Home Blog Page 3985

TEENS, WOULD IT KILL YOU TO OPEN A BOOK?

0

by Danny Tyree

Call me a nuanced curmudgeon.

I’m not so bothered by the AMOUNT of time that teenagers spend with the internet and/or digital devices as by the lack of QUALITY of their pursuits.

I’m reacting to the recent Drudge Report headline “A third of teens haven’t read a single book in past year.”

Researchers from San Diego State University, analyzing four decades’ worth of data and publishing the results in the journal “Psychology of Popular Media Culture,” show traditional reading devastated by texting, social networking, aimless web surfing and addictive video games.

For instance, in the late Seventies, 60 percent of 12th graders read a book or magazine almost daily; by 2016, even with the availability of Kindle and similar devices, only 16 percent did.

Printer John Peter Zenger risked prosecution for seditious libel in order to hold the colonial governor of New York accountable. Abraham Lincoln read by firelight. Sequoyah painstakingly developed a symbol for each syllable in the Cherokee language. Today’s kids? “Wash… hands… after… using… restroom. Do those 25-year-old fossils think we have all day to read these interminable instructions? ”

Sure, my generation had shortcuts such as “Classics Illustrated Comics” and Cliff’s Notes; but some of us were glad that Shakespeare’s immortal words were more complex than “Just hanging out. You?”

Yes, we had to learn a lot of things the hard way; but we also benefitted from the accumulated knowledge of prime ministers and explorers and inventors. We pondered the commandments brought down from the mountaintop on two tablets. That’s a far cry from hanging on every word of some nitwit who brings out two Tide pods on YouTube.

We used to be able to take lifelong lessons from even the driest literature. I direct you to the movie “Dead Poets Society.” But now we’re more likely to hear, “Seize the day? I can’t even seize my car keys. I’ve got carpal tunnel syndrome from texting.”

Older Americans share a priceless common bond when we can remember where we were when we first saw newspaper photographs of the Kent State riots or John F. Kennedy Jr. saluting his fallen father. Fifty years from now, today’s adolescents will probably reminisce, “Remember that girl who sent a topless photo to that boy she sort of liked, and it went viral? Should’ve won a Pulitzer! Should’ve won a Pulitzer!”

Sometimes you need something substantive that makes you THINK. And I don’t mean like “Your post on Snapchat made me think… that I’d better get a catheter, so I don’t miss one minute of the big videogame tournament!”

Don’t get me wrong. A number of teens (including my son the sophomore) do share my passion for reading. They learn something from essays and sermons and manuals and investigative pieces and manifestos.

And herein lies the real division of “haves” and “have nots” in our country in the coming years.Youngsters who “get” reading will have life more abundantly. The willfully ignorant will miss out on all the jokes and literary allusions that zoom over their heads. They’ll be blindsided when history repeats itself and throw a hissy-fit when no one tells them about the town hall meeting to discuss zoning ordinances.

Maybe they’ll really get a comeuppance in the ROMANCE department.

“Want me to play the Naughty Librarian, handsome?”

“What’s a librarian?”

“Never mind. *Sigh* What’s the Cherokee phrase for ‘Get lost, loser’?”

Rose-Hulman tutors ready to help with science, math assignments by Wendy McNamara

0
Tutors with the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology are ready to help students in grades 6-12 who find themselves struggling with math or science assignments. With AskRose, tutors majoring in math, science or engineering are trained to help young Hoosiers better comprehend homework questions, arrive at the answers themselves, and prepare to tackle similar questions on their own.
 

When students are stuck on a math or science problem, they can call, email or chat online with a tutor. At the start of the session, the tutor reviews the problem, then guides students until they understand the solution.

From 7-10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, call 877-ASK-ROSE or chat online by visiting AskRose.org. Questions can be emailed at any time, and responses will be provided during the operating hours.

Study guides, video lessons, and other educational resources on test-taking, note-taking, time management, essay writing and much more can also be found at AskRose.org. Whether it’s trigonometry, chemistry or physics, tutors with AskRose are ready to help turn “Huh?” into “AHA!”

ADOPT A PET

0

Acorn is a neutered male Dutch rabbit! He was brought to VHS from Evansville Animal Care & Control when they got overcrowded with bunnies. He’s ready to go home today! And his $40 adoption fee will include a registered microchip this time. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!

Gov. Holcomb to Attend Midwest U.S.–Japan Association Conference in Omaha Sept. 9 and 10

0

Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb will attend the annual Midwest U.S.–Japan Association Conference in Omaha, Nebraska Sept. 9 and 10.

 

The conference brings together government and business leaders to foster economic relationships. On Monday, Sept. 10, Gov. Holcomb will give remarks at the opening ceremony.

 

The Midwest U.S.–Japan Association Conference takes place every year during the second week of September. The conference location alternates between the United States and Japan. Indiana hosted the 2006 meeting in Indianapolis.

 

Since 2013, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has secured 85 commitments from Japan-based firms to locate or grow in the state, together planning to invest $3.45 billion and create more than 9,300 new jobs in the coming y

USI Women’s Tennis set for season-opener

0
University of Southern Indiana Women’s Tennis begins the 2018-19 campaign Tuesday at 4 p.m. when it travels to Owensboro, Kentucky, to take on Midwest Region opponent Kentucky Wesleyan College.

The contest is the first of three dual matches and seven total events for the Screaming Eagles during the fall campaign. USI hosts the University of Charleston September 22 before visiting Oakland City University September 24.

Head Coach Keely Porter enters her 28th season at the helm of the Eagles and will rely on All-Great Lakes Valley Conference performer Lauren Hambrock (Terre Haute, Indiana) to lead the team in 2018-19.

Hambrock earned her second straight All-GLVC nod a year ago after posting a 9-17 overall record and an 8-13 mark at No. 1 singles. She also was 12-15 overall in doubles play and 10-12 at No. 1 doubles.

USI also is slated to compete at the ITA Midwest Regional September 15-17 in Allendale, Michigan, as well as the Skyhawk Invite September 28-29 in Martin, Tennessee. USI also is hosting a pair of fundraisers, including the “Shoe the Eagles” event September 19 at Rolling Hills Country Club in Newburgh, Indiana, and the “Broomstick Classic” October 25 at the USI Tennis Courts.

Rickey leads the Eagles to overtime win

0

University of Southern Indiana junior midfielder Sean Rickey (Columbia, Illinois) scored 24 seconds into overtime to lift the Screaming Eagles to a 3-2 victory over Davenport University Friday night in Grand Rapid, Michigan. The Screaming Eagles are off to a 2-1-0 start to 2018, while the Panthers saw their record fall to 1-2-1.

USI had the early momentum in the match and took advantage to go up, 1-0, at the 15:16 mark. Rickey put the Eagles on the scoreboard with his second goal of the season. He scored from 25 yards out after receiving a dish from sophomore forward Graham Miller (Owensboro, Kentucky).

After USI took the 1-0 lead through the intermission, the Panthers seemed to have the match going their way, but the USI defense led by sophomore goalkeeper Justin Faas (Carmel, Indiana) were able to withstand the push by Davenport. The Eagles counter-attacked and extended the lead to 2-0 when freshman defender Colten Walsh (St. Louis, Missouri) headed in a pass from Rickey at 73:58. The goal was Walsh’s second of the season.

The Panthers would rally in the final five minutes to knot the game at 2-2. Davenport cut the lead in half with a penalty kick at 84:29 and a dramatic goal with 30 seconds remaining to send the match to overtime.

In the overtime, the Eagles pushed the kickoff down the field where Rickey pushed the ball across the goal off a pass from junior defender Markus Poulsen (Denmark). Tonight’s two goals gives Rickey the team lead with three tallies in three matches.

Faas picked up his second win of the season between the posts after allowing two goals and making three saves.

The Eagles return home to open 2018 Great Lakes Valley Conference action September 14 when they host Drury University at Strassweg Field. Due to the GLVC home-road weekend, the Eagles and the Panthers will have special Friday afternoon 1 p.m. kickoff. Live coverage is available on GoUSIEagles.com.

“READERS FORUM” SEPTEMBER 8, 2018

4

We hope that today’s “READER%S FORUM” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?

Todays“Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that the new owners of Ellis Park are going to invest the money to make the track and casino more upscale and customer friendly?

Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE Files, Channel 44 News, LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, Hot Jobs” and “LOCAL SPORTS”.  You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.

If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us City-CountyObserver@live.com
Footnote: City-County Observer Comment Policy.  Be kind to people. No personal attacks or harassment will not be tolerated and shall be removed from our site.
We understand that sometimes people don’t always agree and discussions may become a little heated.  The use of offensive language, insults against commenters will not be tolerated and will be removed from our site.

 

 

Democratic Candidate Jeff Hatfield Answers Questions

0

Democratic Candidate Jeff Hatfield Answers Questions

Election day is two months from today. One of the most high profile races in the area is the one for Vanderburgh County Commissioner.

In our continuing series of “What the Candidates Have to Say,” we are talking with Democratic Candidate Jeff Hatfield.

His questions:

If elected, what is the single largest change you would like to make to Vanderburgh County Government?

What would you support, and what would you oppose, concerning development along the University Parkway?

Should the Vanderburgh County jail be expanded, if so, by how much, and how would the county pay for it?

TwitterFacebook