Hoosiers Fail Math 'n' Reading

According to the Associated Press, Indiana is the first state to withdraw from the Common Core reading and math standards that were adopted by most states around the country.

This Indianapolis Observer is betting that's because the Indiana State legislators took a look at the level of competence the standards required, and couldn't pass muster.

Hoosiers don't want their kids to be less illiterate or innumerate than they are, don't you know? Book learning drives a wedge between parents and children.

Ignorance starts with adults who should know better.

When You're Here, You're Home

Yes: "Parks and Recreation" soars where the Indiana Department of Tourism crashed.

The fictional Pawnee decided on "When You're Here, Then You're Home", which (edited to remove the "then") would indeed be a perfect tourism slogan for Indiana.

The show's second palce slogan, "Storied Past, Bright Future", is better, too, considering Indiana's Bicentennial is in 2016. (Hat-tip to Paul K. Ogden for the information.)

This Indianapolis Observer thinks that "Honest to Goodness" is indefensible, and definitely not worth the $100,000 wasted on its development. The Hoosier State could have spent that money on tourism ads during "Parks and Recreation" had had a better return on its investment.

Sinkholes in City Streets vs. Luxury Condos

This Indianapolis Observer doesn't have much to add to Gary R. Welsh's commentary on Advance Indiana: A Thought About Priorities.

On the same day a firetruck falls into a hole in the street ON THE WAY TO A FIRE, the City-County Council votes to give millions to a developer for an apartment (not coincidentally on the very land that SHOULD be used for expanding the justice center).

If only.... If only Indy had government watchdog journalists to shed light on the decisions to shovel tax dollars into private hands instead of projects that benefit the public....

Indiana vs. Pi

Your Indianapolis Observer finds it oddly comforting that Indiana's state legislators have been clueless dolts like, forever.

Today's example? "In 1897, the state of Indiana passed House Bill 246 dictating that the mathematical constant pi would officially have the value 3.2."

Read more about it here, in honor of Pi Day.

Yes, March 14 (for obvious reasons) is Pi Day.

Going Green: Curbside Recycling

Curbside Recycling will take place between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday (15 March) during the Going Green Festival, a two-day event at the Indiana State Museum, 650 West Washington Street, Indianapolis.

The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday (14 March) and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday (15 March). It will showcase eco-friendly products and services, local environmental leaders and lifestyle activities. The festival is included with museum admission.

RecycleForce will be on hand Saturday at the museum's Washington Street entrance to collect electronic waste and other recyclables and deconstruct the materials and disposes of them safely and cleanly. There's no charge to drop off recyclables.

Scrap metals and other reusable material collected will be sold to help pay for job training programs and employment opportunities through RecycleForce targeting formerly incarcerated men and women reentering society and the workforce.

Residents who recycle will receive $2 off general admission for up to four guests. A list of items that will be accepted include:

• Telephone systems • Cellular phones • Air Conditioners • PCs (personal computers) • Laptops/Notebooks • Dehumidifiers • Desktop Computers/CPUs • CRT Monitors (no bare CRT tubes) • Mainframe computers • Scanners • Printers • Fax machines • Back-up power supplies systems • Photocopiers • Toner cartridges • Microwaves • CDs/DVDs/Blue Rays • Floppy disks/Thumb Drives • Electronic motors • Televisions • Integrated Circuits (IC) • Computer mice • Microphones • Computer Keyboards • VCR/DVD/CD Players • Games Systems (Xbox, Nintendo, Playstation, etc.) • Power Supplies • Surge Protectors • Computer boards • Copiers • Cash Registers • Satellite Components • Aluminum • Copper • Brass • Nickel • Cardboard • Phonebooks • Copy paper (No carbon paper) • Styrofoam (No dirty containers) • Plastics 1-7 • Amber Glass • Green Glass • Clear Glass • Batteries

International Women's Day Celebration

The 15th annual International Women's Day Celebration at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis takes place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday (12 March) in the Lilly Auditorium of the University Library, 755 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis.

A part of the Reiberg Reading Series, featured performers include poets Rachel Sahaidachny and Saundrajo Holiday, fiction from Sarah Layden, and visual art by Anila Agha.

A multicultural, multilingual open mic follows at 8:15 p.m. Women’s organizations and activist groups will be on hand to talk about the work in our community.

Reiberg events are free and open to the public.