First Hurricane of the Season

By Fox News
August 18, 2009

Hurricane Bill strengthened to a Category 3 storm Tuesday evening, making it the first major hurricane of the Atlantic season.

The National Hurricane Center said people in the Leeward Islands should monitor Bill’s progress.

“The wind sheer is light and the waters are warm,” Todd Kimberlain, a forecaster at the center, said. “Those are two essential ingredients not just for the formation, but also the maintenance, of hurricanes.”

As of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Bill had winds near 125 mph. It was centered Tuesday evening about 635 miles east of the Leeward Islands, moving west-northwest near 16 mph.

The most significant threat the storm seemed to pose was to Bermuda, which it could pass in three or four days, Kimberlain said. But it also could move directly between Bermuda and the eastern coast of the U.S. without making landfall.

Either way, people near the coast can expect wave swells and rip currents in the next few days, Kimberlain said.

Meanwhile, people in flood-prone Haiti and the Dominican Republic awoke to good news Tuesday as it appeared Ana, the first named storm of the Atlantic season, had largely spared their shared island.

HURRICANE TRACKER: Satellite, radar, forecasts and more

The two countries that share the island of Hispaniola are vulnerable to storms, with many impoverished people clustered along rivers, but there were no reports of major damage from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ana. The system had been downgraded to a tropical depression and then largely dissipated before reaching Haiti and the Dominican Republic. but its rains were still considered a potential threat.

“The rain fell but it did not hit anywhere very hard,” said Marie Alta Jean-Baptiste, director of Haiti’s civil protection department.

Haiti is particularly susceptible to catastrophic flooding because most of the trees have been stripped away to make charcoal and clear farmland and the bare, mountainous terrain cannot hold back the water. A series of storms last year killed hundreds of people and left thousands struggling to find food.

Forecasters had revised their Atlantic hurricane season predictions for this season after the first two months passed without any named storms developing.

Source: Fox News

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Another Angel Lost for No Reason

By AP
August 18, 2009

Editor’s Note: Parents please we must put our children first, before our own needs. A lot of times parents choose lets just say the truth SEX. You have been trusted with a very special gift from GOD.

We have lost another child, another ANGEL that had his whole life in front of him. This should not have happen!

When you have been blessed, with a special gift from GOD a child, they have to come first.

When you go home tonight hug your child and let them know how musch you LOVE them.

We would like to know what youThink? dan@goldcoastchronicle.com

BOISE, Idaho — Police have made an arrest in connection with the disappearance and death of 8-year-old Robert Manwill, an Idaho newspaper reports.

The Idaho Statesman says Daniel Ehrlick Jr. was taken into custody. He is the boyfriend of Manwill’s mother.

Manwill was missing for more than a week before his body was found floating in a Boise canal on Aug. 3. Police say evidence shows the death was not accidental.

Ehrlick’s father, Daniel Ehrlick Sr., has told the newspaper that he didn’t know what the charge was or if anyone else had been arrested. Police have not commented but a news conference was planned for 7 p.m.

The boy reportedly disappeared July 24 after leaving his mother’s apartment in Boise, and was the subject of intense search. He was found by a passerby who called emergency workers to report the body in the canal.

Police have said evidence in the case indicates suspicious circumstances surrounding the disappearance.

His father, Charles Manwill, lives in New Plymouth and has had custody of the child since 2008.

Click here for more on this story from FOX 12 Idaho.

Source: Fox News

National Zoo – Cheetah

By FNZ
August 18, 2009

The world’s fastest land mammal is vulnerable to extinction throughout its range.

Physical Description: Built more like greyhounds than typical cats, cheetahs are adapted for brief but intense bursts of speed. They have wiry bodies and small heads. Their coats are golden or yellowish, embellished with many small black spots, and their tails are long with a few black bands and sometimes a white tip. Black stripes run from their eyes down to the corners of their mouths.

Size: Cheetahs grow to between three and a half and four and a half feet long, not including their 30-inch tails. They weigh between 75 and 145 pounds and stand two to three feet tall at the shoulder. Males tend to be a bit more robust and weigh about ten pounds more than females.

Geographic Distribution: Cheetahs live in small, isolated populations mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. They are very rare in southern Algeria and northern Niger, and range from Senegal east to Somalia and south to northern South Africa. A few have been reported from Iran. However, many of their strongholds are in eastern and southern African parks.

Status: The cheetah is listed as vulnerable on the World Conservation Union’s (IUCN’s) Red List of Threatened Animals.

Habitat: Savannas, both open and more densely vegetated, give cheetahs the open areas they need for quick stalks and chases. They are not found in forest areas or wetlands.

Natural Diet: Cheetahs eat primarily hoofed mammals weighing less than 90 pounds, including gazelles and young wildebeest. They will also eat smaller game such as hares, warthogs, and birds.

National Zoo Diet: The Zoo’s cheetahs eat ground horse meat and sometimes beef, rabbits, and chicks.

Reproduction: Cheetahs can breed at any time of year but tend to copulate in the dry season, with cubs being born at the onset of the wet season. Females reach breeding age by 21 or 22 months of age. Males live in small permanent groups called coalitions, which are usually made up of brothers. Males are drawn to females in heat, but only one male in a coalition usually mates with the selected female. On average, three cubs are born about three months after mating takes place. Until five or six weeks old, the cubs remain hidden; if she needs to move, the mother carries them from place to place. After five or six weeks, cubs follow their mothers and share her kills. Cheetah cubs wean at about three months old.

Life Span: In zoos, cheetahs may live up to 17 years; in the wild, they may live eight to ten years.

Behavior: Female cheetahs live alone, except when raising cubs. They rarely associate with other cheetahs, except when ready to mate. Males live in small permanent groups called coalitions, which are usually made up of two to four brothers. To avoid lions and leopards, cheetahs usually hunt in the middle of the day. Cheetahs stalk their prey, approaching to within about 50 feet before dashing out from cover and sprinting at the targeted animals. Cheetahs grab their victims’ throats and suffocate their quarry within a few minutes. After securing their meal, they may drag it to nearby cover. Despite their best efforts to hide their catches, their kills are often stolen by larger predators and picked at by hordes of vultures. Lions and hyenas also eat cheetah cubs; lions and leopards also kill adults.

Past/Present/Future: Once widespread across arid Africa, into the Middle East and east to India, the cheetah has suffered dramatic declines over the last century. It now lives in Africa, and a few may survive in Iran. Hunted for their spotted coats and because they sometimes attack livestock, they disappeared from many areas. More recently, widespread habitat destruction has fragmented cheetah habitats, isolating many populations. In many areas, the cheetah’s prey has been overhunted by people. Scientists have also found that many cheetahs suffer from genetic defects due to inbreeding, possibly the result of a population bottleneck—a sharp decline—that occurred perhaps as far back as 10,000 years ago. Among other things, inbreeding could raise cub mortality, lower cheetahs’ resistance to disease, and cause infertility. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 wild cheetahs survive. Cheetah strongholds, where possible, must be connected to allow genetic interchange if this species is to survive. Also, conflict between cheetahs and humans needs to be moderated. For example, in Namibia, ranchers may legally shoot cheetahs that prey on livestock.

A Few Cheetah Neighbors:

Thomson’s gazelle (Gazella thomsonii): Within its range, this smallish, striped animal is a favored prey of the cheetah.

beisa oryx (Oryx gazella beisa): A large, long-horned antelope with black stripes on its flanks and face.

vulturine guineafowl (Acryllium vulturinum): A bare-headed gamebird with dazzling black, blue, and white plumes.

By saving cheetah habitat, we protect these and many other animals.

Fun Facts:
A sprinting cheetah can reach 45 miles per hour within 2.5 seconds. Top speed—up to 64 miles per hour—can only be briefly sustained.

In the 16th century, emperors and other royalty hunted gazelles with trained cheetahs.

Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus and Species: Acinonyx jubatus

Source: Friends of the National Zoo

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think?

Further Reading: Cheetahs of the Serengeti Plains, by T.M. Caro; The University of Chicago Press, 1994.

Know Your Child’s Teacher

By AFT
August 18, 2009

By definition, a teacher is one who teaches.  Ya…so?  Let’s look at what it means to teach.   The dictionary defines the verb teach as:

• To impart, provide or instruct knowledge or skill
• To condition to a certain action or frame of mind
• To cause to learn by example or experience
• To advocate or preach
• To carry on instruction on a regular basis in

That last one, to carry on instruction on a regular basis, is a biggie…on a regular basis. On average teachers will spend 30 hours a week with your elementary age child. In contrast, let’s look at the amount of time you will spend, with your child during an average school week.   Between getting up, dressed, fed and teeth brushed, on average, a parent will spend 10 minutes actually with the child.

Then there’s after school – it’s probably at least 5:00 pm before you really spend time with your child; either due to your schedule or your child’s. (Note:  Seeing your child and spending time with – are not synonymous).   Then maybe you spend some time together preparing and eating dinner.   After school and after work you may have taken junior to practice or the store, or there was more homework.

If your child is like most, a bath or shower is probably needed. After that, perhaps a bedtime snack, a little TV and then it’s time to start the bedtime routine.  It’s safe to say, on average, parents will spend less than eight (8) hours a week interacting with their elementary age child.  Now do you see why it is vital to get to know your kid’s teachers?

Most schools have an Open House prior to the first day of school.  This gives the parent and child a chance to meet the teacher and vice versa.  Make every effort to attend this Open House.  If you have a schedule conflict you cannot rearrange, make an appointment before or after school to meet your child’s teacher.  It may only take a quick 10 minute visit initially, but don’t you want to know who will be imparting, providing and instructing knowledge and skills to your child?

Teachers will almost always provide phone numbers and emails where they can be reached.  Nearly all of them will give you their home number.  Use this contact information!  Many parents think, “Oh I don’t want to bother the teacher by calling him/her.”  Bother?  Staying informed about what is happening with your child thirty hours each week should by no means be considered, “bothering the teacher.”  Parents have a duty to know what is going on!

Source: Apples 4 Teacher

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Finding Good Daycare

By ARW
August 18, 2009

For some working mothers, finding good childcare is as easy as phoning their responsible, reliable mum to arrange pick up times and organic lunches. For others, finding good childcare is like taking on a whole new project with seemingly no decent answer.

If you fall into the first category and you have excellent childcare (maybe even free! Oh, the envy) in the form of your mother or another family member, you must guard them with your life. Be prepared that, especially if you live in a prosperous area, your childminder may get poached by harassed mothers at the school gates, promising untold riches and a benefits package you could only dream of.

Responsible Relative

For many working mothers, having a family member look after their child is the best possible solution, as they are likely to have similar views on raising children and tend to be more flexible. However, this situation is not without its problems. Be careful resentment does not build on either side by making the arrangement formal as soon as possible – confirm hours, payment and expectations on both sides.

Personal Network

Speaking to friends who also have young children is a good way to get word of mouth recommendations, which is helpful for childminders and day care. While you can get a good feel of a place by making an initial appointment, personal recommendation enables you to hear a more balanced view. Do bear in mind that your friends may have different standards or values regarding childcare, so try to gain advice from mothers who share similar views.

Internet Forums

Internet forums are a great place to find objective information – if you find a forum that seems to appeal to women with similar views to your own, you can ask questions about places that have vacancies and see what responses you get. A further benefit to gaining online advice is that you can decide to take it or leave it, whereas this can be trickier if you ask a friend’s opinion and then do not act on it.

Mother & Baby Group

If you are a member of your local mother and baby group, this is a mine of excellent information and support. Many women with older children will be able to advise you on good quality childcare in your region and it is also common for one or more women to set up their own day care facility after having a child. These places are also great for building relationships with other new mums and buying and selling baby equipment. Mother and baby groups can be especially helpful for women who have their first baby before their friends start families.

Local Council

In order to find the most regulated child care in your region, you can look at your local council website. They will either have online, or can send you, a list of their approved child care services.

Do not just act on this alone though; you will still need to visit the potential childminder or nursery of your child before you confirm that you will take them there. If at all possible, take your child when you go to look at the available childcare to see how the childminder or nursery staff interact with your child. You will be able to tell the response of your child, too, which can be a great indicator of which childcare provision is most suitable

Source: A Return To Work

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Preventing Swine Flu

Who Were Our Presidents? Part 4

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
August 17, 2009

Editor’s Note: How many of us along with our children? Know who our Presidents were and what they have done in Office.

Each week we will pick a President and tell you about them and their accomplishes.

We hope that you will enjoy this series. And let us know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

4. JAMES MADISON 1809-1817

At his inauguration, James Madison, a small, wizened man, appeared old and worn; Washington Irving described him as “but a withered little apple-John.” But whatever his deficiencies in charm, Madison’s buxom wife Dolley compensated for them with her warmth and gaiety. She was the toast of Washington.

Born in 1751, Madison was brought up in Orange County, Virginia, and attended Princeton (then called the College of New Jersey). A student of history and government, well-read in law, he participated in the framing of the Virginia Constitution in 1776, served in the Continental Congress, and was a leader in the Virginia Assembly.

When delegates to the Constitutional Convention assembled at Philadelphia, the 36-year-old Madison took frequent and emphatic part in the debates.

Madison made a major contribution to the ratification of the Constitution by writing, with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, the Federalist essays. In later years, when he was referred to as the “Father of the Constitution,” Madison protested that the document was not “the off-spring of a single brain,” but “the work of many heads and many hands.”

In Congress, he helped frame the Bill of Rights and enact the first revenue legislation. Out of his leadership in opposition to Hamilton’s financial proposals, which he felt would unduly bestow wealth and power upon northern financiers, came the development of the Republican, or Jeffersonian, Party.

As President Jefferson’s Secretary of State, Madison protested to warring France and Britain that their seizure of American ships was contrary to international law. The protests, John Randolph acidly commented, had the effect of “a shilling pamphlet hurled against eight hundred ships of war.”

Despite the unpopular Embargo Act of 1807, which did not make the belligerent nations change their ways but did cause a depression in the United States, Madison was elected President in 1808. Before he took office the Embargo Act was repealed.

During the first year of Madison’s Administration, the United States prohibited trade with both Britain and France; then in May, 1810, Congress authorized trade with both, directing the President, if either would accept America’s view of neutral rights, to forbid trade with the other nation.

Napoleon pretended to comply. Late in 1810, Madison proclaimed non-intercourse with Great Britain. In Congress a young group including Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, the “War Hawks,” pressed the President for a more militant policy.

The British impressment of American seamen and the seizure of cargoes impelled Madison to give in to the pressure. On June 1, 1812, he asked Congress to declare war.

The young Nation was not prepared to fight; its forces took a severe trouncing. The British entered Washington and set fire to the White House and the Capitol.

But a few notable naval and military victories, climaxed by Gen. Andrew Jackson’s triumph at New Orleans, convinced Americans that the War of 1812 had been gloriously successful. An upsurge of nationalism resulted. The New England Federalists who had opposed the war–and who had even talked secession–were so thoroughly repudiated that Federalism disappeared as a national party.

In retirement at Montpelier, his estate in Orange County, Virginia, Madison spoke out against the disruptive states’ rights influences that by the 1830’s threatened to shatter the Federal Union. In a note opened after his death in 1836, he stated, “The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my convictions is that the Union of the States be cherished and perpetuated.”

Editor’s Note: He helped write the Bill of Rights. Co-wrote the Federalists Papers, he also supervise the Louisiana purchase when Thomas Jefferson was President.

We would like to know what you think? We would also like to know if he did anything else? dan@goldcoastchronicle.com

Source: White House Wiki Answers

17-Year-old to Sails Around the World

By Zach Jones
August 17, 2009

Zac Sunderland, 17, used to dream about traveling all over the world. Now, he has made his dream come true. Last month, Zac became the first person under the age of 18 to circumnavigate, or sail around, the globe alone.

When he was little, Zac read a book called The Boy Who Sailed Around the World Alone by Robin Lee Graham. Robin was the first teen to sail around the world by himself, in 1965. Robin began his journey when he was 16. He finished almost five years later, when he was 21. Inspired, Zac decided he could do it faster.

Getting Started

Zac is no stranger to the sea. His family lived on a sailboat for nine years. “I learned to sail before I could ride a bike,” Zac said in an interview with Scholastic.

That’s why his parents were OK with his trip. But sailing and living on a boat solo takes a lot of work. So Zac made a plan with his family’s help.

First, he needed to buy a boat. He got jobs fixing boats in the summer. Zac saved enough money to buy a sturdy sailboat. He named it Intrepid, meaning courageous or bold.

Planning his route was the most important part of his preparations. He needed to keep his boat close to land. This would let him refuel and get help if he was in trouble. So Zac had to research port cities in countries along the ocean.

Fortunately, he had Robin’s route to guide him. Zac mapped a path close to the equator, the imaginary line that encircles the Earth, dividing it into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. He set sail on the Pacific Ocean from Marina del Rey, California, on June 14, 2008.

Zac’s first stops included Hawaii and the Marshall Islands. He met the President of the Marshall Islands as soon as he got off the boat in that country. Zac was off to a good start.

A World of Adventure

Next he traveled to Papua New Guinea, a country near Australia. Then he sailed south of the islands of Indonesia to the Indian Ocean. Later, Zac’s father flew out to meet him in South Africa. To get home, Zac sailed through the Panama Canal to Mexico and then on to the United States.

On July 16, 2009, Zac returned to California. He had completed his journey in only 13 months! Although that is a short time for sailing around the world, it was a long time to be apart from his family. He couldn’t wait to see his parents!

Sailing long distances in open water was challenging and often dangerous. Severe storms damaged Zac’s boat near the eastern coast of Africa. Luckily, Zac had enough training to repair the damage.

Seeing the world was exciting, but Zac found that staying inside a boat all day could get boring. To fight boredom, Zac read almost 70 books! He brought along his surfboard and surfed everywhere he stopped, and watched DVDs on his computer.

In addition to battling boredom, Zac also fought loneliness. Sometimes his route made him sail without touching land, completely alone, for weeks at a time. After his first two weeks of being on his own, he started to get restless.

How did he keep himself from feeling isolated? He wrote to his family in an online journal. Zac also found sailors like him at each stop, so he met lots of new friends. “I’ve got friends all over the world,” Zac told Scholastic.

He’s glad to be home now. But Zac is already itching for a new adventure. What’s next? Zac won’t say anything for sure, but he does admit he wants to climb Mount Everest. Still, graduating from high school is Zac’s biggest goal this year.

Source: Scholastic News Online

Editor’s Note: We want to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Home Town Hero – Irwin Stovroff

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
August 17,  2009

Here is today’s Hero Irwin Stovoff.

 

Irwin Stovroff is a WWII veteran who served in the 8th AF out of England. He flew 35 missions as a bombardier, was shot down, became a POW in Germany and at the wars end was liberated by the Russian army. He was awarded the Air Medal, Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the French Legion of Honor medal.

Upon retirement Irwin became a volunteer Service Officer for Ex-POWs at the V.A. center in Palm Beach Florida.

In January 2007 he learned that our government does a complete rehab for young veterans returning, but if they are blinded during combat or have other major injuries, they must rely on private donations to help them in their next phase of returning to a life of independence with a specially trained dog.

Irwin became affiliated with America’s Vet Dog Program in Smithtown, N.Y. and founded the group Vets Helping Heroes.

He began to raise funds — it cost $30,000 to train a dog for 2 years to help the blind or injured soldiers, airmen and Marines have a chance to live independently with dignity. Since inception he has raised $1,600,000 and 28 dogs were placed last year.

Irwin now has over 120 applicants and the list is growing.

This gift of life is at NO COST to the vet and if in 9 years his dog is retired, he will immediately have a replacement, which continues for the rest of his life. All professional training and learning with the dog is a part of the program.

Check out Phil Keating’s report and more importantly,  go to vetshelpingheroes.org to help Irwin repay these heroes who have sacrificed to much for our country.

Source: Fox News Hannity

Movie Review – Bandslam

By Kerry Bennett
August 16, 2009

A desire to win their school’s “battle of the bands” competition brings together an unlikely group of teens (played by Vanessa Hudgens, Alyson Michalka and Gaelan Connell). As they practice, the group discovers they may have more in common than just their love of music.

Nerdy guys aren’t what they used to be in the movies. These days they are the ones getting the girl, or in this case the girls.

At his old school, Will Burton (Gaelan Connell) was on the bottom of the pecking order—literally. After suffering another day of humiliation, he slithers down the steps of the school bus to greet his waiting mother. (Note to parents: Meeting your high school student at the bus stop does not help your child’s standing with his or her peers.)

But Karen Burton (Lisa Kudrow) has good news for her unhappy offspring. The conscientious and slightly smothering single mom has a job offer that will allow her son to move to a new school and get a fresh start. Initially, Will only groans about the prospect of being subjected to more torture from a different student body. However when he arrives in New Jersey, he is almost immediately befriended by one of the most popular Senior girls on campus.

After Charlotte Banks (Alyson Michalka) discovers Will’s vast musical knowledge, she also invites him to manage her fledgling rock band that is aiming for an invitation to the upcoming interstate Bandslam contest. When Will finally hears Charlotte and her backup singers, Bug (Charlie Saxton) and Omar (Tim Jo), he knows he has a lot of work to do, especially if they want to beat the school’s other rival band headed up by Charlotte’s former boyfriend (Scott Porter).

Unfortunately Will’s heady infatuation with his newfound popularity and the band’s lead singer interferes with his ability to complete a group project with his classmate Sa5m (Vanessa Hudgens). With a deadline looming, Will finally finds time for his homework assignment with the moody girl. And despite Sa5m’s (pronounced Sam) gloom and doom outlook (which matches his own), Will soon discovers he has feelings for his sober partner as well. Torn between two girls, Will finds himself with an enviable problem—by any nerd’s standards.

However, while the characters in this film represent many of the stereotypical teens seen on screen, they undergo plenty of development as their back-stories and intentions are revealed. Some of these students do the wrong things for the wrong reasons, yet the script allows for personal growth and gives ample justification for their motives. And though these teens are far less perky and prone to bursting into song in the middle of the hallway or basketball court than the cast from High School Musical there are still plenty of musical interludes with above average performances as various groups prepare for the fierce competition.

With more depth than the average adolescent flick, this production acknowledges difficult teen issues and gives credibility to the students who deal with the challenges of growing up.

Studio: 2009 Summit Entertainment. Visit the official movie site.

Content Details: Beyond the Movie Ratings…

This high school tale contains scenes of bullying. A student is knocked down, pushed, hit with a water balloon and called names. Characters trespass in an abandoned building. A girl drives erratically. Students lie about their pasts or motivations. A preschooler eats glue. Death of a parent and divorce are discussed. Teens kiss and a teenager kisses an adult woman. Comments are made about the dangers of drinking and driving. The script contains conversations about teen angst, terms of Christian Deity and brief crude terms.

Discussion Ideas: Talk About the Movie…

Although Will’s mom seems anxious for her son to make friends, why is she so unwilling to let him get involved with the kids in the band? What personal fears might she be facing?

How do different characters handle hard times in this story? How do they show compassion to one another in times of difficulty?

Charlotte tells Will to do the things that scare him. Is it important to move beyond our current comfort level? What does Will learn about himself and others when he accepts new challenges?

Editor’s Note: Kerry Bennett is interested in media from both a journalist and parent perspective. Along with authoring articles for several family-oriented publications, she has written for Parent Previews for nearly 10 years. She serves as Vice President of the Alberta Association for Media Awareness. She and her husband Garry have four sons.

We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Source: Parent Previews

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