Americans Come Together to Aid Hurricane Katrina Victims

Hurricane Katrina has left a trail destruction throughout Louisiana and nearby states. Levees broke in New Orleans wiping out the city. Looters acting without conscience robbed the stores and homes of their neighbors. Meanwhile, the dead must be left behind in order to save the living. In the midst of all this chaos, many Americans are lending a hand to the relief efforts.

Chris Duhon of the Chicago Bulls is a native of Slidell, LA. He knows most of the victims first hand. He has set up the Chris Duhon Hurricane Relief Fund which will work in conjunction with FEMA. The fund will provide food, money, clothing, and whatever else is needed to Slidell's survivors.

The Arkansas National Guard left Tuesday to help rescue efforts. They've sent two Black Hawk helicopters and 35th aviation brigade to provide search and rescue aid. Other troops will be put into action in the next week or two to assist in cleanup.

Peggy McNery of the Salvation Army Emergency Radio Network has been handling the role of controller. She has been working with Ham Radio Operators in an effort to get those trapped in their homes in contact with local rescue officials. The Ham Radio Operators fill in where telephone lines are out of operation.

Jerry Ostendorf of Pleasantville, Iowa is an emergency management official. His job is to coordinate relief efforts in the aftermath of the hurricane. His role is vital in coordination teams coming in from throughout the USA to alleviate the immediate problems such as water and sewage service. They'll begin work on restoring vital roads and bridges and treatment facilities, so that the reconstruction can begin.

Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters left Fort Hood, Texas for Louisiana and Mississippi. They are loaded to the gills with vehicles, food, and more. These things will be used by soldiers so that they don't drain local relief agencies. The helicopters will then be used to evacuate people.

Battered Floridian communities are lending a helping hand. Though they've had their share of hurricane troubles, Floridians are thinking of their neighbors in other hurricane devastated states. A 31 vehicle convoy has headed to Alabama and Mississippi with over 100 volunteers. The volunteers are part of the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.

Operation Katrina has been established by radio stations in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are collecting such necessities as flashlights, tarps, batteries, water, baby formula, and more. Trucks have been graciously donated by Planes Moving and Storage owner Jim Baugham. He is also paying for the drivers to transport all the donated items.

Rescue teams from Menlo Park, California have left for Louisiana. Also, the California Urban Task Force 3 of Solano County is joining in rescue efforts. These teams bring with them inflatable boats, jet skis, and an air boat. The teams are made up of paramedics, scuba divers, firefighters, and helicopter pilots who are trained specifically in water rescue operations.

Elise Crawford of Westland College in Indiana felt the need to help hurricane victims. She worked with fellow students to collect money for relief. They set a two week goal of $15,000. They met a similar goal last year and are confident they can do it for the people of Louisiana.

New York Cares has set up a call center in New York City. The call center will takes calls throughout the nation. New York Cares is coordinating this effort with the American Red Cross.

This is only a small list of the local efforts going on throughout America to provide needed aid. There will always be some fools taking advantage of a crisis. But, most Americans know when to pull together and we all extend our thoughts, prayers, and assistance to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, and other affected states.

[Aerial photograph taken from a Navy Helicopter helping in relief efforts in New Orleans was taken by Photographer's Mate Airman Jeremy L. Grisham, http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=27553]

YNIA Volunteers Assist in Tijuana

Young Neighbors in Action, a Catholic organization, sent 60 teenagers and 20 adults to Tijuana, Mexico for a chance to help the poor. The volunteers were from California, Nebraska, Illinois, and Connecticut.

The people they helped were very poor. They lived in cardboard shacks that had dirt floors and no roofs. Sheets made up walls. There was no in door plumbing or electricity. Their clothes were hand me downs that were handed down many times. Their meals were comprised of foods we would toss out because they had expired.

Each group was assigned tasks for the week. The Nebraska group helped repair homes, planted gardens, and dug trenches. The Connecticut group worked in the soup kitchen and renovated a chapel. The Illinois group built a house. The California group helped at the food bank. The volunteers had a chance to meet with the people of Tijuana as well.

There was a stark contrast to the abject poverty of the people of Tijuana and the modest wealth of the volunteers. While those volunteer did not feel rich, they realized just how much they had compared to those in Tijuana.

Tijuana is not the only place that YNIA goes to. Each summer they go to several locations with different groups of volunteers. They help provide needed services and give their volunteers a sense that they can affect change even on a small level.

[Photograph of a ghetto in Tijuana, Mexico courtesy of Roy Compatible, www.sxc.hu]

Japanese Americans Waited Sixty Years for High School Diplomas

Many Japanese Americans lost out on the opportunity to finish high school, and thus, never got their diplomas. While many of us can't even find out diplomas, many Japanese Americans have waited patiently for decades for the honor of receiving one.

In 1988, an official apology came from the United States Government and monetary compensation was given to some. However, it wasn't until Sally Lieber sponsored legislation that set up the "California Nisei High School Diploma Project" that those Japanese Americans got their diplomas .

The project hopes to locate Japanese Americans who lost out on their high school education during 1942-1945. They will then honor these individuals. Another goal of the project is to educate current high school students about the internment camp period. Many lives were interrupted by the detainments and those affect were unable to finish their educations. Many went to work after leaving camp and never went back to school. Others earned their diplomas while in the camps, but it wasn't from the school districts they had spent their lives in.

High Schools around California are beginning to hold ceremonies for these special graduates. In August 2005, 58 Japanese Americans showed up at Los Angeles Trade Technical College just for that purpose. This was the high school graduation ceremony they never got. They walked with canes, sat in wheelchairs, and smiled proudly as they received the piece of parchment they missed out on 60 years ago.

Japanese Americans look back on the internment camp period with sadness and bitterness, so the ceremonies start a healing process that has been on hold since the 1940s. The ceremonies have been mostly symbolic. But,the honorary graduates gain a sense of pride and many share the experience with their children and grandchildren. This opens a dialogue about a period of their lives they may not have spoken about.

You can learn more about the California Nisei High School Diploma Project at: Nisei High School Diploma Project

[Photo from the www.canisei.org website press releases shows Tom Okumura and Mary (Okumura) Kitahara, at their Mountain View High School commencement ceremony in 2004. Photo courtesy of Dan Miranda/Los Altos Town Crier.]

Anti-Gay Protesters Run Out of Town

Grieving friends and family were not pleased to find anti-gay protesters at the funerals of two Tennessee soldiers killed in Iraq. The soldiers were Sgt. Ashbury Fred Hawn II of Smyrna and Spc. Gary Reese Jr. of Ashland City.

Members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas showed up at the funerals. They converged on the Smyrna United Methodist Church and the Ashland City National Guard Armory to spread their hateful message. They carried signs with slogans like "God Hates Fags". They claim because America harbors gays God is taking vengeance on its soldiers. This was one of many protests at military funerals throughout the country.

But, this time they met their match. The people of Smyrna and Ashland City, Tennessee were not amused. It was plain wrong for the church to use the funerals to further their agenda. Hundreds of residents of Smyrna and Ashland City showed up at the church and armory to counter the protesters. They then chased them out of town.

There is a time and a place for everything. And, this wasn't it! What Westboro Church did was completely disrespectful to the memories of the soldiers and to the mourners who came to honor them. Cheers to the people of Tennessee for standing up to them!

[Veteran's Memorial Photograph courtesy of Philip Sasser, www.sxc.hu]

Bringing Jobs Back to Rural Communities

Offshoring and outsourcing are bad words in most parts of America these days. People see their jobs being sent to India, China, and elsewhere and wonder who is watching out for them? Who is preserving their ability to bring home a paycheck and provide for their family?

A native of Arkansas and alumni of Corporate America wants to help rural communities. She is trying to bring tech jobs back to rural America.

Kathy Brittain White was Chief Information Officer of Cardinal Health when she retired at the age of 55. She wanted to do something to help rural communities like the one she grew up in. She then founded Rural Sourcing.

Rural Sourcing provides tech training and jobs to Americans. The idea is to create a "virtual workforce". These individuals are employees of Rural Sourcing and do the work that corporations are sending offshore. The jobs are in the tech field and are geared towards providing Information Technology support. The work can be done anywhere , which is appealing to corporations that are constantly downsizing and closing up buildings.

RS has three locations in North Carolina, New Mexico, and Arkansas. They hope to build work forces in areas with universities that have strong computer science/IT programs but no jobs. There are plenty of areas fit the bill.

Deaf Artist Speaks through Painting

One of the artists at Honolulu Art Center's 2nd Annual Fundraiser (27 Aug 2005) is Daniel Wang. Wang was born in Shanghai, China in 1937. As a child, he spent alot of time with his mother as she was his teacher. She realized very early on that he was very creative. She arranged for him to be tutoredin painting, which is how he learned Lingnan style painting.

He gave his first exhibit at the age of 12. Throughout his teens he studied with Chinese masters. His work has been shown in San Francisco, Canada, Hong Kong, Hawaii, and elsewhere.

What sets Wang apart is that he is deaf. Painting has become a way for him to express himself without the spoken word. His specialty, Lingnan, is done on rice paper with watercolors, pen, and ink. this style was created in 1879 by Gao Jianfu. Most of Wang's designs involve animals, landscapes, and anything to do with nature. He paints from memory.

Being deaf creates some difficulties. While others can speak about their art, Wang must use sign language. He can't always communicate with customers and admirers which can complicate matters. When Wang moved to San Francisco in 1977, he taught himself English and American Sign Language, which helped out.

He currently lives in Honolulu. He teaches traditional calligraphy at the Honolulu Waldorf School in addition to painting. Part of Wang's collection includes t-shirts which he has hand painted with acrylics. His work has also appeared on a 2001-2002 wildlife stamp. You can view examples of Wang's work at the Hawaii Art Board Website.

[Photo of Shanghai courtesy of Kathy de la Cruz, www.sxc.hu

Helping Disabled Veterans One House at a Time

One of the problems soldiers returning from war face is finding a home. Soldiers with disabilities face an even more difficult hunt for housing. Individuals and organizations are trying to help these soldiers.

Michelle Senatore of Wheaton, Illinois has raised enough money to give one soldier a home for free. The soldier is Sgt. Joel Gomez and he was injured in Iraq. He's paralyzed from the neck down. Gomez currently lives in an apartment which is in no way fit for his wheelchair. The Veterans Administration has done what they can but with so many soldiers in need and lack of funding, they can't do much about the situation. They have a program which includes a $50,000 housing grant, but Gomez needed a special house that could handle his wheelchair and other special needs.

Michelle Senatore met Gomez a few months ago. She felt she should do something to ease his plight. She needed to come up with $500,000 to build a home adapted to his special needs. With community backing, she pulled it off.

Then there is the group in Massachusetts, Homes for Troops, which is also trying to fill the void left by the Veterans Adminstration and the government. They've already built five homes for injured soldiers. This is a small dent. They expect that hundreds more will need to be built as their are so many in need at this time.

Without people like Senatore or organizations like Homes for Troops, those who have put their lives on the line for this country, but came back severely injured, would not even have a place to live.

The Papier Mache Sculptor

A mysterious man named Philip Geddens has become the newest artist on Oakland, California streets. The man was invisible to society, sleeping among his possessions until a few months ago. Then he started making papier mache sculptures on the sidewalks.

The sculptures are made of water, flour, and newsprint. One is 7 feet tall! They depict humans in everyday poses. One shows a man in coat and tails, pointing his finger. Another is of a man holding hands with a smaller female figure.

Local office workers have taken quite an interest in his works. He has been working on them for months. Some workers have watched each day as the sculptures come to life. Most have gotten used to Gedden's daily rituals and look forward to seeing him.

No one really knows where he came from or what his story is. He may be homeless. However, everyday he shows up at the same spot and works on his creations. He never asks people for anything, but his creations give them something to smile about during their mundane work days.

Einstein Manuscript Discovered

Graduate student, Rowdy Boeyink, has made the discovery of a lifetime. While doing research for his thesis on Paul Ehrenfest in the archives of the Lorentz Institute for Theoretical Physics (Leiden University), he found a copy of one of Albert Einstein's manuscripts. The handwritten manuscript was dated December 1924.

The manuscript was published in January of 1925 under the title "Quantum Theory of the Monatomic Ideal Gas". Thelength of the handwritten document is 16 pages. It is considered one of Einstein's greatest theories.

The timing of the discovery is interesting. This is the 100 year anniversary of the publishing of some of Einstein's key scientific papers.

Leiden University was one of Einstein's haunts. A position was created for Einstein in 1920. He was one of many important scholars, including other Nobel Prize winners, to grace the halls of the University. Einstein did not return to the University after he fled from Europe in 1933.

The 1925 manuscript has been digitally reproduced. It can be found in the Einstein Archive's section on the Leiden University website. View the 1925 Manuscript Two other documents composed by Einstein are also in the online Einstein Archive.

[Photo courtesy of Steven Parry, www.sxc.hu]

Recycled Gardening

Bill and Kathy Bossley of San Leandro, California take recycling seriously. They have built the garden of their dreama and every item in it is used. Everything in their garden comes from salvage yards, garage sales, or was given to them.

The couple really enjoys being outdoors, so they got the idea to create a garden that allowed them to be outside even in winter. By using other people's throwaways they've been able to create their own vision. Bill Bossley works with each new item: painting it, reshaping it, and reusing it. The design of the garden mutates several times a year, so visitors never know what they'll see the next time around.

The Bossley have let their imaginatiosn run wild. Some areas are just for the kids with sandbox, slide, and other kids stuff. Other parts of the garden are divided into rooms with plants as walls and various materials for roofs. They use different type of flooring in each of the areas. One of these rooms has an outdoor fireplace. Instead of waiting for the weather to change, they can be outside whenever they choose. And, they've been able to add living space without spending a bundle on contractors and building materials.

Seventy One and on the Run

When you hit 70, you earn the right to watch tv all day if that's what you feel like doing. You're retired and no one can tell you what to do. Irene Obrera isn't satisfied sitting around the house. She wants to run! She's an athlete after all. After a six year hiatus, she's back on the track and ready to reclaim her winning ways.

She owns several records in the 100, 200, and 400 meter events for her age group. She also has 24 medals. She is a member of the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame. Her name is listed amongst the first year inductees: List of 1996 Masters Inductees


Her most recent record was set in the 100 meters in the USA Masters Meet in 2005. It was the 11th time she had participated in the event. She owns it. She has never lost at a USA Masters!

What keeps Obrera running? She wants to do things no one else has done. According to a recent Daily Review Newspaper article (Daily Review), Obrera's goal is be a "World Champion in two centuries". She's well on her way to her goal. Next stop is Spain where she will compete in the 16th World Masters Athletes Championship.

[Photo courtesy of : Vullioud Pierre-Andre, www.sxc.hu]

Strikeouts for Troops

Who says that millionaire athletes don't care about anything but themselves? All they are is a bunch of spoiled brats worried more about their million dollar salaries than the fans they play for, right? You need look no further than Barry Zito of the Oakland Athletics for the exception to the rule.

Zito wanted to show his support for the troops in Iraq. Pitching is what he does best. This year he founded "Strikeouts for Troops". For every strikeout he tallies this year, $100 goes to the foundation. The money is then used to aid the war wounded at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, MD. The money goes towards their recovery as well as travel expenses and housing for their families.

Since the foundation's inception, other baseball players have joined in. Those who aren't pitchers are donating money for Hits, RBIs, and Home Runs. These players are participating: Curt Schilling, C.C. Sabathia, Matt Miller, Tim Hudson, Horacio Ramirez, Chad Cordero, Rich Harden, Kirk Sarloos, Huston Street, Joe Blanton, Justin Duchscherer, Jason Kendall, Nick Swisher, Mark Kotsay, Eric Chavez, Mark Ellis, and Eric Byrnes. Hopes are as more players hear about the cause they will add they stats to the tally.

The foundation has already helped many who were wounded in Iraq. Just read the letters written by those who have received assistance: http://www.strikeoutsfortroops.org/testimonials.htm

Zito would like to see at least one player from each team on the list by season's end. Who knows how much money will be raised by this effort? It's great to see our athletes pitching in and they should be commended for their effort.


[Photo courtesy of : Tracy Scott-Murray, www.sxc.hu]

Detectives Won't Give Up on Castro Valley Jane Doe

The woman dubbed "Castro Valley Jane Doe" was found dead 1 May 2003 near a local restaurant. Alameda County Sheriff's Detectives have done everything they can since then to find out who the woman was and why she was murdered.

When local resources dried up, a search was done nationwide for information. When that didn't pan out, they went beyond American borders working with Latin American nations to see if someone somewhere was looking for their lost daughter, sister, or friend. To this day, "Jane Doe" has revealed very few clues about her past except that she was in her teens. No name, no residence, no relatives.

In September 2003, Jane Does was laid to rest at Lone Tree Cemetery. Each year, a memorial is held in Jane Doe's memory. Community members come out to pay their respect to the young woman they did not know, but whose lack of identity saddens them deeply.

Two years is a long time for a case to go unsolved. Sgt. Dudek, the lead investigator, and other unnamed detectives have put in thousands of hours trying to solve the case. They are determined not to give up.

In June 2005, Jane Doe's body was secretly exhumed. They recovered the skull which was then reconstructed. A bust was created showing how Jane Doe looked by Forensic Artist, Gloria Nusse. It is the Sheriff's Department's hopes that with a lifelike bust someone will remember the girl.

Why has this case dogged investigators so? Why has Jane Doe worked her way into the hearts of the community? Why does it seem as if we all have failed because the young woman can't be identified? There is something very sad about the young girl and her death. She was brutally murdered and thrown away. No one remembers her. No one is even searching for her. It's as if she didn't exist. The detectives should be applauded. Without their tireless efforts, Jane Doe would surely have been forgotten by now. We can only hope that they will some day put a name to the unknown teenager's face.

Different Faiths for a Common Cause

At a time when various religious groups are vying for national attention, a group of congregations has been quietly working together for the good of communities across the country. 26 years ago, Congregations Organizing for Renewal was founded by a Jesuit priest. The goal was simple--get rid of feral dogs in Oakland, California neighborhoods. It sounds like a strange start, but from that point the idea of working as one blossomed. COR is now comprised of 50 religious groups nationwide.

What makes COR different? Though they come from different denominations, they come together to work towards the common good. The group cleans neighborhoods, helps people get affordable housing, and promotes community probjects. They work with politicians for legislative change and work in communities on small projects like removing graffitti.

Those in power have taken notice of COR's achievements. In 2004, the group was invited to Washington, DC to discuss such issues as affordable housing. In 2005, the 4,500 California delegation met with the Governor's office on health care.

With Federal and State money dwindling for domestic programs, the role of groups like COR is vital. Without them, many small community clean up projects would never get done. Issues that affect the poor and the voice less would not be heard.

Golf Course Reopens in Kabul after 30 Years

In the 1960s, a golf course was constructed in Kabul, Afghanistan. In the early 1970s, the golf course was in wide use by the people of Kabul as well as the staffs of various embassies. The course remained open from 1965 to 1974. It clsoed permanently in 1978. During the war with the Soviet Union and then Taliban rule, the golf course lay dormant. The sport was literal dead in the country until 2002.

In March of 2004, local residents convinced Mohammad Afzal Abdul who was the last club professional to reopen course. This wasn't as easy as planting some grass and pulling weeds. Land mines littered the course.

Abdul sought help from the international community. Afghanistan's government provided guidance under a de-mining program. A Japanese team, the UN's Halo Trust, and the Afghan Ministry of Defense took part in the project.

The Kabul Golf Club opened for business in May 2004. It's the only golf course in the country of Afghanistan. Donations of equipment and materials are helping to keep the operation running smoothly. It's a sign of progress for a country that has known chaos for so long.

[Photo courtesy of Jonathan Edwards, www.sxc.hu]

Camp Casey, Crawford, Texas

On the long road that leads up to the President's ranch, a mother who lost her son in the Iraq war is causing a stir. It is on that road that one grieving mother has begun a vigil in honor of her lost son's memory.

Cindy Sheehan looks like any other Soccer Mom with her straw hat, shorts, and t-shirt. Her son, Casey, died in the Iraq War. Now she wants some answers from the President who sent him there. Her request is simple. She would like to meet with the President and have him answer a couple of questions. Sheehan plans to stay for the duration of President Bush's vacation or until she gets an audience with him.

The road to the President's ranch has attracted quite a gathering. There are those who sympathize with Sheehan. They have come to join her in her makeshift camp. Some opposed the war from the start, while others changed their mind as they heard about the Downing Street Memo and the evidence that their were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. They are a mixed group of senior citizens, anti-war protesters, and people who either lost a loved one in Iraq or have someone serving there. On the other side is another gathering. Those people believe Cindy is desecrating her sons memory by making so much noise. They support the President and the Iraq war. Their group is just as mixed and feel just as passionately that the war must continue. Each supports the troops, but each has a different opinion about the war.

Cindy Sheehan believes her son would have wanted her to act on her conscience. So, there she sits in Crawford, Texas. It takes a great deal of courage to make a stand especially when the odds are against you. She probably will not get to see the President. Even if she does, she most likely won't change any policies. Still, it seems to have shaken America from our reverie. While nothing else about this war has diverted people from the daily routine of going to work, shopping for groceries, going to soccer games, and complaining about gas prices, Sheehan's protest has struck a chord, or a nerve, depending where you stand. People are finally debating this war and the current administration's policies. It's always a good thing for democracy when citizens people ask questions, educate themselves on the issues, and have open debates. If nothing more, Cindy Sheehan has accomplished that goal. She has gotten us to stop and take notice.

Females Create a Sound of their Own

Youth Movement Records was created two years ago to give teens something to do besides hanging out on the street. The recording company employs high school students who write, perform, and record their own music. They run the recording studio, produce CDs, and perform on stage.

Up to this point, the female participants have taken a behind the scenes role. Although half of the participants are female, most of the projects have been dominated by males.

But, all that's about to change! The females are doing their own thing. They've put together a CD called "Taste Test" which is comprised of 15 songs all performed by females at YMR. They wrote the songs, performed them, and take center stage. It's a showcase of their many talents.

YMR is a community based program. Chris Wiltsee is the founder and this is his second YMR program (the first was founded in Ann Arbor, Michigan). The goal is to give kids something positive to do with their time. As music programs in schools continue to get slashed, teens need a place for creative expression. They can create something tangible and learn about the recording industry too. Participation is free. The kids are encouraged to explore different music genres and to find their own style. Those involved in the recording studio credit YMR for keeping them busy and out of trouble.

[Photo courtesy of Chris Panteli, www.sxc.hu]

To The Ninth Degree!

Would you wait 64 years to start your academic career? That's why Daniel Oxmen did!

When World War II began, the military draft ended Oxmen's scholarly aspirations. He did get some schooling under his belt before military service, but he didn't have a chance to finish. When he got out of the military, he started his career as a dentist.

It always bothered him that he never got to pursue his dream of academic accomplishment. So, in his 50s, he went back to college. He balanced work and school by shutting down his dentist's office a couple of hours a day. He took night classes as well.

He completed his courses and earned a bachelor's degree in history. The education bug had bit him. He kept going to college and kept earning degrees. He has degrees in Philosophy, English, History (two of them!), Renaissance Reformation, Art, and Comparative English. At 72, he began working towards a doctorate. At 85, he earned a master's in English. Nine degrees in all!

Special educational programs for senior citizens helped him out financially. Now that he's retired, he can study all he wants. Each course intrigues him more than the last. He yearns to learn more and he keeps taking classes.

[Photo courtesy of Renata Jun, http://www.sxc.hu]

Back to School Shopping Spree

One of the best things about going back to school was when your parents took you for back to school clothes. You'd get to pick out a bunch of stuff and then couldn't wait to show it off on the first day of school. Usually, you bought things that would last through the winter. And, so there you set off with your hoodie, jeans, and long sleeve top with the temperature hovering around 85F. You were sweating, but you thought you looked cool.

What if your family had no money? What if you'd grown out of everything, but your parents couldn't afford to buy replacements? Back to School meant showing up in hand me downs.

Mervyn's Department Stores, which are nationwide, has tried to make a difference. A special fund is set up by the department store chain and this year 11,000 kids aged 5-15 got a Mervyn's shopping spree. Each child was given $100 plus 10 percent off--all sales tax free. The kids were encouraged to bring a shopping list of needed items. No parents were allowed as they tend to be disruptive. Then they were assigned to an assistant whose job was to find what they liked but get them the most bang for their buck.

This is the 17th year that Mervyn's has participated in the Back to School shopping spree. While they can't help every child in need, there are 11,000 kids who'll be beaming in their new clothes come the first day of school.

Death Row Inmate as Role Model?

No one would ever consider a death row inmate a role model. But, a former gang member who was convicted of murder and is now on death row has found himself in that position. He just received a Presidential Award from the Presidential Council on Service and Civic Participation given to those extolling "the outstanding character of America".

Stanley "Tookie" Williams is the former founder of the gang the Crips. In 1981, he was convicted of murdering four people. He is imprisoned at San Quentin Prison and is waiting for the Supreme Court to review his request for clemency.

While waiting, Williams took a hard look at his life. He has become an anti-gang activist. His efforts have been channeled into books--he's written 10 of them. Most of his books are written for children and center around keeping kids out of gangs. In 1998, he wrote the book "Life in Prison" which is used in after-school violence prevention programs throughout the country. Proceeds from the sales of these books go to programs to help children at risk. He receives thousands of letters from former gang members who point to his writings as the reason they left gang life behind.

William A. Harrison of Old Catholic Orthodox Church in Louisiana nominated Williams for the honor. He believes the convicted murdered has been redeemed. Others are not convinced that a convicted murderer deserves such an honor.

This is not the first time Williams work has been recognized. In 2001, he was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. He has also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature.

Space Shuttle Discover Returns Home Safely

After 14 days in space, Space Shuttle Discovery landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 5:11 am PDT. This was the first manned space flight since the Columbia disaster. On board was Commander Eileen Collins (New York), and astronauts Steve Robinson (California), James Kelly (Iowa), Andy Thomas (Australia), Wendy Lawrence (California), Charlie Camarda (New York), and Soichi Noguchi (Japan).

This flight was not without it's drama. A one pound chunk of foam fell off the fuel tank during lift off. It was a grim reminded that the flaw that doomed Columbia had not been resolved.

Problem arose during the flight. Filler material began protruding from tiles. A spacewalk was ordered to remove the material. This was done by Steve Robinson and Soichi Noguchi. They removed the material and safely returned to the shuttle. In all the two astronauts made three space walks on this journey. It was the first time this type of spacewalk had been attempted by any astronaut. If you'd like to learn more about space walks, visit these links: Going Out for a Space Walk and Against the Elements

After the filler material problem was fixed, a torn thermal blanket under the cockpit window began to create problems. After assessment by NASA, it was deemed the blanket posed no threat.

The two week adventure included a stop at the International Space Station where supplies were delivered. They also performed some maintenance to the space station.

Discovery was original set to return home on Monday, but bad weather in Florida prevented re-entry. With the weather unchanged, NASA redirected the space shuttle to Edwards Air Force Base. A collective sigh of relief was heard from NASA and throughout the world when the space shuttle touched down and all crew members were safe and sound.

[Photo courtesy of the NASA website: www.nasa.gov]

Russian Submarine Crew Rescued

After three harrowing days trapped under the 600 feet of water in Beryozovaya Bay, near Japan, a Russian submarine crew was rescued. The crew was examined by medical staff and said to be in good condition.

The submarine had become ensnared in an underwater coastal monitoring system. It was further hampered by a fishing net that was tangled around the propeller.

The Russian Navy does not have the money to purchase the necessary rescue vehicles. The submarine was far too deep for divers to reach it. So, a call went out to the international community to see what aid might be provided.

The US and Great Britain sent rescue teams to the Kamatcha Peninsula to see what they could do. Several attempts to free the submarine failed. The cables of the monitoring system proved difficult to dislodge. The anchor alone weighed 66 tons. At one point, the idea was floated around to blow up the monitoring system, but that idea was scrapped. Mechanical failures hampered the remote controlled rescue vehicles. Information about oxygen levels conflicted and it was uncertain how much time the rescue teams had to work.

In the end, the British team's Super Scorpio cut threw the cables. The submarine was freed. The crew escaped a close call with death.

[Photo shows the U.S. Navy's Super Scorpio. Photographer: Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel N. Woods, USN. Photograph courtesy of www.defenselink.mil]

An Iraqi Soldier's Song

Luke Stricklin was in the National Guard and stationed over in Baghdad, Iraq. Some of the experiences were too difficult to communicate to his family. When he phoned home, he struggled for the right words. Most of the time he didn't really want to talk about the war.

As his family struggled to understand what he was going through, the 22 year old found it more difficult to express himself. Then one day while looking at the bottom of his boots inspiration hit. He began to write down some lines about his boots and his faded uniform. The lines he started with were the roots of a song Luke named "American by God's Amazing Grace." Luke then collaborated with another soldier. With his friend's help, a used guitar, and a laptop computer, he recorded the song. He then emailed it to his Mother.

You never know what will happen when your Mother gets involved! When Luke returned home a few months later, he was in for a surprise. His mother had forwarded the song to a radio station and it was being played on country music stations in several states. The song that sprang from his war experiences was a hit.

He is now out of Iraq. He's recorded an album based on that first song. The album will be released around September 2005. He also performed at some local venues. Luke hopes this is the start of a career in music.

Tsunami Inspires New Ways to Build Homes

The December 2005 Tsunami that ravaged Asia and Africa has made people realize that many structures didn't stand a chance against the force of the waves. One of those people has been working hard to do something about it.

Carlo Ratti, who teaches at MIT, saw the natural disaster first hand while staying in Sri Lanka. When he returned home, he was determinded to develop housing that would withstand a tsunami. He and other researchers studied which buildings survived and which didn't. With that data they were able to work on ideas for better buildings. Part of the goal was to create cheap housing that used materials native to Sri Lanka.

These new houses consist of a more open design. Instead of solid walls, the walls are made of bamboo. The object is to allow the water to rush through the house without destroying it. While most of the inner contents would wash away, the house itself would stand.

1,000 of the new homes are now under construction. The cost is $1,200 per home.

[Photo shows destruction from the December 2004 tsunami. Ph