IAT NEWSLETTERApril 2004HAPPY EARTH DAY! |
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Calendar of Events | Environmental News | For Sale | Fundraisers |
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Letter from the President | Letters | Newsletter News | Organization Information |
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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 (notmartha2@yahoo.com)
Co-Founder and Secretary -- Theresa Shea (Tree1A@aol.com)
Co-Founder/Webpage Designer-Sandy Clark (tybrenn@comcast.net)
Co-Presidents -- Ann Schnitz (aerie01@comcast.net) and
Mary Ledford (eagleshorses@yahoo.com)
Web Site -- -- http://home.comcast.net/~tybrenn/iat/
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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Dear Friends,
I hope everyone is having a lovely and peaceful spring! A big thanks to all of you
who sent such wonderful contributions for this month's newsletter. Keep 'em coming!
And please continue to keep us in mind when you attend an event or participate in
a community project, etc. -- your fellow IATers would love to hear about it! Do
anything special for Earth Day? Tell us!
Thanks again, and on with the show!
My heart to yours,
Ann
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
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"Trees have a curious relationship to
the subject of the present moment. There are many created things in the universe
that outlive us, that outlive the sun, even, but I can't think about them. I live
with trees. There are creatures under our feet, creatures that live over our heads,
but trees live quite convincingly in the same filament of air we inhabit, and, in
addition, they extend impressively in both directions, up and down, shearing rock
and fanning air, doing their real business just out of reach. A blind man's idea
of hugeness is a tree. They have their sturdy bodies and special skills; they garner
fresh water; they abide."
~Annie Dillard
(for my friend, Tree, with love -- AS)
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FUNDRAISER
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Nothing to report this month
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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April 30, 2004 * Denver, Colorado - "John
Denver Celebrated!" A benefit for the Two Hearts Cabin Restoration Project -
Featuring Mack Bailey and Chris Nole. 7:30pm Tickets: $22.50 Swallow Hill, 71 E.
Yale Avenue / twoheartscabin@yahoo.com Swallow Hill Box Office: 1-877-214-7013; www.geocities.com/highpeak_99/WindstarColoradoConnection.html
May 1, 2004 * Claremont, CA - Claremont Spring Folk Festival / Larkin Park
1:15pm Jim Curry's band, "Timberline" 3:00pm Jim & Anne Curry lead
a 2 hourJohn Denver Songs Sing-Along
$12 Presale ($15 at the festival)
www.claremontfolkfest.com * doug.thomson2@gte.net
(909) 987-5701
May 1, 2004 * Georgetown, Texas * "Picnic
in the Park / Tribute to John Denver" San Gabriel Park Gazebo / Meet &
Greet at Noon / Country Road Singers 1:00pm Bring your chair/blanket, drinks and
lunch.
worley@mail.utexas.edu Bob & Kathy Worley (512) 930-9531
May 8, 2004 * Christopher Westfall, Charlie Zahm, & Tad Marks at their SECOND ANNUAL SPRING FOLK CONCERT starting 7:30 PM at the Salem United Church of Christ in Doylestown, PA. Email honer@erols.com
May 15, 2004 * Marlton, NJ * Christopher Westfall
- Perkfection Coffee House (Route 73, Sagemore Drive) 7:30pm http://www.perkfectioncoffee.com
(856) 810-7375
May 15, 2004 * U.K. / Mark Robinson will perform a free concert. St. Joseph The Worker
Church Hall / Demontfort Way, Coventry. Info: christine@fojd.org.uk ; http://www.fojd.org.uk
May 16, 2004 * Monterey, CA - John Adams in a House Concert at 12 Dunecrest Avenue
7:00pm / RSVP (Important) (831) 373-7780 email: jtherrien@pacbell.net
May 22, 2004 - Tiburon, Ca - John Denver Memorial
Concert 7:00pm Community Congregational Church, 145 Rock Hill Dr. Jim and Anne Curry
performing. (510) 234-8843; George Schumer: Itamazesus@aol.com
June 5, 2004 * Baltimore, MD "A Musical
Tribute to John Denver" / (John Denver's former band members, The Hard Travelers
and a Peabody string quartet) Peabody Concert Hall / One Mount Vernon Place / 8:00pm
$40 (410) 955-4284 www.son.jhmi.edu / M.U.S.E. Foundation & KO Productions / Benefit
for Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
July 24, 2004 - Princeton, NJ * Christopher Westfall - Cafe Improv, 102 Witherspoon
St., http://www.cafeimprov.com -- John Irving: (609) 921-3857
June 25-27, 2004 - Snowmass, Colorado - 2004 Windstar Colorado Connection
Summer Retreat "Restoration & Renewal" on the Windstar land in Snowmass.
Registration $40.00 Dreaux: dreuxdog@comcast.net
July 29, 2004 - Estes Park, CO - "John Denver Tribute Concert" Brad Fitch.
7:00pm - Performance Park in Downtown Estes Park.
http://www.tropicowboy.com/gigschedule.htm
August 5, 2004 - Banning, CA - Jim Curry &
Friends at the "Laura May Stewart Bowl Building Concert Series" http://www.jimcurrymusic.com (909) 922-3243, Banning, CA Web Page: http://www.ci.banning.ca.us/
August 6-8, 2004 * Las Vegas, NV * John Denver Tribute Concert / Jim Curry and the
John Denver Tribute Band / Silverton Casino / http://www.silvertoncasino.com; (866) 668-6688
August 15, 2004 * NH Friends of John Denver Barbecue and Highway Cleanup / Cleanup
1:00pm / Barbecue 3:00pm; Diane dnilsson@tellink.net / Barbecue will be at McDowell
Lake in Peterborough, NH / gerrich@crosswinds.net;
http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/eml/emlhome.htm; Paul Swanton & Friends will perform.
September 11, 2004 - South Lake Tahoe JD Tribute
Event is being Organized.
Bill Templin 916-601-9954. For information: kingsriverwet@hotmail.com
September 19, 2004 * Spring Grove, IL / "John Denver Tribute" at the Shades
of Autumn Music Festival / "Will Kruger & Cross Roads. 12:00 Noon / Info:
wilbil@quixnet.net
September 24, 2004 * Snowmass, CO * Windstar Foundation: NEW Choices
for Your Future Symposium http://www.wstar.org WindstarCO@wstar.org
September 25, 2004 * Annapolis, MD / 4th Annual "Music From the Mountains - A Tribute to John Denver" (John Denver's former band members, The Hard Travelers, and The Peabody String Quartet). Maryland Hall Center for the Performing Arts / Tickets & Ordering information to be announced.
ANNUAL JOHN DENVER TRIBUTE EVENTS
October 1-3, 2004 - Salida, CO - John Denver
Celebration / Seating limited to 200. $65 christinesmith@amigo.net
Check or money order payable to "JD Celebration LLC - Christine Smith
/ 1115 E. Rainbow Blvd. / Suite 206 / Salida, Colorado 81201 http://www.johndenverlegacy.com
October 3-17, 2004 - U.K. "Friends of John Denver" Trip to Aspen, Colorado
*
http://www.fojd.org.uk
janet.wakeman@ntlworld.com / Janet Wakeman / 93 Woodlands Avenue / West Byfleet
/ Surrey / KT14 6AP
October 7, 2004 - Aspen, CO - Aspen "Meet & Greet" / Worship Service
/ More information as it becomes available.
October 7, 2004 - Aspen, CO - "Rocky Mountain Memory", a John Denver Tribute Benefit concert starring Ron Rich and his band. District Theater 8:00pm $20 (970) 920-5770; Benefits the Windstar Foundation / lvscoy@aol.com http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com
October 8, 2004 - Aspen, CO / Peace Cloth
Concert, Silent Auction and Presentation of 2004 Vision Award / Mountain Chalet 1:00pm
/ with Chris Collins and others to be announced. $20 / Eve Kleinfeld < EEEEEKL@aol.com
October 8-10, 2004 * Aspen, Colorado - "A Musical Tribute to John Denver"
at the Wheeler Opera House (John Denver's former band members, The Hard Travelers,
and a special string quartet). (970) 920-5770 Fundraiser for Challenge Aspen. Tickets
on sale 7-1-04. http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com
October 9, 2004 * Aspen, Colorado * "Let This Be A Voice" Auction/Lunch/Concert
11:30am - 3:30pm Mt. Chalet Ballroom $20 (or $10 for just the concert/auction)
Check/M.O. payable to Pamela Beasley / 721 Ravencroft Drive / Garland, TX 75043 Pam
< pamela.beasley@airmail.net > Mary < eagleshorses@yahoo.com
>
October 16, 2004 * Wilmington, NC - "A Musical Tribute to John Denver" (John Denver's former band members, The Hard Travelers, and a special string quartet). Thalian Hall / Benefit for Yahweh Center Children's Village / Tickets and Ordering information to be announced.
November 13, 2004 - Flanders, NJ - Christopher
Westfall at Crossroads Coffeehouse 8:00pm http://www.crossroadsmtolive.org/coffeehouse.htm
November 13, 2004 - U.K. - Autumn Denver Day at the Avenue Bowling Club, Gaveston
Road, Coundon, Coventry. http://www.fojd.org.uk
(thanks to Emily Parris and the Rocky Mountain High newsletter for these dates)
REMINDER::: The John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth is available for all JD-related
events. Please email peaceclothinfo@yahoogroups.com for more information, or see our website at www.johndenverpeacecloth.com
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LETTERS
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From Carole Bell (crbell@temple.edu):
Hi IAT,
I just got back from one of the best vacations I've ever had. Forty-five of
Mack Bailey's friends and fans joined him and his family on a fabulous five
day tour of the West Country of Ireland.
We laughed for four straight days. What a fabulous trip! Imagine 48 people
on a bus with everyone getting along. Everybody knew at least one or two
others, but we didn't know everyone. It was such a great group. And our
guide was absolutely perfect!!! He was young and cute and smart and funny
and of course full of the blarney. We were all madly in love within the
first day.
The first two days were very cool and windy. There were severe storms.
Sunshine and then black clouds and rain. We arrived at the Cliffs of Moher
with 70 mph gale force winds. I could hardly stand up. It was too windy to
go up to the top. But although we had two damp days it was so much better
than tons of tourists. Derik (our guide) said that later in the season, the
places we visited would be packed with tour buses. This way, we had the
whole place to ourselves. We did the Ring of Kerry, Blarney and Bunratty
castles and shopping in Galway. We also visited a bog village. We took a
pony ride through Kilarney National Park with a very salty driver. We saw
five rainbows in four days.
Mack and Kevin played every night in the hotel and then some folks went out
to pubs to hear local music. Derik's girlfriend plays with her sisters in a
band so we went to hear them play and then they joined Mack and Kevin in the
hotel the next night. Mack and Kevin played every song they knew. By the
last night they were digging the bottom of the barrel playing old, silly
songs. Another musician who was playing in the hotel bar suggested to Kevin
that they might want to update their repetoire. Kevin didn't want to try to
explain to him that this was the fourth night they had played to the same
audience :-) Can't wait 'til next year.
Carole Bell
*****
From Judy Therrien (jtherrien@pacbell.net):
News from Monterey, CA: A week ago I was in Colorado, to ski with a
young friend for a week, as a memorial tribute to her mom who died of cancer
three years ago. Since then, the daughter had not been able to ski as it
was the activity they loved doing together most. The daughter flew in from
Boston and I met her at the Denver airport and we headed for Aspen after
spending the night in Littleton with my daughter. It was so special, taking
the Rocky Mountain High Lift up to the summit of Snowmass and skiing down
the Whispering Jesse Trail and dedicating each run to my favorite singers.
We skied each day from 10-3; and from 3-6 you can guess where we were each
day, Friday, Sat. & Sun; yes, in our hotel's lobby next to the slopes, five
feet from John Sommers and his many musical friends, singing and smiling.
Incredibly wonderful memories from that week abound!
*****
From Annalisa Berns (aberns@hotmail.com):
All-
One person can have a dramatic impact upon the well being of others and our
world. This is particularly true during the spring time. Please consider
spaying or neutering your cats and dogs before they bring more animals into
the world. For the past couple of months, I have visited my local animal
shelter. There are so many wonderful dogs and cats that are unwanted. Please
do not bring more animals into the world while shelter animals die. Also, if
you are thinking about bringing a cat or dog into your home, please visit
your local shelter before the pet store.
Thanks!
Annalisa Berns
(And if you're looking for a particular breed of dog or cat, a rescue organization
is a good place to start your search -- AS)
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From Norma Kolias (starwood@rocketmail.com):
Hello Again..
It's been such a long time since I wrote anything for submission in a "JD"
newsletter/paper, etc., so please bear with me. There may be a few folks
out there that remember me......we had some crazy times, eh?
As with most of you, John was such a major part of my life--I just loved
him. Loved Loved Loved him, no ands ifs or buts about it, he was a major
impact in my life, always there to cheer me up with his music. There were a
few of us that would travel to different cities just to catch his show and
we were lucky sometimes to get backstage (Thanks to KO! God bless him!!).
We'd all meet up and have dinner -- we'd stay at the same hotel he was
staying, we'd have a cocktail after the show at the bar (sometimes the same
bar JD would show up at)... a lot of the times, actually, most of the time,
we heard him tell the same stories... tell the same jokes....laugh at
himself....try his best to get the lead guitar part perfect on "Dreamland
Express." He once said that that was his only lead and he didn't want to
screw it up... hahaha.
I was fortunate enough to be at the memorials in Aurora and Aspen. However,
over the years, I lost touch with a lot of my old cohorts....and I've kept
in touch with a few.....I've been back to Aspen a few times, traveled to
Monterey a few times. I found other interests and made new friends......all
the while NEVER ever forgetting about John Denver himself.
And in my new adventures and travels to Los Angeles (Woodland Hills, CA), I
found that the area I "hung around" in was the area that was mentioned
in
his movie "Oh God!" (coincidence?) Another "JD connection" was
that one of
my newfound buds had been the soundman for JD during the 80's concerts (P.
Cowsill). Another coincidence?.me thinks not!
I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer (early February). Things can
move pretty quickly when this happens and before I knew it, I was scheduled
for surgery! Don't get me wrong, I'm a believer in modern technology and
medicines, but I'm also a big believer in the power of the spirit and
energy. I've seen my chiropractor for many years now and she's very
involved with homeopathic services. Her partner is involved in it as well,
emphasis on energy balancing. They're very good, gentle people. When I
called them to tell them about the diagnosis and to set up an appointment
for some energy work, Nancy (the energy balancing/healer person) yelled out
that I should listen to some John Denver music! I had mentioned to them
that I was a big lover of him and his music. But I honestly didn't expect
them to remember this. Needless to say, I always have his music playing
somewhere, be it at home, or the office, or the car or just in my
head/heart.
HA! Have I lost you yet?..my story does have a point.. so. I start listening
to him more intensely every chance I get and I hear the beauty of his
words.. the magic of his voice, so soothing. healing.. gentle, ever loving
and nurturing.
My surgery was performed shortly after my birthday, Feb 27. And as they go
thru the preliminary prep work for my surgery, I am given some meds that
will "relax" me, and as some of you may be familiar, I go into this relaxed
state, and when I get wheeled into the surgery room, I realize that I'm
hearing John Denver singing. I'm thinking.. ok. just where am I??? I soon
realize that the doctor or someone involved with my surgery is playing a
John Denver CD!!!! I hear "...take me home." and I am then wide awake--much
to the dismay of those in the room. and I declare: That's JOHN DENVER!
I find out later from the anesthesiologist that they almost NEVER play
music, much less JD!..another coincidence??? ..Me thinks not again! I do
believe in God and continually feel his presence and have felt his strength
throughout all this, and as a special blessing, JD was there as
well...perhaps making sure that one of his own was all right.
I just had to share this with y'all... because as y'all know...
There are those who will lead us
Protect us each step of the way
From beginning to end
For each moment, forever each day
Such a gift has been given
It can never be taken away
So I listen to the voices inside me
For I know they are there just to guide me
And my faith will proclaim it is so
We are never alone
Thank you for reading this and I hope each one of you is healthy, happy and
listening to JD!
Peace,
Norma Kolias, Dallas, Texas
(I hope everything turned out fine for you, Norma -- thanks for sharing your story
-- AS)
*****
From Carole Romanowski (whispjesse@aol.com)
"The Falling Leaves"
I would like to present an issue that I feel needs urgent attention. It is
the shameful and shocking number of elderly or disabled people "dropped off"
at nursing homes who are rarely, if ever, visited by their families or loved
ones. Since senior longevity is growing, along with long-term care
requirements, abandonment by families is also growing, especially among
Alzheimers patients whose families mistakenly believe the patients will
forget their loved ones.
I discovered this growing problem while my family and I decided, within the
last 5 years, to visit with residents at Taylor Care Center Nursing Home in
Valhalla, NY, l5 minutes from my home. I remembered John Denver would visit
the "falling leaves" in nursing homes, the "ones without a 'home'",
who were
formerly just like you and I, to make a positive difference in their lives
by giving of his time and love.
Unlike in a hospital setting, nursing home residents are grouped around
nurses' stations on their floor, and also participate in group activities
such as arts and crafts tailored to their level of ability, attend in-house
concerts, group readings and music appreciation, and enjoy outdoor barbecues
on nursing home grounds in the summer.
However, the residents greatly miss the one-to-one interpersonal
relationships with family and close friends and have often voiced this to
me. They see family mostly just on holidays and, even then, for a short
time.
To exacerbate this situation, with cutbacks and staff layoffs due to
financial constraints, I have witnessed only two nurses per 42 patients in a
given wing. Although the level of care was still high, immediate attention
to resident needs was sacrificed.
This is what you can do when visiting or volunteering your time in a
nursing home facility. If a resident is thirsty, fill plastic cups at
nurses' stations with water from nearby fountains. Donate warm sox and
closed-in slippers, two items always in need. Do not purchase slip-on
slippers as wheelchair patients kick them off and cannot retrieve them. And
use an indelible ink marker to label the footwear so it returns to the
resident after laundering in the facility. Wheel residents into the solarium
for a view of the outdoors and a change of scenery, or wheel them outside
for fresh air. Flowers or donated plants placed at nurses' stations brighten
up the residents' area. Paperback books you've read and music cassettes,
preferably by JD, are welcome to pass the residents' time and provide
enjoyment.
Save picturesque and scenic paper calendar pages and greeting cards to
decorate the walls of resident rooms. Forgot scotch tape? The nursing
supply closet has surgical tape and suture scissors to tape up the artwork.
And don't forget holidays. For example, miniature pumpkins, under a dollar
each, are greatly appreciated by each resident, as are an inexpensive box
of colorful spun-thread Christmas balls to fasten to each resident's door.
Plus, the snack and soda machines, usually located in the lobby, are a
great place to wheel the residents for an inexpensive "treat", after
checking with the head nurse that no one has a specific dietary restriction
such as with diabetes. In addition, bring in a pizza for a nice change of
pace.
And if you're dealing with a female resident, she would greatly appreciate a
manicure and her nails painted with that half-empty bottle of nail polish
you have at home, as well as a new hair clip after you brush her hair.
Also, a large bottle of low-priced body spray can be apportioned into many
small dime-store atomizer spray bottles to delight, freshen up and lift the
spirits of many residents.
Above all, bring love and comfort to the residents, sing to them, call a
nurse if they need one, assist in feeding them in the lunch room, and
remember their birthdays with a card or a birthday helium balloon. It's a
small purchase for you but means a lot to them.
One of my most precious memories of the last 5 years is wheeling a patient I
"adopted" into the lunch room and being stopped by a nurse who commented,
"How nice to see you have your family with you today," while the patient
proudly replied, "Yes, this is my sister."
This kind of volunteering has no schedule and no time-table. It is
user-friendly so go when you can. If you work during the week, visit at
night or when an hour or two on weekends permits
Giving nursing home residents a sense of family and belonging with hands-on
experience will change your life. The rewards are symbiotically incredible!
They are gifts exchanged by both sides. I know how John must have felt when
he visited those abandoned "falling leaves", and I know he would agree
with
me that the kiss and big smile from the resident during the visit is
everything! When there is a problem, you be part of the solution. For John
tells us:
"Are we the ones to bear this shame
And they the sacrifice."
"If I could have one wish on earth
Of all I can conceive
It would be to see another Spring
And bless the falling leaves."
*****
From Mel Trondson (PeacefulEagle@aol.com):
HEY EVERYONE,
For those of you who are not familiar with Wildlife Creations, it is a
wonderful site! The founders of Wildlife Creations are Diana Taylor and
Susan Moyer, most of you know these great gals as Yellowstone Wolf and
Wolfpup. Wildlife Creations was founded to raise money for WIndstar and for
the National Wildlife Federation. On this site you will see products that
are for sale. The proceeds of the sales of these items go to benefit these
wonderful organizations.
Many of these items are handmade by Wolf and Pup and I am sure you will love
what ya see. I encourage you to check out the earrings that are being made.
They are Native American beaded earrings and are precious and beautiful as
ever! The cost is minimal for such crafty handiwork!
Please do yourself a favor and check out their site. There is something
there for everyone.
God bless and peace in your hearts always,
MEL
http://www.geocities.com/wldlifecreation/
or click on this link
WildlifeCreations
*****
From Sandy Clark (tybrenn@comcast.net):
My copy of "Poems, Prayers and Promises- The Art and Soul of John Denver"
arrived today! Yippee!
Until the mailman came, today had been a bad day. Bad cold, traffic,
bills, computer trouble, new glasses for one son, braces for another.
Things just weren't looking up...until I saw that package on the front
steps! I knew right away what it was. My husband had ordered the book for
me for my birthday, back in December, and of course it hadn't arrived on
time. We had given up hope that it was ever coming until Ann's e-mail last
week. That made me check our Amazon.com account to see what was up. To my
dismay, the book still hadn't shipped. And then a few days ago, I was
paying bills online and I noticed a credit card charge from Amazon. I knew
we hadn't bought anything, but then I remembered the book. Could it finally
be on it's way?
Well, today the package arrived, and I couldn't wait to open it. My
birthday present was finally here! I grabbed the book and forgot everything
else. I sat down on my swing outside and started to flip through the pages.
What wonderful photos and heart warming stories. My troubles just melted
away in the nice warm sun. I couldn't have asked for a better timed
delivery! Or a sweeter birthday present.
I highly recommend "Poems, Prayers and Promises- The Art and Soul of John
Denver" as a cure, even if only temporary, for the stresses of everyday
life!
Sandy Clark
(Gotta chime in here -- can't recommend this enough -- it's simply
beautiful! AS)
*****
From Mary Ledford (eagleshorses@yahoo.com):
Hi everyone!
Got this e-mail from Mack Bailey. People should respond to the Rams Head
directly: ramshead33@aol.com
The California concerts so far have been very successful!
Mary
I am enjoying being a member of the Limeliters. All of our performances so
far are in California and Phoenix. If you are interested in the Limeliters coming
to
the Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis, let them know.
Thanks,
Mack
www.mackbailey.com
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WEBSITES OF INTEREST
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None this month
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FOR SALE
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Peace Cloth Items!
Don't forget to check out www.johndenverpeacecloth.com (Peace Cloth Store) for exclusive
John Denver items. All proceeds benefit The John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth.
Also -- if you shop online, please visit our virtual mall: www.johndenverpeacecloth.onecause.com -- every sale at a store in the mall returns a donation
to the Cloth. The Peace Cloth now has eScrip -- please see our website for
more information.
*****
If you're looking for something special
for a special someone, come check out what Wildlife Creations (http://www.geocities.com/wldlifecreation)
has to offer!! We have many items relating to John Denver and other items that would
make fantastic gifts for people you know and love! Or a gift for someone who
is hard to buy for, something that they will talk about for years! From keychains,
snowglobes, t-shirts, potpourri jars and more!!! We're sure you'll find
something! And remember, whenever you purchase from Wildlife Creations, you're not
only giving a gift to someone you know, but to the Windstar Foundation and also the
National Wildlife Federation, in John's memory, for wolf education as all proceeds
are given to them. Wildlife Creations is now offering a feature product. Checkout
the website for this month's offering! For more information, you can email
us at wldlifecreation@wildmail.com.
In this healing time...
Thank you for helping to make the world
a better place in which to live,
Diana and Susan
Wildlife Creations
http://www.geocities.com/wldlifecreation
*****
For Sale to a good home - beautiful JD commemorative Taylor koa 6-string Grand Auditorium
size with revolutionary Expression Sound System and "Spirit" Windstar statue
inlay. Package includes Small Dog insulated case cover. # 143 finished April 8, 2003
(20030408143 JDCM) of the limited edition. Payment by money order or cashier's check
only. Email price / details: eagleflight@skyhigh.com
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
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A Biweekly Update from Defenders of Wildlife:
Working to Save Wildlife and Wild Lands
Feds Refuse to Act to Stop Aerial Hunting of Wolves in Alaska
Yellowstone Bison Continue to Be Killed
Mark Earth Day with a Wildlife Adoption!
Removal of Cattle and Fences Will Help Protect Sonoran Pronghorn
Defenders Legal Team Successful Again
Legislation Proposed to Save Vanishing Sea Turtles
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1. Feds Refuse to Act to Stop Aerial Hunting of Wolves in Alaska
Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton has rejected a petition by Defenders that could
ultimately have stopped the aerial hunting of Alaska's wolves. In February, Defenders
asked the Bush administration to clarify that Alaska's program violates the Federal
Airborne Hunting Act by issuing clarifying regulations. At least 140 wolves have
been killed so far this season, and up to 500 wolves in a 30,000-square-mile area
could be killed next season following the state's expansion of the program. Learn
more.
2. Yellowstone Bison Continue to Be Killed
In a misguided effort to prevent the transmission of the disease brucellosis between
cattle and bison, at least 277 of Yellowstone National Park's bison have been killed
this season through a federal- and state-sanctioned program. The fears of brucellosis
transmission are greatly exaggerated as scientists have never documented a case of
the disease spreading from bison to cattle in the wild. Legislation has been introduced
to protect Yellowstone bison on public lands outside of the park. Visit our action
center and go to alert #296 to ask your representative to support this legislation.
3. Mark Earth Day with a Wildlife Adoption!
On April 22, people from around the world will mark the 34th anniversary of Earth
Day by demonstrating their love for wildlife and the habitat it needs to survive.
You can join with them by helping to protect imperiled wild animals with a wildlife
adoption gift through Defenders of Wildlife. Help us achieve our Earth Day goal of
2,500 new wildlife adoptions. Your tax-deductible adoption gift will help fund legal,
media, public outreach,
education and grassroots efforts to protect imperiled species for future generations.
And wildlife adoptions make great gifts, too. This Earth Day help ensure a healthy
future for magnificent wildlife by making a wildlife adoption gift. Visit www.wildlifeadoption.org
today.
4. Removal of Cattle and Fences Will Help Protect Sonoran Pronghorn
After years of Defenders' legal wrangling, the federal Bureau of Land Management
is proposing to remove cattle and fences from important Sonoran pronghorn habitat
in Arizona. The proposal - that Defenders pushed for - would allow the pronghorn,
whose U.S. population has plummeted from 282 in 1994 to less than 25 animals today,
to access almost 60,000 acres of land vital to the animal's recovery. Please send
an e-mail today to support the bureau's decision.
5. Defenders Legal Team Successful Again
Defenders recently won a court ruling in its effort to view documents that might
indicate why the Bush administration suddenly suspended and began revising the rules
for managing our national forests, and whether there was any direct industry influence
over these decisions. The Bush administration appointees who made the changes, including
former timber industry lobbyist Mark Rey, told Defenders they didn't have a single
record of the effort. A federal court called this response inadequate and essentially
told Mr. Rey to look again. The court also found that the Department of Agriculture,
which oversees the Forest Service, gave no indication they searched their offices
in response to Defenders' request, and ordered a new search. The court also demanded
that the Forest Service explain why it withheld from Defenders three-quarters of
the records it located. Learn more.
6. Legislation Proposed to Save Vanishing Sea Turtles
In a promising development for the world's endangered sea turtles, Rep. Wayne Gilchrest
(R-Maryland) has introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would
provide much needed funding to save these vanishing species. The Marine Turtle Conservation
Act would authorize up to $5 million per year for sea turtle conservation projects
around the world. The funding is desperately needed - hundreds of thousands of turtles
are killed by poachers every year, and thousands more are killed in gillnets and
other fishing gear. Other threats include coastal development and oil and gas drilling,
such as that approved by the Bush administration on Padre Island National Seashore,
which destroy sea turtle nesting beaches. Please contact your representative and
let them know that you support increased protections for the world's imperiled sea
turtles.
Defenders of Wildlife
1130 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Copyright Defenders of Wildlife 2004
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POETRY
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None this month
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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 next edition is May 19, 2004. Please be sure to include any
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The contents of this newsletter are entirely at the discretion of the "It's
About Time" staff. Contributions, as always, are welcomed, although
inclusion is not guaranteed. All contributed material may be subject to editing
for content and length.
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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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