Different careers spark interest
May 2, 2012 by admin
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Different careers spark interest
Lexington High School students take a tour of the Dawson County Jail Monday. More than 70 students visited several buinesses around town for the LHS Career Day Business Tour.
Posted: Tuesday, May 1, 2012 5:04 pm
lexch.com
LEXINGTON – Monday morning more than 70 Lexington High School students got a chance to see what the community can offer for their future.
The sophomores, juniors and seniors visited various businesses around town for the LHS Career Day Business Tour.
Becky Archer, Lexington high School Transition Coordinator, said the Business Tour was extremely beneficial to the students and area businesses.
“It’s really a win-win for both the students and businesses,” Archer said. “The kids get to explore the different careers that are available within the community. The businesses get to benefit from being able to show the students good job skills and jobs that are available within their own community.”
Students made stops at Lexington Regional Health Center, Orthman Manufacturing, the Dawson County Jail, the City of Lexington service building, Eustis Body shop, Platte Valley Auto, Wal-Mart, Cost Cutters and Subway.
The students traveled from business to business, learning about education, skills, and experience that each company requires. Businesses also told the students how they can start preparing while they are still in high school.
Archer said one thing that was definitely eye opening for the students were the various types of jobs available within the community.
“I think that’s one of the things they are most surprised with because within one company, Orthaman Manufacturing for example, there are a variety of different kinds of jobs not just agriculture and welding,” she said.
Overall, Archer said the students’ feed back from the day was extremely positive and many even wished for an extra day to visit more businesses.
Archer said the Career Day was a huge success thanks to the cooperation of area businesses and Dawson Area Development’s ABLE Coordinator, Steph Nichols.
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Article source: http://lexch.com/news/local/article_9141c3b4-93d9-11e1-87c4-0019bb2963f4.html
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Robot Competition Readies Teens for Tech Careers
May 2, 2012 by admin
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Article source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/robot-competition-readies-teens-for-tech-careers/2012/05/01/gIQANzgNuT_video.html
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Group seeks to end math, science fear and loathing
May 2, 2012 by admin
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SEATTLE —
A campaign to help Washington kids go from fearing – and sometimes flunking – math and science to embracing careers that require technical skills is celebrating its first anniversary this week.
So far, nonprofit Washington STEM has given out $3 million for programs that will reach about 16,000 children around the state, and is reporting modest, but measurable progress.
The interim CEO of STEM (which stands for science, technology, engineering and math) says more kids have accepted the idea that jobs that require science and math might not be boring.
“What does high quality STEM teaching and learning look like? That’s our challenge from here on out,” said Sandi Everlove, who has been in charge of the organization since June.
Everlove and other supporters say their work is important because the majority of future job opportunities will require math and science proficiency.
Washington STEM is focusing on how to make the leap from test scores that show a majority of Washington young people are not meeting the state standards in science and math to jobs that require those skills.
Their grants look a little scattershot so far, but Everlove says some of that is by design. They need to figure out what works and then find out how to scale that up so many more kids get the benefit of those discoveries.
It’s not entirely clear how a $475,000 grant to Teach for America, which offers an alternative fast track to teacher certification, will lead to better math and science education. Everlove says their agreement with Teach for America is that the money will be used to train some STEM teachers.
Other grants are already getting some results.
A much smaller grant to tiny Cape Flattery School District on the edge of the Olympic Peninsula is helping successful high school students motivate middle school kids to get serious about science and math. Washington STEM gave the district $5,700 to pay for some expensive science field trips including a trip on a science research vessel, where students did marine biology work.
Ann Renker, principal of both Neah Bay High School and Markishtum Middle School, credits a combination of things for helping her students show improvement in both science and math test scores – from zero students passing the high school science exam in 2005 to 55.6 percent meeting the standard in 2010, and from 4.3 percent passing the math exam in 2005 to 47.6 percent passing in 2010.
Principal John Seaton of Clover Park High School in Pierce County also called the Washington STEM grant of $9,600 part of a bigger plan to transform science and math learning at his high-poverty school. Teachers are using the grant to develop a new hands-on algebra class that supplements traditional learning.
The school has also received grants from the Gates Foundation and the federal government, to help them develop a STEM academy.
Seaton said test scores have gone up – although most kids are still not passing the statewide science test – and college attendance rates are similar to the cross-town high school with a lower poverty rate.
Lynnwood-based EdLab Group used a $23,500 grant to give middle school girls from Pasco, Wash., an opportunity to try out some high tech careers at an afterschool and summer program.
After using a 3-D computer program to create pop-up books and design clothes, 72 of the girls said in a survey that they are likely to take more technology classes in high school and many said they were headed toward high-tech careers.
Washington STEM emphasizes business involvement in the classroom as one way to help kids understand how much they could benefit from trying harder in their math and science classes.
For example, Seattle engineering company Lease Crutcher Lewis worked with a group of kids in Tacoma over 12 weeks and gave them the engineering problems they needed to tackle. The kids did their own math and then took a field trip to the building they helped construct.
The associate director of the University of Washington Institute for Science + Math Education says it seems like Washington STEM is off to a good start but the true test will be how far the successful ideas can be spread around the state.
“We’re missing so much potential in society by the way we limit access to opportunities to learn. It’s dramatic in schools that are disproportionately serving minority and low-income students,” said Andrew Shouse.
Washington STEM says its next group of grants will be used to set up regional networks in Spokane, Yakima and south King County.
Article source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018113581_apwalearningmath1stldwritethru.html
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World Careers Netwk.
May 2, 2012 by admin
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30 April 2012
World Careers Network Plc
Interim statement for the six months to 31 January 2012
Chairman’s statement
Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to present the results of World Careers Network for the half year to 31 January 2012.
Financial Review
Turnover increased by 30% to £3.51 million compared to £2.69 million in the first half of 2011. At the same time overheads rose by £440,000 resulting in profits before tax of just under £1.1m, an increase of 53% on the £705,000 reported for the first half of last year.
Operating Review
The growth in sales reflects both increased ongoing licence fees from new and existing clients and a continued high level of implementation revenues due to the delivery and re-launch of a number of large scale projects during both this financial year and last.
The significant increase in headcount, from 58 at the beginning of last year to 75 at the end, continued, albeit at a much lower rate, as we ensured that we maintain high levels of client service and drive ongoing improvements in our products. Meanwhile marketing activities increased in order to improve awareness of WCN amongst prospective clients.
The investments which we made last year to increase our already high level of system security and expand our Internet infrastructure have continued with a particular emphasis on disaster recovery – so that in the event of the total destruction of the principle facilities from which we provide our services, access to our systems will continue from our backup facilities with minimal disruption to our clients.
Recent comments from a highly security conscious global blue-chip client that our security audit report was the best they had ever received from a supplier demonstrate the effectiveness of these investment and the strength of our security offering.
Outlook
For the reasons outlined above – principally increased ongoing licence fees and the current high level of implementations counterbalanced by increased headcount, enhanced marketing activities and security and infrastructure investments – we expect both full year revenues and costs to exceed last year’s.
While the momentum of the first half year means that results for the current full year are likely to be better than last year, greater dependence on implementation revenue and the increased scale of some of our implementations is likely to make future revenues, growth and profit more erratic.
The market remains highly competitive and the economic outlook uncertain, however ongoing investments in ensuring the quality of our products and services mean we are well positioned to take advantage of any opportunities.
I would like to thank the WCN team for their hard work and dedication and congratulate them on delivering this strong performance in a challenging economic climate.
Ian Moore
Chairman, World Careers Network Plc
World Careers Network Plc
Profit and loss account for the six months to 31 January 2012
World Careers Network Plc
Balance sheet at 31 January 2012
World Careers Network Plc
Cash flow statement for the six months to 31 January 2012
World Careers Network Plc
Notes to the interim financial statements
1 a) The basic earnings per share has been calculated by dividing the profit by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the relevant periods.
b) The diluted earnings per share takes into account the potential issue of further shares as a result of the exercise of share options.
2 This interim report was approved by the board of directors on 27 April 2012
The financial information contained in this interim report does not comprise statutory accounts as defined by section 240 of the Companies Act 1985.
The interim financial information has been prepared using accounting polices consistent with those adopted by World Careers Network Plc in its financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2011
The financial information for the year ended 31 July 2011 is an extract from the latest company accounts. These accounts received an unqualified auditor’s report and have been filed with the Registrar of Companies.
The financial information for the periods ended 31 January 2011 and 2012 is unaudited and has not been reviewed by the company’s auditors.
3 Interim Report
A copy of the Interim Report will be distributed to shareholders shortly and will be available from World Careers Network at 5-7 Bridgeworks, 206 Durnsford Road, London SW19 8DR in the week commencing
7 May 2012.
Article source: http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/world-careers-netwk-half-yearly-062038027.html
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Pregnancy and Science Careers
April 4, 2012 by admin
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In graduate school, I was directed toward a dissertation topic on fossil rodents based primarily at the Field Museum in Chicago. My major professor assumed that I would not want to go to Africa for dissertation field research as most of his other students did, since I was pregnant with my first child. I have no doubt that my major professor intended to help me and that he thought he acted in my best interests by finding a project that would not derail or delay the completion of my Ph.D. As a professor I have seen circumstances less life changing than the arrival of a baby cause students to fail to take that final step and write up the data, remaining in that A.B.D. phase. I now understand his perspective and admit that he may have been correct.
After all, when my daughter was 20 months old, I did receive my Ph.D., completing it in four years, only two and one half years after earning my master’s degree.
Of course, the facts that my daughter arrived as a full-term healthy baby and that I was a healthy 24-year-old who experienced no postpartum complications greatly facilitated my completing the Ph.D. As the stories of the various women scientists in Motherhood, the Elephant in the Laboratory and in Mama, Ph.D. document, a baby born prematurely, and/or with disabilities, as well as problems during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum, can delay research and career substantially. The part I struggled with then, and wonder about to this day, is my professor making the decision for me; I have always felt deprived of having the opportunity to choose the topic for my own dissertation.
Does this happen today? Although some faculty might react to this situation in the same overtly controlling way my major professor did, I believe that gender distinctions continue to enter dissertation work in covert ways. Reports of women steered toward less challenging or interesting topics than their male colleagues and anecdotes about major professors reluctant to critique women’s research because they want to avoid “dreaded tears” in their office may represent the “modern” version of this differential “kindness” to women students.
Sue Perimeter (the pseudonym of a geologist I spoke to for my recent book) faced a slightly different situation. Sue believes that the confidence that her professor demonstrated in her as an undergraduate allowed her to persist in science after a very negative experience at the big state research university where she attended graduate school. Because she was married and had a baby, people perceived her as a “joke” who wasn’t serious about science. Conversations with her undergraduate mentor provided her with the courage to seek a new adviser, when her initial advisor let her go. The new advisor enabled her to complete her M.S. Because of this, she always tries to convey positive impressions to her students about the possibilities of combining motherhood and science.
Despite this negative experience, I applied for the Ph.D. program at a major university in another state. Told by the faculty and students at my M.S.-granting institution that I would fail at my new institution, I did not. I believe that the absence of preconceived notions about the inability of women and mothers to become scientists at my Ph.D. institution allowed me to succeed and earn my Ph.D.
When I became pregnant with my second child, my postdoctoral adviser suggested that I get an abortion. He said the timing was not good for the research because we needed to collect more data to enhance our chances of getting the grant renewed.
The political controversy that has surrounded abortion in the United States and current discussions and focus on family-friendly policies in the workplace mean that women scientists don’t hear suggestions as blatant as “get an abortion because it’s the wrong time in the research” any more. However, several indicators suggest that repercussions or fear of repercussions from childbearing remain rampant.
Women report being asked certain leading questions during interviews for graduate school, postdoctoral or faculty positions. They recognize that questions such as, “What are your future plans?” are code for, “Do you plan to have a family?” In the United States, scientists have very few federal or institutional supports that their colleagues in other countries have to support childbearing and rearing, such as paid leave for both mothers and fathers, on-site crèches, and mandatory holding of the position while on leave. Instead, children become an individual responsibility.
Although the National Institutes of Health offers eight weeks of paid leave to postdoctoral fellows who receive the National Research Service Award, recipients can only take the leave in the unlikely situation where every postdoc at the university is also eligible for eight weeks of paid leave. A study conducted by Mary Ann Mason of the University of California at Berkeley documented that of the 61 members of the Association of American Universities (the top elite research institutions), only 23 percent guaranteed a minimum of six weeks paid leave for postdocs and only 13 percent promised the same to graduate students.
A biologist I interviewed completed her Ph.D. at age 24 in Britain; unfortunately, this coincided with Thatcher’s reforms of the British educational system. She became part of the brain drain and took a postdoc at a Canadian university. After three and a half years as a postdoc, she decided to stay in North America, obtaining a tenure-track position at a large, public university in the Southeast.
Although I did not marry until after I achieved tenure, one of my colleagues asked me if one child wasn’t enough when I became pregnant again, this time with twins. Unlike the young male colleague whose record of achievement was less than mine, the department did not put me up for early promotion, although I still did make professor within 10 years of being hired. I felt that the chair and dean did not support women. I left the institution to become a dean at a public institution in the Midwest. Now I’m the provost at a research institution in the mid-Atlantic region.
Anecdotes also underline the trepidation women feel when trying to decide whether to take advantage of policies such as stop the tenure clock and active service modified duty, evolved to help maintain career momentum during childbearing. “Stop the tenure clock” policies typically permit faculty on the tenure track who must come up for tenure by their sixth year or face being out of the tenure-track position (commonly known as “up or out”), to have an extra year because of the birth of a child, adoption, or other major change in family circumstances, that does not “count” towards the time allotment. Women may actually face or fear a stigma if they use the policies. One study of University of California faculty “revealed that the majority of mothers who were eligible for a reduced load — effectively no teaching for a semester following childbirth — did not take advantage of the benefit. They said they chose not to do so for fear of their colleagues’ disapproval.”
Will colleagues and the department chair take this out on the women in covert ways because they resent the impact on the students and the department of having to find the adjunct to teach classes during a leave for active service/modified duty? The women also fear repercussions from their male colleagues. For example, if they stop the tenure clock for childbirth, will colleagues expect another year’s work of publications for tenure and promotion?
A recent international survey by the Association of Women in Science documents the growing body of research, including that by Mary Ann Mason (2004; 2007) and my own work on Professional Opportunities for Women in Research and Education (POWRE) and Clare Boothe Luce (CBL) awardees (2004) that balancing career with family, particularly at the time of childbirth, is perceived to jeopardize the careers of women scientists and engineers more than any other single factor.
What can women scientists and their mentors do to facilitate their chances for success in academic careers?
Positive Choices and Interventions Women Scientists and Engineers Can Make
1. Know the long-term career goals you seek (for example, a tenure-track position) and evaluate how your current situation, whether it’s graduate school or postdoc, including how long you remain, contributes to that long-term goal.
2. Realize that having a spouse/partner supportive of your career and willing to share family responsibilities is equally or more important than having a supportive mentor.
3. Look for evidence of women-friendly and family-friendly policies, lactation stations, women’s studies programs and other institutional policies and practices that may promote your career when interviewing and considering whether to accept a position in a particular laboratory or institution.
Some Behaviors and Messages for Mentors to Avoid
1. Do not ask only women students, post-docs, or potential employees if they would like information about parental leave and other family friendly policies. Instead, tell everyone, both men and women, about these policies during their interviews and post the policies in the laboratory and on your website.
2. Don’t “help” your women graduate students or postdocs by steering them toward less challenging research topics and problems when they become pregnant or are contending with family issues. If someone – a man or woman – asks for flexibility, be generous with your support and consider all options, but that’s different from your making the assumption.
3. Don’t tell students, postdocs or junior faculty that they should or should not have a child or more children at a particular time or stage of the research.
4. Don’t expect an additional year’s worth of publications and funding at tenure, if the colleague has had the tenure clock stopped.
Article source: http://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2012/04/04/essay-issues-facing-aspiring-scientists-who-are-pregnant
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Adults training for new careers filling Jackson Area Career Center welding … – The Jackson Citizen Patriot
April 4, 2012 by admin
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SUMMIT TOWNSHIP, MI – The regular students are on spring break, but that doesn’t mean the welding classroom at the Jackson Area Career Center is sitting idle.
It’s full of adults training for new careers in welding in a program offered through the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association’s Academy of Manufacturing Careers and South Central Michigan Works.
“There is a huge demand for welders in this area and throughout the country,” said Annette Norris, director of the Academy of Manufacturing Careers.
In fact, the 13 people in an all-day, everyday class that began March 31 and ends April 7 have a good shot at jobs at Hornet Manufacturing in Hudson if they pass the class and a certification test.
Frank White of Brooklyn is one of them. He worked in construction trades until that industry was hit hard by the economy and then did seasonal work with a tree company after that.
“I want to be able to support my family well and not just be barely getting by,” said White, who’s married and has three children. “It’s been really tight. I’m ready to start making some money, and I believe the economy is starting to make a turn in the right direction.”
People with training and certification in metal inert gas (MIG) and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding can expect a starting wage of $14 to $18 an hour, up from about $9 an hour a year ago, Norris said.
That sounds pretty good to Jason Mitchell of Somerset, who’s unemployed and trying to raise money for classes in computer-aided design at Baker College.
“I really need a job that pays well,” he said.
Ninety-eight percent of the students who passed two previous welding classes for unemployed workers are now employed, Norris said.
“It’s really nice to see people whose unemployment is running out get good jobs and get back to work,” Norris said. “It’s really exciting.”
Ten people also are enrolled in a night welding class this week at the Career Center for current workers at Jonesville’s Martinrea International Inc. They’re hoping to upgrade their skills for better jobs within the company, Norris said.
“What that also means is that the company will have to hire entry-level people to fill the jobs they leave by upgrading their training,” Norris said.
Contributing to the need for skilled welders is the fact that a large percentage of welders now are due to retire in the next five years, Norris said. The lack of apprenticeship programs has contributed to a lack of skilled younger workers, she said.
When spring break is over, the Academy of Manufacturing Careers will continue to offer night welding classes at the Career Center. They’re open to anyone who’s interested, Norris said.
To find out more, visit the Academy of Manufacturing Careers website or call Norris at 782-8269.
Article source: http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2012/04/adults_training_for_new_career.html
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Tommy John Surgery Keeps Careers Alive
April 4, 2012 by admin
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Article source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/tommy-john-surgery-keeps-careers-alive/2012/04/04/gIQAUVszuS_video.html
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Top 10 NFL Players to Come Back and Resurrect Their Careers
April 4, 2012 by admin
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Comebacks in the NFL go down in history books as legends. For years, fans talk of great come-from-behind wins.
Here is a look at some players who made their own comebacks in the NFL. The first six players resurrected their careers, becoming true legends. The latter four all made comebacks last year, but their status in the NFL is yet to be determined. Were their comebacks flukes or will they also become stars who resurrected their careers?
Doug Flutie
Doug Flutie is best known for his astounding play while playing quarterback at Boston College. After spending 1990-1997 in the Canadian Football League, Doug Flutie came back to lead the Buffalo Bills in 1998. “Flutie Magic” carried the Bills to a 10-6 record and Doug Flutie to the Pro Bowl.
Tom Brady
Prior to a devastating ACL injury that forced Tom Brady to sit out the 2008 NFL season, he had led the New England Patriots to several Super Bowls and gone to four Pro Bowls himself. In 2009, Tom Brady returned from his injury, and, by 2012, was once again commanding the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Jake Delhomme
Jake Delhomme’s first chance in the NFL was in 1997, when he played with the New Orleans Saints. After not impressing the coaching staff, he was transferred to NFL Europe. It was not until 2003 that Jake Delhomme would return to the NFL, this time with the Carolina Panthers. In 2003, Delhomme led the Panthers to the Super Bowl and had a great season.
Michael Vick
Michael Vick went from being on the cover of Madden 2004 to prison for leading a dog-fighting ring. After spending two years in prison, Vick has not only returned to the NFL, but he quickly became one of the best quarterbacks in the league, again. In fact, he almost graced the cover of EA Sports Madden again.
Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner’s first season in the NFL, in 1994, was short. The Green Bay Packers cut him before during training camp. After stocking shelves at a local grocery store, Kurt Warner eventually made it back to the NFL. In 1999, he led the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl victory and earned the NFL and Super Bowl MVP titles.
***
Looking forward, here are four players to watch during the 2012 NFL season. They each had mediocre 2010 seasons, but came back in 2011 and performed beyond expectations.
If they continue to excel, these players could join the best NFL comeback players of all time:
Alex Smith
Alex Smith struggled during his beginning in the NFL. In 2011, when Jim Harbaugh joined the San Francisco 49ers, all that changed. Under Jim Harbaugh’s leadership, Alex Smith showed his potential. If he continues to develop in the 2012 NFL season, Alex Smith could be a special football player.
Steve Smith
Steve Smith’s statistics are worthy of the NFL Hall of Fame, but his career appeared to be ending in 2010. After a dismal NFL season in 2010, Steve Smith returned in 2011 and made it to the Pro Bowl.
Darren Sproles
After being let go by his team, Darren Sproles came to the New Orleans Saints. In 2011, Sproles had more than 80 catches and over 600 yards rushing. The 2012 season will tell whether this comeback was a fluke or is here to stay.
Reggie Bush
When he entered the NFL with the New Orleans Saints, Reggie Bush was a household name. After not living up to expectations, Reggie Bush had a solid, but not astounding career. In 2011, however, he rushed for over 1,000 yards. If Reggie Bush can do this again in 2012, he might become a star again.
Sources:
While patiently waiting for a Super Bowl win, Scott Brodie enjoys watching the Buffalo Bills compete in the NFL. He writes about NFL and other sports-related news.
More Sports Commentary from Scott:
Top Christian Athletes: Jeremy Lin
Article source: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/top-10-nfl-players-come-back-resurrect-careers-213300977--nfl.html
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Boys & Girls Club workshop helps Bay Area girls discover a love for technology
April 4, 2012 by admin
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Posted Apr 03, 2012
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Northern San Mateo County hosted the Tech Girls Rock workshop, a new initiative to help girls discover an interest in information technology and tech related educational opportunities and careers. Volunteers from CA Technologies donated their time to serve as role models for more than 140 girls.
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Stephanie Jimenez, left, 11, and Katie Morehouse, 9, check their iphone photo of the inside of a computer before they disassembly one at the Boys Girls Club in South San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 3, 2012.The Boys and Girls Clubs of Northern San Mateo County hosted the Tech Girls Rock workshop, a new initiative to help girls discover an interest in information technology and tech related educational opportunities and careers. Volunteers from CA Technologies donated their time to serve as role models for more than 140 girls.(John Green/Staff)
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From left, Stephanie Jimenez, 11, Katie Morehouse, 9, and Lizbeth Palma, 11, learn how to disassemble a computer at the Boys Girls Club in South San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 3, 2012.The Boys and Girls Clubs of Northern San Mateo County hosted the Tech Girls Rock workshop, a new initiative to help girls discover an interest in information technology and tech related educational opportunities and careers. Volunteers from CA Technologies donated their time to serve as role models for more than 140 girls.(John Green/Staff)
Article source: http://photos.mercurynews.com/2012/04/boys-girls-club-workshop-helps-bay-area-girls-discover-a-love-for-technology/8127/
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Stick curling extends careers of Martin and Achtymichuk – Regina Leader
April 4, 2012 by admin
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REGINA — Bill Martin and George Achtymichuk stand tall when it comes to curling.
The 1973 Canadian men’s curling champions turned to stick curling when their bodies couldn’t handle the physical demands of the traditional game.
“I had cartilage removed from my knee years ago and it wouldn’t take sliding on it,” said Martin, who with Achtymichuk as his partner begins play today at the Canadian open two person stick curling championships at the Highland Curling Club. “I would get down and it would hurt so much – Otherwise it was OK unless I put weight on it. I couldn’t throw from the hack, period.”
Harvey Mazinke, Martin, Achtymichuk and Dan Klippenstein shared in the 1973 and 1975 Saskatchewan men’s championships and the 1973 Canadian men’s curling title. The Reginabased foursome, skipped by Mazinke, finished second at the 1973 world championship, which was staged in Regina. Achtymichuk eventually turned to the stick for curling after undergoing hip replacement surgery.
“Before that, I had to give up sliding from the hack because when I was delivering the rock I had to get rid of it in a hurry because it hurt so much,” said the 76-year old Achtymichuk. “Once the hip was in place, I was still worried about doing anything like sliding out. If I had, I think it would have taken three people to lift me off the ice at the end of my slide.”
Achtymichuk and Martin had heard about stick curling, but didn’t get involved in the two-person competition until 2009 when a championship was held in Winnipeg. The two experienced immediate success.
“We hoped that we would win one game and darn it all if we didn’t win it all,” Achtymichuk said.
There are some differences between stick curling and the regular game. There are two-person teams and each member stays at their own end of the rink. There are six rocks per end and the players alternate delivering all six rocks. Players must deliver the rock with a stick and it has to be released before the stone reaches the hog line. There is a threerock free-guard zone and some limited sweeping is allowed, but not between the hoglines. The six-end games usually take an hour to complete.
“It’s easy to get into the game because there are so few rule changes,” said the 78-year-old Martin. “It’s really not any different than the other curling. Without stick curling, there would be a lot of people who wouldn’t be curling. You know what it’s like in the curling rinks. There are less people there all of the time.”
There aren’t any age restrictions in two-person stick curling, though the competition tends to attract older participants than those in the regulation game. Sticks are only permitted in the masters divisions (60-and-over) in provincial competitions, but many players use them in club matches. Achtymichuk has noticed an increase in interest in stick curling, despite its use being banned until players reach the masters division.
“You really notice it among people with back, hip or knee problems,” said Achtymichuk, who curls in Thursday’s two-person stick league at the Highland. “Without the stick they wouldn’t be curling. If I didn’t have a stick, I know that I wouldn’t be curling at all.”
A total of 48 men’s, women’s and mixed teams are taking part in this championship, which runs through Thursday. There are 24 teams from Saskatchewan, 13 from Manitoba, five from Alberta, four from Prince Edward Island and two from British Columbia.
Draws start each day at 8 a.m. The finals are slated for 6 p.m. on Thursday.
mmccormick@leaderpost.com