Alaska: Alaska Top 3 in Nation for Maritime Jobs Per Capita; Maritime Industry Worth More than $1 Billion Annually to Alaska’s Economy - The American Maritime Partnership (AMP), the voice of the domestic maritime industry, on Thursday joined with the Transportation Institute, along with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Senator Mark Begich (D-Alaska) and Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska), to highlight new data from a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers that shows Alaska ranks third in the nation in per capita maritime jobs.

The study showed that thousands of Alaskan jobs are directly related to the domestic maritime industry and account for more than $1 billion in economic impact. Alaska’s own navigable waterway network of more than 5400 miles is the largest in the country and allows the state’s maritime industry to move commodities across Alaska’s 586,000 square miles. America’s domestic maritime industry includes vessel operators, marine terminals, shipyards, and workers engaged in the movement of cargo exclusively within the United States.

“Alaska’s maritime industry contributes more than $1 billion to the state’s economy every year and sustains more than $344 million in wages,” Transportation Institute President Jim Henry said. “Alaska’s shipyard industry also plays an important role in the state’s economy by providing more than $108 million in annual economic impact, sustaining more than 1100 associated jobs, and supporting more than $63.9 million in worker income in Alaska.” - More...
Saturday - March 22, 2014

Alaska: ALASKA RANKS IN BOTTOM TEN ON CHARTER SCHOOL LAW RANKINGS – While fewer than half of state charter school laws in the United States earn above-average grades according to The Center for Education Reform's (CER) 15th Edition of Charter School Laws Across the States: Rankings & Scorecard released today, Alaska lands in the bottom ten, ranking 37th out of 42 states and the District of Columbia, earning a grade of "D."

"With the length of the average charter school waiting list increasing to nearly 300 students there absolutely needs to be a sense of urgency around creating strong charter school laws that will accelerate the pace of growth to meet demand," said Kara Kerwin, president of The Center for Education Reform. "Not only are there hundreds of thousands of students on charter school wait lists, but the U.S. census predicts the largest influx of school-aged children over the next 20 years at over 11 million. State lawmakers must be thinking outside the box to create a portfolio of new educational opportunities to meet this demographic reality."

"While it is true the charter school sector in the United States has grown at a steady, linear pace since the first charter school law was passed in 1991, we know the highest charter school and enrollment growth is in jurisdictions with strong charter school laws," said Alison Consoletti Zgainer, executive vice president of The Center for Education Reform and lead author of the rankings. Strong charter laws feature independent, multiple authorizers, few limits on expansion, equitable funding, and high levels of school autonomy. - More...
Saturday - March 22, 2014

Columns - Commentary

JEFF LUND: A mountain of lies - There are those who don’t see a point in walking up a trail to stand around for a while, then walk down. Especially if it’s already been done before. So hikers sometimes validate the experience in three misleading ways. Or at least I do.

Misleading reason #1 - “I hike so I can have time to think.”

False. We are constantly thinking, but the real reason behind this claim is that hiking provides the opportunity to over-think - to really socialize with thoughts on everything from how to best fix the front deck to what would happen if you sold everything built yourself a raft and did a Huck Finn. That’s what’s missing from our day, the ability to initiate energy systems to enhance awareness while over-analyzing some aspect of our lives. Ordinary hours only give us time to start getting into something before we are distracted. The phone rings, someone comes over, lunch ends, a new show comes on. - More...
Saturday - March 22, 2014

DANNY TYREE: Beard Transplants: Yeah, You Heard Me - "Who knows what vanity lurks in the hearts of men?"

The 5 o'clock shadow knows!

According to CNN, beard transplants are on the rise. Plastic surgeons have long provided the procedure for men trying to cover facial scars, but now hipsters are seeking out the procedure purely for the sake of being cool and trendy.

Prices range from $3,000 for filling in gaps to $10,000 for a full beard.

Facial hair experts say that the treatment sends a message. Yeah: "Hey, ladies, I suddenly have $10,000 less to spend on YOU."

Twentysomethings and thirtysomethings in Brooklyn are especially enamored of the very meticulous procedure. Not only do they expect compliments from the mere mortals they encounter, but the newfound hair can also lead to career advancement. And if some other beard-enhanced individual happens to snatch away their dream job, there are always those Brooklyn openings for pirates, lumberjacks and grizzled prospectors. - More...
Saturday - March 22, 2014

MARIA FOTOPOULOS: On World Water Day: A Look at Man's Massive Impact on Earth - With the continuing rise in world population comes more energy needs, meaning ever-more demand on water resources. That's the message coming out of World Water Day (March 22), a day created by the United Nations to build awareness of a range of water issues.

This year the UN campaign for World Water Day focuses on the nexus of water and energy. Alarming statistics come out of this intersection that should give us all pause as to the growth track of humanity.

By 2035, global energy demand is expected to increase by one-third. Producing energy requires lots of water. Fossil fuel production uses large amounts of water and contaminates an estimated 15-18 billion m3 of freshwater resources each year. Put in more accessible terms, to make one gallon of gasoline, 3-6 gallons of water are needed. Even large solar arrays need water; to achieve maximum efficiency, they need to be kept clean. - More...
Saturday - March 22, 2014