2009 World Population Data Sheet Source: Population Reference Bureau
Global population numbers are on track to reach 7 billion in 2011, just 12 years after reaching 6 billion in 1999. Virtually all of the growth is in developing countries. And the growth of the world’s youth population (ages 15 to 24) is shifting into the poorest of those countries. The projection for population growth in developing countries assumes that fertility in those countries will fall to the same low levels as in today’s developed countries, around two children per woman. That is quite an assumption. Currently, the highest fertility rate is in Niger, 7.4 children per woman. The lowest rate is in Taiwan, 1.0 children per woman. The 2009 World Population Data Sheet provides up-to-date demographic, health, and environment data for all the countries and major regions of the world.

Hearst Newspapers Investigative Report: Dead by Mistake: "Experts estimate that a staggering 98,000 people die from preventable medical errors each year. In addition, a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study concluded that 99,000 patients a year succumb to hospital-acquired infections. Almost all of those deaths, experts say, also are preventable. These numbers are not absolutes. There is no definitive study—which is part of the problem—but all of the available research indicates that the death toll from preventable medical injuries approaches 200,000 per year in the United States."

How Much Stimulus Funding is Going to Your County? by Michael Grabell, Jennifer LaFleur, Dan Nguyen, and Jeff Larson: "Want to know what’s going on with the stimulus in your area? ProPublica has compiled nearly all the contracts, grants and loans that the government has reported awarding so far in the stimulus program. Type in your county or click on your state to find projects in your area."

Lots of positive reaction to Ohio oddities and trivia. My husband, Jack, found the book Oddball Ohio in Stately Raven Bookstore in Findlay. http://www.statelyravenbookstore.com/

OHIO CHEER
One bun, two buns, three buns, four.
Five buns, six buns, many more.
Where’s Toledo?
Crowd responds: Where the buns are.
Where’s Waldo?
Crowd responds: Where fried bologna sandwiches are.
Where’s North Canton?
Crowd responds: Where the chocolate lovers are.
http://www.tonypackos.com/history.php
http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/Review/4793-4773/gr-tavern
http://www.visitakron-summit.org/Attractions.aspx?VendorID=134&PageId=5&VID=3&VendorName=Harry%20London%20Candies,%20Inc.

Reading One Book Changed His Whole Life August 12, 2009
And now he owns one of the few bookstores, independent or otherwise, in an inner-city Philadelphia neighborhood. Hakim Hopkins, who grew up in West Philadelphia and Atlantic City, was 15 and in juvenile detention when his mother gave him a copy of Native Son. “That book just took me out," Hopkins, 37, remembers. “I didn't know that a book could be that good. became a book lover, and a thinker." Today, Hopkins runs the Black & Nobel bookstore at Broad and Erie that in the year since it expanded to that spot has become a neighborhood hub. Hopkins says that although business is drying up for other independent bookstores, Black & Nobel's mix of services is adding to its bustle.
Story at Philly.com.

One Country (New Zealand), One Story (a Kiwi Tale) August 12, 2009
Cross-legged and hushed, 146 children waited for South Taranaki Mayor Ross Dunlop to sit in his throne-like chair and read to them. The pupils from Hawera and Mokoia Primary schools and other guests had gathered at Hawera Library to hear the mayor read to them as part of New Zealand's Biggest Storytime at Hawera Library. At 10.30am yesterday special guests in libraries across the country simultaneously read Itiiti's Gift, written by Kiwi author Melanie Drewery. Librarian Kaye Lally told the eager listeners they were taking part in something really special. “There are lots of children listening to the same story all over New Zealand." Source: New Zealand Library Week from Stuff NZ.

August 15 is the birthday of food writer Julia Child, (books by this author) born Julia McWilliams in Pasadena, California (1912). She said, "Life itself is the proper binge." The Writer’s Almanac