Field Guide to Nonindigenous Marine Fishes of Florida

The purpose of this field guide is to provide information on nonindigenous (i.e., non-native) fishes that have been observed in Florida’s marine waters. Introductions of non-native marine fishes into Florida’s waters could be intentional or unintentional, and are likely from a variety of sources, including aquarium releases, escape from aquaculture, loss due to extreme weather events (e.g., flooding from hurricanes), and possibly transfer with ballast water or hull-fouling. Presently the lionfishes (Pterois volitans and P. miles) are the only non-native marine fish species known to be established along the coast of Florida. All other marine fishes in this guide (except the euryhaline species, see below) have infrequent occurrences, occur singly or in small groups, and have not yet become self-sustaining populations. Aquarium releases are one of the major pathways whereby nonindigenous fishes gain access to new environments (Ruiz et al. 1997; Fuller et al. 1999). Most of the nonindigenous marine fishes found in Florida’s waters are thought to be aquarium fishes that either were illegally released into the ocean or escaped captivity (e.g., during severe storm/flooding events). Indeed, south Florida is a hotspot for nonindigenous marine aquarium fishes (Semmens et al. 2004). Increased public awareness of the problems caused by released or escaped aquarium fishes may aid in stemming the frequency of releases. For example, HabitattitudeTM (www.habitattitude.net) is a national public awareness and partnership campaign that encourages aquarists and water gardeners to prevent the release of unwanted aquarium plants, fish and other animals. It prompts hobbyists to adopt alternative actions when dealing with these aquatic plants and animals. (PDF file contains 133 pages.

Drones or no drones, the violence will continue in Pakistan

Speaking from Islamabad, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recently hinted at the possibility of ending the use of the drone in Pakistan. Reflecting an earlier speech by President Obama at the National Defense University in Washington, DC, Secretary Kerry stated, “I think the programme will end as we have eliminated most of the threat and continue to eliminate it.” He continued, “I think the President has a very real timeline and we hope it’s going to be very, very soon.

“Miss, Miss, Look at What My Mother Sent Me from Jail”

When I tell people that I teach in a public school, especially when I go on to say that I teach at the Junior High level there is almost aIways snickering sounds and rolling eyes followed by horror stories from the past. They relate memories of crowded, noisy hallways filled with bullies; classrooms that felt like jail, teachers that were bored and lots of hormone driven mis-adventures. I just smile because I know it is all too true. I do not attempt to explain why, as an artist, I choose to return to the classroom after so many years or how I am inspired everyday by the energy and truth of the students I encounter. I have come to learn that this immediate reaction by others is only a small part of the whole experience

Reawakening

Artists continually, create art celebrating Western Society and Civilization as the epitome of human culture. Art is created that memorializes our environment, landscape and culture in ways that are inconsistent with the truth and evidence of our history. As an artist and creator of culture, I am working to create and promulgate new ideas and practices. I am aware that our social practices are partially formed by the imagery of the visual culture that surrounds us, and as an artist, I work to create a visual language that strives at questioning our understanding of community (the people and the environment that surrounds us), love (the love of oneself and our neighbor), nature (the interconnectedness of all things) and individuality (our understanding of self).   My desire to create and develop new cultural and social practices grows from the absence of benevolence and humanitarian values in contemporary western society ideas and practices. This need has given me purpose to create and pursue a career in art despite the evidence and history of my culture, so that I can create works that celebrate life despite the travesty that we, western society, have made of it. This work is to be an inquiry into our way of life, and the reason of my current art making.  M.F.A

Prospective Policy Analysis of the Kentucky HEALTH Demonstration Waiver

In January 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved Kentucky’s Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver, which gave the state approval to require work/community engagement as a condition of Medicaid eligibility, charge premiums of up to 4% household income, and add an incentive account for dental and vison services. The waiver projected nearly 100,000 fewer enrollees and $2.4 billion less in spending over the five-year demonstration period. Two days short of the waiver July 1st implementation date a federal judge ruled the waiver invalid. This finding held that the Health and Human Services Secretary’s judgement was arbitrary and capricious. This capstone project was a prospective policy analysis to determine the potential impact of the Kentucky HEALTH demonstration waiver and assess alternatives to the policy. A criteria-alternatives matrix was used to evaluate the policy alternatives. The most viable policy option at this time is for the state to continue Medicaid expansion. While the results are subjective the analytic method can be adjusted as data becomes available

Creating a Web Presence for a Small Business Using a Holistic Content Strategy Approach

Creating a Web Presence for a Small Business Using a Holistic Content Strategy Approach details the content strategy process used and work done to revise a small business website, in order to better meet the content needs of both the business and its customers