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For those who may be interested, you can follow me on Twitter @Westy33, where I every so often share some short bits of miscellany.

Health Care Overview

So (that's the Minnesota way to start sentences) I thought this graphic by the Chicago Tribune was pretty helpful in understanding the impact the health care bill will have on us.

Personally, I'm in favor of many of these components.  Thoughts?

School Achievement Success

Upon reading this success story in the Chicago Tribune today, I couldn't help but post some excerpts to draw attention to this astounding bit of happy news. 

Four years ago, the Urban Prep Academy began as an all black boys school in the neighborhood of Englewood here in Chicago.  For those of us who know Chicago, we know this is a relatively tough area.  As the first class graduates from the charter school, though, I think we can safely call the experiment a success.

Urban Prep, a charter school that enrolls using a lottery in one of the city's more troubled neighborhoods, faced difficult odds. Only 4 percent of this year's senior class read at grade level as freshmen.

Now, however, a much different picture of this school's students can be painted.

The entire senior class at Chicago's only public all-male, all-African-American high school has been accepted to four-year colleges. At last count, the 107 seniors had earned spots at 72 schools across the nation.

This in a city where overall the high school graduation rate alone amongst black males is only 38%.  It is an inspiring example of the difference that can be made via an educational investment.

Baby #2

The pages of this blog have slowly grown quieter.  This is largely directly correlated to the addition of children into our home life.  Time is at a far greater premium than it ever has been before.  But, you know what, it's a good thing.  And so for whatever it will mean for this blog, I don't care, because we've added another to the family.

Baby #2 arrived in our home on Groundhog Day.  We welcome Annikah Kate, weighing in at 9 pounds, 13 ounces, with a length of 22 inches.  She and mom are doing great, and I have to say, it's been a fun ride.

Stay tuned at WCW's for all the updates...

The Decade In Photos

How about another 'decade in review' post.  I thought I would point you to this fantastic compilation of news photographs from the '00s.  Many are sobering, reminding us of the world we live in, but I think they do a pretty good job of reminding us of many of the most newsworthy happenings.  And a lot happened, that's for sure.

The Noughts

As we wrap up the decade that was, I'm a big sucker for reminiscing.  So I'm loving all the posts collaborating on the 'best of' the decade.  From movies to tech, I enjoy reading the lists and the recaps. 

It was a big decade for me.  I moved from basically being right out of high school to becoming an 'adult' with a family.  There's been a lot of change, many adventures, and lots of fun, but throughout I've enjoyed what life has brought me.  And that I will count as a blessing.  Through the years, many of the items on these lists have proven to be companions to our life, and thus being reminded of them reminds me of what life has been.

Therefore, I would be remiss if I didn't point you others who may similarly enjoy these to The Noughtie List.  Compiled at kottke.org, this list is basically a list of all the "best ofs" from the 2000s.  There you go then, no more sappiness, enjoy this list of lists.