Calling all working and retired professionals, tradesmen, artists, and craftsmen of Northampton County. Northampton Middle and High School invites you to sign up with our Career Mentor program for the 2018 school year. Volunteer as a guest lecturer at our Eastville, Virginia campus. Your help is needed to develop an awareness of business and career opportunities. Feel personal satisfaction by preparing successful graduates and increasing knowledge of the relationship between school and work.
Please go to www.ncpsk12.com and read our program outline. Follow the prompts to sign up and help develop a talented, home-grown work force.
Archives for January 2018
History Notes this week of January 14th
888: Death of Charles the Fat (b.839), Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, the youngest son of Louis the German and Hemma. Charles was a great-grandson of Charlemagne. He was the second-last emperor of the Carolingian dynasty and the last to rule, briefly, over a re-united Frankish empire. Over his lifetime, Charles became ruler of the various kingdoms of Charlemagne’s former Empire. Granted lordship over Alamannia in 876, following the division of East Francia, he succeeded to the Italian throne upon the abdication of his older brother Carloman of Bavaria who had been incapacitated by a stroke. Crowned Emperor in 881 by Pope John VIII, his succession to the territories of his brother Louis the Younger (Saxony and Bavaria) the following year reunited the kingdom of East Francia. Upon the death of his cousin Carloman II in 884, he inherited all of West Francia, thus reuniting the entire Carolingian Empire (wikipedia).
1412: The Medici family of Florence is formally appointed to act as banker to the Papacy, an account that greatly accelerated their rise as the most powerful family in Italy, to say nothing of hastening the development of modern banking and accounting methods to accurately deal with vast sums of money.
1584: Florentine explorer Gionvanni da Verrazzano sets sail from Madeira to find an ocean route to the Pacific. He explores much of the eastern coast of North America, mis-identifying Pamlico Sound as the Pacific Ocean. He discovered the entrance to New York harbor, and farther up the coast, Block Island. The narrows of NY harbor, and the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge is named after him.
1670: British pirate Henry Morgan, captures and sacks the city of Panama in the Spanish Main, burning it to the ground after taking anything and everything of value. For nearly 10 years, multiple Royal Governors of Jamaica ignored repeated edicts from the Crown to suppress piracy. Instead, they encouraged Morgan to range throughout the Caribbean attacking Spanish ships and port cities under Jamaican Letters of Marque, which somehow added legitimacy to his activities. Morgan kept his crews occupied with adventure and plunder, while enriching himself, his Governors, and the Crown itself with looted Spanish treasure. The sack of Panama, however, was the last straw for the Spanish: England was formally at peace with Spain in 1670, and the Spanish Crown demanded Morgan’s head. In 1672 he was arrested for the act, and returned to England for an expected trial and hanging. Instead, King Charles II knighted him for Services to the Crown and appointed him Lieutenant-Governor of Jamaica, where he served until 1683, living there until his death in 1688. Today, Captain Morgan’s Rum still sports an image of the Captain, swashbuckling in a scarlet jacket trimmed in gold.
1707: The Scottish Parliament ratifies the Act of Union with England, beginning the process of creating the United Kingdom of England, Scotland and Wales (and later, Northern Ireland).
1741: Birth of Benedict Arnold. During the American Revolution, Arnold distinguished himself through acts of intelligence and bravery. His actions included the Capture of Fort Ticonderoga in 1775, defensive and delaying tactics at the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain in 1776 (allowing American forces time to prepare New York’s defenses), the Battle of Ridgefield, Connecticut (after which he was promoted to major general), operations in relief of the Siege of Fort Stanwix, and key actions during the pivotal Battles of Saratoga in 1777, in which he suffered leg injuries that halted his combat career for several years. Despite his successes, he was passed over for promotion by the Continental Congress, while other officers claimed credit for some of his accomplishments. Congress investigated his accounts and concluded that he was indebted to Congress (even as he had spent much of his own money on the war effort). Arnold was frustrated and bitter at this, as well as with the alliance with France and the failure of Congress to accept Britain’s 1778 proposal to grant full self-governance in the colonies. He decided to change sides (wikipedia). [Read more…]
Half a Century of Saving the Chesapeake Bay—Lessons Learned
Science and Philosophy Seminar of the Eastern Shore of Virginia has scheduled its next seminar, “Half a Century of Saving the Chesapeake Bay—Lessons Learned”. The free 90-minute seminar will be at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 26 in the Lecture Hall of the Eastern Shore Community College, 29300 Lankford Hwy, Melfa, VA 23410.
Tom Horton will describe how when growing up on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, he experienced the best of the Chesapeake. His adult life has been devoted to chronicling the great estuary’s degradation that began in the 1970s, and the major efforts to reverse this that began in the 1980s.
Horton covered the environment for the Baltimore Sun from 1972 through 2006. He continues to write a column for the monthly Bay Journal and teaches environmental studies and nature writing at Salisbury University.
These seminars are occasionally rescheduled or postponed on short notice. Prospective attendees are urged to check the Seminar’s website (www.SciPhi.org) shortly before a scheduled date.
Riverside Health System Releases 2017 Cancer Care Annual Report
Report Details Local Cancer Statistics, Showcases Latest Treatment Innovations and Highlights Patient Success Stories
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Riverside Health System has released its 2017 Cancer Care Annual Report, offering insight into regional cancer statistics, the latest in new treatment innovations and support programs available locally, and highlights of patient success stories.
According to the report, which compiled data from 2016, a total of 2,688 patients were diagnosed or received initial cancer care in a Riverside facility, a slight increase from the 2,639 patients seen in 2015. For historical comparison, that total is more than twice as many as the 1,342 diagnosed in 2006.
Categorically, breast cancer continues to represent the largest number of primary site diagnoses, with 598 new cases reported in 2016. That compares to 227 cases reported in 2006, for a 10 year increase of more than 163 percent, and a 3 percent increase from 2015 figures. Riverside reported 300 new cases of cancers of the respiratory system in 2016, the second highest category, up 37 percent from 2006 data.
“While the number of cancer cases continues to grow, so too does our resolve and our ability to compassionately care for patients with the most advanced treatment options and support programs available anywhere,” said Biral S. Amin, M.D. Oncology Service Line Chief, Riverside Health System. “Riverside’s 2017 Cancer Care Annual Report showcases how we’re making healing available right here at home, from brand new medical technologies to the very latest in therapeutic and supportive services that boost quality of life for both patients and their families.” [Read more…]
Flying Pig, LLC Holds Sauerkraut Making Classes
Flying Pig, LLC Holds Sauerkraut Making Classes
Learn the art of producing traditionally fermented sauerkraut in historic Cape Charles. Making fermented foods was a necessity in days before refrigeration to preserve foods for the winter months. In addition to preserving the vegetables, the fermentation process actually makes them more nutritious. This class will provide you with the information you need to produce sauerkraut safely as well as the hands-on joy of making your own special kraut blend. All instructions and materials are included. Cost: $35. Open dates are Saturday, February 24th and Saturday, March 3rd – all at 1 pm. Call Karen at 240-393-5625 or email theflyingpigllc@gmail.com to register.
Eastern Shore French Club Looking for New Members
The Eastern Shore FrancoFun is seeking people who speak French or would like to improve their language skills. We meet at various members’ houses typically on the third Friday of each month. Meetings are fun and no preparation is required. All we do is talk to each other and eat the delicious food that is brought by attendees. Our first annual meeting is on Friday, 2/16 at 6 pm.
If you’d like to join or have questions, call Karen Gay at 240-393-5625 or email at karengreergay@gmail.com.
Woods Hole Science Aquarium Announces 2018 Summer Programs for High School Students
Five-week internship and two-week career seminar offered
The Woods Hole Science Aquarium (WHSA) is offering two summer programs for high school students in 2018, a five-week internship and a two-week seminar devoted to careers in marine science. Both programs are designed for students who are interested in marine science and marine animals, aquarium operations, and marine education and conservation.
Interns in the five-week program will spend approximately 20-25 hours per week in the aquarium helping to care for animals. The interns will learn about marine animal husbandry, aquarium operations, conservation, and public education. They will also serve as assistant naturalists for shore-side collecting walks for the public. Interns are expected to help with cleaning tanks, preparing fish food, and other animal husbandry chores that can be messy and smelly. The high school student interns will also visit other Woods Hole research institutions and will get an introduction to careers in marine and environmental science. The five-week program will run from July 2 through August 3. The Careers in Marine Science seminar will run from July 23 through August 3.
The seminar is designed to give students an idea of what people working in Woods Hole science institutions do, and how different disciplines contribute to the larger effort to understand the marine world and to manage marine resources wisely. [Read more…]
Op-ed: PITCHMAN REDUX – The Return of Barack Obama to American politics
Special Opinion to the Cape Charles Mirror by Paul Plante
Yes, people, it is true, or at least it appears to be true, from all the rumors in the press, that the second coming of Barack Hussein Obama to American politics is immanent, but then, it would have to be, wouldn’t it?
Afterall, with his superstar appeal to his adoring fans, can anyone imagine Obama staying out of the limelight without a soap box to make his political pronouncements to the masses from?
As to the second coming of Obama, in the Newsweek article “Obama Is Returning to Politics in 2018, and Trump Should Be Worried” by Sam Schwarz on 1/17/18 at 9:29 AM, we are told as follows:
If President Donald Trump and the Republican Party were already worried about defending their majorities in the House and Senate come November, they will now have another major factor to contend with: Barack Obama.
End quotes
See what I am saying about rumors of Obama’s immanent return in the press?
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of Obama!
He is coming to trample out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored in Trump Tower and Mar-A-Lago!
He will loose the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword and his truth will be marching on, Glory!
Glory! Hallelujah!
Getting back to Newsweek:
The former president enjoyed a busy year since leaving the White House but has largely stayed under the radar.
End quotes
[Read more…]
Big Tech Coming Home: Is this a Trump Win?
After eight years of economic stagnation, government waste, onerous and misguided social justice policies such as net neutrality, and not-so-subtle income redistribution plans under the previous administration, is America ready to return to its roots and start feeding the wolf?
Cupertino, California — Apple today announced a new set of investments to build on its commitment to support the American economy and its workforce, concentrated in three areas where Apple has had the greatest impact on job creation: direct employment by Apple, spending and investment with Apple’s domestic suppliers and manufacturers, and fueling the fast-growing app economy which Apple created with iPhone and the App Store. Apple is already responsible for creating and supporting over 2 million jobs across the United States and expects to generate even more jobs as a result of the initiatives being announced today.
The company is also giving many of its employees a $2,500 bonus.
Combining new investments and Apple’s current pace of spending with domestic suppliers and manufacturers — an estimated $55 billion for 2018 — Apple’s direct contribution to the US economy will be more than $350 billion over the next five years, not including Apple’s ongoing tax payments, the tax revenues generated from employees’ wages and the sale of Apple products.
Planned capital expenditures in the US, investments in American manufacturing over five years and a record tax payment upon repatriation of overseas profits will account for approximately $75 billion of Apple’s direct contribution.
“Apple is a success story that could only have happened in America, and we are proud to build on our long history of support for the US economy,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We believe deeply in the power of American ingenuity, and we are focusing our investments in areas where we can have a direct impact on job creation and job preparedness. We have a deep sense of responsibility to give back to our country and the people who help make our success possible.”
Apple, already the largest US taxpayer, anticipates repatriation tax payments of approximately $38 billion as required by recent changes to the tax law. A payment of that size would likely be the largest of its kind ever made.
Apple expects to invest over $30 billion in capital expenditures in the US over the next five years and create over 20,000 new jobs through hiring at existing campuses and opening a new one. Apple already employs 84,000 people in all 50 states.
The company plans to establish an Apple campus in a new location, which will initially house technical support for customers. The location of this new facility will be announced later in the year.
Over $10 billion of Apple’s expanded capital expenditures will be investments in data centers across the US. Over the last decade, Apple has invested billions of dollars in data centers and co-located facilities in seven US states, including North Carolina, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and a recently announced project in Iowa.
Today, Apple is breaking ground on a new facility in downtown Reno, which will support its existing Nevada facilities.
All of Apple’s US facilities, including offices, retail stores and data centers, are powered by 100 percent renewable energy sources like solar, wind and micro-hydro power, which Apple generates or purchases from local projects. The new campus announced today will also be powered entirely by green energy.
Amazon’s Investment in America
Boston was one of 20 places in the United States and Canada that made Amazon’s list, joining cities that had been widely expected to make the cut, like Denver and Dallas, and surprises like Nashville and Columbus, Ohio.
The winner could get up to 50,000 high-paying jobs and $5 billion in investment, figures that Amazon has dangled in front of local officials, setting off an unprecedented competition to be the second home for one of the internet’s mightiest companies. In all, 238 cities and regions applied to bring the company to town, many using promises of tax breaks and public charm offensives to gain favor with the e-commerce giant.
The finalists include places like Newark, where the local economy has struggled for decades, and hip centers like Miami and Austin, Tex. For other cities, like Los Angeles and New York, luring Amazon would cement their place as centers of the tech industry.
Apple’s announcement made President Trump very happy. The administration and the tech industry have not had the best relationship, but the President’s haranguing of Apple and Amazon has caused major movement in the industry.
Navy filing homicide charges against 2 ship commanders
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Navy says it is filing negligent homicide charges against the commanders of two ships involved in fatal collisions last year.
The charges are to be presented at what the military calls an Article 32 hearing, which will determine whether the accused are court-martialed.
The actions, including charges against several lower-ranking officers, were announced Tuesday by the Navy’s chief spokesman, Capt. Greg Hicks.
Hicks says the decision to file charges was made by Adm. Frank Caldwell, head of the Navy’s nuclear reactors program, who reviewed evidence of what caused the collisions. The USS Fitzgerald collided with a commercial ship in waters off Japan in June, killing seven sailors. Ten sailors were killed when the USS John S. McCain collided with an oil tanker in Southeast Asia in August.
ROBERT BURNS and LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press