Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Clinton calls for 'friends of democratic Syria' to unite and rally against Assad regime
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Clinton calls for 'friends of …
Gulf Coast preps as Ida weakens to tropical storm
Schools closed, residents of low-lying areas sought shelter and Florida's governor declared a state of emergency Monday as a rare late-season tropical storm churned toward the Gulf Coast.
After a quiet Atlantic storm season, residents from Louisiana east to Florida took the year's first serious threat in stride.
"Even though we're telling everybody to be prepared, my gut tells me it probably won't be that bad," said Steve Arndt, director of Bay Point Marina Co. in Panama City, Fla.
Earlier, heavy rain in Ida's wake triggered flooding and landslides in El Salvador that killed 124 people. One mudslide covered the town of Verapaz, about 30 …
`Ali: Fear Eats the Soul'
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
BC-AP--AP-Improvements,Advisory, AP
Editors:
The Associated Press is improving its communications and release times for stories during the overnight hours on the East Coast in the United States to adjust to the changing needs of customers worldwide.
These changes will help numerous customers: Broadcasters in North and South American time zones focusing on earlier morning programs; online and mobile outlets in those time zones targeting morning drive-time audiences; North and South American newspapers with late deadlines; European, African and other outlets in similar time zones during morning commute hours; and Asian customers during afternoon commute hours.
Beginning Sept. 6, the AP will:
— Move up …
Japan's 2008 population suffers steepest fall
Japan's population had its sharpest decline ever in 2008 as deaths outnumbered births, the government said Thursday, posing a burgeoning economic threat to its growth prospects amid a global recession.
Faced with low birthrates and long life spans, Japan's shrinking population is aging more quickly than any other economic power.
Health ministry records estimated that Japan's population declined by 51,000 in 2008. The number of deaths in 2008 hit a record of 1.14 million _ the highest since the government began compiling the data in 1947 _ and the number of births totaled 1.09 million.
Japan's births always outnumbered deaths until 2005, when the …
Heart valve disorder less common
Millions of Americans have been mistakenly told by theirphysicians that they suffer from a defective heart valve conditionthat places them at higher risk of potentially fatal heart diseaseand stroke.
The defect, called mitral valve prolapse, actually affects only 2percent to 3 percent of Americans rather than 10 percent to 35percent as had long been believed. It also was thought to be themost common cardiac abnormality in industrialized countries.
Moreover, even for …
Allegations of brutality prompt calls for civilian review board
An officer on duty at Area B3 assured Christine Keels that the best way to handle her complaint against an officer would be to talk to a supervisor.
After two weeks and two additional visits to the Mattapan police station, Keels began to feel the wheels of justice grinding to a halt.
"I felt like they were trying to pacify me," she said. "They didn't want me to pursue it."
Eventually, Keels filed a written report with internal affairs, but her ordeal left her with little optimism that the matter will be resolved.
"They're all caught up in a code of silence," she said. "I don't think anything will be resolved. I don't think it's a good idea for the police to …
Judge extends order freezing Madoff assets
A judge has extended an order that freezes the assets of investor Bernard Madoff in his fraud case.
Federal judge Louis Stanton signed an order late Thursday approving agreements by the 70-year-old Madoff to surrender control of his assets. As a result, a hearing scheduled for Friday was canceled.
The order also puts control of all of his artwork, property, cars, …
To multiply perennials, just divide by the roots
When I was new enough to gardening to have only a dim notion ofwhat I was doing but advanced enough to know I loved it, March andApril used to give me a well-nigh terminal case of cabin fever. Iwanted to get out and do something, for heaven's sake, butbedding-out time for annuals and vegetables was weeks - an eternity -away.
So I would go out after breakfast, count my daffodil shoots, anddream of glory to come. The next day, I would be out again, countingand dreaming some more. In those days, I had not yet been introducedto the wonderful world of perennial division.
And when I did eventually hear about dividing perennials, itseemed like a frightfully …
Conductor Extends Contract With LA Opera
LOS ANGELES - James Conlon, coming off his first year as music director of Los Angeles Opera, says he will lead the institution until 2011, when it will celebrate its 25th anniversary.
The conductor has decided to extend his original contract for another two years so that he can oversee several projects, including next year's David Hockney production of "Tristan und Isolde" and the complete "Ring" cycle scheduled for …
US general sees stiff fight ahead in Afghanistan
The Army general chosen to take over as the top commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan is telling his Senate confirmation hearing that success will not come quickly or easily.
Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal predicted on Tuesday that casualties will increase as he leads a comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan. He stressed the importance of …
Not all economists want to date Rosy Scenario
Among well-known and respected economists, Robert J. Genetskihas been as optimistic as any. Since the Black Monday stock marketcrash, others have from time to time warned of another 1929 andanother Great Depression. Or at least a recession.
But Genetski, a senior vice president at the Harris Bank and thebank's chief economist, prefers to talk about what he calls "thelongest peacetime recovery in almost 200 years."
If anything could shake his belief in the continuation of anupbeat economy, it is the pronouncements this past week or so ofeconomist Edward A. Hyman. Hyman's message is this: Maybe we'llnever again have a recession, much less a depression.
…
Jack Simkovich
Jack Simkovich, 65, of Skokie, former owner and operator of aNorth Side bakery, died yesterday in Evanston Hospital.
Mr. Simkovich operated the North Shore Kosher Bakery, 2919 W.Touhy, from 1952 until his retirement three years ago.
Survivors include his wife, Beatrice; two daughters, EdithCohen and Anita; a son, Rabbi Marvin; three sisters, Irene Baum,Elza Krumhorn and Fanny Rothman, and two brothers, Chaim and Sam.
Services and visitation will be at 11 a.m. today at WeinsteinBros. Chapel, 1300 W. Devon. Burial will be in Shalom MemorialPark, Palatine.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Tsongas to stay out of race // But he keeps options open, refuses to endorse Clinton
BOSTON Removing one more obstacle to Bill Clinton's nomination,Paul E. Tsongas said Thursday that he would not re-enter a Democraticpresidential race in which he could end up a "spoiler" but not anominee.
Tsongas said that despite his strong showing as anon-campaigning candidate in Tuesday's primaries, Clinton's wins inNew York, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Kansas left him with no realistichope of victory.
"We did very well - but so did Bill Clinton," said the formerMassachusetts senator, who suspended his campaign March 19, citing alack of money. "That removed the argument that my re-entry wouldrescue the party."
But as he bowed out, Tsongas was not helping the Arkansasgovernor build the unity Clinton has said he needs to close out afractious primary season and begin rallying Democrats againstPresident Bush.
Tsongas declined to endorse Clinton. Even as he asked hisvolunteers to halt their efforts, he seemed to be positioning himselffor a key role at the convention and to remain an alternative ifClinton's campaign collapses.
Noting that his name would remain on the ballot in the year'sremaining 17 primaries and caucuses, Tsongas said voters in thosestates still would be able to "express support for my message." Hesaid his 539 delegates still would be able to represent him at theconvention. Clinton has 1,267 delegates; 2,145 are required fornomination.
"As for my role, I intend to make my voice heard," said Tsongas,who ran on a platform of economic revival and fiscal discipline. "Iwill do everything I can to create an environment where my message isthe message the Democrats run on."
Political analysts said Tsongas' exit gave Clinton a virtuallock on the nomination, but by highlighting remaining splits withinthe party, the incident reiterated how much Clinton must overcome.
"The nomination is now Clinton's to lose, but he's far from thatday every candidate imagines when the opposition evaporates and theparty unites," said Greg Schneiders, a Democratic politicalconsultant.
The remaining difference with the Tsongas camp, although not amajor obstacle, "is a problem - and Bill Clinton doesn't need anotherproblem."
Ronald Brown, the Democratic National Committee chairman, alsostressed the importance of Tsongas' supporters uniting withClinton's.
"We're coming out of a very negative period, and the candidatesneed a little rest," Brown said at breakfast in Washington. "Then weneed to focus on George Bush."
Amid strikes, IMF inspects Greek finances
The International Monetary Fund began inspecting Greece's public finances on Monday to make sure the government is implementing promised austerity measures before it gains access to a second rescue loan installment in mid-September.
The inspectors arrived as strikes continued against the painful spending cuts and an overhaul of labor rules. A walkout by fuel-tanker drivers caused supply shortages in Athens, while serious departure delays were reported at Athens International Airport as air traffic controllers continued a work-to-rule protest started last week.
Officials from the European Union and European Central Bank are also taking part in the inspections in Athens and are due to remain through Aug. 6. They met Monday with Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou.
Debt-ridden Greece narrowly avoided bankruptcy in May and was pledged up to euro110 billion ($142 billion) in rescue loans from the IMF and the 15 other EU countries using the euro.
While in Athens, the inspectors will meet with at least five other cabinet ministers, union leaders, central bankers and the board of the newly independent Greek statistics agency, tasked with cleaning up a budget-figure misreporting scandal that helped trigger the country's crisis.
Greek financial officials say the latest scrutiny is expected to concentrate on massive public health care debts and the prospects of loss-making state enterprises like the National Railways.
"The main thing is that we are on course for our (deficit reduction) targets," Ilias Plaskovitis, general secretary of the Finance Ministry, told state-run NET television. "Of course, there is always more to be done."
Greece says its painful cuts program is working, and last week reported that its effort to slash the country's budget deficit from 13.6 percent of gross domestic product in 2009 to 8.1 percent remains on track.
It reported a 45.4 percent year-on-year decline for the first six months of 2010 _ that remains ahead of the 39.5 percent annual target.
Greek officials say their prediction of a 4 percent contraction in Greek economic output this year now seems too severe.
The IMF, in an interim report released this month, praised progress made by Greece's center-left government in curbing spending and pushing through unpopular reforms to overhaul the pension and labor systems.
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Online:
IMF Interim Report:
Teachers learn from one another through Internet
Teachers learn from one another through Internet
Science and math teachers in Indiana's middle schools and high schools can eavesdrop on one another to share information about lessons and materials, thanks to a new electronic network developed at the University of Indiana School of Education.
Last week, teachers throughout Indiana inaugurated a system for hooking up their personal computers to the education school's Internet Learning Forum and virtually visiting other teachers' classrooms to discuss approaches to teaching math and science and to share teaching materials.
"The ILF is a resource to support continuous professional developments and we at the IU School of Education are proud to offer this service to the many teachers of Indiana," said the education school's dean Donald Warren.
The service, whose developers expect up to 300 Hoosier teachers to use by the end of this academic year, enables math and science teachers to watch other teachers, look over colleagues' lesson plans, examine students' work and reflect on their own practices, the University said.
"Videos of each others' classrooms anchor their discussions," said IU Professor Sasha Barab, the program's head.
"We see a math teacher in his or her school and another teacher could actually see that teacher doing that lesson."
Teachers get more than the benefits of mere eavesdroppmg on fellow teachers.
"They can click on Overview and get a class context lesson overview including discussion and goals.
They can see another teacher's lesson plan, example of students' work and teacher comment on lessons," Barab said.
"It's very useful for beginning teachers."
The essence of the network is sharing information about the teaching craft to improve teachers' classroom practice, the School of Education said.
"We believe that learning involves not only sharing information, but also becoming a member of a community that shares common goals, methods, history and identity," Barab said. "We hope the ILF will become a community of practice in which beginning and experienced teachers can share thoughts and stories about the teaching process."
The system's primary space is called "Visit Classrooms," where teachers can get support through videos for their lesson plans and connect to Indiana state standards and resources. The program is also intended to provide information to Indiana University faculty about the Internet in education.
Barab said the university is discussing its knowledge network with Chicago Public Schools officials, where spokesman Jeff Burdick described the system's structured curriculum program.
The program affords teachers access to daily lesson plans through an electronic network that, he said, "fulfills all our academic requirements that we test fore and that are required by the (State of Illinois)."
He said new CPS teachers benefit most from their online connections to the curriculum program.
"It's broken down by grade level, year and by course," he said. "Teachers working outside their specialties also benefit. A calculus teacher teaching freshman-year algebra can have structured lesson plans to fall back on."
CPS has announced no decision about whether to adopt an extensive academic network such as that being developed at the University of Indiana, where Barab said the program is especially useful to new teachers.
"They have talked about methods of teaching in class, and now this system gets teachers engaging seeing other teachers who ale doing inquiry based learning," Barab said. "They create problems and situations that challenge students to inquire into finding their own answers, not witnessing videos of talking heads."
At CPS, Burdick said Chicago teachers have opportunities to learn the use of computer technology in their classrooms in three continuous courses.
"We teach how to use lesson planning with CPS and we teach technological integration with CPS through lessons in class," he said. "Also, the Technology and Infusion workshop taught in summers shows our teachers how to create their own web pages for student use."
Neither the CPS program and the Indiana University program is restricted to math or science.
"We hope it becomes an alternative form of professional development that uses advanced techniques in all disciplines," Barab said of the Indiana University knowledge network. "There is no reason art teachers, for example, shouldn't be sharing their practice with other art teachers."
Article Copyright Sengstacke Enterprises, Inc.
Stocks tumble as stronger dollar hits commodities
Bad economic news and doubts about the U.S. market's ability to rally dealt stocks a huge setback.
The Dow Jones industrials fell 187 points Monday, their biggest drop since April 20. All the major market indexes fell more than 2 percent.
Trading volume was light, suggesting an absence of buyers rather than a flood of sellers rushing to dump stocks, but the pullback nonetheless was another sign that the market's spring rally has stalled.
The slide began in Asia and Europe and spread to the U.S. as a strong dollar pushed commodities prices sharply lower. Stocks of energy and materials producers have been lifting the market in the past month so the drop in prices left stocks without an important leg of support.
Meanwhile, new worries about the economy emerged after an index of manufacturing in New York indicated that demand weakened in June. The weaker report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York ran counter to the gradual improvement traders have grown accustomed to with other economic readings.
Analysts said stocks are also losing ground because investors are questioning what it will take to move the market higher. Ahead of Monday's slide, the S&P 500 had jumped 39.9 percent since skidding to a 12-year low on March 9. Investors have been betting on an economic recovery but questions about how long that might take are poking holes in the rally.
The unease about the economy's recovery have kept stocks from rising as quickly in recent weeks as they did in March and April. The Dow and the S&P 500 index are up 12 of the past 14 weeks, and the last four straight weeks. But traders are having a harder time wringing advances from stocks as questions remain about whether unemployment, still-weak home prices and inflation will trip up a resurgence in the economy.
Harry Rady, chief executive of Rady Asset Management, said stocks have risen too fast given how troubled the economy remains. "The market just seems to keep driving the car into the wall and then wonders why it can't keep driving," Rady said.
The Dow fell 187.13, or 2.1 percent, to 8,612.13, and returned to a loss for the year. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 22.49, or 2.4 percent, to 923.72, and the Nasdaq composite index fell 42.42, or 2.3 percent, to 1,816.38. Both indexes still are showing a gain for 2009.
Overseas trading was influenced by the dollar, which rose against most other major currencies following weekend comments from Russia's finance minister, Alexei Kudrin, that the greenback likely would remain the world's reserve currency.
Investors have been worried in recent weeks that foreign governments would seek to spread their reserve cash holdings beyond the dollar. That would cut into demand for the currency.
Commodities including oil tend to be a hedge against a weak dollar. So, when the greenback is stronger, investors feel less need to protect themselves against it and they start selling commodities. That in turn tends to pull down the stocks of basic materials producers who profit from higher prices.
Overseas, Japan's Nikkei average lost 1 percent, while Britain's FTSE 100 fell 2.6 percent, Germany's DAX fell 3.5 percent and France's CAC-40 lost 3.2 percent.
Bond prices mostly rose, driving yields down. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, a benchmark widely used for setting home mortgage rates, fell to 3.72 percent from 3.80 percent late Friday.
The dollar's rise helped send oil prices lower. Light, sweet crude fell $1.42 to settle at $70.62 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Investors often welcome falling commodities prices because the lower costs will have benefits across the economy. But traders have also been looking for gains in commodities because that could signal resources are becoming more scarce as demand improves.
Commodities producers fell Monday. Aluminum maker Alcoa Inc. and Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. slid. Alcoa fell 78 cents, or 6.5 percent, to $11.21, while Freeport-McMoRan fell $3.37, or 5.8 percent, to $55.14.
In corporate news, Goldman Sachs lowered its rating on Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to "Neutral" from "Buy," seeing few catalysts that could push the stock higher. The retailer fell $1.38, or 2.8 percent, to $48.46.
Nick Kalivas, vice president of financial research at MF Global, said traders are cautious ahead of quarterly earnings reports this week from Best Buy Co., FedEx Corp. and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd., all of which are important in their industries.
"It might keep us sideways or lower if we can't get some good news from some of these numbers," he said.
Trading volume remained light Monday, as it has been for weeks. That indicates fewer traders are standing behind the market's moves. Volume does tend to slow in the summer as traders take vacations, but thin volume could indicate there is less conviction behind the market's moves.
About eight stocks fell for every one that rose on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to a light 4.55 billion shares, up from Friday's 4.39 billion.
In other trading, the Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 15.00, or 2.9 percent, to 511.83.
Prosecutors Extend Bonds Investigation
SAN FRANCISCO - With Barry Bonds still firmly in the sights of a federal steroid investigation, prosecutors will impanel a new grand jury to take up where an outgoing one left off Thursday and consider perjury and tax-evasion charges against the star slugger.
"We are not finished," U.S. Attorney Kevin Ryan said. "We have postponed the decision (to indict) for another day in light of some recent developments."
Word that an indictment wasn't imminent came as one grand jury's term expired, and the lawyer for Bonds' personal trainer, Greg Anderson, said his client already had been subpoenaed to testify next Thursday before the new grand jury.
The new panel will further investigate whether Bonds lied under oath when he said he never knowingly took performance-enhancing drugs, attorney Mark Geragos said.
Geragos said Anderson will again refuse to testify.
"They don't even have enough to indict a ham sandwich, much less Barry Bonds," said the slugger's lawyer, Michael Rains. But he seemed to back away slightly from Bonds' earlier statements that he didn't know the substances given to him by Anderson were steroids.
"He was suspicious in light of what he had read as to whether those were steroids or not," Rains told reporters outside the federal courthouse here.
Bonds arrived at AT&T Park with his 16-year-old batboy son. As reporters moved toward his locker, team spokesman Blake Rhodes said Bonds would have no comment.
Major League Baseball declined to comment.
Anderson, a key witness, was freed at midday from the federal prison where he was sent more than two weeks ago for refusing to testify against his childhood friend.
"They can subpoena him every day for the rest of this year, and it doesn't matter," Geragos said. "He's not going to talk."
The judge who ordered Anderson to prison on July 5 said he would be held until he agreed to testify against Bonds or the grand jury's term expired.
Joseph Russienello, the U.S. Attorney in San Francisco from 1982 to 1990, said handing the case off to a new grand jury means the federal government can lock Anderson up for the length of the new grand jury's term, which could extend beyond a year. The threat of a lengthy jail term can convince even the most intransigent witnesses to cave.
"It's no longer a two-week vacation," Russienello said. "Twelve months usually has a way of getting people sensitized to giving truthful testimony."
Speculation has been mounting for weeks that Bonds, one of the biggest names in professional sports, would be indicted Thursday with the grand jury expiring. His lawyers had said they were preparing a defense.
But soon after the grand jury reported to the federal courthouse to begin the final day of its probe, the U.S. Attorney's office issued a statement saying it "is not seeking an indictment (Thursday) in connection with the ongoing steroids-related investigation."
"There's temporary relief in the news we heard today," Rains said. The lawyer said Bonds was elated when he heard of Anderson's release and asked when the two can start working out together again.
"He's hoping this is the end of it," Rains said, "but he doesn't know that, nor do I."
Anderson appears to be the key to whether perjury charges could stick against Bonds, and prosecutors referred to his refusal to testify.
"We will continue to move forward actively in this investigation - including continuing to seek the truthful testimony of witnesses whose testimony the grand jury is entitled to hear," said Luke Macaulay, a spokesman for Ryan, the U.S. attorney.
Bonds testified in 2003 that he thought substances given to him by Anderson were arthritis balm and flaxseed oil. Authorities suspected Bonds was lying and that those items were "the clear" and "the cream" - two performance-enhancing drugs tied to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, the lab exposed as a steroids supplier to top athletes in baseball, track and other sports.
Although Bonds was promised immunity as long as he told the truth, doubts soon surfaced.
- His former girlfriend, Kimberly Bell, testified the slugger told her he had used steroids, according to Bell's lawyer. Bonds' attorney accused Bell of trying to extort money from Bonds and using the platform to promote a book that never was published.
- IRS agent Jeff Novitzky, lead investigator in the steroids probe, said in court filings that BALCO founder Victor Conte told him Bonds used "the clear" on a regular basis.
- Federal agents who raided Anderson's house seized doping calendars, price lists and other documents pointing to Bonds' use of steroids and human growth hormone. Federal prosecutors say they need Anderson, in part, to interpret the calendars, which seem to spell out Bonds' schedule for using performance-enhancing drugs.
Anderson was one of four men convicted in the BALCO scandal. He was sentenced to three months behind bars and three months of home confinement in October after pleading guilty to money laundering and steroid distribution.
He was called to testify before the perjury grand jury and refused. A federal judge found him in contempt of court and ordered him jailed.
Geragos protested, saying Anderson was the victim of an illegal government wiretap and that because Anderson's refusal to cooperate with government investigators is noted in his earlier plea argument, he cannot be forced to testify.
"He took three months in jail rather than cooperate," Geragos said.
He also says Anderson can't trust that his testimony will be kept confidential because other BALCO grand jury testimony has been leaked to the press. Excerpts of testimony by Bonds and other key players in the case was published by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Geragos said he plans to repeat the same arguments.
Allegations of steroid use long have plagued Bonds, who passed Babe Ruth in May to become second only to Hank Aaron on the career home run list. They intensified in late 2003, when he testified before the original BALCO grand jury, which took testimony from about two dozen athletes.
Without Anderson's help, prosecutors still could indict Bonds on charges alleging he failed to pay taxes on money made through sales of autographs and other memorabilia. There is also the possibility Bonds could be indicted on perjury charges without Anderson's testimony.
"There comes a point in time ... where everybody needs to move on," Rains said. "We hope we have arrived at that point today."
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AP Special Correspondent Linda Deutsch in Los Angeles and AP Writers Marcus Wohlsen and Janie McCauley in San Francisco contributed to this report.
Russian aviation agency tells news agencies 15 dead in Kandahar, ...
Russian aviation agency tells news agencies 15 dead in Kandahar, Afghanistan helicopter crash.
USG appoints new president, others
Building materials manufacturer USG Corp. promoted James S.Metcalf, 47, to president and chief operating officer effective Jan.1.
Metcalf will oversee USG's North American operating subsidiaries.He formerly served as executive vice president for USG Corp.
Chairman and CEO William C. Foote, 53, who relinquished the titleof president, also made the following promotions:
-Edward M. Bosowski, 51, to executive vice president and chiefstrategy officer and president of USG International
-Dominic A. Dannessa, 49, to vice president, USG Corp. andexecutive vice president, for manufacturing, building systems.
-Fareed A. Khan, 40, vice president, USG Corp. and executive vicepresident for sales and marketing in building systems.
USG is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy as it seeks legislation to settlean enormous number of asbestos-related liability lawsuits.
Urban Agriculture In Sao Paulo
Brazil
Cidades Sem Pome creates jobs, improves nutrition and brings coherence to impoverished communities through small- and medium-scale urban farming projects.
SAO PAULO is often referred to as the New York of the Southern Hemisphere. With a sprawling population of nearly 20 million people, Sao Paulo - "Sampa," as the locals call it - is characterized by one of the highest crime rates in the world and exemplifies Brazil's tragically large gap between rich and poor.
In the midst of all that chaos is an extraordinarily innovative social enterprise, "Cidades Sem Pome" (Cities Without Hunger), the brainchild of expat Hans Dieter Temp. Cidades Sem Pome seeks to create jobs, improve nutrition and bring coherence to impoverished communities through small- and medium-scale urban agriculture projects. In 2001, having become active in Sampa's municipal environmental programs, Dieter Temp was invited to develop and coordinate the first urban agriculture program for the City's environmental secretary in the favela - or slum - communities in the Eastern Zone of Sao Paulo, home to nearly onethird of the city's residents, with a staggering 32 percent child mortality rate. He began working to organize the community to reclaim some of the vacant land for productive use. The project began slowly, with Dieter Temp purchasing seeds and tools with his own money and organizing community meetings.
Since 2004 - the organization's official start - 21 completely organic urban gardens and farms have been built and dozens of farm stands established. More than 100 gardeners and vendors make their living from the gardens, earning at least 500 reis (about $300) a month, a salary increase of between 60 and 80 percent for most. More than 660 community residents benefit directly from the program's produce and environmental and job training.
Dieter Temp, who studied agricultural and environmental policy in T�bingen, Germany and received a master's degree in business administration from the Federal University in Rio de Janeiro, explains that he knew from the outset that the project would have to become self-sustaining if it were to make a lasting difference in the community. He required that gardeners from the community train one another. This method serves to both build community capacity and minimize the need for paid staff.
Today, gardeners, the majority of whom are women, harvest and sell their produce locally, some directly across the street from the various gardens, some a few miles away (as the larger sites and greenhouses are located on the very edge of Sao Paulo proper). All produce is priced at a rate that local low-income residents can afford. Cidades Sem Pome has partnered with markets in some wealthier neighborhoods as well, where prices are increased to reflect the growing demand for locally-produced organic produce. The organization has also worked with several high-end restaurants to supply food for the city's explosion of and interest in haute cuisine.
Project leaders gather leftover lumber from local construction projects to build crates used to transport vegetables and flowers to market. They also use scrap wood to build terraces in sloped areas, construct boxes for use in home gardens for families who don't have outdoor garden space and to build compost bins for individuals and gardens. Ladders, scaffolding, roves and walls also emerge from scavenged timber, cinderblocks and bricks. Scrap plastics are used for wrapping and planting fruit tree and flower seedlings. And community members are encouraged to collect materials from municipal agricultural and horticultural projects, which Brazil's Department of Agriculture accepts and pays for through its municipal recycling program.
COMPOSTING JS KEY
Composting is a key component of Cidades Sem Pome's strategies. The favelas are poorly served by municipal sanitation services, and so reducing the amount of trash that ends up in street gutters and makeshift dumps is an important component of improving the local environment, hi addition, extensive composting reduces the program's dependence on expensive organic fertilizers, and increases output due to the addition of nitrogen-rich finished compost. Dieter Temp partnered with the city to train community members in composting methods, including the addition of barbeque ash, manure from chickens they keep in their scratch yards and food scraps to their bins. Finished compost is used in home gardens and spread on Cidades Sem Pome community plots.
With so many community members actively composting, Cidades Sem Pome already produces more than it needs for its own projects. A recent grant from the Japanese Consulate in Sao Paulo paid for the purchase of machines to grind pruned tree branches into wood chips fine enough to add as feedstock. The organization is also working with a private company, Ecourbis Ambiental SA, that collects compostable materials within the city center in order to reduce the volume of waste being buried in landfills. Dieter Temp is in the process of developing a partnership where Cidades Sem Pome will receive the raw scraps and break the materials down through composting. Given these new developments, Cidades Sem Pome and Ecourbis Ambiental SA will soon begin cooperatively selling their excess compost for use in public and private residential gardens and a growing number of school gardens. Currently, 60 percent of the trash dumped in Sampa's landfills consist of raw organic materials. Dieter Temp hopes the composting project will not only bring revenue to Cidades Sem Pome but also encourage the growth of urban agriculture in Sao Paulo.
One of organization's most recent initiatives is an aquaculture program. This past spring, with a grant from the Australian Embassy, a tank that can hold 320 square meters of water was built on Cidades Sem Pome's largest site on the city's periphery. Dieter Temp worked with EMBRAPA, a Brazilian agricultural research and training network, to create the model. Tilapia and grass carp are being raised. In one year, fish can grow to reach 2 to 3 kilograms (4-6.5 lbs), and when sold at current market rates, will gross 21,120 Brazilian reis (about $12,500/year).
The fish serve many purposes. Participants can harvest and consume them themselves, providing a much-needed source of protein and minerals. The money made from selling the fish adds to participants' income. And the fish-and-farm symbiosis means raising them is virtually free - the varieties of fish being raised are vegetarian and feast on scraps of cabbage, lettuces and other water-heavy leafy crops. And when the fish tanks need cleaning, the old water is used as a nitrogen-rich fertilizer for the crops.
The conservation and recycling of rainwater is another key component of Cidades Sem Pome's sustainability approach. Rainwater, collected from neighborhood rooftops and gathered in cisterns, is purified and used to irrigate crops. The teams dig wells (4-5 meters deep) at many of their garden sites. The wells are always connected to runoff so that there is a "rational utilization of all available water," says Dieter Temp, noting that users of city water pay by the liter.
Because none of the land on which Cidades Sem Pome's gardens sit is owned by the organization, it is continually on the look-out for new plots. These include public lands, plots owned by private companies that aren't suitable for building projects due to power lines overhead or sewer pipes beneath, and private landowners who want to donate plots for the social project. A technical evaluation of each plot follows, including testing the soil for heavy metals and making sure water is available. Once a lending contract is finalized, the Cidades Sem Pome team cleans the site, amends the soil if needed and selects community members to run the garden - focusing on the most socially vulnerable.
With a focus on reuse, self-sufficiency and sustainability, Cidades Sem Pome has the potential to become a model for other communities, both within Brazil and interna ri onalJy, looking to become more livable and seeking innovative ways to cope with growing rates of poverty and hunger. In an increasingly globalized world, Cidades Sem Pome has become yet another example that acting locally really is the way to lasting change.
[Sidebar]
Cidades Sem Pome founder Hans Dieter Temp (inset) tends to a greenhouse. An urban community garden in Sao Paulo's eastern zone provides fresh vegetables to the under-served (above).
Cidades Sem Pome's aquaculture project, under construction (above) and at fully functional (right), provides extra income to residents as well as much-needed protein to their diets.
[Author Affiliation]
Sara Franklin is an independent food systems consistant and writer.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Brady, Newcomers Lead Pats Over Chargers
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots proved they don't need to spy to win. A few brilliant offseason acquisitions are more than enough.
The Patriots routed the San Diego Chargers 38-14 Sunday night as Tom Brady threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns and got three TDs from players picked up last spring: Randy Moss with two receptions and Adalius Thomas, with a 65-yard interception return.
The victory came three days after the NFL fined Patriots coach Bill Belichick $500,000, the team another $250,000 and took away what is almost sure to be a first-round draft choice.
It wasn't Belichick's spying that paid off Sunday night against a San Diego team that finished 14-2 last season but lost to New England 24-21 in its first playoff game. It was the players he brought in during the offseason - Thomas, Moss and Wes Welker, who combined with Brady and linebacker Rosevelt Colvin to completely dominate a team that figures to be among their main competitors in the AFC.
Moss, who had nine catches for 183 yards and a touchdown in the win over the New York Jets last week hade eight more for 105 yards and 23 and 24-yard TD catches. Welker had 8 catches for 91 yards, including a 34-yarder on the first drive of the game that set up Brady's 7-yard TD pass to Benjamin Watson that got the Patriots (2-0) off to a quick start.
Palin denies accepting $150K in designer clothes
Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is blaming gender bias for the controversy over $150,000 worth of designer clothes, hairstyling and accessories the Republican Party provided for her and her family, a newspaper reported Thursday.
"I think Hillary Clinton was held to a different standard in her primary race," Palin said in an interview with the Chicago Tribune posted on the newspaper's Web site Thursday night. "Do you remember the conversations that took place about her, say superficial things that they don't talk about with men, her wardrobe and her hairstyles, all of that? That's a bit of that double standard."
The Republican National Committee spent about $150,000 on clothing, hair styling, makeup and other "campaign accessories" in September for the McCain campaign after Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin joined the ticket as his running mate.
News of the purchases of designer clothes, largely from upscale Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, contrasts with the folksy image Palin has crafted as a typical, suburban mom.
Palin said the clothes were not worth $150,000 and were bought for the Republican National Convention.
Most of the clothes have never left the campaign plane, she told the newspaper.
"It's kind of painful to be criticized for something when all the facts are not out there and are not reported," Palin said.
"That whole thing is just, bad!" she said. "Oh, if people only knew how frugal we are."
McCain was asked several questions on Thursday about the shopping spree _ and he answered each one more or less the same way: Palin needed clothes and they'll be donated to charity.
"She needed clothes at the time. They'll be donated at end of this campaign. They'll be donated to charity," McCain told reporters on his campaign bus between Florida rallies.
Asked for details on how they'll be donated, McCain said, "It works by her getting some clothes when she was made the nominee of the party and it will be donated back to charity."
Asked if he was surprised at the amount spent, McCain said, "It works that the clothes will be donated to charity. Nothing surprises me."
McCain offered no further comment, except to say that the Republican National Committee doesn't buy his clothes.
Also on Thursday, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, a private watchdog group in Washington, filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Palin, the Republican National Committee and several political operatives alleging that the purchase of clothing for Palin and her family violates the Federal Election Campaign Act.
Asked Wednesday who had paid for the suit he was wearing, Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden told WSLS-TV in Roanoke, Virginia: "I pay for my suits. I pay for all of my own clothing."
Latin skaters have chilly chance of moving to ice
GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Colombian inline skaters Pedro Causil and Yersy Puello have only one basic use for ice: chilling soft drinks or, perhaps, making Mojitos.
Skating on it isn't really an option.
On the other hand, ice could be the future for Keith Carroll, an American who is making the transition from inline skating to short-track speedskating.
Carroll, who failed to win a medal on wheels in the Pan American Games but has big Olympic dreams, says "the way I look at it, the Olympics are something that is attainable."
Causil and Puello don't have such hopes.
W.Va. court accepts appeals in $400m DuPont case
West Virginia's Supreme Court has agreed to a full review of appeals arising from a nearly $400 million judgment against DuPont.
A Harrison County jury awarded the damages to residents last year, after finding the chemical giant downplayed and lied about health threats at a former zinc smelting plant in Spelter.
The high court accepted DuPont's appeal of the verdicts, and of the circuit judge's order holding it liable for the conduct of the site's previous owner.
They've been combined with an appeal from the plaintiffs, who want more people compensated for private property cleanups.
The consolidated argument hearing has not been set.
Justice Robin Davis voted to refuse each of the appeals.
Gov. Joe Manchin had urged the justices to accept the case, citing its $196 million punitive damage award.
Nigeria: China to fund $900m projects in Nigeria
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria says it has secured a $900 million loan from China to boost infrastructure in Africa's most populous country.
Minister of Finance Olusegun Aganga told press Thursday that the Nigerian government had signed a $900 million loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China for the construction of a $500-million railway linking the capital to the northern city of Kaduna and a $400-million public security communications project.
While Nigerian commercial banks avoid risk, China has become a major financier of projects across the continent.
A Chinese report released Thursday said that China's direct investment in Africa had reached $9.33 billion in 2009, a jump from $490 million in 2003.
Germans win pairs title at Skate America
ONTARIO, Calif. (AP) — Three-time world champions Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy rallied to win the pairs title at Skate America on Sunday with a solid free program.
The Germans were fifth Saturday after the short program in which Savchenko fell on their opening throw triple axel and they bobbled at other times in the opening event of the Grand Prix season.
"I hope you missed us yesterday," Szolkowy said, jokingly.
They easily won the long program and finished with 183.98 points to claim their second straight Skate America title and third overall.
"We tried to skate just like in practice," Szolkowy said. "We showed yesterday was the result of trying new things."
Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao of China, who led after the short, settled for silver at 178.66, the same color medal they won at the 2006 Turin Olympics.
Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch of Canada, second last year, earned the bronze at 177.43.
Americans Caydee Denney and John Coughlin finished fourth in their first competition together, just 2.03 points out of a medal.
They were second after the short, but dropped to fourth in the free skate despite a trouble-free routine that earned a standing ovation from the small crowd at Citizens Business Bank Arena 40 miles east of Los Angeles.
Like most of the skaters, Savchenko and Szolkowy unveiled their new programs for the season at the event. Their free skate was to music from a documentary about Pina, a well-known German choreographer.
"The difference (Sunday) was that we tried something new yesterday for the first time in competition," Szolkowy said.
Savchenko added, "We want to try new things. We want to take another step. You're never too old to learn something new."
The Chinese, who are not related, returned to competition for the first time after missing all of last season because of hand, shoulder and knee injuries to Dan.
"We were pretty pleased because we've been training for only a short time," he said through a translator. "It's only the third run-through of the program. My endurance is still lacking."
Americans Tiffany Vise and Don Baldwin finished sixth, while Mary Beth Marley and Rockne Brubaker were seventh. Marley fell three times on triples.
Vise and Baldwin, an off-ice couple, were introduced three times. The first time the wrong music was played, then no music played before the correct piece came on.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Works Warbled in NKorea Included Child's
When Farah Taslima started composing in the third grade, she never dreamed her music would be performed by the New York Philharmonic by the time she was 12. Even if she had, she never could have imagined it would happen in North Korea.
Four members of the orchestra and four North Korean musicians performed Taslima's piece on Wednesday, a day after the 106 members of the Philharmonic performed a historic concert broadcast to the world.
On Saturday morning, Farah, her sister and their parents sat in their Manhattan home talking about an congratulatory e-mail from Jon Deak, a Philharmonic double bass player who runs the orchestra's teaching program for child composers.
Her little piece, "Serenity Unleashed," was "a big hit" in Pyongyang, he wrote.
"I was just, like ... I was amazed!" Farah said. "I never thought something like this would happen. It was awesome."
The orchestra returned to New York on Thursday from the rare visit to North Korea, which is locked in frosty negotiations with the United States over its nuclear weapons program. It was the biggest American delegation to visit the communist country since the Korean War.
Farah's music almost didn't get played, says Deak, who waited to see whether Korean authorities would allow the child's piece to be added to a long-planned performance in a packed hall.
"It was a wild-card thing," said Deak, who called the piece, written by the daughter of an NYPD traffic enforcement agent, "a tiny gem."
Farah had originally written it for the entire Philharmonic two years ago, and it was played at one of the orchestra's Young People's Concerts at Lincoln Center. But she scaled down the work for a smaller group of musicians _ clarinet, violin, cello and double bass, including the Philharmonic's top violinist, concertmaster Glenn Dicterow.
It was no small achievement for the daughter of Khondaker Hossain, who moved to the United States from Bangladesh 11 years ago when Farah was a baby. Her last name is different from his, following a Bangladeshi tradition for naming girls.
"I didn't know what composing was, but I loved it right off the bat," said Farah, who got her first taste of writing music after the program visited her public school four years ago.
Her family lived in Queens, and he worked odd jobs. Last year, Hossain became an NYPD traffic agent.
His wife, Shaheen, stays home and takes care of the family, whose members now live in a luxury high-rise behind Lincoln Center that offers some apartments at affordable rents; they won theirs by lottery.
Another daughter, 18-year-old Sarah, attends Columbia University on scholarship.
Farah's electronic piano stands right outside the bedroom the sisters shared until Sarah went to college. An image of Hannah Montana hangs above the desk with other pop stars, but since she started writing music, Farah also listens to Beethoven and other classics with her family.
The budding composer, barefoot and in jeans, walked up to the black-and-white keys to improvise some new melodies, with some Asian-sounding intervals echoing the music of her roots.
She has not been back to Bangladesh since her family left Dhaka, the capital, but said that "Serenity" was inspired by her parents' stories about her native land in their Bengali language.'
"It begins quietly, then it gets crazy and out of control, like the busy feeling of Bangladesh, always on the move," she said. "And then it goes back to quiet."
Farah, who attends a gifted children's school at Manhattan's M.S. 54, started composing at P.S. 199, where Deak _ also a composer _ introduced his Very Young Composers program, sponsored by the orchestra.
The kids played their recorders to try out tunes, and even if they didn't know how to read or write music well, they were helped by composer Paola Prestini to write down what they sang, played and clapped out.
"Real music is happening on the streets every day _ kids pound, they sing, they dance. I want to bring that in _ the raw sounds that come out of children's voices," says Deak, 64. "I'm looking into their hearts. That's the miracle."
U.VA. DRAMA DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES 2011-2012 SEASON.
Charlottesville, VA -- The following information was released by the University of Virginia:
The University of Virginia Drama Department's 2011-12 season spans centuries and genres and touches on issues ranging from the danger of prejudice to the power of love.
The season will feature three productions at Culbreth Theatre and a pair of productions at the Helms, including one by U.Va. fourth-year student Matthew Minnicino. Productions are:
*
The Tony Award-winning musical "Parade"
*
"Troy Is Burning" by Matthew Minnicino
*
Caryl Churchill's "Vinegar Tom"
*
George Brant's "Elephant's Graveyard"
*
William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"
"Many of the plays in this year's season are connected by themes of justice and injustice," said Tom Bloom, associate professor and drama department chair in the College of Arts and Sciences.
"In 'Parade,' the justice system is manipulated by prejudice and hysteria. You see the extremes we can go to by taking justice into our own hands in 'Elephant's Graveyard.' The injustices faced by women back in the 17th century are still present today in 'Vinegar Tom.' Then you have a tongue-in-cheek look at the fables and foibles of war in 'Troy Is Burning.'" Finally, "Romeo and Juliet" is about the unjust unraveling of romantic love, he said.
Season subscriptions are $60 for adults, $35 for students, $55 for seniors and U.Va. faculty, staff and alumni association members.
Subscriptions allow the most flexible and inexpensive option for securing seats at preferred performances. Subscribers receive not only priority access to seat reservations, but also fee-free ticket exchanges and replacements.
To purchase a subscription, visit the Arts Box Office website, call 434-924-3376, or come to the box in the lobby of the Culbreth Theatre weekdays from noon until 5 p.m.
Single tickets will go on sale Sept. 19 and can also be ordered online, in person or by phone.
Single ticket prices for "Troy Is Burning," "Vinegar Tom," "Elephant's Graveyard" and "Romeo and Juliet" are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and U.Va. faculty, staff and alumni association members and $8 for students.
Ticket prices for "Parade" are $16 for adults, $12 for seniors and U.Va. faculty, staff and alumni association members and $10 for students.
A $3.75 processing fee applies to all online and phone orders.
Free parking is available at the Culbreth Road Parking Garage, near the theaters. For information, visit here.
"Parade," by playwright Alfred Uhry ("Driving Miss Daisy") and composer Jason Robert Brown, is based on the true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish man convicted of murdering young Atlanta factory worker Mary Phagan in 1913. Directed by Robert Chapel, Oct. 6-8 and 12-15 at 8 p.m. in the Culbreth Theatre.
U.Va. fourth-year playwright Matthew Minnicino launches a thousand quips in "Troy Is Burning," a satiric retelling of one of mythology's longest and bloodiest conflicts. From the deadliest damsel of them all, Helen of Troy, to the hapless heroes who battled endlessly in her name, Minnicino creates a world where gods and generals collude and collide along a journey that challenges us to see love and war in new ways. Directed by Richard Warner, Nov. 30-Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 3-4 at 2 p.m. in the Helms Theatre.
Against the backdrop of 17th century witch trials, British playwright Caryl Churchill's "Vinegar Tom" highlights the ongoing struggles for acceptance and equality faced by women, even today. Directed by John Vreeke, Feb. 16-18 and 21-25, at 8 p.m. in the Helms Theatre.
"Elephant's Graveyard," based on history's only recorded lynching of an elephant, takes a 360-degree look at what happened when a Tennessee town took justice in its own hands after a circus elephant killed one of its handlers. Part of the Drama Department's RecentWorks series, each performance will be accompanied by special discussions and events. Directed by Richard Warner, March 21-24, at 8 p.m. in the Culbreth Theatre.
"Romeo and Juliet" is perhaps the most famous love story ever told, 400 years after Shakespeare put ink-dipped pen to paper. Directed by Brantley M. Dunaway, April 19-21 and 25-28 at 8 p.m. and April 29 at 2 p.m. in the Culbreth Theatre.
U.VA. DRAMA DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES 2011-2012 SEASON.Charlottesville, VA -- The following information was released by the University of Virginia:
The University of Virginia Drama Department's 2011-12 season spans centuries and genres and touches on issues ranging from the danger of prejudice to the power of love.
The season will feature three productions at Culbreth Theatre and a pair of productions at the Helms, including one by U.Va. fourth-year student Matthew Minnicino. Productions are:
*
The Tony Award-winning musical "Parade"
*
"Troy Is Burning" by Matthew Minnicino
*
Caryl Churchill's "Vinegar Tom"
*
George Brant's "Elephant's Graveyard"
*
William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"
"Many of the plays in this year's season are connected by themes of justice and injustice," said Tom Bloom, associate professor and drama department chair in the College of Arts and Sciences.
"In 'Parade,' the justice system is manipulated by prejudice and hysteria. You see the extremes we can go to by taking justice into our own hands in 'Elephant's Graveyard.' The injustices faced by women back in the 17th century are still present today in 'Vinegar Tom.' Then you have a tongue-in-cheek look at the fables and foibles of war in 'Troy Is Burning.'" Finally, "Romeo and Juliet" is about the unjust unraveling of romantic love, he said.
Season subscriptions are $60 for adults, $35 for students, $55 for seniors and U.Va. faculty, staff and alumni association members.
Subscriptions allow the most flexible and inexpensive option for securing seats at preferred performances. Subscribers receive not only priority access to seat reservations, but also fee-free ticket exchanges and replacements.
To purchase a subscription, visit the Arts Box Office website, call 434-924-3376, or come to the box in the lobby of the Culbreth Theatre weekdays from noon until 5 p.m.
Single tickets will go on sale Sept. 19 and can also be ordered online, in person or by phone.
Single ticket prices for "Troy Is Burning," "Vinegar Tom," "Elephant's Graveyard" and "Romeo and Juliet" are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and U.Va. faculty, staff and alumni association members and $8 for students.
Ticket prices for "Parade" are $16 for adults, $12 for seniors and U.Va. faculty, staff and alumni association members and $10 for students.
A $3.75 processing fee applies to all online and phone orders.
Free parking is available at the Culbreth Road Parking Garage, near the theaters. For information, visit here.
"Parade," by playwright Alfred Uhry ("Driving Miss Daisy") and composer Jason Robert Brown, is based on the true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish man convicted of murdering young Atlanta factory worker Mary Phagan in 1913. Directed by Robert Chapel, Oct. 6-8 and 12-15 at 8 p.m. in the Culbreth Theatre.
U.Va. fourth-year playwright Matthew Minnicino launches a thousand quips in "Troy Is Burning," a satiric retelling of one of mythology's longest and bloodiest conflicts. From the deadliest damsel of them all, Helen of Troy, to the hapless heroes who battled endlessly in her name, Minnicino creates a world where gods and generals collude and collide along a journey that challenges us to see love and war in new ways. Directed by Richard Warner, Nov. 30-Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 3-4 at 2 p.m. in the Helms Theatre.
Against the backdrop of 17th century witch trials, British playwright Caryl Churchill's "Vinegar Tom" highlights the ongoing struggles for acceptance and equality faced by women, even today. Directed by John Vreeke, Feb. 16-18 and 21-25, at 8 p.m. in the Helms Theatre.
"Elephant's Graveyard," based on history's only recorded lynching of an elephant, takes a 360-degree look at what happened when a Tennessee town took justice in its own hands after a circus elephant killed one of its handlers. Part of the Drama Department's RecentWorks series, each performance will be accompanied by special discussions and events. Directed by Richard Warner, March 21-24, at 8 p.m. in the Culbreth Theatre.
"Romeo and Juliet" is perhaps the most famous love story ever told, 400 years after Shakespeare put ink-dipped pen to paper. Directed by Brantley M. Dunaway, April 19-21 and 25-28 at 8 p.m. and April 29 at 2 p.m. in the Culbreth Theatre.
U.VA. DRAMA DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES 2011-2012 SEASON.Charlottesville, VA -- The following information was released by the University of Virginia:
The University of Virginia Drama Department's 2011-12 season spans centuries and genres and touches on issues ranging from the danger of prejudice to the power of love.
The season will feature three productions at Culbreth Theatre and a pair of productions at the Helms, including one by U.Va. fourth-year student Matthew Minnicino. Productions are:
*
The Tony Award-winning musical "Parade"
*
"Troy Is Burning" by Matthew Minnicino
*
Caryl Churchill's "Vinegar Tom"
*
George Brant's "Elephant's Graveyard"
*
William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"
"Many of the plays in this year's season are connected by themes of justice and injustice," said Tom Bloom, associate professor and drama department chair in the College of Arts and Sciences.
"In 'Parade,' the justice system is manipulated by prejudice and hysteria. You see the extremes we can go to by taking justice into our own hands in 'Elephant's Graveyard.' The injustices faced by women back in the 17th century are still present today in 'Vinegar Tom.' Then you have a tongue-in-cheek look at the fables and foibles of war in 'Troy Is Burning.'" Finally, "Romeo and Juliet" is about the unjust unraveling of romantic love, he said.
Season subscriptions are $60 for adults, $35 for students, $55 for seniors and U.Va. faculty, staff and alumni association members.
Subscriptions allow the most flexible and inexpensive option for securing seats at preferred performances. Subscribers receive not only priority access to seat reservations, but also fee-free ticket exchanges and replacements.
To purchase a subscription, visit the Arts Box Office website, call 434-924-3376, or come to the box in the lobby of the Culbreth Theatre weekdays from noon until 5 p.m.
Single tickets will go on sale Sept. 19 and can also be ordered online, in person or by phone.
Single ticket prices for "Troy Is Burning," "Vinegar Tom," "Elephant's Graveyard" and "Romeo and Juliet" are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and U.Va. faculty, staff and alumni association members and $8 for students.
Ticket prices for "Parade" are $16 for adults, $12 for seniors and U.Va. faculty, staff and alumni association members and $10 for students.
A $3.75 processing fee applies to all online and phone orders.
Free parking is available at the Culbreth Road Parking Garage, near the theaters. For information, visit here.
"Parade," by playwright Alfred Uhry ("Driving Miss Daisy") and composer Jason Robert Brown, is based on the true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish man convicted of murdering young Atlanta factory worker Mary Phagan in 1913. Directed by Robert Chapel, Oct. 6-8 and 12-15 at 8 p.m. in the Culbreth Theatre.
U.Va. fourth-year playwright Matthew Minnicino launches a thousand quips in "Troy Is Burning," a satiric retelling of one of mythology's longest and bloodiest conflicts. From the deadliest damsel of them all, Helen of Troy, to the hapless heroes who battled endlessly in her name, Minnicino creates a world where gods and generals collude and collide along a journey that challenges us to see love and war in new ways. Directed by Richard Warner, Nov. 30-Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 3-4 at 2 p.m. in the Helms Theatre.
Against the backdrop of 17th century witch trials, British playwright Caryl Churchill's "Vinegar Tom" highlights the ongoing struggles for acceptance and equality faced by women, even today. Directed by John Vreeke, Feb. 16-18 and 21-25, at 8 p.m. in the Helms Theatre.
"Elephant's Graveyard," based on history's only recorded lynching of an elephant, takes a 360-degree look at what happened when a Tennessee town took justice in its own hands after a circus elephant killed one of its handlers. Part of the Drama Department's RecentWorks series, each performance will be accompanied by special discussions and events. Directed by Richard Warner, March 21-24, at 8 p.m. in the Culbreth Theatre.
"Romeo and Juliet" is perhaps the most famous love story ever told, 400 years after Shakespeare put ink-dipped pen to paper. Directed by Brantley M. Dunaway, April 19-21 and 25-28 at 8 p.m. and April 29 at 2 p.m. in the Culbreth Theatre.
Monday, March 5, 2012
A blueprint for expanded opportunities for Asians
Stephen Spielberg one day may realize that women (and men) findRick Yune just as attractive as, say, Tom Cruise. But until then, notall filmmakers are content to sit around waiting for Hollywood tojoin the rainbow coalition.
After reading director Brian Southers' script for "Missed It" -- astory about black high school students -- Chicago-based Korean-American filmmaker Man-Sung Son suggested a couple of the roles go toAsian Americans. Southers agreed.
"Brian was really excited about having a multicultural,multiethnic group …
Nationwide brand is simply big talk, so far.(ATM and electronic banking nationwide brand)(Future of Electronic Networks)
One of the fruits of success for the surviving regional electronic banking networks is their readily recognizable brand names.
But while consumers have grown comfortable with identities such as Honor and MAC, Star and NYCE, the networks may ultimately fall victim to their own success.
The nation's largest banking companies, which typically operate in multiple states, long ago tired of supporting a variety of automated teller machine brands. They have pushed for much of the network consolidation that has taken place to date.
But the pace of network consolidation may not be keeping up with the banks' geographical expansion. Some industry sources say leaders of large banks have even started to talk about creating a single, nationwide ATM …
CASE MADE FOR YEAR 2001 TO BEGIN NEXT MILLENNIUM.(PERSPECTIVE)
Byline: CHRIS AZIZ GUILDERLAND
With all due respect to the writer of the March 11 letter regarding when the next millennium begins, I felt obliged to get out my broom and beat the issue to death further. I'm no historian and I have no documentation regarding the absence of a year zero -- however, to compare how we assign ages to people doesn't need to coincide with how we label periods of time.
Any moment of time between midnight and 1 a.m. still occurs within the first hour of the day. Any given day in the …
Rogers Cup Results
Results Sunday at the Rogers Cup, a $3 million ATP World Tour tournament on outdoor hard courts at Rexall Centre (seedings in …
WANING LIBIDO; The pill's dark secret
A few months ago a New York woman called her gynecologist to find out whether her birth control pills were ruining her sex drive.
It would be the ultimate irony. Could medication created to liberate women be the cause of her yearlong struggle with a waning libido? Could the pill really reduce sex drive? Turns out it can.
"I called my gynecologist and she said 'Oh yeah, that's a side effect,'" said the woman, who is 24 and did not want her real name used. "It was like she expected it - I couldn't believe she never mentioned that it could happen."
The woman's gynecologist is just one member of a larger scientific community that routinely downplays a problem that's …
62% OF CONSUMERS ARE FINDING ONLINE CREDIT REPORTS USEFUL.(Brief Article)(Polling Data)(Statistical Data Included)
Consumers are seeking out their credit reports, with 8% of Internet users saying they have looked at their own report online within the last six months, according to a survey by the Online Banking Report newsletter. Sixty-two percent found the service somewhat valuable or more valuable, according to the Seattle-based report. It estimates that the demand for credit reports in the online …
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Capture key insights on issues that matter at the Ohio Accounting Show in Dayton: new location, 60+ sessions.(Education)
The highly popular Ohio Accounting Show series kicks off its 2009 season in Dayton, May 19-20, with a move to Sinclair Community College. The news headlines are laying the foundation for a great line-up of more than 60 sessions.
The economic crisis is taking its toll on businesses--but what about your personal finances? Sandra K. Pierce, CPA, vice president of wealth management with Parker, Carlson & Johnson in Dayton, will offer insight into how to manage your finances in a turbulent market.
"Regarding to the stock market, the first thing I tell people is don't panic and sell everything," Pierce said. "Yes, the stock market is down, but it will come back. If you sell now, …
Experts warn feeding deer spreads illness; Increasing cases of fatal chronic wasting disease concern scientists.(Main)
Byline: KATHARINE WEBSTER Associated Press
MILAN, N.H. - As a group of white-tailed deer hesitates at the edge of the woods, logger Rick Gagne strides across his yard with a bucket of molasses-sweetened grain calling, "Come on! Come on and eat!"
Gagne tosses some feed onto the snow and, one by one, the does and fawns venture into the open to grab a few mouthfuls. Wary of strangers, they stay only a minute or two before running back into the woods, white tails flashing.
So many people feed deer in far northern New Hampshire during winter that wildlife biologists say all deer get some commercial feed in their diets.
"You'll get one person who starts feeding, another sees it, and it's like a chain reaction," said Will Staats, state wildlife biologist for Coos County.
Wildlife experts have long discouraged feeding, saying it makes the …
FIRE IN DEEP-FAT FRYER BURNS ELSMERE HOME.(CAPITAL REGION)
BETHLEHEM -- A Bender Lane woman and her son lost their Elsmere home Tuesday when a deep-fat fryer in a basement kitchen caught fire, fire officials said.
Lillian Sigsby and her adult son were on the first floor of the large, ranch-style home at 208 Bender Lane, leaving the fryer unattended in the basement, said Elsmere Fire Chief Richard Webster. Webster said did not know the son's name.
The son smelled smoke just before 2 p.m., went to the basement and saw the kitchen in flames, said Webster. "He went back upstairs, got his mother out of the house and went back inside with a fire extinguisher," explained the chief.
"But by that time, …
BtoB Q&A: Rigler streamlines EDS global marketing group.(News)(Interview)
Byline: CAROL KROL
Gail Rigler, corporate VP-global marketing for Electronic Data Systems Corp., is approaching her 23rd year with the $22 billion business services outsourcing giant. But there are so many new aspects of her work-and of the company she works for-that she sees no chance she'll become bored any time soon.
Formerly VP-marketing and strategic planning for the communications industry group within EDS, Rigler now orchestrates marketing efforts across the entire company.
Plano, Texas-based EDS is going through a significant "transformation plan,'' initiated by its new Chairman-CEO Mike Jordan, in order to trim costs and to compete more effectively in the data and business intelligence services arena. As part of this corporate plan, the marketing …
Palm oil tanker, 25 crew believed seized off Kenya
SINGAPORE (AP) — A Singapore shipper says pirates have likely hijacked a palm oil tanker and its 25-member crew off the coast of Kenya.
Glory Ship Management Pte. Ltd. said in a statement Sunday that pirates are believed to have seized the Singapore-registered MT Gemini and its more than 28,000 tons of crude palm …
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