Washington, DC
Friday, June 15th

For the faculty this was the first official day at SPS (School of Public Service). We had a staff meeting in the morning were we went over staff introductions, schedules, and outings for the month we are here. The bulk of the staff is the same from last year. We have two new RA’s who are both SPS alums from 2003. Hilary is a senior at UNC Chapel Hill, where she is a political science and women’s studies major. Amelia is senior at Notre Dame where is studying American Studies. She is an example of how the world is a very small place. She is from Memphis; this is not all that remarkable because Memphis has always had a strong presence at SPS due to the Rotary Club in Memphis and Harold Ford Jr. who is an SPS alum and strong supporter of its programs. When we first met she was with her sister who lives in DC and writes for the Life section of the USA Today and all of looked at each other like we had met before. Well we had. Amelia and her sister are both alums of Bridgebuilders in Memphis. I think it is hilarious because as spoke more Amelia knows one of my old basketball players, Reggie, from St. Augustine Parish in Memphis and she also worked at the Midtown Boscos as a hostess and knows the gang there, even my former roommate Tusky.

For those who kept of with Pete last summer you pretty know what the School of Public Service is about. For those who don’t here is a LINK to a short video on the program that is narrated by Tim Russert of Meet the Press, whose son went to St. Albans the school that hosts the program. Also for Memphians a quick word on the Memphis Rotary club. Here is their blurb on their web site that explains what the PREP Program does;

Each year the club sends academically promising but economically disadvantaged high school students to summer programs at private preparatory schools across the country. In 2006 the schools awarded over $300,000 in scholarship aid to 114 deserving students. Schools included Choate Rosemary Hall, St. George’s, Northfield Mt. Hermon, The Putney School, Phillips Academy, The Taft School, Phillips Exeter Academy, The Webb School and St. Albans School of Public Service. After the students return, the club organizes community service activities, ACT/SAT training, college application assistance and essay writing workshops.

This program places very deserving students from Memphis in some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the nation. It is really quite amazing what opportunities the Rotary Club in opens up for these remarkable students. The club also has several other initiatives that are also noteworthy.

The day after the meeting was occupied by meeting the Dusza Men, for a wall on the National Mall, I had not seen Dave’s brother in at least ten years. I then hung out in the Sculpture Garden near the National Gallery of Art until Bill got done with work. At that point the two of us met Amanda and Bill’s cousin and wife from Greece at Fogo Da Chao for dinner where we laid waste to pounds of animal flesh succulently prepared by the Brazilian themed restaurant.

After dinner I met up with Norm, Double E, and Fran for some shuffle puck and beers at a pool hall/hang out place called the Rocket Bar near Norm’s place in Chinatown. Double E and I defended Memphis’ honor at shuffle puck and emerged victorious. We ended the night with Norm spinnin’ some vinyl at Fran’s place. A good time was had by all.