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STRESSED TO THE NINES -- Next week, on Sept. 9--that is, Sept. 9, 1999, or 9-9-99- some business data-processing systems may give us a sneak preview of what Y2K could bring. "There are some programs out there which years ago were designed so that if the date was unknown, or hadn't been entered yet, it would display 9999," says Charles A. Kapps, an associate professor of computer and information sciences at Temple. "That was sort of a clue to people that they should put in a real date, and it was a clue to the program that if it saw that particular date, it meant the real date hadn't been entered, and to either ignore the date or print an error message or bug the human being running the program to enter the date." Kapps doesn't consider the situation "that big a deal" but notes that companies encountering the problem will have to reprogram their machines or purchase new software. "There's been a lot of these little bombs that go off," he says. "The Y2K problem is not
RETIRED? TIME TO VOLUNTEER -- A survey released this week by the California based Civic Ventures shows that record numbers--in fact, over half--of adults ages 50-75 say they are planning to get involved in volunteerism and/or activism when they retire. That doesn't surprise Rob Tietze, director of Temple's Experience Corps program, which includes 90 senior volunteers who tutor over 400 academically at-risk children in nine city schools. "Americans' desire to serve their communities only increases with age," says Tietze. "Tapping that energy, providing seniors with meaningful and constructive volunteer opportunities, is the real challenge." Norma Shub, 74, and a retired teacher, found that challenge through her involvement with Experience Corps as she helps first- and second-graders at the city's Taylor Elementary School learn to read. Shub subscribes to the belief that keeping active equals keeping young. "Being bored is detrimental to your health," says Shub, a program volunteer for three years. "I like to feel useful. I like to spend my time in a creative way. And I think I have some good skills to use and share." As the Baby Boom of energetic, older adult volunteers. And the volunteers benefit, too. "The face of retirement is changing," he says. Reach Tietze at (215) 204-8057, or through the News Bureau.
This Week at Temple. . .
Thursday, Sept. 9, 2 p.m.: ON WINGS OF OWLS -- Stella Bing, a full-time flight attendant with U.S. Airways, receives her bachelor's degree in computer and information sciences. Bing began taking classes at Temple in 1996, the same year she started working the airline's Philadelphia-to-Rome route. (Mitten Hall, Broad St. and Berks Mall)
Thursday, Sept. 9, 5-8 p.m.: BEST NEW MAGAZINE NOMINEES -- The 10 magazines nominated for this year's Acres of Diamonds Award for best new consumer magazine will be announced at a Press Preview Party in New York. Previous winners of the award, presented by Temple's department of journalism, public relations and advertising, include InStyle, Cigar Aficionado, Martha Stewart Living, Family Fun, Smart Money, and Sports Illustrated for Kids. (Decade Supper Dance Club, 1117 First Ave., at 61st St., New York)
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