LEAPing for Oberlin

And here's another way I keep busy - being webmaster for the Oberlin City School's levy campaign (vote happens May 8th). Passage of the levy will provide the funding for a "Laptop computer program that will put a high quality laptop, a robust software suite, first rate communications tools, and 24-7 access in the hands of every Langston Middle School and Oberlin High School student while improving technology support at Eastwood and Prospect Elementary Schools." We first passed a levy specifically for technology 10 years ago and again 5 years ago. The difference this time is we're asking for double the money and it will be a continuing levy instead of being renewed every 5 years. And more than half the students in our district will get laptops to use at school and home starting the fall of 2008. To read more information and to see the website click on LEAP for Oberlin.

Independent Study Fair Projects

I've been busy. This was the week our 4th, 5th, and my 6th graders presented their independent study projects at the annual independent study fair for teams of judges (made up of local community members, teachers, administrators, and parents). 44 projects, all started in November and exhaustively researched. To view the projects click here. Probably one of the better examples would be Andrew's "Blacksmithing" project or Lucy's "Motown" project. But there are plenty others well worth checking out. And if you want to see a rather large collection of photos (mostly mine) taken showing the preparation and final event just click here. This is what I do.

Kitchen Redux

Kitchen Redux

We're having a little minor repair work done in our kitchen. A door put on a cabinet that was original left off to give the dogs a place to have their water dish (didn't work out as the dogs preferred their dish on the floor and it didn't really make sense to have a dish of water sitting inside a cabinet) and a slight adjustment to the side counter which was sagging slightly in the center. The slight adjustment required some support material under the counter and some glue and a clutch of clamps to help the glue set. Tomorrow the clamps come off and the counter becomes laser-level - or so we've been told. We're using the same contractor that did the original kitchen work so I figure this is like taking the kitchen in for routine maintenance. Click on the photo above to see more shots of the clamped counter.

Brothers

Brothers

Click on the above for more photo.

Here's the entire collection of photos from Nicki and my visit to Little Valley last weekend. Celebrating the usual collecting of personalities in front of the cupboards for a going-away photo. Sometime we need to get a similiar "Sister" photo or the full collection of siblings. Maybe even get a little dressed up?

I've also added just a couple more photos of the gas line repair project grouping. Just click on the meter below. We now have a scenic mound of dirt in our front yard. I'm thinking "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". Suspect we'll have that visual reminder of the experience for a long time. I believe eventually it settles to match the lay of the land and can then be seeded.

We're Cool

Heatless in Oberlin

We have heat! Nothing like a night with no heat and no hot water. I warned Nicki that the water heater wouldn't still have hot water after 16 hours. Warm almost. The story goes like this. Nicki had noticed for quite some time a slight smell of natural gas near the garage (where the gas meter is/was) and called the gas company later afternoon Wednesday. Apparently they treat any gas smells as emergencies and sent a crew right out and yes they found a leak in the line going to the house and then they shut off the gas which fuels our furnace and hot water heater. I guess we were lucky that the leak was found and that our gas wasn't shut off a week ago in the middle of the winter storm and the extreme cold. And we found out that it isn't as easy to contact a plumber after 5:00 PM. But we did and a team came out this morning and dug a pit in our front yard and another next to the garage and snaked a new plastic line through the old pipe and moved the meter out of the garage (code violation). And the gas company came out just before supper and turned the gas back on. Tomorrow the plumbing crew comes back out to fill the pits and tune up the furnace. But right now we have heat and hot water and that's okay.

By the way - homeowners out there - if your gas company offers that gas line repair coverage you might want to get it. Wish we had had it. We don't have the bill yet but I'm sure it is going to be impressive.

A Little Valley Winter

Little Valley Winter Scenes

Click on the photo above for more scenes.

Nicki and I drove up to Little Valley yesterday. Mark and Martha had already arrived. Supper was turkey chili, homemade Martha bread, salad, and apple crisp for dessert. Very filling and warm which was perfect considering the cold and light snow outside. This morning we all met Ed at the VFW for breakfast - a $5 bargain. Always nice to eat at an endless buffet surrounded by the military rifles on display. The snow in the area is light and deep - brought back typical winter memories. Plows have been out so the drive back to Oberlin later today should be fine.

Ursula's 96th Birthday

Ursula's 96th Birthday

Click on the photo to see more.

Nicki and I held a small ceremony at Kendal to recognize Ursula's 96th. Balloons, ribbons, cute candles in small cupcakes and jello hearts, the cafeteria staff singing "Happy Birthday" - the works in moderation. Ursula seemed pleased to have the attention and also enjoyed the cards and flowers she received throughout the day. We'll celebrate more as more family is available and when/if the weather cooperates.

Valentines Day & Snow

Snow Days

Click on the photo above to see more shots.

Ah winter! I measured an average of 12 inches on the ground but the wind has made some impressive drifts and roof overhangs. Spent a good share of the afternoon snow-blowing and shoveling ours and Norma's drives - even after we had a nice neighbor plow out the heavier snow at the bottom section of Norma's drive. Traveling is supposed to be bad everywhere so maybe it was a good thing that I did the trip from Columbus instead of waiting until today. As you can see the dogs are enjoying the snow. And we had a hawk grab a bird from our feeders - all that was left was a pile of feathers. School tomorrow? I'm sure. We've used four snow days so far and have only one left before we need to make up what we use over the allotment. Even Oberlin College closed so Nicki and I enjoyed Valentines Day together.

Slippery Trip

Just returned from 2 nights in Columbus attending a state technology conference. Did 2 presentations today - one on the program we use for our teacher websites and the other on using technology during levy campaigns. Both sessions went well - not heavily attended but I'll blame the weather for that.

It was a worthwhile trip only complicated by the weather that rolled in today. The trip home usually takes 2 hours but today it was 4 1/2 - with lots of cars off the road - even a few semis jack-knifed luckily in the other direction. Nice to have the 4-wheel drive and the snow tires and fairly decent winter driving experience. Harkened back to the old days.

School was canceled today and already for tomorrow. Even Oberlin College is closed tomorrow and that rarely happens. Nicki and I have a Valentines Day together - good timing. I've already used our snowblower to remove the bulk of the snow from ours and Norma's driveways. But with the gusts I bet they will fill in tonight. East coast people - you are warned - it's coming. Here's our forecast:

A MAJOR WINTER STORM IS ONGOING ACROSS THE REGION...AND WILL CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING. SNOW WILL REMAIN HEAVY OVERNIGHT. SNOWFALL RATES OF 1 TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR ARE POSSIBLE.

ADDITIONAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 6 INCHES...WITH LOCALLY HEAVIER AMOUNTS...CAN BE EXPECTED FROM LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH DAYBREAK WEDNESDAY. STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 16 INCHES ARE LIKELY BY THE TIME SNOW ENDS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

NORTHEAST WINDS WILL GUST TO NEAR 35 MPH AT TIMES CREATING CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WITH NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AT TIMES. WIND CHILLS WILL ALSO DROP TO 10 BELOW TONIGHT.

Cold, Really Cold

Middle of Sunday afternoon and we've already received the word that school is closed tomorrow - too cold and getting colder. Maybe I can watch the SuperBowl commercials without a pile of school work in my lap. Of course Nicki will probably be working as usual tomorrow as the college never closes (and it is the first day of a new semester).

From the National Weather Service:

1131 AM EST SUN FEB 4 2007

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST TUESDAY.

TEMPERATURES A FEW DEGREES ABOVE OR BELOW FREEZING WILL COMBINE WITH STRONG WESTERLY WINDS TO CREATE DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS. WIND CHILL READINGS THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING WILL BE 10 TO 20 DEGREES BELOW ZERO.

IF YOU WILL BE OUTDOORS USE COMMON SENSE AND DRESS WARMLY MAKING SURE THAT ALL EXPOSED SKIN IS COVERED. IF POSSIBLE AVOID PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO THE COLD TO PREVENT FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA.