Tuesday, August 18, 2009

NARA blog from Free Government Information (FGI) blogs by jajacobs The National Archives has started a blog, NARAtions, because, "we are hoping to talk with you about online public access to the records held by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)." (Hat tip to Kate!) 7:46:56 PM     Book Reviews from Master The Art of Reading participants Cutting Your Family's Hair by Gloria Handel: Easy to see how to cut hair. Helps with cutting your own, too. Steve and Me by Terri Irwin: I absolutely LOVED this book! Written by Steve's wife Terri Irwin, she goes on to recall the adventures she had with her husband known to all as "The Crocodile Hunter". As she regales her tale, she paints a beautiful portrait of a man who's main love in life was animals. She begins with their first encounter at the Australia Zoo claiming love at first sight. I could feel the love she felt for him and his work that he did as she wrote. She goes on to describe the croc rescues and his ideas to expand the zoo. Plus the documentaries that made the famed Croc Hunter a worldwide sensation. Through her kind words and his amazing work it made me appreciate animals a whole lot more and see them in a whole new light. I've always loved animals as a kid and think the world of those animal advocates out there trying to make the world a better place for them. I would recommend this book to anyone animal lover or not. I love memoirs because the way people write them with such thought and love it's almost like you feel you know them. They're just ordinary people like us. Prodigal God by Timothy Keller: One of the most insightful books I have read. Some good, inspiring thoughts and a book I could not put down. You can train your cat by Jo and Paul Loeb: I learned some good tips that I used to train my cat and they worked. When Organizing isn't enough by Julie Morganstern: I didn't think there was more to learn on this subject, but there was. Helpful. Confessions of a Video Vixen by Karrine Steffans: This book gave me a walk through the life history of Ms. Steffans. I had no idea that of all the pitfalls and perks of her life and her career. I will always look up to Karrine for sticking in there, and progressing through her trials and tribulations. 1:45:59 PM     Will We Have 5 Days of Mail Delivery? The issue is still on the table, you know. The Postal Service is pursuing the idea of cutting back to a 5-day mail delivery schedule in order to save money. In spite of a postal rate increase earlier this year and the reduction of overhead costs, the Postal Service is projecting a 7 billion dollar loss this fiscal year. It appears that the problem is simply a drop in mail volume. We're using commercial services to deliver packages, paying our bills online, sending e-mails and e-vites to our friends and family instead of the old snail mail. This change in our communication habits is having a big impact at the post office. Personally, the idea of no mail delivery on Saturday doesn't much bother me. My mail consists mainly of catalogs I don't want, junk mail and an occasional bill. It's rare to find a card or letter in the mailbox anymore, so I really don't think I will miss Saturday mail delivery, if it's eliminated. Maybe I'm missing something and Saturday mail delivery is more important than I think. I wonder though. In the modern era, is 6-day mail delivery still a necessity, or is it a comforting holdover from our past? If you've got a strong opinion on the matter, I encourage you to contact your representatives in the House of Representatives and the Senate to let them know how important it is to you. - Joanne [Gov Gab: Your U.S. Government Blog] 1:31:32 PM     Various Programs In Jeapardy As Legislature Reviews Department of Education Budget. Possible cuts The Michigan Legislature has yet to decide on a budget for the 2010 fiscal year, but here are some programs in danger, based on the Senate version of the budget. • Early childhood programs: The Senate cut $103.5 million in School Readiness grants. That would effectively end state funding for early childhood programs for at-risk children and leave thousands without a preschool option. • The Michigan Youth Challenge Academy: This program is a last-chance, military-style academy in Battle Creek for teens ages 16 to 19 who are at risk of dropping out. The Senate has proposed cutting $1.3 million. The academy could close. • Assistance for at-risk students in Dearborn Public Schools: The district could lose $5.9 million in funding for at-risk students. • Online learning: The Senate proposed eliminating $2.3 million. For the full article, see Lori Higgins, "Parents, educators seek fixes for funding; Financially stretched districts cut and cut, just to stay afloat", Detroit Free Press, August 18, 2009. [Red Tape Blog] 1:27:39 PM

© Copyright 2009 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 9/1/2009; 11:46:51 AM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien