“Pioneers in the Music Industry: Emile Berliner”–Program at Dover, Del.’s Johnson Victrola Museum on Oct. 4, 2014

Visitors will have a unique opportunity to learn about the volatile, behind-the-scenes events that culminated in the creation of the recorded-music industry during the program “Pioneers in the Music Industry: Emile Berliner” that will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 at the Johnson Victrola Museum, located at 375 S. New St. in Dover, Del. Admission is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-744-5055.

Oliver Berliner upon accepting his grandfather’s 2nd Grammy Award, January 2014. Photo courtesy NARAS.
Oliver Berliner upon accepting his grandfather’s 2nd Grammy Award, January 2014. Photo courtesy NARAS.

Oliver Berliner, Emile Berliner’s only descendent who has worked in the music business, will make a rare appearance as guest speaker for the program which honors his grandfather, inventor of the microphone and the disc-record player, which he named the gramophone, but which Americans call the phonograph. Emile Berliner is the recipient of two Grammy Awards: a Trustees Award in 1987 and a Technical Award in 2014.

Emile Berliner
Emile Berliner

Like his grandfather, Oliver’s interests are in both engineering and artistic endeavors. He holds two patents; has created broadcast products that were mass-produced by Panasonic, Electrohome, Leader Instruments and Hitachi; has authored two books; and has published over 200 articles on music, audio and video.

He is also a leading publisher of Cuban music, controlling among other hits, the world’s two most famous “chachachas” which have appeared in countless television shows, movies, radio and television commercials. During his Johnson Victrola Museum talk, Berliner will reveal music business secrets for which even historians and scholars are unaware.

Early version of a Berliner flat-disk, sound-reproduction machine.
Early version of a Berliner flat-disk, sound-reproduction machine.

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Contact:
Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone:  302-736-7413
E-mail:  Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web:   http://history.delaware.gov


Governor’s Signature Supports Delaware’s Volunteer Emergency Responders

Cheswold, DE – Joined by members of the General Assembly and volunteer firefighters at Cheswold Volunteer Fire Company today to recognize Delawareans who provide life support services, Governor Markell signed into law three bills to help ensure volunteer ambulance and fire companies have the financial support to continue to serve the state to the best of their abilities.Ambulance Services Bill Signing

The legislation addresses findings of the Ambulance and EMS Funding Task Force that was created in 2013 and examined the outlook of emergency services in Delaware, finding that “the public may begin to see diminished ambulance service in as little as 8 to 12 months, if steps are not taken promptly to meet the funding need.”

“No one wants to think about being in a situation that requires help from our emergency responders, but we have a responsibility to ensure Delawareans have access to ambulance and EMS life support services,” said Governor Markell. “Today, we take an important step forward in sustaining our volunteer ambulance and fire companies.”

The bills signed included:

  • Senate Bill 207, sponsored by Senator Bruce Ennis (D-Smyrna), requires that Delaware health insurance policies cover the cost of every ambulance run and the basic life support provided by a volunteer ambulance company.
  • House Bill 315, sponsored by Representative William Carson (D-Smyrna), establishes a Volunteer Ambulance Company Fund, administered by the State Fire Prevention Commission and funded through a $10 assessment on all motor vehicle violations under Title 21 of the Delaware Code.
  • House Bill 317, also sponsored by Rep. Carson, increases from 0.15% to 0.21% the share of the gross premium tax already paid by health insurance companies to be distributed to volunteer fire companies.

“Our emergency services needed help, so the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association and we in the General Assembly teamed together and got the job done,” said Rep. Carson, a past chief of Citizens Hose Co. in Smyrna. “These men and women come to our aid whenever they are called, and it was our duty to help them when they needed it most.”Ambulance Services Bill Signing

In addition to being the lead sponsor of one of the bills, Sen. Ennis was co-chairman of the Ambulance and EMS Funding Task Force which specifically found a statewide $8.6 million operating deficit for EMS companies and Ennis said the new laws will help tackle those challenges.

“We didn’t get everything we wanted, but we are taking a good first step that I think will help end that deficit,” Ennis said. “I think this is really going to help our emergency medical service.”

Photos from the bill signings

 


K12, Higher Education Partner in Delaware to Reduce College Remediation Rates

More than half of Delaware public school graduates who enrolled in in-state colleges in 2012 were placed in remedial courses, according to data released by the Delaware Department of Education today. College remediation is a national problem, but one that higher education and K-12 officials are tackling together in Delaware.

Gov. Jack Markell and Secretary of Education Mark Murphy were joined by higher education leaders at Laurel High School this afternoon to share the data. They also visited students from a pilot math course, which aims to ensure students graduate ready to enter credit-bearing math courses in college.

“Students who require remedial classes in college increase their overall cost of attendance by taking classes that do not count toward graduation,” Markell said. “As college costs continue to rise, we must ensure our colleges and universities are partnering with our public schools to ensure students are focusing on courses that will help them graduate on time and prepare them for the workforce.”

Remedial courses are classes for students who are deemed not ready for college-level work. Students are placed in remedial courses based on scores on college placement tests and/or their SAT scores. Remedial courses do not provide credits toward a degree, but students still must pay tuition – or use financial aid – for them.

A U.S. Department of Education study found that less than half of students in remedial courses actually complete them with only 17 percent of remedial reading students and 27 percent of remedial math students completing their bachelor’s degrees.

“For our children to have the best chance to complete their degrees, we must ensure they are on the path to earning their degrees when they pay their first tuition bills. That means we must ensure they arrive at college prepared for that work,” Murphy said.

This fall three schools in the state – Brandywine School District’s Concord High School, Laurel School District’s Laurel High School and Woodbridge School District’s Woodbridge High School – are piloting the Foundations of College Math course, which was developed with the assistance of Delaware higher education professors. Delaware’s colleges and universities have guaranteed those students who successfully complete the course will not be required to take remedial math courses in college.

“The Foundations of College Math course is an example of the types of innovation that stem from partnership between K-12 and higher education institutions. We look forward to building upon this work and bridging the gap between high school and college for Delaware students,” said Shana Payne, director of the Department of Education’s Higher Education Office.

Delaware’s data also shows that remediation, like college enrollment, is an equity issue. Last year’s release of the College Going Diagnostic showed that only 27 percent of students from low-income backgrounds who were college-ready enrolled in college, with similar trends for black and Hispanic students.

The remediation data shows that even when those students enroll, they are facing higher remediation rates than their peers.  Remediation rates are highest among students who are black, Hispanic and those who are English language learners and from low-income families and those with special needs. These high remediation rates translate into low college completion rates and increased college costs, which ultimately limit these students’ potential to succeed and contribute to the state’s economy.

The state has several efforts underway to address the problem.  In addition to the Foundations of College Math course pilot, the state is working to increase access to and success in college-level courses in high school. More than 85 percent of Delaware graduates who scored a 3 or higher on the 5-point Advanced Placement exams were able to enroll in college-level courses when they entered Delaware public colleges in 2012. Only 31 percent of students who did not take AP courses were able to do so.

“By increasing access to AP classes – as well as International Baccalaureate and dual-enrollment courses – we can help more students avoid remediation,” Murphy said.

Also key to better preparing students for college work are the Common Core State Standards, which the state adopted in 2010. Last year was the first year of full implementation across Delaware. The Common Core State Standards promote college readiness by establishing the skills every student should master by the time he or she graduates from high school. High-quality implementation of the Common Core State Standards will support Delaware students’ abilities to enter college, complete degrees and succeed in careers.

The state also is encouraging Delaware’s institutes of higher education to look to national best practices to curb remediation rates, such as using score ranges rather than a single cut score to place students in courses and aligning math courses with students’ college majors.

The analysis released today provides breakdowns by the high schools from which students graduated and the Delaware colleges in which they enrolled. Find that information here.


Governor Markell Nominates Judge James T. Vaughn, Jr. to Delaware Supreme Court

Wilmington, DE – Governor Markell today announced the nomination of Judge James T. Vaughn, Jr., a 15-year veteran of the Superior Court who has served as President Judge since 2004, to serve on the Delaware Supreme Court. If confirmed by the Delaware Senate during its special session on October 8, 2014, Vaughn will fill the vacancy left by Justice Carolyn Berger, who retired on September 1.

“For more than 15 years, President Judge Vaughn has served our state with distinction and integrity as a member of the Superior Court,” said Governor Markell. “If confirmed by the Senate, his experience, his wisdom, and his commitment to justice will make him an outstanding addition to Delaware’s highest court.”

Judge Vaughn, a Dover native who now resides in Smyrna, was appointed to the Superior Court in 1998 and as President Judge in 2004. Before his appointment to the Superior Court, Judge Vaughn spent 22 years as an attorney in private practice, first at Vaughn & Vaughn, then at Vaughn & Nicholas, and finally at Schmittinger & Rodriguez.

“I am very honored and humbled to receive the Governor’s appointment to succeed Justice Berger,” said Judge Vaughn. “If I am confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to serving Delaware’s citizens as part of the state’s highest court.”

In addition to his record in the courtroom, Judge Vaughn has devoted countless hours as a public servant representing residents of Kent County. He was a member of the Clayton Town Council from 1979 – 1989, including three years as President, and was then elected to the Smyrna School Board, on which he served from 1989 – 1994 and spent three years as President of the Board. Community organizations in which he has been a member include the Smyrna-Clayton Rotary and St. Peters Episcopal Church.

Vaughn, 65, obtained his law degree from Georgetown University Law School in 1976 and was admitted to the Delaware Bar the same year. He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University in 1971 after attending J.B. Moore High School in Smyrna, where he received his diploma in 1967.


Governor Announces Delaware’s Outstanding Volunteers; Recipients Will Be Honored Oct. 14 at Ceremony in Dover

New Castle, DE – Twenty-one individuals and groups will be honored with the 2014 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award on Oct. 14 at Dover Downs. The people and organizations participate in such diverse activities as educating others about the environment, advocating for causes close to their hearts, and raising thousands of dollars for community organizations.

“Every day, we see the difference that volunteers make across our state,” Gov. Jack Markell said. “This year’s Volunteer Award recipients are just a few of the outstanding Delawareans who give their time and talents to make Delaware a better place to live and inspire others to do the same.”

The 2014 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards recipients represent the efforts of thousands of Delawareans who make positive contributions to society and inspire others to do the same.

More than 148,000 Delawareans volunteered in 2010, contributing 16.9 million hours of service to nonprofit and community organizations, according to the Corporation for National & Community Service. Another 41,000 Delawareans volunteered informally by helping neighbors or working on community issues.

“As a state of neighbors, we can improve the lives of many by working together. By doing that, we create a positive and healthy future for all,” said Rita Landgraf, Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, which oversees the state’s efforts to foster volunteerism and service. “This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism in our state.”

On Oct. 14, more than 400 people are expected to honor the volunteers for their outstanding service at Dover Downs. The event will begin with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the ceremony starting at 7. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $35 per person and are available by visiting www.volunteerdelaware.eventbrite.com. Information on the event and the winners is available on https://volunteer.delaware.gov

The Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Awards are sponsored by the Office of the Governor, the Department of Health and Social Services, the Division of State Service Centers, the State Office of Volunteerism, as well as the Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service.

The 2014 recipients:

PAUL WILKINSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:

Marilee Bradley , Seaford

INDIVIDUAL WINNERS

New Castle County

Henry Alisa, Hockessin, Human Needs

Tedd Cocker, Wilmington, Community Service

Lauren Gibson, Wilmington, Social Justice and Advocacy

Fran Peterson, Hockessin, Environment

Seth Ross, Hockessin, Environment

Cheryl Stump, Newark, Social Justice and Advocacy

Arthur Wilson, Wilmington, Environment

Kent County

Karen Waters, Felton, Community Service

Sussex County

James Angus, Frankford, Social Justice and Advocacy

Denise Emery, Lewes, Arts and Culture

Helen Pickford Daley, Rehoboth Beach, Community Service

GROUP WINNERS

New Castle – Group

Ardens’ Environmental Duo, Environment

AtTAcK Addiction, Health

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Delaware, 5+ years, Education

Delaware Jaycees, Community Service

Widener Law Veterans Law Clinic, Social Justice and Advocacy

Kent – Group

Educational Program Interpreters, Education

Mended Hearts Volunteers, Health

Sussex – Groups

Trap Pond Partners, Environment

Village Improvement Association, Community Service