Daily Archives: June 26, 2012

Mon. June 25, 2012 |

Freedom pitcher Jose Rodriguez has committed to Waubonsee (Ill.) Community College, former Patriots coach A.J. Leppla said Monday. With Rodriguez's commitment, Freedom has three college commits in the same class for the first time in school history.

Rodriguez (5-foot-11, 190 pounds) made two appearances for the Patriots (15-10) last season and earned a save in a 5-2 win over East Bay.

"He only threw a handful of innings or so for us, but was an outstanding young man to have in our program," Leppla said in a text message. "I've very proud of his hard work and dedication to his teammates and coaches, and I know he's going to do well up there."

Leppla, who resigned June 14 after three years, led Freedom to its first winning season in the program's nine-year history and advanced to the Class 7A region quarterfinals.

Kyle and Eric Schindler, twin brothers, both committed to St. Petersburg College in May.

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Baseball: Freedom P Jose Rodriguez commits to Waubonsee CC

The stream of public-school students getting off the bus at the private Providence Day School last week illustrates a summer trend: Freedom Schools are popping up across Charlotte.

The schools, created by the national Childrens Defense Fund in 1992, are six-week summer programs designed to boost reading skills and self-confidence among disadvantaged children in elementary and middle school.

Staff, parents and students at Providence Day this summer joined the growing number of churches, universities and other groups hosting the schools. With 25 sites up from 15 last summer Charlottes program is the biggest in the country.

Energized by the surge of interest, Freedom School Partners aims to boost enrollment from 1,600 kids this year to 5,000 in 2016.

If we can solve summer learning loss and get kids excited about reading, we can change the world, says Executive Director Mary Nell McPherson.

With the economy still rocky, why are people stepping up to a challenge that requires an investment $60,000 for a 50-student site? The cost is $200 a week per child; families pay only a one-time signup fee of $35.

McPherson likes to talk about magic. Theres the buoyant energy of the morning Harambee ceremony, where college students lead younger children in songs and chants to psych themselves up. Theres the joy of adult volunteers reading to crowds of rapt children, who go home with arms full of books.

For the more practical-minded, theres a measurable chance to help struggling schools and students. Teachers spend nine months working to get kids up to grade level, only to watch gains slip away when summers are spent in front of TVs or video games. National research indicates that summer slippage is one of the biggest contributors to the gap in academic performance between children of poverty and their classmates from middle- and upper-income families.

Schools help Freedom Schools identify children who need some academic help and arent likely to get good summer enrichment activities otherwise. The scholars, as participants are called, spend their mornings reading, in groups and on their own, with lots of access to stories about people who have achieved success despite obstacles. Afternoons are for summer fun and educational field trips, much like other camps.

UNC Charlotte researchers have tested Charlottes Freedom School students on reading skills for the last three summers, and found that at least 90 percent held steady or saw gains.

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Charlotte’s roster of Freedom Schools is booming

ALBUQUERQUE, NM--(Marketwire -06/25/12)- Lighting up the majestic New Mexico sky, the finale fireworks of the annual Freedom Fourth celebration in Albuquerque are sure to be spectacular and with special deals at prominent hotels in Albuquerque, travelers can easily enjoy all the festivities along with the comforts of gracious accommodations.

Encompassing the entire 360-acre Balloon Fiesta Park, this year's Freedom Fourth will boast an abundance of live music, family entertainment, food and fireworks as Albuquerque celebrates the Fourth of July. Musical entertainment is slated to begin at 4 p.m. featuring a variety of bands and a special Presentation of Colors by the Falcon Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol is set for 7:50. The legendary country band Diamond Rio will take to the main stage at 8 p.m. and the much anticipated fireworks display will conclude the event beginning at 9:15.

Conveniently located next to the festivities, the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North hotel has created a special package in honor of the celebration, making it easy for travelers and locals to share in the excitement as music fills the air and fireworks light up the already brilliant New Mexico sky. Available only for a limited time, this Albuquerque Marriott's "Freedom Fourth" package includes complimentary breakfast for two, a welcome amenity and deluxe accommodations at a rate of just $124.99*. An upgraded package is also available that includes a room with view of the fireworks for just $149.99*.

These distinctive accommodations in Albuquerque are an ideal choice for those planning a Fourth of July stay in New Mexico's largest city and can easily be booked online by using promotional code FOO at http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/abqmc-albuquerque-marriott-pyramid-north/ or by calling 1-800-262-2043.

A perfect opportunity for creating a summer getaway, guests of this stylish lodging in Albuquerque find themselves not only near Balloon Fiesta Park, but located on I-25 in the Journal Center Business Complex with easy access to popular Albuquerque attractions including Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, Historic Old Town and award-winning golf courses.

For added enjoyment, this Albuquerque hotel with indoor pool features the Sandia Grille for full menu breakfast, lunch and dinner options; the High Desert Lounge located inside the hotel's spacious atrium which features a relaxing two-story waterfall; a well-equipped fitness facility and full-service business center.

*Rates are per room per night and valid only 7/1/12 through 7/9/12 based on availability at the time of reservation. Offer is not valid for groups of 10 or more rooms and may not be combined with any other discount or promotion.

About the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid NorthThe Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North welcomes guests with warm and vibrant accommodations set against the picturesque Sandia Mountains, attentive service and luxurious amenities. While the hotel offers an array of spacious guest rooms and well-appointed suites, this sophisticated Marriott hotel property also houses 27,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space, ideal for business meetings, corporate conferences and elegant social gatherings.

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Freedom Fourth Celebration Lights the Sky Near Lodging in Albuquerque

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Fuel Freedom Foundation Co-Founder Yossie Hollander told the first TEDx audience at Chapman University on June 21st that American consumers could have $2-a-gallon transportation fuel tomorrow if alternative fuels like natural gas, methanol, ethanol and electricity were allowed to compete at the pump with gasoline.

More than 750 people attended the TEDxChapmanU conference, an independently organized event licensed by TED. An additional 11,000 people registered online to watch the event and Hollanders address, Ending Our Oil Addiction, streaming from the campus in Orange, CA. Hollander was among a group of speakers, including automotive innovator Henrick Fisker and Freedom Writers founder Erin Gruwell, who spoke at the event, titled: Icons, Geniuses and Mavericks.

Your car right now could be converted for $100 or less to run on liquid replacement fuels that cost $2-a-gallon, said Hollander. But it is not legal. Fuels exist today that are cheaper and cleaner than gasoline, are available and will generate American jobs. What we need is competition, like we have in every other market. I can buy whatever television I want, whatever cell phone I want. Americans should be able to buy whatever fuel they want to power their cars.

Standing in the way, Hollander said, are a closed fuel distribution system and outdated regulations. He noted, for example, that the electric carmaker Tesla Motors had to pay a $275,000 fine to the EPA because it didnt have an emissions certificate. Apparently, you need to test emissions for an electric car as well, Hollander said to widespread laughter. Electric vehicles, of course, produce no exhaust.

Hollander pointed out that the breakneck pace of urbanization in China, India and other developing nations will keep global oil prices high despite dramatic increases in domestic U.S. drilling and efforts to conserve oil use and make gasoline engines more efficient. The only way to lower gasoline prices significantly and permanently is to open the markets to competition from replacement fuels, he said.

About Fuel Freedom

The Fuel Freedom Foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the U.S. economys oil addiction through the development of cheaper, cleaner, American-made fuels. Americans could easily convert their cars to run on replacement fuels for gasoline, but outdated regulations and entrenched commercial interests stand in the way. The Fuel Freedom campaign aims to remove barriers to competition so that natural gas, methanol, ethanol and electricity can compete on equal footing with gasoline at the pump and at the dealership. Achieving Fuel Freedom will lower fuel prices, create jobs, spur economic growth, reduce pollution, and improve national and global security. For more information go to the Foundations website at: http://www.fuelfreedom.org; Facebook: FuelFreedomFoundation (https://www.facebook.com/FuelFreedomFoundation); and Twitter: @FuelFreedomNow.

About TEDx

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

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Fuel Freedom’s Yossie Hollander Tells Chapman University TEDx Conference How to “End Our Oil Addiction”