Twins pick Liriano as fifth starter

After giving up only three hits in six innings, pitcher Francisco Liriano was informed that he would start the fifth game of the regular season. This unofficially sets the lefty up as the fifth starter in the Twins pitching rotation.

Source: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100330&content_id=9015596&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min&partnerId=rss_min

Story 6

Dr. John Mago works for the business department of Anoka-Ramsey Community College at the Coon Rapids campus. However, his experience and expertise extends far beyond the field of business.
Mago is equipped with a doctorate in leadership and organizational development, masters in business administration, masters in management, and a bachelors in finance. This has helped shape him into the admirable leader that he is today. In his own words, “Ideal leaders are rarely defined in the public eyes because they do not seek the notoriety that fame and fortune bring.” Mago is a great example of a true leader. He has offered his services at Anoka-Ramsey Community College by serving on the multicultural diversity committee and hiring committees, as a past advisor for Phi Theta Kappa honors society, a current business club advisor, and as a judge for the Business Professionals of America. In an interview, Mago expanded on his talk on leadership. When asked why he chose a degree in leadership, he explained by saying, “I chose leadership as it applies to all facets of business and life in general. Effective leadership allows an organization to develop (organizational development) into a fully functional and efficient entity. A doctoral degree inleadership allows one to lead businesses, consult leaders, facilitate learning at all levels of higher education, or write books. This degree has broadened my horizons in my capacity to think outside the box and elevate my understanding of the inefficiencies of many leaders today.” Mago also said that there is a true lack of actual leadership skills in today’s society’s leaders. He admitted, “I do believe there is a serious deficiency in effective leadership skillsand abilities at all levels of business and government.” Because education is so important, building leadership skills during one’s education can be one of the most effective way to learn, he says. Finally, when asked if he had any pointers on how to be a good leader, he said, “A good leader is a good follower. Believe in open communication, recognize the good in people, recognize your own faults and learn from them, listen to what all people have to offer and choose to utilize what you deem as valuable, realize that everyone is human, hold everyone accountable for their actions including yourself, if you cannot do the job then find someone who can, admit your failures, and finally be humble. Sometimes leadership is a job so do it the best you can and when given the opportunity to be a leader, be the best you can.” Mago has been building on his leadership skills at Anoka-Ramsey Community College for four years so far. He teaches in the business department. Mago uses his business skills as not only a teacher but also by providing constructive criticism as a judge for Business Professionals of America. ARCC hosts regional competitions where students from local high schools come to compete for a chance at the state level. As a part of the business faculty at the college, Mago volunteers his time to judge these students and provide helpful criticism. Mago’s closing thoughts were regarding education. “Education is for everyone so why not take the learning opportunity.” He said. “The only way to succeed is to know more than the next person. If society in general became educated, the those in government positions cannot oppress the public anymore.” The examples the Mago sets should make him a role model for all students, especially those who will be in leadership positions.

Interview 2 Transcript

DR. JOHN MAGO
(NOTE: This is the first part of the interview. Dr. Mago has not yet replied to the second set of questions.)


Q: How long have you worked at Anoka-Ramsey Community College?
A: I have been at ARCC for 4 years.

Q: What areas do you teach in?
A: I teach in the business department.

Q: Aside from teaching, are you involved in other ways on campus?
A: Yes, I serve on a variety of campus organizations including the
multicultural diversity committee, hiring committees, judging for the Business
Professonals of America, past advisor for PTK, current business club advisor.

Q: What do you do with Phi Theta Kappa at ARCC?
A: I was the advisor for PTK this past fall however had to resign due to other
commitments.

Q: What is your educational background?
A: I have a doctorate in leadership and organizational development, master's in
business administration, masters in management, bachelor's in finance.

Q: What do you do for hobbies or for fun?
A: Anything outdoors is fun, playing sports with my sons, reading, exercise,
fishing, riding motorcycle, and enjoying life!

Obama signs health care bill into law

Early Tuesday afternoon, President Obama signed into law the health care reform bill that was passed by the House on Sunday evening. He used 20 pens to sign his signature almost letter by letter. The bill is now a United States law.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/health/policy/24health.html?hp

Story 5

On March 4, 2010 the Anoka-Ramsey Music Department presented the musical production “March Fo(u)rth!” at the Coon Rapids campus of Anoka-Ramsey Community College. It began at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center and concluded about two hours later.

As the title implies, “March Fo(u)rth!” had a general theme of marching music, but involved so much more. It began with the anthem “Oh When the Saints Go Marching In” as the Concert Choir entered the stage from both sides of the auditorium, men on one side, women on the other. To conclude the production and fulfill the theme of marching band music, the Concert Band performed the “National Emblem March”.

Even with the marching music theme, the musical performances between the opening and closing songs were very diverse.

Right after the opening performance of “Oh When the Saints Go Marching In”, the Concert Choir switched the mood to the very slow, gloomy song “Come, Sweet Death” and then concluded their string of songs with “Stomp Your Foot”, a choral square dance number.

The Guitar Ensemble, which contained eight guitarists playing simultaneously, had a Spanish folk song theme. It was a special night for the Guitar Ensemble as it was their first year as a group at the Coon Rapids campus of Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

The Chamber Singers performed three vastly different songs, from the song “El Hambo” inspired by the Swedish Chef from “The Muppets” television show, to the musical “Rent”’s version of “Seasons of Love”. Just the women of the Chamber Singers performed the slow, melodic harmonies of “Come My Way, My Truth, My Life”. Then the men of the Chamber Singers performed the fast-paced and humorous Dutch Folk Song “Johnny Schmoker”. The song, which received much laughter and applause, involved rapid hand motions to match the lyrics, and the pace of the song increased as it neared the end.

A ten minute intermission transitioned the production into the second half, which consisted of solely instrumental performances.

The Jazz Ensemble led off the second half of “March Fo(u)rth!” with their own version of Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island”. This group of musicians included typical pieces of a jazz group, including a piano and brass instruments, but also had a cello, which the ensemble’s director Richard Manik called a unique addition to jazz music.

The String Orchestra performed traditional songs with the full orchestra but also played a piece, “‘Simple’ Symphony”, where they plucked the strings the entire song rather than used their bows to play the string instruments.

The Concert Band closed the performance with their combination of brass and percussion. Their first song, “Incantation and Dance”, developed from a slow, gloomy number into a fast, dramatic piece. They then concluded the evening with a classic march song merged with the National Anthem, in “National Emblem March”.

The evening provided a vast source of musical genres and included instruments and ensembles of all sorts. “March Fo(u)rth!” was a great showing of the musical talents of the students at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

Twins' Nathan to likely miss 2010 season

Minnesota Twins star closing pitcher Joe Nathan has a significant elbow ligament tear. Surgery is a probable result of the injury, which would likely eliminate the possibility of the all-star pitching in the 2010 season. This is a major blow to the Minnesota Twins organization.

Source: http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/87107167.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU1yDEmP:QMDCinchO7DU

Interview Story

“Everyone understands body language!” Karina Haack responded when asked what she likes most about dancing. She has done messianic worship dancing for more than seven years. “It’s different than most, but it’s awesome.” Haack explained. “It’s got a little bit of everything because it’s not really categorized.”

Haack is a PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Option) student at Anoka-Ramsey Community College. PSEO students take college courses that are paid for by the state in their junior and/or senior years of high school. In Haack’s case, she is a junior in high school hoping to get her Associate of Arts degree at ARCC before she graduates. In her free time, though, it is dancing and theater that is her passion.

“I love everything about dancing,” said Haack. She currently dances messianic worship for an organization called For His Name Sake. “I’m not on the team,” she explained, “but when they dance locally, I dance with them.” Haack also mentioned that For His Name Sake does performances around the world.

Haack has also been involved in theater. “I have played the main character in two plays and have been stage manager and various small parts,” she said. Her acting interests lie solely in theater, however. “I haven’t done film - it’s not really my style!” she said. “You don’t get the instant gratification you do on stage than on film.”

After finishing her Associate of Arts degree at ARCC, Haack plans to transfer to the University of Madison, Wisconsin where she will major in criminology and minor in literature or theater.

Interview Transcript

Q: Hey Karina. I think we could start if you just rant off a bunch of things about yourself. Interests, hobbies, future plans, stuff like that. Maybe something weird or cool or different about you.
A: Well I’m a junior in high school doing PSEO at AR. I dance, and love to act. I don’t really know what you want to know. Um, I plan to get my AA degree before I graduate high school and then transfer to the University of Madison, Wisconsin where I’ll major in criminology and minor in either literature or theatre.

Q: Have you ever played any major parts in plays?

A: Yes I have played the main character in two plays and have been stage manager and various small parts.

Q: Have you ever done acting in areas other than theater, such as film?

A: I haven’t done film - it’s not really my style! You don’t get the instant gratification you do on stage than on film.

Q: What made you want to do PSEO rather than just do high school classes?

A: What made me do PSEO is, well, I wanted to get college credits for free and high school was just really easy.

Q: How long have you been dancing?

A: I have been dancing from 7-9 years.

Q: What do you like most about dancing?

A: I love the freedom of dancing. You can express yourself through motion. Everyone understands body language! It’s a way to connect to people.

Q: What do you not like about dancing?

A: I love everything about dancing. Except when I get hurt from landing wrong off of a jump or a lift!

Q: What type of dancing do you do?

A: I do messianic worship. It’s different than most but it’s awesome. It’s got a little bit of everything because it’s not really categorized!

Q: Do you dance for a certain group or organization?

A: I dance with For His Name Sake. I’m not on the team but when they dance locally I dance with them. Their dance classes are called remnant worship so it’s a little bit of both.

Q: Do you tour or dance in other states, or do you mainly dance locally?

A: The team goes around the world, but until I join I will be just local!

Q: Thank you for your time.

Saturday mail may be eliminated

Thanks to large deficits, the United States Postal Service unveiled on Tuesday a budget plan that includes eliminating Saturday mail delivery in order to reduce costs. When the prospect of five day delivery has been brought up before, it has always been not well received by Congress.

Source: http://www.startribune.com/local/85958747.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUycaEacyU