Collecting 19 boxes of items for the Zion Community Food Pantry, 7-year-old Zoe Hensley of Ionia has proved young children can make a big difference in the community.

I feel really great. Im so happy that I (collected) so many boxes, said Hensley. I felt so proud of myself.

Hensley, her siblings and her parents helped carry the items into the pantry Thursday after collecting them at Sozo Coffee Roasting and Espresso Bar through the month of April.

Hensleys initial goal was to fill four large boxes full of food. However, she surpassed it and even raised $140, which she used to purchase health care items including soap, shampoo, toothpaste and hand sanitizer.

Personal care items are equally important to give to the food pantry because typically those items are not able to be purchased with food stamps, said Zion Community Food Pantry Director Barb Hollon.

She said she is thrilled with the work Hensley has done to help the community.

Shes just a remarkable young lady, said Hollon, who helped the children place the items where they needed to be.

Hollon added she believes Hensley is a leader who shows compassion for those around her.

Hensley said she would like to hold another food drive in the future, adding she enjoyed collecting and organizing the items.

Hensleys mother, Mindy Hensley, said she was excited about her daughters accomplishment and is happy to have helped her during collection.

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Food drive a success for 7-year-old

Rebecca Huntley ... "[I] started to see terrible things being said and it does challenge your feelings." Photo: Sahlan Hayes

When not persuading Australians to open up, she reveals her own family's untold stories, writes Debra Jopson.

'It's one of those things you do when you're 18,'' Rebecca Huntley says. Twenty-one years ago, when she was applying to study law at the University of NSW, she decided to change her name so her lecturers would not know she was the daughter of the eminent legal academic James Crawford.

''I want your maiden name,'' she told her mother, Marisa Crawford nee Ballini. But her mother told her she would never be accepted in law or politics with an Italian name. So the daughter opened the A-K Sydney telephone book and when her eyes fell on ''Huntley'', marked that on her university application form and changed her name by deed poll.

Her mother, whose family swapped the island of Elba off the Tuscany coast for Queensland's cane farms, approved. ''She said, 'Oh, that sounds wonderfully neutral.' It sounds Australian, which to her is neutral,'' Huntley says.

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The sense of stigma attached to the Italian name was one of the clues that led Huntley to seek out her family's secrets.

But she does not reveal these secrets until the end of lunch at The Boathouse on the harbour's edge at Blackwattle Bay, where she admires the industrial landscape of Sydney Fish Markets and its surrounds against the water, then launches into anecdotes about her soundings of the Aussie mindset.

It is only when she finally tells her family history that it becomes clear why she continues to plumb these strange depths over and over.

She orders mackerel and mineral water, and speaks of one of her earliest memories. When she was four or five, travelling past suburban brick houses, she would wonder who lived there. As director of the Ipsos Mackay report, she is now paid to walk through those doors across the continent to find out what the inhabitants think.

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Secrets and her success

With CIF Prelims on the horizon, a healthy sprinkling of confidence doesn't hurt, and neither does a flood of league titles.

That's the way the Citrus Valley High School track and field program is looking at its trip to the Division 3 meet at Estancia High School, where the program hopes to take the Costa Mesa event by storm this coming weekend.

The Blackhawks, who breezed through the Mountain Valley League to a pair of team championships, are now headed to the first round of CIF competition on Saturday, and will be doing so fresh off a dominating showing at MVL Finals.

After the Citrus Valley boys reeled off their first undefeated league campaign, and the girls did so for the second straight year, the two squads combined to win 18 of 30 events at Thursday's finals, turning in a number of standout performances that highlighted a home meet the hosts dominated from start to finish.

Sophomore Rian Young-Werner won the long jump and had a hand in the winning 4x100 relay, but it was in the triple jump where she shined the brightest.

Her jump of 39 feet, 9 inches not only won the event but set a personal record.

According to Blackhawk coach Marie Honeyfield, she has a puncher's chance of heading to the CIF State meet, but it will take a serious effort out of the youngster.

"If she goes with her A game, she might make it to state," Honeyfield said. "But it won't be easy. She's really, really got to come with her A game."

On the boys side, Apeti Adadevoh is Citrus Valley's horse, as the senior long jumper is the third-best in Division 3.

Honeyfield knows he won't be an easy athlete to oust either.

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Citrus Valley track and team program primed for CIF success

VICTORIA, British Columbia and MANCHESTER, New Hampshire, May 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

UNIT4Business Software (http://www.unit4software.com), developer of Agresso Business World, an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software platform for Businesses Living IN Change (BLINC), has won the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Employer of the Year award. The award goes to a local business that demonstrates a commitment to job creation, ongoing training programs, company morale, recognition programs, employee health, and professional and personal development.

UNIT4 Business Software has enjoyed strong growth over the last five years, and has been a leader in creating technology jobs in the community. In 2011, the company hired 21 new employees and plans to hire even more in 2012. Aware that people are the backbone of its achievements, UNIT4 Business Software offers its employees an enviable work environment. From generous training and professional development budgets, to engaging social activities, to competitive benefits and compensation, the company makes corporate culture a priority.

"Victoria has a thriving technology industry and to attract top performing individuals, it is important to invest in your employees, encourage company-wide communication, and give people the opportunity to excel," says Shelley Zapp, president of UNIT4 Business Software. "Over 50 percent of our employees have been with us over five years; our low turnover fosters more efficient teamwork and ensures a deep repository of product and business knowledge within the organization," she adds.

UNIT4 Business Software is the North American subsidiary of UNIT4, a $602 million global business software group. As a local subsidiary, it has the entrepreneurial spirit of a smaller, agile company, yet enjoys the stable underpinnings of a larger corporate presence. Employees have the opportunity to interact with colleagues and customers from countries around the world, giving UNIT4 Business Software a unique international flair in the local technology community.

About UNIT4 Business Software

UNIT4 Business Software in North America (http://www.unit4software.com) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UNIT4, a $602 million enterprise resource planning (ERP) company and a top six mid-market ERP software player globally. The company helps dynamic public sector, and commercial services organizations to embrace change simply, quickly and cost effectively in a market sector it calls 'Businesses Living IN Change' (BLINC). Agresso Business World is widely acknowledged as the business software solution that delivers the lowest Total Cost of Change. The software's unique Vita architecture allows for ongoing, post-implementation changes by business users, without the external IT costs typical of disparate systems.

Over 3,000 companies and organizations in 100 countries deploy Agresso Business World for both operational support and strategic management. The company's role-based, Web Services and Services-Oriented Architecture (SOA) enabled solutions include Financial Management, Human Resources and Payroll, Procurement Management, Project Costing and Billing, Reporting and Analytics, Business Process Automation, and Field Services and Asset Maintenance.

Thenames of actual companies or products mentioned herein may be thetrademarks of theirrespectiveowners. Agresso, Agresso Business World, BLINC, and VITA are registered trademarks of UNIT4 Business Software.

Media contacts: JoAnn Marlow Director of Marketing, UNIT4 Business Software Phone: +1-(250)-704-4489 Cell: +1-(250)-415-7510 Email: Joann.Marlow@unit4.com Twitter: @UNIT4SoftwareNA

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UNIT4 Business Software Wins Chamber of Commerce Employer of the Year Award

May 4, 2012 in City

The Washington state Court of Appeals Division III on Thursday overruled a Spokane County Superior Courts decision to allow personal docks to be built along the Spokane River as part of the Coyote Rock Development in theValley.

The Superior Court had upheld an exemption the city of Spokane Valley gave the development group to build up to 30 docks without getting permits in accordance with Washingtons Shoreline ManagementAct.

Washingtons Shoreline Management Act is supposed to be read strictly in favor of protecting our shorelines, so that places like the Spokane River are protected, Bart Mihailovich, of Spokane Riverkeeper, said in a pressrelease.

The Department of Ecology, among other plaintiffs attached to the case, argued that the docks would be destructive to the habitats of native species spawning in the area, yet conducive to invasive predators like the smallmouth bass and northernpike.

It was unclear Thursday evening if the Coeur dAlene-based Neighborhood Inc., which owns Coyote Rock LLC, will appeal the courts latestdecision.

JacobPalmer

The nine baby owls that arrived at Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital a couple weeks ago originally thought to be great horned owls are actually of the screechvariety.

The screech owl, while prominent in the Midwest and the East, is extraordinarily rare on this side of the country, according to a WSU newsrelease.

Excerpt from:
In brief: Personal docks case overruled - Fri, 04 May 2012 PST

DETROIT, May 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- While campaigning to become the Governor of Michigan, candidate Rick Snyder proposed to eliminate the business personal property tax because he felt that it was an impediment to attracting reinvestment and new investment into Michigan. Following the Governor's lead, legislators in both the House and Senate have filed bills that would eliminate, phase out, or diminish the effects of personal property tax on businesses.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110726/DA41187LOGO)

For example, Senate Bill 34 would eliminate the personal property tax completely. Senate Bill 142 attempts to eliminate personal property tax for businesses with fewer than 26 employees. To provide relief and encourage investment, Senate Bill 883 would eliminate property tax on new personal property. A bit more complicated, House Bill 4102 and House Bill 4103 provide for three components: the state education tax, the revised school code, and one-half of the tax that would be levied by the tax jurisdictions in the local tax collecting unit.

Like most other states that tax business personal property, Michigan personal property is a tax on commercial, industrial, and utility assets not otherwise classified as real property. Costs on assets such as furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment, leasehold improvements, and electrical and gas transmission and distribution infrastructure make up most of the taxable property.

Michigan's business and government leaders agree that the property tax should be eliminated, and the following will help businesses be prepared for tax changes:

1. Ensure that real and personal property assets are classified correctly for property tax purposes, not just for federal depreciation purposes.

2. Monitor costs received from the local municipalities, as replacement revenue will likely include an increase in fees for services.

3. Be prepared as more cities consider an income tax.

4. Retain accurate records for any real estate development investments.

5. Recognize that Michigan assessors will uncap the taxable values on any property purchased in arm's length transactions and increase taxes.

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Ryan Reports Michigan Considers Eliminating Personal Property Tax

The latest amendment to the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) will apart from allowing students to have political affliations, pave the way for them to enrich their attributes and facilitate their personal development.

STUDENTS can be actively involved in politics off campus and in peaceful rallies without worrying about getting into trouble with their universities, in the weeks ahead.

Paving the way for this change of landscape is the latest amendment to the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) which the ministry said was an attempt to add more elements of natural justice to the Act known by its Malay acronym AUKU.

The amendment was passed by the Dewan Rakyat via a voice vote on April 19, and will be tabled at the Dewan Negara on May 10.

Over the last four decades, students have not been able to take part in politics or rallies and faced a multitude of actions such as suspensions or even expulsions.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin had agreed that previously, public university officials had to carefully scrutinise and check if their students were involved whenever there were rallies.

However, there is a caveat though. All students are expected to be mature enough to understand that they would be subjected to natural legal process if they were to commit offences such as acts of crime, sedition and defamation, among others.

A Higher Education Ministry official explained at a briefing to editors last Wednesday, that it was meant to clear the air over amendments to the UUCA which is often seen as a touchy issue.

The official confirmed that the university will then naturally have the power to act upon the students who were found guilty by the courts.

However, the officials said, even those who are holding positions as student leaders in the university could stand as a candidate in either a state or parliamentary election.

The rest is here:
Changes for the better

attleboro

healing services: National Shrine of Our Lady of LaSalette Reconciliation Chapel, 947 Park St., Sunday, May 6, 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. John Sullivan, M.S. (Spanish); and Sunday, May 13, 2 p.m. with the Rev. Almir Urbano, M.S. (Brazilian Portuguese).

DARTMOUTH

mosque prayer service: Masjid al-Ehsan, 2 Cove Road, Fridays, 1-2 p.m. Contact Sherif El Wakil for more information.

east taunton

a day with mary: Holy Family Parish, 370 Middleborough Ave., Saturday, May 5, 7:50 a.m.-3:15 p.m. A day of instruction, devotion and intercession based on the message given at Fatima in 1917, event includes Fatima video presentation in Parish Hall; Entry Procession of Our Lady of Fatima statue into the church, Angelus, Crowning Ceremony, Sung Litany of Loreto, Five Joyful Mysteries; Mass of Our Lady with main celebrant the Rev. Kevin A. Cook, pastor, and consecration of the parish to Our Lady; Exposition and Procession of the Blessed Sacrament; Sermon on Our Lady by the Rev. Martin Mary Fonte, FI and Silent Adoration; Meditations on the Via Luic (Meditations on the Resurrection); Five Glorious Mysteries, Act of Consecration, Benediction; Enrollment in the Brown Scapular, Investiture of Miraculous Medal, and Farewell Procession. Bring a bag lunch. Book store with Catholic books and religious articles for sale. Join them for all or a part of the day to celebrate this and every day with Mary. For more information, call (508) 824-5707.

fairhaven

coming of age Sunday: Unitarian Memorial Church, 102 Green St., Sunday, May 20,10:30 a.m. The youth will offer their religious beliefs and their thoughts about the world at this time in their lives, as they move into young adulthood.

connecting for change film series: Unitarian Memorial Church Parish House Auditorium, 102 Green St., Thursday, May 24, 7 p.m. "Journey of the Universe" is the final film in the series. Narrated and co-written by author and evolutionary philosopher, Brian Swimme, this film takes us from the Big Bang theory to the epic impact humans have on our planet today. In a period of growing environmental and social crisis, "Journey of the Universe" is designed to inspire a new and closer relationship with the Earth.

NEW BEDFORD

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Religious services

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKwfXkCM1zc

04-05-2012 20:49 CCTV does a story about online music lessons from featuring a student of fingerstyle guitarist Martin Taylor, classical guitarist Jason Vieaux, and ArtistWorks founder David Buter.

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ArtistWorks Featured on China Central Television - Video

Harvard and MIT jumped to the front of the free online education movement this week with edX, a $60 million partnership that promises online coursework to the masses from two leading academic brands.

The venture illustrates both the limits and limitlessness of online higher education.

On the one hand, the collaboration looks like an unprecedented gesture of intellectual largesse an altruistic giveaway, as Mary Carmichael put it in the Boston Globe. Or, as Harvard President Drew Faust noted in Wednesdays news conference, Anyone with an Internet connection anywhere in the world can have access. The Chronicle of Higher Education termed it part of an online education revival, following the collapse of earlier efforts that proved financially untenable.

It remains to be seen how many citizens of edXs vast global education community can walk away with credentials for completing a course, or what it might cost.

The venture will create access, starting this fall, for literally hundreds of thousands of potential students to some of the greatest minds in academia. There will be no admission gateway and thats a significant point, considering how hard it is to get into either Harvard or MIT. (The new undertaking is actually an outgrowth of MITx, a free-to-the-masses online education initiative announced by MIT separately last year.)

But no one taking edX courses will gain access to a credential issued in the name of Harvard or MIT, and that, too, is significant; the online platform will not allow students back-door access to those prized brands. Online learners who demonstrate mastery of subjects could earn a certificate of completion, the universities said in a statement, but such certificates would not be issued under the name Harvard or MIT.

Such credentials would also cost something the exact sum is yet to be determined. And its not clear that every student who wants a certificate from edX will be able to get one.

Herein lies one of the key limitations of online higher education: when it comes to grading papers or tests, and to assessing whether a student has mastered a course, human graders typically must be involved, and suddenly, the universe of students who can be served shrinks to a finite and very modest number.

University leaders say they will leverage the venture to spawn research on how students learn, and on how best to educate people online. These two schools and other national universities that have dabbled in online education tend to be picky about the online platforms they choose, and to differentiate fairly or not between the quality of their online coursework and everyone elses.

Originally posted here:
Free Harvard, MIT classes for all? Yes and no.