Page 38 RAIN September/October 1984 RUSH A.T. on the Move—The Lifemobile is a mobile facility providing demonstrations, inspiration, and how-to-do-it information on alternative technologies in food and energy production. Based in Gainesville, Florida, the Lifemobile roams America featuring displays that include indoor gardening for optimal nutrition, pedal- powered energy systems, solar-powered food dehydrators, and a solar water distiller. Write for more information to Lifemobile, 502 NW 75th Street, Suite 372, Gainesville, FL 32607; 904/495-9773. Liberal Arts for the 21st Century—Under a grant from The Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education, 14 faculty members from Monroe Community College in New York have created the first future-oriented appropriate-technology degree offered at a community college in the U.S. Stemming from the belief that present lifestyles and technologies cannot be sustained, and that forward- looking, practical alternatives can be created, the program offers courses in self-reliance skills, biological and physical interdependencies of the planet, and ethical and social understandings of technological development. For more information about this two-year program, called Human Ecology: Liberal Arts for the 21st Century, contact M. Garrett Bauman, Human Ecology Coordinator, Monroe Coirununity College, 1000 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14623, Ten Years—The Institute for Local Self- Reliance celebrated its 10 years of involvement in "common-sense economic development for cities" in May. To find out what the institute is doing these days, write to Institute for Local Self-Reliance, 2425 18th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; 202/232-4108. Owner-builder Schools Directory—Home Again Publishing announces its directory of owner-builder programs across the U.S. and Canada, where students can learn basic carpentry, wiring, plumbing, and project management skills. The directory provides up- to-date, detailed information, and addresses of such schools. Available for $2 from Home Again Publishing, PO Box 421, Village Station, New York, NY 10014. Pesticides in Herbs—According to an article in the April/May 1984 issue of the Canadian magazine Harrmvsmith, high levels of pesticides exist in most herbs imported into this country. The magazine recently sponsored a test for pesticide residues in oregano, in which all samples tested contained the residues of at least four of the eight pesticides analyzed (diazinon, malathion, DDE, TDE, benzene- hexachloride, DDT, 2,4-D, and atrazine). All but one of the samples also contained residues of at least one pesticide at levels exceeding Canadian government standards. Because per capita consumption of herbs is low, testing for high levels of pesticides is not a priority among regulatory agencies, the article stated. According to the World Health Organization, nearly a billion pounds of pesticides are applied to crops in developing countries each year, with the bulk of these desHned for markets in the U.S., Canada and other overdeveloped countries. (Thanks to Hortideas.) Nuclear Free Zone Guide—Tiward a Nuclear Free Future, a 44-page guide to organizing a nuclear-free zone effort in your community, is available for $5 (or $3 each for 10 or more) from Mobilization for Survival, a New York-based antinuclear-war group. In addition to the guide, two other booklets are also available: Uncovering the Nuclear Industry: A Research Guide ($2 or $1.50 for 10 or more), and Nuclear Free Zone Information Packet ($3 or $2.50 for 10 or more). From Mobilization for Survival, 853 Broadway, #2109B, New York, NY 10003. Alcohol Free Media—The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), in conjunction with the Consumer Federation of America and other local and national groups, is organizing a petition drive to ban alcohol advertising on television and radio. The campaign officially began in June, with the goal of gathering a million signatures by the beginning of 1985. Alcohol advertisers currently spend over 500 million dollars annually on broadcast advertising. The petition calls for the outright ban on this kind of advertising, or that advertisers devote an equal amount of broadcast time to informing the public of the health effects of alcohol use. For more information, and/or copies of the petition, send a SASE to: Alcohol Petition Drive, CSPI, 150116th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. Plants and Indoor Air Quality—Houseplants may provide the key to dealing with the increasingly serious problem of indoor air pollution, according to a study conducted by researchers at the National Space Technology Laboratories. The study found that the common spider plant was effective in removing formaldehyde from the semi-enclosed systems found in energy-efficient homes and offices. Formaldehyde, found in particle board, plywood, synthetic fabrics and some types of insulation, is thought to cause eye irritation, allergies, and respiratory distress, if emitted in high concentrations. A building with 1800 square feet of floor space would require approximately 70 spider plants, or 10 per room, the researchers reported. For details, see the April/June 1984 issue of Economic Botany. (Thanks to Hortideas, Route One, Gravel Switch, KY 40328.) Networking for Livability—Partners for Livable Places, of Washington, D.C., announces its Livability Clearinghouse, a free of charge, computerized referral service with information on projects and organizations aimed at improving the quality of life in communities. The clearinghouse database keeps track of the progress of projects funded through the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the activities of the nearly 500 nonprofit, corporate, municipal, and individual members of Partners for Livable Places. Listings from hundreds of other local, regional. and national organizations are also included Contact Tina Resick, Information Specialist, Partners for Livable Places, 1429 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036; 202/887-5990, Ecclesiastic Energy—Interfaith Coalition on Energy (ICE), founded in 1980 by the religious community in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area, offers seminars, technical information, a monthly newsletter, and energy audits, all aimed at reducing the energy costs of religious buildings. Recent issues of the newsletter have included manuals explaining how to do an energy audit. To receive the newsletter or find out more about the energy audit process, contact Interfaith Coalition on Energy, 1411 Walnut Street, Suite 1004, Philadelphia, PA 19102; 215/635-1122. Economics and Values—Broadening and enlarging the understanding of traditional values in light of experiences and new realities is the theme of Frances Moore Lappe's "Project on Values, Economics and Everyday Life." The project will explore the historical meanings of the traditional values of democracy, freedom, security, efficiency, work, fairness, responsibility, self-reliance, competition, and community, and how these interpretations can be adapted to fit present realities. Lappe will write articles, editorials, and a mass-market paperback book dealing with values and economics for the project, as well as produce audiovisual materials for classrooms and religious and study grodps. Project on Values, Institute for Food and Development Policy, 1885 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. Walk for the Earth—Since April 1, more than 20 people of diverse cultures, ages, and backgrounds have been walking 3800 miles from coastal California to Washington, DC, in support of ecological sanity, peace, and Native American rights. The goal of Walk For the Earth, which began in Point Reyes National Seashore and will arrive in the nation's capital on October 27, is to advocate viable alternatives to making war on the earth, native peoples, and each other. Stops will be made along the way for gatherings, meetings, and press conferences to put forward these goals and to inspire people to make wise lifestyle, consumer, and political choices. Contact Walk for the Earth, 2311 Mavis Circle, Tallahassee, FL 37301.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc4NTAz