| Lifetime learners: Colleges offer array of continuing education ...
When Cheryl Walker-Ridder was in Rome, she could do as the Romans do — speak Italian. After taking a continuing education course at Chattanooga State Technical Community College in conversational Italian, Mrs. Walker-Ridder and her husband, Richard, were able to order off menus and navigate Italy during a family trip to Rome during Christmas. “(The class) gave us a nice foundation," the 57-year-old Hixson nurse said. “We didn't go in with the idea of being completely conversational." It was the couple's first such class, but it won't be the last. Mrs. Walker-Ridder plans to take a basic computer class to upgrade her technology skills. The two are among a growing number of adults enrolling in mostly noncredit education courses, sometimes called continuing education classes, offered through local colleges and universities.
Expanding Horizons
Launching a film festival is no easy task, no matter what city you're in or what kinds of film you want to show. But as New Yorkers Eric Beckman and Emily Shapiro found out back in 1997, there are extra hurdles involved when you start with the words "children's films." "In the beginning, I could just tell the picture that started playing in the heads of these filmmakers," Mr. Beckman recalled. "As soon as you mentioned the words 'Children's Film Festival,' they started thinking 'The Teddy Bears' Picnic.'" The misconceptions persisted to the point that Mr. Beckman sought out proactive ways to address the issue. At one point, he imagined specialized letterhead featuring animated images of Mickey Mouse and Barney, and two red circles with slashes going through the icons.
County delays emergency land-use law, will allow testimony
They keep passing the buck," said 72-year-old Kenneth Bigham of Sams Valley. "They're just waiting for the older people to die. It's not right." Bigham is one of 571 property owners who received a waiver of land-use regulations from Jackson County commissioners that he's worried may no longer be valid. Commissioners had scheduled a first reading of an emergency ordinance that deals with the thorny issue of vested rights under Measure 49, but said no public testimony would be allowed today. After public outcry, however, commissioners decided to delay a first reading of the ordinance. Both the first and second reading of the law is now set at 9:30 a.m. on the same day, March 12, at the Jackson County courthouse. The public will have the opportunity to speak on the issue then.
The Vital Spark
The only shop on the island is open and the café is doing brisk business in bacon rolls. In winter, this café, which is owned by the islanders, only opens when the ferry comes in and on Friday and Saturday evenings when it metamorphoses into a bar. Tales are swapped of parties that started mid-afternoon and ended who knows when. One man has lost his front teeth, perhaps in a septic tank. He does not look unduly concerned. Appearances do not count for much in these parts. Maggie Fyffe, the sole employee of the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust, introduces her daughter, Tasha, who has been taking a course in Indian head massage, which involves days at college in Inverness. Among other services she provides are age delaying, mind relaxing, stress releasing and "zest restoring". Like the rest of the islanders, Tasha cannot wait for electricity to come, when she will be able to switch on the washing machine without giving it a second thought.
THE NEVADA CAUCUS: Poll: Nevada going to Clinton, Romney Obama picks ...
Huckabee wins on moral values, McCain wins on the war on terror, immigration is split, taxes are split. Romney does a little bit better on economic issues," Coker said. "Here, Romney is across the board the best on all five issues. I haven't seen that anywhere else, and it tells me he's pretty strong." Alone among Republicans, Romney has built a significant campaign infrastructure in Nevada, and is completing a two-day swing through the state today. "He's paid the most attention to the state, he has the organization, and he has national credibility" from second-place finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire. Coker said Romney's lead was the same before and after his win Tuesday in Michigan. Nevada's Republican caucus is likely to be overshadowed by Saturday's South Carolina Republican primary.
Key Figures in Pakistan's Elections
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Crackdown on rowdy drinkers
The Evening News revealed earlier this month how at least one complaint a day about noisy smokers is being made to the local authority on the issue. Councillor Sheila Gilmore, the city's antisocial behaviour leader, said: "The bylaw is not just for the city centre, it's intended to be used across the city. "In some other parts of the country it is against the law completely to drink outdoors unless in pavement cafes, but we didn't want to be seen as killjoys. "The police have told us that their officers will use their own judgment in every individual case and that a commonsense approach will be taken." A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Police told the Evening News: "We will be duty-bound to enforce the laws as set down by the Scottish Executive, working alongside the council, but we would not like to make any further comment at this stage.
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