The economic news in recent weeks suggests that the recovery has hit a rough patch, but at least one forward-looking review of the macro trend says the rearview mirror may be misleading.
The 35 economists in yesterday’s update of the biannual Livingston Survey—the longest-running continuous set of predictions by scientists—see moderately improving conditions in the second half of this year.
As if Jonathan Perez’s return home wasn’t special enough, something special was waiting for him in the parking lot after USS Hampton docked in San Diego.
Parents welcomed home their youngest son during a tearful reunion, then showed him what his father had been working on every night since his first tour of duty began with the U.S. Navy.
As if Jonathan Perez’s return home wasn’t special enough, something special was waiting for him in the parking lot after USS Hampton docked in San Diego.
The Parents welcomed home their youngest son during a tearful reunion, then showed him what his father had been working on every night since his first tour of duty began with the U.S. Navy.
“Your horse is a mirror to your soul, and sometimes you may not like what you see. Sometimes, you will.”
So says Buck Brannaman, a true American cowboy and sage on horseback who travels the country for nine grueling months a year helping horses with people problems.
BUCK, a documentary featured at the Sundance film festival, follows Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses.
A 15-year-old girl from North England has been fighting cancer for four years and now strangers around the world are fighting to help her cross off as many items as possible from her ‘bucket list’.
To stay in a caravan. To swim with sharks. To go to Kenya. To go to Cadbury World eating lots of chocolate.
The story of Alice Pyne has been a popular trending topic on Twitter (#alicebucketlist) as the online community works to help her realize her dreams.
(READ the story in the Globe and Mail) – See her blog at alicepyne.blogspot.com
Georgia outfielder Johnathan Taylor, who was paralyzed after colliding with a teammate in March, was drafted by the Texas Rangers on Wednesday in the 33rd round of the MLB Draft.
“The kid, he’s obviously going through a tough time, and this was a way to let him know that people are thinking about him,” Ryan Coe, the Texas Rangers scout for Georgia, told the AJC.
“And you know what? The kid deserved to be drafted. He was a good player for all those years. He’s somebody we had interest in had he been healthy.”
In a display of loyalty that surprised many outsiders, 29 year-old Cate Edwards walked into a North Carolina federal courthouse last week with her father, John Edwards, the former senator and presidential candidate who had cheated on her mother and shattered his career and their family.
But insiders know she had always been the glue that holds the family together through tragedy and loss.
“Despite all the things that have happened, she wants her father to succeed and her family to stay together,” said a family friend.
As computers, data centers and mobile devices become more powerful, their energy requirements are likewise generally increasing. Possible solutions to the problem include power-saving sleep modes, devices that keep computers from drawing a current when supposedly turned off, and water-cooled processors.
EnerJ, a new solution created at the University of Washington, takes a different approach – it supplies less power to regions of the chip that are performing processes that don’t require absolute precision.
The US Senate defeated an attempt by big banks to derail financial reform scheduled to take effect next month that will bring some overdue common sense to the debit card fees banks are allowed to charge merchants.
Under the reform, starting July 21, rather than a percentage charge, swipe fees paid to the biggest banks will be set at a flat 12 cents per transaction — a huge 75% reduction that will benefit low income people most, who don’t even use such banking services.
A Japanese-American soldier who single-handedly stormed machine gun nests in World War II clearing the way for an entire battalion to escape was awarded the military’s second highest honor yesterday, the Distinguished Service Award.
“Rocky” Matayoshi’s father was locked in an internment camp in California when he told his newly-enlisted son to make America proud.
(WATCH the video below from the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC)
Solar power was first developed in the US a half century ago. Now industry leaders are on the road to make the case that solar is finally ready to compete against nuclear power, natural gas, and coal.
Solar costs have fallen sharply in the last few years, because of increased production and technological advances. “Solar is ramping down in cost where it is competitive with all these other forms of energy,” said Thomas Dinwoodie, the founder of SunPower, the second largest US solar company.
Enchanted Makeovers is celebrating its fifth year working in women’s shelters to transform interior spaces — drab bunks and windows — with cheery designs, but, ultimately, the non-profit organization wants to transform the inner hearts of people by genuinely caring for their souls.
The majority of women living in shelters have small children. While their basic needs are being met, the conditions are sometimes depressing. The environment can be sterile, in need of repair, and certainly not conducive to nurturing dreams for a better future.
Enchanted Makeovers pulls together volunteers and donors to change all of that, going well beyond painting a wall and collecting toiletries.
“We transform physical shelter spaces into whimsical cottage retreats for women and children because we believe every single one of us is worthy,” says Terry Grahl, a former interior designer who left the profession to become founder and president of Enchanted Makeovers.
The entire physical space is uplifing. Mural artists paint inspiring images on the walls and children receive their own hand-made dolls. For many of the women and children in the shelters, for the first time in their lives they feel worthy and valued. The children’s shoes are even painted with images of their dreams for the future, so with each step they are moving toward that dream.
The group also brings together projects such as cooking and sewing classes, setting up sewing rooms and gardens, and journaling, fitness and art programs.
“The transformation of the residents and staff, as well as donors and volunteers is incredible,” says Grahl.
The impact of her team’s efforts is not short-lived. The work in local shelters creates a ripple effect in the community which excites and empowers other volunteers to continue the mission long after the team is gone.
Environmental psychology has proven that imagery in the environment influences human behavior on many levels. In his book The Worry Solution, Martin Rossman, M.D. talks about how images and the environment actually affect the brain’s limbic system. They can actually act as a stress reliever. The power of imagination also plays a part. As Dr.Victor Frankl, the author of Man’s Search for Meaning pointed out, when you can imagine survival, you will survive.
The truth is that Enchanted Makeovers is not a series of “decorating” projects; it is a movement to transform not only the lives of the women and families who are rebuilding but also to transform those who participate in the giving.
Enchanted Makeovers is celebrating its fifth year working in women’s shelters to transform interior spaces — drab bunks and windows — with cheery designs, but, ultimately, the non-profit organization wants to transform the inner hearts of people by genuinely caring for their souls.
The majority of women living in shelters have small children. While their basic needs are being met, the conditions are sometimes depressing. The environment can be sterile, in need of repair, and certainly not conducive to nurturing dreams for a better future.
Enchanted Makeovers pulls together volunteers and donors to change all of that, going well beyond painting a wall and collecting toiletries.
Of all freight transportation options, rail is the most environmentally friendly way to move goods over land, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which estimates that for every ton-mile, a typical truck emits roughly three times more nitrogen oxide and particulates than a locomotive.
If just 10% of the nation’s freight were shifted to rail fuel savings would approach one billion gallons annually.
New energy innovations and green programs at CSX Transportation, one of the major rail lines serving the Eastern half of the US, not only save money for the company but are also conserving fuel and cutting additional carbon emissions.
So far, the private company has invested $2 billion over the last decade to improve its locomotive fuel efficiency with the result that its trains can move one ton of freight nearly 500 miles, on average, with a single gallon of diesel fuel.
1) Locomotive Idling Reduction Technology
To reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions during idling along its 21,000 miles of track, CSX has invested in two separate pieces of idle-reducing technology. Auxiliary Power Units provide power to a locomotive, allowing the larger diesel engine to be shut down. The Automated Engine Start Stop acts similarly by automatically shutting down the locomotive when not in use and automatically starting it when needed.
2) New Piloting Technology
A new, real-time energy management technology uses GPS and track data on both grade and curvature to identify the most fuel-efficient throttle settings for each trip as the train moves across the system. In addition, methods of rail lubrication are being explored to reduce rail-to-wheel friction and increase fuel efficiency.
3) Recycling
With zero waste the ultimate goal, CSX is using a variety of materials that are recycled in their day-to-day business. Steel from old locomotives and rail cars is recycled, along with batteries, cross ties, and electronic equipment. Also, millions of gallons of oil annually are recycled, with some being used to heat buildings in certain locations.
4) Hazardous Chemicals Cut From Cleaning Regimen
Cleaners containing chlorinated solvents and low-flash-point mineral spirits are now banned from use on railroads. These cleaners have been replaced with environmentally friendly cleaners, such as 140 Solvent. Oil-based paints are in the process of being replaced with water- based low-VOC paints, which are purchased in 300-gallon reusable totes, reducing packaging associated with paint products.
5) Environmental Crimes Unit
With illegal dumping rampant on railroad properties, CRX has initialed a Police Environmental Crimes Unit to investigate and prosecute offenders. Since the unit’s inception, 1,020 incidents have been investigated, resulting in 52 prosecutions, with a conviction record of nearly 100%.
6) Upgrading Tracks for Double-Decker Freight Cars
In May 2008, CSX Corporation launched the National Gateway, an $842 million public-private infrastructure initiative to beef up the transportation link between the Mid-Atlantic ports and the Midwest. The goal is to provide clearance and tracks for double-stack trains that can carry twice as much cargo and provide significant environmental and efficiency benefits.
The National Gateway leverages the benefits of rail transportation to the fullest by enhancing three existing rail corridors that run through Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.
When completed, the National Gateway will significantly benefit the nation by not only cutting fuel use and emissions per ton of freight, but improving safety and highway congestion by maximizing the efficiency of freight rail and partnering with trucking companies to reduce truck miles traveled by more than 14.3 billion miles.
* Increasing economic competitiveness by saving $3.5 billion in shipper and logistics costs, significantly increasing freight capacity, reducing transit times by 24 to 48 hours between West Coast ports and major population centers; and tripling the market access potential for the ports of Baltimore, Hampton Roads and Wilmington;
* Creating more than 50,000 jobs, including more than 25,000 jobs in 14 economically distressed areas (more than 4,000 jobs are to be created by the end of 2012); and
* Repairing and replacing declining infrastructure, replacing older bridges and avoiding more than $670 million in pavement maintenance costs, while requiring no public funding for ongoing maintenance.
The city of Grand Rapids came together to produce a sweeping and inspiring music video as an official response to the Newsweek article calling the Michigan metropolis a “dying city.”
With 2.7 million views on YouTube, the public seems to agree with film critic Roger Ebert who called it “The Greatest Music Video Ever Made.”
The filming on May 22nd involved 5,000 participants and a major shutdown of downtown Grand Rapids.
The streets were instead filled with marching bands, parades, weddings and motorcades — all the people playing their parts in a single panning shot of nine minutes, and singing along to the classic pop lyrics “Bye, buy Miss American Pie”.
Rob Bliss, the director & executive producer said the city wanted to create a video that “encompasses the passion and energy we all feel is growing exponentially, in this great city.”
“We felt Don McLean’s American Pie, a song about death, was, in the end, triumphant and filled to the brim with life and hope.”
The $40,000 production was entirely financed by the generosity of local businesses and sponsors. The resulting non-profit organization is selling merchandise at CafePress to multiply the buzz.
WATCH the video below… (Thanks to Justin for sending the link!)
The city of Grand Rapids came together to produce a sweeping and inspiring music video as an official response to the Newsweek article calling the Michigan metropolis a “dying city.”
With 2.7 million views on YouTube, the public seems to agree with film critic Roger Ebert who called it “The Greatest Music Video Ever Made.”
The filming on May 22nd involved 5,000 participants and a major shutdown of downtown Grand Rapids.
They represent the opposing principals in one of the Supreme Court’s landmark blunders, Plessy v. Ferguson, which upheld the constitutionality of Jim Crow laws mandating segregation under the “separate but equal” doctrine.
The descendent of the man who tested Louisiana’s law requiring separate railroad cars for whites and blacks and the great-great-granddaughter of the judge who upheld it met in 2004.
She felt the need to apologize. He said there was no need to do so and suggested a union instead.
Now, they run a civil rights education organization bearing their famous names, the Plessy & Ferguson Foundation. They created the Foundation to perpetuate the truth that separate but equal is inherently unequal when decisions are made based on race.
(READ the full story in the Washington Post) – Thanks to Kevin for sending the link!
Viktor Frankl asserted in his book, Man’s Search for Meaning, that the fundamental need for purpose and direction in our lives may be as important to our psychological growth as eating is to our biological survival.
With the accelerating pace of life, it’s not easy to maintain our sense of direction. Yet we strive to do so, because a sense of purpose toward a meaningful goal may be the best part of happiness. In this pursuit, the journey may indeed matter more than the destination — but without a destination to aim for there is no journey; we can only wander.
Viktor Frankl asserted in his book, Man’s Search for Meaning, that the fundamental need for purpose and direction in our lives may be as important to our psychological growth as eating is to our biological survival.
With the accelerating pace of life, it’s not easy to maintain our sense of direction. Yet we strive to do so, because a sense of purpose toward a meaningful goal may be the best part of happiness. In this pursuit, the journey may indeed matter more than the destination — but without a destination to aim for there is no journey; we can only wander.
Volunteers have been pouring into a Florida marine conservancy center to help care for a group of stranded whales.
Three remaining pilot whales from a pod of 23 that stranded itself off the lower Florida keys have fought to stay alive in a bayside pen at the Marine Mammal Conservancy center.
