Shakopee Valley News - Forum topic - Comments

A Minnesotan gives his take

Kristin Holtz — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:48:12 -0600

A Minnesotan gives his take on Christopher's departure from the show.

Reading some of the blogs

Kristin Holtz — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:23:01 -0600

Reading some of the blogs about yesterday's show. Everyone agrees that Christopher should be out (here's a great summary of why); however, many are angry about the Gordana decision.

"Gordana Gehlhausen was, shockingly, Out. It is a bit perplexing, since her gown was great and so closely resembled the Monet painting, but Nina felt Gordana’s biggest flaw was that she didn’t know who she was as a designer." Nick Verreos, season two contestant

"Why didn’t GORDANA win for her dress? The judges never seemed to warm up to her. But in my opinion, she was the only one of these designers left who has amazing technical skills combined with an artistic beauty and vision that could really add a voice into the fashion world. Gordana is a clothing maker, yes, but she is also an artist. None of the other girls can come close to claiming this. I’m not even going to mention Christopher." Chris March, season four contestant

Comments from Blogging Project Runway reactions' post:

"Gordana was robbed."

"Gordana didn't deserve the Auf today. Not if they were going by the way they've made decisions all season, all these years."

"Gordana has been unfairly critiqued the whole season and tonight she was aufed without any reason at all. The judges have had some sort of weird prejudice or irrational bias against her: she either makes beautiful outfits that are judged too 'safe,' or she makes outfits that the judges agree are beautiful, but she's criticized for not being confident enough. She could never win."

"PR" episode 12 We didn’t

Kristin Holtz — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:00:05 -0600

"PR" episode 12

We didn’t even need a show.

My sister and I knew exactly who was headed to New York Fashion Week.

It's not rocket science when three of five designers have never landed in the bottom three up against two designers who have a total of nine bottom-three finishes.

The judges made the right decision, of course, sending the three females to Bryant Park. Any of them could have faltered last night and still had a spot on that famous runway.

Goodbye to Shakopee designer Christopher Straub, who despite no formal training made it to the top five and was the final male remaining.

His dress really wasn't that attractive, especially after a judge compared it to a long jean skirt. However, I have to give Christopher props for his confidence and sticking with the garment.

“This piece speaks more about me than any other piece I put down the runway," Straub told the judges.

However, he also knew he was the oddball.

"[I'm just the] wacky, weird guy who doesn’t listen and just does whatever he wants to do," he said.

I didn't like any of the final challenge dresses all that much. Althea's was sloppy on top. Gordana's was boring and simple. Irina's dress reminded me of a '70s Roman goddess - maybe her inspiration by not very realistic. Carol Hannah did the best job capturing her inspiration, I thought, but the dress was safe.

I think I'll be pulling for Carol Hannah in the finale, if she can make a pair of pants. While Irina has produced the best garments yet, her attitude is a turn off. And something about Althea just rubs me the wrong way. But I'll have to wait to see the final collections before I choose a favorite.

None of the girls were in the top three in the first episode, but they are the best representatives of the season and deserve to show collections.

It comes down to tonight.

Kristin Holtz — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:27:05 -0600

It comes down to tonight. Find out if Shakopee's Christopher Straub is "in" or "out" on his bid to show a collection at Bryant Park on "Project Runway" tonight. Airs at 9 p.m. on Lifetime.

A lot of Tweeters talking

Kristin Holtz — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:35:11 -0600

A lot of Tweeters talking about voting. Here's a sample:

MtHollyMayor I voted.

johnlaeger Relentless About Voting Today http://bit.ly/26BYBz

pamelapunt Good Morning, Shakopee! Please remember to get out a vote today, let your voice be heard.

willrunforcake It is Election Day in America - get out & VOTE!

shakoypg Don't forget to vote today! Find your precinct here. http://pollfinder.sos.state...

amyzellmer has a viewing appointment this morning and then helping with Kids Vote this afternoon! Remember it's Election Day, get out and VOTE!!!

bjohnson_mn VOTE TODAY!!! @scottcountygop

Or follow us at http://twitter.com/shakopee.

"PR" episode 11 When did

Kristin Holtz — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:21:22 -0500

"PR" episode 11

When did ugly become fashionable?

Aletha won last night's "Project Runway" challenge with one of the ugliest pair of pants I ever saw. She modeled the pants after her winning suit design earlier in the competition, but I agree with Logan, they looked more like Malvin's egg creation in week two.

But the judges loved them and that's what matters to stay on the runway.

Poor Shakopee designer Christopher Straub isn't so loved right now. His "bedskirt" look, thank you Heidi for that comparison, put him in the bottom three yet again. His dress reminded me of the vampire bride dress which put him the top two in the movie genre competition. Wonder if Christopher is getting a little one note?

His outfit didn't deserve an "auf;" I agreed with the judges. Logan's Judy Jetson/fashion project/'80s music video look was bad. Goodbye, Logan. I didn't think you were so good looking anyway.

I must admire Christopher's optimism. He loves what he is putting on the runway and that's really what matters - so says, Gordana.

So on to the final challenge. I'm curious how the judges plan to weed five down to three in one episode without marketing a big double elimination, like they did earlier in the show but failed to deliver on (which in retrospect is what kept Christopher here). Or they may choose to take four to Bryant Park but only let three show. They've done that before.

Watching next week's preview, I can't make any predictions about Christopher's future. It's the third preview that ends with him about to break into tears - or wait, is it he's so happy for making it to New York Fashion Week? I can't tell.

If the "Models of the Runway" preview is any indication - which it was to me before episode 10 that Christopher was safe - Christopher's model Katie seems pretty worried about making it to fashion week. If Christopher were to have been "in," I can't imagine she'd be that worried. Therefore, must we assume he's auf?

All I know is he's doing something with stalactites - yes, like a stalactites in a cave.

Hmmmmm.

Rematch is set for Sunday

Kristin Holtz — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:13:40 -0500

Rematch is set for Sunday afternoon. Any predictions? Is it possible the Vikings will sweep the Packers this season?

I opted to get my flu shot

Kristin Holtz — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:03:33 -0500

I opted to get my flu shot last week. I was in for my regular physical and when it's that handy, I couldn't pass it up. Too bad it wasn't a couple of weeks earlier, PRIOR to when I had the weekend flu. But now, I hope to be protected against any flu germs that come around again.

Anyone (or your children) received the H1N1 vaccine yet?

Are they keeping Christopher

Kristin Holtz — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:33:00 -0500

Are they keeping Christopher on "Project Runway" just for the storyline of a small town guy trying to make it in the big, bad world? One blogger thinks so.

"PR" episode 10 Christopher

Kristin Holtz — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:29:00 -0500

"PR" episode 10

Christopher is safe again?! I thought for sure he was out this week. How can you be in the bottom three four weeks and not get sent home?

Maybe he will pull a Gordana and have a couple of strong weeks to carry him to Bryant Park.

What do you think? Did the judges makes the right decision?

Here's what people are

Kristin Holtz — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:09:35 -0500

Here's what people are saying on Twitter. (http://twitter.com/shakopee)

tmeyermn @shakopee Handsdown Screamtown. $15 tix with 5 attractions that u can go thru as many times as you wish. Most frightening haunt in the TC

valleyfairzone @Shakopee Hmm - We think Valleyscare! =D

The school budget is

Kristin Holtz — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:43:13 -0500

The school budget is published on the Shakopee School District Web site, if a person is interested in reviewing it. Go to: http://www.shakopee.k12.mn.us. Click on 'Finance' under 'District Services.' The budget currently posted is the 2008-09 budget.

"PR" episode 9 Christopher,

Kristin Holtz — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:43:32 -0500

"PR" episode 9

Christopher, you're scaring me.

Three straight weeks in the bottom three and Christopher seems to have fallen from his golden perch. Judge Nina Garcia called his outfit for pop star Christina Aguilera "tasteless." Ouch. That's probably not what Christopher is going for.

The last couple weeks (I saw a rerun of episode eight's wedding dress challenge), Christopher has been very confident going into the runway. The judges, however, have not had kind words.

Irina has pulled away from the competition and found her role as the "mean girl" on the show. Althea and Carol Hannah have also shown some of the best looks in recent weeks. Could it be a female sweep at the finale?

I'm ready to say goodbye to Nicolas. I can't stand his smiley face anymore. It just gives me the creeps.

Logan and Gordana are also floundering. If either of them or Christopher stumble in episode 10, I expect them to hear "auf wiedersehen" from Heidi.

But are all the paras for

Justmeagain — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:43:16 -0500

But are all the paras for just IDEA students? I would think many other positions are for non-English language positions. How much of the budget does this over 10% take in ratio to the non IDEA students which is close to 90%? How much per student is allocated to IDEA students?

I know from personal experience, because of budget, a student that did not qualify under IDEA for language (reading) issues could not get help via a 504 plan. Flat out told by the 504 review committee even if a 504 plan was issued, there was no money for help because it goes to the IDEA students.

Does Shakopee possibly need to close the district like Prior Lake/Savage did this year?

The salaries are lower than the Metro area...not exclusive to teachers. If I stay south of the river, I lose $4-7 dollars an hour. It is a south suburb mentality, its "less costly" to live SOTR, so the pay is lower. Bogus but happens.

Robert, A paraprofessional

applepiemmmmm — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:49:57 -0500

Robert,

A paraprofessional is a student assistant. These employees are assigned to students with disabilities and special needs. The Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1991, revised 1997, requires schools to provide students with disabilities the additional assistance paraprofessionals provide. Since the act was passed the federal government has significantly underfunded the services they mandated. This funding difference becomes the financial burden of the local districts.

The definition of disability as it refers to students can include physical, emotional/behavioral, communication, developmental, serious persistent illness, and various learning challenges. These students account for over 10% of the total school population.

Administration and assistants are required for budgets, student discipline, attendance recording, social services, even police officers.

Schools provide psychologists, cultural liaisons, social workers, nurses, special education data secretaries, etc. These positions are often required by law.

Over which years have the salaries and benefits increased? Over the last several years the Shakopee school district has grown significantly. They have opened schools and added staff to schools to meet increased populations. Shakopee's teacher to student ratio is actually slightly higher than state average. It is certainly not a situation of teachers making exorbitant amounts of money. In fact, Shakopee teachers are paid below the metro average.

People often have a hard time understanding school expenditures because they have no idea all of the ins and outs of running a school district.