GOP candidates wade into food stamp debate
Politicians normally shy away from saying they want to cut food stamps, but this year’s Republican presidential candidates are using domestic food aid as an example of a welfare state gone awry. Supporters of the program say it is one of the most reliable safety nets for families who suddenly find themselves unable to pay [...]
Third grades tackle racist math problems
Third graders in in Gwinnett County, Ga., were given math homework Wednesday that asked questions about slavery and beatings. Christopher Braxton told ABC News affiliate WSB-TV in Atlanta that he couldn’t believe the assignment his 8-year-old son brought home from of Beaver Ridge Elementary school in Norcross. “It kind of blew me away,” Braxton said. [...]
‘Oprah’s Next Chapter’: New network, new series, same Oprah
It’s a new year and with it comes a new Oprah Winfrey show. The original primetime series, Oprah’s Next Chapter, debuted on OWN (naturally) on Jan. 1 with a two-hour special featuring Steven Tyler…holding hands with Oprah, and walking around his beautiful lakefront home in Sunapee, New Hampshire. (And wow, nice house, Steven Tyler!) Seeing [...]
SafePlace Family Activity/Therapy Space Redo Project
The Texas Hill Country Chapter of the Interior Design Society (IDS) revealed their yearlong efforts of an activity/therapy room redo used by the families of SafePlace. The group’s commitment, including two fundraisers, many volunteers, and support from generous sponsors & donors, not only allowed a chance for members to use their skills to better the [...]
Austin Filmmaker Launches Campaign to Capture stories of World War II National Guardsmen from the 30th Division
Austin filmmaker Lew Adams, launches kick-starter campaign to capture stories of World War II National Guardsmen from the storied 30th division and the Europeans they freed before they’re lost forever in his documentary, “Heroes of Old Hickory”. Working “pro-bono”, Lew Adam is racing against time to produce this documentary as the number of WWII veterans [...]
Backlash for Lowe’s as ads pulled from Muslim show
Lowe’s Home Improvement has found itself facing a backlash after the retail giant pulled ads from a reality show about American Muslims. The retail giant stopped advertising on TLC’s “All-American Muslim” after a conservative group known as the Florida Family Association complained, saying the program was “propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda’s clear and [...]
Is iPad 3 worth waiting for?
Tablets are shaping up to be THE big-ticket gift item this year. Fifteen percent of respondents to a ChangeWave survey said they want one. Top on the tablet wish list is the iPad 2, with 65% of respondents voting for it over the next contender, the Amazon Kindle Fire. What’s more, analyst Gartner Inc. predicts [...]
State: Mom who shot kids, self denied food stamps
SAN ANTONIO — A Texas woman who for months was unable to qualify for food stamps pulled a gun in a state welfare office and staged a seven-hour standoff with police that ended with her shooting her two children before killing herself, officials said Tuesday. The children, a 10-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl, remained [...]
Austin unchained for the holidays
Austin Independent Business Alliance (AIBA) kicks off the holidays with Austin Unchained on November 19 and continues through December 24 with lots of specials and activities to encourage shopping locally to benefit local community. Each year national chains displace locally owned businesses, AIBA reverses that trend by assisting neighborhood business districts as destination locations in [...]
E.A.S.T for unique local home ideas
This past weekend as I visited the 10th East Austin Studio Tour (E.A.S.T.), where artist studios, art galleries, and various spaces in the area allow for a chance for the public to get a behind-the-scenes look at working artists’ spaces and processes, I reflected on what an amazing opportunity a yearly event like this is [...]
