Special Picture Of Earth

Information:

Go here to view an image that explains how composite images like these are created: www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/6803619953

Responding to public demand, NASA scientists created a companion image to the wildly popular ‘Blue Marble’ released last week (January 25, 2012). www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/6760135001

The new image is a composite of six separate orbits taken on January 23, 2012 by the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite. Both of these new ‘Blue Marble’ images are images taken by a new instrument flying aboard Suomi NPP, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS).

Compiled by NASA Goddard scientist Norman Kuring, this image has the perspective of a viewer looking down from 7,918 miles (about 12,742 kilometers) above the Earth’s surface from a viewpoint of 10 degrees South by 45 degrees East. The four vertical lines of ‘haze’ visible in this image shows the reflection of sunlight off the ocean, or ‘glint,’ that VIIRS captured as it orbited the globe. Suomi NPP is the result of a partnership between NASA, NOAA and the Department of Defense.

Credit: NASA/NOAA

For more information about Suomi NPP go to: www.nasa.gov/npp

NASA image use policy.

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.

It’s February… and love is in the air. So is the 2012 Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure!

As we enter the heart of Race season, your lives as keepers of the Komen Promise will be awash with appeals to register, fundraise, support others … and you will delve more deeply into what it is you hope to achieve in your personal breast cancer mission.

The inundation of love occurring around February 14 has me thinking how perfect love is for empowering our breast cancer movement. It’s an emotion possessed by all of us. It’s so pure and naturally achieved… requiring no thinking, planning, reasoning, hard work or ‘stressing’ to experience it in its fullness. Even just a smidgen of love can put everything into focus, reminding us of what really matters.

And so, In the midst of all our Race activity, my message to you is simply: return to the basics of LOVE. Let love provide your focus. Let love inspire your activism. Love of the men and women in your lives today. Love for your granddaughters, and great-grandchildren you have yet to meet. Love for yourself.

I assure everyone, if you don’t worry so much about the what, where, when and how of your activism – but instead let your love illuminate your path – that love will manifest itself in beautiful ways that bring our community, as well as our world, ever closer to an end to breast cancer forever.

Whatever Valentine’s Day means to you, I truly hope you experience the full joy of receiving – and giving – love with those who matter most.

With thanks and love,

Elaine I. Grobman
Chief Executive Officer

RACE UPDATES
Focus on Registration – for the Race, for the Kids Dash, for the Fun & Fulfillment!

You may have noticed, for this year’s Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure, we’re ‘coming on strong’ to motivate EVERYONE to officially register for the Race. Yes, we love to see Eakins Oval awash in Race-goers every Mother’s Day. However, three simple facts are all we need to stress why registration is so critical:
If everyone who came out to last year’s Race actually registered, we would have raised an additional estimated $2,695,000.
Through our Community Grants Program, $2,695,000 could potentially fund 21,560 mammograms.
Last year, it’s estimated 100,000 PA women in need of a mammogram did not have access to one.
So, you see, registration DOES make a measurable difference. And we’ve got great motivations for every age and type of breast cancer activist to register officially this year:
Volunteers: be inspired by a heartfelt message from fellow volunteer & 2012 Race Co-Chairperson, Rick Brown
Kids: read about our February Sponsor Spotlight featuring the UnitedHealthcare’s Kids for the Cure: Dash to Make a Difference and Children’s Funfest
Perks Lovers: Everyone who registers benefits from the V.I.P. green!
In-Person Fans: From Macy’s to the Phillies & more, we have tons of convenient opportunities for you to register plus get your Race materials on the spot.
RACE TEAMS

Team Rallies Keep Rolling with Our First-ever Fundraising Fair.

First, we thank Cancer Treatment Centers of America, our Champion Sponsor of the Promise, for, once again, hosting an incredible, inaugural Team Rally for our Race for the Cure season. Please take time to experience and be inspired by this Rally of Champions with our Rally photo gallery and the First Commandments of Race Participation offered by some of our top fundraisers and Team Captains.

Secondly, we call all Team captains, members and Race volunteers to “Step Right Up!” to our first-ever FUNDRAISING FAIR, taking place at our second Team Rally on February 21 at Chapman Nissan. The concept is simple: we give you free ‘Komen Cash’ to spend, and you experience the fundraising fun and fundamentals! No matter what the size of your team, the Fundraising Fair has fabulous ideas and learning ‘by example’ to help make this a stellar Race season for everyone.

Check out all the exciting details and R.S.V.P. now.

Thank you to the Chapman Auto Stores family for opening their venue to us, as well as providing all our Rally food, beverages and accommodations.

AFFILIATE NEWS

Komen Philadelphia Affiliate Expands Our Service Area to 15 Counties.

We are proud and very happy to announce that the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate’s request to expand our service to include Adams and Lebanon Counties, PA was recently approved by Komen National headquarters.

Our expansion initiative was motivated by the fact that the two new counties previously had no formal Komen representation, and there is a measurable need for breast health services in many of their communities – with statistics showing that more than one-third of the women living in Adams and Lebanon counties are not receiving recommended breast cancer screenings. Moreover, a steady growth of Affiliate resources will allow us to provide the new counties with the same quality of services we’ve been delivering to our other thirteen counties for years.

We thank all of you for helping to make this new chapter in our history possible – for it is due to your loyal support, growing generosity and devoted volunteerism that we can expand our service to Adams and Lebanon Counties, as well as continue to serve the other thirteen counties relying on us to lead them into a world without breast cancer.

New licensees who received their licenses between Dec. 1, 2009 and Nov. 30, 2011, are required to take 14 hours of CE in specific, mandatory commission-developed courses. Licensees who received their licenses after Nov. 30, 2011 will be waived from CE for the 2012 renewal but will be required to take the specific, mandatory commission-developed courses for the 2014 renewal.

Online license renewal is available beginning in early March but in order to complete the renewal process, a real estate licensee’s broker must first have renewed their license. A letter regarding the renewal will go out to all licensees at the end of February or beginning of March.

Real estate licensees should not send CE information with their renewals unless they receive specific instructions from the Commission to do so. Licensees should wait to renew their license until after their 14 hours of CE has been completed. As in the past, the commission will use a post-renewal, random CE audit following the renewal deadline.

Please note that the Commission does not receive any information from education providers regarding licensees who have completed the CE. Licensees must contact the education provider directly to obtain information on the hours they have completed.

A registration code is printed on licensees’ wallet cards that can be used to renew a license as early as 90 days prior to its expiration date, even if they haven’t received their license renewal notice from the state.

Will the new owners of FaceBook, those people who buy shares, be responsible for my privacy and security? Is it possible for individual shareholders to be accountable for what their company does?

At one point in time, people believed the corporate umbrella might shield them from illegal activities. Then, board members and executives found they were the defendants in civil and criminal suits. They thought a new type of insurance would protect them. It does not.

After the 2011 earthquake in Virginia, FEMA has issued the following statement:

Common Misunderstandings Could Delay or Limit Your Assistance

Virginia’s earthquake declaration has spanned five months and much of central Virginia. News outlets in and around the disaster area diligently spread the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) message, but often residents hear second-hand information, rumors and half-truths about how to get access to the assistance programs available. When residents suffer losses they need accurate information.

Answers to some common questions about disaster assistance:

I already repaired my home, can I still apply?
Yes. By registering, you could still be eligible for essential disaster related repairs or to help with needs not covered by your insurance. It is helpful to take photos and save your receipts and records.

If I accept aid from FEMA will I lose my Social Security assistance?
No. Earthquake survivors who receive disaster assistance from the FEMA will not lose their Social Security assistance nor have any assistance cut as a result of FEMA disaster assistance. FEMA disaster assistance is not taxable income.

Are only low-income residents qualified for disaster assistance?
No. Federal and state disaster assistance programs may be available to those who suffered damage, regardless of income. The types of help provided depend on the applicant’s circumstances and unmet disaster-related needs.

If I registered with my county emergency manager, am I registered with FEMA?
No. You still need to call the special toll-free registration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585, if you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362 or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Phone lines are open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. EST, seven days a week, or apply online anytime at www.fema.gov.

If I receive assistance will my neighbor who has a greater need than mine have their assistance limited?
No. Once a disaster is declared all residents have equal access to all of FEMA’s assistance. The factors that determine grant amounts are directly related to an individual resident’s type and severity of damage.

Do I have to pay to register with FEMA?
No. Registration with FEMA is encouraged and has no cost. To receive FEMA assistance one must first register with FEMA.

Does FEMA charge for inspections?
No. Once a resident registers with FEMA and reports earthquake damage a FEMA inspector will call and schedule a visual inspection of all damage. If a FEMA inspector sees evidence that would suggest damage to a chimney or well, then a resident will receive, as part of an initial grant, money to have inspections performed by state licensed contractors. If earthquake damage is identified by the licensed contractor an appeal can be made to FEMA for additional assistance to cover these repair costs.

Do I need to make an appointment at the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to apply for assistance?
No. Appointments are not necessary at FEMA DRCs to get more information. You can register or ask for assistance anytime the DRC is open. If you need additional assistance, disaster specialists at the DRC can help. Once the DRC closes, you may call FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362) to register or ask questions.

May I still visit the DRC once I have registered with FEMA?
Yes. Experienced and helpful FEMA representatives are at DRCs to assist and provide additional information. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) representatives are available to help you apply for low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations. Information about assistance from other federal, state and volunteer organizations is also available. You may visit any DRC even if it is not located in your town or county.

A FEMA and a state person looked at my property before my county was designated. Do I still need to register with FEMA?
Yes. Prior to designating a county part of the federally declared disaster, the state and FEMA did “Preliminary Damage Assessments” (PDA) of homes and businesses to assess the extent of damage. Once your county received a designation that it is eligible for federal Individual Assistance programs, residents could begin registering with FEMA for assistance.

Do I have to be turned down by my bank before I can apply for a disaster loan?
No. The SBA, which handles low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations, has its own criteria for determining each loan applicant’s eligibility and approval.

I don’t really want a loan. Do I still need to fill out the SBA application when I receive it?
Yes. If the home loan application is not returned, you may not be considered for some forms of disaster assistance. If you do not qualify for a home loan, you may be considered for other forms of assistance. You may qualify for the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program that is designed to help meet serious, disaster-related needs. However, you must complete and return the SBA loan application. If approved you are not obligated to accept the loan.

I rent an apartment. Can I get help to replace my damaged personal property?
Yes. A renter also may qualify for an SBA low-interest disaster loan or grants from other sources to replace personal property. One type of grant may cover temporary housing needs if a renter has to move to another dwelling. Other grants may cover eligible individuals or families with serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other disaster-assistance programs.

I have insurance. Am I eligible for FEMA assistance?
Yes. Insurance is your main source for money to put your life back in order after a disaster, but there are many things that insurance does not cover. This is where federal disaster programs may be able to help. You may find that some of your losses are not covered by insurance and disaster assistance can help. Residents who have earthquake insurance will not be inspected until they provide their insurance company’s statement of denial or proof of lack of coverage to FEMA.

Do I have to wait for my insurance adjuster before I apply for disaster assistance?
No. If you have insurance, find out what your policy covers. Take pictures if you can and begin clean-up and repairs, keep estimates and receipts. But it is beneficial to register with FEMA as soon as you can in case you have disaster-related needs unmet by your insurance. FEMA allows 12 months from the date of registration to submit insurance documentation.

Deadline to register for assistance is March 5.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

The Open House and the Ward Lamon program are free and open to the public.

O’Connor, who lives in Charles Town, West Virginia, has ortrayed Lamon in programs at schools, historical venues, and civic organizations in six states. He has authored the only account of Lamon’s life, a historical fiction book called “The Virginian Who Might Have Saved Lincoln.” He also has edited the only book Lamon ever wrote, “The Life of Abraham Lincoln As President,” written in the 1880s but never published. Mr. O’Connor found the manuscript in the Huntington Library in California and purchased the rights to publish it. He added over 1700 footnotes. The book was published for the first time in December 2010.

Ward Hill Lamon is largely a forgotten figure in history, according to O’Connor. “He was born just a few miles from where I live, and moved to Danville, Illinois at age 18. There he became a new attorney assigned to the 8th Circuit Court where Abraham Lincoln was a long established lawyer. Lamon and Lincoln were law partners from 1852-1856, defending 114 cases in Vermilion County, Illinois. Lincoln took Lamon with him to Washington and became the unofficial presidential bodyguard. Lamon was with Mr. Lincoln every single day of his presidency until Tuesday,
April 11, 1865, when the president sent Lamon on a special assignment.

Lamon did not want to leave Mr. Lincoln unguarded, as he felt there was still danger. The Lincolns went to Ford’s Theater on April 14 in spite of Lamon’s urging that he not leave the White House, and the rest is history.”

O’Connor thinks Lamon is overlooked by historians. “He was probably Abraham Lincoln’s most trusted friend. He had more access to President Lincoln during the Civil War than anyone else. To say he is an insignificant character is quite outlandish.”

O’Connor, speaking as Ward Lamon, will tell of his friendship with
Abraham Lincoln, personal experiences they had, and the tragic loss of his life-long friend. At the end of the program, Mr. Lamon will take questions and will answer them in character.

The latest monthly data shows total existing-home sales1 rose 5.0 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.61 million in December from a downwardly revised 4.39 million in November, and are 3.6 percent higher than the 4.45 million-unit level in December 2010. The estimates are based on completed transactions from multiple listing services that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said these are early signs of what may be a sustained recovery. “The pattern of home sales in recent months demonstrates a market in recovery,” he said. “Record low mortgage interest rates, job growth and bargain home prices are giving more consumers the confidence they need to enter the market.”

For all of 2011, existing-home sales rose 1.7 percent to 4.26 million from 4.19 million in 2010.

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to another record low of 3.96 percent in December from 3.99 percent in November; the rate was 4.71 percent in December 2010; recordkeeping began in 1971.

NAR President Moe Veissi, broker-owner of Veissi & Associates Inc., in Miami, said more buyers are expected to take advantage of market conditions this year. “The American dream of homeownership is alive and well. We have a large pent-up demand, and household formation is likely to return to normal as the job market steadily improves,” he said. “More buyers coming into the market mean additional benefits for the overall economy. When people buy homes, they stimulate a lot of related goods and services.”

Total housing inventory at the end of December dropped 9.2 percent to 2.38 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 6.2-month supply2 at the current sales pace, down from a 7.2-month supply in November.

Available inventory has trended down since setting a record of 4.04 million in July 2007, and is at the lowest level since March 2005 when there were 2.30 million homes on the market.

“The inventory supply suggests many markets will see prices stabilize or grow moderately in the near future,” Yun said.

Foreclosures3 sold for an average discount of 22 percent in December, up from 20 percent a year ago, while short sales closed 13 percent below market value compared with a 16 percent discount in December 2010.

The national median existing-home price4 for all housing types was $164,500 in December, which is 2.5 percent below December 2010. Distressed homes – foreclosures and short sales – accounted for 32 percent of sales in December (19 percent were foreclosures and 13 percent were short sales), up from 29 percent in November; they were 36 percent in December 2010.

All-cash sales accounted for 31 percent of purchases in December, up from 28 percent in November and 29 percent in December 2010. Investors account for the bulk of cash transactions.

Investors purchased 21 percent of homes in December, up from 19 percent in November and 20 percent in December 2010. First-time buyers fell to 31 percent of transactions in December from 35 percent in November; they were 33 percent in December 2010.

Contract failures were reported by 33 percent of NAR members in December, unchanged from November; they were 9 percent in December 2010. Although closed sales are holding up better than this finding would suggest, contract cancellations are caused largely by declined mortgage applications and failures in loan underwriting from appraised values coming in below the negotiated price.

Single-family home sales increased 4.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.11 million in December from 3.93 million in November, and are 4.3 percent higher than the 3.94 million-unit pace a year ago. The median existing single-family home price was $165,100 in December, which is 2.5 percent below December 2010.

Existing condominium and co-op sales rose 8.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 500,000 in December from 460,000 in November but are 2.0 percent below the 510,000-unit level in December 2010. The median existing condo price was $160,000 in December, down 3.0 percent from a year ago.

Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast jumped 10.7 percent to an annual pace of 620,000 in December and are 3.3 percent above a year ago. The median price in the Northeast was $231,300, which is 2.7 percent below December 2010.

Existing-home sales in the Midwest rose 8.3 percent in December to a level of 1.04 million and are 9.5 percent above December 2010. The median price in the Midwest was $129,100, down 7.9 percent from a year ago.

In the South, existing-home sales increased 2.9 percent to an annual level of 1.76 million in December and are 3.5 percent above a year ago. The median price in the South was $146,900, down 1.1 percent from December 2010.

Existing-home sales in the West rose 2.6 percent to an annual pace of 1.19 million in December but are 0.8 percent below December 2010. The median price in the West was $205,200, up 0.3 percent from a year ago.

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

The Anniversary Concert is produced by Wayne Baruch and Charles F. Gayton, who have produced the Academy Anniversary concerts since 2007.

Concert-only tickets are available at $200 and are located in the Amphitheatre level. Concert-only tickets can be purchased by calling Ticket Philadelphia at 215.893.1999

Geomagnetic Storm Photo of the Sun

NOAA Updates