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  Nutrition Calculator

Feel free to suggest good books for the library, links and better graphs and charts for the tools page. Fiction or non-fiction, no reciprocation necessary.

Questions and Answers

1. The Chapter on Fitness for Older Americans has some good points, but how do you get people to apply them? Ideally, you could get people to read the chapter and learn to answer the questions well. And then, get them to answer the questions better. The chapter is only about four pages, and not complicated, but mastery and application of the principles can make a big difference in how older Americans feel. The 2010 updates nclude a few new charts which can be simple to understand, and ideally be utilized to help the fifty-plus crowd feel as good as they possibly can.

2. Ideas for America 1 talks about better language learning, how big a difference could they make in the schools? In my strong professional opinion, the number of students who passed an AP exam after 5 years of foreign language study could go from less than 1% to 15-20%, with most students being able to speak the target language well.

3.  What is you your background in education?  I've been a language teacher since making my start at the Berlitz School in Bonn, Germany in 1995. From 2000 to 2005 I  high school and   middle school Spanish, as well as tutored adults. In 2007 and 2008 I worked in Special Education, working one on one with students from 8-18 with severe emotional and neurological conditions, including students with Asperger's syndrome, Schizo-affective disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder, among others. Some of these students also suffered from extreme generalized anxiety, and had engaged in self-injurious and violent behavior.  In 2009, I worked under a federal grant, working with small groups (5-6 students) doing  Kindergarten inclusion, first grade guided reading, fourth grade reading recovery, 6^th grade English, and 6^th grade math. During that time I also acted as a Russian interpreter. Now, in 2010, I teach mostly Spanish and German privately or to small groups of adults. All of these experiences have contributed to the opinions expressed on education on this site.

4. What do you think would be the best possible location for the recreational facilities outlined in Chapter 1 of Ideas for America 1? That's a good question, so where on the North Shore there might be an area that would be suitable for the model. Realistically, for two fifty meter pools, a diving pool, a large grassy area for sitting out, parking, and a Juice/Beer Garden set-up you're talking about. 5-8 acres. Just charging $5 per person could create enough revenue and a feeling of ownership on the part of patrons, so we can also think about a town that something like that would be really good for. Maybe Topsfield, Gloucester, but in any case it can be fun and exciting to think about.

5. I'm so mad/frustrated/disappointed with my legislator; what should I say? Start with the five words Bob Dole says to all veterans and returning servicemen; "Thank you for your service." Then, maybe tell him or her to consider doing their best with their annual reports. For legislators to be able to do their best with that, they'll need your encouragement, so don't be shy.

6. What is your government and/or political background? In the summers during high school and college I did either landscaping or government jobs. In 1988 I worked for the Parks and Recreation Department, most days going to different housing projects to do sports with children. In 1990 I was the co-chair of the Republican Senate committee, which assisted GOP candidates running for the State Senate. In the summer of 1992 I was a Boston Park Ranger, answering questions and giving tours on the Boston Common and Public Garden. In 1994 I worked in the State House as a Senate page, which was a good way to learn about the political process. As it happens, I was assigned a few times to get Fred Berry his sandwiches, the Senator whose seat I'm now seeking. In 2004 I ran for the State Senate on an education platform, which was great; I was sent masses of informational pamphlets, essays and reports, all of which I read multiple times, and integrated into existing research. Being able to present an education platform in a district so passionate about education gave me energy and knowledge that continues to pay all sorts of dividends. That being said, the past six years teaching and researching have brought powerful experiences that I'm working hard to mold into something of use for the people.

Freedom of  Expression

is one of the core values of the site, and  the above picture captures some  of the best aspects of that. It's one of those things that too many support in theory, but not really. 

Below are a few ways that  might help Americans   express themselves. 

Alabama-Coushatta  One tradition of expression promoted in the site book is that of the Native American tribe in Texas, which discusses all decisions by how it would affect the dreams of the previous and future seven generations. It allows for a far more extensive and honest discussion than most of us ever have.

Dinner Tradition One good way to work to get the younger generation think and talking is an old dinner tradition. Adults pick a topic, and then  each person goes around the table and says a bit about it while everyone listens.