The Spokesman-Review has consistently received kudos for their incorporation of the internet and their willingness to include the public in the news process, including a $1,000 Knight-Batten "Award of Distinction." (see story here) for "transparency in the newsroom." According to the judges, "they're doing what others don't have the guts to do."
I bring that up because my favorite part of the Spokesman online is Dave Olivera's Huckleberries - You can read it here. And he kindly gave a link to the post at our blog here on teen driving.
His readers suggested banning cell phones, radios, et al while the young 'uns are driving, taking 'em out in the winter to a big empty parking lot to practice skidding on ice and, probably one of the best pieces of advice for someone like me -"Don't be such a worrywart." (Click here to read the comments in full.)
As I say to others when I'm offered that advice (and yes, I'm offered it quite often) "But I do it so well!" It's hard to have a talent and not use it. :0)
I have taken all my children, at one time or another, down to the high school on an empty winter weekend to practice sliding around. (Probably illegally, so don't tell anyone, okay? I actually didn't realize that a parent can't teach their child to drive until after they finish driver's ed. And let me say right now, I think that's a dumb rule. I'm not letting my child behind the wheel of a car with anyone - not even a driver's ed teacher - until I know they understand the basics. Lucky for me, I don't have a child without at least a permit now, and yes, as soon as I learned I was breaking the law, I quit driving with my children.)
Back to winter driving. While I think it's great to teach children how to slide in big, empty parking lots, be aware... THIS IS NOT A FUN PROCESS. "Go," I would tell them and then, when they had reached an appropriate speed, "Quick, turn the wheel!" It's kind of like riding the tilt-a-whirl, but worse, and it's been many years now since I discovered that my body no longer likes to ride the tilt-a-whirl.
You can do this with your child until your stomach rebels, but at some point, don't forget that the point is to teach them how to steer out of the skid. It's best to try this with several different vehicles, as each one responds somewhat differently.
I have some more good "teach the kids how to drive stories" that I'll share later (let me remind myself right here to tell you about fording Lightning Creek) but this is long enough for now. Any stories of your own?
30 September 2006
29 September 2006
Traffic Accidents
On Wednesday, our community of Clark Fork was rocked by the news of yet another traffic accident involving some of our kids - that makes three accidents, with seven of our children, in a 12 day period. From what we've heard, the first accident involved bad decisions - driving 80 miles an hour on US 95 because the kids were late getting home (two of those students are still in coma); the second was a student hit head on by someone passing, on a curve, in a no passing zone; and the third may have been as simple as turning in the sun, and failing to see the motorcycle coming down the road. The guy on the motorcycle died in that one, and now one of our students will live with that knowledge for the rest of his life, while a family somewhere is grieving at a loss that can never be repaired.
My Amy is supposed to get her driver's license in mid-October, just a few weeks from now. I confess, I'm wanting to ban her from getting it. This is my youngest child, and I worry enough with two other children driving on the roads - now I'll have a third who will undoubtedly keep me up nights with fear. Although she's a pretty good driver, she won't be on the road alone - and not all people make good decisions when behind the wheel of a lethal weapon.
So what's the answer? In the 15 years I've been driving between Sandpoint and Clark Fork, I've watched an amazing amount of idiot drivers - mostly those who pass when it's unsafe to do so, but also those who, in the winter, think four-wheel-drive makes them immune to the effects of ice on the roadway. Is there a way to make the highway safer, or is this just a reality we all have to live with?
My Amy is supposed to get her driver's license in mid-October, just a few weeks from now. I confess, I'm wanting to ban her from getting it. This is my youngest child, and I worry enough with two other children driving on the roads - now I'll have a third who will undoubtedly keep me up nights with fear. Although she's a pretty good driver, she won't be on the road alone - and not all people make good decisions when behind the wheel of a lethal weapon.
So what's the answer? In the 15 years I've been driving between Sandpoint and Clark Fork, I've watched an amazing amount of idiot drivers - mostly those who pass when it's unsafe to do so, but also those who, in the winter, think four-wheel-drive makes them immune to the effects of ice on the roadway. Is there a way to make the highway safer, or is this just a reality we all have to live with?
27 September 2006
A Beautiful Wednesday Morning
The sun is peeking over Antelope now, and the coffee tastes especially good, given how early I got up, and how late I got home last night.
The new issue of the River Journal made it to the printer yesterday, and will be out in racks all over the place just as soon as I drive to Spokane today and get it. You can get a peek at it now, however, right here online.
This issue features our first sports column by Scott Johnson... I didn't think he was gonna make it, but he snuck it in under the wire. It needs a name, though, and to encourage your submissions, we're offering a $50 gift certificate to Dock of the Bay if you come up with the name we choose.
The forum last night, which the River Journal co-sponsored, was a resounding success if I do say so myself. There were some wonderful ideas for improving traffic now, which you'll read about in our next River Journal... that would be the October 11 issue.
Autumn is a busy time. We have our first Booster Club meeting tonight at Clark Fork High School, Homecoming is next week, I'll be out with students on Friday selling advertising for their yearbook and newspaper, we're celebrating my friend Jacque's 60th birthday on Saturday night, my own birthday is next Tuesday, we're already starting to look at the 2007 season for the Festival at Sandpoint, the winter issue of Sandpoint Magazine is getting really close to printing (and yes, Billie Jean, I'll get my story done REALLY soon)... and on it goes. Guess you'll be hearing about most all of this stuff here at some point.
Now it's time to get ready to hit the road. Don't forget to send those suggestions for a title for the sports column. You can email me at trish(at)riverjournal.com. Use the 'at' symbol of course... I'm just trying to avoid those spambots here.
The new issue of the River Journal made it to the printer yesterday, and will be out in racks all over the place just as soon as I drive to Spokane today and get it. You can get a peek at it now, however, right here online.
This issue features our first sports column by Scott Johnson... I didn't think he was gonna make it, but he snuck it in under the wire. It needs a name, though, and to encourage your submissions, we're offering a $50 gift certificate to Dock of the Bay if you come up with the name we choose.
The forum last night, which the River Journal co-sponsored, was a resounding success if I do say so myself. There were some wonderful ideas for improving traffic now, which you'll read about in our next River Journal... that would be the October 11 issue.
Autumn is a busy time. We have our first Booster Club meeting tonight at Clark Fork High School, Homecoming is next week, I'll be out with students on Friday selling advertising for their yearbook and newspaper, we're celebrating my friend Jacque's 60th birthday on Saturday night, my own birthday is next Tuesday, we're already starting to look at the 2007 season for the Festival at Sandpoint, the winter issue of Sandpoint Magazine is getting really close to printing (and yes, Billie Jean, I'll get my story done REALLY soon)... and on it goes. Guess you'll be hearing about most all of this stuff here at some point.
Now it's time to get ready to hit the road. Don't forget to send those suggestions for a title for the sports column. You can email me at trish(at)riverjournal.com. Use the 'at' symbol of course... I'm just trying to avoid those spambots here.
25 September 2006
The second question asked at the Town Hall Meeting on education was "What strategies and resources must be brought to the fore at the middle school level, high school level and is there some strategy that might apply on the elementary level as well to increase success?"
In 20 years involvement with local education, the one consistent thing I've heard from teachers across grade levels is that students are not prepared when they reach their classroom. The same charge is made by colleges and universities: English information that was once contained in "bonehead" or "remedial" classes has now become English 101 as higher ed institutions have given up on getting new students who have the skills once expected to have been obtained in high school.
So where's our top-down construction of curriculum? Why aren't universities designing what students should be learning as seniors, high school teachers designing what students should be learning in middle school, etc etc etc. Although "curriculum committees" are generally lauded as "broad-based" and having participation from "important stakeholders" it's obvious that somewhere, the ball is getting dropped. That is, if the regular classroom teachers are correct in what they say about their incoming students.
In 20 years involvement with local education, the one consistent thing I've heard from teachers across grade levels is that students are not prepared when they reach their classroom. The same charge is made by colleges and universities: English information that was once contained in "bonehead" or "remedial" classes has now become English 101 as higher ed institutions have given up on getting new students who have the skills once expected to have been obtained in high school.
So where's our top-down construction of curriculum? Why aren't universities designing what students should be learning as seniors, high school teachers designing what students should be learning in middle school, etc etc etc. Although "curriculum committees" are generally lauded as "broad-based" and having participation from "important stakeholders" it's obvious that somewhere, the ball is getting dropped. That is, if the regular classroom teachers are correct in what they say about their incoming students.
Higher Education Part Two
The second question asked at the Town Hall Meeting on education was "What strategies and resources must be brought to the fore at the middle school level, high school level and is there some strategy that might apply on the elementary level as well to increase success?"
In 20 years involvement with local education, the one consistent thing I've heard from teachers across grade levels is that students are not prepared when they reach their classroom. The same charge is made by colleges and universities: English information that was once contained in "bonehead" or "remedial" classes has now become English 101 as higher ed institutions have given up on getting new students who have the skills once expected to have been obtained in high school.
So where's our top-down construction of curriculum? Why aren't universities designing what students should be learning as seniors, high school teachers designing what students should be learning in middle school, etc etc etc. Although "curriculum committees" are generally lauded as "broad-based" and having participation from "important stakeholders" it's obvious that somewhere, the ball is getting dropped. That is, if the regular classroom teachers are correct in what they say about their incoming students.
In 20 years involvement with local education, the one consistent thing I've heard from teachers across grade levels is that students are not prepared when they reach their classroom. The same charge is made by colleges and universities: English information that was once contained in "bonehead" or "remedial" classes has now become English 101 as higher ed institutions have given up on getting new students who have the skills once expected to have been obtained in high school.
So where's our top-down construction of curriculum? Why aren't universities designing what students should be learning as seniors, high school teachers designing what students should be learning in middle school, etc etc etc. Although "curriculum committees" are generally lauded as "broad-based" and having participation from "important stakeholders" it's obvious that somewhere, the ball is getting dropped. That is, if the regular classroom teachers are correct in what they say about their incoming students.
21 September 2006
What do we want from higher education?
It's 10:15 pm and I've been on the go since WAY too early this morning but before I head off to bed, I figured I'd better post something here, per Chris B's orders to "post something every day."
I had the pleasure tonight of attending a "Town Hall Meeting" on education, hosted by the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, with the intent of beginning a dialogue (and coming up with actual plans to implement) on what our community expects from education. I won't get into all of it here - if I did, I wouldn't have anything to write about in an article - but Dwight Johnson, Executive Director of the Idaho Board of Education, made a provocative point - the skills and knowledge that students need in order to be prepared for college, are now the skills and knowledge they also need for options after high school other than going on to traditional higher education.
The question was then asked... how do we get more of our students to graduate high school, and go on to further their education?
I could give you my opinion, but what this group wants is YOUR opinion. Go ahead and feel free to give it to them here... I will forward to them whatever you have to say. And I'll let you know as soon as they get their own blog up and running where you can go to share your thoughts with them directly.
I had the pleasure tonight of attending a "Town Hall Meeting" on education, hosted by the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, with the intent of beginning a dialogue (and coming up with actual plans to implement) on what our community expects from education. I won't get into all of it here - if I did, I wouldn't have anything to write about in an article - but Dwight Johnson, Executive Director of the Idaho Board of Education, made a provocative point - the skills and knowledge that students need in order to be prepared for college, are now the skills and knowledge they also need for options after high school other than going on to traditional higher education.
The question was then asked... how do we get more of our students to graduate high school, and go on to further their education?
I could give you my opinion, but what this group wants is YOUR opinion. Go ahead and feel free to give it to them here... I will forward to them whatever you have to say. And I'll let you know as soon as they get their own blog up and running where you can go to share your thoughts with them directly.
20 September 2006
20 September 2006
This morning I get to meet with a group of students at Clark Fork Jr/Sr High School that I will be working with to produce a school yearbook. It's a first for me and, really, a first for them, too as we try to discuss quality publishing. Somehow I'll be taking these kids in hand to teach them how to sell and design advertising, take photos, design page layouts, scan photos, write copy, create collages, track finances....hmm, I hope I'm not biting off more than I can chew.
Had a meeting yesterday with Chris Bessler, the big cheese at Keokee Publishing, and John Reuter, the guy who's taking over publishing the Sandpoint Reader. We, along with the Daily Bee and KSPT radio, are sponsoring a forum in downtown Sandpoint next week to talk about "Conquering Gridlock." The focus is on what can be done to deal with traffic downtown, especially as it's been "three years since the (ITD) announced that construction on the Sand Creek Bypass will begin in the fall," as Chris put it in our press release. Hope to see lots of people show up - 6 pm at Sandpoint's Community Hall on Tuesday, September 26.
Had a meeting yesterday with Chris Bessler, the big cheese at Keokee Publishing, and John Reuter, the guy who's taking over publishing the Sandpoint Reader. We, along with the Daily Bee and KSPT radio, are sponsoring a forum in downtown Sandpoint next week to talk about "Conquering Gridlock." The focus is on what can be done to deal with traffic downtown, especially as it's been "three years since the (ITD) announced that construction on the Sand Creek Bypass will begin in the fall," as Chris put it in our press release. Hope to see lots of people show up - 6 pm at Sandpoint's Community Hall on Tuesday, September 26.
19 September 2006
Ethics in Media
Chris Bessler, owner of Keokee Publishing in Sandpoint and my guru on anything to do with the publishing world, tells me I actually have to post something in this blog EVERY DAY! I hadn't realized that, but when Chris suggests, I perform. (kind of)
Yesterday, I appeared with Priest River Times Publisher Terrie Ivey on Bill Litsinger's radio show (the Voice - 1400 KSPT, noon on Mondays). We were talking about ethics in journalism, though I'm not sure we ever got around to talking about it with any substance at all. An hour radio show isn't nearly as long as it sounds. Too bad... because I have some pretty strong opinions regarding journalistic ethics, and they don't always match those of the regular media. Maybe it's because I never went to J-school.
Talking in the parking lot after the show, the question was "is it okay to publish negative information on the front page about someone who's a 'pubic figure?'" My answer was tied up in my definition of news - being something the public has need of to know. So it depends on the public figure. If it's someone you're gonna vote for, or someone who works with your kids, or someone you may have given your money to... then yes, it's news. But if the information is on the front page and there's NO benefit to public knowledge, then we in the press need to butt out.
The people may have a right to know, but that information is available in the police blotter if they really want it. Newspapers make clear decisions about who gets pilloried on the front page - not EVERY person charged with a crime makes it there - and I suggest that many of those decisions are driven by the "if it bleeds, it leads" mentalitiy of the regular media. That's not a rule we follow at the River Journal.
Yesterday, I appeared with Priest River Times Publisher Terrie Ivey on Bill Litsinger's radio show (the Voice - 1400 KSPT, noon on Mondays). We were talking about ethics in journalism, though I'm not sure we ever got around to talking about it with any substance at all. An hour radio show isn't nearly as long as it sounds. Too bad... because I have some pretty strong opinions regarding journalistic ethics, and they don't always match those of the regular media. Maybe it's because I never went to J-school.
Talking in the parking lot after the show, the question was "is it okay to publish negative information on the front page about someone who's a 'pubic figure?'" My answer was tied up in my definition of news - being something the public has need of to know. So it depends on the public figure. If it's someone you're gonna vote for, or someone who works with your kids, or someone you may have given your money to... then yes, it's news. But if the information is on the front page and there's NO benefit to public knowledge, then we in the press need to butt out.
The people may have a right to know, but that information is available in the police blotter if they really want it. Newspapers make clear decisions about who gets pilloried on the front page - not EVERY person charged with a crime makes it there - and I suggest that many of those decisions are driven by the "if it bleeds, it leads" mentalitiy of the regular media. That's not a rule we follow at the River Journal.
14 September 2006
The River Journal 13 September 2006
The new issue is out. Read the stories at www.riverjournal.com, then post your comments below!
Assessments Ongoing by Trish Gannon - Bonner County residents still have some avenues left to pursue changes in their property valuation.
Study of Forestry Returns by Marylyn Cork - Priest River Lamanna High School students will start raising knapweed bugs next year.
Ulm Peak is Smokin' Up the Skies by Trish Gannon - fire blazing on the Idaho/Montana border.
Sunday Drive by Trish Gannon - Pack up the family and friends and head out to a high school athletic event.
From the Mouth of the River by Boots Reynolds - There's Aunts in the sugar bowl!
The Eighth Deadly Sin by Scott Clawson - When God looked for procrastination, he found man.
The Hawk's Nest by Ernie Hawks - Reflections on the role of water.
The Scenic Route with Sandy Compton - The Sanders County Fair
Sky King by Mike Gearlds - Library DVD brings a 'blast from the past.'
Faith Walk by Gary Payton - the season of terrorist attacks reminds us that Jesus gave us a demanding charge.
Prevention is Always Preferable to Destruction by Kate Wilson - Conservation Districts are the landowners local resource.
Research by Hobe Jenkins, PhD - a barrel full of data from Lake Pend Oreille
From the Files of the TRJ Surrealist Research Bureau by Jody Forest - Seeds of Great Cthulhu
Urban Legends by Trish Gannon- How stupid do you have to be to boycott a stamp?
Computer Help by Melody Martz- customizing Word for the things you do repeatedly.
A Seat in the House by ID Rep. George Eskridge- What, exactly, did the Legislature do about property tax relief?
Montana Viewpoint by MT Sen. Jim Elliott- As Montana's population increases, so does the need to direct the change.
Assessments Ongoing by Trish Gannon - Bonner County residents still have some avenues left to pursue changes in their property valuation.
Study of Forestry Returns by Marylyn Cork - Priest River Lamanna High School students will start raising knapweed bugs next year.
Ulm Peak is Smokin' Up the Skies by Trish Gannon - fire blazing on the Idaho/Montana border.
Sunday Drive by Trish Gannon - Pack up the family and friends and head out to a high school athletic event.
From the Mouth of the River by Boots Reynolds - There's Aunts in the sugar bowl!
The Eighth Deadly Sin by Scott Clawson - When God looked for procrastination, he found man.
The Hawk's Nest by Ernie Hawks - Reflections on the role of water.
The Scenic Route with Sandy Compton - The Sanders County Fair
Sky King by Mike Gearlds - Library DVD brings a 'blast from the past.'
Faith Walk by Gary Payton - the season of terrorist attacks reminds us that Jesus gave us a demanding charge.
Prevention is Always Preferable to Destruction by Kate Wilson - Conservation Districts are the landowners local resource.
Research by Hobe Jenkins, PhD - a barrel full of data from Lake Pend Oreille
From the Files of the TRJ Surrealist Research Bureau by Jody Forest - Seeds of Great Cthulhu
Urban Legends by Trish Gannon- How stupid do you have to be to boycott a stamp?
Computer Help by Melody Martz- customizing Word for the things you do repeatedly.
A Seat in the House by ID Rep. George Eskridge- What, exactly, did the Legislature do about property tax relief?
Montana Viewpoint by MT Sen. Jim Elliott- As Montana's population increases, so does the need to direct the change.
09 September 2006
Welcome to the River Journal's Blog!
And so it begins.
I've been searching for a way to make the River Journal more interactive, and Marianne Love's addiction to blogs gave us just the answer. Now you can comment on the current edition of the paper, and get a response right back. Or as right back as my not always online workday can make it.
I'm cheating here - it's only Saturday afternoon, and no one will know about this 'til the next issue comes out on Wednesday, but I'll be delivering papers all day Wednesday and won't have time to write anything then. And I thought I should go ahead and start you all out.
Mike Gearld's cartoon in this issue takes on Bonner County Commissioner Karl Dye's write-in campaign for re-election this fall to the seat in District 3. Dye, a Republican, lost in the primaries to Lewis Rich. With no Democratic opponent for the seat, Rich was guaranteed the position without a write-in candidate.
That result created a schism in the local Republican party, it seems, as hundreds of registered Republicans signed a petition encouraging Dye to run as a write-in candidate. Seems they didn't want to vote for their party's official candidate.
With voters in the primaries casting a "throw the bums out" ballot, current commissioner Marcia Phillips was also defeated, by former Bonner County Commissioner Bud Mueller. He also seems to be less than acceptable to some of the Republican populace, who have vowed to cross party lines and vote for the Democratic candidate this fall.
Any comments on what's going on in the Republican party locally?
I've been searching for a way to make the River Journal more interactive, and Marianne Love's addiction to blogs gave us just the answer. Now you can comment on the current edition of the paper, and get a response right back. Or as right back as my not always online workday can make it.
I'm cheating here - it's only Saturday afternoon, and no one will know about this 'til the next issue comes out on Wednesday, but I'll be delivering papers all day Wednesday and won't have time to write anything then. And I thought I should go ahead and start you all out.
Mike Gearld's cartoon in this issue takes on Bonner County Commissioner Karl Dye's write-in campaign for re-election this fall to the seat in District 3. Dye, a Republican, lost in the primaries to Lewis Rich. With no Democratic opponent for the seat, Rich was guaranteed the position without a write-in candidate.
That result created a schism in the local Republican party, it seems, as hundreds of registered Republicans signed a petition encouraging Dye to run as a write-in candidate. Seems they didn't want to vote for their party's official candidate.
With voters in the primaries casting a "throw the bums out" ballot, current commissioner Marcia Phillips was also defeated, by former Bonner County Commissioner Bud Mueller. He also seems to be less than acceptable to some of the Republican populace, who have vowed to cross party lines and vote for the Democratic candidate this fall.
Any comments on what's going on in the Republican party locally?
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