Swine Flu: Top 20 Answers You Need to Know
from Infection Control Today
With more outbreaks of the new strain of swine flu come outbreaks of misinformation and rumor. This article has 20 questions answered by infectious disease expert Charles Ericsson, MD, professor of internal medicine and director of travel medicine at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. Also, Robert Emery, DrPH, vice president for safety, health, environment and risk management at UT Health Science Center and associate professor in the UT School of Public Health, explains common sense preparedness and prevention of illness. More

Swine Flu: The Local Response
from Talking Policy for Parks and Recreation
Everyone is cautiously watching the current outbreak of swine flu. Communities everywhere are assessing the threat and taking action to prevent an escalation in the outbreak. As a leader in parks and recreation, you play a vital role in local responses to pandemic and other emergencies. Take time now to share your stories with your colleagues across the nation and learn how they can help you. More

Teens' Summer-job Hunt Faces Chilly Hiring Climate
from The Seattle Times
For many teens, a summer job is a rite of passage and a chance to earn some cash. But this year, it also will be a hot commodity. The tight economy and upswing in unemployment mean there are more job seekers and fewer jobs. And those with little to no job experience are going to have to work even harder to secure a position. More

Soft Market
from Athletic Business
Detroit has emerged as a national model for forward thinking in one small but significant area: playground safety. According to Tim Karl, the city's chief of landscape architecture, Detroit continues to improve the safety of its 391 parks by renovating several each year. And not just to accepted ASTM International standards, either. Specifically, the Detroit Recreation Department's director and managers insist that safety surfacing installed in their parks performs better than required by ASTM at installation, as a means to ensure it will meet the minimum standards for head-injury protection even as the surface degrades over time. More

The Impact of Sports
from Indy’s Child
Video games are the best way to maintain, even enhance, mental agility during summer break, or so says your 14 year old. You may even agree with him to a degree. Yet, your better judgment tells you that gaming isn’t the best way to waste away summer days. Be sure of this: your gut is leading you in the right direction. More

New York’s Cars Take a Back Seat to Cyclists and Walkers
from the Washington Post
In New York City -- the city that never stops driving -- cars and pedestrians have always tussled over the island's finite turf. To the casual eye, it's always seemed that automobiles had the advantage, but now pedestrians are gaining ground. More

Seattle Community Centers Ante Up to Bail Out City
from The Seattle Times
Seattle's community centers are surrendering money they earn from program fees and private fundraisers to help bail out the city's general fund. In all, Mayor Greg Nickels plans to use $1.2 million of the community centers' money — by taking a third of each center's budget. More

Reaching Out
from Recreation Management Magazine
In the fight against low-income obesity, three Bay Area projects serve as shining examples for all North American communities to follow. With careful planning, creative programming and thoughtful design, the three—one private and two public—show innovative ways impoverished areas are moving and improving. More

Mom was Right; Need to go Outside and Play
from the Colorado Statesman
In a world of 24/7 scheduling and schools that scrimp on recess in favor of study time, children are spending less and less time jumping rope and riding tricycles up and down the sidewalks in front of their houses. And Colorado Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien has her work cut out for her. As part of a national movement for a Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, she’s asking the public to suggest new ways to encourage children to go outside and play. More

Low Earners Get a Shot at Mississauga, Ontario's Rec Programs
from The Star
A new program in Mississauga, Ontario, will offer about 2,500 low-income children and adults a chance to enjoy parks and recreation programs they might not otherwise be able to afford. Active Assist will provide eligible individuals with a $275, one-year credit that can be applied to programs in swimming, skating, fitness and summer camps, said Michael Cleland, manager of business development for parks and recreation. More

A Park Built for People with Disabilities
from the Examiner
Parents of disabled children have an exceptional recreational resource and yet few seem to know about it. Telephone Pioneers of America Park in Phoenix, Ariz., is a facility designed from the ground up for full accessibility. It was the first barrier-free park in the country. Every aspect of Telephone Pioneer Park including the playground and sports courts is fully accessible to anyone with physical disabilities. More