My heart goes out to you...

A little while back, local blogger Middle Aged Woman Blogging (MAWB) was chastised by another local blogger (the infamous kcdad) for saying "my heart goes out" to the families...

I have been thinking about the strength of that statement ever since, trying to understand why such a simple statement made kcdad feel the need to berate MAWB. I don't understand it and I'm fine with that.

Last night I was watching the mother who lost her 17 year old daughter over the weekend; as she sat there saying this child was "the light of my life", a tear rolled own my face, my hand went up to my heart and for that brief moment - I felt her pain. As I watched the families of the people shot and killed at Fort Hood, my throat started to constrict, a tear welled up in my eye and my hand instinctively went up to my heart - I briefly felt their pain.

My girls laugh at me when they see me watching a news report and be moved to tears. I used to try and hide it, but I don't anymore. I care about my fellow human beings and I want my children to know that empathy is okay - it makes one human.

EMPATHY - the intellectual identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another.

As I look at MAWB's blog today, she is struggling with the loss of a family friend. I read her post; I looked at the picture of the young man; I thought of his mother; my throat started to constrict and a tear welled up in my eye. I thought of my children; I thought of the mother and friends who are struggling with the loss of their loved one; and for a brief moment, my heart felt heavy and I just wanted to say...

I empathize with what you are going through ... my heart goes out to you.

Reclassification of juniors to avoid taking the PSAE

Rich East High School in Chicago has seen state test scores for its 11th-graders improve by a stunning 37 percent during the last two years - a gain so impressive that regional education officials asked the Park Forest school to host a seminar to help others emulate its success.

There's only one problem: Rich East did not give the Prairie State Achievement Exam to about 40 percent of its juniors last school year. And it excluded the ones furthest behind academically.

It's not the only school to keep the most underachieving students off the books, according to a Tribune analysis of new state Report Card test data.

School districts statewide are using a loophole that allows them to define what constitutes a "junior." By ratcheting up the credit hour requirements, schools are disqualifying thousands of third-year high school students from taking the 11th-grade exam that is the primary tool to hold the schools accountable for student achievement.

Many then take the test as seniors, but their scores are not used for state and federal No Child Left Behind accountability purposes. In fact, the state does not even track how well seniors perform on the test.

School officials say that giving students more time in class better prepares them for the exam.

A Tribune analysis found that 20 percent of Illinois sophomores didn't officially advance to junior-level status last year and, therefore, never took the exam.

Officials with the Illinois State Board of Education have known for years that schools were reclassifying juniors. But the practice became so pervasive last year, state officials said they launched an investigation. They will not provide any details of what they uncovered, saying they will present their findings to the state testing review committee this month.

"This is not an appropriate way to engage in the accountability system," said Joyce Zurkowski, who oversees student assessment for the Illinois State Board of Education. "This is an accountability test, and it's the gauge of how ready students are. By keeping out the kids who are most at risk, you are not being held accountable."

It's impossible to know exactly how many third-year high school students skipped the PSAE last school year because they were not counted as juniors.

But a Tribune analysis shows there were about 167,000 sophomores in 2007-08. By last school year - when this class moved into its junior year - only about 133,000 took the exam, according to the state data.

So 34,000 students - about 20 percent of the original sophomore class - either dropped out, transferred out of state or, most likely, simply were not counted as juniors.

In many cases, the missing students then reappear on state enrollment data as seniors come to their fourth year, according to state data. So, in effect, they were never classified as juniors on state enrollment data.

Traditionally, Illinois high schools have determined what class a student is in based on years in school. In the last five years, however, many districts began basing it on credit hours completed.

More recently, districts ratcheted up the requirements by insisting that students complete specific courses in math, English, social studies and science before they advance. As a result, thousands of students have not advanced as juniors.

How widespread is the practice? In 130 of the state's 660 high schools, at least a quarter of students dropped off the radar between sophomore year and junior test-taking time, according to a Tribune analysis of 2009 test score data.

Tom Truesdale, associate superintendent of Thornton School District 205 in the south suburbs, defended the district's decision to reclassify students. "I don't see this as gaming the system," he said. "We want to make sure students are adequately prepared. The credit hour requirements are used so students can adequately matriculate through the system and be ready to meet graduation requirements."

Read entire article here.

Title 1 schools using stimulus money to pay parents for involvement

Indiana - "It's part of a two-year effort at the South Bend Community School Corp. to tackle one of the most daunting challenges of students who fall behind: How do you get their parents more involved?

Henson is paid with federal stimulus money in the district's new Helping Hands program, which this fall began hiring parents of struggling students in various jobs at 11 of its Title I schools, which contain large numbers of poor kids. For $10 an hour, parents help up to 20 hours a week in the cafeteria, at recess, in the classroom, whatever is needed.

'By osmosis, they will learn how the school works,' says James Husband, program coordinator.

Deeper lessons, though, come from a partner program that's also fueled by stimulus money, Parent University, where parents at the same schools learn to help their children learn.

'We believe parents care; they just don't know how to help,' says Husband, who'd served as assistant principal at Jefferson and Marshall intermediate centers."

Read the entire article here, read about how parents are selected here.

Skin rejuvenation Sosa style

Sammy Sosa tells friends he is comfortable in his own skin. But a widely circulated photo of the former Cubs slugger makes his skin color appear several shades lighter.

"He's not trying to be Michael Jackson," said former Cubs employee Rebecca Polihronis, who talks frequently with Sosa. Sosa was photographed recently during an appearance at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

"He is going through a rejuvenation process for his skin," Polihronis said. "Women have it all of the time. He was surprised he came out looking so white. I thought it was a body double. Part of (the photo appearance) is just the lighting.

"He is in the middle of doing a cleansing process to his skin. The picture is deceiving. He said, 'If you saw me in person, you would be surprised. When you see me in person, it is not going to seem like the picture.'

"People who saw him in person did not react the same way. He can't believe it is such a big deal."

Polihronis, the former Cubs Care/Community Relations manager for the team, said Sosa told her he has used moisturizing treatment at night on his face. "He has always been concerned with the way he looks," she said. "Probably just bad timing going to an awards show."

Among the possible side effects for some laser skin rejuvenation methods include discoloration of the skin. The treated area may become lighter or darker in appearance.

"He was doing a dermatological skin process after years and years (of playing baseball) in the sun," Polihronis said. "It did come out looking weird (in the picture)."

Source

Several black mayors elected on November 3, 2009

On November 3, 2009, several African Americans won mayor's seats in several US cities while David Bing retained his seat in Detroit. Take a look at 6 of these new mayors below.

David Bing, Detroit, Michigan

Mia B. Love Saratoga Springs, Utah

Kim Bracey York Pensylvania

Setti Warren Newton Massachussetts

Anthony Foxx Charlotte NC

Linda Thompson, Harrisburg PA

I wanna wear my daddy's shoes Part III

What is the real issue here; is it the fact that the colleges and the athletics companies are exploiting players by forcing them to use specific equipment; or is this about Michael Jordan's son acting like a spoiled brat? So Adidas steps aside and Nike will step in and save the day. Just what Marcus wanted.

ORLANDO, Florida (AP) -- A fight over the shoes Michael Jordan's son will wear at the University of Central Florida has cost the school any future sponsorship with Adidas.

"The University of Central Florida has chosen not to deliver on their contractual commitment to adidas," Adidas spokeswoman Andrea Corso wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "As a result we have chosen not to continue our relationship with them moving forward."

First-year guard Marcus Jordan wore a pair of white Air Jordans during UCF's 84-65 exhibition win against Saint Leo on Wednesday, the Orlando Sentinel reported on its Web site. Jordan has said he will wear only his father's Nike Air Jordan shoes because they hold special meaning to his family.

UCF is in the final year of a five-year contract with adidas that requires coaches and athletes to use the company's apparel and equipment.

"We are disappointed to learn that adidas has chosen to discontinue its relationship with UCF Athletics," the school said in a statement released by spokesman Joe Hornstein. "Once we receive official notice we will be able to further respond."

Teachers engaging parents to help with homework

The parents of some ninth-grade students in NYC are spending their evenings this fall doing something they thought they had left behind long ago: homework. The ninth graders complete their assignments during class; the parents are supposed to write their responses either on an online blog created by the teacher or through hand written journal entries.

The point is to keep parents involved in their children’s’ education well into high school. Studies have shown that parental involvement improves the quality of the education a student receives, but teenagers seldom invite that involvement. Some parents say they like the assignments because they can spark intellectual conversation with teenagers who are normally less than communicative; others are more resistant because at the end of a long work day, the last thing they want to do is homework.

Experts say that while many elementary school teachers ask parents to write letters introducing their children at the beginning of the school year, few teachers subject parents to a weekly regimen of reading and writing. Apparently these teachers are hoping to fix that.

Related - Helping Your Child With Homework; Homework Help for Parents

I wanna wear my daddy's shoes Part II

Marcus Jordan, son of basketball hall of famer Michael, will play in his first Central Florida game while wearing Air Jordan shoes, Bright House Sports Network reported Wednesday.

A source told the network even though UCF has a deal with Adidas, Jordan will wear Nike's Air Jordan shoes against Saint Leo in an exhibition game on Wednesday.

Jordan also wore the Air Jordan sneakers in a team scrimmage on Sunday.

Jordan will wear the Adidas uniform, with the exception of the sneakers. UCF's three-year deal with Adidas is worth $1.9 million for the school. It expires in 2010.

Source

EmergePeoria's hot stock to buy - ADT

You know, I appreciate that the Police are bent out of shape because they are facing cuts. I agree, crime is bad and we need an active, engaged and able bodied Police force to fight it. However, for Troy Skaggs to make the comment above makes be feel like "wow, did he just threaten the taxpayers? Really?" I know an officer would never "threaten the public" per se, but dang...

It would have been nice if the officer could have tried to ease a citizen's mind and said something like, "We will continue to keep our streets as safe as they currently are, we will do anything in our power to keep it from getting any worse."

I know, the police will have to work harder and smarter. However, this is Peoria, not Detroit, Chicago, or New Jersey. You can make it anywhere in this town in 20 minutes or under and even faster with a siren on. Additionally, considering how bad crime is now - makes one wonder how many officers they currently have patrolling the streets?

I see a market for private security firms. (hat tip to Frustrated). How would City Hall feel about seeing an upsurge in neighborhood patrols? Get Jim Stowell on the phone - tell him I am interested in ADT.

Inclusion is not just a disability issue

Just recently I have begun to pay more attention to inclusion students that are in some of the classrooms in my little one’s primary school. It is touching to see and there is no doubt that it is a worthwhile learning experience for all students involved. The lesson to be learned is huge, because inclusion is not just about disabilities; it is about human beings learning to embrace our diversity.

Co-Teaching: Adapting and Modifying the Curriculum
From PSD.150.org, Staff News

Some students with disabilities need accommodations or modifications to their educational program in order to participate in the general curriculum and to be successful in school. An accommodation allows a student to complete the same assignment or test as other students, but with a change in the timing, formatting, setting, scheduling, response and/or presentation. This does not alter in any significant way what the test or assignment measures. A modification is an adjustment to an assignment or a test that changes the standard or what the test or assignment is supposed to measure. Examples of modifications include completing work on part of a standard or a student completing an alternate assignment that is more easily achievable than the standard assignment.

Guidelines for Adapting Curriculum
1. Focus on what the student CAN do.
2. Accommodations can be used with any student; modifications should be documented on a student’s IEP.
3. Attempt to accommodate BEFORE you modify.
4. Accommodate and modify before changing the activity.
5. Use the least intrusive support first.
6. Use age-appropriate goals, materials, and activities when planning how to adapt.
7. Not all students learn the same thing, in the same way, at the same time-AND THAT IS OK.

Related: Aligning IEPs With State Standards and Accountability Systems

Tentative H1N1 vaccincation dates

At Monday night's BOE Meeting, five schools were approved to be used by the Peoria City/County Health Department to administer H1N1 flu vaccinations. The tentative dates for the clinics and schools are as follows:

Woodrow Wilson Primary School, 1907 W. Forrest Hill Ave., Nov. 10
Manual High School, 811 S. Griswold St., Nov. 16
Richwoods High School, 6301 N. University St., Nov. 17
Von Steuben Middle School, 801 E. Forrest Hill Ave., Nov. 23

Two alternate locations, Franklin-Edison and Charter Oak primary schools, were also approved.

Source

Identity conflicts and the education gap

In Peoria, whatever the extracurricular, whatever the educational venture, you will more often than not see an "only"...

Throughout my life I have often had the distinction of the being “the only” (the only black girl/woman in attendance). As a girl in ballet, gymnastics, archery; certain courses as I matriculated in college; as an adult on the job – every job; as a happily married, stay at home mom and volunteer. And the only life continues as my children excel educationally and I take them to music, swimming, chess club, tennis, gymnastics, ballet or volleyball.

I think that if the child can manage to be aware of the multifaceted life in which they live, they can thrive off of the diversity (or lack thereof). But for the child without a strong sense of family and identity, being the only can be a very isolating experience.

Facing Identity Conflicts, Black Students Fall Behind
By Nancy Solomon, NPR

The identity issues facing middle-class black and Latino teenagers might be a clue as to why they don't do as well academically as their white and Asian counterparts, some researchers and educators say. The teens often live in dual worlds: the suburban one they live in, and the rougher street life they see glorified in the media.

Known as the "minority achievement gap," the lower average test scores, grades and college attendance by black and Latino students have long perplexed researchers. Many have focused on the values and attitudes of students and whether black students think doing well in school is "acting white."

Read the entire article here.

Burying the dead is getting more affordable

Let's see, I need bananas, milk, tube socks, potting soil, kitchen curtains, bullets and oh yeah, let me check the caskets while I'm here.

First it was Unclaimed Freight - now it's WalMart. Introducing the Lady de Guadalupe Steel Casket:

Made of Superior Grade 18-gauge steel, Lady de Guadalupe's exterior is hand-painted by experienced craftsman in an exquisite slate blue metallic color, complemented with individual appliqués of the Lady de Guadalupe. The interior bedding, so soft to the touch, is sewn and gathered by hand in a sky-blue chalet crepe adorned by an embroidered figure of the Lady de Guadalupe. High-polished hardware and carry bars for easy handling complete this religious-themed edition.

Bloated

Other bloggers have made suggestions on where they think the City of Peoria should make cuts. I've been thinking about it for a while and I think I have a suggestion as well. Before our new City Manager makes any further cuts in the Police Department, perhaps he should consider making cuts here:

City of Peoria Planning and Growth Management Department
1 - Administrator
1 - Assistant Administrator
5 - Senior Urban Planners
2 - Urban Planners
1 - Zoning Enforcement Officer
1 - Graphic Artist
2 - Administrative Assistants

What are they doing that benefits the tax payers of Peoria? Whatever it is, do they really need this many people to do it?

7 Urban Planners - Just how does an "Urban Planner" validate their job during this economy?

Happy Halloween!

You knock on a door in the East Bluff and say "trick or treat"; a beautiful, black woman with a halo answers the door and gives you a sanitary hand wipe (thank H1N1); be sure and introduce yourself, you are at my house.

Citizen Alert - north Peoria

Interesting that this guy manages to get really close to his victims. Let go of the stereotypes people, be street smart and stay safe.

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The Peoria Police Department is investigating a rash of armed and attempted armed robberies occurring in business parking lots throughout north Peoria.

In each instance, a subject has approached lone females as they enter their vehicle. The suspect usually displays a handgun and demands money and then flees the area on foot. On one occasion, the suspect forced a victim to drive to an ATM where he forced her to withdraw funds.

The date, time, and locations of these robberies or robbery attempts are as follows:
Oct 23, 1312 Hrs Walgreens – 2515 N Knoxville
Oct 25, 2159 Hrs Krogers – 3311 N Sterling
Oct 25, 1940 Hrs Walmart – 8915 N Allen Road
Oct 29, 1927 Hrs Dairy Queen – 8530 N Knoxville
Oct 29, 1932 Hrs Busey Bank – 6699 N Sheridan Road

Although there have been no injuries, on each occasion the suspect has either displayed or inferred a handgun and covers his face by means of a hooded sweatshirt or wearing a Halloween style mask, similar to a white hockey mask.

The suspect is believed to be a white male, age unknown, 5’9”, 150 pounds, brown or light shaggy hair.

Citizens are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious persons or activity to the Peoria Police Department.

The Peoria Police Department urges anyone possessing any knowledge of these incidents to contact the Peoria Police Department at 673-4521 or Crime Stoppers at 673-9000.

Source

Imagine what a school like this could do for Peoria

C.H.A.E.D Charter High School of Architecture+Engineering+Design

Sacramento - CHAED believes creativity is the soul for architects, engineers, and professional designers and most importantly a vehicle to solve problems, present innovative ideas, and give sound solutions. The school will enable students first hand what they need to know to become an architect, engineer, or professional designer, furthermore, it wants each student to have an appreciation for how creativity can process its way through the curriculum as the lifeline for design and analytical thinking. CHAED is a network of students, parents, educators, and professional leaders all learning, collaborating, and committed to an innovative program of study, while integrating the design process with the mastery of a strong liberal arts education. This unique kind of network will give importance and value to an education students can learn from and succeed.

Read more here.

$1.00 per day not to get pregant

Paying girls $7.00 per week to not get pregnant. On the surface it sounds good, but couldn't that be considered a form of euthanasia? Girls in the program attend 90-minute meetings every week at which they receive lessons in abstinence and the use of contraceptives. Should they be paying boys too? What do you think?

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A buck-a-day -- that's the incentive being offered to young girls to keep them from getting pregnant.

The group College-Bound Sisters was founded at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro by Hazel Brown, a maternity nurse who thought too many teens were having babies.

Brown said she hopes the program, which pays $1 each day to 12-to-18-year-old girls, will keep them from getting pregnant. In addition to remaining pregnancy-free, the girls must also attend weekly meetings.

Under the program, $7 is deposited into an interest-bearing college fund that the girls can collect once they graduate high school. The program is funded by a four-year grant from the state.

Program director Laurie Smith said nearly 100 percent of the girls who finish the program have gone on to graduate college.

If a girl drops out or gets pregnant, her money is divided among the other girls still in the program.

Read entire article here.

Meaningful school leadership: Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat a role model for our children

Imagine how you would feel if you were a Manual High School student, parent and/or alumni and you stumbled across a local blog filled with days on end of negative comments about your high school; the intelligence (or lack thereof) of the students; and the capabilities of the administrators.

Frankly, after all that I have read, I don't know what to think about Manual High School and the program they are running under the microscope of the District 150 Watch Group. However, I am willing to trust in the capabilities of the Principal, Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat. I consider Dr. Kherat an excellent role model for all of our children and most certainly for the young black women in this community who desperately need role models.

In July of 2009, Dr. Sharon Kherat was in the Bradley University Alumni Association Magazine's Spotlight (read excerpt below). Although Dr. Kherat is much more than just her curriculum vitae, her accomplishments are impressive...

Desmoulin-Kherat received her BA degree from Bradley in 1986 with majors in history and secondary education. In 1989, she graduated with a master’s degree in education administration. She went on to earn a doctorate degree in education administration in 2006 from Illinois State University. She was one of a group of local educators who worked on their doctorate degrees together and Illinois State accommodated them by teaching many of their classes at Richwoods High School in Peoria. She completed her dissertation on “Meaningful School Leadership from the Perspective of African-American Parents.”

Upon graduating from Bradley, Dr. Kherat began her career as a middle school teacher and has since held a variety of positions in the Peoria area including Assistant Principal at Roosevelt Magnet school, Principal of Whittier Primary School and Adjunct Instructor at Bradley University. In 2008 she was appointed Principal of Manual Middle and High School. She was hired to facilitate a unique restructuring to “improve student academic achievement and enable the school to make adequate yearly progress as defined by the State’s accountability system.”

Although her professional life is marked with many accomplishments, she considers her first year at Manual as her biggest success. “Thus far, we have experienced improvement in the following areas: students’ enrollment, increased attendance, an increased course passing rate, lower suspension and expulsion rates, and an increased number of student graduates.”

As it celebrates its 100th anniversary, the new Manual has created four academies to drive student success, increase academic performance, and foster a sense of belonging among its students. Manual Middle and High School believes in high expectations for each student and offers a curriculum grounded in that principle. “We have adopted the three new “Rs” of education: Rigor, Relevance and Relationships.”

Dr. Kherat has found it very exciting and challenging to take a theoretical model and put it into practice. “We are flying the plane while building it. Everything is new - from the staff, new practices, to the curriculum to the academies. Yet the process has been embraced by the students and staff and progress is being made. As we raise the bar for Manual, we must continue to raise the level of support for our students and their families.”

Desmoulin-Kherat has won numerous awards and honors including Principal of the Year (2008); Blue Ribbon Award (Whittier Primary 2005); National Center for Urban School Transformation Award (2006); Professional Advocacy Award (Children’s Hospital of Illinois 2005); and Peoria’s 40 Leaders Under 40 (2001). She is still involved with Bradley, currently serving as a member of the College of Education and Health Sciences Educational Advisory Committee.
Source

Is it chicken or fish?

... looks like fish to me. What do you think?

The Republican National Committee came under fire after a user posted a controversial photo on its Facebook page. The RNC "fan" upload features a picture of President Obama eating fried chicken with the slogan: "Miscegenation Is a CRIME against American values... Repeal Loving v. Virginia."

Loving v. Virginia is a civil rights case that led the Supreme Court to rule that prohibiting interracial marriage violates the Constitution.

The "miscegenation" post was removed from the RNC's Facebook page (it was up for about a week) after provoking outrage, Newsweek points out that the slip-up is not an isolated incident.

Read more...

Will there be a gate keeper?

Not driving down a City street during certain times of day is one thing. However, will I still be able to walk down those City streets if they are "gated"? Will there be a gate keeper?

So the Peoria City Council is now pondering closing down a City street so that a couple of business owners can have a block party every night. I wonder, could a person just walk through and not stop to drink and party, or would one need to state their business before being "allowed" to step inside the gates.

If approved, will this special treatment extend to other types of businesses? How about the church that wants to close the street in front of it’s building every evening between certain hours and hold a revival.

Maybe an auto dealership will want to shut the street down in front of their business, so people will have to walk and look at cars, instead of driving by.

There are several bars on North Adams Street that would probably love to close off the street for their patrons and have open air bands in; and you know the folks on Main Streeet and Farmington Road would love to close a street to better accomodate Bradley students. While we are at it, it would be nice to close the street between Carver Center and Cityscape Apartments every evening so they can have block parties.

I think I'll have my neighborhood association petition to close the streets in our neighborhood after kids get out of school (between 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.), so they won't have to worry about cars when they are outside playing.

This closing the street thing has a lot of possibilities.

Limbaugh faces lawsuit, if no apology

If controversial talk show Rush Limbaugh doesn’t apologize for his comments published in an op-ed column in last week’s Wall Street Journal, he may face a defamation lawsuit from the Rev. Al Sharpton.

In his column, Limbaugh, who has been in the news lately after being asked to invest in the purchase of the winless St. Louis Rams football team, charged that Sharpton played “a leading role in the 1991 Crown Heights riot (he called neighborhood Jews ‘diamond merchants’) and 1995 Freddie’s Fashion Mart riot.”

“Mr. Limbaugh’s blatant and defamatory statements regarding the Crown Heights riots falsely give the impression that Rev. Sharpton was present during the violence that occurred when in reality, he had been called in by the family after the violence,” was a sharply worded statement from Sharpton’s camp.

“In fact, a study was commissioned by Governor Mario Cuomo that stated unequivocally that activists, including Rev. Al Sharpton, didn’t get to Crown Heights until after the riot,” the statement continued. “Ironically, in 1991, not only did Rev. Sharpton not participate in the Crown Heights violence, this was the same year he was stabbed in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, and he later went to court to plea for leniency for his stabber and forgave him.

“In terms of Freddie’s Fashion Mart, Rev. Al Sharpton, along with local elected officials supported the protests. However, a lone gunman who disagreed with the nonviolent nature of the protests entered the store and killed seven people and himself. He was a known critic of Rev. Sharpton’s use of non-violent techniques. For Mr. Limbaugh to imply that Rev. Sharpton has anything to do with someone that killed people and himself is blatantly wrong.”

Limbaugh was incensed when his bid to buy the Rams, along with Dave Checketts, was rejected and he blamed “race hustlers,” including the Rev. Jesse Jackson in his allegations against Sharpton.

Sharpton and Jackson, Limbaugh asserted, were in cahoots with the NFL Players Association in blocking his bid. “He’s delusional,” Sharpton said of Limbaugh and his charges. “He’s trying to inflate himself—that he’s so important that the whole world has to be against him. He ought to ask his partners why they threw him under the bus.”

Meanwhile, Sharpton’s lawyers are preparing the lawsuit if Limbaugh refuses to apologize or to clarify his statements.

“He has the right to criticize Rev. Sharpton,” the statement said, “but he does not have the right to accuse him of criminal activity, and riots and murders are criminal.”

By HERB BOYD

Another free chicken offer at KFC

KFC has cooked up another free offer to promote its grilled chicken, only this time, it promises, without the unwanted side of rainchecks.

The freebie is set for Monday, when more than 5,000 KFCs will give every U.S. customer a free piece of grilled chicken.

This will be the third time in six months that the chain famous for fried chicken is offering a giveaway to promote its Kentucky Grilled Chicken that debuted nationally last spring.

KFC’s latest freebie will be minus Oprah Winfrey’s star power from a May giveaway and, KFC President Roger Eaton promises, without the snafus when a free grilled chicken coupon on Oprah’s Web site overwhelmed the chain, with some stores running out of the meals.

“Obviously, we had to deal with some tough stuff,” Eaton said.

Still, KFC sees that May promotion, problems and all, as a net success. “We were the talk of the town,” Eaton said.

This time, things will be orderly and efficient, he promised. “We gear the shifts up so we make sure we’ve got the staffing, we make sure we’ve got the chicken,” Eaton said.

Conrad Lyon, a restaurant equity analyst with Global Hunter Securities, said the giveaways reflect a hyper-competitive fast-food sector where price is the biggest draw.

“It comes down to getting those bodies in the door,” he said.

The newest offer is identical to KFC’s first grilled chicken giveaway – a one-day-only offer in April when KFC handed out more than 4 million pieces to launch the product. That chicken handout went smoothly, company officials said.

By Associated Press October 23, 2009 1:38 pm

I wanna wear my Daddy's shoes!

A fight over the shoes Michael Jordan's son will wear at the University of Central Florida could cost the school financially.

Freshman guard Marcus Jordan is refusing to wear shoes made by adidas, the brand the university has a contract with for all its sports. He says he will only wear his father's Nike Air Jordan shoes because they hold special meaning to his family.

The problem is UCF is in the final year of its contract with adidas that requires coaches and athletes to use the company's apparel and equipment. UCF says its five-year deal with adidas ends June 30, 2010.

There have been media reports that UCF is negotiating a new deal that could be worth up to $3 million and last up to six years.

UCF said in a statement Thursday that adidas was aware of the situation during contract renewal discussions. The university says it was "led to believe that there would be a workable solution to a unique situation."

Source

School movie night

A 5-year-old St. Charles boy is safe at home after apparently sleepwalking to his elementary school in the middle of the night.

Kane County deputies were called to Anderson Elementary School, at around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. They found a 5-year-old boy unharmed but a bit dazed, according to Kane County Lt. Pat Gengler. He lived a few blocks away from the school and had apparently wandered away from home.

The boy told officers that he was there to watch a movie with his mother. Apparently, his mother had told him on Saturday about a movie night, Gengler said.

Even after police had found the boy, they had another problem: They couldn't identify him because he had trouble remembering his address.

Deputies took the boy to Delnor Hospital in Geneva. The School District sent an employee to the hospital and they were able to identify the boy and where he lived.

The boy was returned home to his surprised parents, who were still sleeping.

"This is just kind of one of those way-out-there things," Gengler said. "We're lucky and we're happy it turned out this way. If it was December of January, it could have been a sad ending."

According to KidsHealth.org, sleepwalking is more common in children than adults. It often involves more than just walking, although the sleepwalker rarely remembers what happened. About 15 percent of children will sleepwalk between 4-12 years of age, according to Medicine.net.
Source