| Louisville eclipses million-dollar milestone in surplus sales
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Mayor Jerry Abramson today announced that the city has "unloaded" more than a million dollars worth of surplus government vehicles, equipment and other items through online auctions. Metro Government sells obsolete and other surplus items through its website, LouisvilleKy.gov, and GovDeals.com, an online service similar to eBay. The $3,760 sale of a Case International 585 tractor to a bidder in Cookeville, Tenn., recently brought the total funds generated through the online auctions to more than $1 million. "The online auctions are a creative way this government is operating efficiently and effectively for our citizens," Abramson said. "We're unloading items that have outlived their useful life for government, and in doing so creating a revenue stream and reducing warehouse space." Abramson said the online auctions often generate more money than traditional auction-house auctions because items are up for bids around the clock and the online auctions allow more people - virtually from anywhere - to participate.
Science Scene
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams may have been orbiting over 210 miles above the surface of the Earth on Apr. 16, but she still managed to compete in the annual Boston Marathon - a grueling 26-mile run.
Attached to her treadmill with a harness so she wouldn't float away, Williams began the race along with scores of others on the ground at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. While most competitors ran in the chilly 58-degree Fahrenheit weather, Williams completed her trek in the climate-controlled 78-degree Fahrenheit conditions of the International Space Station.
"Those guys are kicking butt even though it's cold," said Williams when told of the times of her friends and sister, who were also competing in the race.
With energy from pieces of orange tossed her way in the weightlessness of space by her crewmembers, Williams finished with an unofficial time of 4 hours, 23 minutes and 46 seconds.
Bidding Farber farewell
Professor emeritus William O. "Doc" Farber was remembered as a 'life trainer' with an 'unshakeable sense of optimism' at his funeral March 31 at the United Church of Christ in Vermillion. Pastor Steve Miller presided at the service.
Hundreds of people of all ages filled the pews, clothed in dark suits. Though the dress was somber, the congregation seemed to have caught the contagious enthusiasm of Farber's spirit.
Hardly a tear was in sight as friends and relatives passed in front of the open casket, some stopping to gaze at Farber or pat his hand one last time. An American flag, Farber's book, "Footprints on the Prairie" and the South Dakota constitution lay near him, illustrating the effects of his life.
Don Dahlin, a political science professor, spoke at the funeral and said the service should be a celebration of Farber's life.
Khe Wei bids for Olympic glory
PETALING JAYA: Lanky Woon Khe Wei is determined to become the youngest Malaysian women shuttler to feature in the Olympic Games. And in a bid to get her ambitious plan on the right track, the 18-year-old Khe Wei is all geared up to put up a good showing in the Singapore Open in the mixed doubles event with partner Tan Wee Kiong. The US$250,00 Singapore Open from May 1-6 is the first tournament that will kick off a one-year Beijing Olympic Games qualifying period. .
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