E-news August 10, 2011
by mercypilkington
 Mileage
Aug 10, 2011 | 2779 views |  0 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend | print | permalink
ARC member Gordon Harvey at the SF Marathon
ARC member Gordon Harvey at the SF Marathon
slideshow

Good afternoon runners! Hope you haven't stashed your running shoes under the bed or left them in the trunk of the car now that the excitement of Woodstock has cooled a little bit...your next Grand Prix race is THIS SATURDAY! Check out the website at annistonrunners.com for all the information you need on the Lincoln 5K.

1) RACE REPORTS

***
First off, congratulations to everyone who volunteered to help out with Woodstock.  You guys deserve a big thank you for a race well organized and executed!  We enjoyed the race thoroughly, and already look forward to next year.  Jen and I also ran the Hot to Trot 8hr race in GA on Sunday.  It is a timed race, meaning the standings are determined by how many total miles you run in 8 hrs--not on who goes a set distance the fastest.  This particular race is run on very pretty trail over at Sweetwater.  Jen and I had a good time, and their race was also extremely well run by the G.U.T.S. group.  We had a ball, and managed to perservere together through 32 very hot/sweaty laps, or about 37.8 miles total.  This was good enough for 7th place for Jen/femlaes, and 8th place for me in the males, or 14th and 15th overall.  Timed races aren't for everyone, but it really is a fun format, and you end up making a lot of new friends and cheering each other on. 
 
Jay Worrall

 

***
Six local runners from the ARC (Derrick Carver, Amie Hinton, Dylan McPhee, Mike McPhee, Greg Velasquez and myself) went down to Clinton, Mississippi on Saturday July 30, 2011 to compete in the 1st Official Big Butts 50/100K at Butts State Park. For Derrick and Amie this was their first 50K race. Amie was actually talked into signing up on Friday at packet pickup.

 

I am pleased to report that on a day when temperatures reached 106 degree all of us completed the 50K. The initial field was 57 runners and 18 dropped out before finishing at least 50K. We worked as a team when necessary to make sure all of our group got across the line. I was more ambitious and attempted the 100K but realized after 42 miles that I wasn't on pace to complete it in the 14 hour time limit so I tapped out.

 

For anyone who is interested in running their first 50K, this is a great course to do so as it is really flat and fast! Next year's race is set for July 28, 2012.

 

Joe Jankoski

 

***

 

Ran the 2011 San Francisco Marathon on July 31. Finished in 3:33 and had a great time. beautiful course and amazing race organization. Lots of hills, but running up and down Jacksonville's Chimney Peak every Thursday had me ready.

Gordon Harvey

2) TRAINING RUNS

Hey Anniston Runners - Did you enjoy those Thursday evening Woodstock runs?
All the camaraderie? All the support and energy from fellow runners? The
cold water at the finish? The hills? The thrill of victory? (No agony of
defeat.) Well, the fun can continue if you want it to!?! Why stop now? Who's
in to run the Woodstock course (or a variation thereof) every Thursday
evening about 5:45 p.m.
If you are interested, email:

 

Brooke Nelson
brookenelson@amcvets.com
256-239-9001

 

3) NEWS

 


2011 WOODSTOCK SURVEY

You will be receiving an email about the 2011 Woodstock 5K and Kidstock 1 Mile Survey. Please take a few minutes (We promise, it will be quick.) to fill it out and submit. Everyone who was involved in any way should receive the survey – runners, walkers, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, etc. We use this info every year to make improvements to our signature race. PLUS, you will be entered in a random selection for a FREE 2012 Woodstock entry. So please take the survey as soon as you get it. If you have questions, please email Drew Nelson at:  drewnelson@amcvets.com Thanks!

Hey there ARC. Man it's hot and humid! This ain't Kansas OR RI!


Thanks to all who have reported. Check your data for accuracy. Everybody with a zero in July, let's see some mileage.

Have a great rest of your week runners!!!
MERCY

 

Woodstock 5K Update August 6, 2011
by mercypilkington
 Mileage
Aug 06, 2011 | 1174 views |  0 comments | 12 12 recommendations | email to a friend | print | permalink

If you've been hiding out in the Batcave for the past few months, you may not know that the RRCA 5K National Championship was held today...the 31st annual running of the Woodstock 5K!

 

First, let me say FANTASTIC JOB VOLUNTEERS! Record numbers of people gave their time and energy to stage this signature event. Great job Dennis Dunn in putting on the race! Awesome presidential leadership throughtout, Ed Turner! Brooke Nelson, you're a coordinating rock star! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to the literally hundreds of people who made this event happen today.

 

A huge thank you also goes to everyone from Anniston High School. I don't know of many races that offer an air conditioned auditorium for the awards ceremony, and I know the 1400 runners appreciated the chance to cool off indoors. It was especially appreciated considering that the faculty and staff return to work in less than 48 hours, and we know that many sweaty runners can leave a little bit of a mess behind!

 

Reuben Mwei and Janet Cherobon-Bawcom were the overall male and female winners respectively.


Results are available online at http://www.besttimescct.com/results/Woodstock11.txt so check out the times!
E-news August 3, 2011
by mercypilkington
 Mileage
Aug 03, 2011 | 1223 views |  0 comments | 10 10 recommendations | email to a friend | print | permalink
Don't miss out on the fun!
Don't miss out on the fun!
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Hi runners! Guess what day it is? It’s the Wednesday Before Woodstock! Do you know what that means? Well, if you’re good at math it means you already know there are only three days til the Big Race! (If you’re not good at math, I just told you there are three days til the Big Race!)

Below I’m posting a step-by-step timeline of how you want your race weekend to go, just so there are no surprises when you get there.

 

But first, if you haven’t signed up already to volunteer, don’t worry. I’m here to ease the guilt that is stabbing you horrifically in the gut. Still want to run but didn’t want to be tied down with race-day responsibilities? Brooke Nelson and crew need a few (million) extra hands at the storage unit and at set-up. Here’s her note:

 

Thursday after the run – We will be going to the ARC unit to clear out anything else that is needed, mainly scaffolding, podiums, etc…. Tom and I would love any help loading all this stuff.
Friday, 3 p.m. at the race site – Tom plans to start building the Start and Finish standards, so we need helpers. Bring gloves as the scaffolding is very hot at this time. FRIDAY is a must for volunteers, so be a helper!


Thanks!

Brooke Nelson

brookenelson@amcvets.com

256-239-9001

 

Woodstock 5K Race Weekend Timeline:

Friday – Beat the race day rush and get your packet during the Pasta Pig Out, from 5pm to 7pm at the Anniston High School gym/cafeteria. If you have friends who still haven’t signed up, FRIDAY is the LAST CHANCE! There is NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION! Get your packet, go home, get a good night’s sleep.

Saturday –

6:30 a.m.- Last chance to pickup packets. NO RACE-DAY REGISTRATION (Have I mentioned that?)
7:15 a.m.- First Call to the Start Line
7:25 a.m.- Final Announcements
7:30 a.m.- Woodstock 5K Start
8:30 a.m.- Kidstock 1 Mile Run/Walk Start
Post-Race Party and Expo
9:30 a.m.- Awards Ceremony

That should give you a clear idea of what will take place during all the fun that is Woodstock. If you still have questions, there will be plenty of people on hand at the Pasta Dinner who can answer those questions and give you a lot more helpful hints in order to have the best race ever. Don’t miss out!

E-news July 28, 2011
by mercypilkington
 Mileage
Jul 28, 2011 | 1209 views |  0 comments | 10 10 recommendations | email to a friend | print | permalink
Team Gower, winner of the 2010 Skyler Brady Heart of a Champion Award
Team Gower, winner of the 2010 Skyler Brady Heart of a Champion Award
slideshow

 

 

Hi runners! I hope you've taken advantage of the on-again-off-again rains to log some serious training miles...while showering at the same time!

1) NEWS
Woodstock Woodstock Woodstock! Let's see how many times the word Woodstock can be squeezed into one email. I won't have to do that if you contact Dennis Dunn ASAP and let him know how you can help make this year's running the best one yet. There are still positions that need to be filled, so hurry! It's also a huge surprise how many runners forget to register until the last minute, and you don't want to do that. Why, you ask?

BECAUSE YOU MIGHT NOT GET A SHIRT! Let me say that again...YOU MIGHT NOT GET A SHIRT if you wait til the last minute, and this year's shirt is one you do NOT want to miss. It's got everything...wick away fabric...the biggest bird ever to appear on any shirt in your wardrobe (I hope)...and it's lime green! What else could you ask for from a free piece of clothing???


2) UPCOMING EVENTS
Never let it be said that we let you take it easy. Woodstock is all the news, but don't forget that the next Grand Prix event after Woodstock is the very next weekend. Check out the Anniston Runners Club website at annistonrunners.com for all the info and entry forms.


Rock-and-Roll San Antonio takes place in November this year, but the price increase happens on July 31st. Check out all the rock-and-roll series events on their website for complete information.


3) RACE REPORTS
Don't forget to send me all your news so we can brag on you! Photos are welcome, but remember that these are now attached to the Anniston Star community blog pages.

Speaking of blogs, this email is also viewable as the Anniston Star community blog page under Mileage. Find it here at http://annistonstar.com/blogs_mileage.

Have a great week!
MERCY

E-news July 19, 2011
by mercypilkington
 Mileage
Jul 19, 2011 | 1350 views |  0 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend | print | permalink

Hi there, Runners! Let me ask you a question: how's your Woodstock training shaping up? Not so happy with it? Why don't you join the 50 runners who came out Saturday at 7:30am to train on the course?

1) WOODSTOCK NEWS
There is still a lot to be done on this awesome event, and there are quite a few positions that will still enable you to run the event on race day. Check with Dennis Dunn and he will plug you into a job that's right for you (ddunn@annistonstar.com).

Training for Woodstock still takes place on Saturday (see above) and Thursdays at 5:45pm.

2) RACE REPORTS
This weekend, Jennifer Ford and I ran the Tahoe Rim Trail 50 mile race.  I can honestly say it was both the most beautiful, and the most difficult, race I have ever done.  It is quite challenging with nearly 10,000 feet of elevation change, the entire course is run between 6,000 and 10,000 feet elevation, and there's one two-mile stretch (from miles 30-32) of approximately 2,000' of climb straight up a black diamond ski run.  This was really something!  You had snow fields and creek crossings, too.  All in all it made for quite an adventure.  I am happy to say that we were both very happy with our efforts, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  I would recommend this race to anyone, with the one caveat of: be prepared to work hard!  It was simply gorgeous there, and I hope to race there again someday!
 
Jay Worrall

Donation Goal has been met!

Many thanks to all who donated to this worthy cause.
 
Several who have donated $10 have NOT submitted a prediction. If you are one of them, please do so. Somebody is going to double their money and win the prize awarded for meeting the goal. You can’t win if you don’t predict.
If you haven’t joined the prediction challenge, feel free to do so. Goal is met but it’s probably an easy way to make some money for your charity and earn a nice prize.
 
The swim is imminent on Saturday July 23, so get in your prediction ASAP.  No predictions accepted after the swim.
Email predictions to William.Johnson@cms.hhs.gov 
per original Email below.
Do not tell me.  Do not post on Save the Bay Page. This will keep it fair.
Note past  swim times are listed to facilitate your prediction.
 
Make your donation to
https://www.savebay.org/
JimLuisParham

If I survive the swim, will advise the winner following the race.

3) UPCOMING EVENTS
Historic Lincoln ’s 10th Annual 5k Run/Walk, an ARC Grand Prix Race, is Saturday, August 13th
The race begins at 7:30 a.m. with check-in
and registration at 6:30.  A Children’s Run/Walk follows. 
(Applications also are available at the Chamber office , 210 East Street, South in Talladega .)
http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1873845

JOIN THE PARTY IN L.A!

Run the Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles
Half Marathon benefiting the ASPCA on October 30.

Price Rollback – Save $15 when you
register before July 31st with coupon code ROLLBACK.

Rub shoulders with celebrities and enjoy the FREE Bret Michaels finish line concert. New loop course starts & finishes downtown at
L.A. LIVE. Register Today!


Fool's Gold 50 & 100 - Dahlonega, Georgia - August 20, 2011

Tomorrow is your last chance to secure one of the limited edition "Speedy Bike Club Dahlonega" shirts from Twin Six. If you have not registered, you better get with it. Like the 2011 Southern Cross shirt, this one is another Twin Six & Krautstache Design collaboration with the Fool's Gold race logo on the sleeve.  The shirts are black with metallic gold ink.  You know you want one. If you have already registered you all set and will receive your shirt when you check in for the race.

You are only guaranteed one of these shirts if you register by July 16.  Register now before you forget.  Want the shirt, but not the race?  You can do that through Bikereg.com as well.

4) NEWS
Remember, the e-news is now available to view as the blog MILEAGE through the Anniston Star community blogging pages (psst...so is the ARC triathlon team news under Tri Talk). Click the link to take a look!
http://annistonstar.com/blogs_mileage

Have a great week!
MERCY

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Dispute over records charge keeps JSU off teacher training ratings list
by Madasyn Czebiniak
Star staff writer
Jun 20, 2013 | 493 views |  0 comments | 12 12 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Jacksonville State University’s teacher preparation program, one of the biggest in the state, doesn't have a ranking in the first-ever nationwide survey of teacher preparation programs. The authors of the study released this week say it’s because the university wanted to charge them $9,800 for data. “We thought that charge was excessive,” said Arthur McKee, the managing director of teacher preparation studies at the National Council for Teacher Quality. The council asked 1,100 colleges for information about their teacher preparation programs as part of what the study’s authors say is the first nationwide assessment of teacher training. John Hammett, dean of the college of education and professional studies at JSU, said school officials didn’t agree with the study’s methodology. “We didn’t think it was a valid evaluation of our program. They don’t look at the empirical data,” he said. Checking on teacher training The council was created in 2000 to increase the number of effective teachers in the nation. Researchers with the council requested syllabi, alumni surveys and outlines of the courses taught in each preparation program from teachers’ colleges across the country so they could see whether prospective teachers were receiving proper training. The council got responses from 608 schools. The review team was made up of 84 analysts under the supervision of McKee. They rated institutions on four standards: admissions, subject preparation, practice teaching and how well alumni felt the program served their needs. Chet Linton, the CEO and president of the School Improvement Network, said he thinks the country is at a point where everyone wants things to get better, especially when it comes to education. “Students need to be prepared for the work environment. They need to collaborate. They need to be able to use technology. But we don’t have teachers who can walk into classrooms and teach students those skills,” he said. Linton said colleges have the opportunity to implement Common Core training for upcoming teachers so they can hit the ground running when they start working. The implementation of Common Core teaching standards in teaching programs were included in the ratings. Hammett said the council graded JSU on Common Core math standards that had yet to be implemented. “We weren’t even doing that yet and they were trying to evaluate us on it,” he said. The price tag McKee said most institutions charged around $250 to provide information for the study. At least two other Alabama institutions asked for four-figure amounts to provide data, the council said. The University of Alabama at Birmingham asked for $3,395. The University of Alabama wanted $4,000. UAB spokeswoman Dale Turnbough declined to comment Wednesday. Attempts to reach officials of the University of Alabama’s college of education for comment were not immediately successful Wednesday. Hammett said he was confused by the council’s review of JSU’s education preparation programs because he eventually sent them the information they requested. Hammett said he originally told the council the information they requested could cost the group up to $10,000. Both McKee and Hammett said after the council shortened its list of requested documents, Hammett compiled the information on his own and sent it to them for free, he said. “I sent them six emails full of data,” he said. But by then it was too late. The deadline for information was mid-January. Hammett sent the information on Jan. 29, said Stephanie Zoz, the council’s manager of data collection said. JSU in the ratings JSU did not appear on the council’s overall program rating chart Tuesday because the university originally resisted the council’s request for information. The ratings scale went from zero, the lowest, to four, the highest rating. Hammett said he believes JSU should have received a four on the rating system, especially because it has been accredited by the Education Department and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Attempts Wednesday to reach officials with the state Education Department were unsuccessful. Zoz said she could not say what rating JSU would have received if it had released its information earlier, only that the information would be added to the review next year. According to McKee, the council originally had ambitions of rating more than 1,100 programs but were still pleased with the effort’s progress. “The institutions we have in the review produce 72 percent of the teachers in the nation,” he said. McKee said he hopes to add JSU’s data to next year’s review. “We’re glad the dean wants to provide the information. We think it’s a happy ending,” he said. Staff Writer Madasyn Czebiniak: 256-235-3553. On Twitter: @Mczebiniak_Star
Second Cleburne commissioner probed in use of inmate labor
by Laura Camper
lcamper@annistonstar.com
Jun 20, 2013 | 232 views |  0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Two Cleburne County commissioners’ use of inmate labor is being scrutinized by the Alabama Ethics Commission. The state body requested records connected to Commissioner Laura Cobb’s employment of a county inmate at a gas station she manages, according to documents provided by Cleburne County Probate Judge Ryan Robertson this week in response to a request from The Star. The Ethics Commission also has requested records of Commissioner Emmett Owen’s use of inmate labor. Cobb, who took office in January, interviewed the inmate, who was later hired to work full-time in the gas station on Alabama 46, she said. The inmate is paid $7.25 per hour, the federal minimum wage. Cobb said that inmate, Kevin Walker, was released from jail about two weeks ago and still works for the station doing cleaning and yard work. According to the records provided by Robertson, the Ethics Commission requested the records of the gas station’s payments to Walker as well as the records of Owen's payments to inmates at his place of business in Georgia. Cobb told a reporter she has not spoken to an investigator. The Ethics Commission does not discuss its investigations, a legal research assistant said last week. Owen has spoken to an investigator and last week he acknowledged taking prisoners to work with him at the Candler Building in Atlanta. Taking the inmates out of state is an infraction of the rules of the program, but according to John Hamm, director of member services for the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, it’s not against state law. Owen last week declined to talk with The Star about whether he had broken any other rules of the program. Cobb was "confused" as to why her employer’s use of inmate labor is being questioned now, she told The Star. “He (Walker) would not have been able to get out if he had not had a full-time job,” Cobb said. Walker told The Star Wednesday that he was grateful to be a part of the program. He said he started out doing community service through the program and later got the paying job at the station. It gave him a chance to pay his fines and support his two children while he was in jail, Walker said. It also gave him a chance to meet people in the community, said Walker, who is from Georgia. “I have community support to where I didn’t have any,” Walker said. The gas station, owned by Won G. Cho, has been using inmates through the program for two or three years, Cobb said. The station was having a difficult time finding reliable employees and the coordinator of the work release program suggested using inmates, she said. It’s worked out very well for the station, and it gives the inmates the opportunity to pay their fines, Cobb said. Cho’s daughter, Maria, confirmed Cobb's comments. She said the inmates have been hard workers and that they have helped her father, who is getting older, she said. “They’re really generous to my daddy,” Cho said. “They help him.” Lane Kilgore, jail administrator, said he could not find an employer contract for the gas station in part because he doesn’t know whose name to look under. The corrections officer who manages the program has been out sick and was unable to help search. But, Kilgore said, Walker is the second inmate who has worked at the station. Staff writer Laura Camper: 256-235-3545. On Twitter @LCamper_Star.
 Leonard “Mac” McQuown (Photo for The Anniston Star by Misty Pointer)
Leonard “Mac” McQuown (Photo for The Anniston Star by Misty Pointer)
slideshow
Heflin PD applies for free stuff
by Laura Camper
lcamper@annistonstar.com
Jun 19, 2013 | 174 views |  0 comments | 5 5 recommendations | email to a friend | print
The city of Heflin Police Department has applied to receive tens of thousands of dollars of free equipment through a military surplus program. Captain AJ Benefield, interim police chief in Heflin, said the department is trying for a boat, two golf carts, three all-terrain vehicles and a 36-passenger bus through the 1033 Military Surplus program. It has been approved at the state level but is waiting for final approval, Benefield said. If the department gets all the requested items, it could total about $150,000 worth of equipment, he said. “And all of this is no cost,” Benefield said. The department does have to pick up the equipment and pay any fees or permits to transport it back to the community, he said. The department has gotten other equipment through the program including M16 guns and a bulldozer, Benefield said. “You have to do justification for your department to use these items,” Benefield said. The city could use the golf carts and ATVs to help patrol special events like the concert a few weeks ago or the upcoming Fourth of July parade, Benefield said. The boat could be used for a water rescue on Lake Heflin or at the watershed, he said. And if the city finds that it doesn’t use the equipment, with the exception of demilitarized weapons and such, after a year the department can auction it off to recoup their investment, Benefield said. Sgt. Kenneth Perryman, program coordinator for the state of Alabama, said by 2012, Alabama law enforcement agencies had received more than $16 million worth of equipment through the program. The program is open to all federal and state law enforcement agencies with arrest authority, Perryman said. The program was created by federal act in 1995 with a focus on counter-drug and terrorism efforts. Not all police departments have to deal with terrorism, but they do deal with drug arrests, he said. The program gives them access to high end equipment that they may not otherwise be able to afford, he added. “Whenever (the military) turns things back in, it’s available for law enforcement agencies,” Perryman said. The equipment can run the gamut from buildings, to aircraft, to weapons, to night vision goggles to protective clothing, he said. It’s all given away on a first-come, first-served basis, Benefield said. He gets emails when new equipment becomes available and lets the state know when he is interested in an item. It can take anywhere from two hours to two days to hear back from the state if the department’s request is approved, but it takes longer to go through the rest of the process, Benefield said. Approval for the equipment has to go through three departments, the state, the Department of Defense and the Defense Logistics Agency, which oversees the program, Perryman said. It can take a few weeks before the department will know for sure that it got the equipment, Benefield said. But it’s worth the wait. It’s equipment the department doesn’t have the money to go out and purchase otherwise, he added. “It’s a very beneficial program if used right,” Benefield said.
The Cleburne News - 06/20/13
Jun 19, 2013 | 20 views |  0 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend | print
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