gifting science to a niece, a great-niece and one great-nephew

Once upon a time, I was in charge of sharing science with locals and those visiting Savannah during National Chemistry Week.

That seems like forever ago, though it was October 2019.

The pandemic has certainly changed how time is viewed.

I had already retired before that event, so I had time to do it up right - gathering materials from the City of Savannah Water Management team and from the American Chemical Society, test-driving experiments to find those that worked best in the allotted times, getting the right to perform the experiments in Morrell Park downtown, making sure the event found its way into the press and onto the airwaves.

I ended up overgathering, as it turned out.

The leftover chemistry materials and science activity books have been languishing in my living room closet ever since.

No more!

More than 25 sets of the two activity books, as well as 45 self-inflating balloons for one of the demonstrations, are on their way to Louisville, Georgia, where Ally lives.

That great-niece will be 13 years old on June 2nd.

I know she will be thrilled to share science with her 7th-grade class!

 

Another 25 sets of the two activity books, plus fifty sparkly pencils, as well as the kits and instructions to make uv-detecting armbands, are on their way to Sumiton, Alabama.

That's the home of the niece that shares my birthday of May 29th!

She'll be 10 years old and she loves science.

I'm sure her 4th-grade classmates will much appreciate the fun activities during these last two weeks of school!

That left me with about 40 of the "Saving Savannah's Water" activity books.

I had crammed the medium flat-rate boxes from the Post Office as full as I could get them - and they were so very heavy! - but these books would not fit.

Now what to do?

Then the idea popped into my head: why not give them to Sebi's school?

What a marvelous idea!!!

I even told the school secretary that I had been there recently for my great-nephew's first communion, making them top of mind.

She was thrilled to receive the books!

And I am thrilled to have all of that science into the hands of those who will use it.

 

Yes, this has been a very fulfilling day!

i thank You, God.

birthday money off to vanuatu and indonesia

I had checked into kiva.org to find an entrepreneur to help finance.

Specifically, I wanted to add another country, and perhaps even another type of business, to my portfolio with the Nerdfighters.

(I do so enjoy fighting the dark side in the world!)

I ended up finding two to help, through a financing glitch.

You see, by the time my loan was processed by Kiva for the first person, that loan had already been fully funded... so they only allowed me to send $15 instead of the usual $25.

Odd, that had never happened before!

As I had $40 in credit, built up by the repayments of several to whom I'd lent money, then I couldn't resist going for a second new loan.

I guess that works in favor of me, the two businesses, and kiva.

(smile!)

Sylvette was the first one I had selected.

Mostly it was due to her name, which was similar to Mama's.

Partly, though, it was also because of her location (Vanuatu, a new country for me) and her type of business (rental homes, a new business type for me).

She's 59 years old and this is her fifth loan -

her fifth! - and she has been industrious about paying off the previous four.

Now, she's ready to add another rental, so she's applied for this new loan.

What an industrious woman!

I know her two children are very proud of her, and I know her husband is, too.

I had tried to provide her $25, but, like I said, her loan was fully funded by the time my bid to help was processed.

 

That meant I still had funds to help Cucu.

Get this: she's of a similar age to Sylvette!

Actually, they're both of a similar age to me, aren't they?

There is one major difference, though.

Cucu Kurniasih is a 57 year old widow, making her the sole support for her household.

Like Sylvette, the money she earns from her laundry business in Indonesia will be used to support her children and their education.

Hey, I'm always in favor of more knowledge!

I realize that I've supported laundries before, but... 

I've not sent funds for one in Indonesia yet.

Well, not until today!

What a blessing to be able to help both mothers as they strive for a better tomorrow for their children!

What a wonderful bday64 gift for me!

(smile!)

food drive, via mail

I had almost overlooked the little slip, as it had managed to get wedged in the bottom of the mailbox.

I'm glad I saw it!

I always try to participate in the food drive by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).

As I just found the slip this evening, I didn't have time to go shopping, so whatever was in the pantry would have to do.

That means fewer canned goods... but I did throw in two boxes of cookies, courtesy of the Amazon gift card given me by Aunt Linda.

I'm sure those will be a hit with children!

(smile!)

nothing like a little STEM to get ya goin'

As a long-time member of the American Chemical Society's ACT4CHEMISTRY group, I try to respond in a timely manner to their requests.

Today's email contained no fewer than five such.

 

* * * * *

Dear ACS Member:  
The House and Senate recently announced the Representatives and Senators who will go to conference over U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA)/the America COMPETES Act (COMPETES).
In their role, the conferees will resolve disagreements and differences from each chamber's bill into one combined final bill.
This process also brings the U.S. government closer to establishing its innovation priorities for the next decade.  
The conference committee is the final opportunity for constituents and organizations to advocate for priorities to remain included.
ACS has consistently advocated for several priorities focused on STEM education and workforce funding, sustainable chemistry, and helium conservation.  
Below you will find several broad issues with their specific act4chemistry alerts.  

    STEM Education and Workforce - ACS is asking for the inclusion of several STEM education and workforce provisions to promote equity and inclusion.  
        https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/policy/memberadvocacy/issues.html#/116

    Sustainable Chemistry and Advanced Energy Technology - ACS is asking for the inclusion of language authorizing sustainable chemistry programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE).   
        https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/policy/memberadvocacy/issues.html#/117

    Helium Conservation - ACS is asking for inclusion of helium conservation measures at the DOE and NSF
        https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/policy/memberadvocacy/issues.html#/118

    NIST Manufacturing Programs - ACS is asking for inclusion of provisions supporting NIST manufacturing programs from the House version of America COMPETES Act.
        https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/policy/memberadvocacy/issues.html#/119

    Combating Sexual Harassment in STEM - ACS is asking the conferees to include the House COMPETES provision to combat sexual harassment and discrimination in the scientific enterprise.
        https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/policy/memberadvocacy/issues.html#/120

We ask you to highlight these important priorities to your Representative and Senators as they forge a compromise legislative vehicle.
We also ask that you share this important advocacy effort with your fellow chemists.
For questions, please email us at act4chemistry@acs.org.

Warm regards,
Karen Garcia

* * * * *

 

Done, done, done, done, and done!

I even received a Thank-You email for my efforts on their behalf!

 

* * * * *

Thank you for your recent Act4Chemistry action.
Our members are a crucial element of our advocacy efforts and we appreciate your continued engagement.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns!
 

Messages were sent to the following recipients:
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA-01)
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA)
Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA)

 

* * * * *

 

Now, it's up to the politicians to do the right thing, as Spike Lee would say.

I'll be watching to see that they do.

After all, elections are coming up again.

Those that have not done in accordance with their constituents' wishes will have to get new jobs, won't they?