Notebook: Panel: 'The End of Oil?' Notebook: Panel: 'The End of Oil?' (November 23, 2005)

A panel discussion on the future of oil will kick off a three-part lecture series on energy and the environment Tuesday, November 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center, 326 Galves St. on the Stanford campus.

"The End of Oil?" will feature three faculty members from Stanford's School of Earth Sciences. Professor Stephen Graham will present a primer on oil -- how it is formed; where it is found; and its role as a vital commodity.

Professors Amos Nur and Stephen Gorelick will offer two perspectives on how much oil is left in the world. There will be a question and answer session.

The second lecture on "Carbon, Climate and Consequences" will take place February 21; and the third, "Moving toward Energy Alternatives," on March 6.

For more information on the series, call 725-4395.
Disaster planning for seniors, disabled

While everybody should prepare for a disaster, the process can be far more complicated for people who are old, frail, or disabled.

A disaster preparedness workshop, especially for seniors, people with disabilities, and caregivers, will be held Monday, November 28, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at 225 37th Ave., Room 100, in San Mateo.

Speakers will be Jerry McCarthy, a building inspector from the San Mateo County Commission on Aging; Matt Lucett, district coordinator for the Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services; Cindy Holzman, executive director of CARD (Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters); and a representative from the American Red Cross.

The workshop is being sponsored by San Mateo County's Commission on Aging, Commission on Disabilities, and Joint Housing Committee.

There will be a free drawing for emergency kits.

For more information, call Craig McCulloh at 573-2480 (voice), or 573-2220 (TDD).
New Web site on children's issues

"Approximately 25 percent of local public school students are English language learners. Almost one third of local seventh-graders meet state fitness standards."

These are examples of information the Lucile Packard Foundation's new Web site, www.kidsdata.org, provides about the health and well-being of children in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

In addition to health indicators that range from asthma and weight to reading proficiency and foster care, kidsdata.org includes summaries of data on the 42 cities and 56 school districts in the two counties.

The site was recently nominated as one of five finalists for a Webby Award in the family/parenting category.

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