Paper Cuts

Holy crap, the world is coming to an end. Or, at least, the newspaper business is coming to an end, and so probably a good portion of our news as well. Paper Cuts is an interactive map site that shows all the different newspaper lay offs around the U.S. I just found this out about our own AA newspaper:

Ann Arbor News
Owned by: Advance Publications
Date: July, 2009
Positions cut: 272*
The paper will close in July; all 272 employees will be laid off.

It's hard to believe, in a town like this, that we won't have a newspaper. With the disappearance of local newspapers, radio, and tv stations, I think we do lose something in the community. Maybe our taxes should go towards funding media (although we'd have to be careful not to let things become regulated). Although, we do have all these new online local blogs, etc., popping up. But, I do like paper, and there is something to be said about newspapers--although I never did like getting ink all over my hands.

How True It Is

So, I was just looking at some handouts for the NAGAP conference I was at last week. I really like the part of my job that is recruitment, but it is still new to me, and as I've now finished the first year through, I've come to realize that this is so true:

Every season is recruitment season.

Because the fall is recruitment season, but then it's admissions time, and you work on recruiting your admitted students, and then admissions is over, and it's time to start planning for next year's recruitment season.

In other news, the CDC issued a public health emergency alert yesterday about the swine flu. Swine flu, bird flu, hoof and mouth...Why do all these animals keep getting us sick?

Alaska's Mount Redoubt

Mount Redoubt has apparently been erupting for the last few weeks. The photos are stunning, and make a small part of me long for my geology days. I love volcanoes.

Blargh

It's April and it's snowing. What more do you need to know?

Plastic Bags

So A2 is having some interesting discussions about the use of plastic bags in regards to litter and recycling, and the use at stores. I now have 2 very nice reusable bags. I keep them in my car, but my biggest problem is actually remembering to bring the bags into the store with me. Apparently plastic bags are banned in some cities, or customers have to pay a fee. Certainly, I think it would be better if people used reusable bags, and you can buy them everywhere now, usually for around $1. Go green!