IAT NEWSLETTER

February 2003


Calendar of Events | Environmental News | For Sale | Fundraisers

Letter from the President | Letters | Newsletter News

Organization Information | Quote of the Month | Websites of Interest

Dedicated to the seven heroes aboard the space shuttle Columbia, who "worked
in the service of life and the living". They were flying for us.


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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@attbi.com)
Co-Presidents -- Ann Schnitz (aerie01@sprynet.com) and
Mary Ledford (
eagleshorses@yahoo.com)
Web Site -- --
http://home.attbi.com/~tybrenn/iat/

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Dear Friends,

There are times when my own words fail, and I look to my greatest teacher to say what I cannot. Therefore, please forgive me for what appears to be a cop out this month -- anything else I could write would surely pale by comparison. Take a moment to read this, if you haven't seen it in a while:

There's a name for war and killing
there's a name for giving in
when you know another answer
for me the name is sin
but there's still time to turn around
and make all hatred cease
and give another name to living
and we could call it peace

And peace would be the road we walk
each step along the way
and peace would be the way we work
and peace the way we play

And in all we see that's different
and in all the things we know
peace would be the way we look
and peace the way we grow

There's a name for separation
there's a name for first and last
when it's all for us or nothing
for me the name is past
but there's still time to turn around
and make all hatred cease
and give a name to all the future
and we could call it peace

And if peace is what we pray for
and peace is what we give
then peace will be the way we are
and peace the way we live

Yes there still is the time to turn around
and make all hatred cease
and give another name to living
and we can call it peace

"The Peace Poem"
John Denver, 1982



My heart to yours,
Ann

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QUOTE(S) OF THE MONTH
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Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers,
But to be fearless in facing them.
Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain,
But for the heart to conquer it.
Let me not look for allies in life's battlefield,
But to my own strength.
Let me not crave in anxious fear to be saved,
But hope for the patience to win my freedom.
Grant me that I may not be a coward,
feeling your mercy in my success alone,
But let me find the grasp of your hand in my failure.

Rabindranath Tagore,
Indian Writer and Philosopher

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FUNDRAISER
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DON'T FORGET.....


If you know of a John Denver memorial site in your area, please send details to Todd Barker (TheDenverRealtor@aol.com) and/or Jennifer Hunter (jenden1099@yahoo.com) to include in our IAT Fundraiser. The deadline for submission is April 1, 2003. Please email Mary at eagleshorses@yahoo.com
for any further information.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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April 19, 2003 Phil Christie Earth Day Concert, Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake, Altadena, Ca. 91001,
Reservations/Information: (626) 398-7917. For more info, check out Phil's website -
www.philchristie.com

April 26, 2003 Jim Curry Earth Day Concert with Pete Huttlinger, Chris Nole, Richie Garcia and Alan Deremo, at The Grove in Upland, April 26th. For information - contact Anne Curry at
jbcurryiam@msn.com and check out Jim's website at www.jimcurrymusic.com

May 2-4, 2003 PA Friends of JD Retreat / Lebanon, PA Gretna Glen Camp, 87 Old Mine Road $50 payment to Patricia Liddic / 533 Lexington Road / Lancaster, PA 17603 by March 5, 2003. <
liddic@lancnews.infi.net>

May 10, 2003 Charlie Zahm, Chris Westfall and Tad Marks present an evening of folk music at the Salem United Church of Christ, Doylestown, PA. Starts at 7:30, tickets are $10, children under 12 free. For more info, check out the web site:
www.geocities.com/aneagleflight/doylestown.html?1026912790440 or email pahough@aol.com

March 16, 2003 * Australia / Virtual Concert screening of "The Wildlife Concert" / Royal Perth Yacht Club /
Tickets: $27.50
http://www.bocsticketing.com.au Christine Egli <ausjdclub@hotmail.com>


March 29, 2003 Monterey Sing-Along with Joel Hannel of South Lake Tahoe, 7PM. Email Judy Therrien at jtherrien@pacbell.net for more information

April 5, 2003 * Stafford, England / "Friends of John Denver" in the U.K.'s "Denver Day" at Walton Village Hall
http://www.fojd.org.uk <president@fojd.org.uk>

May 2-4, 2003 PA Friends of JD Retreat / Lebanon, PA Gretna Glen Camp, 87 Old Mine Road $50 payment to
Patricia Liddic / 533 Lexington Road / Lancaster, PA 17603 by March 5, 2003. <
liddic@lancnews.infi.net>


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 Lesley <
windsong@amitar.com.au>

Hi everyone,

I just want to tell you about Kim Vickers book, "Wolf Woman", written and dedicated to Kim by her father Jed. I received my copy from Jed recently, and I was blown away by it.

I cried when I first opened the package and saw the cover. Then as I quickly leafed through the pages, I just cried some more, but with a smile on my when I saw Kim's face.

Jed has done a wonderful job with the book and the stories and of people who knew her are very touching and beautiful. It left me laughing in places, crying in others and my heart warmed. Kim's stories are there too and are just as inspiring now as they were the first time I read them when she sent them to the group. There are even a couple there I had never read. It's a beautiful tribute to Kim and I will treasure it always.

If you haven't yet been to Kim's website to check it out or to sign the guest book, here's the address. http://www.kimvickers.com . It's well worth the visit and you can order the book from there also. All profits go to Kim's two children Colton and Amanda for their future education.

Love,
Lesley
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From Deb (
PixieDmyr@aol.com):

Friends:

Once again, we've lost scientists, explorers and visionaries in our quest for space and understanding. The loss of the seven astronauts aboard Columbia drives home the risks of exploration, no matter how advanced the training and technology. When we recall John Denver's support of the Citizen in Space program, this tragedy hits very close to home for all of his fans and friends. There are people who question the existence of the space program, who say that the money could be better spent on other programs. Yes, it's risky. It's expensive. But the scientific breakthroughs, especially the medical technology that has resulted from 40 years of NASA research, has proven invaluable in saving lives and improving the quality of life. The insights that result from pushing back the barriers and visualizing a world without borders, the epiphany that this planet is a big blue marble in space, and is likely the only planet exactly like it in the entire universe, is worth the risk. It is on the edge of chaos that all growth occurs. Space marks one of those edges; the ocean marks the other.

So the next time you look up at the night sky, remember John, remember Challenger, remember Columbia, and remember that "the darker the night, the brighter the stars."

Peace, Love and Understanding -
John Denver: The Legacy Continues...

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WEBSITES OF INTEREST
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Natl. Wildlife Fed shopping -
http://www.nationalwildlife.org/shopping/
Windstar Foundation Home Page -
http://www.wstar.org/
Wilderness Society -
http://www.wilderness.org/
Hunger Site -
http://www.thehungersite.com
Share Our Strength -
http://www.strength.org/
Center for Marine Conservation -
http://www.cmc-ocean.org/
Jane Doe Inc. Voices for Change -
http://www.janedoe.org/donate_left.htm

from Shirlee in CT <
shirleelaz@attbi.com>
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The Blossom Foundation For Children & The Environment --
www.blossomfoundation.ORG

from Carol Sullivan (
BlossomFound@aol.com)
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Save a Duck -- www.saveaduck.com
Geese Peace --
http://www.geesepeace.org/

from Sandy Clark (
tybrenn@attbi.com)

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The Feinstein Foundation (every year they contribute 1,000,000 USD to agencies across the country to help feed the hungry) --
http://www.feinsteinfoundation.com/

from Nancy Anglin (
JDEN1951@aol.com)

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WV Artist Bryan Lemasters --
http://www.ovis.net/~blemastr/ (amazing artwork of West Virginia and interesting conservation information)

from Rick Resseger (
ResseggerR@utanet.com)


Thanks to all for this month's submissions -- please don't forget to keep sending 'em in! -- AS

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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.
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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! Gift your loved one 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. For more information, you can email us at wldlifecreation@wildmail.com.

Diana and Susan
Wildlife Creations
http://www.geocities.com/wldlifecreation

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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
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From DENlines, 9 February 2003

1. SAVING MANATEES: With your help, sea cows are given new safe havens

Thanks to DEN members and supporters who sent petitions from our
www.HelpManatees.org Web site, Defenders of Wildlife has won strong, new protections for Florida's endangered manatees. Under a new agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finally promised to create new manatee protection zones on four heavily traveled rivers. Among other protections, the pact also calls for stepped-up enforcement of boat speed limits in manatee sanctuaries. The deal comes only after a federal judge threatened to cite Interior Secretary Gale Norton for contempt for refusing to obey orders to establish new protections for the gentle sea cows. To learn more, click here: http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/new/manate es.html.

2. LOUD AND CLEAR: Public strongly against drilling in Arctic refuge

A new national poll shows the public remains strongly opposed to drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - a discredited proposal that Big Oil's political allies are pushing again in Congress. By a two-to-one margin, according to the poll conducted by Bellwether Research & Consulting and Lake, Snell, Perry & Associates, voters reject an argument to open the refuge even in the case of impending war with Iraq and a possible cut-off of part of America's supply of oil from the Middle East. And voters overwhelmingly agree that a proposal to include drilling within the pending federal budget bill amounts to back-door political maneuvering.

Six Republican senators, meanwhile, have sent a letter to GOP leaders opposing including in the pending budget bill any language that would give oil companies access to the refuge. The six are Olympia Snowe of Maine, John McCain of Arizona, Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, Susan Collins of Maine, Mike DeWine of Ohio and Peter Fitzgerald of Illinois. If you're from one of the above states, you can send a free on-line fax thanking your senator for supporting the refuge. Go to:
http://www.denaction.org , Alert #205.

To urge your senators to support saving America's greatest wildlife sanctuary for future generations, go to
www.savearcticrefuge.org.

3. WAR ON WOLVES: Western politicians seek to gut protections

Extremist lawmakers in three western states are trying to strip protections from endangered gray wolves. In Montana, they're backing legislation to classify wolves as predators that can be killed on sight. In Wyoming, lawmakers want to classify wolves as trophy game animals to be killed by hunters or as predators to be shot by anyone. Not to be outdone, Oregon politicians are also pushing shoot-on-sight legislation, even though there aren't any wolves known to be living in their state.

If you live in any of these three states, help save America's wolves by going to
http://www.DenAction.org, log in, then select either Alert #201, 202 or 203 to send an e-mail to your elected representatives.

4. WETLANDS AT RISK: Bush administration tries to weaken safeguards

The Bush administration is trying to dramatically reduce the number of wetlands, streams and ponds that are entitled to federal protection under the Clean Water Act. That landmark law has helped clean up many of our nation's waterways. But this latest administration assault against the environment would let polluters discharge wastes into more and more of our streams and wetlands without fear of prosecution. Wildlife depends on wetlands for survival.

To tell the Bush administration not to surrender these vital wetlands to corporate polluters and developers, go to
www.DenAction.org and respond to alert #204.

5. PROMISES FROM PELOSI: New House minority leader says she'll fight for environment

With Rep. Richard Pombo, a radical crusader against wildlife protections, rising to power as chairman of the House Resources Committee, environmentalists need all the help they can get on the Hill. That's one reason environmental leaders, including Defenders of Wildlife President Rodger Schlickeisen, met with new House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi as the 108th Congress prepared to start business. Throughout her public career, she has earned high grades from the League of Conservation Voters. Pelosi voted the right way on environmental matters 95 percent of the time in the last Congress. "During our meeting," Schlickeisen reported, "she told us of her determination to fight for the environment."

6. KLAMATH DISASTER: Norton gets blame for fish kill

Secretary Norton is getting the blame for the biggest fish kill ever on the Klamath River - the deaths of 33,000 salmon and steelhead trout last fall. A new report by the California Department of Fish and Game said the federal government caused the fish kill by diverting too much water for farmers. The department also warned that unless Norton increases flows, "there is a substantial risk" for more fish kills.

And here's another example of Norton's ignoring science to please her corporate friends - it was learned last week that when she overturned the ban on snowmobiles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks in November, she defied the findings of the administration's own study. It found snowmobiles damage the environment and harm the health of park employees.

Defenders of Wildlife
1101 14th Street, N.W.
Suite 1400
Washington, DC 20005

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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 March 19, 2003. Please be sure to include any contact information so that members can e-mail or snail-mail for further details.


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The content of this newsletter is entirely at the discretion of the "It's About Time" staff. Contributions, as always, are welcomed, although inclusion is not guaranteed. 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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