The middle of November is always a bittersweet time for me, because it’s marked by the end of the AYSO soccer season. On the one hand, my wife and I are glad to have our Saturdays back. On the other hand, we really miss our kids’ games. Does this sound familiar to any of you?
MORE ON COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE CERTIFICATE
Early last week, David Booher and I held a fun, productive dinner meeting with a group of PPA students/alums, focusing on the new graduate certificate program. We made significant progress in a number of areas. First, the students and alums made clear that there is sufficient interest to begin offering the third collaborative class next summer. We also received general support for the idea of conducting the new course (PPA 296L) in an intensive format (i.e., meeting all day for two days in a row, with a multi-week break between such two day sessions). However, participants in our meeting strongly advocated providing a mechanism for students to interact with each other between intensive sessions, so we will explore developing a blog for the class. Some also believed that four weeks between intensive sessions might be too long, and we will consider a shorter period. Finally, there was unanimity that credit/no credit grading should be used (similar to grading for PPA 500), given the unusually heavy emphasis on practice and group projects. If anybody has anything to add on these topics or anything else related to the certificate, please let David or me know.
ALUMNI OFFICERS AND EVENTS
The alumni chapter met recently to discuss electing new officers and planning events for the year. Within a few days I will send a message over the alumni list serve about a proposed slate of alumni officers. I would also like to remind you that the chapter is sponsoring a social get-together after work this Wednesday (November 16) at 6:00 p.m. at Pyramid Brewery (corner of 11th/K Streets). All members of the PPA community are welcome.
THANKS AND CONGRATULATIONS, JOSÉ!
While on the subject of the alumni chapter, we owe a big thank you to José Henríquez, our outgoing chair alumni chapter president over the past few years. José has been a dynamic leader, organizing numerous different events. He is stepping down in part because he just obtained a new position as executive director of the El Dorado County Local Agency Formation Commission—in so doing becoming one of the youngest executive directors in the state. We congratulate him as he assumes this major local government position.
QUIET MOVIES, AGAIN
Well, the year is not over but I already have my nomination for best picture: “Millions.” My favorite family movie in years (and one I liked even better on second viewing, which is rare), I find this a truly magical film, somehow combining the wondrous perspective of kids with the pain of loss, the anxiety of change, and the humorous possibilities of sudden good fortune. The characters, story and visuals are much more interesting and less predictable than typical of the genre. See it if you have a chance!
Ted Lascher
PPA Department Chair
