IAT
NEWSLETTER
Winter 2009
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"IT'S ABOUT TIME WE BEGIN IT,
TO TURN THE WORLD AROUND . . . "
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ORGANIZATION INFORMATION
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Co-Founder/Former President - Marcelle Orswell
(notmartha2@yahoo.com)
Co-Founder and Secretary -- Theresa Shea (Tree1A@aol.com)
Co-Founder/Webpage Designer-Sandy Clark (tybrenn@comcast.net)
Co-Presidents -- Ann Schnitz (aerie01@comcast.net)
and
Mary Ledford (eagleshorses@yahoo.com)
Web Site -- -- http://home.comcast.net/~tybrenn/iat/
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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Dear Friends,
The winter of 2009 is finally upon us. While seemingly cold and bleak, there are flowers
beginning to grow through the snow towards the sunlight. Our season of change and renewal will
come – but it will take time, it will take patience and most of all, it will take the efforts of
each and every one of us. Won’t you do your part in tending our garden? And if you do, I
hope you’ll share your harvest with us.
My heart to yours,
Ann
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
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"We need wilderness whether or not we ever set foot in it. We need a refuge even though we may never need to go there.... We need the possibility of
escape as surely as we need hope." - Edward Abbey
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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FEBRUARY
February 27, 2009 - Charlottesville, VA - "A Tribute to the Music of John Denver" will be performed by Jim Curry, his band and special guest Jim Connor. 8:00pm at the Paramount Theater, 215 East Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 979-1333 http://www.theparamount.net http://www.JimCurryMusic.com
MARCH
March 21, 2009 – Frederick, MD – “Friends With You” band in Concert / Weinberg Center for the Arts / 20 W. Patrick St. 7:30pm (301) 788-7090 http://www.friendswithyouband.com
March 21, 2009 – UK – John Adams Concert for Friends of John Denver will follow the spring Denver Day / Christine Moon fojdclub@fojd.org.uk * http://www.fojd.org.uk
APRIL
April 3, 2009 - Netherlands - John Adams concert in Hendrik Ido Ambacht (near Rotterdam) in Cascade theater. Tickets go on sale 9-8-08.
April 17, 2009 - Kansas City, MO - "The Music of John Denver" will be performed by the Kansas City Symphony at 8:00pm at the Church of the Resurrection / 5001 W. 137th Street / Leawood, KS 66224 http://www.kcsymphony.org Jim Curry will be joined by his band as well as former John Denver band members Alan Deremo, Ritchie Gajate Garcia and Pete Huttlinger. (816) 471-0400 / www.JimCurryMusic.com Guest Conductor: Lee Holdridge
April 18, 2009 – Austin, TX – “Friends With You” band in concert.(301) 788-7090 http://www.friendswithyouband.com
April 18, 2009 – Churchville, PA -- Earth Day Celebration Concert with Chris Westfall 7:30pm. Tickets: $10/person. Please call the Nature Center for tickets, 215-357-4005
For more information: churchvillenaturecenter@co.bucks.pa.us and http://www.churchvillenaturecenter.org
April 24, 2009 – Independence, KY – John Denver Tribute Concert by Mark Cormican / Kenton County Library 7:00pm (859) 962-4030 http://www.markcormican.com
MAY
May 2, 2009 – Atlanta, GA – “Friends With You” Band (678) 576-0269 http://www.friendswithyouband.com
May 30, 2009 – Bristol, PA -- Charlie Zahm at Silver Lake Nature Center, 7:30PM. Come early to enjoy the trails and exhibits, then relax and enjoy the Concert. Tickets: $10/person. Call 215-785-1177 or email: PattiAnn Cutter at pacutter@co.bucks.pa.us for tickets and additional information. Visit Charlie's website at http://www.charliezahm.com or http://www.silverlakenaturecenter.org
JUNE
June 13, 2009 – Hamilton, OH – “Friends With You” Band (859) 567-2955 http://www.friendswithyouband.com
June 19, 2009 - Kennecott, Alaska - "John Denver Solstice Tribute 6:00pm Recreation Hall / Live music, video, potluck dinner and storytelling info@wrangells.org (907) 554-4464 http://www.wrangells.org
June 27, 2009 - Denver, CO - "John Denver - The Tribute" with Roy Rivers, featuring Steve Weisberg. 8:00pm $25 Red Rocks Amphitheater http://www.john-denver-tribute.com
JULY
July 14, 2009 - Estes Park, CO - "John Denver Tribute Concert" - TropiCowboy Band / Brad & Kathy Fitch
Branson, MO - Monday through Saturday 10:00am "A Tribute to John Denver & Country Music Legends". James Garrett sings John Denver's best-loved hits. IMAX Little Opry Theatre / 3562 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway / Branson, MO 65616 (800) 419-4832
(thanks to Emily Parris and the Rocky Mountain High newsletter for these dates; thanks too, to Karen Tupek for keeping us up to date with Mack Bailey’s schedule, PattiAnn Cutter and others for information on Chris Westfall and Charlie Zahm’s engagements, and Deb Sanderson for news of events in California)
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LETTERS & POEMS
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Airports Go Green
(by Carole Romanowski - whispjesse@aol.com)
My Journal News daily newspaper reports that Westchester County Airport here in NY state unveiled a fleet of 25 all new electric airport and ground vehicles and machinery recently - like the ones baggage handlers use to move your luggage. These new electric vehicles are mainly powered by industrial batteries and 13 fast-charge stations. They help cut out the need for fossil fuels and the air pollutants they produce.
These new machines will save taxpayers $200,000/year in fuel costs. "This is not only good for the economy... but for getting carbon out of the atmosphere," Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano reported. The original fleet is being replaced because it is out of compliance with clean air standards and was the second largest producer of greenhouse gases at the airport.
Among the 25 new machines are baggage carriers and aircraft tractors. Stationary machinery, like luggage conveyor belts, will also go green to reduce impacts on the environment.
County officials estimate about 121,000 gallons of fuel will be saved annually. The $2.47M cost of the new vehicles was funded partly by the state Dept. of Transportation and a Federal Aviation Administration grant set up to encourage other airports to reduce emissions in the near future.
I'm sure John Denver, being the aviator and environmentalist he was, is smiling broader now every time someone is "Leaving on a Jet Plane!"
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From Virginia Allen (vallen@samallen.com), an excerpt of a book she's writing about JD:
In late 1989 and early 1990, John represented the National Arbor Day Foundation, using his talents to write the lyrics below for Public Service Announcements that he recorded for radio and TV. People were being urged to plant trees, which was a cause dear to John's heart and one that he expanded on later with his involvement through Windstar in the Plant-It 2000 program.
TREES FOR AMERICA |
Plant a tree for your tomorrow
It's your tree that clears the air.
Plant a tree, trees for America,
Plant a tree today for all the world to share.
Taste the breeze of life inside you,
Make a promise to the earth,
Plant a tree, now is the time
To recognize a tree for all that it is worth.
Plant a tree for your tomorrow
Plant a tree that clears the air
Plant a tree, trees for America,
Plant a tree today for all the world to share.
Thanks to Lorrie Sjoquist for lyrics
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From Tree Shea (TREE1A@aol.com):
This is a site I found. And they write and produce their own videos, they call themselves Baseforce, all based on the military. I think now everyone knows someone fighting in this war, but they do a nice job with John's song:
http://baseforce.org/deployment/leaving_on_a_jet_plane/
http://www.baseforce.org/
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I found this site to be just so creative and heartfelt. Please visit
The following is a blog entry by Chris Collins on the Peaceful Blue Planet web site. www.peacefulblueplanet.org (thanks, Chris, for letting IAT print this – AS)
DID THE TERRORISTS WIN?
A quick glance at the world condition and it’s not hard to see how much things have changed over the last 10 years.
The world teeters in a precarious balance between peace and war, between having enough energy to having fuel shortages, between having ample food supplies and starvation. It only takes a bit of interruption to set the teeter totter swinging wildly. This appears to be exactly what is happening now as a result of terrorist activities across the globe. Their goal is not to win a war but disrupt our way of life. They won before we ever launched a bomb or fired a shot. They won when we had to install expensive screening for our airlines, and they won when oil prices went through the roof. And, they have won as the world economy has collapsed.
But they have only won a battle and not a war, for in the end they have helped us realize that our old way of doing things was outdated. Our overspending and careless consumption would eventually have led us down the same economic road. Our expenditures on foreign oil and energy have fueled the economies of the very countries that detest America's government and the freedoms that we support. Our economic system has for too long allowed those at the top of multi billion dollar companies and government to act without conscience or responsibility for their actions. For too long we have allowed executives to reward themselves, even as their companies were failing.
Indeed the collapse of our world as we know it is a wake up call to hold responsible those people that have been entrusted with government and corporations. It’s also a wake up call that we must become energy self-sufficient. Should America have to defend itself against an oil supplying adversary, we must be able to depend upon our own resources.
Blue collar almost became a dirty word in our modern economy. The great pride that America had in its manufacturing industry during World War II has long since disappeared. Large companies are willing to sell out its employees to the lowest bidder in a foreign country. We must return to a mind set of honoring those workers that built America with a living wage. Top executives for too long have sold out the American worker for the bottom line and their obscenely large bonuses.
As the terrorists have pushed for a holy war, Americans have been tested in our belief in freedom of religion and right to privacy. And we have passed. We are, as President Obama said, a nation of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and non-believers. Our tolerance is our strength. Our people are our strength. For a time our government became, not a government for the people, but rather a government for corporations. It appears the tide has turned and we the American people have taken back our government.
We will have hard times in the years ahead. But we will survive and become a stronger nation with a stronger economy that respects even the lowliest employee. For each of us bring a unique set of skills and gifts. Whether you are a top executive, a teacher, or a greeter at a discount store, you own this country and we all own it equally. Our constitution does not count your vote any more or any less based on net worth.
We will win this war against terror with the distribution of dignity to all people and a pride in the work ethic that built America. It’s our ability to adapt and a trust in our core value system that will bring us prosperity once again.
Echoes of a Life |
If I could change the hands of time
And deem destiny's delay
There'd be more reasons for the rhyme
For John would still be here today.
Mother Nature's devoted son
A loving steward of the earth
Wearing sunshine on his shoulders
And Windstar's dream 9 years from birth.
A husband, dad, brother and son
Eagle's friend, he soared in flight
Claiming the Rockies as his high
And Hunger Project for wanting plight.
A poet, musician, writer of song
Filling our senses with his voice
To represent Citizens in Space
And children with little choice.
Light-hearted John would cry "Far out!"
Alone, find "kin" in Yellowstone
Now his footsteps echo "...down country roads"
'Neath "... the wings that fly us Home."
(copyright by Carole Romanowski (whispjesse@aol.com))
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CONSCIOUS CHOICES – TIPS AND TRICKS FOR SAVING $, TIME AND THE ENVIRONMENT
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Did you know that chargers such as those for your iPod or cellphone are always drawing electricity, even when they’re not in use? Pull out their plugs unless you’re charging your electronic equipment to save money and energy.
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WEBSITES OF INTEREST
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IDEAL BITE
The Four R’s
What lesson's just as important as readin', 'ritin', and 'rithmetic?
The Bite
Recyclin', of course. Teach littl'uns greener ways - just as important as the traditional fundamentals - with a regular trip to the recycling center.
The Benefits
Givin' to receive. Dropping off bottles and cans for recycling means the planet gets a breather and the kids get a little extra cash.
Teachin' good eco-habits. Making recycling a regular part of their lives is great practice for a lifelong environmentality - and saves landfill space and resources (using recycled aluminum, for example, uses 95% less energy than making cans from new ore).
Wanna Try?
Take kids to the recycling center regularly (often in your supermarket's parking lot). While you're at it, talk to them about how recycling pays for the planet.
Kids Recycling Zone - one-stop shop for kids to learn about recycling. http://www.kidsrecyclingzone.com/
Story of Stuff - this 20-minute free web video is a great illuminator of what happens to trash when we chuck it - not just for kids, either. http://www.storyofstuff.com/
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FOR SALE
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If you're looking for something special for a special someone, come check out what Wildlife Creations (http://www.geocities.com/wldlifecreation) has to offer!! We have many items relating to John Denver and other items that would make fantastic gifts for people you know and love! Or gift someone who is hard to buy for, something that they will talk about for years! From keychains, snowglobes, t-shirts, potpourri jars and more!!! We're sure you'll find something! And remember, whenever you purchase from Wildlife Creations, you're not only giving a gift to someone you know, but to the Windstar Foundation and also the National Wildlife Federation, in John's memory, for wolf education as all proceeds are given to them. Wildlife Creations is now offering a feature product.
Checkout the website for this month's offering! For more information, you can email us at wldlifecreation@wildmail.com.
In this healing time...
Thank you for helping to make the world
a better place in which to live,
Diana and Susan
Wildlife Creations
http://www.geocities.com/wldlifecreation
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
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Rising Acidity Is Threatening Food Web of Oceans, Science Panel Says
By CORNELIA DEAN
Published: January 30, 2009
The oceans have long buffered the effects of climate change by absorbing a substantial portion of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. But this benefit has a catch: as the gas dissolves, it makes seawater more acidic. Now an international panel of marine scientists says this acidity is accelerating so fast it threatens the survival of coral reefs, shellfish and the marine food web generally.
The panel, comprising 155 scientists from 26 countries and other international groups, is not the first to point to growing ocean acidity as an environmental threat. For example, a group of eminent scientists convened by The Nature Conservancy issued a similar assessment in August. But the new report’s blunt language and international backing give its assessment unusual force. It called for “urgent action” to sharply reduce emissions of carbon dioxide.
“Severe damages are imminent,” the group said Friday in a statement summing up its deliberations at a symposium in Monaco last October. The statement, called the Monaco Declaration, said increasing acidity was interfering with the growth and health of shellfish and eating away at coral reefs, processes that would eventually affect marine food webs generally.
Already, the group said, there have been detectable decreases in shellfish and shell weights, and interference with the growth of coral skeletons.
Jeremy B. C. Jackson, a coral expert at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego who has no connection to the Monaco report, said “there is just no doubt” that the acidification of the oceans is a major problem. “Nobody really focused on it because we were all so worried about warming,” he said, “but it is very clear that acid is a major threat.”
Carbon dioxide, principally from the burning of fossil fuels, is the major component of greenhouse gas emissions, which have risen steadily since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century.
Oceans absorb about a quarter of carbon dioxide emissions, the group said, but as the gas dissolves in the oceans it produces carbonic acid.
The group says acidity of ocean surface waters has increased by 30 percent since the 17th century.
“The chemistry is so fundamental and changes so rapid and severe that impacts on organisms appear unavoidable,” according to James Orr, who headed the symposium’s scientific committee. Dr. Orr is a chemical oceanographer at the Marine Environmental Laboratory in Monaco, an affiliate of the International Atomic Energy Agency, a United Nations body.
According to the declaration, “ocean acidification may render most regions chemically inhospitable to coral reefs by 2050.” The group said that acidification could be controlled only by limiting future atmospheric levels of the gas. Other strategies, including “fertilizing” the oceans to encourage the growth of tiny marine plants that take up carbon dioxide, may actually make the problem worse in some regions, it said.
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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 April 19, 2009. 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 contents of this newsletter are entirely at the discretion of the "It's About Time" staff. Contributions, as always, are welcomed, although inclusion is not guaranteed. All contributed material may be subject to editing for content and length.
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". . . IT'S ABOUT TIME WE START TO LIVE
IT,
THE FAMILY OF MAN,
IT'S ABOUT TIME
AND IT'S ABOUT CHANGES . . .
AND IT'S ABOUT TIME."
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