In 1978, I received a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, to develop and implement a training program in southeastern Massachusetts, utilizing small church groups. This program would train participants to understand the effect of family relationships, both good and bad, and their influence on the use and abuse of drugs.The purpose of these groups, after training, would be to continue to meet within their church organizations, and act as a support group for families in...

In 2006, the Spirit told me to remember where I came from. This was during a time when the church in general was receiving very bad publicity, and I was part of the complaining culture. I wanted my granddaughter, Johanna, on her eleventh birthday, to understand our history and the path the Lord had us on. There is no greater thrill than to see your children and grandchildren become a part of the body of Christ, the Church."Brian, remember where you came from."This is a recoun...

In 1978, I received a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, to develop and implement a training program in southeastern Massachusetts, utilizing small church groups. This program would train participants to understand the effect of family relationships, both good and bad, and their influence on the use and abuse of drugs.The purpose of these groups, after training, would be to continue to meet within their church organizations, and act as a support group for fami...

Explore Twisted, the Python-based event-driven networking engine, and review several of its most popular application projects. It is written by community leaders who have contributed to many of the projects covered, and share their hard-won insights and experience.Expert Twisted starts with an introduction to event-driven programming, explaining it in the context of what makes Twisted unique. It shows how Twisted's design emphasizes testability as a solution to common chal...

For those with access to even a modest telescope and CCD camera, this new and improved guide delivers all the information needed to take part in the scientific study of asteroids and variable stars. New techniques in photometry continue to be refined, and expert Brian Warner covers the developing territory in detail for those both new and experienced. Updated to reflect changes in telescope and CCD technology, it also includes an expanded chapter on the analysis of asteroid lightcurves to ...

“Kids of all stripes will identify with EllRay and his unwittingly hilarious antics.”—BooklistEight-year-old EllRay is down to one-and-a-half best friends, and his little sister points out the obvious: he needs more! So EllRay decides to audition other boys for the part, the way his sister is auditioning for the lead role in her day care’s spring play. Now, EllRay has to come up with fun things to do at recess, because when he’s the Recess King, everyone w...

EllRay Jakes finally grows up (a little) by playing basketball in this ninth book in the series.There's a new game in town—basketball! Or in Ellray's case, pre-basketball. Coach Havens has all the third graders dribbling, passing, and shooting, and he's quick to compliment EllRay's skills. No one else seems to notice them, however, and as 'the shortest kid in the class,' EllRay is still chosen last for teams at recess. What's a short guy gotta do to get no...

EllRay Jakes is a small kid with big problems!EllRay Jakes may be the smallest kid in his class at Oak Glen Primary School, but he’s also his sister Alfie’s big brother. So when it looks like Alfie is being bossed around by a dragon-like girl at her school, EllRay feels responsible. As her older (and wiser!) brother, shouldn’t he show her that she should stand up for herself?But little sisters and four year old dragons are a bit more complicated than he tho...

Small kid. Big Stage.Does EllRay have a talent to put on show for the entire school?When EllRay and his friends hear about the school talent show, they’re not impressed. They’re too old for that stuff. But their teacher, Mrs. Sanchez, isn’t so quick to let her students off the hook. Five students absolutely must try-out, and EllRay somehow ends up being one of them. Now he has to figure out something he’s talented at….like, maybe magic?But now the p...

The small kid with big problems returns in the seventh book of this beloved series!It’s almost Christmas and school is going great for EllRay. He’s “blending in” just the way he likes. So when his father tells him he should be proud to be part of the African-American “community,” EllRay isn’t so sure he wants to call attention to his differences. After all, he’s only one of two boys in his class with brown skin. And then, totally by accident, he insults the other b...

EllRay Jakes may be the shortest kid in his class, and he may get into trouble from time to time, but he can always count on his best friends Kevin and Corey. But lately, Kevin has been skateboarding with the meanest boy in class. Could EllRay be losing one of his friends?Not giving up without a fight, EllRay asks his older neighbor to show him a few jaw-dropping skateboard moves—like ollies and kickflips. EllRay must learn as many tricks as he can before the secret boys-only third...

EllRay Jakes is tired of being bullied by fellow classmate Jared Matthews. But when EllRay tries to defend himself, he winds up in trouble. Then his dad offers him a deal: If he stays out of trouble for one week, they'll go to Disneyland! EllRay says he can do it. But saying it and doing it are two very different things.