Critically Endangered
African Wild Ass
by Roberta B. Turner

The African wild ass, or sometimes referred to as the African wild donkey, is a wild member of the horse family. This species is believed to be the ancestor of the domestic donkey, which is usually placed within the same species. Donkeys may have been first domesticated from the African wild ass as early as 4000 B.C. (more)

Preparing High School Students For College
by Stacia Garland

As parents, we have spent the last 18 years preparing our offspring to survive on their own. Or have we? During lunch with a friend, her college-age daughter called and asked her mom how to unfreeze a hot dog bun. My friend hung up and with a roll of her eyes said, “Really? You think you’ve prepared them for college only to get a question like that.” (more)

Are You A Pessimist
Or Just Worried
by Frederick R. MacLean

In 1989, Billy Joel wrote the song “We Didn’t Start the Fire”: “Wheel of Fortune, Sally Ride, heavy metal suicide, Foreign debts, homeless vets, AIDS, crack, Bernie Goetz, Hypodermics on the shore, China’s under martial law, Rock and roller, cola wars, I can’t take it anymore.”  If you are around 50 years old, you can already hear the tune; if you are under 30 years old, you should do an internet search for Sally Ride and Bernie Goetz. (more)