In studio this week, Jennifer Feuerstein shares some of the innovative approaches of Care Resources, a long-term medical program that keeps the elderly in their homes longer. Care Resources takes an interdisciplinary approach toward healthcare and costs seniors about $74 per day rather than the average national cost of $174 per day. It is a program that grew out of values held by the Asian-American community in northern California.
Music for this week comes from local band Bug Dudee Roo's album Germination with the song "The people said no."
MEDIA ANALYSIS
Multimedia rentals from libraries compete with paid models
A nonprofit library research group found that Americans rent movies from their public library slightly more often than they order from Netflix or any other rental group. Since 1999, the amount of video materials per 1,000 people has doubled while the amount of book materials has dropped slightly.
[Read more: Courant]
Deal between Verizon and Google threatens net neutrality
Google and Verizon are in talks for the search giant to pay for faster page load times via Verizon's FIOS service. This sort of prioritization flies against a long-held principle of net neutrality. While there have been meetings since the decision against the FCC that the institution cannot regulate Internet traffic, the FCC cannot enforce anything regarding the internet while its legal purview remains in question. If the deal is struck between Google and Verizon, Google has agreed not to question how Verizon dispenses its network.
[Read more: New York Times, PCWorld: 1 & 2, eWeek]
Cell phone penetration has reached 95% in U.S.
A recent survey showed that cell phone penetration has increased rapidly to 95% in America, 100% if children under the age of 5 are excluded. Cell phone penetration refers to the number of cell phones to the number of Americans and is not necessarily an accurate measure of whether cell phone usage is evenly distributed.
[Read more: Poynter]
Taliban responds to a Time Magazine cover of a mutilated woman by accusing America of women's rights abuse
After publishing a cover photo of a woman whose face was mutilated by her husband, openly part of the Taliban, the Taliban itself responded. The Time Magazine issue focused on what would happen if the U.S. left Afghanistan, and in response, the Taliban sent out a press release of about 2,000 words pointing out the hypocrisy of fighting for women's rights in Afghanistan by citing widespread violence against women in American society.
[Read more: Mother Jones]
Crowdrise gives social networking abilities to social justice fundraisers
In May, Crowdrise became publicly accessible as a platform for those with social justice projects to register, browse and donate to other interesting projects. Each user on Crowdrise has an account focused on some project, and when they donate to another project, it is from that project profile.
[Read more: Good]
2010 Knight News Challenge winner: Front Porch Forum
This KNC winner received $220,000 to expand its open source forum platform to 250 cities in Vermont. Front Porch Forum provides forum space down to the street level for neighbors to post updates on what's happening on their block. Subscribers receive daily email updates that include posts such as block parties, break-ins and lost pets. It currently has active forums in 25 cities.
[Read more: Knight, PBS Idea Lab]
CALENDAR
[MUSIC] GRAM on the Green
Friday, August 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Grand Rapids Art Museum's terrace
This GRAM on the Green event will feature pop rock group the Fainting Generals. Admission is free and a cash bar will be set up. Attendees are welcome to bring their own folding chairs. Find more information on the downtowngr.org calendar.
[More info]
[ARTS] Avenue for the Arts Street Market
August 14 from 4 to 9 p.m. on South Division between Weston and Cherry
Arts vendors, musicians and local businesses will gather for this event to show their work, support each other, network and become involved. Typical artwork includes photos, sculptures, paintings, prints, T-shirts, handmade goods, jewelry, and more. Entertainment such as live bands, drum circles, DJs and dancers will also be performing. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
[More info]
[LITERATURE] Thin Ice: Coming of Age in Grand Rapids
Tuesday, August 17 at 7 p.m. at the Grand Rapids Library, 111 Library St. NE
Writers will read from their own vignettes about coming of age in Grand Rapids that first appeared in the book "Thin Ice." Local writers will be featured as well as a couple of pieces about historic Grand Rapids by writers now deceased will be read by local members of the community. For more infromation, visit the downtowngr.org calendar.
[More info]
[FUNDRAISER | ARTS] Clemente Skatepark Fundraiser and Art Battle
Thursday, August 19 at 9 p.m. at Billy's Lounge, 1437 Wealthy St. SE
Hip-hop acts DJ Snax and Chooch will perform at this event, which is open to those 21 and over for a $5 cover. There will also be an artist battle using blank skateboard decks as canvas. Raffles will be held and proceeds from the evening will go towards furthering Clemente Skatepark. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
[More info]
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