April 20, 2014

World’s 100 Rarest Birds Identified by Scientists (one in 8 all species of birds is now threatened)

http://www.care2.com/causes/worlds-100-rarest-birds-identified-by-scientists.html

by Alicia GraefApril 16, 20145:30 pm



From large to small and colorful to camouflaged, birds have long captured the interest and curiosity of bird watchers and nature enthusiasts, but continued threats to their survival leave many with questionable futures.

Scientists from Yale University, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and collaborating universities have taken on the task of identifying who the rarest species are and have come up with a list of the world’s 100 most unique and rare birds according to how Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) they are as part of the EDGE program, which is working to identify the most vulnerable species on the planet.

According to EDGE, one in eight species of birds is now threatened with extinction. Not only are the birds featured on the list living close to the brink, but they are considered highly unique because of the way they look, live and behave.

After examining some 10,000 bird species from around the world scientists based their findings on both how unique they are and how threatened they are to identify the top 100. Their findings were published in the journal Current Biology.


FULL story at link.

April 20, 2014

April 20, 1948

http://nhlabornews.com/2014/04/april-20-1948/

While eating dinner in the kitchen of his home, gunmen open fire on UAW president Walter Reuther, who is hit by a shotgun blast to his right arm. His assailants, who were thought to be hired by gangsters trying to stop union organizing at the mob-dominated Michigan Stove Works, were never caught. Reuther eventually regained limited mobility of his severely damaged arm.



Source: Today In Labor History (Union Review)

If you liked this post consider subscribing to the NH Labor News via email. There are more great articles to come.

About Today In Labor History

The NHLN has joined with multiple other websites to help highlight some of the struggles that workers have faced throughout our history. We want everyone to know what the workers of the past had to endure for the rights we take for granted now. If you do not learn from the past, you are doomed to repeat it.

April 19, 2014

BREAKING... Fontenelle Forest Bellevue, NE fire in progress (news video)

Source: Omaha Steve

The fire is in at least two areas. Drought conditions prevail in the area. One line of fire is over 150 yards wide. Trees and grass with high winds driving it to the north. Fire crews are having trouble reaching the area. We are watching the fire from our deck. We will post Marta's photos when time allows. The fire is about 100 yards to the east of us. There is a wetland between us and the fire. There are no homes in danger at this time that we know of.

Details to follow. The fire that we know of is at the bottom of the green area on the map moving up.

OS






Read more: Link to source

April 19, 2014

BREAKING... Fontenelle Forest Bellevue, NE fire in progress (update photos)

The fire is in at least two areas. Drought conditions prevail in the area. One line of fire is over 150 yards wide. Trees and grass with high winds driving it to the north. Fire crews are having trouble reaching the area. We are watching the fire from our deck. We will post Marta's photos when time allows. The fire is about 100 yards to the east of us. There is a wetland between us and the fire. There are no homes in danger at this time that we know of.

Details to follow. The fire that we know of is at the bottom of the green area on the map moving up.

Moved to LBN.

OS

April 19, 2014

Corporate Tax Breaks: The US Government's Secret Subsidy Revealed

Published on May 17, 2013
The fact is, this spending vs. taxes debate is largely meaningless. Watch our explainer video to learn about corporate tax breaks, the U.S. Government's secret subsidy program that some in Congress want to gut vital programs -- like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security -- to keep in place for their wealthy donors. Then, take action: http://www.afscme.org/stop-the-giveaways

April 19, 2014

AFSCME TV honors several brave Ohio AFSCME snowplow drivers for their efforts to save lives on duty!

#t=86

Published on Apr 16, 2014
Our latest edition of AFSCME TV honors several brave Ohio AFSCME snowplow drivers for their efforts to save lives in the line of duty. Members Steve Kinstle, Larry Poage, Ed Kane, and Javier Gallegos are great examples of the millions of hardworking public employees all across this country who serve their communities every day.

April 19, 2014

Dems criticize governor hopeful Beau McCoy's (R-NE) ad in which he strikes a Barack Obama doll

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Alissa Skelton

Nebraska Democrats on Friday criticized a TV ad showing Republican governor candidate Beau McCoy knocking a Barack Obama doll off a fence post with his hand.

The ad opens with McCoy saying, “More Obamacare in Nebraska? That is the last thing we need.”

He then strikes a doll that resembles President Obama.

“Beau McCoy hit a new low in his ad, where he is seen striking the president off a fence post,” said Dan Marvin, executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20140419/NEWS/140418217/1685#dems-criticize-governor-hopeful-beau-mccoy-s-ad-in-which-he-strikes-a-barack-obama-doll

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April 19, 2014

We took our granddaughter to the museum today and she knew as soon as she saw it

We spent the day with Madisen. We took her to Joslyn Museum. Yes I enjoy museums.

Marta gave me a high quality print of "The Grief of the Pasha" about 20 years ago for Christmas. It is displayed next to the coat rack.

We have a Karl Bodmer print (see below) in the living room. Madison commented on both the moment she saw them. We will take her back next month when the Rembrandt goes on display: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014773408



Jean-Léon Gérôme (French, 1824–1904),
The Grief of the Pasha , 1882
oil on canvas mounted on masonite, 36 3/8 x 29 in., 92.4 x 73.6 cm
Gift of Francis T. B. Martin, 1990.1


http://www.joslyn.org/collections-and-exhibitions/permanent-collections/european/jean-leon-gerome-the-grief-of-the-pasha/




http://www.joslyn.org/collections-and-exhibitions/temporary-exhibitions/details.aspx?ID=180

April 18, 2014

We watched Disney's "Jungle Book" with our granddaughter last night

Memories of my childhood came rushing back. Mom didn't drive. We took the bus downtown and had lunch at "Kings". There was a guy getting signatures on a "SAVE free TV" petition. It was 15 years later that Omaha got cable. This is the theater where I saw the film back in 1966.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creighton_Orpheum_Theater



The first time our kids saw the film was on a faded VHS bootleg. The Star Wars films and Disney animated films (Dumbo was the only Disney animated film on home video at the time) were bragging rights back then.

We gave all our grandkids 1 share of Disney stock for Christmas last year. Madison now tells her friends she "owns 1/2 of Disneyland". We just smile when she says it. Here is what it looks like.

OS

April 17, 2014

Nebraska boy gets his (make a) wish: flying like Iron Man

http://www.omaha.com/article/20140416/LIVEWELL01/140418707/1685#nebraska-boy-gets-his-wish-flying-like-iron-man

By the Associated Press April 16, 2014

LONE TREE, Colo. (AP) — Seven-year-old Max Vertin has a disease that is weakening his muscles, but not his imagination.

Make-A-Wish Colorado says Max, who loves to pretend to fly like a superhero, soared Tuesday at an indoor skydiving facility near Denver called SkyVenture Colorado. The Hastings, Nebraska boy donned a yellow-and-red Iron Man costume and red helmet and broad smile for his wind tunnel adventure.

Max and his two brothers have Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder that primarily affects boys, often manifesting itself when patients are very young and causing their muscles to slowly deteriorate.

Until recently, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, patients did not survive much beyond their teens, when the disease begins to affect the heart and respiratory muscles. Life expectancy has been increasing because of advances in cardiac and respiratory care.

Photos and video at link.