Off-Topic / Teacher Layoffs - A Destructive Annual Event by Dave Eggers (San Francisco Chronicle)

How can we hope to attract and keep talent in this profession when, at every step, we make it so difficult, so insecure, so unvalued?

I've often wondered how lawmakers come to the conclusion that money from the state's education coffers is what should be used to plug holes in the budget. Isn't it more likely that a poor school system has some correlation with a poor state? Eggers makes some great points about what this constant threat of being laid off does to teachers, schools, and students - worth the quick read.

Read the full article here.

UPDATED - Off Topic / Census: A third of New Orleans population lost in past decade (USA Today)

UPDATE: The link to the story in USA Today now works. My apologies.

The new Census numbers will impact everything from how the city picks up its garbage to how it plans to rebuild parts of the city still battered from the floods.

New Orleans is near and dear to my heart, and this makes me sad.
Read the full article here.

Off Topic / Runyon's Abandoned Mansion (New York Times)

“You would not believe it: from gang members to Satanic worshipers,” he said. “You name it. The doors were pried open, no matter how many times we nailed them shut.”

I don't know about you, but I have always wondered about that mansion at the top of Runyon. Turns out it's 16 years old and has never even been lived it (legally, anyway). Crazy! Cool to finally find out a bit of history on the place.
Read the full article here.

Off Topic / TAKE ACTION TODAY! / 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting

The rapidly changing media environment is making public broadcasting more and more vital as a source of unbiased news, local cultural programming, and non-commercial educational programs designed to enhance the quality of life of our local communities.  Public broadcasting is a source of children’s programming, public affairs, music, and culture information that is often not provided by other sources.

The debate about whether or not to cut funding for Public Broadcasting is happening TODAY!!!!! Please take five minutes and tell your representatives in Congress how you feel about this.

Go to the official PBS site here.

Off Topic / Helping the Gulf Coast

Those of you who know me well are aware that New Orleans is one of my favorite places on this planet, and the damage that has been done to that city in the last five years still makes my blood boil. A great group of musicians (including Mos Def, Lenny Kravitz, Trombone Shorty and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band) gathered for a jam session and put this song together in less than twelve hours. Take a second to watch the video for this awesome tune then maybe head over to www.gulfaid.org to help.