Sign a petition to support free speech for scientists

From Care2.org:

"While federal government scientists play a critical role in protecting our health, safety and environment, many report that they are often discouraged from sharing their scientific research and analysis with the media and the public. In fact, a recent Union of Concerned Scientists investigation found that the media policies and practices of some federal agencies effectively censor scientists, impeding their ability to discuss their work with their peers and with interested journalists who convey research findings to the public.

Other federal agencies—like NASA—have changed their policies to allow their scientists far greater freedom in meeting their public service missions, demonstrating that it is possible for the government to do better.

Federal scientists must feel free to speak out about research findings that impact our lives. Please urge federal agency leaders to improve their agencies' media policies."

To sign the petition or to read more, click here.

CEC Vote Ends Today!

From Power to the Parents:

"As you probably know, phone calls have been going out from former New York City Mayor, Ed Koch, to remind parents to vote for the Community and Citywide Education Councils.

Due to spring break falling during the voting period, a number of parents indicated that they would like more time to be able to cast their advisory vote. We have listened to this feedback, and extended the online voting until April 29th."

For more information, call 1 877 NYC VOTE. Materials are available in 9 languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Haitian Creole and Urdu.

Dream Village is an ENT Semi-Finalist!

"NYC ENT '09 will match budding entrepreneurs with experienced startup mentors, angel investors, and venture capitalists to provide insight into growing a business from concept to profitability."

"[ENT's] goal in creating a competition with an educational component is two fold; find promising entrepreneurs and give them the business skills to succeed in their respective industries."

"The 7 semi-finalists will be evaluated by Solidea, Connectors Group, venture capitalists, and members of the press, to select one winner who will gain over 100 hours of counseling from leading service providers in NYC."

For more info, check out ENT.

Bedford-Stuyvesant Work Day is Tomorrow!

Volunteer at the Bed-Stuy Community Work Day!

Saturday, April 25th 10:30AM - 4PM

There will be:
Mural Painting
Landscaping & Gardening
Transforming the Community
Celebrating Bed-Stuy!

Service will begin at Von King Park at the corner of Tompkins & Lafayette

QUESTIONS? WANT TO VOLUNTEER?
Contact FERRISHAIA LEWIS AT 646.541.0346 OR FLEWIS09@CITYYEAR.ORG

Community Education Council Parent Vote has been EXTENDED through April 29!

From Power to the Parents:

"As you probably know, phone calls have been going out from former New York City Mayor, Ed Koch, to remind parents to vote for the Community and Citywide Education Councils.

Due to spring break falling during the voting period, a number of parents indicated that they would like more time to be able to cast their advisory vote. We have listened to this feedback, and extended the online voting until April 29th."

For more information, call 1 877 NYC VOTE. Materials are available in 9 languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Haitian Creole and Urdu.

Earth Day!

Take Action. Be it recycling, planting a tree, changing out your light bulbs, or any action to personally taken to better the earth. Be one of a billion people worldwide to participate in Earth Day. They will count you as a member of The Green Generation, a movement toward sustainability that includes everyone. To sign up to be one of the one billion acts of green, check out EarthDay.net's site.

For other ways to take action, click here.

For more information, visit:

• EarthDay.Net
• Earth Day 2009 Online
• The EPA's Earth Day site
• Earth Day facts
• The government's Earth Day site
• To request a free tree from the city of New York
  

I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority.
~Elwyn Brooks White, Essays of E.B. White, 1977

Community Education Council Straw Vote ends April 22nd!

Tomorrow is the last day to vote in the Community Education Council (CEC) elections!

VOTE AT POWER TO THE PARENTS!

Safe Rides is seeking volunteers for Safe Walk

From the Safe Rides website:

"SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO HELP MAKE SAFEWALK 2009 POSSIBLE!

If you have a bicycle and are interested in learning more about volunteering for
Safe Walk, please join us at the next info session.

Orientations will happen on the first Monday of every month.

For information on where the orientations will be held please contact Leah at safewalknyc@gmail.com. "

About Safe Walk:
"What is Safe Walk? Safe Walk offers ANYone a free walking escort to their destination. You do not need to feel threatened to call for a Safe Walk. There have been a rash of late-night muggings in these areas, so why take the risk?

Safe Walk '09 will operate every Friday night
from 11 PM - 2 AM
in the following neighborhoods :

Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, Greenpoint, Williamsburg"

*For more information, check out Changes Brooklyn's entry about SafeWalk.
*They also have a Twitter at www.twitter.com/safewalk.
* They accept donations via Paypal.

(photo from the rightrides.org website)

Dream Village to be at the Book Expo America

Come see Dream Village at Book Expo America!

"[Book Expo America (BEA) is] the largest publishing event in North America...This year’s event promises to give you access to what’s new, what’s next and everything exciting in the world of books."

There are a lot of events scheduled as well, including:

• "Big Ideas at BEA" Conference —meet industry leaders and learn about the latest trends and technologies within the Publisher, Retailer, Librarian, and Consumer communities.
• Downtown Stage and Uptown Stage—these two new show floor stages join the African American Stage so you can meet more authors whose books will be among the Falls most reviewed, discussed and best selling.
• BEA Young Adult Editor's Buzz—the popular Editor’s Buzz brand has been expanded to include a dedicated forum for one of the industry’s hottest segments—Young Adults!
• All-access badges and registration badge categories that clearly identify your role in publishing so you'll get more focused attention on the show floor.
• Affordable New York Hotel & Travel Deals —enjoy the very best rates around!
• ABA Day of Education Returns to the BEA venue at the Javitz for a more convenient learning experience.
• New Media Zone —dedicated area on the show floor that shines a spotlight on new media and gives lit bloggers, podcasters, digital content and e book publishers a home at BEA.
• Consumer Panels—Consumers at BEA? YES! Join us for three panels where consumer speaks—you will hear from teens, boomers and bookclub leaders as they discuss their reading and book buying habits and what influences them to suggest or buy a title. You don’t want to miss these public focus groups!

From the BEA website.

Visit BEA for more information.

For more on Dream Village, click here.

VDAY Harlem 2009: April 11, 2009

[Date] April 11, 2009

[Times] 6 PM
8 PM (With reception following)

[Venue] Maysles Institute
343 Lenox Avenue/Malcolm X Boulevard, NYC
(between 127th and 128th. 2/3, 4,5,6, A,B,C,D to 125th street)
212-582-6050 ext. 218

To purchase tickets, click here.

Community Education Council Straw Vote April 6-22! VOTE!

From the Power to the Parents Website:

"Dear Family,

This year the CEC election represents the first public election in the U.S. to be held entirely online. You can cast your vote ONLINE from April 6-22, 2009 at www.powertotheparents.org. Vote anytime, day or night from any computer with internet access.

Your vote will be historic!

Tell your PTA Officers who you want them to select to represent you!

In May, PTA Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers (official selectors) will be given a tally of how you and other parents voted. Afterwards, they will cast your school’s official vote. Make sure your voice is heard.

Your vote is important.

In just a few steps and in a matter of minutes, after turning on your computer, you will be just a “click” away from casting your vote online!

Your vote is your voice.

I thank you for being an active member of the school community and for your support of Community District and Citywide Education Councils.

Community or Citywide Education Councils

Community and Citywide Education Councils (CECs) are education policy advisors responsible for reviewing and evaluating schools’ instructional programs, approving zoning lines, advising the Chancellor and hold meetings at least every month with the superintendent and the public at-large to discuss the current state of the schools in the district. CECs are an essential and critically important part of the public decision-making process in New York City’s public schools. Each council consists of at least nine elected parent volunteers who provide hands-on leadership and support for their community's public schools. Council members hold meetings at least every month with the superintendent and public at-large to discuss the current state of the schools in the district."

Vote in your district!

Click here to find your district.

I am running for the Community Education Council in District 13 along with some other amazing candidates. Please take your time and vote for your choice. Thank you.

Community Education Council Straw Vote April 6-22

The 2009 Community and Citywide Education Council vote begins April 6 and continues through April 22. Vote in your district!

"Community and Citywide Education Councils (CECs) are education policy advisors responsible for reviewing and evaluating schools’ instructional programs, approving zoning lines, advising the Chancellor and hold meetings at least every month with the superintendent and the public at-large to discuss the current state of the schools in the district. CECs are an essential and critically important part of the public decision-making process in New York City’s public schools. Each council consists of at least nine elected parent volunteers who provide hands-on leadership and support for their community's public schools. Council members hold meetings at least every month with the superintendent and public at-large to discuss the current state of the schools in the district."

For more information, Power to the Parents.

Bedford-Stuyvesant Work Day

Volunteer at the Bed-Stuy Community Work Day!

Saturday, April 25th 10:30AM - 4PM

There will be:
Mural Painting
Landscaping & Gardening
Transforming the Community
Celebrating Bed-Stuy!

Service will begin at Von King Park at the corner of Tompkins & Lafayette

QUESTIONS? WANT TO VOLUNTEER?
Contact FERRISHAIA LEWIS AT 646.541.0346 OR FLEWIS09@CITYYEAR.ORG

MADRE: Seven Reasons to Oppose a Troop Surge in Afghanistan

These are seven points highlighted by MADRE as to why we should oppose a troop surge in Afghanistan.

From MADRE:

"1. More troops will mean more civilian casualties.
2. More troops will not resolve the crisis.
3. A troop surge has already been tried—and it failed.
4. Rampant abuses of Afghan women’s rights cannot be eliminated by force.
5. US troops are backing an unpopular, corrupt government
6. US Troops are Undermining Humanitarian Operations
7. Most Afghans Want the US Out"

For the article in its entirety, visit MADRE.

People You Don't Know talks with Suneet Bhatt

*

"All around good guy Suneet Bhatt stops by to talk about his two companies Social Symmetry and Dream Village. Social Symmetry offers consulting services to private, public, and non-profit companies on creating and sustaining positive social impact, while Dream Village produces picture books and internet web portals to educate children on global social issues. Just listening to this episode gives you good karma!"


"PYDK is a semi-professional interview show where I talk to normal, everyday people about their story, where they're from, how they got to where they are now, and their views, opinions, and beliefs on politics, culture, media, art, or anything else that comes to mind. At the end of each interview, they recommend someone else I don't know who'd be interesting to talk to. Because everyone around you has a story. -Eugene"

Listen here. Download here.

*photo from People You Don't Know.