Twin Pines Task Force Presents Findings

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Twin Pines Golf Course Task Force presented its findings on ways to pay for improvements Wednesday night.They suggested creating a one-year local option sales tax, selling a three acre portion of the course, selling the naming rights to the course or using property taxes to pay for the renovations.The group said selling any more than three acres doesn't make sense.Council members will likely decide which options to pursue sometime in the next six months. Complete Text of the Twin Pines Task Force Report Task Force Formation, Purpose and Scope of Work The Twin Pines task force was created in August, 2007 at the request of the Mayor and City Council after significant public input was received at two public open houses concerning the concept to improve Twin Pines Golf Course with financing from the sale of a portion of the 150-acre course.


Read More

Black students fare better in Vigo Schools

In 2006-07, the high-school graduation rate for Vigo County School Corp. black students was 63.2 percent, according to the Indiana Department of Education.That exceeded the statewide graduation rate for black students, which was 57 percent.Vigo County's black graduation rate also showed improvement over 2005-06, when it was 48.1 percent.The graduation rates for the past two years use a new state formula based on students who complete their high-school education in four years or less. Individual students are tracked through a Student Test Number system that began in 2002.Last month, the Indiana Youth Institute published a column praising the school district's efforts to raise the graduation rates of its black students, although IYI's numbers and methodology are different than what the state now uses.The IYI column — published by various media outlets — states that the black graduation rate increased significantly between 2001 and 2005.


Read More

Make My Day

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Microsoft killed Santa Claus.

Okay, they didn't kill the real Santa, but an automated Santa chat-bot they had set up last week. The Santa-bot was an agent on their Live Space website and MSN Messenger program. Children could ask Santa some questions and tell him what they wanted for Christmas, and an automated program would give the appropriate responses.

But according a story in to the London Register, the virtual Santa got into some real trouble when he was chatting with two girls, 11 and 13 years old, who offered him a piece of virtual pizza.

"Eat it!" they told him.

"You want me to eat what?!?" Santa-bot responded. "It's fun to talk about oral sex, but I want to chat about something else..."

I promise I'm not making this up.

Microsoft tried to fix the Santa-bot earlier this week, but it didn't work.


Read More

Make a splash with water features

Water features are among the most popular gardening touches. Given the choice, people always seem to prefer a garden space with some type of water, whether it's an ocean view or a simple recirculating fountain. Most garden centers, including those at home improvement superstores, offer a selection of materials for building and stocking ponds. You can have a concrete, fiberglass or rubber-lined lily or fish pond with waterfalls, cascades, self-contained fountains or a simple water sculpture.

Place water features where you will have the greatest opportunity to enjoy them — in the back yard, either as part of a patio or in a separate garden space. The sound of falling water is soothing. Place a fountain in a slightly hidden area, at the end of a meandering path or in a small meditation garden, adding the delight of surprise.


Read More

Reform of health care in motion

Although most of the details are yet to come, lawmakers this session set in motion a reformation of the health-care system that, if it becomes in reality anywhere close to what is visualized, will bring health care that costs less, has better quality and will give every Utahn insurance.

Whether by fate or by choice, the state can no longer put off a revolution in the health-care system that, if left to its own devices, would account for every dollar in the state economy in about 30 years.

"There was little choice but to make this a landmark year, because without landmark thinking, health care will soon overwhelm the economy," said House Majority Leader David Clark, R-Santa Clara, sponsor of HB133, the legislation that is the catalyst for changes expected to be under way for the next decade.


Read More

Fateful calls tell of fire

ST. PETERSBURG - McKinley Bentley moved to the small pastel house at 2244 11th St. S because he wanted to raise his children in a tight-knit neighborhood, the kind of street where everybody knows everybody else's business.

On Tuesday morning, Bentley, 38, was doing some yard work for someone across town when a neighbor called.

"Your house is on fire."

Bentley said he thought the neighbor was joking. Then another neighbor called and told him the same thing.

Bentley rushed home and saw that his house was gutted by a blaze that started in a bedroom.

"I can't even describe how I'm feeling right now," Bentley said while standing outside the remnants of his home Tuesday. "I think we'll get through it. We'll pull together."

The fire's cause is still under investigation, said Lt.


Read More

LESCOTT BRACED FOR `BIGGEST` EURO TIE

The Toffees have cruised into the last 16 of the UEFA Cup on the back of eight consecutive wins but know this is the time when the competition becomes fierce.

"I would say that, due to the size of the club (Fiorentina), this is our biggest game so far in the competition," said Lescott.

"But we will show the same respect as when we went to Brann Bergen (in the last round).

"I don't think we should be worried in any game - some teams just deserve more respect than others."

Everton manager David Moyes is likely to stick with his tried and trusted formation, which means striker Yakubu will play on his own up front ahead of a five-man midfield in order to combat the hosts' three-man attack.

But Lescott stressed this was not a negative ploy by the Merseysiders.


Read More