Live Tsunami Twitter Tracker

Posted on 27. Feb, 2010 by Editor in Feature

Stay abreast of the breaking news and what people are saying about the tsunami heading for the Hawaiian Islands. Here you can find out from people watching and people who are in the area.

Ten minutes ago officially the tsunami event has begun according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Photography Tips For Taking Great Shots

Posted on 18. Feb, 2010 by Jason King in Feature, Photography

Capturing Those Special Moments Forever

Take photos that rival professional photos

Advanced digital cameras have changed the way people take pictures. Not only are they are higher quality, people are taking a lot more of photos with higher resolutions and increased quality. The average amateur photographer may not take as many quality shots (which is due to experience) not the technology.

Three quick-n-easy tips to take great quality shots

1. Learn to use the sunlight. If you are taking daytime outdoor shots, you want to learn how to effectively use the sunlight. As a San Diego wedding photographer this is an important skill to master since most weddings are during the day.When outdoor shots make sure that the shot is not against the light. Also be careful of real bright sunlight because it can cause harsh shadows.
2. Effectively use the flash. The secret is to know how to distance yourself from the subject. Because if you are too far the flash won’t help and the shot will be too dark.Also, avoid getting too close because the brightness of the flash may produce glare and ruin an otherwise perfect shot. Lessons learned through years of experience as a San Diego photographer.
3. Choosing the right angle for your shot. People don’t realize how changing the position or angle of a shot can make a big difference. A good thing about digital cameras is that it allows you to take multiple shots of a subject allowing you to find the best shot for that subject. Even as a professional event photographer in San Diego, a lot of photos have to be taken in order to get one that is really good. So just take as many shots as possible.

Taking great photos isn’t always easy, but with these three tips it has just gotten easier.

Oklahoma City Ice Storm 2010 – Turning Treacherous

Posted on 28. Jan, 2010 by M.L. Zupan in Feature, Local Weather

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA — CIDANews.com – The storm continues to ravage Oklahoma as the freezing rain turned to pelting ice in the early afternoon.  Already more than 110,000 people are without power and the numbers are expected to get worse.

Sand and salt trucks have been out all day and are expected to work continuously throughout the night to keep up with the hazardous conditions. People are being cautioned to stay indoors unless they absolutely have to go out.

The worst is yet to come.

Due to warm temperatures yesterday (above 60°F) the ground retained much of its heat. Because of that, the cold air and the freezing rain that fell this morning did not accumulated as fast as expected in some areas of Oklahoma. However, by mid-afternoon the freezing rain turned to pelting ice and heavy sleet causing a thin layer of white to cover the wet roadways.

“It didn’t look that bad!”

Famous last words. Throughout the night icy rain and snow are expected to continue, causing even more treacherous driving conditions on top of already bad conditions. As the sleet and snow cover the water layer underneath – you can expect that moisture to be solid ice by morning. And tomorrow – the sleet will be turning to snow with up to 12″ of accumulation.

National Weather Service

The National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma – just south of Oklahoma City – has issued a Severe Winter Storm Warning.

Accuweather.com has headlines that read: Wicked Storm in Progress;  Dangerous Winter Storm Impacts South; and Major Winter Storm Hits Southern Plains.

NewsOK.com has information about major and minor accidents in the Oklahoma City area, power outages and airport updates.

We will be keeping you up-to-date on what is happening regarding this winter ice storm. If you have news, or a story to tell about how it has effected you – write us at: articles@cidanews.com – If you have a some unique video footage or some original photos throughout the storm – send us your photos and we will publish them in an “Oklahoma City Winter Ice Storm 2010″ photo gallery.  Be sure to email us your name, where the photo was taken and approximate time of day so we can give you credit for the photography.

Official Death Toll in Haiti Rises Over 111,000

Posted on 23. Jan, 2010 by M.L. Zupan in Feature, Hot Topics, Video, World

Over 111,000 have been confirmed dead from the 7.0 earthquake that rocked Haiti just over a week ago according to an official government figure released by the United Nations.

Over 600,000 people have been left homeless in and around the capital of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In order to get a better understanding of what that means we have compared it to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Oklahoma City has an official population of 444,719 people. Over 25% of the people would be dead and the entire population would be without homes and still the numbers can’t compare.

No Food, No Water, No Electricity, No Shelter

The basic things that we take for granted – they have none. Not since the tsunami in Asia in 2004 has there been a natural disaster of  this magnitude.

A Glimmer of Hope!

After more than of week of herculean effort – relief aid is finally starting to arrive in quantities that will begin to do some good. Efforts had been blocked by the destruction in the port and at the airport. Little more than a few flights a day were able to arrive and take-off jamming the small airport. Military personnel and have been working round-the-clock to open the port. Now, Port-au-Prince is able to receive between 120-140 flights per day at their single-runway airport as opposed to 25 flights.

Haiti Earthquake Victims: An Urgent Appeal for Help!

Posted on 18. Jan, 2010 by M.L. Zupan in Feature, Hot Topics, World

Haiti Earthquake Devastation 2010

Don’t Delay to Help Because Every Second Counts

Over 20,000 dead and the final report is still not in. It may be weeks or even months before they really know how many people have been affected by the largest earthquake in Haiti’s recorded history. These people need your help!

The relief efforts to assist the hundreds-of-thousands and perhaps millions of people who are injured, homeless, waterless, etc… have been enormous – but there is much to be done.

Below are just a few of the places where you can give to help offer aid. They are good, trustworthy organization that have been around for awhile. We list them because it is a quick link to give you an opportunity to respond. But there are other things – more direct approaches that will also offer tremendous relief.

Organizations you can help by giving:

Hospital Albert Schweitzer – Direct Relief to held the Hospital >> Donate Now

To find out more about what is happening at “HAS” here is the latest press release from the hospital: Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti Updates

Oxfam America Haiti Relief Fund:

Make a Donation to Oxfam Earthquake Relief

Redcross
Haiti Relief and Development

“The American Red Cross is working with its partners in the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network, including the Haitian Red Cross, and other partners to assist those affected by this disaster.”

More Direct Approaches to Giving Relief Aid

There are many ways to help the relief effort. These efforts take just a little time, however your offer more aid per dollar spent.

Unfortunately, many large organizations also have high overhead. What does that mean? It means that a portion out of every dollar you give to them goes to operation, administrative costs first. They have employees who work for them full-time, they have relief workers who go out into the field to help in the distribution of aid and finances. They have clerical and administration costs to over see each project.

There is nothing wrong with all of those things, they have families to feed, they work hard, they also deserved to be paid for their time and effort – but what it means is that not all of your support goes directly to help the relief effort.

So What Can Be Done to Help?

1. Contact a local Library, Community Center or Church to see if they would become a gathering point for products such as:
   • cases of WATER – number 1 need in an emergency
   • canned goods high in protein
   • baked beans
   • green beans
   • lentils
   • peanut butter
   • packages of rice
   • dried noodles – like elbow noodles
2. Next: you can contact a local grocery store in your neighborhood and ask them if they will set up a display before the check-out counters with perhaps a half pallet of each of the items listed above. People have the option to purchase a product for Haiti Relief – and then drop it into a “Relief Bin” on the other side of the check-out counter.
3. Find out if someone is already doing something mentioned above and offer to help organize transportation from check-out areas to receiving areas.
4. Or, help with packing so that all items can be shipped by container
5. Assist in the shipping process – organization, securing a shipping company, etc… Perhaps call the nearest military base and see if they are taking supplies to Haiti – and if they can take your storage containers (make sure it is packed properly – best if it can be packed into a storage container)

Let us here from you! We would like to know what you are doing in your neighborhood to make a difference.

How Carbon Credits Help In Reducing Carbon Emissions

Posted on 08. Jan, 2010 by Diane Scott in Environment, Feature

Commercial and individual use of fossil fuels to generate energy has been widespread for several decades throughout the world. However, emission of greenhouse gases like methane and CO2 is caused by fossil fuels, which is very hazardous for the environment.

Increasing emissions have led to a high level of concentration of these gases in the atmosphere, causing global warming, which is threatening life on the planet.

The carbon credit scheme was a direct result of the need to check emissions and safeguard the planet. The well known Kyoto protocol witnessed over 170 participants agreeing to fix standard limits on greenhouse gas emissions in their respective countries in a phased manner. The fixed limits are then used by the country’s government for allocating quotas to different industrial and commercial entities of how much emission they are permitted.

In order to reward industries and other entities for releasing lesser than the quota and to penalize those who emit more, the idea of carbon credits was developed. One carbon credit is equal to one ton of carbon dioxide emission into the environment. In this innovative scheme, manufacturing units or companies that emit greenhouse gases less than the allocated quota can sell carbon credits of an amount equivalent to the difference, while those units that emit above the limit will have to buy an equivalent amount of carbon credits from the market.

Such carbon credits trading motivate lesser emissions and thereby decrease unregulated emissions of greenhouse gases in the environment. The market of carbon credits has made firms make good their emissions, and it now has a direct impact on the firm’s financial statement. Companies have thus realized the necessity of cutting down their emissions and look for environment friendly business options.

Another emission limiting financial scheme is the carbon offset credit, which caters to a very similar purpose. A carbon offset credit is equivalent to one thousand kilograms of carbon dioxide or corresponding greenhouse gas decrease in the atmosphere. Using cleaner and renewable energy sources like wind and tidal energy helps to attain this important decrease.

A carbon offset is purchased by firms or other organizations to offset the emissions that are above their allocated quotas as per the defined regulations. Carbon offset is available to governments, organizations and even an individual who can offset their carbon footprint through it. Hence, they are able to support and fund the decrease in greenhouse gases and to promote sustainable forms of energy generation.

Sherlock Holmes is a Smash Hit

Posted on 21. Dec, 2009 by M.L. Zupan in Entertainment, Feature, Movies

Sherlock Holmes Takes On a New Life

A winner for Sherlock Holmes and a must see.

From the opening sequence to the closing credits, Sherlock Holmes keeps you on the edge of your seat. But if you are looking for the old Sherlock Holmes that you may have grown up with – forget it!

Robert Downey Jr. takes on Sherlock Holmes like Daniel Craig took on James Bond. The scenes are mixed with old England as you would expect in the foggy, dirty London of yesteryear, but the scenes are filled with the kind of explosive action that you would expect in a James Bond film. And Robert Downey Jr. carries if off with his easy on-liners and natural gift of acting.

Downey’s version of Holmes is portrayed as a much more action oriented person as opposed to the egg-headed thinker. He is not as dapper or as clean cut, but he has wit, he has charm and just the right amount of humanity to thrill audiences across the country.

Jude Law as Watson, is no less of a character in this version of Conan Doyle’s classic. From being the stepped on, shadow of a side-kick in past versions – Jude Law brings Watson to life as a strong asset and indispensable partner in our heroes continuous antics and knack for getting into trouble.

The only downside is that it is a shame it comes out on Christmas Day when so many people have made commitments to family. The week before or even two days after I believe would bring greater opening day viewers – but you do have the whole holiday time through New Year’s.

Overall – our review of Sherlock Holmes is a must see. Right until the very last scene – the movie will leave you hanging.

H1N1 Flu Virus Phishing Scam

Posted on 03. Dec, 2009 by M.L. Zupan in Feature, Health & Nutrition

DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK

Center for Disease Control H1N1 Virus Flu Phishing Scam

Fraudulent State Vaccination H1N1 Program

Fraudelent emails referencing CDC-sponsored State Vaccination Program

(posted December 1, 2009)

CDC has received reports of fraudulent emails (phishing) referencing a CDC sponsored State Vaccination Program.

The messages request that users must create a personal H1N1 (swine flu) Vaccination Profile on the cdc.gov website. The message then states that anyone that has reached the age of 18 has to have his/her personal Vaccination Profile on the cdc.gov site.

The CDC has NOT implemented a state vaccination program requiring registration on www.cdc.gov. Users that click on the email are at risk of having malicious code installed on their system. CDC reminds users to take the following steps to reduce the risk of being a victim of a phishing attack:

• Do not follow unsolicited links and do not open or respond to unsolicited email messages.
• Use caution when visiting un-trusted websites.
• Use caution when entering personal information online.

The report was reprinted in its entirety. If you would like to read it go to – http://cdc.gov – there is a link on the right side of the page that has a current listing of top 10 articles or stories and “Phishing Scam” is number 1. http://cdc.gov/hoaxes_rumors.html

Don’t be taken in this Christmas Season – use caution when opening your mail and “never follow unsolicited links in email messages” no matter how credible the email looks. That is why phishing emails are also known as “copy-cat” emails. They try to emulate the web site to make you think that it is real.

When in doubt – open up a new browser window and type in the web site manually and then search for any reported fake emails.

Greeting Card Scams – About.com Antivirus Software
FBI warns public of e-mail scams – Federal Bureau of Investigation

Will “Black Friday Shopping Deals” Bring Death Again?

Posted on 26. Nov, 2009 by M.L. Zupan in Feature, Hot Topics, Seasonal

Long Island Wal-Mart on Black Friday in Nov. 2008 - Ends in Tragedy

Remembering Damour

“Jdimytai Damour, was crushed-to-death under a crazed mob of 2,000 frantic, selfish and greedy shoppers” – Black Friday Stampede – Who is to Blame? – CIDANews.com 2008

Last year, Black Friday did not represent the beginning of the Christmas shopping season with joy of holiday shopping and the anticipation of Christmas with loved ones and family. It ended tragically with the death of a young man who was trampled to death because of a mad rush of holiday shoppers who had to have that first big special of the day.

We at CIDANews.com would like to remind everyone to shop responsibly and show due caution in the face of holiday bargains. No life is worth 40, 50 or even 60% off.

Jdimytai Damour, a 34-year-old temporary maintenance worker, died in Black Friday stampede.

The family of Mr. Damour will forever have an empty seat at the Christmas table and an empty place in their hearts for the young man who is now missing from their lives.

He needs to be remembered, not as some faceless worker – but as a young man with family and loved ones just like you.

Keep Jdimytai Damour in mind when you go out this season and keep his family in your prayers. Try not to get caught up in the frenzy of the moment and exercise caring and caution – even if it means missing that last special deal. And above all – be safe this Christmas season.

Related Articles:

Black Friday Madness: Remembering Jdimytai Damour

Sister of worker Jdimytai Damour who died in Wal-Mart Black Friday stampede blasts ‘new rules’ — Daily News

My Wall Fell the Day After – Berlin Wall

Posted on 10. Nov, 2009 by M.L. Zupan in EU - European Union, Feature, Politics

Fall of the Berlin Wall - 20th Anniversary of Freedom

There are events in history that define life changing moments. They change the way we look at our world and they change the way we look at ourselves. It is in these “landmarks in history” that we also define time. They become the markers of the past and the crossroads for the future.

• Do you remember when… ?
• Where were you when… ?
• What were you doing when… ?
• What did you do before… ?
• What did you do after… ?
• Did it change your life… ?

One of those events human history that we remember in our time is the “fall of the Berlin Wall”. The following excerpt comes from a story written by Dorothea Grass. She was eleven years old when the wall came down. Her story tells of a family of courage, fear, anger and joy.

Weg aus der DDR – Mein Mauerfall am Tag danach

“Ihr Vater war aus der DDR geflüchtet, jetzt solte die Familie nachkommen: Warum unsere Autorin den Mauerfall verschlief – und der 10. Novermber 1989 zum Kuriosum geriet. [Translation: Their father fled out of the DDR, now the family has to follow: why our Author missed the fall of the wall." Sueddeutsche Zeitung

"My personal wall came down the day after

In the May of 1988 my father went to West Germany on a visa for a short term visit. He never returned. Shortly after, my mother started filing papers to initiate the process for family re-unification. Much later my mother explained that this had been their plan all along. But as children we were told that she hadn't known he would not return, simply so we would not accidentally tell anything to the 'Stasi” (secret police) and thus jeopardize the whole process, and all family members involved.

After that nothing ever remained the same. In our sleepy little town in Thuringia we had become those who “are going to leave”, enemies of the state, and were no longer part of the 'normal' world. For us as schoolchildren it meant were no longer allowed to participate in school functions. I learned that being at the same place at the same time does not mean people experience the same things. We had started living in a different world, a parallel universe to that of the “conformed citizen”. Men in gray overcoats randomly came to search our house and dig through our drawers, our telephone line had ominous clicking noises, and all of that to prove there had been a conspiracy to leave the country all along.

Not that we were not used to being different. My family was part of a church, and we were raised with Christian values. My grandfather had managed to keep his private company when all property was being made common good in the 50ties. We had lots of relatives in the west part of the country. Each of these facts alone was more than enough to raise suspicions.

In school everybody who went to a church had to be registered: there were five out of 25. If we didn't know God didn't exist, and Christmas is only a dusty old winter tradition? we were asked.  All the other kids stared at us. We knew in our hearts we would never be able to be “model citizens” and believed even as children we would someday leave.

On November 8, 1989, after much waiting, a year and a half after my father had left, we were told that “someday” would be tomorrow. We were to go to bed early and rise early in order to pick up our papers. How many times had I dreamed to see my father through binoculars standing on the opposite side of the hill, beyond “no man's land” and the border line. But using binoculars we never would have dared. In the weeks prior we had been told to move out of our apartment in expectation of an imminent departure. My mother's parents graciously had offered to let us stay with them during this time. Meanwhile emotions ran high in the country all around us.

So when Schabowski proclaimed on the eve of November 9 that the wall had come down, the TV in my grandparents house had long been turned off. We  slept right through one of the most monumental moments of German history. The next day my uncle told us: “The wall is open!”. We were hopeful and expectant all at the same time. We hurried down to the police station to pick up our papers, only to be caught in throngs of people heading the same way. “Where have they all come from?”, I remember wondering. They had never shown any interest in leaving before. I was getting angry. All our waiting, the undignified searches, all our hopes and fears – it did not seem fair that they did not have to go through the same pain as we had.

Yet, after we had collected all paperwork and made it across the border – when I saw my father standing in a parking lot on the “other side”, I didn't even wait for the car to stop. I jumped out while we were still driving and ran into his arms with tears streaming down my face.

I am glad, of course, that there is no more “DDR”. I am elated to see how much change human courage can achieve. Yet – on that 10th day of November, all I really cared about was that our family finally was happily united."

If you would like to read the original article in its entirety you can find it at: Mein Mauerfall am Tag danach - Sueddeutsche.de

Berlin Celebrates Demise of Wall – UPI.com
Leaders in Berlin Retrace the Walk West – NYTimes.com
World Marks Fall of Berlin Wall – NewsOK.com