IAT NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2000
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"IT'S ABOUT TIME WE BEGIN IT,
TO TURN THE WORLD AROUND . . .
"
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ORGANIZATION INFORMATION
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Co-Founder/Former President - Marcelle Orswell
Co-Founder and Secretary -- Theresa Shea (Tree1A@aol.com)
Co-Founder and Webpage Designer -- Sandy Clark (tybrenn@mediaone.net)
Co-Presidents --
Ann Schnitz (aerie01@sprynet.com)
and
Mary Ledford (eagleshorses@yahoo.com)
Newsletter Editor -- Marcia C. Porter (mport@netnitco.net)
Web Site -- http://people.ne.mediaone.net/tybrenn/iat/
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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Hi everyone!
What a year it has been! From the frosty early morning hours of 1 January, 2000,
when dire predictions of widespread chaos and mayhem never materialized, to the waning
of the wearying and often dizzying
Presidential Election, no one can say this was a dull time!
With the outcome of that election still very new, there are people on both sides
of the fence left feeling disenfranchised with the entire democratic process. But
now, more than possibly at any other time in our recent past, it comes home to us
how important it is to vote. I heard from several people who told me that this was
the first election they had voted in in years. And others who said that in hindsight,
they wished they had voted. What this election especially brought to light is the
fact that the system needs work. Hopefully, some changes will be put in place before
the next major election to preclude this from happening again.
What is also clear is that this is a critical time for the environment. Important
legislation like Superfund and the Clean Air Act will be up for reauthorization;
the Endangered Species Act still has not been reauthorized. Important issues not
just for the US but for all life on this planet may hang in the balance, and now
more than ever, we will have to make our voices heard. Therefore, I encourage you
to become as active as you can possibly be in the political process. Write letters
and email to your elected officials. Keep yourself informed by reading as much as
you can and please share what you learn with others who care. I'll try to domy part
by continuing to use the IAT newsletter as a vehicle for passing on environmental
news to all of you. Our song will NOT be failed.
On a related note, those of you who are struggling to find last minute gifts for
people on your list might considering making a donation in their name to your favorite
humanitarian organization. Others who might be short on funds but long on a desire
to help can check out the list of free donation sites listed below in "Helping
Others". One of these, www.ecologyfund.com,
has a place set up for you to donate acres of wild land in John's name.
In the coming months, we will be talking a great deal about what we can do to make
this a healthier world for ourselves and all the beings on this planet. I invite
you to do your part.
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season!
My heart to yours,
Ann
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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**The season of peace is upon us - even as we restlessly watch the news and hear
of the unrest in our world. This bitter cold and snowy month of December is also
the birthday of a troubadour who meant so much in my life and the lives of thousands
around the world. And as always,
"We have so much in common, so many things we share"
It's hard to believe he's not in our world today - even though I know and believe
his spirit will be with us always.
Dear John,
Yours are the words that keep my beloved mountains with me
"He was born in his 27th year, coming home to a place he'd never
been before"
Yours are the words that fly me home
"Sometimes this old farm feels like a long-lost friend"
Yours are the words that give life to my living
"Sunshine on my shoulders"
Yours are the words that ease my sorrow
"He lost a friend, but he'll keep his memory"
Yours are the words that solidified our marriage
"Today our lives were joined, became entwined,
I wish that you could know how much I love you"
Yours are the words that put a spark in my loving
"How sweet it is to love someone, how right it is to care"
Yours are the words that guide my being
"It is here we must begin, to seek the wisdom of the children"
Yours are the words to bring awareness of goals for Mother Earth
"What one man can do is change the world and make it young again"
Yours are the words of farewell I'll carry in my heart forever
"And in those times of trouble when you are most alone
The memory of love will bring you home"
"To be always with you and you always with me"
"And she whispers as she sadly slips away
Then she smiles because there's nothing left to say
And she takes with her the sadness and the song"
Happy Birthday to a special angel with a twinkle in his eye, a giggle in his grin
and the glory of love in his music.
Peace and hugs,
M
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
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"The only thing that you can carry with you on your travels is your heart. Fill
your heart with good things and good things will follow you for the rest of your
life."
Scott Murray
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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December 18, 2000
The Shipmates, with Special Guest Joe Frazier at The Observation Lounge at the Queen
Mary in Long Beach
January 12. 2001,
Herb Pedersen and Chris Hillman at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, Calif.
Feb. 24, 2001
Jennifer Warnes at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, Calif.
SEE DETAILS ON CALENDAR EVENTS IN NEWSLETTER
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NEW JOHN DENVER RELEASE
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Just in case any of you missed the first message about this:
"I wanted to notify you of RCA's upcoming John Denver release on January 23,
2001. Originally released in 1980, John Denver's "Autograph" will be released
for the first time on CD.
Featured musicians on this album include legendary guitarist James Burton who played
for Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson and Gram Parsons), Hal Blaine on drums and Glen D.
Hardin on piano.
The digitally re-mastered album includes new liner notes and original artwork. All
eleven tracks from the original album are here, including two bonus tracks, "Dance
Little Jean" and "On The Wings of An Eagle," which were recorded during
the same session.
TRACK LISTING:
Dancing With The Mountains
The Mountain Song
How Mountain Girls Can Love
Song For The Life
The Ballad Of St. Anne's Reel
In My Heart
The Wrangell Mountain Song
Whalebones and Crosses
American Child
You Say That The Battle is Over
Autograph
Dance Little Jean
On The Wings Of An Eagle
CD 07863 69362-2
SRP
$17.98
Regards,
Jennifer Liebeskind
RCA Music Group
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CONCERTS SCHEDULED
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Happy Holidays! I wanted to send out a short note reminding people there's some good
music coming up soon:
Monday, December 18 - 8:00-10:00pm -
The Observation Lounge at the Queen Mary in Long Beach - the Shipmates (with special
guest Joe Frazier) will be performing.
Herb Pedersen (who wrote "Southwind" which John Denver recorded on the
album titled "JD"), who toured and performed with John, will be performing
with Chris Hillman at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica on Friday, Jan. 12, 2001.
Two shows, 8:00pm and 10:30pm - tickets at $17.50. For information and reservations
call McCabe's (310-828-4403).
Jennifer Warnes (John said he listened to her music during the AOL online interview
in - I think - 1995) will be performing at McCabe's Guitar Shop on Saturday, Feb.
24, 2001. Two shows - 7:30pm and 9:30pm, tickets go on sale Feb 5, 2001. For information
and reservations call McCabe's (310-828-4403)
Many thanks to all who have helped make this past year so fulfilling, and for all
the hard work, support, and donations that have made so many projects possible all
over the world - from the "One World Peace Cloth", to the many tributes,
and all the miles of freeways cleaned during 2000! As Hal Thau said in an interview,
"When Frank Sinatra died, people drank a toast to his memory. When John Denver
died, people went out and took action, and are still taking action." That says
everything there is to say about all of us who are part of The World Family of John
Denver. We know we are all taking action in our own way, and furthering John's legacy.
As we move into the 21st Century, we take our memories and music with us. We can
continue to make a positive difference. Here's to a new century of caring for the
environment, and taking steps to insure a sustainable future for every living thing.
Peace.
Debra
PixieDmyr@aol.com
John Denver: The Legacy Continues . . .
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FYI
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PEACE CLOTH DISPLAY AT HIGH SCHOOL IN APRIL
Lana Zinkon wrote:
I just confirmed today that I will be displaying a section of the "One World
John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth" during Arts Week activities at Garaway High
School in Sugarcreek, Ohio, April 2-6, 2000. The cloth will be on display in the
new gymnasium during the evening programs! Thought some of our group who live in
the area may want to make the trip to Amish Country to view the cloth!
Lana
zinkon@tusco.net
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EVENT REVIEWS
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More News of Aspen 2000: TAPESTRY IN ASPEN POETRY EVENT
An unexpected demand for tickets meant there were three poetry reading sessions with
about thirty persons at each reading for the Tapestry In Aspen poetry event on Friday,
October 13, 2000 at the Aspen Teddy Bear Co. in Aspen, Colorado. Each session lasted
two hours with a relaxed and informal atmosphere in the old "coffee house"
style of years ago. Poetry was read by poets who were in attendance from Germany,
Australia, England, and the Netherlands as well as poets from across the United States.
Music was provided by John Rowe. Photography for the event was donated by many talented
photographers with the proceeds going to the benefit.
Highlights of the event for all three sessions were the unwrapping of the John Denver
Peace Cloth, brought to the readings by Debra Chilton and Kelly Robison; and JP McDaniels
reading her story for children, "The Flower That Shattered The Stone,"
with the audience participation using stuffed animals. Each member of the audience
became one of the animals mentioned in JP's charming story.
A total of $4,158.00, less expenses, was raised for this event which benefited the
Columbine Trust Foundation founded by Joe Henry, who co-wrote over thirty songs with
John Denver.
The Columbine Trust Foundation provides assistance to the victims of the Columbine
High School shooting tragedy of April 1999. A beautiful Columbine poster bearing
the photo of a columbine flower, taken by John Fiedler, and a quote from "The
Flower That Shattered The Stone" is available from the Aspen Teddy Bear Co:
phone 1-970-429-0689. A Limited Edition of the Tapestry In Aspen anthology poetry
book is also available from the Aspen Teddy Bear Company.
Plans for Tapestry In Aspen 2001 are well underway for Monday, October 15 beginning
at 10 am in the Mountain Chalet Ballroom. The committee wishes to thank all who attended
the event this year - and all poets and photographers who contributed and donated
their work to the benefit. We hope to see many of you next year.
The Tapestry In Aspen Committee
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CHARLIE AND MACK A HIT!
"Thank You For this Precious Day . . . "
Charlie Zahm's Second Annual Saturday-after-Thanksgiving evening of Campfire Songs
featuring the music of John Denver at the Salem United Church of Christ was a blast!
Mack Bailey was on board with Charlie and the audience was treated to nearly three
hours of sing-along music.
Charlie's first set included five John Denver tunes: "Today", "Love
is the Master", "Poems, Prayers and Promises", and "Whale Bonesand
Crosses", especially for friends who flew in from Florida. Mack's first part
focused on his "Just Another Thursday Night" album. He sang his patented
version of John's "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" and "Potter's Wheel".
Denver people had a lovely break . . . we embarrassed Chris Nole's mom, Cathy, by
singing Happy Birthday to her, sharing ahuge cake, apple cider and home-made cookies.
We also gave door prizes, shared photos and stories of Aspen 2000 with each other.
We were having so much fun the break lasted twice as long as scheduled!
Charlie's second set included two original compositions, "Song of the Cowboy"
and my favorite, "Lighthouse on the Shore". One can really hear John's
influence on Charlie's writing during these twosongs. The highlight of Charlie's
set was a powerful a capella version of "Shenandoah". Mack started off
with two original Christmas songs. He talked and joked a bit about performing in
nursing homes and schools. After the show one boy told him how much he loved "I
was fishing' with Beagles and Horses" song!
The best was yet to come! With banjo in hand, Charlie joined Mack on stage for a
bluegrass "Country Roads" and a stab at "MTA". The Kingston Trio
song evoked our Earth Day 2000 show in Annapolis MD because at this event, Mack and
Charlie accidentally dressed alike in Kingston Trio-style blue-striped shirts! Shivers
went up my spine during "Ponies", followed by "Perhaps Love"
and "Rocky Mountain High".
The first encore, "When the First Snows Fell in Colorado", brought tears
for me and a good number of folks in the audience for a heart-felt tribute to John,
and "Hard Traveler" friend. Buddy Renfro. The evening closed quite appropriately
with a mellow "Sweet Surrender".
All of the funds from this celebration were donated to Salem United Church of Christ
and the Christian Appalachian Project. Mack wants to perform again and Charlie has
already added it to his concert schedule for next year. The third annual show will
be November 24, 2001.
As a matter of fact, Charlie had such a blast he will add a third set containing
John Denver-only music to his March 16, 2001 Celtic concert with fiddler Tad Marks
at Salem United Church of Christ in Doylestown, PA. The main show will open at 7:30
p.m. (look for details in the February IAT newsletter). Additionally, our Spring
Concert will be in May, 2001 at the Ram's Head Tavern in Annapolis, MD. Again, details
to follow.
We are truly blessed with John's music, our friendships, and the terrific talented
musicians who have vowed to continue to perform John's music Live . . .
"It's all I know to do" Charlie said.
Donna Pinto donnapinto@yahoo.com
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**EDITORIAL: E-MAIL CONCERNS
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There are stories being spread, through the use of e-mail, about people - that are
quite simply untrue. It seems that the intent of such e-mails is to forward them
to as many people as possible, in order to incite people's passions, stir their concern,
clog mailboxes and, perhaps even, waste our time.
My concern is that we pass them along too easily. If we take a moment to check the
facts stated in these "please forward" e-mails, we would often learn only
parts of their stories are true. We'd learn others are embellished versions of something
only partly true. We'd also see many are complete fabrication. In some cases, people
are dredging up age-old occurrences and inciting people's political, religious, maternal
passions, etc., to no apparent positive end.
I received one recently clearly stating its purpose is to keep an individual from
forgetting their behavior. This particular e-mail was filled with alleged facts (that
constitute libel, actually), blatantly distorted facts and only a skeleton of truth.
Yet, people willingly forward it, hoping to hold this individual hostage to occurrences
from over thirty years ago.
I think it is VERY important to be careful with e-mail. Believing everything that
enters your mailbox is a mistake. Spreading rumors and gossip and, in some cases,
libelous comments, whether through e-mail or in person, is not only irresponsible,
but unkind. I seriously think that forwarding these e-mails can only stir up hostility
and create negativity. Is this really the best use of e-mail services?
There are many ways to verify the truth of what we read. A good site for verifying
e-mail "legends" is www.snopes.com . If we
don't have the time to verify the information, wouldn't it be better to simply delete
it, rather than have it generate harm, however small?
I truly wish that we would spend our energy on more positive agendas and work toward
creating harmony rather than hate.
"You may say I'm a dreamer . . . but I'm not the only one."
Sincerely,
Ellen La Corte-Quinn
elle_915@pacbell.net
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NEWS
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SANCTUARY - CITY OF ASPEN 2000 PROGRESS REPORT
This year's progress report was an insert of the Aspen Times on the back page with
a photo of the boulder that has lyrics to John's song, "Rocky Mountain High"
engraved on it.
The John Denver Sanctuary located in Rio Grande Park was designed and built as a
tribute to John Denver's legacy as an environmentalist, humanitarian and world-renowned
musician. The focus is a boulder garden that includes native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.
The boulders are engraved with John's vision statement and several of his songs.
The project was made possible by contributions from the Denver family, Plant-It 2000,
the National Arbor Day Foundation, and the World Family of John Denver.
AspenTeddyBearCo@aol.com
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HELPING OTHERS
Since my dental accident nearly three years ago, I lost a lot of my clients. I am
a social worker and it has been difficult to speak without making clients aware I
have been injured. My income dropped significantly and I have been unable to donate
money to charities. Then I learned I could donate without actually giving money.
All it takes is time for me to go to a web site and click. I also found we could
form a group to save land for John Denver. John gave all of us so much. He helped
me to survive the last three years. Not honoring him with this small donation of
my time is unthinkable. John said "You do what you can do and I'll do what I
can do". This is something I am able to do.
I'd like to share the list below. I'm hopeful each of you who has joined The John
Denver Remembrance site will visit as often as you can (you can click once per day).
My hope for ten acres is a first, really big goal. But I can see more is possible.
Right now we are close to having saved two acres . . .that is a lot of land. I believe
John would be so happy with our efforts in his name.
Donation sites:
The Hunger Site
http://www.thehungersite.com
The Rainforest Site
http://www.webreleaf.com
Trees4life
http://www.tree4life.com/ingles/thank_in.htm
Care2
http://rainforest.care2.com/
Stop the Hunger
http://www.stopthehunger.com/hunger/
The Humanitarian Site
http://www.relievehunger.com/fr/frhuman.shtml
Against Hunger
http://www.againsthunger.com/
Working for Change
http://www.workingforchange.com/index.cfm
Stop HIV site
http://www.thestophivsite.com/
ENN multiple donate sites
http://www.enn.com/interact/freedonate.asp
4goodnessake
http://www.4goodnesssake.org/
Multiple quick donation site
http://www.quickdonations.com/
Crawlitall Multiple Donation site
http://www.crawl-it-all.com/~mebetoby/
Free Donations
http://www.freedonation.com/dtotal.php3
The John Denver Remembrance Site www.ecologyfund.com
to donate for John! You select which group you would like to support when you register.
Peace,
Leslie Newman
leslienewman@mindspring.com
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FOR SALE
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POETRY TO HONOR PATTY PEAVEY
Hi all!
I have put together a ten-page book of poetry dedicated to the memory of my friend,
Patty Peavey, with proceeds to go to an environmental charity. If you'd like a copy,
please write to me at virginia@samallen.com.
Thanks!
Virginia Allen
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JOHN DENVER PARKING SIGNS AVAILABLE
The "Parking For JOHN DENVER FANS ONLY" signs are now back in stock and
may be ordered online, by mail or by phone. To order contact the Aspen Teddy Bear
Company at www.aspenteddybear.com
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--- Songbunny@aol.com wrote:
My name is Melanie Trondson and I volunteer for the Pikes Peak Hospice in Colorado
Springs, Co. We are trying to raise money for the hospice by having a tree lighting
fundraiser. By paying ten dollars to the Hospice, you can have a light on one of
the five trees that will be lit up across town. This light will represent a loved
one that has died.
You will receive a paper ornament for your own tree that has the person's name on
it that you are representing. For $40.00, youwill receive an beveled glass ornament
with Pikes Peak Hospice etched on to it. For a $100.00 you receive the glass beveled
ornament with your loved ones name etched on it.
Check can be made payable to the Pikes Peak Hospice and sent to:
Melanie Trondson
1224 Piros Drive
Colorado Springs, Co 80922
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
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**I chose this article for this month's environmental news because it speaks to something
that has the power to divide à and this individual showed all of us how superficial
that can be. A great lesson! (AS).
UNLIKELY ENVIRONMENTALIST
By ROBERT WORTH
With his long white beard, flowing black robes, miter and staff, the Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of 200 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, would
seem to be more at home talking about the nature of God than about toxic waste.
But in Europe, where he is sometimes called the Green Patriarch, he is well-known
for his passionate speeches about pollution in the Danube River and the Black Sea.
He has called pollution a sin against creation and a sacrilege.
In November, he brought his message to the United States in a speech at the Metropolitan
Club in Manhattan, where he received an award from an environmental group for his
unusual mix of spirituality and concern for nature. Environmental activism, the patriarch
said in his remarks, is a natural outgrowth of his role as a religious leader.
"Human beings and the environment compose a seamless garment of existence, a
multicolored cloth, which we believe to be woven in its entirety by God," he
said. The connection between human beings and their natural surroundings, like that
between the body and the spirit, is at the center of the Orthodox liturgy, he explained.
There was a palpable excitement in the air as a crowd of elegantly dressed environmental
activists mingled with black-clad Orthodox priests and bishops in the Metropolitan
Club's Great Hall.
"He was the pioneer in linking faith to the environment," said Anthony
J. Limberakis, a radiologist from Philadelphia and an Orthodox Christian. On the
lapel of his suit jacket, Mr. Limberakis wore a rosette made of silk and wood to
signify that he was an archon, or defender of the faith.
This was the patriarch's first visit to American since 1997. In addition to accepting
the environmental award, he is visiting church members in regions of the country
he was unable to reach during his previous trip. He was due to depart last night
to attend anenvironmental conference in Katmandu, Nepal.
Before the ceremony began, Gov. George E. Pataki of New York and William K. Reilly,
the former administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, spoke
briefly of their admiration for the patriarch. "With the presence of His Holiness,
we have clear proof that God is on our side," Governor Pataki told the crowd.
After being presented with the International Visionary Award for Environmental Achievement
by Ned Sullivan, the executive director of Scenic Hudson, an environmental group
based in Poughkeepsie, the patriarch stepped up to a lectern in the center of the
dining room and led a recitation of the Lord's Prayer in a deep bass voice.
Later, he said that one natural link between Orthodox Christianity and the environmental
cause was the "ascetical element" of the church's tradition. "Restraint
frees us from selfish demands, so that we may offer what remains and place it at
the disposal of others," he said. "This is the result of our freedom from
avarice, which has its roots in the lack of faith and the making of a god out of
matter, which we consider idolatry."
Those remarks may have seemed slightly incongruous in the club's vast dining room,
where guests dined on an exquisite lunch of quail and various wines, surrounded by
ornate mirrors, candelabra and elaborate marble carvings of scenes from antiquity.
But the guests seemed inspired by the patriarch's message.
"This patriarch has taken up the cause as no one else has," said Alex Zagoreos,
a Scenic Hudson trustee who helped to arrange the award. "He's really crystallized
a lot of interest in the environment." The patriarch, Mr. Zagoreos added, spends
weekends at an island called Halki, not far from his base in Istanbul. There is a
farm there, and the patriarch loves to take care of the donkeys and chickens, he
added. "One has the feeling that this is a true St. Francis of Assisi type,"
Mr. Zagoreos said.
But like many environmentalists, the patriarch also knows how to strike an apocalyptic
note. "According to Scripture, the wages of sin is death," he told the
crowd. "At this point, this is confirmed from the everyday experience of the
chain reactions of environmental destruction: changes in the climate, stripping the
earth of its forests, torrential rainfalls, floods, mudslides; the consequence is
death."
From the Green Patriarch, a Plea for Planet Earth
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/14/nyregion/14PATR.html
The New York Times on the Web
http://www.nytimes.com
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NEWSLETTER NEWS
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If you would like to submit articles, news items, stories, poetry, or any other pertinent
information to IT'S ABOUT TIME, please e-mail any of the IAT staff. The submission
deadline for the January edition is January 19, 2001. Please be sure to include any
contact information so that members can e-mail or snail-mail for further details.
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The content of this newsletter is entirely at the discretion of the "It's About
Time" staff. Contributions, as always, are welcomed, although inclusion is not
guaranteed.
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".
. . IT'S ABOUT TIME WE START TO LIVE IT,
THE FAMILY OF MAN,
IT'S ABOUT TIME
AND IT'S ABOUT CHANGES . . .
AND IT'S ABOUT
TIME."
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