Showing posts with label Parenting qv Children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parenting qv Children. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Mount Airy church reaches out to youths by Staci George for Carroll County Times

Mount Airy church reaches out to youths by Staci George for Carroll County Times

Mount Airy church reaches out to youths

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/08/24/news/local_news/newsstory6.txt

By Staci L. George, Times Correspondent

Sunday, August 24, 2008

MOUNT AIRY — Saturday was a day of youth empowerment through song, dance, poetry, drama and other artistic displays celebrating God and Christianity.

“Youth awakening” was the theme of Spirit Fest 2008, an annual event sponsored by West Falls Christian Community Church, 4330 Buffalo Road, Mount Airy. This was the seventh year the church, with 65 current members, has sponsored the event.

[…]

“We need to encourage and empower the youth to do positive things, like express their talents and get involved in the community. There are a lot of negative things already,” said Bishop Ross Jackson Sr., the church’s pastor since 1993 and a native of Mount Airy.


Read her entire article here:
Mount Airy church reaches out to youths

20080824 Mount Airy church reaches out to youths by Staci George for Carroll County Times

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Dear Parents: Please Relax, It’s Just Camp July 26, 2008 By TINA KELLEY for the New York Times

Whether or not you are involved in the customer service business – working for the public in the private or public sector, you will understand this piece all too well: Dear Parents: Please Relax, It’s Just Camp July 26, 2008 By TINA KELLEY for the New York Times.
July 26, 2008 By TINA KELLEY

HONESDALE, Pa. — A dozen 9-year-old girls in jelly-bean-colored bathing suits were learning the crawl at Lake Bryn Mawr Camp one recent morning as older girls in yellow and green camp uniforms practiced soccer, fused glass in the art studio or tried out the climbing wall.

Their parents, meanwhile, were bombarding the camp with calls: one wanted help arranging private guitar lessons for her daughter, another did not like the sound of her child’s voice during a recent conversation, and a third needed to know — preferably today — which of her daughter’s four varieties of vitamins had run out. All before lunch.

Answering these and other urgent queries was Karin Miller, 43, a stay-at-home mother during the school year with a doctorate in psychology, who is redefining the role of camp counselor. She counsels parents, spending her days from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. printing out reams of e-mail messages to deliver to Bryn Mawr’s 372 female campers and leaving voice mail messages for their parents that always begin, “Nothing’s wrong, I’m just returning your call.”

Jill Tipograph, a camp consultant, said most high-end sleep-away camps in the Northeast now employ full-time parent liaisons like Ms. Miller, who earns $6,000 plus a waiver of the camp’s $10,000 tuition for each of her two daughters. Ms. Tipograph describes the job as “almost like a hotel concierge listening to a client’s needs.”

The liaisons are emblematic of what sleep-away camp experts say is an increasing emphasis on catering to increasingly high-maintenance parents, including those who make unsolicited bunk placement requests, flagrantly flout a camp’s ban on cellphones and junk food, and consider summer an ideal time to give their offspring a secret vacation from
Ritalin.

One camp psychologist said she used to spend half her time on parental issues; now it’s 80 percent. Dan Kagan, co-director of Bryn Mawr, has started visiting every new family’s home in the spring and calling those parents on the first or second day of camp to reassure them.

[…]

Read the rest here:
Dear Parents: Please Relax, It’s Just Camp

Friday, July 25, 2008

Parents Can Help Ease the Burden By Mara Lee Special to The Washington Post Saturday

Parents Can Help Ease the Burden By Mara Lee Special to The Washington Post Saturday

See also:
20080719 Mom's House, Your Responsibility by Mara Lee, Special to The Washington Post

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2008/07/moms-house-your-responsibility-by-mara.html

Related:
Business and Economics, Business and Economics Wills and Estates, Children Parenting and Intergenerational studies, Real Estate, Real Estate property management

By Mara Lee Special to The Washington Post Saturday, July 19, 2008; F02

There are things parents can do to make it easier for their children to handle their affairs after they die or if they should become unable to manage them.

Most important: Tell them where everything is. Where's your will? Where do you have bank accounts, stock holdings or safety deposit boxes? Where are those statements? Where are your tax records? Your utility bills?


Read the rest here:
Parents Can Help Ease the Burden

Mom's House, Your Responsibility by Mara Lee, Special to The Washington Post

Mom's House, Your Responsibility by Mara Lee, Special to The Washington Post
Special to The Washington Post, Saturday, July 19, 2008
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/18/AR2008071801413.html
Labels:
Business and Economics
Business and Economics Wills and Estates
Real Estate
Real Estate property management
Children Parenting and Intergenerational studies

With the experience of 25 years in the property maintenance business, I thought the article that follows – and the companion piece, “
Parents Can Help Ease the Burden,” by Mara Lee, was an excellent introduction to a difficult subject…

Managing the home after a parent dies can be fraught with difficulties. Here's a guide to bringing about a successful sale.

By Mara Lee, Special to The Washington Post, Saturday, July 19, 2008; F01

Carylin Waterval's mother had no will -- and no time to prepare one.
At 63, she was diagnosed with lung cancer and died within three weeks, leaving behind a small business and a four-bedroom house in Ashburn. Waterval, who lives in Alexandria and whose brother lives in Texas, found herself in charge of all the financial paperwork -- bank accounts, stock holdings, tax records and unpaid bills. Even though Waterval, 42, is an accountant, she found the volume overwhelming.

Selling a house after a parent's death can be a lengthy and daunting undertaking. Household bills still have to be paid. Then there's the matter of deciding who wants what, how to ship it to them and how to dispose of the rest. There's finding a real estate agent, deciding how to present the house and arriving at a price. And all this work may have to be done from out of town.

Until you sell the house, you have to manage it.


Read the rest here:
Mom's House, Your Responsibility

Thursday, November 29, 2007

20071127 Kelsey Volkmann: Jail, money issues ruin chance at security access, students told


Jail, money issues ruin chance at security access, students told

BALTIMORE - Kelsey Volkmann, The Examiner 2007-11-27

Students have yet another reason to stay out of debt, avoid arrests and earn good grades.

They need clean financial, police and school records if they hope to earn the security clearances required for many of the military-related jobs coming to Maryland in the next few years as part of Base Realignment and Closure.

[…]

State education officials have met with leaders from school systems across the state to create a syllabus for a consumer literacy course called Personal Resource Management. The class, which would launch statewide next school year, would teach students about financial planning and how to maintain good credit.

Some school systems, including Carroll County, already require students to complete a financial literacy class to graduate high school.

The state also plans to launch a Web site next year that will give parents and students tips on how to attain security clearances.

[…]

Read the entire article here: Jail, money issues ruin chance at security access, students told

####

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

20070904 How to Avoid the Freshman 15

How to Avoid the Freshman 15

September 4th, 2007

This post is dedicated to everyone who just dropped-off a loved-one at college.

I try and follow nutrition issues because a younger family member wants to be a nutritionist and I felt that a good uncle would wanna participate in meaningful conversations… I’m not sure that it’s working, but that might be the stuff of another conversation.

I was howling when I read the part “Unfortunately, as a diet plan, 47 bowls of cereal per day doesn't work so well.”

Our loved-one, whom we just dropped-off at college, immediately bypassed the fresh fruit, tempting wraps, and salads and began wolfing-down bowls of cereal… As much as I am also a cereal-lover myself, cereal must be a college freshman thing.

Me, I was addicted to macaroni and cheese in college. We would purchase it by the case.

Anyway… I just received this in an e-mail…

from Jen Hubley

When I was in school, there was a rumor going around that the cafeteria meat arrived in large crates marked: GRADE D. SUITABLE FOR PRISONS AND STATE UNIVERSITIES. The taste of the food did nothing to dispel the myth.

In the Spotlight

5 Ways to Get Fat in College

Surprisingly, the general yuckiness of the food did nothing to prevent me from overeating. If anything, it made me stuff food down faster and pig out on desserts more than I normally would. And, of course, all of that led to a common college student disorder: The Mysterious Shrinking Pants Syndrome.
- Exercise Guide Paige Waehner

Fight the Freshman 15

The real culprit was probably the overabundance of carbs we were all eating. If dinner is lousy, it makes sense to load up on free cereal. Unfortunately, as a diet plan, 47 bowls of cereal per day doesn't work so well.

Weight Loss Guide Jennifer R. Scott

Stress and the Freshman 15

If you're an emotional eater, freshman year of college is extra hard. For most of us, it's the first time we were away from home and responsible for ourselves.
- Stress Management Guide Elizabeth Scott, M.S.

####

Thursday, July 26, 2007

20070725 Child advocates State must do better for kids Examiner

Child advocates: State must do better for kids

Jaime Malarkey, The Examiner 2007-07-25

BALTIMORE

In the same year a Baltimore teenager died in a state-run residential detention center and a Prince George’s county youth died after a tooth infection spread to his brain, child advocates today pressured Maryland lawmakers to improve problems affecting kids that, according to a new report, appear to be worsening.

Maryland’s rank nationally fell from 23rd to 24th in an annual child wellness report released today from the Baltimore-based Annie E. Casey Foundation, which analyzed factors including infant mortality, teen pregnancy and high school dropout rates.

Using the foundation’s indicators and some of their own, local advocates said the ranking should be much better considering Maryland is the second wealthiest state in the nation.

They said the gap is the third largest in the country.

(Click here to read the Annie E. Casey Foundations' KIDS COUNT 2007 Data Book.)

Read the rest here: Child advocates: State must do better for kids

Sunday, June 17, 2007

20070617 Happy Father’s Day

Happy Fathers Day

June 17th, 2007

In case you missed it, the Carroll County Times ran a number of excellent articles today on Father’s Day.

One of the pieces is about a gentleman with whom I have worked very closely with for a number of years, Jimmy Bangerd.

When you look up in the dictionary, what it is to be a good husband, Dad and contributing member of the community, a picture of Jimmy Bangerd appears and although I was not aware that he would be one of the Dads featured today, I’m thrilled for the entire Bangerd family.

And yes, the Carroll County Times does not use permalinks. If you are accessing this at a later point in time and dealing with dead links, please call it to my attention… and e-mail me…

Dads' involvement varies throughout decades

The history of fatherhood over the last century is complicated and doesn't necessarily match conventional wisdom. In each generation, we hear a story that says the previous generation's men were distant, uninvolved in childrearing and absolutely neve…

Like father, like sons: Teenagers plan to pursue careers that they're well acquainted with

In the James Bangerd family of Westminster, both teenage sons are following in their father’s footsteps. All three are members of the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co., a volunteer organization, and like their father, the sons want to become…

Dad faces son going to war

He was a young hippie during the Vietnam War era, born too late for the draft. Instead, Michael Heimbach of Manchester became a Baltimore County police officer, a job he's held for 25 years. Now his son, Justin Heimbach, 18, is off to war, as part of…

Like best buddies: He's 68 and single with a 5-year-old son. but despite the age gap, Ernie Fredrikis says he and Jayson are 'Like best buddies'

Ernie Fredrikis of Littlestown, Pa., has been full-time dad to his 5-year-old son Jayson since the child was born. His story is a window into what fatherhood might look like if men were released from some of their traditional stresses. Fredrikis is 6…

A father faces his son’s deployment

He was a young hippie during the Vietnam War era, born too late for the draft. Instead, Michael Heimbach of Manchester became a Baltimore County police officer, a job he’s held for 25 years. Now his son, Justin Heimbach, 18, is off to war, as p…

####

Monday, June 11, 2007

20070606 “Haughty and nice” by Kelly McCormack “The Hill”

Haughty and nice

By Kelly McCormack The Hill

Posted January 11th, 2007

I have found myself reading and re-reading this piece from The Hill – from last week. I just found it to be an interesting glimpse into the day-to-day interpersonal relationships of Capitol Hill.

As any of us who have served in elected office are aware – staff can make or break ya. And I have been on both ends of that paradigm.

The rule is that you accumulate enemies by just “being,” so don’t make any.

It also gave a glimpse at some aspects of intergenerational studies…

Always – ALWAYS be good to staff…

Haughty and nice

By Kelly McCormack

June 06, 2007

Though most interns are young, work for free and have grand ambitions to learn the ins and outs of Congress, they tend to be the most bothersome to service-sector employees on and around Capitol Hill.

They don’t tip well, ask annoying questions and tend to be the rudest people in the nation’s capital, many employees say.

[…]

The employee, who has worked on the Hill for more than 20 years, said she has “plenty” of favorite lawmakers. “They treat us just like their staff,” she remarked.

The cashier said interns were the worst-behaved in the cafeteria. “They don’t really know” how to act, she said.

[…]

“Members are not rude at all. I’ve never met a rude member,” the employee, who has been working on the Hill for 17 years, said. Specifically, she said, Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) is very friendly: “That’s my girl.”

Interns are typically the rudest, not regular staff, the employee concurred.

She said her pet peeve is when interns point at food items and rudely inquire about them, though she noted that she has an old-fashioned standard for politeness that some young people do not abide by.

[…]

He said he regularly deals with staff members, many of whom are very friendly. Clyburn and Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.), Wayne Gilchrest (R-Md.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) are exceptionally nice, he said.

Read the entire article here: Haughty and nice

####

Sunday, June 10, 2007

20070610 The Last Train to Clarksville

The Last Train to Clarksville

June 10th, 2007

On June 10th, 2007 Maryland Politics Today had a post titled “The Last Money Train To Clarksville.”

As much as I appreciated P. Kenneth Burns calling to our attention the need of Baltimore mayor Dixon to go outside of the city for support for her re-election campaign, I was particularly intrigued with the reference to the “Last Train to Clarksville.”

And only Mr. Burns knows if he was referring to mayor Dixon’s trip to Howard County in the manner in which the 1966 Monkees’ meant it… Or if he was referring to mayor Dixon and “Betamax” metaphorically or if it is a coincidence…

But what a trip down memory lane that reference causes an aging Baby Boomer such as me. Although, I gotta tell ya, “The Monkees” were a little lame for my taste to put it mildly; it nevertheless brings back a time and place from many years ago.

And it comes on the heels of just writing a Westminster Eagle column on aspects of 1967 last Wednesday, June 6th, 2007: Dwight Dingle, 'Sgt. Pepper' and a bathtub band :

“It was 40 years ago last Saturday, June 2, 1967, when the Beatles released their eighth album, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Although musical taste can be fiercely debated, many music critics and publications consider this album to be one of the most influential of all time. Rolling Sto...”

“The Last Train to Clarksville,” from 1966, may be considered to be a pop song and to be sure, it certainly has a bubblegum feel and sound to it. Nevertheless the song was about a serious dynamic in the lives of young men eligible for military duty.

The song, with its “pop flavor” and seemingly light-hearted approach is forever engrained in my head as a great example of cognitive dissonance…

Listen to the lyrics.[1]

The song is about a man who is trying to arrange one last date with his sweetheart because he has been drafted and he is about to be deployed to Vietnam. Listen for :

'Cause I'm leavin' in the morning

And I must see you again

We'll have one more night together

'Til the morning brings my train.

And I must go, oh, no, no, no!

Oh, no, no, no!

And I don't know if I'm ever coming home.

And the reference to “Betamax players [2] in home” was equally a hoot. Yes, I actually still have content on old “beta” tapes.” And I thought some of the data migration from my old columns and short stories in DOS-based “Word Perfect” was hard…

And I cannot imagine hardly any of our younger readers are aware of whar being “betamaxed” means… (“A superior technology that is overtaken by an inferior one.”)

Anyway, thanks a bunch for memory Mr. Burns…

Meanwhile if you are not reading Mr. Burn’s excellent work at Maryland Politics Today,” there is no better time than now…. Err, after ya watch, “The Last Train to Clarksville” by the Monkees:





Oh what the heck… Let’s hear more. This is a song that I did like:

“Valerie”



I liked this one too:

The Monkees - A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You





####



[1] Last Train to Clarksville

Words and Music by

Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

Take the last train to Clarksville,

And I'll meet you at the station.

You can be be there by four thirty,

'Cause I made your reservation.

Don't be slow, oh, no, no, no!

Oh, no, no, no!

'Cause I'm leavin' in the morning

And I must see you again

We'll have one more night together

'Til the morning brings my train.

And I must go, oh, no, no, no!

Oh, no, no, no!

And I don't know if I'm ever coming home.

Take the last train to Clarksville.

I'll be waiting at the station.

We'll have time for coffee flavored kisses

And a bit of conversation.

Oh... Oh, no, no, no!

Oh, no, no, no!

Take the last train to Clarksville,

Now I must hang up the phone.

I can't hear you in this noisy

Railroad station all alone.

I'm feelin' low. Oh, no, no, no!

Oh, no, no, no!

And I don't know if I'm ever coming home.

Take the last train to Clarksville,

Take the last train to Clarksville,

[repeat and fade]

[2] Betamax:

The first half-inch, analog videocassette recorder (VCR) format, introduced by Sony in 1975 and commonly known as "Beta." The first Betamax cassettes held only one hour of video, but the capacity was subsequently increased to hold an entire movie. Sony later introduced Beta Hi-fi, which improved audio quality, and SuperBeta, which offered a better image.


Beta Vs. VHS


One year after Beta was introduced, the VHS format came out with a slightly larger cassette that held a full movie from the start. VHS began to overtake Beta almost immediately, but for several years, both formats were widely used, and pre-packaged movies were offered in both Beta and VHS. By the late 1980s, Beta had been almost entirely eclipsed by VHS, although Betamax machines were still manufactured by Sony until 2002.


Betamaxed!


The Betamax technology was considered to have superior image quality over VHS, but was hardly noticeable on ordinary home equipment, especially if the recording was done off the air and not from a high-quality master tape. To this day however, "Betamaxed" refers to a superior technology that is overtaken by an inferior one. See VHS, helical scan, Beta/VHS debacle and Betacam.


Sunday, June 3, 2007

20070528 Variety: ABC gives 'i-Caught' six-week run

Variety: ABC gives 'i-Caught' six-week run

Hat Tip: The Digital TV Weblog: i-Caught – or see post on Soundtrack: 20070531 The Digital TV Weblog: I-Caught to begin test on ABC August 6

Posted on Soundtrack June 3rd, 2007

Anyone who reads Soundtrack, know by now how much I like movies and videos… and TV commercials…

Commercial TV these days leaves me flat. I’m not much on game shows, situational comedy, and certainly not a fan of reality TV.

But I hope to catch this program – “ABC I-Caught” - when it comes out – as I have so enjoyed much of YouTube… This seems like a pretty good match-up. We’ll see.

ABC gives 'i-Caught' six-week run

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117965899.html?categoryid=1300&cs=1

Network launches user-generated video show

By MICHAEL LEARMONTH Posted: Mon., May 28, 2007, 8:00pm PT

ABC is hoping to reinvent the newsmagazine for the YouTube generation with a show produced by ABC News but based on user-generated video.

Hourlong skein "i-Caught" will get a six-week run on the network starting Aug. 6 at 10pm on Mondays with an eye toward a midseason return if it performs as well as the network hopes.

Amateur video will form the basis of the show's segments, but ABC News correspondents will build news stories and features around video captured on cell phones or digicams and uploaded to a companion Web site.

Exec producer David Sloan said the show will take on a wide breadth of potential stories, including breaking news; celebrity journalism; investigations; and stories of politics, crime, Internet hoaxes or just the moments of everyday life.

"The watershed event that changed newsgathering was the London terror attack in 2005," Sloan said. "There were people on that subway who did not know if they would live or die, but they got out their cell phones and started shooting."

Read more: ABC gives 'i-Caught' six-week run

20070603 YouTube on Soundtrack

June 3rd, 2007

To view posts on Soundtrack which include videos on YouTube go here.

For posts on Soundtrack that include videos from my YouTube accountgo here.

For additional commentary and other related material on YouTube – go here.

Saturday, June 2, 2007

20070531 The Digital TV Weblog: I-Caught to begin test on ABC August 6

The Digital TV Weblog: I-Caught to begin test on ABC August 6

i-Caught

The Digital TV Weblog

Filed in archive Business Trends by martino on May 31, 2007

ABC will test an hour-long user generated news show i-Caught on TV for six weeks from August 6 in an attempt to get the YouTube generation interested in TV news. I suppose that the main distinction to make is that this might be 'news' but it is not journalism.

[…]

… Good Morning America weekend co-anchor Bill Weir will host…

More… i-Caught

Friday, June 1, 2007

20070601 Out of the mouths of today’s future leaders

20070601 Out of the mouths of today’s future leaders

Out of the mouths of today’s future leaders

© June 1st, 2007 by Kevin Dayhoff

See also: 20050713 Today’s Youth – They are Fantastic

Graduation season is upon us and this is when many of us get some emersion exposure in the values and contemporary protocols of our youngest generation who is about to assume future leadership positions.

Of course, each and every graduating generation is hyped as the “next great generation” and everyone’s family member is the brightest and all our friends are quick to call to our attention to the multitudinous accomplishments and awards of their son or daughter.

Nevertheless, I am profoundly impressed with the current generation donning caps and gowns and tepidly dipping their toes in the perilous waters of the future unknown.

In a number of experiences in the last month I have been in the company of many young folks of which we can all be proud. At every opportunity possible, I attempted to “interview” young folks about a wide range of topics.

Yes, it was unscientific and most of the “interviews” were undocumented and your impressions from your interactions with the current crop of future leaders may very well be different.

Of particular interest for me, although beyond the focus of this column - are the numbers of Iraq veterans with whom I have had the honor to socialize and also gather their take on the future of our great nation.

It will be interesting to see how this current generation shapes our world. I was thunderstruck by the negative view of many with whom I “interviewed,” of the mainstream media and the information dissemination systems older generations take for granted.

In our current era of hype and hyperbole in which the word “outrage” is the bandied about carelessly, it causes one to pause to value old age and the commensurate ability to recognize media silliness. For some of our younger generation, they have not needed the advantage of advancing years to recognize the silliness.

To be somewhat polite about it, my experience was that much of the younger generation does not take traditional media very seriously. All too often their independent investigation has caused them to understand that “(liberal) media bias” is real.

In today’s world it is far too easy to “fact check” a newspaper article that is slanted and misleading. Today’s internet allows one to easily read the “rest of the story.”

Curiously enough, many young folks commented that they are impressed that much of the mainstream media “seems hell-bound to throw itself off a cliff and has lost any credibility…” One young man, after a reflective pause, continued by saying that his generation “did not revel in the slow suicide of the media” but viewed “it as a tragedy.”

But what really caused many younger folks I “interviewed” to go from zero into some sort of a NJ Turnpike toll collector stare, was a discussion about politics. Many expressed that they understood that the “red” – “blue” politically partisan view of the world is not real.

Although, to be certain, some identified with one or the other political party but a majority spoke of being disillusioned with both parties – and the explanation will amaze you.

Several examples come to mind. On a positive note, most of the young folks were very concerned with the environment but disillusioned with the current politicalization of the environment.

But one example of disillusionment was brought up in a discussion of the “Kyoto Accord.” Remember, the “Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change” was an amendment proposed December 11, 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, to the international treaty on climate change. The protocol proscribed mandatory emission limitations for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The mainstream media would have you believe that the Bush administration is the reason for not only the greenhouse affect on the environment and global warming, yet several young folks are confused as they have learned that it was the Clinton - Gore administration that rejected the Kyoto Protocol.

When it came to a discussion of the advocacy over global warming, several young folks called to my attention the excesses of the residence of Al Gore as compared to the progressive approaches of President George W. Bush’s Texas ranch.

Of course, this explanation is obviously meaningless to those who practice professional partisan outrage. However, this came from one young lady who identified herself as “liberal” on the environment but refused to identify herself as a Democrat, explained that although she firmly believes that “personkind” is negatively impacting the environment (and causing global warming;) she wishes Al Gore “would shut-up about it because he is way too arrogant, a hypocrite and too preachy.” And she “doesn’t believe anything Hillary says…”

She placed no faith in either party adequately addressing the need for “environmental reform.” She explained that both parties, but “especially the Democrats pull that toy rabbit around a track to give the righties some exercise by running in circles, chasing it.”

When my “interviews” delved into the war in Iraq, it was brought up that in (December 16) 1998, when then-President Bill Clinton ordered air strikes on Iraq, he expressed a belief that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and that Iraq harbored a terrorist threat to global stability.

(Of course, this explanation is obviously meaningless to those who practice professional partisan outrage.) “Yet Democrats explain that when President Bush said that Iraq had WMDs, he lied. I wonder who is telling the lies and who is telling the truth.”

This, from a young woman who wants the war in Iraq to end “yesterday,” but is worried about how the Democrats “are going about it.” She has “friends who are over there and other friends who are going there” and she doesn’t want harm to come to them by the “Democrat approach.”

One gentleman, as did a number of Iraq veterans, remarked that they may never trust the mainstream media as they have witnessed the inconsistencies of what they saw is happening in Iraq with how it is being portrayed in the major media outlets… “Some of which seem to have a grudge dating back to the reign of Caesar.”

In an attempt to present as neutral, I shared that I have private reservations about the progress of the war in Iraq. To which he explained his position with a simple question: “would you rather have a home game or an away game?”

When I asked as to how I may appropriately express my reservations, he said “carefully.” And as he continued (erroneously) conclude that I did not support the war on terrorism, he “unceremoniously” explained to me that most of his colleagues in uniform do not believe that “you #!@&^*! liberals support the troops when you give aid and comfort to the enemy…”

As I pulled out my reporters pad to take some notes, he, like many said that they did not want to be a part of my columns… “The military’s job is to protect democracy, not practice it.” He then added “you folks certainly have been well trained to bark on cue…”

Realizing when in a hole – stop digging. I thanked him for his service and went about my business…

Many do not identify with the excesses and lack of values or sense of personal responsibility represented by Hollywood-types such as Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, and Britney Spears.

Indeed, if much of the younger generation with whom I spoke is not simply “annoyed” with the current pre-occupation of older folks with these bad role models, they are certainly “amused” with the older generations pre-occupation...

It has been said that “Wisdom consists of the anticipation of consequences.” It would appear that much of our older generation may not appear to be very wise in the eyes of the 18 to 25 year olds out there observing our public discourse and leadership – with disdain. One young man explained that he has come to realize that our “spin” is not his “reality.”

If maturity is qualified as an acceptance of responsibility and not as a function of age, it could be said that that our current crop of young future leaders may very well be far more mature than those of us in leadership positions today.

####

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

www.kevindayhoff.net

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr DOT org or kevindayhoff AT gmail DOT com

His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com and Winchester Report.

Labels: Art Writing Essays and articles, Children Parenting and Intergenerational studies

Thursday, April 12, 2007

20070411 Giles has mighty pen for Lions' essay competition

Giles has mighty pen for Lions' essay competition

Westminster Eagle Focus on People 04/11/07

Jeffrey Giles, a 10th-grader at Westminster High School, recently won the annual American Heritage Essay Contest hosted by the Westminster Lions Club.

Contest entrants were asked to write on the topic, "Independent Judges: A Necessity in the Preservation of Our Constitutional Form of Government." Giles' essay was judged the best by a panel of Lions Club representatives.

As the local winner, Giles was invited to read his essay with other district-level winners at a Lions' cabinet meeting on March 31.

The winners were also presented with an American flag and a $100 savings bond.

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=978&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=1262597&om=1


20070411 Giles has mighty pen for Lions' essay competition


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Tuesday, November 28, 2006

20061127 The US Census Bureau breaks society down into five core generational segmentations

The US Census Bureau breaks society down into five core generational segmentations

Hat Tip: Mrs. Owl

I’ve always been fascinated with some of the communication dysfunction that occurs between men and women, different races and cultures and between generations.

Mrs. Owl was kind enough to e-mail this brief overview as to communication between generations. I enjoy speaking to young adults in the Carroll County Public Schools… and with that and in my role as an uncle, I have always liked to think that I do a fairly good job at reaching the youngest generation; however, I never-the-less worry that I need much improvement.

Anyway, I hope that you agree that the following is an informative introduction to the subject of intergenerational communication…


Listening – Generational!
By Dr. Jeffrey Magee, PDM, CSP, CMC

Executive Summary: Listening to individuals from the generational footprint they bring to the conversation can drastically change the outcome – connect with them at their level and attain success, insist upon communicating from your level solely and your guaranteed failure!

With the diverse environments you live and work today, there is something more important than just gender and race when it comes to really communicating and listening to others for success. Consider the five diverse generational segmentations (COACHING for IMPACT ©2003 by Dr. Jay Kent-Ferraro and Dr. Jeffrey Magee,
www.JeffreyMagee.com/library.asp) in the work place today, and some of the similarities and more importantly the enormous difference between how each one operates and processes.

Effective leaders merely make observations, not judgments of right versus wrong or good versus bad, in reflecting upon the differing age segmentations in an organization and thus ways to better connect with each.

The United States Census Bureau breaks society down into five core generational segmentations (birth through death) and if we are to simply use these same five segmentations in the work place, we could segment individuals (yes we are making generalizations here, and there can always be an exception!) into categories with unique traits or characteristics, which could serve as guide posts of how to frame your communication exchange to solicit greater listening and awareness.

Consider the five generational segmentations and the ABCs (Attitudes, Behaviors, and Characteristics) of each for better connections:

1. Centurion (those over 55 years of age; exit point employees) – more structured, formal, conservative, dedicated, and loyal, identity is rooted in what one does, change resistant …

2. BabyBoomers (those from 38 to 55 years of age) – more status driven, materialistic driven, opinionated and ego driven, live to work …

3. Generation X (28 to 38 years of age) – entitlement expected, more outgoing and impatient, question authority and norms more, self indulgent, live for the now …

4. Generation Y (22 to 28 years of age) – More social and relationship driven, work to live, not as class conscious, highly educated, more liberal, change accepting …

5. Generation MTV (17-21 years of age; entry point employees) – looking for association causes to be dedicated to, more structured and accepting of others and situations, concerned for the future and consideration of their peers, live for the now with a reflection on the future, very tech savvy …

When listening to others, listen from the vantage point of the generational segmentation as a footprint from where they come from and you will have a greater awareness of why one says what one says and how to connect with them more effectively.

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Thursday, July 14, 2005

20050713 Today’s Youth – They are Fantastic

Today’s Youth – They are Fantastic

Westminster Advocate

July 13th, 2005 by Kevin Dayhoff (528 words)

Four stills and a quantity of corn whisky were seized by police officers Tuesday morning at a local church. Deacon Willie Brown was arrested. Brown admitted in court that he had been tempted by the devil. Now that I have your attention, I should mention that the “Church of the Holy Moonshiners” incident occurred in 1921. In the July 8th, 1921 Union Bridge Pilot article I read, no mention was made as to how popular services were at the church...

However, this column is not going to be about history. It is about our future. Today’s column is about one of my favorite soapbox topics - today’s kids. I think they are fantastic.

Over the years, I have been very fortunate to have many great opportunities to spend time with young folks in our community; whether it is attending a Carroll County Children’s Chorus event, visiting or reading in schools, 4-H activities, Scouts or just spending time with my nieces and nephews.

Whether they are still in school, or in college, just joining the workforce or serving in uniform, today’s youth are an inspiration for us all. Today’s youngest generation is doing great things and I, for one, really appreciate it and want to thank them. And not just when I need them to teach me how to program my cell phone.

According to the United Nations Statistics Division, 21 per cent of the US population is under 15 years old. Thirty-four per cent of our population is over 60. That 21% is sure going to have to work hard to take care of that 34%. Might be a good plan to spend some time with them now. I don’t know about you, but with the way food is currently packaged, when I grow older, I’ll need some help with the circular saw and hammer necessary to break into my food.

Over and over, I am greatly impressed by the number of adult volunteers and teachers and youth leaders who give of themselves tirelessly, to give our youngest generation a leg up on the many challenges they will face.

Moreover, speaking of volunteering, perhaps we should all take note of the example today’s fantastic youth are setting for us. According to “Youth Service America”, youth volunteering is up 12% over the last 10 years. 73% of America's 60 million young people believe they can make a difference in their communities. Teenagers volunteer 2.4 billion hours annually. Teenage service is worth $34.3 billion to the US economy. Youth who volunteer just one hour a week are 50% less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, or engage in destructive behavior. Youth who volunteer are more likely to do well in school, graduate, vote, and be philanthropic.

There are so many great organizations in our community that are making a difference and enabling our children to make a difference. Please find one for which you can donate your time or your money. Moreover, take time to thank a teacher, a choir director, a Scout leader or a volunteer today. They aren’t doing it for the money. They are making a huge investment in our future for which we are all benefiting.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr DOT org
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