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Charter School Growth Fund Announces $160 Million Campaign To Open More Non-Traditional Schools

• Sep 29, 2010 from huffpolitics in Politics
  ATLANTA Groups hoping to open charter schools across the country could soon have millions more dollars available.
  
  The Charter School Growth Fund is announcing a $160 million fundraising campaign Wednesday the largest-ever aimed at helping start more of the nontraditional public schools nationwide. The goal is to establish 335,000 more spots for children at charter schools in the next decade.
  "There was a belief that there were lots of great schools out there, many of whom wanted to be able to grow and serve more students," said Kevin Hall, CEO of the Charter School Growth Fund. "We will help fulfill their mission of dramatically changing education in their community."
  
  The Denver, Colo.-based fund has already raised half its goal from organizations like the Walton Family Foundation and Reed Hastings, the founder and CEO of Netflix Inc., Hall said. Big names like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation have been previous donors.
  
  The campaign comes at a time when the Obama administration is calling for more charter schools to open across the country as one of the ways to help improve education in the United States. States that applied for $4.35 billion in federal "Race to the Top" grants were told they had to have welcoming policies on charter schools to be a contender for the money.
  
  Charter schools typically operate with a combination of public and private dollars once they are running, but the startup money is usually almost entirely private, which makes it difficult for parents, teachers or business leaders hoping to start a school. The schools get taxpayers dollars but are given flexibility to choose how they will meet federal No Child Left Behind standards.
  
  Peter Groff, president of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, called charter school funding the "triple whammy": dealing with scarce startup funds, having to pay rent for facilities, and getting on average $2,200 less per student than traditional public schools.
  
  "Even with all that triple defense, these funds will be going to those organizations that have been able to overcome those odds and really show a great deal of performance in the kids they're teaching," Groff said.
  
  The Charter School Growth Fund started in 2005 and raised $85 million in its first fundraising campaign, money that has gone to 20 organizations and helped create 100,000 charter school seats, Hall said.
  
  With money from that effort, the fund also announced Wednesday that it is giving $20 million to six charter school groups in four states. The recipients are: Rocketship Education in San Jose, Calif.; Success Charter Network in New York; Knowledge is Power Program schools in Los Angeles; KIPP schools in Atlanta; and West Denver Prep and Denver School of Science and Technology in Colorado.
  
  For the Atlanta group, the money means tripling the number of students it can serve to 3,300 and opening twice as many schools by 2015, said David Jernigan, executive director of KIPP Metro Atlanta. That means the several hundred students on a waiting list for one of the KIPP schools in the city will have a place to go, he said.
  
  "We hope people see what we're doing as what's possible in education," said Jernigan, whose four Atlanta middle schools serve 70 percent poor students who frequently outperform many of their peers in other schools on standardized tests.
  
  ___
  
  Online:
  
  Charter School Growth Fund: http://www.chartergrowthfund.org/
  
  KIPP Metro Atlanta: http://www.kippmetroatlanta.org/
  
  National Alliance for Public Charter Schools: http://www.publiccharters.org/

All About Yacht Charters, Sailing Vacations: Charter Yacht Pacific Wave: Special Offer & New Video

• May 02, 2011 from pconn in Lifestyle
  We would like to remind you that the charter yacht PACIFIC WAVE has decided to extend their special offer through the end of July 2011. Plus, we have a new video slideshow for Pacific Wave.
  
  Charter Yacht Pacific Wave - Crewed Caribbean Yacht Charters
  Sailing Vacations in the Virgin Islands
  
  PACIFIC WAVE has some cool offerings to entice you aboard... not that you needed any additional temptations, as Pacific Wave is all in all a wonderful yacht.
  Price reduction: Pacific Wave is continuing their $1500/week discount until the end of July 2011
  Special rates: $14,500/wk for 2 guests, $15,500 for 4, $16,500 for 6
  Diving: For 7 night charters in the BVI, Pacific Wave offers FREE rendezvous diving with UBS, a very professional dive shop, for bespoke personal accompanied dives and training. Enjoy TWO personal tailor-made 2-tank half-day dives for up to 3 people (additional divers pay $110/half day) or ONE personal tailor-made 2-tank half-day dive for 6 people. Dive only with your family and friends from private dive boats that rendezvous with Pacific Wave wherever she is anchored in the BVI. An experienced PADI Instructor accompanies the dive and can give certified instruction. All equipment included. ($700 value)
  Spa Treatments: Get FREE pampering at a quality Spa at either Peter Island Resort or Bitter End Yacht Club. A free massage or any treatment up to a value of $150/adult.
  Free Bar: There are no additional bar bills on BVI charters unless special wines or spirits are requested by special order.
  Zoom Zoom Watersports: Enjoy Pacific Wave's brand spanking new $25,000 deluxe hard bottom Caribe dinghy and 70HP Yamaha outboard.
  
  PACIFIC WAVE is a 72-foot Giorgetti & Magrini designed, Pesaro sloop which accommodates up to six guests in 3 cabins, each with ensuite head/shower. The full-width master cabin aft has two double berths and a private companionway into the aft cockpit. The other two guest cabins have twin-sized upper and lower berths (bunks). Beautiful yacht an

4 Ways I Compose Posts to Drive Millions of Pageviews to Blogs Through Digg

• Sep 15, 2010 from problogger(Darren Rowse) in *
  A Guest Post by Neal Rodriguez.
  With the release of the new Digg on August 25th, anybody with the ability to understand how a story, which is promoted to the popular section, is composed, has an edge in attaining viral exposure ranging from tens of thousands to millions of pageviews. Diggs users constitute a large proportion of bloggers. Thus stories promoted to their popular section, which was previously their homepage and now the Top News page, can attain anywhere from less than 10 to hundreds of links pointing to their websites. Digg also has millions of users; many of whom visit websites that reach the popular section at a rapid rate. My blog went down when I promoted my interview with Ben Huh The Most Popular SFW & NSFW Failblog Pics of the Decade to the popular section and more than 1,000 visitors loaded the page in the first few minutes after reaching the front page.
  
  No matter how much of an efficient promotor of content you are, you will not get your blogs pageview count passed the two people who made you nine months ago without writing content that people are willing to share among their online friends and acquaintances. There are just some stories that people are willing to pass on to their fellow digital networkers through email, Facebook Like action, retweet, pigeon carrier, or Greek messenger. What are some of the elements that increase the chance that a story will spread virally?
  1. A Picture is Worth a Hundred Thousand Pageviews
  I was surprised to hear that my friend had launched his photo blog and had grown his traffic level to 100,000 monthly pageviews in 3 months. Now together with Digg he is behind one of the biggest viral campaigns on the web in the past few weeks: the dry erase girl. Photos on the web appear to have the hypnotic ability of making people share them upon first encounter. Ben Huh reportedly did nothing but post photos of people failing at everyday tasks on his blog. Last time I spoke with him he was driving 1 billion pageviews to his blog network every 4 months.
  On the blog post to which I alluded in the first paragraph, I aggregated the most popular photos posted on Bens blog in the last decade and performed some social outreach on the news aggregators. The post made the front page of Digg and drove 26,690 pageviews in the first few hours. It received 36,019 pageviews the following day. The post has received over 77,000 pageviews in total.
  You should add photos to every blog post you write. The funnier the picture the better. Even the most serious topics work great with a offbeat picture that can also represent the posts topic. Stunning pictures such as those posted on PDN Photo of the Day Aftermath (6 photographs) show the story of a womans breast cancer treatment in a series of self-portraits. I drove over 200,000 pageviews to this story on the first day of publication. It went popular on Stumbleupon and made the front page of Reddit, a social news aggregator, to drive over 90,000 views over the weekend when traffic is typically slowest. The only reason I didnt put it on Digg is because nudity was not allowed at the time. I have found I have been able to drive the most traffic when I aim to tell a story through pictures.
  
  2. Opinionated Stories
  My first blog post on the Huffington Post briefly outlined reasons why I thought we as consumers brought the U.S. financial crisis upon ourselves. In short, my argument contended that increases in foreclosures were the product of people buying homes that they could not afford. Whether you think I was wrong or not, this post made the front page of Digg in 2007 and incited a huge response. If any of you have attempted to promote content on Digg, you know that solely stories that receive the most response and support from the community get promoted to its popular page.
  I got insulted on this post for my lack of substantiating my arguments with 3rd party facts. However, I did help people close no-paper A loans as a credit repair specialist back in 03; so, considering the amount of people for which I secured $300,000 loans without showing income documentation, I had a pretty good idea from which to draw an opinion. No excuse, nonetheless, in your iteration, ensure that you back up your content with solid facts, statistics, and other expert opinions to make your argument as credible as possible.
  My opinionated piece that called for the arrest of a Bart police officer who shot an unarmed man in 2009 also made the front page of Digg. My thoughts on why the Bart police officer who shot Oscar Grant should be held without bail was the most popular story on the Huffington Post on its day of publication with over 40,000 views through my outreach efforts.
  
  What also made this post popular stand out, is that mainstream media wasnt giving it the attention that the American people thought it should. Now touching on the subject of race, I received a hundreds of racist insults. Expect to get verbally abused when taking a strong stance on...

HUFFPOST HILL - AUGUST 27TH, 2010

• Aug 27, 2010 from huffpolitics in Politics
  Even as they mourn the loss of Steven Strasburg, DNC officials have a lot more to worry about than unsound elbows. A revised estimate of our economy's output indicates GDP grew at an abysmal 1.6 percent last quarter, a new analysis anticipates the GOP picking up 50 House seats this November and, in case that wound wasn't salty enough for ya', Barack Obama is wearing mom jeans. Thankfully, the opposition party is on the case: Sarah Palin is providing a much needed boost to the private jet and bendable straw industries, Rand Paul is NOT going to be a legislative Leviathan and Michele Bachmann is single handedly increasing the demand for assault rifle ammunition. This is HUFFPOST HILL for Friday, August 28th, 2010:
  
  GDP GROWTH ESTIMATE REVISED DOWNWARD: OUR LONG NATIONAL :'-( PERSISTS - If America's economic malaise were a Bruce Springsteen song, this news would suggest we're transitioning from the "I'm going to tinker with my '74 Mustang until stagflation is solved" stanza to the more frightened "grab me tight girl, and don't let go" one. "The nation's gross domestic product - the broadest measure of the economy's output - grew at a 1.6 percent annual rate in the April-to-June period, the Commerce Department said Friday. That's down from an initial estimate of 2.4 percent last month and much slower than the first quarter's 3.7 percent pace. Shortly after the revision was announced, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the Fed will consider making another large-scale purchase of securities if the slowing economy deteriorates significantly. But the Fed chief stopped short of committing to any specific action." His comment goosed the stock market anyway. http://huff.to/cMD299
  
  If your recession lasts for more than four quarters, consult your physician: "The U.S. birth rate has dropped for the second year in a row, and experts think the wrenching recession led many people to put off having children. The 2009 birth rate also set a record: lowest in a century." http://apne.ws/aSJcvc
  
  Oh look, this exists: http://www.StuffAlanSimpsonSays.com/
  
  MILLER AND MURKOWSKI BRACING FOR COURT FIGHT, POSSIBLE THIRD PARTY BID - Daily Beast: "As a tight vote count continues in the Last Frontier's Senate race, The Daily Beast's Shushannah Walshe reveals that Republicans are quietly testing a third-party path for Lisa Murkowski. The count in the Alaskan Senate Republican primary continues for the second day with Joe Miller still in the lead, but the drama is heating up. The Daily Beast has learned exclusively that an individual independent of Lisa Murkowski's campaign has commissioned a poll to see how she would fare if she ran as a third-party candidate under the Libertarian Party. The poll is being commissioned by Andrew Halcro, a former Republican state legislator, Murkowski supporter, and Sarah Palin critic. He ran against Palin in the 2006 governor's race as an independent in both the primary and general election." http://bit.ly/9wGVrP
  
  Miller: "It concerns us any time somebody lawyers up and tries to pull an Al Franken, if you will." Yeah! Don't you hate it when other people win??? http://bit.ly/9Hpsd9
  
  Miller also kinda, sorta called Murkowski a prostitute when he tweeted -- then quickly deleted -- the following: @JoeWMiller What's the difference between selling out your party's values and the oldest profession? http://bit.ly/93kXBr
  
  Miller apologizes: ""Please accept my apologies. Staffer trying to encourage Libertarians not to sell out." BAD STAFFER. http://bit.ly/bxAYGq
  
  FLORIDA GOP PRIMARY LOSER WON'T ENDORSE RIVAL - Funny, we didn't realize you could find pumas on the East Coast: "Defeated Florida Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bill McCollum is declining to support former rival and newly-minted GOP nominee Rick Scott as he heads into his general election campaign. The St. Petersburg Times reports that McCollum, currently the Attorney General of Florida, signaled on Thursday that he offered his congratulations to Scott over the phone following Tuesday's election, but remains very skeptical of the self-funding contender's integrity." Elyse Siegel: http://huff.to/bYQmCh
  ESTIMATE HAS GOP TAKING 50 SEATS IN THE HOUSE - Our polling expert Mark Blumenthal says the method used in this analysis is sound -- so...ruh roh. "By our reckoning, the most likely scenario is a Republican majority in the neighborhood of 229 seats versus 206 for the Democrats for a 50-seat loss for the Democrats. Taking into account the uncertainty in our model, the Republicans have a 79% chance of winning the House...The key will be to follow the generic polls from now to November. If the polls stay close, the Democrats have a decent chance to hold the House. But if the polls follow the past pattern of moving toward the 'out' party and move further toward the Republicans -- even by a little -- the Republicans should be heavily favored." Joseph Bafumi, Robert S. Erikson and Christopher Wlezien in HuffPost: http://huff.to/b4xyzi
  
  DAILY DELANEY...

25+ Upcoming Social Media & Tech Events

• Jul 12, 2010 from mashable(Mashable) in Technology
  Its Monday, which means its time for Mashables guide to upcoming social media and web events, parties and conferences. For more upcoming event listings, check out Mashables Events section.This summer, dont forget to check out the Mashable U.S. Summer Tour thats making stops at:Seattle July 10th San Francisco July 14th Washington D.C August 5th New York August 9th Chicago August 11th Would you like to have your conference or event listed here? If so, please contact us at least one month before your event to establish a media partnership.Here are some tips on how to network, share your information and/or promote your event using social media: HOW TO: Plan and Promote Events with Social Media 35+ Ways to Find and Plan Events Online 8 Ways to Create Paperless Business Cards 5 Useful iPhone Apps for Business NetworkingMashables Weekly Social Media and Marketing Event Guide is proudly supported by Eventbrite, the Webs Event Marketplace.July 12, 2010, Washington, D.C.: Online Marketing Summit (OMS) is coming to D.C. with all new B2B and B2C case studies and social media integration tracks, unparalleled networking opportunities and an exclusive Social Media and Content Marketing Workshop and Breakfast, brought to you by the Online Marketing Institute and Wharton Interactive Media Initiative. Learn search, social media and integrated marketing from the leading experts at Kodak, ExactTarget and HubSpot. Register now with promo code MASH20 for 20% off.July 12-13 & 15-16, 2010, Singapore and Hong Kong: Join us at this Media Relations conference. This two-day event will see leading PR practioners gather to share more about the integration of social media and traditional media. PR professionals can look forward to discussing strategies that help you achieve your communication objectives and enhance your media relations and positive coverage. Learn how top B2B and B2C companies integrate new media tools for a well-rounded approach. Register today. Save 10% when you enter Mashable under Additional Info.July 12-13, San Francisco, CA: MobileBeat 2010, VentureBeats third annual executive conference on the future of mobile, has expanded this year to a new two-day format. The theme: The Year of The Superphone and Who Will Profit. Were assembling the major players in the industry to discuss, debate and explore wholl win in the midst of the superphone revolution and why. Join 500 mobile industry leaders from the major U.S. and international carriers, to the top device makers, developers, startups, marketers and investors for two packed days of exciting content, breakaway sessions, power networking and deal-making. For all events details, click here. Register with promo code VB_Mashable and save 15%.July 12-15, 2010, Washington, D.C.: Attend the Advanced Learning Institutes 19th Forum on Social Media for Government: How To Engage Your Employees And Citizens By Using The Latest Web 2.0 Technologies To Drive Communication Results, to learn how to incorporate social media into your communications and marketing plans and leverage the latest interactive Web 2.0 tools and techniques to advance your organizational goals. Hear practical advice, firsthand, from leading organizations such as: Army Corps of Engineers; National Wildlife Federation; USDA; City of Raleigh, NC; University of Georgia Libraries; CDC; U.S. Department of Defense; U.S. Navy; Social Security Administration; U.S. General Services Administration; Transportation Security Administration; and more. Mention Mashable when registering to save $200.July 13, 2010, London, UK: This senior level forum offers SVPs, VPs, Directors & Heads of eCommerce, Online, Marketing, Digital and Customer Experience the opportunity to discuss strategies, solutions and best practice for enhancing the customer experience and delivering competitive differentiation by effectively managing and integration online, social and mobile channels. Offering a unique mix of keynote briefings, interactive discussions and one-to-one meetings Customer Experience Online will provide you with a unique opportunity to propel your online initiatives to success and position yourself at the forefront of the industry. Spaces are limited and by invitation only, click here to find out if you qualify. When booking your place, please use discount code MASH_BAN for a 10% discount.July 14, 2010 London, UK: Just what does all this chatter mean and how do you use it to further steer your comms? To manage brand perception? To measure success? And how do you build on success? Strengthen customer relationships? React to negative sentiment? Well, weve persuaded a whole raft of whizzes to tackle those issues and many more besides at IAB HQ in central London. Therell be Pecha Kucha-style presentations aplenty, a heavyweight panel discussion, plus a networking and drinks session where the conversations can flow. Register today for 10 off the full price of 95 at http://www.brand-e.biz/buzzmashable.htmlJuly 14, 2010, New...