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"What's Happening in the USA?""¿Qué Pasa en los Estados Unidos?"
"What's Happening in the World?"
"¿Qué Pasa en el mundo?"
"What's Happening in California?"
“What's Happening in California?”
Price: $5(Our three most recent issues are full price.)
2010-2011
September 2010:
CIF Sets Standards for Metal Baseball Bats
Biography: Susie Woodall, Commissioner Marin County Athletic League
October 2010:
The San Diego Zoo Uncovers a Whale Fossil
Biography: Tom Deméré, Curator of Paleontology San Diego Natural History Museum
November 2010:
The DMV Designs a New License
Biography: Wesley Goo, Chief of Development DMV Licensing Operations
December 2010:
Suisun Bay’s Mothball Fleet is Disappearing
Biography: Saul Bloom, Executive Director Arc Ecology
January 2011:
Local Governments Ban Plastic Bags
Biography: Carol Misseldine, Director Green Cities California
February 2011:
Computer History Museum’s Time Has Come
Biography: Kirsten Tashev, VP Collections/Exhibitions Computer History Museum
March 2011:
Forty Acres Gets its Historic Plaque
Biography: Sergio Guzman, Secretary-Treasurer United Farm Workers of America
April 2011:
Tsunami Warnings Work for Coastal Towns
Biography: Kelly Huston, Assistant Secretary California Emergency Management Agency
May 2011:
Youth Radio Gives Young People a Voice
Biography: Denise Tejada, Production Assistant Youth Radio
June 2011:
The Klamath’s Dams Must Go
Biography: Steve Rothert, CA Regional Director American Rivers
2009-2010
September 2009:
CT Scans Meet Mummy at Fine Arts Museums of SF
Biography: Renée Dreyfus, Ancient Art Curator Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
October 2009:
The Monterey Bay Aquarium Celebrates 25 Years
Biography: Steve Webster, Marine Biologist (Retired) Monterey Bay Aquarium
November 2009:
The Smog Season Ends
Biography: Joe Cassmassi, Planning/Rules Manager So. Coast Air Quality Management District
December 2009:
Route 66 Reaches the Santa Monica Pier
Biography: Jim Conkle, Founder Route 66 Preservation Foundation
January 2010:
UC Gives Honorary Diplomas to Japanese-Americans
Biography: Judy Sakaki, Vice Pres. for Student Affairs University of California
February 2010:
The Law Gets Tough with Paparazzi
Biography: Mark Boster, Staff Photographer Los Angeles Times
March 2010:
Sonoma State Gets Sapling from the Anne Frank Tree
Biography: Elaine Leeder, Dean, Social Studies Sonoma State University
April 2010:
The Salinas River Gets an Inflatable Dam
Biography: Curtis Weeks, General Manager Monterey County Water Resources Agency
May 2010:
The Pony Express Rode 150 Years Ago
Biography: Candise Schmidling, Board of Trustees Pony Express National Museum
June 2010:
A Campaign Saves Cahuenga Peak and the Hollywood Sign
Biography: Paige Rausser, Senior Project Manager Trust for Public Land
2008-2009
September 2008:
America Considers Drilling Offshore
Biography: David Landecker, Executive Director Environmental Defense Center
October 2008:
Berkeley Helps Residents Go Solar
Biography: Nils Moe, Assistant to the Mayor City of Berkeley
November 2008:
California Builds a Telehealth Network
Biography: Janis Dickens, CTN Outreach Coordinator UC Davis Health System
December 2008:
LA Fights the Spread of Billboards
Biography: Dennis Hathaway, President Coalition to Ban Billboard Blight
January 2009:
New Toll Road Cannot Go Through State Park
Biography: Stefanie Sekich, Coordinator Surfrider’s Campaign to Save Trestles
February 2009:
Program Helps Residents Get Bank Accounts
Biography: Tse Ming Tam, Vice President Community Investment, United Way
March 2009:
Angel Island Restores Old Immigration Station
Biography: Dave Matthews, Superintendent Angel Island State Park
April 2009:
Californians Face Water Restrictions
Biography: Mindy McIntyre, Water Program Manager Planning and Conservation League
May 2009:
Salmon Fishing Season Remains Closed
Biography: Chuck Tracy, Salmon Staff Officer Pacific Fishery Management Council
June 2009:
Lick Observatory Gets Planet-Finding Telescope
Biography: Steve Vogt, Astronomy Professor University of California, Santa Cruz
2007-2008
September 2007:
Monterey Jazz Festival Turns Fifty
Biography: Timothy Orr, Marketing Associate,
Monterey Jazz Festival
October 2007:
Marine Life Gets Added Protection
Biography: Kaitilin Gaffney, Central Coast Program Manager, Ocean Conservancy
November 2007:
Lake Davis Fights to Save Trout
Biography: Amber Rossi, Fisheries Biologist,
California Department of Fish and Game
December 2007:
Fire Investigators Look for Clues
Biography: James Palisi, Fire Marshal,
Belmont-San Carlos Fire Department
January 2008:
The Minimum Wage Goes Up
Biography: Jean Ross, Executive Director,
California Budget Project
February 2008:
High Speed Rail Finds Its Way
Biography: Dan Leavitt, Deputy Director,
California High Speed Rail Authority
Proposed Changes to Farmworkers' Visa Program
Biography: Cynthia Rice, Director of Litigation, California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.
April 2008:
Muir Woods Turns 100
Biography: Jim MacDonald, Education Coordinator,
Muir Woods National Monument
May 2008:
Dry Cleaners Switch to a Greener Process
Biography: Peter Sinsheimer, Director,
Pollution Prevention Center, Occidental College
June 2008:
Law Requires Drivers to Use Hands-free Phones
Biography: Joe Simitian, Senator,
State of California, 11th District (Palo Alto)
2006-2007
September 2006:
The Salton Sea Returns to Health
Biography: Dan Cain, Project Manager, Salton Sea Authority
October 2006:
Long Beach’s Port Turns Green
Biography: Jim Hankla, President, Board of Harbor Commissioners
November 2006:
Griffith Observatory Reopens
Biography: Dr. Edwin Krupp, Director, Griffith Observatory
December 2006:
San Francisco’s Christmas Tree Program
Biography: Gloria Chan, Public Information Officer, San Francisco Dept. of the Environment
January 2007:
The Lower Owens River Gets Water From LA
Biography: Carla Scheidlinger, President, Owens Valley Committee
The Getty Museum Looks for Art’s Rightful Owners
Biography: Carrie Menke, Postdoctoral Fellow, Getty Conservation Institute
March 2007:
Overcrowding in the Prisons
Biography: Donald Specter, Director, Prison Law Office
A Historic Fight to Preserve Allensworth
Biography: Victor Carter, President Friends of Allensworth
May 2007:
Bald Eagles Hatch on Catalina Island
Biography: Dr. Peter Sharpe, Director of Bald Eagle Project, Institute for Wildlife Studies
June 2007:
Santa Cruz Boardwalk Celebrates 100 years
Biography: Jimmy Raun-Byberg, Senior Technical Artist Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
2005-2006
September 2005:
The UC System Opens a Campus in Merced
Biography: Miriam Barlow, Assistant Professor, UC Merced School of Natural Sciences
October 2005:
San Jose State Unveils a Statue
Biography: John Carlos, Teacher/Activist/Olympic Champion
November 2005:
Project Open Hand Celebrates Turns Twenty
Biography: Artrese Morrison, Director of Volunteer Services, Project Open Hand
December 2005:
California’s Death Penalty
Biography: Barbara Becnel, Author/Editor; Executive Director of Neighborhood House
January 2006:
Court Blocks Video Game Law
Biography: Mike Antonucci, Popular Culture Writer, San Jose Mercury News
New Species in Caves at Sequoia and Kings Canyon
Biography: Darrell Ubick, Senior Curatorial Assistant, California Academy of Sciences
March 2006:
The First Annual Tour of California
Biography: Ian Sherburne, Bicycle Mechanic
Centennial of the 1906 Earthquake and Fire
Biography: Susan Goldstein, Archivist
May 2006:
Fresh Water Flows into the San Joaquin River
Biography: Dr. Carrie McNeil, Deltakeeper
June 2006:
The Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights
Biography: Cindy Montañez, Assemblywoman
2004-2005
September 2004:
Redding Opens the Sundial Bridge
Biography: Robyn Peterson, Curator of Art, Turtle Bay Exploration Park
October 2004:
A White Shark Goes on Display
Biography: Kevin Weng, Graduate Student, Hopkins Marine Lab of Stanford University
November 2004:
Photos Record California’s Coast
Biography: Kenneth Adelman, Environmental Activist
December 2004:
Bells Line El Camino Real
John Kolstad, Owner, California Bell Company
January 2005:
Recycling E-Waste
Biography: Mark Murray, Executive Director, Californians Against Waste
Oakland Considers Future of Mounted Police Unit
Biography: Chris Saunders, Police Officer, Mounted Unit, Oakland PD
March 2005:
CIF Tackles Steroids
Biography: Marie M. Ishida, Executive Director, California Interscholastic
Federation
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Biography: Glenn Geffcken, Festival of Books Senior Project Manager
May 2005:
Greyhound Eliminates Stops
Biography: Kim Plaskett, Senior Manager of External Communications,
Greyhound Lines Inc.
June 2005:
Santa Cruz Bans Smoking on Its Beaches
Biography: Joel Braga, Beach Maintenance Worker, City of Santa Cruz
2003-2004
September 2003:
SF's Conservatory of Flowers Reopens
Biography: Jim Henrich, Curator, Conservatory of Flowers
October 2003:
Walkers Go Border to Border on Coastal Trail
Biography: Linda Hanes, President, Coastwalk Board
November 2003:
San Onofre Sends Its Reactor Packing
Biography: Jude Posik, Radiological Planner, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station
December 2003:
Bark Beetles Feast on Forests
Biography: Glenn Barley, Forester, CA Dept. of Forestry and Fire Prevention
January 2004:
Breeding Season for Elephant Seals
Biography: Michael Grant, CA State Park Ranger
February 2004:
Monterey Clears a Minefield in Afghanistan
Biography: Nahela Hadi, Executive Director, Adopt-A-Minefield
March 2004:
Cell Phones and Young Drivers
Biography: Debra Bowen, CA Senator, 28th District
April 2004:
California Youth Authority
Biography: Cynthia Florez-DeLyon, Assistant Director, CYA Prevention and Victims Services
May 2004:
Schools in Los Angeles Go "Sweatfree"
Biography: David Tokofsky, School Board Member, LAUSD
June 2004:
San Francisco Bay Reclaims Wetlands
Biography: Marge Kolar, Refuge Complex Manager, SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge
September 2002:
CSU's New Campus Opens
Biography: Richard Rush, President, CSU Channel Islands
October 2002:
Yosemite Rebuilds Half Dome Trail
Biography: Tim Ludington, General Foreman for Roads and Trails, Yosemite National Park
November 2002:
Court Gives Public Access to Beaches
Biography: Linda Locklin, Coastal Access Program Manager, California Coastal Commission
December 2002:
New Helmet Law
Biography: Jonas Lee, Product Planner, PRO-TEC
California Gets Less Water from Colorado River
Biography: Gary Bryant, Manager, Hoover Dam
February 2003:
Coast Guard Gives Away Two Lighthouses
Biography: Carol O’Neil, Historian, Point Sur Light Station
Sacramento’s Tower Bridge Wears New Paint
Biography: Steve Takigawa, Deputy District Director of Maintenance, Caltrans
April 2003:
Design of California’s Commemorative Quarter
Biography: Marie Hayden, Office Assistant, California State Library
May 2003:
LA’s Metro Opens a New Line
Biography: Gerald Francis, General Manager, Metro Rail Operations
June 2003
SF Zoo Copes With State's Budget Crisis
Biography: Deb Cano, Animal Keeper, San Francisco Zoo
2001-2002
September 2001:
CA's Coast Opens to Otters
Biography: Julie Hymer, Stranding Coordinator, Monterey Bay Aquarium
October 2001:
Keeping Lake Tahoe's Water Clean
Biography: Juan Palma, Executive Director, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
November 2001:
Electric Vehicles to LA's Post Office
Biography: James Smith, Postmaster of Los Angeles
December 2001:
New Museum in Chinatown
Biography: Melissa Szeto, Executive Director, Chinese Historic Society of America Museum and Learning Center
Valid ID's for Mexicans
Biography: Marco Alcázar, Consul General of Mexico
February 2002:
100th Anniversary of John Steinbeck's Birth
Biography: Celeste DeWald, Director of Education, National Steinbeck Center
New Highway Exit Signs
Biography: Mark Bewley, Caltrans Transportation Engineer
April 2002:
Re-enactment of Japanese-American Internment
Biography: Mas Hashimoto, Past President, Watsonville-Santa Cruz JACL
May 2002:
Condor Chick Survives in the Wild
Biography: Mike Barth, Wildlife Biologist, Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge
June 2002
Superfund Site Becomes Fresno Sports Park
Biography: Kathi Moore, EPA Environmental Engineer
2000-2001
September 2000:
Beach Ordinances in Laguna Beach
Biography: Mark Klosterman, Chief of Marine Safety
October 2000:
Berkeley's New Skatepark
Biography: Lisa Caronna, Director of Parks and Waterfront
November 2000:
The Death Valley Encampment
Biography: Lee Crosby, Past President, Death Valley '49ers
December 2000:
SFO's New International Terminal
Biography: Ron Wilson, Director of Airport Operations, SFO
January 2001:
California's Electricity Crisis
Biography: Marwan Masri, Manager, Renewable Resources Program, CA Energy Commission
February 2001:
Health Care for Kids in Santa Clara County
Biography: Maríbel Ramirez, Outreach Worker, Gardner Health Center
March 2001:
César Chávez Day
Biography: Julie Chávez Rodríguez, Program Coordinator, César Chávez Foundation
April 2001:
"Violence is Preventable" Program
Biography: Betsy Magdaleno, Coroner's Investigator, County of Los Angeles Dept. of Coroner
May 2001:
The Gray Wolf's Return
Biography: Nancy Weiss, California Species Associate,
Defenders of Wildlife
June 2001:
The Dalai Lama Visits California
Biography: Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet
September 1999:
Coastal Commission's Annual Beach Cleanup Day
Biography: Linda Maraniss, Center for Marine Conservation, Washington, D.C
October 1999:
San Jose's Mexican Heritage Plaza
Biography: John Rialson, Mariachi Youth Program Coordinator
November 1999:
Hector Mine Earthquake Near Twentynine Palms
Biography: Tom Parsons, Geophysicist, U.S. Geological Survey
December 1999:
New Gun Laws for 2000
Biography: Sarah Brady, Chair, Handgun Control Inc.
January 2000:
Cities' Recycling Efforts
Biography: Debra Kaufman, Recycling Program Manager, City of Berkeley
February 2000:
New and Expanded National Monuments
Biography: Leticia Ruiz, Chief of Administration, Pinnacles National Monument
March 2000:
California's Primary Election
Biography: Gail Dryden, President, California League of Women Voters
April 2000:
San Francisco Giants' New Stadium
Biography: Scott MacVicar, Head Groundskeeper
May 2000:
Yosemite Valley Plan
Biography: Jay Watson, Regional Director, Wilderness Society
June 2000:
California's 150th Birthday
Biography: Mary Helmich, Sesquicentennial Director, California State Parks
"What's Happening in the USA?"
Price: December 1993 - November 1998
$5 each
December 1998 - present
$10 each
(Our three most recent issues are full price.)
2010-2011
September 2010:
A.A.’s 75th Anniversary
founders; growth; meetings; anonymity; sponsors; The 12 Steps; alcohol abuse rates; support for members
October 2010:
Disease Puts Bats in Danger
scary reputation; feeding on insects; pollenation; refuge in caves; hibernation; white nose syndrome; death rates
November 2010:
Santa Fe Celebrates 400 Years!
Native Americans; Spaniards; settlement; trade; Santa Fe Trail; railroad; art and architecture; festivities
December 2010:
Automakers Move Toward Electric Cars
GM’s early dominance; “muscle cars”; pollution; fuel prices; hybrid/all-electric cars; Leaf; Volt; Tesla Motors
January 2011:
Audubon’s Society’s Christmas Bird Count
founding of society; first count in 1900; current procedures; protection of species; BP oil spill
February 2011:
School Lunches Get Healthier
history; early federal programs; quality of food; empty calories; adult health issues; new law’s requirements
March 2011:
Supreme Court Looks at Violent Video Games
CA’s law; negative effects on minors; arguments before Court; free speech; video game industry
April 2011:
“How Big Was It?” (History of Seismology)
Japan’s earthquake; early seismology/instruments; Mercalli Scale; Richter Scale; modern measurements
May 2011:
New Mexico Ends Corporal Punishment in Schools
history; forms of punishment; laws in other states; roles of parents; arguments for/against
June 2011:
The Space Shuttle Makes its Final Flight
origins; Cold War; first astronauts; Int’l. Space Station; disasters; Hubble Space Telescope; int’l cooperation
2009-2010
September 2009:
The “Cash for Clunkers” Program
program’s purposes; funding from U.S. government; define “clunker”; requirements on buyer; requirements on dealer; public’s response; popular makes and models; effect on pollution and U.S. economy
October 2009:
Cities Try to Reduce Gang Violence
violence statistics; previous approaches; “Ceasefire” program’s origin; success rates; collecting information; calling in gang members; help to low-level gang members
November 2009:
The American President Wins a Nobel Peace Prize
fields for prizes; Alfred Nobel; founding of prizes; other 2009 candidates; other presidents who won; reasons for Mr. Obama’s selection; praise/criticism of selection; Mr. Obama’s response
December 2009:
”The Simpsons” Makes TV History
longest-running series ever in prime time; FOX Network’s risk; early praise and criticism; comparison of characters to those in 1950s sitcoms; reasons for success; awards
January 2010:
Government Rounds Up Wild Horses
history of horse in North America; killing of horses; ranchers’ fears; protection by gov’t. since 1971; BLM’s plans for new roundup; horses to preserves; opposition
February 2010:
“Downwinders” in Arizona Seek Help
nuclear bomb testing; race for nuclear weapons; Nevada Test Site; radiation; disease/death downwind in surrounding states; compensation by fed. gov’t.
March 2010:
The “Cape Wind” Wind Farm
location of turbines; need for clean energy; opposition to project; “NIMBY”; concerns of Native Americans; delays in project; decision by Secretary of Interior
April 2010:
The 2010 Census
advertising of census; questionnaires; responses; follow-up efforts with non-responders; fears; immigrants; use of information by gov’t.; changes from previous years
May 2010:
U.S. Mint’s “America the Beautiful” Program
history of 25-cent coin; changes in 20th century; 1999 “State Quarters” Program; coins’ designs in new program
June 2010:
The FDA Gains Control of Tobacco
1994 hearings before Congress; secret additives to tobacco; nicotine; quitting smoking; restrictions on smoking in public; smokeless products; ad restrictions; young smokers
2008-2009
September 2008:
College Presidents Look at Alcohol Abuse
legal drinking age of 21; private consumption; MADD; Amethyst Initiative’s national discussion; binge drinking; alcohol education; lowering drinking age to 18
October 2008:
Presidential Election Guarantees Historic Result
candidacies of Sarah Palin and Barack Obama; ; women’s history in politics; Blacks’ history in politics; current numbers of women in office; international attention to this election
November 2008:
Safe Haven Laws for Children
protection for abandoned babies; why mothers/parents abandon babies; laws’ stipulations; Nebraska’s lack of age limit; abandoned teenagers; stresses on young parents
December 2008:
Freedom of Speech Goes Before the Supreme Court
Church of Summum in Utah; desire to erect religious memorial in city park; refusal by Pleasant Grove City; First Amendment guarantees; arguments before the Court; other similar cases
January 2009:
Millions Go to the Inauguration
change from March to January; oath; address; Mr. Obama’s connection to Lincoln; tickets to ceremony; Tuskegee Airmen’s attendance; crowds on National Mall; weather and traffic problems
February 2009:
Concussions Have Long-term Effects
definition of concussion; symptoms; recovery; National Football League’s study; increased risk of future concussions; former players’ problems; brain disease
March 2009:
Barbie’s 50th Birthday
Mattel’s origin; baby boom; first Barbie doll; sales; Barbie’s professions; criticism of unrealistic body shape; girls’ body image; Barbie’s place in toy history
April 2009:
Newspapers Face Tough Times
history; newspapers in early US; falling profits; closure of Seattle Post-Intelligencer; other closures; cutting costs reduces quality; role of local papers; competition from Internet
May 2009:
Court in Florida Gives Saggy Pants a Lift
2007-2008
September 2007:
The Opportunity NYC Program
poverty in New York City; developing responsible behaviors; Mexico’s program; cash to parents for visits to doctors, schools; cash to children; cash to single adults
October 2007:
50th Anniversary of Integration at Little Rock’s Central HS
segregated schools; integration of public services in Little Rock; governor’s stance; President Eisenhower’s stance; troops and police; TV’s role in integration; “Little Rock Nine”
November 2007:
Philadelphia’s “10,000 Men” Hit the Streets
murder rate; Black community’s concerns; plan to put 10,000 men on streets; benefits to high-crime neighborhoods; peacekeeping patrols
December 2007:
Doping in Sports
fair competition; stimulants; steroids; health risks; Balco; Marion Jones; Barry Bonds; Floyd Landis; Slipstream-Chipotle cycling's testing program; damage to reputation
January 2008:
New Jersey Abolishes the Death Penalty
NJ study commission’s findings; deterrence; costs; effect on victims’ families; innocent people on death rows in U.S.; opinion polls; lethal injection; “cruel and unusual punishment”
February 2008:
The GRAMMY Turns Fifty
origin of award; Recording Academy; first ceremony in 1958; rock & roll; nomination process; categories; GRAMMY Hall of Fame
March 2008:
Space Junk
kinds of objects in orbit; danger to spacecraft; volume of junk; life span of satellites; China's and USA's shooting down of satellites
April 2008:
The Second Amendment Goes to Court
Amendment’s text; history of rulings; D.C.’s gun law; current case; individual/collective right to bear arms; handguns at center of debate
May 2008:
The Newseum Opens in D.C.
location and architecture; galleries; history of newspapers; interactive exhibits
June 2008:
The Great Lakes Compact
lakes’ formation; flow and sources of water; demand for water; causes of low water levels; Compact’s provisions to conserve water and protect environment
2006-2007
September 2006:
Courts Protect Americans from Wiretapping
limits on electronic surveillance; past abuses; uses; Bush administration’s wiretapping; court order to stop
October 2006:
The Embargo Against Cuba
American investments in Cuba; Castro’s rise; 1962 embargo; suffering of Cubans; votes to end embargo; loopholes for doing business
November 2006:
U.S. Population Hits 300,000
how Census Bureau calculates growth; “baby boom”; why populations grow; immigration; regional growth; environmental impact
December 2006:
Votes to Make English the Official Language
reasons for an official language; places that have it; newly passed laws and ordinances; immigrants
January 2007:
Alaska’s Polar Bears Need Protection
Fish and Wildlife’s announcement; Endangered Species Act; destruction of habitat; global warming
The Harlem Globetrotters Turn Eighty
team’s origin; wins over Minneapolis Lakers; integration of NBA; Hall of Fame; current focus on basketball
March 2007:
Changes to Daylight Saving Time
origin in WWI; U.S. use of daylight saving; AZ, HI, IA; saving energy; changes in dates
Honeybee Colonies Collapse
pollination; monoculture farming; hives on farms; theories about “colony collapse disorder”; danger to agriculture
May 2007:
“Paper or Plastic?”
environmental impacts; SF’s new program for biodegradable bags; recycling; canvas bags
June 2007:
Jamestown Gets a Closer Look on 400th Anniversary
profit motives; drought; disease; abuse of Indians; tobacco; slaves; “commemoration,” not “celebration”
2005-2006
September 2005:
Mt. Rushmore Gets Its First Bath
history of monument; its construction; need to wash and repair granite; cleaning process
October 2005:
FEMA and Hurricane Katrina
FEMA’s job; warnings of danger to Gulf Coast; simulation “Hurricane Pam”; what FEMA knew before Katrina
November 2005:
Rare Vacancies on Supreme Court
how vacancies occurred; selection process; diversity
December 2005:
300th Anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s Birth
arrival in Philadelphia; accomplishments; celebration of birthday in Philadelphia and U.S.s
January 2006:
NCAA Seeks Nickname Changes
offensive nicknames and logos; appeals by some schools; new policy’s penalties; political correctness
February 2006:
Illegal Immigration Across the Mexican Border
numbers of immigrants; effect on job market and economy; costs to states; patrols; fence
March 2006:
Skyscrapers Turn Lights Out for Migrating Birds
flyways; migrations at night; confusion caused by lights and glass; “Lights Out” programs in NY and Chicago
April 2006:
MySpace
musical origin; alternative to public meeting spaces; growth of site; dangers; safety
May 2006:
Oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
gasoline prices; description of ANWR; oil deposits; “footprints” from drilling; arguments for/against drilling
June 2006:
Removing Soft Drinks from Schools
new agreement with soda companies; weight and obesity problems; diet; advertising at schools and on TV
2004-2005
September 2004:
Hurricane Charley Hits Florida
characteristics of hurricanes; National Hurricane Center; warnings; categories; damage; aid
October 2004:
Voting Machines
problems in 2000; voting systems in U.S.; optical scammers; touch-screens
November 2004:
Mount St. Helens Rumbles Again
Cascade Range; 1980 eruption; other volcanoes; causes of eruptions; geologists’ monitoring of activity
December 2004:
Oil Spills into Delaware River
this accident; clean-up techniques; effect on environment; oil tanker construction; Exxon Valdez; other sources of oil pollution
January 2005:
Montana’s Bison Hunt
bison populations; Yellowstone’s herd; brucellosis; cattle industry’ concerns; history of hunts 1985-91; protests; 2005
hunt; alternatives
February 2005:
Special Olympics
origin; growth of Games; oath; socialization; athletes’ health
March 2005:
Tasers
how they work; effects on victims; advantages to police; appropriate/inappropriate use; appeals for restricted use
April 2005:
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Lincoln; other presidential libraries; collections and exhibits in Springfield; opening celebration
May 2005:
New Programs for Homeless
causes of homelessness; housing costs; temporarily/chronically homeless; laws; shelters; new programs
June 2005:
Discovery of New Dinosaur
importance as missing link; site in Utah; diet; migrations;
discovery by fossil dealer; exhibit
2003-2004
September 2003:
40th Anniversary of the March on Washington
1963's march; MLK's speech; new inscription on steps of Lincoln Memorial; 2003's ceremonies; disparities in income, education and health; affirmative action; voter registration
October 2003:
The "Do Not Call" Registry
Telemarketers; states’ "Do Not Call" lists; national registry; restrictions; exceptions
November 2003:
The Navy Curtails Its Use of Sonar
Sonar; effect on marine mammals; theories about strandings; Navy’s agreement with environmentalists
December 2003:
America Celebrates the Wright Brothers
100th anniversary; “jumps” and flights; airplane design; controlled flight; 2003's ceremonies and commemorations
January 2004:
Courts Define Rights for Guantanamo's Prisoners
History of naval base; prisoners post-September 11; “unlawful combatants”; court rulings; Supreme Court’s hearing in 2004
February 2004:
Guest Worker Program
Need for foreign workers; illegal immigrants; dangers in crossing border illegally; coyotes; Humane Borders; advantages of guest worker program
March 2004:
Organ Donation
Wisconsin’s tax breaks; need for organs; organs from deceased and living donors; getting organs to patients
April 2004:
Amending the Constitution
Congressional approval; ratification by states; six amendments not ratified, including Slavery, Child Labor, Equal Rights and D.C. Voting Rights Amendments; recent proposals about prayer in schools, flag burning, "under God," and marriage.
May 2004:
New WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Location and design; opposition; dedication ceremony; remaining WWII veterans
June 2004:
New Investiagation of Emmett Till’s Murder
His murder; trial; killers’ later admission; influence on Civil Rights Movement; new info in recent documentary films; decision to reopen the case
2002-2003
September 2002:
West Nile Virus
Vaccines; carriers; symptoms; protection; cases in U.S.; spread across country
October 2002:
Opening of New Basketball Hall of Fame
Dr. Naismith's invention; opening ceremony; earlier halls of fame; architecture; exhibits
November 2002:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Turns Twenty
Vietnam War; Maya Lin's design; visitors to the memorial; the "Traveling Wall" replica; reading of names at ceremony
December 2002:
New York City's Plan to Reduce Noise
Complaints; "Operation Silent Night"; sources of noise; decibel levels; medical problems
January 2003:
25 Years of Alaska’s Pipeline
Discovery of oil; pipeline’s construction; flow of oil; environmental issues; Permanent Fund
February 2003:
America Remembers Lewis and Clark
Thomas Jefferson; Louisiana Territory; expedition’s purpose and successes; events commemorating anniversary
March 2003:
Protests at Masters Golf Tournament
Plea for women members; rights of private clubs; economic pressures; responses to plea; planned protests
April 2003:
Pledge’s "Under God" Goes to Supreme Court
Lawsuit; decision by 9th Circuit Court; origin of phrase; Supreme Court’s previous decisions; separation of church and state
May 2003:
EPA Goes After Dirty Diesels
Pollution from off-road diesels; EPA’s proposal; health and economic benefits; ports; biodiesel; responses to proposal
June 2003
Ford Celebrates 100 Years
Henry Ford; Model T; assembly line; Edsel and Mustang; 2003 celebration
2001-2002
September 2001:
40th Anniversary of Peace Corps
Origin; volunteers; goals; image; changes; celebrations
October 2001:
National Transportation Safety Board
Purpose; methods; involvement with September 11; help to families; work with local authorities; recommendations
November 2001:
Hiking's Triple Crown
Origin of National Scenic Trails; Brian Robinson's route; Pacific Crest Trail; Continental Divide Trail; Appalachian Trail
December 2001:
Artificial Heart Implants
History; design; patients; "assist devices"; advantages over transplants
January 2002:
Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City
History of Winter Games; benefits to host city; scandal; post-September 11 security; Olympic flame
February 2002:
Hubble Space Telescope
Launch; purpose; blurred mirror; servicing missions; images and information; new understanding of universe; successors
March 2002:
Nuclear Waste Storage at Yucca Mountain
Need for storage site; dangers; construction of site; current storage; Nevada's objections
April 2002:
West Point Turns 200
Role in Revolutionary War; engineering school; acceptance to West Point; training; bicentennial celebration
May 2002:
Oregon's Death With Dignity Law
History of law; stipulations in law; doctor's responsibility; opponents' and proponents' views; ruling upholding law
June 2002:
Drought Conditions in U.S.
Definition of drought; temperatures and rainfall; ways to save water; NYC; effect on farming and nature; Rio Grande
2000-2001
September 2000:
Fires in the West
How fires start; benefits of fires; U.S. Forest Service; dangers of dense growth; thinning forests; homes; firefighters' work
October 2000:
The Debates
Formats of three debates; Lincoln-Douglas; debates on radio and TV; Nixon-Kennedy; third parties
November 2000:
Astronauts Go to International Space Station
Construction of ISS; Mir; crew members; moving in; experiments; effects of space on humans; Mars
December 2000:
Presidents Clinton Visits Vietnam
Vietnam War; agreements; MIAs; sharing military info; locating remains; identifying remains
January 2001:
High-Speed Trains
Amtrak; trains' features; schedules; costs; future service
February 2001:
Sundance Film Festival
Origin; independent films; documentaries; this year's festival; Hollywood; digital equipment
March 2001:
Napster
Copyright laws; Napster's software; users; musicians; charges against Napster; court decisions
April 2001:
Arbor Day
National symbols; Nat'l. Arbor Day Foundation; vote for nat'l. tree; history of Arbor Day; Tree City USA
May 2001:
Racial Profiling
Origin and definition of term; riots in Cincinnati; history of racial
profiling; changes made by police; laws
June 2001:
Grand Canyon Star Party
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association; sky at Grand Canyon; history of star
party; activities at South Rim
1999-2000
September 1999:
Y2K
Computer problems; social impact; preventive measures; U.S. government
systems; impact on business/daily life
October 1999:
Smithsonian's New National Museum of the American Indian
National Mall; NMAI's history; collections/exhibits; museum's architecture;
groundbreaking ceremony
November 1999:
NAACP's Economic Boycott of South Carolina
Civil War; rebel flag; NAACP; civil rights movement; arguments for/against
flag
December 1999:
Arizona's Newest State Park (Kartchner Caverns)
Caves' discovery; rock formations and caves; sale to Arizona; development and protection
January 2000:
The Census
U.S. Census history; methods; problems; workers; 1990 Census; representation/money
February 2000:
Citizenship for Elián Gonzalez
Citizenship's meaning; U.S. Congress' role; dispute over E.G.; INS
March 2000:
Illinois' Suspension of Executions
Recent history of death penalty; innocent inmates; Gov. Ryan's decision; students
at Northwestern University; poor legal defense
April 2000:
Portland's Car Sharing Program
Members' needs; membership requirements; program's origin; similar programs
May 2000:
Prayer in Public Schools
First Amendment; Texas' current case in Supreme Court; history of Court's decisions; separation of Church and State
June 2000:
Washington Monument's Renovation
Construction; damage; phases of renovation
1998-1999
September 1998:
California's New Driver's Licensing Laws
Teenagers' accident rates; graduated licensing; California's new law; Maryland's law
October 1998:
John Glenn
1962 flight; space race; 1998 flight; tests; NASA
November 1998:
Equal Rights Amendment
Votes in Florida and Iowa; women's rights; ERA history; wages; women in politics
December 1998:
Digital Television
Analog broadcasting; improved quality; networks and TV stations; costs
January 1999:
States' Suits vs. Tobacco Industry
Higher prices; settlements; advertising; lower smoking rates
February 1999:
The U.S. Mint's New 25¢ Pieces
Mint's history; new 10-year program; U.S. coins
March 1999:
100th Anniversary of Duke Ellington's Birth
History of jazz; slavery; the Great Migration; radio and record player; Duke Ellington's career
April 1999:
Mormon Church's Genealogical Records on Internet
Church history; Mormons' genealogy; computers and data; advantages to researchers
May 1999:
Refugees from Kosovo to the U.S.
War in Yugoslavia; ethnic cleansing; relief efforts; U.S. history with refugees; new arrivals
June 1999:
Women's World Cup Soccer
Tournament history; 1999 teams; increased fans; popularity of soccer among women and girls; injuries; American team
1997-1998
September 1997:
Landmines
Ottawa Process; kinds of mines; damage to civilians; mapping and removal; ban; meeting in Oslo
October 1997:
Indian Mascots
LAUSD's decision; choice of new mascots; tradition; stereotypes; college and pro teams
November 1997:
Boston's Subway
Construction in 1897; traffic problems then; other subways; current service
December 1997:
Credit Cards
Average American's use; companies' profits; controlling spending; promotion; bankruptcy
January 1998:
High School Drug Testing
Testing non-athletes; athletes; methods; parents; court cases
February 1998:
Casey Martin vs. PGA
C. Martin's disease; carts; Americans With Disabilities Act; PGA's response
March 1998:
Academy Awards
History of film; growth of industry; Oscars; television; film preservation; ceremony;
April 1998:
Puerto Rico's Future
History with U.S.; current status; previous votes on status; choices in current vote; status in Caribbean
May 1998:
Sierra Club and Immigration
Overpopulation; immigration; environmental damage; vote by membership
June 1998:
Nike's Factories
Nike's marketing; conditions in Asian factories; announced changes; child labor laws
1996-1997
September 1996:
Minimum Wage
Wage increase; effects on employers; unskilled labor; labor laws; working poor
October 1996:
Third-party Presidential Candidates
Two-party system; growth of third parties; candidates; debates
November 1996:
"Galileo" Explores Jupiter
Discovery of Jupiter; Galileo's design and mission; water and life
December 1996:
Liquor Ads on TV
Prohibition; new ads; pros and cons
January 1997:
National Parks
National Park Service history; pollution; increased fees; preservation; visitors
February 1997:
Women at the Citadel
Supreme Court ruling; Shannon Faulkner; protests; women at military academies; harassment
March 1997:
Jackie Robinson
50th anniversary; early career; baseball's tribute
April 1997:
Linda Finch Completes A. Earhart's Flight
Linda Finch's flight; Amelia Earhart's route; equipment
May 1997:
The Library of Congress Celebrates a Birthday
LOC's history; Thos. Jefferson Building's 100th anniversary; holdings; research; visitors
June 1997:
Help to Flood Victims
Red River's flooding; relief organizations; damage; shelters; clean-up; donations; federal government's role
1995-1996
September 1995:
Women's Right to Vote
19th Amendment; suffrage movement; Susan B. Anthony; women's role in politics
October 1995:
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Cleveland; design and exhibits; recording industry; early rock artists; induction ceremony
November 1995:
Million Man March
Purpose of march; perception of Black males; Louis Farrakhan; speakers; attendees
December 1995:
Maximum Speed Limit
55 mph limit; energy crisis; safety measures; individual states; federal government's role
January 1996:
Baboon Marrow Transplant
Jeff Getty; baboon's reisistance to HIV; transplant history; risks; FDA; standard treatment of AIDS; expense
February 1996:
Electric Cars
General Motors' plans; laws; pollution; costs; features of EV's
March 1996:
U.S. Relationship with Cuba
Fidel Castro; refugees; U.S. embargo; Castro's visit to U.N.; downing of private airplanes
April 1996:
The New $100 Bill
Counterfeiting; history of paper money; new bill's features
May 1996:
The Right to Die
Aging population; Jack Kevorkian's methods; trials; assisted suicide; laws in U.S. and abroad
June 1996:
The Atlanta Olympics
History of Games; TV's influence; politics; IOC; profits; Atlanta's Games
1994-1995
September 1994:
The Guardian Angels
Origin in NY; relationship with police; growth; uniforms; training
October 1994:
The Baseball Strike
Cancellation of World Series; history as business; players' union; free agency; previous strikes
November 1994:
O.J. Simpson and the Death Penalty
O.J. Simpson's trial; reinstatement by Supreme court; methods; arguments pro and con; typical prisoner on death row
December 1994:
Proposition 187
History of immigration; CA's immigrant population; education; health benefits; legal challenges
January 1995:
U.S. Postal Service
First-class price increase; new stamps; competition; delivery volume; improvements
February 1995:
Smithsonian's Enola Gay Exhibit
End of WWII; exhibit; protests; moral issues
March 1995:
Denver's New Airport
Hub-and-spoke routes; Stapleton Airport; new airport's design; delays; costs
April 1995:
U.S. and Russia Together on Mir
Dr. Norman Thagard; Mir's history; experiments
May 1995:
Terrorist Attack in Oklahoma City
Victims; Timothy McVeigh; terrorism; FBI; freedom of speech
June 1995:
Curfews
Crime rates; curfew hours; fines; legality; discrimination; results; alternative programs
1993-1994
December 1993:
The Brady Bill
Assassination attempt on R. Reagan; Jim and Sarah Brady; NRA; stipulations of bill
January 1994:
The LA Earthquake
Deaths and damage; rescue; aid; utilities; aftershocks
February 1994:
Smoking
Bans in public places; Surgeon General; deaths and illness; advertising; addiction
March 1994:
The Iditarod
Route; history; evolution of race; equipment; rules; dangers
April 1994:
Nixon's Death
Cause of death; career; Watergate; foreign affairs; TV; funeral services
May 1994:
Earth Day
Events; history; changes in environmental awareness
June 1994:
The World Cup
Origin; champions; world wars; Pelé; tournament structure; game locations; profits
"What's Happening in the World?"
Price: $10 each
(Our three most recent issues are full price.)
2010-2011
September 2010:
France Wants to Ban Women’s Veils
Muslim population; burqa and niqab; religious expression; proposed ban; women’s equality; opponents of bill
October 2010:
Delhi Expands Its Subway System
village life; growth of cities; overcrowding; Delhi’s traffic; pollution; subway’s construction; green technology
November 2010:
A Road Threatens the Serengeti
protection of lions; location; variety of animals; wildebeest; zebras; national park; proposed truck route
December 2010:
Altamira Cave Reopens to Visitors
discovery in 1868; cave paintings; revelations about early humans; rooms/passages; damage to paintings; reopening
January 2011:
Astronomers Search With New Tools
new planets; planets like Earth; Keck I Telescope; Hubble; Lick Observatory; ALMA in Chile; Gemini Observatory
February 2011:
Repairs Begin on Egypt’s First Pyramid
tombs before pyramids; Pyramid of Djoser; damage from earthquake; stone construction; methods to repair
March 2011:
Al Jazeera’s Role in Democratic Movements
station’s origin; contrast to gov’t media; open discussions; spread of broadcasts; protests in No. Africa/Middle East
April 2011:
25th Anniversary of Disaster at Chernobyl
towns in vicinity; cause of explosion; radiation; deaths and illness; “exclusion zone”; Fukushima plant’s leaks
May 2011:
Cleaning Up Litter on Mt. Everest
early expeditions to peak; trash; oxygen canisters/ropes/ tents; “death zone”; bodies; clean-up expeditions
June 2011:
Sharks Find Themselves in Danger
reproduction rate; causes of death; loss of habitat; longlines; finning; shark fin soup; bans on soup/finning
2009-2010
September 2009:
Australian Town Bans Bottled Water
Bundanoon’s location; local aquifers; company’s intention to build plant, truck water away; vote by residents; growth of bottled water industry; toxins from plastic bottles; bottling of tap water; campaigns other places
October 2009:
Te Aviv Turns 100
Palestine’s importance to Christians, Muslims, Jews; city’s founding; immigrants form Germany, Soviet Union; Israel’s nationhood; connection to Jaffa; centennial celebrations
November 2009:
A Billion People Go Hungry Worldwide
UN’s report; hunger’s impact on children; related illnesses; decrease in aid to poor nations; world economic crisis; agribusiness; drought/HIV/war/overpopulation
December 2009:
Okinawa Remains a Source of Tension
location; history as part of Japan; number of American military bases; Futenma Air Station; problems for Okinawans; governments’ agreements and promises; protests
January 2010:
Australia Apologizes for Role in Migrant Children Program
history of sending migrant children overseas; conditions in Britain; abusive conditions overseas; lies to parents and children; Mr. Rudd’s apology; response to apology
February 2010:
Vancouver Hosts the Winter Olympics
history of Games; participating nations; Olympic torch relay; venues; women’s ski jumping controversy; scholarships
March 2010:
Haiti’s Children Are Suffering After Earthquake
poverty; disease; medical aid after earthquake; orphans; trafficking
April 2010:
India’s Competition to Build a Coconut-picking Machine
coconut palm trees; human pickers; caste system; improvements in Kerala; shortage of pickers; coconut production; uses of coconut; design competition for machine
May 2010:
Great Barrier Reef Struggles to Survive
location; protection as marine park; coral; marine life at Reef; dangers to Reef; shipping lanes; current oil spill; clean-up
June 2010:
South Africa Hosts Soccer’s World Cup
participating nations; apartheid in South Africa; Nelson Mandela; democracy; Black/White differences today; 2010 tournament
2008-2009
September 2008:
Garbage Crisis in Naples
lack of recycling and proper landfills; garbage on streets; sending garbage to Germany; Germany’s waste management; Hamburg’s program; mafia’s control of garbage industry; costs to fix problem
October 2008:
Europe Cuts Emissions from Cars
greenhouse gases; failure of voluntary reductions; new proposal by European Union; ways to improve efficiency; fines and deadlines; Japan’s success; Automotive X Prize
November 2008:
Families of Missing Persons Get Help
Iran-Iraq War’s victims; Red Cross; gathering information on missing persons; identifying remains; contacting families; suffering of families; agreement for Iran and Iraq to share information
December 2008:
Bike Sharing Programs
traffic problems in cities; history of programs; Paris’s program; membership costs; high-tech improvements; Washington, D.C.’s program; Montreal’s green program
January 2009:
Bhutan Approaches Things Differently
history; kings of 20th century; simple life-style; isolation; opening to outside world; Gross National Happiness; change to democracy
February 2009:
Global Zero Launches Its Campaign
bombing of Japan; current nuclear powers; number of weapons worldwide; Global Zero’s declaration; steps toward elimination of weapons; staying at zero
March 2009:
Somalia’s Pirates
1991 overthrow of Somalia’s government; fishing industry; fishermen “coast guards”; hijacking U.N. ships; pirates’ weapons/equipment; ransoms; hostages; int’l. response
April 2009:
Outlook for Right Whales Improves
current population; physical features; habitat; hunting; int’l. protection; collisions with ships; new regulations in shipping lanes; entanglement in fishing lines; protection
May 2009:
U.S. and Cuba Consider a New Relationship
relationship before revolution; Cold War; economic embargo; travel/remittance restrictions; Castro’s 50 years; Raul Castro; changes announced by Pres. Obama
2007-2008
September 2007:
The International Slavery Museum Opens in Liverpool
European slave trade; trading goods for slaves; port of Liverpool; museum’s exhibits; resistance by slaves; abolition movement; slavery today
October 2007:
Countries Race to Claim the Arctic
melting polar ice; newly navigable waters; oil and gas reserves; rights to coastal waters; Lomonosov Ridge; Northwest Passage; environmental concerns
November 2007:
The Torture of Prisoners
Hague Convention; Geneva Conventions; U.N. Convention Against Torture; Guantánamo’s prison; “torture memos” from gov’t.; U.S. position; damage to reputation
December 2007:
Flooding in Tabasco
reasons for flooding; dangers to residents; disease; rebuilding lives
January 2008:
The U.N. Climate Change Conference in Bali
Kyoto Protocol; IPCC’s reports on climate change; Nobel Peace Prize to IPCC and Al Gore; Bali’s “roadmap”
February 2008:
Venice Builds a Barrier Against the Sea
islands; tides; channels; flooding; damage to buildings; sinking of city; global warming; 1966 flood; the MOSE project; mobile barriers
March 2008:
Australia Apologizes to Aborigines
Aboriginal culture and population; mixed-race children; removing children from communities; “Stolen Generations”; 1997 report of abuses; apology by prime minister
April 2008:
Plastic Swirls in the Pacific Ocean
Northern Pacific Gyre’s discovery, location and size; currents; plastic items in gyre; effect on sea life; origins of plastic items
May 2008:
Worldwide Grain Shortages
disappearing grain reserves; water shortages; fuel costs; population increases; changing diets; biofuels; riots over shortages and prices
June 2008:
The Olympics Go to China
Chinese Olympic history; preparations in Beijing; pollution; torch relay; protests; Tibet; Sudan; role of politics in Olympics
2006-2007
September 2006:
The International AIDS Conference
attendees; lack of treatment in poor nations; costs; prevention programs; B. Clinton/B. Gates; new research
October 2006:
Darfur
civil war; race and religion; violence since 2003; destruction/deaths/refugees; aid; peacekeepers
November 2006:
“Banker of the Poor” Wins Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel prizes; founding of bank; helping the poor; “village phone” program; “micro-credit”
December 2006:
Panama Expands the Canal
canal’s construction; locks; need to serve larger ships; new project to widen canal; traffic; profits
January 2007:
Kofi Annan’s Time Ends at UN
early career; election process; influence of Security Council; human rights record; opposition to war in Iraq
February 2007:
International Polar Year
history of polar study; three previous IPY’s; first IPY to research global warming; this year’s goals
March 2007:
New Discoveries at Stonehenge
Stonehenge’s blocks; religious meaning; solstices; village at Durrington Walls; connection to Stonehenge
April 2007:
A Wall Across Cyprus Falls
“Green Line”; Greeks and Turks on Cyprus; reason for wall; current economic/political situation; hopes for unity
May 2007:
Sao Paolo Bans Outdoor Advertising
visual pollution; ban on billboards/fliers/signs; legal challenges; benefits on residents
June 2007:
A Seed Bank Opens to the World
characteristics of vault in Arctic Norway; seeds to rebuild agriculture after local/global disasters; security at vault
2005-2006
September 2005:
Debt Relief to Poor Nations
extreme poverty; “Make Poverty History” campaign; Live8 concerts; Bono; how to define poverty
October 2005:
Turkey’s Massacre of Armenians
first public discussions; attacks 1894-1917; genocide; pressure from European Union; potential EU membership
November 2005:
Archaeologists Find 4,000-Year-Old Noodles in China
location of village; other items buried there; preservation of noodles; millet and wheat; Neolithic Period
December 2005:
Butterflies’ Migration to Mexico
route and duration of migration; monarchs’ destination; how they navigate; dangers; logging; tourism
January 2006:
Drought in the Amazon
extreme weather in 2005; Amazon basin’s water supply; effect on villages; disease; global warming; fires
February 2006:
Winter Olympics in Turin
competition sites; growth of Games; snowboarding; curling; biathlon; luge; drug testing; medals’ design
March 2006:
Succession to Japan’s Throne
law prohibiting women; male line of emperors; no male heirs since 1965; proposed law; Princess Kiko’s pregnancy
April 2006:
Nigeria’s Census
need for census; questions on census; past failures; new technology; difficulties; benefits to country
May 2006:
Child Slave Labor in Chocolate Industry
chocolate’s history; child labor; Ivory Coast; abuses; agreement by companies; “fair trade” products
June 2006:
World Cup Soccer
tournament’s origin; qualifying; new teams; awards; giant TV screens; FIFA rules against racism; security
2004-2005
September 2004:
Restoration of Michelangelo’s David
(500th anniversary; Renaissance; the sculpture; damage; restoration methods; pros and cons of restoration)
October 2004:
Polio Nears the End
spread of disease; symptoms; damage; vaccines from Salk and Sabin; WHO’s efforts; Nigeria; hope for eradication
November 2004:
Brazil Takes Guns out of Circulation
killing rates; demands for gun control; registration; new law; money-for-guns program’s success; corrupt police
December 2004:
Doctors Without Borders Withdraws from Iraq
DWB’s origin; growth of organization; Nobel Peace Prize; setting up operations; dangers to workers
January 2005:
Proposal for a New Calendar
ancient calendars; lunar calendars; Julian and Gregorian calendars; current traditional calendars; new proposal
February 2005:
Survivors of Tsunami Need Clean Water
destruction of sources of clean water; tanker trucks; water purification units; long-term sources; risk of disease
March 2005:
Kyoto Protocol Becomes Law
greenhouse effect; ratification process; obligations of developed /developing countries; “trading” emissions; climate change
April 2005:
Avian Flu Spreads
how it spreads; signs of outbreak; farms in Southeast Asia; human-to-human spread; symptoms; other flu epidemics
May 2005:
Ancient Obelisk Returns to Ethiopia
ancient kingdom at Aksum; Italy’s invasions of Ethiopia; obelisks; transport; celebrations
June 2005:
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
WWII; treaty’s history and provisions; nuclear powers; inspections by IAEA; North Korea; “Six-Party Talks”; Iran; reasons for wanting nuclear weapon
2003-2004
September 2003:
Train Lines Connect Both Koreas
Korean War; demilitarized zone; relations between North and South; new railways; China
October 2003:
The Concorde Flies for the Last Time
Routes; SST's features; speed records; financial problems; fate of remaining planes
November 2003:
Water Returns to Iraq's Marshes
History of marshes; marsh Arabs (Madan); Saddam Hussein's draining of marshes; effect on people and environment; rehabilitation
December 2003:
Another Cease-Fire Calms Kashmir
1947 independence for India and Pakistan; religion; previous wars; "Line of Control"; current relations
January 2004:
International Voyages to Mars
Conditions on Mars; signs of water; previous missions; current missions from Japan, Europe, US; landers tasks
February 2004:
Israel's Wall
Palestine; Arab and Jewish states; West Bank; violence; wall’s location and effect; "road map for peace"
March 2004:
Cloning by South Korean Doctors
First cloned human embryos; doctors’ previous work; cloning process; stem cells; potential cures
April 2004:
Ireland Bans Smoking in Pubs
Smoke-free areas; opposition to ban; enforcement; health risks of passive smoking; smoking in other European nations
May 2004:
The European Union Expands
New members; history of EU; economic effect of expansion; immigration
2002-2003
September 2002:
Zimbabwe Orders Whites to Give Up Farms
Colonial roots; war for independence; Robert Mugabe's political life; land reform; drought; Whites' response
October 2002:
China Changes Stance on AIDS
Spread through blood banks; infection rates; AIDS education; arrest of Dr. Wan Yanhai; spread of HIV; generic drugs
November 2002:
Spain Digs Up Mass Graves
Civil War; Gen. Franco; Assoc. for Recovery of Historical Memory; grave sites; identifying victims; truth commission
December 2002:
Permission to African Countries to Sell Ivory
Ban on trade since 1989; elephant population; poaching; conditions of one-time sale; wildlife programs
January 2003:
New Satellite Measures Antarctica’s Ice Sheets
Density of ice; satellite’s equipment; measuring clouds, land, ice; global warming; sea levels
February 2003:
International Laws Protect Victims of War
Meeting to update Geneva Conventions; International Red Cross; distinguishing civilians from soldiers in civil wars; terrorism; prisoners at Guantanamo Bay
March 2003:
China’s Three Gorges Dam
Yangtze River; electricity; flood control; destruction of towns; displacement of citizens; water pollution; tourism
April 2003:
SARS
Spread in Asia and Canada; symptoms; numbers of cases; how virus spreads; prevention measures
May 2003:
50th Anniversary of First Climb Up Mt. Everest
E. Hillary and T. Norgay; first attempts; Sherpas; dangers; trash; events commemorating anniversary
June 2003:
World Health Organization’s Tobacco Control Treaty
Members of WHO; tobacco-related disease; provisions of treaty; objections; approval process by countries
2001-2002
September 2001:
World Conference Against Racism
Previous conferences; apartheid; Israel/Palestinians; reparations for
slavery; U.S. withdrawal; migrants and refugees
October 2001:
Pisa’s Leaning Tower Reopens
History; source of lean; previous attempts to strengthen; excavation;
reopening
November 2001:
Raising the Russian Submarine Kursk
Explosion; Russia's initial response; international help; dangers in
raising; investigation
December 2001:
100 Years of Nobel Prizes
Alfred Nobel; ceremony; selection process; history of prizes; 2001 winners
January 2002:
Europe's New Currency
Old currencies; Euro coins and notes; distribution; difficulties; advantages
February 2002:
Volcano Destroys the City of Goma
Location; eruption; refugees; aid from U.N.; civil war; Congo's resources; health issues
March 2002:
Saudi Peace Proposal for Middle East
Proposal; recent violence; occupied lands; past peace plans; Arab Summit
April 2002:
Swiss Vote to Join United Nations
History of Swiss neutrality; benefits of neutrality; Swiss foreign policy; U.N. programs; March voting results
May 2002:
Alexandria Opens Its New Library
City's and library's beginnings; ancient scholars and holdings; fire; new library's holdings; architecture
June 2002:
House Arrest Ends for Aung San Suu Kyi
Suu Kyi's family; election victory; military gov't; first and second house arrests; UN; terms of release; Burma's future
2000-2001
January 2001:
Chernobyl's Shutdown
Disaster in 1986; effects; shutdown of last reactor
February 2001:
Australia's Centennial
Australia's origin; celebrations; Aborigines; immigration
March 2001:
International Tribunal in The Hague Convicts Rapists
War in Bosnia; crimes against Muslim women; Geneva Conventions; U.N.'s creation of tribunal; trial; historic conviction
April 2001:
Millennium Peace Prize for Women
New peace prize; winners; women's role in peacemaking
May 2001:
Overpopulation
India's census; world's growth rates; land's ability to support people;
factors affecting growth; water; education
June 2001:
Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Discovery in England; spread of virus; symptoms; destroying animals; costs;
vaccine