FarBucks

Farr's Five Best Bits O'Advice

                   

Over on LeaderTalk, Chris writes an excellent post on the three best pieces of advice he has received regarding his career in education thus far.

Got me to thinking...

I started writing down some of the best advice I've been given.  I soon recognized a problem.  Maybe it's the mentors I have had.  Maybe it's just the type of people drawn to me with a deep-seated need to give advice to someone who looks like he really needs it.  Or maybe it's just that I live in Texas and advice here tends to run along the brutally honest.  I was going to add my advice to Chris' via a comment, but I just don't think it fits with the ultimate purpose, voice, or spirit of LeaderTalk.  Therefore, I'm posting this on Farbucks.

In no particular order, here are Farr's Five Best Bits O'Advice - as given to me by friends, family, mentors, and colleagues:

1.  Eat a live frog first thing every morning.  Nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.

2.  When you hear, "We're from Central Administration and we are here to help you", run.

3.  Try to avoid the elementary gymnasium on hot days, but if you cannot avoid it, remember: Do Not Pet the Sweaty Things.

4.  As principal, you can delegate assignments.  Always delegate clean ups of bio-waste and winter soccer games.

                     

5.  If a student asks, "Would you like to see my new tattoo (or body piercing)?"  ALWAYS say, "No    Thank You."

                                          

A Winning Bet for Mother's Day!

                        

My son and daughter-in-law invited Mommy Farr and me to join them for Mother's Day at the Lone Star Park Horse Races.  While that struck some of our friends as odd, it was a perfect fit for us.  (When Drew was little we would spend Mother's Day at Six Flags Over Texas because there were NO crowds.)  The Lone Star Park track is a five minute drive from our house, but we had never been before. 

The day started with a Five Star Mother's Day Lunch Buffet in the Silk Restaurant.  They start with eggs, omelets, the usual breakfast /brunch items.  As the day progresses along with the nine races, the offerings become more substantial with salmon, pork, prime rib, etc.  Toward late afternoon, it's cheese and crackers and desserts, desserts, desserts.  When you eat there, you end up spending the whole day there.  The restaurant is four stories up and enclosed in glass. Every table has a spectacular view of the whole track.  But (despite what it sounds like) the food wasn't really our focus.  We were busy being the ignorant, innocent newbies and asking all the predictably dumb questions..."what's the difference between Place and Show?"  "What's a Tri-Fecta?"

What no one else knew was that I had a secret going in my favor.  True to traditions of track lore and superstitions, I designated Erin's uncle Les, as my Good Luck Charm.  To my Contrarian Way of reasoning, his name LES meant we'd win MORE.  Besides that, he and I were the only two of the Thirteen Member Farr/Williams Family Entourage that looked like regular horse bettors:

                                 

It was fun watching everyone figure out what horse to bet on.  Erin had the right idea, she just laughed and had a good time throughout the afternoon, letting Drew place all their bets:

                                          

Martha studied the program closely - looking for colors.  She really looked like she knew what she was doing....and she even had a "system": If the horse's color was red or the jockey's color was pink, it had her bet:

                                     

I tried the "fake-em-out-approach".  I pretended I knew what I was doing and studied the stats closely...although if you look REAL CLOSE, you can see the remnants of the chocolate cake by my left hand that was my REAL focus.  (I took the E-Z way out and just bet the track's published favorites.)

                                          

But of course Baby Ethan had the best attitude..."What's the big deal, guys?  Just watch the pretty horsies run in a big circle!"

                      

It was fun watching the horses parade past the crowd, line up and load the starting gate.  The bugler did his thing, and there really IS something to be said for watching some events LIVE.  TV doesn't catch the whole essence - the noise, the smells, the vibrations as the ground shakes...

                            

                                       

We took a break between two of the races (there were 9 total) and decided to go down and watch the action in the paddock where the horses are held and prepped before each race.  As we walked towards the area, I became separated from the rest of the family and somehow ended up in the middle of a small group going through the Owner's Only Gate.  I looked up later to see the rest of the family waving and trying to discreetly tell me, "You are in the Owner's area...you cannot be there...get out!".  But hey, I was walking around with the jockeys, owners, I could pet the horses, and not a single security guard questioned me.  I guess I fit the profile of a Rich Horse Breeder - bearded, grey hair, paunchy...whatever.  I slowly made my way back out the gate and rejoined the family.  (Frankly, the only difference between the two areas that I noticed was that the General Public didn't get horse shit on their shoes.  I guess the owners don't mind it.)

               

                    

So how did we do?

Well, I paid for the $27 per person luncheon for Martha, Drew, Erin, and myself.  Then Martha and I placed bets.  I tried keeping a running comparison of wagers versus winnings, but I was visiting with others, playing with Ethan, eating, drinking, betting....I sorta lost track.  ("I lost track at the track"...there's a pun or country music lyric trying to break through there somewhere...)

All I know is, when we got home, I emptied my pockets and Martha emptied her purse and after we counted everything up, we had $200 more than we started with.  Folks who know about this sort of thing have been asking me all day if I'll take them with us next time Martha and I go to the track.

My answer?

You bet!

                                              

 

Three Opportunities - Here's the Second

[This is the second of three opportunities for getting involved that I am writing about.  The first was posted on April 15th.]

My brother, Steve, works for Wesleyan College in Georgia.  A few years ago his college and Ulyanovsk State University in Russia set up a student exchange program.  While the exchange program was initially focused on college students, as Steve traveled between Georgia and Russia he took an interest in the orphanages of Russia.

                

Children at an Ulyanovsk orphanage presenting customary bread to American guests during a past visit by Wesleyan delegation.

         

         

Through unique collaboration and a partnership between Ulyanovsk State University, Wesleyan, and Georgia Industrial Children’s Home, a support system was established through which donations can be made to the orphanages in Russia.

One means by which support was established was through a program called The Russian Art Program.  This fascinating program purchases items handcrafted by Russian orphans and sells them here in America. Proceeds from these items are shared between the Russian child who made the item, the orphanage they live in, and the Georgia Industrial Children’s Home. [These items can be viewed and purchased by visiting the Georgia Industrial Children's Home website at www.gich.org and looking under Current Events and Fundraising.]

Here are a few of the items that I have purchased and proudly display in my home and office:

         

                  

                                      Paper Mache figurines made by a child in Russia.

         

         

                                    

This is an intricate piece made by a 12 year old.  It hangs in my office and receives many comments from visitors.  It is based on a famous Russian morality tale about a fisherman who frees a fish and is given three wishes.  The fish, hands, and face are all painted paper mache.  The clothes are actually sewn together.  It is totally 3D and this picture does not due it justice.

         

         

                               

One of my favorite pieces.  Painted by a teen aged orphan.  The "canvas" is actually bark which is peeled off a certain type of tree in Ulyanovsk.  You cannot tell from the picture, but the trees in the painting are actually painted onto bulges of bark...a very realistic "look.

         

         

Aside from the on-going work of the Russian Art Program, Wesleyan is currently concentrating efforts on meeting some special needs for the Residential Treatment School of Beloye Ozero.  This particular orphanage desperately needs:

• Beds
• Tables
• Kitchen equipment
• A washing machine
• Minibus
• Video projector
• Music system
• Computers

         

                  

One of the fund raisers held at Wesleyan included performances by TRADITSIA and Russian Soul - student dance/musical groups from Ulyanovsk State University.

         

         

To date, approximately $5,000 has been raised towards their goal of $20,000 with more fundraisers planned in the coming weeks. One hundred percent of every dollar donated goes directly to Beloye Ozero. Should you wish to write a check for this specific targeted effort, your tax deductible donation can be made payable to the Georgia Industrial Children’s Home and mailed to:

Steve Farr

Vice President for Administration Wesleyan College

4760 Forsyth Road

Macon, Georgia 31210

(478) 757-3700

sfarr@wesleyancollege.edu

                           

My "little brother" Steve with a group of student performers at an orphanage in Russia. 

         

         

So here's bottom line on this opportunity: you can send a check; you can talk with my brother about donating actual materials; you can purchase some beautiful, handmade art with part of the proceeds actually going to the student artist; and/or contact my brother about actually going to Russia as part of a future delegation and becoming personally involved.

For an interesting (and more detailed) look at this incredible United States / Russian cooperative effort, I recommend you take a few minutes and watch the video posted at:

Wesleyan Russian Orphanage Support

Wasted Resources and The Care and Upkeep of Our Elders

George Washington lived 2 years after he stepped down as President.  James Polk died the same year he left the Presidency.  Woodrow Wilson died 3 years after the end of his term.  Calvin Coolidge lived 4 years after his Presidency ended. LBJ 4 years.  Eisenhower 8 years.

Today, we note that ex-Presidents live longer and longer. Ford lived 29 years. Nixon 20 years. Reagan 15 years. Current living ex-world leaders include: Jimmy Carter - 27 years and still going strong.

The Ex-President of Mexico, Vicente Fox, is 66 years old.  Vladamir Putin, immediate past-President of Russia is only 56 years old.  Ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair is 55 years old.

George Bush Sr - 15 years out of the Presidency, 84 years old and has taken up parachuting for a hobby.  Bill Clinton - 8 years out of office, 62 years old, and still campaigns like a man in his 30s. George Bush Jr is only 62 years old and can outrun most men half his age.

With all of us living longer, and more and more world leaders passing the reins of power to others (peacefully or otherwise), we are facing an excess of Ex-World-Leaders.  This could be a real problem.  We have an expanding excess of past world leaders, powerful personalities, who are basically unemployed and growing bored.  I believe we have a responsibility to provide them opportunities to remain active and involved without overstepping their bounds, demeaning themselves, or endangering themselves.

What do you do once you have ruled a country, run a democracy, led a parliament, or otherwise had the ear of all other presidents, kings, and potentates of the world?  Face it, once you can write “President of the United States”, “President of Russia”, "Prime Minister of Britain”, or “Ruler of Zimbabwe” on your resume, there's really not much worth putting after that, is there?

What really got me thinking about this was a picture I saw of past Russian Premier Mikhail Gorbachev posing in an advertisement for Louis Vuitton satchels, luggage, and man bags.  What is this once immensely powerful man doing selling hand bags??

                                             

It got me to contemplating...what’s next? Vladimir Putin posing for Cabela's Sporting Goods?

                                     

Hmmmm, actually, I WOULD be interested in that knife, rod and reel, and hat...

But back to main idea...  Monarchy, Dynasty, Republic, or Tribe…once you have been in command of any type of country or government, it’s hard to retire and welcome customers to Walmart.

                                             

We have a responsibility to take care of our past leaders.  Their welfare and safe-keeping is clearly called for.  Unless we take action, we face such possibilities as:

            

Here’s Jimmy – notice he missed the chisel and is about to hammer his hand.  No gloves…no hard hat…and chiseling without safety glasses.  He needs protecting!

                                                   

Poor Al Gore.  He needs us to push him into new directions.  Sure, he won an academy award, but so did F. Murray Abraham and look what good it did him.  We all know that sooner or later Al's going to get awfully tired of just standing around and watching ice melt.

                           .

And what about George Bush Senior?  The man is OLD and he's jumping out of airplanes!  If ever there was a cry for help!  This man needs some serious safe-guarding and counseling toward projects that keep his feet on the ground

                     .

Other leaders need our help, also.  Tony Blair for example.  He wants to play cricket professionally.  First, he needs to be told that cricket is DEFINITELY an OUTDOOR sport.  He also needs to be told that children should never stand so close to the players!

                                                         

Then there's Bill.  Actually, I'm not too worried about Bill.  Once we get all the ex-leaders together, I have an idea he'll take control and have then singing bar songs and talking policy into the wee hours of each day...

I worry the most about George Jr.  He's never really had a real job.  He played in his Daddy's oilfields.  He part-time-owned a baseball team.  He was Governor of Texas - a symbolic position if ever there was one...everyone in Texas KNOWS it's the LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR who runs things.  And after eight years Junior was just starting to catch on to things...such as his way around the White House. (Junior and Rumsfeld often spent several minutes after their meetings looking for the cleverly concealed doors of the Oval Office.)

                  

Junior wants to return to baseball - possibly as commissioner.  Not a bad idea, but as this picture illustrates, future players and fans aren't too crazy about the idea.

         

His wife suggested he might try running a Day Care, but George Junior has his doubts...

                                                         

And while he IS good with his hands around the ranch...

                                          

Don't let him near a backhoe...

                                     

He hasn't quite got the idea how to use heavy equipment...as this effort at digging his truck out of the Texas mud shows...                                        

                                    

So what am I suggesting?

We cannot allow such a waste of talent.  We must help this expanding group of ex-powerful people find a new purpose and cause to pursue.  Yes, we need to give them purpose…but we also evidently need to protect these powerful ex-leaders from hurting themselves.

I suggest we set them up with a small country to run. I recommend that we find someplace for all the ex-leaders of the world to live.  I suggest a small country or island someplace.  In specific, I say we give them Guam.

                                                          

Countries from around the globe can send problem issues to the island for all these retired leaders to work on.  From Global Warming to World Hunger…

Once a year we need to bring them out into public and give them a forum from which to be heard.  We would hold it in California (of course) and sell tickets.  It could be run along the lines of a Bill Gaither Homecoming event.  All the old, great, old, not-so-great, old leaders of the world on one stage.  Co-Moderated by Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly (just because).  The opening prayer by the Rev. Wright (why not) and the national anthem sung by the Dixie Chicks (just for fun.)…..

They can have all the policy-talks they want.  Summits every Friday.  Build walls on Monday, tear them down on Tuesday.  The leaders have projects to keep them occupied.  The leaders are kept away from dangerous activities and sharp objects.  They have all the (local) TV coverage they crave.

And the beauty is – it’s all contained on the island Guam.

Is this a plan or what?

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Alright.  I've had my fun.  And with utmost respect (no, really, I'm being serious now), I truly appreciate the work of every past President.  I wrote all of the above with tongue firmly implanted in cheek to make a point.  Granted, I bird-walked 100 miles around the Bushes to make a point, but there really is one to be made.

As we have more and more skilled workers (be they world leaders, bankers, doctors, engineers...) entering the ranks of the retired, a HUGE untapped pool of part-time, HIGHLY-skilled teachers and mentors are being created.  I believe school leaders should be exploring ways to get this talent pool invested in their schools.

Tomorrow (May 7th, 2008) I am having a meeting and giving a tour to the retired members of the large church which sits directly across the street from my school.  We're talking less than 50 yards away.  A new young minster called me a few weeks ago and asked for a meeting.  We met and he said that he believed they could help the school.  We talked about mentors and tutors.  He took the idea back to his congregation and they leaped at it.  So at 10:30 tomorrow I will meet with these potential volunteers and we will discuss ways they can become hands-on involved.

This idea was further enhanced by the interesting question that Scott McLeod posted on Leadertalk.  Basically, his post asked what can be done about the lack of the best qualified candidates entering college education programs and then entering and STAYING in the career of teaching.  If we are really losing the best (i.e. brightest) teachers on a continuing basis, Dr. McLeod asks, "Now What?"

Well, among several other things, we can tap into the growing pool of mega-talented, highly intelligent retirees.  I'll be expanding on this in a more - ahem, academic/scholarly - manner in a post on Leadertalk later.

But my point stands.  While I used world leaders to over-state my point, I only have to look around my neighborhood to spot a retired Dallas Morning News reporter (think he could help teach/tutor English?), a retired gentleman who owned a very successful insurance office (think he could tutor Business?), a retired mathematician who worked for the local aerospace industry - yes, a real rocket scientist (uhm, I'm sure there's something he could teach...).

This pool of retired Baby Boomers are already growing tired of the cruises and days home working in the yard.  Face it, retirement sounds great to those of us who are of the Leave It to Beaver generation.  But the truth is, we get bored easily.  Virtually EVERY colleague of mine who retired when first eligible has gone back to work.  MANY have returned to the classroom and are happier than ever.

There is a tremendous untapped renewable resource available to school leaders.  We just have to figure out how to most efficiently and effectively use it.

   

 

Gotta Love Him!

I just received an email from my Dad.

He has finished his book - an autobiography - and is now looking for a publisher.

He also tells me that he is having lunch with his friends - a group that calls themselves the Hungry Hogs.

He also told me about baking cinnamon rolls for his dentist and his nurses.

However, the real point of the email was to brag about the birthday presents he bought for my brother-in-law, Art...A case of pickled beets, a bag of roasted peanuts, and a couple loaves of apple bread.

I LOVE my Dad, but I'll never understand him.

:)

Recommended Charities

                                             

                                                                  

                                     

                           

                                       

                   

Buckner International
600 North Pearl Street, Suite 2000
Dallas, TX 75201 • 214-758-8000

Can You Read The Can?

I am writing this out of concern as an administrator who often sees students drinking so-called sports or energy drinks in the morning.  We currently do not have a rule against them.  Aside from the health-related concerns regarding the ingredients, I am mad about a subtle marketing trend that promotes alcohol consumption among young people and is flying just below the awareness radar of adults who should be monitoring this type of abuse.

There are a number of these drinks on the market which cannot be easily differentiated from one another.  That is, all these cans begin to resemble each other with their bright colors, logos, stars, lightening bolts, and general appearance.  It doesn't take an advertising guru to see that product containers are designed to be misleading.  In fact, there are reports that both parents as well as store owners who sell the products have a hard time telling them apart.

The public seems unaware that some energy drink manufacturers are adding alcohol to their product.  And unless you know what to look for, you might be looking right at a minor...a student...drinking an alcoholic energy drink in class.  Spotting such terms as "malt beverage" or "A-L-C by weight" can be tricky when the lettering blends with the rest of the package design - or, you just didn't know that both of those terms tell you it contains alcohol.  Here are two popular products, one would be ok in the hands of a minor, the other not.  Could you tell the difference from several feet away as the can passed you in the hands of a student hurrying to class in a crowded hallway?

                                                    

          The black can is legal for minors to consume.  The gold can contains 6% alcohol (12 proof).

The marketing campaigns behind these drinks are as insidious as they are ingenious.  Product spin-offs at x-treme sport venues, equipment, sponsors, clothes, product placement in non-mainstream venues creates a demand that implies consumers are "in the know" and hip to a non-adult market segment.

I am writing this blog specifically to alert readers (hello fellow administrators) to the fact that those innocent looking energy drinks that may appear around your house or campus deserve a serious look.  There is a chance they contain alcohol, and you don't recognize it.

          

Drinks are being marketed to teens with an insidious implication that the drinks border on the illegal.  "Wow, how kewl!"  How else do you explain drinks named after illegal activities or drugs: Rehab, Ecstasy, Chronic (which comes with a faux parental advisory calling it an "explicit drink")!, or the not-even-pretending-to-be-subtle Cocaine: The Legal Alternative:

                               

I am not so naive to think that we can stop this marketing of over-the-edge energy drinks, but I do feel a responsibility to alert readers to be on the alert and help guard against the illegal use of these products by minors.  I also feel an administrative responsibility to urge my colleagues to more closely monitor the consumption of energy drinks by students.

Do you know what your kids are drinking - even if you are looking directly at the can?  You might be surprised!

You can bet that I'll be checking out the cans in the hands of my students...

Mahalo!! - 'A'ole Waiho I Keia Manawa!!

Mahalo 'a'ole waiho i keia manawa translates from Hawaiian to English as "Thank You!! Don't stop now!!"

That's my "little brother" in the middle.  I put that in parenthesis because I'm 6', but he's about 5" taller than I am.

I wanted to give everyone a progress report on YOUR efforts to join Steve in his Relay for Life efforts.

He started with a $500 PERSONAL GOAL, but blew the top off that on the first day!  He raised his personal goal to $2000 and is already 67% there.  His team - Second Chance - has a goal of $5000 and they are at 70%!!

I know the blog has helped...

Thank You!  Let's continue to help Steve bust this goal!!

Arts Music Food & Fun!

...so the prettiest, smartest, best looking better half looks at me and says, "Let's take the train to the Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival this Saturday!"

                                     

                        

She had me at "let's take the train..." And NOTHING sounded better after spending past weekends building/repairing weather-damaged fences, writing about drop-outs, trying to catch up on my professional readings, etc...

A chance to unwind and walk the streets of downtown Fort Worth browsing through the works of a variety of artists and works that defy description...we're talking paintings of dogs riding bicycles, kinetic art that throws marbles across a canvass, and museum quality carvings of incredible value (try one piece "The Story of Noah's Ark" for $380,000). We try to go every year, and we add one piece of art to the house (we try not to exceed 1/10,000th of the cost of Noah's Ark piece...). This year we purchased two works and I surprised Martha with an early Mother's Day gift of hand-crafted earrings unlike any I've seen before.

            

                                        

It's always fun to do something that keeps me grounded.  Life is serious enough.  Nothing is more rejuvenating, re-creational than taking time to walk in the sunlight, meet new people, listen to great music, and look at talented artists and their work.

The next time there's any kind of "event" near you, go.  An Arts Festival, a Blue Grass Festival, Hot Air Balloon Fest...go. Sit on the grass if you can.  Take off your shoes and feel the earth.

Oh...here's the REAL kicker.  Let go of the technology.  LET GO of the pagers, the cell phones, the PDAs, the laptops; instead of taking your Blueberry, have a bowl of Blueberries with some vanilla ice cream.  Leave the Palm Pilot at home and walk down the street with your significant other's palm in your's.  The world will NOT end if you can't be found for a few hours.  (Psssst...Hate to tell you this, but you are really not THAT important.) :)

I will negotiate on one piece of technology.  Cameras are ok.  And here's why...MEMORIES:

                     

                                    

The Crawfish Band...they performed in the morning as a taste-teaser for Dr. John, who performed that night.

                      

Professor D had the babies dancing in front of the stage and the over-50 crowd tapping their feet in their seats!

I'm sure I passed lots of celebrities...but the one who caught MY attention was the Honey Bunches of Oats spokes-lady from the TV commercials...

                              

                                 

We even found the last of the bluebonnet patches for a late-season picture.

In closing, it was a great weekend at the Festival...

OK, so maybe there was ONE MORE SMALL PIECE of TECHNOLOGY that came in handy later that afternoon...my Palm Pilot:

                                                   

Three Opportunities - Here's the First

I am going to write about three opportunities to make a difference.  I realize you are surrounded by solicitations - in the mail, over the phone, at your place of worship, billboards, etc.  But I want to focus on three situations that hold special meaning to me personally.

The first is about the American Cancer Society.

My mother was an executive for many many years with the ACS.  I heard about their wonderful work through the stories she would share of how the ACS helped hundreds of thousands of cancer victims.  But everything she ever said about the ACS paled in comparison to my younger brother being diagnosed with cancer.  That's when the reality of this disease and the incredible work of the American Cancer Society became personal and infinitely more meaningful to me. 

My brother, Steve, was diagnosed six months ago with three masses in his pancreas, kidney and adrenal gland.  He was originally told he probably had less than a year to live.  He has had two rounds of incredible surgeries and treatments at John Hopkins.  Thanks to the skilled surgeons, prayers, and support of his family and friends, he is now a cancer survivor who has been given a second chance at life. He is also a father and husband.  He has an incredible wife (believe me, it ain't easy being married to a Farr!), and the world's greatest daughter (my niece) who is mature beyond her age, and always filled with a loving spirit.

                                  

Steve recently agreed to serve as the Vice President of the American Cancer Society Board in his hometown.  He is currently planning along with his family and a group of friends to give back to others by participating in their local Relay for Life.

I will support and do all I can as his older brother to help.  And one tool I have is this blog.  I would ask everyone to consider this opportunity to become involved.  Send money or prayers or money or positive thoughts or money or karma...or $$$.

Relay For Life of Bibb County

Sandy Beach Lake Tobesofkee
May 2 - 3

Ways to donate are explained on the website.

You can donate to this event in Steve's Honor or in support of his team, Second Chance.

Check out the site, go to the donations link and enter either Steve Farr or Second Chance.

                          http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=8226

I am asking each reader to seriously consider this cause.  A few dollars goes a long way with the ACS.  But most importantly, it helps pictures like this one include more and more people each year:

                   

There is yet another way you may choose to be involved.  It is through a program called the Cancer Prevention Study -3 (CPS-3).

The American Cancer Society is looking for participants to enroll in and promote a cancer prevention study.  Referred to as CPS-3, it is a program that will help researchers at the ACS and around the world to better understand what causes cancer and how to prevent it.

Tell your friends and family to visit the CPS-3 website or call 1-888-604-5888 to obtain more information about this study and how they can become involved in their own local community