Michael Moore Today
http://www.michaelmoore.com/
We've Raised a Half-Million Dollars and Sent over 50 Tons of Food and Water
Friends,
Last week I closed my New York production office and sent my staff down to New Orleans to set up our own relief effort. I asked all of you to help me by sending food, materials and cash to the emergency relief center we helped set up on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain with the Veterans for Peace. We did this when the government was doing nothing and the Red Cross was still trying to get it together. Every day, every minute was critical. People were dying, poor people, black people, left like so much trash in the street. I wanted to find a way to get aid in there immediately.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=186
"We're not counting on the government to take care of us anymore"
Following Hurricane Katrina evacuees out of New Orleans
By David Enders / MotherJones.com
COVINGTON, LA — Around 60 Hurricane Katrina refugees are staying in the cafeteria of Pine View Middle School. Covington has suffered heavy wind damage from the storm but not as much flooding as other areas. Since September 2, members of Veterans for Peace, an anti-war group that had been on its way to Washington, DC, for protests later this month, have been delivering donated relief supplies to the area.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/covington.php?id=15
Iraq slams U.S. detentions, immunity for troops
By Mariam Karouny and Alastair Macdonald / Reuters
Speaking to Reuters, Justice Minister Abdul Hussein Shandal also criticised U.S. detentions of Iraqi journalists and said the media, contrary to U.S. policy in Iraq, must have special legal protection to report on all sides in the conflict.
"No citizen should be arrested without a court order," he said this week, complaining that U.S. suggestions that his ministry has an equal say on detentions were misleading.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4088
Times changing for US since Bush's Iraq war speech
UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - When George W. Bush addresses the United Nations on Wednesday he will not be the same US president who took the podium here three years ago to herald war with Iraq.
With his popularity plunging, his Iraq policies under fire and doubts raised about his leadership after Hurricane Katrina, Bush will likely cut a much less feisty figure before a world body he once disdained.
Then, with American blood still boiling a year after the September 11 terror attacks and a successful war in Afghanistan under his belt, Bush threw down the gauntlet to the United Nations to follow him into Iraq.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4083
As bodies recovered, reporters are told 'no photos, no stories'
By Cecilia M. Vega / San Francisco Chronicle
NEW ORLEANS - A long caravan of white vans led by an Army humvee rolled Monday through New Orleans' Bywater district, a poor, mostly black neighborhood, northeast of the French Quarter.
Recovery team members wearing white protective suits and black boots stopped at houses with spray painted markings on the doors designating there were dead bodies inside.
Outside one house on Kentucky Street, a member of the Army 82nd Airborne Division summoned a reporter and photographer standing nearby and told them that if they took pictures or wrote a story about the body recovery process, he would take away their press credentials and kick them out of the state.
"No photos. No stories," said the man, wearing camouflage fatigues and a red beret.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4087
U.S. troop cutback in Afghanistan mulled - report
NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan could be cut by up to a fifth, or about 4,000 troops, next spring under a proposal being reviewed by the Pentagon, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.
If adopted, it would be the biggest withdrawal since U.S.-led forces overthrew the Taliban in late 2001, the Times said, citing unnamed Pentagon and military officials.
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, in Berlin for a NATO meeting, declined to comment on the article but said the United States would continue to have "a strong role" in the country. A Pentagon spokesman said Rumsfeld had seen no such proposal.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4084
North Tour 'Swan Song'
September 13th, 2005
Sherry Glover's granddaughter, Dakota, in Crawford, TX
As I walked in that hot Crawford ditch August 6th, I sensed the cartilage rip in my left knee. By the time we reached Detroit I couldn't bear my weight on it. I had to leave the tour and return home. I'll need surgical repair of tear, scheduled for next week. I envisage myself temporarily 'in the stands' for a short time, and remain anxious to get back 'on the court'!
Secondly, my son in law, currently stationed just south of the Syrian-Iraq border checked in last week to say it would be a few weeks before he could call home again. Now I understand why. The media reports some sort of insurgent movement into Iraq along that border. Communication shuts down when a soldier is killed until the family is officially notified by the DoD so I owe my daughter the support she needs right now, and hopefully it will be only a matter of time until we hear from him again. Meanwhile, Dakota, my only grandchild doesn't know her father's face.
http://www.bringthemhomenowtour.org/article.php?id=168
http://www.bringthemhomenowtour.org/
The Washington Times
Ophelia Soaks N.C. Coast, Knocks Out Power
By KRISTEN GELINEAU
The Associated Press
Wednesday, September 14, 2005; 12:05 PM
NAGS HEAD, N.C. -- Hurricane Ophelia picked up strength as it closed in on North Carolina on Wednesday, soaking the region with a half-foot of rain, washing away a barrier island street and causing power outages.
The storm had sustained wind of 80 mph Wednesday morning, up from 75 mph a few hours earlier, the National Hurricane Center said. Hurricane warnings were shifted northward, covering the entire North Carolina coast from the South Carolina line to Virginia, where a tropical storm warning covered the mouth of Chesapeake Bay.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/14/AR2005091400254.html
Indictments Added in GOP Fundraising Case
Wednesday, September 14, 2005; Page A17
A Texas grand jury added new indictments yesterday to criminal charges against U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's top political fundraiser and the executive director of a Texas political action committee that DeLay organized to orchestrate a Republican takeover of the Texas House in 2002.
The grand jury alleged that James W. Ellis, who has raised money for DeLay's Americans for a Republican Majority political action committee (ARMPAC) as well as for an offshoot known as Texans for a Republican Majority (TRMPAC), illegally contributed $190,000 in corporate funds to the Republican National Committee within 60 days of the 2002 state election.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/13/AR2005091301724.html
Aid for Katrina Victims Spurned
"I hope people don't play politics," said President Bush in the hurricane's aftermath. But that message didn't get through at the State Department, which is playing politics by continuing to ignore Cuba's offer to send 34 tons of aid and the services of 1,586 doctors.
On the face of it, the State Department’s inaction is puzzling. Cuban doctors have much experience in helping the victims of tropical storms. In 1998, Cuba sent 2,000 doctors to Central America to help the victims of Hurricane Mitch, a storm far more devastating than Katrina. Cuba’s assistance was just part of a massive international outpouring, led by the United States, which sent more than $1 billion in aid. There is also a need for Spanish-speaking doctors in the Gulf Coast region. Americans obsessed by Katrina's racial angle have largely overlooked the fact that up to 40,000 Honduran immigrants, most of them poor, lived in Katrina’s path.
http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/worldopinionroundup/
Telecommuting Interest Soars
Pump Prices Spur Workers To Abandon Long Drives
By Amit R. Paley
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 14, 2005; Page B01
When gas prices sped past $3 a gallon in the days after Hurricane Katrina, Sherrie Bell hit upon a quick way to avoid the pinch at the pump.
She decided to stop going to work.
Paralegal Sherrie Bell works at a federally funded telecommuting center 15 miles from her home in Southern Maryland.
Or at least stop working downtown. In a memo Thursday to her boss, Bell, a paralegal at the U.S. Education Department, requested permission to work two days a week from a federally funded telecommuting center 15 miles from her home in Southern Maryland.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/13/AR2005091301973.html
The Times-Picayune
Nagin foresees early return to parts of city
Optimistic mayor sets Monday as possible date
'I'm tired of hearing these helicopters. I want to hear some jazz,' Nagin says
By Steve Ritea, Gordon Russell and James Varney
Staff writers
Unflooded portions of New Orleans may be opened to residents, perhaps as early as Monday, Mayor Ray Nagin said in an upbeat and wide-ranging news conference Tuesday afternoon.
The possibility of repopulating areas of the city so quickly marked a stunning turnaround from earlier predictions that New Orleans could remain uninhabitable for months. Nagin said the final decision on the date would hinge on pending results of federal tests measuring the toxicity of the city's air and water, but he said initial reports are turning out much better than expected.
http://www.nola.com/newslogs/tporleans/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_tporleans/archives/2005_09_14.html
Fall elections in Jefferson, N.O. postponed
Makeup dates still unknown, state says
By Mark Waller
East Jefferson bureau
Hurricane Katrina has forced an indefinite postponement of the fall elections in Orleans and Jefferson parishes, the Louisiana secretary of state's office said Tuesday.
Oct. 15 was the primary date for special elections for School Board, Kenner City Council and the state's 5th Circuit Court of Appeal in Jefferson Parish, and runoffs were set for Nov. 12 if necessary. Three New Orleans neighborhoods had Nov. 12 referendums planned on fees or taxes to finance security patrols and other local improvements.
http://www.nola.com/newslogs/tporleans/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_tporleans/archives/2005_09_14.html
Bush takes responsibility for Katrina response failures
9/13/2005, 3:17 p.m. CT
By TOM RAUM
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush for the first time took responsibility Tuesday for federal government mistakes in dealing with Hurricane Katrina and suggested the calamity raised broader questions about the government's ability to handle both natural disasters and terror attacks.
http://www.nola.com/newsflash/weather/index.ssf?/base/news-19/1126621440119642.xml&storylist=hurricane
Computer brings Katrina's powerful surge to life
Simulation to help La. prepare for next storm
Model may not yield answer on floodwall breaches
By John McQuaid
Staff writer
The first detailed computer model of Hurricane Katrina's storm surge shows a gargantuan, 15-foot dome of water forming in the Gulf of Mexico. Propelled westward by 140-mph winds, the surge slams into levees east of New Orleans and pours over them, flooding eastern New Orleans, the city's Lower 9th Ward and St. Bernard Parish.
The model later shows water flooding the rest of New Orleans from Lake Pontchartrain through levee breaches. Meanwhile, Katrina's giant wave continues its relentless northeast course, pushing a 30-foot wave toward Mississippi, over the Biloxi-Gulfport area.
http://www.nola.com/newslogs/tporleans/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_tporleans/archives/2005_09_14.html
Sun Herald
Beauvoir deemed
structually sound
LISA M. KRIEGER
SUN HERALD
(image placeholder)
Despite massive storm damage, the historic Beauvoir House is structurally sound and can be restored, with time and money, according to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
"Plans are already under way,'' said Richard Cawthon, chief architectural historian for the department. "Architectural specialists have examined the home and found it preservable.''
The beachfront retirement home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and the only national historic landmark in Harrison County, the Beauvoir house has lived through the Civil War, attempted arson and 21 other hurricanes during its 150-year life.
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/12636015.htm
Parties boil over possible wooing
Democrats accuse GOP of putting insurers over affected residents
By GEOFF PENDER
SUN HERALD
(image placeholder)
JACKSON - The air of post-Katrina bipartisanship evaporated Tuesday, with the state Democratic Party accusing GOP lawmakers of being in bed with insurance companies and those legislators accusing the party of trying to make political hay from a gut-wrenching disaster.
Democratic Party spokesman Sam Hall on Tuesday fired off a broadsides about Monday's joint session of the House and Senate Insurance committees. He said GOP lawmakers "turned their efforts to helping the insurance industry make more money" and neglected to address the Katrina insurance issues affecting South Mississippians. Hall's press release was headlined: "GOP Legislators Lead Love-Fest for Insurance Industry During Meeting."
But GOP committee members said Monday that they were getting their regular business out of the way, in a meeting planned before Katrina, so they could focus on Katrina on Tuesday, which they did in a lengthy hearing.
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/12640257.htm
BILOXI Water, sewer back online in most of regio
By MARIE McCULLOUGH
SUN HERALD
(image placeholder)
BILOXI - Let the showering resume. And boil-water alerts have been lifted in some communities. But you may still need to hold off on the flushing, and be cautious about drinking the water until your community is cleared by the Mississippi Department of Health.
Scores of water workers from Florida, along with power workers from many states, helped local crews get the systems working, at least in a stopgap fashion.
Water pressure is low in some places because of leaky pipes. And numerous wastewater lift stations - where sewage is pumped through pipes that go uphill - are temporarily operating with diesel-fueled bypass pumps.
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/12638407.htm
The Advocate
THAT IS THE VERY SPOT ON THE PIER AT WRIGHTVILLE BEACH WHERE IS WAS YESTERDAY MORNING.
Ophelia soaks N.C. coast, knocks out power
By KRISTEN GELINEAU
Associated Press Writer
NAGS HEAD, N.C. (AP) -- Hurricane Ophelia picked up strength as it closed in on North Carolina on Wednesday, soaking the region with a half-foot of rain, washing away a barrier island street and causing power outages.
The storm had sustained wind of 80 mph Wednesday morning, up from 75 mph a few hours earlier, the National Hurricane Center said. Hurricane warnings were shifted northward, covering the entire North Carolina coast from the South Carolina line to Virginia, where a tropical storm warning covered the mouth of Chesapeake Bay.
One side of Ophelia's eyewall - the circle of strongest wind surrounding the eye - was expected to move along North Carolina's southeast coast late Wednesday, the hurricane center said.
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/H/HURRICANE_OPHELIA?SITE=LABAT&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-09-14-12-42-00
Bus system works to ease crowding
Ridership up; CATS expands routes, services
By SCOTT DYER
sdyer@theadvocate.com
Advocate staff writer
Advocate staff photo by Arthur D. Lauck
Capital Area Transit System riders get on and off one of the 50 route buses at the Florida Street bus station Tuesday. The number of riders and the time required to complete a route have increased since Hurricane Katrina sent thousands of displaced victims to Baton Rouge.
With the help of 50 buses salvaged by the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, the Capital Area Transit System is looking to help ease crowding on local buses caused by evacuees from Hurricane Katrina.
CATS General Manager Dwight Brashear said bus ridership in the Baton Rouge area has exploded since the storm, largely because of use by displaced people from the New Orleans area.
http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/091405/new_bussystem001.shtml
Senate panel opens Katrina response probe
By LARA JAKES JORDAN
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Post-9/11 changes to improve the government response to catastrophic disasters failed their first major test in Hurricane Katrina's wake, the Republican chairwoman of a Senate committee said Wednesday as the panel opened an investigation.
Despite billions of dollars to boost disaster preparedness at all levels of government, the response to Katrina was plagued by confusion, communication failures and widespread lack of coordination, said Senate Homeland Security Committee chair Susan Collins, R-Maine.
"At this point, we would have expected a sharp, crisp response to this terrible tragedy," Collins said. "Instead, we witnessed what appeared to be a sluggish initial response."
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/K/KATRINA_WASHINGTON?SITE=LABAT&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-09-14-10-56-09
Russell Crowe seeks reduction in charge
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Russell Crowe's lawyers are working to win a reduction of the assault charge filed against him after he allegedly hurled a phone at a New York hotel staffer, an Australian magazine reported Wednesday.
The 41-year-old Oscar-winning actor, born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, was charged with felony assault after he was accused of throwing a malfunctioning telephone at hotel concierge Nestor Estrada in June.
If convicted, Crowe could lose his right to work in the United States and could face up to seven years in prison.
In an interview published by The Bulletin magazine, Crowe said his lawyers are working to have the felony charge reduced to a less serious misdemeanor.
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/PEOPLE_RUSSELL_CROWE?SITE=LABAT&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-09-14-10-23-46
Truck spills load of $800,000 in quarters
HAMMONDVILLE, Ala. (AP) -- A truck carrying tons of quarters caught fire Tuesday and spilled most of them on a highway, where workers used heavy equipment, shovels and buckets to scoop up the singed coins.
The driver said the truck carried 39,000 pounds of new Kansas quarters, part of the U.S. Mint's state coin series, that were worth some $800,000, said Police Chief Michael Putnam.
The rear of the armored truck bound for Birmingham from the Philadelphia mint caught fire in the pre-dawn hours on Interstate 59 in northeast Alabama, Putnam said.
"It's kind of a surprise when you pull up on a fire call at 2:30 in the morning on the interstate and there are armed guards around the fire," he said.
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/Q/QUARTERS_FIRE?SITE=LABAT&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-09-14-09-22-17
Explosions in Iraq kill 152, injure 542
By SLOBODAN LEKIC
Associated Press Writer
(image placeholder)
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- More than a dozen explosions ripped through the Iraqi capital in rapid succession Wednesday, killing at least 152 people and wounding 542 in a series of attacks that began with a suicide car bombing that targeted laborers assembled to find work for the day. Al-Qaida in Iraq claimed responsibility.
The death toll at hands of insurgents in the capital Wednesday far exceeds the carnage inflicted in any one day since the war began.
Al-Qaida in Iraq linked the attacks to the recent killing of about 200 militants from the city of Tal Afar by U.S. and Iraqi forces.
Before dawn Wednesday, 17 men were killed by insurgents in the village of Taji north of Baghdad, which pushed the death toll in all violence in and around the capital to 169.
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ?SITE=LABAT&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-09-14-12-34-31
continued …
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite 12 hour loop - click here
September 14, 2005.
"Ophelia" is coming into line with a heat (energy) source directly off the equator on the Pacific side of North America.
It has a new status coming long before it comes into land over Wilmington. If the bridges to the beach open I'll head out there but yesterday there was significant beach erosion with a lot of blowing sand.
The millibars are dropping, currently the lowest it has been at 976.
The heat source is to the right corner of this satellite.
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite 12 hour loop - click here
September 14, 2005.
"Ophelia" is picking up velocity from the approaching vortex peripheral flow.
The Atlantic Vortex is better defined.
Morning Papers - continued ...
Sydney Morning Herald
Bird flu could kill more than terror attack: Abbott
September 14, 2005 - 1:05AM
A bird flu pandemic in Australia could be more deadly for the nation than almost any sort of terrorist attack, Health Minister Tony Abbott has warned.
He painted the worst-case scenario of thousands of possible deaths in Australia if there was a pandemic as Indonesia claimed its fourth likely victim from the bird flu.
And Indonesia's health minister has warned there could be further outbreaks to come.
Bird flu, which arrived in Asia in late 2003, has so far killed nearly 60 people in the region.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/health/bird-flu-could-kill-more-than-terror-attack-abbott/2005/09/14/1126377322469.html
Torah removed from flooded synagogue
September 14, 2005 - 10:20AM
Rabbi Isaac Leider from the Jewish Zaka volunteers carries a Torah scroll out of the flooded synagogue of Beit Israel in New Orleans.
Photo: AFP
American volunteers with an Israeli charity have rescued seven Torah scrolls from a New Orleans synagogue flooded by Hurricane Katrina.
However, many of them were wet and it was uncertain whether they could be salvaged.
Four soldiers from a California unit brought Rabbi Isaac Leider and another volunteer to the gate of Beth Israel Synagogue by boat, then accompanied them inside through waist-high water to salvage the seven boxed scrolls.
One of them is from Europe and more than 250 years old, said Orthodox Rabbi Leider, wearing a vest marked "Zaka".
The two boats then made their way from the synagogue, near a canal that overflowed during the August 29 storm, through polluted waters and thick debris to dry land.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/torah-removed-from-flooded-synagogue/2005/09/14/1126377346344.html
Rice defends Bush's race record
By Steven Weisman in New York
September 14, 2005
The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, has defended George Bush's record on racial issues, saying that the hurricane that disproportionately struck poor blacks in New Orleans "gives us an opportunity" to rectify historic injustices she experienced as an African-American growing up in the South.
"When [New Orleans] is rebuilt, it should be rebuilt in a different way than it was at the time that this happened," Dr Rice told The New York Times, adding that maybe now there could be an effort to "deal with the problem of persistent poverty".
Asked what she told foreign leaders wondering about racial discrimination and poverty in the US as the Bush Administration promoted democracy around the world she said it would be difficult to see "the kind of diversity that you see in America's cabinet, in America's foreign service, in America's business community, in America's journalistic community", anywhere else.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/rice-defends-bushs-race-record/2005/09/13/1126377316451.html
Dancers paid bare minimum
By Sharon Verghis
September 14, 2005
Hot issue ... dancers, such as those of Chunky Move, want more money for performing nude.
It's not often unions have to negotiate a nudity bonus. But for ballet, it's one of the hot issues on their industrial agenda.
For the record, dancers covered by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance's dance award receive a so-called nudity bonus of $15.60 per performance - a 10 cent increase from 2003, and a far cry from Linda Evangelista's famous vow that she would not get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day. That was with clothes on.
The Russian National Ballet's venture into bare flesh in its controversial version of Romeo and Juliet, opening in Sydney on Friday at the Theatre Royal, has sparked discussion about the increasing use of nudity in dance, and the rate dancers are paid to disrobe on stage.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts/dancers-paid-bare-minimum/2005/09/13/1126377311917.html
Musharraf offers to fence in Taliban
September 14, 2005
Falling in line … General Musharraf.
Photo: AFP
New York: The Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf, has offered to build a fence between Pakistan and Afghanistan to stop the movement of Taliban militants between the two countries.
General Musharraf made the offer on Monday during talks in New York with the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, the Pakistani Foreign Minister, Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri, said after the 75-minute meeting.
"Pakistan is prepared to raise a fence so that we can put an end to these allegations," Mr Kasuri told reporters, without specifying exactly where and when a fence could be erected, how long it would be, or who would pay for it.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/musharraf-offers-to-fence-in-taliban/2005/09/13/1126377316418.html
Conservatives warm to story of cold love
By Jonathan Miller
September 14, 2005
Emperor penguins … just birds, or an affirmation of monogamy and child-rearing?
On a conservative website a pro-lifer said the movie "verified the beauty of life and the rightness of protecting it".
At a conference for young Republicans, the editor of the conservative magazine National Review urged participants to see the movie because it promoted monogamy.
The movie is March of the Penguins, and of all the responses it has evoked perhaps the most surprising is its conservative appeal.
Conservatives are hardly its only audience; the film is the second-highest grossing documentary of all time, behind Fahrenheit 9/11.
But some have seen its stirring depiction of the mating ordeals of emperor penguins as an anthem to socially conservative values.
March of the Penguins, the film critic and radio host Michael Medved said in an interview, is "the motion picture this summer that most passionately affirms traditional norms like monogamy, sacrifice and child rearing."
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/conservatives-warm-to-story-of-cold-love/2005/09/13/1126377316445.html
Wilmington Star News
Bracing for the storm
Wrightsville Beach watches for erosion
Flooding remained a concern Tuesday in Wrightsville Beach as Ophelia’s wind-whipped presence began to be felt. Officials kept a close eye on the situation as high tide came and went about 3:30 p.m.
Some flooding is anticipated on the north end of the island, including Conch Lane and Scotch Bonnet. Officials said other areas of concern include Channel Drive and South Channel Drive.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/NEWS/50913013
Ophelia slowly slugs toward shore
Southeastern North Carolina is settling in for a long night as a slow-moving Hurricane Ophelia grinds toward landfall Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.
Ophelia is nearly stationary with strong rainbands just off the North Carolina coast.
Coastal emergency management officials remain concerned that the biggest threat from the storm may be its slow movement, which could subject Southeastern North Carolina to hours of heavy winds and rain.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/NEWS/50913029
State mobilizes for storm response
Slow-moving storm frustrates recovery plans
By Mark Schreiner
Raleigh Bureau Chief
KEN BLEVINS / STAR-NEWS
Ophelia update
This is a 5:30 p.m. update from the New Hanover County Emergency Public Information Center:
Shelter population: Dorothy B. Johnson 82; Eaton Elementary 6
Access to UNCW is limited to emergency vehicles only on Randall Drive.
Approximately 12 inches of water on Canal Drive at Carolina Beach.
Minimal hurricane force winds are expected to brush the immediate coast beginning approximately 5 a.m. Wednesday
City of Wilmington reports at least two traffic signals are out.
Minor street flooding is reported in Wilmington.
Minor street flooding in the Castle Hayne/NorthChase area
Rainfall amounts of 6-10 inches is possible, with as much of 15 inches in some areas.
Residents are reminded to continue monitoring the progress of the storm.
By Mark Schreiner
Raleigh Bureau Chief
State and federal rescue and recovery teams are ready, Gov. Mike Easley said, but clean-up from Ophelia isn’t expected to start before Friday.
The slow-moving storm, whose high winds and rain are expected to reach Southeastern North Carolina by Wednesday, is expected to frustrate recovery efforts by battering the coast for more than two days.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/NEWS/50913002
Closings, evacuations and cancellations
RELATED ITEMS:
State readies for Ophelia
If you would like to add closing or evacuation information to this list, please e-mail Merton Vance, online news coordinator, at merton.vance@starnewsonline.com
STORM INFORMATION
People seeking storm-related information can contact the New Hanover County Emergency Public Information Center (910) 341-4304 for storm-related information. A Hispanic translator is available at (910)341-4007.
The Brunswick County Emergency Operations Center is operating on a 24-hour schedule, and can be reached at 253-7453.
Most high-rise bridges along the coast will close when winds reach around 40 mph. Most emergency vehicles stop crossing them at 35 mph.
All emergency responses are generally stopped at 50 mph.
The Wrightsville Beach drawbridge is locked into place, closing it to boat traffic, when winds reach 35 mph.
CLOSINGS
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?&Dato=20050913&Kategori=WORK&Lopenr=50912021&Ref=AR
N.C. town takes pride in wetlands sewage plant
By JIM SPARKS
Winston-Salem Journal
In a large swath of bottomland beside Town Fork Creek, a serpentine-shaped pond filled with fluorescent green duckweed sparkles in the sunlight as it slowly feeds water into large troughs of cattails.
The soft patter of sprayed water falling is punctuated by the sound of geese honking as they take off from the plant-filled lagoons. Deer commonly visit at dusk and dawn.
The air smells a little funky, but no more than what one would expect in a marsh. The place feels like a wildlife refuge.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050914/APN/509140504&cachetime=5
Court: Eric Rudolph defense cost taxpayers $4 million
By JAY REEVES
Associated Press Writer
Legal fees to defend Eric Rudolph in a deadly Alabama abortion clinic blast and the Atlanta Olympics bombing cost taxpayers more than $4 million before he agreed to plead guilty in a deal that spared his life, court documents show.
One of Rudolph's attorneys said Tuesday the bill would have been far higher had the case gone to trial.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/APN/509130878&cachetime=5
One Dead As Storms Blast Parts of Wis.
By The Associated Press
Thunderstorms packing powerful winds swept through parts of Wisconsin Tuesday, knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes, damaging buildings, and downing trees and power lines.
A downed wire killed a 57-year-old man in the Milwaukee suburb of Wauwatosa, police Lt. Gerald Witkowski said.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050914/APA/509140509&cachetime=5
Wachovia to buy finance company
Associated Press
CHARLOTTE - The financial services company Wachovia Corp. on Monday said it agreed to acquire Westcorp, an automobile finance company based in Irvine, Calif., for $3.42 billion, creating the nation’s ninth-largest auto loan originator.
Wachovia also agreed to pay another $490 million for the 16 percent stake that Westcorp doesn’t already own in WFS Financial Inc., boosting the combined value of the transactions of $3.9 billion. The company said the deal for Westcorp is expected to boost earnings in the second year and produce an internal rate of return of more than 15 percent, above Wachovia’s acquisition criteria.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/NEWS/209130354
TOM BLACKBURN
Good Catholics can disagree
The court and Congress are competent to deal with the legalities of abortion, not its morality.
Most Americans think Catholics are not permitted to think for themselves. Sociologist Andrew Greeley turned up that datum in his research on the persistence of anti-Catholicism in America and reports it in the Sept. 9 issue of Commonweal in a preview of his next book.
In other Catholic news this week, Judge John G. Roberts Jr. will become the fourth Catholic on the United States Supreme Court if he is confirmed by the Senate. The other three are Justices Anthony Kennedy, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/NEWS/209130345
Exhibit Looks at Egyptian Medical Practice
By DEEPTI HAJELA
Associated Press Writer
No epidurals, needles or vaccinations here. To protect a pregnant woman in ancient Egypt, the seal on a magic jar containing a strip of papyrus could have been pressed on her skin. For the good health of a baby, a wand inscribed with the image of a goddess might be used to draw a protective circle around the spot where the child lay.
Invoking the gods and goddesses was as much a part of health care in those times as using the therapeutic properties of honey and pomegranate, according to the curator of a new exhibition that looks at the artifacts connected to healing and medicine. "The Art of Medicine in Ancient Egypt" opened Tuesday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and runs through Jan. 15.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/APE/509130965
How many tropical storms or hurricanes have you weathered?
None - 0.0%
1-2 - 7.1%
3-4 - 21.4%
5 or more - 71.4 %
Number of votes cast: 14
*StarNewsOnline polls are posted for entertainment only. Results are not scientific.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/miniquery?FromSave=1&Kategori=frontpage&W=287&H=70&BGColor=%23ffffff
How growth affects life in our region.
http://www.starnewsonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=local06
New Zealand Herald
Hispanic celebrities bring aid to hurricane victims
14.09.05
Singer Gloria Estefan, actors Jimmy Smits and Andy Garcia, and trumpeter Arturo Sandoval will lead a contingent of Hispanic-American entertainers bringing aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi.
The visit will include delivery of a planeload of supplies and toys to shelters, and will stress the importance of blood donorship.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/6/story.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10345377
Asians in NZ subjected to racism, study finds
14.09.05 1.00pm
Many Asians living in New Zealand are subjected to some form of racism, a new study has found.
The Asia New Zealand Foundation report, Engaging Asian Communities in New Zealand, revealed the most common form of racism was verbal abuse and rude gestures, often by teenagers or children.
Overt racism included damage to cars identifiable as Asian-owned, having bottles or stones thrown at them, and being mocked for poor pronunciation.
Asia New Zealand's research director, Dr Rebecca Foley, said the main purpose of the research was to look at ways that engagement between various Asian communities and other communities happened -- "or does not happen, as the case may be".
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10345507
I take responsibility, says Bush
14.09.05 1.00pm
By Kieran Murray
NEW ORLEANS - President George W. Bush has for the first time taken responsibility for federal government failures in handling the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
"Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government, and to the extent that the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility," Bush said.
"I want to know what went right and what went wrong.
"Are we capable of dealing with a severe attack or another severe storm? That's a very important question and it's in our national interest that we find out exactly what went on so we can better respond," he said.
Federal emergency response (FEMA) head Michael Brown, a political ally of Bush with little hands-on experience, resigned yesterday.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10345516
Fine weather predicted for voters
14.09.05 3.00pm
While the election may be too close to call, MetService seems confident it will be fine on polling day.
Its outlook for Saturday is a dry trip to the polling booth.
However, in the days leading up to the election showery or wet conditions were expected for most western areas.
Clearing skies were likely on Saturday morning over the whole country, MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said.
"It looks as though this fine spell will be at its best for voters during Saturday afternoon," he said.
Rain was forecast to spread onto the northwest of the North Island from Saturday evening, he said.
Heavy rain is likely on Sunday in many North Island districts and also possibly in Nelson and Marlborough.
Auckland political scientist Jack Vowles has previously said there was no statistical evidence to support the argument the weather affected voter turnout.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=%1E%FB%F8%C5%28%B6%BCD
PlayStation 2 problems
14.09.05 6.00am
Sony is recalling 3.5 million faulty power adaptors for its PlayStation 2 video game console - including some which were sold in New Zealand - because they could overheat and injure users.
The Japanese company said 40 cases of overheating had been reported in North America.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10345469
Jakarta court sentences embassy bomber to death
14.09.05 1.00pm
By Dean Yates
JAKARTA - An Indonesian court sentenced to death the main militant on trial over last year's suicide car bombing outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta, which the chief judge said was financed by Osama bin Laden.
Rois, also known as Iwan Dharmawan, told reporters he was innocent of an attack that killed 10 Indonesians but said he still welcomed the death sentence and would die a martyr.
Prosecutors had accused Rois of working with the accused masterminds of the attack, Malaysians Azahari bin Husin and Noordin M. Top, who are both fugitives and said by police to be senior members of the al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah network.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10345518
UN scales down ambitious overhaul plans for summit
14.09.05
By Evelyn Leopold
UNITED NATIONS - Ready or not here they come -- some 150 world leaders were set to approve a somewhat emasculated UN document at the summit on global security, human rights, extreme poverty, and UN management.
Last-ditch crisis talks continued through the night with ambitious goals falling by the wayside in an effort to complete the draft by Tuesday as heads of state and government arrived for the three-day summit that starts on Wednesday.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10345452
US and Britain criticised for touting Iraq weapons at arms fair
14.09.05
By Terry Kirby
British and United States arms firms have been slammed for marketing weapons used in Iraq at Europe's biggest arms fair.
A massive police presence is expected at the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition in London, following confrontations between officers and campaigners at the last fair two years ago.
Opponents have accused weapons companies of "revelling" in the opportunity to sell equipment "battle-tested" in Iraq to those countries.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10345446
Fujimori planning return to Peru
14.09.05 1.20pm
LIMA, Peru - Peru's disgraced former president, Alberto Fujimori, has picked up a new passport at Peru's consulate in Tokyo -- the latest move in his strategy to return and seek reelection, his spokesman said.
Fujimori fled to Tokyo in 2000 at the height of a government corruption scandal and has been living in self-imposed exile, protected from criminal charges of human rights abuses and corruption by his dual citizenship.
"It's clear this is another step by Fujimori on his comeback path," spokesman Carlos Raffo told Reuters in Lima. Fujimori was issued a new Peruvian identity card in July.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10345522
Detainees given barbecue after maggot complaints
14.09.05 8.20am
Detainees at Baxter Immigration Centre are to be given two barbecue feasts a week as a result of a review.
Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said changes would be made to the centre's menu to allow detainees to have a say after a range of complaints.
The Australian reported that the independent food review followed continued complaints, including reports of maggot-infested meat.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10345443
continued …
Bird flu could kill more than terror attack: Abbott
September 14, 2005 - 1:05AM
A bird flu pandemic in Australia could be more deadly for the nation than almost any sort of terrorist attack, Health Minister Tony Abbott has warned.
He painted the worst-case scenario of thousands of possible deaths in Australia if there was a pandemic as Indonesia claimed its fourth likely victim from the bird flu.
And Indonesia's health minister has warned there could be further outbreaks to come.
Bird flu, which arrived in Asia in late 2003, has so far killed nearly 60 people in the region.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/health/bird-flu-could-kill-more-than-terror-attack-abbott/2005/09/14/1126377322469.html
Torah removed from flooded synagogue
September 14, 2005 - 10:20AM
Rabbi Isaac Leider from the Jewish Zaka volunteers carries a Torah scroll out of the flooded synagogue of Beit Israel in New Orleans.
Photo: AFP
American volunteers with an Israeli charity have rescued seven Torah scrolls from a New Orleans synagogue flooded by Hurricane Katrina.
However, many of them were wet and it was uncertain whether they could be salvaged.
Four soldiers from a California unit brought Rabbi Isaac Leider and another volunteer to the gate of Beth Israel Synagogue by boat, then accompanied them inside through waist-high water to salvage the seven boxed scrolls.
One of them is from Europe and more than 250 years old, said Orthodox Rabbi Leider, wearing a vest marked "Zaka".
The two boats then made their way from the synagogue, near a canal that overflowed during the August 29 storm, through polluted waters and thick debris to dry land.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/torah-removed-from-flooded-synagogue/2005/09/14/1126377346344.html
Rice defends Bush's race record
By Steven Weisman in New York
September 14, 2005
The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, has defended George Bush's record on racial issues, saying that the hurricane that disproportionately struck poor blacks in New Orleans "gives us an opportunity" to rectify historic injustices she experienced as an African-American growing up in the South.
"When [New Orleans] is rebuilt, it should be rebuilt in a different way than it was at the time that this happened," Dr Rice told The New York Times, adding that maybe now there could be an effort to "deal with the problem of persistent poverty".
Asked what she told foreign leaders wondering about racial discrimination and poverty in the US as the Bush Administration promoted democracy around the world she said it would be difficult to see "the kind of diversity that you see in America's cabinet, in America's foreign service, in America's business community, in America's journalistic community", anywhere else.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/rice-defends-bushs-race-record/2005/09/13/1126377316451.html
Dancers paid bare minimum
By Sharon Verghis
September 14, 2005
Hot issue ... dancers, such as those of Chunky Move, want more money for performing nude.
It's not often unions have to negotiate a nudity bonus. But for ballet, it's one of the hot issues on their industrial agenda.
For the record, dancers covered by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance's dance award receive a so-called nudity bonus of $15.60 per performance - a 10 cent increase from 2003, and a far cry from Linda Evangelista's famous vow that she would not get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day. That was with clothes on.
The Russian National Ballet's venture into bare flesh in its controversial version of Romeo and Juliet, opening in Sydney on Friday at the Theatre Royal, has sparked discussion about the increasing use of nudity in dance, and the rate dancers are paid to disrobe on stage.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts/dancers-paid-bare-minimum/2005/09/13/1126377311917.html
Musharraf offers to fence in Taliban
September 14, 2005
Falling in line … General Musharraf.
Photo: AFP
New York: The Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf, has offered to build a fence between Pakistan and Afghanistan to stop the movement of Taliban militants between the two countries.
General Musharraf made the offer on Monday during talks in New York with the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, the Pakistani Foreign Minister, Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri, said after the 75-minute meeting.
"Pakistan is prepared to raise a fence so that we can put an end to these allegations," Mr Kasuri told reporters, without specifying exactly where and when a fence could be erected, how long it would be, or who would pay for it.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/musharraf-offers-to-fence-in-taliban/2005/09/13/1126377316418.html
Conservatives warm to story of cold love
By Jonathan Miller
September 14, 2005
Emperor penguins … just birds, or an affirmation of monogamy and child-rearing?
On a conservative website a pro-lifer said the movie "verified the beauty of life and the rightness of protecting it".
At a conference for young Republicans, the editor of the conservative magazine National Review urged participants to see the movie because it promoted monogamy.
The movie is March of the Penguins, and of all the responses it has evoked perhaps the most surprising is its conservative appeal.
Conservatives are hardly its only audience; the film is the second-highest grossing documentary of all time, behind Fahrenheit 9/11.
But some have seen its stirring depiction of the mating ordeals of emperor penguins as an anthem to socially conservative values.
March of the Penguins, the film critic and radio host Michael Medved said in an interview, is "the motion picture this summer that most passionately affirms traditional norms like monogamy, sacrifice and child rearing."
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/conservatives-warm-to-story-of-cold-love/2005/09/13/1126377316445.html
Wilmington Star News
Bracing for the storm
Wrightsville Beach watches for erosion
Flooding remained a concern Tuesday in Wrightsville Beach as Ophelia’s wind-whipped presence began to be felt. Officials kept a close eye on the situation as high tide came and went about 3:30 p.m.
Some flooding is anticipated on the north end of the island, including Conch Lane and Scotch Bonnet. Officials said other areas of concern include Channel Drive and South Channel Drive.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/NEWS/50913013
Ophelia slowly slugs toward shore
Southeastern North Carolina is settling in for a long night as a slow-moving Hurricane Ophelia grinds toward landfall Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.
Ophelia is nearly stationary with strong rainbands just off the North Carolina coast.
Coastal emergency management officials remain concerned that the biggest threat from the storm may be its slow movement, which could subject Southeastern North Carolina to hours of heavy winds and rain.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/NEWS/50913029
State mobilizes for storm response
Slow-moving storm frustrates recovery plans
By Mark Schreiner
Raleigh Bureau Chief
KEN BLEVINS / STAR-NEWS
Ophelia update
This is a 5:30 p.m. update from the New Hanover County Emergency Public Information Center:
Shelter population: Dorothy B. Johnson 82; Eaton Elementary 6
Access to UNCW is limited to emergency vehicles only on Randall Drive.
Approximately 12 inches of water on Canal Drive at Carolina Beach.
Minimal hurricane force winds are expected to brush the immediate coast beginning approximately 5 a.m. Wednesday
City of Wilmington reports at least two traffic signals are out.
Minor street flooding is reported in Wilmington.
Minor street flooding in the Castle Hayne/NorthChase area
Rainfall amounts of 6-10 inches is possible, with as much of 15 inches in some areas.
Residents are reminded to continue monitoring the progress of the storm.
By Mark Schreiner
Raleigh Bureau Chief
State and federal rescue and recovery teams are ready, Gov. Mike Easley said, but clean-up from Ophelia isn’t expected to start before Friday.
The slow-moving storm, whose high winds and rain are expected to reach Southeastern North Carolina by Wednesday, is expected to frustrate recovery efforts by battering the coast for more than two days.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/NEWS/50913002
Closings, evacuations and cancellations
RELATED ITEMS:
State readies for Ophelia
If you would like to add closing or evacuation information to this list, please e-mail Merton Vance, online news coordinator, at merton.vance@starnewsonline.com
STORM INFORMATION
People seeking storm-related information can contact the New Hanover County Emergency Public Information Center (910) 341-4304 for storm-related information. A Hispanic translator is available at (910)341-4007.
The Brunswick County Emergency Operations Center is operating on a 24-hour schedule, and can be reached at 253-7453.
Most high-rise bridges along the coast will close when winds reach around 40 mph. Most emergency vehicles stop crossing them at 35 mph.
All emergency responses are generally stopped at 50 mph.
The Wrightsville Beach drawbridge is locked into place, closing it to boat traffic, when winds reach 35 mph.
CLOSINGS
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?&Dato=20050913&Kategori=WORK&Lopenr=50912021&Ref=AR
N.C. town takes pride in wetlands sewage plant
By JIM SPARKS
Winston-Salem Journal
In a large swath of bottomland beside Town Fork Creek, a serpentine-shaped pond filled with fluorescent green duckweed sparkles in the sunlight as it slowly feeds water into large troughs of cattails.
The soft patter of sprayed water falling is punctuated by the sound of geese honking as they take off from the plant-filled lagoons. Deer commonly visit at dusk and dawn.
The air smells a little funky, but no more than what one would expect in a marsh. The place feels like a wildlife refuge.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050914/APN/509140504&cachetime=5
Court: Eric Rudolph defense cost taxpayers $4 million
By JAY REEVES
Associated Press Writer
Legal fees to defend Eric Rudolph in a deadly Alabama abortion clinic blast and the Atlanta Olympics bombing cost taxpayers more than $4 million before he agreed to plead guilty in a deal that spared his life, court documents show.
One of Rudolph's attorneys said Tuesday the bill would have been far higher had the case gone to trial.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/APN/509130878&cachetime=5
One Dead As Storms Blast Parts of Wis.
By The Associated Press
Thunderstorms packing powerful winds swept through parts of Wisconsin Tuesday, knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes, damaging buildings, and downing trees and power lines.
A downed wire killed a 57-year-old man in the Milwaukee suburb of Wauwatosa, police Lt. Gerald Witkowski said.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050914/APA/509140509&cachetime=5
Wachovia to buy finance company
Associated Press
CHARLOTTE - The financial services company Wachovia Corp. on Monday said it agreed to acquire Westcorp, an automobile finance company based in Irvine, Calif., for $3.42 billion, creating the nation’s ninth-largest auto loan originator.
Wachovia also agreed to pay another $490 million for the 16 percent stake that Westcorp doesn’t already own in WFS Financial Inc., boosting the combined value of the transactions of $3.9 billion. The company said the deal for Westcorp is expected to boost earnings in the second year and produce an internal rate of return of more than 15 percent, above Wachovia’s acquisition criteria.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/NEWS/209130354
TOM BLACKBURN
Good Catholics can disagree
The court and Congress are competent to deal with the legalities of abortion, not its morality.
Most Americans think Catholics are not permitted to think for themselves. Sociologist Andrew Greeley turned up that datum in his research on the persistence of anti-Catholicism in America and reports it in the Sept. 9 issue of Commonweal in a preview of his next book.
In other Catholic news this week, Judge John G. Roberts Jr. will become the fourth Catholic on the United States Supreme Court if he is confirmed by the Senate. The other three are Justices Anthony Kennedy, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/NEWS/209130345
Exhibit Looks at Egyptian Medical Practice
By DEEPTI HAJELA
Associated Press Writer
No epidurals, needles or vaccinations here. To protect a pregnant woman in ancient Egypt, the seal on a magic jar containing a strip of papyrus could have been pressed on her skin. For the good health of a baby, a wand inscribed with the image of a goddess might be used to draw a protective circle around the spot where the child lay.
Invoking the gods and goddesses was as much a part of health care in those times as using the therapeutic properties of honey and pomegranate, according to the curator of a new exhibition that looks at the artifacts connected to healing and medicine. "The Art of Medicine in Ancient Egypt" opened Tuesday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and runs through Jan. 15.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/APE/509130965
How many tropical storms or hurricanes have you weathered?
None - 0.0%
1-2 - 7.1%
3-4 - 21.4%
5 or more - 71.4 %
Number of votes cast: 14
*StarNewsOnline polls are posted for entertainment only. Results are not scientific.
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/miniquery?FromSave=1&Kategori=frontpage&W=287&H=70&BGColor=%23ffffff
How growth affects life in our region.
http://www.starnewsonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=local06
New Zealand Herald
Hispanic celebrities bring aid to hurricane victims
14.09.05
Singer Gloria Estefan, actors Jimmy Smits and Andy Garcia, and trumpeter Arturo Sandoval will lead a contingent of Hispanic-American entertainers bringing aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi.
The visit will include delivery of a planeload of supplies and toys to shelters, and will stress the importance of blood donorship.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/6/story.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10345377
Asians in NZ subjected to racism, study finds
14.09.05 1.00pm
Many Asians living in New Zealand are subjected to some form of racism, a new study has found.
The Asia New Zealand Foundation report, Engaging Asian Communities in New Zealand, revealed the most common form of racism was verbal abuse and rude gestures, often by teenagers or children.
Overt racism included damage to cars identifiable as Asian-owned, having bottles or stones thrown at them, and being mocked for poor pronunciation.
Asia New Zealand's research director, Dr Rebecca Foley, said the main purpose of the research was to look at ways that engagement between various Asian communities and other communities happened -- "or does not happen, as the case may be".
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10345507
I take responsibility, says Bush
14.09.05 1.00pm
By Kieran Murray
NEW ORLEANS - President George W. Bush has for the first time taken responsibility for federal government failures in handling the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
"Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government, and to the extent that the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility," Bush said.
"I want to know what went right and what went wrong.
"Are we capable of dealing with a severe attack or another severe storm? That's a very important question and it's in our national interest that we find out exactly what went on so we can better respond," he said.
Federal emergency response (FEMA) head Michael Brown, a political ally of Bush with little hands-on experience, resigned yesterday.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10345516
Fine weather predicted for voters
14.09.05 3.00pm
While the election may be too close to call, MetService seems confident it will be fine on polling day.
Its outlook for Saturday is a dry trip to the polling booth.
However, in the days leading up to the election showery or wet conditions were expected for most western areas.
Clearing skies were likely on Saturday morning over the whole country, MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said.
"It looks as though this fine spell will be at its best for voters during Saturday afternoon," he said.
Rain was forecast to spread onto the northwest of the North Island from Saturday evening, he said.
Heavy rain is likely on Sunday in many North Island districts and also possibly in Nelson and Marlborough.
Auckland political scientist Jack Vowles has previously said there was no statistical evidence to support the argument the weather affected voter turnout.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=%1E%FB%F8%C5%28%B6%BCD
PlayStation 2 problems
14.09.05 6.00am
Sony is recalling 3.5 million faulty power adaptors for its PlayStation 2 video game console - including some which were sold in New Zealand - because they could overheat and injure users.
The Japanese company said 40 cases of overheating had been reported in North America.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10345469
Jakarta court sentences embassy bomber to death
14.09.05 1.00pm
By Dean Yates
JAKARTA - An Indonesian court sentenced to death the main militant on trial over last year's suicide car bombing outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta, which the chief judge said was financed by Osama bin Laden.
Rois, also known as Iwan Dharmawan, told reporters he was innocent of an attack that killed 10 Indonesians but said he still welcomed the death sentence and would die a martyr.
Prosecutors had accused Rois of working with the accused masterminds of the attack, Malaysians Azahari bin Husin and Noordin M. Top, who are both fugitives and said by police to be senior members of the al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah network.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10345518
UN scales down ambitious overhaul plans for summit
14.09.05
By Evelyn Leopold
UNITED NATIONS - Ready or not here they come -- some 150 world leaders were set to approve a somewhat emasculated UN document at the summit on global security, human rights, extreme poverty, and UN management.
Last-ditch crisis talks continued through the night with ambitious goals falling by the wayside in an effort to complete the draft by Tuesday as heads of state and government arrived for the three-day summit that starts on Wednesday.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10345452
US and Britain criticised for touting Iraq weapons at arms fair
14.09.05
By Terry Kirby
British and United States arms firms have been slammed for marketing weapons used in Iraq at Europe's biggest arms fair.
A massive police presence is expected at the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition in London, following confrontations between officers and campaigners at the last fair two years ago.
Opponents have accused weapons companies of "revelling" in the opportunity to sell equipment "battle-tested" in Iraq to those countries.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10345446
Fujimori planning return to Peru
14.09.05 1.20pm
LIMA, Peru - Peru's disgraced former president, Alberto Fujimori, has picked up a new passport at Peru's consulate in Tokyo -- the latest move in his strategy to return and seek reelection, his spokesman said.
Fujimori fled to Tokyo in 2000 at the height of a government corruption scandal and has been living in self-imposed exile, protected from criminal charges of human rights abuses and corruption by his dual citizenship.
"It's clear this is another step by Fujimori on his comeback path," spokesman Carlos Raffo told Reuters in Lima. Fujimori was issued a new Peruvian identity card in July.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10345522
Detainees given barbecue after maggot complaints
14.09.05 8.20am
Detainees at Baxter Immigration Centre are to be given two barbecue feasts a week as a result of a review.
Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said changes would be made to the centre's menu to allow detainees to have a say after a range of complaints.
The Australian reported that the independent food review followed continued complaints, including reports of maggot-infested meat.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10345443
continued …
Morning Papers - concluding
Zoos
Chimps surrender to police after Belfast zoo break-out
Angelique Chrisafis, Ireland correspondent
Thursday September 8, 2005
The Guardian
From the zoo that brought you Kevin the sulking teenage colobus monkey came another tale of animals apeing all the worst in human behaviour. And this being Belfast, it ended in a shoot-out.
Police have already had their hands full with pre-teen desperadoes this week, having caught a five-year old rioter in north Belfast. But yesterday officers had to go one further and open fire when a nine-year-old went nuts. But this time the little monkey was actually a chimpanzee.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1564765,00.html
Detroit Zoo To Exclusively Display Smithsonian Institution Exhibit
Wednesday September 7, 10:22 am ET
Birds of South Asia: History Vs. Mystery on Exhibit Until January
ROYAL OAK, Mich., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning September 19, 2005, the Detroit Zoo will host Birds of South Asia: History Vs. Mystery, a fascinating art exhibit based on research performed for the most definitive field guide ever published on the winged wonders of the region. The Detroit Zoo has exclusive rights from the Smithsonian Institution to present the exhibit.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050907/dew014.html?.v=20
Animal lover leaves zoo £2.4million
nlnews@archant.co.uk
07 September 2005
A RICH animal lover who died earlier this year has left most of her £2.5million fortune to London Zoo.
Delene Welch, 77, a former property lawyer who lived in Belsize Park, Camden, with her two cats, left £45,000 to friends and relatives, £20,000 to an animal home and gave the rest - nearly £2.4million - to the zoo, in Regent's Park.
One of her best friends, Mavis Hirschberg, said: "We knew she wanted to give it to animals but we had no idea how much."
A London Zoo spokesman said: "Delene was lovely. She is much missed.
http://www.camdenchronicle.co.uk/content/camden/chronicle/news/story.aspx?brand=CAMCOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newscamc&itemid=WeED07%20Sep%202005%2016%3A44%3A01%3A547
Zoo Works To Save Animals
Sep 7, 2005, 11:04 AM
The Columbus Zoo says it is in contact with zoo officials in New Orleans to see what help they can provide.
A small staff of 12 people remains at the New Orleans zoo, trying to feed and get water to 1400 hungry and thirsty animals.
The New Orleans aquarium lost 4,000 fish because lack of power stopped oxygen pumps from working.
The Columbus Zoo says it is working with a tight network to try and save as many animals as possible.
http://www.onnnews.com/Global/story.asp?S=3816786&nav=LQlCeET9
The real remedy for zoo elephants is to set them free
By Elliot Katz
The growing debate over zoos' ability to adequately provide for elephants - including those in Philadelphia - demonstrates wide public concern about current conditions. Every year, zoos spend millions of dollars trying to treat elephants suffering the ill effects of zoo confinement.
Inadequate zoo conditions such as hard, compacted dirt and concrete and a lack of space lead to a host of ailments for elephants, including digestive troubles, reproductive problems, degenerative joint disease, lameness, and chronic foot infections. Evidence that such maladies do not befall elephants in the wild has led growing numbers of experts to conclude that zoo life itself is killing them. How else can one explain that elephants in zoos live just half their natural 70-year life expectancy?
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/opinion/local2/region/12628978.htm
Woodland Park Zoo's 11-year-old falcon missing — again
By Charles E. Brown
Seattle Times staff reporter
A falcon-in-residence at Woodland Park Zoo has flown the coop again, and zoo staff are hoping the public can help find her.
The female bird of prey, an 11-year-old gyrfalcon (pronounced juhr-fall-kon) named Kenai, has been missing since Sunday when she flew from the zoo's Raptor Center during a flight demonstration.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002492436_webmissingfalcon13.html
AZA Press Conference: Zoo Staff Works Around the Clock in Vile Condtions to Save Virtually All Animals
9/13/2005 4:19:00 PM
To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor
Contact: Matt J. Lauer, 202-448-3127 or
http://releases.usnewswire.com/redir.asp?ReleaseID=53249&Link=mailto:Mlauer@qorvis.com
News Advisory:
-- Audubon Institute President Ron Forman Tells Miraculous Account of Seven Trying Days to Save New Orleans Zoo Population at the AZA Conference in Chicago
Who: Ron Forman, president and CEO of the Audubon Nature Institute
When: Available all day, Wednesday, Sept. 14, except during the 9:45 a.m. AZA press conference
What: Live or taped phone interviews to discuss his experiences during Hurricane Katrina and its immediate aftermath. The Audubon Nature Institute is the parent organization of the Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. The Institute's facilities suffered great damage during the hurricane and it is temporarily transferring its entire animal population to other American Zoological Association (AZA) Institutions across the United States. The AZA is coming together for its annual conference in Chicago, home of the Lincoln Park Zoo which is currently leading fundraising efforts to sustain the Audubon Nature Institute. Ron Forman, a former President of the AZA, will be in Chicago for the conference and available for questions and interviews on Wednesday.
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=53249
Zoo gets temporary reprieve from deficit
The good news is that the Toledo Zoo was out of the hole at the end of August. The bad news is it probably won't be for long.
Allison Duncan, the zoo's finance director, said a disbursement of property tax revenue put the zoo's balance sheet temporarily in the black after repeated reports of deficit spending. Ms. Duncan spoke yesterday at the regular meeting of the zoo's board of directors.
But she predicted no long-term relief from the budget crunch and noted the zoo is still behind projections for the year.
Hot weather melted zoo attendance this summer, and donations to the zoo remain below projections. Steadily rising fuel prices worsened the problem. Even though departments throughout the zoo cut costs by a total of $325,000, the institution is still $1 million behind its projected revenue, Ms. Duncan said.
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/NEWS38/509130395/-1/NEWS
"Wild About Zoos" Partnership Raises $61,190 For Zoos Including Oregon Zoo
Portland, Oregon - Seattle-based HomeStreet Bank recently contributed a total of $61,190 to four western zoos through its "Wild About Zoos" partnership with Oregon Zoo, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle and the Honolulu Zoo. The Oregon Zoo received $13,450 to support its education and conservation programs, including efforts to save endangered western pond turtles, Washington pygmy rabbits, Oregon silverspot butterflies, and other northwest species.
http://www.centralpointnews.com/articles/index.cfm?artOID=312307&cp=4310
Zoos using drugs to help manage anxious animals
Toledo has wealth of success stories
By JENNI LAIDMAN
BLADE SCIENCE WRITER
Johari the gorilla is on antidepressants. It eases her PMS.
When the Toledo Zoo needed calm zebras, it used an antipsychotic medication to quiet their jitters. Zoo staffers tried to soothe wildebeests with antipsychotic medication for eight months last year, and even occasionally this year. A swamp monkey was dosed with the antipsychotic, but it didn’t help her get along with her daughter. It wasn’t much good for ostrich aggression either. Yet a little Valium calmed the silverback gorilla when one of the females had a doctor visit. And Prozac helped a female orangutan negotiate life in her group.
Now that humans have warmly embraced citizenship in the Prozac Nation, zoo animals are making tentative gallops, flights, and knuckle-walks into the world of psychotropic pharmaceuticals.
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050912/NEWS38/50912012
Guest commentary: As a not-for-profit, Naples Zoo remains a good 'gardener'
By LARRY RICHARDSON, Special to the Daily News
September 11, 2005
As one of our earliest conservationists and founder of the original gardens, Dr. Henry Nehrling urged his readers over a century ago that, "It is high time to protect and preserve what is still left in Florida." As if those words were prophetic, voters spoke loud and clear last November to do that very thing with 166 acres in the heart of our community — a third of which is home to Naples Zoo.
It has been a long time since that vote and I want to bring everyone up to date about what has already happened and what's ahead.
While foundational land and lease issues are not yet resolved, Naples Zoo itself has already come through with its pledges
http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/pe_local_guest_commentary/article/0,2071,NPDN_14963_4071474,00.html
Baby polar bear can be seen daily at Detroit Zoo
DETROIT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Sunday, September 11, 2005
By Carol Azizian
cazizian@flintjournal.com • 810.766.6245
No need to travel to the arctic to see polar bears swim in icy waters.
Just head over to the Detroit Zoo where, every morning, you can watch baby bear Talini take swimming lessons from her mom, Barle.
Mom picks up Talini with her mouth and yanks her in the water to teach her. Talk about a bear of a lesson.
http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/features/index.ssf?/base/features-0/112645931010940.xml&coll=5
3 chimpanzees killed after escaping zoo pen
By The Associated Press
ROYAL, Neb. — Three chimpanzees from a small-town zoo were shot to death after they escaped from their enclosure and could not be captured, the zoo director said.
The primates at Zoo Nebraska were able to get out of the cage Saturday when a padlock was not completely closed after cleaning, said zoo Director Ken Schlueter Jr.
He killed the animals with a deputy's service revolver after a tranquilizer gun didn't seem to have any effect.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002490657_chimps13.html
Minister against crocodile hunts
September 12, 2005
ENVIRONMENT Minister Ian Campbell has taken the extraordinary step of wrestling crocodiles as part of an inquiry into a proposal to allow overseas tourists to kill the animals and take the skins home with them.
Crocodile hunter Steve Irwin is leading the call for the Government to reject the Northern Territory's push for safari hunts.
Mr Campbell, who is believed to oppose the safari proposal, will make his decision as early as this week on whether or not to allow the hunts.
When Irwin found out about the Northern Territory's plans, he invited Senator Campbell to Australia Zoo in Queensland to learn about crocodile behaviour.
Senator Campbell told The Daily Telegraph that he spent two days with the internationally renowned Irwin last month.
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,16566863-5001022,00.html
Zoo babies
El Paso welcomes additions
Bernadette Sedillos Self
El Paso Times
Resembling a rotund watermelon with legs, the small striped Malayan tapir scoots toward a pond in its enclosure.
The creature hesitates, then plunges into the water with a splash.
Mom, a full-grown, black-and-white tapir weighing more than 400 pounds, stands by while its chubby progeny frolicks in the water.
"The first time we put her in here (the enclosure for public viewing) she jumped right in and started swimming," said El Paso Zoo education director Rick LoBello, who watched the tapir baby play.
The baby tapir is among three exotic species of animals that have been born at the El Paso Zoo this year.
http://www.elpasotimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050910/LIVING/509100303/1004
Volunteers scour banks of lower Saluda River for litter
(Columbia) Sept. 10, 2005 - The banks of the lower Saluda River are cleaner thanks to some volunteers.
Keep the Midlands Beautiful was out at Riverbanks Zoo Saturday morning picking up trash along the river.
It's part of a statewide effort called Beach Sweep/River Sweep. After gathering all the liter, volunteers then sift though the bags to look for recyclable items and then put them in the city's recycling trucks.
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3832472&nav=0RaPeNDf
Fragile Wilderness Day at zoo
9/10/2005 9:23 PM
By: News 10 Now Web Staff
It's one of the busiest days of the year for the New York State Zoo at Thompson Park in Watertown, Fragile Wilderness Day.
It's the first time in 12 years the event has been held at the zoo. There were over twenty booths on display with live animals, food, shows and children's games.
The zoo’s Executive Director Angela Baier says the event was a big hit with the community, "This was an experiment for the zoo to see if we moved Fragile Wilderness to the zoo, if it would be as popular. So far it seems to be a great success. It's Northern New York's largest environmental expo. It's a lot of fun and we expect to see everyone here next fall."
The Zoo at Thompson Park will also find out Wednesday whether or not they will keep their accredited status. That status allows them to get money and animals from other accredited zoos.
http://news10now.com/content/all_news/watertownnorth_country/?ArID=49119&SecID=90
Cub sent to Calgary Zoo
CALGARY -- The only remaining cub from a family of grizzly bears has made his way to his new home in Calgary, after his mother and siblings were killed in separate incidents.
The seven-month-old cub, the only surviving offspring of Bear 66, was captured yesterday afternoon and taken to the Calgary Zoo, where he will be cared for until a permanent home can be found for him.
The cub, tagged only hours before the deaths of his brother and sister late Wednesday, was found near Mount Norquay in Banff National Park.
The bears' mother was killed Aug. 19 when she was struck by a train, and the cub's brother and sister were killed by two cars on the Trans-Canada Highway, about one km west of the Mount Norquay exit.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Alberta/2005/09/10/1210821-sun.html
Area hosts evacuees from zoo, aquarium
Birds, seals and a big turtle move to Moody Gardens and Houston Zoo
By KRISTIN FINAN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
What do a 250-pound sea turtle, five sea lions and 18 birds have in common?
They're all new Houston-area residents, thanks to an effort by the Houston Zoo and Moody Gardens to rescue animals from New Orleans affected by Hurricane Katrina.
"We knew there would be an impact on the zoo (and aquarium)," said Hollie Colahan, Houston Zoo curator of primates and carnivores. "We just had to wait and see what it was they were going to need."
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3347423
concluding ...
Chimps surrender to police after Belfast zoo break-out
Angelique Chrisafis, Ireland correspondent
Thursday September 8, 2005
The Guardian
From the zoo that brought you Kevin the sulking teenage colobus monkey came another tale of animals apeing all the worst in human behaviour. And this being Belfast, it ended in a shoot-out.
Police have already had their hands full with pre-teen desperadoes this week, having caught a five-year old rioter in north Belfast. But yesterday officers had to go one further and open fire when a nine-year-old went nuts. But this time the little monkey was actually a chimpanzee.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1564765,00.html
Detroit Zoo To Exclusively Display Smithsonian Institution Exhibit
Wednesday September 7, 10:22 am ET
Birds of South Asia: History Vs. Mystery on Exhibit Until January
ROYAL OAK, Mich., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning September 19, 2005, the Detroit Zoo will host Birds of South Asia: History Vs. Mystery, a fascinating art exhibit based on research performed for the most definitive field guide ever published on the winged wonders of the region. The Detroit Zoo has exclusive rights from the Smithsonian Institution to present the exhibit.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050907/dew014.html?.v=20
Animal lover leaves zoo £2.4million
nlnews@archant.co.uk
07 September 2005
A RICH animal lover who died earlier this year has left most of her £2.5million fortune to London Zoo.
Delene Welch, 77, a former property lawyer who lived in Belsize Park, Camden, with her two cats, left £45,000 to friends and relatives, £20,000 to an animal home and gave the rest - nearly £2.4million - to the zoo, in Regent's Park.
One of her best friends, Mavis Hirschberg, said: "We knew she wanted to give it to animals but we had no idea how much."
A London Zoo spokesman said: "Delene was lovely. She is much missed.
http://www.camdenchronicle.co.uk/content/camden/chronicle/news/story.aspx?brand=CAMCOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newscamc&itemid=WeED07%20Sep%202005%2016%3A44%3A01%3A547
Zoo Works To Save Animals
Sep 7, 2005, 11:04 AM
The Columbus Zoo says it is in contact with zoo officials in New Orleans to see what help they can provide.
A small staff of 12 people remains at the New Orleans zoo, trying to feed and get water to 1400 hungry and thirsty animals.
The New Orleans aquarium lost 4,000 fish because lack of power stopped oxygen pumps from working.
The Columbus Zoo says it is working with a tight network to try and save as many animals as possible.
http://www.onnnews.com/Global/story.asp?S=3816786&nav=LQlCeET9
The real remedy for zoo elephants is to set them free
By Elliot Katz
The growing debate over zoos' ability to adequately provide for elephants - including those in Philadelphia - demonstrates wide public concern about current conditions. Every year, zoos spend millions of dollars trying to treat elephants suffering the ill effects of zoo confinement.
Inadequate zoo conditions such as hard, compacted dirt and concrete and a lack of space lead to a host of ailments for elephants, including digestive troubles, reproductive problems, degenerative joint disease, lameness, and chronic foot infections. Evidence that such maladies do not befall elephants in the wild has led growing numbers of experts to conclude that zoo life itself is killing them. How else can one explain that elephants in zoos live just half their natural 70-year life expectancy?
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/opinion/local2/region/12628978.htm
Woodland Park Zoo's 11-year-old falcon missing — again
By Charles E. Brown
Seattle Times staff reporter
A falcon-in-residence at Woodland Park Zoo has flown the coop again, and zoo staff are hoping the public can help find her.
The female bird of prey, an 11-year-old gyrfalcon (pronounced juhr-fall-kon) named Kenai, has been missing since Sunday when she flew from the zoo's Raptor Center during a flight demonstration.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002492436_webmissingfalcon13.html
AZA Press Conference: Zoo Staff Works Around the Clock in Vile Condtions to Save Virtually All Animals
9/13/2005 4:19:00 PM
To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor
Contact: Matt J. Lauer, 202-448-3127 or
http://releases.usnewswire.com/redir.asp?ReleaseID=53249&Link=mailto:Mlauer@qorvis.com
News Advisory:
-- Audubon Institute President Ron Forman Tells Miraculous Account of Seven Trying Days to Save New Orleans Zoo Population at the AZA Conference in Chicago
Who: Ron Forman, president and CEO of the Audubon Nature Institute
When: Available all day, Wednesday, Sept. 14, except during the 9:45 a.m. AZA press conference
What: Live or taped phone interviews to discuss his experiences during Hurricane Katrina and its immediate aftermath. The Audubon Nature Institute is the parent organization of the Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. The Institute's facilities suffered great damage during the hurricane and it is temporarily transferring its entire animal population to other American Zoological Association (AZA) Institutions across the United States. The AZA is coming together for its annual conference in Chicago, home of the Lincoln Park Zoo which is currently leading fundraising efforts to sustain the Audubon Nature Institute. Ron Forman, a former President of the AZA, will be in Chicago for the conference and available for questions and interviews on Wednesday.
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=53249
Zoo gets temporary reprieve from deficit
The good news is that the Toledo Zoo was out of the hole at the end of August. The bad news is it probably won't be for long.
Allison Duncan, the zoo's finance director, said a disbursement of property tax revenue put the zoo's balance sheet temporarily in the black after repeated reports of deficit spending. Ms. Duncan spoke yesterday at the regular meeting of the zoo's board of directors.
But she predicted no long-term relief from the budget crunch and noted the zoo is still behind projections for the year.
Hot weather melted zoo attendance this summer, and donations to the zoo remain below projections. Steadily rising fuel prices worsened the problem. Even though departments throughout the zoo cut costs by a total of $325,000, the institution is still $1 million behind its projected revenue, Ms. Duncan said.
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050913/NEWS38/509130395/-1/NEWS
"Wild About Zoos" Partnership Raises $61,190 For Zoos Including Oregon Zoo
Portland, Oregon - Seattle-based HomeStreet Bank recently contributed a total of $61,190 to four western zoos through its "Wild About Zoos" partnership with Oregon Zoo, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle and the Honolulu Zoo. The Oregon Zoo received $13,450 to support its education and conservation programs, including efforts to save endangered western pond turtles, Washington pygmy rabbits, Oregon silverspot butterflies, and other northwest species.
http://www.centralpointnews.com/articles/index.cfm?artOID=312307&cp=4310
Zoos using drugs to help manage anxious animals
Toledo has wealth of success stories
By JENNI LAIDMAN
BLADE SCIENCE WRITER
Johari the gorilla is on antidepressants. It eases her PMS.
When the Toledo Zoo needed calm zebras, it used an antipsychotic medication to quiet their jitters. Zoo staffers tried to soothe wildebeests with antipsychotic medication for eight months last year, and even occasionally this year. A swamp monkey was dosed with the antipsychotic, but it didn’t help her get along with her daughter. It wasn’t much good for ostrich aggression either. Yet a little Valium calmed the silverback gorilla when one of the females had a doctor visit. And Prozac helped a female orangutan negotiate life in her group.
Now that humans have warmly embraced citizenship in the Prozac Nation, zoo animals are making tentative gallops, flights, and knuckle-walks into the world of psychotropic pharmaceuticals.
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050912/NEWS38/50912012
Guest commentary: As a not-for-profit, Naples Zoo remains a good 'gardener'
By LARRY RICHARDSON, Special to the Daily News
September 11, 2005
As one of our earliest conservationists and founder of the original gardens, Dr. Henry Nehrling urged his readers over a century ago that, "It is high time to protect and preserve what is still left in Florida." As if those words were prophetic, voters spoke loud and clear last November to do that very thing with 166 acres in the heart of our community — a third of which is home to Naples Zoo.
It has been a long time since that vote and I want to bring everyone up to date about what has already happened and what's ahead.
While foundational land and lease issues are not yet resolved, Naples Zoo itself has already come through with its pledges
http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/pe_local_guest_commentary/article/0,2071,NPDN_14963_4071474,00.html
Baby polar bear can be seen daily at Detroit Zoo
DETROIT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Sunday, September 11, 2005
By Carol Azizian
cazizian@flintjournal.com • 810.766.6245
No need to travel to the arctic to see polar bears swim in icy waters.
Just head over to the Detroit Zoo where, every morning, you can watch baby bear Talini take swimming lessons from her mom, Barle.
Mom picks up Talini with her mouth and yanks her in the water to teach her. Talk about a bear of a lesson.
http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/features/index.ssf?/base/features-0/112645931010940.xml&coll=5
3 chimpanzees killed after escaping zoo pen
By The Associated Press
ROYAL, Neb. — Three chimpanzees from a small-town zoo were shot to death after they escaped from their enclosure and could not be captured, the zoo director said.
The primates at Zoo Nebraska were able to get out of the cage Saturday when a padlock was not completely closed after cleaning, said zoo Director Ken Schlueter Jr.
He killed the animals with a deputy's service revolver after a tranquilizer gun didn't seem to have any effect.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002490657_chimps13.html
Minister against crocodile hunts
September 12, 2005
ENVIRONMENT Minister Ian Campbell has taken the extraordinary step of wrestling crocodiles as part of an inquiry into a proposal to allow overseas tourists to kill the animals and take the skins home with them.
Crocodile hunter Steve Irwin is leading the call for the Government to reject the Northern Territory's push for safari hunts.
Mr Campbell, who is believed to oppose the safari proposal, will make his decision as early as this week on whether or not to allow the hunts.
When Irwin found out about the Northern Territory's plans, he invited Senator Campbell to Australia Zoo in Queensland to learn about crocodile behaviour.
Senator Campbell told The Daily Telegraph that he spent two days with the internationally renowned Irwin last month.
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,16566863-5001022,00.html
Zoo babies
El Paso welcomes additions
Bernadette Sedillos Self
El Paso Times
Resembling a rotund watermelon with legs, the small striped Malayan tapir scoots toward a pond in its enclosure.
The creature hesitates, then plunges into the water with a splash.
Mom, a full-grown, black-and-white tapir weighing more than 400 pounds, stands by while its chubby progeny frolicks in the water.
"The first time we put her in here (the enclosure for public viewing) she jumped right in and started swimming," said El Paso Zoo education director Rick LoBello, who watched the tapir baby play.
The baby tapir is among three exotic species of animals that have been born at the El Paso Zoo this year.
http://www.elpasotimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050910/LIVING/509100303/1004
Volunteers scour banks of lower Saluda River for litter
(Columbia) Sept. 10, 2005 - The banks of the lower Saluda River are cleaner thanks to some volunteers.
Keep the Midlands Beautiful was out at Riverbanks Zoo Saturday morning picking up trash along the river.
It's part of a statewide effort called Beach Sweep/River Sweep. After gathering all the liter, volunteers then sift though the bags to look for recyclable items and then put them in the city's recycling trucks.
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3832472&nav=0RaPeNDf
Fragile Wilderness Day at zoo
9/10/2005 9:23 PM
By: News 10 Now Web Staff
It's one of the busiest days of the year for the New York State Zoo at Thompson Park in Watertown, Fragile Wilderness Day.
It's the first time in 12 years the event has been held at the zoo. There were over twenty booths on display with live animals, food, shows and children's games.
The zoo’s Executive Director Angela Baier says the event was a big hit with the community, "This was an experiment for the zoo to see if we moved Fragile Wilderness to the zoo, if it would be as popular. So far it seems to be a great success. It's Northern New York's largest environmental expo. It's a lot of fun and we expect to see everyone here next fall."
The Zoo at Thompson Park will also find out Wednesday whether or not they will keep their accredited status. That status allows them to get money and animals from other accredited zoos.
http://news10now.com/content/all_news/watertownnorth_country/?ArID=49119&SecID=90
Cub sent to Calgary Zoo
CALGARY -- The only remaining cub from a family of grizzly bears has made his way to his new home in Calgary, after his mother and siblings were killed in separate incidents.
The seven-month-old cub, the only surviving offspring of Bear 66, was captured yesterday afternoon and taken to the Calgary Zoo, where he will be cared for until a permanent home can be found for him.
The cub, tagged only hours before the deaths of his brother and sister late Wednesday, was found near Mount Norquay in Banff National Park.
The bears' mother was killed Aug. 19 when she was struck by a train, and the cub's brother and sister were killed by two cars on the Trans-Canada Highway, about one km west of the Mount Norquay exit.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Alberta/2005/09/10/1210821-sun.html
Area hosts evacuees from zoo, aquarium
Birds, seals and a big turtle move to Moody Gardens and Houston Zoo
By KRISTIN FINAN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
What do a 250-pound sea turtle, five sea lions and 18 birds have in common?
They're all new Houston-area residents, thanks to an effort by the Houston Zoo and Moody Gardens to rescue animals from New Orleans affected by Hurricane Katrina.
"We knew there would be an impact on the zoo (and aquarium)," said Hollie Colahan, Houston Zoo curator of primates and carnivores. "We just had to wait and see what it was they were going to need."
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3347423
concluding ...
Morning Papers - concluded
The weather in Antarctica (Crystal Ice Chime) is:
Scott Base
Cloudy
-24.0°
Updated Wednesday 14 Sep 2:59PM
The weather at Glacier Bay National Park (Crystal Wind Chime) is:
48 °F / 9 °C
Clear
Humidity:
82%
Dew Point:
43 °F / 6 °C
Wind:
Calm
Pressure:
30.02 in / 1016 hPa
Visibility:
10.0 miles / 16.1 kilometers
UV:
0 out of 16
Clouds:
Clear -
(Above Ground Level)
end
Scott Base
Cloudy
-24.0°
Updated Wednesday 14 Sep 2:59PM
The weather at Glacier Bay National Park (Crystal Wind Chime) is:
48 °F / 9 °C
Clear
Humidity:
82%
Dew Point:
43 °F / 6 °C
Wind:
Calm
Pressure:
30.02 in / 1016 hPa
Visibility:
10.0 miles / 16.1 kilometers
UV:
0 out of 16
Clouds:
Clear -
(Above Ground Level)
end
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