Does Your Child Need A Math Tutor?

Many students find math a challenging subject, and hiring math tutors can provide a great solution for trouble in the classroom. Difficulty with math is a widespread problem, particularly with the strong emphasis on testing for students in all grades. High stakes tests can create anxiety, especially for math students, and many students need outside help in order to gain confidence and adequately absorb the material. Tutors can access learning problems and devise a personalized instructional program.

Math tutors offer an opportunity for students to receive individualized instruction. Every student has different needs and no two pupils have the same learning style, but a large classroom setting can't always accommodate the individual student. Some otherwise strong students may need a tutor to get them over a difficult hump or to help them with a specific area, whereas other students can require on-going assistance with their math studies.

It is important to choose the right math tutors. Like a personal trainer, the tutor needs to be matched to the individual. The idea is to increase the student's confidence, reduce math anxiety and shore up skills. It is important to find a supportive tutor who can adjust his or her teaching style to the student.

Math tutors can be located by asking for personal recommendations from other families that have utilized tutors. The student's school may also have a list of tutors that they recommend. Local colleges often have job boards and lists of available tutors. Often, a graduate student or college math major may be the perfect choice for a high school age student. Retired teachers or teachers working part time while raising children may offer tutoring. There are also local and national tutoring firms that will match your student with a staff tutor.

It is important that the math tutor has professional training and expertise in the specific subject matter and grade level that the student needs to master. The math tutor's job is to teach key concepts and problem solving strategies. For young children simply helping with homework may be adequate, but in most cases you are looking for a tutor that can help the student approach problems in a new way so that they can master concepts they have been struggling with in the classroom. The tutor needs to construct a learning plan and adjust it as needed until the student can demonstrate mastery.

Math tutors need to help students with test taking, study skills and self-confidence. The tutor will provide a structure so the student gets the practice that math requires and develops a productive work routine. The tutor needs to bring math alive and make the experience as much fun as possible. Tutoring time should be viewed as positive and supportive. The tutor needs to be a good communicator that makes sure the student feels comfortable asking questions. The tutor needs to provide a balance between offering achievable goals that build confidence and challenging the student to take on increasing difficult material.

Dancing on wheels

I really like to post inspirational stories when I can. I think I found another one. Whenever your feeling down, or need to see someone who is overcoming odds come back to read this one.

I want to wish these kids much luck in what they are doing and hope that they are finding this helpful to cope with their lives.

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A Miracle helped a local dance team qualify for a national competition Sunday.

He is Tim Miracle, a choreographer and owner of Miracle Dance Theatre in Delhi Township. His team of 15 young women and one young man, called the Miracle Dance Theatre All-Stars, will compete against troupes from around the country and Russia at the Mason High School Auditorium.

Here's another miracle: Only half of the Delhi dancers are able to use their legs.

Eight of the girls and young women, ages 6 to 21, suffer from spina bifida or spinal cord injuries. They use wheelchairs to perform. The rest of the team are able-bodied dancers, or "shadows," who push the wheelchair dancers around stage.

They qualified for the nationals in March by scoring high in a regional competition in Mason, evoking thunderous applause and wells of tears from the audience and fellow dancers.

The MDT All-Stars were the only dancers in wheelchairs in the spring contest; they will be the only ones rolling on stage Sunday.

"Just because we're in a wheelchair doesn't mean we can't dance," says Taylor Hlebak, 14, of College Hill, who has been training at the Delhi studio since she was 5. "It's still art. It's still performing. We're all equal."

She and others might never have experienced the expression of dance if Miracle had said "no" when he opened his studio in 1993. That's when Mary Jo Schmiade of Independence called to ask if Miracle would teach her daughter, Jill, who was then 5. Jill was born with spina bifida. Now 19, she'll dance Sunday.

"Other little girls were taking ballet lessons then," Mary Jo Schmiade says. "How could we tell her there's no dance class for you?"

Several other dance studios told Schmiade they couldn't accommodate disabled students, but Miracle agreed to do a separate class for Jill and other wheelchair dancers. He made it clear to the parents, though, that he had no experience teaching dance to disabled children.

"I had seen wheelchair dancers perform with the Cleveland Ballet," says Miracle, 42, of Delhi Township who studied musical theater at Wright State University. "I said I had no idea how to do it, but I'd give it a shot."

He learned by trial and error, sometimes sitting in a wheelchair or standing in as a shadow dancer to choreograph stage moves. Miracle's philosophy evolved to making the wheelchair dancers and shadows perform as a unit.

While pushing the chairs around stage, the shadows also perform steps. The wheelchair dancers express themselves with their arms, hands, eyes and faces.

"We don't try to tug at anyone's heart strings," says Miracle. "I want them to look just the same as any dancers."

Vanessa Clayton, 17, of Delhi Township, who has been performing as a shadow for five years, just doesn't see the disabled dancers as being in wheelchairs.

"The hardest part is not letting them roll over our toes," she jokes.

"Or run into each other," adds Emily Minges, 17, of Westwood, another shadow.

The shadow dancers, who commit to extra practice to be members of the team, are more impressed with the dedication and effort of their disabled counterparts.

"To move around like that, even to lift their arms like that is hard for them," says Hannah Witte, 16, of Westwood.

Sometimes backstage, the dancers take intravenous medications. One performed with her broken leg in a splint.

About Online Data Storage & Backup

There are many uncontrollable weather factors that cause power outages, adversely affecting electronic equipment. Among those factors, a lightning strike is far and away the most damaging, but also dangerous are things like accidental contact with power lines by repair trucks and other vehicles or even by animals. When power to a computer is disrupted, there frequently is a surge of current that can, in a nanosecond, completely destroy a database.

Long ago, the successful sale of whatever widgets a company offered wasn’t much affected one way or another by weather. In today’s electronic business world, though, violent weather can wreak havoc with threats to the data that make possible the successful marketing of a service or product.

Florida is the undisputed Lightning Capitol of the U.S., with hundreds of thousands of strikes recorded each year; Texas ranks #2, but Pennsylvania leads the nation in total lightning damage. In fact, the only places on earth relatively safe from lightning are Arctic, Antarctic and the middle of the oceans.

If a business happens to be located in a state with a high incidence of lightning, one of the first things the business owner learns is the importance of protecting customer and other business data from the mayhem created by a sudden surge in power. Even if you’re not located in a high-risk state, the United States records millions of serious strikes every year … coast to coast to coast to coast. No business, anywhere in the country, is immune to them.

When a lightning strike - or any other form of violent weather - abruptly severs power distribution, there usually is a surge of current that can, in a nanosecond, completely destroy a database and the hardware containing it. The surge might occur during the disturbance, during operation of the equipment, and/or when power is restored. Destructive power surges can occur on any line running into your office - including AC power lines, telephone lines, and coaxial cable lines. One way or another, that means your servers - and all data backed up on them - are at risk.

A simple "surge protector" strip affords only the most minimal protection. For one thing, their effectiveness depends upon human oversight and maintenance - and human beings mean human errors. (Accidentally clicked it off? Whoops!) For another, if the surge protector has been hit once, its efficacy is immediately cut dramatically, affording hardly any protection at all from any subsequent strikes - yet many companies simply hit the re-set switch and continue using the same "protection."

The safe way to protect your invaluable business data - customer background, ordering and contact information, organizational files, etc. - is to have your data backed up by an Online Storage and retrieval service. An online data backup system means that no matter what happens to your physical plant or the tapes, CDs and servers housed therein, your data is safe and you can retrieve it at any time.

Today, a company’s electronic business data is most likely to be its more important, most valuable asset. Protecting it with an online data backup and storage services ensures that come what may - hurricanes, floods, tornados, storms - that data is safe, secure, and the business will go on as usual.

Cincinnati and Cornhole Take the Spot Light

Here is a news report about the new movie coming out about cornhole, which was filmed right here in Cincinnati. I am tempted to go see it as much of the filming took place just north of my last job, and I'm curious if we will be painted as a bunch of rednecks or if they will do some justice for us.

Watch the video and please post your comments on this for me.

Is A Limited Liability Company (LLC) Right For Your Business?

Up until a few years ago there were only 3 types of formal business formations. These were the corporation, a partnership and a sole proprietorship. Each had both positives and negatives and depending on your situation, you would choose the right one for you.

The latest business type however has attempted to create like a hybrid with the benefits of sole proprietorship and protections of a corporation without the formalities.

An LLC (limited liability company) provides the benefits of liability protection, like a formal corporation but also features the tax design of a sole proprietorship or partnership. The biggest benefits of an LLC are in the taxation and liability areas, although unlike a corporation, an LLC can be set up for a limited amount of time only.

Unlike a corporation where income is taxed twice, an LLC business passes through income to the owners. That is, the income goes directly to the owners of the company who then are responsible for the taxes. Of course good business practices are a must and this doesn't mean that the company can be treated as a personal piggy bank for the owners.

As the rules that bind an LLC are more in line with a sole proprietorship, many of the corporate governance like a board of directors is not required. The LLC formation also makes it easy to dissolve without the filing and notice requirements of a formal corporation.

LLC's can usually be formed with a simple form filed with the state. Check your local authorities for more information on the type of filing, forms, and other information that may be needed. One identifying characteristic to note is that the name of any limited liability company needs to end with the letters "LLC." Here's an example: Joe's Shoe Repair,LLC.

Filing LLC business documentation though is not difficult and can be accomplished in several ways.

An attorney can generate the basic documentation and should cost a couple of hundred dollars. This is recommended if you're planning to change the business type of an ongoing business. If you already have a business in operation, it's necessary to cover all the details. Using an attorney also can give peace of mind should you be concerned.

If however, you're just starting out or have a brand new business, filing the necessary paperwork is really very easy. To set up an LLC, you file articles of formation or articles of organization with the state. This document is usually an easy to complete one-page form. It has areas where you can fill in the blanks with basic information about your new company including the name and other important information. The state agency that is usually charged with accepting LLC filings is the state department of corporations. If your state doesn't use this name, a quick call to the secretary of state office can point you in the right direction. Some state also have additional minor requirements to open an LLC company. The state department where you file the documents will let you know of any additional requirements. Here is a site that will assist you with filing the proper paperwork for your state, just replace California with the proper state for you: California LLC

After the state accepts your articles of LLC formation and you complete any other state requirements, you're done with your LLC formation.

Poll: Bonds vs. Rose

I believe you cannot have a baseball hall of fame without Pete Rose. Yeah he screwed up, but that was after his career as a player. I do not believe that it is right to take away the achievements he made as a player. I found a poll on a Cincinnati Website, and I think everyone should go in and vote. Because it is a Cincinnati Paper, it will be slanted towards Pete Rose, but I want to see what happens if we can give it more of a National presence. Please everyone place a link to this Poll anywhere you can and get as many people to plate legitimate votes with their opinion.

Vote Here: http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070706/SPT0401/307060008/-1/CINCI

Maui Vacation Rentals

The next time you want to spend a relaxing vacation surrounded by pristine beaches and breathtaking views, make your way to the always entertaining Hawaiian Island of Maui. Maui is the perfect place to kick back and participate in a variety of recreational pursuits while soaking in the stunning natural features that abound along its shores. For your next trip the island, stay in a convenient vacation rental and enjoy everything you love about this jewel in the Pacific with all the amenities of home at your fingertips.

Since every vacation to the Hawaiian Islands is bound to include at least a few days at some of the spectacular beaches, consider staying just steps from the soft sandy shores of your favorite beach. Whether you prefer the snorkeling of Kannapali or the excellent swimming and sunbathing conditions of Kapalua Beach, you can find a vacation rental that is ideally situated directly on the ocean.

As a part of staying in a waterfront rental home, you will also be privy to the breathtaking views and relaxing sounds of the water. Wake up to the rush of the waves crashing ashore each morning then head out for an early morning stroll in the sand, where the refreshing breeze and cool brush of the water against your feet are the invigorating caffeine for your day. And at the end of day, you can sit back on your comfortable balcony or patio and watch one of the most memorable sunsets you have every witnessed.

Family vacations are also much simpler when you have convenient access to a majority of the activities you plan to pursue during your trip. With swimming, boogie boarding, sunbathing, snorkeling, and scuba diving within sight, it is easy to accomplish everything on your agenda and keep your children continually appeased with the pace of your adventures. Also, if you happen to be visiting during the winter months, you can enjoy the acrobatic moves of the humpback whales from your vacation rental's patio without ever stepping foot on a crowded tour boat.

While you will certainly be able to enjoy all of the unique features that make Maui such a popular tourist destination, there are bound to be times when you simply want to retreat into your accommodations for a short and restful break. In a vacation rental, you can enjoy the privacy of your bedroom or relax in a separate living room while the rest of the family laughs through a round of pool in the gameroom or watches a DVD in the family room. With an entire home at your disposal, the days of avoiding a cramped and loud hotel room are over as you kick back in the sanctuary of your home away from home.

In addition to all of the space your house or condo rental affords, you will also have access to all of the comforts of home you typically forget about during vacations. Wireless internet, a washer and dryer, a fully-stocked kitchen, numerous TVs and DVD players, and a private pool are just some of the extras you can expect from many of the cozy and comfortable rental homes Maui has to offer.

Maui vacation rentals are the ideal accommodations option for anyone who wants to enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable getaway vacation without losing out on all the luxuries of home. To realize the Hawaiian vacation you have always dreamed about but never quite experienced, stay in a Maui condo rental the next time you make your way to the Islands and let your convenient location coupled with an abundance of amenities dictate the pace of your trip.

Son of Beast back in action

I love roller coasters! That being said I have never been on the Son of Beast because the first year it was shut down at least 5 times during the season with problems. That did not bode well for me, so I waited. Then last season there was a bigger malfunction that sent people to the hospital, I knew I made the correct decision not to get on. Now that it has reopened without the loop, I hope that they have taken care of the issues it had in the past, but again I will wait and count the number of times it is shut down before getting on it.

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The Son of Beast roller coaster, shut down since last July, reopened Wednesday without its signature loop after state inspectors certified that the ride was safe, a Kings Island spokesman said.

Drop Zone, which was idled last month after an accident on a similar ride in Louisville, also could be back on line soon, spokesman Craig Ross said.

Park patrons were allowed back on Son of Beast about 2 p.m., he said.

"I think everyone will be surprised. It's a better ride."

Park officials removed the loop from the wooden coaster - touted as the world's tallest and fastest - after a July 9, 2006, accident that sent 27 people to a hospital.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture required Kings Island to make some structural changes. The park also removed the loop so that lighter trains can be used.

Drop Zone remained closed. It was inspected a second time after an accident on a similar ride at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in which the feet of a 13-year-old girl were severed when a cable snapped.

Kings Island's parent company, Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., shut down Drop Zone and four similar rides at its parks across the nation because they were manufactured by the same company that made the Louisville ride.

Ross said Kings Island will reopen Drop Zone after installing a new part that the manufacturer suggested. The part is expected in a couple of days, he said.

"The upgrade is unrelated to what happened in Louisville," he said. "(Drop Zone) is safe and always has been."

Find a Good Hotel on the Cheap For Your Next Trip

Who doesn't like rebate on their holiday resorts? In fact, all the holiday planners are frantically looking for those deals that could fetch them the best hotel reservation in a minimum budget. The most tried and tested method of getting a cheap hotel deal is to get a membership of a holiday club that could automatically pay for your holiday expenses at least once in a year and to an exotic destination round the world or in your country.

These clubs can be easily spotted out anywhere through their extensive advertising that makes them yell on the top of their voices about their most exciting offers and packages. It could be a life time package or a yearly package that looks very expensive at the face value, but it encompasses a lot of features in it, making your holidays better than ever. Because the hotel reservation doesn't necessarily mean booking of the hotel room, but it means a comprehensive package including your meals (at least breakfast), motels and vacation resorts as well. However, it depends upon your holiday plan that vary according to incentives and benefits.

Then there is an easy option of getting your reservation done through the Internet that includes a plethora of online bookers that offer you with cheap hotels. Else you can look up for the off season destinations and find an attractive discount on the bookings of the best hotels. Then, there are many hotels, which tie up with various online travel agencies in order to find their last minute booking and offer a certain online discount for the netizens. It is helpful to both the customers and the hotels equally.

You could also look to book a hotel that is located at the suburb of a town and thus it would cost less than the one that is situated at the heart of the city. In such cases, you must also take into consideration its actual distance to the destination and whether an affordable means of commutation for that place is available or not. It would also make you calculate the latent expenses of the trip that add up on the whole budget.

Thus cheap hotels could easily be found out with a little research and analysis. Its better to be prudent while finding the right Hotel Discounts for you!