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| Talk Of The Town--WiRED test proves successful Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 4:58 PM PST BAGHDAD CALLING: History was made early Tuesday morning at San Francisco State University, as Montara resident Gary Selnow, executive director of WiRED International, sat virtually face to face with associates in Baghdad and Dubai. Selnow's monitor showed a man in a safehouse in Baghdad. "You're coming through like the evening news!" said Selnow. Amid good-natured joshing and fervent thanks, they worked to bring "telemedicine" to Iraq. "We passed the first test," said Selnow. "I'm excited by this." So was the man on the other end. The call was short, so the Iraqis could get home via Baghdad's risky streets. The technology - utilizing four Polycom videoconferencing units sponsored by the U.S. State Department - "would not be strange, for others," said the Iraqi. "Here, we're doing it for medicine, for kids, for people. It can save lives. It will save lives. It's good for cultures, for communication." A major test involving the State Department and Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. will take place soon. "The potential is extraordinary," Selnow said. "Imagine what exchanges they could have." A CALTRANS CONTACT: Coastsiders now have a direct contact when they want to know more about the Devil's Slide tunnel project. Caltrans has hired John Cunliffe to be the project's new public information officer. "I'm looking forward to it," said Cunliffe. "It seems like a great time to join Caltrans. I feel very fortunate to be working on the Devil's Slide project at a time when ground is actually being moved." Cunliffe came to Caltrans Jan. 9 with a background in engineering. He moved to California in 2002 from New Hampshire, where he lived for 14 years. He holds an MBA from the University of New Hampshire. Although he currently is getting "up to speed" on his new job, Cunliffe will eventually be handling all the public relations for the site throughout the duration of the project. "It's a very important project to the local area," he said. "I hope to handle it professionally and with all the skill I can bring to the job." A VOICE FOR ANIMALS: High school students interested in the plight of animals will soon be able to use their writing skills to make a difference in the Peninsula-based Humane Education Network's 16th annual "A Voice for Animals" essay contest. High school students are invited to submit a 1,000-word, double-spaced manuscript that examines either the mistreatment of one animal species, or identifies one cause of animal suffering and possible measures to reduce it. Deadline for submissions is March 2. The first place winner will receive $500. The second place winner will receive $250, and third prize will be $100. For entry forms, contest guidelines, previous essay winners and other information, visit the HEN Web site at www.hennet.org or call (650) 854-8921. |