First transgender woman appointed to senior US government post

Amanda Simpson, 49, has been made senior technical adviser at the commerce department in the bureau of industry of security.

She had the operation to change from man to woman in the late 1990s while working at the missile firm Raytheon in Arizona. She shares joint custody of her 13-year-old son with her former spouse.

"I'm truly honored to have received this appointment and am eager and excited about this opportunity that is before me," she said in a statement.

"But as one of the first transgender presidential appointees to the federal government, I hope that I will soon be one of hundreds, and that this appointment opens future opportunities for many others."

A former test pilot for Raytheon who helped persuade the company to adopt a policy protecting employees from discrimination and abuse based on gender identity, she will be responsible for protecting national security through the management of international trade, enforcement of treaties, and promotion of homeland, economic and cyber security.

In 2005, Simpson ran unsuccessfully for the Arizona House of Representatives, and acted as a delegate on behalf of Hillary Clinton at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Source:telegraph.co.uk/

Teacher reaches for the stars

Lincoln-Way North High School physics, astronomy and metrology teacher Margaret Piper is heading to Washington, D.C., this weekend to participate in a NASA program.

The Frankfort school teacher was one of 10 teachers chosen to participate in the NASA Infrared Processing and Analysis Center's Teacher Archive Research Program.

The Orland Park resident said her love of learning landed her this opportunity.

The eighth child in a family of 11 children, Piper said she always had an appreciation for the sciences.

"When I was a just a child we were always involved in science. My dad was a landscaper, and he invented a lot of his own parts."

Now a mother of four children, Piper, 49, will analyze archived data from the Spitzer Space Telescope, along with other NASA archive findings. Piper said she is the only teacher from the Southland taking part in the program.

The former research engineer, who at one time worked on Boeing 767 airplanes, said what she will be doing is similar to taking pictures that have been uploaded to the computer and looking at them.

"Scientists have collected data with the Spitzer (Space Telescope), but haven't had time to go through and sort through all of it," she said.

The Spitzer Space Telescope began in 2003 to help see light coming from space in the infrared region, Piper said.

The telescope will help researchers see things in space they couldn't see before, including a group of young stars similar to the sun hiding behind a cloud of dust, Piper said.

The other goal of the program is to get teachers to infuse their research experiences into the classroom, Piper said.

"The whole idea of the program is to get teachers involved to do this research, get the work done, and get students interested in science," Piper said. "The more I know about science, the better I can tell the students. It's kind of like a pathway."

Luisa Rebull, a Spitzer teacher research program manager, told Piper to submit an application for the program after watching her Hands on Universe presentation at Yerkes Observatory in Wisconsin.

About once a month, Piper said she travels to the observatory to participate in an education program with other teachers who teach hearing impaired and blind children about outer space.

When Piper learned she was accepted, she said her family was excited for her, but not surprised.

"They think it's pretty cool, but they're use to me doing stuff like this."

While in Washington, D.C., meeting with other teachers and astronomers, Piper will learn more about the program. She will continue her research throughout the school year and communicate with other teachers using phone conferences and e-mail.

Piper said the program will pay for her and two students to attend a three-day conference this summer in California to work on more data. Although she hasn't chosen who she'll take, she said she does have some students in mind.

"This is really cool stuff if you think this is cool stuff," she said. "The students won't get any college credit, but if you put it on an application, it's pretty cool."

Source:southtownstar.com/southtownstar.com/

Nationals' 3B has excelled on field but is far from household name in nation's capital

Ryan Zimmerman walks into an Arlington, Va., restaurant on a cold December afternoon. Dressed in jeans, a checkered button-down shirt and brown loafers, the 6-foot-3 North Carolina native looks like one of the many young professionals who populate the Washington suburb.

"Don't I know you from somewhere?" the host asks after greeting him, pondering Zimmerman's face for several seconds. "You look so familiar. College, maybe?"

"No, I don't think so," Zimmerman says, shaking his head and shrugging his shoulders.

"OK. I'll think of it," the host says as he leads the Nationals' All-Star third baseman to his table.






Brian Schneider/US PresswireRyan Zimmerman was in the top 10 in the National League in home runs (33) in 2009.

A few minutes later, he returns with menus. "I think I've got it," the host says. "You know Whitlow's [a nearby bar and restaurant]? Do you go there? I bet that's it -- I used to work there."

Zimmerman pauses for a moment. He could tell the host the truth -- that this past year he won the Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, Fielding Bible and "Baseball Tonight" Web Gem awards and held major league baseball's longest hitting streak (30 games) while being voted to his first-ever All-Star Game. Or, that since his arrival in Washington in September 2005, the 25-year-old third baseman has become one of the best players in baseball and the face of the franchise for the Nationals.

Chances are a New York City host wouldn't confuse Alex Rodriguez or David Wright with a college classmate. But this is Washington, D.C., and Zimmerman is the reserved, easygoing star of 2009's worst team in baseball.

"People in D.C. have a lot of other things going on," Zimmerman said in explaining why the Nats' fan base is sometimes criticized as less devoted than those of other major cities. "And when you win in this city, it's different."

The Nationals haven't had a winning season since his arrival. Yet Zimmerman showed his commitment to Washington last spring when he signed a five-year, $45 million deal through 2013.

"Few players stay in the same place their whole career," Zimmerman said. "It'd be a really cool accomplishment to have been here at our worst and see us through to our best. Hopefully, I can be that guy who's been here from the beginning and helped turn it all around."

Source:sports.espn.go.com/

Bo stays Home

First Dog Bo Obama...is staying home at the White House this Holiday season. His family left Washington DC earlier today to spend 12 days in Kialua, Hawaii. Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog, would have been quarantined 120 days in an Hawaiian Agriculture Facility as part of Hawaii's strict animal quarantine laws. As reported by The Honolulu Advertiser...State Veterinarian Dr. James Foppoli contacted the White House about Hawaii's tough Anti-Rabies rules.

Bo probably likes playing in the snow better


Source:

Need help for Christmas?

Inuvik Community Corporation (ICC) will be holding an election on Dec. 7 to fill its chair and three director positions.

Voting will take place at the Inuvialuit Development Corporation office on Mackenzie Road, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. An advanced poll will be held at the ICC office on Nov. 30. Contact the office if you need a ride to the polling station.

Chair candidates include Johnnie Lennie and Duane Smith. Director candidates are Peggy Day, Richard Gordon, Ethel-Jean Gruben, Ronald Gruben, Bernice Joe and Raymond Tingmiak.

Need help for Christmas?

The Santa's Elves project, organized by a group of anonymous volunteers, is up and running again and is looking for people in need of a Christmas hamper.

Community members in need are asked to apply for a parcel of food and gifts in person at Inuvik's Public works office. The application deadline is Dec. 4. Only one application per household will be accepted.

Rec hockey seeks players

Men and woman hockey players of all skills levels are invited to play a fun pick-up game of hockey every Friday night at the Midnight Sun Complex.

Ice time runs from 10:30 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. there is a small fee for players, for more information contact Andrew at the Inuvik Drum office.

Flu vaccine clinic

Inuvik Public Health will be holding a H1N1 vaccine clinic today and tomorrow.

Shots will be administered at the Public Health office located on the first floor of the Semmler Building. The clinic will run from 1 to 5 p.m. The clinic is open to the general public over the age of six months. Public Health officials are strongly urging people to get vaccinated.

Busy days at high school

Samuel Hearne Secondary School students are welcome to attend two after-school programs.

A homework program will be held every school day in the library from 3:40 to 5 p.m. Any students looking to get extra help with school work are urged to attend. The school is also inviting students to join the small engine repair club on Thursdays at 3:45 p.m. Run by Randy Palsson, the club is held at the automotive shop. Drop by and check out the new four-stroke OHV motors.

Turkey dinner

The Anglican Church will be holding its annual turkey dinner on Saturday at 5 p.m. The menu includes turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, salads, vegetables, fresh buns or bannock, a selection of delicious desserts, coffee and tea.

Ticket prices vary. Contact Sarah or Greta at the church office for information and to purchase tickets.

New bylaw officer

The town was to introduce its new bylaw officer at Wednesday's regular council meeting.

The newest town employee comes from Vancouver Island and replaces outgoing officer Dez Loreen, who resigned from the position earlier this month.

Communication plan

Council began discussion on improving communication with residents.

Several ideas were considered including having council sessions broadcast on the community channel, others suggested hosting meet and greet sessions with the public.

Some councillors argued that residents have ample opportunity to meet council during its four scheduled meetings during the month.

Laptops for councillors

Councillors supported a plan that would give them access to laptops on loan. The plan is aimed especially for councillors who are travelling and don't have access to a laptop. Council is also looking to cut back on the amount of paper it generates. While most councillors thought the plan was a good idea, Coun. Vince Sharpe said the town could put the money to better use.

Bylaw review plan

Council agreed to a suggestion by Mayor Denny Rodgers to undergo a review of the town's bylaws.

Rogers said a bylaw review schedule should be implemented.

"This and the budget are two of the most important things we can do as a council."

Coun. Alana Mero agreed. "We are doing the town's business, we should make sure we're up to date," she said.

Inuvialuit go to Washington

Beaufort Delta

A group of 11 Inuvialuit elders and youth from Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk and Ulukhaktok returned home Nov. 22 after a week-long trip to Washington, D.C., where they saw an exhibit of Inuvialuit artifacts at the Smithsonian Institute.

The artifacts, including tools, art and clothes, are part of the museum's MacFarlane Collection. Hudson's Bay Company trader Roderick MacFarlane collected the artifacts in the 1860s around the Anderson River area of NWT.

The trip, meant to allow residents to connect with their heritage on a deeper level, was partially paid for by the Inuvialuit Cultural Resource Centre and partially through a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grant.

Phasing out harassment

Tuktoyaktuk

A group of Canadian Rangers worked on anti-bullying exercises with Mangilaluk School students last weekend as part of the Rangers' Prevention of Harassment and Abuse through Successful Education (PHASE) program.

The program, which ran Saturday and Sunday in the community, deals with harassment, abuse, addiction and suicide and promotes a healing environment, particularly for young people.

Sledding skills

Ulukhaktok/Holman

Grade 10 students at Helen Kalvak Elihakvik learned how to build sleds at a workshop last week put on by elder Winnie Akhiatak. They worked through the week and finished with three functional hand-made sleds and the skills to make more in the future.

Making mukluks

Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson

Local instructors Elizabeth Colin, Rebecca Francis and Mary Mitchell are teaching Fort McPherson's youth how to sew fur mittens and make mukluks at the youth centre on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

So far, 15 youth are participating in the program, which began at the beginning of November and runs through December.

Co-ordinator Ruby Koe said one of the youngest participants is Jayme Nerysoo, who's eager to finish the pair of mukluks she's making for herself.

Tell us a story

Aklavik

Canadian storyteller Carol Leigh Wehking captivated students at Aklavik's Moose Kerr School last week, regaling them with dramatic folklore.

"There was a good little crowd here," said librarian Mary Theresa Rodgers. "The kids seemed to enjoy it - they were pretty quiet."

Sourcennsl.com