Moon and Venus to Meet on Friday Night (Science)

This Friday night, February 27, there will be one of the most sparkling spectacles of the winter. After sunset, a small crescent moon will appear right next to Venus. It will be especially visible, to those living in the West Hemisphere. The dominant scene will last for about three hours, and if you're lucky, you'll see it the day after, just before sunset. For years, planet Venus has appeared just as a faint crescent, in scientist's telescopes. However, as it approaches Earth, the view of the largest nine planets, has become clearer and clearer. Astronomer's call it the "greatest illuminated extent" of this planet. To make this spectacle even more dynamic, Venus and the moon will seem particularly three dimensional. Unfortunately, this phenomenon will be the last of its kind till the spring of 2010.

'Forgotten' Fillipino World War II Veterans Will Finally Be Paid (Social Studies)

Sixty long years have passed, since America broke its promise to the faithful Fillipino soldiers who fought for on our country's side in World War II. The government will finally be sending checks to those soldiers, that is, the very few that are still alive. During the war, America promised that who every joined the war, would gain full veteran benefits, more than 250, 000 joined, however, in 1946, during the recession, President Truman was forced to sign the recession act, which would take that benefit away. Over half a century later, only 15, 000 troops are still living, less than a fraction of the original amount, according to the American Coallition for Fillipino Veterans. The newly released stimulus bill, by President Obama, has $198 million, specifically for paying back the Fillipino veterans. Citizens of the United States will receive $15 thousand, and non-citizens will receive $9, 000.

"I'm very thankful," said Patrick Ganio, 88, the coallition's president. "We Fillipino's are grateful people."

Tens of thousands of Fillipino soldiers, including Ganio, fought in the bloody battle of Bataan. Many were taken and beaten by Japanese troops, and then suffered from diseases such as malaria. However, despite all this, at the end, they went back to serving for the US military.

"The record of the Phillipine soldiers for bravery and loyalty is second to none," Truman wrote to leaders of the House and Senate in 1946. Their assignment today was as bloody and difficult as any in which our American soldiers engaged. Under desperate circumstances they acquitted themselves nobly."

Many historians say that the main reason the Fillipino soldiers were not paid, was evidently the financial struggle that our country was going through. To pay for the Fillipinos as well, would be a huge burden financially. However, the National Alliance for Fillipino Veterans Equity, states differently, they believe that at the time discriminating people of their color was a law, and this was just another act due to that. For decades, Fillipinos have had protests outside the White House and abroad, petitioning their rights and benefits. Though the remaining veterans are eternally grateful for the government finally fulfilling their duty, they boldy emphasize the fact that this does not erase the act of discrimination and unjustness, that has been affecting them for the past sixty years.

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/23/forgotten.veterans/index.html

My Roller Coaster Website

The Elephant

Class Response- Rollercoasters

This past week, we have been given the challenge to create our own roller coasters or skate parks out of provided items. These items include paper towel rolls, tape, water bottles, and other recyclables. In addition, part of the challenge, also happens to be the time restraint, we have only three class periods to complete this. Above all, however, the main focus of this project is not to complete a flimsy, weak roller coaster; on the other hand, we must make a roller coaster that includes at least one hill, and one other element, such as a loop or bend. In order to make this, we must think about Isaac Newton's three laws of motion. For example, in order to receive the force to move our marble through the entire roller coaster, we must keep in mind the mass of the marble, to receive the proper acceleration. This displays Newton's second law, F= MA, or force equals mass times acceleration. In addition, in the roller coaster, we consider Newton's first law of motion, that without any force or change in velocity, the mass will not move. This relates to the project because if we don't a certain speed ,which can be acquired by a hill or loop, the marble will come to a stop. Lastly, Newton's third law of motion is being used, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. For instance, in our project, if the marble hits a wall, exerting a force onto the wall, the wall will exert the exact same force onto the marble, causing it to move backwards. As you can see, making a roller coaster is no small project, and requires much thinking about the laws of motion.

Economy Takes Toll on South Brunswick Food Pantry

As the months go on, and America experiences its hardest economic struggle in decades, the South Brunswick Food Pantry is affected as shelves are becoming emptier everyday. In addition, the number of unemployed residents is increasing in the township, therefore, more and more people are finding the need to turn to the food pantry. Records show that the number of families using the family increased from 25 to 40, over the course of one year. As a result, the amount of money being payed has increased significantly from $23, 000 in 2007, to astonishing $73, 000 last year. However, due to many kind souls in South Brunswick, the food pantry has been lucky to receive a donation everyday. The most needed items include canned meats such as chili, tuna fish, canned chicken, and beef stew. In addition, Parmalat boxed milk, diapers, coffee, and monetary donations, are also appreciated. For those who wish to donate the South Brunswick Food Pantry is located in the Municipal Building, 540 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction. Food is accepted 8:30 AM to 4:30 AM on weekdays.


Link: http://www.centraljersey.com/articles/2009/02/04/south_brunswick_post/news/doc4980d43f719eb599088632.txt