text: SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMISSION Minutes of the regular meeting of Thursday, January 07, 2003. (As approved amended February 04, 2003) The San Francisco Public Library Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 in the Koret Auditorium, Main Library. President Higueras called the meeting to order at 4:07PM. The following members were noted present: Commissioners Coulter, Higueras, Steiman, Streets, and Strobin. Commissioner Chin joined the meeting at 4:15PM. Commissioner Bautista was excused attendance. Agenda Items: 1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 03, 2002 COMMISSION MEETING 2. CITY LIBRARIAN'S REPORT 3. LIBRARY 2003/04 BUDGET REPORT 4. MAIN LIBRARY PLAQUES 5. ELECTION OF COMMISSION OFFICERS FOR 2003 6. FRIENDS & FOUNDATION REPORT 7. LABOR UNION REPORT 8. NEW BUSINESS 9. PUBLIC COMMENT 10. ADJOURNMENT 11. APPENDIX A AGENDA ITEM #1 APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 3, 2002 MINUTES Public comment: An anonymous member of the public found the Minutes were eviscerated of meaning, cited a mis-spelling, and further discussed the portion of the December 3, 2002 Minutes concerning an alleged mis-representation of another's views. This person additionally noted omission of a criticism of use of library staff to offer library discards for sale to the benefit of the Friends & Foundation. Mr. Warfield found the minutes lacking on a number of points, calling particular attention to the omission of comments about reported concerns with a lack of space for books in branch libraries. Commission discussion: President Higueras recalled that the anonymous member of the public had criticized library staff's role in the sale of discards and asked that it be reported in the Minutes. Motion: by Commissioner Steiman, seconded Commissioner Chin by for approval of the Minutes of December 3, 2002 as amended. Action: AYE 6-0 (Chin, Coulter, Higueras, Steiman, Streets, and Strobin) AGENDA ITEM #2 CITY LIBRARIAN'S REPORT City Librarian Susan Hildreth presented a report on joint SFPL and Asian Art Museum co-sponsored New Year's Eve ceremonial ringing of an antique Japanese Bell. Ms. Hildreth then provided additional information concerning the December 19th meeting of the Prop. 14 State Library Bond Board meeting, lauding State Librarian Kevin Starr's staunch but ultimately unsuccessful support for including the Excelsior Branch Library's application in the 1st cycle of Prop. 14 grants. The City Librarian next provided an update on recent Exhibits and programs calling attention to an exhibit "The Long March to Freedom" honoring 12 civil rights leaders and an exhibit "Freedom in the US" open in the Skylight Gallery in conjunction with a PBS series of the same title. The City Librarian then called attention to a January 12th program honoring writers who died in 2002and a series of children's events featuring lion dancers marking the beginning of the observance of Chinese New Year. Ms. Hildreth then discussed an Urban Libraries Council Executive Leadership Institute Grant that would facilitate a re-examination of the library's collection development process if awarded. The City Librarian next reported the reopening of the Golden Gate Valley Branch on January 30th, with festivities in honor of the reopening to be held on February 8th. Ms. Hildreth reported on the library staff's very successful participation in the recent Friends & Foundation Friday book sale with San Francisco, California, and Chinese books being the most popular. The City Librarian reported that the books sold for $1. 00 and .50, with children's' books at .25. Public comment: An anonymous member of the public criticized the Library's co-sponsorship of the Japanese Bell ringing ceremony and found the bell ringing obtrusive for those using the Library. Mr. Peter Warfield commented that he would prefer that the Library give away rather than sell discards. Mr. Warfield also discussed objections to the Friends & Foundation leases. Commission discussion: President Higueras remarked that he had only just joined that Board of the Urban Libraries Council but that he looked forward to taking part in their deliberations and learning from other members' experience. President Higueras noted that he would be attending their Mid-Winter gathering held in conjunction with the American Library Association (ALA) Mid-Winter Meeting in Philadelphia in late January. AGENDA ITEM #3 LIBRARY 2003/04 BUDGET REPORT (Explanatory document: FY 2003-04 Budget report) Library Finance Director George Nichols gave a detailed presentation and overview of the proposed FY 2003/04 Library Budget, (copy attached), and highlighted three recommendations that he requested the Commission to consider and approve. Mr. Nichols requested the Commissioners approve the proposed $55.125 million baseline 2003/04 Budget, including a $1.117 million contingency fund. Mr. Nichols requested that the Commission approve$1.417 million in identified Library Preservation Fund one-time annualized expenditures. Mr. Nichols then requested that the Commissioners' approve a plan for $1.6 million in contingency budget reductions prepared in accordance with the Mayor's instructions that each City department prepare and submit separately a plan for a 5% reduction of its General Fund Budget. The Library Finance Director reported that revenues were better than had been expected resulting in a $1.6 million increase in funds available to the Library under Prop. E (Library Preservation Fund). Mr. Nichols noted that this meant that there would be no reductions in this year's budget, no cuts in the baseline 2003/04 budget and the possibility for additional augmentations to the budget later in the Spring when new revenues figures become available. This he noted would allow existing library programs and services to continue next year with only minor adjustments. Mr. Nichols then outlined the proposed one-time annualized Library Preservation Fund expenditures. The Library's Finance Director then presented an extensive overview of the 5% contingency General Fund Budget reduction plan mandated by the Mayor. The Finance Director pointed out that the priorities were to maintain services, maintain facilities, maintain the book budget, minimize position cuts, and increase efficiency. Mr. Nichols noted that this proposal would only be implemented if there were a drastic fall in revenues and noted that the reductions were thoughtfully targeted not just an across the board cut. The Library Finance Director then provided an overview of the next steps in the city's budget process. City Librarian Susan Hildreth commended Mr. Nichols and the Library's Division chiefs for their hard work and skillful contributions in developing the proposed budget. Ms. Hildreth suggested that there was reasonable hope that the 5% contingency reduction would not have to be put into effect. Public comment: Anonymous member of the public opined that the majority of the presentation focused on an hypothetical contingency not likely to occur and suggested that more information on the proposed one-time expenditures would be more useful. This person then called attention to the solicitation of letters of support for continued funding for the Tool Lending Center and wondered if similar notice had been provided to Tool Center opponents. Mr. Peter Warfield found the 3% increase in Library funds good news, noted that the proposal outlined priorities for reduction but complained that there was limited time to review the information as explanatory documents were not mailed out with the agenda. Mr. Warfield questioned use of the Library Preservation Fund for one-time expenditures and suggested that its priorities were for more books and hours. Mr. Tim West SEIU, Local 790, commented that the Library was trying to do a good job and that that was appreciated but that there were issues regarding Library staff and Pages that must be addressed. Commission discussion: Vice President Steiman expressed relief that there would be no need for budget cuts and found that the proposed contingency plan prioritized budget reductions in about the best way that they could be done. In response to questions by Commissioner Streets regarding the proposed reduced funding for deferred maintenance, Mr. Nichols noted that the Branch Library Improvement Bond Program would replace the need for some maintenance needs since the upgraded buildings would not initially need significant maintenance attention. Mr. Nichols also noted that consideration was being given to leasing rather than purchasing PCs as a way to reduce costs as any maintenance would become part of the lease. President Higueras noted that moving ongoing expenses into the baseline budget would protect reserves. Mr. Nichols noted that the Library had been using reserved funds for one time capital improvements. In answer to questions by Vice President Steiman, Mr. Nichols noted that the branch telephone system upgrades were being completed and that this was year 2 of 3 in the ILS (Integrated Library System) payout. Ms. Hildreth noted that the Library was able to fund a possible COLA from contingency funds, a unique situation not shared by other City departments. Mr. Nichols noted while it was prudent to set aside funds for a COLA that Mayor Brown had clearly indicated that there were no funds available for salary increases this year. In response to a comment by Commissioner Chin, Mr. Nichols confirmed that these issues were addressed in citywide labor contracts. In answer to questions by Commissioner Streets regarding what if the reductions were less than 5%, Mr. Nichols pointed out that the reductions were ranked in order of priority and could be made up to whatever % reduction was needed. Motion: by Vice President Steiman, seconded by Commissioner Coulter to approve the proposed 2003/04 budget. Action: AYE 6-0 (Chin, Coulter, Higueras, Steiman, Streets, and Strobin) Motion: by Commissioner Streets, seconded by Commissioner Strobin to approve the proposed Library Preservation Fund Allocations. Action: AYE 6-0 (Chin, Coulter, Higueras, Steiman, Streets, and Strobin) Motion: by Vice President Steiman, seconded by Commissioner Streets to approve the proposed Contingency 5% Budget Reduction Plan. Action: AYE 6-0 (Chin, Coulter, Higueras, Steiman, Streets, and Strobin) President Higueras next called Agenda item #7 the Union Report to be taken up out of order and to be heard next. AGENDA ITEM #7 LABOR UNION REPORT Mr. Timothy West, Field Representative, Service Employees International Union called the Commissioner's attention to the situation facing Library pages in the wake of a City Department of Human Services ruling enforcing a City Charter provision which limited hours and thereby eliminated Pages' eligibility to receive vacation, sick leave, and healthcare benefits. Mr. West noted that Pages were more than book shelvers and could be seen as the backbone of the institution. He additionally pointed out that while they were classified as "temporary", a description he noted the union was fighting, many in fact had worked for the Library for many years. Mr. West recounted some of the background regarding the Department of Human Resources ruling that led to the current situation and reported that the union would challenge Pages' classification as temporary as they were in fact regular part time workers rather than seasonal as needed employees. Mr. West commented that the Library did not want to take away hours and benefits for Pages but may be forced to do so by the ruling. Public comment: Carol Diamond, an Ortega Branch Page, commented that she had worked for the Library for four years doing a wide variety of jobs not just shelving. Ms. Diamond noted that San Francisco promotes a living wage, that Pages had been granted benefits, and that it was wrong to take them away. Ms. Cathy Bremer, Librarian's Guild Steward, commented that Pages were a critical job classification that enabled the Library to maintain public services. Ms. Bremer noted that this was not a budget issue but a bureaucratic issue, called attention to the cost of buying out the vacation hours already earned, and suggested that any cost saving could not balance the impact on services. Ms. Bremer concluded by noting the importance of Pages to librarians and to the public. Mr. Vince Fernandez, a Marina Branch Page, commented that he had been offered more hours than the minimum needed for benefits and noted that it was unfair for temporary workers to get no benefits. Ms. Andrea Grimes, Librarian and union officer, commented that Pages are needed that Pages do many difficult tasks such as translation. Ms. Grimes then called attention to the important role pages had played in the move into the Main Library and cited work on inventory and cataloging, creation of databases, their public and non-public service work, as well as support for Automation and Technical Services. Ms. Grimes found it ironic that the City required contractors to pay benefits while denying them to Pages. Ms. Catherine Bernard, Library for the Blind Page, described the many important jobs Pages performed to make materials available to blind users, noting she did not view her job as temporary, and that to describe it so was both obsolete and disrespectful. Ms. Vicky Susoev, Excelsior Branch Library Technician II, observed that Pages worked regular schedules, and that many had gone on to become librarians. Ms. Susoev called attention to Pages' work with the bi-lingual public and remarked they were not temporary and that all Pages should have benefits. Ms. Mary Spooner, a Main Library Page for three years, commented that pages were not temporary, and that many moved on into the profession. Ms. Spooner pointed out they were not just students doing shelving but also did other tasks. An unnamed employee called attention to the Library Employee Handbook's Code of Ethics mandate that employees be treated with respect and urged that pages not be split into two tiers. Ms. Mya Archer Doyle, a Main Library Page for one and one half-year pointed out that Pages did the dirtiest jobs in the Library and that to ask them to do so without benefits would be a crime. She pointed out that book shelvers deserved recognition and that hiring people without health benefits meant that people who were sick would be forced to work exposing other staff to illness. Luca, a 3 year Main Library Page noted that the 291 pages constituted 40% of the Library's staff and that their job title should not disqualify them for benefits as they did many jobs in the Main and branches to help the Library. She felt their loyalty and dedication went without recognition, called attention to the health risks of forcing people who were ill to work, and also noted the City policies that required benefits for employees of companies doing business with the City. Mr. Brian Quinn, a 7 year Main Library Page, commented that he had used sick leave to take care of dental problems and that he had always do a variety of work, been nominated for staff recognition awards, and done extensive web page development, production of handouts, desktop publishing, collection analysis, and was not just a shelver. An anonymous member of the public cited William Rameriz, who rose from Page to Chief of the Main Library. This person commented on the practice of offering increased benefits by reducing the numbers of those getting benefits, finding such a trade-off of budget values vs. human values never worth it. Librarian Tom Tavis, commented that he had begun as a Page and had always worked a regular schedule with benef its provided. Mr. Tavis noted that Pages do far more than shelve and do very heavy work. Mr. Tavis additionally discussed the various kinds of benefits received among different groups of Pages, citing 90 with health benefits, and noted all work regular schedules doing dangerous work. Mr. Peter Warfield found Pages helpful to library users, called attention to the difficulty of living in San Francisco on a part time salary, and commented that fairness and decency dictated that health benefits be provided. Poesy, a North Beach Branch user commented that shelving was only one of the jobs that Pages did and called attention to help with bi-lingual users and the hard physical labor they provided to the library. She noted the expense of paying one's own health insurance and remarked that the public did not think of Pages as only book shelvers but had offered letters of commendation for services provided by Pages. Commission discussion: Deputy City Attorney Catharine Barnes reported that as there had been no notice of the issues raised in public comment offered on the Labor Union Report in the meeting agenda that the Commission could not discuss it. President Higueras commented that the public comment offered provided the Commissioners with an understanding of the human dimension of the issue and proposed to agendize a future discussion of the matter. President Higueras called a brief recess at 6:26PM The meeting resumed at 6:40PM AGENDA ITEM #4 MAIN LIBRARY PLAQUES Commissioner Coulter gave a brief presentation provided background regarding the many recent efforts to honor those who had contributed greatly to the San Francisco Public Library. Commissioner Coulter pointed out the lack of due attention to those who labored as volunteers for decades to strengthen the entire library system and build a new Main Library. Commissioner Coulter proposed that the Commission consider dedicating the Main Library to the spirit of civic leadership embodied by the work of these great individuals rather than singling out one person to be honored. Commissioner Coulter noted that the designated ceremonial entry, the Larkin Street entrance of the Library, currently unused could be transformed with the help of the Main Library's Associate Architects SMWM into a Hall of Library Heroes. Commissioner Coulter proposed two sets of dedicatory plaques be created with support from the Friends & Foundation and design assistance from SMWM. One plaque would salute the work of the three M's, Marjorie Stern, Mary Louise Stong, and Mig Mayer, who spearheaded decades of civic efforts to strengthen the library system and to build the Main Library. The second plaque would present the history of the San Francisco Public Library prepared with the help of famed local author and library historian Peter Wiley. Commissioner Coulter noted that this concept was timely as there had been a proposal that the Main Library be named in honor of Marjorie Stern, and recalled that Mary Louise Stong had passed away last year without any special recognition of her contributions. Public comment: An anonymous member of the public commented that a great many people had contributed to the library and found the list of to those be recognized not inclusive. This individual suggested that the Library had already honored those who contributed, noting that the late Mel Swig had declined having the Main Library named in his honor. This person remarked that the name public library was enough and wondered how "contribution" would be defined. Ms. Sue Cauthen, Council for Neighborhood Libraries, lauded the dedication of the late Mary Louise Stong, noting the Stong Room in the Main Library, and calling attention to her opposition to closing branch libraries. Mr. Peter Wiley, author and member of the Friends & Foundation Board, found the proposal a great idea calling attention to the fact that a great library grows from an active citizenry. Mr. Wiley recalled that after 45 years of "dark ages" with little support for libraries these people stepped forward and would not take "no" for an answer until the Library received the public support it needed to serve the community. Ms. Deborah Doyle, Library BALIS representative and President of the Friends & Foundation commented that the proposal honors the very many people at the principle entrance of the Main Library. Ms. Doyle lauded the overdue recognition of the three "M's" women of strong mind whose work was critical to the success of the library. Ms. Doyle noted that this proposal provided for future expansion of those to be honored and reported that the Friends & Foundation would provide support for he project. Mr. Peter Warfield wondered how all of the many items in the library's collections were obtained and urged consideration be given to honor all of those who contribute. Mr. Warfield felt the public, high and low should be recognized for their support for the library. Commission discussion Vice President Steiman recalled the inspiration and encouragement that Marjorie Stern and Mary Louse Stong had given to her that led to her work in support of the library. Vice President Steiman noted that they were inclusive and willing to bring in all those whose dream was to create better libraries. Vice President Steiman, however, expressed reservations concerning using the Larkin Street entry area for this purpose. She suggested it might be used as a cloakroom, something she felt had been needed ever since the Main Library lockers had to be closed because of behavior problems of some members of the public. Commissioner Strobin observed that this space might work as a ceremonial entry but that further study was needed. Commission Chin felt that this was a good idea and it was appropriate to honor long and passionate devotion to our libraries. Commission Chin noted that Marjorie Stern was also very active in support of education. Commissioner Coulter proposed to further refine his proposal and bring it and possible models of the space back to the Commission for further consideration. President Higueras remarked that great libraries rise from committed passionate citizenry, noting the more than 70% support for approval of Prop. A. President Higueras further pointed out that the Library could not have succeeded without the support and appreciation of generations of dedicated San Franciscans. He felt the proposal had great merit and could with the addition of images and photographs provide an opportunity to richly illustrate the Library's past. Commissioner Streets thanked Commission Coulter for his hard work in developing the concept and cited the importance to honor those whose efforts were so essential to the success of the Library. AGENDA ITEM #5 ELECTION OF COMMISSION OFFICERS FOR 2003 The Commission Secretary outlined the process for conducting the election of Commission officers and reported the nominations of President Charles Higueras and Vice President Carol Steiman to continue in office for 2003. No additional nominations were brought forward. Motion: by Commissioner Streets, seconded by Commissioner Strobin to elect Commissioner Charles A. Higueras, President, and Commissioner Carol Steiman, Vice President of the San Francisco Public Library Commission for 2003 Public commment: An anonymous member of the public commended the enthusiasm of the Commissioners to serve. Commission action: Action: AYE 6-0 (Chin, Coulter, Higueras, Steiman, Streets, and Strobin) Vice President Steiman thanked her fellow Commissioners for their expression of confidence in her. President Higueras noted that this Commission was entering the home stretch of its tenure in office with much yet to get done. President Higueras recalled the past seven years as exciting and eventful and promised to make every effort to leave no issues raised by Commissioners unaddressed by the end of this year. President Higueras also proposed to finalize a strategic plan, and take steps to institutionalize best practices for the Branch Library Improvement Bond Program. AGENDA ITEM #6 FRIENDS & FOUNDATION REPORT Ms. Deborah Doyle, President of the Friends & Foundation reminded the Commissioners of the January 14 Annual Meeting of the Friend & Foundation. Ms. Doyle then reported on the changes in the Friends and Foundation officers and board members and informed the Commission that the Friends & Foundation Board had approved a branch Library Capital Campaign Plan and would be bringing it to the Library for its consideration. Ms. Doyle informed the Commissioners of the passing of Dr. Arthur Coleman, a longtime friend of libraries, San Francisco civic leader, and a leader in the African American Community with memorial services planned for March 3, 2003. The President of the Friends & Foundation announced the creation of an endowment honor Dr. Coleman. Ms. Doyle reported that the Board of Supervisors had approved the friends & Foundation leases and reminded the Commissioners to mark April 4th, the date of the Annual Laureates Dinner. Public comment: None offered AGENDA ITEM #8 NEW BUSINESS None offered. AGENDA ITEM #9 PUBLIC COMMENT An anonymous member of the public continued previous remarks concerning the Fuhrman Fund. This individual further commented that received wisdom can be challenged and noted the importance of protecting the right of anonymity. Mr. Warfield commented that the leases had been approved after the Board of Supervisors had made changes. Mr. Warfield then discussed a Planning Commission meeting that had addressed issues related to the new Glen Park Branch, noting that two Commissioners had spoken. Ms. Pat Sawyer, Manager of the Tool Lending Center, expressed appreciation to the Commission for continuing funding for the Center and called attention to the 3,000 users of the Tool Center and to the savings it provided to members of the public who used it. Ms. Sawyer reported that the Tool Center would expand its educational role in the next years. AGENDA ITEM #10 ADJOURNMENT Motion: by Commissioner Streets, seconded by Commissioner a that the meeting be adjourned In Memoriam of the late Dr. Arthur Coleman, a respected and beloved physician, civic and community leader, and a great friend and patron of San Francisco's public libraries, and a Founder of the Main Library's African American Affinity Center. Commissioner Fran Streets lauded Dr. Coleman's decades of services as a physician, civic, and community leader, calling particular attention to his great love and support for the Library. Commissioner Streets pointed out that Dr. Coleman was the first Chair of the African American Affinity Center and that he had raised more than $500,000 for the Library. Action: AYE 6-0 (Chin, Coulter, Higueras, Steiman, Streets, and Strobin) The meeting was adjourned at 7:30PM Michael Housh, Commission Secretary 2/5/03 Please note: Copies of Commission Minutes and handouts are available in the Office of the Commission Secretary, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 Copies of Public Comment Summary Statements as authorized by San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.16 can be found in Appendix A. These summary statements are provided by the speaker and their contents are neither generated by, nor subject to approval or verification of accuracy by, the San Francisco Public Library Commission. Appendix A Library Commission meeting of January 7, 2003 The Public Comment Summary Statements included in these Minutes are authorized by San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.16.. These summary statements are provided by the speaker. Their contents are neither generated by, nor subject to approval or verification of accuracy by, the San Francisco Public Library Commission. The number of members of the public who spoke anonymously at this meeting: 1 Public comment available for viewing in PDF format City Librarian's Report – January 7, 2003 The Library was happy to welcome its new neighbor, the Asian Art Museum, in co-sponsoring the ceremonial Japanese Bell Ringing on New Year's Eve. The Asian will open on March 20, 2003. On December 19th, the second Cycle 1 meeting of the Proposition 14 Bond Act Board was held in Sacramento. Five projects were funded – 3 in San Diego, 1 in San Leandro, 1 in Visalia in the Central Valley, total of $19 million, with the balance of the $150 million for Cycle 1, $775,000, going to Cycle 3. Dr. Starr recommended the Excelsior renovation along with Redding and one of the San Diego projects. The Board had very difficult decisions to make. We anticipate that the Richmond renovation and expansion will be a strong project in Cycle 2. The Library has applied to participate in the ULC Executive Leadership Institute, which will provide focused leadership training to a manager and librarian who will cooperate on a project in the library. Paul Underwood, Deputy City Librarian and Shellie Cocking, Office of Children and Youth Services Electronic Services Librarian will be the SFPL team. Announcements of participants will be made in late January. Participation costs will be supported by the Friends & Foundation. The Library and the San Francisco History Museum have received an LSTA grant of about $65,000 to support a partnership in the new San Francisco History Museum at the Wharf, the new home of the Musee Mecanique. The focus of the exhibition with be the history of public amusements in San Francisco. There will be an exhibit in the new space and an online exhibit in the San Francisco History center at the Main Library later this year The Library successfully participated in the Friends & Foundation monthly Larkin St. book sale on Friday, January 3. Approximately four book trucks of materials were made available for sale to the public, including California and San Francisco special interest as well as Chinese materials. Golden Gate Valley Branch will reopen after its closure for electrical upgrades on January 30, with a reopening celebration on Saturday, February 8, 2003.


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|Friday, 23 July 2010 15:31
Media Contact:
Michele M. Williams +1.571.203.7100
SeniorNet Grows Its Board of Directors with the Addition of Four New Members
Debra Berlyn, Julia Reynes, Lisa Washington and Michele Warholic Wetherald to Join Board of Nonprofit Dedicated to Technology Access and Education for Seniors
Herndon, Va., July 27, 2010 – SeniorNet, the world's leading nonprofit technology educator of older adults, announced today the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors. Debra Berlyn, Julia Reynes, Lisa Lee Washington and Michele Warholic Wetherald will join the SeniorNet board effective August 1, 2010. The addition of these four new members grows the SeniorNet Board of Directors to 12 members.
Debra R. Berlyn is president of Consumer Policy Solutions, a firm centered on addressing the interests of consumers and the marketplace, and executive director of Project GOAL – the Project to Get Older Adults Online. Berlyn has over 20 years of experience working on technology policy issues. She leads Project GOAL activities that include creating programs to explore the benefits and challenges of technology adoption by the older community, and developing resource materials for aging organizations. A longtime advocate for consumers and seniors, Berlyn also served as a senior legislative representative for AARP.
Julia E. Reynes has over 10 years experience in non-profit leadership and over 15 years in the information technology field. Reynes is the president of the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing co-payment assistance to help patients access life-saving medications. As vice president of the American Red Cross in the International Services area, she led the response to the $580 million tsunami disaster. Reynes also served as chief of staff to the Red Cross Chief Operating Officer and led strategic information systems planning that recommended an enterprise resource planning system to support all Red Cross business functions.
Lisa Lee Washington, CAE is executive director of the Design-Build Institute of America. She has nearly 20 years of non-profit management experience and demonstrated leadership in revitalizing programs and services to enhance the value proposition for members. Washington also spent 10 years in management positions of increasing responsibility at the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, an association representing 5,600 not-for-profit nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living and senior housing facilities, and home and community-based service providers.
Michele Warholic Wetherald has a commitment to lifelong learning that has spanned a career of more than 15 years in non-profit management and higher education administration. Currently she is Managing Director of Education, Examinations and Talent at the Certified Financial Planners Board of Standards, Inc., where she leads and manages several of the organization's key focus areas. Prior to that, she served as excutive director of AAUW - American Association of University Women, a 100,000 member, $12 million budget association. Additionally, Warholic Wetherald has held leadership positions on several non-profit boards, including past national board president of the American Association of University Women's (AAUW) Board of Directors.
"We're thrilled to welcome Debra, Julia, Lisa and Michele to the board of directors of SeniorNet," said Leslie M. Smith, SeniorNet board chairman and IBM Business Development Executive. "The addition of these four talented professionals to the SeniorNet board adds a depth and range of expertise that will be critical in helping to move the organization forward at an important time in its history."
About SeniorNet
SeniorNet (www.seniornet.org) is the world's premier technology trainer and online community for adults over 50. Based in Herndon, Virginia and founded in 1986, SeniorNet is a nationwide nonprofit organization with approximately 10,000 members that has taught hundreds of thousands of older adults to use computers and the internet, and has enriched millions of lives through its award-winning website.
SeniorNet is staffed by more than 3,000 volunteers and has nearly 75 locally run Learning Centers in the United States, including on Indian Reservations and in underserved areas. SeniorNet offers both off-line and online training to a population that was originally neglected in the information revolution. With sponsorship by major corporations and foundations, government agencies, private and public donations, and a backbone of individual members and contributors, SeniorNet continues to grow and offer new opportunities to those touched by its mission.

subset: commoncrawl


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I relate to Scott Campbell. He started tattooing because he wanted to avoid getting a job at all costs. I started Art Fag City, because I'd been fired from so many gallery jobs I couldn't bear the thought of taking another. I didn't want to do anything but blog all day, Campbell didn't want to do anything but draw pictures all day.
And so, that's what Campbell does. In the latest issue of Avant Garde Diaries, we see him making reliefs out of printed dollar bills and incredibly detailed tattoos as he discusses what makes his studio run. In his case, music informs the mood and energy of his work, so he talks about Chances with Wolves, a well known New York based DJ duo.


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Hi first post....
After a old Sci fi series i watched as a kid..
Salvage 1
The owner of a salvage company decides to "expand" his operations. He builds a spaceship and heads for the moon to salvage the stuff left up there from one of the Apollo missions. Later episodes included one where they towed an iceberg to where water was needed. There were several other very good episodes, but unfortunately, the movie-length pilot episode about the moon was so fantastic that the rest of the series had a hard time living up to its standard.
20 episodes in all, only shown all were shown in Britian
found a fan site too http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/ ... vage1.html


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If there is one thing I hate, it is the traditional view of science. No one proposes a hypothesis, does a set of experiments that proves or disproves said hypothesis, and communicates the results to an approving and appreciative audience. That cliché is boring and wrong. Science proceeds by inspiration, ruthless pursuit, and not a small amount of vindictiveness. For anyone who doesn't believe this, Free Radicals: The Secret Anarchy of Science by Michael Brooks is the book for you.
Brooks lays out, in fascinating—and often horrifying and discomfiting detail—the anarchy that underlies the scientific endeavor. He recounts Werner Forssmann charming his way into an operating theatre in order to open up a vein and insert a catheter into his own heart. His success (if he hadn't succeeded, he would be used as an example in lab safety courses) earned him a Nobel prize because it showed that one could access the heart without killing the patient.
The book abounds with stories of good scientists, people who were ultimately right, going through the scorching flames of derision on their way great success. In short, he presents the hard truth that science is actually about personality. It is very rare that any scientist obtains data that is absolutely irrefutable. Indeed, the greater the discovery, the more inspiration and intuition is needed to interpret the data. These leaps of inspiration are actually the stuff that makes science worth doing.
Yet, as Brooks points out, the inspiration—the exciting part of science—is also the part that we hide from view. Instead, we present ourselves as logical, calculating machines with no passion. He (rightly) believes that scientists do ourselves a huge disservice in presenting the scientific enterprise in this way. It makes us less believable, and the front of cautiousness is used by the unscrupulous to slow down much-needed societal changes. Penultimately, Brooks points out that scientists have lost their voice in the political process. By portraying ourselves as passionless and neutral advisors, our advice and well-informed advocacy has become powerless.
Worse than that, we end up being the automatons we despise, functioning as little more than administrators on a certain number of publications in peer-reviewed journals per year. The work is cited, and funding for future work is obtained. Given the anarchical and competitive nature of science, what's the incentive to let your rival publish? Or recommend that their grant application be awarded? Or cite their papers? Our deliberately false image works against us in too many ways, and we should give it up.
In this book, ethical boards come in for a particularly hard time. To hear Brooks tell it, ethical boards have been an unreasonable barrier to science ever since Nurenburg. And he is right. Ethical boards make a scientist slow down and think about the potential consequences of their research. Indeed, the practice of avoiding ethical boards by experimenting on yourself has a long and noble history.
The problem, as Brooks rightly points out, is that the boards are often governed by the taboos and prejudices of the society in which they function. When the research is performed in spite of the ethical board's disapproval, society often seems to be remarkably happy about the results.
For a scientist, this book can make for an uncomfortable read. The story of Eddington's treatment of Chandrasekhar is an eye-opener. Nevertheless it is a must read for every scientist on the planet, as well as anyone interested in science.
There is, however, an undertone to the book that should be treated with caution. Because Brooks only picks the examples of spectacular successes, you don't get to see how the furnace of scientific criticism also serves to burn away crackpot ideas. This is unfortunate, because, although the orthodoxy of science is always wrong in some way, the maverick is usually more wrong, and in more significant ways. For every example named in this book, there are a hundred failures whose ideas were actually dead wrong. This process of weeding these out is equally important to the progress of science, and the book largely ignores it.
Title: Free Radicals: The Secret Anarchy of Science
Author: Michael Brooks
Listing image by Free Radicals: The Secret Anarchy Of Science by Michael Brooks


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California has a serious case of voter apathy--at least that is what experts are saying.
A report said the state could have its lowest voter turnout ever in the upcoming primary election.
According to the San Jose Mercury News, there are several contributing factors, including a lack of competitive races and the absence of citizen initiatives.
Plus, whoever goes up against Gov. Jerry Brown in November is not given much of a chance to win, according to some political experts.
Experts said the people most likely to vote next month are generally older, wealthy, white, and more educated.


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Research presented at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) explores pharmaceutical advances for treating irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) and hepatitis C.
An international study holds promising results for patients suffering from IBS-D. In the phase II study, researchers found that the drug ibodutant significantly improved symptoms in more than 50 percent of the individuals treated.
"While there's been a lot of progress in medicines for IBS with constipation, we haven't seen the same in IBS with diarrhea," said Jan Tack, MD, professor and director of the division of gastroenterology and internal medicine at Leuven University in Belgium. "Up to this point, we haven't been able to provide a pharmaceutical option for this patient group that successfully manages the pain associated with the condition."
IBS is an extremely common condition, affecting an estimated 10 percent of adults. Funded by Menarini, the double-blind, multinational study recruited 559 patients with IBS-D who were randomized and treated with 1, 3 or 10 mg of ibodutant or a placebo. Patients took an oral tablet once daily for eight consecutive weeks. Researchers found that 10 mg was the most effective dose and that it worked best for females.
"These are exciting findings that could bring a lot of relief to many patients," said Dr. Tack said. "We're looking forward to moving into phase III to confirm our findings with a much larger sample of patients."
New therapy for patients with hepatitis C examined
New research suggests that an investigational therapy for patients with hepatitis C can achieve high response rates in a wide range of patients, even those who respond poorly to current treatments. The study examined the safety and efficacy of interferon-free regimens, including three direct-acting antiviral drugs with and without ribavirin, for 12 or 24 weeks, in patients with chronic hepatitis C who were either treatment-naïve or had previously failed standard treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin.
In the phase II study, researchers found that the treatment regimens achieved high sustained virologic response (SVR) rates, an efficacy measure of a hepatitis C treatment, in non-cirrhotic patients with HCV genotype-1 (GT 1). SVR was achieved by 98.7 percent of treatment-naïve patients and 93.3 percent of prior nonresponders after 12 weeks of treatment with three direct-acting agents with ribavirin.
"Hepatitis C genotype 1 is the most common type of hepatitis in the U.S., and many of these patients are still quite difficult to treat with current interferon-based therapies," said Frederick Nunes, MD, clinical associate professor of medicine at Penn Medicine. "This includes specific populations such as African Americans and patients with high body mass or pre-diabetes. These results suggest that highly effective regimens like this one may overcome that difficulty, without the need for interferon."
New Drugs For IBS, Hepatitis C
Research presented at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) explores pharmaceutical advances for treating irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) and hepatitis C.


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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Under a cost-saving plan by the U.S. Postal Service, Americans moving into newly built homes will not have mail delivered to their doors and will instead have to trek to the curb or neighborhood cluster boxes.
The Postal Service began the change in April, and Congress is considering an even bolder shift that would also affect existing houses. It's unclear if delivery to the door will eventually be eliminated entirely.
"Converting delivery away from door delivery to either curb line or centralized delivery would enable the Postal Service to provide service to more customers in less time," Postal Service spokeswoman Sue Brennan said Tuesday.
More than 30 million American homes get door-to-door delivery and another 50 million get their mail dropped at their curbside mailboxes.
But the Postal Service, which is buckling under massive financial losses, sees savings in centralized mail delivery. Door-to-door delivery costs the Postal Service about $353 per address each year.
Curbside delivery costs $224, and cluster boxes cost $160 per address. With cluster boxes, mailboxes for individual addresses are grouped together at a central neighborhood location.
The move is one of many cost-cutting steps the Postal Service is trying as it continues to plead with Congress for permission to overhaul its business and avert a bailout.
The agency also proposed eliminating Saturday mail delivery but was forced to back off that plan earlier this year after lawmakers and some industries balked at the proposal.
Representative Darrell Issa, a California Republican who has spearheaded Postal Service reforms, has introduced a bill that would also completely do away with door delivery and require curbside or cluster boxes for existing residences with an exemption for people with disabilities.
The legislation will be considered on Wednesday by the House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform.
A senior committee staffer said the legislation could realize annual savings of $4 billion from switching to curbside and $6 billion from cluster boxes.
The Postal Service last year lost $16 billion, mostly due to dwindling mail volumes and massive payments into a mandatory fund for its future retirees' healthcare.
The agency, which does not receive taxpayer funds, is under pressure to modify its business model and raise revenues or risk requiring a bailout of nearly $50 billion by 2017.
The Postal Service's efforts to require cluster boxes for new residences are being received with trepidation.
Cranberry Township, 25 miles north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, earlier this month received a letter from the local postmaster saying that all new homes would be serviced by cluster box units rather than door-to-door or curbside delivery.
Most new residential construction plans have already been approved and the change would require going back to the drawing board, said Ron Henshaw, the town's director for community development.
"Our board supervisors who actually run the township are very concerned about this," he said.
Since April, residential developers can no longer choose between curbside or cluster box delivery, agency spokeswoman Brennan said. The Postal Service now makes that determination based on what it considers to be more effective.
The Postal Service has also been asking shopping malls and business parks to voluntarily convert to centralized delivery.
Some in the mailing community such as the Greeting Card Association support a switch to a cluster box system.
But others such as the National Association of Letter Carriers and the American Postal Workers Union oppose it.
Sally Davidow, spokeswoman for APWU, said that moving to cluster delivery would put the Postal Service at a competitive disadvantage against its main competitors, FedEx and UPS , which continue to deliver at the door.
(Reporting by Elvina Nawaguna; Editing by Karey Van Hall and Cynthia Osterman)


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The recent downtrend has resumed with December corn falling 10 ½ cents, December wheat down 2 cents, and November soybeans down 50 ¾ cents.
The Weekly Export Sales Report was very negative for corn at 69,900 MTs (300-400 expected). Obviously we have seen a lot of export demand rationing for corn. Soybeans sales were 717,000 MTs the majority of which was going to China and "unknown destinations" (expectations were calling for 600-800). Wheat came in above estimates at 488,900 MTs (expectations for 300-400).
Wheat held the most support today which we can partly attribute to the strong sales. On the other hand soybean sales were at the high end of estimates yet they had the largest selloff. Open interest hardly changed for beans over the past couple of days but I would be surprised if we didn't see a sharp drop in open contracts after today's trade. We will see that on the Volume and Open Interest reports tomorrow morning.
There are clearly market fears dictating these massive price swings as every new low seems to be met with heavy sell stops. We know that the "managed money" is still holding an enormous net long corn and soybean position. Liquidation from that group would be concerning for the bulls but we still haven't seen a major drop in open interest to give us that signal. Tomorrow's Commitment of Traders report should also shed some light on this.
Yield reports continue to flow in with ultra-high variability. The September Stocks Report will also be difficult for the market to estimate due to the large amount of new crop that may be included in the stocks count. The stocks report will be released Friday, September 28th.
The USDA announced that starting January they will be releasing their NASS and WAOB reports at 11:00am CST. This shouldn't change much from how it stands now since we already have live markets during report releases.
For now we want to remain with sustainable hedges as we progress through harvest. To sign up for a free EHedger trial please click on the link below.
Best Regards,
Trading commodity futures and options involves substantial risk of loss and may not be suitable for all investors. You should carefully consider whether trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances, knowledge and financial resources. The market information contained in this message has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed as to its accuracy or completeness. Market information may not be consistent with current or future market positions of EHedger LLC, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees or agents.


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Donald Driver Wins 'DWTS'! Let's Celebrate With Shirtless Pics – Hunk of the Day
It's not a complete shocker that Donald Driver, the graceful football player from the Green Bay Packers, took home the 'Dancing with the Stars' winners trophy Tuesday night.
Athletes in general tend to outperform the other C- to D-list celeb competitors on the show, and why wouldn't they? Driver, like many of the previous sports-centric performers, has the immense pecs, rippling biceps and ideal athlete's build that the competition requires. How else would one gain the the fan-favorite vote?
Watch Donald Driver's Reaction to Winning 'Dancing with the Stars'
The only other male favorite was William Levy and he was just as hot and just as shirtless as Driver was throughout the season. Both new that if you have the body, you must flaunt the body. Only Driver was the one who definitely did it better. Check out some of his best shirtless and sexy moments below.


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Is it possible to change resolution just through FVDI.SYS, without changing video parameters from Aranym control panel ?
I change resolution in FVDI.SYS, but nothing happend 'till I change resolution on aranym side too (via Aranym control panel).
Using fVDI in collaboration with NVDI in single TOS - I'm not interesting to run (in moment) any multitasking OS.
So, is it possible to avoid that ?
And if, how ?
Another question - is it possible to "stretch" smaller resolution like 800x600 through whole screen ?
Which paramters need to be checked on Aranym side through Aranym control panel?
I try different setups, but no luck...
I'm using TOS 4.04, single TOS, Linux+Aranym 1.0.2
No interes to run multitasking OS.
Thank you in advance:-)))


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Experts agree environmentalists that the current environmental problems, which require solutions and treatments of urgency, are many and thorny and complex, and in particular the environmental pollution of various types of pollutants and environmental toxins, and its dangerous consequences, offset, in many countries of the world, including the Arab world, remedial action without the required level. and everyone recognizes the urgent need to create environmental education and environmental awareness and environmental culture among the general people to understand the importance of the environment and the need to maintain the components, and the implantation of human behavior proper, as the main factor that determines the style and the way the human person, individually and collectively, with it, and exploit their own resources, which would conservation laws governing the components of natural and reservation balance is tight and accurate, and spread to deal with them in the light of the laws of natural reason and wisdom in use, away from excessive damage and depletion of environmental resources, including permanent
resources, renewable, and non-renewable, by rationalizing the consumption, as safeguards that are responsive to human needs and the fulfillment of its requirements through the different generations ..
In order to achieve these legitimate demands, we have to study the problems of existing environmental serious consideration and in-depth in order to reach effective treatments .. From here, however, environmental problems will be dealt with in detail in the article "contemporary environmental problems in the world", who is studying in the first quarter - Master, but we find it useful to know the student chapter Qualifying salient of these problems extensively ..
Conclusion: -
One of the main environmental hazards that threaten the growth process is random population:
1 - overcrowding in the cities and the consequent environmental and social problems and health.
2 - Migration from the countryside to the city, give rural farmers and degraded soil.
3 - the expansion of cities and centers at the expense of productive agricultural land.
4 - and indiscriminate misuse of pesticides and fertilizers by farmers [].
- Indoor air pollution: kills nearly one million children each year from acute respiratory infections, as well as mothers who are assigned cooking or stay near a stove after birth being most at risk of chronic respiratory disease as a result of pollution by using biomass fuel, which continues to spread widely.
- Malaria: kills an estimated one million children under five each year, mostly in Africa. Could be exacerbated as a result of malaria, poor water management and storage, inadequate housing, deforestation and biodiversity loss.
- Unintentional physical injuries: which may be related to environmental hazards in the family or the community, killing nearly 300 thousand children a year, due 60 thousand of which to drowning, and 40 thousand to fires, and 16 thousand new cases to the poisoning, and 50 thousand new cases to traffic accidents roads, and more than 100 thousand new cases are attributable to other unintentional injuries.
- Lead (in air) and mercury (in food and other chemicals): can lead to long-term chronic effects such as infertility, miscarriage and birth defects.
- Pesticides, solvents and persistent organic pollutants: may affect the health of the fetus, if the mother was, and also affected the health of babies, who grow their bodies quickly, high levels of contaminants in breast milk. In some cases, may not show the health effects only at a very young age
1 - Attorney Marwan Youssef Sabbagh, the environment and human rights, Combeonscher, Beirut, 1992
2 - Mohammed Mr. Arnaout, human and environmental pollution, Lebanese Egyptian Publishers, 1993,
3 - D. Alia Hatog - Buran and Mohammed Hamdan Abu friendly, ecology, Sunrise House, Amman, 1994
4 - Robert Lafon - Gramon, pollution, translation: Nadia Kabbani, Review: George Aziz, the publisher of the Arabic edition: "Tradxim", 1977.
5 - Mustafa Abdel Aziz, rights and the environment, Cairo, the modern printing press, 1978.
6 - Talal Younis, environmental education and the problems of the urban environment, a working paper presented at a symposium the role of municipalities in the protection of the environment j Arab cities, Kuwait, the Arab Towns Organization, 1981.
7 - Zinedine Abdel Maksoud, the environment and human relations problems, Cairo, Dar Al-Atwa, 1981.
8 - Ibrahim Khalifa, society maker of pollution, environmental issues, No. 12, Kuwait, the Kuwaiti Environment Protection Society, 1983.
9 - Mohamed Abdel-Fattah retribution, environmental issues, contemporary, modern science, No. 1, Year 16, 1983
10 - Rashid Al-Hamad and Mohamed Sparini, the environment and its problems, a world of knowledge, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, Kuwait, i 2, 1984.
11 - Dr. Mohammad Saber Wesleyan, d. Secretary Irfan Deweidar, d. Hosni, Ahmed Ismail, Dr.. Adly full joy, Environmental Science, Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Egyptian universities, a rehabilitation program for primary school teachers university level, 1986
Subject: -
Environmental Pollution
Pollution is the most serious threat to the environment, what caused the harm and damage to human life or the lives of other species, or harm the living conditions and human activities, or dividends of civilization, has been wasted and eliminates the initial resources. The fact is that pollution long everything in life ..
The pollution has become a major problem given a lot of interest in view of the negative effects of Noaiip human life. Contaminants up to the human body in the air we breathed in the water which he drinks and food that is eaten in the voices heard, not to mention the effects of eminent Caused by pollutants property rights and resources different environment. The depletion of environmental resources renewable and non-renewable, it is an issue that threatens the lives of future generations.
It is unfortunate that most of the factors causing the pollution is man-made factors, and have grown more serious with industrial progress, and with the huge expansion in the use of energy, increased economic development projects, especially those that ignored the environmental issue and neglected environmental protection and conservation.
If checked the sources of air pollution, find what you are but remnants of the different industrial - waste combustion energy (coal, oil, gas) - exhaust gas cars - atomic radiation, chemicals leading to ozone depletion, greenhouse gas emissions from human activities different and lead to changes climate, and others.
Another source of water pollution: industrial waste and human and animal pollution from sewage, fertilizers, medicines, pesticides, and waste water.
Another source of soil pollution: industrial waste and agricultural and human resources, decline of vegetation, soil, desertification, salinization, erosion, destruction of forests and trees, poor investment agricultural land, urban expansion at the expense of green areas, dumping of nuclear waste, chemical residues of agricultural fertilizers and pesticides, and others.
There is food contamination, and it causes poisoning kills thousands each year and has a disability for thousands of other human beings.
As well as noise pollution, or noise, and the most important sources: the noise spread in communities, industrial areas and workshops, and to the vicinity of airports, railway stations, and others.
Thus, the pollution is divided generally into: Pollution material: such as pollution of air, water and soil. And the contamination of non-material: Kaldaudhae produced by automobile engines and machinery, workshops, machinery and other, causing the noise affects the nerves of the rights and appends a lot of harm physiological and psychological damage, which may elicit nerves of the rights and increase of tension and jitters. In addition to organic damage - injury deaf hearing device Oouklp hearing.
In fact, the environmental pollution phenomenon to us all, to the extent that the environment is no longer able to renew its natural resources, jeopardized the balance between the elements of dysfunctional, no longer of these elements are able to analyze the remnants of Rights, or consumption of waste resulting from the activities of different. And became larger cities polluted by smoke rising from the exhaust from cars, and gas rising from the chimneys of factories and power plants, and agricultural soils contaminated as a result of the intensive and indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides, agricultural .. Objects and even living things did not disturb this pollution .. many of them are stored in the tissues of living rate of some heavy ***ls .. has not delivered the waterways of this pollution .. Femiah rivers and lakes in many places are in a deplorable state, as a result can receive the remnants of industry, and human waste and infected pollution Lakes closed and the open sea on both .. also led the industrial progress enormous to make an enormous pressure on many natural resources .. Especially those non-renewable resources such as coal, oil, oil and some minerals and groundwater, and natural resources that I configured to the expiration of Ages geological long time, and irreplaceable human life. I have accompanied this industrial progress tremendous progress of human appearance of new types of resources, chemical were not known to nature before .. Escalated some of the harmful gases from the smokestacks of factories and polluted air, and threw these plants Bmkhalafadtha and toxic chemical waste in lakes and rivers. Prodigal people in the use of insecticides and pesticides, and all led to the pollution of the environment in all its forms .. .. Air Pollution Contamination of water .. And contaminated soil, and consumed and became some of the agricultural land is unable to produce .. as well as increased the amount of land was stripped of bush and forest and increased the number of animals and plants become extinct every year and the percentage of rivers and lakes that have lost everything by living organisms, and turned into swamps [ ].
Today, the mistake of Pollution of the environment is a purely local or domestic problem, because the environment in fact is not subject to a regional system, but are open, which makes pollution is an international problem, with the contribution of all the countries affected by the impact. This is evidenced by the loss amounts enormous pollutants in many European countries through the rain did not result from her, but resulted from the contaminated areas, and moved through the water with the wind and rain from one country to another. Usually transmitted pollutants directly through the wind from place contaminated to another non-polluting. There is a problem pollution of rivers, oceans and seas, which has become a global problem .. and there is a problem to export and import of food from contaminated areas and a serious impact, and the transformation from a regional problem to a global problem. The problem of the ozone hole, which are common to all countries around the world and one of the most important environmental problems that the whole world is responsible, and can not remedy the risk, only if the all countries, developed and developing countries, in order to reduce the pollutants that reach the environment.
Many environmentalists agree that poor people are the instrument most damaging environmental regulations in the pursuit of living and life, as they consume and use what is under their hands in order to obtain energy or food, which causes the use of firewood and agricultural residues, charcoal and dung as fuel for domestic purposes in the pollution of heavy indoor pollution is experienced by the majority of women and children. and many of the studies included data and statistics indicate a high incidence of respiratory diseases and cancer of the nose and throat due to exposure to emissions of such fuels [] ..
Two decades ago, confirmed the report of the WHO's Who that the environment is contaminated kill more than 30 thousand people every day in third world countries, and more than half the world's population lack access to clean water free of microbes, and that 6 million children in developing countries die each year from due to diarrhea, and half the population of these countries suffer from problems of parasitic worms. The Conference of Islamic Capitals and Cities, held in Cairo in September 1986, the high mortality rate in the world due to contamination from 60 deaths in 1930 to 2000 deaths in 1985.
Population Problem
Given the severity of the problem, communities have become human, institutional and scientific organizations, environmental Bearing in mind the problem of the population issue, because of the correlation significant among the population and the march of social and economic development. Research has shown scientific field in many communities to not taking the population factor into account in development planning and environmental will lead to a developmental disorder, so that communities become unable to meet the social and economic needs and environmental members of the []. [1]
To demonstrate the severity of increasing global population and the consequent process drain of resources, the number of the world's population currently stands at more than 6.3 billion people, it is expected that figure to 14.2 billion in 2025, if the current population growth rate as it is, which equal to 1.67% per annum.
One major consequence of population growth rates in the world high proportion of the age group of 1-24 years for a total of 50% of the world population in 2000, and increased rates of migration from the countryside to the city in developing countries, increased population density and congestion in major cities
ما تنسو التقييم والتعليق


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Anchor with attitude
Jorge Ramos, the most popular Hispanic news anchor in America, arrived in Washington recently on an unusual journalistic mission: He wanted to challenge Speaker John Boehner about why he's "blocking" immigration reform.
"Republicans don't get it. They're going to lose the 2016 election if they don't move on immigration reform, and they're going to lose again in 2020," Ramos said in an interview. "They have a very short memory. They forgot in 2012. They'll remember after 2016."
Story Continued Below
Ramos is startlingly blunt for a news anchor, but he makes no apologies for his outspoken stance on immigration reform – or his plans to push his views throughout this midterm election year and into the next presidential cycle. He's a declared political independent who doesn't hesitate to confront both Republicans and Democrats when he believes they are standing in the way of overhauling the nation's immigration policy.
And he's got a massive megaphone to do it. More than any other media figure, Ramos, 56, is the conduit between Washington politics and Hispanic America, population 55 million and growing. His Univision newscast is the most-watched Spanish-language news program in the United States, with an average viewership of 2.1 million. Last year, he expanded his audience with an English-language broadcast on Fusion, the Univision-ABC News joint venture targeted toward Hispanics and millennials. All this exposure has made him the second-most-popular Hispanic in the United States, trailing only Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, according to a recent Pew Research report surveying Latinos.
What draws Hispanics to Ramos is not merely his celebrity status — short, thin, blue-eyed and silver-haired, he is often called the "Mexican Anderson Cooper" — but also his willingness to push politicians on immigration policy (he supports the Senate-approved comprehensive reform bill) and other areas where he perceives failure, ranging from the Obamacare rollout to the administration's inability to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.
His blunt advocacy on immigration and other issues has drawn criticism from some in the mainstream media, who say he's crossed the line from objective coverage of an issue.
( CARTOONS: Matt Wuerker on immigration)
"It isn't about us," said Chuck Todd, the NBC News political director and chief White House correspondent, when asked what he thought of Ramos. Another Washington political reporter, who declined to go on the record, said only, "There is a difference between activism and journalism."
Frank Sesno, the CNN veteran and Director of George Washington University's School of Media and Public Affairs, said advocacy journalism is emblematic of broader changes in the news media.
"What we would or would not have accepted years ago has changed as more broadcast personalities and bloggers especially have assumed more opinionated/lead roles in the conversation," he said in an email. "The candidates will know that, but they'll still want Jorge — as last time — to reach the powerful demographic of Hispanic voters, which may be the key to success or failure for both parties in 2016."
( Also on POLITICO: Reformers ask Obama for time)
Though not a strict partisan à la Sean Hannity or Rachel Maddow, Ramos readily admits to being an issue advocate. But as Sesno notes, that is becoming more and more common as many viewers no longer expect neutral anchors.
Either way, there's no love lost; Ramos thinks most of the mainstream media isn't doing their job, anyway.
"The Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci used to say that for her, an interview was like a war," he said over lemonade at Johnny's Half Shell, a restaurant near the Capitol. "I get the sense that we've forgotten that here in the United States. You turn on the TV, and you see very bland interviews. Journalists in the United States are very cozy with power, very close to those in power. They laugh with them. They go to the [White House] correspondents' dinner with them. They have lunch together. They marry each other. They're way too close to each other. I think as journalists we have to keep our distance from power."
( Earlier on POLITICO: States take on immigration)
"I'm not seeing tough questions asked on American television," he added later. "I'm not seeing those correspondents that would question those in power. It's like a club. We are not asking the tough questions."
Ramos sees that as his role. Boehner refused to meet with him for an interview, so Ramos traveled to D.C. last week from his base in Miami and confronted him at a press conference.
"Mr. Speaker, we came here to ask you why are you blocking immigration reform. It's been almost a year since the Senate passed—"
"Me? Blocking?" the Speaker said. He told Ramos that immigration reform is something he's been talking about for 18 months, something that Congress needs to address "in a common-sense way." Then he tried to pivot to President Barack Obama's failure to address the problems with his signature healthcare legislation.
"Since when does 'Obamacare' have anything to do with immigration reform?" Ramos countered. "The Senate passed immigration reform almost a year ago, and you haven't moved on that."
"There's nobody more interested in fixing this problem than I am," Boehner replied.
"You could bring it to a vote, and you haven't," Ramos persisted. "You can do it, Mr. Speaker. You can do it, and you really haven't done it."
Ramos was equally confrontational during a September interview with Obama, peppering the president on his failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform.
"You promised that, and a promise is a promise," Ramos told the president. "And with all due respect, you didn't keep that promise." Obama initially shifted blame onto Republicans, but later in the interview conceded, "As you remind me, my biggest failure is that we haven't gotten comprehensive immigration reform done."
After Ramos conducted a particularly heated interview last year with former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, focusing on the Obama administration's failure to orchestrate passage of reform legislation, the influential conservative Matt Drudge called him "the last journalist standing."
"Warning to politicians," Drudge tweeted. "If you see him… RUN!"


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U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission
Hispanic, Black Employees Subjected to Racial and Ethnic Slurs, Agency Charged
MIAMI – National department store Nordstrom, Inc. will pay $292,500 to 10 former employees and furnish other remedial measures to settle a harassment lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today. EEOC had charged that the department store manager harassed Hispanic and black employees based on their national origin, race, and color, and retaliated against those who complained about the harassment.
According to the EEOC's lawsuit, an alterations department manager complained that she "hate[d] Hispanics," and that Hispanics were "lazy" and "ignorant." Hispanic tailors were chastised by the alterations manager for speaking to each other in Spanish. The same manager made other derogatory remarks such as "I don't like blacks" and "you're black, you stink." The alterations manager harassed the alterations staff at Nordstrom stores in Palm Beach Gardens and Wellington, Fla.
The employees complained to Nordstrom about the harassment, but the harassment did not stop. The alteration's manager retaliated against those who complained by continuing the racially offensive comments, unfairly berating employees and citing them for alleged performance problems.
Acting Chairman of the EEOC, Stuart J. Ishimaru, stated, "It does not matter whether someone is employed on the sales floor or, as in this case, working behind the scenes, the EEOC will pursue instances of harassment in violation of federal employment discrimination laws."
Under the terms of a consent decree, Nordstrom will pay $292,500 in damages. The decree also requires the company to distribute its policy addressing unlawful harassment to all employees in the Wellington and Palm Beach stores; provide harassment training, post a notice on the resolution of the lawsuit, and submit a semi-annual report to EEOC on all harassment complaints received during the next two years.
"Employers must act swiftly to correct harassment and prevent abusive conduct," said EEOC Regional Attorney Nora E. Curtin. "Instead of dealing with the despicable racial and ethnic comments, Nordstrom management allowed the harasser to retaliate against the employees for complaining."
EEOC District Director Jacqueline H. McNair added, "We are pleased that Nordstrom and the EEOC reached a satisfactory resolution of this lawsuit. The resolution includes significant equitable relief that will benefit all Nordstrom employees. We trust that additional training and the proposed policy will improve the work environment, and emphasize a commitment to preventing further discrimination."
Harassment based on national origin, race, and color violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed suit on Sept. 27, 2007, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Palm Beach Division (Case No. 07-80894-CIV-RYSKAMP/VITUNAC), after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation, voluntary settlement through its conciliation process.
The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.


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|0.45 kg = 0.9921 lb = 15.8733 oz
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Fabric : Fabric has some stretch
Length : Regular
Occasion : Weekend Casual
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