Roshani Kothari's Comments

How do I resize an image? by Laura T.

Dec 25, 2006 | comments: 4

Roshani Kothari Dec 25, 2006, 1:55pm EST

You can also use Irfan View to edit your images. It's free and very easy to use! You can download it here. http://www.irfanview.com

Explore DC in a Weekend by Roshani Kothari

Nov 28, 2006 | rating: 9.6 | comments: 14

Roshani Kothari Dec 14, 2006, 9:24am EST

Thanks everyone for your comments! Candace, I have been to the Native American museum. Here's an article I wrote about a current exhibit there: Listening to Our Ancestors. Here are a few other articles I have written about DC: Discovering Treasures at Eastern Market,
Botanic Garden: Warm Escape from Winter Blues & DC Exhibits: Meet Joseph & Josephine. Look out for some more articles about DC in the next few weeks.

A Photo by Roshani Kothari

Oct 31, 2006 | rating: 9 | comments: 5

Roshani Kothari Dec 13, 2006, 10:54pm EST

These are pin oak seeds. They were collected for the Growing Native program.

Dec. 5: Healthy Food Choices - Submit Your Questions by OneWorld United States

Dec 4, 2006 | rating: 10 | comments: 9

Roshani Kothari Dec 4, 2006, 4:19pm EST

A while back I saw a film called Life of Debt about Jamaica. I was shocked to see how people stopped producing milk locally and starting using milk powder imported from other countries. Supposedly it was cheaper to buy the milk powder. How can food producers whether they are in rural America or developing countries produce for local and global needs? Is there a way to do both successfully?

My second question is the role we play in creating a demand for food that cannot be produced locally. Should we be more careful about what we demand and what we consume?

Finally, what is the role of corporations in all this? I was amazed to read an article about how coca has more benefits nutritionally than coffee. Are Starbucks & other companies fueling our demand for coffee? How can corporations help support local, organic foods? I saw on ABC News that Stoneyfield Farms called Mass Produced Health. "The former windmill maker said he's looking "everywhere" for organic milk, fruit and sugar including strawberries from China, apple puree from Turkey and blueberries from Canada." What do you think about organic versus local?

Your Comments on Commenting, Please by Tom Gerace

Nov 29, 2006 | rating: 9.8 | comments: 192

Roshani Kothari Nov 30, 2006, 12:11am EST

Thanks for posting this discussion. We have received several comments that are offensive. We emailed support@gather.com, but I don't know if anything came of it. I don't think people will delete comments they don't agree with. I think it is good to allow people who post the articles to delete offensive comments. The person who posted it can be notified. Finally, it would be great if links can automatically be converted to links in comments, instead of appearing as static text, unless someone enters html code. I think the idea of rating comments might be helpful too.

Welcome To Entertainment | First Stop: Ice Skating! by Alan Mozes, Entertainment Group Host

Nov 28, 2006 | rating: 10 | comments: 10

Roshani Kothari Nov 28, 2006, 9:25pm EST

In DC, you can ice skate in the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden.
Learn more here. http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/skating.shtm It's a small rink, but it still can be fun!

A Photo by Roshani Kothari

Oct 30, 2006 | rating: 10 | comments: 3

Roshani Kothari Oct 31, 2006, 12:47am EST

thanks for the comments! it is not enhanced.

Oct. 17: Live Online Chat on Educational Challenges for the 21st Century - Submit Your Questions by OneWorld United States

Oct 16, 2006 | rating: 10 | comments: 13

Roshani Kothari Oct 17, 2006, 12:16pm EDT

Hi Patrick,

Here are a few questions.

1. Liberia and Afghanistan are both post-conflict societies. What kind of educational programs have been most successful there?

2. We face a lot of challenges here in DC in terms of the educational system. Are there some lessons we can learn from societies around the world for improving the schools in DC?

3. If people want to help improve educational opportunities in the US and abroad, do you have suggestions of how they can get involved?

4. Are there certain educational trends in different regions of the world for example in Latin America, Asia, Africa, etc.?

Border Fence Could Spell Environmental Disaster by OneWorld United States

Oct 2, 2006 | comments: 13

Roshani Kothari Oct 3, 2006, 1:03am EDT

I wonder how you would feel if you were born on the other side of the border. It's by chance that we were born where we were and we live where we do. I agree with Brandon that it would be great if there was not so much garbage along the borders, but I wish there was a way we can figure out a solution that is good for people in the U.S. and in Mexico.

We have a lot of opportunities in the U.S. and we should figure out a way to help people who have fewer opportunities. I think people who come to the U.S. through Mexico have sacrificed and struggled a lot to come here. They come here not to make a quick buck for themselves, but to help their families. If you had the opportunity to earn more than twice of what you make and send your children to school, would you do it? I think the question we have to ask is why are Mexican immigrants coming here. We have to get to the root of the problem. If there were just as many opportunities in Mexico and the value of the peso was just as high as the dollar, I bet not many people would be coming here.

If you haven't seen it already, check out the movie El Norte. You will see how Mexican immigrants struggle to cross the border and the difficulties they have once they are here. You will surely feel blessed that you didn't have to go through the same struggles and maybe you will feel more empathetic and compassionate towards Mexican immigrants.

We can come up with practical solutions that will keep the U.S. safe and clean, and meet our labor needs. Companies that benefit from Mexican labor need to be involved and invest in this process. They need to provide a fair wage to these workers and make it easier for them to come here legally with work permits. They need to invest in local communities to keep them safe and clean. Local, state and federal governments also need to be involved to make it possible for people to come here and work legally, and contribute to the economy. We need to be involved by helping new immigrants learn English and participate in our vibrant, multicultural society. We all have something we can contribute to make everyone's lives better in the U.S. and in Mexico. After all we live in an interconnected world, where what happens there will affect us here, and vice versa.

Also what happens to animals will also have an impact on us. We have distanced ourselves from the natural world by living in urban environments. The only contact some people have to nature is through shows on PBS. This is why we care less and less about what happens to trees, animals and other living creatures.

I don't think we have to choose between humans and animals, but we do have to ask ourselves what the consequences of our actions are on all living things! Let's try to find solutions that don't have negative consequences humans, animals or the natural environment.

Tips for Using Gather by Roshani Kothari

Sep 29, 2006 | rating: 10 | comments: 5

Roshani Kothari Oct 1, 2006, 10:26am EDT

Thanks everyone! Feel free to publish your own tips. To answer Lizzie's question, I don't think you can publish more than one image at a time.

Examining the Recent Boom in Quality Documentaries by Alan Waldman

Jul 25, 2006 | rating: 9.8 | comments: 13

Roshani Kothari Jul 28, 2006, 6:21pm EDT

Thanks Alan!

Some of you might also be interested in the Media That Matters Film Festival which showcases films about social issues.

You can watch the films online or get the dvd and organize a screening in your community!
http://www.mediathatmattersfest.org/

Two of my favorite films are: #2 A Girl Like Me and #6 No Child.

More about the festival:
"From gay rights to global warming, the jury-selected collection represents the work of a diverse group of independent filmmakers, many of whom are under 21. The films are equally diverse in style and content, with documentaries, music videos, animations, experimental work and everything else in between. What all the films have in common is that they spark debate and action in 8 minutes or less."

DC Photo Quiz 1: Guess Where? by Roshani Kothari

Jun 25, 2006 | comments: 2

Roshani Kothari Jul 15, 2006, 11:53am EDT

Close! These images were taken from the Old Post Office Tower. Definitely worth a visit!

http://www.nps.gov/opot/

"The Old Post Office, in Washington D.C., is one of the few remaining examples of Richardsonian Romanesque Architecture. Built between 1892 and 1899, the structure is one of the most enduring landmarks in the city. The building's 315 foot tower contains an observation deck and is home to the Bells of Congress, which were a present from England on our Bicentennial. From the observation deck, located 270 feet above the street level, the visitor can get a spectacular view of our nation's capital. Because of these attributes, the building is considered by many to be the city's hidden treasure."

Journey into the World of Trees by Roshani Kothari

Jul 3, 2006 | rating: 10 | comments: 4

Roshani Kothari Jul 3, 2006, 9:30am EDT

Hi Jonathan, Thanks for your comment! Many of the trees on the mall are American Elms. They were threatened by the Dutch Elm disease, but the National Parks Service saved them.

D.C. Aims to Staunch Dutch Elm Disease
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/16/AR2005061601438.htm
Survey Teams Will Test For Signs of Dutch Elm

By D'Vera Cohn
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 17, 2005; Page B03

Survey teams using hand-held computers are conducting a three-week inspection of more than 8,500 American elm trees along District streets, looking for wilting leaves, dead branches and other symptoms of the Dutch elm disease that has ravaged the species in recent decades.

Movie Review | An Inconvenient Truth by EW Editor

May 31, 2006 | rating: 10 | comments: 21

Roshani Kothari Jun 21, 2006, 2:03am EDT

Wish more of the film talked about success stories and how both individuals, companies and organizations are making a difference to help the environment! This would have made the film more inspiring instead of just trying to respond to conservative critics. Maybe we can create a positive agenda, so people feel empowered to make a difference, instead of trying to convince people who are not interested or convinced that global warming is an issue. Check out ecotips.gather.com and share your own practical tips, questions and advice for being more environmentally-friendly at home and work.