Oaklee Sidwell Remembered for Her Loving Spirit

(Southern Utah girl Oaklee Sidwell passed away after a wind gust picked up the backyard trampoline she was sitting on and sent it flying more than 150 feet.) By Sidwell Family Our sweet Oaklee Lynn Sidwell, 9, left us on August 14, 2013 in Salt Lake City, after a tragic accident. She was surrounded by… Continue reading Oaklee Sidwell Remembered for Her Loving Spirit

Dr. Tso-Cheng Chang, a Pioneer in Organic Farming

Tso-Cheng Chang is a small-scale farmer in Amherst, Massachusetts. His popular restaurant, Amherst Chinese Food, attracts people from all over the Pioneer Valley to its fresh, organic, delicious Chinese food. Dr. Chang is a strong believer in soil re-mineralization; he has been using rock dust on his organic farm since 1995 in his determined quest… Continue reading Dr. Tso-Cheng Chang, a Pioneer in Organic Farming

Book Review: The Smartest Kids in the World

By Stand for Children The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way is a gripping new book by Amanda Ripley addressing the question, ‘what exactly is happening in classrooms in the countries that out-perform the U.S. academically?’ Ripley investigates this question by spending time where the action is: in classrooms abroad, specifically in Poland, South… Continue reading Book Review: The Smartest Kids in the World

Reflections on an Active Retirement

By Yu-Chi Ho, written in 2001, updated in 2007 ( from blog.sciencenet.cn/blog-1565-3498.html ) Four years ago, much to the surprise of my dean, I told him that I planned to retire in 2001 after 40 years on the faculty of Harvard University (Note added 2007. Currently in the US there is no mandatory retirement age… Continue reading Reflections on an Active Retirement

Diaoyu Islands: “Stolen” Territory since 1895

There are solid reasons for China to claim ownership of the Diaoyu Islands. The islands have been under the jurisdiction of China’s navy as islands affiliated with Taiwan since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Ming and Qing dynasties of China exercised sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islands, and officially included them in… Continue reading Diaoyu Islands: “Stolen” Territory since 1895

Boston’s Environment and Energy Chief on President’s Climate Action Plan

By Brian Swett, Chief of Environment and Energy, City of Boston President Obama’s announcement this week of several federal climate change initiatives will reduce greenhouse gas emissions nationwide and help prepare the country for the impacts of climate change. As a coastal city, Boston is especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Without significant… Continue reading Boston’s Environment and Energy Chief on President’s Climate Action Plan

Welcome Speech at 2013 GBAAYSO Summer Concert in Lexington

By Oldat Lai, Asian Cultura Center Greater Boston Asian American Youth Symphony Orchestra (GBAAYSO) Welcome to our summer concert 2013. This is Oldat Lai, executive director of the orchestra. Community outreach performance is a crucial part of our orchestra. During the past two and half years, our orchestra members have performed more than 65 repertories,… Continue reading Welcome Speech at 2013 GBAAYSO Summer Concert in Lexington