education nation

During the 30-minute segment that was broadcast live from New York, Bobb outlined the difficult decisions he's made since taking over the district two years ago, including the decision to shutter 59 schools.

"It was difficult politically, hard on the community and challenging for parents and students," Bobb said, noting the district had about 167,000 students in 2000 and has about 85,000 today.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Michelle Rhee, schools chancellor for the District of Columbia, and Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, appeared along with Bobb on the show today.

Bobb is in New York as an invited participant in the NBC network's two-day national education summit, "Education Nation" on Monday through Tuesday in the rink space at Rockefeller Plaza. The event will include a series of panel sessions on the challenges of America's education system, the success stories and solutions.

The four education leaders tackled topics ranging from more rigorous evaluations for teachers to how to better implement accountability and reforms for the country's education system.

"In Detroit Public Schools we have new teacher contracts and a new teacher evaluation system put in place," Bobb said "We have to have an effective way in which we can evaluate teachers, not just teachers, but we have to look at the entire system."

Duncan noted that Detroit's schools have been a "disgrace" for "far too long." He praised Bobb's reforms.

"The children are desperately underserved," he said. "Detroit is going in a better direction thanks to Robert Bobb."

Bobb's efforts have aided the district in securing $500.5 million bond issue to build and modernize 18 schools.
Bobb was one of four panelists featured on NBC's "Meet the Press" as the network kicks off "Education Nation,

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100926/SCHOOLS/9260316/Bobb-defends-Detroit-school-district-reforms-on--Meet-the-Press-#ixzz10fBHPSYH

Okay, so I have had a fabulous couple of days, and there is still! 1! day! left! of the weekend.

Yesterday I took a spur of the moment afternoon off, because I have the comp time and the report is done and being published on Thursday. Dusie picked me up, and we went to a new to us antique mall in way east Mesa, and then to a new to us scrapbooking store. Dusie scrapbooks; I like to collage. We went home and got my mom to come over and made a trip to Target. The baby is so cute--she is getting her little girl face, a combo of Aces and her daddy with some of Dusie and the other relatives mixed in. We are teaching her to hold up 1 finger when someone asks how old she is.

kelly wearstler

She grew up in Myrtle Beach, moved to Los Angeles in 1994 working on movie sets, waited tables.

She posed for Playboy, no regrets, it’s a little different now.

She didn’t hang out at the mansion

she used the money to start her new company

Inspired by Dorothy Draper she was old, sassy and full of life

Wearstler caught the eye of Gwen Stefanni, the runway show they traded tips.

the whole package of beauty

Huge buzz, she likes fashion a lot.

her closet is packed

Frank her teddy bear, 98 years old.

Oprah is a big fan.

42 year old lives with her husband and son.

She is always hunting, she is at a store, people who collect and understand, the next colorful design.

The days of waiting tables paid off for Kelly.

“Living without color is like living without love” -Kelly Wearstler

blu homes

Hurricane season is officially here, and home buyers along the coast, aware of potential threats, have safe and durable housing on the mind.

Earlier in September, green builder Blu Homes offered a prospect to set buyers’ minds at ease. The company announced an upgrade to its standard steel frame building system, already capable of withstanding winds of 120 mph—the mid range of a Category 3 hurricane.

Now with the upgraded, heavy-gauge steel frame, Blu Homes can survive 180 mph winds—Category 5 hurricanes. The houses can also be equipped with high-performance, hurricane-resistant windows.

According to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale—which measures a hurricane’s intensity—a Category 5 hurricane causes catastrophic damage.

In a Sept. 2 blog post, Blu Homes said, “As coastal dwellers, we at Blu are keenly aware of the wrath that hurricanes bring and the worry and stress they cause homeowners eager to protect their families and their property. Blu home products are designed and engineered with extreme weather conditions in mind.”

marlo thomas

Growing Up Laughing: My Story and the Story of Funny is a book that only Marlo Thomas could write–a smart and gracious, witty and confident autobiographical journey.

For as long as Marlo Thomas can remember, she’s lived with laughter. Born to comedy royalty–TV and nightclub star Danny Thomas–she grew up among legendary funny men, carved much of her career in comedy and, to this day, surrounds herself with people who love and live to make others laugh. In this long-awaited memoir, Thomas takes us on a funny and heartwarming adventure, from her Beverly Hills childhood, to her groundbreaking creation of That Girl and Free to Be . . . You and Me, to her rise as one of America’s most beloved actress-comediennes, to her marriage to talk-show king Phil Donahue.

Her youth was star-studded–Milton Berle performed magic tricks (badly) at her backyard birthday parties. George Burns, Bob Hope, Sid Caesar, Bob Newhart and other great comics passed countless hours gathered around her family’s dinner table. And behind it all was the rich laughter nurtured by a close and loving family.

Growing Up Laughing is not just the story of an iconic entertainer, but also the story of comedy. In a voice that is curious, generous and often gleeful, Thomas not only opens the doors on the funny in her own life, but also explores the comic roots of today’s most celebrated comedians, in personal interviews with: Alan Alda, Joy Behar, Stephen Colbert, Billy Crystal, Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Griffin, Jay Leno, George Lopez, Elaine May, Conan O’Brien, Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, Ben and Jerry Stiller, Lily Tomlin, Robin Williams and Steven Wright.

new birth missionary baptist church

Members of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church worship, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, in Atlanta. Sunday's services at the Georgia megachurch will give its famed pastor the chance to address the congregation for the first time about allegations that he lured young men into sexual relationships with gifts and travel. Bishop Eddie Long is scheduled to speak at services at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, several days after lawsuits were filed accusing him of exploiting his authority to push four former members into trysts when they were 17 or 18 years old. (AP Photo/John Amis, Pool)

At this point in the night, I've come to expect bad judging. Ryan Bader did NOT win this fight. He was awarded a 30-27 unanimous decision across the board but I thought Nogueira did more than enough to win. He stuffed what seemed like 10 different takedowns and won the boxing side of the fight. Bader got a few takedowns and I guess that's what won him the bout.

The first round was the best round of the fight for Bader. After getting underneath Nogueria and landing a takedown, he delivered some vicious ground-n-pound that rocked Rogerio. Of course, like a true Nogueira, he managed to survive and gain full guard. After a few minutes of Bader on top, Nogueira got back to his feet and stuffed a takedown before tagging Bader. Another takedown from Bader before the round ended sealed it for Darth.

The second round was full of failed takedowns from Bader and Nogueira working his boxing. He even landed a big knee on one Bader shot late in the round. His wrestling looked much improved after the fight he had with Jason Brilz. The round came to a close with Nogueira clearly getting the better of the stand up and landing a leg kick while avoiding a big counter right hand.

Bader got poked in the eye at the beginning of the third. What likely won Bader the fight was the fact that, despite the many times Nogueira defended against his takedowns and landed good shots on him, Bader would hit a takedown a key points and ride that top control to a decision win. A very frustrating trend continues on the night in regards to the judges scoring. I guess, that trend isn't just tonight