MAKE A NOTE!! -- November 19th, 2003
CIRCULATION - 37,536 (From Around the World! :-)
WEB SITE VISITORS - 77,978
A Free Twice Monthly (1st and 3d Wednesday of each month) Ezine with (Hopefully) Useful Info on a Wide Variety of Topics
NEXT ISSUE TO BE PUBLISHED ON/ABOUT JANUARY 7TH, 2004
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NOTE: Each entry has a suggested "POST IT..." location at the end. We recommend that you print out the ezine, cut out each entry, & post it in these locations to make it easier for you to find when you need it. And if you like what you read, be sure to pass it on to someone else who can use it.
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Reviews of Your Teachers
This is a hot topic and I'm sure I'll get plenty of pro & con feedback, but I
think it is worth the mention. All of the sites I have listed below provide an
opportunity for students to rate their teachers from the middle school to
college level. The info can then be accessed by interested readers. Some school
districts have embraced the sites whole-heartedly, even encouraging students to
provide input on faculty. Others have gone to the other extreme and blocked
access to the web sites from school computers. I personally think that they can
be a good tool, which is why I've decided to share them with you. Most of the
comments actually seem positive, or very constructive. While there are a few
students who appear to be sharing their sour grapes, they are often off-set by
the positive comments on the same teacher. I want to give a word of advice to
those who are new to the profession...it is very easy to take things too
personally when you first get started. When I first started this ezine, EVERY
negative email upset me. But after a while I learned to look at the content,
dismiss foolishness (who would think that an article on antibacterial soap could
stir up such anger :-), and learn from any constructive criticism. So please
take what you can learn from the comments, but remember that in some cases
Neanderthals have learned to type. :-) These sites could prove very helpful to
college students who can select the classes/teachers they wish to take. In the
case of middle/high school students, who have no say in the teachers they have,
it can help them better prepare them for how the teacher teaches. If the reviews
say they have a lot of pop quizzes, or put a lot of weight in class
participation, then you can conduct yourself accordingly. So here are the sites,
be aware that they are monitored, so be sure to read the rules before you post.
There are some others out there, but they have only a limited number of schools.
I found the first two links on this list to be the most comprehensive and
easiest to navigate.
 | http://www.ratemyteachers.com |
| http://www.ratemyprofessors.com |
| http://www.pickaprof.com |
| http://www.reviewum.com |
POST IT...on your favorites site and on your calendar dates for picking classes.
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Book Bags
Why is it that you can't find a selection of book bags except during the
"Back to School" sales? If your student has a light load (usually elementary
school kids), then you probably won't have any problem picking out a bag and
having it last through the year. But these days middle school, high school, and
college students are carrying more on their back than ever before and it is
really separating the "men bags" from the "boy bags." In some cases, the
students either don't have a locker, or don't have time to get to it between
classes, as well. So for all of you students out there who need a serious bag,
here are some things to consider and some sources to check out. If you need a
"serious" bag, then I highly recommend you purchase either Jansport or Eastpak
bags, both have a warranty for the life of the bag, which (if it is well made)
should be many years. They are definitely more expensive at first, but usually
end up costing less than buying a series of less expensive bags without
warranties. This school year alone (Aug.-Nov.), my son went through 3 bags of
other brands without warranty, worth a total of $54, before I finally ordered
him a $120 Jansport bag which should last him at least into college UNDER
WARRANTY. Because Eastpak and Jansport have this warranty, they tell me they go
the extra effort to make the bags well so that there is no NEED to send them
back with problems. I was looking for a Jansport/Eastpak with side cinch straps
to take up the excess bag on days when the load was lighter, and also to help
take the stress off the zippers. We also wanted lots of little pockets around
the main compartment to help keep things organized. In previous years, Jansport/Eastpak
haven't had as many little pockets as many would like, but their representative
recently told me that they are trying to incorporate those features into some of
their newer bags. Be sure NOT to buy the bags at outlet stores, since many will
be seconds and the warranty will NOT be honored by the company. The companies do
not sell the bags themselves, but you can go to their sites to check out the
selection (pay close attention to the measurements) and find a list of stores
that carry the bags. To check out their bags go to...
http://www.jansport.com
http://www.eastpak.com
Ebags has a great selection of both brands and their web site enables you to see
the bags from different angles and even with the pockets opened. Their prices
are usually pretty good. To check out this site go to...
http://www.ebags.com
But if you need a SERIOUS serious bag, then you need to go to
http://www.ccoutdoorstore.com/welcome.htm
And check out the Jansport Revelation 45 bag. It is the largest Jansport/Eastpak
bag available without moving into a metal frame. It has more small pockets, in
addition to the main compartment, than most Jansport/Eastpak bags, and those
great side cinch straps. Lots of room for books, lunches, sports gear, and
personal items. Jansport is phasing it out, but C & C Outdoor Store still has a
good supply. They also have excellent prices on the other bags available through
their site and stores, and I was impressed with their attitude towards customer
service. Be sure you look for the EastPAK if you want the warranty. There is a
bag company that called EastSPORT, and I actually like the price and design of
their bags (lots of pockets, including an insulated one for food) better than
many Jansport/EastPAK, but they do NOT have a lifetime warranty. We had a couple
of problems with the EastSPORT bag we bought, but the company has said they will
replace it this time. While I like the design and customer service, in OUR case,
we really need the warranty provided by Jansport/EastPAK.
POST IT...on your computer, in your phone book under "luggage," and on your
calendar under "July."
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Finding Your Home for Worship
If you are looking for a place to worship, it could take you a very long time
to sort through all the places if you are limited to one place a week. Here's a
way to shorten that hunt, using the internet and cassettes. First use your
computer to find the denominations you are interested in. Our favorite search
engine is
http://www.google.com
Find the denomination's main web site and check out their info. Often they will
also link to sites for houses of worship in your area. Some organizations have
multiple denominations as members. For example, if you are interested in a
reformed Protestant denomination, you can go to...
http://www.opc.org/relations/NAPARC.html
Once you have found the denominations that you are interested in, make a list of
the places of worship in your area, along with their phone numbers. Call them
and let them know that you are looking for a worship home and ask them to send
you a tape of the worship leader's message from the last service. Usually they
will send them free and then you can listen to several messages in the course of
the week. After all, a worship center can have all kinds of programs with all
the bells & whistles, but if the message isn't there, then what's the point?
Once you find the message you like the best, try that place out the next time
they worship.
POST IT...under places of worship in the yellow pages, and on your moving
checklist.
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Unemployed Tradesman/Contractor?
If you are in a trade connected with home building, are unemployed, and willing to move, then you might want to consider checking out jobs in southern California. Recent reports say that with over 3,000 homes burned, it may take years to do reconstruction on them all due to contractor shortages. Be sure to have a definite job before you move, but this is a time when both parties benefit...the contractor/tradesman who needs a job, and the homeowner who gets their home back sooner. Try entering the following into Google ( www.google.com ) (without the quotes) "southern-California (your trade) home-builders". Or better yet, contact your national licensing association, and get the number for the southern California association office. They will usually know where workers are most needed.
POST IT...under "Employment" in the yellow pages.
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Recipe: Turkey Tip
Our best Thanksgiving tips are in our featured back issue (see below), but here's a tip that we got too late last year to include. Put the turkey in the pan upside down, in other words, white meat down. Turn right side up for the last few minutes of roasting to brown the top, or use the broiler for a few moments for a quick fix. This will help your white meat to stay good and moist.
POST IT...wherever you keep your turkey recipes.
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Back Issue Treasure: November 1st, 1999 Issue
Check out our favorite Thanksgiving issue to make the day go smoother than ever before. Lots of great ideas for organizing, keeping the kids busy, and making it a special day. It isn't too late to put together our Thanksgiving banner or set up a donation party as well. Don't forget to check out the recipe for Cornbread Salad, you may start a new tradition. The Cybersurfari program has ended, but that doesn't mean you still can't find lots of good info on the old site. Does your child love sugar-laden cereal?...try the trick in this issue to wean them off of it. All these articles and more in this back issue.
POST IT...by your computer.
To retrieve this back issue click HERE.
POST IT...by your computer.
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Missing Child Info: Cecilia Zang-Dong
Age 9 Apparently abducted from her bedroom in Toronto (Ontario, Canada) between Sunday night (October 19) and the following morning, around 8:30. There were signs of forced entry on her window. Description: Chinese-Canadian, 4 feet 11 inches, 70 pounds, shoulder-length black hair with blonde highlights, brown eyes, thin build Contact: 33 Division (Toronto) at (416)808-3300. You can go to this web site to see a photo. http://www.amberalertsonline.com/
POST IT...in your place of business and/or your vehicle, esp. if you are in the Toronto area.
Final Words
JOKE
We received so many MORE real humorous doctors' names that we HAD to do a PART II. Thanks to all of our readers who contributed: Dr. Shotts, Dr. Slaughter (vet), Dr. Severance - Urologist (also does vasectomies), Dr. John Payne - Pain Care Team-An anesthesiologist, Dr. Blood, Dr. Douglas D. Doctor (Dr. Doctor, can you imagine how many times he has heard the song?:-), Dr. Glass-ophthalmologist, Dr. Toothman dentist, Drs. Butcher & Paine-surgeons in practice together, Dr. Carver is an oral surgeon, and Dr. Hurt is a proctologist. Our thanks to all the doctors who are good sports and keep their sense of humor.
QUOTE
"If you expect perfection from other people, your whole life is a series of
disappointments, grumbling and complaints. If, on the contrary, you pitch your
expectations low, taking folks as the inefficient creatures which they are, you
are frequently surprised by having them perform better than you had hoped."
--Bruce Barton
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AT&T's Community Port
AT&T has a site about WorldNet members, like us, who have created their own personal web pages. If you think our site deserves to be featured on AT&T's Community Port , send them an e-mail about it, at communities@att.net. Be sure to include the page's URL http://home.att.net/~make-a-note/index.htm and why you think our site is special.
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