IAT NEWSLETTER
May 2001
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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/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
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Dear Friends,
A while ago, something I read in the TV Guide really hit home with me. In an interview
with Mandy Patinkin, it was mentioned that in preparing for his role as a doctor
on "Chicago Hope", Mandy went into an operating room and observed a number
of surgical procedures. And the one thing he noticed time and again, was that no
matter what a person looked like on the outside, once the surgeon exposed the internal
organs, every one of these people was virtually identical inside. Now, this may seem
very obvious to some, but it was a revelation of sorts for Mandy Patinkin and surely
confirms what John Denver said: "We are all the same".
With the recent completion of the human genome project, we now know that our "sameness"
has a genetic basis. No matter whether the person standing next to you is Asian or
African or Native American or male or female, you share 99.6% of your 3 billion base
pairs of DNA with him or her. This has to do with our youth as a species. If you
compare us to our nearest primate relative, the chimpanzee, any two chimps are five
times more different than any two humans among the six billion on this planet. Mind-blowing,
huh? So isnít it amazing how greatly we have shaped life on earth -- for all of Her
inhabitants ñ especially considering the fact that we have only experienced about
5,000 generations since we arose as the animal we now recognize as a human being?
Surely, since we have no fur to keep us warm, no claws or fangs or venom with which
to defend ourselves or any special senses, it is only through our intelligence that
we have been so very successful in colonizing Spaceship Earth.
So letís use that intelligence now to ensure that life continues for generations
to come. Letís be careful with our resources and conserve as much as possible. And
think before you buy. What you doÖor donít do, even as an individual, has consequences.
My heart to yours,
Ann
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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Dear IAT Folks,
Spring - and greening is upon our land. Perhaps there is other greening happening.
As I read of Windstar activities, I feel a sense of renewed hope and vigor for John's
vision and dream. While we sort through the days of our lives, somehow it seems so
much easier when the world is coming alive with new life and promise.
This will be my swan song as editor of the IAT Newsletter. I was curious about the
origin of the phrase ñ like lots of things in this world, it seems to be a legend
with no basis in fact.
There is a legend that swans sing an exquisitely beautiful song just before dying.
There's no truth to it, but that's the origin of the phrase. The phrase "swan
song" dates to 1831, although literary allusions to the legend date back to
Chaucer, c. 1374.
Perhaps it is related to the lovely ballet, Swan Lake, one of man's feeble attempts
to give human qualities to these regal white birds.
My work with IAT has been fun, time-consuming, not at all difficult, but must now
come to an end. Today, there are too many demands on my time, teaching computer classes,
work as an Elder on a Sage Council, instructing Zest classes in a fantastic new program
aimed at helping seniors enhance, enlarge and enliven their days, grandparenting,
care giving for my ninety-three-year-old mother, plus duties as a church Lay Leader,
.. . the list goes on and on.
I want to thank Ann for inviting me to do this most important job and for trusting
my talents and experience. Also, sincere thanks to each of you I've contacted as
your editor - I want you to know you're truly John's people, the people who care
about our earth, its inhabitants, and the future of both.
Thank you most of all to each of you who sent heartfelt support during our long siege
last summer when our daughter hovered between life and death. I am so proud - yup,
that's the word, proud ñ to report that she is well and has returned to work. The
neurosurgeon who opened her skull to find and clip the aneurysm at the base of her
brain, is as astonished as we are, at her rapid recovery. I know in my heart it is
the result of the prayers on her behalf from folks like you all over the world.
One of the very first songs I heard John sing, was "Poems, Prayers and Promises"
- one of his loveliest, and one with a most important message - a message I've quoted
in sermons, dramatic presentations and in articles and stories. Age changes how the
song affects me, but it still brings tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart.
"I've been lately thinkin' about my life's time,
All the things I've done and how it's been,
And I can't help believin' in my own mind -
I know I'm gonna hate to see it endÖ
I have to say it now - it's been a good life all in all,
It's really fine to have the chance to hang around . . .
And talk of poems and prayers and promises and things that
we believe in,
How sweet it is to love someone - how right it is to care,
How long it's been since yesterday - what about tomorrow
And what about our dreams and all the memories we share."
Most of my life, if I ever thought of it, I'd think of all the things I planned
to do when I retired, and one thing was to do nothing. So far, I've haven't had time
to get to "nothin'" so that's where I'm heading now. It's been such an
enriching experience to be your IAT Newsletter Editor.
Rainbows and hugs,
Marcia
(Thanks for everything, Marcia ñ weíll miss you! AS)
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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May 26, 2001 ñ Highway Cleanup, Vail, CO
June 1, 2001 -- Windstar Scholarship Applications due
June 2, 2001 ñ Highway Cleanup, Puget Sound Area
June 3, 2001 -- John Denver Tribute Concert -- Wheaton, IL
June 9, 2001 -- Mack Bailey in Concert, Piperís Pub, Skillman, NJ
June 18-22, 2001 - KIDSWeek at Windstar in Colorado
German JD Club Events:
June 15, Kastelruth in the mountains, info can be obtained from Klara at klara@johndenverclub.de
June 16 or 23, near Goerlitz, info is available from Rena at rena.s@t-online.de
June 23, 2001 ñ Mack Bailey in Concert, Raleigh, NC
June 24-29, 2001 - Educator's Week at Windstar in Colorado
AND Heads up for:
July 15, 2001 -- A Tribute to John Denver: The Man and His Music
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, PA
July 21, 2001 -- Country Roads Folk Festival, Almost Heaven Ranch, West Virginia
July 28-29, 2001 - Windstar One World Bringing Global Issues Home Symposium
Camp Mary Orton, Columbus, Ohio
August 18, 2001 ñ Second Annual John Denver Potluck Picnic Remembrance, Saratoga
Springs, NY
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SEE DETAILS ON CALENDAR EVENTS IN NEWSLETTER
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QUOTE(S) OF THE MONTH
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Two wonderful John Denver quotes for you this month --
The future of life on Earth depends on our ability to see the sacred where others
see only the common.
-- 1991
Music brings people together; it allows us to experience the same emotions. People
everywhere are the same in heart and spirit. No matter what language we speak, what
color we are, the form of our politics or the expression of our love and our faith,
music proves: We are the same.
-- 1995
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FUNDRAISERS
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CYBER IDEA COOKBOOK
They're here! Thanks to the terrific work of our friend Richard Holmes, the 2001
Cyber Idea Cookbook is now available. Each book is $5 and will be sent in the form
of an attached PDF file. A printable form is available at our website -- just click
on the tab at the left marked "Fundraisers". And as a special treat, our
two previous cyber cookbooks are also available again for those who never got one
the first time or would like another one. These are also $5 each. All proceeds go
to The Hunger Project.
Send a check for $5 per book, made out to Ann Schnitz, to:
It's About Time c/o Ann Schnitz
P.O. Box 483
Lionville, PA 19353
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DONATIONS SOUGHT FOR MEMORIAL TREE IN HONOR OF PATTY PEAVEY AND CAROL SMITH
Don't forget!!!
Checks can be made out to Snowmass Chapel Community Center
and mailed to:
Grace (Tigger) Sylvan
1702-H Meridian Ave, #171
San Jose, CA 95125
http://members.theglobe.com/tiggerypum/snowmasstree.html
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NEWS
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PEACE CLOTH NEWS
The John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth needs YOU! With so many upcoming events this
summer and fall, we need your donation of cloth to enlarge the existing Peace Cloth.
Remember ñ it doesnít have to be a masterpiece or embroidered or painted or anything
elseÖjust as long as it carries your wish for Peace for the world. The cloth can
be any length but no wider than 3 feet (36 inches).
Go to http://home.sprynet.com/~aerie01
for more information. Send your donation to:
Peace Cloth
c/o Lana Zinkon
P.O. Box 91
Baltic, OH 43804
(this is a private drop box, not one at a post office)
Also, please contact us at peacecloth@yahoogroups.com
if youíd like to have the Peace Cloth appear at your next event. Thanks to everyone
who has helped in the past and we look forward to hearing from YOU!!
Ö.if peace is our vision, let us beginÖ.
The Peace Cloth Board of Directors
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EARTH DAY NEWS
This section should more properly be called "What I Did on Earth Day"!
Thanks to the following folks who took the time to let us know what they did this
year (and good work, you guys!):
Patty ( Jrspike@fyi.net ) writes:
I co-lead a Girl Scout troop and for Earth Day, we had an earth day activity booth
set up under a big tent at the Pittsburgh Zoo along with other Girl Scout troops
and even Boy Scouts. Our troop did a mock oil spill cleanup (vegetable oil/water
in a small basin), which each scout was able to help with the cleanup. Other scouts
did recycling, making bird houses, all sorts of environmental stuff. I spotted some
people carrying little seedling pine trees and I asked where did they get them and
they replied at the Aquarium.
So after our troop was finished for the day, we headed to see the animals and especially
the aquarium to see the dolphins, etc. There was a bunch of companies, Western PA
Conservancy, and others from the area, and, finally I came across the booth giving
away the pine tree seedlings. It was getting towards the end of the day and there
was a small pile of seedlings laying on the table. I reached for a few, and asked
the person behind the table, can I have l0 for all the Girl Scouts in my troop. He
politely, said, oh sure, that's fine. As I gathered them carefully, I noticed their
little sign (which said what company that they were representing) and guess what....????????
It said............Windstar!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I said, Windstar, is that.......and before
I could finish the lady said, its John Denver's company!! I couldn't believe it!!
They were from the Ohio part of Windstar and the guy used to hand out trees at the
Cleveland Zoo, but has since moved to Pittsburgh, PA, and came to the Pittsburgh
Zoo to hand them out for Earth Day! So I was so excited, and made sure that I told
all of our Girl Scouts, that their trees were from John! We exchanged numbers/email
addy's and we plan to get in touch for more free trees since our troop mainly focuses
on the environment and has done many tree plantings in our local nature trail.
Peace to all,
Patty Speicher (fan of John's since the beginning & miss him so much)
Harmony PA
Keystone Tall Tree Girl Scout Troop #566
Southwest Neighborhood
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Theresa Shea ( TREE1A@aol.com) writes:
Both my boys will do the Boston Walk for Hunger, 20 miles !
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WolfPup (jdwolfpup@earthlink.net ) writes:
Here's what I did for Earth Day. Actually I made it an Earth Day weekend!!
Pennsylvania initiated a program last year to clean PA's state forests of trash.
Most from illegal dumping. The program gathers volunteers to go to various state
forest and clean out the litter left behind. Well, on Saturday, I volunteered for
the clean up scheduled at Michaux State Forest. There were approximately 40 of us
altogether, including a group of girls from Juvenile Detention (I thought this was
an excellent thing!) and we worked from 9am to about 3. Among the things we cleared
out were tires, paint cans, carpets, an old fold up roll away bed, wood, scrap metal,
etc.
On Sunday, the PA Friends of John Denver in Lancaster had their first clean up of
our adopted highway along route 23. I was one of four people to help with this. We
cleaned our 2 mile stretch in 2 hours and then went to Friendly's for ice cream.
It was a very rewarding weekend for me and I felt as if I gave something back to
Mother Earth.
Love gives hope.... WolfPup
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Sherry Cook ( backhomagain@yahoo.com)
writes:
At our last JD highway pick-up, it was suggested by one of our best supporters (Bill,
he's ALWAYS there!) that we move our regularly scheduled pick-up to the next week
to coincide with Earth Day. We all agreed, but we wondered about the REST of his
plans for the day! Usually, it tires us all out just to do our pick-up, and everybody
is ready to get out of there when done. I've always wanted to go somewhere and have
lunch with everyone (yes! even dirty as we are!), but they always are too tired to
go. So, I was really surprised when Bill suggested that we do our pick-up, THEN maybe
go plant a tree in the state park to honor John...but wait, there's more! Not only
that, he wanted to treat us to a real German meal at HIS house and watch JD videos
the REST of the afternoon, THEN have dinner and watch MORE until 11:00 that night!
What a day! I thought, "It sounds good, but it'll never happen!" Never
underestimate good intentions and a friends wishes!
We did our pick-up, which was a "walk in the park!" compared to the usual!
We only had THREE bags of trash!!! We couldn't believe how good people had been!
John's stretch of road was neat and clean with only a very small bit of trash. Way
to go, folks!
I was able to get the "go ahead" to plant a tree in the Myakka River State
Park. They had lost a 150 year-old oak due to lightening and were glad for us to
replace it! The nursery I chose at random, sold us a live oak for half it's list
price! We planted it with lots of sweat and love! It was in a 25lb pot! I visited
it yesterday, and it looks healthy and happy. We wished it a long life and to be
a great sanctuary for the birds and wildlife. We dedicated it in John's memory, and
the granddaughter of one of our group who is three, named it "Little Eagle."
We thought that was especially appropriate! She has a special love for eagles and
squeals with delight whenever she spots the symbol on anything! Sounds like a child
after John's own heart, doesn't it?! Later, we plan to place a plaque at its base
with the inscription: "This tree planted in loving memory of John Denver by
the Friends of John Denver."
After we planted and watered and staked the tree, we went to Bill's house and had
a picnic dinner of bratwursts (soaked in beer and cooked on the grill!), potato salad,
coleslaw, fresh sliced tomatoes, hard rolls and plenty of soft drinks. The ladies
baked cake and brownies, and a good time was had by all! We ate too much to need
to eat again, so we just watched JD videos and visited the rest of the evening. Our
plans to leave at 11:00 turned into 1:00a.m.! We had spent a lot longer outside beneath
the stars feeding the chiminea wood and talking than we thought! It was a wonderful
day and one we will all remember and treasure for a long time, if not forever. We
all felt blessed to be in this special, loving, caring family that John made possible.
It brought us all even closer together.
One member of our group just last week expressed an interest to do something rather
different, like a symposium with several of us speaking on ways to make our world
a better place. We have a lot of talent in the group, and each one has their special
expertise to contribute. It's funny that the very same idea had been working around
in my head for days! I no longer felt that just cleaning up a stretch of road, having
memorials in John's honor and such were enough. I wanted to do more. It looks like
we are definitely going to do just that! Wish us luck, and dare to dream big, my
friends! I'm still amazed day by day just what John is doing in ALL our lives.
"He is so in my heart, he is here, he could never be gone..." We will not
let him be gone; he is always there to encourage us on. So may it be...
Peace and joy,
Sherry :)
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COMING EVENTS
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HIGHWAY CLEANUP, VAIL CO
Evelyn Pinney evepin@colorado.net writes:
Hi, folks!
Spring is in the air here in the Rockies, and the Aspens are turning a shade of new
green.
And it's time to book rooms for the Vail Highway Cleanup!
When: Saturday, May 26th
Where - We'll meet at the Antlers at 9:00, and leave promptly for the highway site.
For those meeting us directly at Mile marker 133 Westbound, we should be there around
10:00 am to pass out bags and vests.
Lunch - Lunch will follow at Peppers Mexican Grill in Edwards, at around 1:00
John Adams will be playing!
If you plan to spend the night, give ROB a call at the ANTLERS - (303)825-8445 or
800-843-8245.
He says rooms are going fast, due to the holiday weekend! Special rates for Colorado
Friends of John Denver is $50.00 per room/per night.
If you have any questions, send me an email or give me a call at 970-926-0918. Hope
to see you all here!
Evelyn
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WINDSTAR SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE -- DEADLINE JUNE
1, 2001
The Windstar Foundation is awarding two $500 scholarships to qualified college students
and one $500 scholarship to a qualified high school student in 2001.
For additional information about the Environmental Studies Scholarship Program, visit
the Windstar Foundation web site at http://www.wstar.org.
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HIGHWAY CLEANUP in the Puget Sound Area
Cheryl Fritz wingscf@yahoo.com writes :
The cleanup normally starts around 8:30. We are north of Marysville on I-5 southbound,
exit 206. Here is the link to my webpage which has directions and a picture of our
sign, and any interested parties can email me for more info. Our group is
small, but we have a great time and the work load isn't too bad, as we go out every
other month.
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/1035/highway.html
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JOHN DENVER TRIBUTE CONCERT
Sunday, June 3, 2001 3:00 PM
Cantigny Park, Wheaton, IL
For those of you in the Chicago area I've been given the opportunity and honor to
host a John Denver Tribute June 3rd Sunday 3pm at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois.
www.cantignypark.com Johns' music has been
a major
influence on my music as well as my philosophy on life in general. It well be a 90
min performance and I have brought together some very talented musician to share
in the fun and hope to do justice to his wonderful legacy of songs.
Warm regards,
Will Kruger
wilbil@quixnet.net
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MACK BAILEY IN CONCERT
June 9, 2001 -- Skillman, NJ,
Piper's Pub 1736 Route 206 South, Skillman, New Jersey 08558 (Between Princeton and
Somerville).
Music starts at 9pm but come earlier and have a wonderful dinner. http://www.catandthefiddle.net
. For more information, call 908-431-4233.
June 23, 2001 ñ House Concert, Raleigh, NC
Vocal Folkus Music Productions.
For info, call 919-539-1417 or email gallica@bellsouth.net
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TIPIS FOR KIDSWeek - DONATIONS SOUGHT
The Windstar Foundation has been granted access to the Windstar Land Conservancy
for the purpose of erecting two tipis to be used as part of the KIDSWeek 2001 educational
program, June 18-22, 2001. The kids, their parents and program staff will erect the
tipis on the first day of camp, as part of a lesson on Native American traditions.
The oldest campers will be given the opportunity to stay
overnight on the land in the tipis with their parents.
Funding Campaign:
Heart of Ohio Windstar Connection has volunteered to drive a funding campaign for
one of the tipis, which has a cost of approximately $2000. We ask for your generous
consideration in supporting KIDSWeek by giving a donation
during this worthwhile campaign. Any additional funds received will be used for other
KIDSWeek program expenses. Time is short before KIDSWeek, so in order to get the
tipis in time for KIDSWeek, it is necessary to receive donations immediately.
Donations:
Please make your check or money order payable to The Windstar Foundation and note
on the memo line the word "tipis". Donations are tax deductible to the
extent provided by law. Please send your donations to:
The Windstar Foundation
Tipis P. O. Box 656 Snowmass, CO 81654
Heartfelt thanks for your support of Windstar's KIDSWeek!
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EDUCATOR'S WEEK AT WINDSTAR IN COLORADO
An Educator's Week is planned for June 24 - 29 at the site of the Windstar Land Conservancy.
Please spread the word to educators who might have interest in participating. Further
information will be posted. Emphasis at the Educator's Week is on integrating environment-related
concepts into elementary and middle school curricula- - with a strong mix of students
spending time outdoors - and indoors - in the process.
Warm regards,
Cheryl Charles
Windstar Foundation
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A TRIBUTE TO JOHN DENVER: THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC
July 15, 2001
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, PA
See http://people.ne.mediaone.net/tybrenn/iat/hawkmtn/ for details
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2ND ANNUAL COUNTRY ROADS FOLK FESTIVAL:
This wonderful folk festival will again take place at the Almost Heaven Ranch in
West Virginia on July 21, 2001. Performers confirmed: Mack Bailey, Bill Danoff, Side
by Side and Tom Paxton ... there will be a special tribute to John Denver. Go to
the following website: www.mofolk.com for additional
information. I went last year and it was wonderful ... don't miss it!!!! Peace-Mary
(eagleshorses@yahoo.com)
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WINDSTAR ONE WORLD Bringing Global Issues Home
July 28-29, Camp Mary Orton, Columbus, OH
Sponsored by the Heart of Ohio Windstar Connection. Speakers will include Ron Deutschendorf,
representatives of the Audubon Society, The Sierra Club and Lana Zinkon, tour coordinator
for the John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth. Write to Lana at zinkon@tusco.net
for more information.
http://www.howc.org/invitation.html
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2ND ANNUAL JOHN DENVER POTLUCK PICNIC REMEMBRANCE DAY
Date: SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2001
Place: Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs, NY
Time: 8 a.m. - till 6 p.m. (Park open until park close.)
The address for the park is: 19 Roosevelt Court, Saratoga Springs, NY and you can
go to http://www.expediamaps.com to get
directions.
This is to be a family event; therefore children are indeed welcome.
BRING whatever is needed for each family or person coming [this would include things
such as plates, cups and silverware, drinks, lawn chairs, blankets and any other
thing you feel you will need for a day at a park.]
Please bring a share dish that can feed 8 or more people.
Also, please bring 1 garbage bag-- this is a carry in/carry out place.
We will be trading **SWAPS**, which are small handcrafted items, placed in a baggie
and marked inside with an ID tag -- name, e-mail. date, and where from. These can
be traded with anyone there to keep as a remembrance of the day.
We will be playing John Denver's music throughout the day!!
If you want to attend, please contact me at:
Sherianna@hotmail.com or Meg at mpdreamer1@yahoo.com
Peace,
Sheri
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INSPIRING MESSAGES
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Thanks to Dave and Pam Nelson (pamdave@bright.net)
for sending this ñ I really love it!
I N S T R U C T I O N S F O R L I FE, per the Dalai Lama
1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others, and Responsibility
for all your actions
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be
able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't
bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth
16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other
exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
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The following are excerpts from the May issue of the National Wildlife Federationís
EnviroAction newsletter. Write to the NWF at enviro@nwf.org to subscribe.
ARCTIC REFUGE AND THE GWICH'IN
Faith Gemmill is a member of the National Wildlife Federation Board of Directors,
and a member of Alaska's native Gwich'in Nation. She is also a noted advocate for
the protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil exploitation. Her
unique and poignant perspective on this contentious issue follows:
The Gwich'in Nation of Northeast Alaska and Northwest Canada remains firmly committed
to the establishment of permanent protection of the coastal plain of the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge. We are joining the nationwide call by human rights, religious and
environmental organizations for the Refuge to be designated as "wilderness"
to achieve this. We are appealing to the public to defend our inherent, fundamental
human right to continue our own way of life by supporting the establishment of the
area as "wilderness" for all time and for all of humankind.
In 1988 Gwich'in elders directed the Gwich'in Nation to seek permanent protection
for the birthplace and nursery of the 130,000-numbered Porcupine caribou herd in
the Arctic Refuge. The Gwich'in culture and way of life would be irreversibly destroyed
if oil exploration, development and production were allowed in this highly sensitive
area.
The Gwich'in, a nation of 7,000 people continuing to live a subsistence way of life,
live in 15 isolated villages along the migratory route of the Porcupine caribou herd.
The caribou provide the Gwich'in with all our essential needs physically, culturally,
socially and spiritually, providing food, clothing, tools, medicines and more. Ancient
songs and dances tell the story of the relationship between the caribou and Gwich'in.
The coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is known to the Gwich'in
as "Vadzaih Googii Vi Dehk'it Gwanlii," which means "The Sacred Place
Where Life Begins." In the traditional beliefs of the Gwich'in, a birthplace
should never be disturbed or intruded upon; it must be respected and protected to
ensure the perpetuation of life.
The integrity of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge must be preserved, not just
for the caribou and the Gwich'in, but because it is an important, life-sustaining
ecosystem for 135 species of migratory birds and denning polar bear, and a year-round
home to musk oxen. The Arctic Refuge is the last five percent of the America's Arctic
coastline that is still protected. The remaining 95 percent is open to development.
The Bush administration and Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska), chairman of the Senate
Energy and Natural Resources Committee, seek to open the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge to oil development as part of their energy policy. The National Energy Security
Act of 2001 was introduced recently by Sen. Murkowski, with development of the Arctic
Refuge as a priority of the bill.
In defense of the Refuge, Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) and Reps. Nancy Johnson
(R-Conn.) and Ed Marky (D-Mass.) have introduced the Morris K. Udall Wilderness Act,
which would designate the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as
"wilderness."
Please contact your representatives and communicate to them that the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge is not the answer to the energy needs of America, it should not be
portrayed as such, and it must be preserved. Ask them to cosponsor the Morris K.
Udall Wilderness Act to achieve the protection of this unique area.
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YELLOWSTONE BISON
Ignoring science and concerned citizens' outrage, the state of Montana has slaughtered
five wild buffalo for no reason other than the animals had crossed the Yellowstone
National Park border to adjacent public lands. The five killed were members of the
nation's largest remaining wild buffalo herd, and a critical part of America's grasslands
heritage.
"The new Montana governor's decision to kill these animals ignores balanced
management and simply kowtows to one special interest group," said Steve Torbit,
NWF's buffalo program director. "This slaughter betrays all Americans, because
the buffalo are the public's wildlife."
On March 15, 2001, Montana's Department of Livestock captured seven buffalo and slaughtered
two males, the first buffalo killed in more than two years. On March 22, seven more
bulls were captured and three bulls were slaughtered. Both killings took place near
Horse Butte, part of the buffalo herd's winter range outside of Yellowstone National
Park.
NWF maintains the buffalo were killed for no reason, because: --- The slaughtered
buffalo posed no risk of transmitting the abortive disease brucellosis to cattle.
Though the buffalo tested positive for the disease, brucellosis has never been known
to spread from wild buffalo to domestic cattle.
--- The animals slaughtered were all males. Brucellosis transmission is almost certainly
limited to birth events by infected females, a fact supported by a recent National
Academy of Science study. Even under the current U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS) regulations, when a cattle herd is diagnosed as brucellosis positive,
the bulls are ignored due to the nearly impossible chance they can transmit the disease
to healthy females; and
--- All cattle that could potentially co-mingle with buffalo are eligible for brucellosis
vaccination. The latest management document concerning Yellowstone buffalo, the Record
of Decision issued last December, clearly states that if livestock producers do not
voluntarily vaccinate 100 percent of the test-eligible cattle in the analysis area,
Montana will work with APHIS to achieve 100 percent vaccination. APHIS has agreed
to provide funding to certify eligible cattle herds within the bison management area
as
brucellosis-free.
"The fact that the state of Montana is slaughtering male buffalo that have the
lowest risk of transmission at a time when there are no cattle even present is a
testament to the state's slaughter-based -- not science-based -- wildlife management
policies," said Torbit. "These buffalo are not vermin to be exterminated,
but a valuable resource that belongs to the American people."
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CONTROLLING MERCURY
Those in favor of protecting people and wildlife from toxic mercury emissions have
taken a stand. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Wildlife
Federation each filed motions in court last month to dismiss the electric utility
industry's attempts to overturn the recent EPA decision to regulate mercury and other
toxic air pollutants (EnviroAction, April 2001).
Two electric utility trade groups, the Utility Air Regulatory Group and Edison Electric
Institute, recently filed a lawsuit in the Federal Court of Appeals in Washington,
D.C., demanding that the power industry remain exempt from the national emissions
standards required for every other major source of mercury. NWF and a coalition of
environmental organizations filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit against EPA, while
at the same time EPA filed a separate motion to dismiss the industry lawsuit. EPA's
action follows the "Petition of Opposition" that NWF and 46 other conservation
groups filed with the agency, demanding that it not back down on its decision to
regulate mercury.
"EPA's action is welcome news that the agency is willing to stand up to the
power plant industry to protect people and wildlife from power plant pollution,"
said Felice Stadler, national policy director of NWF's Clean the Rain Campaign. "We
are seeing the first indication that EPA and the administration will not cave in
to the power plant industry on mercury, as they did on global climate change."
The lawsuit filed by industry claimed that EPA's decision to regulate mercury emissions
from power plants is arbitrary and capricious under the Clean Air Act. EPA last year
decided that such standards were necessary because of mercury's harm to people and
wildlife, and started this year to develop rules.
"The industry's lawsuit is groundless," said Neil Kagan, water quality
attorney for NWF who drafted the environmental organizations' motion to dismiss.
"Industry has no basis to challenge the science or law that EPA used to make
its decision to require controls for power plant mercury emissions. There is no scientific
dispute that mercury damages people and wildlife, that power plants are the largest
source of mercury in the U.S., and that power plants are the only major source that
have no required mercury controls."
Power plants in the U.S. emit approximately 100,000 pounds of mercury into the air
each year. This mercury ends up deposited back onto the land and into the water,
where it concentrates as it moves up the food chain. High concentrations of mercury
in fish contaminate the women, children, sports fishermen and subsistence anglers
who eat them. In March, the Centers for Disease Control released a study indicating
that one in ten U.S. women of childbearing age had levels of mercury in their bodies
that exceed EPA safe levels, creating a risk of neurological problems for their newborns.
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NEWSLETTER NEWS
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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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