The Gary Community School Corporation District Parent Advisory Council will present a free Mini Parent Conference Wednesday May 26, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Pulaski School, 920 E. 19th Ave. Gary, Indiana.
The theme of the mini-conference is, "There's MORE to Parenting Than Meets the Eye."
A Continental Breakfast will begin a 7:30 a.m. for participants.
For more information, please reach Program Associate Dwight E. Pointer at 219-881-4075 or Director, Dr. Cordia P. Moore at 219-881-4064.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Texas Textbook Scandal and the Black Community
Considering the Texas Textbook Scandal, is there a national Pan African American history curriculum for K-12 and college level? There should be.
Contained within the organizations of the National Urban League and the NAACP are many, many educated professionals who know how and what
components comprise a proper school curriculum for all levels. Why not create a joint task force/partnership between the two organizations and create a national Pan African American history curriculum?
When we take leadership seriously and control our own history and information as a group, no one will change it, no one will challenge it.
No one changes Jewish and Hebrew history. They send their children to school to learn it. They are in control of keeping their cultural identity alive.
They take responsibility for it. African Americans should mimic that and control our historical identity so that no one does it for us.
On the TJ Holmes CNN blog website, a woman who said she writes textbooks
for a living pointed out that textbooks can be made to order as to highlight each state's contribution to American history or whatever.
On May 22nd, "maryann warren" said, "I write textbooks . . . and the major
publishers make an edition ONLY FOR TEXAS! Everything in that edition is NOT put into the National Edition. Other states also have their own
editions to meet their specific standards and "play up" their state history. So please don't panic people nationwide about good old Texas and
their unique material in social studies. science, and even health..."Additionally, any information disseminated within a textbook
should be made as accurate as possible by passing through a system of checks and balances. That history, in turn, can be taught in our churches
and community groups; made available to parents to read and teach to our children; placed into books at every reading level so that whosoever is
willing, can learn about our African American history, with African Americans serving as gatekeepers.
Those outside the race will continue to use us and any other group to their advantage and our disadvantage--that is just the way it is. What are
we doing that we cannot properly monitor our own history and information pertaining to it? Managing African American history alone is capable of creating a new commerce in which to employ people full-time to manage it.
Is the management of our historical information worth it? Are we worth it to ourselves?
I guess the first hurdle will be making the agreement or commitment to
work with ourselves, amongst ourselves.
Contained within the organizations of the National Urban League and the NAACP are many, many educated professionals who know how and what
components comprise a proper school curriculum for all levels. Why not create a joint task force/partnership between the two organizations and create a national Pan African American history curriculum?
When we take leadership seriously and control our own history and information as a group, no one will change it, no one will challenge it.
No one changes Jewish and Hebrew history. They send their children to school to learn it. They are in control of keeping their cultural identity alive.
They take responsibility for it. African Americans should mimic that and control our historical identity so that no one does it for us.
On the TJ Holmes CNN blog website, a woman who said she writes textbooks
for a living pointed out that textbooks can be made to order as to highlight each state's contribution to American history or whatever.
On May 22nd, "maryann warren" said, "I write textbooks . . . and the major
publishers make an edition ONLY FOR TEXAS! Everything in that edition is NOT put into the National Edition. Other states also have their own
editions to meet their specific standards and "play up" their state history. So please don't panic people nationwide about good old Texas and
their unique material in social studies. science, and even health..."Additionally, any information disseminated within a textbook
should be made as accurate as possible by passing through a system of checks and balances. That history, in turn, can be taught in our churches
and community groups; made available to parents to read and teach to our children; placed into books at every reading level so that whosoever is
willing, can learn about our African American history, with African Americans serving as gatekeepers.
Those outside the race will continue to use us and any other group to their advantage and our disadvantage--that is just the way it is. What are
we doing that we cannot properly monitor our own history and information pertaining to it? Managing African American history alone is capable of creating a new commerce in which to employ people full-time to manage it.
Is the management of our historical information worth it? Are we worth it to ourselves?
I guess the first hurdle will be making the agreement or commitment to
work with ourselves, amongst ourselves.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
CNN Special Black and White: Kids on Color
Please don't show it. Please don't tell!
Sitting and watching TJ Holmes present CNN's Black & White: Kids on Color, Tuesday morning,
I hoped that after the commercial break, I would not hear a discussion on blacks still being color struck.
But it happened anyway.
I guess it doesn't matter how wide a range of skin colors exist in American families.
The tester in the segment asked again and again: Which child is the pretty one, smart one, bad one, etc.
Most of the children chose darker skinned pictures as bad or ugly children and the lighter one as good or pretty. Only a few opted out of complexion stereotyping or as old folks say, being color struck.
The CNN series examines complexion-based internalized racism in school aged children from white and black races. The study mimics the 1939-1940 doll studies conducted
by two black psychologists.
First, the white children were asked questions about the cartoon pictures of asexual dolls, nearly hairless, arranged in a range of complexions from light to dark.
Most chose the lightest ones as a representation of good and the darkest ones of bad.
Then comes the African American children's responses. I held my breath. I tried not to watch. I didn't want to hear the truth.
"Why is this one pretty?" a tester asked after a child pointed to the lightest example as pretty.
"...because she is light-skinned," a pretty dark-skinned girl said.
"Bias towards white is still a part of our culture." A voice over said.
Don't fret Blacks because Whites have the same color struck conversations in their households. A
pinkish hue is still favored over ruddy or olive complexion--as long as there is still an ability to tan reasonably well.
But one needs only to look throughout their own friends and family to see these hurtful stereotypes repeated and reinforced.
It is a good thing that stunning beauty is held in the facial bone structure of an individual and not the skin color.
I wish someone would tell the kids the truth about beauty because skin color stereotypes are perpetuated through the generations, maintained in the home and reinforced in society. (Oh, good hair counts too.)
Read more: http://ping.fm/g7yZ4
Sitting and watching TJ Holmes present CNN's Black & White: Kids on Color, Tuesday morning,
I hoped that after the commercial break, I would not hear a discussion on blacks still being color struck.
But it happened anyway.
I guess it doesn't matter how wide a range of skin colors exist in American families.
The tester in the segment asked again and again: Which child is the pretty one, smart one, bad one, etc.
Most of the children chose darker skinned pictures as bad or ugly children and the lighter one as good or pretty. Only a few opted out of complexion stereotyping or as old folks say, being color struck.
The CNN series examines complexion-based internalized racism in school aged children from white and black races. The study mimics the 1939-1940 doll studies conducted
by two black psychologists.
First, the white children were asked questions about the cartoon pictures of asexual dolls, nearly hairless, arranged in a range of complexions from light to dark.
Most chose the lightest ones as a representation of good and the darkest ones of bad.
Then comes the African American children's responses. I held my breath. I tried not to watch. I didn't want to hear the truth.
"Why is this one pretty?" a tester asked after a child pointed to the lightest example as pretty.
"...because she is light-skinned," a pretty dark-skinned girl said.
"Bias towards white is still a part of our culture." A voice over said.
Don't fret Blacks because Whites have the same color struck conversations in their households. A
pinkish hue is still favored over ruddy or olive complexion--as long as there is still an ability to tan reasonably well.
But one needs only to look throughout their own friends and family to see these hurtful stereotypes repeated and reinforced.
It is a good thing that stunning beauty is held in the facial bone structure of an individual and not the skin color.
I wish someone would tell the kids the truth about beauty because skin color stereotypes are perpetuated through the generations, maintained in the home and reinforced in society. (Oh, good hair counts too.)
Read more: http://ping.fm/g7yZ4
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Commentary on Roland Martin's blog
I have a lot to say today.
Who Defines Leadership in the Black Community?
There are not many who do what Roland does in Our Community.
Usually, the only thing I hear about The Black Community is how we quiet often end up in jail or arrested or beat up by cops or have some other type of issue
interfering with quality of life. Maybe it's because I live in a black
city with an African-American based infrastructure, that I don't
understand much of what I see in the main news stream on the issue of the
Black Community. Then again, it is not necessarily their responsibility to
report to me through their eyesight on My Community. However, I heard what
Roland was saying.
Many people feel that way. Working people.
Even white people expect a bone or two to be thrown towards the Black Community from the current administration. They do it in Their Community. If anyone else
should somehow benefit from it, fine because they don't care. It's cool
because the bulk goes to them.
Example: If you have graduated from college, think of the number of offers
from African American companies compared to non-African American
companies. Can we not find work in our own community? Do we always have to
leave our community and beg another community for work? All the time? It
is an anomaly when non-African Americans can graduate from college and
find work in an African American company. It happens but they are not
dependent on Our Community for work as we are to them. If it were the
other way around, I would probably get irritated after a while--especially
if jobs were scarce.
Further evidence is a report by Wilhelmina Leigh, Ph.D Senior Research
Associate for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies--a think
tank.
Ms. Leigh testified before the Congressional Black Caucus on March 17,
2010 about reasons why certain people are chronically unemployed. She said
a part of the reason was that there is an education gap between the races,
persistent discrimination and a lack of access to "job acquisition
networks." Can the NAACP or the Urban League help with these issues? How
about some of the Black Leaders? I don't know if any of these quality-of-
life issues require presidential intervention. However, a grassroots approach to the problem might help.
People who don't have jobs usually don't date, marry or start families. If
45 percent of Black men who ARE NOT IN PRISON, are considered chronically
unemployed, how does one thinks this impacts the Black Community as a
whole? It degrades the community so that it is not so much a community
rather than a group of similar people with no cohesiveness whatsoever.
People are going half on a baby these days. Why? What if Black women who
are unmarried just stopped having babies all together? It too would have a
negative impact on the community.
But I digress.
People judge others through how they understand themselves to be, so when there is no visible authoritative connection between the President and Black Leaders it seems strange because other racial groups seem more cohesive.
However, there has never been a president of color in office in anyone's
lifetime. It is as if the rope on the other end of the tug-of-war was
suddenly released and there is a big "Now What" in the middle of things. (wink)
President Obama is a prototype of sorts. He is a lot of things and a
good representation of an American. Our cultures rub off on the other and
we are all a little blended. However, the Office of the President is a
part of a system. It is not a stand alone office. Black Leaders and the
President should be working together in that system, since the Civil
Rights Movement has placed a lot of Black Leaders in office and in many
instances, long term. But things unseen are things unknown.
Should we all be on one page as far as the state of the Black Community?
Do we listen when the President of the Urban League or National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People, speak? Do we read the
Black Press and what they have to say? Are members of the Black Press remembering their audience and saying relevant things? I distinctly
remember one of the President's campaign mantras of, "change comes from the bottom
up." That means me and others standing next to me should be taking this
time to affect change when and where we can.
Finally, can the President count on The Black Community to pitch in on his
re-election efforts? It's a lot of hard work everyday but it pays off.
Average People
Times have changed and so have Black people. The President only appears to
have lost connection with black leaders but he has not lost touch with the black community. Coming up, he got in where he fit in, just like all the
other Black People I know. He said so in his books. Did anyone read them?
I make this assessment based on actions and inactions of the President. (what he does and does not do)
Note: I live in a 85 percent Black city,
with a black mayor and where the Black Power Movement found it's footing and it's strength, so when I say, "Any Other Black Person I Know"--I know black generalizations. (in my peer group)
The President lived in Hyde Park, on the South Side of Chicago. He is familiar with Average People in the Black Community.
I am not from the suburbs nor the modern ghetto but from Average Avenue. I
attended Average Public School and Average State College. There is a big group of us Average Folks.
We are not ballers or wear grills or any other shiny jewelry in our faces
but we listen to the songs of those who do such things. Those who do
participate in the Glamorous Life, are not Average and are not in the
group. We have children and are for the most part, Average Parents. We are
Thirty and FortySomethings. And anyone who remembers that show is either
in The Group or actively avoiding the Group!
We are never found too far outside of Normal. We are not unlike conformists.
This blog post is a really an exciting and daring thing for me to be doing. Really.
However, when was the last time black leaders, whoever and wherever they may be, checked in with the black community on the same issues pressed upon the POTUS? I'm talking about kitchen table issues important to
Families and Individuals. I'm talking about Black Leaders paying attention
to their own community and all of our own business, outside of any talk show or mainstream newspaper column. There is a such thing as the Black Press. We used to get all of our news from the Black Church but I don't know too many people who have culled out the time to attend church every day. Things have changed.
Maybe the Black leaders are a little out of touch, then again who said all
Black People think the same? We all want different things out of our leaders. Until the Individual takes responsibility for his or her
community there will always be an "at issue" situation. That is a
description of change from the bottom up. No one agreement, train of thought or campaign will do for the entire black community--and
apparently, this is as close as we will get to a national conversation on
the issue--blogs and commentary.
What About the Black Agenda?
There is no Black Agenda that is promoted actively but there used to be
one. The idea is revived and batted around but no real press or marketing structure is involved. It has been rendered kitchen table discussion of
the past almost lore and in spite of conventions held in honor and
celebration of the Black Agenda, the Average Person has no idea of what
the Black Agenda is or who is involved in it and if they, are indeed
involved in it. Then, I ask, whose agenda is it?
Those who do know what the Black Agenda is, may want to avoid it and any
label of Black Nationalism. That's the thing about Average Folks. They
want to be Average and they have responsibilities and chores more so that
goals and dreams. They don't always pay attention to the news. Sometimes,
they are too tired to stay up for it or they are already at work. Maybe
they don't have cable or satellite.
Maybe they are not the voracious reader and settle for the local paper.
Sometimes, that is what Average People do: Go to work, read the paper,
listen to the radio in the car on the way to work as they sit in traffic.
After work, maybe they can snag a few minutes of their favorite show in
between household chores and children and spouse. That doesn't leave much
room for Agendas.
Average Folks have to make room for it and if no one bothers to explain
why they should sacrifice their valuable time to dedicate to moving
forward with the Agenda, then they won't do it. That is where Black
Leaders should step in. They can explain it to members of the Black Press
and they can in turn, write about it and write about it and write about
it. The Agenda does not have to be promoted in the mainstream as it is not
a message pertinent to everyone but to Blacks, thus, The Black Agenda.
If Average Folks hear or sense the attitude that no one should have to
explain the Agenda to them, then the attention of a very large and
influential group of people have been lost. What a loss.
It would be nice if interested people with MBAs and degrees in Marketing
and Advertising could help the Black Leaders advance the Agenda.
Out of Work but Not Out of Hope: Addressing the Crisis of the Chronically Unemployed
Roland Martin's Blog
Who Defines Leadership in the Black Community?
There are not many who do what Roland does in Our Community.
Usually, the only thing I hear about The Black Community is how we quiet often end up in jail or arrested or beat up by cops or have some other type of issue
interfering with quality of life. Maybe it's because I live in a black
city with an African-American based infrastructure, that I don't
understand much of what I see in the main news stream on the issue of the
Black Community. Then again, it is not necessarily their responsibility to
report to me through their eyesight on My Community. However, I heard what
Roland was saying.
Many people feel that way. Working people.
Even white people expect a bone or two to be thrown towards the Black Community from the current administration. They do it in Their Community. If anyone else
should somehow benefit from it, fine because they don't care. It's cool
because the bulk goes to them.
Example: If you have graduated from college, think of the number of offers
from African American companies compared to non-African American
companies. Can we not find work in our own community? Do we always have to
leave our community and beg another community for work? All the time? It
is an anomaly when non-African Americans can graduate from college and
find work in an African American company. It happens but they are not
dependent on Our Community for work as we are to them. If it were the
other way around, I would probably get irritated after a while--especially
if jobs were scarce.
Further evidence is a report by Wilhelmina Leigh, Ph.D Senior Research
Associate for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies--a think
tank.
Ms. Leigh testified before the Congressional Black Caucus on March 17,
2010 about reasons why certain people are chronically unemployed. She said
a part of the reason was that there is an education gap between the races,
persistent discrimination and a lack of access to "job acquisition
networks." Can the NAACP or the Urban League help with these issues? How
about some of the Black Leaders? I don't know if any of these quality-of-
life issues require presidential intervention. However, a grassroots approach to the problem might help.
People who don't have jobs usually don't date, marry or start families. If
45 percent of Black men who ARE NOT IN PRISON, are considered chronically
unemployed, how does one thinks this impacts the Black Community as a
whole? It degrades the community so that it is not so much a community
rather than a group of similar people with no cohesiveness whatsoever.
People are going half on a baby these days. Why? What if Black women who
are unmarried just stopped having babies all together? It too would have a
negative impact on the community.
But I digress.
People judge others through how they understand themselves to be, so when there is no visible authoritative connection between the President and Black Leaders it seems strange because other racial groups seem more cohesive.
However, there has never been a president of color in office in anyone's
lifetime. It is as if the rope on the other end of the tug-of-war was
suddenly released and there is a big "Now What" in the middle of things. (wink)
President Obama is a prototype of sorts. He is a lot of things and a
good representation of an American. Our cultures rub off on the other and
we are all a little blended. However, the Office of the President is a
part of a system. It is not a stand alone office. Black Leaders and the
President should be working together in that system, since the Civil
Rights Movement has placed a lot of Black Leaders in office and in many
instances, long term. But things unseen are things unknown.
Should we all be on one page as far as the state of the Black Community?
Do we listen when the President of the Urban League or National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People, speak? Do we read the
Black Press and what they have to say? Are members of the Black Press remembering their audience and saying relevant things? I distinctly
remember one of the President's campaign mantras of, "change comes from the bottom
up." That means me and others standing next to me should be taking this
time to affect change when and where we can.
Finally, can the President count on The Black Community to pitch in on his
re-election efforts? It's a lot of hard work everyday but it pays off.
Average People
Times have changed and so have Black people. The President only appears to
have lost connection with black leaders but he has not lost touch with the black community. Coming up, he got in where he fit in, just like all the
other Black People I know. He said so in his books. Did anyone read them?
I make this assessment based on actions and inactions of the President. (what he does and does not do)
Note: I live in a 85 percent Black city,
with a black mayor and where the Black Power Movement found it's footing and it's strength, so when I say, "Any Other Black Person I Know"--I know black generalizations. (in my peer group)
The President lived in Hyde Park, on the South Side of Chicago. He is familiar with Average People in the Black Community.
I am not from the suburbs nor the modern ghetto but from Average Avenue. I
attended Average Public School and Average State College. There is a big group of us Average Folks.
We are not ballers or wear grills or any other shiny jewelry in our faces
but we listen to the songs of those who do such things. Those who do
participate in the Glamorous Life, are not Average and are not in the
group. We have children and are for the most part, Average Parents. We are
Thirty and FortySomethings. And anyone who remembers that show is either
in The Group or actively avoiding the Group!
We are never found too far outside of Normal. We are not unlike conformists.
This blog post is a really an exciting and daring thing for me to be doing. Really.
However, when was the last time black leaders, whoever and wherever they may be, checked in with the black community on the same issues pressed upon the POTUS? I'm talking about kitchen table issues important to
Families and Individuals. I'm talking about Black Leaders paying attention
to their own community and all of our own business, outside of any talk show or mainstream newspaper column. There is a such thing as the Black Press. We used to get all of our news from the Black Church but I don't know too many people who have culled out the time to attend church every day. Things have changed.
Maybe the Black leaders are a little out of touch, then again who said all
Black People think the same? We all want different things out of our leaders. Until the Individual takes responsibility for his or her
community there will always be an "at issue" situation. That is a
description of change from the bottom up. No one agreement, train of thought or campaign will do for the entire black community--and
apparently, this is as close as we will get to a national conversation on
the issue--blogs and commentary.
What About the Black Agenda?
There is no Black Agenda that is promoted actively but there used to be
one. The idea is revived and batted around but no real press or marketing structure is involved. It has been rendered kitchen table discussion of
the past almost lore and in spite of conventions held in honor and
celebration of the Black Agenda, the Average Person has no idea of what
the Black Agenda is or who is involved in it and if they, are indeed
involved in it. Then, I ask, whose agenda is it?
Those who do know what the Black Agenda is, may want to avoid it and any
label of Black Nationalism. That's the thing about Average Folks. They
want to be Average and they have responsibilities and chores more so that
goals and dreams. They don't always pay attention to the news. Sometimes,
they are too tired to stay up for it or they are already at work. Maybe
they don't have cable or satellite.
Maybe they are not the voracious reader and settle for the local paper.
Sometimes, that is what Average People do: Go to work, read the paper,
listen to the radio in the car on the way to work as they sit in traffic.
After work, maybe they can snag a few minutes of their favorite show in
between household chores and children and spouse. That doesn't leave much
room for Agendas.
Average Folks have to make room for it and if no one bothers to explain
why they should sacrifice their valuable time to dedicate to moving
forward with the Agenda, then they won't do it. That is where Black
Leaders should step in. They can explain it to members of the Black Press
and they can in turn, write about it and write about it and write about
it. The Agenda does not have to be promoted in the mainstream as it is not
a message pertinent to everyone but to Blacks, thus, The Black Agenda.
If Average Folks hear or sense the attitude that no one should have to
explain the Agenda to them, then the attention of a very large and
influential group of people have been lost. What a loss.
It would be nice if interested people with MBAs and degrees in Marketing
and Advertising could help the Black Leaders advance the Agenda.
Out of Work but Not Out of Hope: Addressing the Crisis of the Chronically Unemployed
Roland Martin's Blog
Thursday, May 13, 2010
What About the Kids, Arizona Legislators?
Arizona was the last state to sign the Martin Luther King Day bill into law. I took note of that then and I take note with parts of their anti-ethnic education bill.
Why is it that the people of Arizona feel the way they do about minorities? What are they going through every day that makes them not accepting of minorities and why can't they handle their frustrations any better than they have been doing?
Granted, if a politician runs for office and is elected by the people for the people he or she should serve the people completely. More qualified people should have run for office if the people wanted a smarter legislature. However, why stop the African American education curriculum in public schools? Really.
Every ethnic race, Eastern European, African, Hispanic, Dominican, Italian etc. deserves to be highlighted for their race's achievements in American history. The culmination is that we have all contributed in making this country great, so why cull those parts out? It is not a good solution to the problems in Arizona. Students in Arizona won't know or understand who they are or where they come from when they are not taught about European immigrants and what they did to establish their place in American history and culture. Damn shame. There are a lot of European immigrants in this country.
Read more: http://ping.fm/zLtKu
http://ping.fm/ouq0W
Why is it that the people of Arizona feel the way they do about minorities? What are they going through every day that makes them not accepting of minorities and why can't they handle their frustrations any better than they have been doing?
Granted, if a politician runs for office and is elected by the people for the people he or she should serve the people completely. More qualified people should have run for office if the people wanted a smarter legislature. However, why stop the African American education curriculum in public schools? Really.
Every ethnic race, Eastern European, African, Hispanic, Dominican, Italian etc. deserves to be highlighted for their race's achievements in American history. The culmination is that we have all contributed in making this country great, so why cull those parts out? It is not a good solution to the problems in Arizona. Students in Arizona won't know or understand who they are or where they come from when they are not taught about European immigrants and what they did to establish their place in American history and culture. Damn shame. There are a lot of European immigrants in this country.
Read more: http://ping.fm/zLtKu
http://ping.fm/ouq0W
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
I Watched "Deliver Me" Last Night...
I watched it on Discovery Health. I love that channel. It showed high risk births and the tribulations the moms-to-be had to go through to deliver. One woman had to be on bed rest for 50 days in the hospital. She had an incompetent cervix. The doctors had to put a stitch in it to keep it shut so the baby wouldn't come out early. Gosh, those women were strong. Even one of the OBGYN's had a high-risk pregnancy and was ordered to bed rest. She cried but went home but then didn't exactly comply with the bed rest order. Her colleagues got on her about that! Good show.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Housewives of New York, New Jersey and Basketball Wives: I Am So Late to the Party!
I am so late to the party with these fabulous shows. Now I see that Bethany of HONY will have her own spin off show about her getting married. However, I watched both shows on Bravo last night and I could not stop watching! Granted, I had seen the HONY but last night was my first time watching Housewives of New Jersey and I just don't know how Danielle puts herself through all of that. It is clear that certain women cannot be involved with her but she is still open to to them, fueling the gossip about her. Danielle's daughter is gorgeous but she should listen to her about who to let into her life. Some folks are like oil and water and just don't mix–no matter what.
Now, I know all of the shows I am watching are probably last season old but like I said, I am so late to the party.
I saw Basketball Wives on BET last weekend and I didn't even know a woman can be a size negative! I am not familiar with all of the names but the tiny girl who is cute went shopping with the tall one who wants separate wings for her and her spouse(?) and the transformation was magnificent. All of the women featured on these shows offer a glimpse into their fabulous lives and how they handle adversity. I also watch Tiny & Toya on BET. I like that show because the women are doing things like opening businesses and helping their family achieve goals. Tiny & Toya also offer that glimpse behind otherwise closed doors. I really am anxious to see how the nail shop develops the story line. Really great television watching.
BlipFM Song of the Day: http://ping.fm/zYKGE
Now, I know all of the shows I am watching are probably last season old but like I said, I am so late to the party.
I saw Basketball Wives on BET last weekend and I didn't even know a woman can be a size negative! I am not familiar with all of the names but the tiny girl who is cute went shopping with the tall one who wants separate wings for her and her spouse(?) and the transformation was magnificent. All of the women featured on these shows offer a glimpse into their fabulous lives and how they handle adversity. I also watch Tiny & Toya on BET. I like that show because the women are doing things like opening businesses and helping their family achieve goals. Tiny & Toya also offer that glimpse behind otherwise closed doors. I really am anxious to see how the nail shop develops the story line. Really great television watching.
BlipFM Song of the Day: http://ping.fm/zYKGE
Monday, May 10, 2010
Horders: Buried Alive
Well, I watched Horders on TLC last night and again, I do not understand how the Horders also have filth involved. Some of the Horders are rather neat and orderly in their effort to collect and save items for their personal enjoyment. (yes, I have hording tendencies) And, then some have dead cats, dirty, stained carpets, spoiled food in plates everywhere. To me, that is not hording but nastiness. There is a distinct difference between throwing a half-eaten plate of food on the floor–fork and all–and saving decorative plates to display later.
Another thing I noticed is that most of the Horders have money to burn on unnecessary items.
I understand the hording mind, I do.
Granted, when I first saw the show Horders, I saw a lot of myself in the ones who like to save things thinking it will be useful later or hate to throw things away only to find its use later and not have it. However, I cleaned up my act straightaway! I didn't even know hording existed. I called it "saving things."
http://ping.fm/t08V3
Another thing I noticed is that most of the Horders have money to burn on unnecessary items.
I understand the hording mind, I do.
Granted, when I first saw the show Horders, I saw a lot of myself in the ones who like to save things thinking it will be useful later or hate to throw things away only to find its use later and not have it. However, I cleaned up my act straightaway! I didn't even know hording existed. I called it "saving things."
http://ping.fm/t08V3
Friday, April 30, 2010
Oklahoma to Become Fourth Retail Market for Honda's Natural Gas-Powered Civic GX
Dealer network expands for retail sales of nation's only natural gas-powered vehicle sold by an OEM
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., recently announced that dealers in Oklahoma will now have the option of selling the compressed natural gas (CNG) powered Honda Civic GX to customers on a retail basis. There are 13 Honda dealers in Oklahoma, three of which are already selling the Civic GX as a fleet vehicle.
"Expanding Honda's Civic GX retail program along with the continued success of fleet sales expresses our commitment to the environment and natural gas vehicle technology," said Elmer Hardy, senior manager of Alternative Fuel Vehicle Sales & Marketing. "Honda seeks market opportunities for the Civic GX where strong natural gas refueling infrastructure exists, and we continue to see its promise as a clean, sustainable, domestically-sourced alternative fuel."
Honda is the only OEM currently selling a CNG-powered vehicle on a retail basis in the United States. Additionally, the Civic GX is the only OEM-built, CNG-powered passenger car assembled in America. The Civic GX is built on the same assembly line as the gasoline-powered Civic 4-door models at Honda's Greensburg, Indiana manufacturing facility.
In 2006, the Civic GX became available for the first time to retail customers in California. Since then, retail sales have expanded to New York, Utah and now, Oklahoma. Currently, 43 dealers in California, 19 in New York and eight in Utah have added Retail Sales Addendums to their Honda Sales Agreements that enable them to sell the Civic GX on a retail basis. When including dealerships that sell fleet vehicles, there are a total of 134 Civic GX dealers in 33 states.
Oklahoma is an ideal market to expand retail sales of the Civic GX with its low refueling costs, a generous state tax incentive toward the purchase of a new Civic GX and solid fleet sales. As the second largest natural gas producing state in the U.S., Oklahoma already has a strong existing CNG station infrastructure with robust plans to expand the network over the next several years.
The 2010 Civic GX achieves an EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy of 24/36** miles per gasoline-gallon equivalent and is the only vehicle certified by the EPA to meet both Federal Tier 2-Bin 2 and Inherently Low Emission Vehicle (ILEV) zero evaporative emission certification standards. Additionally, the Honda Civic GX is the cleanest internal combustion vehicle ever tested by the EPA, and for the seventh straight year, the Civic GX NGV was named "Greenest Vehicle" by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., recently announced that dealers in Oklahoma will now have the option of selling the compressed natural gas (CNG) powered Honda Civic GX to customers on a retail basis. There are 13 Honda dealers in Oklahoma, three of which are already selling the Civic GX as a fleet vehicle.
"Expanding Honda's Civic GX retail program along with the continued success of fleet sales expresses our commitment to the environment and natural gas vehicle technology," said Elmer Hardy, senior manager of Alternative Fuel Vehicle Sales & Marketing. "Honda seeks market opportunities for the Civic GX where strong natural gas refueling infrastructure exists, and we continue to see its promise as a clean, sustainable, domestically-sourced alternative fuel."
Honda is the only OEM currently selling a CNG-powered vehicle on a retail basis in the United States. Additionally, the Civic GX is the only OEM-built, CNG-powered passenger car assembled in America. The Civic GX is built on the same assembly line as the gasoline-powered Civic 4-door models at Honda's Greensburg, Indiana manufacturing facility.
In 2006, the Civic GX became available for the first time to retail customers in California. Since then, retail sales have expanded to New York, Utah and now, Oklahoma. Currently, 43 dealers in California, 19 in New York and eight in Utah have added Retail Sales Addendums to their Honda Sales Agreements that enable them to sell the Civic GX on a retail basis. When including dealerships that sell fleet vehicles, there are a total of 134 Civic GX dealers in 33 states.
Oklahoma is an ideal market to expand retail sales of the Civic GX with its low refueling costs, a generous state tax incentive toward the purchase of a new Civic GX and solid fleet sales. As the second largest natural gas producing state in the U.S., Oklahoma already has a strong existing CNG station infrastructure with robust plans to expand the network over the next several years.
The 2010 Civic GX achieves an EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy of 24/36** miles per gasoline-gallon equivalent and is the only vehicle certified by the EPA to meet both Federal Tier 2-Bin 2 and Inherently Low Emission Vehicle (ILEV) zero evaporative emission certification standards. Additionally, the Honda Civic GX is the cleanest internal combustion vehicle ever tested by the EPA, and for the seventh straight year, the Civic GX NGV was named "Greenest Vehicle" by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Honda recalls Odyssey and Element for "soft" brakes
Statement by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Regarding VSA Modulator Recall
TORRANCE, Calif. – March 16, 2010 – Honda will recall approximately 344,000 Odyssey and 68,000 Element vehicles from the 2007-2008 model years in the U.S. to modify the Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) modulator. Honda has received customer complaints of brake pedals that feel “soft” or that gradually exhibit a pedal height that gets lower (closer to the floor) before the vehicle stops. In affected vehicles, this condition tends to very slowly increase over time.
Some VSA modulators were assembled in a manner that could allow air intrusion, making it possible for air to enter the modulator during the VSA self-check mode. While only a miniscule amount of air can enter the system during each check, over a period of months or years, the air will accumulate and can result in the “soft brake pedal” or “low brake pedal” condition symptoms associated with this issue. Although not all vehicles being recalled are affected by this issue, we are recalling all possible units to assure all customers that their vehicles will perform correctly.
Honda is announcing this recall to encourage all owners of these vehicles to take their vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification from Honda that their vehicle is affected. Notification to customers will start at the end of April.
Once owners of these vehicles receive written notification of this recall from Honda, they should contact their authorized Honda dealer to schedule an appointment for repair. When Honda identifies concerns of this nature, nothing is more important to the company than fulfilling our obligation and responsibility to alert our customers. To this end in addition to contacting customers by mail, after April 19, 2010, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicle requires repair by going on-line or calling. Honda owners can go to www.recalls.honda.com or call (800) 999-1009, and select option 4.
TORRANCE, Calif. – March 16, 2010 – Honda will recall approximately 344,000 Odyssey and 68,000 Element vehicles from the 2007-2008 model years in the U.S. to modify the Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) modulator. Honda has received customer complaints of brake pedals that feel “soft” or that gradually exhibit a pedal height that gets lower (closer to the floor) before the vehicle stops. In affected vehicles, this condition tends to very slowly increase over time.
Some VSA modulators were assembled in a manner that could allow air intrusion, making it possible for air to enter the modulator during the VSA self-check mode. While only a miniscule amount of air can enter the system during each check, over a period of months or years, the air will accumulate and can result in the “soft brake pedal” or “low brake pedal” condition symptoms associated with this issue. Although not all vehicles being recalled are affected by this issue, we are recalling all possible units to assure all customers that their vehicles will perform correctly.
Honda is announcing this recall to encourage all owners of these vehicles to take their vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification from Honda that their vehicle is affected. Notification to customers will start at the end of April.
Once owners of these vehicles receive written notification of this recall from Honda, they should contact their authorized Honda dealer to schedule an appointment for repair. When Honda identifies concerns of this nature, nothing is more important to the company than fulfilling our obligation and responsibility to alert our customers. To this end in addition to contacting customers by mail, after April 19, 2010, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicle requires repair by going on-line or calling. Honda owners can go to www.recalls.honda.com or call (800) 999-1009, and select option 4.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Babies Born to HIV-Positive Growing Generations Surrogacy Clients to Double in 2010
Obama Administration's Lifting of Restrictions on Visas for HIV-Positive Foreigners Opens Program to International Clients
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The nation's largest surrogacy agency announced today that the number of babies born to HIV-positive clients is expected to more than double in 2010 as its program for HIV-positive men using their own sperm to create embryos continues to expand in the U.S. and abroad. In 2009, Growing Generations had 5 babies born to HIV-positive parents working with surrogates and in 2010 more than 10 babies are expected.
"It is so amazing for us to see these babies being born to loving, healthy parents who have dreamed of this opportunity for years," said Growing Generations CEO Stuart Miller. "As the first agency to create a program specifically for clients with HIV, our expertise and guidance of this process is unparalleled."
Participants in Growing Generations' HIV program go through the same process as other clients with the addition of an extensive health screening and preparation process for the sperm which virtually eliminates any risk of exposure to the surrogate or embryo. Many men with HIV show no material trace of the virus in their semen. The sperm preparation process has been used for more than a decade in non-surrogacy related pregnancies and, as is the case with all of Growing Generations surrogates and babies, no one has become infected with HIV.
The program is now available not only to citizens of the U.S. but to international clients as well due to the Obama administration's lifting of the restriction on visas for HIV-positive foreigners. In January of this year, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removed HIV infection from the list of diseases that prevent non-U.S. citizens from entering the country.
"We are extremely pleased that the Obama administration has removed a restriction that should have been removed a long time ago," added Miller. "Our company has always been at the forefront of fighting against discrimination and our ability to now serve clients with HIV from around the world is something we are very proud of. We anticipate that as people with HIV learn of this opportunity, we will continue to see more of them choose surrogacy as their family building option."
To learn more about Growing Generations, please visit http://www.growinggenerations.com/.
Since 1996, Growing Generations has been a company passionately dedicated to the vision of creating life and, in the process, changing the world. Founded by gay and lesbian parents, our mission is simple -- to build families of choice for communities around the globe through surrogacy, egg donation, and sperm donation.
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The nation's largest surrogacy agency announced today that the number of babies born to HIV-positive clients is expected to more than double in 2010 as its program for HIV-positive men using their own sperm to create embryos continues to expand in the U.S. and abroad. In 2009, Growing Generations had 5 babies born to HIV-positive parents working with surrogates and in 2010 more than 10 babies are expected.
"It is so amazing for us to see these babies being born to loving, healthy parents who have dreamed of this opportunity for years," said Growing Generations CEO Stuart Miller. "As the first agency to create a program specifically for clients with HIV, our expertise and guidance of this process is unparalleled."
Participants in Growing Generations' HIV program go through the same process as other clients with the addition of an extensive health screening and preparation process for the sperm which virtually eliminates any risk of exposure to the surrogate or embryo. Many men with HIV show no material trace of the virus in their semen. The sperm preparation process has been used for more than a decade in non-surrogacy related pregnancies and, as is the case with all of Growing Generations surrogates and babies, no one has become infected with HIV.
The program is now available not only to citizens of the U.S. but to international clients as well due to the Obama administration's lifting of the restriction on visas for HIV-positive foreigners. In January of this year, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removed HIV infection from the list of diseases that prevent non-U.S. citizens from entering the country.
"We are extremely pleased that the Obama administration has removed a restriction that should have been removed a long time ago," added Miller. "Our company has always been at the forefront of fighting against discrimination and our ability to now serve clients with HIV from around the world is something we are very proud of. We anticipate that as people with HIV learn of this opportunity, we will continue to see more of them choose surrogacy as their family building option."
To learn more about Growing Generations, please visit http://www.growinggenerations.com/.
Since 1996, Growing Generations has been a company passionately dedicated to the vision of creating life and, in the process, changing the world. Founded by gay and lesbian parents, our mission is simple -- to build families of choice for communities around the globe through surrogacy, egg donation, and sperm donation.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
By the People: The Election of Barack Obama
I watched them write the speeches, I heard them flesh out the words. I relived every moment of that magnanimous night–that time we as Americans made our voices heard. Then they flashed a photo of the 44th President of the United States: Barack Obama.
You must see, "By the People: The Election of Barack Obama." I will remind you of why you vote. I got my copy from Netflix–no late fees involved–however, I will purchase a copy to have permanently.
I never want to forget the campaign. I cried and relived every moment. We have to remember as a nation, as a supporter, as voters, who we voted for and why. Don't believe the spin on the nightly news. It is not always true.
I entered the campaign after the Iowa win. Up until that point, I thought Barack Obama would follow in the footsteps of the Rev. Jesse Jackson and rack up some votes and yet again prove a point but not win the presidency. I didn't know Barack Obama then and was prepared to vote for Hillary Clinton. At best, I would have voted for John Edwards. I just didn't know any better and that is so sad. Then, during my nightly routine, I saw him during the Iowa Caucus victory speech and then I believed.
I saw that he thought as I thought, he believed as I believed. He had my voice and he has carried it to the highest seat in our nation. He was me and so I voted for myself. I never in my life thought I would hear someone echo my thoughts about my country and society the way our president did as he campaigned. I was astonished but I knew if I voted for Barack, then I would be voting for myself. This DVD helped me relive all of that. Don't miss it! Get it today.
You must see, "By the People: The Election of Barack Obama." I will remind you of why you vote. I got my copy from Netflix–no late fees involved–however, I will purchase a copy to have permanently.
I never want to forget the campaign. I cried and relived every moment. We have to remember as a nation, as a supporter, as voters, who we voted for and why. Don't believe the spin on the nightly news. It is not always true.
I entered the campaign after the Iowa win. Up until that point, I thought Barack Obama would follow in the footsteps of the Rev. Jesse Jackson and rack up some votes and yet again prove a point but not win the presidency. I didn't know Barack Obama then and was prepared to vote for Hillary Clinton. At best, I would have voted for John Edwards. I just didn't know any better and that is so sad. Then, during my nightly routine, I saw him during the Iowa Caucus victory speech and then I believed.
I saw that he thought as I thought, he believed as I believed. He had my voice and he has carried it to the highest seat in our nation. He was me and so I voted for myself. I never in my life thought I would hear someone echo my thoughts about my country and society the way our president did as he campaigned. I was astonished but I knew if I voted for Barack, then I would be voting for myself. This DVD helped me relive all of that. Don't miss it! Get it today.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Gary art lover walking to Indy to retrieve painting :: Local News :: Post-Tribune
Gary art lover walking to Indy to retrieve painting :: Local News :: Post-Tribune
A local guy has been tracking priceless artwork said to belong to the city for years. Somehow, it was sold by auction or just disappeared from walls over the years, Jim Nowacki claims. He is now walking from Gary to Indianapolis Indiana to retrieve a found piece. If anything, Jim is dedicated.
A local guy has been tracking priceless artwork said to belong to the city for years. Somehow, it was sold by auction or just disappeared from walls over the years, Jim Nowacki claims. He is now walking from Gary to Indianapolis Indiana to retrieve a found piece. If anything, Jim is dedicated.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Magnesium: Why Your Heart is Begging You for More of This Essential Nutrient
Magnesium: Why Your Heart is Begging You for More of This Essential Nutrient
I just found out that adults need more than 380 grams of Magnesium a day! Deficiencies in this mineral can lead to tingling extremities, nausea and abnormal heart rhythm.
I just found out that adults need more than 380 grams of Magnesium a day! Deficiencies in this mineral can lead to tingling extremities, nausea and abnormal heart rhythm.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
President Obama and Vice President Biden Preview Initiatives for Middle Class Families
Discussion Previews a Key Theme for State of the Union Address
Washington, DC – Today, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will hold a meeting of the Middle Class Task Force, where they will lay out key investments for middle class families. Today’s discussion will preview one of the key themes of the President’s State of the Union address, which include creating good jobs, addressing the deficit, changing Washington, and fighting for middle class families.
President Obama said, “We are fighting every single day to put Americans back to work, create good jobs, and strengthen our economy for the long-term. The additional steps laid out today focus on easing the burdens on middle class families who are struggling in this economy, and providing the help they need to get ahead.”
“Every day, middle class families go to work and help make this country great. For a year, our Task Force has been hearing that they are struggling with soaring costs and squeezed family budgets. These common sense initiatives will help these families cope with these challenges,” said Vice President Biden.
After traveling across the country the past year talking with families, caregivers, educators, students, seniors, as well as policy makers and experts, Chair of the White House Task Force on Middle Class Families Vice President Joe Biden will join President Obama to announce several recommendations of the Task Force. These initiatives, borne out of the meetings, travel and work of the Task Force, are aimed at helping middle class families afford soaring child care costs; care for their aging relatives; cope with the challenge of saving for retirement; and pay for their children’s college tuition.
Since its creation one year ago this week, the Middle Class Task Force has held 11 meetings around the country and at the White House. At these meetings, Vice President Biden heard from parents who were grappling with the costs of child care; students coming out of college drowning in debt; children of elderly relatives struggling to care for them; and workers who were barely able to pay their mortgage, much less save for retirement.
As a result of these meetings, conversations and feedback from around the country, the Vice President and the Task Force will propose several policy initiatives to help middle class families:
Since its creation on January 30, 2009, the Middle Class Task Force has held 11 meetings around the country and at the White House:
February 27, 2009: Green Jobs (Philadelphia, PA)
March 17, 2009: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Middle Class Families (St. Cloud, MN)
April 17, 2009: College Affordability (St. Louis, MO)
May 26, 2009: Green Jobs (Denver, CO)
June 23, 2009: Manufacturing in the 21st Century (Perrysburg, OH)
July 10, 2009: Health Reform Roundtable (The White House)
July 16, 2009: AARP/Health Care Reform Discussion (Arlington, Virginia)
September 9, 2009: Access to College (Syracuse, NY)
October 19, 2009: Middle Class Recovery Through Retrofit (The White House)
November 5, 2009: Roundtable with Policy Experts (Washington, DC)
December 16, 2009: Roundtable with Leaders in Manufacturing Sector (The White House)
Members of the Task Force include: Vice President Biden, Chair; the Secretaries of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Energy, Treasury, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and Agriculture; the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; as well as the Directors of the National Economic Council, the Office of Management and Budget, the Domestic Policy Council, and the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors.
To read reports released by the Middle Class Task Force, please visit: www.WhiteHouse.Gov/AStrongMiddleClass.
Washington, DC – Today, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will hold a meeting of the Middle Class Task Force, where they will lay out key investments for middle class families. Today’s discussion will preview one of the key themes of the President’s State of the Union address, which include creating good jobs, addressing the deficit, changing Washington, and fighting for middle class families.
President Obama said, “We are fighting every single day to put Americans back to work, create good jobs, and strengthen our economy for the long-term. The additional steps laid out today focus on easing the burdens on middle class families who are struggling in this economy, and providing the help they need to get ahead.”
“Every day, middle class families go to work and help make this country great. For a year, our Task Force has been hearing that they are struggling with soaring costs and squeezed family budgets. These common sense initiatives will help these families cope with these challenges,” said Vice President Biden.
After traveling across the country the past year talking with families, caregivers, educators, students, seniors, as well as policy makers and experts, Chair of the White House Task Force on Middle Class Families Vice President Joe Biden will join President Obama to announce several recommendations of the Task Force. These initiatives, borne out of the meetings, travel and work of the Task Force, are aimed at helping middle class families afford soaring child care costs; care for their aging relatives; cope with the challenge of saving for retirement; and pay for their children’s college tuition.
Since its creation one year ago this week, the Middle Class Task Force has held 11 meetings around the country and at the White House. At these meetings, Vice President Biden heard from parents who were grappling with the costs of child care; students coming out of college drowning in debt; children of elderly relatives struggling to care for them; and workers who were barely able to pay their mortgage, much less save for retirement.
As a result of these meetings, conversations and feedback from around the country, the Vice President and the Task Force will propose several policy initiatives to help middle class families:
Nearly Doubling the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit for middle class families making under $85,000 a year. This is accomplished by increasing their tax credit rate from 20% to 35% of qualifying expenses. The value of the tax credit nearly doubles for all families making under $85,000 a year, and every family that makes under $115,000 will see their tax credit increase.About the Middle Class Task Force: The Task Force, Chaired by Vice President Joe Biden, is a group of top-level administration policy makers, charged with the mission of focusing on developing policies aimed at raising the living standards of middle-class, working families in America.
Additionally, for families struggling to join the middle class, the administration will provide a $1.6 billion increase in child care funding, the largest one-year increase in 20 years, to help an additional 235,000 children.
Limiting a student’s federal loan payments to 10 percent of his or her income above a basic living allowance. This will lower payments for hundreds of thousands of students, who are struggling to make ends meet coming out of college.
Creating a system of automatic workplace IRAs, requiring all employers to give the option for employees to enroll in a direct-deposit IRA.
Expanding tax credits to match retirement savings and enacting new safeguards to protect retirement savings, making it easier for families to plan for retirement.
Expanding support for families balancing work with caring for elderly relatives, helping them manage their multiple responsibilities and allowing seniors to live in the community for as long as possible.
The Task Force’s final report, and full recommendations, will be released in February.
Since its creation on January 30, 2009, the Middle Class Task Force has held 11 meetings around the country and at the White House:
February 27, 2009: Green Jobs (Philadelphia, PA)
March 17, 2009: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Middle Class Families (St. Cloud, MN)
April 17, 2009: College Affordability (St. Louis, MO)
May 26, 2009: Green Jobs (Denver, CO)
June 23, 2009: Manufacturing in the 21st Century (Perrysburg, OH)
July 10, 2009: Health Reform Roundtable (The White House)
July 16, 2009: AARP/Health Care Reform Discussion (Arlington, Virginia)
September 9, 2009: Access to College (Syracuse, NY)
October 19, 2009: Middle Class Recovery Through Retrofit (The White House)
November 5, 2009: Roundtable with Policy Experts (Washington, DC)
December 16, 2009: Roundtable with Leaders in Manufacturing Sector (The White House)
Members of the Task Force include: Vice President Biden, Chair; the Secretaries of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Energy, Treasury, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and Agriculture; the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; as well as the Directors of the National Economic Council, the Office of Management and Budget, the Domestic Policy Council, and the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors.
To read reports released by the Middle Class Task Force, please visit: www.WhiteHouse.Gov/AStrongMiddleClass.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Did You Know?
CANNED BEER'S 75TH
Profile America -- Sunday, January 24th. One of the more American of inventions -- and a staple of television advertising -- is having its 75th anniversary this week. The first canned beer was put on sale in 1935 as a marketing test in Richmond, Virginia, by the Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company of Newark, New Jersey. Experiments with putting beer in cans had taken place as early as 1909, but the technology of the time couldn't stop the beer from interacting with the metal of the can. Then, Prohibition delayed further development. Now, cans are the preferred container for beer in the U.S. American adults drink an average of nearly 22 gallons of beer a year, down about 2 gallons from 1980. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, now preparing for the 2010 Census on April 1st.
Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 2671
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009, t. 207
Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at www.census.gov (look under the "Newsroom" button).
Profile America -- Sunday, January 24th. One of the more American of inventions -- and a staple of television advertising -- is having its 75th anniversary this week. The first canned beer was put on sale in 1935 as a marketing test in Richmond, Virginia, by the Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company of Newark, New Jersey. Experiments with putting beer in cans had taken place as early as 1909, but the technology of the time couldn't stop the beer from interacting with the metal of the can. Then, Prohibition delayed further development. Now, cans are the preferred container for beer in the U.S. American adults drink an average of nearly 22 gallons of beer a year, down about 2 gallons from 1980. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, now preparing for the 2010 Census on April 1st.
Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 2671
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009, t. 207
Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at www.census.gov (look under the "Newsroom" button).
Sunday, January 17, 2010
USAID Haiti Earthquake Fact Sheet #5
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
-- As of 1700 hours local time on January 17, U.S. Urban Search and
Rescue (USAR) teams had rescued 30 individuals from collapsed
buildings, including one individual rescued at approximately 1615
hours local time and three individuals rescued overnight from the
Caribbean Market. To date, international USAR teams have rescued a
total of 62 individuals throughout Port-au-Prince.
-- On January 17, USAID/OFDA, in coordination with the U.S. Department of
Defense (DoD), facilitated the delivery to Port-au-Prince of 9,600
10-liter water containers to serve 19,200 people, 3,840 hygiene kits
to benefit 19,200 people for two weeks, and 200 rolls of plastic
sheeting to meet the shelter needs of 10,000 people.
-- To date, USAID/OFDA has provided nearly $63.3 million in humanitarian
assistance to Haiti, including a total of $22 million committed on
January 17 to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the
U.N. World Health Organization (WHO), and the U.N. World Food Program
(WFP) to support emergency relief supply distributions, emergency
health interventions, and humanitarian air service and logistics.
-- On January 17, a ship carrying 2,100 metric tons (MT) of P.L. Title II
emergency food assistance provided by USAID's Office of Food for Peace
(USAID/FFP) arrived in Port-au-Prince. USAID coordinated closely with
the U.S. military to ensure safe passage of the vessel through the
port and to provide security for the vessel and crew.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
-- As of 1700 hours local time on January 17, U.S. Urban Search and
Rescue (USAR) teams had rescued 30 individuals from collapsed
buildings, including one individual rescued at approximately 1615
hours local time and three individuals rescued overnight from the
Caribbean Market. To date, international USAR teams have rescued a
total of 62 individuals throughout Port-au-Prince.
-- On January 17, USAID/OFDA, in coordination with the U.S. Department of
Defense (DoD), facilitated the delivery to Port-au-Prince of 9,600
10-liter water containers to serve 19,200 people, 3,840 hygiene kits
to benefit 19,200 people for two weeks, and 200 rolls of plastic
sheeting to meet the shelter needs of 10,000 people.
-- To date, USAID/OFDA has provided nearly $63.3 million in humanitarian
assistance to Haiti, including a total of $22 million committed on
January 17 to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the
U.N. World Health Organization (WHO), and the U.N. World Food Program
(WFP) to support emergency relief supply distributions, emergency
health interventions, and humanitarian air service and logistics.
-- On January 17, a ship carrying 2,100 metric tons (MT) of P.L. Title II
emergency food assistance provided by USAID's Office of Food for Peace
(USAID/FFP) arrived in Port-au-Prince. USAID coordinated closely with
the U.S. military to ensure safe passage of the vessel through the
port and to provide security for the vessel and crew.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Indiana Blood Center Taps tw telecom for Data, Internet and IP Telephony Services
TW Telecom Services to Connect Indiana Blood Center's 11 Locations Throughout the State
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- tw telecom (NASDAQ:TWTC), a leading provider of managed voice, Internet and data networking solutions for businesses in Indianapolis and throughout the U.S., today announced that Indiana Blood Center has selected the company to provide advanced voice, data and Internet services to connect the organization's 11 locations located throughout Indiana. Indiana Blood Center will also utilize tw telecom's metro MPLS IP network for IP VPN telephony and intra-office communications.
"After reviewing our options, we were impressed that tw telecom had the flexibility to move as quickly as we do," said Tim Bryant, CIO, Indiana Blood Center. "Our business is dynamic and growing rapidly, and we needed a communications partner that can adapt quickly to our evolving needs. tw telecom showed us they are that partner."
Indiana Blood Center is a vital link in Indiana's health care infrastructure, supplying more than 550 units of blood to more than 60 Indiana hospitals every day. The nonprofit community service organization was founded in 1952 to provide a continuous, safe and adequate supply of blood products and testing services.
"Indiana Blood Center provides a critical service to Hoosiers, and we are pleased that tw telecom services will help the organization continue its remarkable level of service to the communities it serves," said Barbara Hansen, vice president and general manager for tw telecom in Indianapolis. "We're also gratified that when Indiana Blood Center evaluated us against our competitors using metrics such as flexibility, reliability, network infrastructure and customer service, we came out on top."
tw telecom connects more commercial buildings to its fiber network than any other competitive communications provider. In fact, it has the third highest market share of retail Ethernet ports in service. With its own metro fiber networks and one of the ten most interconnected IP backbones in the world, tw telecom has the national capability, robust product portfolio and national/local customer care teams to support mission critical enterprise applications and to deliver the industry's most sought after customer experience.
About tw telecom
tw telecom holdings inc., a unit of tw telecom inc., headquartered in Littleton, Colo., provides managed network services, specializing in Ethernet and transport data networking, Internet access, local and long distance voice, VoIP, VPN and security, to enterprise organizations and communications services companies throughout the U.S., and globally. As a leading provider of integrated and converged network solutions, tw telecom delivers customers overall economic value, quality, service, and improved business productivity. Please visit www.twtelecom.com for more information.
About Indiana Blood Center
Indiana Blood Center lives a daily mission to supply blood and blood components to Hoosier patients in need at more than 60 Indiana hospitals. We are a non-profit community service organization licensed by the FDA and the Indiana State Department of Health, and accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). For more information, visit www.indianablood.org
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- tw telecom (NASDAQ:TWTC), a leading provider of managed voice, Internet and data networking solutions for businesses in Indianapolis and throughout the U.S., today announced that Indiana Blood Center has selected the company to provide advanced voice, data and Internet services to connect the organization's 11 locations located throughout Indiana. Indiana Blood Center will also utilize tw telecom's metro MPLS IP network for IP VPN telephony and intra-office communications.
"After reviewing our options, we were impressed that tw telecom had the flexibility to move as quickly as we do," said Tim Bryant, CIO, Indiana Blood Center. "Our business is dynamic and growing rapidly, and we needed a communications partner that can adapt quickly to our evolving needs. tw telecom showed us they are that partner."
Indiana Blood Center is a vital link in Indiana's health care infrastructure, supplying more than 550 units of blood to more than 60 Indiana hospitals every day. The nonprofit community service organization was founded in 1952 to provide a continuous, safe and adequate supply of blood products and testing services.
"Indiana Blood Center provides a critical service to Hoosiers, and we are pleased that tw telecom services will help the organization continue its remarkable level of service to the communities it serves," said Barbara Hansen, vice president and general manager for tw telecom in Indianapolis. "We're also gratified that when Indiana Blood Center evaluated us against our competitors using metrics such as flexibility, reliability, network infrastructure and customer service, we came out on top."
tw telecom connects more commercial buildings to its fiber network than any other competitive communications provider. In fact, it has the third highest market share of retail Ethernet ports in service. With its own metro fiber networks and one of the ten most interconnected IP backbones in the world, tw telecom has the national capability, robust product portfolio and national/local customer care teams to support mission critical enterprise applications and to deliver the industry's most sought after customer experience.
About tw telecom
tw telecom holdings inc., a unit of tw telecom inc., headquartered in Littleton, Colo., provides managed network services, specializing in Ethernet and transport data networking, Internet access, local and long distance voice, VoIP, VPN and security, to enterprise organizations and communications services companies throughout the U.S., and globally. As a leading provider of integrated and converged network solutions, tw telecom delivers customers overall economic value, quality, service, and improved business productivity. Please visit www.twtelecom.com for more information.
About Indiana Blood Center
Indiana Blood Center lives a daily mission to supply blood and blood components to Hoosier patients in need at more than 60 Indiana hospitals. We are a non-profit community service organization licensed by the FDA and the Indiana State Department of Health, and accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). For more information, visit www.indianablood.org
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Agilysys Announces 'Cash for Computer Clunkers' Assessment Program
Assists customers cost-effectively updating to newer IBM server and storage technology
CLEVELAND, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Agilysys, Inc. (NASDAQ:AGYS), a leading provider of innovative IT solutions, announces a Cash for Computer Clunkers assessment program which is aimed at assisting customers with assessing equipment eligible for trade-in incentives on existing technology when updating their enterprise with new IBM server and storage technology.
"Realizing the constraints being placed on organizations as a result of the current economic climate, Agilysys is working with our customers to ensure they have the best systems in place now to assist with future growth," said Lou Sciacchetano, vice president of sales, Agilysys IBM Technology Solutions. "While many company's may be delaying IT purchases due to their financial situations, the Agilysys Cash for Computer Clunkers assessment program is a great way to assist companies with installing more reliable technology platforms today while at the same time receiving trade-in credit on their older, more inefficient systems."
The Cash for Computer Clunkers assessment program complements Agilysys' previously announced certification in IBM's Dynamic Infrastructure Specialty Program, which is focused on helping customers build a new, more dynamic infrastructure designed to bring more intelligence, automation, integration and efficiencies to their organization. By assisting customers with identifying equipment eligible for trade-in incentives through various vendor offered programs, Agilysys is well-positioned to more accurately respond to its customer's multi-faceted IT challenges and help with the creation of dynamic infrastructures.
The Agilysys Cash for Computer Clunkers assessment program runs through December 31, 2009. Further information on the assessment program may be found on the Agilysys website at www.agilysys.com/ibmsolutions.
About Agilysys, Inc.
Agilysys is a leading provider of innovative IT solutions to corporate and public-sector customers, with special expertise in select markets, including retail and hospitality. The company uses technology -- including hardware, software and services -- to help customers resolve their most complicated IT needs. The company possesses expertise in enterprise architecture and high availability, infrastructure optimization, storage and resource management, identity management and business continuity; and provides industry-specific software, services and expertise to the retail and hospitality markets. Headquartered in Cleveland, Agilysys operates extensively throughout North America, with additional sales and support offices in the United Kingdom and China. For more information, visit www.agilysys.com.
CLEVELAND, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Agilysys, Inc. (NASDAQ:AGYS), a leading provider of innovative IT solutions, announces a Cash for Computer Clunkers assessment program which is aimed at assisting customers with assessing equipment eligible for trade-in incentives on existing technology when updating their enterprise with new IBM server and storage technology.
"Realizing the constraints being placed on organizations as a result of the current economic climate, Agilysys is working with our customers to ensure they have the best systems in place now to assist with future growth," said Lou Sciacchetano, vice president of sales, Agilysys IBM Technology Solutions. "While many company's may be delaying IT purchases due to their financial situations, the Agilysys Cash for Computer Clunkers assessment program is a great way to assist companies with installing more reliable technology platforms today while at the same time receiving trade-in credit on their older, more inefficient systems."
The Cash for Computer Clunkers assessment program complements Agilysys' previously announced certification in IBM's Dynamic Infrastructure Specialty Program, which is focused on helping customers build a new, more dynamic infrastructure designed to bring more intelligence, automation, integration and efficiencies to their organization. By assisting customers with identifying equipment eligible for trade-in incentives through various vendor offered programs, Agilysys is well-positioned to more accurately respond to its customer's multi-faceted IT challenges and help with the creation of dynamic infrastructures.
The Agilysys Cash for Computer Clunkers assessment program runs through December 31, 2009. Further information on the assessment program may be found on the Agilysys website at www.agilysys.com/ibmsolutions.
About Agilysys, Inc.
Agilysys is a leading provider of innovative IT solutions to corporate and public-sector customers, with special expertise in select markets, including retail and hospitality. The company uses technology -- including hardware, software and services -- to help customers resolve their most complicated IT needs. The company possesses expertise in enterprise architecture and high availability, infrastructure optimization, storage and resource management, identity management and business continuity; and provides industry-specific software, services and expertise to the retail and hospitality markets. Headquartered in Cleveland, Agilysys operates extensively throughout North America, with additional sales and support offices in the United Kingdom and China. For more information, visit www.agilysys.com.
Monday, November 2, 2009
FDA release guidelines for H1N1 diagnosis
SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today published a guidance document that should help manufacturers develop diagnostic tests for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.
Although there are not any FDA-approved or cleared tests that diagnose this specific infection, during this pandemic manufacturers can submit a request to the FDA for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
If granted, the EUA will allow the test to be used during the national public health emergency declared by Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in April. This guidance document outlines what information the FDA recommends that manufacturers include in these EUA requests.
The EUA authority allows the FDA to authorize use of unapproved or uncleared medical products or unapproved or uncleared uses of approved or cleared medical products following a declaration of emergency, when certain criteria are met. The authorization ends when the declaration of emergency is terminated or the authorization is revoked by the FDA.
The EUA authority is part of Project BioShield, which became law in July 2004.
While the FDA encourages manufacturers to submit appropriate premarket applications for these tests, the agency also recognizes that it may not be possible to generate complete clinical validation data that would normally be included in an application. However, this guidance outlines information the FDA recommends be included, and the FDA gives these requests thorough and careful review to protect the public health.
During this declared public health emergency, manufacturers of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus tests that are unable to submit a complete premarket notification may use the guidance to submit a request for an EUA.
The guidance document is part of the FDA's ongoing efforts to provide public health authorities managing the pandemic with reliable and accessible diagnostic tests. The guidance is available online and will remain in effect throughout the public health emergency.
Although there are not any FDA-approved or cleared tests that diagnose this specific infection, during this pandemic manufacturers can submit a request to the FDA for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
If granted, the EUA will allow the test to be used during the national public health emergency declared by Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in April. This guidance document outlines what information the FDA recommends that manufacturers include in these EUA requests.
The EUA authority allows the FDA to authorize use of unapproved or uncleared medical products or unapproved or uncleared uses of approved or cleared medical products following a declaration of emergency, when certain criteria are met. The authorization ends when the declaration of emergency is terminated or the authorization is revoked by the FDA.
The EUA authority is part of Project BioShield, which became law in July 2004.
While the FDA encourages manufacturers to submit appropriate premarket applications for these tests, the agency also recognizes that it may not be possible to generate complete clinical validation data that would normally be included in an application. However, this guidance outlines information the FDA recommends be included, and the FDA gives these requests thorough and careful review to protect the public health.
During this declared public health emergency, manufacturers of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus tests that are unable to submit a complete premarket notification may use the guidance to submit a request for an EUA.
The guidance document is part of the FDA's ongoing efforts to provide public health authorities managing the pandemic with reliable and accessible diagnostic tests. The guidance is available online and will remain in effect throughout the public health emergency.
Monday, October 19, 2009
CDC 2009 H1N1 Flu Status Report
CDC 2009 H1N1 Flu
"As of today, influenza is widespread in most of the United States. We're seeing it continuing to increase in some areas. We're seeing a slight decrease in some areas. We note that it's now present throughout the united states. It's still remains overwhelming H1N1 pandemic influenza and influenza is a tough enemy. It's unpredictable. Although there has been a slight decrease nationally and in some areas, in other areas it's still on the upswing. We wish we could predict the future. But we can't. We do know that flu season generally lasts well into may. So, we've got many, many months ahead of us where we don't know what will happen and we need to take the best steps we can to protect ourselves." —Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oct. 6 CDC press briefing
I cannot even buy a flu shot because I'm already sick. Each week, it is a different symptom. This week it is a swollen throat. Dizziness is constant, bed rest is best. When will this end?! (I never get sick! Why do I have the flu?)
Take bleach water mix with you in spray bottle or Lysol or Clorox wipes when running errands!
"As of today, influenza is widespread in most of the United States. We're seeing it continuing to increase in some areas. We're seeing a slight decrease in some areas. We note that it's now present throughout the united states. It's still remains overwhelming H1N1 pandemic influenza and influenza is a tough enemy. It's unpredictable. Although there has been a slight decrease nationally and in some areas, in other areas it's still on the upswing. We wish we could predict the future. But we can't. We do know that flu season generally lasts well into may. So, we've got many, many months ahead of us where we don't know what will happen and we need to take the best steps we can to protect ourselves." —Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oct. 6 CDC press briefing
I cannot even buy a flu shot because I'm already sick. Each week, it is a different symptom. This week it is a swollen throat. Dizziness is constant, bed rest is best. When will this end?! (I never get sick! Why do I have the flu?)
Take bleach water mix with you in spray bottle or Lysol or Clorox wipes when running errands!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Swine Flu, Seasonal Flu tips to stay healthy
Red Cross Offers Important Tips for Caring for Someone With the Flu
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that the H1N1 (swine flu) virus has now spread throughout the United States, the American Red Cross has a set of tips for people who are sick or are taking care of someone who has the flu.
Flu viruses spread from person to person in droplets of coughs or sneezes, and can also spread if a person touches droplets on another person or object and then touches their own mouth or nose before washing their hands. To prevent the spread of the flu, it is important to remember to wash your hands and cover your cough or sneeze.
"It's important to know what to do to protect yourself and others when you are taking care of someone who has the flu," said Sharon Stanley, chief nurse and director, Red Cross Disaster Health and Mental Health Services. Recent survey results conducted by the Red Cross reveal that six in ten Americans feel that they need more information about how to care for someone with the flu*. The following tips can be helpful:
If you are ill:
-- Stay in a room separate from common areas of the home and avoid
contact with others as much as possible.
-- Stay at home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone without
using medicine to reduce the fever.
-- Get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids.
-- Consider wearing a facemask, if available and tolerable, when sharing
common spaces with household members.
-- Check with your healthcare provider about whether to take antiviral
medication, or if fever persists, whether antibiotics are needed.
When caring for someone who has the flu:
-- Disinfect door knobs, switches, handles, toys and other surfaces that
everyone touches.
-- Use detergent and very hot water to do dishes and wash clothes. It's
okay to wash everyone's dishes and clothes together. Wash your hands
after handling dirty laundry.
-- Designate only one adult as the caregiver. People at increased risk
of severe illness from the flu should not be caregivers.
-- Deal with crisis situations calmly and confidently to give the best
support to the person being cared for.
-- Remember your own needs as well.
-- Practice healthy habits. Eat a balanced diet. Drink plenty of water.
Get regular exercise.
-- Get enough sleep and rest.
Caring for someone else can be stressful. Common symptoms of stress include sleep disturbances, headaches, muscle tension or aches, a change in appetite, skin problems, anxiety, depression, frustration and overreacting. If someone is dealing with a lot of stress, it's important to ask for help. If a caregiver is in a stressful situation, they should express their feelings to people they trust, get into a regular schedule of seven to eight hours of sleep, exercise, and take some time to relax.
According to the CDC, most people who have become ill with the H1N1 virus are moderately ill, similar to the illness that occurs during the regular flu season. H1N1 is affecting many young adults and children, people ages five to 24. The majority of people sick with H1N1 don't need testing or treatment. However if someone is severely ill and is pregnant, and has trouble breathing or has an underlying condition like heart disease, lung disease (such as asthma) or diabetes, it is important to get treated promptly within the first 48 hours.
The Red Cross also offers the award-winning Family Caregiving quick reference guide with a companion DVD for purchase on www.RedCrossStore.org.
For more information on the flu, visit www.redcross.org, www.flu.gov, or contact your local Red Cross chapter.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization -- not a government agency -- and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org/.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that the H1N1 (swine flu) virus has now spread throughout the United States, the American Red Cross has a set of tips for people who are sick or are taking care of someone who has the flu.
Flu viruses spread from person to person in droplets of coughs or sneezes, and can also spread if a person touches droplets on another person or object and then touches their own mouth or nose before washing their hands. To prevent the spread of the flu, it is important to remember to wash your hands and cover your cough or sneeze.
"It's important to know what to do to protect yourself and others when you are taking care of someone who has the flu," said Sharon Stanley, chief nurse and director, Red Cross Disaster Health and Mental Health Services. Recent survey results conducted by the Red Cross reveal that six in ten Americans feel that they need more information about how to care for someone with the flu*. The following tips can be helpful:
If you are ill:
-- Stay in a room separate from common areas of the home and avoid
contact with others as much as possible.
-- Stay at home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone without
using medicine to reduce the fever.
-- Get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids.
-- Consider wearing a facemask, if available and tolerable, when sharing
common spaces with household members.
-- Check with your healthcare provider about whether to take antiviral
medication, or if fever persists, whether antibiotics are needed.
When caring for someone who has the flu:
-- Disinfect door knobs, switches, handles, toys and other surfaces that
everyone touches.
-- Use detergent and very hot water to do dishes and wash clothes. It's
okay to wash everyone's dishes and clothes together. Wash your hands
after handling dirty laundry.
-- Designate only one adult as the caregiver. People at increased risk
of severe illness from the flu should not be caregivers.
-- Deal with crisis situations calmly and confidently to give the best
support to the person being cared for.
-- Remember your own needs as well.
-- Practice healthy habits. Eat a balanced diet. Drink plenty of water.
Get regular exercise.
-- Get enough sleep and rest.
Caring for someone else can be stressful. Common symptoms of stress include sleep disturbances, headaches, muscle tension or aches, a change in appetite, skin problems, anxiety, depression, frustration and overreacting. If someone is dealing with a lot of stress, it's important to ask for help. If a caregiver is in a stressful situation, they should express their feelings to people they trust, get into a regular schedule of seven to eight hours of sleep, exercise, and take some time to relax.
According to the CDC, most people who have become ill with the H1N1 virus are moderately ill, similar to the illness that occurs during the regular flu season. H1N1 is affecting many young adults and children, people ages five to 24. The majority of people sick with H1N1 don't need testing or treatment. However if someone is severely ill and is pregnant, and has trouble breathing or has an underlying condition like heart disease, lung disease (such as asthma) or diabetes, it is important to get treated promptly within the first 48 hours.
The Red Cross also offers the award-winning Family Caregiving quick reference guide with a companion DVD for purchase on www.RedCrossStore.org.
For more information on the flu, visit www.redcross.org, www.flu.gov, or contact your local Red Cross chapter.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization -- not a government agency -- and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org/.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Obama says he'll accept Nobel as 'call to action' - Yahoo! News
Obama says he'll accept Nobel as call to action - Yahoo! News
In other words, President Obama is damned if he do and damned if he don't with certain people. Those certain people look petty and have a serious case of sour grapes.
In other words, President Obama is damned if he do and damned if he don't with certain people. Those certain people look petty and have a serious case of sour grapes.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
I'm with the President, not Stupidly
It is stupid not to use one's skill set to defuse or de-escalate a situation. That is what police officers do all day long all over the country-- correctly. However, when they do not do that, situations, misunderstandings and arrests occur.
Ask any police officer if they are anxious to fill out unecessary paperwork for a battle of egos. The answer is no. However, instead of throwing cold water on the hot tempered Harvard Law professor, the veteran officer joined in the ego struggle and hauled the man down to the station only to see him released later.
The police officer did this because he could and because he wanted to prove a point and teach the Harvard Law professor a lesson.
A lesson in what? Intolerance? Acting stupidly?
We don't even have to look at race. We can just look at basic facts: A Harvard Law professor and a seasoned veteran law enforcement professional could not come to terms, work out a simple misunderstanding or find a solution on their own.
The officer's solution was to assert his authority to arrest. The professor's solution was to cry foul and reportedly yell and scream. I cannot see if he had stood silent except for yes sir answers to questions that he would have been placed under arrest.
The situation will be made worse if that is the case.
However, if these two intellegent men cannot come to a reasonable agreement, then how can the general population of morons that comprise the rest of the world be expected to do better? I'm no professor nor veteran cop. I have a big mouth and an attitude problem when provoked. Don't ask me to understand s*it else.
So when the President says the officer acted "stupidly", understand he is referring to the basics in law enforcement that were ignored--de-escalating situations and soothing flared tempers. Police are taught conflict resolution but it is useless or stupid if it is not practiced.
It is also stupid to yell at a cop. He could arrest or shoot you.
And that is my explination of "stupidly."
Ask any police officer if they are anxious to fill out unecessary paperwork for a battle of egos. The answer is no. However, instead of throwing cold water on the hot tempered Harvard Law professor, the veteran officer joined in the ego struggle and hauled the man down to the station only to see him released later.
The police officer did this because he could and because he wanted to prove a point and teach the Harvard Law professor a lesson.
A lesson in what? Intolerance? Acting stupidly?
We don't even have to look at race. We can just look at basic facts: A Harvard Law professor and a seasoned veteran law enforcement professional could not come to terms, work out a simple misunderstanding or find a solution on their own.
The officer's solution was to assert his authority to arrest. The professor's solution was to cry foul and reportedly yell and scream. I cannot see if he had stood silent except for yes sir answers to questions that he would have been placed under arrest.
The situation will be made worse if that is the case.
However, if these two intellegent men cannot come to a reasonable agreement, then how can the general population of morons that comprise the rest of the world be expected to do better? I'm no professor nor veteran cop. I have a big mouth and an attitude problem when provoked. Don't ask me to understand s*it else.
So when the President says the officer acted "stupidly", understand he is referring to the basics in law enforcement that were ignored--de-escalating situations and soothing flared tempers. Police are taught conflict resolution but it is useless or stupid if it is not practiced.
It is also stupid to yell at a cop. He could arrest or shoot you.
And that is my explination of "stupidly."
Friday, July 17, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Michael Jackson had something for everyone--no need to blame Jamie
Well, I went to the Jamie Foxx web site and there is a virtual race war-of-words going on there. Some are accusing Mr. Foxx of being a racist after viewing the Black Entertainment Television Awards Show last week.
If any of you watched Michael Jackson’s memorial on Monday and heard Al Sharpton entire speech, then maybe you will get the hint that Mr. Jackson was indeed a black man. Don’t blame Jamie Foxx for that, for he too is a black man. There are some things relatable across the races and some things relatable to the races. Mike’s last CD was a testament to the love he felt for his community. His entire music catalog is a testament to how he loved music and his fans.
Invincible was played at every stepper’s set for years and still got some play before he died just because it was gooooood! We like and appreciate that Mike, so thanks. We liked all of his songs but some of those syncopated beats scream foot work and some scream other dance moves--stuff I‘m too old to do. We all like some things more than others. That is just the way people are made up. No one calls Foxx a racist when he is hosting the Country Music Awards. He is just as funny and shocking as ever. So I think the rub in all of this is that Foxx reminded folk that Michael Jackson was a black man.
Some of his fans do not want to take this fact into consideration. He was everything but to them. The truth is that he was a little black boy from Gary, Indiana--which is 85 percent African American--who grew up in Los Angles using his talent to his advantage. Was he more than just a black man? Yes, just as all black men are more than just a black man and just like all white men are more than just white men,
et cetera. We are all more than just our race. However, it seems being black sticks under the craw of many. I don’t know why but it just seems to make a difference. As assimilated as we are, it should not be but it is and it takes a great effort on a black person’s part to downplay anything that gets in the way of acceptance. Mike proved that. As blacks we are still making and counting firsts. Mike proved that too.
Let us not find a blame in all of this surrounding MJ’s death but take entertainment at face value and not make it a political action committee. If you want to fight for rights or anything else good that helps the human race, President Obama has several very fine outfits people can join.
P.S. Ladies no one will care if you work, are on government assistance, have had children out-of-wedlock or whatever. Those things are your personal choices and do not give nor take away your right to speak out. So please stop prefacing comments with ”I am a single mother…” No one cares and we are not giving out awards for choosing to birth and/or raise children. We used to but not anymore because everybody’s doing it.
If any of you watched Michael Jackson’s memorial on Monday and heard Al Sharpton entire speech, then maybe you will get the hint that Mr. Jackson was indeed a black man. Don’t blame Jamie Foxx for that, for he too is a black man. There are some things relatable across the races and some things relatable to the races. Mike’s last CD was a testament to the love he felt for his community. His entire music catalog is a testament to how he loved music and his fans.
Invincible was played at every stepper’s set for years and still got some play before he died just because it was gooooood! We like and appreciate that Mike, so thanks. We liked all of his songs but some of those syncopated beats scream foot work and some scream other dance moves--stuff I‘m too old to do. We all like some things more than others. That is just the way people are made up. No one calls Foxx a racist when he is hosting the Country Music Awards. He is just as funny and shocking as ever. So I think the rub in all of this is that Foxx reminded folk that Michael Jackson was a black man.
Some of his fans do not want to take this fact into consideration. He was everything but to them. The truth is that he was a little black boy from Gary, Indiana--which is 85 percent African American--who grew up in Los Angles using his talent to his advantage. Was he more than just a black man? Yes, just as all black men are more than just a black man and just like all white men are more than just white men,
et cetera. We are all more than just our race. However, it seems being black sticks under the craw of many. I don’t know why but it just seems to make a difference. As assimilated as we are, it should not be but it is and it takes a great effort on a black person’s part to downplay anything that gets in the way of acceptance. Mike proved that. As blacks we are still making and counting firsts. Mike proved that too.
Let us not find a blame in all of this surrounding MJ’s death but take entertainment at face value and not make it a political action committee. If you want to fight for rights or anything else good that helps the human race, President Obama has several very fine outfits people can join.
P.S. Ladies no one will care if you work, are on government assistance, have had children out-of-wedlock or whatever. Those things are your personal choices and do not give nor take away your right to speak out. So please stop prefacing comments with ”I am a single mother…” No one cares and we are not giving out awards for choosing to birth and/or raise children. We used to but not anymore because everybody’s doing it.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Older hybrids a chore at state emission test sites
In Indiana, all vehicles must pass an emission test. It does not matter if the vehicle is electric, natural gas or hybrid--just like the cute 2006 Prius I wanted to buy.
Something told me to research the emission testing record before taking the plunge. I found numerous boards where owners are complaining the hybrid cars are untestable or outright putting out too many emissions. These are the type of cars you must take to the dealer. In Indiana one must pass emission testing to get tags for the vehicle.
I called someone at the Indiana emissions testing office and he said get the dealer to test the vehicle before buying it and resolve all issues.
He said all types of vehicles have failed the testing including the Prius. I was heartbroken.
If you have an issue with your hybrid, please let me know. I want to find out what I am getting into before it is too late.
This is so not fair.
Prius message board
Something told me to research the emission testing record before taking the plunge. I found numerous boards where owners are complaining the hybrid cars are untestable or outright putting out too many emissions. These are the type of cars you must take to the dealer. In Indiana one must pass emission testing to get tags for the vehicle.
I called someone at the Indiana emissions testing office and he said get the dealer to test the vehicle before buying it and resolve all issues.
He said all types of vehicles have failed the testing including the Prius. I was heartbroken.
If you have an issue with your hybrid, please let me know. I want to find out what I am getting into before it is too late.
This is so not fair.
Prius message board
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Grief, Shock After 'Outstanding' Guard Loses His Life in the Line of Duty - washingtonpost.com
Grief, Shock After 'Outstanding' Guard Loses His Life in the Line of Duty - washingtonpost.com: "Colleagues called Stephen T. Johns 'Big John,' for he was well over 6 feet tall. But mostly friends recalled the security guard's constant courtesy and friendliness."
Monday, June 8, 2009
Job Seekers: What Not to Do
Well, here are some additional dos and don'ts for job seekers. Apparently one cannot use links to additional information when corresponding with recruiters because it is a pet-peeve.
Short-Cut Introductions
With more people looking for work in today's economy, I've been seeing an increase in what I call "lazy introductions" come across my desk. It goes something like this: "I'm writing you to introduce myself. I live in New York and I'm looking for a job," and in the signature is a link to a LinkedIn profile or possibly a resume. A brief introduction should come with a background, highlights, and reason for connecting. A job search is a job in itself and requires some personalization and effort for each and every introduction.
-- Lindsay Olson, partner, Paradigm Staffing
read more
Short-Cut Introductions
With more people looking for work in today's economy, I've been seeing an increase in what I call "lazy introductions" come across my desk. It goes something like this: "I'm writing you to introduce myself. I live in New York and I'm looking for a job," and in the signature is a link to a LinkedIn profile or possibly a resume. A brief introduction should come with a background, highlights, and reason for connecting. A job search is a job in itself and requires some personalization and effort for each and every introduction.
-- Lindsay Olson, partner, Paradigm Staffing
read more
Monday, June 1, 2009
Autism/Special Education software wins honors
SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio--ComputEd Gazette and the Association for Educational Publishers (AEP), two organizations respected for their highly competitive awards programs, recently honored VizZle(TM), a web-based software for educators from Monarch Teaching Technologies, Inc. (MTT) with awards for MTT's autism/special education software.
"The special education field desperately needs viable, cost-controlled solutions to optimize a school's ability to serve children with special needs like autism," said Terry Murphy, CEO of MTT. "Now more than ever as public schools try to qualify their spending under federal stimulus funding guidelines."
VizZle both earned the Teacher Tools/Special Education Website accolade and received the distinction of a standout review for its autism and special education software by the ComputEd staff writers (http://www.computedgazette.com/page8.html).
AEP sponsors one of the educational publishing industry's largest and longest-running competitions, the prestigious Golden Lamp Awards. The AEP describes Golden Lamp Finalists as "...defined by their superior use of content, design, and fulfillment of the product's educational mission. Four finalists are chosen in each entry category, representing 16 of the year's most elite educational products." VizZle was named as a finalist in the Technology Innovations category, which is considered an award in and of itself. The final winners will be announced in June (http://www.aepweb.org/awards/index.htm )
VizZle is a proprietary, web-based software as service providing educators and parents with convenient, easy-to-use tools to create or modify customized interactive visuals-based educational materials for autism and special education. For more information, visit http://www.monarchtt.com/.
"The special education field desperately needs viable, cost-controlled solutions to optimize a school's ability to serve children with special needs like autism," said Terry Murphy, CEO of MTT. "Now more than ever as public schools try to qualify their spending under federal stimulus funding guidelines."
VizZle both earned the Teacher Tools/Special Education Website accolade and received the distinction of a standout review for its autism and special education software by the ComputEd staff writers (http://www.computedgazette.com/page8.html).
AEP sponsors one of the educational publishing industry's largest and longest-running competitions, the prestigious Golden Lamp Awards. The AEP describes Golden Lamp Finalists as "...defined by their superior use of content, design, and fulfillment of the product's educational mission. Four finalists are chosen in each entry category, representing 16 of the year's most elite educational products." VizZle was named as a finalist in the Technology Innovations category, which is considered an award in and of itself. The final winners will be announced in June (http://www.aepweb.org/awards/index.htm )
VizZle is a proprietary, web-based software as service providing educators and parents with convenient, easy-to-use tools to create or modify customized interactive visuals-based educational materials for autism and special education. For more information, visit http://www.monarchtt.com/.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
When is it Safe To Hire Someone With a Criminal Record?
New Carnegie Mellon Study Provides Empirical Basis For Employers To Use in Assessment of Prior Criminal Records
PITTSBURGH-Carnegie Mellon University researchers have created a model for providing empirical evidence on when an ex-convict has been "clean" long enough to be considered "redeemed" for employment purposes.
The new study, which appears in the current issue of Criminology, estimates that after five years of staying clean an individual with a criminal record is of no greater risk of committing another crime than other individuals of the same age. The research comes at a time when President Barack Obama's crime agenda includes breaking down employment barriers for people who have a prior criminal record, but who have stayed clean since their earlier offense.
"In the past, employers had no way of knowing when it might be safe to look past a criminal record," said Alfred Blumstein, co-author of the study and the J. Erik Jonsson University Professor of Urban Systems and Operations Research at Carnegie Mellon's H. John Heinz III College. "Hiring an ex-offender was a totally arbitrary decision. We believe our model can change that and help provide employers with data in making such decisions. Or it can be used by state criminal-record repositories in deciding when a prior arrest is too 'stale' to warrant distributing." Blumstein's co-author is Kiminori Nakamura, a Ph.D. student at the Heinz College.
The issue of employing ex-offenders has become more of a problem, as a vast majority of larger U.S. employers now perform criminal background checks, Blumstein said. He noted that advances in information technology allow criminal records to be kept longer and to be distributed easily, and employers are concerned about liability risk if the former offender commits a new crime. Blumstein said this makes it difficult for a large number of people who have committed crimes when they were much younger, but have stayed clean since then.
The study, funded by The National Institute of Justice, used criminal-history records of more than 88,000 first-time offenders in New York in 1980. Most committed new crimes within the first few years after their initial arrest, but only a small minority had a new arrest after staying clean for at least five years. After determining whether the offenders had remained clean during the ensuing 25 years, the data on the 1980 offenders was compared against two comparison groups. The study determined that after about five years those in the offender group were at or below the risk of arrest as people in the general population who were the same age. A more demanding comparison is with people of the same age who had never been arrested. Those with a prior record had to stay clean longer, but their risk could be close enough even to that low-risk group.
Future studies will address other states and sampling years to assess the consistency of results. This effort is intended to develop standards for employers and record repositories to help reduce the handicaps imposed on those who had committed a crime when they were younger.
About Carnegie Mellon: Carnegie Mellon (http://www.cmu.edu/) is a top private research university with world-class programs in areas ranging from science, technology and business, to public policy, the humanities and the fine arts.
PITTSBURGH-Carnegie Mellon University researchers have created a model for providing empirical evidence on when an ex-convict has been "clean" long enough to be considered "redeemed" for employment purposes.
The new study, which appears in the current issue of Criminology, estimates that after five years of staying clean an individual with a criminal record is of no greater risk of committing another crime than other individuals of the same age. The research comes at a time when President Barack Obama's crime agenda includes breaking down employment barriers for people who have a prior criminal record, but who have stayed clean since their earlier offense.
"In the past, employers had no way of knowing when it might be safe to look past a criminal record," said Alfred Blumstein, co-author of the study and the J. Erik Jonsson University Professor of Urban Systems and Operations Research at Carnegie Mellon's H. John Heinz III College. "Hiring an ex-offender was a totally arbitrary decision. We believe our model can change that and help provide employers with data in making such decisions. Or it can be used by state criminal-record repositories in deciding when a prior arrest is too 'stale' to warrant distributing." Blumstein's co-author is Kiminori Nakamura, a Ph.D. student at the Heinz College.
The issue of employing ex-offenders has become more of a problem, as a vast majority of larger U.S. employers now perform criminal background checks, Blumstein said. He noted that advances in information technology allow criminal records to be kept longer and to be distributed easily, and employers are concerned about liability risk if the former offender commits a new crime. Blumstein said this makes it difficult for a large number of people who have committed crimes when they were much younger, but have stayed clean since then.
The study, funded by The National Institute of Justice, used criminal-history records of more than 88,000 first-time offenders in New York in 1980. Most committed new crimes within the first few years after their initial arrest, but only a small minority had a new arrest after staying clean for at least five years. After determining whether the offenders had remained clean during the ensuing 25 years, the data on the 1980 offenders was compared against two comparison groups. The study determined that after about five years those in the offender group were at or below the risk of arrest as people in the general population who were the same age. A more demanding comparison is with people of the same age who had never been arrested. Those with a prior record had to stay clean longer, but their risk could be close enough even to that low-risk group.
Future studies will address other states and sampling years to assess the consistency of results. This effort is intended to develop standards for employers and record repositories to help reduce the handicaps imposed on those who had committed a crime when they were younger.
About Carnegie Mellon: Carnegie Mellon (http://www.cmu.edu/) is a top private research university with world-class programs in areas ranging from science, technology and business, to public policy, the humanities and the fine arts.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
GARY ATTORNEY DRAFTS ORDINANCE BANNING LOW-SLUNG PANTS
GARY-Attorney Tony Walker implored the Gary Common Council to ban
the wearing of low-slung pants modeled after prison inmates.In an open
letter to the Council, Attorney Walker argues that the prion dress style does
economic harm to the City of Gary by lowering property values and
deterring commerce and business investment. Attorney Walker defines this
dress style as "blight" and compares to the aesthetic of Gary's dilapidated
physical structures. The proposed ordinance would make it an infraction to
wear pants below the waist line punishable by up to a $100 fine and/or
community service. Violators would be issued a summons appear in
Gary City Court but would not be eligible for arrest based upon the violation.
the wearing of low-slung pants modeled after prison inmates.In an open
letter to the Council, Attorney Walker argues that the prion dress style does
economic harm to the City of Gary by lowering property values and
deterring commerce and business investment. Attorney Walker defines this
dress style as "blight" and compares to the aesthetic of Gary's dilapidated
physical structures. The proposed ordinance would make it an infraction to
wear pants below the waist line punishable by up to a $100 fine and/or
community service. Violators would be issued a summons appear in
Gary City Court but would not be eligible for arrest based upon the violation.
Monday, April 20, 2009
KANYE WEST FLOWS ON FAM GUY SPIN-OFF
Academy Award Nominee Taraji P. Henson (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) Also Guest-Voices
International hip-hop superstar and 12-time Grammy Award winner Kanye West and Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson get animated when they lend their voices to THE CLEVELAND SHOW, the highly anticipated FAMILY GUY spin-off set to debut this fall on FOX. West will appear as KENNY WEST, an all-around cool kid and the archenemy of CLEVELAND JR. (Kevin Michael Richardson), and the two will engage in a “rap battle” for the affection of high school hottie CHANEL (Henson).
THE CLEVELAND SHOW is a new animated series that follows everyone’s favorite soft-spoken neighbor CLEVELAND BROWN (Mike Henry) to his hometown in Virginia, as he settles down with his high school sweetheart, DONNA (Sanaa Lathan); her unruly kids; and his own 14-year-old son, Cleveland Jr. (Richardson). Once in Virginia, Cleveland has a few surprises in store for him, including ROBERTA (Reagan Gomez-Preston), a rebellious new stepdaughter; RALLO (Henry), a 5-year-old stepson who loves the ladies; and a collection of neighbors that includes a loudmouth redneck, LESTER (Richardson); a hipster wanna-be, HOLT (guest voice Jason Sudeikis); and a pious pair of talking bears, TIM (Seth MacFarlane) and his wife ARIANNA (guest voice Arianna Huffington).
Kanye West’s fourth consecutive chart-topping album, “808s & Heartbreak,” was released in November 2008 and has sold over 1.5 million copies to date. He has received numerous accolades for his latest album, and his hit single “Heartless” has been at the top of the charts for 16 weeks and counting.
Taraji P. Henson earned an Academy Award nomination in 2009 for her supporting role opposite Brad Pitt in the critically acclaimed film “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Henson has appeared in “Hustle & Flow” with Terrence Howard and “Talk to Me” opposite Don Cheadle. Her upcoming films include “Hurricane Season” opposite Forest Whitaker, “Once Fallen” with Ed Harris and Tyler Perry’s “I Can Do Bad All By Myself.” Her television credits include “Boston Legal” and “Eli Stone.”
THE CLEVELAND SHOW is a 20th Century Fox Television production. Seth MacFarlane, Rich Appel and Mike Henry are executive producers and co-creators of the series.
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