Teachers learn lessons in laughter

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Former standup comic Wil Watson has a lesson for teachers: make your job a laughing matter.

The former comedian who calls himself a "laughologist" gave a lesson in levity to about 250 educators Thursday, saying a few well-placed yuks can relieve classroom stress, engage students and defuse grouchy colleagues.

The 90-minute session, one of dozens of professional development seminars at the New Jersey Education Association's annual meeting, drew more people than the Atlantic City Convention Center meeting room could hold.

Turned away, some stood in the doorway, poking their heads inside to listen.

"Teachers take home a lot more stress than people realize," said Leonia Middle School science teacher John Sassi, 25. "A program like this, it helps you to take a step back."

Taught by wisecracking Watson, "Laughing Out Loud: Laughter Therapy for Educators" opened with a singalong to "We Are Family" in which Watson got the whole class up on its feet, hands in the air, swaying side to side and singing.

That was just the warm-up: The underlying message was only slightly more serious, as the 39-year-old Jersey City man, wearing a tie emblazoned with smiley faces, worked the room like a talk show host.

Andrea Kuhar, 47, said she'll take Watson's suggestions in dealing with her students at Cumberland Regional High School.

"I teach calculus, and believe me, there are times when you just have to laugh. It helps you relax and helps them relax," she said.

Ferry boat goes on sale at eBay

SEATTLE -- You can no longer ride the Washington state passenger-only ferry from Seattle to Bremerton for $7.50 a round trip, but for $560,000 you can own the 270-passenger Tyee.

The ferry, taken out of service in September to cut costs, was posted on the Internet auction site Tuesday. It has a minimum bid of $500,000 and an immediate sale price of $560,000.

It's the biggest item to be offered for sale on eBay by Washington state.

The 193-foot Alaska state ferry Bartlett, a 34-year-old vessel that carried cars and passengers, brought $389,000 on eBay from a private buyer in a deal that was completed in October.

Two other mothballed Seattle-Bremerton passenger ferries, the Chinook and Snohomish, also have been declared surplus, but officials have yet to determine their price.

The Tyee, built in 1985, was purchased by the state two years later for $2.5 million from an Alaskan couple involved in tourism. During 1999 it had 11 breakdowns in seven months and was out of service for more than 50 days. The name is a term for chinook salmon weighing at least 30 pounds.

State officials believe the boat's market value is $800,000, said Pat Patterson, a spokeswoman for the state ferry system.

California and New York also have passenger-only ferries, she noted, adding, "Maybe we can sell it to a rich person who wants his own boat."

-- From wire reports