Ethical Guidelines for Addiction Treatment Professionals
HomeAdvertise With UsSubscribe Print EditionAbout UsContact UsCounselor BLOG
Search Counselor
Login
Remember me
Forgot login?
Get a Free Login
Poll
How Do You Prefer to Get Your Continuing Education?
Online Text-Based Courses
Online Audio-Based Courses
Online Video-Based Courses
Online Courses, All Formats
Webinars
Local Conferences
Conferences I Travel To
None of the Above
Current Issue
Subscribe to the Print Edition!
Main Menu
HomeFeature ArticlesColumnsNews BriefsEarn CE CreditsClassifieds
Information
Advertisers IndexReferral DirectoryAbout The MagazineFREE Online NewsletterProfessional BookstoreSubmit Articles
Magazine Issues
February 2012 Issue Vol.13
No.1December 2011 IssueOctober 2011 issueAugust 2011 issueJune 2011 IssueApril 2011 IssueFebruary 2011 IssueDecember 2010 IssueOctober 2010 IssueAugust 2010 IssueJune 2010 IssueApril 2010 IssueFebruary 2010 Issue
Ethical Guidelines for Addiction Treatment Professionals
Feature Articles																		 -
Professional Ethics
Sunday, 31 March 2002 16:00
The ability to recognize and respond appropriately to ethical dilemmas encountered while treating addictive disorders is a complex task that cannot be taken for granted by even experienced counselors. Full caseloads and busy schedules provide few opportunities for in-depth examinations of ethical dilemmas that often demand an on-the-spot decision. This article sets forth a pragmatic set of principles that can help counselors to evaluate ethically challenging situations. While these ethical principles are relevant to almost any counseling situation, this article focuses on how they apply to the treatment of substance and behavioral addictions.
Numerous written codes of ethical conduct exist to guide the many different counseling professions. These documents may be more useful for giving clients and the public an assurance of the ethical parameters of professional behavior than in providing counselors with a useful frame of reference for dealing with day-to-day dilemmas. There is also an important difference between merely abiding by rules of conduct and embodying the ideals contained within them (Coale, 1998; Tjeltveit, 1999). A set of common principles derived from these various codes must be sufficiently broad enough to take into account the rich variety of practice settings, counseling theories and treatment approaches in which addiction counselors operate. Any less inclusive formula for determining whether a counselor's behavior is ethically appropriate requires knowledge of the context in which it occurs. For example, vigorously challenging a client's beliefs or behaviors may be ethically justifiable under one set of circumstances but not another (Tjeltveit, 1999). Similarly, different counselors may respond to an identical ethical dilemma in very distinct yet equally justifiable ways. What follows are six core ethical guidelines that are sufficiently broad and context-free to serve as a useful frame of reference in day-to-day counseling practice. These six guidelines are to provide informed consent; operate in a competent and theoretically sound manner; insure confidentiality of client information; maintain appropriate relationship boundaries; utilize adequate consultation; and to honor diverse personal and cultural values (Corey et al., 1998).
Informed consent
Informed consent is the fundamental bedrock of ethical practice, because it helps to solidify the client's autonomy in matters that affect the entire course and direction of counseling. Counselors may not always fully appreciate the lengths they must go to in order to ensure that important decisions about treatment issues are truly made from a basis of informed choice. Rather than being a one-time event, informed consent is an on-going collaborative effort between client and counselor for establishing and continuously monitoring the goals and strategies of counseling as well as the roles, rights, and responsibilities of all parties (Tjeltveit, 1999).
A client has a right to know which treatment modalities an addiction counselor typically recommends, such as group therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, medication, support group attendance, and so forth. Counselors often don't take the time to explicitly discuss the expected benefits and potential risks of their services, as well as any alternative treatment approaches that may be available to the client. Informed consent also includes information about the anticipated duration of treatment and any situations that could result in a counselor prematurely terminating services. In addition, clients should know the policy for resolving disputes as well as all pertinent financial aspects of the counseling relationship; counselors should also be open to discussing their background and theoretical orientation (Houston-Vega and Nuehring, 1997). Due to the large volume this information may constitute, the counselor may choose to convey it by a combination of verbal and written means.
A client's informed consent is not in itself sufficient to determine whether a counselor's behavior is ethical. It's conceivable that clients might be willing to give their approval to any number of ethically inappropriate behaviors, so a counselor needs other core principles to guide the ethical decision-making process.
Competence and established theory
A counselor has an ethical responsibility to practice only within the scope of his or her professional competence. Some typical indicators of competence include education, experience, training, and certification (Pope and Vasquez, 1998). Competence in one clinical area doesn't necessarily translate to another. Counselors with extensive experience treating general psychiatric disorders aren't necessarily competent to meet the specific needs of addicted clients, just as addiction counselors without advanced training don't always adequately recognize signs of psychiatric disorders. Cross-referral between such specialists is necessary in such situations.
One often-overlooked component of competency is a counselor's ability to clearly describe the theoretical basis for providing a particular clinical service. Just because a client's case turned out all right doesn't necessarily justify a counselor's actions if they otherwise lack adequate theoretical support. It is important to do the right thing for the right reason, not just for the right result. Counselors operating without the benefit of a clear theory are likely to rely too much on a combination of intuition, habit, consensus and personal preference (Herring, 2001; Tjeltveit, 1999; Corey et al., 1998). Clients deserve the knowledge and right to accept or reject treatment that represents a particular theoretical orientation. In the absence of information to the contrary, clients will assume that whatever form of counseling they are receiving is the only available or appropriate choice.
Confidentiality
Another core ethical principle is for a counselor to vigilantly guard against unauthorized disclosure of client information. The assurance of confidentiality is a fundamental guarantee, but it is not an absolute one. Several ethical dilemmas involving confidentiality commonly arise in the treatment of addictive disorders:
Duty to Warn/Protect. It is widely accepted that counselors have a general obligation to warn or protect people whom a client places in imminent harm. The right to confidential treatment is therefore balanced by the need to ensure the safety of others. The beginning of the counseling relationship is the most appropriate time for a client to learn about these limits of confidentiality as well as any safeguards necessary to protect others, such as policies on notifying law enforcement personnel if a habitual DUI offender drives to a counseling appointment while apparently intoxicated.
Clients who inject drugs or engage in sexually risky behavior while chemically impaired may expose others to the risk of HIV infection. Courts have not generally applied duty-to-warn standards to these situations (Houston-Vega and Nuehring, 1997). Balancing the counselor-client relationship with the protection of at-risk populations is a very complex and emotionally charged situation.
Counselors should inform clients about their policy for dealing with HIV-related confidentiality issues, educate clients about the health risks of their specific sex and drug practices, communicate any concerns that arise during the course of treatment, offer to help communicate information to partners, and consult with colleagues as deemed appropriate.
Minors and Families. All states require counselors to report situations in which minors are in danger of harm, although specific state statutes differ (Corey et al., 1998). As most counselors know, it can be difficult to distinguish potential from probable risk. For instance, a client who admits to blackouts may deny that she places her children in any danger. A counselor who decides not to notify the designated reporting agency in such a situation should document the basis for this decision in the clinical record. Consultation in these situations is again extremely valuable in helping a counselor maintain much-needed clinical objectivity.
Counselors who treat minors for substance use disorders need to clearly establish the extent to which parents have the right to information that is disclosed by their children. A minor may be reluctant to talk honestly if confidentiality boundaries are not clear, and the therapeutic alliance may be crippled if a counselor who is unclear on the limits of confidentiality later provides information to parents. Counselors should be familiar with federal law on confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse records for minor clients (Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records, 1998) as well as any applicable state laws, and should seek professional consultation whenever questions arise.
A major ethical concern that arises when counseling couples or families is how to deal with the emergence of secrets that so often accompany addictive disorders. For example, consider the situation that could arise when providing marital counseling to a couple if a husband who attends a session by himself announces that he's relapsed on cocaine but is unwilling to admit this to his wife. A counselor who keeps this information secret is not fostering a climate of honesty. On the other hand, revealing information that a client reasonably presumed would remain confidential will damage that client's trust, while threatening to summarily end treatment if the client isn't honest with his spouse is a form of coercion and potential abandonment. This again points to the necessity of informed consent: whatever approach a counselor takes in response to these types of situations needs to be thoroughly discussed at the beginning of the counseling relationship so that all clients are aware of the consequences of disclosure (Corey et al., 1998; Herring, 2001).
Maintaining appropriate boundaries
The next core concept of ethical counseling involves the complex area of maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. Most counselors know that there are ethical risks to developing relationships outside of the therapeutic role, such as counseling a friend or pursuing business or social interactions with clients. These types of dual relationships can impair a counselor's objectivity or unintentionally exploit a client's dependence (Pope and Vasquez, 1998). Yet some subtle boundary issues present ethical dilemmas that are neither obvious nor easily avoidable.
Counselor self-disclosure. In order to maintain appropriate clarity of roles, a counselor should only reveal intimate personal information when doing so is clearly relevant to the client's treatment goals, carefully tailoring this information to the client and paying close attention to how such sharing affects the clinical relationship (Bloomgarden, 2000). Consultation with colleagues and supervisors can help insure that the true purpose for disclosing personal information is to meet the emotional needs of the client rather than the counselor. One helpful guideline is for a counselor to reveal information about a personal life problem only well after it has been resolved, and not while it is an ongoing issue (Hunter and Struve, 1998).
Touch. Since a significant proportion of clients with addictive disorders have a history of childhood trauma (Briere, 1992), even a simple act of touch can convey a variety of ethically ambiguous messages. The history of addiction support is replete with reassuring hugs. It's very important for a counselor who engages in any form of physical contact with clients to have a highly developed sense of boundaries and an astute awareness of the clinical implications of this behavior. The initial stages of the therapeutic relationship may not provide sufficient emotional safety to ensure that a client can discuss any uncomfortable feelings involving the counselor's touch (Hunter and Struve, 1998).
Sexual attraction. Sexual involvement with a client constitutes a profound ethical violation with severe emotional consequences. However, occasional sexual feelings are not in themselves either unethical or even particularly abnormal in the context of an intimate therapeutic relationship (Pope and Vasquez, 1998). Counselors must acknowledge and appropriately process the existence of these feelings when they emerge in order to successfully understand and redirect them. The presence of intense preoccupation or sexual fantasies involving clients needs to be forthrightly discussed in consultation and supervision.
Recovery Boundaries. Counselors who have successfully dealt with addictive disorders in their own lives can often relate to their clients with profound understanding, empathy, and clarity. However, they may also be overly devoted to the treatment approach they personally found successful (Johnson, 2000). For instance, counselors who are strongly 12-step oriented may discount non-abstinence models for addressing substance abuse, such as risk reduction strategies, which threatens to place clients into a one-size-fits-all philosophy of care.
A counselor who is candid about being "in recovery" may give clients hope and reduce the shame that inevitably accompanies addiction. However, too much disclosure can be intrusive and distracting for some clients, and can even inadvertently generate unrealistic expectations or a sense of inadequacy (Bloomgarden, 2000). Counselors should therefore carefully reveal information about their personal addiction experience only in as much detail as is necessary to meet a compelling and clearly defined clinical need.
A counselor who is treating clients with substance use disorders should not be unsuccessfully fighting the same battle. Sustained abstinence from addictive behavior is an inescapable ethical responsibility for anybody working in this field. Counselors with less than several years of recovery time may easily lose objectivity when dealing with clients whose clinical picture mirrors their own personal experience. Heightened levels of consultation and supervision are highly advisable in such circumstances.
Nobody is immune to relapse, regardless of the length of time in recovery. A counselor who reverts to a previous pattern of addictive behavior must face the ethical dilemma of whether to limit, suspend, or terminate clinical duties. Abruptly withdrawing services from a client due to this (or any other) form of counselor impairment is likely to be deeply disruptive to the client's healing process (Bissell and Royce, 1994). Clients in such situations must be given the opportunity to continue counseling with another provider. There is no one answer to the problem of counselor relapse that is completely satisfying. In this regard the difference between a temporary "slip" that can result in increased self-awareness and an unrestrained relapse may be useful in determining a counselor's overall level of clinical impairment. These decisions should be made in a process of supervision and consultation so that the counselor is not relying on his or her personal judgment, which may be impaired.
All counselors who are in recovery from addictive behavior must establish whatever safeguards are necessary to ensure the maintenance of a personal program of sobriety. This may include establishing boundaries around support group meetings that clients are asked not to attend. It is not ethically appropriate for counselors in 12-step recovery to sponsor their own patients or chair meetings where they are employed (Bissell and Royce, 1994).
Supervision
The next core ethical concept is for counselors to have a structured process for discussing formulations, interventions, reactions, and inevitable difficulties with supervisors and colleagues. There is a heightened need for supervision and consultation for counselors who are working on the outer limits of either personal competence or established theory (Corey et al., 1998). For example, a counselor attempting to implement a new technique should utilize close supervision until it becomes fully integrated into his or her set of skills.
It's an unfortunate reality that not all clinical supervisors have adequate experience or knowledge in the treatment of addictive disorders. In such cases a counselor needs to seek out additional sources for case consultation.
One solution is to set up and utilize informal telephone and e-mail networks which can be established fairly easily with colleagues and contacts made through professional affiliations. When consultation is not available for discussing a clinical or ethical dilemma, a counselor should document in the clinical record a summary of the relevant issues as well as any action taken in response to it.
Honoring diverse values
All of the preceding ethical principles involve some specific actions for a counselor to take. However, the ethical dimension of counseling goes far beyond merely abiding by a procedural checklist. An ethical counselor consistently demonstrates respect for the client as a person by honoring diversity and appreciating the degree to which his or her personal values influence the entire process of counseling. Since counselors are in the business of helping clients change some aspect of their lives, the great ethical challenge is to effectively guide the process and direction of this change without undermining the client's autonomy. This ethical use of a counselor's influence is a skill that cannot be taught as much as developed.
Since every person's view of the world represents a unique combination of diverse personal and cultural perspectives, it is inevitable that counselors will sometimes hold views that are very different from their clients. No counselor is ethically justified in assuming that the way he or she views life is the way everybody else does, is the right way, or is the only way. However, some counselors act as if the way to avoid imposing their personal values is to simply not talk about them.
But biases don't lose their influence just because they're not discussed; in fact they often become less amenable to change. It is often more ethically beneficial for a counselor to invite discussion about his or her personal values while conveying an ability to respect and work with many alternative positions. A counselor doesn't need to be neutral about his or her values in order to be nonjudgmental (Coale, 1998; Tjeltveit, 1999).
When a client and a counselor hold fundamentally incompatible value orientations, the counselor should either refer the case or strive to help the client achieve the goals of counseling within the context of the client's value system rather than attempting to change those values. If a counselor finds it necessary to attempt to modify a client's values, this should be done to no more extent than is necessary to address that client's particular focus of treatment.
Counselors often avoid initiating discussion with clients about the ethical dimensions of clinical issues. Sometimes this reluctance stems from the fear of appearing moralistic, but it also reflects a general tendency of the counseling profession to be ethically inarticulate. It takes considerable effort and skill to engage in thoughtful dialogue about the ethical aspects of life, but doing so can have great benefit for clients whose history of addiction is marked by diminished personal integrity. While this does not guarantee a positive clinical outcome, it does foster the kind of therapeutic environment for a client to utilize the counseling experience to its fullest potential.
These guidelines are not an exhaustive review of every ethical issue related to addictions counseling and they cannot substitute for a counselor's knowledge of his or her professional code of conduct. Many clinical situations require a more detailed examination of the ethical issues involved or compliance with specific codified procedures, such as guidelines for research involving human subjects. Although counselors almost always operate within ethical parameters, these principles can serve as a helpful reminder of some of the important points to consider when evaluating the proper ethical stance to take when dealing with the many complexities of addictions counseling.
Bill Herring, LCSW, is a privately practicing clinician in Atlanta. He is a member of the board of directors of the National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity. He can be reached via e-mail at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
References
Bissell, L. and Royce, J. (1994). Ethics for Addiction Professionals. Center City, MN: Hazelden.
Bloomgarden, A. (2000). Self-disclosure: is it worth the risk? The Renfrew Center Foundation Perspective, 5 (2), 8-9.
Briere J. (1992). Child abuse trauma: Theory and treatment of the lasting effects. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Coale, H. (1998). The Vulnerable Therapist: Practicing Psychotherapy in an Age of Anxiety. New York: Haworth.
Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records, 42 CFR 2.14 (1998)
Corey, G., Corey, M. and Callanan, P. (1998). Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Herring, B. (2001). Ethical guidelines in the treatment of compulsive sexual behavior. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, 8, 13 - 22.
Houston-Vega, M. and Nuehring, E. (1997). Prudent Practice: A Guide for Managing Malpractice Risk. Washington, DC: National Association of Social Workers Press.
Hunter, M. and Struve, J. (1998). The Ethical Use of Touch in Psychotherapy. New York: Sage.
Johnson, C. (2000). Been there, done that: the use of clinicians with personal recovery in the treatment of eating disorders. The Renfrew Center Foundation Perspective, 5 (2), 1-4.
Pope, K. and Vasquez, M. (1998). Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Tjeltveit, A. (1999). Ethics and Values In Psychotherapy. New York: Routledge.
Comments
Add New
Search
RSS
Cathy Duncan
|69.138.75.xxx
|2012-02-26 16:52:28
At times hugs especially where there is female counselor and male client mayneed to ve discussed immedialtley in order to maintain the therapeutic.
Not allclients need that " reasurring" hug
Reply
0 0
Cathy Duncan
- Ethical Guideline for Addiction Treatment professi
|69.138.75.xxx
|2012-02-25 16:44:47
employed as a juvenile addictions counselor this article reiterates to me thatEthical guidelines for Addiction Counselors must be excuted in order to maximizethe success of all clients.
Developing a counselor client relationship withjuveniles can be challenging and rewarding. However the one delima thatsurpasses all others working with juvenile is confidentiality. Even though theysign consent forms for releaselof certain information it is very important to besure they understand what information they are consenting or authorizing to bereleased.
Their misunderstanding can damage the counselor client relationship
Reply
0 0
Ackson mwimbi
- This is an important aspect of the course
|69.171.160.xxx
|2012-02-25 04:29:03
I dont think anyone should be allowed to practice or work in an addiction fieldwithout taking this course.
Reply
0 0
Mayra Schneider
- student
|160.253.128.xxx
|2012-02-24 06:00:06
I thought it was very important what this article mentioned. That is, that
nomatter how much time the client have been sober he or she can alwaysrelapse.
Also, especially when we deal with addictions because of the stigmais always important to keep confidentiality. And of course, before I startworking with the client, the client must sign a consent.
Reply
0 0
Cathy Duncan
|69.138.75.xxx
|2012-02-25 17:11:54
Also remember counselors can also relapse.
When this happens that counselorwill need to work on their own soberity. In doing so that caseload-clients maynot receive the support they need from that counselor and shouls thatinformation be disclosed to a supervisor or kept confidential, what about theclient
Reply
0 0
Gwendolyn Jones
|198.200.181.xxx
|2011-02-23 05:44:43
I'm glad that the ethical guidelines have focus on tough.
While attending AA/NAmeetings, I always though that the "hug" thing was sometimes toopersonal. I'm glad that there are "rules" because some people areoffended and to gain good rapport from the very geginning I feel that"space" shows respect for both consumer and counselor.
In addition, theduty to warn/protect is a very tricky guideline in any situation.
As a goodcounselor you just have to face the fact that this guideline will benefiteveryone involved.
For example, if a client has revealed to you that he/sheuses hyperdemic needle that belong to a family member who has diabetes, to stopa possible infection of diseases, this should be reported to authorities.
Reply
0 0
Gwendolyn Jones
- Comments
|198.200.181.xxx
|2011-02-21 08:35:56
Although I had a general idea of ethics for addiction treatment professionals, Ifound the article very informative.
It answered many questions that I hadconcerning "what if" situations.
In addition, the article was writtenwhereas I clearly understood the gidelines.
Reply
0 0
Jessica James
|67.61.24.xxx
|2010-09-25 15:53:07
I found this article very helpful. I too did not realize until this article thatcouples in counseling had to sign confidentiality waivers.
Reply
0 0
shari k. ketterling
|68.92.113.xxx
|2010-06-12 17:44:01
Excellent information. I'm in my Master's in Psychology.
All of theabove information I have covered in my classes.
Confidentiality is extremelyimportant and the codes of ethics is a must.
Thank You
Reply
0 0
Regina Barbour
|173.124.138.xxx
|2010-01-10 16:22:18
I found the article to be very informative and needful.
I was very surprised tolearn that if a couple is in marital counseling that they have to sign aninformed consent in order to share what was shared in their individual session.
Reply
0 0
alfred francois
|71.191.171.xxx
|2008-01-04 12:43:16
i found this article very informative
Reply
0 0
walterene garrison
|72.219.201.xxx
|2007-10-07 11:01:39
I was impressed about the way confidentially is secured by state and federallaws.
I was surprised to learn that when a counselor is counseling to a marriedcouple, that if one is having a one on one with the counselor he must haveinformed consent to reveal what was discussed in the session with the otherfamily member.
I was slso surprised to see that a counselor can disclosure hispersonal information with the client as long as it is well after it has beenresolved.
I was also surprised to learn that if a counselor has sexual feelingsthat might jeopardize the counseling with the client that he has to go intoconsultation with a supervisor and reveal this.
Reply
1 0
Write comment
Name:
Email:
do not notifynotify
Title:
Powered by !JoomlaComment 3.26
3.26 Copyright


El Paso | Earth Gauge - Part 2
Our Programs
Health & Environment
Earth Gauge
National Public Lands Day
Classroom Earth
National Environmental Education Week
-------------
National Environmental Education Foundation
Support NEEF
Enewsletter Sign-Up
AboutClimateEnvironmentMeteorologistsKids
Environmental Topics
Weather Type
Environmental Videos
Fact Sheets
Online Courses
Earth Gauge Widget
Subscribe Now
Register for our free Earth Gauge
information service today!
El Paso
Fix a Leak Week 2011
March 14 through 20 is the third annual Fix a Leak Week, sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted in the average home every year—enough to fill a backyard swimming pool. But stopping leaks is as easy as “check, twist, replace.” Check for leaks. [...]
Read More
Flood Safety Awareness Week 2011
March 14-18 is the National Weather Service’s Flood Safety Awareness Week. Flooding occurs from coast to coast at all times of the year – and there are many factors that contribute to flooding events. Snowmelt Flooding: When snow begins to melt, flooding can occur if the amount of snowmelt exceeds the capacity for soils and [...]
Read More
Spring Wildflower Forecast
Texas’ highways and roads are a perfect excuse to enjoy beautiful spring weather while taking in the fabulous wildflowers native to the state. Initial signs suggest the early spring bloomers such as Indian paintbrush and Texas bluebonnets won’t be as plentiful as last year’s exceptional crop. However, last year’s bumper crop of flowers provided lots [...]
Read More
Preparing for Wildfire Season (South and Texas)
Currently, more than 96 percent of the southern United States is experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions. The spring months – March through May – are a time of increased wildfire risk in this part of the country. Wildfire risk can be especially high in areas where homes and buildings are located adjacent to woodlands, parks and [...]
Read More
Great Backyard Bird Count
The 2011 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) takes place from February 18-21. Each year, bird watchers across the country tally the birds they see in backyards, parks and natural areas. Last year, GBBC participants racked up more than 10 million observations! Counting birds during GBBC helps scientists gain a “snapshot” of North America’s winter bird [...]
Read More
Home Energy Advice
Have you noticed higher energy bills recently? Fewer daylight hours, more time spent inside and chilly temperatures in many parts of the country mean that energy bills are on the rise at this time of year. Luckily, Energy Star has easy-to-use tools to help you assess and reduce the amount of energy used at home.  [...]
Read More
Now is the Time to Plant Trees
Planting trees that provide shade will not only save you money on your energy bill, but will prove to be a long term investment that can improve the look of your home.  In most parts of the country,  it is good to plant deciduous trees on the west and south sides of the house to [...]
Read More
National Radon Action Month
January is National Radon Action Month. Radon is produced when uranium in soil, rock and water breaks down and gets into the air. It can be found anywhere in the United States and sneaks into homes and buildings through places like cracks in floors and gaps around pipes. You cannot see, smell or taste radon [...]
Read More
Prepare Your Garden for Cold Weather
Just as humans put on extra layers during the cooler months, some plants need extra protection once colder weather hits. For plants to over-winter, their best protection is the earth around them that insulates against cold air. Soil protects plants’ roots. Organic matter decomposes in the soil year-round, generating warmth while providing nutrients that are [...]
Read More
2010 Christmas Bird Count
December 14 marks the beginning of Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count. The Count runs through January 5, 2011. The first Christmas Bird Count (CBC) took place on December 25, 1900 – 27 participants counted and identified about 18,500 birds, mostly in the northeastern US Today, CBC volunteers brave snow and chilly temperatures to identify and [...]
Read More
Save Water Indoors (Texas)
Did you know that the average Texas resident uses about 164 gallons of water per day? In single family homes, a significant amount of water goes towards maintaining a lawn or landscaping. Indoors, the toilet is often the main source of water use – in a typical home, toilets account for about 30 percent of [...]
Read More
Light Up With LEDs
Energy use in the United States typically increases during the holiday season. At this time of year, festive holiday lights that decorate neighborhoods across the country can drive up energy demand and home energy bills. Viewer Tip: Hold on to the holiday spirit while saving energy and money this season. Look for holiday lights that have earned the Energy [...]
Read More
Best Burn Practices
The distinctive smell of wood smoke is a sign of the heating season. It may smell good, but wood smoke can impact indoor air quality and your health. Smoke is a mixture of tiny particles and gases produced when wood burns – the fine particles can get into your eyes and lungs, where they may [...]
Read More
Trash Troubles
A 2009 survey of Texas residents found that four in 10 Texans admitted to littering in the past month. More than half of those people littered while driving or riding in a car; others littered when a trashcan could not be located or when walking or playing outside. Litter is more than an eyesore – [...]
Read More
Lighten Up
Fewer daylight hours and cooler temperatures mean that many Americans spend more time inside during the fall and winter months. While up to half of the energy used in a typical home goes towards heating and cooling, other home features like water heaters, appliances and lighting contribute to energy bills. Swapping traditional light bulbs for [...]
Read More
Nuisance Nutrients
A recent study by the US Geological Survey found elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in many streams and groundwater supplies across the country. Elevated levels were most often found in streams near agricultural areas, particularly in the Northeast, Midwest and Northwest, as well as near urban areas. In many cases, concentrations of nitrogen and [...]
Read More
Cultivate Smarter Soil
Did you know that poor quality soil increases the amount of water needed to irrigate lawns and gardens? Soil improvements, such as adding compost or other similar soil amendments, can reduce your irrigation needs by 20 percent. That’s a reduction of more than 16,000 gallons annually per household in states where irrigation is prevalent, or [...]
Read More
Fall Flight (Southwest and Texas)
Wind plays a major role in bird migration. In the fall, wind circulation patterns around highs and lows impact the movement of migratory birds. The ideal time for flying often occurs the day after a cold front passes – north winds, dropping temperatures, rising air pressure and clearing skies are good migration conditions. Soaring birds like [...]
Read More
Lost Ladybugs
Have you found ladybugs in your home this fall? As temperatures drop, the Asian ladybug, Harmonia axyridis becomes an unwelcome houseguest in many homes. Asian ladybugs invade homes at this time of year searching for protected sites to overwinter. The Asian ladybug is relatively new to the United States – in their native home, Asian ladybugs [...]
Read More
Milkweed for Monarchs
If you’re intrigued by monarch butterflies, you can turn your backyard into a fuel stop for these fall wanderers as they fly to winter havens in California and Mexico


Hoteliers Danny and Carla Lafayette Receive the Norbert X.
Dowd Award; Maine's Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce's Highest Award /
January 2010
Hotel Online
News for the Hospitality
Executive
Hoteliers Danny and Carla Lafayette Receive the
Norbert X. Dowd Award;
Maine's Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce's Highest Award
By Dawn Gagnon, Bangor Daily News,
MaineMcClatchy-Tribune Regional News
Jan. 21, 2010--BANGOR, Maine -- A couple who have given
generously to area medical, educational and youth causes -- including a
$2 million pledge to a cancer treatment center -- received the Bangor
Region Chamber of Commerce's most prestigious award Wednesday night
during the organization's annual awards dinner.
Danny and Carla Lafayette of Hampden received the Norbert X.
Dowd Award in recognition of their contributions to Greater Bangor's
economy and quality of life during a sell-out event at the Bangor Civic Center. Chamber officials said Wednesday that the annual dinner
audience of about 750 people was the largest in the Chamber's 99-year
history.
For nearly three decades, the Lafayettes have been among the
region's most successful entrepreneurs.
As leaders in the hospitality business, the Lafayettes built
an impressive chain of 27 hotels in Maine and beyond. Their Maine
holdings include the Best Western Black Bear Inn & Conference
Center in Orono, the Bar Harbor Hotel and Bluenose Inn in Bar Harbor,
the Best Western Senator Inn and Spa in Augusta, and the Holi-day Inn
by the Bay in Portland.
Though the couple quietly had been sharing the proceeds of
their hotels with the community for years, the $2 million pledge they
made to the Champion for the Cure campaign for the new cancer center
last August created a stir throughout northern and eastern Maine. In
recognition of the pledge, the new facility was named the Lafayette
Family Cancer Center. The state-of-the-art center adjacent to the
Cianchette Building in Brewer opened last month.
The new center replaced the former Cancer Care of Maine
facility, which had outgrown its former space at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.
Fundraising continues for cancer research, however, with more
information available online at www.championthecure.org.
In accepting the Chamber award, the couple said they were
motivated to act because their own family has been touched by cancer.
One of their sons, Ramsey, now 23, was diagnosed with cancer at age 18
and has beaten the disease, they said during Wednesday's ceremony. They
said they believe a cure will be found, and the an-swer lies in
research.
"Danny and I and our family are very fortunate in that our son
Ramsey has now been cancer-free for five years," Carla Lafayette said
upon receiving the award.
"Half of the people who receive the same diagnosis that he did
-- stage three melanoma -- no longer are alive today. That sobering
statistic needs to change, and the key is research," she said.
"I envision a day when we share a characteristic with the
naked mole rat," which she said has been found never to develop cancer.
"I know that human beings are smart enough to figure out the causes of
and cures for cancer. If the naked mole rat can get it right, we can.
Research is the key. The more scientists that we have tack-ling the
problem, the sooner solutions will be found."
During his turn at the microphone, Danny Lafayette shared
ideas for making the region a better place in which to live and work --
chief among them a state-sponsored medical school. He envisioned the
school as a joint venture of the University of Maine and the University of New England.
"About 70 percent of doctors practice within 100 miles of
where they attend medical school," he said, adding that 44 states have
state-sponsored or private medical schools, 34 states have dental
schools, 47 have at least one pharmacy school and 29 states have all
three. He applauded Husson University's recent addition of a pharmacy
program.
"It's obvious that it's a good investment, and I have no idea
why we don't have [a medical school] at the University of Maine. We
should bond it just like we do a road."
Other award recipients honored Wednesday night were:
-- Bangor Savings Bank, Business of the Year.
-- Eastern Maine Medical Center, Not-for-profit of the Year.
-- US Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, Catherine K. Lebowitz Public
Service Award.
-- John I. Simpson, Bangor, Arthur Comstock Professional
Service Award.
-- Hilda Hutchins McCollum, Bangor, Community Service Award.
-- Mark Wellman and Tori Britton, Entrepreneurship Award.
-- State Rep. Emily Cain, Orono, Fusion's FLAVA Award.
-- Jerry Whalen, Hampden, Volunteer of the Year.
More information is available in the Bangor Region Chamber of
Commerce's annual report inserted in today's newspaper.
-----
To see more of the Bangor Daily News, or to subscribe to the
newspaper, go to http://www.bangordailynews.com.
Copyright (c) 2010, Bangor Daily News, Maine
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For
reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or
847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions
Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
To search Hotel Online data base of News


Date: Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:47:14 GMT
Server: Microsoft-IIS/7.0
X-AspNet-Version: 2.0.50727
X-Powered-By: ASP.NET
Content-Length: 37527
Connection: Close
Saving historic heart of our towns | Irish Examiner
Find a...
Find date
Find job
Find car
Find home
DIGITAL EDITION
PICTURE SALES
COMPETITIONS
TODAY'S DEAL
News
Sport
Business
Opinion
FeaturesWeekend
Editorial
Letters
Send letter
Columnists
Colette Browne
Ann Cahill
Matt Cooper
Fergus Finlay
Terry Prone
Ivan Yates
---------
Richard Collins
Damien Enright
Donal Hickey
Dick Warner
Books
Book Store
Saving historic heart of our townsBy Donal HickeyMonday, December 05, 2011HIGH streets and town centres throughout Ireland have come to look the same in recent years, with regular department stores and the brash brand names of largely overseas multiples increasingly dominating the streetscape.The result is that many cities and urban areas have lost their individual identities. Often, the only saving grace is some old or historical building that stands out because it is so different to the glass, steel and plastic facades of today. The venerable landmarks are usually officially ‘listed’ for preservation, whilst some simply escape the rush to modernisation.
However, there’s evidence that places which are retaining their historic environments are doing better economically. We’re told there is something in the human psyche that makes people enjoy being in historic environments. Sounds like a no-brainer, though obviously not to many commercial developers who ran riot during the boom years.
But, just think for a moment of how a town such as Clonakilty, in west Cork, can make the most of its built heritage, or why Adare, Co Limerick, always seems packed with tourists and coaches. The prime reason surely is that both are lovely places in which to be, enhanced by a deep sense of tradition and atmosphere.
The east Cork town of Youghal, famous for its built and natural heritage, sees a heritage-led regeneration plan as compensating in some way for huge losses in local manufacturing in the past decade.
Youghal Town Council has come up with a strategy that includes conservation of the landmark Clock Gate, work estimated to generate a €400,000 spin-off for local business each year. Property owners on the Main Street are also being offered a 50% grant to paint their facades in a historically-sensitive way. Conservation of the Youghal’s town walls is also a key part of the plan.
A recent Heritage Council conference on economic growth heard London-based property adviser David Geddes tell how historic environments in towns and cities play a critical role in nurturing types of business clusters that do not otherwise normally develop.
"It is important that those responsible for planning and regeneration in every town and city across Ireland have a good understanding of its historic environments in their town and city and a plan for making the most of them," he said.
Mr Geddes has conducted extensive research in Britain into the economic and social effects that historic environments have in towns and cities and has been working on the implications, in Ireland, for Limerick and Waterford.
A survey of 35,000 people living across Britain found that cities known for their heritage dominated the top ratings, with York emerging as the most enticing English destination outside London, and Edinburgh twice as popular as Glasgow.
"There is a direct correlation between the number and nature of heritage assets in cities and towns and their appeal as places to live, work and visit," Mr Geddes noted. "It is not just a case of people liking historic environments, they like the types of activity that takes place in those environments."
The research showed the importance of creating environments where people enjoy spending leisure time. Brighton is cited as an example.
"Making the most of historic environments is the only known way of overcoming the blandness of town centres that people so often complain about, the so-called ‘clone town’ effect where every town centre looks alike," Mr Geddes remarked.
Heritage is even the key factor in the success of world famous streets like London’s Bond Street and Regent Street, he stated. They attract top rents and shops that are not found elsewhere because modern retailing spaces have been created behind historic facades. That gives them an edge over nearby Oxford Street.
Mr Geddes said the lessons from Britain were totally applicable to towns and cities across Ireland. The long-term prosperity of Limerick city centre, for example, is entirely reliant on making more of its great historic assets.
"It should be aspiring over the medium to long-term to make O'Connell Street the finest in Ireland, to use the castle and riverside to create the best riverside park in Europe and to nurture concentrations of interesting small businesses in the historic areas on the edge of the city centre. It is lucky to have the assets to be able to do that. Now, it is a question of making the most of them."
Commenting on David Geddes’ research, Heritage Council


Is it Useful for You to Own a Mini-Notebook or Netbook? | Mobile Computing
Mobile Computing Article
Is it Useful for You to Own a Mini-Notebook or Netbook?
By Expert Author: Stuart Michael
We all see that laptops and notebooks are helpful tools that provide for work, studies and fun purposes. Now we have the latest trend in the market which is the mini-notebook. It is more widely known as netbook. It is small with only 13 inches measurement for its screen. Various major computer companies are having these cool devices on sale. If you are planning to get one, it is better to properly understand its functions in order to know that this is what exactly will meet your needs. Here will help you to make up your mind whether to purchase one or not.
First of all, let us see the good sides of the mini-notebook functions. It is smaller and lighter in comparison to other general laptops or notebooks. It is like a standard normal book which could be easily carried with the hand. Since it is so portable, an individual could bring it to wherever he or she wants to travel to. It could be light in the bag and there more spaces in the bag where other things could also be stuffed in. Ladies will especially appreciate this as she may have keys, make-up things, tissues, mobile phone and water bottle to carry together. With conventional notebook, one may have to carry a separate bag just for the device. Another advantage is that it does function fully as any computer. It has all the main operating system and applications, ports for connections, Wi-Fi, webcam, CD-ROM or burner and functional keyboard. Apart from that, the price and cost is low and affordable. Thenetbook would not cost much higher than any ordinary laptop or notebook and it is inexpensive for anyone to purchase. Overall, this small device is for those who are always on the go for businesses in usages of e-mail and quick note-taking. It is also for students to carry for typing lecture notes rather than writing down.
Here comes the downside of this small computer. Although it is fully functional, it has limitations. The processor plus the memory are lower in speed and it causes a file to be played slower. For example, a video may pause by itself and then continues playing. It may repeat the same over and over again. While downloading files, there may be complications too. The smaller screen and keyboard may pose a problem depending on different users. If you are planning to do major work with long hours, it is advise not to buy this type of computer as the battery life will not support longer hours like conventional laptop does.
In the end it is up to you whether to own a mini-notebook depending on what your usages are.
About the Author: Stuart Michael
Author recommends Tech-FAQ for more information on topics such as
QWERTY
and
Mini Notebook. You may visit for more details.
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Is-it-Useful-for-You-to-Own-a-Mini-Notebook-or-Netbook-/238244
Article Tags: mini-notebook, netbook
This Article has been viewed {article.article_downloads} times.
Tweet
Related Articles
Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Mobile Computing" article category.
People interested in the above article "Is it Useful for You to Own a Mini-Notebook or Netbook?" are also interested in the related articles listed below:
Mobile Application Development for Complete Mobile Solutions This generation is popular with mobile technology it's known as mobile era. Now a day's, every people knowing the booming age for mobile application development market. This has trapped a value of every mobile and technology fan in recent times and mobile technology demand in the market have grown very hastily.Mobile SMS-safe application Mobile sms-safety app is a security functions that does not show up your private data like your message inbox contents and Gallery pictures on your mobile phone. With this app installed on your phone, you could protect your privacy from unauthorized people from manipulation your reputation. A simple sms might be having critical data like your credit card pin number or acute information regarding your business transaction. In any case however, the phone data is retained on the mobile phone in an encrypted format thereby making it convenient to restore whenever desired.Five Important Factors for a Successful Enterprise Mobility Strategy The need was not felt until the world realized the power of mobility. Mobile Applications were limited as data exchange was uncommon, and the devices themselves functioned in isolation from one another. Enterprises were unaware of the benefits that could be reaped from mobility. With advancement of mobile technologies most enterprises have started understanding that mobility can bring enormous advantages yet many enterprises are not sure how best to optimize and customize these benefits. A right way to go about this for an Enterprise is to build a good mobility strategy.New Samsung Series 9 notebooks outed: Core i3, i5 and i7 options Here comes good news for techie freak. Samsung has outed a new range of Series 9 notebooks, with three new 13.3-inch models and two new 11.6-inch models, priced from $1,049. The new Series 9 machines keep the styling of the models that began shipping in May, but add in new Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors, up to 256GB SSDs and up to 6GB of DDR3 memory.Mobile Backup and Security Application The data occupying the smartphone memories are very large and highly personal. The possible loss of data can happen not only due to a theft of the phone but also due to other mishaps like a clumsy moment that might destroy the phone as a whole! It is in such unexpected moments the users hope for having a backup of their important data.Toshiba Mini NB505-N508 No matter which of the 5 colors you choose (turquoise, blue, brown, lime green, and orange), the Toshiba Mini NB505-N508 netbook is a pretty solid buy considering its $300 price tag. Though the model is missing a Gigabit Ethernet port and Bluetooth connectivity, the integrated Wi-Fi, 3 USB ports and SD card reader make up for its shortcomings. The 8-hour battery life is extended by the energy efficient LED-backlit screen and single-core Intel Atom N455 processor.Is the Apple Ipad All It's Cracked Up to Be? On the 2nd of March 2011 Apple iPad 2 was launched. Indeed this launch was expected. There are over 15 million proud owners of 1st generation iPad. Within a span of three months the subsequent generation iPad was introduced in the market. The iPad 2 has some unique features such as the design, email, music, photo albums, e Books and videos. The processor is very fast and has A5 chip as well as a dual core CPU. Thus its graphics are practically 10 times speedier.
Print Article
Favorite Article
Email to Friend
Republish Article
Article Directory Home
All Categories
Computer And Technology
Mobile Computing
Is it Useful for You to Own a Mini-Notebook or Netbook?
Can't find what you're looking for? Try Google Search!
(We serve worldwide -
Locations updated as at Friday, 02 March 2012 05:01 am
, Singapore)
United States of America, USA . United Kingdom, UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) . Canada . Afghanistan .
Albania . Algeria . American Samoa . Andorra . Angola . Anguilla . Antarctica . Antigua & Barbuda . Argentina .
Armenia . Aruba . Australia . Austria . Azerbaijan . Bahamas . Bahrain . Bangladesh . Barbados . Belarus .
Belgium . Belize . Benin . Bermuda . Bhutan . Bolivia . Bonaire . Bosnia-Herzegovina . Botswana . Brazil . British
Virgin Islands . Brunei Darrusalam . Bulgaria . Burkina Faso . Burundi . Cambodia . Cameroon . Cape Verde . Cayman
Islands . Central African Republic . Chad . Channel Islands . Chile . China . Christmas Island . Colombia . Comoros .
Congo . Congo (Dem. Rep.) . Cook Islands . Costa Rica . Cote d'Ivoire . Croatia . Cuba . Curacao . Cyprus . Czech
Republic . Denmark . Djibouti . Dominica . Dominican Republic . East Timor . Ecuador . Egypt . El Salvador .
Equatorial Guinea . Eritrea . Estonia . Ethiopia . Falkland Islands and Dependencies . Faroe Islands . Fiji . Finland .
France . French Guiana
. French Polynesia . Gabon . Gambia . Gaza . Georgia . Germany . Ghana . Gibraltar . Greece .
Greenland . Grenada . Guadeloupe . Guam . Guatemala . Guinea . Guinea-Bissau . Guyana . Haiti . Hawaiian Islands .
Honduras . Hong Kong . Hungary . Iceland . India . Indonesia . Iran . Iraq . Isle Of Man . Israel . Italy .
Ivory Coast . Jamaica . Japan . Johnston Atoll . Jordan . Kazakhstan . Kenya . Kiribati . Korea (North) .
Korea (South) . Kuwait . Kyrgyzstan . Laos . Latvia . Lebanon . Leeward Islands . Lesotho . Liberia . Libya .
Liechtenstein . Lithuania . Luxembourg . Macau . Macedonia . Madagascar . Malawi . Malaysia . Maldives . Mali .
Malta . Marshall Islands . Martinique . Mauritania . Mauritius . Mexico . Micronesia (Federated States) . Midway
Islands . Moldova . Monaco . Mongolia . Montserrat . Morocco . Mosquito Coast . Mozambique . Myanmar (Burma) .
Namibia . Nauru . Navassa Island . Nepal . Netherlands . Netherlands Antilles . New Caledonia . New Zealand .
Nicaragua . Niger . Nigeria . Niue . Norfolk Island . Northern Mariana Islands . Norway . Oman . Pakistan . Palau .
Palestine . Panama . Papua New Guinea . Paracel Islands . Paraguay . Peru . Philippines . Pitcairn Islands . Poland .
Portugal . Puerto Rico . Qatar . Reunion . Romania . Russia . Rwanda . Ryukyu Islands . Saint Helena . Saint Kitts
and Nevis . Saint Lucia . Saint Pierre & Miquelon . Saint Vincent & The Grenadines . Samoa . San Marino . Sao Tome &
Principe . Saudi Arabia . Senegal . Serbia . Seychelles . Sierra Leone . Singapore . Slovakia . Slovenia . Solomon
Islands . Somalia . South Africa . Spain . Sri Lanka . Sudan . Suriname . Swaziland . Sweden . Switzerland . Syria .
Taiwan . Tajikistan . Tanzania . Thailand . Togo . Tonga . Transkei . Trinidad & Tobago . Tunisia . Turkey .
Turkmenistan . Turks and Caicos Islands . Tuvalu . US Virgin Islands . Uganda . Ukraine . United Arab Emirates .
Upper Volta . Uruguay . Uzbekistan . Vanuatu . Vatican City (Holy See) . Venezuela . Vietnam . Wake Island .
Windward Islands . Yemen . Yugoslavia . Zaire . Zambia . Zimbabwe
Copyright © 2005 -
by Larry Lim, Singapore - Article Search Engine Directory at ArticleSphere.comTM
All Rights Reserved Worldwide. All Trademarks


3/31/09 Midday Clips - Tri-State
ATWClipsATWOriginalsATWTopNews
AmericanTheaterWeb NewsClipsAll the day's theater news
HomeContact
March 2012
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
<< <
> >>
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
AmericanTheaterWeb NewsClipsUse the calendar above to find the clippings for a specific day, or use the list to the right to go to a specific group of clips.
The site's updated 3-4 times a day generally.
For you convenience, links below will take you to ATWTopNews (a quick listing of links to some of the day's top stories) and to ATWOriginals (original news and feautres from ATW).
ATWOriginals
ATWTopNews
3/31/09 Midday Clips - Tri-State
By Andy Propst 			on Mar 31, 2009			 | In Tri-State
New York Times ArtsBeat Blog
New 'Midsummer Night's Dream' to Feature Fairies, Elves and Stew
The singer-songwriter Stew will be among the players ensuring that the course of true love doesn't run smooth for the protagonists of Shakespeare on the Sound's summer production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
amNY New York City Theater
John Stamos Expected to Star in "Bye Bye Birdie"
It looks like John Stamos will play Albert Peterson, the role originated by Dick Van Dyke, in the Roundabout's forthcoming revival of "Bye Bye Birdie." He even revealed to E! News that he will be in the show. 20 years earlier, he would have been a perfect candidate for Conrad. But Albert? Stamos has appeared in two previous Roundabout productions: as a replacement Emcee in "Cabaret" and as a replacement Guido in "Nine."
Broadway by the Year 1931 Review
1931, in the throes of the Great Depression, was a year of transition for Broadway. Not too many musicals were around. And the majority of them are not exactly familiar or revivable. In terms of classics, there was “Of Thee I Sing.” And, to an extent, “The Bandwagon.” That show is never revived, but it inspired a classic film musical. And inside the revues and flops, you will find two all-time American Songbook classics: “As Time Goes By” and “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries.”
Hartford Courant Behind the Curtain Blog
Bresnahan as Hamlet's Mom
Alyssa Bresnahan, a fave Hartford Stage actress (Maggie in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," Stella in "Streetcar Named Desore"), is in the off-Broadway production of "Hamlet," which just got a glowing review from Charles Isherwood of the New York Times.
Village Voice La Daily Musto Blog
Is Susan Sarandon The Humblest Star on Broadway


Internet | GreatDad Blog - Official blog of GreatDad.com with parenting advice, tips and experience for new dads and experienced father
Bookmark
GreatDad:   Because dads don't always think like moms.
HomeAge GroupsPre-ConceptionPregnancyAccessoriesAdoptionConnectingGeneral AdviceMedicalReflectionsBabyAccessoriesConnectingEatingGeneral AdviceMedicalReflectionsToys and GamesPreschoolAccessoriesBehaviorConnectingCore experiencesGeneral adviceLearning and educationMedicalMovie reviewsMusic learningRead and listenReflectionsToysKidsAccessoriesActivitiesBehaviorCommunicationConnectingGeneral AdviceLearning and educationMedicalMusic LearningToys / GamesTravelTeensConnectingTravelGeneralAccessoriesBehaviorCore ExperiencesGeneral AdviceHumorTip of the DayResourcesBaby NamesBaby of DayCelebrationsFather's DayCelebritiesContestsDad CartoonsDivorced/Single DadsForum � Single DadEbooksFamily PlanningFertilityFor Moms and DadsFree Downloads1 Month10 Months11 Months12 Months2 Months3 Months4 Months5 Months6 Months7 Months8 Months9 MonthsNewbornGay DadsHow ToActivitiesAdoptionCelebrateGeneralManage BabiesManage KidsManage PregnancyRead AloudTravelWork from HomeHumorLegal AdviceMagicMedicalMoviesMultiracial FamiliesPregnancyAccessoriesAdoptionConnectingGeneral AdviceMedicalPregnant WifeReflectionsSan FranciscoSchool/CollegeSexSleepToilet TrainingWe RecommendBooks for DadsBooks for KidsContributors Dr. D. Preston Smith Lawrence J. CohenArmin BrottDr. Alan GreeneDr. Craig BissingerDr. Howard BennettGregory E. LangJames di ProperzioJim SilverJoe KellyPeter FavaroRobert WilderW. Grant EpplerGifts for DadsGifts for KidsGreatDad Recommends Program Application DetailsGreatDad Recommends Program WinnersHoliday GiftsHolidays 2009LinksMade by Dads for DadsMade by MomsProduct ComparisonRecommended ProductsSafetyAt HomeHealth and FitnessOutdoorsPlay TimeProductsToys and GamesTravelBabyDestinationsHotelsKidsPregnancyTeensMarketplaceDad GiftsChristmas GiftsFather's Day GiftsGadget GiftsGeneral GiftsGifts for KidsHoliday Gifts for DadsValentine's Day GiftseBay StoreGreatDad StoreMerchant PartnersNewsPhoto GiftsRecommended ProductsWidgetsDad Blogs
Fathers Forum
Breaking News
Popular Posts
Most Commented
How to choose an email for tweens
Author
Paul Banas Submitted: 10.21.11
0 Comments
First of all, a confession. I am a shoemaker and my children have no shoes.
I’ve been working in the Internet since 1996, but my daughter, at 11, is clearly the last one in her class to get an email. Opening that Pandora’s Box is something that I push off month to month, day to day, hour to hour. Now, at long last, a teacher is requiring that all six graders have an email. It’s almost Halloween and we have not yet bowed down to the edict.
If you’re scared of email for your kids, there are surprisingly few resources. If you want them to play more games, there are a million walled gardens all willing to take your money. There are lots of filters for internet use, Net Nanny and Apple’s built-in parental controls among them. And, there are plenty of kiddy email sites that allow your infant a happy place to click on lots of letters without messing up the computer too much, and these progress up to age 8, 9, or maybe 10. But if you have waited until your daughter is almost 12 to give her an email, she will cry, as mine did, when you suggest she go to a site called Zilladog to access her email.
So, it’s a sorry state, but we’ll likely get her a Gmail account and monitor it ourselves until she is a bit older. I’m not overjoyed by this, but my baby is growing up.
Still, there are some parental tasks left to do, and first among them is choosing a screen name. There is nothing I could find online on this, except for one thin forum post on choosing a screen name. So here is what I’ve come up with as a guideline for my daughter:
1. No real names. She can use a nickname or some random word, but nothing that identifies her personally.
2. No ID that she’s a girl. So no girlygirl@gmail.com. This doesn’t surprise her at all for some reason and I’m happy I don’t have to explain why I’m being careful.
3. No years, like her birth year or the current year so that she isn’t marked by a certain era. Plus adding 123 after your chosen name is so AOL circa 1999.
Unfortunately, with over 2 billion internet users (Nielsen March 2011) and who knows how many on gmail, almost any combo of words is already taken until you get into phrases that are out of common usage.
Still, the rules are in place and we may have to keep searching a bit together. Otherwise, she can start using her new email : elephantupstaircase@gmail.com as early as tonight.
Popularity: 1%
Paid online access to New York Times – my opinion
Author
Paul Banas Submitted: 01.21.10
0 Comments
As a publisher, I’m happy to see the New York Times take a real lead on paid content. I’ve always thought that the Web wants to be “FREE,” but everyone knows that anything that is always given away free turns into garbage. And that’s the road most print publications are on unless they change their model. The New York Times can’t continue to create leadership journalism as it watches home delivery and newsstand sales dwindle to those few remaining octogenarians who want the inky, bulky broadsheet hanging into their cereal (Full disclosure: I’m one of them). While Google AdSense can make publishers a few dimes and nickels each month, it’s revenue potential is way over-stated and decreasing. There has to be another way.
I love the NYT solution for the following reasons:
1. It provides a benefit and distinction for home subscribers. Part of this reaction is selfish, since I’ve subscribed since I lived in New York fifteen years ago. But it stands to reason that you promote sales by giving benefits to the people who increase your value as an asset. And, advertisers like to see paid subscription since it connotes involvement.
2. It allows people to get a little bit for free. They haven’t yet said how many articles per month you will get for “free” as a non-subscriber, but it’s at least ten, that should give you enough to read your favorite columnists or features every month. Beyond that, as with public radio, you really should be donating something anyway.
3. It keeps the NYT open to Google and Bing searches. I always thought this was the way things should go. Allow the NYT to be searchable via search engines so people can find the best info online and perhaps discover the Times.
4. Most importantly, it still allows bloggers to tell the world about stories they find in the NYT, without resorting to copying articles wholesale. I often make a comment on an article, providing an interesting snipped with a link to the full article. The NYT will still allow this though clicking the link will count towards the monthly quota for unpaid users. This should help the New York Time get more readers while not destroying their model.
This is the system the New Yorker should use as well. It’s fun to send an great article to someone who is not a reader. It’s not good if someone is reading the whole thing on line while everyone else is paying. And face it, a new generation of readers is growing up and they are happy reading a book or magazine on an iPhone rather than a physical magazine.
Hats off to the New York Times.
Popularity: 1%
Top internet searches for kids identified – “Sex” and “Porn” near the top of lists
Author
Paul Banas Submitted: 01.20.10
0 Comments
What were kids most interested in and curious about in 2009? Parents can tell a lot from monitoring internet searches, which may also alert them to possible topics they may need to discuss with their kids. On a more macro level, Norton has identified the top searches conducted by kids in 2009 through data from OnlineFamily.Norton, a free family safety service that parents can use to protect kids online.
Do You Know What Your Kids Are Looking For Online?
Norton looked at the top 100 searches conducted by kids age 18 and under and also broke down results by age and gender. Some of the top terms may surprise parents. “Sex” and “Porn” made it to the top overall search terms for both Teens group and “Sex” for the Tweens group. These terms should raise a red flag to parents if they haven’t had “The Talk” with their children about content that may not be appropriate for kids. Kids’ top three overall search terms in 2009 were YouTube, Google, and Facebook. While these sites can be entertaining and educational for kids under supervision, parents need to monitor usage and talk to kids about appropriate and inappropriate things they may find on-line.
Teens’ Top 25
1. YouTube 2. Facebook 3. Google 4. Sex
5. MySpace 6. Porn 7. Yahoo 8. Youtube.com 9. eBay
10. Wikipedia
Tweens’ Top 25
1. YouTube 2. Google 3. Facebook 4. Sex
5. Club Penguin 6. Youtube.com 7. You Tube 8. Miniclip
9. Yahoo 10. eBay
7 & Under Top 25
1. YouTube 2. Google 3. Facebook 4. Porn
5. Club Penguin 6. Yahoo 7. Webkinz 8. You Tube
9. Games 10. Miniclip
We use Safari installed on a Mac in our family room that the kids use periodically to play games. When they are logged into their account, Safari only allows them to surf to sites we’ve approved. We don’t allow them to look at YouTube and other sites without us being there to control the buttons. Our kids are still only 5 and 9 so that is bound to change soon.
Norton offers the basic OnlineFamily.Norton at no charge, but plans to launch a premium subscription version later in 2010.
Popularity: 9%
Why parenting magazines ignore us dads
Author
Paul Banas Submitted: 10.21.09
0 Comments
It’s true most parenting magazines have mom-free names and try to insert a page or two “just for dad,” but the reason the overwhelming amount of content is geared toward the female persuasion has a lot less to do with the editors than it does the people who are paying to get the magazine out the door: the advertisers.
Sorry Dad – but they don’t care if you want five friendly recipes for adding veggies to your kid’s diet. They want to sell your wife/girlfriend a package of organic waffles with broccoli ground up inside. Because the studies show she’s the one more likely to buy them. Women are widely touted as the controllers of the family purse strings – even in families where there are shared checking accounts. The common number you hear? About eighty percent of family spending is done by the female head of household.
From Why Parenting Mags Ignore Dad | Strollerderby]
Bad news for those of us trying at least to cover the cost of the Pampers by writing about our dad experiences. Until we become a real economic force, dads are an add-on. But why is that when dads are involved, or usually lead, the very big ticket items, like the choice of the mini van or the new long-term life insurance plan.
As I mentioned a few posts back, this year at the ABC Kids show in Vegas, “dad” was integrated into all the marketing materials. Maybe dad isn’t doing the weekly shopping but he is weighing in heavily on which stroller he is willing to push down the street, or which car seat he’s going to move in and out of the car. Dads do think differently than moms, and the sexes will likely continue to have their own sweet spots and obsessions, but count on more and more dads to be making the choice of the family toothpaste and even the diapers as we take a more active role in “home” and even stay there to be with the kids.
Popularity: 1%
Help for helpless dads (and moms) with no support system, but lots of cash
Author
Paul Banas Submitted: 10.16.09
0 Comments
Finally someone has come up with the ultimate service for new parents who have no time, no clue, but lots of coin. Gifted At Birth (giftedatbirth.com) sends you everything you need to take care of baby every week, for three months after the baby is born.
They’ll even help you choose the right items for your lifestyle (green, idiot-proof....). All this for the low low starter price of only $124. If you live in Manhattan, a postpartum doula wiil come to you to explain how everything works, including the baby. Outside the diamond-studded boundaries of NYC, however, it will be a burly UPS


Cache-Control: max-age=0
Date: Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:19:44 GMT
Connection: close
Deadline pressure threatens high-speed rail
-
High Speed Rail
- fresnobee.com
Subscribe to The Bee
E-Bee
Buy Photos
Customer Service
Home
Contact us
Subscribe
News
Breaking news
Local
Crime Map
High-speed rail
Business
State
Nation
World
Elections
Columnists
Videos
Weather
Obits
Death notices
Tributes
Guestbooks
Place an obit: (559) 441-6228
Sports
High Schools
High School Football Blitz
Fresno State Football
Fresno State Bulldogs
Outdoors
Fishing
College
Professional
Columnists
Videos
Entertainment
Calendar
Movies
Movie Times
Music
Theater & Arts
Odd News
Fun & Games
Mike Osegueda
Donald Munro
Rick Bentley
Videos
Life
Faith & Values
Food & Recipes
Home & Garden
Ask Amy
Ron Orozco
Scoopy Squad
Videos
Opinion
Our Opinions
Valley Voices
Other Opinions
Letters to the Editor
Submit a Letter
Columnists
Jim Boren
David Mas Masumoto
Editorial Cartoons
Videos
Blogs
Beehive
Opinion Talk
Sports Buzz
News
Political Notebook
Photos
Central Valley Moms
Fresno Famous
Find n Save
Place an ad
Jobs
Find a job
Post a job
Fresno Job Start
Fresno Bee Jobs
Real estate
Search homes
Find an apartment
New homes map
Real Estate Marketplace
Cars
Buy a car
Sell a car
Easy Find Autos
Classified
E-mmediate
Hot Spot
Legal Notices
Pets/livestock
Real estate
Recreation
Rentals
Yard sales
fresnobee.com
archives
web
Web Search powered by
YAHOO!
SEARCH
Log Out
My Account
SIGN IN
BECOME A MEMBER
You're in the
High Speed Rail
section
Deadline pressure threatens high-speed rail
Experts warn project may already be running late.
By Tim Sheehan / The Fresno Bee
By Tim Sheehan / The Fresno Bee
Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011 | 10:04 PM
Modified Tue, Feb 14, 2012 10:21 AM
E-Mail
Print
Text Size:
tool name
close
tool goes here
0 comments
Authority official Barker thinks seven or eight months is plenty of time for the environmental process, but Moore isn't sure."Those EIRs are going to raise a lot of questions," he said. "If that's a necessary condition for proceeding, that could hold things up."The EIRs also will form the basis for the rail authority's final selection of a route for the tracks between Fresno and Bakersfield.Until that happens, the authority cannot seek or award bids for construction or even start buying the land it needs for the tracks.Engineers and planners also are working on the preliminary design for the system.By the time the authority expects to start soliciting bids from contractors -- late this year or in early 2012 -- this work is expected to be at least 30% complete.Contractors would complete the design and build the system. Under the federal grant agreement, those design-build contracts must be awarded by September 2012.Along the way, the state must submit detailed plans to federal officials for how right of way will be acquired, how roads and utilities will be moved, and how hazardous materials will be handled.But all of that still depends on funding, which is not yet pinned down and faces its own obstacles.Money mattersGov. Jerry Brown and the state Legislature must agree to allocate money from Prop. 1A to match the federal funds. Barker said the authority will seek its first installments of money in the state's 2012-13 budget.Prop. 1A requires that an independent panel of transportation and rail experts approve budget requests before any bonds are sold.The same panel late last year issued a report questioning the authority's lack of a detailed financing and income plan, lack of a business model for operating and managing the system, and lack of staffing to oversee the project.Some legislators also have criticized the authority's preliminary estimates of revenues and ridership as "unrealistic." One example: a projection of as many as 102,700 riders daily on the statewide system, including 4,500 boardings daily in Fresno."Obviously there are challenges and questions, and the onus is on us to address those questions," Barker said. "By the time we bring our budget request, we'll have to have all these questions answered."Should the Legislature reject the budget request, "that would be saying, 'No, we don't want high-speed rail,' " Barker added. "That would be telling the federal government to take back the $2.5 billion and saying we don't want it."If the armful of "ifs" are accomplished -- if the rail authority meets the deadline for environmental review, if it gets money from the Legislature, and if it awards construction contracts in time -- then it's on to the dirty work.Shovels in the groundThe rail authority suggests that building the segments between Merced and Bakersfield will create as many as 80,000 temporary construction jobs between 2012 and 2017.But because only 30% of the engineering is expected to be completed on the project by the time contracts are awarded next year, much work will remain on the drawing board until perhaps 2013 and 2014."We won't have 10,000 hard hats on the ground laying rail in September 2012," said Barker. "Final engineering will be the first phase of work being done."The first work that the public would see is likely to be land acquisition, clearing property and demolishing structures in the path of the tracks, said John Popoff, an engineer on the authority's management team.
Previous PageNext Page
The reporter can be reached at tsheehan@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6319.
Similar stories:
High-speed rail project likely delayed until 2013
High-speed rail project likely delayed until 2013
Construction of a high-speed train line in the central San Joaquin Valley was supposed to start late this year. Now, officials say, it's not likely to start until early 2013, even if state legislators approve billions in bond money this spring.
High-speed rail route near Hanford reconsidered
High-speed rail route near Hanford reconsidered
A once-scrapped route option for high-speed trains through Kings County is in play again.
A line that bypasses Hanford to the west will be revived by the California High-Speed Rail Authority for consideration. The agency announced Wednesday that it will recall a controversial draft environmental-impact report for its Fresno-Bakersfield section for revisions that are expected to take five to six months.
The delay is based on feedback the rail authority received on the draft environmental report – a massive document of nearly 17,000 pages.
Lawsuits could stall or stop high-speed rail plans
Lawsuits could stall or stop high-speed rail plans
Even if state officials can scrape together the billions of dollars needed to fund California's ambitious high-speed rail plans, lawsuits from local cities and opposition groups still could delay, divert or derail the project altogether.
In the Bay Area, cities and nonprofits are suing over issues with the route and environmental studies. In Southern California, the city of Palmdale has gone to court over fears that rail officials will pull a planned Antelope Valley line through the city and reroute the tracks up Interstate 5 instead.
Perhaps the hardest-fought battle is yet to come in Kings County, where officials and residents say they'll do everything in their power to stop a 100-mile stretch of track from wiping out thousands of acres of prime farmland between Fresno and Bakersfield.
Deal signed for Central Valley part of rail project
Deal signed for Central Valley part of rail project
California High-Speed Rail Authority officials said Wednesday they've signed a cooperative agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration that will provide $928 million in federal funding for the construction of the project's Central Valley segment.
Thomas J. Umberg, Chairman of the California High-Speed Rail Authority board of directors, said in a press release the announcement of the federal funds "makes good on the promise of our new draft business plan that the funding for the first segment is identified, committed, and we are moving forward."
The announcement comes less than a week after the Republican-led Congress voted to kill all high-speed rail funding beyond 2012.
Brown pins legacy to Calif. high-speed rail plans
Brown pins legacy to Calif. high-speed rail plans
Critics have called it the train to nowhere and a $98 billion boondoggle. As concerns mount over the practicality and affordability of California's plan to build a high-speed rail system, even many former supporters are beginning to sound skeptical.
The Bee's story-comment system is provided by Disqus