Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Haiti Earthquake update: Oakland's Walter Riley and Barbara Rhine missing

OaklandSeen's Aimee Allison posted a blog on Facebook reporting that Oakland attorneys and activists Walter Riley and Barbara Rhine are missing in Haiti:

Walter Riley and wife Barbara Rhine and daughter Selena were last contacted in Port-au-Prince carrying out mission work for Haiti Action (http://www.haitiaction.net/About/HERF/HERF.html) when the earthquake hit yesterday. His family, including well-known hip hop artist Boots Riley and ABC News Reporter Denise James have not received any word from Walter and Barbara as of this morning.




Walter Riley 

Walter Riley is a well-known civil rights attorney and progressive activist in Oakland. He is also lawyer for the Oakland Post, and President of Vanguard Foundation.




Barbara Rhine 
Barbara Rhine is a practicing lawyer in downtown Oakland and lifelong progressive activist. She has represented the United Farmworkers Union, and been a law professor at San Francisco's Golden Gate University and serves on the board of the Kehilla Community Synagogue.

The State Department has set up a phone number for Americans seeking information about family members. That number is 1-888-407-4747. Here's a link on CNN where you can post a pic and info about missing people. http://www.ireport.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=381628

Our prayers go out to the family and entire Oakland community as we await word.


Let's hope they're found.

Help for Haiti after 7.0 Earthquake: 2nd update of donation list and information

This is the second update of two earlier blog reports on Help for Haiti after the 7.0 Earthquake. The organization list was updated such that new information was placed in alphabetical order. (If I made a mistake in an entry, please send an email to me.)

(And the reason for the delay was for me to take a break both physically and emotionally and also let the information accumulate until such time as I figured it would subside: Midnight PST. The outpouring of emails has been tremendous and it shows that people really can come together and help others.

This has become a resource page where information is placed in alphabetical order. I received one email that requested "top placement"; that's not what this is for at all. This order is fair to everyone. Where I received a press release or a specific request, I made a separate blog post.)

Haiti's an impoverished nation that is asking for fiscal help in the wake of the terrible destruction from the 7.0 Earthquake, the largest ever in that region of the World. Moreover the nation's being battered with aftershocks.

Power is out everywhere and people are in the dark and need help.  The capital city of Port-Au-Prince has been catastrophically damaged.

Fortunately, legitimate online help efforts are being established. Here are some of them as of this writing:

American Jewish World Service - Has a special Haiti-relief effort underway. From the press release:

"We are assessing where the gaps in service are and putting a process in place to help specific communities that might not be immediately served otherwise," said AJWS's vice president for programs, Aaron Dorfman. "Because of the economic and political situation in Haiti, disasters like this have devastating consequences throughout the country. Our long-standing partnerships with grassroots organizations in Haiti allow us to reach the poorest and most remote populations with the speed necessary to save lives."

American Red Cross (Reportedly has contributed $200,000 to Haiti relief.)

AmeriCares Help For Haiti. Goes to their International Disaster Relief Fund.

CARE - Reportedly has an ongoing program that focuses on food, water, and health security in Haiti  For program info: http://www.care.org/careswork/countryprofiles/61.asp (donation link is in the name itself.)

Chuck Simmins also has this blog - http://northshorejournal.org/haiti-earthquake-aid - of coverage of the Haiti Earthquake Disaster and where to donate, including any organizations that may not be listed here.

Compassion International - From email:



Compassion International is already established in the Haiti, with Nationals in position to distribute aid. Take a look at their web site at Compassion.com They are a highly rated child advocacy ministry. They would be a good addition to your list.



Direct Relief International - From email:

Direct Relief International is aiding Haiti. They have a fantastic record of supplying medical supplies and aid.  (Based in Santa Barbara.)  

Doctors without Boarders - Updated web page to reflect their Haiti assistance efforts.

Famine Relief Foundation - From email:


My Name is Pastor Mark Dreibelbis.

My Orphanage is in Citi Soleil, Haiti We are located down by the loading docks in Port Au Prince.

We are 7 miles from the epicenter of the quake.
We need donations badly!

Our organization is Famine Relief Foundation
The website is:
Faminerelieffoundation.com

Our orphanage is called Mission Ranch Orphanage
We are 501c3 here in the states and a registered NGO in Haiti.

Please get us on the donation list we need immediate help.

In His service

Pastor Mark Dreibelbis
President
Famine Relief Foundation
Mission Ranch Orphanage


HaitiArise - HaitiArise has provided education and relief for the past six years. It's a registered Canadian charity and reports that 100 percent of donated funds go directly to Haiti.

Haiti Emergency Relief Fund - by Vanguard Public Foundation in San Francisco. Established for Haiti before the Earthquake.

Life In Haiti - Founded in 2007 by R.J. (Bob) Davisson. They have a school in Chabin and report they're providing education to 400 children.

Life For The World - From an email:
My friends and my chldren at my orphanage and school are in deep trouble in Haiti. Eight years ago I built an orphanage and school in Source Matelas, Haiti called Maranatha Orphanage and School. We have 150+ children. We also feed thousands of the poor and befriend Haitians in Bon Repo and Port Au Prince. I personally know thousands of people that have been devastated by this disaster.

I am an American and you can go to our website at www.lifefortheworld.com and click on the lower right hand side to see the 50+ videos I have posted of our work and you will see me in at least half of them doing the work of feeding the poor in Port au prince and at our orphanage. We are seeking donations on our website to help the displaced with food, shelter and other necessities in the distressed areas of Port au Prince. You can also check out our facebook by searching facebook at "lifefortheworld".

Thank you for your support of our distressed brothers and sisters in Haiti!


Mercy Corps - Mercy Corps' website is devoted to the Haiti Earthquake Disaster; they're deploying a team bound for Haiti now.

Mountain Top Ministries - Based in Chicago, they're organizing a medical team to go to Haiti.

Partners in Health - You can use the drop-down menu to specify donations to Haiti.

Real Help for Haiti - From the website:



The missionaries of RHFH count it an honor and a priviledge to serve the Haitian people. We trust as you prayerfully consider how to support what God is doing among the Haitian people, you too will see the beauty of the Haitians and be challanged and changed as well.
Sirona Cares - Has a trip scheduled for next Tuesday.  Michelle Lacourciere's the Director. You can contact her at the link to the blog.  The blog itself features posts on Haiti efforts and stories before the Earthquake struck.


Three Angels Children's Relief - Reportedly has a school and medical clinic in Petionville. 

Touch Ministries Recommended but no Haiti-specific page or announcement as of this writing.  




Yele Haiti - Wyclef Jean's Haiti initiative to assist his native Haiti.

UNICEF - UNICEF has set up a special page for donations for the children of Haiti. In an email, UNICEF's Alissa Pinck reports: "UNICEF’s country office in Haiti and the regional office located in Panama is on the ground and have already deployed emergency teams to assess the situation and determine what the additional emergency needs are for the people of Haiti."

What If Foundation - From the email:



I read your entry regarding Haitian aid donations; the What If? foundation is heavily involved with a feeding and education program for children in St Clare parish. As of the last report they have not been able to reach their contacts but continue to try, and will doubtless be active in assisting the people affected by this disaster. Please view their website at www.whatiffoundation.org and consider including them on your list.


World Vision - Has a Haiti-specific page with a range of donation levels.  The organization says they're on the ground in Haiti already.

If there are any Haiti-specific efforts not listed here, please send an email to zennie@zennie62.com and this entry will be updated.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Solar Lighting wants to donate solar lights for Haiti aid - seeks contact

Richard Schuett, President & CEO of Solar Lighting, or Sol, inc., is seeking information on who is coordinating on-the-ground relief efforts in Haiti after the Haiti Earthquake and that is in need of solar lighting. His firm donated over 40 solar-powered lights after the 2007 Peru Earthquake.

Sol, inc has created solar powered light systems since 1990 and have 38,000 systems installed around the World, including Australia, Canada, USA, as well as parts of Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Central and South America.

If you have a need for donated solar lights for the Haiti relief effort, contact Richard Schuett at rschuett@solarlighting.com, website is www.solarlighting.com

UNICEF issues appeal for Haiti Aid in wake of Haiti Earthquake

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, has sent out a urgent appeal for aid to victims in the wake of the 7.0 Haiti Earthquake, regional tsunami warning, and subsequent 13 aftershocks above 4.0 on the Richter Scale.

Haiti's population of 9.6 million people is just barely larger than that of the San Francisco Bay Area. Half of Haiti's population is under the age of 21, and the country is severely impoverished. It's estimated that 80 percent of Haiti's residents live in total poverty.

UNICEF reports:

Funds are urgently needed to provide safe water, temporary shelter systems, essential medical supplies etc. UNICEF’s country office in Haiti and the regional office located in Panama has deployed emergency teams to assess the situation and determine what the additional emergency needs are for the people of Haiti.

You can donate to UNICEF's effort at http://www.unicefusa.org/haitiquake or call 1-800-4UNICEF

Stay tuned.

Help for Haiti after 7.0 Earthquake: updated donation list and information

This is an update of an earlier report on Help for Haiti after the 7.0 Earthquake.  The organization list was updated such that new information was placed in alphabetical order.

Haiti's an impoverished nation that is asking for fiscal help in the wake of the terrible destruction from the 7.0 Earthquake, the largest ever in that region of the World. Moreover the nation's being battered with aftershocks.

Power is out everywhere and people are in the dark and need help.  The capital city of Port-Au-Prince has been catastrophically damaged.

Fortunately, legitimate online help efforts are being established. Here are some of them as of this writing:

American Red Cross (Reportedly has contributed $200,000 to Haiti relief.)

AmeriCares Help For Haiti. Goes to their International Disaster Relief Fund.

Chuck Simmins also has this blog - http://northshorejournal.org/haiti-earthquake-aid - of coverage of the Haiti Earthquake Disaster and where to donate, including any organizations that may not be listed here.

Doctors without Boarders - not a Haiti Specific page as of this writing.

HaitiArise - HaitiArise has provided education and relief for the past six years. It's a registered Canadian charity and reports that 100 percent of donated funds go directly to Haiti.

Haiti Emergency Relief Fund - by Vanguard Public Foundation in San Francisco. Established for Haiti before the Earthquake.

Mercy Corps - Mercy Corps' website is devoted to the Haiti Earthquake Disaster; they're deploying a team bound for Haiti now.

Partners In Heath - You can use the drop-down menu to specify donations to Haiti.

Yele Haiti - Wyclef Jean's Haiti initiative to assist his native Haiti.

UNICEF - UNICEF has set up a special page for donations for the children of Haiti. In an email, UNICEF's Alissa Pinck reports: "UNICEF’s country office in Haiti and the regional office located in Panama is on the ground and have already deployed emergency teams to assess the situation and determine what the additional emergency needs are for the people of Haiti."

If there are any Haiti-specific efforts not listed here, please send an email to zennie@zennie62.com and this entry will be updated.

Haiti Earthquake: Mexican Embassy issues help notice

This latest update comes from Twitter and is related to the Mexican Embassy:

@HIValicious: Mexicans in need of help in #Haiti call Embassy of #Mexico (509) 3804-6962 3804-7296 bsanchezr@sre.gob.mx in Port-Au-Prince.
25 minutes ago from TweetDeck


Or...

The Mexican Embassy in Haiti has issued a number to call for Mexicans needing help in Haiti. The number is (509) 3804-6962 3804-7296 and email is bsanchezr@sre.gob.mx in Port au Prince.

(Mexicanos que necesiten auxilio en #Haiti llamar Embajada de #Mexico (509) 3804-6962, 3804-7296 bsanchezr@sre.gob.mx en Puerto Príncipe)

In related news, a 5.1 aftershock just erupted as of this writing. Reports are that buildings are still falling.

The 7.0 earthquake hit at 5 P.M. 10 miles and 6 miles below Haiti's capital city of Port-Au-Prince.

Stay tuned.

Help for Haiti after 7.0 Earthquake: updated donation list and information

This is an update of an earlier report on Help for Haiti after the 7.0 Earthquake.  The organization list was updated such that new information was placed in alphabetical order.

Haiti's an impoverished nation that is asking for fiscal help in the wake of the terrible destruction from the 7.0 Earthquake, the largest ever in that region of the World. Moreover the nation's being battered with aftershocks.

Power is out everywhere and people are in the dark and need help.  The capital city of Port-Au-Prince has been catastrophically damaged.

Fortunately, legitimate online help efforts are being established. Here are some of them as of this writing:

American Red Cross (Reportedly has contributed $200,000 to Haiti relief.)

AmeriCares Help For Haiti. Goes to their International Disaster Relief Fund.

Chuck Simmins also has this blog - http://northshorejournal.org/haiti-earthquake-aid - of coverage of the Haiti Earthquake Disaster and where to donate, including any organizations that may not be listed here.

Doctors without Boarders - not a Haiti Specific page as of this writing.

HaitiArise - HaitiArise has provided education and relief for the past six years. It's a registered Canadian charity and reports that 100 percent of donated funds go directly to Haiti.

Haiti Emergency Relief Fund - by Vanguard Public Foundation in San Francisco. Established for Haiti before the Earthquake.

Mercy Corps - Mercy Corps' website is devoted to the Haiti Earthquake Disaster; they're deploying a team bound for Haiti now.

Partners In Heath - You can use the drop-down menu to specify donations to Haiti.

Yele Haiti - Wyclef Jean's Haiti initiative to assist his native Haiti.

UNICEF - UNICEF has set up a special page for donations for the children of Haiti. In an email, UNICEF's Alissa Pinck reports: "UNICEF’s country office in Haiti and the regional office located in Panama is on the ground and have already deployed emergency teams to assess the situation and determine what the additional emergency needs are for the people of Haiti."

If there are any Haiti-specific efforts not listed here, please send an email to zennie@zennie62.com and this entry will be updated.

Twitter news, 7.0 Earthquake in Haiti near Port-au-Prince reveals damage

A 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti just 10 miles from Port-au-Prince, the nation's capital city. According to CNN, the earthquake knocked down buildings and inflicted "a catastrophe on the impoverished Caribbean nation."




NBC's Brian Williams reports that it's the largest earthquake ever to hit that region of the World.



The earthquake hit at 5 P.M; little information has come since then, but Twitter tweets indicate many people have friends, relatives, and relations in Haiti, and can't contact them:



reduceharm Can't get through to my aunt and some cousins who have phone access in Port-Au-Prince... who would've predicted.
2 minutes ago from web

Alexandros_ It appears situation in Haiti is bad. Really bad. Still no images or coverage from Port-au-Prince. Only scattered reports.
3 minutes ago from TweetDeck


But a person named Musician Richard Morse is producing tweets from there, as he reportedly manages a hotel in Port-au-Prince:



samseder Haiti 7.) earthquake RT@cbcconnect Musician Richard Morse, who also manages a hotel in Port-au-Prince, is tweeting updates @RAMhaiti
3 minutes ago from web



These are the latest tweets from Richard Morse at http://twitter.com/RAMhaiti as of 4:48 PM PST / 7:48 PM PST and arranged latest tweet first:



another aftershock..people are screaming and freaking out down towards the stadium..much singing and praying in large numbers
2 minutes ago from web

Collapsed UNIBANK building is on NYTIMES.com
11 minutes ago from web

people are needing medical supplies..food, housing; I don't know water situation;
12 minutes ago from web

I can't confirm what I hear about different buildings which are said to have collapsed but all reflects intensity of situation
14 minutes ago from web

A few people showing up @ Oloffson..roads are blocked by falling walls..much destruction on Grand Rue. I hear hospital General has collapsed
16 minutes ago from web

Phones are starting to work..got a call from some one who's house fell in, child is hurt but ok. .
19 minutes ago from web

we're ok..a little freaked out but ok..every one is hanging out outside on the driveway @mannysister
22 minutes ago from web

I see people on Rue Capois and I see some cars but i think getting around is difficult @tinoisette
23 minutes ago from web

isabelleMORSE much destruction on Grand Rue (Ave Dessalines) Daniel Morel's ok. Police Sta, Cathedral, Downtown teleco, Church St Anne all destroyed
31 minutes ago from web
Retweeted by RAMhaiti and 4 others

the tsunami warnings are for Jamaica and Cuba
about 1 hour ago from web

cars are starting to circulate..I see lights in the distance towards the wharf
about 1 hour ago from web

A huge hospital that was being built across from the Oloffson has collapsed
about 1 hour ago from web

Port au Prince is dark except for a few fires
about 1 hour ago from web

two helicopters have flown over head an hour ago but nothing since then
about 1 hour ago from web

they say it was a magnitude 7.0 earthquake..there are tsunami warnings here and in the Caribbean
about 1 hour ago from web

people are bringing people by on stretchers
about 1 hour ago from web

I'm told that parts of the Palace have collapsed..the UNIBANK here on Rue Capois has collapsed
about 1 hour ago from web

people are praying in groups..others are looking for relatives..no phone service..no electricity
about 1 hour ago from web

Our guests are sitting out in the driveway.. no serious damage here at the Oloffson but many large buildings nearby have collapsed
about 1 hour ago from web

lot's of rumors about which buildings were toppled..The Castel Haiti behind the Oloffson is a pile of rubble..it was 8 stories high
about 1 hour ago from web

Pete Carroll press conference at Seattle Seahawks

Former USC Head Coach Pete Carroll officially became the new head coach and executive vice president of The Seattle Seahawks in a press conference held at their headquarters today.

In his rambling, cheerleader way, Pete Carroll expressed how excited and happy he was to be in Seattle: "I am so fired up to be here today. Right from the beginning, they undersold. This is a tremendous place to come to work. It's really almost dreamlike for me."

Coach Carroll steps into a situation where, he says, the Seahawks are letting him do it his way: "They have embraced my approach (and) in a manner in which they want to wipe the path clear and give me the clearest opportunity to bring everything that I have to offer. That's really what I was looking for, the trust and belief from the top of the organization."

Pete Carroll leaves a legendary mark at USC. He has 97 wins and 19 losses, and two national championships. Pete Carroll's the only coach to have won the Rose Bowl three straight years, and has produced a record seven BCS bowl appearances.

And he leaves it all for Seattle and the Seahawks.

Pete Carroll takes over a team that's solid at quarterback with Matt Hasselbeck, but has questions in its defensive personnel. The Seahawks finished at 5 and 11, a record that led to the immediate ouster of Head Coach Jim Mora, Jr.

Here's a video of excerpts from today's press conference:



More duties than just coach


Pete Carroll will have a larger number of duties than just those of head coach. He will the kind of control that a general manager has but to a degree. Pete Carroll will actually pick his general manager, and work alongside, not for, that person. It's an arrangement that appears to circumvent the concerns of the Fritz Pollard Association, which advocated for the interviewing of and hiring of Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier.

Stay tuned.

Chloe has Amanda Seyfried and Julianne Moore in lesbian sex scandal

Chloe is a new movie due out in March that's getting buzz for its daring lesbian sex scandal storyline that features Amanda Seyfried.




According to The Daily Mail UK, it features 24-year-old Amanda Seyfried in a hot relationship with 49-year old Julianne Moore who's character Catherine, hires the escort Chloe to seduce her husband, played by Liam Neeson, and who she suspects is cheating on her.



But the two meet in hotel bar and after some chat, Julianne Moore yanks off Amanda Seyfried's blouse before the two engage in a passionate kiss. The movie tagline is "She invited Chloe into her life, her home and her marriage. Big mistake."




Chloe is a remake of the french film of the same name and is directed by Atom Egoyan. The release date is March 10, 2010. It the second girl-on-girl kissing movie for Amanda Seyfried, the first being Jennifer's Body, when she locked lips with the sultry Megan Fox.

Stay tuned.

Jack Del Rio to replace Pete Carroll at USC? Not so fast

Reports are swirling that Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Jack Del Rio will replace outgoing USC Head Coach Pete Carroll, who's about to join the Seattle Seahawks as their new head coach in a press conference today. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer claims that USC sent a contract offer to Jack Del Rio Monday.

While Jack Del Rio is a popular selection and ESPN reported last night that USC had their sights set on him, Jack Del Rio placed ice on that claim today, according to the USA Today. Del Rio said...

"That's all speculation and hype. All of those things are manufactured. The only thing I can tell you is I've been busy working on the Jaguars for 2010. We're busy at work, trying to build this team strong. All of those other things are a figment of other people's imaginations."


Jack Del Rio's record with the Jacksonville Jaguars is 58-57, the team finished at 7 and 9 in 2009 and missed the playoffs, and while he has a great relationship with team owner Wayne Weaver, reportedly Del Rio is to meet with Weaver for a review of the season this week.

Del Rio has an active contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars which has $15 million remaining that would have to be bought-out if he were to move to USC.

Stay tuned.

Roxxxy sex robot lifesized girlfriend debuts at at AEE 2010

In what's sure to be viewed as a wrong-way direction for social change, "Roxxxy" the robot lifesized girlfriend was introduced at AEE 2010, the Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas. Roxxxy robot lifesized girlfriend is a anatomically correct facsimile of a woman dressed for sex, and with "servos" and other electronics to make it seem, well, real. It's maker calls it the first "sex robot."

Violet Blue, where are you?

Roxxxy robot lifesized girlfriend was created by former Bell Labs employee Douglas Hines, who's overweight, balding, bespectacled look fits the perfect image of a guy who would make such a thing.

Douglas Hines says that he developed Roxxxy robot lifesized girlfriend after losing a friend in the 9-11 terrorist attack. Just who that friend is, Douglas Hines does not say, leaving one to wonder if he just spent too much money at strip clubs.

Roxxxy robot lifesized girlfriend is designed to respond to touch: a grab of her wrist causes her to "say" something depending on the personality type that's installed. The whole thought bring the question of how Douglas Hines actually tested the product.

Roxxxy robot lifesized girlfriend is the first in what is going to be a line of products by "True Companion", including, for women, a male version called Rocky.

But why make this, really, is anyone's guess.

What is disturbing is that in the video below the Roxxxy sex robot just sits there in an open position. It does nothing and would seem to be the perfect image of what Douglas Hines wants his women to do: nothing and just lay there. Be, well, submissive. In the video, this blogger was longing to see Roxxxy robot slap the crap out of Douglas Hines, but he didn't program it to do that. But perhaps you can because Hines says you can "create your dream personality" to have.



But if it's 2010 and we have Roxxxy sex robot lifesized girlfriend, what will 2020 bring? What this shows is technology replacing the need for human contact in everything from phones where people send texts, to invisible online commenters on forums, to this. Perhaps one good thing is that men who elect to go in this direction tske themselves out of the pool of us who love the real thing.

Stay tuned.