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Monthly Archives: October 2011
Finally English Majors Take the Spotlight
When it comes to the world of academia the arts and humanities are taken the least seriously. Even for funding those studying literature, history, or art get the short end of the stick. The University of Houston changes this though by holding their annual event Instant CLASSic.
The event showcases the work of students in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Yes, that’s right psychology majors; you too can gain some recognition for your hard work.
This year’s showcase though focuses on undergraduate English majors. The university’s literary journal Glass Mountain has started accepting pieces of art, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction from undergraduate students for publication. They also accept essays and interviews.
According to the director of undergraduate studies for the English Department at the University of Houston, Maria Gonzalez, having a literary journal that features solely undergraduate students is a rarity. What also makes Glass Mountain even more unique is its national prominence in the writing community.
Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society also took the stage at the showcase. The academic fraternity is the English department’s biggest encouragement to all English majors in showing that yes, something can be done with an English degree. One of Sigma Tau Delta’s past presidents, Tina Johnson, is currently working as a managing editor for a press company.
This year’s Instant CLASSic did what it set out to do, and that was highlight the accomplishments of what are considered the underdog studies of any university.
For any undergraduates interested in submitting work to Glass Mountain visit www.glassmountainmag.com.
Obama guest on Leno, Rooney Hospitalized
Photo Credit: Nydailynews.com
President Obama made his second appearance on Jay Leno’s night time talk show “The Tonight Show,” on Tuesday, according to the Washington Post.
Obama amused the audience with his references to the ABC show Survivor when being asked about the GOP debates, according to the Washington Post.
“Have you been watching the GOP debates?” asked Leno, “I am going to wait until everybody is voted off the island,” began Obama, according to the Washington Post.
Leno started off the show by discussing the recent death of Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi, according to the Washington Post.
Obama explained that Gaddafi had terrorized his control and had a powerful control over them. He explained that Gaddafi had many opportunities to let go of his violent hold on power and to make a peaceful transition to democracy, according to the Washington Post.
Obama explained that he believes that the ending that came about sends a message to other dictators, according to the Washington Post.
Obama was given the opportunity to discuss topics like the recent comments made by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, what he believes people across the country are most fed up with and his presidential hopes as well as the GOP, according to the Washington Post.
Leno welcomed Obama to the show and treated him as great company, according to the Washington Post.
Late Tuesday, as reported by CBS, “60 Minutes” commentator Andy Rooney, 92, was admitted to a hospital after experiencing complications after a “minor” surgery last week, according to CBS.
The network stated that Rooney was in stable condition. However CBS has declined to provide any additional details at the family’s request, according to CBS.
This story contains information from The Washington Post and CBS.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Bell Stolen in San Francisco
Photo Credit: Sfappeal.com
This 122-year old bell from St. Mary’s Cathedral has survived fires and earthquakes as is strongly stood on it wooden platform outside of the rebuilt cathedral, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
However, although this 2.7 ton bell has survived much, in the last month the bell has been stolen, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
No one noticed that the bell was gone until a parishioner mentioned that the bell was not in its usual place, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Everyone then realized that they could not remember the last time they did in fact see that bell, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
With the bell weighing 5,300 pounds and stretching 5 feet across, in order to move the bell authorities believe it must have been moved by a crane and carted away in something larger than the average truck, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Police inspector, Brian Danker, intends to get the bell back and urges anyone with information to call the police tip line at (415) 575-4444, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
This church is offering an unspecified reward for anyone who helps return the bell or catches the thieves responsible, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The bell is worth approximately $75,000, the church believes that if they do not find the bell they will not have the means to replace it, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
This story contains information from the San Francisco Chronicle.
iRobot Comes to Life
Photo Credit: mediatakeout.com
A man from Wedmore, UK installed a cell phone in his prosthetic arm. Much like Will Smith’s character in iRobot, Mr Prideaux, keeps the phone inside of his arm to make it easier for phone calls and sending text messages.
The idea came to Prideaux after owning an iPhone and having trouble using it with just one hand. After Apple refused to help with Prideaux’s unordinary case, he went to Nokia for help. Luckily, Nokia agreed and only took five weeks to create an easier way for Prideaux to use his cell phone. Technician Les Street and Prosthetist Steve Gallichan collaborated and built Prideaux a new prosthetic arm that has a cradle inside for the phone to sit. “I can now take calls and make texts just by using my one hand, while the phone sits inside my arm.”
Prideaux, 50, was born without an arm and hopes that this will be an available option for other people with prosthetic limbs.
World Population Set to Hit 7 Billion By End of the Month
October 31st of this year is set to mark the birth of the 7 billionth human. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has sent out a warning stating that this could cause challenges for easing poverty and conserving the environment.
Babatunde Osotimehin, the UNFPA’s executive director says, “This is a challenge and a call to action. The issue of population is a critical one for all humanity and for planet Earth.”
Osotimehin believes that the focus shouldn’t be on numbers, but on conserving the world and making it a better place and that education could help with any future baby booms. “Educating and empowering girls and women allows them to have fewer children than their mothers and grandmothers did.”
The population is also set to rise to 10 billion by 2100.
Miami Car Show Hopes to Amp Up Sales
South Florida is holding its annual car show starting today and running until November 6th at the Miami Beach Convention Center. This will be the city’s 41st show. Retailers hope the displays will rouse people’s interest and make them want to hurry over to a dealer nearby and take some test drives.
The show will feature about one thousand new cars from about 40 manufacturers. Different types of displays will be set up to cater to everyone’s interests.
The “Green Way” show includes popular fuel-efficient vehicles like the electric Ford Focus. “Million Dollar Alley” on the other hand goes for a more flashy approach, focusing on cars that would probably cost you your first born. Of course the show cannot forget “Memory Lane” which features, as you’d probably imagine, classic cars. It will also have two vintage motorcycles on display in this exhibit.
One company that hopes to make a comeback with the show is General Motors. Recently the big kahunas of car business have had financial troubles, even having to rely on government bailout. This upcoming year though, with the products they have to show off at the South Florida International Auto Show they hope to leave their troubles in the past and gain new customers.
According to data from the National Automobile Dealers Association new car sales have increased from September of last year. This shows that the automobile industry is finally coming out of its funk from the recent recession. Things are certainly looking up for retailers in the car industry.
Sharp Reactions Over Withdrawl from Iraq
Photo credit: townnews.com
President Obama announced his decision to pull U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of the year, Friday, promising an end to the expensive fight that began in 2003 with the Saddam Hussein overthrow.
Obama stated that more than 100,000 U.S. service members had already exited Iraq.
Some critics believe this decision means inviting Iran to push influence on it’s neighbor.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., noted it was “a serious mistake.” He expressed his concern for Iranian influence on Iraq on ABC’S This Week.
Military historian at the American Enterprise Institute, Frederick Kagan, said the decision would “damage our position in the Middle East.” He stated that the retreat would have high costs for the United States.
Despite these reactions, Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif. said President Obama was “following through on his promise to bring the war in Iraq to an honorable end.”
Secretary of the State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, stated in a series of interviews that the U.S. training mission with Iraq would continue, keeping American presence in the region to remain intact. She urges Iran not to misread the withdrawal as an opening to interfere with Iraq.
Saudi Heir to Throne Dies
Photo credit: cbc.ca
Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, heir to Saudi throne, died reportedly from battling cancer in a New York hospital Saturday morning. His body was flown back to Saudi Arabia for burial Tuesday.
Sultan, the half-brother of King Abdullah, was receiving treatment in New York and was said to have been in his 80s.
As the Saudi defense minister, former U.S. ambassador Robert Jordan called Sultan a “staunch ally.” President Barack Obama referred to him as a “valued friend” of the United States. “He was a strong supporter of the deep and enduring partnership between our two countries,” Obama said.
The death of Sultan leaves his brother Nayef as the likely candidate to king. Nayef is the country’s second deputy prime minister. He has been the interior minister since 1975, overseeing the kingdom’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Video above brought to you by CNN.com
Biographer of Steve Jobs Gets the Scoop
photo credit: dailycaller.com
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs hired author Walter Isaacson to write his biography when he was already pronounced with cancer. Issacson said Jobs asked him to write about his failings and strengths, and for the book to be “honest”. With over 40 interviews with Jobs and 100 with friends, family, competitors and colleagues, Isaacson promised to tell the story of the Apple icon.
In 1997, only 5 percent of the computer market belonged to Apple. Now, 14 years later, Apple is the second most valuable company in the world. Jobs revolutionized the industry. From animated movies, music, and telephones to computing tablets and digital publishing and retail stores, Jobs imagined it all.
60 Minutes interview with biographer Walter Isaacson CBS News
The video above goes into depth with Walter Isaacson in his 60 Minutes interview about the Apple mogul, Steve Jobs.
