Donors pledged nearly $375 million today to the United Nations fund that ensures that humanitarian workers can quickly begin saving lives when a crisis strikes.
The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has disbursed more than $2 billion in assistance since it was launched in 2006, making it the world’s largest source of humanitarian funding.
Seasons greetings to all Clam Diggers, Mussel Suckers and all the folks out there in cyberspace. We must announce a tied score, therefore we have two winners. The voters have spoken and Charlie Carman's decorated house has received as many votes as Danny Piraglia's decorated house. Congratulations to both City Islanders for their work helping to make City Island a holiday light festival.
This Week in History, Dec 18 - Dec 24
Dec 18, 1620
Mayflower docks at Plymouth Harbor. British ship Mayflower docked at modern-day Plymouth, Massachusetts, and its passengers prepared to begin their new settlement, Plymouth Colony.
Dec 19, 1998
US TROOPS OUT OF IRAQ. 4,487 Troops & 100,000 Iraqi Dead + $800 Billion.
SOLDIERS RETURNING HOME. Civilian Jobs Transition Remains Scarce.
ROMNEY RECEIVES MAJOR ENDORSEMENT. Iowa Newspaper.
VACLAV HAVEL DEAD. Former Czech Republic President.
WINTER BEGINS THIS WEEK. Cold Weather Coming.
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"圣诞快乐"
"GOD JUL"
"BUON ANNO"
"JOYEUX NOEL"
"VESELE VANOCE"
"メリークリスマス"
"MELE KALIKIMAKA"
"NODLAG SONA DHUIT"
"BLWYDDYN NEWYDD DDA"
"С Рождеством Христовым"
"FELIZ NATAL"
"BOAS FESTAS"
"FELIZ NAVIDAD"
"MERRY CHRISTMAS"
"KALA CHRISTOUGENA"
"VROLIJK KERSTFEEST"
"Χαρούμενα Χριστούγεννα"
"FROHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN"
"BUON NATALE-GODT NYTAR"
"HUAN YING SHENG TAN CHIEH"
"WESOLYCH SWIAT-SRETAN BOZIC"
"MOADIM LESIMHA-LINKSMU KALEDU"
"HAUSKAA JOULUA-AID SAID MOUBARK"
"즐거운 성탄"
"'N PRETTIG KERSTMIS"
"ONNZLLISTA UUTTA VUOTTA"
"Z ROZHDESTYOM KHRYSTOVYM"
On this first anniversary of Arab Spring, City Island Images Looks back at those demonstrations in Tunisia that rapidly toppled the longtime strongman. 2011 was an extraordinary and exceptional year for news junkies. However, no one can actually deny that ARAB SPRING was one of the top news stories of the year.
As we approach the holidays, we should consider the stories our leaders, our teachers, our friends have told us and why they do matter, they matter probably almost as much as the stories our parents have told us as children, because they orient us to what is, what could be, and what should be; to the worldviews they hold and to the values they hold sacred.
Next year, on October of 2012 could very well be the end of our old friend, the 100 watt incandescent light bulb. And the future for 60 and 40 watt incandescent bulbs in the coming years also looks dim.
That is, unless Congress does something to block a bill signed by President George W. Bush in 2007, which phases out the manufacture of incandescent bulbs over the next two years. Many folks across the country see this law as an infringement of their right to live and let light their lives anyway they want and would rather fight than switch to energy-saving LED lights.
City Island Images begins an annual event this weekend, which we hope all City Islanders will enjoy participating in. For the next few days, we will be featuring homes, which local families have decorated for the holiday season.
We invite you to share the photos of your favorite decorated homes, or perhaps provide us with the addresses, so we can take photos and share these brilliant images on line with all of you.
The UN nuclear watchdog has welcomed Japan’s announcement that it had successfully stabilized the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant that was damaged earlier this year and that the release of radioactive materials is under control.