conjectural navel gazing; jesus in lint form

bill gates and an irish band

Bill Gates has done something unexpected. He has spoken about public school. He did so in front of a bunch of governors. This frightens me an many levels. But that really doesn't matter. Here is the Op/Ed piece from the NY Times. I posted the full text in the forum. Let me know what you guys think.

Given the facts, it should come as no surprise that American high school students are losing ground compared with their peers abroad, and now score near the bottom in the industrialized world. The problem, as Mr. Gates pointed out in his incendiary speech, is the American high school system itself, which was never designed for the purpose of providing high-quality education for all of its students. On the contrary, it was created to send an elite to college while keeping the other students off the streets until they were old enough for unskilled farm and factory jobs. Those jobs have largely disappeared. But the high schools remain, and changing them will require more than a few pledges made at a conference in Washington.

In other news this morning, the gig season has started with a bang for One of the Girls. We have a gig at Heartland on the evening of March 13. Information can be found by following the extended entry link. It should be a good time and BackStage is a good theater company. I have to admit that playing these little benefits has been very good for the band.

For St. Patrick's Day we have three gigs lined up. I will let you know when it is all final, but we will be playing at the Handlebar, Wabash Tap and Small Bar in Logan Square. I am very excited. Things always look good for us this time of year. We have a little demo now. That has helped get some gigs. What I am hoping is that we will get to play at a couple of the local festivals this summer. There seems to be one every weekend. I think I would be a happy camper. Yes, I think I would.

BackStage Theatre Company announces its Spring Benefit...Irish style!
Featuring the Irish folk band "One of the Girls."

When: Sunday, March 13th (closing night of ANTON IN SHOW BUSINESS)
Time: 6pm - ?
Where: Heartland Café 7000 N. Glenwood (next door to the Heartland Studio!)
Featuring: delicious food, cool drinks, live music and some surprises!

There is NO charge to attend. BackStage receives a portion of the proceeds at the Heartland Cafe that evening.

We need a lot of people there...so be sure to come hungry and ready for some fun!

Also...if you haven't seen ANTON IN SHOW BUSINESS yet, you have six more shows to do it! The Chicago Reader has Highly Recommended the production.

For reservations, call (312) 683-5347. Also, visit our website for more information: www.backstagetheatrecompany.org.

ANTON IN SHOW BUSINESS by Jane Martin
February 4 - March 13, 2005

Posted by tripp at March 1, 2005 05:37 AM