February/March 1982 RAIN Page 3 4 <■ Dear RAIN, Your publication means so much these days-—a glimmer ol hope in a sea of frustrations. Mike Geringer Seattle, WA Hi, I saw a mention of RAIN in a 1978 copy of Briarpatch and was wondering if you are still in existence and if so why ? D.E. Wahaus Monroe, OR Dear D.E., Yes, we are alive and kicking. As to why, that's a question we sometimes ask ourselves. Dear Friends, How come there are so few female names among your principals and writers? Suggest you get a copy of the “Feminism & Ecology" issue (#13) of Heresies Magazine, published at P.O. Box 766, Canal Street Station, New York City, N.Y. 10013—an unlikely address for a project that bills itself as “Earthkeeping/Earthshaking,'' but there are some mind-shaking insights. I've been defending Earth in a variety of ways, physical and writing, for a good part of my 83 years, latterly (27 years) with a fully organic garden. My Druid Heights home is dedicated to Gaia. Like your poster/flyer. Happy Winter Solstice, Elsa Gidlow Mill Valley, CA Dear Elsa, You must be thinking of a former RAIN staff when you suggest that we are all men. Laura, Nancy, Salena, Lisa, and regular contributors Gail and Tanya all join me in making certain that a woman's presence is maintained here. We're sending along our own "Feminism and Ecology" issue for your perusal. Hope you enjoy it. Happy Vernal Equinox to you! Carlotta Dear RAIN (Carlotta), Belatedly, this is to say thanks for the most intelligent review we've gotten yet for Delores Wolfe's Growing Food in Solar Greenhouses. We're not surprised, of course, that it came from RAIN. But we do want to express our appreciation. You read it! And you got the point! And you liked it! Thanks! Sandra Otto Sunwords Editorial Services, Inc. Hurley, NY CORRECTION In our January issue we ran an article on irrigation development in the Pacific Northwest ("Whither Water: Wet Fields or Water Power?") but didn't tell you about our knowledgeable guest writer. Diane Jones is a member of the Idaho Citizens Coalition and author of the 1981 publication Water, Energy and Land—Public Resources and Irrigation Development in the Pacific Northwest reviewed in that same issue. ACCESS CONSERVATION "What to Look For in Window Insulation," by Jennifer A. Adams, Solar Age, January 1982, $2.50, from: Solar Age Magazine Church Hill Harrisville, NH 03450 This is probably the most succinct consumer's introduction to insulating window coverings around. If you're planning to invest in insulated curtains, shutters or shades, and yet know you'll never read one of the excellent but long books on the subject (see RAIN VI:9,6) at least read this article. It will explain basic heat loss principles, types of insulators, some potential product hazards and leave you with a lot of good shopping savvy. Sadly, the "Window Insulating Directory" also in this issue will test your consumer skepticism. The Directory is an attempt to "put you in touch with the ' manufacturers who have the right products for your building or home." The problem is that they provide little information to help you weigh one product over another. You'll have to do what architects and designers do; send for the manufacturer's product information, and then try to compare from that. Since no manufacturer is likely to tell you that their product is so-so in snugness or durability while another is really better, you'll be stuck back at the beginning, looking for a consumer's guide. Sorry. —CC Energy Saving Decorating, by Judy Lindahl, 1981,128 pp., $5.95 ppd., from: Judy Lindahl 3211 N.E. Siskiyou Portland, OR 97212 I wonder whether very many people, on their way to buy fabric for curtains, would stop at the conservation and energy section of their library first. Not many, Tm sure, and yet that visit could help them create a home that's not only prettier but warmer (or cooler) and less costly to keep that way. So given that decorators and do-it-yourselfers are not necessarily energy scholars, this little book could prove to be more useful and more used than some more academic or Scientific ones. Why? Because you're more likely to find it at fabric stores, and it's anything but intimidating. Judy Lindahl manages to convey just about all the conservation data you'll need and can absorb, without getting bogged down in it, but goes beyond that to discuss the psychological role of color and other elements that make a space feel warmer without any real temperature changes. Then she describes, with designs, directions and excellent material resource lists, several sewable insulators, from curtains to comforters. All in all, this may not be the best book on energy conservation, but if it gets the distribution it deserves, it may end up being one of the most "cost-effective." -;-CC
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