A Murphy's Moment

Some in my family and I are thinking of having a 'screen-free' get together: a drop your electronic device in the basket by the door and come enjoy some time with one another evening.
We will call it a Murphy's Moment after an ice cream parlor in Ireland chronicled in Utne Reader which has tried offering wifi and encouraging patrons to tweet and use facebook. The parlor decided to go backward and have a screen free zone instead. They didn't want their customers buried in their iPhones and laptops.

What do you think?

Oldies Moment

A question for the golden agers among you and aficionados of the silver screen.

Do you think Fred Astaire would be willing to take his wife dancing after a day at work?

The following question has been eating away at my brain for a time now and so I will pose it to you.

Why do Americans choose from just two people for president and 50 for Miss America?

What I Did On My Vacation

Some people(actually only one person) have been asking me why I am not blogging these days and I must admit I have had many thoughts about it. In fact I have a pile of articles on my desk which i had intended to write about. One of the articles is dated May 2007. So you see I have been procrastinating for some time. But not really procrastinating as much as trying to decide where to take this blog.

If you go back to the beginning of the blog, you will see that I really had no idea what it would be about, nor how to go about it. then I realized that there was an opportunity to write about all the interesting things I was reading about making this planet a better place to live. It was my hope that people reading it would feel they might help the earth by very simple actions they could take each day.

Today, in 2008, there are almost unlimited resources for ways each of us can do our part, so my little effort seems to shrink by comparison to the big time media.So now what for this little blog spot?

Well, let me start with a cartoon from the SF Chronicle. It is one of my favorites by Hilary B. Price. Sorry, I am unable to draw with my Mac, but it is a picture of two cave men, one is drawing on the cave wall and saying "you start with great intentions, great thoughts, then you run out of ideas and end up telling people what you had for dinner".

So, that is my dilemma! Do you want to know what I had for dinner? Of course if you do. just give me a call and I can give you all the details. Blogs that are peoples diaries are not terribly interesting to me. I do not want to bore people. Maybe you, the reader, can give me some ideas. What would make you eager to read what is on Ma Carr's Moments? Let me know! i would be willing to try most anything (except porn). Give me an incentive to write.

Shoes

Do you hike? Do you wear Timberland shoes? If you don't, you might consider them for your next purchase.

Their new labels offer country of origin information, how much energy was needed for its production and the amount of renewable energy used. Not only that, the labels are printed with soy based ink on 100 percent recycled boxes, according to the Sierra Club.

Now that should be enough to at least consider the company when shopping for you next pair of shoes, OR writing them a letter applauding their efforts to help our environment.

E-Waste

It is very aggravating to me to have to pay for the disposal of electronic equipment, especially since I know that in England, and perhaps elsewhere, manufacturers are required to take back discarded items they have made. Even cars and washing machines!

Well, last year, Maine passed the first law in the nation requiring electronics manufacturers to pay for recycling their discarded products. As in Califorina, the people of Maine had to pay $15 to $20 to dispose of old tvs and computers. Now they are given to a state approved consolidator for $2 an item. After that, the manufacturer will have to pay for the sorting and recycling. Maybe the makers will get the hint and make this situation more user friendly.

If you are faced with the disposal of electronic gizmos because they no longer work, or no non profit organization will take them, you are faced with taking them to a recycling center and paying the fee, which can be quite high. Why not callwrite/e,mail your state representatives and become a thorn in their side until something gets done.

Cholesterol

Consumer Reports says one-half teaspoon of cinnamon a day for 40 days reduced blood levels of both glucose and triglycerides by about 25 % in adults with type 2 diabetes, according to a USDA clinical trial. Cinnamon also lowered bad LDL cholesterol by almost 20 %. The study says the benefits remained for up to three weeks after the subjects stopped taking it.
Sounds like time to have some cinnamon buns for breakfast.

Cork It!

A 'did you know' for my first blog in many a month. Somehow the end of last year got away from me, what with helping to insulate a room for my daughter' new business, holiday preparations and an eye problem the time just slipped by.
Now, did you know that according to Sierra Club," the wine snobs have it right"? They recommend corks over synthetic because they are biodegradable,sustainable and provide jobs.
The cork can be removed without harm to the tree and where cork stoppers are a viable occupation the industry is actually preventing the trees from being removed for other crops. For more information click on panda.org/mediteranean, then go to "Forests".

PLASTIC BAG MOMENT

Ireland started charging 15 cents on plastic bags and there was a resultant 95% decrease in their use. Some stores offer a 5 penny discount if you bring your own bag. In the US, about 12 million barrels of oil and 14 million trees go to producing plastic and paper bags each year.

With the statistics like these and the years we have known these facts we all must really get with the program and start doing what we know we should be doing. Most groceries now offer cloth bags, Even the car makers offer spots for stashing the bags by the drivers seats in their cars. What more do you need to get with it?

If you just can't get with the program, be sure to tie them in knots before you toss them into the recycle bin so they won't balloon up into the air and end up as litter. Suggestion courtesy 'idealbite.com'.

Loan Moment

Hey, I just found a website which says there is a government program for loans to families with children in college or who
will be in college in the future. This is a Federal program to borrow up to 100% of the cost of attendence with rates as low as 6.5%

You can also borrow retroactively, and it is tax deductible. For information, call 1-866-854-plus. This data was found on a site called Sustainlane.com. Google it!

Toxin Moment

Though I am not really sure what a toxin is, what it looks like or how it feels to have them in my body, I do know they are not good for me. That is why this "Moment" is important.

B.C. Wolverton has researched and written a book called "How to Grow Fresh Air" (Penguin Books,1999). His book tells how strategically placed house plants will filter toxins from your house. While working at NASA he showed how plants also break apart chemicals released by paints, plastics, carpets, and cleaning supplies. The Environmental Protection Agency has identified 900 of these organic compounds in homes and schools. His research on this topic was for the benefit of the air in the space station as well as the astronauts who occupy it.

A list of plants and the chemicals they attack can be found in Wolverton's book, NASA reports, or the San Francisco Chronicle, Wednesday, July 5,2006. pg. G6. The specialists on this recommend starting with plants easy to grow, at the beginning, starting with Lady Palm, Peacr Liliy, Areca Palm, Boston Fern, Bamboo Palm, Spider plant and English Ivy, to name a few.

Hotel Moment

Are you doing some traveling this summer? Are you concerned about the hotels and motels you stay in as far as energy and the environment are concerned?

Some companies have been suggesting reuse of towels for some time and, of course, they usually have reminders to turn off lights and air/heat.

One hotel to be opened in San Francisco this month is claiming to be the greenest in the country. They are going beyond recycling and will be the first to be certified by a new standard of rating for green buildings.

They are using maple from nonvirgin forests for furniture and flooring. Their carpeting gives off few of the toxic gases others do, and the guest rooms have a slot inside the front door for your keycard to turn on lights/heat. When you take the keycard out on leaving, systems all turn off. They are looking into organic linens and they say the cost of a room will stay the same because, although the price of organic coffee may be high, the energy control system will save money.

So, when you travel, ask the hotel management if they are on the green bandwagon. Suggest they not change your sheets or towels every day, and that they look for other ways they can conserve energy.

Wave Moment

An addendum to the green City Moment the other day, Britain is building the first wave farm three miles off the coast of Portugal, according to Sierra MagazIne (March.April, 2006). They are mooring three giant converters to the floor of the ocean to capture the ebb and flow of the water. They expect a capacity of 2.25 megawatts by the end of this year, which could serve about 1,500 households. If they can do it, there seems to be no reason San Francisco can't do it. So here's to SF making it work, too.

Insurance Moment

Are you in the market for car insurance? Or has your car insurance gone up beyond your budget? Do you drive a car that is hybrid or can accept alternative fuels?

Farmers has the answer. Last October they announced a 5 percent discount for drivers of hybrid cars, or alternative fuel cars in California. Then , in February, Travelers followed suit with a 10 percent discount to owners of hybrid cars nationwide.

Seems a trend is beginning within the insurance industry. If you have a car that qualifies for such a discount it might be a good idea to contact your carrier and see if they are looking into this trend and/or are doing something about it. And, based on the rising gas prices, it might behoove all of us to consider a gas-efficient car or truck.

City Moment

Usually I am asking you to help make our planet a greener place, but today I want to tell you about a few cities who are doing great and important things toward a livable future. There are 5 of them listed in Sierra Magazine's July/August, 2006 issue.

First is Chicago, which is doing a number of things to improve the environment. They have 2.5 million square feet devoted to providing cooling and insulating covers in their green roof programs. They have over 7,300 acres of protected natural habitat, and they are the first city to charge higher fees for SUVs.

Next is New York City with the largest hybrid-bus fleets in the country, and the first to have hybrid taxis. They also have 18% of their land devoted to parks, which is one of the highest percentages in the country.

Portland, Oregon is the leader in several areas with the toughest building standards in the nation, and was the first large city to tackle global warming. It is saving $2 million a year on city energy bills.

San Francisco has an acclaimed recycling program which sends compost made of food scraps from its many restuarants to the area's vineyards and farms. It was the first city to host a United Nations World Environment Day and is doing an innovative study of the potential for using the waves off its shore for potential energy production.

By investing in renewable energy sources, Seattle has become the first city in the country to reduce its net greenhouse-gas emissions to zero. It is creating "urban villages" that group stores, offices and homes in walkable communities.It also has mandatory recycling.

A 3R'S Moment

Do you know the three R'S of sustainability? They are recycle, reduce and reuse!

Now, apparently, we as a nation, are doing pretty well on the first R, but what happened to the other two? Since we are rapidly losing the climate battle, it is time to start using the other two R'S.

One of the ways to reduce is to become a consumer who buys more bulk items and products with less packaging. Pass up the triple wrapped goods and go for the products with little or no wrapping. And, of course, take your cloth bag with you when you shop.

Reuse can be the fun R. Whenever you buy any item, plan on a use for it when it is worn out, or no longer useable. A couple of ideas from Natural Life Magazine (March/April 2006) sound feasible and fun. Paint an old cd and hang it on your Christmas tree. Cut down an old belt for a collar for your favorite pet, or use small pieces for furniture scratch guards, or mufflers when cut into strips and glued inside cupboard doors.Then there is always using an old door as a desk, or old door knobs mounted on a board to use as a coat rack. Get that idea machine, that is your brain, going.

Prius Moment

According to University of Chicago research you can make an earth-friendly impact more easily by becoming vegan than by buying a Pruis. 28% of the typical American diet comes from animal sources (New Scientist, Dec. 17,2005). The great American omnivore diet creates nearly 1.5 tons more carbon dioxide per person per year than a vegan diet of the same number of calories.

If you just can't go vegan consider cutting down on the processed animal products or choose poultry over red meat. Your body will thank you and so will the environment.

Transatlantic Moment

Did you know that a family of four making a transatlantic flight creates as much greenhouse gas as driving a car for a year? (Statistic from Sierra Club Magazine, July/August 2006.)

Well, Mark Ellingham does. He has been a travel guide writer and publisher for 20 years, but now he is a little less keen on air travel and is including in his Rough Guides travel guide a section on fuel intensive flying. He wants people to take fewer weekend breaks and more long ones. He is also into producing local guidebooks so people can take satisfying vacations close to home.

A pleasant, slow way to vacation might be to take the train. You will be able to relax and enjoy the scenery and willl use much less energy than flying or driving your car. If you are near water, a canoe trip might be in order, or kyaking, or just plain camping. Stay in one spot and really get rid of the stress.

Oil Moment

We are all aware of the oil (read this gas prices) problem in our country. Of course, many ideas have been brought forward for ways we can cope with the problem, and I am sure you are aware of them, as I am.

There is a website that promotes sustainable living, which has rated major cities in the U.S. for sustainability. and they have a list of the places where the population would most be able to do well without the use of their cars or trucks. They gave top priority to areas with reliable transit systems with high ridership, local food sources and access to wireless networks. For the top 50 cities go to sustainlane.com. This is an excellent site for many ideas for sustainability in your life.

Your Old House Moment

Do you have an old house ? Are you remodeling your kitchen? Are you worried about having enough water in your future?

Here are 2 ideas you can do to help, both from thisoldhouse.com/shortcuts. This site has many ideas for assisting you in maintaining your home.

First, the best way to conserve water is to collect the water which runs off the roof of your house during a rain storm. There are several ways to do this and if you go to the site you will discover some ways. If your house is 2,000 square feet you can save 55,000 gallons of water, which will water your lawn, the flowers and your veggie garden (which I hope you have, to help your food budget and give you some great organic food).

Next, if you have old hardware and are planning to redo your kitchen cupboards, here is the way to take the hard work and elbow grease out of cleaning them. Simply drag your crockpot out and fill it with water and 2 tbsps of laundry detergent, turn it on low and let it cook all night.

Eureka Moment

Aha! I found a web site which is doing what I have been doing on this site, and is doing it many times better and more effectively, perhaps because they have a staff of at least 8 people and most with 2 or 3 college degrees in many fields.

Non the less, go to ideal bite on Google, peruse their site and sign up to get their tips. They are short, easy things to do to make our planet better and more sustainable. The bite refers to a green apple! Get it? A green bite to improve your health, your life. your environment.

Candy Wrapper Moment

Many of you have seen, or own an item made from rolled up waste paper, such as table mats or bowls. this has become a thriving business, especially for Mexican State Indians in and around La Soledad.

A non-profit group for the promotion of education and sustainable development was formed in 1987. This group, Grupesac, has helped the communities around Mexico City to become self-sufficient through projects which earn them money, and also preserve the environment.

One of their recent hits can be seen at www.sweetiepie.com. These are very colorful purses made of candy wrappers which are found in dumps and from manufacturers who discard misprinted wrappers. There are many sizes and shapes, and they are very popular with people who are environmentally conscious. Their bright colors attract young people as well.

By googling grupedsac you can read more and if you visit the next few sites listed after that you will learn about a number of other groups that are giving the same sort of help and inspiration to people in need. Most of the workers are women and by earning money they are enabling their husbands to stay home and continue working the land.

Radio Moment

Today at lunch time, I was listening to one of my favorite radio stations, Air America at 950 on the AM dial. They have a one minute spot called Ecotalk and I often hear something I might be able to do to help the environment. This time they mentioned their blog spot, ecotalk.net.

This weblog has many great ideas as well as audio excerpts from many sources and programs. The items include designer Armani getting into hemp clothing, no waste partying suggestions, Ice Stone, a company that makes countertops from recycled glass and many others.

One item I enjoyed was about two New York apartment owners who wanted to garden. One lived on the sunny side of the apartment and the other on the shady side. They formed a coop and grew the proper plants on each side. They also saved their compost and traded it in to the local community garden in exchange for finished compost to feed their plants.

Want to help your environment? Get thee to ecotalk.net.

Let's Do It Moment

First, I apologize for the lapse in entries. Have been on a project with a deadline and it is now done, so I am back.

Second, I apologize for an entry which is not usual for me. This is a plea for better government through the process of public financing. In a way it is linked to saving the planet, one person at a time, because the current administration is rapidly destroying the environment, one act at at a time, and the only way to change this is to take corporations out of the election process. This has been discussed time and again by various politicians, but has gotten nowhere.

This will need to come from the grass roots of our country, and it is beginning to happen at just6dollars.com. So, please go to this website and join in the fight to take our government and our environment back. It will take just 6 dollars per person to finance candidates who are capable but not fianancially able to fund the huge sums necessary to mount an election campaign. It will also free current office holders to work for us instead of continually needing to raise funds to stay in office or get reelected.

Gas Moment

Well, the big thing in most people's lives right now is gas prices. If the pundits are right, there will be higher and higher prices for the foreseeable future. A rather daunting thought for the future, but one we must consider.

So, what can we do as individuals? The first and most obvious thing we could do, if we could afford it, would be to buy a car with excellent mileage. Of course many cannot do that.

AAA experts offer the following ideas, all of which the average driver can and should do?

Accelerate slowly and drive the speed limit.

Underinflated tires can cost 2% of fuel mileage, so inflate to the proper pressure. Inflate only when the tires are cold.

Get a tuneup and replace dirty air filters.

Do not use multigrade or premium fuel unless the manufacturer requires it.

Take all the extra stuff you carry around out of the car. Your car is not a storage facility. Even take the ski rack off the top until you are actually going to use it.

If you are interested in buying a car, try the web site cars.com for a comparison of car fuel mileage.

Lastly, an interesting tidbit from UPS's system for fuel savings. They plan routes for their drivers that have the least left turns because of the wait time for left turns which takes gas while the trucks are idling. Now that is forward thinking!

Flu Moment

No, I am not regressing to our typical flu season. I am talking about Avian Bird Flu. With all the hot topics of politics, immigration, steroids and etc, bird flu has disappeared from the headlines.

In November of '05 the World Health Organization announced 124 cases with 63 deaths. Now, there has been a bird found in the US with the virus. Bush says we wil spend $1,2 billion for a vaccine. Will we actually do that? Nothing has been said in our media, but the Chinese press here is still talking about it and they have recently made the following sugggestions for prevention:

Do not travel abroad if you are sick. Many international airports are monitoring people arriving for symptoms and you could be quarantined.

Upon return from travel to countries with avian flu outbreaks see a doctor if you have flu symptoms for more than 10 days.

Chinese herbalist, Lee Guo-Ron recommends star anise and fennel seed to boost the immune system. Star anise has antibiotic properties and can be used as an antiseptic, he said.

Stay away from live poultry markets or the slaughter of live chickens.

Wear gloves or wash your hands immediately after killing a live chicken.

And as my friend, Carl, the veteranarian says, the best rule is wash, wash, wash those hands a lot.

Gardening Moment

Spring fever is finally here, as well as the urge to grow something, anything! Is there an easy, inexpensive, eco-friendly way to do it? On the deck, in an apartment, in that small backyard? Or just in a small way because you don't want to spend a lot of time doing it?

Well, a Florida farmer may have the answer. He has invented the 'EarthBox'. A gardening system made of recycled plastic that he declares is remarkable at raising vegetables and flowers, using less water than usual. It was featured at NextFest 2005,and is a component of the Growing Connection, a joint United Nations and American Horticultural Society antihunger project.

The EarthBox is a self-contained and self watering container, which eliminates wicking up toxic chemicals from the ground.It comes in three different colors, is two feet long and 15 inches wide, small enough for most any space. The plants grow in a mixture of peat and vermiculite and bumper crops are reported.

For information check out their web site at www.earthbox.com.

Word Moment

Have you ever wondered how new words come into our vocabulary and how that occurs? I certainly have and in the May-June Utne Magazine I discovered a short bit that gave a clue.

William McDonough and Michael Braungart did just that in their book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things (North Point Press), 2003. The word they coined is 'upcycling' which is the practice of recycling waste materials for use in higher-value products, such as turning beer bottles into building materials, or old lumber into furniture. It is explained that this differs from recycling which turns waste back into the same product over and over.

The London Observer of January, 2006 says upcycling is a promising way to reduce packaging waste. Where is our country on this type of activity. Write, call, email your representatives and suggest we get moving toward a self sustaining planet.

Travel Moment

It's the season for vacations for many people and if you are able to take a trip this year, or any time, I suggest you think about making your travel eco-friendly. Here are a few tips to help you along the way.

First, how about a hotel that is saving water and energy? Go to greenhotels.org/greeninglodge.htm.

Next there is busstation.net, traintravel.com or www.subwaynavigator.com as an alternative to renting a car. These sites will give you schedules and routes.

Then, to offset the carbon dioxide emissions generated through air travel there is travelgreener.com, myclimate.org/EN, or betterworldclub.com/links/offsets.htm.

Lastly, by eating locally grown food as you travel, you gain a much better feel for the places you visit, as well as helping the economy of the area.

For more ideas, check out responsibletravel.com, planeta.com and ecotourism.org. All of these suggestions are from Sierra Magazine

Catalog Moment

Are you inundated with catalogs? Is your mailbox stuffed - especially at holiday time? Mine is too? But I have found a web site that is doing something about it that may be working. At least it is working with Victoria's Secret.

Victoria's Secret sends out a million catalogs every single day. This organization started protesting in front of their stores across the country. They placed a full page ad in the New York Times. They were then invited into the company boardroom. Now, Victoria's Secret has taken a proper step by putting their discount catalog on post consumer recycled paper. That is a start, but why not print them all that way?

According to the Sierra Club, if the catalog industry switched to paper with 10 % post consumer recycled content, it would save 851,000 tons of wood annually. Canada's boreal forest, the largest wildlands in North America is being logged at such a rate that it is now endangered. That logging is being used for catalog production. Fifty-nine billion catalogs are produced every year in the US, and 95% are thrown immediately away.

For more information and to help go to www.forestethics.org.

Baseball Moment

A reader of Sierra Magazine wrote in to ask how to root for the home team, the Giants, and still be green, since so much litter is produced by the vendors and fans.

The answer to her question was that they recycle more than 1,760 tons of food scraps, cardboard, and bottles annually. That is more than half of all the waste generated. The result is a savings for the team af about $100,000 a year in disposal costs.

And, if you are an Athletics fan, your team does even better. They have introduced compostable cups, utensils, and food containers for you, for which, they should be applauded.

WOW Moment

Did you know thaat Norway is planning to build a monumental seed bank to house specimens of all the world's known crops?
Well, according to Adbusters (March-April 2006) this is true.

It will be built on the island of Spitsbergen, above the Arctic Circle. It will be made of concrete a meter thick, with airlocks and blast-proof doors and they claim the permafrost surrounding it will be the refrigeration.

Now this is a government that is planning for the future! How fortunate for the generations to come to have such forward thinking people.

Earth Day Moment

What better way to end Earth Day than to tell you about a book you may not have heard about. It is called "365 Ways To Save the Earth". One step beyond "50 simple Things You Can Do", it does more than add other things you can do to help the planet, it includes excellent photographs of nature.

This book is a reminder to all of us of how much we can effect the world around us by what we do in our daily lives.The book is by Phillipe Bourrseiller and you can find it on-line or at your local bookstore.

Corn Moment

New corn revelations today! One based on Utne Magazine and the other from our local food coop, which I have been a member of for lo these many years.

First, a new plastic which is more durable than previous ones is being used by Biota Spring Water. The containers are clear, and are about half the cost of petroleum products to produce. They are made of corn and though they will not break down in your back yard compost pile, they can be commercially composted within 80 days.

Secondly, there are now plastic utensils, cups, and kitchen bags made of corn. These are available through a company called Nat-ur, and are completely biodegradable. Our co-op gets them through United Natural Foods, Inc in Rocklin, California and I imagine many other wholesalers carry them as well. You can also try your local organic foods store.

Picnic time may be finally here in Northern California, so get your supply of corn forks and enjoy a hearty outdoor meal and then compost those forks with a clear conscience.

Lets stop our "addiction to oil", as Bush says.

Super Foods Moment

For today I want to tell you about the ten best foods for your body as recommended by the Nutrition Action Newsletter, which is published by the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Sweet Potatoes - loaded with carotenoids, vitamin C, potassium and fiber.

Grape Tomatoes - packed with vitamin C, vitamin A, some fiber and phytochemicals.

Fat-Free (Siim) Milk - great for vitamins, calcium and protein with little fat and chloesterol.

Blueberries - Rich in fiber, vitamin C and antioxidents.

Wild Salmon - the omega-3 fat source to reduce risks of sudden-death heart attacks.

Crispbreads - whole-grain rye crackers, like Wasa,Ry-Crisp and Ryvita - tons of fiber and often fat-free.

10 Minute Brown Rice - fiber, magnesium, vitamins E and B-6, copper, zinc, none of which are in white rice.

Watermelon - vitamin C and carotenoids.

Diced Butternut Squash - Every 1/2 cup has 5 grams of fiber and lots of A and C. sometimes sold cut up and bagged for an easy snack or baked with other veggies.

Pre-washed, Pre-cut Bags of Greens - loaded with vitamin C, carotenoids, calcium, folate, potassium, and fiber.

*All of these make great snacks, almost all with no cooking.

Star Moment

Well, the star power of the day is getting into the environmental act in a big way these days!

Starting with the Clinton Presidential Library in Arkansas which is now showing off its green features, which include recycled alumminum ceilings, 365 solar panels and recharging stations for electric cars.

Then comes Leonardo DiCaprio, who drives a Prius, and has filmed a commercial in Japan for Toyota.

Next, there is Clint Eastwood, in Carmel, who is involved in a new luxury-housing development with solar and wind generators, a water reclamation system and an on-site native plants nursery for use in landscaping.

Not to be outdone by the stars, Sunset Magazine is creating a sub-division of 47 units that produce as much energy as they use in Menlo Park. And, don't be surprised on your nexr trip to McDonald's, if you can get fair-trade, organic coffee, which they are testing in 658 locations in New York and New England.

Energy III Moment

Found a few new ideas from Utne on saving your energy dollar. And forgive me if these are ideas that are old hat to you, but repetition may be forgiven if these ideas jog your memory.

Cleaning the lint from your dryer can decrease the energy used per load by up to 30%.

Can you get yourself some wind power? Wind power users in Colorado pay an average of $10 a month less than those who use regular sources.

Do you want to do something that will make up for the carbon dioxide emissions your car or truck release into the air? Go to www.terrapass.com and find out how this idea works. Basically, it amounts to an annual fee based on the size of your vehicle which will be used by Terrapass to subsidize wind farms, methane digesters, and other renewable-energy projects. When you do, you will get a decal to proudly display to help get the word out and help convert other drivers.

Lastely, there is a project started in Sacramento and now in Los Angeles to provide shade trees free to residents. Trees for a green LA started in 2000 has provided almost 50,000 trees so far. Interested? Visit ladwp.com/trees. A resident can get up to seven free trees by attending a short workshop from the utilities department. The results of this program can include lower energy bills, improve air quality and reduce water runoff.

Spring Moment

Though it is very hard to tell as I look out the window, spring has sprung and it is time to clean out, clean up and get ready for the great weather we have here in northern California. Now, since it is too wet to do any outside clean up, how about inside clean up?

I am talking about inside your body. After all we are watery beings. We float the first nine months, all our insides are bathed in moisture and all our internal machinery need juices to keep them operating efficiently. The surest way to do that is to drink plenty of water. I do not mean soda or fruit juices. I mean water.The rule of thumb for how much to drink goes like this: divide your weight in half, and drink that amount of water each day. This may seem like a lot of water, but keeping toxins out of your body is a 24/7/365 deal.

If facing that much plain water seems overwhelming , here are a few suggestions to spice things up. Float slices of citrus or cucumber, kumquat or orange. How about a sprig of mint, tarragon, or cilantro and lime. What if its too cold to drink cold liquids? Try hot water with a little honey and ginger. All of these ideas and more you can find at www.VeggieLife.com

Retro Moment

It is amazing to me how many events happen in my local aea that I never know about until after the fact. For instance, last year during World Environment Day in San Francisco, there was a display of the scrap house, which I never heard of. FortunateIy it has been featured in the Jan-Feb '06 issue of Utne Magazine.

There is a web site I encourage you to visit at scraphouse .org. Be sure and have your sound on to enjoy the description of materials they used and the cost of what they did. The structure is now gone, but it is written up because there is now a permanent version being built in Seattle, so you can have a chance to view it first hand when you are in that area.

This is a good reminder to all of us to reuse as well as recycle whenever we can, and of course , consume less for the good of the planet.

Woonerf Moment

Woonerf is a Dutch word meaning 'living street' where the needs of motorists is subordinated to the needs of other users, including pedestrians, bicyclists,and transit riders. According to Utne, the typical woonerf has no traffic signals, a very low speed limit, and many features to prevent cars from moving quickly or in a straight line. These features might be large planters, parking spaces on alternating sides of the road and curving road designs.

Data show lower accident rates, improved traffic flow, as well as increased business for shops near them. In San Francisco they are talking about charging a fee for driving in the city center, but wouldn't this be a better route to take?

Lenten Moment

Even Lenten services come under scrutiny when it comes to the environment! All the palm frond crosses used during Lent contribute to deforestation in Mexico and Guatemala. The North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation found that Palm Sunday services alone accounted for almost 30 million palm fronds, about 10% of the annual US demand.

The NACEC is connecting congregations with "eco-palm" operations that are fair trade certified and use sustainable harvest practices.

Data Moment

Came upon these numbers in Utne. Hard to believe, but true.

It takes 72 hours of work per week, at minimum wage, with no vacation, to reach the federal poverty line of $19,223 for a family of four.

What are your priorities? The annual spending of the United Nations and all its agencies, including global peacekeeping is
$10 billion.

The total worldwide annual military spending is $1.04 Trillion.

Americans throw away enough paper each year to build a 48 foot wall surrounding the country. Do you reuse the paper containing mistakes from your printer?

Happiness Moment

A new word has just been coined by Rob Brezsny from 'Free Will Astrology' as quoted in the Sun, Nov. 2005. It is a noun which is described as the philosophy that the world is conspiring to shower one with blessings. The word is pronoia, the antidote of paranoia. Pronoiacs eschew cynicism. Many of us might do well to do the same.

Along this line, it is noted in the latest Utne Magazine, that the University of Pennsylvania has begun a degree program in applied positive psychology. If you might be interested in this mental health program as a possible career, go to www.authentichappiness.org, and take a questionaire or two and see whether or not it is for you. Sounds like a way to be in on the ground floor of a brand new line of work.

Home Moment

There is a great internet site from National Geographic this month. Go to ngm.com/greenhouse to find out how green your home is. it is fun to do and will give you some hints for making your abode an energy saver. And if you are planning some remodels or additions you will be ahead of the game in terms of savings. For instance, side by side fridges are more costly to operate than either top or bottom freezer models. I didn't know that!

Along they same line, the magazine sites Bank of America joining the green movement for a manhattan skyscraper they are building that will capture and reuse rain and wastewater. Also mentioned is the Bejing Olympics Organization which will be green in design, the "gherkin", London's new pickle shaped skyscraper, designed to trim energy useage by 50% compared to a similar sized conventional structure. Lastely, Guadalajara's new soccer arena is to be built in a hill and topped with grass-covered slopes for a public park.

Sunshine Moment

It has been a while since I last blogged, but starting Monday, March 12th, is Sunshine week and I felt a need to put the word out there.

Sunshine Week is a national effort sponsored by journalistic groups to raise public awareness about the amount of public information that is being kept secret from us and the importance of open government. Common Cause's slogan is SUNSHINE WEEK YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW.

There will be neighborhood get-togethers held around the country and if you are interested in hosting such an affair contact Amy Temple at (213) 252-4552 or atemple@commoncause.org. This should be an interesting week!

California Common Cause is very involved in voting rights issues and they have been working toward improving voter accessibility in California through a coaltion of several groups to encourage voter participation. This coalition is called California Voter Empowerment Circle (CalVEc). It is supported by 30 organizations as of February this year. Their work includes shaping election administration policy, improving voter DMV registration, supporting voting machines that open access to more voters and protecting the Voting Rights Act (VRA) which will be up for reauthorization in 2007.

Interested in what they are doing? Go to www.commoncause.org. Fill out the "E-Mail Updates" box and you are ready to go.

Laugh Moment

The quote of the day is from Mark Twain, who said, "He who laughs last, lasts".This came from a radio show I was listening to this week and the details may not be exact, but you will get the idea.

There was a scientific study, presented at Sessions American College of Cardiology, which delved into ways to ease depression. The study showed that laughter reduces stress hormone levels, increases white blood cell counts, and stabilizes blood pressure.
It also improves digestion, and boosts the heart rate. Not only that, laugh 100 times in a day and you will have done more for your heart than 10 minutes of aerobics!

Now, if your family and friends do not provide you with sufficient humor during the day, get yourself out there, and find a few good joke books, comic books, or turn on Comedy Central. There could be no better way to improve your health, and no exercise involved.

Varmint Moment

Did you have problems with voles last summer, as we did at our house? We had hundreds of holes all over the yard, and we lost a number of newly planted shrubs which had been beautiful during the spring months. So we decided to do a little research about methods of extermination, and of course, we didn't want to use any products harmful to the environment.

With the help of the internet we came up with an idea which we will try after the rains, and before the new crop of young ones emerges. All you need is a 20 gallon sprayer, 1 cup of castor oil and 1 cup of liquid dish soap. Mix the liquid and spray over the infected area.

A serendipitous event happened soon after finding the above recipe. I was cleaning out one of my files when I discovered an article I had clipped from a Jon Carroll column in a 1987 Chronicle. The subject was gophers and what to do about them ruining a vegetable garden. Now this recipe called for blending 2 ounces of castor oil with 1 ounce of liquid detergent until thick as shaving cream. Add an equal amount of water and blend again. Add 2 tablespoons of this mixture to a gallon of warm water. Spray over the rows of planted vegetables.

This is something we will have to try, especially since it has now come from two sources.

President's Moment

In celebration of President's Day, here are two quotes that are classics worth remembering.

First, Benjamin Franklin. "Those who would give up essential Liberty to purchase a little, temporary safety, deserve neither Liberty or Safety". A thought to keep in mind through these times when our leaders are debating the Patriot Act and terrorism in general.

Second, Martin Van Buren. "It is easier to do the job right, than to explain why you didn't'. A saying all of us would do well to remember in our daily lives.

Enough said. Hope your President's Day is fullfilling and uplifting.

Cold Moment III

One last foray into the cold season news!

Many people advocate for vitamin C as a way to prevent or lessen the symptoms of a cold. That Australian University study I mentioned before revisited 29 cold studies and found no evidence that daily doses from 200 milligrams to 2 grams reduced the number of colds in the average person. However, it did find that once the cold had already started, C could lessen the severity. Neil Schacter, M.D.recommends an 8 ounce glass of OJ every day, and especially for children, since it is the safest way to get your C.

Do I have a cold or the flu? If you have fever, headache and exhaustion, it's probably flu, and going to bed is the best therapy. Scratchy throat and sneezing means you have a cold virus, with the resulting watery eyes, stuffy nose, and lots of sneezing.

For treatment of a cold, Dr Jack Gwaltney, professor emeritus from University of Virginia Medical School in Charlottesville, says over the counter antihistamines, such as Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, like ibuprofen or naproxen, as directed, for 3 to 5 days, will slow the dripping nose and help you get better faster.

According to a study from the University of Washington in Seattle, the remedies listed above do not work on children as well as adults. However, Dr. Mackin, from Children's Hospital in Ohio, says some children will benifit with less severe symptoms from OTC kid's cold remedies, but not to use multisymptom medicines. Just buy ones to treat the symptoms the child has.

Enough said on colds for this season. Maybe next year there might even be a cure! Right? Right.

Cold Moment

Here is the second installment of the 'cold demything' series.

We have all heard and believe the wash your hands exhortation! But do we do it?

Dr. Michael Macknin of Children's Hospital in Ohio says, "Hand washing is the single most effective way to stop the spread of colds". Viruses are carried by your hands to the things you touch, including your body parts. When you touch objects others have touched, you will carry their viruses to yourself when you rub your eyes, touch your nose or put food in your mouth. Washing your hands 'short circuits' that 'virus transportation system'.

What about antibacterial soaps? A study of 238 households, done at Columbia University, found there was no difference beteen the families which used plain soap versus those which used antibacterial. My beef is that it is difficult to find soaps which are not antibacterial. I went back to bar soap when I was unable to find a plain soft soap, and according to Columbia, rubbing your hands together under a stream of water does much of the job anyway.

Myth Moment

The first myth is that you catch colds only if you are stressed or your immune system is weak.

The University of Virginia Medical School of Charlottesville found that 95 % of normal adults become infected when a virus is dropped into the nose. The conclusion being that healthy immune systems are just as likely to get colds as others.

Next. You shouldn't drink milk when you have a cold because you wil produce more mucus.

Research at University of Adelaide in Australia, with people who drank up to 11 glasses of milk daily, did not find greater mucus production than those who drank no milk,

The third myth is one I am sure you have heard from your mother and more probably from your grandmother that getting chilled causes colds.

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that colds were no more frequent or severe in those who experienced cold drafts than those who were not.

Tune in tomorrow for some ideas to help combat/prevent cold and flu symptoms.

Consumer Moment

Digging for positive news and informative ideas to help the planet and ourselves has not been very fruitful the last few days. But this week there was an article in the SF Chronicle about a group that was very interesting and useful if you are in a position to do what they have done.

They call themselves the Compact. And instead of being part of the customer lines at KMart, Walmart, etc, they have made a vow to buy nothing new in 2006. Yes, I said, nothing new in 2006, except food, health and safety items and underwear.

There are about 50 people involved, from all walks of life, families with children, a very eclectic group of people who feel recycling is just not enough anymore. It started with just a few and has been slowly growing. One person ( a shopaholic ) even said he had withdrawal symptoms for awhile.

How do they do it? They shop thrift stores, Craigslist, freecycle.org, eBay, flea markets, and spread the word among the group for needed items and use some ingenuity if need be. They have a blog, a Yahoo group and monthly meetings, which seem to foster community feelings and fellowship. One couple met through the group, and were married.

What made this article especially memorable for me was a quote from Peter Sealey, adjunct professor of marketing at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, who said that this group was part of a larger trend of consumers beginning to "tread gently on our planet". That sounds like a very positive step for our community and the world at large.

Fridge Moment

If you are like me, you have an older model refrigerator. With all the new features and technology out there, and a malfunctioning fridge, the question arises whether to repair or replace. So, here are a few ideas from Consumer's Report, ( a great source for the real goods on products on the market).

Your fridge comes with an owner's manual which will help with small repairs, such as replacing the gasket around the freezer or refrigerator. If you are handy at all, many repairs should be within your expertise.

When you come to the point of large, expensive repairs, Consumer's offers this advice.
Under warranty, or less than 3 or 4 years old, it makes sense to have it repaired.
Between 4 and 7 years old and out of warranty, their poll showed owners paid between $100 and $200 for repairs.

It pays to replace when it costs more than half the price of a comparable new one. The January '06 issue of the magazine offers many ideas about features for the latest models, and ranks many brands in terms of repair history. It also lists a web site for recycling, if you want to make sure your old fridge doesn't end up in a landfill. they suggest www.GreenerChoices.org for your nearest recycling program.

GREEN MOMENTS

Time seems to be getting away faster and faster. Blogging has slowed to a crawl, and today I have other things that need doing. I do want to mention a few green power programs that Utne has listed to give everyone a lift. It isn't often this kind of information is out there in the general news media, and we need to know that companies, especially utilities, are working toward solutions for more efficient, renewable, energy.

Austin, Texas holds the honors for the top utility in the U.S. for the third year, for generating 38.2 average megawatts using wind, landfill gas, and hydropower. The honor is awarded by the U. S. Department of Energy. The runners-up, in order, are:
Portland General Electric, Portland, Oregon, using geothermal, wind, small hydro.
Pacific Corp, Portland, Oregon, using wind, biomass, and solar.
Sacramento Municipal Utility District, using landfill gas, wind, small hydro, solar.
Xcel Energy, Minneapolis, using wind.
National Grid, U.S.A., Northeast U.S. using biomass, small hydro, solar.
Los Angeles Department of Power and Water, Los Angeles, using wind, landfill gas.
O.G. & E. Electric Services, Oklahoma City, using wind.
Puget Sound Energy, Bellvue, Washington, using wind, solar, biomass gas. and last
We Energies, Milwaukee, using landfill gas, wind, small hydro.

Anyone who is benefiting from these forward thinking utilities would be well advised to let them know how much their actions are appreciated. Encourage them to continue to improve the way they do business, and tell others about the way they are helping to protect our country and the world.

PAIN MOMENT

Do you get as confused as I do over what remedy to use for an aching muscle? Do I ice it or heat it up? Which is the proper thing to do? Have you been working out at the gym, or doing your laps on the road or in the pool?

Reg Wilson, P.T., D.P.T. at Brigham and Women's Hospital has the solution. If you have an inflamed and swollen muscle use the RICE treatment: Rest, Ice Compression and Elevation. Don't exercise for a few days, apply ice immediately for 15 minutes, 4 or 5 times a day or as needed. At bedtime make sure the injured area is above your heart and wrapped with an elastic bandage.

If, on the other hand, you did too much weeding, or used muscles you haven't used in awhile, then a hot shower, warm damp towels or a soak in the tub is the ticket. Heat increases the blood flow to the ache, helping the body to heal. Of course, if the pain lasts more than a week, hike on over to the doctor's office to make sure nothing serious is wrong.

Housework Moment

So, you say you don't like to do housework? Well, some times I agree. Actually I agree a lot, especially when there are other things I would rather do. I would much rather read a good book, for instance.

That said, I found out about a study done by Janet P. Wallace, Ph.D.which was written up in the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise magazine. The participants, all with high blood pressure, did routine chores such as mowing the lawn, gardening and housecleaning. They lowered their blood pressure for six to eight hours.

Wallace recommends activities that are moderately intense and require the use of several body parts such as raking leaves, vacuuming or climbing stairs to put away laundry. She says try to keep busy for 30 to 40 miinutes a day. Short bouts of activity will really add up to a healthier heart.

Let's go to a healthier, happier heart.

Junk Moment

Just read about a 17 foot tree sculpture made entirely of junk mail. It was the inspiration of Hector Dio Mendoza. He has used everything from drug ads to credit cards to shredded catalogs to build this thing. Anything that comes in the mail.

The people at Bay Area recycling gave him $2,200 to make this a reality. He asked 5 friends to give him all of their junk mail, and in two weeks he had collected 50 pounds of stuff, enough for his idea with much leftover. The goal of the project is to remind people that Americans get 42 billion pieces of junk mail a year.

The Bay Area Recycling Outreach Coalition, a group of public trach agencies, says more than 100 million trees are cut down in the name of junk mail each year. The irony of this particular project is that all of the material in the project was recyclable , but now that it is art, it is no longer recyclable because in the process of creating the tree, he used much glue and wire and attached it to plastic pipe. It is now on a grand tour of the bay area, visiting trash agencies and city halls. Hope it comes to our area. i would love to see it.

This article from the SF Chronicle also lists an email address from the coalition for techniques for getting off junk mail lists at www.stopjunkmail.org, or by calling (877) 786-9627. I am going to check this out right now.

Mozart Moment

Today is Mozart's 250th birthday! Cities all over the world will be celebrating this year with concerts and special events, including a big bash today in Salzburg, Austria, his hometown, with countless dignitaries attending.

According to the Austrian tourism ministry, there will be stores filled with such items as Mozart beer and wine, Mozart baby bottles, Mozart milk shakes, Mozart jigsaw puzzles, Mozart knickers and even Mozartwurst, a sausage of beef, pork and pistachios.

Is there any wonder? The man composed 22 operas, including "The Magic Flute", "Don Giovanni", "The Marriage of Figaro", as well as hundreds of other works. So, enjoy some of his music as you go about your work this year.

Energy II Moment

This segment is about going solar. Utne suggests doing this in 'baby steps' as well.

Start by going to a mega store near you and looking at what is now available for home improvement. There is a 5 wqtt solar starter kit for gate or garage opening and motion detector solar lighting.

Then there are solar powered cascading lawn fountains. How nice that would be to sit on your patio or deck and enjoy the refreshing, relaxing sounds of the water.

Utne suggests trying out solar powered iPod chargers or solar recharging backpacks for things like cell phones and PDAs.

A retail company called Sun-dance Solar offers ideas for increasing your solar capacity (store.sundancesolar.com). they offer starter kits and ways to solarize your rv. I am sure there are other companies you will be able to find on the net. Happy hunting.

Energy Moment

It's Utne Mag again! Just can't help offering these ideas for anyone who wants to have a better world out there. This one is about getting off the energy grid. These are 'baby steps' toward turning to renewable sources.

1. Insulate - The cost of insulating will be offset by the savings in fuel bills.

2. Get a sun shield in your attic - This is a radiant barrier in your attic and will improve your airconditioning efficiency up to 12%. These barriers are under $100 and need only a scissors and staple gun to install.

3. Wrap your water heater - Utne says this could save you up to 9% in water heating costs.

4. Hang curtains with a valance - Curtains help, but a valance prevents convection currents which suck air up between curtain and window when the air cools down.

5. Take your temperature - Get a programmable thermostat so you have the right temps day and night. And there is a new device called a Kill-A-Watt which you hook up to any appliance to see how much energy you are using.

6. Illumination - Switch to compact fluourescent bulbs for a savings of up to 75% and the bulbs will last as much as 10 times longer.

More tomorrow!

Frank -lin Moment

Today is the 300th anniversary of Ben Franklin's birth. He was the youngest son of thirteen children, and was known for his tolerant views of life and politics. He was a champion of the middleclass.He felt they were the most tolerant group of Americans and believed in their values.

While a part of writing the constitution, he cautioned his compatriots to compromise, to make a constitution that would stand the test of time. Compromises, he said, may not make great heroes, but make great democracies. Walter Isaacson, who wrote of his life says,"he also believed it was up each of us to exhibit the tolerance necessary to keep a republic".

America is in need of someone to champion the issues of tolerance and justice in today's media. The values and tolerances of our middleclass have been seen time and again in our responses to one catastrophe after another. We have seen our fellow Americans give of themselves to help those in need around the world, and especially here, in the aftermath of Katrina. We need a new Ben Franklin to lead us in a return to the kind of a country where we appreciate and prize all individuals, causes and where we are tolerant of the diverse population we have today.

2006 is the year for us to return to common sense in our government. Our hero for this new year should be one who preaches and practices tolerance and common sense. A modern day Ben Franklin is just what we need.

Rosa Parks Moment

SincceMartin Luther King day is next week, I thought I would share some information about Rosa Parks. I came upon this in Utne, one of my favorite magazines. It was in the Jan-Feb issue and written by Paul Rogat Loeb, an author of two books, both of which have some more writings about Ms. Parks.

The popular concept of Rosa Parks is that she was an unwitting figure in the chain of events that lead to the bus boycott and eventually to the civil rights struggles. I know this was my feeling about her. In fact, she began by going to a meeting, and then another and began to establish a group of people who would support her. She began to speak up about injustices.

After 10 or 11 years, and with the encouragement of her husband, she went to her first NAACP meeting and from then we can imagine how she came to be on a bus in Montgomery Alabama, and refused to give up her seat to a white person.

Loeb suggests that change is a product of deliberate actions and whether they are small actions or large, they can fail or they can result in life changing and/or world altering events. each of us can, in fact, be agents for change in our own arenas.

Warming Moment

It is sometimes difficult for young people to realize how much influence they can have in the real world when it comes to helping solve community and world problems. The world is a complex place and each of us, adults included, can often feel very
insignificant and often helpless when faced with the problems of our times. Then you read about someone who has the vision and the courage to try to make a difference and you realize there are ways for all of us to help make our planet a better place.

A young man named David Kroodsma started such a mission in November to raise awareness about global warming. He is doing this by riding his bicycle from his home in Palo Alto to Argentina. He wants people in the Americas to think about this as a global issue. One of his goals is to convince young people how interconnected we all are and how climate change affects all of the places he will visit.

He does this by riding into a town at the end of the school day and talking to the teachers and setting up a plan to visit the next day. It works well, he says, because people are interested in his bike and the excitement of his trip and because he has studied the subject at Stanford. He has a master's degree in earth sciences.

The trip will take 14 months. It will be about 14,000 miles long because he is going to the southern tip of Argentina. He has a web site www.rideforclimate.com where you can see pictures of his trip and/or donate money to help defray expenses. He is also raising money for the Union of Concerned Scientists. What an outstanding young man.

Boring Moment

Some years ago I clipped an article from the SF Chronicle entitled "Feling Bored? Then Read This". One of the reasons I did this was because one of my grandchildren was in that state and I thought I would share some of the ideas. I am not at all sure that these ideas were adopted but I didn"t hear any more comments about boredom.

Today, after the rush and excitement of the holidays is over, seems llike a very good time to review some of these tips. They are from Michael Levine, an entertainment publicist and author.

!. Get the reading habit, if you don't already have it. Headed for a meeting, apppointment or a lunch in the park? Take a book, magazine or newspaper with you. Keep reading material in the car, or your backpack. for that unforeseen moment when you are forced to wait for someone or something.

2. Watch TV selectively. Surfing the channels, looking for something to watch that is interesting, indicates a need for an activity more engaging.

3. Develop a hobby or hobbies. They could be artistic, recreational or intellectual, but they will add a new dimension to your life.

4. Join an organization. Sharing your interests with like-mineded people brings a new perspective to your life. Your ideas grow with added education related to what you enjoy doing. The number of organizations is huge and encompasses local,state,national and international scopes.

5.Don't isolate yourself. Spending time with others for recreation, advice or education will add untold benefits to your life. When you volunteer to help others you are adding immeasurable satisfaction to your own life.

6. Believe in yourself. With confidence you can achieve what you set out to do. Work and determination are the keys to success. No one said life would be easy and failing in a task does not mean total failure. It means you need to try again, or try a different approach. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

7. Have a wish list. Always have something you want to do, see, learn, and want to be. "You'll notice I didn't say want to have", says Michael Levine. Having things does not bring happiness.

Bag Moment

Do you have a shopping bag in your car or in your house that you mean to use when you shop? Do you actually use it? Do you have the intent to use it to conserve energy, save the planet, be a better person, etc?

Well. there is a man from Chico who made a trip to the dump and was disgusted to find plastic bags wafting around in the wind.
He was struck with an idea and went to a thrift shop, bought himself a sewing machine, got some material and proceeded to create a solution. The solution is called Chico Bag.

The Chico Bag is a piece of nylon, sewn along the seam. It folds into a tiny carrying bag that can be clipped onto a belt and can hold 20 pounds. It will fit into a pocket or purse, he offers a one year warranty, though he feels they will last much longer, and they are cheap at five for $20.

Andy Keller, the creator, says America uses 300 to 700 plastic shopping bags a year, which translates into 3 to 7 gallons of crude oil. He also indicates that Californians could save some 2.4 million barels of oil if we gave up plastic bags. Sounds like something we all should do, and I intend to buy some. You see, I have three cloth shopping bags in my hall closet and one in my car and it has probably been 3 or 4 months since I have taken one into the store

So let's do ourselves and the environment a favor and go to his website and order some for ourselves and maybe some for a few friends. The address is www.chicobag.com.

Brainy Moment

Did you know that you start to lose brain tissue as early as age thirty? 'Tis true!

Arthur Kramer PHD of the Unversity of Illinois in Urbana has studied the hipocampus (the brain's memory center) through MRI images which have shown that there is shrinkage due to poorly regulated blood sugar (glucose). The doctor says there are dramatic differences in images of those who regularly exercise with those who do not.

Since exercise increases your body's ability to regulate its glucose level, this in turn helps prevent shrinkage of brain tissue. Strength training and aerobics can help prevent this memory loss.

Dr. Antonio Convit of NYU School of Medicine concurs. He says that building muscles is one of the best ways we have of preventing or even reversing memory loss. In this case, I guess the old maxim is true: Move it or loss it.

Battery-saving Moment

Batteries come with so many gifts at Christmas that it is hard to keep track of which are old and which are new, especially if there are young ones in the household. So you want them to be alive as long as possible. When I saw this article in the SF Chron last week I thought I would pass along the information to save you a little money, time and energy.

If you happen to have two watches, pull out the stem on the one you aren't wearing. It only takes a moment to reset when you wear it again, and according to Mary Hunt, aka the Cheapskate, the batteries will seem to last forever.

The batteries that you take out of the smoke detectors each season still have enough umph to use in a camera or any other implement that does not have urgent needs..

In a cordless phone, Ms. Hunt says, take the batteries out and use a little fine sandpaper on the terminals for a bit more life.

She cautions that storing in the freezer adds little life to the batteries and that when you are using your laptop, turn off all devices and programs you don't need. Listening to music with the CD-ROM drive and watching DVDs are big battery drains.

There is a new rechargeable battery technology type called nickel metal hydride (NiMH). These have greater capacity than the NiCD battery and don't suffer from "memory effect" which causes a problem if you try to recharge before the battery is fully discharged. Unfortunately, they are more expensive and need a charger especially made for them.

Gas-Saving Moment

Did you know underinflating tires by 5 pounds can cut your car mileage by as much as 2%? Well, it's true. so what can you do about it? Why, check your owner's manual for the optimum pressure for your tires. Remember, there is a maximum pressure that you should not reach as it might blow up your tires.

A 13 year old girl from Florida learned that the government wanted to drill for oil in the arctic and she loved the gray wolves that lived there, so she and her scout troop convinced Sears,Firestone and Goodyear to donate tire gauges and the troop started passing them out for free. Now others have started making flyers from her website and handing out gauges.

To learn more, go to her group at pumpemup.org

Santa Moment

The most appropriate item for Christmas Eve I found in the SF Chron on Thursday about a service for parents and grandparents of young children. Apparently there are several, among them Santa Speaking and Santa Calls Kids. The service is offered free by local parks departments in many small cities and prices range from $10 to $39.95 for a package of up to three children. One of the founders said she could use much younger Santas who are versant with all the technologies kids are familiar with today.

One compelling reason parents might want to consider this service is that Santa can say that he knows they will be at grandma's house for the holiday, or as in the case of Katrina, the family will be with someone else in the family, and Santa will know names of family members, pets, etc.

Santa Speaking Clauses often ask the child to hold while they scold Rudolph for coming into the house with wet hooves which has to make the whole thing utterly believable to youngsters. Parents say that skeptical children can really believe when they get a call and Santa can even help break the news that a puppy just will not fit in the sleigh or remind them that they need to clean their rooms.

Veggie Moment

Yes, your mother was right! Eat your veggies. And you probably have been tellling your kids the same thing.

Here is your anti-cancer grocery shopping list. Broccoli sprouts because they offer a rich source of sulforaphane which research is showing may be useful against gastric cancer, even better than alfalfa sprouts. And a researcher at Johns Hopkins found that rubbing an extract of broccoli sprouts on the skin of mice was helpful against skin cancer.

Cabbage is next on the list. Eat it raw or short cooked for the best result. A study done on Polish women who came to America found that in Poland the women ate about 30 pounds of gabbage a year and when they came here the amount was reduced to about 10 pounds and they started getting more breast cancers. For the greatest benefit start eating it as a teenager says the researcher from U of Mexico.

Next is garlic. Florida A&M University study researchers found that diallyl sulfide or DAS gives garlic its flavor but also counteracts cancer-causing actions of PhIP which is a chemical created from grilling or frying meats at high temperatures.

This info is from WebMD Medical News at http:/www.webmd.com

Factoid Moment

Did you know that ex-smokers outnumber smokers in the USof A? That Germany elected its first female chancellor this year? That women will fill at least 25 percent of seats in the new parliment of Iraq? that since 1990 more than 30 women have become heads of government (in 1950 there was just one)? that over 50 countries have quotas for female representation in their legislatures?

A 2000 Gallup poll in Latin America found that 60 % of people believed that women would do better than men in fighting poverty, 72% favored women for improving education and 53% thought women would be better diplomats. This is quoted from Newsweek Nov. 20, 05. What do you suppose the results of a poll like that in America would look like?

Mounting Moments

The holidays are a good excuse for me to not have blogged for a number of days, but I am not sure that is the real reason. At any rate I have a pile of articles which I need to tell you about, so, here are a couple for today.

First is Project Homeless Connect, a one day homeless aid fair that began a year ago in San Francisco and went national December 8th. According to the Chronicle, by sundown more than 6,000 people had been helped in 21 cities. They were fed,massaged and helped to welfare services or housing. Mayor Newsom, of SF got the idea to assemble community volunteers one day every two months to help the homeless people. They do hair, nails, food, as well as getting them help with welfare applications, housing, etc.

This next is from Molly Ivins and I hope it might help with last minute gifts, but will also add to your reading list for 06. She recommends"An Unreasonable Woman: A True Story of Shrimpers, Politicos, Polluters and the Fight for Seadrift, Texas". This is the story of a woman shrimper who has fought a multinational company for pollution of waters in her town for over a decade. Molly also suggests a new Kurt Vonnegut book called "A Man Without a Country", a mystery by P.D. James "The Lighthouse", "In the Company of Ladies" by Alexander McCall Smith, "The Stranger House" by Reginald Hill, and also "Waterloo" by Karen Olson.

Moment of Note

A first in Saudi Arabia happened last week when two business women were elected to public office. This moment came in the first polls in Saudi Arabia where women were allowed to run and vote. It is being hailed as a preparatory move, but they say it will be a very slow and difficult process to get more women into public offices.

As a further note, the record for female representation in any country is held by Rwanda with women making up 49% of the lower house (according to Newsweek). In that same ranking, the US is 67th. More stats on this to follow another day.

Turkey Moment

This should have been before Thanksgiving, but hey,who's keeping track?

Did you ever wonder what causes the color difference between dark and light meat in turkeys and chickens?

Well, here's what I learned from the Tip Sheet in Newsweek. The darker meat comes from a deeply tinted, oxygen-storing protein called myoglobin in the bird's muscles. Since the chikens and turkeys rely on their legs and thigh muscles to walk and run around, more oxygen is needed in those parts of the body than in the parts where there isn't as much activity, like the wings and breast. Hence, more myoglobin is stored there, giving those sections a darker color.

Now you can be the most enlightened guest or family member at your next turkey dinner.

Positive Moment

You would think that with the holiday season in full swing that it would be easy to find positive news in the paper. Well, after reading three newspapers this morning I have found only one, so I will report on that with the hope that in future days more will appear.

This wil be the 40th anniversary of "A Charlie Brown Christmas". It has become a classic along with Rudolph and "Its a Wonderful life". It is a fact that the producer and the animator of the show almost did not feel it should be aired, that they had ruined Charlie Brown. But an advertising agent for Coca Cola saw it and suggested it for a Christmas special and a classic was born.

On December the 17th at noon there will be a panel discussion on the making of the special at the Schultz Museum with the producer, Lee Mendelson. Also, some of the people whose voices were used will be in attendence including Peter Robbins who was Charlie. There will be a screening of the show and a documentary on its creation.

Quiet Moment

The Quiet Party is an event that started in SF in 2002. The charge to the party was $20.00 which entitled you to two drinks and required you to be silent for the duration of the party.Official quiet parties have benn held in DC, Seattle, London, BArcelona,Spain, Houston and Beijing. Attendence varies from 25 to as high as 170. The New York parties average around 100.

Why? Because people no longer want to sit in cafes, bars, etc. where they can't talk to one another. Word of mouth and Craig'slist are the publicity avenues. The scene in SF for example is in a place called Shoppe Unusual, with its furniture, knickknacks and hung art. There is a small bar where you order without speaking. Index cards and pens are strewn about and though it seems that it is harder to get a conversation started, once they get going it really works. some people seem to need to slip outside and giggle or teehee but they come back in and enjoy themselves.

So, get out there and be silent.

Consumer Moment

In the Chronicle last Friday, which was THE BIG DAY, or black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year and the one which makes or breaks the bottom line for many companies, there was an article from a psychology prof discussing the consumer spending in this country.

He notes that Pres & Gov Bush have asked the country (after a big disaster) to go out and spend. The lengthening of the holiday season and the urgent commercialism , he says, should tip us off to the fact that we are really being involuntarily lead to the cash register by the most sophisticated propaganda system ever devised.

Tips are offered from the Consumer Federation of America and the Credit Union National Association. Three of them are:
1. Make a budget for the holidays and stay within it
2. Comparison shop to find the lowest prices
3. Pay off holiday debts quickly.

So, happy shopping to you!

Pre-Holiday Moment

Well, this day has been busy! Tub cleaning, window washing, dusting, etc. The usual stuff for the time before a holiday and with company coming, so I will just give you a couple of quotes from some well known people.

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. Winston Churchill

It's easy to make a buck, it's tougher to make a difference. Tom Brokaw

And finally, We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone. Dr. Loretta Scott

Serendipity Moment

There seem to be few days when several factors combine to make a day feel especially good and yesterday was one. Three things conspired to fuel that feeling. First it was a beautiful fall day and promised unusually warm temps. Second, there was
a positive article in the paper and third there was a serendipitous quote in the crossword of the day.

The quote came from Senator Fulbright who started a scholarship program in his name (Bill Clinton was a recipient) in the 70's. "In a democracy dissent is an act of faith." In today's political climate this seems like an idea we need to remember.

An article in the SF Chronicle described a one year. grant funded program to promote green dorm rooms on 3 campuses. Students can tour the first at Berkeley and it is being well received. Energy Star appliances have explanatory signs and ecologically friendly products are featured including personal care items from Tom's of Maine soap, 7th Generation tissue, and Avalon Organic Botanicals shampoo. Cal's recycling manager says "So much of what students do and learn sets patterns for their lives. Your choices do make an impact.".

Info Moment

Two items for you to know about, today.
First, the President's phone number is 202-456-1111 and I am suggesting that you call and tell him you do not want him to pardon Scooter Libby. This man needs to go to trial.

Second, I have a "Wall Mart Kit" which I will loan out to anyone . It includes press articles and a 97 minute cd entitled Wal Mart, the high cost of low price. Aternet Press is recommending house parties to show the film, but you are fee to do your own thing with the kit. My purpose in providing this is to help people who are Wat Mart shoppers become aware of thei store's policies and perhaps help them be activists for change witihin the chain. Some people I have talked to say it is the only store where thay can find clothes that fit and if that is true then they need to let the company know that there need to be changes in their human rights policies.

A Carbon Moment

Thanks to my friend, George, who wrote an article for the local rag, here is a suggestion for anyone who would like to reduce greenhouse gases. Since our elected officials seem reluctant to do so, here's how he suggests. Start thinking about what and where and how much you drive. Your car puts out 20 pounds of carbon dioxide per gallon of fuel (gas or diesel). If you average 25 miles per gallon, in a 50 mile trip, you have used 2 gallons and put 40 pounds of carbon dioxide out. If your car gets 40 miles per gallon, your car burned 1.25 gallons and only emitted 25 pounds of carbon dioxide. So, figure it out. Divide miles per day by miles per gallon, multiply by 20.
Start thinking about your next car or truck. If enough of us start buying really fuel efficient vehicles the manufacturers would quickly tool up for higher eficiency engines.

Womens Moment

Maybe this should be entitled A Did You Know Moment after the illustrious OO Newsletter segment. But, did you know about the Global Fund for Women which is working for a just, compassionate, and democratic world in which women and men participate equally in all aspects of society? They fund projects run by women which help improve women's conditions around the world, especially in the developing countries, from preventing childbirth complications, domestic violence, and poverty. A 100-country study found that aavancing equality and educating girls promotes democracy. Of the approximately 150 million children deprived of primary education, 90 million are girls.
In 2004 the Global Fund for Women invested $866.000 in 82 organizations in 49 countries that work to end violence against women and build more peaceful communities

Quoting Moments

Today's info comes from Utne, my favorite mag. First, "Currently more money is being spent on breast implants and Viagra than on Alzheimer's research. So in the very near future shere should be a large elderly population with impressive breasts and magnificent erections, but no recollection of what to do with them." Sally Feldman, journalist/teacher.

More important! This is the consumption season, and there is a web site that ranks corporations in five categories such as social responsibility, and healthy environment so that you don't have to do all the research. It is Alonovo.com. You can get the info and order products from them. 20% OF THE REVENUE (not just profits) GOES TO A CHARITY. They currently have 58 nonprpofits t o choose from including MoveOn and the Childrens Defense Fund. The name Alovono means nurturing change in Latin and the site is not political. The site started in August and is adding to it regularly.

VETERAN'S MOMENT

What a great day to talk about ways we can cultivate peace. (From the Celebrate Peace Book), the author suggests ,among others,:
Give thanks by showiing your gratitude to the world by giving something back to your community.
Go beyond stereotypes and prejudices by focusing on your similarities with others rather than differences.
Suppport organizations doing international peace work, and
Laugh a lot by finding humor and wonder in life.
I knew there was a reason for my way of life!

*see www.The Peace Company.com

New Moment

This is it! I have had it with all the bad news, so I am opting to go the high road and will try to comment on a more regular basis with some of the positive things going on in the world. I want you to know today about buy nothing day. It will be the day after Thanksgiving, usually the busiest shopping day of the year, andI heard of it through Utne, the alternate news magazine. So mark November 25th on your calandeer and DO NOT buy anything that day. Just sit home and enjoy the leftovers from turkey day.

Stressful Moment

What could be more stressful than seeing a part of the world being wiped out: A place that you have seen and enjoyed?
A place thousands of people called home and where there has been little or no help for days. These people had little or no resources at hand to begin with and our government has ignored the majority of them for years. To allow them to be without food or water or sanitation is unthinkable. How can we tolerate this from our elected officials?

If it were within my power I would clean out every elected official who has had any part of the present government. both parties and start all over again. And I would make sure their replacements would not be from the upper classses but from the working class. People who have felt the pain of lack of basic needs and who could empathize with the plight of the underprivelliged. The kind of people who would refuse to accept corporate money and would not allow porkbarrel projects to be added to any bills. Those who would be truthful to the public and would keep in contact with their constituencies to know how their actions are affecting the country.

Do you agree? Of course you do! But how can this be accomplished! Will voters elect these same corporate toadies back into office because thay will have forgotten this horrible mess created through monumental mismanagement and corporate power? Only time ewill tell.

Quilting Moments

Drafting a pattern for Double Wedding Ring has been less than pleasant, to say the least. I finally got the 20 incher figured out and possibly the 16 inch. As usual, you can double or triple the time you plan on for any new venture, and feel very fortunate if you come anywhere near.

Life seems to hold few surprises some days, and in a way that is rather soothing because days are more peacful that way.

Finished the book,Patty. Would you like it back, or would you like me to pass it on to some deserving person?. I have a pile of books I no longer want to keep and will share with whom ever. They will go off to used book land if no one wants them.

As you can see they were unloading stuff at the school but you can see the name of the school next to the truck. Custer house was very small compared to our images we had in our heads of our past.

Here are the pics:

Michigan Moments

Well, Susan and I are home from Michigan. We had a grand time, visited our old house on Custer, my alma mater in Ypsilanti,saw Connnie Litzenberg, even had dinner in Hartland (which wasn't so great) and toured Ann Arbor. Weather was typical, warm and humid. Very hot on the day we toured Greefield Village.

They say you can't go back but we did and most everything was there, except my dorm at school which had been torn down, and the inside of the student union where I had worked for four years. It had been gutted inside and completely rebuilt with modern, technological stuff and even included a Wendy's. What was so astounding to me was the number of new buildings. It was totally amazing. There was even a new environmental research building.

We found Custer and Kimball School where Greg, Sandra and Jim went to school, though it is now a high school and they were having a cancer walk when we were there and things were closed off but they let us in to take a couple of pictures.


We tried to find Buckingham where we lived when Jim was born but were not successful. We did not have the address since I hadn't anticipated going there. We were in the area and Susan was a very willing driver so we searched, but no luck, and the street near Buckingham where Arild and Dora lived at the same time was not even on the map. Don't know what happened to it.

At any rate, the following are the pics we took of Custer and Kimball:

First photo from my trip!

Hot Moment

Well, we've finally hit a real summer day and I really like it. If you will remember, we had a very hot spell in February and then nothing until now. Just read the weather forecast for Michigan and it will be stormy there the whole weekend so there may be no sunbathing at the hotel as Susan had hoped.But we will do some haunting of old haunts (ha) my old alma mater, Custer Avenue, the Craft Shop, and visit Connie Litzenberg. I've googled Greenfield Village and museums in Detroit, so we will have a lot to do if the weather is bad.

Today' Moment

In contemplating use of this blog I have come up with many a thought but none seem worthy of someone else's time and trouble. So I decided to use it to practice my typing skills which at this monent are exceedingly limited. I need to blindfold myself or cover the keys to force myself to look at the screen, neither of which I do but instead conntinue to peek when I am uncertain. I started with Mavis last Wesnesday and have practiced every day for at least 20 minutes and I am at 25 wpm on the first row but a very weak 11 minutes with the second row added in. As with most of my self improvement projects, my aspirations exceed my will power and the enthusiasm fades as the realization hits that this is not going to be done in a flash . Ah well, Rome wasn't built .... as they say.

How Exciting!

I had my first comment posted and I hope to have more. Perhaps if I had some news that was readable there would be more responses.
This has been such an interesting experience that I haven't given much thought to what to say but everymorning when I wake up I think perhaps that will be the day I will have a lightening rod brainchild and will be off and running with a dialogue of great moment and the world will respond with enthusiasm. Right.
Stay tuned.

Learning Curve

This post made without the help of Sandra or anyone else, believe it or not. Maybe I might eventually live up to my profile of being a wise old woman. MA

Am only learning!

I still don't know what I'm doing and I have two pictures on the site but time will tell if I ever figure this all out.

My moment today!

I have a blog now and just a short time ago today I didn't even know what a blog was. So I will let you know how things go.