Published: Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 6:01 a.m. Last Modified: Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 11:55 p.m.

A group of Nicholls students and alumni are protesting the school librarys practice of throwing away old books.

But school officials and a national university library spokesperson say the practice, known to librarians as weeding, is common.

Peter Jenkins, who graduated in May, said he heard about the practice in an off-hand comment from a friend who works at the library. When he stopped to look at the Dumpster where the books are discarded, he said he was shocked.

I dont think theres ever a time when you should just throw away books, he said. Theyre throwing away what looks like thousands of them. Its not just old medical textbooks, theyre throwing away Bibles, theyre throwing away popular books like (George Orwells) 1984.

Jenkins started an online petition asking Nicholls to stop throwing away the books. By Friday afternoon, the petition had gathered 86 supporters.

School officials said the discarded books are meant to make room for newer, more relevant texts.

Library Director Rob Bremer defended the practice in a campus-wide email sent Wednesday.

Like many individuals, we librarians value books and do not wish to see any thrown away, Bremer wrote. As professionals, we well recognize both the dangers of keeping out-of-date or incomplete books in a collection (and of giving them to others in need of accurate, current, full information) and the fact that, if out-dated, incomplete, worn or otherwise unsuitable books are not removed from a collection, there is no room for current and more suitable items.

Bremer said books are periodically weeded to bring the library up-to-date with standards passed down from the Library of Congress. Those standards are applied to all but one library in the University of Louisiana system and most research universities throughout the state.

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Nicholls library of old books upsets students

About 150 proud B.M.C. Durfee High School graduates, many clad in red and black, gathered at McGoverns Family Restaurant in Fall River on Friday night for the schools 125th Anniversary Gala.

The celebration occurred on the very day Durfee was dedicated in honor of Bradford Matthew Chaloner in 1887.

We are proud of being part of Durfee and wanted to hold a celebration to honor the schools history, said Charlotte Thomas, secretary of the Durfee Alumni Association.

Beginning in January, members of the alumni association began spreading the word about the celebration. A message appeared in the Durfee Chimes, the schools alumni newsletter, and through word of mouth. Many retired Durfee alums who spend their winters in Florida were in attendance for the 125th celebration.

The Durfee Alumni Association sends out more than 17,000 alumni newsletters annually. Members of the association claim that it is the oldest continuously active alumni association in the nation, with the largest endowment fund. In a given year, the Durfee Alumni Association distributes $250,000 to 100 Durfee graduates.

Durfee alumnus Ronald Silvia designed a 125th anniversary refrigerator magnet that was handed out to members of the Class of 2012 and was also available at the anniversary gala.

Alumni representing nine decades were in attendance for the event, ranging from Faust Fiore, Class of 1936, to Amy Deslauriers, Class of 2012.

Alumni Association President Dot Nicolau opened the festivities by thanking graduates for attending. Silvia chronicled the schools rich history from its days on Rock Street to its current location on Elsbree Street.

Mayor Will Flanagan commented on the schools dedicated alumni and many distinguished graduates, including recent graduate Anita Pechenenko, who moved to Fall River from Kyrgyzstan with her mother when she was in the third grade and did not speak a word of English. Since that time, she has participated in numerous clubs and sporting teams while at Durfee. She was the 2012 class valedictorian and will enroll at Yale University in the fall where she plans to major in medical oncology.

Email Derek Vital at dvital@heraldnews.com.

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Alumni show true colors at Durfee's 125th Anniversary Gala

By Clayton Muhammad cmuhammad@d131.org June 15, 2012 1:28PM

Updated: June 15, 2012 7:17PM

It was 20 years ago this summer that I was preparing to enter my senior year at East Aurora High School. As most seniors, I was anxious to get back to school, have an incredible senior year and head off to college to pursue my dreams. From Dieterich Elementary to Waldo Middle schools to my first three years at East Aurora High, I was ready and equipped to become part of the Class of 1993.

Those nostalgic memories remind me of how much things have changed fashion, technology and the world at large. I never thought that when my classmates promised each other that we would stay in touch that we would actually lose touch for more than 15 years only to be brought back together via Facebook. Imagine that!

Leading by example

As I watch students from the Class of 2013 enter their senior year with the same fervor and excitement, I know that one thing has not and will not change from 1993 to 2013 and from Aurora to Antarctica: children will be what they see! The examples of success that we provide for our children will be the examples they seek to emulate, especially when those examples are accessible and relatable.

In a recent meeting where leaders of the Class of 2013 were discussing their plans for senior year, college and life in general, they repeatedly gave examples of Tomcats who had been there and done that and how those Tomcats inspired them to do the same thing.

A few months ago, we convened a meeting of college students who graduated from East High to discuss ways that we can better prepare our students for higher learning. Many of them were the same names that came up during the Class of 2013 meeting as examples of excellence and people to emulate.

These college co-eds represented such institutions as Aurora University, Waubonsee College, Northern Illinois University, North Central College, Syracuse University and Princeton University. They shared a common love for East Aurora High School and a common respect for those fellow alumni who inspired them to pursue their ultimate dreams without hesitation. They agreed that we need a more concerted effort to connect these alumni with our current students.

We have a responsibility as alumni to give back just like those who did it for us, said Kim Harris, Class of 2005 valedictorian and graduate student at Princeton University.

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East Aurora High School invites alumni to share success stories

Stauffer, Brazeltons honored by Downey YMCA

Bob and Jean Brazelton, and Dr. Mary Stauffer, receive the Downey YMCA's highest award.

DOWNEY - The Downey YMCA honored longtime community leaders Dr. Mary Stauffer and Bob and Jean Brazelton during a gala dinner at the Long Beach Yacht Club last month. Stauffer and the Brazeltons were presented with the YMCA Exceptional Service Award, the highest award given by the Downey YMCA. Below are biographies on the award recipients, as provided by the YMCA. STAUFFER Dr. Mary Stauffer has lived her life by leading with wisdom and passion. She is a woman who has given innumerable "matchless moments" to those of all ages. She has said, "Education is the way to knowledge, knowledge creates wisdom, and wisdom is the key to action. Stauffer was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. She graduated from Capital University Magna Cum Laude and first in her class. She went on to medical school at Ohio State University. In 1943, she married her husband, Floyd, a Navy doctor. They opened their medical practices and raised five children. Dr. Stauffer did research with the first electron microscope in the United States. The Biological Science Building at Downey High School is named Stauffer Hall. Dr. Mary Stauffer worked in the medical field for 63 years, beginning in 1934 as a volunteer lab technician. At age 94, Dr. Stauffer retired from her medical practice but continued working.... this time as the CEO and COO of her foundation. Through the Mary R. Stauffer Foundation, she has been able to "invest in the education of students in Downey." Dr. Stauffer's favorite saying is "Be the best you can be" and she encourages and rewards excellence so that students and teachers can truly "be the best they can be." Dr. Mary Stauffer has been a member of the following organizations since their founding and have been on the board of the Aerospace Legacy Society, Downey Sister Cities, Columbia Memorial Space Center Foundation, Christ Lutheran Church and True Lasting Connections. Dr. Stauffer is a staff member at Downey Community Hospital and Chief of Staff in 1972. Stauffer is a long time member of the following organizations: Downey Rotary Club, Assistance League of Downey, PEO, Delta Kappa Gamma, American Association of University Women, Gangs Out of Downey, PTA - active 25 years while children were in schools - joined in 1952, Rancho Los Amigos Foundation, HOME - Assistance League of Downey's facility on Rancho property - helped to fund the building of the facility. In 1992 started the Mary R. Stauffer Foundation and have been CEO ever since. Founded in 1992 activities funded by the Mary R. Stauffer foundation includes: Scholarships and Grants: (on going scholarships and grants), Community College Grants for High School Seniors, Scholar Athlete Awards, Academic Excellence for 4.0 Juniors, started Scholarship College Funds for 6th and 7th grade students, matching scholarship grants for Delta Kappa Gamma and AAUW, California Lutheran College Scholarships, YMCA Scholarships for children to attend camp, funding for GOOD scholarships and teacher grants awarded to teachers with innovative projects Stauffer was also a key in helping enhanced school facilities to include computer labs for all four middle schools, Cyberobics lab for West Middle Schools (West Middle School Cyberobics Lab won a Golden Bell Award) and fitness facilities for Downey High and Warren High. Dr. Stauffer also funded sound systems in classrooms for 4th-5th grade classrooms in eight elementary schools and various middle school and high school rooms as well as Emergency Carts for Downey High and Warren High. In addition, Dr. Stauffer also funded programs at Warren High Culinary Arts Classroom equipment, Downey High, Warren High and West Middle School "Project Lead the Way", pre-engineering program including equipment and teacher training, Downey High Photography and Journalism equipment for e-newspaper, Columbus High Technology Lab with equipment to produce a yearbook, funding for Character Counts and Pursuing Victory with Honor - lead teach and training for classroom teachers, Kids Day Donations, Cross Country Meet for Warren High - funded trophies, student tickets for Downey Civic Light Opera and Downey Symphony, Graphing Calculator loan program for student in need at Warren, TLC counseling services for elementary schools, library books for elementary schools, technology for Gallatin Elementary, Downey High AP Biology students to do research at Catalina Island, USC lab She also provided opportunities for students to attend special programs such as Sally Ride Science Camp at Cal Tech, Cal State Long Beach Women in Engineering Field Trip for middle school girls, all 5th grade students to attend training at Columbia Memorial Space Center with expansion for middle school students to attend in 2012, traveling science programs for elementary and middle schools and Gene Autry Museum - sponsored educations carts about frontier living. BRAZELTONS Fortitude, commitment and leadership qualities emerge from several key experiences in one's life. The amazing paths forged by Bob and Jean Brazelton that helped develop these qualities stem back to seized opportunities in their youthful pasts. In his freshman year at Cathedral High School in East Los Angeles, Bob failed to make the baseball team. He missed the try-outs his sophomore year after breaking his arm flipping off the high bar in a local park. His junior year looked equally dim until he begged a reluctant coach to allow him to pitch for the junior varsity team in a practice game with the varsity. Not one to shrink from a challenge, Bob proceeded to strike-out the entire varsity roster. He was handed a team uniform and told to report to practice the next day. Bob excelled and earned a baseball scholarship to Loyola University and graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. The next year he took graduate classes at Loyola and played minor-league ball during the summer. With the Korean War raging, Bob joined the Marines and served on the front lines while Armistice negotiations were being conducted. After the Armistice, he became the player-manager of the Marine Corps baseball team and won the Far East service championship. Returning home, Bob pursued a Master's Degree in Education and proceeded to teach and coach at Garfield High School. Meanwhile, back in St. Paul Minnesota, Jean graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from the College of St. Catherine and spent her first year teaching high school English and Physical Education in a small farm town. Her adventuresome spirit, stimulated by her many years attending and counseling at summer camps around the country, inspired her to travel to a place where she could enjoy both year round sunshine and skiing. In the summer of 1953, Jean left chilly Minnesota and headed west, landing in Southern California. Bob and Jean met soon after at a Catholic Alumni Club dance in Los Angeles, married, settled in Downey in 1957 and have called it home for 55 years. Bob, graduating from Loyola Law School in 1958, began work as an attorney with Exxon and taught business law at UCLA. Subsequently, he served as Vice President/General Counsel for McCulloch Oil Corporation, which, besides the oil business, also founded Lake Havasu City and brought the London Bridge to Havasu. In the early 1970's he hung his shingle in Downey and joined the Tredway Law Firm as a partner for 20 years. Presently, Bob practices business and estate planning law from his home. Together, Bob and Jean have dedicated countless hours to community service. In the 1960's they taught Confirmation classes to high school youth and served as board members for Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish council in the 80's, helping to rebuild the earthquake damaged church. Jean dedicated her child-rearing years to sharing her many talents. She founded the Great Books program at Our Lady of Perpetual Help school, served as a commissioner for the Downey Parks and Recreation Commission, coached basketball for her daughter's Ponytail team and school team which won the CYO championship and was honored as a distinguished "Woman of Distinction" by the Downey Soroptimist Club. She also spent countless hours at the Downey Library assisting high school students in writing their college essays, as well as running the monthly book auctions. At home, Jean taught her six children how to read, write, ski and launch forth into the world with an adventuresome spirit. During his busy working years, Bob also dedicated his time and talent to service. He formed the Downey Homeowners' Association in the early 60's and also chaired the committee that drafted the Downey City Charter. Over the years he coached his sons' Gray-Y baseball, football and basketball teams and his daughter Anne's softball team. He also coached the annual YMCA track meet and spent hours teaching his own children proper tennis strokes, batting stances and swings, and jump shots. His famous behind the back shot in "horse" on the basketball court still amazes his children! Bob also served two terms on both the Downey Planning Commission and the City Council, served as Mayor, as well as serving as President of the Los Amigos Kiwanis Club and a a member of the board of the Downey Community Hospital Foundation. Both have been actively involved in the Downey YMCA since the late 60's. They were active committee members during the rebuilding of the current YMCA structure and both served as a member of the Board of Managers over the years. Bob served on many fundraising campaigns for the YMCA and chaired Gray-Y committees. He led hikes in the mountains and attended Camp Fox with his two younger sons. Bob and Jean's six children also enjoyed many summers as campers and counselors at YMCA's Camp Whittle and enjoyed gymnastics and other classes at the Y.

********** Published: June 14, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 09

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Stauffer, Brazeltons honored by Downey YMCA

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- A part of Huntsville history got new life Thursday night.

The City Council approved a plan to transfer ownership of the historic Councill High School to the school's alumni association via the Huntsville Housing Authority, rescuing a dilapidated building with a plan of restoration.

Councill High School, located on St. Clair Avenue downtown near the Medical District, was the only public high school for black students from 1927-1966.

The facility has fallen into disrepair, but longtime efforts to preserve the building now are in motion.

"It is certainly a delight for this partnership, the alumni, the city of Huntsville and the Housing Authority to come together and make this happen," City Councilman Richard Showers said. "The alumni is to be commended, this administration is to be commended and the Housing Authority is to be commended."

The Housing Authority would oversee restoration of the school - though some parts are too far gone and likely would be torn down. After 10 years, the Housing Authority would transfer ownership to the alumni group, according to a memorandum of understanding approved by the council.

The alumni group is charged with raising money to save their school - a price tag estimated to be about $9 million. The city has committed $350,000 to the project along with a promise to support fundraising efforts.

Showers said the project would benefit because of the economic development planned at the site of the former Councill Courts public housing community near Huntsville Hospital. A restored Councill High School would have "historical significance, an educational-based opportunity to keep history alive."

And better late than never, Showers said.

"I've been concerned that we've not done anything before now," he said. "This is a good time to be moving forward."

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Huntsville city council OKs long-range plan to restore historic Councill High School

Scene ... The NFL Alumni Foundation held a cocktail reception at Morello Bistro on Greenwich Avenue on Wednesday night. Former NFL players were on hand to kick off the sixth annual NFL Alumni CT Chapter Golf Celebrity Golf Classic on June 18 at The Country Club of Darien. On hand at the party were former NFL greats and members of the alumni foundation: Steve Thurlow, New York Giants and chapter president; Bob Hyland, Giants; John Lium, Giants; Dick Swatland, Houston Oilers; Pete Gogolak, Giants; Dave Herman, New York Jets; Terry Hanratty, Pittsburgh Steelers; Skip Lane, Jets and Kansas City Chiefs; Jeffrey White, New England Patriots; and Bob Simms, Giants and Steelers. Celebrity coordinator Mark Yusko served as emcee along with Kelly McCoy, senior vice president of sales and marketing. Also present was Jimmy Brannigan, host and manager of Morello Bistro; event organizer Pari Hirsch; Greg LaMontagne of Sidney Frank Importing Co., donators of their vodka brand American Harvest; artist Eric Forstmann and Jane Eckert of Eckert Fine Art; and Gabrielle Balzano, who wowed the crowd with her version of the Star-Spangled Banner and Adele's "Rolling in the Deep." Balzano holds a 9-handicap on New Canaan High School's girls golf team. The June 18 tournament will feature 18 holes of golf starting with celebrity introductions, a live and silent auction and a lobster bake. Since its inception in 2007, the chapter has raised more than $400,000 benefitting charities throughout Connecticut, Westchester County and New York City, including Connecticut Special Olympics, The First Tee of CT, The Umbrella Club, Circle of Care, Boys & Girls Clubs of Stamford and Greenwich, The Darien/Norwalk YWCA, ITP Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of CT, Kids in Crisis, Standing Tall and the Joe Namath Football Camp. For more information, contact Pari Hirsch at 203-219-7499 or parihirsch@aol.com.

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Scene ... Actor Ian Ziering, aka Steve Sanders on "Beverly Hills 90210," was seen on Tuesday at Fitness Edge in Riverside. Ziering was at the club to pitch his anti-aging products to the staff.

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Out there ... Green & Tonic, owned by Greenwich resident Jeffrey Pandolfino, formerly of Plum Pure Foods in Cos Cob, opened last week in Cos Cob. Opening day proved to be a huge success for the eatery on Strickland Road, which serves raw, vegan prepared foods, cold-pressed juices and functional smoothies.

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Scene ... Actress Sean Young seems to be frequenting Rye (N.Y.) Bar and Grill lately. Young is best known for her roles in "No Way Out with Kevin Costner, "Blade Runner" and "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective."

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Out there ... Greenwich native Les Russo will debut and sign copies of his first novel "The Biggest Door" at Diane's Books of Greenwich on Grigg Street on June 16 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Russo, who resides in Chicago with his wife, Patricia and their five children, is a graduate of St. Mary High School and Manhattanville College. He is the son of Les and Sheila Russo, of Greenwich. For more information, call 203-869-1515.

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The Dish: NFL alumni get ready for big party

for Ukiah Daily Journal

Barra Winery was festooned in purple and gold last Friday as the Ukiah High School Alumni Association gathered to honor this year's distinguished graduates.

Each year, along with distributing scholarships, Alumni Association members select and recognize distinguished graduates, who then spoke at Ukiah High's commencement ceremony.

"Phil Gary, Charlie Myers and Francine Selim created the Ukiah High School Alumni Association around 1996," according to Bob Frassinello, chairman of the association's distinguished graduate committee. "Then the group decided we should do something to honor outstanding graduates." Admiral William Standley, Ukiah High class of 1890, was the program's first inductee. One to three individuals are recognized annually.

"We want our students to see what these folks have done, and that you could do these things too. It's also a way to record the history of Ukiah High," says Joan Moore Erickson, the association's vice-president and member of the distinguished graduate committee.

"Our committee takes suggestions from the community for distinguished graduates and brings our selection to the full board for a vote. Nominees have to be able to come to Ukiah and speak briefly at graduation, because we want our graduates to see them. Even though Ukiah is a small town, we have so many talented people," says Erickson.

Channing Cornell has served as the association's president for over a decade. "I moved back to Ukiah in

Plaques honoring all the distinguished graduates are displayed in the high school's new library. This year the Alumni Association raised $8,500 for scholarships through membership dues and donations.

"Businesses, community organizations and churches provided about $250,000 in scholarships to Ukiah High students, which we should be very proud of," says Cornell, noting that scholarships can provide only a small portion of the $32,000 necessary for students attending University of California campuses.

Former Ukiah High Principal Phil Gary noted that Ukiah High was founded in 1890. "But there were no stories," he explained, stating that distinguished graduates inspire today's students "to dream about your future based upon what other people from Ukiah have done."

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Rad grads: Ukiah High School Distinguished Graduates honored

6/13/20123:31 AM

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amcneil@observer-reporter.com

Burgettstown School Board won't move forward with a request from Cornerstone Care seeking to temporarily relocate its Smith Township medical offices to the high school nurse's suite for the summer.

Robert MtJoy, chief executive officer of Cornerstone Care, approached the board Monday during its nonvoting meeting and offered to cover all expenses involved with using the nursing suite while school is out of session, including utilities, legal fees, extra custodial work and the cost of building temporary partitions.

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MtJoy said the arrangement would have allowed the medical center to maintain its mission of increasing access to health care by continuing to serve the Bugettstown area while the odor problem was being addressed.

After a lengthy discussion, the board reached a consensus that the district was not equipped to handle a medical facility at this time, Superintendent Deborah Jackson said. The matter will not appear on the agenda for next week's regular meeting.

Board President Thomas Repole said the nurse's suite is not designed to take on the volume of medical treatment handled by Cornerstone Care.

He also said questions arose regarding a number of issues including legal fees, parking and custodial costs. Repole and Jackson both said the notion that the school shuts down completely in the summer is a misconception as student athletes continue to access the gymnasium and weight room, the band and football team hold camps and maintenance work takes place.

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Burgettstown denies request for school to house medical office

School rocks!

Three recent events made school the rule, thanks to the City Year Gala, Tulane University's alumni awards, and Lutheran High School's Gryphon Gala. Learning and largesse underscored levity.

On a recent Thursday at Rosy's Jazz Hall, City Year New Orleans (aka CYNO) presented "School House Rock." An education-focused, national nonprofit organization that partners with public schools to keep students in school and to help them graduate, City Year brings together teams of young AmeriCorps members, who commit to a year of full-time service in schools.

The inaugural gala was quintessentially New Orleans, starting with the venue and its atrium, music hall and gardenia-filled patio, and moving on to decor, menu and music. In keeping with the "School House Rock" theme, the rooms were filled with school text books, red apples and chalkboards on which guests wrote "love" notes to and about their favorite teachers and subjects, as well as words of inspiration. Gourmet cafeteria favorites had folks queued up for fish sticks, miniature corndogs, mac 'n' cheese, and caramel and chocolate apples. As for libations, host committee member Tommy Lewis had a hit with his creation of "High School Crush, " the signature cocktail. For the scintillating sounds, the Big Jazz Band from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) entertained throughout the evening.

Honorary chaircouple Mayor Mitch and Cheryl Landrieu kicked off the program by welcoming guests and sharing their personal involvement in bringing City Year to the Crescent City in 2006. To express gratitude, CYNO board Chairwoman Diana M. Lewis presented them with personalized City Year red jackets, a gift that also befell Patty Riddlebarger, the gala's School House Rock Star and the director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Entergy Corporation.

More within the City Year constellation were Executive Director Peggy Mendoza, Gary Solomon pere et fils, Jay Altman, Carol and Harold Asher, Robbie and Tricia Vitrano, Mark Romig, Ben and Barbara Johnson, Preston and Karen Favorite, Brad and Laura Goodson, Rod Miller, Vera Triplett, Ana and Dr. Juan Gershanik, Councilwoman Susan Guidry and husband Hervin, and CYNO board members Virginia Barkley with dad Buckner, Norma Jane Sabiston, and Tim Williamson with wife Jenny. About 190 others, too, who packed the premises to mark CYNO's debut.

Not far from Rosy's Jazz Hall is the Audubon Tea Room, which was the site on a recent Sunday for the 2012 Awards Celebration given by Tulane University and the Tulane Alumni Association. A reception commenced at 11 a.m., followed by the luncheon and program at noon. Spring varieties of white flowers provided by Walden Designs centered the tables, where guests sat to enjoy a lunch of pre-set salad, red fish with lemon-butter sauce, and, as the sweet, the Audubon chocolate tea cup.

Then came the university's deserts. Tapped for the Distinguished Alumna recognition was Dr. Regina A. Benjamin, U.S. surgeon general; Dr. Julius L. Levy and Helen L. Schneidau for the Volunteer awards; and Lisa M. Laws, Young Alumna Volunteer Award. From the Levy family came the honoree's wife, Donna, and their daughter, Laurie Ann Goldman, while Susan Laws accompanied her honored daughter.

Further notables were Tulane Alumni Association (TAA) Board of Directors President Michelle Rinehart, Tulane University board Chairman James M. "Jay" Lapeyre Jr. and Sally, university Senior Vice President and School of Medicine Dean Dr. Benjamin Sachs with Tina, Freeman School of Business Dean Ira Solomon, and, with Catherine, David F. Edwards, who chairs the medical school's board.

Also, Rabbi Yonah Schiller for the invocation, TAA President-elect Sharon Bourgeois and husband St. Paul, association executive Director Charlotte Travieso, and City of New Orleans Health Commissioner Dr. Karen DeSalvo.

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City Year New Orleans presents 'School House Rock'