COLUMBUS, Ohio (Oct. 27, 2014) – KIPP Columbus today announced a transformational lead donation from Battelle that will kick-start construction of a revolutionary, standalone science center adjacent to the new KIPP Columbus campus on Agler Road.

KIPP Columbus Executive Director Hannah Powell announced the $3 million donation at an Open House for the new 124-acre development on the former site of the Bridgeview Golf Course. KIPP Columbus opened this past August.

“The generosity of Battelle and its commitment to KIPP and our mission has been overwhelming,” Powell said. “We are driven to provide a safe, nurturing and accelerated learning environment where our KIPPsters can pursue their best selves. For many, their futures may lay in the natural sciences and this building will be invaluable to their development.”

KIPP, the Knowledge is Power Program, was founded in 1994 in Houston, Texas and the Columbus program started with KIPP Journey Academy in Linden in 2008. Focused on helping students “climb the mountain to and through college,” the KIPP program embraces longer school days, high quality teachers, extracurricular activities, and a safe and structured environment.

Funding for the new science center marks the continuation of Battelle’s long-running support for education. Throughout the development of this Kipp Columbus school, Battelle’s staff have provided training and advice to the KIPP Columbus team. Earlier this summer, Battelle announced that $300,000 of the grant will be used to fund a Teaching Fellowship Program to train new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) teachers. With completion of the science center, currently dubbed the Center for Creativity and Innovation, KIPP students and Columbus kids visiting from other schools will have a new place to experience hands-on learning.

“As a company, we’re motivated by the desire to learn more about how the world works and how to use knowledge to solve problems,” said Dr. Jeffrey Wadsworth, CEO of Battelle. “Schools like KIPP Columbus help inspire that passion in the next generation of American innovators. I am delighted that we are part of the future of this terrific Columbus institution.”

(originally appeared on businessweek.com)

Throughout my professional life, I’ve tried to maintain a basic level of privacy. I come from humble roots, and I don’t seek to draw attention to myself. Apple is already one of the most closely watched companies in the world, and I like keeping the focus on our products and the incredible things our customers achieve with them.


At the same time, I believe deeply in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, who said: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ ” I often challenge myself with that question, and I’ve come to realize that my desire for personal privacy has been holding me back from doing something more important. That’s what has led me to today.

For years, I’ve been open with many people about my sexual orientation. Plenty of colleagues at Apple know I’m gay, and it doesn’t seem to make a difference in the way they treat me. Of course, I’ve had the good fortune to work at a company that loves creativity and innovation and knows it can only flourish when you embrace people’s differences. Not everyone is so lucky.

While I have never denied my sexuality, I haven’t publicly acknowledged it either, until now. So let me be clear: I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me.

Being gay has given me a deeper understanding of what it means to be in the minority and provided a window into the challenges that people in other minority groups deal with every day. It’s made me more empathetic, which has led to a richer life. It’s been tough and uncomfortable at times, but it has given me the confidence to be myself, to follow my own path, and to rise above adversity and bigotry. It’s also given me the skin of a rhinoceros, which comes in handy when you’re the CEO of Apple.

The world has changed so much since I was a kid. America is moving toward marriage equality, and the public figures who have bravely come out have helped change perceptions and made our culture more tolerant. Still, there are laws on the books in a majority of states that allow employers to fire people based solely on their sexual orientation. There are many places where landlords can evict tenants for being gay, or where we can be barred from visiting sick partners and sharing in their legacies. Countless people, particularly kids, face fear and abuse every day because of their sexual orientation.

I don’t consider myself an activist, but I realize how much I’ve benefited from the sacrifice of others. So if hearing that the CEO of Apple is gay can help someone struggling to come to terms with who he or she is, or bring comfort to anyone who feels alone, or inspire people to insist on their equality, then it’s worth the trade-off with my own privacy.

I’ll admit that this wasn’t an easy choice. Privacy remains important to me, and I’d like to hold on to a small amount of it. I’ve made Apple my life’s work, and I will continue to spend virtually all of my waking time focused on being the best CEO I can be. That’s what our employees deserve—and our customers, developers, shareholders, and supplier partners deserve it, too. Part of social progress is understanding that a person is not defined only by one’s sexuality, race, or gender. I’m an engineer, an uncle, a nature lover, a fitness nut, a son of the South, a sports fanatic, and many other things. I hope that people will respect my desire to focus on the things I’m best suited for and the work that brings me joy.

The company I am so fortunate to lead has long advocated for human rights and equality for all. We’ve taken a strong stand in support of a workplace equality bill before Congress, just as we stood for marriage equality in our home state of California. And we spoke up in Arizona when that state’s legislature passed a discriminatory bill targeting the gay community. We’ll continue to fight for our values, and I believe that any CEO of this incredible company, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation, would do the same. And I will personally continue to advocate for equality for all people until my toes point up.

When I arrive in my office each morning, I’m greeted by framed photos of Dr. King and Robert F. Kennedy. I don’t pretend that writing this puts me in their league. All it does is allow me to look at those pictures and know that I’m doing my part, however small, to help others. We pave the sunlit path toward justice together, brick by brick. This is my brick.

source;
http://businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-30/tim-cook-im-proud-to-be-gay

Israel allowed Turkey to deploy a Turkish ship off the coast of Gaza to serve as temporary power plant, until the Gaza power plant, damaged during the summer’s war with Israel, is repaired, Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs Hussein al-Sheikh said on Thursday according to Israel’s Ynetnews website.

It is understood the move represents a goodwill gesture on the part of Israel.

In an interview with the Al-Qudsnewspaper, the Palestinian minister insisted that Israel had so far agreed in principle to the move, adding he hoped the announcement would indeed materialize.

Also Thursday, Moussa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official in the Gaza Strip, said indirect talks between Israel and the Gaza-based Hamas militants are set to resume in late October.

Marzouk said that in the eventual agreement the issue of prisoner swap will “surely” figure, yet the two sides have no intention of discussing it in the upcoming round.

Another senior Hamas official in Gaza, Khalil Elahee, said that the talks should focus on the distribution of aid to residents of the Palestinian enclave and that the issue of prisoners should be raised at a separate meeting.

Hamas on a number of occasions said it refuses to return the bodies of the two Israeli soldiers killed in ground combat during the 50 day-long Operation Protective Edge, saying that this issue should be raised at another round of talks.

Later on Thursday, Palestinian and Israeli media reported that Israeli Defense Forces troops in the West Bank shot dead a 13-year-old Palestinian who apparently hurled rocks at the soldiers.

Military spokesperson said an investigation into the incident has been launched.


Click here to read more

source;

1. http://www.israelandstuff.com/gaza-to-receive-turkish-floating-power-station-for-domestic-energy#.VEBB1utxt1Q.facebook
   

View more statistics and more about this subject by clicking this link

source;

1. http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-states/total-vehicle-sales
   

By KRISTINA PETERSON And SIOBHAN HUGHES

WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday will begin limiting flights carrying passengers from three West African countries affected by Ebola to arrival at five U.S. airports.

The move represents only a slight change to flight traffic from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea because most passengers from these countries already arrive in the U.S. at the five designated airports, where extra Ebola screening measures are in place.

The restrictions come amid increasing pressure from Republican lawmakers to more stringently regulate travel from there, including banning it outright.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Tuesday that all passengers coming from those nations would be permitted to enter the U.S. only where heightened screening, including passenger temperature readings, are occurring.

read the entire article from The Wall Street Journal - wsj.com

source;
http://online.wsj.com/articles/ebola-travelers-from-stricken-countries-only-can-enter-5-us-airports-1413906804?tesla=y

After an emergency meeting in Paris, the board said it had unanimously chosen Patrick Pouyanné, 51, head of the company’s refining and chemicals business, as chief executive, and Thierry Desmarest, 68, Mr. de Margerie’s predecessor, for the role of chairman. At the end of next year, Mr. Pouyanné will assume both positions, and Mr. Desmarest, a Total executive since 1981, will retire.

The two executives are well known among Total’s nearly 100,000 employees and throughout the industry. They take the helm of the company as falling oil prices are putting pressure on earnings, and as its strategy for growth — Total is heavily reliant on projects in Angola, Kazakhstan, Nigeria and Russia — has come under scrutiny.

In September, the company cut oil production targets and announced plans to sell $10 billion in assets, saying it would focus on reducing costs — something investors will most likely expect Mr. Pouyanné to continue.

Despite recently trimming its production targets, Total is still expected to increase output faster than most of its European rivals, to 2.8 million barrels a day in 2017, from 2.1 million barrels a day in the first half of this year.

The company has identified problem areas like the long-delayed Kashagan oil and gas project in the Caspian Sea, off Kazakhstan, which Total does not operate, and Russia, where analysts think Total’s plans to develop a liquefied natural gas facility on the Yamal Peninsula may slip because of financing difficulties.

The appointments on Wednesday appeared to be well received by investors. After initially slipping on the news of the management changes in the early afternoon in Paris, Total’s shares rebounded in line with the broader European stock market, which was up around 0.5 percent in late afternoon trading. Total gained about 0.3 percent.

Total’s board appeared to be trying to reassure investors and other interested parties, like labor unions and the French government, by pairing Mr. Desmarest, an experienced hand, with Mr. Pouyanné, a veteran who can still be considered a rising star.

Read the entire article from the nytimes.com

source;
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/23/business/international/thierry-desmarest-patrick-pouyanne-total-ceo-chariman.html?_r=0

This all began near 10 am near the war memorial in Ottawa - 

Read more and get updates from cnn.com

THE MARK KALINA JR. FOUNDATION IS A 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT AIMS TO: PROVIDE SUPPORT TO TRAUMATIC INJURY VICTIMS, PROMOTE EDUCATION ON THE PREVENTION OF TRAUMATIC INJURY, AND ASSIST SIMILAR NON-PROFIT ENDEAVORS.

In the fall of 2012, Mark Kalina Jr. was at the beginning of his fifth year of college at The Ohio State University. He was studying civil engineering and was busy with classes and spending time with friends. Mark was often involved in various social, fundraising, and volunteer activities during his time at Ohio State through Greek life and his job at the Ohio Union. He was a friend to anyone he met and was always willing to help others. 

On the night of October 12, 2012; Mark decided to head out to downtown Columbus with some friends. When the night came to a close, Mark and a friend decided to share a cab to Grandview Heights. As this was only a short walk away from campus, Mark decided to walk the rest of the way back to his apartment. He realized that he would need to cross railroad tracks in order to make his way to campus. Instead of backtracking, walking down the street, and under a bridge where the tracks were overhead, Mark decided to cross the tracks on foot. There was a train stopped on the tracks so Mark began to walk next to the train in order to find the end and cross the tracks behind the train.

As he walked, he happened to slip on the gravel next to the train tracks and he snagged his shirt sleeve on the train. Just as this occurred, the train began to creak and shift as the engine started. The shirt would not break free and the train picked up speed. Mark had no choice but to pull himself up onto a ladder on the side of the train instead of being dragged next to it. As the train accelerated, Mark held on to the ladder and an unfortunate turn of the train sent him falling in between two train cars and landing on the connector. Mark held on tightly but his legs could not find anything to rest on and they were pulled under the quickly moving train. Mark’s entire body was pulled under the train and as that happened; his legs were severed by the wheels. Mark lay in the middle of the tracks until the train passed over him and then he pulled his phone out of his pocket to call 911.

Mark was able to get through to 911 and helped to direct a search helicopter to his location. Police officers were first on the scene and were able to pull Mark off of the tracks right before another train passed over. An ambulance arrived shortly after and Mark was quickly transported to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and immediately into surgery. Most of his injuries were sustained from the train incident as he lost his left leg above the knee, his right leg below the knee, and his right pinky finger was severely injured and later removed. Above the waist, Mark’s injuries were minimal including only a couple cuts and bruises. After surgery, Mark was awake and accepting visitors. He even held off pain medication in order to be awake enough to greet his guests as the waiting room was overflowing with concerned family, friends, and co-workers.

From that initial date, Mark has had an unwavering appreciation for life and an extremely positive attitude. He has referred to his situation as “not life ending but life changing” and he has followed that mantra throughout this transition. Mark was truly grateful for all of the support and well-wishes that he received. He chose to make something out of the struggle that he went through by creating the Mark Kalina Jr. Foundation.

Mark had always been a happy, friendly, and kind hearted person so it was no surprise that he wanted to find a way to help others who have gone through something of this nature. He was thrust into an entirely new world and he saw how difficult it could be to get the help that was needed. Mark’s daily life changed drastically. There were suddenly so many items that he needed in order to complete ordinary activities. He knew that he was lucky to have the support that he did but he also knew that others may not have those options available to them. As Mark realized there aren't many resources available for people that suffer a traumatic amputation, he chose to raise money for those in need.

Mark has been a pillar of strength for those around him throughout his recovery. He is taking that strong will and putting it towards a great cause. The Mark Kalina Jr. Foundation was born out of Mark’s own experiences through a very difficult time and the goal is to try to ease some of the burden that other families may face in the future. 

Right now, throughout the country, there are measures being taken in several places to stop early voting, and even bring in a new form of the Poll tax.  We must have to do everything that we can in order to stop this, as millions marched just for this.

We think Danny Green is an overall genuine good guy who did not mean any harm by this, however, some people made this picture "mean a thousand words" - as this photo went viral with a fabricated story behind it. 

Remember when these world leaders took this photo at Nelson Mandela's funeral?

The State of Ohio has chosen not to press charges for the brutal and fatal incident that took the life of John Crawford at a Walmart in Beavercreek, Ohio.  False reports from 911 caller Ronald Ritchie, who later retracted his statements, and Police Officer Sean Williams, who has been in involved in another similar killing less than three years ago, received no reprimand.  The Ohio Students Association has taken several measures to fight for for justice for John Crawford. An 11 mile march from the Walmart John Crawford was murdered to the court where the decision was being held, protests at several offices in Downtown Columbus, and today they will be meeting with the Police Commissioner to the demand the three above actions.  We stand 100% behind the Ohio Students Association.