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Louis Maher
Secretary Biography
(713) 444-7838 - lmaher@nfbtx.org
Louis Maher is a scientifically-minded Federationist using his passion for technology to explore accessible math and science materials for future blind students. He serves as the Secretary for the National Federation of the Blind of Texas and as Treasurer of the Houston Chapter.
Motivated and guided by his family, Louis attended private catholic schools in Dallas with supportive teachers who helped provide the materials and acceptance he needed to pursue a career in the STEM field. He had some usable vision in one eye throughout school, and he used a combination of magnification systems and braille to participate. Louis' parents understood that print and magnification alone would not be realistic, so Louis began learning braille in second grade. His first grade teacher spent a summer learning braille herself so that she could teach him one hour per day, along with additional lessons after school, for five years.
Louis became interested in math and science at a young age through the science-fiction books that he read from the National Library Service. He began taking science and math classes in high school, where he used a combination of low-vision techniques and non-visual methods to complete assignments.
"I did math with a large, dark pencil and could hand that in to a teacher," Louis said. "Otherwise, I used a portable typewriter for my work. But the trouble with typing was that I could not see what I was typing."
Louis was responsible for producing his own braille books and materials during college. He transcribed Learning Ally audio cassettes of math and science textbooks himself, and reviewed class materials in advance.
"I can't study math and science by hearing alone, I must have Braille," Louis said. "I found it difficult to learn in math and science classes unless I had prepared for the classes in advance."
Louis graduated from Spring Hill College in 1972 with a B.S. in physics. In 1979, he received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Texas at Dallas. Louis held post-doctoral appointments in space science at Rice University in Houston and at Radio Physics Inc. in Boulder, Colorado, from 1979 through 1981, where he participated in processing spacecraft data aimed at determining the makeup of the ionospheres and magnetospheres of earth and Saturn.
Louis joined the Exxon Production Research Company in 1981 where he programmed for the Exxon Seismic System, the Landmark ProMAX system, and the WesternGeco Omega system. These systems convert seismic recordings into images of the subsurface, which give geologists information about the density, velocity and composition of structures below the surface of the earth.
In 1979, Louis underwent surgery to reattach the retina in his better eye. The retina disintegrated in 1985 and caused him to lose his remaining vision within a few months. After that, Louis could no longer use magnification systems to do his work.
"After I lost my vision, I was not very productive at work, using computer voice output only, until I obtained my first 20-cell Braille display in 1986," Louis said.
Louis received an 80-cell Braille display in the late 1980's, which greatly enhanced his capabilities.
After seeing television commercials featuring Kenneth Jernigan and hearing about the Federation from a blind acquaintance who rode the same bus as him, Louis joined the organization in 1994.
"The NFB calls upon you to go have adventures and do things you would not usually do," Louis said. "It gives you opportunities for advancement that the sighted world may not let you have. You can have any job in the NFB you want as long as you are willing to do the work. It gives you a role where you can use your own individual talents."
Louis has used his talents in the Federation ever since. He served as the Houston Chapter President from 2006 through 2012 and is currently its Treasurer. He retired from ExxonMobil in March of 2015, and continues to serve on Houston city commissions and committees. Louis now focuses on improving accessibility for the blind to graphical user interfaces, graphically displayed data and to mathematically-based materials.
"I'm interested in mathematics in all forms," Louis said. "I am particularly interested in the Stimulating the Market to Make Accessibility a Reality Today (SMART) Act to make things accessible for blind students. I want to become knowledgeable about how math is electronically read and written, what works and what doesn't, to improve accessibility for everyone using these electronic systems."
Louis uses the NFB-NEWSLINE® audible newspaper service to read up-to-date scientific publications, including Air and Space, PC World, Popular Science, Science News and The Smithsonian.
"You can make science part of your environment just by doing that," Louis said. "The NFB-NEWSLINE® iPhone app is even easier to use than the Newsline telephone service. I've started moving all my media to the iPhone."


For the 2019 edition of Independent NY, the gallery presents a two-person booth of recent works by Anders Ruhwald and Kon Trubkovich. Both artists are working with figuration and each is doing so with an enlightened approach in relationship to their previous practice. For Ruhwald, while he typically uses ceramics, these Old Man pieces include bent steel elements to represent the body. The combination of metal forms and glazed ceramic masks (heads) lend a spectral quality to these pieces. Trubkovich is well known for incorporating figures in his work, however, these new paintings image figures derived completely from the artist's imagination – his recollection of a person or his personification of an emotion. To receive a PDF with detailed information on the works, please contact the gallery at info@moranmorangallery.com.


I have created this web site with all its care as like a Tibetan sand mandala. With all my attention, as centred as possible and while being aware I put a lot of effort into it.
Why do Tibetan Monks create sand mandalas and desmantle them after? One reason is, they do it to learn to understand that it is not the result that counts, even not the act of creation itself, it is HOW you do the work. The attitude makes all the difference!
As like a Tibetan mandala that gets wiped off with only one stroke of a cloth, the website can be made vanished by stroking the delete key.
The smallest breath of a software update or a tinny shake on the part of the underlying Jimdo system may destroy this website.
You may get lost into the work itself.
You may think you are the doer.
You may like to reap the fruits of the work.


People with dry skin have distinct needs for moisturizers. Products that hydrate and help the skin retain moisture are ideal. However, many products are labeled suitable for dry skin when they don't contain the ingredients needed to properly hydrate the skin. Learn the right ingredients to look for in a moisturizer to prevent using the wrong products and further damaging the skin.
Many people are surprised to learn that common, everyday products can cause dryness. Products and substances that lead to dryness are soap, fragrances, hard water, and acne medications. Hard water is an environmental issue caused by traces of magnesium, zinc, and lead in the water. Using a home filtration system can help reduce high amounts of these minerals. Likewise, some acne medications contain ingredients that dry out a pimple and the surrounding, like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
Studies have shown that genetic mutations of the filaggrin gene cause eczema and several other dry skin conditions. Although people cannot control the genetic composition, the type of skin care products can aid in providing great hydration. Many dermatologists suggest using gentle soaps and fragrances with non-irritants. Look for soaps made specifically for gentle skin and fragrances that contain soothing ingredients.
This is a brief listing of some of the more important ingredients to look for when searching for the right type of skin care product. There are numerous botanicals that can also provide hydration, so this list is not all-inclusive.
Butters derived from natural beans such as cocoa and shea butter. Cocoa butter contains fatty acids that form a protective layer over the skin to lock in moisture and elasticity. Like cocoa butter, shea butter also heals dry skin. Easily absorbed by the body, it protects the skin from sunburn, itchiness, and improves the appearance of stretch marks.
Vitamin C is packed with antioxidants to protect the skin from sun damage and free radicals. Vitamin C can also increase collagen production to repair damaged skin. Another antioxidant, vitamin E, shields the skin from harmful UV rays and stimulates sebum production.
Glycolic acid is a natural exfoliant made from sugarcane. This acid strips away dead skin cells allowing the skin to absorb moisture.
Lactic acid has alpha hydroxy acids that slough away dead skin cells. Different than glycolic acid, lactic acid also helps with collagen production.
The aloe vera plant provides a natural extract that can be applied directly to the skin. Aloe vera helps soothes irritation and redness, this is also commonly used for sunburned skin.
When suffering from chronic dry skin, before starting a skincare regimen make an appointment with a dermatologist. Providers can help patients get prescription products with these special ingredients and learn other ways to treat dry skin.


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Feature Series
Auctions News
Asia Week New York 2019: Highlighted Chinese Art and Antiques from Christie's
26 Aug, 2019 | Mon | 18:32
The Asian art week will commence on 6 September in New York. Christie's is going to present an array of must-see art from contemporary classical and Chinese paintings to works with exemplary provenance from The Art Institute of Chicago. Let's take a look at some of the highlights.
Asia Week Fall Sale 2019 |Christie's New York Auction Schedule (local time)
Fine Chinese Paintings
South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art
Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Works of Art
Masterpieces of Early Chinese Gold and Silver
Chinese Art from The Art Institute of Chicago
Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
Fine Classical Chinese Paintings & Calligraphy
Contemporary Art Asia
Date: 10 September, 10am
Bada Shanren (1626-1705)'s Bird and Rock
Christie's Asia Week will be started with Fine Chinese Paintings which offers paintings and calligraphy from several periods in many styles and at a wide range of prices, from dramatic 17th century works to lively paintings by ever-popular Zhang Daqian and innovative contemporary ink works.
Leading the sale is a cursive script calligraphy of "West Village" by Fu Shan (1607-1684), estimated at US$300,000-400,000. Fu Shan was a renowned calligrapher, painter, and thinker from the Ming to Qing, he also excelled in poetry and medicine, and was one of the leading scholars in epigraphy. Like most of Fu Shan's extant works, this cursive-script work bears no date. Scholars usually rely on brushwork from known periods and stylistic clues to determine an approximate date for his works. Fortunately, Fu Shan tells us that this poem, titled "West Village," is an "old work from forty years ago," therefore we can surmise that this calligraphy was written later in his life.
South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art showcases a group of important early paintings by members of the seminal Progressive Artists' Group as well as important works by other pioneers of modern South Asian art.
The top lot of the sale is La Terre by Sayed Haider Raza, estimate on request. Painted in 1977, La Terre is one of the most important and largest works from a key period in Sayed Haider Raza's artistic career, when, after many years working within the style of the Second École de Paris. La Terre represents a triumph in Raza's long engagement with nature and the genre of the landscape, with its gestural brushwork, expressionistic use of colour and spiritual and symbolic engagement with the land and the notion of creation.
Date: 11 September, 2pm
The sale features a selection of works including works from the Collection of Dorothy and Richard Sherwood; three important Sri Lankan artworks, one featured in the same 1977 exhibition; a wide array of significant Himalayan material including a large and important 14th-15th century gilt-bronze figure of Vajrasattva.
Estimated at US$600,000-800,000, the gilt-bronze figure of Vajrasattva depicted here is a primordial buddha as well as a highly-accomplished bodhisattva, with a perfected understanding of ultimate truth. This important Tibetan Buddhist deity is the primary and ceaseless source of Vajrayana teachings. He manifests in the sambhogakaya or celestial form or to assist in liberating all sentient beings from the undesirable cycle of rebirth in samsara.
The sale is comprised of exquisite gold and silver objects from Ancient China, ranging in date from the Spring and Autumn Period (late 6th – early 5th century B.C) to the Qing period. Formed by Dr. Johan Carl Kempe, a prominent collector of Chinese art, the collection is particularly strong in gold and silver works dating from the Tang period, the zenith for works produced in this material.
Headlining the sale is a large parcel-gilt silver bowl, Tang dynasty (618-907) with an estimate of US$2m-3m. The large bowl is finely worked in repoussé with three rows of overlapping lotus petals, each gilded and exquisitely chased with a pair of birds in flight confronted on a ribbon tied in four loops against a background of leafy foliate sprays amidst leafy foliage, all below a further row of smaller repoussé petals that alternate with clusters of stamen below slender lancelot leaf tips that point towards the everted rim. The center of the interior is chased with a large medallion depicting eight birds in flight against a background of leafy foliate sprays as they encircle a ribbon tied in four loops with trailing ends.
The sale features 84 lots with a focus on Ming and Qing porcelains, and offers a rare insight into the taste for collecting Chinese ceramics and works of art in the Midwest from the end of the 19th century through the 1980s. The sale sold to benefit The Art Institute of Chicago's Asian Art Acquisition Fund.
Highlights include two Wanli wucai garlic-head vases, a Qianlong blue and white dragon vase, tianqiuping, and a Qianlong blue and yellow stem bowl.
The Qianlong blue and white dragon vase, tianqiuping, is expected to fetch US$300,000-500,000. Globular vases, or tianqiuping, of this massive size and superb quality are extremely rare. From the painting style, with its deliberate echo of the Ming 'heaping and piling' effect, and its globular form, it is clear that the present vase was produced as an appreciation of early Ming dynasty prototypes.
Date: 13 September, 10am & 2pm
This sale features important masterpieces such as a Tang-dynasty jade dragon head and a Ming-dynasty huanghuali folding chair. Other highlights include exceptional Tang sancai from the Klingenstein collection and Ming and Qing porcelain from the Mayer collection, as well as archaic jades and bronzes, fine carved lacquer and 'dragon' robes and Song ceramics from private collections.
Valued at US$2.5m-3.5m, an pale greyish-green jade carving of a dragon head, Tang dynasty comes from the collection of Stephen Junkunc III (1904-1978). Stephen Junkunc III was one of the great Chinese art collectors. His collection at its height numbered over 2,000 examples of Chinese porcelain, jade, bronzes, paintings and Buddhist sculptures. Junkunc III once owned two examples of the fabled Ru ware, one of them was sold for an eye-watering price of almost US$1.6m at Christie's to the prominent collector Au Bak Ling in 1992.
The Junkunc jade dragon head embodies imperial magnificence of the highest order—the extravagant expenditure of highly valued material on a large sculpture of a dragon, an established emblem of power. Excavated parallels in jade and pottery, as well as contemporaneous textual and visual records suggest it was created at the height of the Tang-dynasty during the 8th century.
Three online sales will also take place in during Christie's Asia Week: Chinese Art from The Art Institute of Chicago Online, Gods and Guardians: South Asian Works of Art, Contemporary Art Asia.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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ECO-CORRIDORS FUND
 for the Caucasus
A partnership for living landscapes
ARMENIA | South Eastern Lesser Caucasus Eco-Corridor
Maintaining biodiversity by connecting cultural heritage and natural landscapes.
Dominated by vast mountain grasslands, and including wetlands and woodlands, volcanic rock and deep canyons, the South Eastern Lesser Caucasus Eco-Corridor in the south of Armenia is a severe and beautiful landscape. A significant part of the corridor runs along the mountainous border of the Nakhichevan enclave of Armenia, creating an important connection to the protected areas in on the Armenia.
Jernej Stritih
Key Species & Habitat
Charismatic large mammal species have been selected to represent the biodiversity of the landscape.
The suitability of habitats for these species has been studied in order to set priorities for conservation measures. Habitats have been broken down into:
Core areas - most suitable habitats
Ecological traps - naturally suitable habitats where animals are threatened by human pressure
Potential refuges - naturally less suitable habitats where animals may evade human pressure
Caucasian leopard
Panthera pardus saxicolor
Listed as critically endangered (CR) in the Red Data Book of Armenia*
Bezoar goat
Capra aegagrusaegagrus
Listed as vulnerable (VU) in the Red Data Book of Armenia*
Armenian mouflon
Ovis orientalis gmelini
Listed as endangered (EN) in the Red Data Book of Armenia*
Ursus arctos
Key Habitats
Rocky slopes
River gorges
*The assessment of the species to be included in the National Red Data Book was done in accordance with IUCN guidelines.
There is also Red Data List of Armenia approved by the Government of Armenia.
Leopard, Bezoar goat and Armenian mouflon are also among other subspecies included in IUCN Red List as VU. Brown bear is included in IUCN Red List as LC.
Natural & Cultural Heritage
Within the corridor there are 254 objects of historical and cultural heritage including burial sites and grottos of Neolithic times,castles,bridges,monasteries,rustic villages, ancient terraces and archaeological excavations sites.
Located in the middle of a biodiversity hotspot area of Gnishik Protected Landscape, the Mozrov cave has one of the largest collection of stalactites and stalagmites in Europe. The rock formations are saturated in color and striking natural designs.
The picturesque Arpa River gorge is lined with historic gems including the Areni church near the river, the ruins of Moze City, the 13th century Gndevank arched bridge near Agarakadzor and numerous caves and other sights.
Mozrov Cave
Arpa River Gorge
Agarakadzor Bridge
Two km from the village of Agarakadzor is a 13th-century bridge that crosses the Arpa River and once served as the main trade route to Julfa. With minor renovations in 1957 the bridge remains in use today for moving livestock across the river.
Agarakadzor Mineral Spring
Easily accessible from the highway, the mineral spring is located at the beginning of the 13.6 km walking trail, Gandzak – Boloraberd – Ttu jur. Hikers will see the Gandzak church, the Boloraberd church with it's stone cross, the gorge of the Grav river, and may meet Bezoar goats and mouflons.
Red Rocks of Noravank Canyon
Boloraberd Cultural Landscape
The orange and blood-red vertical rocks of the Areni village in the Vayots Dzor region are primary habitat of Bezoar goats and Brown bear. The canyon is also home to two of Armenia's most well-known cave systems and is a nesting eagle sanctuary. The 13th century Norvank monastery, nestled at the end of this gorgeous chasm is a repository of the finest Armenia's sculptures, pointed out as Armenia's first Renaissance art work.
The Boloraberd cultural landscape in the Vayots Dzor region is an emerging ecotourism hotspot with diverse landscapes, rich biodiversity, primary habitats and home to many cultural monuments. The area hosted the early medieval university of Gladzor (currently represented by a museum in the town of Vernashen), a 13thcentury Proshaberd fortress built by the benefactors of the University, Proshyan family, as well as Saint Cross, Tanati, and Spitakavor monasteries (8-14 centuries).
Conservation Agreements | ARMENIA
Basic CA Information
South Eastern Lesser Caucasus Eco-Corridor
Detailed CA Information
VIDEO | An Overview of ECF in Armenia
by WWF Armenia
November 30, 2019
Promotion of Eco Corridors in Armenia (Armenian)/Էկո-միջանցքների խթանում Հայաստանում
The project of Promotion of Eco Corridors in Armenia was launched in 2015 through financial assistance provided German Government through KfW Bank. It is being implemented by WWF in Armenia. The project mainly aims to set up a secure migration corridor for animals, as well as to cooperate with the local communities to contribute to the community development, meanwhile to secure the conservation of the target species in close cooperation with the communities.
VIDEO | ECF Supported Socio-economic Projects in villages near Gndasar-West and Shaponq Conservation Areas
by Armenian Public TV
March 15, 2017
ECF Socio-economic Projects in Armenian Villages
In March 2018 a group of leading Armenian media representatives visited the village communities of the Gndasar-West area, Gnishik Protected Landscape, and Shahaponq Conservation Area to learn more about the impact of the projects supported through the Financial Participatory Approach (FPA) of the ECF.
Bezoar Goats on the Noravank Monastery Roof
by Gnishik Intercommunal Environmental Foundation
Unexpected Visitors at the Noravank Monastery
The Gnishik Intercommunal Environmental Foundation produced this short clip from March 13-14, 2018 when a group of 12 leading Armenian media representatives visited ECF partner village Ararat, in the Vayots regions.
WWF Armenia launched an online souvenir shop in October 2019.
Proceeds from some of the products contribute to the ongoing actions of ECF in Armenia.
WWF ARMENIA | Souvenir Shop
WWF Caucasus
WWF Germany
KfW Development Bank
German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia
Ministry of Economic Development and Investments
Local governments and landowners
ECF Armenia Office
Tel/Fax: (+374 10) 54 61 56
11/1 Proshyan street
0019 Yerevan, Armenia
Chief Technical Advisor
Armen Shahbazyan
National Coordinator Armenia
armen.shahbazyan@gopa.de
Gayane Navasardyan
ECF is a financial instrument aimed to preserve large, sustainably used landscapes that connect various
protected areas in the Southern Caucasus.


When there are unspent funds remaining at the end of a sponsored award budget period, principal investigators (PIs) can request a carry forward (carryover) action, which allows the unspent funds to remain available for use in the current or upcoming budget period.
The award document includes terms and conditions that indicate whether the grantee can carry forward funds into the next budget period or not. If there is no information in the award document concerning the carry forward of unencumbered funds, a SAM representative will contact the sponsor. Federal agencies typically allow grantees to carry forward balances to subsequent budget years without prior approval and no specific action is required of the PI.
In cases where funds are not carried over automatically, it is necessary to request approval to carry forward funds. The request should be submitted to SAM with the following elements.


We spend a lot of time – the majority of our time, actually – talking about logistics. How do we make sure every school has what they need to outfit their students? Who needs to be where when? What do our suppliers need to do their job effectively and when do they need it? It's a major undertaking, but we love to do it. Spending our days in the logistics mindset, we have a special empathy for other logistics experts. That's right, we're talking about heads of families! And school administrators! And kids! Think about it: how many hours does it take for a parent or guardian to get their kids on time to the right place with what they need? What is school administration but one giant logistics puzzle? We know it's hard for everyone. Being in logistics, though, makes us excellent problem solvers. So over the years we've come up with a standing daily mission. From the minute we walk through the FlynnO'Hara headquarters doors, we ask ourselves, "How can I make things easier for families, administrators, and the students they serve?" It drives everything we do, and we thought we might talk about some of the things we do to make sure we make it as easy as possible for our stakeholders to get what they need from us when they need it.
Every year the panic is the same: how am I going to make sure that every student in my school has the right uniform on the first day of school? Some of our schools have more than a thousand students, each with different needs. When we talk to our administrators, the ask is the same: when you're our uniform supplier, can I worry less about that part of my job? The answer is a resounding 'yes!' We tell our administrators the first day they work with us that school uniform logistics are on us. So, we'll make sure the ordering process goes smoothly. We'll make sure parents are informed of important dates and times. We'll make sure the orders are right and that the first day of school is uniform-drama free. Administrators have many things to worry about throughout their day. We make sure school uniforms isn't one of them.
Parents are understandably skeptical when we tell them that we'll make their school uniform purchasing painless. Many of them went to a uniformed school or have been at a school with a different uniform supplier. They remember what a drag it was to go through the process of ordering and shipping before September comes. But a lot has changed. Our website makes it simple to see what you need and how to get it to you in time. We have locations throughout the United States so that 90% of the students we serve have a physical place to go to if they'd prefer. And, we guarantee our products: parents shouldn't have to worry whether a uniform is going to last through the year. If it doesn't due to defects or wear and tear, we replace it without question. In a life of constant motion and decision-making, our families could use a little serenity. So, we try to give it to them, even if it's just about their child's school uniform.
And we're not done. We're currently updating our stores to make them more user-friendly. We already have the lowest time-in-store metrics in the industry, but we think they can be even lower. So we're working on that. On the digital side, we're constantly improving our website so that it's easier than ever to get your uniform to your door without ever having to step foot in the store. And, we're listening. We talk to our administrators constantly about how we can make the process even better for them. We get in touch with parents on Twitter and Facebook to find out how we can be more helpful. It's in our DNA – from the very beginning, Ed Flynn started the company to make sure the local-to-him schools were able to get high quality uniforms quickly and easily. So while we're changing a lot, Ed's vision for the company will never change.
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