A weapon threat made Friday April 24 shook Smile High School to impliment sudden actions in order to protect its students before they returned to school Monday morning. According to the Houston Chonicle, rumors spread that a student allegedly brought a weapon on campus and made sudden threats. Later students were ordered to evacuate the building around 11:30 a.m., and the North Forest police department investigated the incident.
In light of what happened at Virginia Tech last week, it was necessary that the North Forrestschool district take appropriate action. Later North Forest ISD reported that they would take extra precaustion as students returned to classes on Monday, and that students "as an extra precaution will be required to walk through metal detectors." However, the North Forest school district website had no mention of the alleged weapon threat that a student brought the weapon to school, and made threats. It was no where to be found; even on Monday April 30th.
It would seem right to at least alert the public, expecially concerned parents about the scare and what's going on. For a threat such as this two follow not even two weeks after the Virginia Tech, incident, I would think the district would take more precaussion. I would think that the North Forest district would be more careful and at least alert people so that in case something did happen, they could go back and say that they ACTUALLY took precaussions. They would be able to say and prove that they did what they told the media they would do. (Well, at least they could look the least bit concerned on their web site.)
News story:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4756914.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18398911/
North Forrest School district reactions:
Letter to the parents: http://classroom.northforestschools.org/webs/mbsmiley/ayp.htm
Monday, April 30, 2007
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact:
Randi Crowder, 940-369-9355
rdc0121@unt.edu
DECREASING WATER SUPPLY COULD LEAD TO WORLD EPEDEMIC
Water experts gather to discuss these issues and more at conference
DENTON- March 5, 2007- Decreasing supplies of fresh water could lead to an increase in epidemics and international conflicts according to a report by the United Nations made March 2003. The world’s supply of fresh water continues to shrink and the availability of clean water is diminishing. According to the report, between now and 2015, about 270,000 people per day will need clean water. It is predicted by 2050 anywhere from 2 to 7 billion people will live under water scarcity, according to the report.
The WaterWays Conference held at the University of North Texas brings together scientists, artists, and philosophers of water to raise awareness. Activists for the world’s supply of water gather bi-annually to discuss water issues including water scarcity, quality and what it means for the future of humanity.
This year’s conference will be held March 13-15 in the Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building located at 1704 W. Mulberry Street on the UNT campus.
Featured speakers include Robert F. Kennedy Jr., president of Waterkeeper Alliance, and Ramaswamy R Iyer, Former Secretary of Water, Govt. of India. Other key note speakers include Rodney Love owner of Tierra Designs Rainwater Hervesting/Waterwise Landscaping in Denton, Irene J. Klaver, Director of UNT Philosophy of Water Project and director of Waterways, and John A. McLachlan, Director of RiverSphere and the Katrina Environmental Research and Restoration Network.
The speakers will discuss issues such as water-scarcity, the quantity of reserves, and the cultural perceptions of water. They will also speak on issues concerning the water basin and the restoration of riparian area.
The main topic of focus will be over the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basin located in the Middle East. The GBM Basin ,commonly known as one of the most fertile basins in the world, serves as a major water supply for the people of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and part of Tibet. Since billions of people populate the general area, water engineers are working to build dams for flood control, but trying to consider the culture of the people who live around the basin before the process. These issues and more will be discussed at the conference.
Artist Daniel Bozhkov designed and constructed a water system on the side of the Art Building on the UNT campus. His creation, called the “Rainmaker’s Workshop” will collect water from the roof of the building, two gardens and a 19-foot dump truck, and filter them into a canister twelve feet high. As New York artist and a faculty member at the Yale University School of the Arts, Bozhkov will speak of his recent works and underground waterworks Wednesday at 5 PM.
Randi Crowder, 940-369-9355
rdc0121@unt.edu
DECREASING WATER SUPPLY COULD LEAD TO WORLD EPEDEMIC
Water experts gather to discuss these issues and more at conference
DENTON- March 5, 2007- Decreasing supplies of fresh water could lead to an increase in epidemics and international conflicts according to a report by the United Nations made March 2003. The world’s supply of fresh water continues to shrink and the availability of clean water is diminishing. According to the report, between now and 2015, about 270,000 people per day will need clean water. It is predicted by 2050 anywhere from 2 to 7 billion people will live under water scarcity, according to the report.
The WaterWays Conference held at the University of North Texas brings together scientists, artists, and philosophers of water to raise awareness. Activists for the world’s supply of water gather bi-annually to discuss water issues including water scarcity, quality and what it means for the future of humanity.
This year’s conference will be held March 13-15 in the Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building located at 1704 W. Mulberry Street on the UNT campus.
Featured speakers include Robert F. Kennedy Jr., president of Waterkeeper Alliance, and Ramaswamy R Iyer, Former Secretary of Water, Govt. of India. Other key note speakers include Rodney Love owner of Tierra Designs Rainwater Hervesting/Waterwise Landscaping in Denton, Irene J. Klaver, Director of UNT Philosophy of Water Project and director of Waterways, and John A. McLachlan, Director of RiverSphere and the Katrina Environmental Research and Restoration Network.
The speakers will discuss issues such as water-scarcity, the quantity of reserves, and the cultural perceptions of water. They will also speak on issues concerning the water basin and the restoration of riparian area.
The main topic of focus will be over the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basin located in the Middle East. The GBM Basin ,commonly known as one of the most fertile basins in the world, serves as a major water supply for the people of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and part of Tibet. Since billions of people populate the general area, water engineers are working to build dams for flood control, but trying to consider the culture of the people who live around the basin before the process. These issues and more will be discussed at the conference.
Artist Daniel Bozhkov designed and constructed a water system on the side of the Art Building on the UNT campus. His creation, called the “Rainmaker’s Workshop” will collect water from the roof of the building, two gardens and a 19-foot dump truck, and filter them into a canister twelve feet high. As New York artist and a faculty member at the Yale University School of the Arts, Bozhkov will speak of his recent works and underground waterworks Wednesday at 5 PM.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
3:30 PM-3:40 PM
ENV 130
Opening Remarks followed by Panel Discussion on Rainwater Harvesting with...
Irene J. Klaver
Director of the UNT Philosophy of Water Project and Director of WaterWays
3:40 PM-4:35 PM
North Texas Drought and Water Conservation
Rodney Love, Owner
Owner of Tierra Designs Rainwater Harvesting/Waterwise Landscaping, Denton, TX
4:35 PM-5:30 PM
The Advantages of Rainwater Harvesting
Richard Heinichen
Owner of Richard's Rainwater, First Company Licensed to Bottle Rainwater in America, and Mayor of Tanktown, Dripping Springs, TX
7:00 PM
ART 221
Artist Lecture on New Installation Piece: Rainmaker’s Workshop
Daniel Bozhkov
Faculty at the Yale University School of Art, Columbia University, and the Rhode Island School of Design.
9:30 PM
ENV 130
Philosophy in Film Series:WATER by Deepa Mehta
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
9:00 AM
ENV 115
India’s River Linking Plan: History and Current Debates
Kelly Alley
President of the Anthropology and Environment Section of the American Anthropology Association and Director of the Anthropology Program at Auburn University
10:30 AM
ENV 120
Water Concerns in South Asia: A Broad Survey of the Water Concerns of Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, & Bangladesh
Ramaswamy R. Iyer
Former Secretary for Water, Govt. of INDIA; Honorary Research Professor, Center for Policy Research, New Delhi
12:00 PM
ENV 320A
LUNCHEON
1:00 PM
ENV 130
PANEL DISCUSSIONRiver Cultures--Ecological Futures
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
John A. McLachlan
President of Waterkeeper Alliance and Chief Prosecuting Attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper
Director RiverSphere Project, Weatherhead Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies, Tulane University, New Orleans, Director, Center for Bioenvironmental Research at Tulane and Xavier Universities, Director Katrina Environmental Research and Restoration Network (KERRN)
3:00 PM
ENV Atrium
RECEPTION WITH LIVE MUSIC: Trio Montuno
Trio Montuno
3:00 PM
ENVThird Floor
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT: Water on the Edge: Six Photographers
Dornith Doherty, Curator
Assoc. Prof. of Photography, UNT-Denton
3:00 PM
ENVEagle Exhibit Hall
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT:Waterways of India
George Alfred James
Assoc. Prof. of Philosophy & Religion Studies, UNT-Denton
5:00 PM
ART Gallery
Daniel Bozhkov: Recent Works & Underground WaterworksRainmaker's Workshop
Daniel Bozhkov
Faculty at the Yale University School of Art, Columbia University, and the Rhode Island School of Design.
8:00 PM
Union Lyceum
Distinguished Speakers SeriesPLEASE NOTE: This Event is Free for UNT Students and $10.00 for the Public.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
President of Waterkeeper Alliance and Chief Prosecuting Attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper
Thursday, March 15, 2007
9:30 AM-10:50 AM
ENV 130
Mississippi and Living with Great Rivers:Floods, the Birth of Civilizations, and Contemporary Disasters
Richard Sparks
Director of ResearchNational Great Rivers Research & Education Center
Noon
LUNCHEON
3:30 PM-3:40 PM
ENV 130
Opening Remarks followed by Panel Discussion on Rainwater Harvesting with...
Irene J. Klaver
Director of the UNT Philosophy of Water Project and Director of WaterWays
3:40 PM-4:35 PM
North Texas Drought and Water Conservation
Rodney Love, Owner
Owner of Tierra Designs Rainwater Harvesting/Waterwise Landscaping, Denton, TX
4:35 PM-5:30 PM
The Advantages of Rainwater Harvesting
Richard Heinichen
Owner of Richard's Rainwater, First Company Licensed to Bottle Rainwater in America, and Mayor of Tanktown, Dripping Springs, TX
7:00 PM
ART 221
Artist Lecture on New Installation Piece: Rainmaker’s Workshop
Daniel Bozhkov
Faculty at the Yale University School of Art, Columbia University, and the Rhode Island School of Design.
9:30 PM
ENV 130
Philosophy in Film Series:WATER by Deepa Mehta
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
9:00 AM
ENV 115
India’s River Linking Plan: History and Current Debates
Kelly Alley
President of the Anthropology and Environment Section of the American Anthropology Association and Director of the Anthropology Program at Auburn University
10:30 AM
ENV 120
Water Concerns in South Asia: A Broad Survey of the Water Concerns of Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, & Bangladesh
Ramaswamy R. Iyer
Former Secretary for Water, Govt. of INDIA; Honorary Research Professor, Center for Policy Research, New Delhi
12:00 PM
ENV 320A
LUNCHEON
1:00 PM
ENV 130
PANEL DISCUSSIONRiver Cultures--Ecological Futures
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
John A. McLachlan
President of Waterkeeper Alliance and Chief Prosecuting Attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper
Director RiverSphere Project, Weatherhead Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies, Tulane University, New Orleans, Director, Center for Bioenvironmental Research at Tulane and Xavier Universities, Director Katrina Environmental Research and Restoration Network (KERRN)
3:00 PM
ENV Atrium
RECEPTION WITH LIVE MUSIC: Trio Montuno
Trio Montuno
3:00 PM
ENVThird Floor
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT: Water on the Edge: Six Photographers
Dornith Doherty, Curator
Assoc. Prof. of Photography, UNT-Denton
3:00 PM
ENVEagle Exhibit Hall
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT:Waterways of India
George Alfred James
Assoc. Prof. of Philosophy & Religion Studies, UNT-Denton
5:00 PM
ART Gallery
Daniel Bozhkov: Recent Works & Underground WaterworksRainmaker's Workshop
Daniel Bozhkov
Faculty at the Yale University School of Art, Columbia University, and the Rhode Island School of Design.
8:00 PM
Union Lyceum
Distinguished Speakers SeriesPLEASE NOTE: This Event is Free for UNT Students and $10.00 for the Public.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
President of Waterkeeper Alliance and Chief Prosecuting Attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper
Thursday, March 15, 2007
9:30 AM-10:50 AM
ENV 130
Mississippi and Living with Great Rivers:Floods, the Birth of Civilizations, and Contemporary Disasters
Richard Sparks
Director of ResearchNational Great Rivers Research & Education Center
Noon
LUNCHEON
Friday, March 9, 2007
Grassroots or Astroturf
I think the "Billionaires for Coal" protest group, the members of the Rainforest Action Network in "The Truth About Coal", were astroturf. The group just seemed over the top in their approach to protest about coal with their top hats and bags of coal. The "Billionaires for coal" may have been set up by a power company such as Pacific Gas or DuPont to take the picture off of them, and point the finger to a company like TXU. By pointing out TXU's pollution of the environment, it automatically takes the spectacle off of them helping them to look like the better companies. They were astroturfing.
Robert F. Kennedy and Ramaswamy R Iyer
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Ramaswamy R Iyer are two among many speakers who will speak at the WaterWays Conference 2007 at the Univerisy of North Texas March 14.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is an advocate for defending local waterways of polluters. As the founder of the Waterkeeper Alliance, Kennedy currently serves as President, overseeing over 137 Waterkeeper programs to prevent the spread of pollution in local water supplies, and actively works to protect the water supply of New York City.
Kennedy is also the Chief Prosecuting Attorney for Riverkeeper, an environmental organization devoted to defending waterways. He’s helped safeguard the watershed of New York City and protect the Hudson River, a main drinking water supply of the city. Over 300 environmental lawbreaking companies and power plants were brought to justice of environmental law as a result of Kennedy. Kennedy has also served as Senior Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Kennedy graduated from Harvard University and recieved a Masters degree in Environmental Law from Pace University. Kennedy was written a variety of articles published in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and more. He published a book called The Riverkeepers in 1997, as well as numerous others.
Ramaswamy R Iyer is an Honorary Research Professor for India's Center for Policy Research where he educates the public on issues related to water resources. Having served as secretary of Water Resources for the Government of India, he helped initiate India's first National Water Policy in 1987.
Iyer recieved a B.A. and M.A. from Bombay University in English Language and Literature. He later attended the London School of Economics and recieved a Post-graduate diploma in Economic and Social Administration.
In 2003, Iyer publisshed his first book, WATER: Perspectives, Issues, Concerns, which dicusses water issues and their increasing importance. He is working on a second book to be titled WATER: Limits, Justice, Harmony.Iyer has appeared on television as an advocate for water resources, and has written scholarly articles in numerous publications.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is an advocate for defending local waterways of polluters. As the founder of the Waterkeeper Alliance, Kennedy currently serves as President, overseeing over 137 Waterkeeper programs to prevent the spread of pollution in local water supplies, and actively works to protect the water supply of New York City.
Kennedy is also the Chief Prosecuting Attorney for Riverkeeper, an environmental organization devoted to defending waterways. He’s helped safeguard the watershed of New York City and protect the Hudson River, a main drinking water supply of the city. Over 300 environmental lawbreaking companies and power plants were brought to justice of environmental law as a result of Kennedy. Kennedy has also served as Senior Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Kennedy graduated from Harvard University and recieved a Masters degree in Environmental Law from Pace University. Kennedy was written a variety of articles published in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and more. He published a book called The Riverkeepers in 1997, as well as numerous others.
Ramaswamy R Iyer is an Honorary Research Professor for India's Center for Policy Research where he educates the public on issues related to water resources. Having served as secretary of Water Resources for the Government of India, he helped initiate India's first National Water Policy in 1987.
Iyer recieved a B.A. and M.A. from Bombay University in English Language and Literature. He later attended the London School of Economics and recieved a Post-graduate diploma in Economic and Social Administration.
In 2003, Iyer publisshed his first book, WATER: Perspectives, Issues, Concerns, which dicusses water issues and their increasing importance. He is working on a second book to be titled WATER: Limits, Justice, Harmony.Iyer has appeared on television as an advocate for water resources, and has written scholarly articles in numerous publications.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Lead for media kit
Activists for the world’s supply of water gather bi-annually to discuss issues facing the water supply.
The WaterWays Conference held at the University of North Texas brings together scientists, artists, and philosophers of water to raise awareness. This year’s conference will be held March 13-15 in the Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building on the UNT campus. Key note speakers include Robert F. Kennedy Jr., president of Waterkeeper Alliance,
Ramaswamy R Iyer, Former Secretary of Water, Govt. of India and others.
The speakers will discuss issues such as water-scarcity, the quantity of reserves, and the cultural perceptions of water. They will also speak on issues concerning the water basin and the restoration of riparian area.
The WaterWays Conference held at the University of North Texas brings together scientists, artists, and philosophers of water to raise awareness. This year’s conference will be held March 13-15 in the Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building on the UNT campus. Key note speakers include Robert F. Kennedy Jr., president of Waterkeeper Alliance,
Ramaswamy R Iyer, Former Secretary of Water, Govt. of India and others.
The speakers will discuss issues such as water-scarcity, the quantity of reserves, and the cultural perceptions of water. They will also speak on issues concerning the water basin and the restoration of riparian area.
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