Allen Howell

It's all about Education

2009-08-06T12:24:00.003-04:00

What does Erie County, Pennsylvania most need? Where should scarce resources (such as from government entities, school district budgets, local businesses, and individual philanthropists) be allocated to get the most powerful results? Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime. We've all heard it before. The best way to lift people out of poverty, the best way to enrich the lives of people from all socioeconomic strata, for that matter, is to give them skills, attitudes, values, and knowledge that will ensure that they eat well (body and soul) for a lifetime. Children are easier to teach than adults. Public schools reach more needy children than private. Therefore, we need to allocate more resources for public education.

The underlying assumption, here, is that we need to do what is best for all of us. Discussions such as this should not break down along ideological lines. The collective WE should realize that for all of us to succeed, WE need to provide the resources to teach all of our children.

What about educational reform? The collective WE is not willing to throw money at a system that is not working. The current system is too narrow, focusing only on two intelligences--language arts and mathematics--rather than on broader definitions of what people need to be successful (e.g., Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_intelligence.

Traditionally, schools have emphasized the development of logical intelligence and linguistic intelligence (mainly reading and writing). While many students function well in this environment, there are those who do not. Gardner's theory argues that students will be better served by a broader vision of education, wherein teachers use different methodologies, exercises and activities to reach all students, not just those who excel at linguistic and logical intelligence. (quotation from article cited in previous paragraph)

What about arts education?

Arts Integration Research and Advocacy

The impetus for arts integration is a growing body of research that demonstrates how learners experience success when taught why and how to use music, visual art, drama/dance, theatre and the literary arts to both express and understand ideas, thoughts and feelings. Critical Links [1], a compendium published by the Arts Education Partnership (AEP), includes 62 studies which examine the relationship between arts learning, academic achievement, and social development of students.[2] Highlights include studies which explore the use of drama to increase students' reading comprehension and studies which examine the relationship between music and math concepts. The Arts Education Partnership has also published The Third Space [3], which profiles ten arts-integrated schools across the United States.

Another American organization conducting research in arts integration is the Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) [4]. It has published, through Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Renaissance in the Classroom: Arts Integration and Meaningful Learning [5] The book, edited by Gail Burnaford, Ph.D, professor at Northwestern University; Cynthia Weiss, teaching artist and CAPE associate; and Arnold Aprill, CAPE's executive director, combines the contributions of two-hundred seventy-two participants in CAPE's arts integration partnerships. James Catterall, arts education researcher and professor at University of California, Los Angeles's Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, has collaborated with CAPE on publications.

Harvard University's Graduate School of Education supports Project Zero, an educational research group founded in 1967 by Nelson Goodman, which investigates learning in the arts. Former directors of Project Zero include David Perkins and Howard Gardner. Currently, it is directed by Steve Seidel, and has expanded its research in arts learning to include other branches of education. [6] Howard Gardner's Theory of multiple intelligences has been used as part of the rationale for the use of integrated arts models in teaching and learning.

The Kennedy Center Partners in Education, headquartered in Washington, DC, is an organization that has promoted arts integration for over two decades. While The Kennedy Center does conduct research in arts learning, they also provide networking opportunities for arts education programs nation-wide through The Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network KCAAEN. This organization advocates for arts education, fosters collaboration between artists and schools to support arts learning, develops and conducts professional development in arts education for teachers, and recognizes achievement in the arts.[7]

1 ^ Deasy, Richard, et al. Critical Links : Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Development. Washington, DC: Arts Education Partnership, 2002.
2 ^ Arts Education Partnership : : Publication Toolkits : : Critical Links
3 ^ Stevenson, L. M., R. Deasy, and A. E. Partnership. Third Space: When Learning Matters. Arts Education Partnership, 2005.
4 ^ http://www.capeweb.org/about.html CAPE
5 ^ Renaissance in the Classroom : Arts Integration and Meaningful Learning. Mahwah, N.J.: L. Erlbaum Associates, 2001.
6 ^ History of Project Zero
7 ^ KCAAEN

I favor arts education, not because it improves math and reading scores but because it leads to the kind of creativity we need for the kind of world we are going to live in. Here is an excerpt from Daniel Pink's "A Whole New Mind:"

The last few decades have belonged to a certain kind of person with a certain kind of mind—computer programmers who could crank code, lawyers who could craft contracts, MBAs who could crunch numbers. But the keys to the kingdom are changing hands. The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind—creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers, and meaning makers. These people—artists, inventors, designers, storytellers, caregivers, consolers, big picture thinkers—will now reap society’s richest rewards and share its greatest joys.

For nearly a century, Western society in general, and American society in particular, has been dominated by a form of thinking and an approach to life that is narrowly reductive and deeply analytical. Ours has been the age of the “knowledge worker,” the well-educated manipulator of information and deployer of expertise. But that is changing. Thanks to an array of forces—material abundance that is deepening our non material yearnings, globalization that is shipping white-collar work overseas, and powerful technologies that are eliminating certain kinds of work altogether—we are entering a new age. It is an age animated by a different form of thinking and a new approach to life—one that prizes aptitudes that I call “high concept” and “high touch.” High concept involves the capacity to detect patterns and opportunities, to create artistic and emotional beauty, to craft a satisfying narrative, and to combine seemingly unrelated ideas into something new. High touch involves the ability to empathize with others, to understand the subtleties of human interaction, to find joy in one’s self and to elicit it in others, and to stretch beyond the quotidian in pursuit of purpose and meaning.

Kids on the East side of Erie have a high rate of poverty. They also have talents, dreams, and potential. They have many types of intelligences and we can't afford to waste any of them. School Boards realize the power of arts education but usually lack the political capital (and often the courage) to re-invent education to meet the needs of the children they serve (yes, they serve children and by serving them, also meet the needs of tax payers--the collective WE). The best way to help School Boards, Superintendents, and School Administrators do what they already want to do with regard to education reform, is to form local education funds (LEF). These organizations stand outside but alongside school districts, meeting specific or general needs that would not be met through current revenue streams.

Local education funds (LEFs) have been formed across the United States over the last fifteen years with the goal of supporting and challenging public school districts to do a better job of serving low income children and their families...It is difficult to describe the work of these organizations [local education funds] succinctly, because they often operate purposefully as “invisible hands,” brokering partnerships among diverse groups, and because their locally adapted work embraces a rich and flexible mix of initiatives. (Useem, 1999:1)

Local education funds (LEFs) have been formed across the United States over the last fifteen years with the goal of supporting and challenging public school districts to do a better job of serving low income children and their families...It is difficult to describe the work of these organizations [local education funds] succinctly, because they often operate purposefully as “invisible hands,” brokering partnerships among diverse groups, and because their locally adapted work embraces a rich and flexible mix of initiatives. (http://www.publiceducation.org/pdf/research/locating_LEFs.pdf)

Erie Arts Opportunity Local Education Fund (we have begun calling it "the EAO") is the only LEF in Erie County. We are a jar (tax deductible at that) for storing resources that can be used for true education reform. We are focusing our efforts on schools in Erie County that have the highest poverty levels. Our charter focuses our efforts on increasing the number of certified arts instructors in participating schools, increasing the amount of time during the school day spent on arts instruction from those certified teachers, and by increasing collaboration in the arts in the rest of the curriculum. We are focused specifically on music, theatre, dance, and visual art. Our organization is not specifically about arts. Our focus is on education reform and we have chosen the arts because of the overwhelming consensus in the research literature that the arts are the most effective vehicle to effect the types of changes that are needed in education.

The EAO wants to restore balance in education, to educate the whole child, and to integrate curricula so that all of the disparate pieces can come together to enable children to become more than test results. The Directors of our Board can say without reservation that donations of time and resources to the EAO is the single best investment in Erie County that can be made!

http://erieartsopportunity.org

The Literary Point of View - The Power of Imagination

2009-08-05T15:09:00.005-04:00

I was reading Oswald Chambers this morning and was inspired by his description of the imagination and how powerful it is if pointed in the right direction:

February 11th.

IS YOUR HOPE IN GOD FAINT AND DYING?

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose imagination is stayed on Thee." Isaiah 26:3 (R. V. marg.)

Is your imagination stayed on God or is it starved? The starvation of the imagination is one of the most fruitful sources of exhaustion and sapping in a worker's life. If you have never used your imagination to put yourself before God, begin to do it now. It is no use waiting for God to come; you must put your imagination away from the face of idols and look unto Him and be saved. Imagination is the greatest gift God has given us and it ought to be devoted entirely to Him. If you have been bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, it will be one of the greatest assets to faith when the time of trial comes, because your faith and the Spirit of God will work together. Learn to associate ideas worthy of God with all that happens in Nature - the sunrises and the sunsets, the sun and the stars, the changing seasons, and your imagination will never be at the mercy of your impulses, but will always be at the service of God.

"We have sinned with our fathers; . . . and have forgotten" - then put a stiletto in the place where you have gone to sleep. "God is not talking to me just now," but He ought to be. Remember Whose you are and Whom you serve. Provoke yourself by recollection, and your affection for God will increase tenfold; your imagination will not be starved any longer, but will be quick and enthusiastic, and your hope will be inexpressibly bright.

This little essay unlocks many doors in my thinking. Instead of imagining road blocks, I can use the gift of imagination to reveal God's perspective. If all things work for good, then I can expect that my imaginings are more than just wishful thinking. The larger self that Chambers often describes is set free by imagining God's will instead of my will. On the other hand, when I use my imagination to picture events that I am afraid will happen, I am using my imagination powerfully against His Kingdom.

The problem with "realists" is that they are bound by what the world says is common sense. Imagination is locked up as a tool for creating. By choosing this perspective, reasonable thinkers of this type scoff at the claims of those who have flown higher than people are supposed to be able to fly. Because they won't allow their imaginations to join you, they insist that you are making it all up. There isn't any dissuading them from this perspective because, once they have chosen this perspective, they are unable to see anything else. C.S. Lewis describes this phenomenon beautifully at the end of the last Chronicle of Narnia. A group of dwarfs have reached paradise but because they don't believe paradise is possible, they are unable to see anything other than the inside of a dark and smelly barn. No discussion is possible because the thinking of those who have chosen to tap into the power of the universe as manifested in their larger selves becomes nonsense to anyone who stands in a different place. "It's all make-believe," they say.

Therefore, arguing is pointless. There is no proof that will persuade someone who stands in a different place. There is no basis for discussion. The usual outcome is that one or both parties will become frustrated and defensive and will start to call names or resort to ridicule. Neither side makes sense to the other but both sides are prone to take the position that no reasonable person could possibly believe what the other side believes.

For example, to a believer--especially one whose imagination is free to soar to new perspectives without fear--the world might have been created by an artistic gardener who still tends the garden and, while giving us the freedom to pout and be fearful, helps us learn to unlock ourselves if we are willing. The more the imagination is allowed to consider such thoughts, if the thoughts are true, the more sensible they seem. Not only that, power is unleashed by such thinking that makes going back to the original doubting, fearful perspective seem absurd. Why would anyone do that? Hence the umbrage taken by sensible doubters who feel put out by such a position.

Once I begin to imagine in a new direction, I can tell when I'm on the right track because the Holy Spirit begins to aid my thinking. Ideas flow more quickly and my mind jumps to joyful outcomes instead of to fearful ones. Imagination unlocks the gift of prophecy and I can see where the Lord wants me to go instead of where I would go if seized by fear:

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
Psalm 23

These words become true as you say and think them! Unspeakable power!

IF . . . You are unlocked.

Thinking in this manner allows one to re-frame problems into opportunities. This sort of re-framing unlocks the power of possibility. Rosamund and Ben Zander describe it this way in their book, "The Art of Possibility:"

Here is an example of a leader, framing possibility, offering a new way for us to define ourselves. Nelson Mandela is reported to have addressed these words of Marianne Williamson to the world at large.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous—
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people
Won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some of us: it is in everyone,
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously
Give other people Permission to do the same.

The doubter would say, "How can you assume such a position? How can you make yourself brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous just by imagining it?"

The believer will say, "How can I ignore the wonderful power that rushes through me when I hear or read these words? How can I ignore the resonance of my larger self?"

The doubter: "How can you even prove that you have a larger self?"

The believer: "I can just feel it. Why can't you feel it too?"

And so it goes.

Conversations with Conservatives

2009-01-10T18:53:00.002-05:00

Jim: its so much fun passing people who's econobox get stuck on small inclines. Is it worth the extra gas mileage now cheapo?via Twitter - 6:20pm - 5 Comments

Allen Kit Howell at 6:30pm January 10
It sure is! I love leaving a small footprint even if I do get stuck occasionally. The 4-wheeler guys will pay a steep price for their testosterone when the price of oil goes back up. And "cheapo" is a compliment!

Jim Barr at 6:32pm January 10 via Facebook Mobile
I gladly will drop $125 to fill my Caddy

Trish Cusack at 6:38pm January 10
I with Jim on this one... God bless the Caddy and all other gas-guzzling vehicles. I don't want to get in an accident in an eco-crap-box...

Jim Barr at 6:41pm January 10 via Facebook Mobile
I've been hit too many times (by lil cars) to worry about the price of gas, or the car. I'm a fancy man and I deserve a fancy car that can go up a damn hill in the winter.

By the way Trish, I am overnighting you a special coffee pot, I think you will like it.

Allen Kit Howell at 6:44pm January 10
I suppose neither of you are interested in my FaceBook Group, Living On Less.

http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=28364850418

Jim Barr at 6:46pm January 10 via Facebook Mobile
I think I can speak for my pal Trish and say HELL NO

Trish Cusack at 6:47pm January 10
Actually, I'm a big believer in "less is more". However, I want my "less" to be "more" than others.... (wink)

Allen Kit Howell at 7:00pm January 10
That's what makes this country great!

Local Elections

2008-11-02T21:02:00.000-05:00

Local Elections

Today at 8:20am | Edit Note | Delete

Here is more information from Dennis Stratton:

I feel that I must make this statement. These are my views not KEEP's. The group is not going to endorse any certain candidate. I will talk more about why not to vote for some. Of course the main reason that I will say something about someone is the lack of any concern to the health of Erie's residents, and environment. Now don't get me wrong, I am a sailor, and a diver, and grew up swimming in Lake Erie when good visibility was seeing your hand. I don't want to go back to those days. The air is cleaner, yet still bad, and the water doesn't have suds on it anymore, and the visibility is much better. But you know what there are still alerts about the amount of Fish that you can eat a week, a month, so it isn't cleaned up as much as some people would have you believe. Now a few people want to make a LOT of money by burning 2 million pounds of Tires a Day, on the East Side of Erie, in a residential neighborhood, with 5 schools within a mile, and the lake 500 yards away.

The emissions will over double what Erie now has, which is already getting a failing grade, F. Erie has a higher that average cancer rate. And a few people want to make that worse to make money. McCormick, Rubino......

On to the 2 politicians that I want to address. The first is Phil English. He is now acting like he opposed the Bush administration for the last 8 years. In reality he voted straight party line most of the time. I remember after hurrcane Katrina hit New Orleans and gas prices spiked a bill came up to look into Price Gouging he voted against it.

Now on to the Tire Burning Plant, has any one ever heard a word from him on the subject? No? Maybe that is because he has been getting money by Rubino for years now.

Has anyone found it strange that Rep English will not meet and discuss the tire plant? It my be too optimistic to think that Rep English will help in stopping the tire plant. He received a total of $5,000 last August from Dave Callahan, Erin Callahan and Janet Callahan. The family owns Palmer Paving in West Brookfield, MA.

Attached are a few paragraphs from a news piece nearly a year ago. Isn't it nice that Mr. Callahan loved this city and felt this would be a great place for a plant? I wonder which politician will be the next to take money from this group?

------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------

Mar 09, 2007 (Erie Times-News - McClatchy-Tribune Business News via COMTEX)

Caletta Renewable Energy, which was formed about a year and a half ago, is the majority partner in Erie Renewable Energy. Besides Gatto, Caletta's

partners are Barletta Engineering Corp. of Canton, Mass., and Palmer Paving Corp. of Palmer, Mass.

Gatto said Caletta selected Erie for a plant because of a longtime friendship between David Callahan, president and chief executive of Palmer

Paving Corp., and Erie resident Owen McCormick, president of the Joseph McCormick Construction Co.

Individual Contributions Arranged By Type, Giver, Then Recipient

Contributions to Political Committees

RUBINO, GREG
ERIE, PA 16505
BALDWIN BROS INC

ENGLISH, PHILIP S.
VIA PEOPLE FOR ENGLISH

04/07/2000 557.00 20035732493

RUBINO, GREGORY
ERIE, PA 16501
BALDWIN BROS. INC/REAL ESTATE SAL

ENGLISH, PHILIP S.
VIA PEOPLE FOR ENGLISH

08/01/2007 1000.00 27931334921

RUBINO, GREGORY
ERIE, PA 16505

TABLACK, GEORGE JOHN
VIA TABLACK FOR CONGRESS

12/27/1999 1000.00 20035203759

12/31/1999 -1000.00 20035203769

RUBINO, GREGORY J MR.
ERIE, PA 16501

AMERICA'S FOUNDATION

02/01/2002 300.00 22990809944

RUBINO, GREGORY J MR.
ERIE, PA 16505
BALDWIN BROS. INC./REALTOR

BUSH, GEORGE W
VIA BUSH-CHENEY '04 (PRIMARY) INC

12/04/2003 2000.00 24990264038

RUBINO, GREGORY J.
ERIE, PA 16501
BALDWIN BROTHERS/REALTOR

MOLLOHAN, ALAN B.
VIA ALAN MOLLOHAN FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE

05/18/2004 1000.00 24971309529

RUBINO, GREGORY J. MR.
ERIE, PA 16505
BALDWIN BROS. INC/REAL ESTATE SAL

ENGLISH, PHILIP S.
VIA PEOPLE FOR ENGLISH

09/19/2001 500.00 22990216273

10/04/2002 200.00 22992336634

10/11/2002 300.00 22992336634

RUBINO, GREGORY MRS
ERIE, PA 16505

TABLACK, GEORGE JOHN
VIA TABLACK FOR CONGRESS

12/27/1999 1000.00 20035203759

12/31/1999 -1000.00 20035203769

Total Contributions: 5857.00

I don't remember ever seeing even one comment from English on the Worlds Largest Tire Incinerator to Be Built In Erie PA....
You would think that he would be out there ribbon cutting, and throwing the first shovel full of dirt if he supported this. But he has not said anything. Is it because he travels so much that he doesn't know what is happening in Erie? In fact English is in the top 10 congressmen for the number of free trips that he takes. How many of the GE locomotives has he sold, or can he sell you a bridge?

Now on to his opponent, Kathy Dahlkemper. She has not made any statement about the Tire Burning Plant. On her website she talks about newer technologies such a wind, solar, and bio fuels. Does not mention Tires. In some of Phil English's ads against Kathy there are statements about being connected to radical environmentalist. Who is he talking about? She has never endorsed anyone fighting the Tire Burning Plant who's partners Phil has taken money from.
In the commercials Phil attacks Kathy as being a millionaire. Isn't that the American Dream? That through hard work anyone can achieve what they desire. I would think that a person with good business sense
would be better in the position that Phil is now in.

On to Jane Earll,
Being a smoker she took the stance that it was wrong for PA to try to make it healthier for non somkers to go out. Oh yes we are taking rights away from people. Should we try to protect the majority of the people of health risks, or allow a few to induldege in what they want to do putting not just their health at risk, but everyone around them?

I guess this fits with her non stance on the Tire Burning Plant. I have been sending her office information for more than a year and have gotten only one response. She like Phil English have never made any public statement. How can you not say anything when people are planning on Burning 2 million Pounds of Tires a Day in Erie, in a residential neighborhood, next to the lake. I don't know if Phil smokes, I do know that Curt Sonney does, and he hasn't said anything. What is the connection? Its not like this is a Big Deal, or Something Important to all of Erie's residents, and Lake. Is It? These people are to be representing the people that elected them, not themselves. What are the people saying? What is the Health Department, Medical Society, and Lung Cancer Association saying? Are any of these people even reading anything that is being put out?

Jane's opposition is Cindy Purvis. Her stance on energy, is alternative, and green energy. Now I do agree Burning tires is Alternative. But it is neither Clean, Renewable, nor Green Energy. For ERE to continue to try to tell people the Burning Tires is Renewable Energy is just straight out LYING to people. They believe in the more times that you repeat yourself the more people will believe it. John Evans tried to have a new definition of Burning Tires put into the states new Renewable Energy Bill. That Burning Tires was a Clean, Renewable Energy. He retracted his amendment to the bill, later another person from Bucks County tried to put the same amendment in.

Unlike Kathy Dahlkemper, Jane Earl, and Phil English, Cindy has come out against the Tire Burning Plant. She has taken a stand. Again if you read the PA Constitution it does tell the elected officials that one of their primary jobs is to protect the people, and make sure the environment remains clean, and in good condition for future generations.

It would be nice to know what these people when they are sworn in say they will do. Is it to protect the PA Constitution?

Here is a paper presented Thursday at East High School to the Erie School Board, and Public,

Statement of
Kevin M. Stewart
Director of Environmental Health
American Lung Association of Pennsylvania

Before the Superintendent and Board of School Directors of the School District of the City of Erie, Pennsylvania Regarding the Health Impact of the Proposed "Tires-to-Energy" Plant

East High School
October 30, 2008

Thank you, Dr. Federici. Dr. Barker, Mr. Herdzik, School Directors, fellow panelists, and citizens, good evening. The American Lung Association of Pennsylvania appreciates the opportunity to make this brief statement before you this evening on the subject of the health impact of the "tires-to-energy" plant proposed for operation just a half mile from where we are meeting. My name is Kevin Stewart. I hold a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University, and I serve the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania as director of environmental health.

The American Lung Association of Pennsylvania was founded 116 years ago to combat tuberculosis, and we are now dedicated to the broader mission of preventing lung disease and promoting lung health. The American Lung Association provides programs of education, community service, advocacy, and research, and is the oldest nationwide voluntary health agency in the United States. We represent a body of scientific knowledge on the subject of lung disease, specifically on well-established links between air pollution and lung disease, both as a cause of new cases and as an exacerbating agent for existing conditions. We have been fighting for relief from ambient air pollution since the middle of the last century.

In commenting on the proposed facility, the American Lung Association advocates for and represents not only on the order of thirty thousand Erie Countians who suffer from chronic lung disease, but also the millions, here and downwind, who desire to breathe clean air and so protect their good health.

It is our understanding that the Board of School Directors is looking for data or a summary of facts that are scientific and unbiased. Much information about the proposed facility itself is already on the record, so I will refrain from reiterating certain parts of that. Instead, I will begin by citing some findings pertaining to Erie County in the American Lung Association's annual State of the Air report.

Our ninth annual report was released on May 1 of this year, and it presents grades and rankings that were calculated using air pollution data from 2004 through 2006. These data were collected by state and local air pollution control agencies, were reviewed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and were validated for use.

The American Lung Association's State of the Air report grades and ranks cities and counties polluted by the most widespread and dangerous forms of air pollution � ozone (smog) and short-term and year-round levels of fine particle pollution (soot, dust, and aerosols). Counties are graded "A" through "F" for each category where sufficient data exist.

While ozone, a highly reactive form of oxygen, shields the skin from cancer-causing sunlight, it wreaks havoc with the respiratory system. Ground-level ozone gas results primarily from the action of sunlight combined with � mark this � hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides emitted in fuel combustion by motor vehicles, factories, and power plants. Ozone levels typically rise during the period between May and October when higher temperatures and increased amounts of sunlight combine with the stagnant atmospheric conditions that are associated with ozone air pollution episodes.

Ozone is a powerful respiratory irritant that sears lung tissue. Even relatively low ozone levels can affect even healthy people's ability to breathe. Ozone exposure may lead to shortness of breath, chest pain when inhaling deeply, wheezing and coughing. Ozone exposure often triggers asthma attacks, and results in more people being hospitalized or sent to emergency rooms for lung problems. Recent studies show that as levels of ozone increase, so does the risk of premature death.

Fine particle pollution, more formally called PM2.5 or "particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns or less," is made up of complex microscopic bits of solid or liquid matter that are typically no larger than one-thirtieth the width of a human hair. Again, I ask you to take special note: In addition to direct emissions, as from incomplete combustion, fine particle pollution also results from complex chemical reactions in the atmosphere involving emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. Moreover, other chemical species, including toxic metals as well as carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxins, are adsorbed onto the surfaces of these particles.

Particle pollution can cause serious health problems even at relatively low concentrations and is responsible for tens of thousands of premature deaths in the U. S. each year. Since these fine particles are tiny enough to penetrate the body's natural defense systems, this means that when one inhales these particles, they become embedded deep within the lungs, where some components have been shown to enter the bloodstream. Hundreds of peer-reviewed studies in mainstream medical journals have linked particle pollution to reduced lung function, exacerbation of asthma, increased rates of school absenteeism, emergency room visits, hospital admissions, heart attacks, strokes, lung cancer, and premature death. Research continues to sort out more details about how particle pollution causes these effects.

In Erie's case, the county earned passing grades from the American Lung Association for ground level ozone smog (a "C"), and for long-term average concentrations of fine particle pollution. However, given that the EPA recently strengthened the ozone standard, it is anticipated that future reports will show failing grades for Erie County reflecting this change. But most significantly, the report showed that Erie County posted a grade of "F" for short-term (24-hour) measures of fine particle pollution, with 21 "bad air" days over a three-year period, ranking the county at 9th worst in Pennsylvania (of 21) and 46th worst in the nation (of 591).

While air pollution is unsafe for everyone, some people are at increased risk because of their age or health situation. Those groups include people with asthma, older people and children under 18, people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) � chronic bronchitis and emphysema, people with cardiovascular disease and those with diabetes. Far from being a tiny minority, these sensitive populations at risk account for on the order of half the population. In Erie County alone, the report presents some staggering statistics � those who are most at risk of breathing air pollution at unhealthful levels include:

� 65,000 children and 40,000 seniors,
� 6,000 children with asthma and over 18,000 adults with asthma,
� 9,400 with chronic bronchitis and 4,300 with emphysema,
� 76,000 with cardiovascular disease, and
� 17,000 with diabetes.

The American Lung Association of Pennsylvania draws the simple conclusions from the foregoing not only that Erie County already has a serious air quality problem, but also that there are tens of thousands of county residents currently at particular risk from exposure to air pollutants such as ozone smog and fine particle pollution.

With respect to the proposed tire combustion facility, some information we do have is the amount of air pollutants that the facility has applied for permission to emit. While this discussion will not address pollutants such as ammonia, acid gases, dioxins and furans, and the many toxic metals the facility is anticipated to emit, the applicant is seeking approval for the following emission rates:

* 230 tons per year Particulate Matter (PM10)
* 354 tons per year Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
* 690 tons per year Carbon Monoxide (CO)
* 179 tons per year Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
* 27.6 tons per year Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

In order to put these figures in perspective, it is worthwhile to compare them with facility emission inventory figures for Erie County from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the year of the most recent available data being 2006:

* For PM10, the emission rate requested by the applicant for approval amounts to nearly 45% more than the total of emissions reported for all 25 facilities with PM10 emissions identified in Erie County by DEP; the proposed facility would produce more than four times the amount of particle pollution emitted by the next highest facility on the list.
* For NOx, the emission rate requested amounts to 50% of the total of emissions reported for all 24 facilities with NOx emissions; the proposed facility would rank second on this list.
* For CO, the emission rate requested amounts to nearly 15% more than the total of emissions reported for all 23 facilities listed by DEP with CO emissions; the proposed facility would produce more than three times the amount of CO produced by the next highest facility on the list.
* For SO2, the emission rate requested amounts to over 20% of the total of emissions reported for all 23 facilities with SO2 emissions; the proposed facility would rank third on this list.
* For VOCs, although the emission rate requested amounts to just 4.5% of the total of emissions reported for all 26 facilities with VOC emissions; the proposed facility would nevertheless rank third on this list as well.

Therefore, by all of the preceding measures, we must regard this facility as one of preeminent magnitude for Erie County, and therefore worthy of serious consideration by all concerned. The fact that in addition to this, it is proposed that the facility be juxtaposed with residential neighborhoods, including many schools and day care establishments where members of sensitive groups may be found, simply underscores the American Lung Association's concern.

This is why the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania, at minimum, fully supports the Erie County Medical Society's position statement calling for the performance of an independent health impact assessment � precisely the type of analysis that would provide this Board with the type of information it seeks, yet in many respects cannot yet obtain, even from my worthy colleagues on this panel.

Such an assessment should address all manner of health concerns as would be suggested by the comprehensive list of emissions cited by the applicant. Among these concerns would be the following:

* What are worse-case scenarios for health consequences from acute and chronic maximal exposures, by all routes, to expected routine emissions from the total facility, as they may depend upon atmospheric conditions?
* What are anticipated maximal exposures under upset conditions such as start up, shut down, and other process interruptions? Especially, under what conditions might the stack or pollution control equipment be bypassed, and what would exposures then be?
* What air pollution scenarios would result from emergencies, such as might occur should accumulated tires or shredded tire charge catch fire outside the combustion chamber?
* To what extent does a failure analysis show that the uniqueness of this facility, the relative inexperience of the operating entity, and deterioration of the facility over its anticipated life of 30 years or more lead to additional health or safety risks for the surrounding community?
* What are the anticipated health impacts in neighborhoods adjoining the proposed facility as a consequence of the increased rail and truck traffic necessary to provide up to 1,000 tons per day of scrap tires and to remove an expected 117 tons per day of ash?
* What might health consequences be as a result of possible exposures to the material being transported into and out of the facility?
* What might health consequences be as a result of the combination of emissions from the concentration of polluting facilities, including the proposed tire combustion facility, in close proximity to one another?

Finally, it also our understanding that Superintendent Dr. James Barker is on record rightly expressing that the Board's "primary concern � is to protect the interests of children" and asking, in connection with any health implications, what the appropriate things are for the school board to do. The American Lung Association of Pennsylvania would therefore suggest that the Board of School Directors consider any and perhaps all of the following actions:

* Join the many voices calling for continuous emission monitoring of all pollutants, with data made publicly accessible and available in real time, being one requirement of granting an approval or permit for this facility.
* Join the Erie County Medical Society in its call for an independent health impact assessment (HIA).
* Consider if the many remaining unknowns
o especially if authorities refuse to require that the requested HIA be performed,
o combined with the increased potential for environmental injustice to occur due to the facility's extreme proximity to area residences, schools, and daycares, are not in themselves sufficient reason for this board to take the stand, prudent in the matter of protecting children's interests, of opposing construction and operation of such a facility.

Although I have endeavored to make our position as clear as possible, the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania will do its best to respond to any inquiries from the Superintendent or the Board of School Directors for clarification or for further information:

Air pollution worsens and causes disease and even death for real people. In Erie County, we have seen that the populations at increased risk from air pollution include infants, youngsters and the elderly, persons with chronic lung and heart disease, and diabetes. Every one of these tens of thousands is a real person, not a nameless statistic. Every one of these people is a family member, a neighbor, a coworker, a friend � someone whose health and life deserve to be protected.

I hope that this will make everyone think about who they are voting for. Send this to your friends and relatives.

Thanks

Dennis Stratton

2 comments

Mariah Miller (Erie, PA) wrote
at 11:45am

I have been told that the tire plant would bring in many, many new jobs, which are desperately needed here. I just don't believe a tire plant is the only way to bring in new jobs. This city is desperately lacking in the arts, as well. Can we not bring in jobs in music, art, dance, theater, etc? Why is the Playhouse one of the only places to perform? They don't pay their thesbians.

I've been against this tire plant from day 1, but since I am registered to vote in Fairview, I don't get a say. I hate it. It affects me, too.

Report - Delete

Jeffery J Bartone wrote
at 6:36pm

While the environmental argument is rock solid, it has historically meant nothing to local politicians in this area. The air and water have gotten cleaner because heavy industries have left for financial reasons, plain and simple. Don't forget: we have that hideous power-generating plant on the bayfront that routinely, habitually gets fined for serious violations and nothing is ever done about it. Instead I would like to see an economics-based argument AGAINST the tire Plant. My hunch, backed by nothing concrete of course, is that if you factor in the wholesale depreciation of property values in the area, you will find that it is larger than the economic benefits from the employment gains and taxes from the Plant. The city will suffer. If I were a economist instead of a humanities freak, I'd try to get a grant to study that. If it's not true, or if another objective, reasonable financial argument can't be made, there's no way to block the Plant, sad to say.

Report - Delete

Curriculum Vitae

2008-10-19T07:44:00.000-04:00

CURRICULUM VITAE

ALLEN CHRISTOPHER HOWELL
3901 Oxer Road
Erie, PA 16505
(814) 835-3326
ahowell@edinboro.edu

EDUCATION

D.M.A. in Music Education and Choral Conducting, June, 1993, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon.

M.A.T. in Music, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, August 1985.

B.A. in Music with Teacher Certification, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington, May 1984.

AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST OR STUDY

Curriculum/Policy Development
Choral Methods
Instrumental Methods
General Music Methods
Choral/Instrumental Ensembles
Conducting and Rehearsal Pedagogy

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Associate Professor of Music Education, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA, August, 2005 to present. Teach courses in general music education methods and secondary choral and instrumental methods. Coordinate music education field experiences. Supervise student teachers. Conduct the University Women’s Chorus and Men’s Chorus. Teach Freshman Aural Skills. Teach Intro to Music. Serve on APSCUF Executive Council (Treasurer), APSCUF Legislative Assembly (Delegate), APSCUF Statewide Audit Committee, Campus Delegate to Legislative Assembly, Department APSCUF representative. Chair Music Department Evaluation and Music Education Committees. Present research. Serve as clinician for festivals, conferences, and in-services. Serve as Chair of the Music Education Committee of the Erie Philharmonic. Serve as Chair of Curriculum/Instruction of Higher Education of District 2 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. Serve as President of Erie Arts Opportunity. Participate in many other campus and departmental committees.

Assistant Professor of Music Education, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA, August 1996 to July 2005. Teach courses in general music education methods and secondary choral and instrumental methods. Coordinate music education field experiences. Supervise student teachers. Conduct the University Orchestra. Conduct the University Women’s Chorus. Teach Intro to Music. Alternate Delegate for APSCUF, Music Department APSCUF representative. Chair Music Department Evaluation and Music Education Committees. Conduct research. Participate in other campus and department committees. Taught music at the Miller Experimental School to children ages 3-10, 1996-2003.

Director of Music, Lakewood United Methodist Church, Erie, PA, 2003 to 2006. Direct Adult Chancel Choir, Children’s Choir, Youth Choir, Adult Bell Choir, Coordinate special music. Sing solos.

Private Vocal Instructor, Private Studio, Erie, PA, 2002 to 2007. Taught fundamentals of vocal production. Introduced new literature from many style periods with emphasis on authentic interpretation. Taught theory and sight-reading skills and insisted on their use.

Private Vocal Instructor, Edinboro University Community Music School, 2002 to 2007. Taught fundamentals of vocal production. Introduced new literature from many style periods with emphasis on authentic interpretation. Taught theory and sight-reading skills and insisted on their use.

Director of Music, First United Methodist Church, Erie, PA, 1996 to 2003. Directed Adult Chancel Choir, Children’s Choir, High School Bell Choir, Middle School Bell Choir. Coordinated special music. Sang solos.

Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education, The Schwob Department of Music, Columbus State University, Columbus, Georgia, 1994-1996. Coordinator of undergraduate music education. Taught courses in general music education methods and secondary choral methods to undergraduate and graduate music students. Taught a course in music for the classroom teacher. Supervised student teachers in all areas of music. Conducted the Columbus State University Singers. Participated in campus and department committees. Conducted research. Supervised Graduate Assistants.

Children’s Choir Director, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Columbus, Georgia, 1994-1996. Taught students grades 2-6 music performance skills, music theory/history facts, life-long music appreciation, and listening/analysis skills. Planned and presented music for worship services.

Choir & Band Director, Hamlin Middle School, Springfield, Oregon, 1993-94. Taught students grades 6-8 music performance skills, music theory/history facts, life-long music appreciation, and listening/analysis skills. Planned and presented concerts. Worked with classroom teachers and specialists to integrate music instruction with other curricula.

Music Specialist, Centennial Elementary, Springfield Oregon, 1992-93. Taught children grades 1-5 life-long music appreciation skills. Presented programs. Worked with classroom teachers and specialists to integrate music instruction with other curricula.

Graduate Teaching Fellow, University of Oregon, Eugene, 1991-92. Taught a course for classroom teachers to increase music proficiency and knowledge. Supervised music student teachers. Worked with Mary Lou Van Rysselberghe in coordinating the children's concert series.

Conductor, Oregon Children’s Choir (Youth Choir), Eugene, Oregon, 1991-92. Chose music, led rehearsals, and conducted performances. Attended board and parent meetings. Helped with the planning of field trips, tours, and other activities. Made presentations in workshops and clinics.

Music Teacher, Delight Valley School, South Lane School District, Cottage Grove, Oregon, 1989-91. Taught children grades K-6 music fundamentals and other life skills. Presented programs. Coordinated field trips.

Tenor Soloist and Gospel Choir Director, First United Methodist Church, Portland, Oregon, 1987-89. Served as tenor section leader. Prepared and performed solos for services. Directed adult choir in rehearsals and services as needed. Directed gospel choir.

Private Vocal Instructor, Substitute Conductor, and Guest Artist, Clackamas Community College, Oregon City, Oregon, 1987-89. Served as private vocal instructor for the department of music. Conducted rehearsals and performances of the Chamber Choir as needed. Performed as tenor soloist.

Music Specialist, C. F. Tigard Elementary, Tigard, Oregon, 1985-89. Taught children grades K-6 fundamentals of music with emphasis on theory, history, and performance. Presented programs. Directed school choir and presented concerts. Organized field trips and festivals. Helped in developing district music curriculum.

Private Vocal Instructor, Private Studio, Portland, Oregon, 1985-89. Taught fundamentals of vocal production. Introduced new literature from many style periods with emphasis on authentic interpretation. Taught theory and sight-reading skills and insisted on their use.

Choir Member and Soloist, Choral Cross-Ties (Professional Choir), Portland, Oregon, 1985-86, 1987-88. Rehearsed and performed choral music of nearly every type imaginable (all members are paid for both rehearsal and performance hours). Frequently performed solos with the choir.

Assistant Conductor and Soloist, Portland Symphonic Choir, Portland, Oregon, 1986-87. Directed warm-ups and sectionals. Led full rehearsals and performances in the absence of the regular conductor (Bruce Browne). Conducted complete performances and parts of performances.

Tenor Soloist and Assistant Conductor, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Portland, Oregon, 1986-87. Served as tenor section leader. Prepared and performed solos for services. Directed adult choir in rehearsals and services as needed.

Instructor, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, Fall term 1986. Taught Introduction to Music(Music 201) to adult students. Curriculum included music theory fundamentals, brief historical information, and an introduction to various music performance media.

Minister of Music, First Covenant Church, Portland, Oregon, 1984-86. Directed adult choir and handbell choir. Selected and supervised music for all services and activities. Attended weekly staff meetings and monthly music committee meetings. Advised supervisor of children's music ministry.

PRESENTATIONS, ARTICLES, AND PAPERS

April 24, 2008, Presenter at Pennsylvania Music Educators 64th Annual Convention. “Curricular Pillars in Elementary General Music.”

April 20, 2007, Presenter at Pennsylvania Music Educators 63rd Annual Convention. “Competency-Based Instruction in Music Education Methods Courses.”

March 2, 2005, PMEA District II Chorus All-Star Sing. Corry, PA. Workshop Presenter: Vocal Techniques for Children.

April 23, 2004, Presenter at Pennsylvania Music Educators 60th Annual Convention. “Meaningful Grading/Evaluation in Performance Ensembles: How do I give a grade that means something?”

March 18, 2004, Clinician, Kane Middle School Composers Workshop.

March/April 2002, Article in Arts Education Policy Review, “Is Secondary General Music a Nonperformance Option?”

Winter 2001, Article in Pennsylvania Music Educators PMEA News, “Skills Acquisition in Secondary Music: Keeping Kids Singing After Grade Four.”

December, 2000, Reviewer for Second Handbook of Research on Music Teaching and Learning, Richard Colwell, editor.

April 25, 1998, co-presenter at Educational Session at the PMEA In-Service Conference, Erie, Pennsylvania, Assessing the Student Teaching Experience.

September, 1996, article published in Australian Society for Music Education UPDATE, Vol. 4, No. 1, Mr. Holland’s Opus, p. 5.

April 18, 1996, Educational Session at the MENC National Biennial In-Service Conference, Kansas City, Missouri, Planning for Rehearsals: The Instructional Planning Thoughts and Practices of Selected High School and Middle School Band and Choral Directors.

February 13, 1993, Research Poster Presentation, MENC Northwest Division In-Service Conference, Portland, Oregon, Planning for Rehearsals: The Instructional Planning Thoughts and Practices of a Few Exemplary Public School Music Ensemble Teachers.

February 15-16, 1992, Research Paper Symposium and Poster Presentation, Oregon Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, Eugene, Oregon, Effect of Repeated Testing on Knowledge Acquisition of Secondary Choral Students.

GUEST CONDUCTOR, ADJUDICATOR, AND FESTIVAL PARTICIPANT

Clinician, Northwest Pennsylvania Music Teacher Choral Festival, Erie, PA November 1, 2008.

Clinician, Pennsylvania IU9 Music Teacher In-service Clinician. Smethport, PA, October 13, 2008.

Clinician, PMEA District II Music Teacher Session: Evaluation Procedures in Secondary Music Ensembles, Union City, PA; November 9, 2007.

Clinician, PMEA District II Music Teacher Session: Ramifications of Act 72 for Pennsylvania Public School Music Programs/Choral Workshop, Corry, PA; January 20, 2006.

Clinician, PMEA District II High School Choral Adjudication, Edinboro University Cole Auditorium, November 3, 2005.

Guest Conductor, PMEA District III Songfest, Grades 4-6 grade, DuBois Area Middle School, Dubois, PA April 1, 2005.

Clinician, Kane Middle School Composers Workshop, March 18, 2004.

Consultant, American Council of Educational Accreditation, for Faith Builders, a Mennonite College in Guys Mills, Pennsylvania, December 2003.

Guest Clinician/Conductor, Kiski Area Junior High School Choral Festival (Pittsburgh area).March 31-April 1, 2000.

Choral Conductor, Music Summer at Edinboro, June 14-19, 1998. Conducted High School Students in a week-long summer music camp. Prepared and conducted large and small choirs in closing concert. Sang a solo at the Faculty Recital.

Adjudicator, Grove City College Department of Music Concerto Competition, January 31, 1997.

Oregon Bach Festival, June-July 1990-91, Eugene, Oregon. Participated as a conductor in the conducting master class.

University of Oregon Chamber Choir, December 1990, Eugene, Oregon. Conducted rehearsals and the performance of Five French Noëls (arr. Elliot Forbes).

Clackamas Community College Chamber Choir, Spring 1988, Salem, Oregon. Conducted rehearsals and the performance of the Chamber Choir at a regional festival of the American Choral Directors Association (due to the planned absence of the regular conductor).

Portland Public Schools Honor Choir, November 1986, Portland, Oregon. Christmas music for the annual Lucia Festival at the Lloyd Center shopping mall. The choir consisted of selected students from the Portland Public School District.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Pi Kappa Lambda
American Choral Directors Association
Music Educators National Conference
Pennsylvania Music Educators Association
College Music Society

MISCELLANEOUS PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

November 30, 2007, Radio Interview about Erie Arts Opportunity Local Education Fund (EAOLEF) with Kim Young of WQLN, Erie, Pennsylvania.

April, 2007, Elected Treasurer of local Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF).

April, 2006, Elected to the Statewide Audit Committee of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF).

March, 2006, Founded Erie Arts Opportunity Local Education Fund (EAOLEF).

May 9-11, 2005, APSCUF Leadership Workshop, Harrisburg, PA.

April 26, 2005, Radio Interview: Problems with ACT 72, with Kim Young of WQLN, Erie, Pennsylvania.

April 14-16, 2005, APSCUF Student/Faculty Liaison student workshop, Grantville, PA.

AWARDS AND HONORS

Teacher of the year nominee, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Spring 2004

Teacher of the year finalist, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Spring 2001

Pi Kappa Lambda, (Beta Theta Chapter), National Music Honor Society (election open to graduating music students who have demonstrated superior achievement in their professional endeavors), University of Oregon, 1993

Virginia Johnson Whitfield Memorial Scholarship for Academic Accomplishments and Musical Abilities, University of Oregon, 1990

Rose M. Gross Scholarship for Academic Achievement for Those Studying to be Teachers, University of Oregon, 1989

Presser Foundation Prize for Outstanding Musical Ability, Whitman College, 1984

David Campbell Award for Outstanding Senior Recital, Whitman College, 1984

Sarah Johnson Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Personal and Scholastic Qualifications, Whitman College, 1980

ADVOCACY

March, 2006 to present, President, Erie Arts Opportunity Local Education Fund (EAOLEF). This organization raises money for arts curricula in participating Erie County, Pennsylvania Public Schools. http://erieartsopportunity.org.

Music Advocacy Website (information about Act 72 and other information relevant to keeping music in public schools). http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NWPAKeepMusicInSchools.

VOCAL SOLOIST

November 13-14, Haydn, Lord Nelson Mass, Tenor Soloist, Erie Chamber Orchestra (Bruce Morton Wright, conductor), Erie, Pennsylvania.
November 2, 2007, Orff, Carmina Burana, Tenor Soloist, Erie Chamber Orchestra (Bruce Morton Wright, conductor), Erie, Pennsylvania.
March 16, 1998, "Il mio tesoro," from Don Giovanni, Mozart, Faculty Recital, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, Pennsylvania.
April 1994, Lerner and Loewe, Camelot, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus, Georgia.
March 1990, Mozart, Requiem, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon.
December 1989, Pergolesi, Magnificat, First Congregational Church, Eugene, Oregon.
January 1988, Kodaly, Te Deum, Columbia Symphony (John Trudeau, conductor) and combined choirs, First United Methodist Church, Portland, Oregon.
December 1987, Respighi, Laud to the Nativity, Columbia Symphony (John Trudeau, conductor), First United Methodist Church, Portland, Oregon.
May 1987, Mattei, "Non e' ver!" Tigard Town Hall, Tigard, Oregon.
December 1986, Handel, Belshazzar, Daniel, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon.
November 1986, Bernstein, "Gloria Tibi," Portland Symphonic Choir (Bruce Browne, conductor), Portland, Oregon.
April 1986, Orff, Carmina Burana, Tenor Soloist, Oregon Repertory Singers (Gilbert Seeley, conductor), Portland, Oregon.
May 1985, J. S. Bach, arias from selected cantatas, brown bag joint recital with Bryn Gillem, soprano (Gordon Solie, conductor/bassoon), Portland State University, Portland, Oregon.
May 1985, J. S. Bach, St. John Passion, Evangelist, Portland State University Chamber Choir, Bruce Browne, conductor, Portland, Oregon.
March 1985, Handel, Dettingen Te Deum, Portland Symphonic Choir (Bruce Browne, conductor), Portland, Oregon.
March 1985, Schütz, Saul, Portland Symphonic Choir (Bruce Browne, conductor), Portland, Oregon.
May 1984, Concerto Contest Winners Concert, Gounod, Faust, "Salut, demeure chaste et pure," Whitman College Orchestra (José Rambaldi, conductor), Walla Walla, Washington.
January 1984, Bizet, Carmen, El Remendado, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington.
January 1983, Puccini, La Bohème, Schaunard, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington.
January 1983, Puccini, La Bohème, Rodolfo understudy, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington.

More thoughts on abortion

2008-10-11T09:24:00.004-04:00

Allen Howell Thu 10:15am

Try this: http://gregscouch.homestead.com/Abortion.html

Kelli Moore (Inland Empire, CA) Thu 1:48pm

This is just what I would want to say about the issue. What really came through was his love for Christ, and, thereby, the weak, the powerless, the unborn-- a servant of God and people. He didn't care about being "right." I'm going to copy and paste this so I can refer to it later.

Allen Howell Thu 2:25pm

Also try this link to see my reaction:

http://allen-howell.blogspot.com

Kelli Moore (Inland Empire, CA) Thu 4:53pm

Cool. You have your own blog. How do you get one of those? As always, you make compelling points on this issue. Jesus is grieved by condemnation (judgment) and abortion-- how can we address either issue without sacrificing one to the other? I am judgmental when I say abortion is murder, yet, if that is what I believe, how can I in good conscience sit on my hands and let it continue? To me that is like saying that because a person doesn't think murder is murder, then her or she should be allowed to do it. I think on some level you don't quite believe that the babies (embryos, etc.) have the same value as people (the ones you can see). Both have equal value to me, the mothers who feel they have no options, and the babies who definitely don't. We've gone around the carousel on this issue before, so thanks for listening to me again. In my defense, you brought it up! :) I just couldn't help myself.

Allen Howell Thu 8:30pm

Go to http://blogspot.com and sign up. It's great! Yep we've gone around. I don't look at Daniel, Kyla, Chloe the same way as I look at the frozen fertilized embryos that didn't make it. You don't really, either. It was sad, but there was no eulogy.

Kelli Moore (Inland Empire, CA) Yesterday at 6:11pm

At what point would there be a eulogy? If they died five minutes before birth or five minutes after it? My friend lost Hayley at five months gestation-- my friend's grief was as deep and as real as it would have been if Hayley had died four or five months later (after birth). Just because we don't know who they are yet, doesn't mean that they aren't real people.

Allen Howell Yesterday at 6:55pm

We lost one at about that stage before Seth came along. It was very difficult. Would it compare to losing Seth? No. Seth has a history as well as potential. His eulogy would be long and rich. Many parents grieve because they feel cheated out of something they thought they were entitled to. Perhaps a greater grief would come if they cheated God out of a life that He intended. I don't pretend to know how He feels about it. I'm not convinced that how we feel about it is even relevant. Neither you nor I really know how God feels, although our guesses seem to disagree somewhat. Again, if we continue the discussion, we presume to speak for God. That's where I disagree with many conservatives. I don't feel that it is our business, either individually or collectively (via the government) to coerce others to follow God's laws.

Kelli Moore (Inland Empire, CA) Yesterday at 9:00pm

That's the point I agree with, except that I feel human life is the single issue that is worth regulating. On any other issue, I understand that morality can't be legislated. A clear separation of church and state is the only answer, to protect the rights of Christians and non-Christians alike. The abortion issue is to me is unlike other social issues because human life is at stake-- babies should not be killed.

Stacey Dudkiewicz-Nicklas (Erie, PA) Yesterday at 10:51pm

I too agree that babies should not be killed. How many people do you honestly believe would say, "Oh yeah let's kill babies"? I am in line with Dr. Howell, who are we to coerce others to follow God's law. What one chooses to do in their life is between them and the Father. I personally would try to prevent anyone from not having an abortion but in the end who am I to judge. That is one thing Jesus tells us not to do. It is not our job to judge others but rather the Fathers job.

Allen Howell Today at 8:47am

"Our Lord never insists upon obedience; He tells us very emphatically what we ought to do, but He never takes means to make us do it. We have to obey Him out of a oneness of spirit. That is why whenever Our Lord talked about discipleship, He prefaced it with an IF - you do not need to unless you like. "If any man will be My disciple, let him deny himself," let him give up his right to himself to Me."

Oswald Chambers: http://www.myutmost.org/11/1102.html

Allen Howell Today at 8:57am

I will do everything possible to keep people from killing my family members. I'm just not sure what our responsibilities are, collectively. For example, I'm not convinced that our police system is quite what God intended. When it comes to the point that video surveillance is everywhere making sure we keep in line, I feel that we've overstepped. Even in Old Testament times there was provision (special cities were set aside) for those who had inadvertently killed another. Retribution also was possible (except in those cities). That's why I believe in the right to bear arms. In bible times, parents were completely responsible for their own children, even to the point of having them stoned for disobedience.

Allen Howell Today at 9:04am

I do agree with protecting the weak. I do not condone abortion in any way (except in extreme circumstances). I wouldn't go as far as Obama does on this issue. My point is that, even possibly with murder, God does not coerce us. We choose our actions, he carries out His judgments.

Allen Howell Today at 9:08am

Do Christians really trust that God will take care of them even without an intrusive police force? Do they really trust Him with their children? Do they trust that He knows what is best, even when a loved one dies?

Allen Howell Today at 9:09am

"The first thing God does with us is to get us based on rugged Reality until we do not care what becomes of us individually as long as He gets His way for the purpose of His Redemption. Why shouldn't we go through heartbreaks? Through those doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son. Most of us fall and collapse at the first grip of pain; we sit down on the threshold of God's purpose and die away of self-pity, and all so called Christian sympathy will aid us to our death bed. But God will not. He comes with the grip of the pierced hand of His Son, and says - 'Enter into fellowship with Me; arise and shine.' If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart."

Chambers: http://www.myutmost.org/11/1101.html

Thoughts on Abortion

2008-08-30T22:03:00.000-04:00

Here is a thoughtful pro-life perspective on abortion:

http://gregscouch.homestead.com/Abortion.html

This is the end of the article:

"I was not raised a Christian. But I find in Jesus of Nazareth a countercultural ethic, a message that is more liberal than liberalism and more radical that anything I hear elsewhere. I see in Jesus a God who dies for his enemies. I don't see that anywhere else. I see a God who saves the world through the loss of power. As Tim Keller says, I see that the way up is down, that the way to power is through weakness. I see that as I believe this Jesus more and more, that he gives me an identity, value, and significance rooted in his grace. Therefore, I don't need power, wealth or a high standard of living to have a fulfilling life. Losing these things does not diminish me. I don't need to be right or have 'my people' in office."

"But I do feel compelled to love the weak. The more I understand the gospel and build my identity of the finished work of Christ on my behalf, the more free I am to speak up for the poor, the lonely, the mistreated, and the unborn. The more I look to Jesus, the more I find myself becoming a pro-life liberal in a culture that pits liberalism and the sanctity of life against one another."

The first part of this article makes a powerful argument to make abortions illegal. I agree with most of the reasons why abortions are wrong. I don't know anybody who thinks abortions are good.

A rebuttal I would make if this blog allowed rebuttals:

Jesus didn't condemn even murderers. He will judge us all in the end but He does everything possible to lead us to the right path in the mean time. I can't see him lobbying legislators to demand that the world follow His laws. He waits patiently and teaches us gently. He wants us to come willingly. I can't picture Him throwing 17 year-old girls into jail for any type of sin. I still remember the story of the woman caught in the very act of adultery. It isn't like Him to cast stones. He was showing us how to live. The harsh rhetoric from the right often makes me ashamed. We are not called to judge. We are called to lead the unrighteous to repentance. We are called to care for and to help others.

In short, we are called to help potential mothers at least as much as we are called to help their unborn children. If we do this well, we will be helping them both. Love for both is the answer--a universal reaching out for the purpose of healing and forgiveness. The alternative is killing or jailing the mothers to set an example for other women to persuade them not to have abortions.

I believe that some day the sheep will be separated from the goats. I'm just glad that I don't have to decide that. In the mean time, mere human beings will make tough decisions.

At this point in the soliloquy, I need to admit that I'm entirely inadequate to figure out what to do. Judges, lawyers, lawmakers, presidents, etc. need to make decisions on my behalf. They are supposed to represent the rest of us. They are supposed to protect us from harm while preserving our freedom. I don't know what to tell them. If they pray for guidance, what does God tell them?

Loving is why we're here. Condemnation is not our job. The one who has this job is not sitting where I want to sit.