Breaking Defense SYDNEY J. FREEDBERG JR. November 10, 2014 WASHINGTON: Every election sets off a round of musical chairs on Capitol Hill. This year’s GOP sweep will shake up the Senate in particular, and there’s one plausible scenario that should make the Pentagon and contractors especially nervous, because it would put two champion attack dogs of oversight at the helm of the Senate Armed Services Committee: John McCain and Claire McCaskill. My colleague Colin Clark has already written about McCain’s now-nigh-certain return to the SASC chairmanship, but the mention of McCaskill threw me. Several sources, though, say it’s pretty plausible. I first heard the scenario Friday during a panel discussion hosted by the Professional Services Council (PSC), a government contractors’

America I pledge allegiance to the flag of these United States of America One nation, under one God, I stand Written by Toni and Brian Becker, Nov 2013. http://youtu.be/CjGa-MZetzs

PHOTO: The U.S. National Guard shows Tonya Hill’s class a wrecker. POPLAR BLUFF - The second annual Transportation Day at the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center took place on Friday, Nov. 7, during which students had the chance to see various modes of transportation in action. Thanks to community partners willing to show off their wheels (and hooves), students learned about the classic car, dirt bike, hearse, horse, mule, party bus, segway, semi truck, snowplow, steam engine, tow truck and tractor, as well as emergency vehicles from the police, highway patrol, military, ambulance, sheriff and fire department. Organized by kindergarten instructor Pennie Ethridge, the Fun Friday director, the activity coincided with a teaching unit recently completed.

Photo: High school science teacher Vic Clark demonstrates surface tension “magic,” to the amazement of students.   POPLAR BLUFF - Parents were given the opportunity last week to learn about Techbooks that are being utilized by Poplar Bluff Junior and Senior High students as part of the digital transformation. An estimated 200 people participated in Family Night hosted by Discovery Education on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Poplar Bluff High School. Educators collaborated to demonstrate what a blended classroom looks like, combining hands-on activities with technology in the subjects of science and social students.  

PHOTO: Sixth graders [from left] Demi Wisdom, Peyton Powell and Sydney Sanders get their hair dyed for the occasion. A total of 260 students of the Poplar Bluff 5th & 6th Grade Center were recently rewarded a WINGS party for good attendance, behavior and academics during the first quarter. Sponsored by the school’s Parent Teacher Organization, students were treated to snacks and fun including an inflated obstacle course, karaoke, basketball, temporary tattoos face, painting and makeovers, courtesy of the cosmetology students at the neighboring Technical Career Center. A quarterly incentive program at 5&6, WINGS stands for We’re Into Noticing Good Students.

DEXTER - Musicians by nature are a different lot. As destructive as they are creative, musicians are artists that seek to touch the intangible; to invent beauty from thin air. Since Pythagoras discovered octaves, they have been aided by instruments. And those who gather instruments to supply musicians are necessary allies. Combining business skills with musical ambition is a talent of which few people are blessed. Instrument retailers in the brick and mortar world are becoming scarce thanks to Internet sales and a less than robust economy. So when one such retailer reaches a decade in business, it's reason to celebrate. And that's exactly what Dexter Music Center's Steve Agee and his five-star crew intend to do Nov. 22. That