Welcome to The Easton Eccentric's newest weekly feature! Published every Sunday, "And in Other News" brings you links from around the web that we think may be of interest to our readers in the Easton area.
Whether you love or hate the idea of the city selling the Alpha Building and relocating City Hall, Easton's tallest building isn't the only one likely destined to be repurposed for residential use.
Going to be in NYC any time soon? Dial 1-855-FOR-1993 at any pay phone in Manhattan to hear what it was like on that block 20 years ago. Not sure what the best way to implement it would be, but something along these lines sounds like a great thing for Easton too. "Art-meets-history" maybe?
What's behind the sudden popularity of America's downtowns?
(Thanks, Easton Planning!)
Perhaps it's also this: Urban environments steeped in traditional residential architecture are great places to raise your children. Not a lot of chance of these problems associated with mid-century ultra modernistic architecture happening here, thankfully. (Spoof.)
One in five tax dollars in the City of Easton goes toward paying for pensions, but the problem isn't just a local one. Here's another perspective on what's up with municipal pensions across the country.
(Credit for this one goes to Easton Finance Director Chris Heagele.)
Tax returns are due tomorrow, April 15. But what if you can't pay your taxes? Here's what to do.
Getting back to the home front: Adding insult to injury, those that lost their homes due to banks' foreclosure practices in the last few years are likely to see very little in the way of compensation from the government's largest effort to compensate the victims.
However, at least the relief program for homeowners whose mortgages are underwater to refinance their debt has been extended.
Bed bugs are a problem everywhere, including in the Easton area. Turns out, an old folk method of eliminating bed bugs with kidney bean leaves is quite effective. But since it's not patentable, scientists are trying to create a synthetic version of the technique...with no real success so far.
With school districts being sqeezed, making sure our children get the best education for our tax dollars is more important than ever. Can putting high school students more in charge of their educations improve learning?
But after graduation, it's still tough to find a good paying job, even for well-educated 20-somethings. For some, internships seem permanent.
Of course, that employment thing goes both ways. Here's what not to do if you want the best and the brightest to work for you. (Not a spoof.)
What did one of the wars in the Middle East cost us? "For the Amount Spent on the Iraq War the US Could be Generating 40 to 60 percent of its Electricity with Renewable Energy"
On the health front:
Is this the link between red meat, energy drinks, and heart disease?
Calcium supplementation may not be all it's chalked up to be. (Pun intended.)
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/08/thinking-twice-about-calcium-supplements-2/
Should companies have the right to patent human genes? The Supreme Court will shortly decide this very thing.
On the social front:
Your Twitter account and your followers are probably real, but about 20 million out there very likely are fake.
Facebook has also been invaded by people who are really robots too--and they're really sneaky too.
And, if you use Facebook's new emoticon feature, you may just be gift-wrapping your message for the data-miners.
On the odd and eclectic political front:
The difference between "American Barbie" and "Mexican Barbie" isn't just skin tone or clothes. It's more political than that.
This is why you should never leave a gift camel unattended.
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum puts forth his idea on how to revitalize the Republican party--defund Planned Parenthood. (Yeah, we're pretty confused on how that would help too.)
And finally, this is why we all need more than one news source.\
If you see a story you think others in Easton enjoy or benefit, please let us know. Email us.
If we use it, we'll give you the credit!
Do you like our new feature? Have an idea about how we could make it better, or specific subjects you'd like us to cover? Please, tell us in the comments!
Showing posts with label And in Other News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label And in Other News. Show all posts
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Sunday, April 7, 2013
And in Other News...Sunday, April 7
Welcome to The Easton Eccentric's newest weekly feature! Published every Sunday, "And in Other News" brings you links to news from around the web you may have missed this week.
Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell insists his enthusiastic endorsement of fracking has nothing to do with his undisclosed gas industry ties.
Ah well. A breakthrough in hydrogen extraction from plants could be a big step forward towards making renewable fuels more viable and lessen the need for petro fuels anyway.
Moving on to other fallout from "too-big-to-fail" sorts of operations, the housing crash left quite a mess with the blizzard of foreclosures that it left in its wake, and now the way banks are "cleaning up" that mess is creating another sort of mess.
Terms of service makes it illegal for teenagers to read some online news sources.
Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell insists his enthusiastic endorsement of fracking has nothing to do with his undisclosed gas industry ties.
Ah well. A breakthrough in hydrogen extraction from plants could be a big step forward towards making renewable fuels more viable and lessen the need for petro fuels anyway.
Perhaps more worrisome than the price though, is will the medicines we need will be available when we need them?
But there seems to be no shortage of other meds, which seem to be handed out almost like candy. One in five high school age boys is taking prescribed attention deficit medication. Is ADHD being overdiagnosed?
Of course, it's better not to need medicine if you can help it. Here's a tip. Less salt, more potassium is key to lowering high blood pressure and living longer, experts say.
Feeling stressed, need to heal from a disease or surgery? Getting out into nature can do wonders for that.
While you're taking that walk in the woods, did you ever wonder what makes rain smell so good?
Chalk up yet another benefit of practicing mindfulness meditation - higher test scores.
And yet another one--meditation may make people more compassionate. (Between increased test scores and empathy, perhaps it should be added to the school curriculum?)
Meanwhile, Monsanto strikes another blow in favor of its GMO empire.
Annoyed, or even outraged by the last link? You may not be able to keep them out of the grocery store, but here's how you can keep Monsanto out of your garden.
Of course, it's better not to need medicine if you can help it. Here's a tip. Less salt, more potassium is key to lowering high blood pressure and living longer, experts say.
Feeling stressed, need to heal from a disease or surgery? Getting out into nature can do wonders for that.
While you're taking that walk in the woods, did you ever wonder what makes rain smell so good?
Chalk up yet another benefit of practicing mindfulness meditation - higher test scores.
And yet another one--meditation may make people more compassionate. (Between increased test scores and empathy, perhaps it should be added to the school curriculum?)
Meanwhile, Monsanto strikes another blow in favor of its GMO empire.
Annoyed, or even outraged by the last link? You may not be able to keep them out of the grocery store, but here's how you can keep Monsanto out of your garden.
Moving on to other fallout from "too-big-to-fail" sorts of operations, the housing crash left quite a mess with the blizzard of foreclosures that it left in its wake, and now the way banks are "cleaning up" that mess is creating another sort of mess.
As if there wasn't enough reason to distrust some ultra-big businesses: Corporations' retail theft databases, like the ones used by Target, CVS, and Family Dollar, are rife with inaccuracies, and they're likely costing some innocent people who have worked for there for a pittance their future careers.
Perhaps those databases should not only be scrapped, but HR should hand hiring choices to managers as well.
But there are some other problems with relying on Facebook, particularly if you have an unusual name or share your name with someone famous.
And even more problems, if you happen to sync your Facebook account with your phone, and you're suddenly and permanently banned for no conceivable reason.So, what's next in a world where invasions of privacy are ever-increasing? Maybe these things? (Possibly NSFW. But rather amusing.)
Humans are the only ones who have to worry about privacy. Science has been getting rather voyeuristic with bat watching lately. And it turns out, when bats do it, they do it a lot like humans.
Humans are the only ones who have to worry about privacy. Science has been getting rather voyeuristic with bat watching lately. And it turns out, when bats do it, they do it a lot like humans.
Nicer weather means it's time to break out the barbeque, but there have recently been some changes in the meat world. Will a pork chop by any other name grill as sweetly?
Iraq has been war-torn for decades. So long, in fact, that a lot of people have forgotten that the country was where some rather important Biblical figures, like Abraham, once dwelled. There are some amazing archeological treasures there, just waiting to be found.
In news of news:
In news of news:
"Performance pay" arrives for print journalists--and that isn't necessarily good news.
"Does sponsored content have a labeling problem?"Could this online newspaper model for the future of quality content work in the U.S.?
If you see a story you think others in Easton might enjoy or benefit from, please let us know. Email us. If we use it, we'll give you the credit!"Does sponsored content have a labeling problem?"Could this online newspaper model for the future of quality content work in the U.S.?
Do you like our new feature? Have an idea about how we could make it better, or specific subjects you'd like us to cover? Please, tell us in the comments!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
And in Other News...Sunday, March 31
Welcome to The Easton Eccentric's newest weekly feature! Published every Sunday, "And in Other News" brings you links from around the web that we think our readers may enjoy or find useful.
Finding pertinent information about "West Easton" could suddenly get interesting if Kim Kardashian goes with one preferred baby name--"Easton"--which would make the child's full name be "Easton West".
It's spring, and that means even more scams are out there.
Scams, fraud, and theft aren't just a local thing. No one's safe, not even a Supreme Court Justice.
Looking for a job? Watch out for scammers during your job hunt too...
This organization, however, is no scam, and useful if you're looking for new employment or need to update your training or education to further your career.
Of course, going to school or training for better certifications means taking tests. A (sugar) pill or the equivalent may help you get a better score.
Also, when it comes to boosting academic performance, the arts matter.
Unsurprisingly, better educated parents feed their children better quality foods.
With all the restaurants in Easton and the interest in fresh, high quality, locally produced food, we think this could totally work here.
And, as long as we're on the subject of culinary delights, we might as well include beer. Small craft brewers are asking for a federal tax cut--which would be all the better for Easton's craft brewery operations.
Mixed-use neighborhoods have lower crime rates than purely commercial districts.
(Credit goes to Easton Planning Department for this one--thanks!)
It's been noted that violent crime, at least in Easton, is mostly limited to the segments of the population that get mixed up in dangerous drugs and gang activities. Should gun shot woundings and deaths be treated like a disease?
Turning to a totally different kind of danger, here's one more reason we need to focus on clean, renewable energy production methods--"...the waste produced by coal plants is actually more radioactive than that generated by their nuclear counterparts..."
But some corporations and billionaires may be attempting to influence federal judges.
Here's some random useful and amusing stuff:
If any of the hors d'oevres or prepared snacks you plan on serving this Easter happen to say "Farm Rich" on the box, you might want to hold off on eating them.
Got a catchy pop tune you hate stuck in your head? There's an easy cure for that.
Animals are probably a lot smarter than most people give them credit for.
These lawmakers in Tennessee that got their undies in a bunch over who might be washing their feet in a lavatory mop sink make Pennsylvania's state legislature look positively progressive.
But if that's not odd enough, check this out. Involving a professional hater, a naked 500-pound man, religious masochists, and a tabloid interviewer, this has to be the weirdest Easter-related news story ever.
Happy Easter!
If you see a story you think others in Easton enjoy or benefit, please let us know. Email us. If we use it, we'll give you the credit!
Do you like our new feature? Have an idea about how we could make it better, or specific subjects you'd like us to cover? Please, tell us in the comments!
Finding pertinent information about "West Easton" could suddenly get interesting if Kim Kardashian goes with one preferred baby name--"Easton"--which would make the child's full name be "Easton West".
Scams, fraud, and theft aren't just a local thing. No one's safe, not even a Supreme Court Justice.
Looking for a job? Watch out for scammers during your job hunt too...
This organization, however, is no scam, and useful if you're looking for new employment or need to update your training or education to further your career.
Of course, going to school or training for better certifications means taking tests. A (sugar) pill or the equivalent may help you get a better score.
Also, when it comes to boosting academic performance, the arts matter.
With all the restaurants in Easton and the interest in fresh, high quality, locally produced food, we think this could totally work here.
Mixed-use neighborhoods have lower crime rates than purely commercial districts.
(Credit goes to Easton Planning Department for this one--thanks!)
It's been noted that violent crime, at least in Easton, is mostly limited to the segments of the population that get mixed up in dangerous drugs and gang activities. Should gun shot woundings and deaths be treated like a disease?
Turning to a totally different kind of danger, here's one more reason we need to focus on clean, renewable energy production methods--"...the waste produced by coal plants is actually more radioactive than that generated by their nuclear counterparts..."
But some corporations and billionaires may be attempting to influence federal judges.
Here's some random useful and amusing stuff:
If any of the hors d'oevres or prepared snacks you plan on serving this Easter happen to say "Farm Rich" on the box, you might want to hold off on eating them.
Got a catchy pop tune you hate stuck in your head? There's an easy cure for that.
Animals are probably a lot smarter than most people give them credit for.
But if that's not odd enough, check this out. Involving a professional hater, a naked 500-pound man, religious masochists, and a tabloid interviewer, this has to be the weirdest Easter-related news story ever.
Happy Easter!
If you see a story you think others in Easton enjoy or benefit, please let us know. Email us. If we use it, we'll give you the credit!
Do you like our new feature? Have an idea about how we could make it better, or specific subjects you'd like us to cover? Please, tell us in the comments!
Sunday, March 24, 2013
And in Other News...Sunday, March 24
Welcome to The Easton Eccentric's newest weekly feature! Published every Sunday, "And in Other News" brings you links from bits from around the web that we think may be of interest to our readers in the Easton area.
The new floor for the Crayola Experience on Centre Square will be green...and very colorful, of course.
This local pooch is blind and deaf...and looking for a home.
If you couldn't make it to Marianne Phiffer's workshop at the Bachmann Publick House on natural egg dying, you can still try it at home.
Ever get so mad at the weatherman for getting it wrong, that you feel punishment is in order? Tired of winter already? Some folks in Ohio want to put Punxsatawney Phil on trial for his apparent misprognostication this year and are calling for the death penalty.
There's a big difference between haves and have-nots when it comes to broadband access, not to mention computer literacy, and that translates into disparity when it comes to educational and employment opportunities.
We think this is a great idea for those in the Easton area that want to grow a veggie garden, but have little or no ground to do it...
An interesting perspective from England on the meaning of faith in Jesus, just in time for Easter...
News of news:
This is one of the reasons independent news projects like The Easton Eccentric are important to the local community, we think.
And, yes, The Easton Eccentric needs more ads to prosper and grow, but we promise, we won't succumb to this.
This is why we think there can never be too many news outlets, especially here in Easton...
If you see a story you think others in Easton would benefit from, please let us know. Email us.
If we use it, we'll give you the credit!
Do you like our new feature? Have an idea about how we could make it better, or specific subjects you'd like us to cover? Please, tell us in the comments!
The new floor for the Crayola Experience on Centre Square will be green...and very colorful, of course.
This local pooch is blind and deaf...and looking for a home.
Ever get so mad at the weatherman for getting it wrong, that you feel punishment is in order? Tired of winter already? Some folks in Ohio want to put Punxsatawney Phil on trial for his apparent misprognostication this year and are calling for the death penalty.
There's a big difference between haves and have-nots when it comes to broadband access, not to mention computer literacy, and that translates into disparity when it comes to educational and employment opportunities.
We think this is a great idea for those in the Easton area that want to grow a veggie garden, but have little or no ground to do it...
An interesting perspective from England on the meaning of faith in Jesus, just in time for Easter...
News of news:
This is one of the reasons independent news projects like The Easton Eccentric are important to the local community, we think.
And, yes, The Easton Eccentric needs more ads to prosper and grow, but we promise, we won't succumb to this.
This is why we think there can never be too many news outlets, especially here in Easton...
If you see a story you think others in Easton would benefit from, please let us know. Email us.
If we use it, we'll give you the credit!
Do you like our new feature? Have an idea about how we could make it better, or specific subjects you'd like us to cover? Please, tell us in the comments!
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