CYBERSPACE : Can-Do Spirit Helps Kids Get Connected
The cost of connecting California schools to the Internet runs into the billions of dollars. But students at 130 Southland schools are doing their part to chip in--and celebrate Earth Day at the same time.
They are collecting aluminum cans for Project KIDsCAN, and the money they raise will be spent to buy computers for their classrooms. AT&T; has pledged to match the funds they raise this month dollar for dollar.
Today, students from Vermont Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles will march in a parade with a mile-long chain of 10,000 aluminum cans they have strung together for Earth day, which is Sunday. The 130 schools have already raised over $100,000.
*
Biotech Regulations Review: Critics of the Food and Drug Administration have accused the federal agency of of making decisions based on political considerations rather than scientific merit. A survey of medical industry executives shows 64% think the agency spends more time increasing its jurisdiction and regulatory power than on approving new products. The FDA’s public image may soon improve as the agency considers changing the procedures it uses to regulate biotechnology products. A public hearing on the issue is set for Friday at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda,Md.
THIS WEEK
* Today, 5 p.m.: O.J. Simpson prosecutor Christopher Darden will discuss his views on the “Trial of the Century.” CompuServce.GoTIME
* Wednesday, noon: The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences will present its annual awards to those who successfully combine entertainment and high technology. View the list of nominees beforehand and check the results for up to a week afterward. Internet:https://www.bravotv.com
* Earth Day is Sunday, and though it may not be entirely in the spirit of the event, you can celebrate at home with your computer by visiting Earth Day ’96 Online at https://www.envirolink.org/earthday
ON THE NET
* For those who suspect the mainstream media has been hiding something, there’s Project Censored’s Top 10 Censored Stories of 1995 (https://www/pctopten.html).
* Get around the San Fernando Valley without leaving your computer. Call up
https://www.sfvally.org to find resources for businesses, text of bills pending in both state and federal legislatures and voting records and e-mail addresses for elected officials. Visitors can also submit events to an electronic time capsule.
Site suggestions can be send to cutting.edge@latimes.com
HOT SPOT
Gabriella Marks, president of Women in Multimedia, spends her days designing Web pages for corporate clients. When she’s off duty, she unwinds with a visit to to “art Crimes: The Writing on the Wall” at https://www.gatech.edu/desoto/graf. As the name suggestions, this site is devoted to graffiti-- on walls and trains from Prague to Sao Paulo to Tokyo. Los Angeles is responsible for about 200 pictures. The site aso includes a graffiti glassary and outlines for visitors to use when creating their own designs. Graffiti is illegal in many parts of the world, and the site’s host emphasize that they do not advocate breaking the law. Their mission is to bring this “fascinating art form” to as many public venues as possible.
