I received a letter from the internet slumlords over at Insight Cable today. Frankly, I expected a check crediting me for the huge chunks of down time I've suffered due to Insight's invisible upgrades. No such luck. Instead, Insight congratulated me on being an Insight sucker/customer for a whole year now. They also informed me that Insight is going to continue my low introductory rate of thirty bucks a month for providing me internet service when and if they feel like it. Next came an e-mail from the dorkwads at Insight letting me know that my service "may" be disrupted June 3rd while they make yet even more invisible upgrades. Yup. Sounds like Polly will once again only be able to blog via smoke signals soon.
Tax supported wi-fi is looking better and better and even slightly justified lately.
BTW, did anyone see Gary Sandberg at the Council meeting a few weeks back when he stated that disrupted internet service was not a serious issue?! Are you kidding me? I guess we know who Sandberg's internet provider isn't.
Wednesday, May 31
Another Chutzpah Award Nominee....
And Bill is going to hate this one!
Sandra Fritz
Sandra Fritz gathered over 400 signatures to convince City Council to deny Elliot's strip club liquor license. She addressed City Council numerous times on the issue. Fritz also got an advisory referendum on the ballot, asking voters whether or not they felt full nudity should be allowed at "adult entertainment" establishments. Her latest endeavor was to help secure enough signatures pursuing a "marriage protection" measure -also advisory- on the next ballot. Fritz wants the state constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
I gotta admit, I hesitated before adding Fritz to the list because I disagree with some of her beliefs. However, it is the Chutzpah Award and adding Sandra Fritz's name to the hat seems justified. She speaks up and she does a lot a work to back up her beliefs and a desire to make Peoria a safer place. Moreover, I don't find Fritz hateful... just a bit out dated perhaps.
I can't resist. Anyone who watches the nightly news ought to have noticed that there are PLENTY of married, heterosexual perverts and predators out there.
Sandra Fritz
Sandra Fritz gathered over 400 signatures to convince City Council to deny Elliot's strip club liquor license. She addressed City Council numerous times on the issue. Fritz also got an advisory referendum on the ballot, asking voters whether or not they felt full nudity should be allowed at "adult entertainment" establishments. Her latest endeavor was to help secure enough signatures pursuing a "marriage protection" measure -also advisory- on the next ballot. Fritz wants the state constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
I gotta admit, I hesitated before adding Fritz to the list because I disagree with some of her beliefs. However, it is the Chutzpah Award and adding Sandra Fritz's name to the hat seems justified. She speaks up and she does a lot a work to back up her beliefs and a desire to make Peoria a safer place. Moreover, I don't find Fritz hateful... just a bit out dated perhaps.
I can't resist. Anyone who watches the nightly news ought to have noticed that there are PLENTY of married, heterosexual perverts and predators out there.
Sunday, May 28
More Chutzpah Nominations
Lots of responses in my e-mailbox regarding my request asking for suggestions for the PollyPeoria Chutzpah Award. New additions to the list of nominees are:
Norma Ellington
Rosilee Walker
Patrick McNamara
Lila Manion
Dale Hunziker
There have been several other nominees suggested, but I have decided that anyone who has run for any political office or occupies a political office cannot qualify. It's my award, I can be a hardass if I wanna.
Norma Ellington
Rosilee Walker
Patrick McNamara
Lila Manion
Dale Hunziker
There have been several other nominees suggested, but I have decided that anyone who has run for any political office or occupies a political office cannot qualify. It's my award, I can be a hardass if I wanna.
Thursday, May 25
Introducing the 2006 PollyPeoria Chutzpah Award. And the nominees are....
I've noticed that Peoria has various entities that bestow awards on well deserving individuals. "Forty Under Forty" comes to mind. The YWCA recently honored Peoria City Clerk Mary Haynes for her exemplary service in government. No one deserves it more. How Mary greets every over the top request from media, citizens, and City Council with hard work, effort, and a smile is a miraculous mystery to say the least.
This morning I read that Bruce Brown was given the "Leaguer of the Year" award by the League of Women Voters. I wonder, did he have to dress in drag to accept that one? I like Bruce Brown. Energetic, optimistic, idealistic, and intelligent. A rare combination now days. However, every time I see him I am daunted by one question: "How does Bruce Brown stay SO tan 365 days a year?!" It is hard to imagine a guy like Bruce vain enough to go to a tanning salon or using bronzer, but Peoria is grey nine months of the year and the man spends most of his time cooking and slaving away at his Peoria Heights restaurant, Paparazzi.
Once again, I digress.
Anyhoo, it seems to Polly that the accolades go not only to the well deserving, but also to the well known. Perhaps the two go hand in hand. It seems to me that some credit should be paid to those who stand up and demand better for their neighborhoods. Those average Joans and Joes who attend charrettes, City Council meetings, organize neighborhood clean ups and block parties. The ones who are active in their Neighborhood Associations, plant flowers, and refuse to surrender their homes and streets to thugs who have nothing better to do than terrorize hard working, tax paying property owners.
I don't always agree with these people, but damn, I always admire their chutzpah. These folks aren't politicians, they aren't necessary media savvy, and they don't tend to dress up or practice sound bites for the camera. They just demand to be heard and cry "Foul!" when the rest of us are too tired, busy, shy, or just plain lazy to shoulder our fair share of civic burden.
The following folks come to mind:
Paul Wilkinson
Levetta Ricca
Karen Ratledge
Sara Partridge
Karrie Alms
Mitch Mitchell
Nancy Mitchell
I'm sure that I'm leaving a lot of well deserving people off the list, so I'm taking suggestions. As well as nominees, I would like ideas on a good prize. I'm looking for something meaningful and creative... in lieu of costly. Polly is on a strict budget. Way too much shoe shopping lately. I'm thinking about a golden (spray painted) megaphone.
You can leave a comment with your nominee and or prize suggestion, or e-mail it to pollypeoria@yahoo.com
Saturday, May 20
An Exceedingly Long Post Regarding Washington Gifted (Puke) School.
My neighbor's fourth grade son recently found out that he got into Washington Gifted Middle School. Jordan and his parents have been graciously low key about it. I wouldn't have known had I not noticed that Jordan has taken on the appearance of a true tween as of late, no longer willing to wear the well coordinated and clean attire that his mother previously picked for him. Lately, I would guess that Jordan picks his clothes out of the garbage dumpster located behind Goodwill. Poor hygiene and tattered clothes... key ingredients of a healthy heterosexual American male. Jordan is only ten, and thus a bit ahead of schedule.
Anyhoo, a couple of weeks back I was pulling weeds in my yard and watching Jordan shooting baskets in his driveway. It dawned on me that Jordie was no longer a cute puffy cheek little kid that could be bought off with a slightly burnt chocolate chip cookie. Instead, Jordan has become a sloppy, slouchy, sullen pre-teen. Angst without a cause. Cool without a clue. What fond memories. My mother is still in therapy.
"Hey Jordy!" I say with a smile and the sin of enthusiasm.
"Um, Ms. Polly? Like, nobody calls me that."
"They don't? Not even your mom?"
"Especially not my mom. Jeeze!"
"So, what do you go by these days?"
Ew. Polly made the mistake of trying too hard with a tween. I am screwed. This kid will definitely be throwing reams of toilet paper in my trees sooner rather than later. It was an honest mistake. I really thought the boy was going to tell me he had a street name to accessorize his recently acquired swagger.
The boy tilted his head back, sighs as if the world's problems rested on his shoulders alone, and gave me an eye roll before muttering a disgusted reply. "My name, Ms Polly. I go by my name. You know, Jordan?"
Polly can speak tween. Really, I can. One merely need to pretend that enunciating and projecting one's voice in a polite manner is as irritating and inconvenient as, say, plucking one's nose hairs.
"Yeah. Right. Jordan. Whatever. Middle school next year?"
"Yup."
"Which one?"
"Washington."
Polly is able to stop herself before saying something tragically uncool. You know, something to the effect of a perky "Congratulations!" or worse, "Your parents must be so proud!"
Instead, I opted for, "No surprise there." Perfect. Now the pre-pube has no idea how to respond in a hip manner.
After a brief pause Jordan shrugs and mutters, "Guess."
"Christy going too?" Christy is Jordan's twin sister who recently fell in love with her hair. Every time I see her, Christy has a hair brush in hand, pulling it through her mane. Yesterday I witnessed Christy brushing her hair while dragging a bag of garbage to the curb.
"Nope. Chris wouldn't even take the tests. She says Washington is a dank nerd hole."
"Is it?"
"I dunno. Orientation is tonight."
"Going?"
"I dunno. My dad's plane got delayed in Chicago. Mom has to work."
Polly has deep sympathy for anyone who must travel for a living. Lately, airports have come to resemble corporate cattle ranches. Substitute cattle for exhausted ticket holding business travelers and ranchers for airline employees who couldn't give a rat's ass about the people they are paid to serve and you'll get the picture. Except that I imagine ranchers actually care more about the well being of cows they are about to kill. But I digress...
"I could drop you off if your Dad doesn't get back in time."
"Um. That'd be okay."
Polly's good deed was really just an excuse to give up on exterminating my dandelions, plus I saw a rare opportunity to actually acquire a little knowledge on a topic -Peoria Public Schools- that I blog about rather often.
Say what you will about District 150. Poor schools, poor test scores, under achieving students, dilapidated buildings, etc. The very best middle school in the state is a District 150 school. Right here in little old Piddly Peoria. Washington Gifted Middle School. This fact made me proud until I attended to the orientation.
I imagined that Washington would consist of students that lived throughout the City, including the Southside and East Bluff of every color and socio-economic level. Ha! I saw two black kids in attendance. There were no kids from Loucks or Harrison. One from Whittier. Just about every kid hailed from Kellar, Charter Oak, or Northmoor Edison. It would seem that Washington Gifted could be more aptly named NORTH Peoria Gifted.
I learned that a combination of scores and factors are used to deem a child worthy of acceptance to Washington Gifted. The ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills), Cognitive Abilities Test, as well as the Weschler Intelligence Scale test (an I.Q. test) as well as grades and teacher recommendation are required. I find it odd that one needs to do well on an I.Q. test to get into Washington, but not to get into Harvard University. It would seem District 150 doesn't just want hard working, high achieving performers, but those who are organically intelligent as well. In other words, DNA gets the nod. Puke.
Think I'm over blowing it? Consider this. Principal Joan Wojcikewych opening remarks included the statement, "Children, you should thank your parents for being here and admitted to Washington. Studies have proven time and again that gifted children come from gifted parents." I thought this was a joke, until I noticed that I was the only one in the room chuckling. Why would it be a joke? Ms. Wojcikewych felt the need to inform us that she had birthed and raised five gifted children herself. Puke.
It was an evening of gifted this and gifted that. Gifted. Gifted. Gifted. Got really sick of the word after about five minutes. I imagined that Washington would be the a place where kids who loved school and academics would have a place to shine and pursue their interests. More experiments and projects instead of pop quizzes and tests. Less need for discipline and greater freedom to explore. Forget that.
We were informed that a Washington eighth grader received one point short of a perfect score on the ACT test this year. ACT test? The scores used when applying for college? Why would an eight grader be taking the ACTs?! We heard how well Washington prepares kids for honors high school courses, ACTs, SATs and college. High school? College? Hello! THESE KIDS ARE TEN!!! Let them be kids for Pete's sake!
As for discipline, we were informed that five students were boot kicked out of Washington for poor performance last year. Not even a veiled threat. Gosh, so if your DNA doesn't live up to expectations they remove you from the better stock? THESE KIDS ARE TEN!!! Why would anyone want to put that kind of pressure on fifth graders? Puke. Puke. Puke.
Think I'm misinterpreting? Consider the following handout that was included in the orientation packet. Remember, this handout was given to those who had already been ACCEPTED to Washington Gifted.
HOW CAN YOU IDENTIFY A GIFTED CHILD? (Note: The Principal called special attention to this flyer. She wanted us to know that there is a difference between being gifted and "just being bright." Puke.)
The Bright Child...........................................The Gifted Child
Knows the answers.................................................Asks the questions.
Is interested......................................................Is highly curious.
Is attentive.....................................Is mentally and physically involved.
Has good ideas.................................................Has wild, silly ideas.
Works hard..............................................Plays around, yet tests well.
Answers the questions................................Discusses in detail, elaborates.
Is in top group..................................................Is beyond the group.
Listens with interest.............................Shows strong feelings and opinions.
Learns with ease.......................................................Already knows.
Needs 6-8 repetitions for mastery................Needs 1-2 repetitions for mastery.
Understands ideas............................................Constructs abstractions.
Enjoys peers..........................................................Prefers adults.
Grasps the meaning..................................................Draws inferences.
Completes assignments.............................................Initiates projects.
Is receptive..............................................................Is intense.
Copies accurately...............................................Creates a new design.
Enjoys school........................................................Enjoys learning.
Absorbs information..........................................Manipulates information.
Is a technician.......................................................Is an inventor.
Is a good memorizer................................................Is a good guesser.
Enjoys straightforward sequential presentation.............Thrives on complexity.
Is alert.........................................................Is keenly observant.
Is pleased with own learning.................................Is highly self-critical.
If you believe the above and your child is hard working, well adjusted, has good sense of self worth and is a top student... well, your offspring is simply not good enough for Washington Gifted.
On the other hand, if your kid is a genius due to biology, is socially retarded and highly self critical, and is one who "plays around, yet tests well...." Your kid is in the right place.
Puke. Puke. Puke. Biology over hard work? What are these people thinking?! Eugenics? Moreover, in this era of Bush's No Child Left Behind, how is it fair to take the best and the brightest out of schools like Lindberg and Mark Bills and place them in Washington? Doesn't that hurt "regular" schools which must show improvement every year on test scores in order to remain off the watch list?
I was a proud fan of Washington Gifted before I went to the orientation. Now I'm rather horrified. We don't live in a gifted world. Are we doing these kids any favors by having them off by themselves, alone with their "own kind" for four years? If these kids "prefer adults to peers" and spend their days with those who do as well, don't they run the risk of being social outcasts when they reach high school? Using these standards to determine who is and isn't gifted might really be setting these kids up for a lot of pain and disappointment rather than providing an enlightened education.
The orientation packet contained an enrollment form. The very first word on the form in uppercase bold letters "Washington", followed by the words "State" and "Background" were all spelled incorrectly. No. I'm not kidding. Apparently District 150's spellcheck isn't gifted.
Anyhoo, a couple of weeks back I was pulling weeds in my yard and watching Jordan shooting baskets in his driveway. It dawned on me that Jordie was no longer a cute puffy cheek little kid that could be bought off with a slightly burnt chocolate chip cookie. Instead, Jordan has become a sloppy, slouchy, sullen pre-teen. Angst without a cause. Cool without a clue. What fond memories. My mother is still in therapy.
"Hey Jordy!" I say with a smile and the sin of enthusiasm.
"Um, Ms. Polly? Like, nobody calls me that."
"They don't? Not even your mom?"
"Especially not my mom. Jeeze!"
"So, what do you go by these days?"
Ew. Polly made the mistake of trying too hard with a tween. I am screwed. This kid will definitely be throwing reams of toilet paper in my trees sooner rather than later. It was an honest mistake. I really thought the boy was going to tell me he had a street name to accessorize his recently acquired swagger.
The boy tilted his head back, sighs as if the world's problems rested on his shoulders alone, and gave me an eye roll before muttering a disgusted reply. "My name, Ms Polly. I go by my name. You know, Jordan?"
Polly can speak tween. Really, I can. One merely need to pretend that enunciating and projecting one's voice in a polite manner is as irritating and inconvenient as, say, plucking one's nose hairs.
"Yeah. Right. Jordan. Whatever. Middle school next year?"
"Yup."
"Which one?"
"Washington."
Polly is able to stop herself before saying something tragically uncool. You know, something to the effect of a perky "Congratulations!" or worse, "Your parents must be so proud!"
Instead, I opted for, "No surprise there." Perfect. Now the pre-pube has no idea how to respond in a hip manner.
After a brief pause Jordan shrugs and mutters, "Guess."
"Christy going too?" Christy is Jordan's twin sister who recently fell in love with her hair. Every time I see her, Christy has a hair brush in hand, pulling it through her mane. Yesterday I witnessed Christy brushing her hair while dragging a bag of garbage to the curb.
"Nope. Chris wouldn't even take the tests. She says Washington is a dank nerd hole."
"Is it?"
"I dunno. Orientation is tonight."
"Going?"
"I dunno. My dad's plane got delayed in Chicago. Mom has to work."
Polly has deep sympathy for anyone who must travel for a living. Lately, airports have come to resemble corporate cattle ranches. Substitute cattle for exhausted ticket holding business travelers and ranchers for airline employees who couldn't give a rat's ass about the people they are paid to serve and you'll get the picture. Except that I imagine ranchers actually care more about the well being of cows they are about to kill. But I digress...
"I could drop you off if your Dad doesn't get back in time."
"Um. That'd be okay."
Polly's good deed was really just an excuse to give up on exterminating my dandelions, plus I saw a rare opportunity to actually acquire a little knowledge on a topic -Peoria Public Schools- that I blog about rather often.
Say what you will about District 150. Poor schools, poor test scores, under achieving students, dilapidated buildings, etc. The very best middle school in the state is a District 150 school. Right here in little old Piddly Peoria. Washington Gifted Middle School. This fact made me proud until I attended to the orientation.
I imagined that Washington would consist of students that lived throughout the City, including the Southside and East Bluff of every color and socio-economic level. Ha! I saw two black kids in attendance. There were no kids from Loucks or Harrison. One from Whittier. Just about every kid hailed from Kellar, Charter Oak, or Northmoor Edison. It would seem that Washington Gifted could be more aptly named NORTH Peoria Gifted.
I learned that a combination of scores and factors are used to deem a child worthy of acceptance to Washington Gifted. The ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills), Cognitive Abilities Test, as well as the Weschler Intelligence Scale test (an I.Q. test) as well as grades and teacher recommendation are required. I find it odd that one needs to do well on an I.Q. test to get into Washington, but not to get into Harvard University. It would seem District 150 doesn't just want hard working, high achieving performers, but those who are organically intelligent as well. In other words, DNA gets the nod. Puke.
Think I'm over blowing it? Consider this. Principal Joan Wojcikewych opening remarks included the statement, "Children, you should thank your parents for being here and admitted to Washington. Studies have proven time and again that gifted children come from gifted parents." I thought this was a joke, until I noticed that I was the only one in the room chuckling. Why would it be a joke? Ms. Wojcikewych felt the need to inform us that she had birthed and raised five gifted children herself. Puke.
It was an evening of gifted this and gifted that. Gifted. Gifted. Gifted. Got really sick of the word after about five minutes. I imagined that Washington would be the a place where kids who loved school and academics would have a place to shine and pursue their interests. More experiments and projects instead of pop quizzes and tests. Less need for discipline and greater freedom to explore. Forget that.
We were informed that a Washington eighth grader received one point short of a perfect score on the ACT test this year. ACT test? The scores used when applying for college? Why would an eight grader be taking the ACTs?! We heard how well Washington prepares kids for honors high school courses, ACTs, SATs and college. High school? College? Hello! THESE KIDS ARE TEN!!! Let them be kids for Pete's sake!
As for discipline, we were informed that five students were boot kicked out of Washington for poor performance last year. Not even a veiled threat. Gosh, so if your DNA doesn't live up to expectations they remove you from the better stock? THESE KIDS ARE TEN!!! Why would anyone want to put that kind of pressure on fifth graders? Puke. Puke. Puke.
Think I'm misinterpreting? Consider the following handout that was included in the orientation packet. Remember, this handout was given to those who had already been ACCEPTED to Washington Gifted.
HOW CAN YOU IDENTIFY A GIFTED CHILD? (Note: The Principal called special attention to this flyer. She wanted us to know that there is a difference between being gifted and "just being bright." Puke.)
The Bright Child...........................................The Gifted Child
Knows the answers.................................................Asks the questions.
Is interested......................................................Is highly curious.
Is attentive.....................................Is mentally and physically involved.
Has good ideas.................................................Has wild, silly ideas.
Works hard..............................................Plays around, yet tests well.
Answers the questions................................Discusses in detail, elaborates.
Is in top group..................................................Is beyond the group.
Listens with interest.............................Shows strong feelings and opinions.
Learns with ease.......................................................Already knows.
Needs 6-8 repetitions for mastery................Needs 1-2 repetitions for mastery.
Understands ideas............................................Constructs abstractions.
Enjoys peers..........................................................Prefers adults.
Grasps the meaning..................................................Draws inferences.
Completes assignments.............................................Initiates projects.
Is receptive..............................................................Is intense.
Copies accurately...............................................Creates a new design.
Enjoys school........................................................Enjoys learning.
Absorbs information..........................................Manipulates information.
Is a technician.......................................................Is an inventor.
Is a good memorizer................................................Is a good guesser.
Enjoys straightforward sequential presentation.............Thrives on complexity.
Is alert.........................................................Is keenly observant.
Is pleased with own learning.................................Is highly self-critical.
If you believe the above and your child is hard working, well adjusted, has good sense of self worth and is a top student... well, your offspring is simply not good enough for Washington Gifted.
On the other hand, if your kid is a genius due to biology, is socially retarded and highly self critical, and is one who "plays around, yet tests well...." Your kid is in the right place.
Puke. Puke. Puke. Biology over hard work? What are these people thinking?! Eugenics? Moreover, in this era of Bush's No Child Left Behind, how is it fair to take the best and the brightest out of schools like Lindberg and Mark Bills and place them in Washington? Doesn't that hurt "regular" schools which must show improvement every year on test scores in order to remain off the watch list?
I was a proud fan of Washington Gifted before I went to the orientation. Now I'm rather horrified. We don't live in a gifted world. Are we doing these kids any favors by having them off by themselves, alone with their "own kind" for four years? If these kids "prefer adults to peers" and spend their days with those who do as well, don't they run the risk of being social outcasts when they reach high school? Using these standards to determine who is and isn't gifted might really be setting these kids up for a lot of pain and disappointment rather than providing an enlightened education.
The orientation packet contained an enrollment form. The very first word on the form in uppercase bold letters "Washington", followed by the words "State" and "Background" were all spelled incorrectly. No. I'm not kidding. Apparently District 150's spellcheck isn't gifted.
Wednesday, May 10
Painful Cramping? Bloating? Stomach Discomfort?
Nah. It isn't gas. It's just Polly's already swollen ego inflating even further. PollyPeoria got a nice write up in the Peoria Times North Observer today. Page 3. I wasn't even edited. I take back all the mean things I've ever written about you DeWayne Bartels!
My poor, poor significant other... I'm going to be SO hard to live with now. Er, as if I wasn't before. Yo! Babe, peel me a grape would cha? Also, I could really use a foot massage. Steak for dinner tonight, right?
Ah, glory and glamour of the wannabe famous/pseudoanonymous. Eat your heart out Vonster.
Kiss My Crown, Peoria!!!
To my thirteen devoted readers: Don't worry- Polly will be deflated and put in her proper place tonight by her beloved family, friends and co-workers. By tomorrow I anticipate I will return to my humble yet, know-it-all self.
My poor, poor significant other... I'm going to be SO hard to live with now. Er, as if I wasn't before. Yo! Babe, peel me a grape would cha? Also, I could really use a foot massage. Steak for dinner tonight, right?
Ah, glory and glamour of the wannabe famous/pseudoanonymous. Eat your heart out Vonster.
Kiss My Crown, Peoria!!!
To my thirteen devoted readers: Don't worry- Polly will be deflated and put in her proper place tonight by her beloved family, friends and co-workers. By tomorrow I anticipate I will return to my humble yet, know-it-all self.
Monday, May 8
Insight Cable Blows.
It blows chunks, in fact.
My broadband was down for two days, because Insight is "upgrading." Now that I can once again receive the internet, I cannot find any discernible changes let alone upgrades. I did receive an urgent e-mail from Insight informing me that my service would be disrupted shorterm for yet even more upgrades in the next few days.
And I thought SBC sucked.
Anyway, Polly is seriously considering moving to the Peoria Airport. I can sleep on the benches. Watch sports on big screen t.v., and my laptop never has a problem receiving their FREE wi-fi. Hey! C.J! I finally found Utopia!
My broadband was down for two days, because Insight is "upgrading." Now that I can once again receive the internet, I cannot find any discernible changes let alone upgrades. I did receive an urgent e-mail from Insight informing me that my service would be disrupted shorterm for yet even more upgrades in the next few days.
And I thought SBC sucked.
Anyway, Polly is seriously considering moving to the Peoria Airport. I can sleep on the benches. Watch sports on big screen t.v., and my laptop never has a problem receiving their FREE wi-fi. Hey! C.J! I finally found Utopia!
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