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Colin Powell on Welfare & Poverty
Secretary of State (Pres. Bush Cabinet)
America's Promise helped 15M disadvantaged kids
America's Promise, founded by General Colin L. Powell (U.S. Ret.) and his wife, Alma, offers an interesting model for people seeking to advance a cause with multiple programs in which many people are already involved. The mission of America's Promise is to give all children what they need to succeed by keeping five promises to them: the involvement of caring adults, access to safe places, a healthy start, a good education, and opportunities to help others. In its el America's Promise has alliances with more than 105 partners from businesses, NGOs, communities, and policy-makers. Its goal is to deliver more promises to 15 million disadvantaged young people over the next five years. Source: Giving, by Bill Clinton, p.132-133 , Sep 4, 2007
Promise Five: Opportunities for community service
Even though youth are more likely to volunteer than adults, fewer than half of all youth consistently serve others. A result is that they miss this powerful opportunity for growth. Giving children and adolescents opportunities to serve others is an important strategy in shaping America's future. Besides school-based community service, youth can contribute via:
Religious congregations
Neighborhood teams
Service-learning experiences enhance self-esteem, a sense of personal competence and efficacy, engagement with school, and social responsibility for others. Youth are much less likely to volunteer if they are not asked.
Powell says, "I believe to the depth of my heart that a teenager who has spent a few hours a week helping a younger child learn to read, or spent a few hours at a hospice helping an older person reach the end of their life in dignity, is a changed person." Source: America's Promise Web Page , Jan 8, 2001
Teach kids volunteerism while young
As we are giving [the] necessities to our children, let's ask them to also give something back to the community of which they are a part. Early in life, help them learn of the joy that comes from giving to others, help them learn that through service to others, service to community, they will put virtues in their heart that will make them absolutely beautiful adults when they grow up; and that what's important in life is giving to others, not whether your sneakers cost more than someone else's sneakers. Source: Speech at the Republican convention , Jul 30, 2000
Reform the entitlement state, not just the welfare state
It is the entitlement state that must be reformed, and not just the welfare state. The good jobs needed to sustain families come from a faster-growing economy where the free enterprise system is unleashed to create wealth. Wealth which produces new industries which produce more good jobs. In this richest nation on earth, we still have not solved the problems of poverty which tear away at the roots of strong families. And for which government assistance is a poor substitute for good jobs. Source: Speech to the Republican National Convention , Aug 12, 1996
Promote energy security with more LIHEAP spending.
Powell adopted the National Energy Policy Development Group report:
The National Energy Policy seeks to lessen the impact on Americans of energy price volatility and supply uncertainty. Such uncertainty increases as we reduce America 's dependence on foreign sources of energy. At the same time, however, we recognize that a significant percentage of our resources will come from overseas. Energy security must be a priority of US trade and foreign policy. We must look beyond our borders and restore America 's credibility with overseas suppliers. In addition, we must build strong relationships with energy-producing nations in our own hemisphere, improving the outlook for trade, investment, and reliable supplies. Energy security also requires preparing our nation for supply emergencies, and assisting low-income Americans who are most vulnerable in times of supply disruption, price spikes, and extreme weather.
To ensure energy security for our nation and its families, our report includes these recommendations:
Dedicate new funds to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program by funneling a portion of oil and gas royalty payments to LIHEAP when oil and natural gas prices exceed a certain amount.
Double funding for the Department of Energy 's Weatherization Assistance Program, increasing funding by $1. 4 billion over 10 years.
Direct the Federal Emergency Management Administration to prepare for potential energy-related emergencies.
Support a North American Energy Framework to expand and accelerate cross-border energy investment, oil and gas pipelines, and electricity grid connections by streamlining and expediting permitting procedures with Mexico and Canada. Direct federal agencies to expedite necessary permits for a gas pipeline route from Alaska to the lower 48 states.
Source: National Energy Policy report 01-NEPD4 on May 2, 2001
Click here for VoteMatch responses by Colin Powell.
Click here for AmericansElect.org quiz by Colin Powell.
Click here for MyOcracy.org quiz by Colin Powell.
Click here for a Wikipedia profile of Colin Powell.
Click here for a Ballotpedia profile of Colin Powell.
Other candidates on Welfare & Poverty: Colin Powell on other issues:
Former Presidents/Veeps:
George W. Bush (R,2001-2009)
V.P.Dick Cheney
Bill Clinton (D,1993-2001)
V.P.Al Gore
George Bush Sr. (R,1989-1993)
Ronald Reagan (R,1981-1989)
Jimmy Carter (D,1977-1981)
Gerald Ford (R,1974-1977)
Richard Nixon (R,1969-1974)
Lyndon Johnson (D,1963-1969)
John F. Kennedy (D,1961-1963)
Dwight Eisenhower (R,1953-1961)
Harry_S_TrumanHarry S Truman(D,1945-1953)
Religious Leaders:
Political Thinkers:
Secy.Robert Reich
Gov.Jesse Ventura Abortion


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Find a State
"The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: 'It connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity."
"Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe. And to the same Divine Author of every good and perfect gift [James 1:17] we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land."
Charles Carroll
"Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure (and) which insures to the good eternal happiness, are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments."
Signer of Declaration of Independence
"My fellow americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."
"The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his own weight."
"Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones."
Founding Father
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"
Civil Rights Leader
"It's the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and to humbly implore his protection and favor."
"It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must defend ourselves. If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it was fired from within or without, we must try to extinguish it."
Entered the Union: February 14, 1912 (48) Capital: Santa Fe
Origin of Name: From Mexico, "place of Mexitli," an Aztec god or leader
State Nickname: Land of Enchantment State Bird: Roadrunner
State Motto: Crescit eundo (It grows as it goes) State Tree: Piñon
State Gem: Turquoise State Flower: Yucca
State Song:"O Fair New Mexico" State Animal: Black Bear
National Parks: 3 • National Forests: 7 • State Parks: 32
Famous for: Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands, Gila Cliff Dwellings
Famous New Mexicans: William "Billy the Kid" Bonney (outlaw), Ralph Bunche (Nobel Peace Prize winner), Glen Campbell (singer), Kit Carson (army scout), John Chisum (cattle king), John Denver (singer), Bo Diddley (blues guitarist), Patrick Garrett (lawman), Sid Guitierrez (astronaut), William Hanna (animator), Conrad Hilton (hotel executive), Nancy Lopez (golfer), Demi Moore (actress), Al & Bobby Unser (auto racers)
Animals and Birds: Click on photos of the animals and birds on this page to find out more about them and to hear the sounds they make.
State Fair: Albuquerque
New Mexico National Parks
New Mexico National Forests & Grasslands
New Mexico State Parks
New Mexico Historic Sites
New Mexico Attractions
Skiing in New Mexico
Fishing in New Mexico
Hunting in New Mexico
Listen to Roadrunner's Song
New Mexico Photo Gallery
New Mexico Butterfly Gallery
New Mexico Homeschooling
New Mexico Resorts
New Mexico RV Parks
New Mexico Hotels & Reviews
Native Americans have been living in New Mexico for some twenty thousand years. The Pueblo, Apache, Comanche, Navajo, and Ute peoples were in the New Mexico region when Spanish settlers arrived.
Spain claimed the area in 1539. Soon settlers began migrating north from Mexico. Missionaries built missions to teach the Indians Spanish culture and Christianity.
In 1680, the Indians massacred hundreds of Spaniards and forced the rest back to Mexico. Spain returned and recaptured New Mexico in 1692.
In 1821, Mexico gained its independence from Spain, and New Mexico came under Mexican control. This same year U.S. traders opened the Santa Fe Trail, connecting Missouri with Santa Fe. In 1848, the United States won the Mexican War and New Mexico became a U.S. territory.
White Sands National Monument is a desert, not of sand, but of gleaming white gypsum crystals.
Each October Albuquerque hosts the world's largest international hot air balloon fiesta.
In 1969, Oryx were introduced onto New Mexico by the Game and Fish Department (also Ibex and Barbary Sheep). The current population of Oryx is now estimated at 1,700.
The world's first Atomic Bomb was detonated on July 16, 1945 on the White Sands Testing Range near Alamogordo. The bomb was designed and manufactured in Los Alamos.
Since New Mexico's climate is so dry 3/4 of the roads are left unpaved. The roads don't wash away.
Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the United States, was founded in 1610.
Hatch is known as the "Green Chile capital of the world".
The Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe is the oldest government building in the nation. The Spanish built it as part of a fortress during the winter of 1609-1610.
Santa Fe is the highest capital city in the United States at 7,000 feet above sea level.
Santa Fe is the oldest state capitol in the nation.
Albuquerque hosts the world's largest hot air balloon festival the first weekend in October.
The leaves of the Yucca, New Mexico's state flower, can be used to make rope, baskets and sandals.
Located in a collapsed lave tube, the Bandera Ice Cave's temperature never rises above freezing. At the bottom of the 75 foot deep cave, the ice floor is 20 feet thick.
Blue Hole, an 81-foot deep natural artesian spring in Santa Rosa, is a favorite location for scuba divers. It's 4,600 feet above sea level, making the bottom an equivalent of nearly 100 feet of depth in the ocean.
In some isolated villages in New Mexico , such as Truchas, Chimayo', and Coyote in the north-central part of the state, some descendants of Spanish conquistadors still speak a form of 16th century Spanish used nowhere else in the world today.
The Santo Domingo Mission between Albuquerque and Santa Fe was built fifteen years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth.
Standing on the crest of 8,182-foot Capulin Volcano in Union County, you can see five states: New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado and Kansas!
The first gold strike in the Old West was made by Jose Ortiz in 1832 south of Santa Fe,
More than 500, 100-million-year-old dinosaur footprints have been identified and preserved at Clayton Lake State Park.
In 1950 the little cub that became the National Fire Safety symbol, Smokey the Bear, was found trapped in a tree when his home in Lincoln National Forest was destroyed by fire.
New Mexico has seven National Forests including the nation's largest, 3.3 million acre Gila National Forest which includes the Gila Wilderness.
Tens of thousands of bats live in the Carlsbad Caverns. The largest chamber of Carlsbad Caverns is more than 10 football fields long and about 22 stories high.
One out of three families in New Mexico speak Spanish at home.
At Lake Valley, miners discovered silver in veins so pure that the metal could be sawn off in blocks, instead of having to be dug out by traditional methods.
The father of modern rocketry Massachusetts scientist Robert Goddard whom some called a crackpot, came to New Mexico in 1930 to test rocket-ship models. From those humble beginnings the aerospace industry became one of New Mexico's leading industries.
New Mexico has two designated State Vegetables - Chile and frijoles. New Mexico also has an officially designated State Question -- "Red or green?" (referring to chile preference)
The Navajo, the Nation's largest Native American Group, have a reservation that covers 14 million Acres.
Many Navajo Indians from New Mexico fought in World War II. They used the Navajo language in code to send messages the Japanese could not understand.
After WWII Los Alamos and Albuquerque had many new laboratories. Hundreds of highly educated Scientists and Engineers moved in the state. New Mexico soon had a higher percentage of people with Ph.D.s than any other state.
Grants, New Mexico is known as the "Uranium capital of the world," having produced the bulk of the nation's uranium supply during the post-World War II and Cold War era.
Inscription Rock, also known as El Morro, is a great monolith of sandstone, southwest of Grants, on which everyone from Indians and conquistadors to missionaries and outlaws have carved their names.
Whitewater Canyon served as a sanctuary for what Indian Chief Geronimo and a hideout for Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch.
New Mexico's Ethnic Roots: Spanish 24%, Mexican 18.1%, German 9.9%, Native American 9.5%, English 7.6%.
Religion in New Mexico: 77% Christian (41% Catholic, 35% Protestant), 19% No Religion, 4% LDS, 1% Other Religions
Silver City is the boyhood home of William Bonney, who gained notoriety as Billy the Kid.
The Taos Pueblo, two miles north of Taos, is one of the oldest continuously occupied communities in the United States. People still live in some of its 900 year old buildings.
When Lew Wallace served as territorial Governor, he wrote the popular historical novel Ben-Hur. First published in 1880, it was made into a movie in 1959.
Thanksgiving Day November 25, 2021
In 1621, 52 Pilgrims and approx. 50 Native Americans celebrated a 3-day feast thanking God for His blessings enabling their survival in the New World. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November.
Advent begins 4 weeks before Christmas and remembers the longing and waiting of God's people for the coming of the Messiah.
Celebrating the 10 amendments to the Constitution which protect individual rights by placing specific limits on government power. These freedoms do not exist in many countries of the world.
December 25th Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. This joyous festival is enjoyed by Christians and nonChristians alike all over the world.
The contents of this website is © 2003-2021 Awesome America

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Basiprionota decempustulata is a species of beetle belonging to the family Chrysomelidae. This species occurs in Indonesia. Host plants include  Clerodendrum species (Verbenaceae).

References
 Biolib
 Biol.uni

Cassidinae
Insects of Indonesia
Beetles described in 1850

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
The Edward Hall House is a historic house in Arlington, Massachusetts.  The -story wood-frame house was built c. 1890 for Mrs. Edward Hall by Charles Bacon, owner of the Felt Mills in Winchester.  It is one of the most elaborate treatments of Queen Anne style in the town, with asymmetrical massing typical of the style, Art Nouveau carvings in some of its gable ends, an elaborately decorated porch, and a turret with conical roof.  The interior was destroyed by fire in 1893.

The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Arlington, Massachusetts

References

Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Arlington, Massachusetts
Houses in Arlington, Massachusetts


Dubai, UAE, 24 March 2019: Al Shirawi Interiors, the premier specialist in interior fit-out, partitioning, suspended ceilings and joinery works, has been successfully certified to the ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System and ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety standards by the reputed Llyod's Register.
Al Shirawi Interiors, part of Al Shirawi Group of Companies, was established in 1971 to meet the ever-increasing requirements of high calibre fit-out jobs in the country. Its expertise comprises turnkey solutions for Interior fit-out including acoustic partitions, specialized suspended ceilings, custom made joinery works, case goods, NFR, FR & acoustic doors together with other allied works. The company has executed projects for various sectors including Retail, Healthcare, Education, Hospitality, Residential & Commercial Properties and Entertainment. To date, Al Shirawi Interiors has completed over 3,000 projects in the UAE and has built a solid reputation for itself in the region.


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Alleghany County, NC
Richard Burr
Thom Tillis
0.998% 1-year increase
In 2020, Alleghany County, NC had a population of 11.1k people with a median age of 50.6 and a median household income of $37,158. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Alleghany County, NC grew from 11,008 to 11,085, a 0.699% increase and its median household income declined from $37,830 to $37,158, a −1.78% decrease.
The 5 largest ethnic groups in Alleghany County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (86.7%), White (Hispanic) (8.22%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (1.6%), Two+ (Hispanic) (1.16%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.03%).
None of the households in Alleghany County, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.
97.3% of the residents in Alleghany County, NC are U.S. citizens.
In 2020, the median property value in Alleghany County, NC was $150,500, and the homeownership rate was 75.5%.
Most people in Alleghany County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Alleghany County, NC was 2 cars per household.
Alleghany County, NC borders Ashe County, NC, Surry County, NC, Wilkes County, NC, and Grayson County, VA.
Alleghany County, NC is home to a population of 11.1k people, from which 97.3% are citizens. As of 2020, 4.65% of Alleghany County, NC residents were born outside of the country (516 people).
In 2020, there were 10.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (9.62k people) in Alleghany County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 911 White (Hispanic) and 177 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.
As of 2020, 97.3% of Alleghany County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Alleghany County, NC was 96.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.
The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Alleghany County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.
The 3 largest ethnic groups in Alleghany County, NC
9.62k ± 21
9.74% of the people in Alleghany County, NC are hispanic (1.08k people).
The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Alleghany County, NC as a share of the total population.
As of 2020, 4.65% of Alleghany County, NC residents (516 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Alleghany County, NC was 5.79%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.
The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Alleghany County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.
Alleghany County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.64 times greater than any other conflict.
The economy of Alleghany County, NC employs 4.59k people. The largest industries in Alleghany County, NC are Health Care & Social Assistance (691 people), Retail Trade (582 people), and Construction (545 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($73,984), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($72,734), and Finance & Insurance ($43,696).
−1.23%
1 Year decline
From 2019 to 2020, employment in Alleghany County, NC declined at a rate of −1.23%, from 4.64k employees to 4.59k employees.
The most common job groups, by number of people living in Alleghany County, NC, are Management Occupations (642 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (558 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (482 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Alleghany County, NC.
Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.
This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.
The most common employment sectors for those who live in Alleghany County, NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (691 people), Retail Trade (582 people), and Construction (545 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Alleghany County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Alleghany County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.
The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($82,572), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($72,969), and Public Administration ($37,875).
The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($38,194), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($35,208), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($35,000).
As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.
The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.
Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.
In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.9B, followed by Machinery ($49B) and Pharmaceuticals ($48.7B).
The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.
Showing data for North Carolina.
2020 Value in North Carolina
Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina
In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $488B. This is expected to increase 89.6% to $926B by 2050.
The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.
Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.
In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $35.1B, followed by Virginia with $27B and Georgia and $18.5B.
The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).
In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Alleghany County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 74.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (24.5%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.576%).
Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.
North Carolina is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.
The following chart shows the popular vote results in Alleghany County, NC for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.
US Senators from North Carolina
Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.
Senator from North Carolina3
Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing North Carolina.
The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.
US Representatives from North Carolina
North Carolina is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house.
Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.
The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2020 were High School or Equivalent (2.14M), Some college (1.89M), and Bachelors Degree (1.54M).
The median property value in Alleghany County, NC was $150,500 in 2020, which is 0.655 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $139,800 to $150,500, a 7.65% increase. The homeownership rate in Alleghany County, NC is 75.5%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.
People in Alleghany County, NC have an average commute time of 25.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Alleghany County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.
Median household income in Alleghany County, NC is $37,158. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Alleghany County, NC was Census Tract 9501 with a value of $43,324, followed by Census Tract 9503 and Census Tract 9502, with respective values of $40,542 and $32,609.
The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Alleghany County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.
The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Alleghany County, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.
In 2020, 75.5% of the housing units in Alleghany County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 76.3%.
This chart shows the percentage of owner in Alleghany County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.
Race/Ethnicity TotalWhiteBlackTwo Or MoreWhite Non-HispanicHispanic
In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Alleghany County, NC was Census Tract 9501 with a value of $43,324, followed by Census Tract 9503 and Census Tract 9502, with respective values of $40,542 and $32,609.
The following map shows all of the tracts in Alleghany County, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).
In 2020, the median household income of the 5k households in Alleghany County, NC declined from $37,158 from the previous year's value of $37,830.
The following chart displays the households in Alleghany County, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.
The closest comparable wage GINI for Alleghany County, NC is from North Carolina.
2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina
In 2020, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.395% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.
This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.
In 2020, 80.8% of workers in Alleghany County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.76%) and those who worked at home (6.74%).
Using averages, employees in Alleghany County, NC have a shorter commute time (25.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 4.68% of the workforce in Alleghany County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.
The chart below shows how the median household income in Alleghany County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.
The following chart displays the households in Alleghany County, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Alleghany County, NC have 2 cars.
22.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Alleghany County, NC (2.48k out of 11k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 25 - 34, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Females 35 - 44.
The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Alleghany County, NC is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.
89.4% of the population of Alleghany County, NC has health coverage, with 28% on employee plans, 20.5% on Medicaid, 19.5% on Medicare, 19.7% on non-group plans, and 1.72% on military or VA plans.
Per capita personal health care spending in North Carolina was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).
Primary care physicians in Alleghany County, NC see 930 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.2% increase from the previous year (919 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 5568 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 428 patients per year.
Showing data at the state level for North Carolina. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.
This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in North Carolina, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.
930 to 1
Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Alleghany County, NC
Primary care physicians in Alleghany County, NC see an average of 930 patients per year. This represents a 1.2% increase from the previous year (919 patients).
The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Alleghany County, NC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.
This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of North Carolina across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.
In 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18% under 18 years, 15.4% between 18 and 34 years, 39.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 27.1% over 64 years.
Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Alleghany County, NC declined by 5.9% from 11.3% to 10.6%.
The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Alleghany County, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.
The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Alleghany County, NC.
In 2021, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 30.1% in Alleghany County, NC.
In 2021, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 17.8% in Alleghany County, NC.
Surry County, NC
Ashe County, NC
Grayson County, VA


Kwinana is a major heavy industrial area 30 km south of Perth, Western Australia. Most industry is concentrated in a strip of land about eight kilometres long bordering the Indian Ocean.
In the late 1970s emissions of sulfur dioxide from Kwinana industries caused significant pollution in nearby residential areas. The almost universal conversion to natural gas in 1984 virtually eliminated sulfur dioxide emissions associated with fuel combustion. However, with growth in demand and the cost of natural gas, plus the increase in sulfur dioxide emissions from other sources, the Environmental Protection Authority recognised the potential for the air quality around Kwinana to again become degraded and therefore established an Environmental Protection Policy (EPP) in 1992 to maintain acceptable air quality.
The Kwinana EPP was formally reviewed in 1999 and re-issued unchanged. The 1992 Regulations remain in force, and were amended in 1999 to reflect the policy title change.
Area C is beyond Areas A and B, predominantly rural and residential.
Sulfur dioxide standards and limits were set for the three areas, increasing in stringency from Area A to Area C. The most important of these with respect to controlling air quality are the standards and limits averaged over 1-hour periods. Similarly, ambient standards and limits were established for total suspended particulates. The EPP provides for a redetermination of these limits as and when required, e.g. to accommodate new industries or variations to existing industry emissions.
The Minister directed the EPA to defer the review of the EPP until December 2009, as a result of the need to resolve buffer issues in the Kwinana area; await the finalisation of the State Environmental (Ambient Air) Policy; and the need to undertake a consultation process regarding the inclusion or exclusion of particulates.
The EPA undertook consultation on the EPP via a discussion paper in June 2009 in preparation for the review. On the basis of this consultation and EPA advice, in November 2010 the Minister directed the EPA not to review the policy at this time. The EPA is of the opinion that the continuation of the current Kwinana EPP is appropriate and does not warrant conducting a statutory review.


Dogs whine or cry in an effort to get their owner's attention – usually to get food, water, attention, or a bathroom break. To be sure, whimpering and whining is instinctual. But it's also learned. After all, it doesn't take long for dogs to understand there's a direct connection between letting out a little whine and getting what they want. And that's how canine "crying" can turn into a problem behavior. Just as barky dogs can drive their owners crazy should they do so constantly in search of attention or anything else they might want, whiny dogs can stress out a household with their piteous keening, says Vet Street.
If your dog is older, incessant whining or crying could indicate confusion, anxiety, and disorientation. Another issue to be aware of is yelping or whining when you leave the house. Especially in puppies, this likely means they have separation anxiety. If that's the case, your dog will likely bark, whine, or cry the entire time you're gone.
Perhaps the most obvious reason for whimpering is physical pain. However, dogs don't display their pain vocally when they suffer from chronic illnesses. Instead, they might let out a yelp if you accidentally step on their tail or trip over them.
Remember, a healthy dog is a happy dog. Understanding your dog's needs and what they are attempting to communicate is beneficial for everyone.


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Last Update December 23, 2015
Fox News Poll: Americans Say Iraq War Worth It
By Ernie Paicopolos, | Fox News
A U.S. Army soldier from 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment stands with Iraqi policemen outside an Iraqi police station Sept. 1 in Hawija, north of Baghdad, Iraq. (AP Photo)
Despite its contentious history, most American voters appear to have made a positive judgment about the country's efforts in Iraq. Almost six in 10 (58 percent) voters think, overall, the United States "did the right thing" by going to war, according to the latest Fox News poll.
A little over one-third of voters (35 percent) take the opposite view -- that the U.S. "did the wrong thing" by becoming involved militarily in Iraq. From a partisan perspective, there is still division -- as 54 percent of Democrats think the U.S. did the wrong thing in Iraq, while only 14 percent of Republicans feel the same way. A slim majority of independents (52 percent) think the U.S. did the right thing in Iraq.
The national telephone poll was conducted for Fox News by Opinion Dynamics Corp. among 900 registered voters from September 1- September 2, 2010. For the total sample, the poll has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Click here for full poll results (PDF).
An even larger share of voters (71 percent) expresses some level of agreement with the view that the Iraqi people are better off today because of the U.S.-led action, while 19 percent disagree.
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There is somewhat less partisan difference on this issue, as 58 percent of Democrats agree Iraqis are better off after U.S. involvement. Both Republicans (91 percent) and independents (65 percent), express higher levels of agreement.
When the scope is widened to broader security concerns, about six in 10 voters (58 percent) agree the action made the United States and the world safer. Again, more than one-third (37 percent) takes the opposing view.
If Iraq is considered a success, who deserves the credit? Voters are pretty clear, as a 54-percent majority names former President George W. Bush as the person who should be acknowledged as most responsible for the success in Iraq. Some 19 percent think President Obama deserves the most credit. Some 14 percent volunteer the view that neither of the presidents, but instead the Iraqi people are most deserving of this accolade. Interestingly, Democrats are evenly divided on this question (34 percent Bush, 34 percent Obama).
In Obama's August 31 speech announcing the end of combat operations in Iraq, he did mention former President Bush. However -- by a two-and-one-half-to-one margin -- more voters feel he did not give Bush enough credit for "removing Saddam Hussein, helping Iraqis form a new government and creating the conditions that allowed for the end of U.S. combat operations in Iraq" rather than too much credit (38-15 percent).
With regard to a projected timeline of U.S. military presence in Iraq, 44 percent think the U.S. should stay as long as necessary, while about one-third (36 percent) says a year or less.
All in all, voters seem to have moved past the divisions that formerly characterized the Iraq War debate and now judge the enterprise to have been -- overall at least -- a success.
Ernie Paicopolos is a Principal at Opinion Dynamics Corporation.
The New York Times gave Bernie Sanders a 'middle finger': Leslie Marshall


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Mike Hadreas, also known as Perfume Genius is a singer/songwriter from Seattle, Washington, US. Perfume Genius began when he moved from New York to his mother's home in Everett, WA. In these relatively isolated conditions, Hadreas felt a compulsion to make music and began composing fragile yet brutally honest songs on the piano. By 2008 he had set up a MySpace page and began offering his music there, along with similarly spare and evocative homemade music videos. Turnstile released the single Mr. Peterson – the tale of a suicidal, pedophile high-school teacher – in… read more
Mike Hadreas, also known as Perfume Genius is a singer/songwriter from Seattle, Washington, US. Perfume Genius began when he moved from New York to his mother's home in Everett, WA. I… read more
Mike Hadreas, also known as Perfume Genius is a singer/songwriter from Seattle, Washington, US. Perfume Genius began when he moved from New York to his mother's home in Everett, WA. In these relatively isolated conditions, Hadrea… read more


Course "A Risk Based Strategy for the Development & Validation of and Validation of Analytical Methods with a QbD Approach" has been pre-approved by RAPS as eligible for up to 12 credits towards a participant's RAC recertification upon full completion.
Following the initial development, the steps further continues thru optimization and subsequently to Validation, leading to the understanding of Validation Parameters and their generic definitions. Guidance from EP, USP, ICH Q2 (R)1, AOAC etc. will be discussed. The presentation continually builds on from a conceptual level to practical applications leading to data handling, Data Integrity, Validation Protocol and other documentation, vis-a-vis Regulatory requirements. Discussions provide extensive guidance for preparing Methods Validation Protocols for the various stages of regulatory submissions, e.g. IND, NDA, ANDA, PAI, CMC etc. Various aspects of Laboratory Controls (CGMP), QC procedures, SOPs that cover calibration, standardization, Qualification and Validation, will be included, along with statistical tools, SQC, SPC for processing and monitoring of analytical data. Strategies for the development Stability indicating assays will be touched along with a discussion on Methods Transfer, Spec setting, QC Batch Release, Potency Assays etc.
"For various Analytical and Test Methods, a goal oriented pathway with proper design prior to development activities will help build Quality into the Method from the inception (QbD) and Validation helps to demonstrate that the desired Method is Fit For The Purpose. A Risk based strategy is needed to Develop and apply them for their intended purpose during the entire Life Cycle of such Methods" This presentation follows a progressive, time tested structure over the duration of 2 Days with a Breakout session for 2andHalf Hours on the 2nd Day, which involves Group participation ,with real analytical problem solving and Method Development and generate an appropriate Validation schematics and the Validation Protocol.
(From ACS site) Learn the fundamentals of quality assurance, quality control, and analytical methods validation and how to improve your FDA, WHO and OECD regulatory compliance directives for analytical data submissions.
Perspectives of ICH, ISO Integration: ICH Q1 (Stability Studies), Q2 (Analytical Methods), Q3 (Impurities), Q7 (Pharma Process), Q9 (Risk Assessment), Q10 (Quality Systems), etc.
Analytical Measurement: Process Model & Risk Assessment (REMS) in Methods Dev.
Perspectives of QbD, PAT directives: online measurements /offline and the Paradigm Shift.
Validation Parameters, their generic definitions and their practical applications.
Highlights of the guidelines derived from International Standards - ISO 17025, AOAC, WHO, GLP, GMP, EMEA, USP/EP/JP, etc.
The challenges in Methods Transfer, the premise of Co- Qualification.
Data integrity and statistical evaluation of analytical data: SQC, control charts etc.
Methods Development and Optimization in HPLC, UV-VIS including assessment of Peak Purity, as examples of the most recent techniques widely used in analytical laboratories.
Phase Appropriate Validation & Regulatory submissions: IND/ ANDA/ NDA/ CMC.
Accredited Laboratories in general, any one engaged with Test Methods.
Shib Mookherjea is a globally acclaimed speaker and consultant and has extensive experience in R&D, quality assurance, and quality management and teaches Methods Development, Validation Procedures, and Conformity Assessment in the Analytical Laboratory; Qualification and Validation of Laboratory Instruments and Equipment for Regulatory and QS Compliance (IQ, OQ, PQ); and the webcast Cleaning Validation and Compliance Issues for Pharma, Biotech and Medical Device Industries.


Foster care and adoption is marked by many joys, but also by the many challenges of trauma and attachment. As we continue in our series of April blog posts related to National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we'd like to share with you about Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) and why it is fundamental in the way we care for children at Coyote Hill.
For more information on TBRI® and the Empowered to Connect Training, please check out the following resources.


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Leaning into Social Impact in 2022
by Tonya Veasey | Jan 7, 2022 | Leadership
My favorite month of the year is January. January allows me an opportunity to set new goals for the year and to continue working toward the goals I have set in prior years. After stepping down as the President and CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in...
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Ignited by the rise of social injustice across America, Communications Strategist Tonya Veasey relaunches her award-winning firm OCG+, formerly Open Channels Group, aimed at creating social impact and diversity,...
Redefining Our New Year Mantra in 2023
Becoming a Professional Troublemaker
Somebody's Watching You: How to Be a Leader Worth Following
'Yes, I'm Old Enough to Work Here': Intergenerational Workplaces are the New Normal
The Impact Family: How Community Engagement and Social Impact are Connected
Cause Marketing


A peculiar rule, used mostly in criminal cases, which allows hearsay if the statement is made during the excitement of the litigated event.
For example, the words "stick 'em up!" used during an armed robbery would be admissible hearsay under the res gestae rule.
So, too, would other spontaneous statements made by the defendant during or right after the crime.
Declarations of "bodily and mental feelings and conditions".
Some laws even allow res gestae statements to be introduced in evidence in special kinds of prosecutions. For example, in child sexual abuse cases, the statement made by a child to another person may be allowed as evidence even though, technically, it offends the rule against hearsay. This is to recognize the trauma of having a child testify in open court on the subject of her or his abuse.
Res gestae evidence usually requires a voir dire hearing before it is admissible unless the defense allows it to be put on the trial record unchallenged.


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Sharon Donnery: The debt dangers
Remarks by Ms Sharon Donnery, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, at Les Rencontres Économiques d'Aix-en-Provence, virtual, 2 July 2021.
Central bank speech |
by Sharon Donnery
PDF full text
| 3 pages
The Covid-19 pandemic is a public health emergency that requires substantial state intervention to save lives.1 There is broad agreement that the resulting increase in government debt to support public health, the economy and households was warranted. However, as we emerge from the worst of the crisis, the global debate on the appropriateness of elevated public debt levels has reignited.
While I will briefly discuss the pandemic-related increase in government debt, my contribution will largely focus on public debt levels in the post-pandemic environment and over the longer term. Let me begin by outlining the traditional criteria to evaluate the trade-offs of additional debt. These are important, as they will frame the debate. I will then turn to the Irish experience and conclude with some views on the debate around assessing appropriate levels of public debt.
In aggregate, increasing government debt is considered worthwhile if the rate of return on its use is greater than its cost of servicing. Classic examples include government investment in infrastructure and education that boost economic growth potential. Other public policy goals may justify an increase in government debt. These include the use of automatic stabilisers and/or discretionary fiscal measures to stabilise macroeconomic fluctuations. In addition, smoothing the impact of targeted changes in policy to ensure structural vulnerabilities, such as economic inequality, are addressed without the need for large and/or immediate adjustments to taxation and expenditure.
Higher debt, however, can limit room for manoeuvre in future downturns. When government budgets come under pressure, public investment often experiences the largest cuts. Elevated debt increases sovereigns' exposure to fluctuations in financial market sentiment, especially those with shorter maturity structures. Depending on its composition and how it is financed, large public expenditure programmes also have the potential to crowd out private investment.2
The unprecedented scale of the pandemic-induced shock provides little room for doubt that the significant increase in government debt was justifiable, on economic grounds alone. Accommodative monetary and fiscal policy, including in the euro area, has enabled the use of all available resources to minimise the economic damage and support those most in need. Sectors with lower-income workers, for example, were disproportionately affected by necessary public health restrictions.3 These measures should reduce the extent of scarring effects of the pandemic, which nonetheless could be substantial.4
As health risks diminish, considerations of elevated debt levels require more nuance. For this, I focus specifically on the case of Ireland. Targeted and temporary policies should gradually replace the broad supports which were suitable as a rapid response to the onset of the pandemic. In particular, supports should facilitate post-pandemic structural adjustments in the way we live, work and travel, rather than targeting a return to pre-pandemic norms.
Clearly articulated sources of funding for permanent expenditure increases, especially in areas with known expenditure pressures, will demonstrate their sustainability.5 Our research shows that the effectiveness of budget-neutral reorientations of expenditure and tax components, vis a vis debt financing, is particularly evident when an economy is operating at or close to full capacity.6 Additional public expenditure should minimise inflationary pressures in areas where there are significant labour and/or raw material shortages, reducing crowding-out risks. An unwinding of excess savings accumulated during the pandemic could see the public and private sectors competing for the same resources, driving up prices.7 Policy measures must take account of this context and avoid distorting incentives to spend and work.
As monetary policy normalises – which it will in time – higher debt may lead to increased investor scrutiny and the associated risk of a rise in sovereign bond yields. While the Irish public debt ratio will likely decrease as the economy recovers, it is vital that the reduction provides sufficient scope to respond to future downturns. The pandemic response has demonstrated the powerful impact that countercyclical fiscal policy can have, in contrast to several decades of largely pro-cyclical stances.
This is especially important in Ireland, a small and globally connected economy that is highly exposed to external developments.8 Our research demonstrates that Ireland is among the most vulnerable economies to both cyclical and structural changes in the global economy.9 In other words, we have higher highs and lower lows as measured by key economic indicators compared with other countries. Accordingly, it is important to build resilience in our economy and public finances when the economy starts to recover so that we can respond to future shocks as needed. The capacity to respond to the pandemic highlights the importance of buffers and resilience. Looking forward, the Government may need to consider additional revenue-raising measures or cuts in spending in the medium term to address spending pressures related to an ageing population; the need to invest in critical infrastructure such as housing and in meeting climate change targets; and the potential fall-off in corporate tax revenue.10
Assessing the appropriate level of public debt, which is already highly time- and country-specific, becomes even more complicated when factoring in longer-term considerations. Given that many countries face similar challenges, I broaden my horizon beyond Ireland once again. The need to transition to a low, or even carbon-free, economic structure will likely require substantial public investment. This is due, in part, to the substantial uncertainty inherent in less-developed green technologies. This could limit private investment, despite increasing awareness of the substantial economic costs of failing to act. Mark Carney refers to this as "the tragedy of the horizon".11
The public sector can lead the way with this transition. Expenditure and tax policies could help catalyse private investment for the climate transition and promote behavioural change needed to meet climate targets. Indeed, this is one of the primary objectives of the Next Generation EU financial package.
To complete the transition, however, we need to reconsider the evaluation of public expenditure performance. The typical benchmark that the rate of return is greater than the cost of servicing the additional debt is often more difficult to achieve for riskier and/or longer-term investments. This can result in perverse incentives to invest in projects that only temporarily boost economic growth rates.
One possible approach is to give greater weight to the future when assessing the feasibility of investments with longer horizons. Altering the discount rates used for cost-benefit analyses of public investment projects, for example, would provide a more realistic estimate of the future costs of present inaction. Of course, it is vital that project planners and the investors financing these projects agree on these costs and benefits. This avoids disappointments that raise the cost of future financing. Green bonds and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing provide a useful framework for such cooperation.
To conclude, judging the appropriate level of government debt is challenging. Given the scale of the issues facing us, we need to reconsider traditional measures of evaluating the trade-offs of additional debt. Expenditure on clearly-stated and measurable goals that emphasise quality over quantity are more likely to reap the benefits and minimise the costs of additional government debt. While low interest rates ease repayment burdens, this may not last. The resilience from having sufficient buffers in place proved vital in responding to the pandemic and will be paramount in dealing with future downturns.
1 I would like to thank Daragh Clancy and Caroline Mehigan for their contribution to my remarks.
2 See Broner, F., D. Clancy, A. Erce & A. Martin, "Fiscal Multipliers and Foreign Holdings of Public Debt", Review of Economic Studies, forthcoming.
3 Indeed, Irish income tax returns and earnings data point to an increase in aggregate employee earnings, driven by workers in the many sectors relatively unaffected by the restrictions. See also Cahill, B. & R. Lydon (2021), "The Impact of COVID-19 on the incomes and debt sustainability of Irish households", Economic Letter, Vol. 2021, No. 2, Central Bank of Ireland.
4 For a detailed discussion, including references to some of the substantial amount of research produced by the Central Bank of Ireland on this issue, see my speech at the National University of Ireland, Galway on 30 March 2021.
5 See Conefrey, T., R. Hickey & N. McInerney (2021) "COVID-19 and the Public Finances in Ireland", Economic Letter, Vol. 2021, No. 3, Central Bank of Ireland.
6 See Clancy, D., P. Jacquinot & M. Lozej (2016) "Government expenditure composition and fiscal policy spillovers in small open economies within a monetary union", Journal of Macroeconomics 48: 305–326 and Hickey, R., M. Lozej & D. Smyth (2020) "Financing government investment and its implications for public capital: A small open economy perspective", Economic Modelling 93: 620–641.
7 See Lydon, R. & T. McIndoe-Calder (2021) "Saving during the pandemic: Waiting out the storm?", Economic Letter, Vol.2021, No.4, Central Bank of Ireland.
8 See Wosser, M., M. O'Brien & C. Mehigan (2019) "Financial stability considerations of being a small, highly globalised economy" Box 2, Financial Stability Review 2019:1, Central Bank of Ireland.
9 See O'Grady, M., J. Rice & G. Walsh (2017) "Global and Domestic Modeling of Macroeconomic Shocks: A GVAR Analysis of Ireland", Research Technical Paper Vol. 2017, No. 9. Central Bank of Ireland.
10 See Quarterly Bulletin No. 3 2021, Central Bank of Ireland.
11 See "Breaking the tragedy of the horizon – climate change and financial stability", speech by Mark Carney, London, 29 September, 2015.
Sharon Donnery
More speeches from "Central Bank of Ireland"
Country page: Ireland


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Elland employees notch up 970 years service
Employees at Decorative Panels Holdings have received long service awards
Henryk ZientekBusiness Correspondent
Some of the employees at Decorative Panels Holdings, who received long service awards at the group's Elland headquarters
Employees with a combined 970 years service were recognised for their long service at an awards ceremony staged by Elland-based wood panels and flat pack furniture manufacturer Decorative Panels Holdings.
Group chairman Steve Gaunt and group managing director Guy Metcalfe presented the awards to staff who have served 25 years or more – including eight who achieved the milestone this year.
Mr Metcalfe said: "We are delighted to be able to present awards to eight new members of our 25 Club which brings the total to a staggering 32 of us who have over 25 years' service. We are a proud family business that depends on the drive and support of every member of the team and we are extremely appreciative and grateful to have such a hardworking and committed group of individuals who year on year contribute to the success of all our group businesses."
13 year wait for damages payout
Stunning drone footage
Knife arch to return for Christmas
Who made the rich list?


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Aviolet è una compagnia aerea charter serba con sede a Belgrado. È una consociata interamente controllata da Air Serbia e opera principalmente voli charter internazionali dalla Serbia.

Storia
La compagnia aerea è stata fondata il 24 maggio 2014 come sussidiaria di Air Serbia. La maggior parte dei voli parte dall'aeroporto Nikola Tesla di Belgrado e sono effettuati da aerei ed equipaggi di Air Serbia.

Destinazioni
Al 2021, la compagnia opera voli charter tra Bosnia ed Erzegovina, Egitto, Grecia, Italia, Serbia, Spagna, Tunisia e Turchia.

Accordi di code-share
Aviolet ha accordi di code-share solo con la propria compagnia madre, Air Serbia.

Flotta
A partire dal 2021 Aviolet non ha più in flotta alcun aereo di proprietà: tutti i suoi 3 Boeing 737-300 sono stati ritirati a inizio anno anche a causa della loro età avanzata. Nell'estate 2021 sono stati utilizzati velivoli della compagnia madre Air Serbia.

Note

Altri progetti

Collegamenti esterni

Compagnie aeree serbe
Compagnie aeree charter


Hello and welcome back to the ericvalor.org Blogcast Podcast.
My name is Eric Valor and I will be your host for this episode. Please make yourselves comfortable and feel free to order something from the bar.
As my longtime readers know, this is not a political blogcast. The scope of this blogcast is limited to the subject of ALS, living with the disease, research into treatments for ALS, experiences of Person(s) with ALS (PALS), and my personal reflections. I routinely deny requests to "guest blog" general health subjects (also because they are just attempts to spread spam links). But I have to address a subject which affects 17% of our entire economy and the daily lives of 99% of our citizens, and has devastating implications for PALS and others similarly affected by severe conditions. That subject is the long-awaited Republican response to the Patient Affordable Healthcare Act, also known as the Affordable Care Act or more colloquially Obamacare.
On Thursday, June 23rd, 2017, the Republican Senate Majority Leader released a "discussion draft" of their supposedly "better" healthcare plan which was promised to lower medical costs and improve medical care for American citizens, and "rescue" us all from the "disaster" of Obamacare. Just like the ridiculous House bill (which Paul Ryan apparently hurriedly cobbled together over a long weekend), the Senate Better Care Reconciliation Act snatches access to healthcare from, and makes it much more expensive for, tens of millions of Americans. We waited 7 years for this? I call it the anti-healthcare bill.
Republicans incessantly whined for 7 years about how terrible Obamacare was, how they had "a much better plan", how the ACA was "passed in secret with no hearings, input from Republicans or the public, and was written behind closed doors. Actually it was available online for a year for public comment, had over 100 hearings, and included over 100 Republican amendments. After all that time this embarrassment on paper is the best they can come up with? This naked frontal assault on the poor and middle-class WILL LITERALLY KILL ME and others with ALS and other deadly conditions – all to give around $1 TRILLION to the already-hyper-wealthy. Moreover, it was literally written in complete secrecy behind closed doors (in such secrecy that one of the supposed authors of the bill never saw it until today) and will have no hearings with less than 10 hours of debate and amendments before a vote is called about a week from now. Undoubtedly Senator Tortoise McGee wants to rush this vote before senators go on recess and get an earful from constituents.
Obamacare is NOT "failing" (as Republicans ludicrously tried to proclaim even before ACA went into effect). The reality of the situation is that tens of millions more Americans have access to affordable healthcare. Medical bills are the number 1 cause of bankruptcy in America. And that comes from a lack of insurance.
The ACA is only "failing" in those states which intentionally refused to cooperate with the Medicaid expansion where the federal government paid 100% of the costs for 3 years and thereafter covered 90%. These same states also refused to set up state exchanges, forcing residents onto the federal one. No wonder they have problems – and all just so Republican governors and legislatures wanted to score political points at the expense of their citizens. People may try to say this is just partisan finger-pointing but unfortunately for their view it's also true. In the states which cooperated and implemented the provisions of the ACA it's working out wonderfully.
The ACA in its final form was not designed to lower medical costs because that was negotiated out of the bill by Republicans and Pharma lobbyists. But it did, in fact, reduce the rate at which America's healthcare expenditures increased, and it created significant affordable relief for tens of millions who would otherwise continue without care until forced to show up in the ER with a catastrophic condition. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
"First, the BCRA will cut hundreds of billions of dollars of Federal funding from the Medicaid program by instituting per capita caps and optional block grants. Medicaid is a critical lifeline to millions of individuals with rare diseases across the United States. … State programs for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers (1915 waivers) may also be jeopardized due to financial constraints.
Second, the BCRA … would phase out Medicaid expansion starting in 2020 and concluding in 2024, likely leaving many individuals with rare diseases without health insurance.
Third, the BCRA does not adhere to several of our principles relating to prohibiting discrimination against individuals with pre-existing conditions. … [The BCRA] would still bring back annual and lifetime limits and limitless out-of-pocket costs by allowing states to amend the Essential Health Benefits (EHB) through section 1332 waivers. These vital protections … would therefore be removed if a state opts out via a 1332 waiver.
The end of Medicaid expansion: Millions will lose coverage.
Medicaid per capita caps: Cuts would actually deepen over time.
Repeal of Medicare tax increase: Undermines Medicare's finances.
"I am currently living only because of Medicare and Medicaid. I have Lou Gehrig's Disease, and used to be a top-10% wage earner. The disease forced me into bankruptcy slightly before I was even middle-aged. The United States is the wealthiest country in global history, and we have much more than enough taxation right now to pay for guaranteed healthcare. Medicare functions at a much higher efficiency than any other private for-profit insurance, because it doesn't have a powerful incentive to maximize profit by denying me the services I paid for. Even with "Medicare for all" as a basic level of healthcare, there is still plenty of market left-over for private insurance for things like elective procedures.
Please consider signing the petition. It's not likely to be successful by itself but it will show Congress that there is significant resistance to the GOP plan and that the right move is to actually expand Medicare in order to ensure the right of healthcare for all citizens.
The BCRA is a hideous piece of legislation that severely jeopardizes the poor, the elderly, and the handicapped like me. It's basically a tax cut for the hyper-wealthy that is paid for by the suffering and death, yes death, of people coping with ALS and other deadly conditions that were stricken through no fault of their own. It's a serious threat to my life and the lives of many of my friends. That required me to make this political statement.
Thank you for watching and please vote carefully and diligently in 2018. It can change lives in a major way. In the meantime, please contact your senators immediately and urge them to vote "No" on the BCRA. Until next time, keep breathing easy.
Hello and welcome back to my podcast.
My name is Eric Valor and today I have a few different subjects to cover. I will cover the new ALS treatment recently approved by the FDA, the latest message from Hope Now For ALS, MAGIC in yeast cells, and trouble for stem cell therapies.
But first, I would like to make a personal announcement. Some of you may already know this, but I was recently accepted to the Academy of Neurology as a researcher. It's not a huge deal but it's nevertheless something I am proud to have on my CV.
Now, to business. My first item on the board is the first drug to be approved for ALS in 22 years.
In May of 2017, the FDA approved edaravone, also called Radicut or Radicava, for use in the United States. Edaravone was developed and originally approved for use in Japan in 2001 for protection from the effects of a type of stroke. Its MOA, or method of action, is as a scavenger of free radicals. These molecules have an unpaired electron in one of their atoms, making them extremely reactive with other molecules. The radicals at subject are called reactive oxygen species or ROS, produced as a byproduct of the mitochondria creating energy for the motor neurons. These molecules, when not properly controlled, cause significant damage to cellular structures. There have been many attempts to eliminate these ROSs as a treatment for ALS, but all previous attempts have failed.
There are some side effects resembling allergic reactions, from redness and itching up to anaphylaxis, which requires immediate emergency medical assistance or the person can perish). The incidence of serious adverse effects (SAEs) was low, with the most common, dysphagia or difficulty swallowing, occurring in 12% of patients. Milder adverse events occurred at the same rate as placebo.
The dosing regimen is 14 days of one infusion per day of 100 milliliters administered over one hour followed by 14 days with no infusions. Subsequent cycles are 10 days of infusions followed by 14 days without. Edaravone showed up to 33% slower progression in patients who were fewer than 2 years post-diagnosis, were still ambulatory, and could still feed, dress, and bathe themselves. Three out of four clinical trials of edaravone for ALS failed to meet clinical endpoints, but the fourth, when restricted to the PALS described previously, met its endpoints. What that means is that it seems effective only in people very early on in progression.
The second item on the agenda is the recent update which Hope NOW for ALS posted about its activity. On May 10, 2017, HNFA released a statement describing their May 1, 2017 meeting with key officials at FDA CDER. The statement also mentioned the approval of Radicava and how it is the first drug approved to treat ALS in 22 years. The main point of the HNFA statement was to indicate willingness by the FDA to consider updated clinical trial methods to make clinical trials more accurate and humane. It's a hopeful message and indicates, along with the new approval of a treatment for ALS, that the FDA may be really changing how it sees and deals with life-threatening or fatal conditions.
Third, the ALZ Forum has a nice article on mitochondria making MAGIC. In a study published in the March 1st edition of Nature, a team from Johns Hopkins University describe mitochondria in yeast cells untangling misfolded cellular proteins before tearing them apart for recycling the components. The process was termed "mitochondria as guardian in cytosol" or MAGIC. Aggregated or misfolded proteins which become tangled in each other are known to be torn apart in cellular machinery called proteasomes. Without mechanisms for breaking down these aggregated proteins they would clog the entire cell like the white of a boiled egg. You can see the same process happen as you fry your breakfast in the morning. That would be very bad for the cell and ultimately us.
In MAGIC, these same aggregated proteins are imported into the intermembrane area, a small space between the outer and inner membranes of the mitochondria. There the proteins are untangled from each other, then passed into the inner mitochondria where the individual proteins are chopped up. When heat shock proteins in the cytosol of the cell aren't working properly this puts more stress on the mitochondria which are already very hard at work creating energy for the neuron. Think of it like hauling a heavy trailer up a mountain road in your car. Your engine strains under the load, getting hotter and pumping more smoke out of the tailpipe. The "smoke" from the mitochondria is the ROSs. The authors further reported that this process also happens in human cells. If those holds true then it would tie together two critical factors of neurodegenerative disease: protein aggregation and mitochondrial dysfunction. That's would be an important finding as it would further elucidate the mystery of ALS, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.
In another story, again from the ALZ Forum, it appears that significant efficacy differences exist between clinical-grade stem cell lines and their research-grade counterparts. The differences may explain why some clinical trials fail. Two studies in the February 14 edition of Stem Cell Reports (study 1 and study 2) suggest that the outcomes could have been anticipated if the production lines were animal-tested the same way as in preclinical studies. The two subject studies looked at the unsuccessful trials by StemCells Inc. of spinal injury treatment using neural precursor cells. The company reported that the cells remyelination and motor recovery in mice with spinal injury.
But in two different trials with the same cells expanded using the Good Manufacturing Process (GMP) standard, required for production for use in humans, the cells failed to demonstrate efficacy. When the same lines were later tested in mice for the subject studies, they matured at about half the rate as the research-grade cells and largely remained as undifferentiated clumps. In one study about 4 percent of the grafted cells continued to divide and in some cases extended neurites into the surrounding tissue. Obviously injecting undifferentiated stem cells is a very bad idea and no two stem cell lines are identical. Together these studies provide strong evidence for preclinical testing of clinical-grade cells prior to use in humans.
Finally, another announcement: Beginning with this podcast (and retroactively back to the prior podcast) the video portion will be included at the bottom of the transcript. This will make viewing easier for my blog readers.
Thank you for reading and/or viewing. Leave a comment with your thoughts or any questions, and subscribe to get a notice in your email whenever a new episode is published. Until then, keep breathing easy!
Hello to my readers, and now listeners. Welcome to my new blog format where I will post the same text and web hyperlinks as always, but now there will be an audio podcast version on my Youtube channel in the new Podcast List. My electronic avatar, which I specifically created to look like me, will "read" the podcast and a link to it will precede the corresponding post. My channel also has various videos related to ALS and a few personal videos from my past. I will also have a lower-bitrate sound file available as a download link on each blog post. My hope is that this format will make my blog easier for people to enjoy. Everyone now can listen to my posts and then later check out the text version and follow the embedded links to learn more.
This post is to announce my latest interview with a new lifestyle magazine called "Folks". It's a publication by PillPack, a full-service pharmacy which separates medication into individual doses. This is pretty handy for people who regularly take medication and may have difficulty with prescription adherence, and institutions like nursing homes and hospitals. The publication was launched about 9 months ago and features people living with various medical conditions, refusing to be defined by that condition. I guess that would include me.
Please describe what Folks Magazine is and what it's all about.
Please describe how you found me and why my story was interesting to Folks Magazine.
What was the interview by email like?
Have you ever done this before?
His answers are in the podcast.
Thanks for listening and/or viewing. Please leave a comment on this blog post and let me know what you think of the new format.
I am the world's first fully-functional cyborg! Need proof? My part in this Reply All podcast starts at 16:35.
This interview took place over about 3 weeks including one live telephone call and approximately 40 questions over email to which I replied both with text and individual MP3 files of the audio of my computer speaking each answer. It was a rather interesting experience and one that would certainly come in handy for any future interviews. Sruthi Pinnamaneni and Rick Kwan did a great job of stitching all of the questions and answers together to make a single coherent interview.
My desire was to demonstrate that life goes on after diagnosis and that there is still PLENTY that someone can still do despite full paralysis and being dependent on a ventilator. Hopefully other more newly-diagnosed PALS listening to the podcast can take a little inspiration to keep living and contributing your individual wonderful gifts to the world. Together, our voices are amplified and we can create the change we want to happen in the world.
As many of you may know, Dr. Richard Bedlack has been investigating a very rare phenomenon known as "ALS Reversal" where the normally inevitably fatal disease can stop progressing and even where the patient recovers slightly or nearly fully. Over the past few months Dr. Bedlack has been interviewed for a podcast called "Reply All" (I know the timing because I was also being interviewed for supporting material). The podcast is worth a listen, and you can get read the transcript at the Reply All website.
This is more good exposure for ALS awareness. Thanks to Dr. Bedlack and to Reply All for a great story.
In 1994, Nelson Mandela became the first black President of South Africa. That same year, South Africa also hosted the Rugby World Cup. In that tournament, the home team, the Springboks, overcame considerably unfavorable odds and decades of international isolation (due to the government's policy of apartheid) to win the Rugby World Cup. This is widely considered one of the greatest moments of South African sporting history and was the basis for the 2009 film Invictus. On that team was a young scrum-half named Joost van der Westhuizen.
In 2003 Joost retired from rugby. By then he was a superstar of South African rugby, having more caps than any other South African player. In 2011 the rugby world suffered a blow with the news that Joost had been diagnosed with ALS. Rather than retreat from the world, Joost decided to make a difference in the lives of people also coping with this dread diagnosis. He formed the J9 Foundation to educate the general public and medical practitioners about ALS, grow ALS research in South Africa, and to aid other South African PALS.
Joost's story has been made into a documentary called "Glory Game". In addition to the trailer, you can read about the movie here. The film has done well in South Africa and is now going to be shown first in Vancouver, British Columbia, on April 10, 2016 and in Los Angeles, California, on April 15, 2016. I urge all my friends in those areas to go see it. I have seen it and it's simultaneously hilarious, upsetting, and uplifting. It shows the courage and determination which made Joost van der Westhuizen such a force on the rugby pitch. I am proud to call him and the Director of the film, Odette Schwegler, my friends.
Last Saturday evening I watched TransFatty Lives and was stunned by the unique method of simultaneously telling two stories. The first story is his slow but inevitable descent into total quadriplegia following a diagnosis of ALS and the second is writing a time capsule letter to his son to explain his absence and inability to participate deeply in his son's life. The film was scattered with amazing images showing POB's delightful deliberate eccentricity and with scenes both hilarious and disturbing. Some scenes were personally disturbing as I remembered my own experience with that phase of decline. Others were colorful and outrageous in a way only Patrick could make them.
TransFatty Lives is a perfect film for seeing the effects of a fatal diagnosis on a young hedonistic man. As he faces each step of decline he becomes a little more introspective and gains more awareness of the value of the little moments that give life its value. How POB takes the viewer along reveals his genius – you don't know you have learned something until the next scene begins.
Even more than "The Theory of Everything" or "You're Not You", "Transfatty Lives" is the most important film involving ALS. The faithful and honest treatment of both the horror and triumph which is ALS, and the amazingly creative style of POB, makes this a must-see for all PALS and CALS and their families. It should also be widely promoted for all people worldwide. Even for those for whom ALS is just a disease named for some baseball player, this is a wonderful film about human trial, triumph, survival, and love.
This film is amazing to experience. It is much more than a simple documentary. I easily rate this 5 stars, two thumbs up, one poop, etc. Rent or buy this film immediately and have a viewing party.
There has been a lot of recent controversy surrounding the experimental treatment in clinical trials known as GM604. A lot of misinformation has been tossed around on both sides of the issue. I want to beg your attention for a little while to explain what's really going on.
First, as many of you know, I was the single late-stage PALS who received GM6 in compassionate use. The intent behind this was to get a look at differences in biomarker candidate levels between earlier-stage and late-stage PALS. Any outward physical manifestation of improved condition noticed would be a bonus and, due to my advanced condition, no improvement in condition was expected. Nevertheless, Genervon and I came up with the idea to try to chart improvements in the tongue. The rationale is that since my tongue is only moderately affected, and because the hypoglossal nerve contains one of the shortest motor neurons in the body, any possible improvement would be noticed there first.
Because of my growing cooperative relationship with Genervon dating back to my first blog post on GM6, I was granted the only Expanded Access outside of trial. They were interested in getting a look at GM6 behavior in late-stage PALS and I had proven to them my organizational skills in preparing my own medical surveillance team and in communications by preparing the mechanism for data capture. Even a single Expanded Access Program can be a burden on such a small company not optimized for such work. My knowledge and experience gained over the past few years was of considerable help in filling out and transmitting (and following up on) my own paperwork.
Thousands of single Expanded Access requests would be overly burdensome and even if Genervon enlisted the help of the ALS Emergency Treatment Fund, the maximum number of patients who would be able to participate would be measured in the few hundreds. Not only would patients have to pay for drug but would also have to pay for their own medical surveillance team and at least one hospital visit for the first infusion (this alone represents several thousand dollars). If you are required to give biological samples, the cost tops $10,000.
Genervon shared with me much of the top-level data from the Phase 2 to compare against my own data. Even though the trial population was small, the data were stronger in separation between treatment/placebo cohorts than in any legitimate trial results I had seen before. And GM6 was demonstrated safe over a much larger group spread over three different neurological diseases (including ALS) plus a healthy safety group. For these reasons I suggested to and worked with Genervon on applying for the FDA Accelerated Approval Program in order to get GM6 to all PALS paid for by insurance and Medicare.
Researchers, neurologists, and leaders of certain advocacy organizations who believe in the FDA's 60 year old regulatory formula – comprised of designing, completing, and analyzing Phase 1, 2, 3 trials over a period of 5-15 years – are failing in their proclaimed mission. They simply have to stop regarding patients as helpless victims willing to eat rat poison if someone said it cured ALS, Genervon as somehow the 19th Century snake oil salesman, and themselves as the White Knight riding to our rescue. The very process of obtaining an experimental drug requires a lot of medical oversight, which we appreciate and rely on. However, patients are intelligent adults whose only desire is to change the status quo of scientific research for the benefit of both the current and future generations of PALS.
The 1992 FDA Accelerated Approval Program (AAP) was designed to meet the needs of patient populations where there is an urgent and unmet need. In 2012, Congress passed and the President signed into law the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA), strengthening the agency's ability to advance public health by equipping the FDA with tools intended to expedite the development and review of innovative new medicines that address certain unmet medical needs. Among the objectives, Title IX expanded the scope of products that qualify for accelerated approval. Specific language in this law states that the FDA is to incorporate novel approaches to the review of surrogate endpoints based on pathophysiologic and pharmacologic evidence in such guidance, especially in instances where the low prevalence of a disease renders the existence or collection of other types of data unlikely or impractical. It is obvious that Congress and the President had in mind diseases just like ALS when passing and signing FDASIA into law, yet the FDA has done very little to incorporate these guidelines.
With Congress now discussing the 21st Century Cures Act, we at Hope Now for ALS believe that we are on the right side of history by insisting that PALS are given opportunities to access new investigational treatments through the FDA's Accelerated Approval Program which, with its requirement for post-marketing Phase 4 data surveillance to confirm efficacy and safety, will continue to provide invaluable data on new treatments for ALS. As most patients are ineligible for standard clinical trials, this is our only option to contribute to research that will provide the same data at a faster rate among a larger population of patients – providing much needed data on subsets of the patient population. The Phase 4 requirements of Accelerated Approval also have the ability to save billions of dollars in research that is better spent developing more new and better investigational treatments for a myriad of neurological conditions.
I will grant that the biomarker candidates are new and not yet "proven", but FDA did allow them as endpoints in the Phase 2. They are not brand-new fabrications by Genervon and are backed by a lot of recent research by respected researchers. And they were all quite uniform in response to GM6 while the placebo group all continued in the abnormal direction. In my n=1 case report the biomarker candidates sometimes went in the reverse direction, but ALWAYS TOWARD NORMAL LEVELS. This is a great indication that GM6 promotes neuronal homeostasis – the holy grail for ALS research.
The Phase 2 was indeed also only a very small population, and in previous ALS trials of similar size it was impossible to collect reliable efficacy data in such a small cohort. However, this trial was very different from previous trials. The effect registered was much larger than in previous such trials (especially dexpramipexole) and was backed up by multiple secondary measurements not subject to any placebo effect. The combination of surprisingly-large effect size and objective biological markers sets this aside from previous trials (which also used the ALSFRS almost exclusively). There was an erroneous though well-intentioned attempt to use the released FVC information as evidence of poor trial design. However, the comparison used a very inappropriate analogy population and was built on an assumption based on incorrect data.
I do have serious issues with a point used in arguments against GM6: The lithium debacle. The media reports which came out obviously created a lot of excitement within the patient community. Our first reaction was asking and pleading the research community to quickly follow up with more trials to confirm that study and the response from the research committee was absolute disinterest. Therefore the patient community took it upon themselves to create a verification study, which we did. We did *NOT* merely go out and start using lithium off-label. In fact, it was only after our trial data was being released that the research community decided to do a confirmation study. By then we had already demonstrated that lithium had no effect in ALS and begged the research community to not waste time and millions of dollars.
But again, the research community ignored the patient community.
The Hope Now for ALS movement isn't for GM6 to skip the regulatory process. It's to get FDA to use its existing programs and Congressional mandate to provide potentially life-saving treatment to PALS. This is especially important now that truly-effective treatments are very near (including NP001, Neurown, etc.). Caution is obviously warranted but ALS is a race against a clock that doesn't care. More aggressive strategy is thus required which necessitates a little less caution and a lot more courage.
Genervon asked FDA for Accelerated Approval at the post-Phase 2 meeting where they presented the complete trial data plus the case report for my Compassionate Use project. I know this to be true because I co-wrote the cover letter to the data package and it specifically asked for Accelerated Approval (and it was me who urged Genervon to pursue AAP).
The FDA should have responded with specific instructions on how to file. They did not and thus we were all left in a state of confusion. Then FDA took the unusual step of calling on Genervon to publicly release proprietary data. Genervon has no duty to do so and FDA has no authority to make such a request.
Genervon has perfectly complied with law and regulation. All they want is to help and they believe GM6 can do that. The data so far looks good (and I can say that, having actually seen it where all others commenting otherwise have not). It's not a slam-dunk, but it's positive and safe enough that I think all PALS should have access to it – not just those eligible for clinical trial.
The FDA Accelerated Approval Program, in place since 1992 to deal with fatal diseases for which no other treatments exist, is the best way to save lives. It opens access WHILE CLINICAL TRIALS STILL CONTINUE. It's used for cancer and other diseases with less-severe prognosis. Why not ALS?
GM6 has a perfect safety record in over 50 patients across 3 separate neurological conditions plus a healthy initial safety cohort.
This is about patients deciding for themselves what risk to take in treatment. This is NOT about a company trying to avoid the clinical trial process or enrich itself on patients desperation. The AAP is an existing program which gives patients access to potentially life-saving treatment while collecting the valuable efficacy data.
Contrast Genervon's completely legal and transparent actions to other companies marketing unproven products such as lunasin and aimspro directly to patients using email. Those companies use slick pitches with "proof" based purely on non-accepted metrics and anecdotes.
The movement behind GM6 is entirely grassroots.
The above are facts. All of the "expert opinion" going around is just biased speculation.
The #ALSIceBucketChallenge has been nothing short of a miracle for patients and researchers. Internet memes are rather capricious, having a nearly random hit/miss ratio. That this became so huge is a stroke of incredible luck. The awareness, and resulting increase in donations, has been a huge windfall. This surge couldn't have come at a better time as researchers now have exquisite investigational tools not available even 5 years ago.
There is then the begged question, "Why did it take a patient and a tractor trailer full of luck to bring awareness to the public?" For decades there have been organizations claiming to represent ALS patients. Yet never has there been a sustained national awareness project executed. Patients were left largely on their own to create awareness. This is a question to which we as patients should demand an answer.
Nevertheless, the windfall is upon us. I believe that this boost in funding should be used to create a critical mass of awareness and outreach. As stated, Internet memes are capricious and subject to fading from the public memory with all the speed and ferocity with which it entered. This is the perfect time to keep the message sustained in the public view. Certainly the money to do so is now available.
Another question the ALS patient community should be asking is how much of the massively increased donations are going to be actually used for research, and in what programs. Some donations are going directly to research facilities but the bulk of them are not. Is that bulk to be hoarded and doled out in tiny slices and without focus to a wide variety of basic research projects, never giving any sufficient amounts to fully complete the work? Or will a significant effort be launched which will fund focused work on high-value pathways, including helping fund clinical trials in humans (there are a few promising treatments languishing for lack of funding to pay clinics to conduct Phase 2-3 trials).
This is the time for organizations representing the ALS patient community to step up. The shelf-life of popular public awareness is notoriously short. We need to take this opportunity to create a program of sustained awareness and lobbying for research funding, along with a focused research effort encompassing basic research through to human trials. It is also the time for all research and advocacy organizations to come together as a united front in order to make ALS nothing more than an unpleasant memory.
On Monday of last week, this excellent PSA was released by Team Gleason. It was shown on the big screens inside the Superdome but needs to be shown repeatedly on major network television (ie ABC/CBS/NBC). Please watch, share with friends, and send to your local network television stations. This is the kind of message that needs to get in front of the eyeballs of America. This is the celebrity action we have been asking for. Now let's do our part in getting it out there.


Judith H. Greenberg, Ph.D., will become the acting director of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of General Medical Sciences.
The National Institutes of Health announced that it will provide $200 million over five years to five health research centers to speed scientific discoveries into treatments for patients.
The US National Institutes of Health has leapt to the rescue of a laboratory that was sued for distributing mouse models to researchers.
The European Medicines Agency and the United States Food and Drug Administration have agreed to accept the first application under their pilot program for the parallel evaluation of marketing-authorization applications involving 'quality by design'.
The MHRA Chief Executive, Professor Kent Woods, has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2011 for his services to healthcare.
The Australian and New Zealand Governments have agreed to proceed with a joint scheme for regulation of therapeutic goods.


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Ghanaian popular dance is a contemporary dance genre that explores the aesthetic elements in the free style or street dances generated with hiplife music, mainly as a form of self-expression. Examples of Ghanaian and other African popular dances will be discussed, such as Azonto and Akayda (Ghana), Shorkie and Shaku Shaku (Nigeria), Gweta (Togo), Gwaragwara (South Africa), and more. Students in this workshop will warm up with traditional Ghanaian games to create a sense of community, break inhibitions, and enhance enthusiasm.
Next, instructor Philip Agyapong will explain what Ghanaian or African Popular dance is, its influence on community, its music, names of several dance styles, and why they are created and for what purposes. He will then give a dance demonstration, which will be broken down into its simplest form for students to rehearse. After practicing the whole choreography, students will be put into smaller groups to perform for each other.