Posts made in March 2024

Celebrating American Labor Leader César Chávez

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César Chávez Day, also known as Cesar Chavez Day or simply Chávez Day, is an American federal holiday commemorating American labor leader and civil rights activist César Chávez. It is observed annually on March 31, or on the following Monday if March 31 falls on a Sunday.

Brief History

César Chávez Day was established by the United States Congress in 2014, signed into law by former President Barack Obama and was first observed in 2015. The holiday was created to honor Chávez’s legacy of fighting for the rights of farmworkers and other marginalized communities. “Chavez left a legacy as an educator, environmentalist, and a civil rights leader. And his cause lives on. As farm workers and laborers across America continue to struggle for fair treatment and fair wages, we find strength in what Cesar Chavez accomplished so many years ago. And we should honor him for what he’s taught us about making America a stronger, more just, and more prosperous nation,” said then President Obama. 

Significance

César Chávez Day is a time to reflect on Chávez’s life and work, and to celebrate his contributions to the civil rights movement and the labor movement. It is also a time to recommit ourselves to the fight for social justice and economic equality. Chávez Day is also commemorated to promote service to the community in honor of Chavez’s life and work.

How to Observe

There are many ways to observe César Chávez Day. Here are a few ideas:

  • Learn more about César Chávez. Read books, articles, and websites about his life and work.
  • Watch a documentary about Chávez. There are several documentaries available, including “Cesar’s Last Fast” and “The Fight in the Fields.”
  • Attend a César Chávez Day event. Many communities hold events to commemorate the holiday, such as parades, festivals, and workshops.
  • Volunteer your time to a cause that Chávez cared about. This could include working with farmworkers, fighting for immigrant rights, or promoting environmental justice.
  • Educate others about César Chávez. Talk to your friends, family, and community members about his life and work.

César Chávez Day is a day to celebrate the legacy of a great American hero. It is also a day to recommit ourselves to the fight for social justice and economic equality.

“Once social change begins it cannot be reversed.  You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read.  You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride.  You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore…you cannot stamp out a people’s cause.”

Supreme Court Hears Abortion Pill Case Since Overturning Roe v. Wade

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The issue of abortion rights in the United States has been a contentious one for decades, and the Supreme Court has played a central role in shaping the legal landscape surrounding abortion. Here is a brief overview of some key events and decisions related to abortion rights and the Supreme Court:

Roe v. Wade (1973)

  • The Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution protects a woman’s right to have an abortion.
  • The Court held that this right is not absolute, and that states may regulate abortion in certain ways, such as by requiring parental consent or a waiting period.
  • Roe v. Wade is considered a landmark decision in the history of abortion rights in the United States.

Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992)

  • The Supreme Court reaffirmed the essential holding of Roe v. Wade, but upheld some state regulations on abortion.
  • The Court held that states may not impose an “undue burden” on a woman’s right to have an abortion.
  • Planned Parenthood v. Casey is considered to be a significant precedent in abortion law.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022)

  • The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, holding that there is no constitutional right to abortion.
  • The Court held that the issue of abortion should be left to the states, and that each state is free to regulate or ban abortion as it sees fit.
  • Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is a major setback for abortion rights in the United States.

The Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is likely to have a significant impact on abortion access in the United States. It is likely that many states will ban or severely restrict abortion in the wake of this decision. The long-term implications of this decision are still unknown, but it is clear that the right to abortion in the United States is now in jeopardy.

On Tuesday abortion rights returned to the Supreme Court since conservative justices overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Here are the key takeaways from The Hill.  

According to the AP, “The central argument of the conservative group challenging mifepristone is that the Food and Drug Administration overlooked serious problems with the drug when it eased restrictions on the drug, including making it available via mail in 2021.” 

Alliance Defending Freedom, as reported by the Washington Post, “a conservative group that has been involved in antiabortion litigation, filed the suit in Amarillo on behalf of four antiabortion medical organizations and four doctors who had treated patients with the drug. The suit also named the Health and Human Services Department as a defendant.”

Baltimore Mayor Approves Resurfaced Plan to Sell Vacant Properties for $1

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Baltimore city officials have announced a plan to sell vacant properties for $1 to residents who are willing to rehabilitate them. The program is part of the city’s efforts to address the issue of vacant properties, which have become a blight on many neighborhoods.

Under the program, residents will be able to purchase vacant properties for $1, but they will have to agree to rehabilitate the properties within a certain period of time. The city will provide technical assistance and financial assistance to help residents rehabilitate the properties.

The program is expected to generate revenue for the city and help revitalize neighborhoods. It is also expected to create jobs and boost the local economy.  

Here are some of the key details of the program:

  • The program is open to residents of Baltimore city who are willing to rehabilitate vacant properties.
  • Residents will be able to purchase vacant properties for $1.
  • Residents will have to agree to rehabilitate the properties within a certain period of time.
  • The city will provide technical assistance and financial assistance to help residents rehabilitate the properties.
  • The program is expected to generate revenue for the city and help revitalize neighborhoods.
  • It is also expected to create jobs and boost the local economy.

The new housing proposal is modeled after the city’s previous property program from the 1970s when Baltimore had a “dollar house” program, in which residents got to own vacant properties for $1 each under the requirement of fixing them. The Baltimore Board of Estimates approved the program on March 20.

The program was designed mainly for individual buyers and community land trusts. However, for $3,000, developers and large nonprofits can also purchase unoccupied houses (small nonprofits would pay $1,000) as reported by The Baltimore Sun and Afrotech. Home repair grants of $50,000 would also be available to Baltimore recipients who are pre-approved for a construction loan.

For all the details on the resurfaced $1 affordable home ownership policy, visit the Buy Into Bmore website HERE. 

New Studies Offer Hope In Fight Against Incurable Brain Cancer

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Small studies offer hope CAR-T can fight an aggressive brain cancer

A series of new studies are raising hopes that CAR-T, a process in which treatments are made by genetically editing a patient’s own white blood cells, can eventually be used to treat an incurable and deadly type of brain cancer, called glioblastoma multiforme, or GBM.

In the most dramatic result, from a three-person study conducted by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, a 72-year-old man saw his tumor shrink 18.5% in just two days and then decrease further over the next two months until it was 60% smaller than when treatment began. That’s notable because glioblastoma is a cancer where drugs can normally only prevent a tumor from growing. Researchers say the results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Wednesday, do not mean the treatment is ready to be used widely but give reason to think they are on the right track.

This article was first published in STAT a trusted publication about health, medicine, and the life sciences. 

Beloved British Royal Battling Cancer

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Catherine Elizabeth Middleton (born Jan. 9, 1982) is a member of the British royal family. She is the wife of Prince William, Prince of Wales, the first in line to the British throne. His father is King Charles III who succeeded his mother Queen Elizabeth II on the British throne after her death on September 8 2022. He became the king of not just the United Kingdom, but also Australia, Canada, New Zealand and 11 other countries.

Early Life and Education

Catherine was born in Reading, Berkshire, England, to Carole Elizabeth (née Goldsmith) and Michael Francis Middleton. She has a younger sister, Philippa Charlotte (Pippa), and a younger brother, James William. Catherine was educated at St. Andrew’s School in Pangbourne, Berkshire, and Marlborough College in Wiltshire. She then studied art history at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where she met Prince William.

Marriage and Family

Catherine and Prince William married on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey in London. They have three children: Prince George (born 2013), Princess Charlotte (born 2015), and Prince Louis (born 2018).

Public Life

Catherine is a patron of numerous charities and organizations, including the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Anna Freud Centre. She is also a keen sportswoman and has represented Great Britain in rowing.

Catherine has become a popular figure in the British royal family. She is seen as a role model for young women and is known for her down-to-earth personality. She has also helped to modernize the monarchy and make it more relatable to the public. The Princess of Wales published a statement at 6pm on March 22, revealing her cancer diagnosis.

“In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present,” part of the statement from Catherine said. “My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.”

US-Japan Friendship Blossoms in Full Bloom for Annual Festival

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The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual springtime celebration in Washington, D.C., that honors the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from the city of Tokyo to the United States. The festival typically takes place in late March and early April, when the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin and other parts of the city are in bloom.

Early History

The first cherry blossom festival in Washington, D.C., was held in 1927. It was a small event, with just a few hundred people attending. However, the festival quickly grew in popularity, and by the 1930s, it was attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

World War II and the Festival’s Decline

The festival was interrupted during World War II, when the cherry trees were mistakenly thought to be a symbol of Japan and were cut down. After the war, the festival was revived, but it never regained its former popularity.

The Festival’s Revival 

In the 1960s, the festival was revived thanks to the efforts of First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. Johnson planted a new cherry tree in the Tidal Basin in 1965, and the festival was officially reinstated the following year.

The Festival Today

Today, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the most popular events in Washington, D.C. It attracts over 1 million visitors each year. The festival includes a variety of events, such as parades, concerts, and art exhibits.

The Cherry Trees

The cherry trees that are the focus of the festival are a variety of Japanese flowering cherry called the Yoshino cherry. These trees are known for their beautiful pink blossoms, which typically bloom in late March and early April. There are over 3,800 Yoshino cherry trees in Washington, D.C., most of which are located around the Tidal Basin.

The Festival’s Impact

The National Cherry Blossom Festival has a significant impact on the Washington, D.C., economy. The festival generates over $100 million in revenue each year. It also helps to promote tourism in the city.

The Festival’s Future

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a cherished tradition in Washington, D.C. The festival is a reminder of the friendship between the United States and Japan, and it is a celebration of the beauty of nature.

The First Day of Spring and Renewal is Here!

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The first day of spring is the day when the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward. This usually occurs on March 20th or 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, and September 22nd or 23rd in the Southern Hemisphere. The spring equinox is the moment when day and night are of equal length all over the world.

The spring equinox marks the astronomical beginning of spring. In many cultures, it is a time of celebration and renewal. People often gather to celebrate the return of longer days and warmer weather.

Here are some interesting facts about the first day of spring and the spring equinox:

  • The word “equinox” comes from the Latin words “aequus” (equal) and “nox” (night).
  • The spring equinox is the only day of the year when the Sun rises due east and sets due west everywhere on Earth.
  • The spring equinox is the start of the astrological sign of Aries.
  • In many cultures, the spring equinox is associated with fertility and new beginnings.
  • In ancient Egypt, the spring equinox was celebrated with a festival called the “Feast of the First Harrow.”
  • In ancient Greece, the spring equinox was celebrated with a festival called the “Thesmophoria.”
  • In ancient Rome, the spring equinox was celebrated with a festival called the “Equirria.”

Nowruz, the Farsi word for “new day,” also known as the Iranian or Persian New Year, is a festival celebrated widely by over 300 million people around the world. Nowruz is an ancient festival with roots in Zoroastrianism that marks the beginning of the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar and falls on or around the spring equinox, typically between March 19th and March 21st. The festival is generally observed in countries along the Silk Roads, including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The spring equinox is a time of change and renewal. It is a time to let go of the old and embrace the new. It is a time to celebrate the beauty of the natural world and the joy of life.

DC Offers $2K E-Bike Program for Needy Residents

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DC’s Electric Bicycle Incentive Program

The District of Columbia’s Electric Bicycle Incentive Program (EBIP) will soon provide vouchers of up to $2,000 to some District residents who purchase an electric bicycle. The program is designed to encourage the use of electric bicycles as a clean and sustainable transportation option. Ward 6 council member Charles Allen introduced legislation creating D.C.’s E-Bike incentive program.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the EBIP, you must be a District resident and purchase an electric bicycle from a participating retailer. The bicycle must be new and have a motor that is no larger than 750 watts. “DDOT will open the first application window to Preferred Applicants only. A Preferred Applicant is a District resident enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, or the DC Healthcare Alliance. If funds are still available, a second application window will open to Standard Applicants. DDOT anticipates fulfilling approximately 250 vouchers with the FY24 funding.”

How to Apply

To apply for the EBIP, you must submit an application to the District Department of Transportation(DDOT). The application and additional information is available HERE. 

Benefits of Electric Bicycles

Electric bicycles offer a number of benefits over traditional bicycles, including:

  • Reduced emissions: Electric bicycles produce zero emissions, making them a more environmentally friendly transportation option.
  • Increased range: Electric bicycles can travel further than traditional bicycles, making them a good option for commuting or running errands.
  • Reduced strain: Electric bicycles provide a boost of power, making it easier to ride up hills or carry heavy loads.
  • Convenience: Electric bicycles are easy to ride and can be used by people of all ages and abilities.

The retailers listed below are Authorized Retailers and have an agreement with DDOT. They are the only shops where you can redeem a voucher.

Authorized Retailers

Bicycle Pro Shop 3403 M St NW
Bicycle SPACE 1512 Okie St NE
Conte’s Bike Shop – Cathedral Heights 3410 Wisconsin Ave NW
Conte’s Bike Shop – Logan Circle 1412 Q St NW
Conte’s Bike Shop – Navy Yard 1331 4th St, Suite 107, SE
REI Bike Shop 201 M St NE
The Daily Rider 600 H St, Suite D, NE
Trek – Georgetown 3411 M St NW
Trek – Skyland 2227 Town Ctr Dr. SE
King Micromobility 502 23rd St NW
Mittens Pop-Up Mobile
Upshift Workshop Mobile

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in America

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St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in America since the 1730s, when Irish immigrants began arriving in large numbers. The holiday was initially a religious observance, but it gradually evolved into a more secular celebration of Irish culture and heritage.

In the early days, St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated mainly by Irish immigrants and their descendants. However, as the Irish population grew and assimilated into American society, the holiday became more widely celebrated. By the end of the 19th century, St. Patrick’s Day was being celebrated in cities and towns across the United States.

Today, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in America. It is a day for people of all backgrounds to come together and celebrate Irish culture and heritage. The holiday is typically celebrated with parades, parties, and other festivities.

Here are some of the highlights of St. Patrick’s Day in America:

  • The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world. It is held on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and attracts over 2 million people each year.
  • The Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade is also one of the largest in the world. It is held on South Boston and attracts over 1 million people each year.
  • The Chicago River Dyeing is a unique St. Patrick’s Day tradition in Chicago. On the morning of March 17, the Chicago River is dyed green to celebrate the holiday.
  • The White House St. Patrick’s Day Reception is an annual event hosted by the President of the United States. The reception is attended by Irish-American leaders and other guests.

Click HERE for St. Patrick’s Day events in Washington, DC. Also, HERE are 9 ways the Washingtonian offers as options to celebrate this year’s Irish heritage event.

Why is Pi Important?

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Pi Day is an annual celebration of the mathematical constant π (pi). It is observed on March 14 (3/14 in the month/day format) since 3, 1, and 4 are the first three significant digits of π.

History of Pi Day

Pi Day was first celebrated in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw at the San Francisco Exploratorium. The date was chosen because it is the birthday of Albert Einstein, who was born on 1879-03-14.

Pi Day Celebrations

Pi Day is celebrated in many ways around the world. Some common activities include:

  • Eating pie
  • Throwing pie-eating contests
  • Reciting pi to as many decimal places as possible
  • Learning about the history of pi
  • Visiting museums and science centers that have pi-related exhibits

Pi Day Facts

  • The value of π is approximately 3.1415926535897932384626433832795028841971693993751058209749445923078164062862089986280348253421170679.
  • Pi is an irrational number, meaning that it cannot be expressed as a fraction of two integers.
  • Pi is a transcendental number, meaning that it is not a solution to any polynomial equation with rational coefficients.
  • Pi has been calculated to over 100 trillion decimal places.
  • The digits of pi appear to be random, but no pattern has yet been found.

Why is Pi Important?

Pi is used in many different areas of mathematics, science, and engineering. For example, it is used to:

  • Calculate the circumference of a circle
  • Calculate the area of a circle
  • Calculate the volume of a sphere
  • Calculate the probability of an event
  • Model the behavior of waves

Pi is a fundamental constant of nature, and it is used to describe many different phenomena in the universe.