Friday, January 30, 2009
HONOLULU — An outbreak of norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal infection whose eradication requires extensive cleaning of surfaces, sickened more than 60 passengers aboard the Norwegian Cruise Lines ship Pride of America, according to KHON-TV.
At least 67 of the 1,837 passengers aboard the ship between the 17th and 24th of January were infected by the virus, the story stated.
Dr. Alan Tice, an infectious disease consultant, said: "Norovirus is something that is always a problem in a confined environment where there are multiple different people coming together. Sometimes the diarrhea can be so bad that it is serious and occasionally people have to be hospitalized for it and it can be very miserable."
In addition to the 67 sickened passengers, at least 14 employees also contracted the virus, the story noted.
Norovirus can survive on high-touch surfaces such as door knobs for several days, the story added.
Monday, February 16, 2009
IFMA donates $25,000 to Habitat for Humanity
Friday, January 30, 2009
WILMINGTON, DE — The Delaware Chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) presented a check for $25,000 to Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County at its holiday luncheon last month, according to a press release.
The $25,000 donation was proceeds from the Delaware Chapter’s 17th annual golf tournament, the release stated.
Kevin Smith, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County, said: "We’re just really grateful to IFMA Delaware for its continued support. IFMA sees what we’re trying to do and has really gotten behind us full force. It’s good to know we’ve got partners like IFMA Delaware that are getting beside us and helping us out."
The nonprofit housing organization plans to use the money to help build 10 townhouses in Wilmington for working families who earn between 25 to 60 percent of the county’s median income; about 70 to 80 percent of those selected are single mothers, the release noted.
The Delaware Chapter has supported the local Habitat for Humanity through proceeds from its annual golf outing since 1995; chapter members have also volunteered their time and expertise during monthly workdays at local building sites, the release added.
WILMINGTON, DE — The Delaware Chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) presented a check for $25,000 to Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County at its holiday luncheon last month, according to a press release.
The $25,000 donation was proceeds from the Delaware Chapter’s 17th annual golf tournament, the release stated.
Kevin Smith, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County, said: "We’re just really grateful to IFMA Delaware for its continued support. IFMA sees what we’re trying to do and has really gotten behind us full force. It’s good to know we’ve got partners like IFMA Delaware that are getting beside us and helping us out."
The nonprofit housing organization plans to use the money to help build 10 townhouses in Wilmington for working families who earn between 25 to 60 percent of the county’s median income; about 70 to 80 percent of those selected are single mothers, the release noted.
The Delaware Chapter has supported the local Habitat for Humanity through proceeds from its annual golf outing since 1995; chapter members have also volunteered their time and expertise during monthly workdays at local building sites, the release added.
Sustainability efforts at Boston University
Thursday, January 29, 2009
BOSTON — Boston University recently hired Kelly Dunn, a sustainability coordinator, to green the school's dining services, according to The Boston Globe.
Some of the efforts adopted by BU since hiring Dunn in October include: An extensive recycling program, converting to green cleaning chemicals, going trayless and purchasing new, energy-efficient equipment, the story stated.
Another effort includes adopting 100 percent compostable utensils in all dining areas, the story noted.
Dunn told the Globe: "We've had some challenges with spoons. They were compostable, but they were starting to melt in soup."
BU's sustainability efforts are part of a larger trend in the greening of dining services across the country, the story added.
BOSTON — Boston University recently hired Kelly Dunn, a sustainability coordinator, to green the school's dining services, according to The Boston Globe.
Some of the efforts adopted by BU since hiring Dunn in October include: An extensive recycling program, converting to green cleaning chemicals, going trayless and purchasing new, energy-efficient equipment, the story stated.
Another effort includes adopting 100 percent compostable utensils in all dining areas, the story noted.
Dunn told the Globe: "We've had some challenges with spoons. They were compostable, but they were starting to melt in soup."
BU's sustainability efforts are part of a larger trend in the greening of dining services across the country, the story added.
Raw sewage floods apartments
Thursday, January 29, 2009
KALAMAZOO, MI — Several residents at the Campus Court Apartments have been forced out of their units by a raw sewage backup, according to WWMT-TV.
Servicemaster was called to the scene to perform the cleanup in all of the eight flooded apartments, the story stated.
Jennifer Falkowski, a displaced resident, said: "There's five inches of water gushing out of every water orifice in our apartment. It was still flowing out into the hallway it was all the way up to the stairs, it was gross, I didn't even go in."
Management said they will pay for the displaced residents to stay at a local hotel until the cleanup is completed, the story noted.
Though many residents' personal belongings are permanently damaged, the flooded units will have new carpet and flooring after the ordeal is over, the story added.
KALAMAZOO, MI — Several residents at the Campus Court Apartments have been forced out of their units by a raw sewage backup, according to WWMT-TV.
Servicemaster was called to the scene to perform the cleanup in all of the eight flooded apartments, the story stated.
Jennifer Falkowski, a displaced resident, said: "There's five inches of water gushing out of every water orifice in our apartment. It was still flowing out into the hallway it was all the way up to the stairs, it was gross, I didn't even go in."
Management said they will pay for the displaced residents to stay at a local hotel until the cleanup is completed, the story noted.
Though many residents' personal belongings are permanently damaged, the flooded units will have new carpet and flooring after the ordeal is over, the story added.
Norovirus and rotavirus sicken many
Thursday, January 29, 2009
ERIE, PA — A duo of viruses has been wreaking havoc on Erie County for the past month, according to the Erie Times-News.
Norovirus and rotavirus, two highly contagious infections whose eradication requires extensive cleaning of surfaces, have been infecting residents, notably schoolchildren, at an alarming rate, the story stated.
Wayne Jones, medical director of Saint Vincent Health Center's emergency department, said: "What's unusual is that we normally see rotavirus when the children go back to school in the fall, and again in the spring. We see norovirus in outbreaks and then it quickly goes away."
Most people recover on their own within 12 to 60 hours, but the illness can lead to dehydration, especially in infants and the elderly, the story noted.
There is no cure for a stomach flu caused by norovirus or rotavirus, but a new vaccine reduces a child's chance of developing the rotavirus version of it, the story added.
ERIE, PA — A duo of viruses has been wreaking havoc on Erie County for the past month, according to the Erie Times-News.
Norovirus and rotavirus, two highly contagious infections whose eradication requires extensive cleaning of surfaces, have been infecting residents, notably schoolchildren, at an alarming rate, the story stated.
Wayne Jones, medical director of Saint Vincent Health Center's emergency department, said: "What's unusual is that we normally see rotavirus when the children go back to school in the fall, and again in the spring. We see norovirus in outbreaks and then it quickly goes away."
Most people recover on their own within 12 to 60 hours, but the illness can lead to dehydration, especially in infants and the elderly, the story noted.
There is no cure for a stomach flu caused by norovirus or rotavirus, but a new vaccine reduces a child's chance of developing the rotavirus version of it, the story added.
Greenwashing forum at University of Oregon
Thursday, January 29, 2009
PORTLAND — The University of Oregon will host an all-day forum on greenwashing, according to a press release.
The event will take place at the UO School of Journalism and Communication’s George S. Turnbull Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, February 6, the release stated.
Deborah Morrison, Professor of Advertising, said: "Greenwashing is when a company or organization spends more time and money claiming to be 'green' through advertising and marketing than actually implementing business practices that minimize environmental impact. It’s whitewashing, but with a green brush."
Those attending the forum will learn how to identify and control greenwashing, how to educate clients about greenwashing, how to build transparency in their own brand messaging and where to find resources for environmental honesty, the release noted.
The forum is open to the public and will cost $25 for students and $50 for everyone else, the release added.
To register, visit http://turnbullcenter.uoregon.edu/the-greenwashing-forum.
PORTLAND — The University of Oregon will host an all-day forum on greenwashing, according to a press release.
The event will take place at the UO School of Journalism and Communication’s George S. Turnbull Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, February 6, the release stated.
Deborah Morrison, Professor of Advertising, said: "Greenwashing is when a company or organization spends more time and money claiming to be 'green' through advertising and marketing than actually implementing business practices that minimize environmental impact. It’s whitewashing, but with a green brush."
Those attending the forum will learn how to identify and control greenwashing, how to educate clients about greenwashing, how to build transparency in their own brand messaging and where to find resources for environmental honesty, the release noted.
The forum is open to the public and will cost $25 for students and $50 for everyone else, the release added.
To register, visit http://turnbullcenter.uoregon.edu/the-greenwashing-forum.
Custodian gets Habitat for Humanity home
Thursday, January 29, 2009
MCKINNEY, TX — Roberto Osornia, custodian at Wilmeth Elementary School, will soon be the proud owner of a new Habitat for Humanity home, according to The Dallas Morning News.
A custodian at the school since it opened in 2005, Osornia is well liked by students, staff and parents alike in the school and around the community, the story stated.
Genny Gimber, a kindergarten teacher at Wilmeth, said: "Roberto is the type of person who always goes the extra mile. He does whatever is needed and then some, and he does it with a smile. We’re excited be part of this process and to do something in return for Roberto."
To qualify for the house, Roberto and his wife Carolina were both required to volunteer 500 hours of their time to the community; having already completed 450 hours each, the couple has only 50 more hours of volunteering before they are officially deemed homeowners, the story noted.
Wilmeth Elementary had so many families that wanted to help with the build that Habitat for Humanity held a training session at the school; people were encouraged to sign up with the actual build and to do the many behind the scenes tasks necessary to complete a home, the story added.
MCKINNEY, TX — Roberto Osornia, custodian at Wilmeth Elementary School, will soon be the proud owner of a new Habitat for Humanity home, according to The Dallas Morning News.
A custodian at the school since it opened in 2005, Osornia is well liked by students, staff and parents alike in the school and around the community, the story stated.
Genny Gimber, a kindergarten teacher at Wilmeth, said: "Roberto is the type of person who always goes the extra mile. He does whatever is needed and then some, and he does it with a smile. We’re excited be part of this process and to do something in return for Roberto."
To qualify for the house, Roberto and his wife Carolina were both required to volunteer 500 hours of their time to the community; having already completed 450 hours each, the couple has only 50 more hours of volunteering before they are officially deemed homeowners, the story noted.
Wilmeth Elementary had so many families that wanted to help with the build that Habitat for Humanity held a training session at the school; people were encouraged to sign up with the actual build and to do the many behind the scenes tasks necessary to complete a home, the story added.
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