Last week, I gave a speech to New Hampshire Democrats at their state convention - where I talked about why I got into politics. I ran my first congressional campaign under the refrain, “I’m a former Navy Admiral, running on national security that begins at home, in health security.” You can hear more by clicking on the video below.
My wife, Susan, and I watched as Alex, our then-four year old daughter was wheeled out of surgery with her saddened doctors beside her. We couldn’t get the brain cancer, they told us, and “she has three, perhaps nine months.” But our little warrior fought on, with the best medical specialists our nation could provide. With her courage, Alex beat that demon. I knew then that I needed to answer to you, the American people. Because you had kept your word by providing the military healthcare coverage that saved our daughter’s life.
As Alex's treatment neared its end and I had left the Navy, I thought of the day when she'd begun her chemotherapy. Susan and I could not help but overhear in that small room the conversation of hospital counselors with the family of the young boy who was Alex's roommate. He had just been diagnosed with cancer. But they were struggling to find out how he could stay, because the family was without health coverage. Susan and I knew well the anguish that they were feeling. That showed me we needed to work towards a system where every family had the health coverage that we had for Alex.
I changed from being an independent in the military to a Democrat to run for Congress. It was a nearly 2-to-1 Republican district where I had been raised. Bringing a sign my daughter had painted: “Joe Sestak is walking in your shoes.”
Respectfully,
Joe Sestak
Paid for by Joe Sestak for President.
Joe Sestak
P.O Box 17246
Alexandria, VA 22302
United States
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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Marketing Services
Tel: 888-519-5121
Fax: 812-961-3133
Email: pressreleases@authorhouse.com
(When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)
Picture book tells true story of prodigal cat
Joan Romney Groves’ ‘Where Is My Home?’ is set for a new marketing push
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah – Set for a new marketing campaign, author Joan Romney Groves’ “Where Is My Home?” (published by AuthorHouse) is based on a true story of a prodigal cat who leaves home, experiences the world and goes to extremes to find his way back home. The ability of a cat to find his home after being away for several months and being miles away inspired the author to pen the book.
Echoing the notion that “there is no place like home,” the book tells the story of Sonic, the cat who was “born to be wild.” When he was given the opportunity to be free, he found many difficult challenges. Although 30 miles from home, he spent nine months battling the weather, animals, traffic, people, sleep, hunger and sickness before he reached his home. When he got home, he settled into the same quilt in the garage where he was born.
A story reinforced with colorful illustrations, the book is aimed to help children develop empathy, good moral character and a positive outlook in life. “I want children to realize that even though they may be unhappy at home on occasion, there is no place that will provide them with more love and satisfaction than being at home,” Groves says.
An excerpt from the book:
Sonic came to a city street. The traffic was crowded and dangerous. With lightning speed, he darted between cars. Brakes screeched and horns honked as he splashed through rain puddles. Thunder rattled the air.
"Yeoow!" he shrieked shivering with fright. “Where is my home?"
“Where Is My Home?”
By Joan Romney Groves
Softcover | 8.5 x 11in | 42 pages | ISBN 9781546216995
E-Book | 42 pages | ISBN 9781546217008
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Joan Romney Groves was an elementary school counselor for 23 years before retiring. She received the 2004 Utah School Counselor of the Year Award. She holds a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) from the University of Utah and a master’s degree from Brigham Young University. She is the mother of six and the grandmother of 28. She has published “The Antique Organ and Other Stories” for the Gale History Center, as well as family histories.
Nancy Romney is an artist who enjoys painting character portraits. She wants her art to tell the stories of life. Joan E. Schuller added her artistic coloring to this book.
AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industry’s only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrated 15 years of service to authors in Sept. 2011.For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.com or call 1-888-519-5121. For the latest, follow @authorhouse on Twitter.
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Jim,
The High School Democrats of America (HSDA) have informed us that the dial-in number for my telephone town hall has changed: please call (605) 313-5111 (PIN: 820517) to listen to me speak with their 7000+ members on a telephone town hall at 7pm Eastern today. I'll be listening to their concerns and questions, and also speaking about my message of accountability for oneself, with service to country, to others above self… and our shared desire for a united America.
I look forward to fielding the questions from this wonderful group of High School Democrats of America. I love youth because they are not burdened with experience — they are willing to question and to change established wisdom. They ask “why not” — and if there's anything this nation needs today, it's that.
For more information, please contact press@joesestak.com.
Respectfully,
Joe Sestak
Paid for by Joe Sestak for President.
Joe Sestak
P.O Box 17246
Alexandria, VA 22302
United States
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By Erin Lockett
From the very first day of my first statistics course in high school, I learned I was terrible at statistics. I never quite grasped the material or understood the purpose of the seemingly complicated course.
After scraping by in high school, I hoped statistics and I would never meet again. I was wrong.
It was the GRE (which contains about 20% statistics questions) and a missing math requirement for college graduation that forced our reintroduction. The only available course for my missing requirement? 8AM Intro to Stats.
Optimistically, I thought it would be easier this time around. I was wrong again.
I managed to get by in that early morning class and do well on my GRE, but unfortunately it wasn't the last time in my academic career I'd face off with statistics. My graduate program also had a statistics course requirement. By then I was interning at ExcelinEd and could finally see the practical application of statistics: shaping education policy.
This time I was determined. I joined a study group. I asked for extra time with the professor. Yet I still just wasn’t quite mastering the material.
On the recommendation of my 8th-grade cousin, I set up a profile on Khan Academy and began a statistics course online, alongside my graduate work. I was learning the same concepts but experiencing different explanations on Khan Academy. There were clearly identified skills to master, and it felt like having a private tutor.
Years ago in that high school statistics course, I had been told that stats can be used to help tell your story with data. But I had never understood how to use that to my advantage until now. For the first time, I truly understood the material.
While Khan Academy wasn’t my first experience with online learning, it was the first time that an online course didn’t feel simply like a lecture set posted to the internet. The course took advantage of online tools to make the experience more interactive, ultimately (finally!) giving me greater retention of the material and mastery of the content.
High-quality online learning has a multitude of uses for all people, but especially for students. Online learning can be used to supplement existing curriculum, rethink a tired subject, interact with far-flung culture and history, learn a new skill and access courses not offered in local schools.
As society demands more adaptability and flexibility in careers, learning how to improve and advance yourself through online education is critical for lifelong learning.
As we celebrate Online Learning Day, let’s remember the groundbreaking innovations that online learning has made and its life-changing impact on students across the nation and around the world. States must continue this trend to look ahead for new opportunities to innovate.
Also, don’t miss Founder and CEO of Khan Academy Sal Khan at the 2019 National Summit on Education Reform!
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Haven’t Updated Your Phone in a While? Here’s Why You Should (Hint: It’s More Than the Camera)
There are a lot of things to take into consideration when looking for a new phone. Everything from improved battery life to increased storage, bigger screens to screen definition, and durability to water sensitivity can affect your decision to get a new phone—or not.
For the average American, features like more storage and bigger (or smaller) screens may not be enough for them to pony-up for a new device. According to recent surveys, while 81% of all Americans own a smartphone (up from 35% in 2011), consumers are holding onto their handsets longer — three years, on average. With prices sometimes rivaling a month’s rent, it’s easy to understand why some people might prioritize short-term savings and strive to get a little more mileage out of their phone. But, forgoing that upgrade could come at a sacrifice.
Here are T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile's tips on the lesser-known things to look for when shopping for a new device:
1. Your smartphone is only part of the equation
Hardware advancements in smartphone processors and modems can certainly impact things like download speeds and coverage, but it’s the beating heart of the wireless network that makes those things a reality. Upgrading to a new device will help you tap into the most current network technology.
For instance, the latest products from Apple and Samsung, including the iPhone 11 and Galaxy S10 series, are capable of utilizing low-band 600 MHz spectrum — a powerful signal that travels farther than ever. Think coverage in previously hard-to-reach places such as rural areas and others you wouldn’t previously get a signal, like basements and garages.
2. Better battery
Since we use our smartphones for everything from waking up to mapping the quickest routes, we all want a longer battery life between charges. No matter which smartphone you opt for, a newer device will more than likely have a more powerful battery than a previous model.
3. FOMO-Inducing Photos & Videos
Besides battery life, camera upgrades are where many manufacturers compete to outdo each other. The latest devices often have the best cameras, which might be what aspiring photographers are looking for most.
4. ‘Ware & Tear
Some older hardware is no longer supported by manufacturer or operator software updates and does not run as smoothly. Plus, around the two-year mark, hardware begins to slow down — combine that with not utilizing the most current wireless network technologies, and you could see slower speeds.
5. Higher Trade-In Value
The sooner you upgrade, the better deal you’ll get for your smartphone at trade-in, which can bring down the price a bit and alleviate any sticker shock.
6. Eye Candy
Okay, let’s be real — a new phone color is enough of a reason for plenty of us to fork over the cash. Hey, brains are nice. But there’s something to be said for beauty, too.
Whether or not you decide to upgrade to the latest and greatest smartphone this "phone season," keep in mind that the reasons to do so go deeper than the bells and whistles that make for good marketing copy and on-stage reveals.
