Small local grocery store: disadvatages in metropolitan area

Small local grocery store: disadvatages in metropolitan area EST1 Task 1 Being a small, local grocery store chain in a major metropolitan area is daunting. National and regional chains are regularly putting out of business small stores owned by local companies. This reason, along with the at large social responsibility taking hold of consumers requires all companies to adjust their organizations from solely a profit-seeking motivation to being socially and ethically understanding in their business outlook. Company Q recently closed two stores in higher-crime-rate areas. Those closures where attributed to the consistently negative balance sheets of those stores. If these stores in higher-crime areas were not making a profit, what is the reason they were losing money? To take a socially responsible approach to all of our store locations will mean understanding our customers. For example, if a store in a predominately-Jewish neighborhood is selling non-kosher items we could expect these items to not be sold in the same volume as kosher items. Taking a Jewish-centric approach to a stores marketing in a Jewish neighborhood makes good business and ethical sense. When we understand our costumers and their communities, we understand that business flourishes where society thrives. Company Q, after many years of customer requests, began to offer a limited selection of health-conscience and organic products in all of their stores. Offering organic and other health-conscience offerings in response to customer demand is a positive step in forming a social contract with our customers instead of merely offering them what we feel they need. Understanding our customers means providing them what they want and what they need. Offering high margin products to customers who have neither the financial ability to afford the higher costs associated with those products, nor have a desire to purchase these products will not help Company Qs bottom line. Product choices must be targeted to the consumer. Ethnic foods must be endemic to the neighborhood their being offered in. Marketing of stores in cultural or racially specific communities must be stocked with products that meet the needs of those people. It takes very little effort to understand our customers, but that little effort can be the difference between a store being successful or failing. Insuring that Company Qs stores differentiate themselves in the marketplace will help give the company a competitive edge in these tough economic times. Company Qs current policy of disposing of day-old products is a perfect example of missing a great public relations and corporate social responsibility opportunity. When asked by the areas food bank to donate product that would otherwise be thrown away, management declined. Employees concerned management over lost revenue through possible fraud and theft instead of donating the food. The first concern with this issue is understanding its costs and actual or perceived benefits. Company Q will write-off any product that needs to be disposed off due to exceeding the expiration date. The products are disposed of in a dumpster and that is the end of the products usefulness in Company Qs current viewpoint. The company, if paying by weight or volume, will incur greater disposal rates from the waste removal company for disposing of the unsellable product instead of donating it to the local food bank. The second concern with not donating product that would otherwise be thrown away is employees attitudes. If weve communicated to our employees that we will not be socially conscience to those people in need in our community, what does that say to our employees since they are also a part of the local community. In our digitally connected society it would be foolhardy to not expect a socially aware employee to film the disposal of food that we may not be able to sell but which could be given away and used by those in need. The potential negative feedback of such an event for a small chain like Company Q cannot be overstated. The above concern dealt with not just the direct financial costs to our company but the possible social capital loss that we find in our current position. Thankfully, Company Q doesnt need to expend much in the way of financial or employee effort to make a considerable difference in our store neighborhood community respect. One delivery van can be used to pick-up the product that would otherwise be thrown away at the end of the workday and transported by the stores supervisor to the local food bank. The food would be unloaded by food bank staff while the Company Q supervisor could discuss with the food bank managers the impact that those donations will have on the community. The marginal time spent loading and travelling to the local food bank is a minor inconvenience for the storeowner at worst and a major public relations benefit for not only the local store but also Company Q in general. We could also expect a reduction in our waste removal services since less product will be thro wn away. â€Å"The point is to attract customers wanting to make a difference in society through their purchasing† (Bronn, 2001, p.2). The intrinsic and extrinsic benefits for not only Company Q management but also storeowners and store employees alike, clearly proves the need for a socially conscience corporate attitude. References Bronn, P.S., Vironi, A.B. (2001). Corporate social responsibility and cause related marketing: an overview. International Journal of Advertising, 2. Retrieved February 27, 2010, from http://www.basisboekmvo.nl/files/cause-related.pdf

The Anthropogenic Impacts On Biodiversity Environmental Sciences Essay

The Anthropogenic Impacts On Biodiversity Environmental Sciences Essay Introduction Anthropocentrism or being Anthropogenic in nature refers to the way of thinking that regards humans as the source of all value and is predominantly concerned with human interests. (Carter, N, 2003, p. 14) Biodiversity is the abundance of different species and ecosystems in nature making it the earths most valuable resource. Biodiversity is of very much importance as it boosts the productivity of the ecosystem where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play. In other words, there would be no population of humans without biodiversity but the irony is that, the biodiversity is decreasing at an alarming rate due to the various human activities which is also referred as the biodiversity crisis. The three main factors impacting the biodiversity as a whole may be listed as: population growth, overconsumption and technology. This essay will describe how and where the biodiversity has been impacted at very great extents because of the above mentioned factors. Population growth of the humans can be considered as the root of the problem of the loss of biodiversity. According to Ehrlich (The Population Bomb, 1968 as cited in Cahn, A and OBrien, R, 1996), the human population has been doubling every 37 years and if this continued for the next 900 years, then the world population will be nothing less than sixty million billion people implying that there will be about 100 persons for each square yard of the Earths surface, land and sea. The human population now is at 6 billion; with an annual global growth rate of 1.8%, three more people that are added to the earth every second. (Quebec biodiversity, 1994) The simple fact that the countries are not able to feed their populations shows that they are overpopulated. With such high rates of increase in human inhabitants, the problem of the need to convert the natural habitats to land for human consumption becomes obvious. This ultimately results in five primary processes of degradation namely: over harvesting, habitat fragmentation, habitat destruction, alien species introduction and pollution. (Biodiversity and Human Health, 2001) It is the anthropogenic nature of the humans to rule the environment by spreading to new habitats in order to find newer food sources. The innovative man has always been discovering various types of technologies right from the technology of the spear and arrow to the modern technology of the harpoon, gun-powder and the drift nets helping him to over harvest on the various species. According to the Fisheries Agency, Japan consumes about 60,000 tons of fish a year, mainly the three blue fin tuna species which is more than 75% of the worlds annual catch and also other countries, such as the U.S. and Russia, are catching up with the Japanese as a result of which the blue fin tuna has been becoming very hard to find and the prices for these species have hit the extremes. (Tuna Shortage in Japan, 2007) Apart from overconsumption, humans have also been de monstrating their anthropogenic nature by wasteful mass kills where the entire herds of some species are slaughtered. A classic example of this is the Dumfries fish killing festival of Scotland where individuals have been killing fish in the Galloways River Urr as a part of the Grande Internationale World Flounder Tramping Championships where the person who captures the most number of fish by the unorthodox method of treading on the fish is awarded by giving three bottles of whisky,  £150 and also the title of The Undisputed Champion Of The World. (Facebook, 2010) Also the Denmarks Gruesome Festival of mass killing dolphins and whales to prove adulthood, where nearly 1,000 whales and dolphins are killed annually. (Think about it, 2009) This clearly shows the mans exploitation of the natural resources exceeding their cycling capacity. Natural resources are classified as renewable and non-renewable resources. Forests and wild-life are considered as renewable resources because of the ir ability to regenerate by reproduction but the rate at which humans have been utilizing the so called natural resources is very much of a concern. The extensive use of forest lands for timber and other valued wood resources has resulted in the loss of habitats for hundreds of species. And with the increase in human inhabitants arises the need to convert natural habitats to land for more human consumption. The innovative man has been able to exploit the forests and its resources for his selfish needs with the use of new machines and better means of transport. Clearing a dense forest has become much easier now. Humans have been able to sustain their growth by converting natural habitats to fields where food can be produced. At least 23 percent of the earths land is being used for agriculture. Most tropical forests were not greatly disturbed in the past mostly because of their inaccessibility and other factors but now the trend has been changing with the increase in the demand for th e various raw materials used in plastic production. Tropical forests have been disappearing rapidly as a result of the need of the humans to make room for more farms of timber used for construction and also used as a fuel. Deforestation has alarming global consequences such as: extinction of species (plants and animals) and climate change. Although the tropical forests cover only about 7 percent of the Earths dry land, they are home to half of all the species on Earth. Many species have micro-habitats or in simple terms, they are present only in those small areas in these forests and due to this their extinction is very much at stake because of the deforestation here. The edges of the deforested fragments dry out because of incoming hot winds as a result of which the matured rain forest trees die standing at the margins and eventually the biodiversity is lost. This also has a devastating effect on the tropical soils as the soil cover in the tropical rain forests is very thin and wit h deforestation, over time all the minerals in the soil are lost because of the high temperatures and heavy rains. (Deforestation in the Amazon, 2010) (Tropical Deforestation, 2007) (Deforestation in the Amazon, 2010) A large portion of deforestation in Brazil has been primarily because of land being cleared for pastureland by commercial and speculative interests. Between May 2000 and August 2006, Brazil lost nearly 150,000 km2 of forest and over 600,000 km2 of Amazon rainforest has been destroyed. About 60-70 percent of deforestation in the Amazon results from cattle ranches and the want for palm oil while the rest mostly results from small-scale agriculture. The numbers of endangered species in the forests of Brazil have been increasing at alarming rates because of the various anthropogenic activities of the humans as reported by the Associated Press. (Mongabay website, 2010) Deforestation and fragmentation is increasing at an alarming rate in Amazon. In Amazon nearly 2 million ha of land is deforested annually (Fearnside et al. 2005). Habitat fragmentation is a serious threat to species persistence in tropical forests (Ewers Didham 2006). According to Wilcox and Murphy (1985), the effects of f ragmentation are loss of original habitats, creation of edge effects, and isolation of habitat patches and this will affect the species composition. According to Turner and Corbett (1996), forest patches are further affected by invasion of further plant and animal species, and increased human exploitation such as hunting, burning, grazing, and extraction of resources. The greatest human impact in Southwest Australia has been the clearing of native vegetation for agriculture. Forest fragmentation differentially affects seed dispersal of large and small-seeded tropical trees (Cramer et al. 2007) Due to fragmentation, not only are individual species are affected but the plant- animal interactions are also affected (Andresen and Levey, 2004). In tropical regions, fragmentation affects the dispersal of large seeds to a greater extent than the small seed. Cramer et al. (2007), studied the seed dispersal of two Amazonian tree species, the large-seeded, mammal dispersed Duckeodendron cestro ides and the small-seeded, avian dispersed Bocageopsis multiflora. The percentage, distance and distributions of Duckeodendron cestroides seeds were all reduced in fragments when compared to Bocageopsis multiflora. This is supported by facts such as, large seeded plant species are prone to extinction, fragmentation affects large animals dispersers than small animal dispersers; and large and small seeded plants are linked differentially to primary and secondary habitats (Cramer et al. 2007). Large animals are for needed for dispersal of large seeds, and these animals need large home range but are affected by edge effects caused by fragmentation and also due to hunting. Primates are often absent from fragments (Gilbert and Setz, 2001). From Meehan et al. (2002), it is known that the extinction of frugivorous pigeons in Tonga (Polynesia) left 18 large-seeded plant species with no dispersers. From the work of Babweteera et al., (2007), the loss of elephants in Ugandan forests has left Balanites Wilsoniana regeneration concentrated under parent plants and is greatly affected. Bush fires have been used for hunting and clearing land here. Although native plants are highly adaptive to fires, intensified burning changes the composition and condition of the natural vegetation. This has resulted in the spread of a root disease called jarrah dieback caused by the root fungus called Phytophthora cinnamomi which has been spreading to other habitats, particularly in the Stirling Range National Park, where it has caused the loss of plants like the Banksias. (Conservation International, 2007) The tiger population in India is declining so fast that the whole population may be extinct here in the next 10 years because of deforestation and poaching. (Animal of the Day, 2010) In the forests of Armenia, habitat loss poses a particular threat to a range of species. Many species have been threatened to extinction because of the increasing use of land for agriculture. (National Repor t, 2002) The forests in Succulent Karoo have been affected badly by the diamond mining carried out in these areas. Approximately two-thirds of the South African coastline and almost the complete Namibian coastline have been mined for diamonds and other minerals like gypsum, marble, monazite, kaolin and titanium threatens the regions biodiversity. (Conservation International, 2007) Destruction of habitats for requirements such as building of canals, dams and houses is the most important threat to biodiversity. The Aswan High Dam located in Egypt, is an example for habitat destruction where the environmental side effects of the project have been disastrous with the spread of the disease called, schistosomiasis which is spread by snails living in the irrigation channels here. (Quarterdeck, 1995) A major contributor to depletion and extinction, after habitat loss, is the introduction of alien species. Man has always tried to introduce animals and plants familiar to him where ever he is. It started with the goats and pigs for familiar animal protein. These alien species damage the flora and fauna of the local area where they are introduced. The spread of these alien species replaces healthy, diverse ecosystems with biologically weak landscapes. Prior to the arrival of humans, there were a range of species of birds, invertebrates and plants in Hawaii but with the introduction of many plant and animal alien species, more than half the bird species and also many species of snails have become extinct. (Biodiversity and Human Health, 2001) Rabbits being introduced into Australia, Asian fish species put into the waters of Florida, introduction of Africanized bees into Brazil and also the introduction of rhododendrons into England are few examples of alien species that have destroyed the local plant and animal species. It is estimated that about 4,000 plant and 2,300 animal alien species are present in the United States at this time resulting in the endangering of more than 42% of the animal and plant species here. (Biodiversity Web, 2005) Also in the Nile river, despite the presence of a wide variety of fish, the regions fishing industries struggled to grow because the fish that lived there were small-bodied and bony, not the kind they wanted thereby, there was a need for a larger and a more commercially desired fish for the fishing economy to grow. They introduced the fish species called the Nile perch, Lates niloticus. It grew far larger than many of the other Nile fish, and was perfect for commercial fishing purposes. Being carnivorous, the Nile perch made the smaller native fish its prey. As the population of the Nile perch grew, the populations of the other 150-200 of the native species have vanished entirely. Introduction of foreign species has had simil ar impacts in other waterways worldwide by making the simplified ecosystems unstable indefinitely. (Human Impacts on the Nile River, 2010) ArcGIS map examining modern day fish biodiversity. (Human Impacts on the Nile River, 2010) Climate change has significant impacts on ecosystems. It is predicted to be the greatest long-term threat to biodiversity in many regions and is listed as a key threatening process under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth). The various technological developments made by man giving him an upper hand over other species come only at a price and this price is undoubtedly pollution. The use of various fossil fuels, petrochemicals and many other heavy metals has been increasing the greenhouse gas emissions. The drastic increase in the emission of green house gases has resulted in global warming and thereby causing a sea level rise and ultimately leading to melting. The oceans are being acidified due to the tremendous increase of the carbon content in the atmosphere which leads to the loss of biodiversity.   (Biodiversity Web, 2005) (Global Issues, Climate Change and Global Warming Introduction, 2010) (Global Issues, Climate Change and Global Warming Introduction, 2010) The quantity of oceanic plankton on earth is being affected by the depleting ozone layer.  The tiny organisms that float in the oceans are known as planktons and they play a vital role in maintaining the marine biodiversity as they are major sources of food here. Therefore, a decrease in quantity will cause a domino effect in the marine food chain species which is dangerous for the marine plant and animal species. Even though there have been global warming instances in the past, the rate at which the temperature has been increasing now is what is alarming. (Global Issues, Climate Change and Global Warming Introduction, 2010) Strategies adopted by humans to mitigate these impacts: Educational programmes are being introduced by governments to educate the populations on the importance of biodiversity. One such educational programme was initiated in the 1990s by the US Congress where they had set up an environmental education office to promote environmental education at all levels. The Plant Conservation Alliance and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were the partners to the U.S government. In 2002, the UK along with all other Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), made a commitment to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on earth. This commitment was subsequently endorsed by world leaders at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. At its meeting in Gothenburg in 2001 the European Council agreed to halt biodiversity decline with the aim of reaching this objective by 2010. The 2010 biodiversity target has become incorporated into the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as one of the targets under MDG 7 (Ensure environmental sustainability). (Natural Environment Research Council, 2007) The concept of protected areas has been introduced for the conservation of the biodiversity. These are locations which receive protection by the enabling laws of each country or rules of international organizations. They include parks, reserves and wildlife sanctuaries and they also Marine Protected Areas whose boundaries include some area of ocean. There are over 147,000 protected areas in the world with more added daily, representing a total area of 19,300,000  km2 (7,500,000 sq  mi). (Green Facts, 2009) The governments have also been purchasing property rights for the sake of conservation taking over all the rights from the owner or it can purchase a conservation easement where it acquires rights necessary to protect the target species or ecosystem while leaving the owner free to use the land. This law also allows water rights to increase stream flows, and permits for grazing or the emission of air pollutants can be bought and retired. Like acquisition, regulatory approaches a re being used by governments to limit the manner in which any activity can be carried out. Regulations are being enforced by governments by a wide range of sanctions. Sanctions carry additional internal (guilt) and external (bad publicity) costs for the individuals or the companies who violate the regulations. The example of biodiversity regulation is the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). (U.S Environmental Protection Agency, 2009) Another major strategy is to encourage private conservation action through incentives like tax credits and regulatory reliefs. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Safe Harbor program is an example of a regulatory relief incentive. Safe Harbor agreements assure landowners who improve habitat that they will not be responsible for protecting the increased populations of endangered or threatened species those lands may attract. (U.S Environmental Protection Agency, 2009) Finally, with the help of genetic engineering, using the various DNA techniques, different kinds of bacteria capable of synthesizing plants to be able to restrain to the changes in climate and also to avoid various diseases are being created by the modification of their genes. I would like to conclude by saying that, the very little the governments do to save biodiversity, What matters is the initiative taken by each individual human to save himself and his future generations (or) Only if the last tree has been cut down and the last river has dried to a trickle will man finally realise that we cannot eat money!

Alias Grace :: Alias Grace

Alias Grace  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Based on a notorious double murder in Canada in the1840's, the novel Alias Grace tells the story of a pretty 16 year-old servant girl who conspired with a ranch hand to kill their employer and his mistress and escape with their belongings. They were captured in several days, and later, in a much-publicized trial, found guilty of premeditated murder. The young man, James McDermott, was sentenced to death, and the girl, Grace Marks, narrowly escaped it. Alias Grace begins after the murderess has served 8 years in prison.   The death of Nancy Montgomery, Kinnear's housekeeper and mistress, has been disregarded as both villains had already been sentenced to death. Grace is around thirty years old, being accused of the crimes when she was only sixteen. Grace is in prison where she has been mentally tortured during her rotation from prison to asylum over time. Doctors who wish to "examine" her frequently visit. She now has a subconscious aversion to these doctors and the world which she knows. She has become accustomed to being silent and unseen. A young doctor, Dr. Simon Jordan, has taken an interest in Grace. Dr. Jordan is from a wealthy family and of good name, but he is more interested in studying abroad about sanity and those enclosed in asylums rather than interest at home. He has little experience in dealing on a personal basis with the question of sanity of patients, but is intrigued by this fabulously sensationalized murderess. A group that has continuously tried for the pardon of Grace Marks has recruited the doctor with hopes that he will find Grace sane and innocent on all counts of murder.   Dr. Jordan's main purpose is to help recover the lost memory of the time during the murders. This memory which some to believe was conveniently forgotten helped convict her during the trial; almost as if she had admitted to the killings. During the course of his visits with Grace, Dr. Jordan encourages her to tell of her life before the murders. Grace begins her story with her family in Scotland. Grace had been left with her abusive father and the smaller children after her mother died on the passage to America. A trip taken for necessity rather that need: for her father was in a bit of financial trouble in Scotland. Grace is sent out in Canada as a servant.

History Of Cell Membrane :: essays research papers

In the early stages of the twentieth century, little was known about cell membranes. Until the early 1950s, the biological cell membrane was rarely mentioned in scientific literature. It was recognised that something was probably there, but hardly anything about it was known. Considering the lack of technical equipment available a century ago, scientists such as Charles Overton and Edwin Gorter were not only exploring new territory in looking at the properties of cell membranes, but laying the way for future cell biologists. Scientists had to wait another fifty years for the discovery of the electron microscope, let alone seventy years for the advent of freeze fracturing techniques. Nageli and Cramer in 1855 had already suggested that biological cells are separated from their environment by a membrane possessing special characteristics, and in 1900 Overton performed some simple but classical experiments which proposed that cell membranes were composed of lipids (1). By measuring the permeability of various compounds across the membrane of a frog muscle, Overton found some interesting results. He observed that lipophilic molecules (molecules attracted to fat solvents) could easily cross this cell membrane, however larger lipid insoluble molecules could not. He also observed that small polar molecules could slowly cross the membrane. Other experiments with the likes of hen eggs suggested the presence of a lipid layer in the membrane. These results became known to biologists across the world and it was generally accepted that a semi-permeable lipid membrane surrounded some if not all cells (2). Although this was opening new doors for cell biologists, the information was widely disregarded. One hundred years ago biological fact was based on what could be seen and since the proposed lipid membrane was smaller than the wavelength of visible light it could not be studied under the light microscope. Most biologists merely concerned themselves with more evident structures. However, some scientists continued to dedicate their time to examining this ‘invisible’ structure. Two such biologists were the Dutch Edwin Gorter and F. Grendel. They recognised in 1925 that two such lipid layers existed.

The Role of Minor Characters in Shakespeares Hamlet :: Shakespeare Hamlet Essays

The Role of Minor Characters in Shakespeare's Hamlet Minor characters play a very crucial role in Shakespear's Hamlet. They serve as narrators for events that occurred outside the immediate play: the Dane's ghost. Distinct contrasts are created through the usage of the play's minor characters. The reader gains new perspective on Hamlet's character when he is compared with Laertes. The presence of these minor characters can also have a direct effect on the action of the play. The actors in the play within the play are used to expose the guilt of Claudius; Hamlet then has proof of the King's crimes. The expertise use of these characters - either to exemplify good and purity, or to spread the vile corruption which permeates Elsinore - is one of the main reasons for Hamlet's success as one of the greatest plays ever written. Some events in Hamlet must be narrated to the reader, and to the major characters, through minor characters which have a direct link to the events. Shakespear builds the entire play around information which was narrated to Hamlet by his father's ghost. The ghost tells Hamlet of events which the reader would otherwise never know about: the murder of the former Dane by Claudius. When Horatio reads the letter that he has received from Hamlet the reader is informed of how Hamlet has evaded Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Also, the events occurring in Norway reach the court by means of an emissary, Voltimand, sent to check on Fortinbras. These events have a strong and direct relevancy to the plot and movement of the play. Shakespear uses contrast to highlight the qualities of the characters in Hamlet; this contrast shows up in the minor characters. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, false friends of Hamlet who succumb to Claudius' corruptness, serve as a distinct contrast to the loyal friendship that Horatio shares with Hamlet. Voltimand is used to contrast Polonius' often comic verbosity. While Polonius dresses up all his speeches with the language of the court, Voltimand is able to give his entire report on Fortinbras in a matter of seconds. The most powerful foil in the play is between Laertes and Hamlet. Upon hearing of the death of his father, Laertes becomes enraged, and seeks immediate vengeance; he does not delay, and acts instantaneously. When the ghost tells Hamlet of Claudius' crimes, Hamlet is unable to act. He procrastinates, missing many opportunities to avenge his father, and acts when it is already too late.

Republic Act Essay

SECTION II: POLICY It is the policy of the state, consistent with the Constitution to promote the general welfare, to safeguard the interest of the in and out of school youth and the entire young populace. For this purpose, the government shall institute a balance policy whereby the use of technology such as internet cafà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s videogame shops and the likes, be regulated in order to promote education and preserve the culture of Filipinos and at the same time ensure that the interest of business and stakeholder are not adversely compromised. SECTION III: PURPOSE It is the main thrust of this Act to: A. Prevent minors especially the student from hanging out at some Internet cafà ©s and videogame shop/centers and other related establishments thereby promoting the sphere of education; B. Prevent the youth from excessively playing videogames thereby shielding them from becoming video game addict which cause the commission of crime by reason of desperation for money to feed their habit; C. Protect the minor for being the object of sexual exploration by paedophiles, foreign or local; SECTION IV: DEFINITION OF TERMS As used in this Act, the following shall mean: A.PERSON- refers to an individual, partnership, corporation or any other business or legal entity; B.MINOR- refers to a person below 18 years old. C.INTERNET- refers to the worldwide system of computer networks in which a user at any computer can directly get information from any other computer in the network. D.INTERNET CAFÉ- a place of business that has a number of networked personal computers with access to the internet for surfing, chatting, e-mailing and research this is available for use by customers for fee by the hour of fraction of an hour. The business establishment may or may not be serving coffee, and/or similar beverages. Also included are cyber cafà ©, arcades, and lounges. E.COMPUTER RENTAL SHOP- refers to a business establishment with two (2) or more computer units that offers internet service, typing, printing services and gaming shop center. F.COMPUTER GAMING SHOP OR CENTER- refers to a establishment with two or more computers connected on a local area network that exclusively offers either online games (connected to the internet) or LAN games (not connected to the internet). G.SCHOOL DAYS- refers to the regular working days of the week, Monday to Friday exclusive legal and special holidays. SECTION V: PHOHIBITED ACTS The owner/proprietor/manager/attendant of internet cafà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s or computer rental shops/computer gaming shop or center shall be strictly prohibited from admitting or allowing minors, during school hours and school days to: a) Enter into such establishment, b) Use the computer facilities in such establishments. It shall not be a defence for the owner, proprietor, manage, partner and attendant that he/she did not know or was not aware of the real of the minor. Neither shall it be a defence that he/she did not know nor any reason to believe that the minor is the one using the computer is an instance accompanied by an adult. If said establishment is owned by partnership or corporation, the managing partner, or the president of the corporation shall be jointly held criminally liable as conspirator with the person admitting or allowing such a minor. SECTION VI: AUTHORIZED RESEARCH/ACTIVITY FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES A. Any establishment mentioned above allowing minor to enter said establishment during school days for purposes of research shall not be covered by this Act, provide that the minor shall carry a school identification and clearance or permit signed by the principal or teacher in charge concerned to be presented to said establishment otherwise admission refusal is a must. B. For minors belongs to the out-of school youth or those who does not have school identification, they may enter and use the computer facilities provide it is not within or during school hours and with the written approval from from their parents. SECTION VII: PRESUMPTION OF ADMISSION Unless proven otherwise, minors found inside such establishments is prima facie proof that the owner, management, partner, attendant has consented or permitted entry thereof. SECTION VIII: DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERSHIP, PROPRIETOR, MANAGEMENT OF INTERNET CAFES OR COMPUTER RENTAL SHOP/COMPUTER GAMING SHOP CENTER Owners, proprietor/management and attendants of internet cafes or computer rental shop/computer gaming shop are required to perform and undertake the following measure in their operation: a. Ensure strictly that no person below majority age enters the said establishment during school days and school hours; b. Ensure strictly that no person below majority age uses a computer in the said establishment during school days and school hours; c. Permanently post a signage outside and inside the establishment showing the following statement in a clear and conspicuous manner: OFF-LIMITS TO MINORS. SECTION IX: POOF OF AGE VERIFICATION In case of doubt as to the age of the client/costumer, the owner, manager or attendants shall verify, by means of any valid form of photographic identification containing the date of birth of the bearer otherwise refuse admission so as to ensure that no person below the age of majority enters the said establishment. SECTION X: REGULAR INSPECTION and POLICE VISIBILITY Philippine National Police in the locality shall conduct regular inspection and police visibility in the above mention establishment during their business hours to ensure compliance with this Act and make a semi-annual written report to the DSWD and NYC in the area. SECTION XI: PENALTIES The following are the penalties for the violation of any provision of this Act: a) For 1st offense- a fine of P50,000 for violation of any of the provision of this Act; b) For 2nd offense- fine of P100,000 and/or revocation of business permit and licence to operate, and closure of the establishment or both at the discretion of the court. SECTION XII: IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATION The DSWD in coordination with the National Youth Commission shall formulate the necessary implementing rules and regulations for the efficient implementation of this Act. SECTION XII: SEPARABILITY CLAUSE Should any section or provision of this Act be declared as unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

O’Henry

O’Henry a great American writer was born and grew up in North Carolina. O’Henry was just a pen name. His real name is William Sydney Porter. After growing up in North Carolina he moved to Texas. His father was a doctor named Dr. Algemon Sidney Porter; his mother’s name was Mary Jane Virginia Swaim Porter. When O’Henry was about 3 years old his mother died of tuberculosis. O’ Henry had to move in with his grandmother. O’Henry loved to read as a child. Who knew this would be the beginning of a great writer. After O’Henry moved in with his grandmother he went to middle and high school. His father’s sister tutored him. After he finished high school he went to work for his uncle at his drug store. By the time he was nineteen he was a licensed pharmacist. He would also sketch people that came in to the drugstore for entertainment. O’Henry always had a persistent cough so he thought if he moved to Texas it would get better. He went to work on a sheep herder’s ranch, doing everything from babysitting, cook, and ranch hand. He still read all the time. He also played and sang all the time at social gatherings where he met Athol Estes. Her family was wealthy and didn’t approve of O’Henry so they eloped. They later had a baby boy who didn’t live long and then a year later had a daughter named Margaret Worth Porter around 1889. He became a draftsman who drew maps for the Texas land office. But he also was writing and his wife encouraged him to write. He eventually went to work for the bank but he also was working on his writing. He did not keep his books well and the bank and he was accused of embezzling money from the bank. He lost his job but there charges against him at the time. He and his family moved to Houston and he started working for the Post. The bank did finally charge O’Henry for embezzlement and as soon as he made bail he moved to New Orleans and later to Honduras. He wrote many short stories there but he missed his family. He was going to send for his wife to come but found out she was very ill with tuberculosis and was dying. He came back to Texas and surrendered. He was locked up but his father-in-law bailed him out to be with his daughter. O’Henry’s wife died in 1897. He was found guilty of embezzlement and was sentenced to five years in prison. While O’Henry was in prison he wrote fourteen stories that were published. A friend of his would pass his stories on to publishers who had no idea that the writer was in prison. After 3 years of good behavior in prison O’Henry was released and he was able to be with his eleven year old daughter. In 1902 he and Margaret moved to New York where he did a lot of his great writing. He wrote all the time over 300 stories while in New York. He eventually married someone from his childhood from North Carolina named Sarah Coleman. He continued to write but O’Henry was a heavy drinker and his health failed and he died of June 5, 1910, of cirrhosis of the liver. He was buried in Ashville North Carolina. O’Henry was a very well liked writer. He was known for his different surprise endings to his stories. Writings like â€Å"The Gift of Magi† â€Å"The Last Leaf† and â€Å"The Ransom of Red Chief† are read over and over again my adults as well as students today.