close to on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Someone may be trying to get something past you without notice that will affect your lifestyle or plans for the future. Protect your interests and don’t be afraid to throw in your own little surprise if it will get you what you want. You need a break and should plan a little get-away on the 4th and 5th that will help you relax while you figure out what to do next.
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) - You don’t have to be first all of the time. Let others make a move before you take action and you will avoid a costly mistake on the 30th and 31st. An ultimatum will lead to a brick wall. Stick to your own set of rules and game plan on the 1st 2nd and 3rd or someone will surprise you with an unlikely choice that can disrupt your direction. You may have to adjust to some alterations at home that you don’t like but if you can maintain control of what you can and cannot do youll still come out a winner. An emotional situation on the 4th and 5th will lead to additional responsibility. You will have to act fast if you want to avoid being stuck with most of the work.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) - You’ll be able to wheel and deal your way into a good financial position on the 30th and 31st. You can master the art of keeping everyone happy by juggling your plans to accommodate the ones you love. You must watch out for someone on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd who may not understand the repercussions involved by making a dubious financial decision. By taking on the task of wheeling and dealing you will gain respect and encourage the ones you love to rely on you to do the right thing. An emotional matter can be costly on the 4th and 5th. Take control but don’t take it upon yourself to finalize anything without being in agreement with everyone involved.
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) - Keep your plans a secret on the 30th and 31st until you are sure that you will be able to follow through. Being understanding and fun to be with will lead to a good relationship with someone who counts. You’ll be tempted to overindulge on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd if you let an emotional matter escalate into something that is too hard to handle. Back away from any controversy that can end up leaving you feeling bad. It will be important that you take a close look at your past patterns in order to make positive decisions now. Look at your earning potential on the 4th and 5th and consider how you can develop a service that people will pay for to subsidize your overhead.
Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) - Go after a leadership position on the 30th and 31st and you will ensure that your ideas for restructure or reform will take place. You can benefit personally and professionally by taking action. Don’t fall into a trap that will lead to secrecy, over-indulgence and unwise practices on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd because someone you know is encouraging you to participate. You can do so much better taking the straight and narrow route even if it will take longer to achieve your goals. An emotional encounter on the 4th and 5th will open up a discussion that will be tough to deal with but necessary if you want to be able to move forward and maintain a better partnership.
Today is Sunday, Aug. 30, the 242nd day of 2009. There are 123 days left in the year.
Thought for Today: “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.“ — Proverbs 1:10.
Today’s Highlight in History:
On Aug. 30, 1983, Guion S. Bluford Jr. became the first black American astronaut to travel in space as he blasted off aboard the Challenger.
In 1797, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, author of “Frankenstein,“ was born in London.
In 1861, Union Gen. John C. Fremont instituted martial law in Missouri and declared slaves there to be free. (However, Fremont’s order was countermanded days later by President Abraham Lincoln).
In 1862, Union forces were defeated by the Confederates at the Second Battle of Bull Run in Manassas, Va.
In 1905, Ty Cobb made his major-league debut as a player for the Detroit Tigers, hitting a double in his first at-bat in a game against the New York Highlanders. (The Tigers won, 5-3.)
In 1945, Gen. Douglas MacArthur arrived in Japan to set up Allied occupation headquarters.
In 1963, the “Hot Line” communications link between Washington and Moscow went into operation.
In 1967, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Thurgood Marshall as the first black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 1989, a federal jury in New York found “hotel queen” Leona Helmsley guilty of income tax evasion, but acquitted her of extortion. (Helmsley ended up serving 18 months behind bars, a month at a halfway house and two months under house arrest.)
In 1991, Azerbaijan declared its independence, joining the stampede of republics seeking to secede from the Soviet Union.
In 1997, Americans received word of the car crash in Paris that claimed the lives of Princess Diana, Dodi Fayed and their driver, Henri Paul. (Because of the time difference, it was Aug. 31st where the crash occurred.)
Ten years ago: Residents of East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia in a U.N.-sponsored ballot. (Afterward, pro-Indonesia militiamen reacted by going on a violent rampage that ended when international forces were sent in.)
Five years ago: Republicans opened their national convention in New York, with speakers belittling Democratic Sen. John Kerry as a shift-in-the-wind campaigner unworthy of the White House and lavishing praise on President George W. Bush as a steady, decisive leader in an age of terrorism. President Bush ignited a Democratic inferno of criticism by suggesting on NBC’s “Today” show that an all-out victory against terrorism might not be possible.
One year ago: Hurricane Gustav slammed into Cuba as a monstrous Category 4 storm, damaging 100,000 homes and causing billions of dollars in damage, but no reported fatalities. Pro wrestling pioneer Walter “Killer” Kowalski died in Everett, Mass., at age 81.
Today’s Birthdays:
Country singer Kitty Wells is 90
Opera singer Regina Resnik is 87
Actor Bill Daily is 82
Actress Elizabeth Ashley is 70
Actor Ben Jones is 68
Cartoonist R. Crumb is 66
Skier Jean-Claude Killy is 66
Actress Peggy Lipton is 62
Comedian Lewis Black is 61
Actor Timothy Bottoms is 58
Actor David Paymer is 55
Jazz musician Gerald Albright is 52
Actor Michael Chiklis is 46
Music producer Robert Clivilles is 45
Actress Michael Michele is 43
Country musician Geoff Firebaugh is 41
Country singer Sherrie Austin is 38
Rock singer-musician Lars Frederiksen (Rancid) is 38
Actress Cameron Diaz is 37
Rock musician Leon Caffrey (Space) is 36
TV personality Lisa Ling is 36
Rock singer-musician Aaron Barrett (Reel Big Fish) is 35
Singer Rich Cronin (LFO) is 34
NFL player Shaun Alexander is 32
Rock musician Matt Taul (Tantric; Days of the New) is 31
Tennis player Andy Roddick is 27
Rock musician Ryan Ross is 23
Actor Cameron Finley is 22
Glenville State College Criminal Justice Department is sponsoring an Arson Investigation Class 1 for two weeks in September. This class is being funded by a Department of Justice Grant #877011 and is being presented by West Virginia State Fire Commission Assistant State Fire Marshals A. Edsel Smith and John Oliver.
The classes are being held: Tuesday, September 15, Thursday, September 17, Tuesday, September 22, and Thursday, September 24, 2009.
The Arson Investigation Class will take place in the Glenville State College Harry B. Heflin Administration Building Room 100 and will run 6:00-10:00 PM each night. Participants must attend all sessions to receive a 16-hour certification.
This class is a degree requirement for all GSC Criminal Justice students.
Glenville State College Department of Criminal Justice Chair Dr. Jami Myers said, “The Arson Investigation Class 1 is the first certification offered under the new Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at GSC. In addition and keeping with spirit of cooperation with professionals in the field, this training will also be open to local law enforcement and firefighters for in-service training hours.”
For more information on the class or the Glenville State College Criminal Justice Department, contact Kim Conrad at 304.462.6280. ~~ By Annette Barnette - GSC Public Relations & Marketing Director ~~
BYRD’S EYE VIEW: Freedom of Speech Requires Tolerance of the Views of Others
By U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-WV
In September 1787 in Philadelphia, some of the brightest and bravest men came together to forge the document that to this day guides our great nation: the Constitution of the United States.
The Constitution’s preamble established our government’s purpose in one short paragraph, followed by a few pages which gave this nation direction and structure. And for almost 222 years, the Constitution has remained a living, breathing document – the foundation of our freedoms and the bedrock of our rights and liberties – that we all cherish.
One of the most sacred of the freedoms contained in our Constitution is the guarantee of freedom of speech. As I have said repeatedly over the years, no citizen should be a mere spectator in our government. We should express our opinions, petition our elected representatives, and engage in an open and civilized debate on the important issues that confront our country.
However, as I have watched the health care debate unfold in many areas and venues across this country during the past month, I have become increasingly concerned with the tone and tenor of a “civilized discourse” that I believe the Framers of the Constitution had in mind when they established the right to free speech. In many town hall meetings logical and open discussion has been supplanted by disruptive shouting matches where no one is heard and no debate ensues. Members of Congress have been rudely interrupted during their responses and various attendees have engaged in physical confrontation with one another requiring law enforcement officials to remove them from the town meetings.
As a strong defender of our Constitution, I am in no way suggesting that free and open discussion on any topic should be limited. I am heartened by the amount of discussion that is taking place all across this country on the issue of health care and the desire by tens of millions of Americans to become fully informed on the many proposals under consideration in Congress.
But as we go into what will be a critical debate on the future of our nation’s health care system, I encourage all of us to take a deep breath, exhale, and be tolerant of others views. Shrillness and violence will not move the debate forward – it will only attempt to undermine the type of freedom of speech that our Founding Fathers envisioned back in 1787 when they rose to that dramatic challenge of establishing what has become the greatest Republic in the world.
MAYTAG REFRIGRATOR
Maytag Corp. is expanding its recall of Maytag®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand refrigerators sold nationwide from September 2000 to May 2004. An electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard.
The recall includes certain Maytag®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand side-by-side and top freezer refrigerators. The affected refrigerators were manufactured in black, bisque, white and stainless steel. They have model and serial numbers printed on a label located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner.
Consumers should contact Maytag at 866.533.9817 anytime to determine if their refrigerator is included in the recall orhttps://repair.maytag.com/repair/default.jsp.
PELLA CASEMENT WINDOWS
Pella Corp. is recalling Architect Series® and 850 Series® Casement Windows sold nationwide from September 2007 to April 2009. The hinge can break, causing the window sash to fall out, posing a risk of injury to persons beneath the window.
This recall involves the Architect Series® and 850 Series® casement windows. The windows were sold in a variety of sizes and typically contain a heavier window glaze such as the HurricaneShield® Impact-Resistant glass.
Consumers should contact Pella at 800.374.4758 between 8 AM and 8 PM ET Monday through Friday to schedule a free repair or visitwww.pella.com.
ENTERTAINMENT STANDS
Ameriwood Industries is recalling Your Zone Loft Collection Entertainment Stands sold exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide from May 2009 to July 2009. Warning labels sold with the entertainment stands indicate incorrect size and weight limits for televisions used with the stands. A television that is too heavy or wide for the entertainment stand can make the unit unstable, posing a tip-over hazard.
This recall involves Your Zone Loft Collection entertainment stands. The stands are intended to be used as gaming centers. The recall includes Autumn Beech YZ084-104-13-19 stands with model number 1156020WY. Model information is printed on the instruction manual.
If the television exceeds 50 pounds or does not sit entirely on top of the stand, consumers should immediately remove it from the stand. Consumers should contact Ameriwood at 877.732.8252 between 8 AM and 5 PM CT Monday through Friday for a replacement warning label or visitwww.ameriwood.com .
HEATING VENT PIPES
Goodman Manufacturing Company, of Houston, TX, is recalling Plexvent and Ultravent HTPV pipe systems attached to certain Goodman mid-efficiency furnaces manufactured from October 1988 to July 1994 (models GUP, GDP, GUPS, GDPS, GUPI, GDPI, GUPX, GDPX, GMP and GMPV for the following brands manufactured by Goodman: Janitrol, GMC, Hamilton Electric, Franklin, Liberty and Sears/Kenmore). The HTPV pipe used for these vents could be susceptible to corrosion, cracking and joint separation, which could result in the release of carbon monoxide (CO) into living areas, posing a danger to consumers. Goodman did not manufacture the HTPV pipe.
Consumers who register after October 1, 2009 and who choose to repair their systems will be responsible for up-front payment of parts, labor and permits, and will be responsible for arranging to have the work performed.
Owners of Goodman furnaces that are vented with HTPV pipe should call Goodman at 800.394.8084 from 8 AM to 4:30 PM CT Monday through Friday.
BLINDS SOLD AT TARGET
Lewis Hyman Inc. is recalling ¼” Oval Roll-up Blinds and Woolrich Roman Shades sold exclusively at Target stores nationwide from January 1999 to December 2003. Roll-up Blinds: Strangulations can occur if the lifting loops slide off the side of the blind and a child’s neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop or if a child places his/her neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material. Roman Shades: Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.
This recall involves roll-up blinds without release clips and all Woolrich Roman shades. The roll-up blinds have plastic oval-shaped slats that measure about ¼ inch tall. The blinds measure either 72” or 96” long. The bottom rail has a WARNING label advising that “Young children can become entangled and strangle in cord or bead loops” and a label that reads “Lewis Hyman, Inc.” and the year of manufacture.
The Woolrich Roman shades come in twill fabric and micro-suede fabric and measure 72” long. The head rail has two labels that read “Lewis Hyman, Inc., www.lewishymaninc.com” and “LHI, 005301, Made in China” respectively.
Consumers should contact Lewis Hyman at 877.354.5457 between 8 AM and 5 PM PT daily for a free repair kit or visitwww.lewishymaninc.com/recall.
BLINDS SOLD AT IKEA
IKEA Home Furnishings is recalling MELINA Roman Blinds sold exclusively at IKEA stores nationwide from August 2006 to June 2008. The Roman blind has a continuous looped bead chain that when not attached to the wall or floor, hangs loosely by the blind, posing a strangulation hazard.
This recall includes all sizes/colors of MELINA Roman blinds. These blinds have a sewn-in label at the top edge of the blind with the IKEA logotype, article name (MELINA), 5-digit supplier number 19395, four digit date stamp (YYWW) and the words “Made in Taiwan”. On the bottom edge of the blind there is a sewn-in orange/white safety warning label. The blinds are made from 100% polyester.
Consumers should return the blinds to any IKEA store for a full refund.
Consumers can also contact IKEA at 888.966.4532 anytime, or visithttp://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/about_ikea/press/product_recalls/index.html.
SHADES SOLD AT POTTERY BARN KIDS
Pottery Barn Kids/Williams-Sonoma, Inc. are recalling Roman Shades sold exclusively at Pottery Barn Kids nationwide from January 2003 to May 2007. Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.
This recall involves all sizes and colors of Pottery Barn Kids roman shades with exposed inner cords on the back. Two sewn-in labels are located at the bottom edge of the shade. The smaller label identifies the manufacturer as “pottery barn kids” while the second larger orange, black and white label warns that “Cords and bead chains can loop around child’s neck and STRANGLE.”
Consumers should contact Pottery Barn Kids at 800.492.1949 anytime to receive a merchandise card for the purchase value or visithttp://www.potterybarnkids.com/stylehouse/recall/roman-shades/index.cfm?cmtype=hplink&cm_re=FallD109-_-SafetyRecall_-RomanShades.
SHADES SOLD AT TARGET
Victoria Classics is recalling Thermal Sailcloth and Matchstick Bamboo Roman Shades sold exclusively at Target stores nationwide from September 2008 to June 2009. Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck. Exposed operating cords can knot or tangle creating a strangulation loop.
This recall includes two styles of shades – Thermal Sailcloth and Matchstick Bamboo roman Shades – all have a small sewn-in label on the back that reads “home, Made in China.” The shades measure about 64 inches long. The widths of the thermal shades are 23, 27, 31 and 35 inches and were sold in coffee, red, ivory and tan. The widths of the Matchstick roman shades are 23, 27, 31, 35 and 36 inches and are brown.
Consumers should contact Victoria Classics at 800.583.9845 between 8 AM and 5 PM ET daily to receive a free repair kit or visithttp://www.victoriaclassics.com/recall/index.html .
ELECTRIC RANGES
Frigidaire is recalling Certain Frigidaire and Kenmore Elite Smoothtop Electric Ranges sold nationwide from June 2001 to August 2009. Depending on the model, the surface heating elements can: 1) turn on spontaneously without being switched on; 2) fail to turn off after being switched off; or, 3) heat to different temperatures than selected. This poses a fire and burn hazards.
This recall involves Frigidaire, Frigidaire Gallery, Frigidaire Professional and Kenmore Elite smoothtop electric ranges with rotary knobs and digital displays.
Consumers should contact Frigidaire at 800.449.9812 between 8 AM and midnight ET Monday through Saturday to schedule a free repair or visithttp://www.smoothtoprangerecall.com/ “ title=“ http://www.smoothtoprangerecall.com/ “> http://www.smoothtoprangerecall.com/.
QUIKSILVER HOODIES
Quiksilver Inc. is recalling Roxy Girl “Very Nice” Cotton Hoodies sold nationwide from April 2009 to August 2009. The cotton hoodie has a waist drawstring that could pose an entrapment hazard to children.
The cotton hoodie, which zips in front and has a drawstring at the waist, came in gray with blue lining and cherry with lavender lining. They were sold in girls’ sizes SML-XL. ROXY is printed on the front of the gray hoodie and on the neck label on both colors. The style number, B487857, is printed on the inside care label near the waist.
Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the hoodies to eliminate the hazard or return it to the place of purchase or to Quiksilver for a full refund.
Consumers can also contact Quiksilver, Inc. at 877.246.7257 between 9 AM and 5 PM PT Monday through Friday or visitwww.quiksilverinc.com .
SOFA BEDS SOLD BY IKEA
IKEA Home Furnishings is recalling IKEA KARLSTAD sofa-beds sold exclusively at IKEA stores nationwide from November 2008 to July 2009. The mattress and seat cushions intended to be used as a mattress fail to meet the mandatory federal open flame standard for mattresses, posing a fire hazard.
IKEA KARLSTAD sofa-bed frame has article number 801-215-12, supplier number 20789 with date stamps (YYWW) 0845 through 0927 located on a label attached to the underside of the sofa-bed frame.
Consumers should contact IKEA at 888.966.4532 anytime or visit the Returns and Exchange Department at their local IKEA store to arrange free installation of a replacement mattress and seat cushions. Consumers can also visithttp://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/about_ikea/press/product_recalls/index.html.
Deer hunting comes early to the West Virginia hills this fall. “The special antlerless deer seasons for archery and muzzleloader hunters will open on private land in certain counties in September,” said West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Director Frank Jezioro, who wants hunters to be well armed with the facts before entering the woods.
—- The early archery season opens September 14 and closes September 19. Hunters wishing to participate in this season must buy a Class RB or Class RRB stamp before going afield. The stamp allows a hunter to take one antlerless deer during this archery season.
—- The early muzzleloader season opens September 21 and closes September 26. Hunters must buy a Class RM or RRM stamp before hunting. This stamp allows a hunter to take one antlerless deer during this muzzleloader season.
—- If a hunter does not fill a tag during either season, the appropriate stamp can be used during the regular archery or muzzleloader season.
—- Landowners hunting on their own land or holders of the new DT license do not have to buy a stamp.
Prepare for Early Warm Weather Deer Hunting
“With these early seasons, you need to know before you hunt how you’ll take care of it in the field and how you’ll get your deer processed,” said Jezioro. “If you don’t plan to process the deer yourself, make sure beforehand that your deer processor will be open to process the deer.” If your regular processor is not open, Jezioro suggests processing the deer yourself. This is a relatively simple process and numerous guides exist explaining how to do it.
“Cooling the deer meat will be a prime concern,” say Jezioro. He encourages hunters to keep a bag of ice in a cooler at camp or in the car. “After you have field dressed the deer, throw the bag of ice into the chest cavity. Get the hide off the deer as soon as you can. This will let the meat cool quicker.”
Hunters planning on participating in the early seasons need to remember to check their equipment earlier than normal to increase their chances for a safe and successful hunt.
“The opening dates are fast approaching and these seasons will provide an excellent opportunity to hunt deer earlier in the year when weather conditions are generally milder. A little preplanning can greatly enhance your outdoor experience,” Jezioro said.
Microsoft Corp plans to slash the price of its high-end Xbox 360 video game console by $100, or 25 percent, stepping up the price war in the video game console market.
Effective Friday, Microsoft will drop the price of the Xbox 360 Elite to $299.99 in the United States, just days after Sony Corp cut the rival PlayStation 3 to $299 from $399.
Analysts have said the cuts will pressure Nintendo Co Ltd to lower the price of its best-selling Wii console, which retails for $249, but for now the company is standing firm.
“We don’t have such a plan,“ Nintendo spokesman Yasuhiro Minagawa said when asked about a price cut.
Among this generation of game consoles, the Xbox is No. 2 in the United States behind the Wii. But U.S. sales of the Xbox are up 17 percent this year, the only console to show growth.
The price on the entry-level Xbox Arcade model will stay at $199.99, and Microsoft will phase out its mid-range Xbox Pro model, leaving it with two models. The Pro will sell for $249.99 until supplies run out.
Since PS3, Xbox and Wii are increasingly centerpieces of home entertainment, their sales can spur purchases of software, accessories and other media, and boost traffic at retailers like Wal-Mart Stores and GameStop.
And while the unit that runs Xbox is a small part of Microsoft’s overall sales—at about 11 percent—it is the company’s biggest weapon in the battle to control entertainment in the living room.
Microsoft spokesman David Dennis said the price cut was in the works for some time and was not a response to Sony’s cut. Rather, he said, the price reduction will attract new buyers and help simplify Microsoft’s product mix for manufacturers and retailers as well as customers.
“It really makes the decision for consumers a lot easier,“ he said. “They’re either price conscious and they gravitate toward the Arcade, or they want the full Xbox 360 experience.“
In Europe, the Elite price will shrink by 50 euros ($71) to 249.99 euros, or 199.99 pounds ($324) in Britain. Chris Lewis, head of Xbox Europe, said the cut would help Microsoft match or beat its 2008 performance, when it increased unit sales of Xboxes more than 80 percent in Europe.
Beyond console sales, the cuts by Microsoft and Sony should provide a lift to a broader gaming industry has been stuck in a slump brought on by a lack of big-name releases and a recession that has pinched consumer spending.
Indeed, game publishers like Activision Blizzard have clamored for price cuts, which often boost sales of software.
“Software makers should be quite happy about it,“ KBC Securities analyst Hiroshi Kamide said. “The industry should stage a bit of a recovery in the second half of this year.“
Wild Land Firefighter Training Scheduled For September 14-18, 2009 “Fire School” Prepares Personnel For Upcoming Forest Fire Season
Assistant State Forester Ben Webster announced today that the Division of Forestry (DOF) will host its biennial “fire school” from September 14 – 18, 2009, at Jackson’s Mill in Lewis County.
The weeklong training course will teach new agency employees and personnel from the Division of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation section and the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers about wild land firefighting techniques. More than 30 students will take courses that include wild land fire behavior, fire line safety, firefighting tools, and causes and origins of wildfires.
Webster said that approximately eight instructors will be on-site throughout the week to teach various courses and answer questions the students might have about real-life fire situations.
Two hands-on sessions, a mock wildfire suppression exercise and a wildfire simulation activity, will provide students with opportunities to administer techniques they’ve learned throughout the week.
Webster said, “Our students will have to apply what they’ve learned at fire school rather quickly because the fall forest fire season starts October 1.”
For more information about the Division of Forestry or the upcoming fall forest fire season, visit www.wvforestry.com.
Tort reforms are not part of the massive health care reform packages the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives will again take up next month on Capitol Hill.
West Virginia Attorney Richard Lindsay says such legal reforms would not be needed if there were standard guidelines for care that doctors would have to adhere to when treating patients.
There’s opposition to such a standardization of care.
“You know who’s opposed to those types of things? The medical profession,“ Lindsay asked and answered this week on MetroNews Talkline. “They don’t want to have guidelines that are written down because then they’re held to that standard of care.“
Lindsay says, “If you had those things, you wouldn’t need any other tort reform, believe me.“
West Virginia Attorney Harvey Peyton, who was also a Talkline guest, supports universal health care for all Americans, whether that be a single payer system or a government program similar to the health care currently provided through the Veterans Administration.
The VA cannot be sued for malpractice without compliance with the Federal Tort Claims Act.
That means malpractice claims are subjected to many reviews and there are numerous attempts to resolve the issue outside of court. If it cannot be resolved, it’s the U.S. government that gets sued, not individual health care providers and facilities.
“I think, for the type of law that I practice, which is primarily injuries, wrongful death, a great deal of that litigation could be avoided with national health care because the driving factor for most people who don’t have insurance, who suffer an injury and can’t get back to work, is they’re being dogged by the health care providers to get the bills paid,“ Peyton said.
Lindsay says the government is usually a fair defendant.
A Massachusetts Medical Society survey of doctors shows 83% of those surveyed practice defensive medicine, meaning they order some tests because they fear being sued. The argument is those unnecessary tests drive up the costs of health care.The August recess for Congress runs through the Labor Day Holiday.
West Virginia state lawmakers approved tort reform measures back in 2003.
Walter D. Kerby
Age 74, of Elizabeth, passed away on Aug. 28, 2009.
He was born July 20, 1935 in Calhoun County to the late Loney Kerby and Effie Cunningham Kerby. Walter was a graduate of Calhoun High School in 1954, then attended Glenville State College wherre he received a certificate in teaching. He taught at Little Creek, and Pine Alley Schools. He retired from American General Life Insurance Company after 25 years. He attended Big Island Run Church, and enjoyed playing bluegrass and gospel music. He also performed with the Calhoun Cousins music group.
Walter is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty Kerby; and daughter, Kathy (Johnnie) Boston of Ellenboro, WV; son, Gregory Alan (Johanna) Kerby of Elizabeth; six grandchildren, Charlie and Cody French, and Levi, Hannah, Mary and Logan Kerby, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by Jack Kerby; and Gladiola (Dot) Davis; his infant brother; and sister; and both of his parents.
Services will be 11 AM Monday at Matheny-Whited Funeral Home in Elizabeth with Rev. Charles Leisure and Rev. Delmas Stutler officiating. Burial will be in the Baymer Cemetery in Joker Hur, Calhoun County. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM and until time of services on Monday.
Mark Anthony Hammonds
Age 42, of Cairo, passed away Aug. 26, 2009, in Parkersburg.
He was born May 17, 1967 in Columbus, Ohio, the son of the late Thomas and Evalina Hammonds. He was employed by the WV Dept. of Highways working on the Corridor “D” Project. He previously was a PeeWee Football coach with the Parkersburg Ramblers, was a big Ohio State Buckeye fan and was a Baptist by faith.
Mark is survived by two sons, Anthony Sinnett and Zaiver Sinnett, both of Cairo; and their mother, Teressa Sinnett. He is also survived by numerous family members in Ohio.
A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.
Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 400 Green St., Parkersburg, WV.
As many of you already know, I spent part of this year’s District Work Period on an Alternative Energy Tour across the district. Certainly our state is incredibly resource-rich with traditional sources of energy like coal and natural gas, but I also wanted to take a closer look at what our fellow West Virginians are doing when it comes to new technologies and alternative energy. After all, a smart energy strategy demands a diverse, all-of-the-above energy portfolio.
As I traveled from stop to stop, it became even clearer that West Virginia truly embodies what it means to be an energy state. Over the course of a week I visited an Upshur County home using geothermal energy, a Pendleton County Habitat for Humanity site engaged in “green” building, and multiple homes powered by wind and solar energy. I also spent time with researchers at MATRIC and West Virginia State University, where they’re making important strides in new energy technology.
It was a great tour and thanks to all of you who took part in it.
Healthcare Reform
And throughout my energy tour, healthcare remained one of the most important issues on the minds of the West Virginians with whom I met. And during stops across the district, in meetings with constituents and in my phone calls and emails, there is no shortage of opinions when it comes to how best to reform our healthcare system.
I firmly believe that we must have smart, bipartisan healthcare reform in our nation. Yet it must be done right, in a way that addresses the shortfalls of the current system while preserving what works well – without burdening our children and grandchildren with another trillion dollar expenditure.
Those who like their current insurance coverage must truly be able to keep it without fear of being moved into a government-run plan.
There is bipartisan consensus on issues like ending coverage denials based on pre-existing conditions, promoting wellness and insurance portability, and seeking lower cost options for the uninsured. My hope is that when Congress is back in session in September we can focus on these areas of agreement.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact my office with your thoughts and concerns.
Mayor Allman must have influenced the college to keep all the flowerbeds on campus, once pretty, trashy looking and full of weeds as well. Just go and take a look. what do you say Tommy and Tim?
The city council is also at fault for letting the mayor be more interested in her secret affairs of throwing sex toys parties rather than taking care of the city.
For those four years the City got to pay a higher salary for Mayor and went from a part time to a full time secretarial position. The City doesn’t own the Park where we’re not allowed to sit and eat lunch on a bench. City taxpayers got a bill to remodel the Mayor’s office, We still have crumbling sidewalks, no street paving, collapsing water, sewer and drain lines, a failing treatment plant that badly needs an upgrade along with higher water and sewer bills. We paid the highest tax rate in the county for a couple of parties and 2 dogs to feed and vet. No infrastructure improvements and absolutely no maintenance. We did learn the Mayor likes to party.
According to three Council members and the main office it’s all true. Knowing all this it’s real easy to believe they got rid of one more that won’t play ball for the politicos at the High School.
By Is This Really the Gilmer County Way on 05.22.2013
If I had a dollar for every person that said they don’t vote anymore because “it doesn’t matter what you vote for, they do what they want anyway”, my cruise to Greece would be paid for.
Wish no bad on the ex-Mayor but given how business is done around here it’s too much of a coincidence.
Last election was what, 15 or 16 votes all together?
No doubt the family will be all that votes this time.
Audits, reports, meetings, waivers, programs, and LOTS of money.
This is the ingredient list for the failed West Virginia Department of Failed Education.
Thank you for the professional way you informed your town council of your actions.
Always nice to learn of a ‘resignation’ or a cop-out on the internet.
By don't let the GC door hit you in the bass on 05.21.2013
Common Core rather promotes a socialist, communist program. Check the names who claim authorship. Texas dropped Common Core all ready, went on to C-Scope and now are dropping that as well.
This is a great example of two broken and failed systems working in unison.
~Seventy pages of ‘regulation’ from our failed educational system.
~Over a year before a ‘charged’ person gets their day in court.
Anonymous
You say that my Internal Evidence is “one of the lamest pieces of sophistry I have ever seen.“ One of the oldest ploys in debate is ridicule. When you cannot deal with the argument, make light of it.
You agree that blood is the evidence, and scientific knowledge is the proof, but you do not say how you get that scientific knowledge. Is it not through testing the blood itself? And we are in agreement as to the white granular substance, the proof is in the lab test.
That’s the point I was making with regard to the inspiration of The Bible. The Bible is evidence. Examining the scriptures is the proof…..if you want to draw a distinction betweeen the two. In my dictionary, proof is listed as a synonym for evidence, and evidence is listed as a synonym for proof.
You say that men have been testing The Bible through higher criticism for a century and a half, and it does not pass the tests. You fail to mention just who these higher critics are, their background and belief, and what tests The Bible has failed. It’s easy to make charges. Can you back them up with proof?
Do we not accept the testimony of eye-witnesses in a court of law, unless there is reason to believe they are not trustworthy? Should we not accept the testimony of these holy men of God who claimed they were speaking the word of God, unless we have reason to believe they were not being truthful? If you do not accept their testimony, then it is up to you to prove they were lying. What ever happened to “innocent until proven guilty”?
If you will take the time to honestly search the scriptures, you will be impressed with their Unity and Harmony, their Beauty and Influence, the Fulfillment of Prophecy, and the Scientific Foreknowledge, all of which we will examine in future articles.
What normally happens when organizations fail is a leadership change. One is needed now for Gilmer County, particularly for the high school. There is no evidence that citizens are getting value for their money over there with the disregardful performance scores our students are getting. Then too for the past few years there has been perpetual chaos with all types of problems, but nothing has been done by Ron Blankenship to effectively deal with issues. We have heard allegations about wild parties involving faculty and students, chronic down time with computer systems, low faculty and staff morale caused by fear, bullying, sex between faculty and students, grade changing and other forms of preferential treatment of students from rich and powerful families, wasteful spending, failure to solve the rash of bomb threats, and much more. Blankenship was the wrong person for the job because of his ties to the Butchers who helped achieve the State’s take over of our schools, getting him installed, and keeping him in the County. He needs to be replaced. While at it, why can’t another job be found for the principal so we can get a better one to lead with getting the new Common Core Standards started? Mr. Charles Heinlein, Dr. Phares, and Dr. Linger do you hear us or is it true that none of you care?
Many will concur with “I Agree”. Was it Einstein who gave us his definition of insanity? ‘Repeating the same thing over and over and expecting different results.‘
That was long before we had a Dee-Cee Department of Education.
He would likely apply his definition now to the American education system pretty much in the same fashion.
We have had that Department of Education how long now? and they still can’t get it right?
Lee,Cindy,Gary and Family so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing…as time goes by I hope you find comfort and healing your hearts all need,Bless each of you…
Brad, Kristie,Olivia
Mark & Makahla
Hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars spent on boards and task forces, studies and reports (not to mention a Governor’s Audit). Given massive and repeated failure the money would have been better spent on text books and Teachers.
Consolidation was NOT the answer. It’s been going on longer than most can remember with no real savings or educational improvement to show for it.
A moratorium on any consequences related to new and unproven programs is the right thing to do. It’s not as though there’s a history of getting much right when it comes to education.
Congratulations to Hunter Ashley for getting a 2nd place in the Discus throw. He may be a Freshman, but he can definately out throw a lot of sophmores, Juniors and seniors. Way to go Hunter. Practice always pays off. Proud of you.
West Virginia “is a full-fledged participant in the Common Core Standards program” according to >WVDOE Watcher<.
West Virginia is also a nearly, full-fledged failure incomparison to most other states. We have the reports that prove it too.
This is so simple. Even the writers of articles are blind or don’t wish to see it.
The State Board of Ed…..IF…...they were doing their job, the Governor would NOT need to be writing executive orders.
Clean out the BOE and employ people who have the knowledge to do the job.
We have how many years now of political appointees that are incompetent, poor or no result in progress?
There is no “one size fits all” educational model that will ever work because all people are unique individuals who learn a variety of ways. For the US to be a leader in education, the students need to be motivated to learn - not pigeon holed into groups and treated like a herd of cattle!
Ideas like Common Core have been percolating in the country for many years. It wasn’t until 2009 when the National Governors Association’s Center on Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers convinced their members to support an initiative to develop what they deemed to be voluntary, state-led standards, that it took root. The idea, however, that Common Core bubbled up from the states has shifted. A nonprofit group called “Achieve, Inc.“ stocked with federal standards advocates who’ve been around since many years, has been pointed to as designing the materials and the program’s progress has been spurred on by funding from, among others, the Gates Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education. For an undertaking that claims to be state-generated and largely free of federal involvement Common Core twisted, becoming a foot in the door for federal Race to the Top dollars.
Here is the header of a neat little report by the WV BOE you might want to google. The Machiavellian quote is so true. As long as this State BOE retains control and keeps remodeling more of the same we will see the same results. When will the Legislature do the research necessary to make something new happen? Global 21, 21st Century, Next Gen, Common Core,at least eight years documented as more of the same.
A Chronicle of West Virginia’s Global21 Initiative
(2004-2011)
“Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results.” Machiavelli
The boil advisory was lifted on Friday. Today, Sunday in Stouts Mills Area the water is brown and muddy! Is it safe to drink it? Should the advisory have been lifted so soon?
The writer’s “Internal Evidence” is one of the lamest pieces of sophistry I have ever seen.
To us the bible as proof of its own inspiration is, in logic, a classic example of circular reasoning. It is like saying “I’m right because I say I am”.
The writer confuses evidence with proof.
In the case of the blood, the blood is only the evidence; it is the scientific knowledge of blood that is the proof. The white granular substance is only the evidence; the lab test is the proof.
With regard to the bible, we have been testing the “thing itself’ through higher criticism for a century and a half and the “thing itself” does not pass the tests.
WV is a full-fledged participant in the new national Common Core Standards program. The confusion is caused by the State’s reference to the Next Generation program that is actually the Common Core Standards program for K-12 English learning arts and math. One advantage of joining the national program is that there will be on-line testing to determine how individual schools, and county school systems in WV compare with education outcomes, and the State’s overall performance can be compared to other states. The objective for Common Core is to strive to establish the USA as a world leader in education, something we lag badly with now.
Your government ‘sells’ this sort of stuff to make you feel good, when in actuality, its just more invasion into your life, causes bigger government, and in the end you have less input and they have more control?
I can just picture pans of them in the showcase at the local grocery store.
Not sure the effect it would have on this community. Doubt the store would have to reorder often.
It is the job of the Principal to make sure the drinking fountains are covered, water to the sinks turned off while providing hand-sanitizer and drinking water plus make sure any water used for meals or dishes has been boiled. Did they do it? Last time someone was too busy looking down their nose with a do what I want attitude. Last time they had no water at all.
Congratulations to Hunter Ashley for getting a 2nd place in the Discus throw. He may be a Freshman, but he can definately out throw a lot of sophmores, Juniors and seniors. Way to go Hunter. Practice always pays off. Proud of you.