Men Aiming Higher. Health Walk. Saturday, May 18, 2013. Maryland

2013 Men Aiming Higher Health Walk (3rd Annual) When Saturday May 18, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM EDT Add to Calendar Where Largo High School 505 Largo Rd Upper Marlboro,, MD 20774 Driving Directions Help us in our mission to curb obesity and strengthen families! Get your $5 Tickets Now! I can't make it Have a health & wellness focused business or organization? Let us know so we can get the word out to the community! Sincerely, Men Aiming Higher - Health And Wellness Men Aiming Higher healthandwellness@menaiminghigher.org 301-383-1690

Scientists Say Oil Industry Likely Caused Largest Oklahoma Earthquake

NOTE:  Before my participation in the Kuwait Oil & Gas Summit, March 2013, I had submitted a question to the U.S. Geological Survey regarding the possibility of the removal of sub-surface material contributing to the number of earthquakes worldwide.                             Charles D. Sharp.  CEO.  Black Emergency Managers Association


http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2013/03/130329-wastewater-injection-likely-caused-quake/?goback=%2Egde_95914_member_227618106

© 1996-2013 National Geographic Society. 

Joe Eaton

For National Geographic News

Published March 29, 2013

The largest recorded earthquake in Oklahoma history was likely triggered by the injection of wastewater from oil production into wells deep beneath the earth, according to a study published Tuesday in the scientific journalGeology.

The magnitude 5.7 earthquake, which struck in 2011 near Prague in central Oklahoma, is the largest and most recent of a number of quakes scientists have tied to wastewater injection from oil and natural gas production, raising new concerns about the practice.

Advanced methods of oil and gas drilling create massive amounts of toxic wastewater. For example, hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, uses high-pressure water to unlock natural gas from shale formations. Drillers also use water to force oil from wells that cannot be captured through traditional methods, part of a practice known as "enhanced oil recovery." (See related interactive: "Breaking Fuel from the Rock.")

The use of such methods has exploded in the United States in recent years, contributing to the domestic boom in shale gas and oil production. Much of the wastewater that emerges as a byproduct is pumped into wells beneath the earth's surface for disposal.

Although the controversial practice of fracking has been directly linked to at least two seismic events (small tremors in Garvin County, Oklahoma and Lancashire, England), the wastewater injection that follows fracking is much more likely to set the earth shaking. That's because injection wells receive far more water than fracking sites, said Katie Keranen, lead author of the Geology study. And unlike at fracking sites, the water is not removed. As pressure builds in these disposal wells, it pushes up against geological faults, sometimes causing them to rupture, setting off an earthquake. (See related blog post: "Tracing Links Between Fracking and Earthquakes.")

This is what most likely triggered the 2011 Oklahoma quake, according to the study. At the time of the earthquake, which damaged 14 homes and was felt as far away as Texas, there were three active wastewater injection wells—abandoned oil wells used for storage after oil drilling operations—within 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) of the site.

Keranen, an assistant professor of geology and geophysics at the University of Oklahoma, was at home at the time of the quake. Soon thereafter, she installed seismometers that recorded more than 10,000 aftershocks, which helped scientists estimate the area of the ruptured faults. The data showed that the initial rupture reached incredibly close to an active well—within 660 feet (200 meters)—and the majority of the aftershocks were located within the same level of sedimentary rock as the wastewater injection wells.

The study contends that the proximity of the quake to the active well, combined with rising wellhead pressure before the tremors and the relative lack of seismic activity preceding the event, suggest injection caused the quake. But it also says it is impossible to prove without a doubt. "Without question there is a strong likelihood that [the quake] was induced," Keranen said.

Luckily, the area is rural, and only two people were injured. "If this happened in a high-population center, we would expect a lot more damage," Keranen said. "This is something we should take seriously and help mitigate the risk of it happening again."

In addition to recording the largest quake linked to wastewater injection, theGeology study also shows that it can take decades for an injection well to spark an earthquake. In most documented cases, seismic activity begins within months after workers begin injecting wastewater into a well, and stops when the injection pressure is released, the study says. The 2011 Oklahoma earthquake, however, took place after wastewater injection had been occurring at the wells for more than 17 years.

Large earthquakes are rare in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. However, the number increased dramatically after 2008, according to the study. The reason is unclear. However, a 2012 report by the National Academies of Science found the energy industry may be increasing the risk of earthquakes by injecting wastewater underground. (See related blog post: "Report Links Energy Activities to Higher Quake Risk.")

Fracking is one major cause of the increase in energy production wastewater. Although the process may not be the direct cause of the quakes, each drill site requires between 3 to 5 million gallons of water per frack, much of which is later disposed of underground. (See related story: "Water Demand for Energy to Double by 2035")

John Bredehoeft, a geological expert at the Washington State research firmHydrodynamics Group, said scientists have long known that wastewater injection cause earthquakes. "There is no question about that anymore," he said.

But Bredehoeft, who held research and management positions during a 33-year career at the U.S. Geological Survey, said the overwhelming majority wastewater wells in the United States appear to be safe. The problem, he said, is scientists have no way of determining which of the roughly 30,000 wells are likely to trigger earthquakes.

"We don't know enough about the earth's crust to know where it will happen," Bredehoeft said. "Almost nowhere do we have enough data to do that."

Heather Savage, a research professor of geophysics at Columbia University, and a co-author of the Geology study, said increased data collection about wells could help prevent future earthquakes like the one that shook Oklahoma in 2011. "[The occurrence of human-induced earthquakes is] rare, but it is increasing. It's something we need to get ahead of," Savage said.

Despite the study's findings, some experts remain skeptical that wastewater injection caused the Oklahoma earthquake. A statement released by the Oklahoma Geological Survey in advance of Tuesday's study said its data show the earthquake was likely "the result of natural causes."

This story is part of a special series that explores energy issues. For more, visitThe Great Energy Challenge.

Emergency Readiness Workshop for Youth-Serving Organizations

Emergency Readiness Workshop for Youth-Serving Organizations
Ilyssa Plumer (Mar 30th 2013 11:24 am)
Are you part of a youth-serving organization and interested in integrating emergency preparedness into your existing programs?! In May, FEMA Region X and the American Red Cross, Western Washington Chapters, will be co-sponsoring free workshops on these very topics. Please see the attached announcement about this exciting opportunity! Here is the link to register (can be found on the flyer as well): https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/readinesswkshp. Please find the Workshop Flyer attached and share it with anyone who may benefit from attending; email it, share it on your website, post it on community boards, etc. Thanks! Ilyssa Plumer, FEMA Region X; Email: ilyssa.plumer@fema.dhs.gov

Saggin Pants

BEMA Network Members (All):

 

Perceptions, and how we view each other personally, and how others view us.

 

Please take a look at the different views listed below.  Urban legends, some truth, and different perspectives on a hot subject.  Especially if you know of some young, or older individual that's unable to find a job.  The perception and image may be the key in addition to knowing 110% of our job.

 

Question:  Is it harder to change a system from inside or outside?

 

The world is not a large as you think it is.  Language only separates us in the 21st Century.

 

Be safe, be prepared.

 

cds

 

 

Charles D. Sharp
Chief Executive
Black Emergency Managers Association   bEMA
2027 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.  S.E.
Washington, D.C.  20020

Office:   202-618-9097

www.BlackEmergManagersAssociation.org

Apologizing: does not always mean you are wrong and the other person is right. It just means you value your relationship more than your ego.  (Author Unknown)

 

 

1.   http://www.snopes.com/risque/homosex/sagging.asp

 

2.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagging_(fashion)

 

 

3 .  Saggin Pants....................................................

Saggin Pants Pass this on to Our Youth, Our Parents, Our Black Men and Women Letter from a college student The other day a friend of mine visited me in the lobby of my dorm just to chat while her laundry was drying. As we were chatting two young freshmen came by. One of the 2 boys wanted to 'talk' to my friend (as in date). She asked him how old they were, and both of the boys replied 18. My friend and I both laughed hysterically because we are both 22 years old. After my friend left the young men were still hanging around and one wanted to know how he could gain her interest. The first thing I told him to do was to pull up his pants! He asked why, and then said he liked saggin' his pants. I told him to come over to my computer and spell the word saggin'. Then I told him to write the word saggin' backwards. < FONT face="Times New Roman" color=black size=3> S-A-G-G-I-N N-I-G-G-A-S I told him the origin of that look was from centuries ago. It was the intent of slave owners to demoralize the field workers by forbidding them to wear a belt as they worked in the fields or at any other rigorous job. In addition, men in prison wore their pants low when they were 'spoken for'. The other reason their pants looked like that was they were not allowed to have belts because prisoners were likely to try to commit suicide. And, saggin' pants prevents you from running. We as young Black people have to be the ones to effect change. We are dying. The media has made a mockery of the Black American. Even our brothers and sisters from Africa don't take us seriously. Something as simple as pulling up your pants and standing with your head held high could make the biggest difference in the world's perception of us. It is time to do right by ourselves. We need to love and embrace each other. No one is going to do that for us. It all comes down to perception. What people perceive is what reality to them is. We have to change not only the media's perception of us, but we need to change our perception of ourselves. Remember all eyes are on you Black Man. All eyes are on you Black Woman. All eyes are on your Black Child. People point the finger at us and expect us to engage in negative and illegal activities, to manifest loud, boisterous behavior, to spend our hard earned money in their stores, buying goods we don't need, or really want. We have allowed not only the media, but the government and the world to portray us as a 'sub-culture'. They have stripped our culture down to the point where the image of Black people is perpetuated as rappers, athletes, drug users, and consumers of junk food, expensive tennis shoes, expensive cars, expensive TVs, cell phones and not investing in homes for our families. We are so much more!!!!!!!

Connect DC: 2013

Friends, Technology affects us all—from residents to businesses to community institutions. It has the potential to transform lives, solve problems, and connect communities. Access to the Internet has changed the way we communicate, work, learn, and get our news and information. These advances have improved the quality of life for most of us, but not for everyone. And that’s why we go to work each day.  At Connect.DC, we understand that everything is affected by technology, but we also know that many people still don’t have the access or skills to take full advantage of everything modern technology has to offer. Together with our partners, we are working to do something about that. We’re providing indoor and outdoor free Wi-Fi hotspots and computer access in libraries and recreation centers, training District residents and small businesses to use technology, and working with service providers to ensure both groups have affordable options once they finish their training. We’re also reaching out to people like you to see how we might collaborate to reach the underserved. Our efforts at Connect.DC are making a difference, and we welcome your suggestions for ways that we can better serve our community.  Your Connect.DC team Small Business Success Project Update In December, OCTO announced a new initiative connecting District-based small businesses with basic digital literacy education through a subgrant to the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC). LEDC’s Small Business Success Project is helping entrepreneurs get comfortable with technology tools and giving them the opportunity to advance their business goals and remain competitive in the digital economy. Participants are eligible to receive hardware, software, and Internet connectivity through the trainings. Since December, LEDC has trained more than 60 micro and small businesses. For a full list of LEDC’s upcoming workshops, click here. Save the Date: Spring 2013 Community Broadband Summit We are excited to announce our Spring 2013 Community Broadband Summit will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2013! As in the past, we will collaborate with community partners and technology advocates to explore the power of broadband technology in the District and to build tech capacity in DC residents, small businesses, and community institutions. Please contact us to be part of this unique community event. More details to come! See video and pictures from our Fall 2012 Community Broadband Summit, held in conjunction with DCWEEK 2012. Out and About Your Connect.DC team was on the move this past winter, supporting local events and collaborating with technology groups to advance the cause. Acting Program Director Delano Squires presented at the Ward 8 Tech Council meeting on February 5th, where he described Connect.DC’s digital inclusion efforts and gained insight on the specific tech needs of Ward 8 residents. On February 12th, Connect.DC and OCTO subgrantee Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) participated in an event with Google. We picked up a few pointers from a handful of Social Media Week events, engaged with panelists during a very enlightening Broadband Summit hosted by The Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Services with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in early February, made new friends at the first Black Girls Code Meet and Greet in the District, and caught up with old friends at a town hall meeting for the DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative (DCPNI). If you would like to partner with us on your next outreach event, please contact us. Digital Inclusion in District Schools When the Dorothy I. Height Community Academy Public Charter Schools (CAPCS) began receiving broadband services from DC-Net in September, 2012, they were looking to better use technology to fulfill their mission of helping elementary and middle school students develop in all aspects of learning—from critical thinking to mathematical reasoning and scientific inquiry. Read more Interact with DC’s Broadband Mapping Application OCTO’s DC Broadband Mapping Application allows users to identify broadband availability and performance throughout the District. The map includes the ability to view by technology type, download/upload speeds and the number of providers within a given location. For information on other mapping efforts in the District, click here. Facebook Survey: What’s Your Most Essential Tech Tool? In January, we asked our Facebook fans this question: if you HAD to choose one device/platform to access the Internet, which would you choose? Our fans were split evenly between laptop and tablet. No one chose desktop! For up-to-the-minute news and engagement with our team, ‘like’ us on Facebook. UPCOMING EVENTS Research Subgrant Request for Application (RFA) Release Date Monday, March 25, 2013 Stay tuned for updates >> Grant Proposal Writing 101 Workshop Tuesday, March 26, 2013 10am-12pm View more info >> Spring 2013 Community Broadband Summit Saturday, May 18, 2013 Stay tuned for event details >>

About Us Connect.DC was established by the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) of the District of Columbia Government to draw attention to the advantages of technology and collaborate with government, nonprofit and corporate entities to advance citywide broadband access and education initiatives. Connect.DC is funded by a combination of OCTO resources and two American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grants—State Broadband Initiative (SBI) and Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP)—through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the United States Department of Commerce. Visit our website Send us an email Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Call 202-CONNECT (266-6328)