Monthly Archives: June 2012

Kensington producer’s musical  about Statue of Liberty debuts this week

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Pearl Gabel for New York Daily News

Theresa Wozunk, producer of 'Liberty, a musical about the Statue of Liberty, outside her Kensington, Brooklyn, home.

At last: A musical about the Statue of Liberty that a Kensington theater producer has championed for four years will make its debut.

A girl in a copper-brown gown will step onto the stage of the Warner Theatre in Torrington, Conn., Saturday and sing the story of how Lady Liberty an immigrant, like so many New Yorkers came to America.

Shes a young person on a journey to find herself, said Theresa Wozunk, producer of Liberty: A Monumental New Musical.

In 2008, Wozunk bought the rights to produce the show commercially because shes fascinated with the iconic statue. Her interest was inspired by family tales about her Italian grandpa.

Enrico Ciampoli joined the Army at age 17 and fought in World War I for his new country, where hed settled the year before against his parents wishes.

He was completely devoted to America, said Wozunk, 50. He taught himself English by reading the newspapers and never uttered another word of Italian in public.

Lady Ls got dramatic tales to tell, too.

She was almost deported, said Wozunk.

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Kensington producer’s musical  about Statue of Liberty debuts this week

ATK Completes Software TIM for Liberty under NASA's Commercial Crew Program

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ARLINGTON, Va., June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ATK (ATK) completed its Liberty software technical interface meeting (TIM), which was held to support further development of the Liberty space transportation system under the company's Space Act Agreement (SAA) with NASA for the Commercial Crew Development Program.

The software TIM was conducted to evaluate Liberty's software development plan with the NASA Liberty team. The plan governs the software process used by Liberty and its subcontractors throughout development, integration, test and flight.

"Understanding how your system will work together throughout the mission is critical in reducing risk and schedule delays," said Kent Rominger, ATK Vice President and Program Manager for Liberty. "Holding this TIM provides us valuable insight into expertise provided by the NASA team and ensures there are no issues we are overlooking."

The development of software is critical for understanding the entire system to support Liberty's test flights. Unmanned test flights are scheduled for 2014 and 2015, followed by the first crewed flights in 2015 with Liberty astronauts.

The TIM was held this month at Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.'s Boulder campus and the Lockheed Martin Waterton facility near Denver.The team also toured both facilities, including the integration and test laboratories where Liberty's flight and ground software will be checked out prior to its test flights.

Team members involved with Liberty's software development include ATK (first stage and ground support equipment (GSE)), Lockheed Martin (spacecraft subsystem support, launch vehicle ascent control and spacecraft GSE), Ball Aerospace ((Situation Awareness Fault Evaluation (SAFE) and Subsystems)), Astrium (second stage) and L3 Communications Cincinnati Electronics (Integrated Avionics and Flight Safety Systems), and Teledyne Brown (cargo carrier).

The CCDev-2 Liberty unfunded SAA enables NASA and the Liberty team to share technical information related to the Liberty Transportation System during the preliminary design review phase of the program. ATK has completed four milestones and held three TIMs, all on internal funding. The fifth and final milestone under the agreement is schedule for July.

"This SAA with NASA's Commercial Crew Program has enabled us to further advance development as we receive valuable feedback from a team of experienced human space flight experts," said Rominger. "As a result, we are able to offer a complete commercial crew service, and provide safe, reliable, cost-effective crew transportation to low Earth orbit."

ATK announced last month it had developed Liberty into a complete commercial crew transportation system, including the Liberty composite spacecraft, abort system, launch vehicle and ground and mission operations, all designed from inception to meet NASA's human-rating requirements.

Additional subcontractors for Liberty include Safran/Snecma, Moog Inc., Honeywell, Astrotech Space Operations (ASTC), Aerojet, Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Dynamic Concepts, Inc. and Hamilton Sundstrand. More information on the Liberty system can be found at http://www.libertyspace.us

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ATK Completes Software TIM for Liberty under NASA's Commercial Crew Program

Liberty second stage one step closer to production

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ARLINGTON, Va., June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Astrium, the number one company in Europe for space technologies and systems, has successfully completed a set of tests on tank structures proving that key design and manufacturing processes used for Ariane launchers are ready for production of the Liberty commercial launch vehicle second stage with ATK (ATK).

Download film of the tests at: http://46.218.194.177/astrium/ASTRIUM_LIBERTY

The tests covering load-carrying cryogenic tanks demonstrate that existing Astrium processes can be leveraged to confirm the overall Liberty schedule and enable a speedy entry into service and into orbit. Astrium is also working on leaner production processes for the second stage to bring best value to the Liberty launch vehicle.

Liberty is a complete commercial crew transportation service, including the spacecraft, abort system, launch vehicle, and both ground and mission operations, designed from inception to meet NASA's human-rating requirements with a planned first test flight in 2014 and Liberty crewed flight in 2015. Astrium, as a major subcontractor, will provide the second stage of the Liberty launch vehicle - based on the liquid-fuelled cryogenic core of the Ariane 5 vehicle powered by the Safran-built Vulcain 2 engine. The Ariane 5 launcher, for which Astrium is the Prime Contractor, was developed under the aegis of the European Space Agency and is operated by Arianespace. With 48 consecutive successful missions over nearly nine years, it is the world's most reliable launcher. This includes the launch of three Autonomous Transfer Vehicles to resupply the International Space Station in the last four years. During this time, the Ariane 5 has launched more commercial satellites into orbit than any other launch vehicle in the world.

A film from the Astrium site in les Mureaux, near Paris (France), shows the work done to complete the stage testing. It shows the machining, forming, computerized automatic welding and inspection of cryogenic tank elements to provide the increased thickness and stiffened profiles necessary for the Liberty second stage. An additional tank panel of increased thickness is welded and tested in a cryogenic environment at the Euro Cryospace facilities (an Astrium and Air Liquide joint-venture). These successful tests demonstrate that Astrium's manufacturing technology has the capability to process panels that are several times thicker than those of Ariane 5. These panels meet the needs for the strengthened cryogenic tanks of Liberty's second stage.

Alain Charmeau, CEO of Astrium Space Transportation, said: "These tests take the Liberty second stage one step closer to production. They demonstrate conclusively that our proven processes can manufacture thicker and stiffer cryogenic tanks for the Liberty second stage.

"Welding, machining, and forming space hardware is a highly sophisticated industrial process. Our extensive experience in manufacturing all Ariane launchers has given us comprehensive and unmatched capability that we can now utilize for a new commercial space transportation system Liberty. We are proud to be a valued partner alongside ATK and Lockheed Martin and look forward to the success of Liberty," he continued.

"Astrium's world-class commercial launch team provides unique vehicle and systems capabilities to Liberty," said Kent Rominger, ATK program manager for Liberty. "These tests by our Astrium teammates demonstrate how our flight-proven Liberty team is hard at work and keeping Liberty on schedule for first launch in 2014."

For additional information on the Liberty Transportation Service please visit the Liberty website at: http://www.libertyspace.us/

About Astrium

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Liberty second stage one step closer to production

'Obamacare' symbol: Court ruling is 'right direction'

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M. Turner snapped this self-portrait that went viral in the debate over President Obama's Affordable Health Care Act.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Tampa, Florida (CNN) -- Sitting on a corner of her brown sofa in a modest rental apartment, Miss M. Turner creates hand-made jewelry -- not quite the image you might expect from a public face in the nation's bitter fight over health care reform.

What the health care ruling means to you

In the months leading up to Thursday's Supreme Court ruling about the White House-backed Heath Care Affordability Act, Turner's photo went viral across the political blogosphere, accompanied by the provocative headline "I am Obamacare."

The high court ruled that the law's individual mandate -- the provision requiring all Americans to have health insurance -- will stand. Turner called the ruling "historic," "amazing" and "the right direction."

Health care and the high court

Health care and the high court

Health care and the high court

Health care and the high court

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'Obamacare' symbol: Court ruling is 'right direction'

Cheers from Obamacare symbol

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M. Turner snapped this self-portrait that went viral in the debate over President Obama's Affordable Health Care Act.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Tampa, Florida (CNN) -- Sitting on a corner of her brown sofa in a modest rental apartment, Miss M. Turner creates hand-made jewelry -- not quite the image you might expect from a public face in the nation's bitter fight over health care reform.

What the health care ruling means to you

In the months leading up to Thursday's Supreme Court ruling about the White House-backed Heath Care Affordability Act, Turner's photo went viral across the political blogosphere, accompanied by the provocative headline "I am Obamacare."

The high court ruled that the law's individual mandate -- the provision requiring all Americans to have health insurance -- will stand. Turner called the ruling "historic," "amazing" and "the right direction."

Health care and the high court

Health care and the high court

Health care and the high court

Health care and the high court

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Cheers from Obamacare symbol

National Libertarian Party Responds to Supreme Court Decision

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The National Libertarian Party has issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court's ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:

"The Supreme Court Ruling on ObamaCare does not matter. It will make little difference to America in the short run, and no difference in the long run.

"Why? Because almost all elected Republicans and Democrats are Big Government politicians - in all things - including health care. After this Supreme Court decision, they will get back to work expanding government involvement in all things - especially health care.

"One thing could make things worse. Electing Republican Mitt Romney President.

"Why?

"Republicans fiercely oppose, and often defeat Democratic Party attempts to massively expand government involvement in Health Care - such as HillaryCare.

"But Democrats usually vote for Republican Party legislation to massively expand government's role in Health Care.

"Republican President George Bush's $1.1 Trillion Government Prescription Drug Program was voted into law by Republicans and Democrats.

"Republican Governor Mitt Romney's Massachusetts state government expansion into Massachusetts health care - RomneyCare - was voted into law by both Republicans and Democrats. With virtually no resistance.

"A Republican-controlled House of Representatives and US Senate would oppose Democratic President Barack Obama's health care proposals.

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National Libertarian Party Responds to Supreme Court Decision

'Dindo' makes landfall over Calayan islands

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MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) Tropical storm Dindo (international name: Doksuri) made landfall over the Calayan group of islands Thursday night, the state weather bureau said.

In its 11 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the storm has maintained its strength and is still moving in a west-northwest direction.

Public storm signal warning number 1 remains hoisted over the following areas:

Cagayan Calayan group of islands Babuyan group of islands Batanes group of islands Apayao Kalinga Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur Abra Mt. Province Ifugao Benguet La Union Pangasinan

PAGASA said heavy to intense rainfall is expected within the storms 500-kilometer diameter.

Residents of Regions 1, 2 and Cordilleras are warned on possible floods and landslides due to heavy rains and strong winds brought by the storm.

Dindo was spotted 115 kilometers north northwest of Laoag City as of 10 p.m.

It is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday morning.

The weather bureau said weather condition over Mindanao is expected to improve by Friday.

The eastern section of Luzon and Visayas will experience rains until Saturday because of the storms effect on the southwest monsoon.

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'Dindo' makes landfall over Calayan islands

Tortoise Lonesome George to be embalmed

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Lonesome George. Credit: Galapagos National Park Service

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, Ecuador, June 28 (UPI) -- Lonesome George, the giant Galapagos tortoise who died on Sunday as the last of his species, will be embalmed and put on display, officials in Ecuador say.

The Pinta Island tortoise will be on display on Santa Cruz Island for future generations to see, Environment Minister Marcela Aguinaga said.

A necropsy determined Lonesome George, estimated at 100 years old, died of old age, she said.

As the only known living example of his subspecies, Chelonoidis nigra abingdoni, Lonesome George was considered the rarest creature in the world.

Efforts to get the Pinta Island tortoise to reproduce with females from a similar subspecies on the Galapagos Islands all met with failure, the BBC reported.

Lonesome George had become a symbol of the Galapagos. An estimated 180,000 people annually visit the islands where Charles Darwin began to formulate his theories on evolution.

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Tortoise Lonesome George to be embalmed

Southern islands offer adventure, quiet

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By: By Bill Charles

Date Posted: 2012-06-29

Theres plenty to see and do anywhere in Okinawa Prefecture, but there comes a time to break out of the familiar comfort zone, become adventurous, and explore a few breathtaking regions of the southern zone.

And getting there is now cheaper and more convenient than ever. A good place to check prices and special offers is Okinawa Tourland Hotel Booking website at http://eng.tourland.co.jp

Miyako Islands

The Miyako Island group consists of eight main islands --Miyako, Ikema, Kurima, Irabu, Shimoji, Oogami, Tarama and Minna Island-- located about 300 kilometers southwest of the mainland and 2,000km from Tokyo. Its a sparsely populated set of islands, with only about 55,000 people occupying the total land area of 164 square kilometers.

Miyako Island is almost flat, filled with sugar cane fields spread throughout the entire area, and blessed with a lot of as white beaches, beautiful shoreline and coral reefs. The biggest coral reef group in Japan is located north of the island, called Yaebiji, and it is well known as a diving and snorkeling point. On Miyako Island, there are plenty of beautiful beaches where visitors are able to enjoy sunbathing and snorkeling, or just spending relaxing time looking at the unbelievably turquoise and highly transparent ocean.

The real excitement is the pleasure of snorkeling and watching colorful tropical fish swimming among the coral reefs close at hand. There are tours to a coral reef by boat or kayak to do snorkeling, and there are many diving shops that deal with snorkeling tours. And thats where it gets even more special. Working with the dive shops, guides will go with you and teach you basics of snorkeling, so, it is safe.

There are seven other inhabited islands around Miyako Island; Ikema and Kurima islands are connected to Miyako by bridges, and thus accessible by car, and Irabu and Shimoji will soon be connected to Miyako by a 3,500-meter long bridge, the second longest in Japan. Oogami is a tiny island off Miyakos east coast, and Tarama and Minna islands are halfway between Miyako Yaeyama island Group further south-east.

To Irabu Island, its possible to sail across by ship from Hirara port while the new bridge is being completed. Irabu and Shimoji Island are linked by several bridges built over a narrow waterway. Irabu Island and Miyako Island will be linked by bridges later this year.

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Southern islands offer adventure, quiet

One supreme court justice could make or break health care act – Video

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26-06-2012 20:24 Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's vote in the health care ruling could prove decisive. Joe Johns reports. Obama to give press conference over health care reform act at 12:15 EST. Watch it LIVE at Health care reform act upheld. Watch the reactions LIVE here: For more CNN videos, check out our YouTube Channel at Or visit our site at

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One supreme court justice could make or break health care act - Video

Health Care Ruling: more coverage from the AP

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We've collected several reports from the Associated Press on Thursday's critical ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on the Affordable Care Act of 2009. We hope you'll take advantage of this resource, learn about the Act itself, the Supreme Court's ruling on it and the ongoing debate over its implementation.

Meantime, continue watching FOX 8 Thursday evening and monitoring http://FOX8Live.com for the rulings impact here in Louisiana.

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Health Care Ruling: more coverage from the AP

Health-care decision: What happens now?

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The Supreme Courts decision to uphold all but one provision in the Affordable Care Act means that for now, at least, one of the most far-reaching overhauls of the nations health-care system will be the law of the land. New rules for insurers that have taken effect will remain in place, while new opportunities to gain health-care coverage will begin in 2014.

Read the full text of the Supreme Court's decision on President Obama's health-care law.

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Decision sets the issue up to figure prominently for the remainder of the presidential campaign.

This tool estimates what the three most talked about health care ruling scenarios could mean for your coverage, based on your info.

THE BIG STORY | Keep track of full coverage of the health-care decision and the political fallout.

If I dont have health insurance, what will happen?

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Health-care decision: What happens now?