Approximately 90% of Americans want genetically engineered foods labeled. So why isn’t it?
Contact the FDA and tell them you want GMO foods labeled. But don’t stop there. California has an important initiative coming up on the November ballot. If you are a California resident, VOTE in November on this initiative that will require labeling of GMO foods in California.

For another look at how Robyn O’Brien came to her decision on food labeling, see Got Allergies? This Post is for You.
A mother has a right to Know What’s in her kids’ food. That is the conclusion that Robyn O’Brien, mother and founder of the AllergyKids Foundation, came to when one of her daughters had a serious food allergy reaction to a common breakfast food. O’Brien, mother of four and a former food industry analyst, wants genetically modified food (also know as GE foods, GM foods, or GMOs) labeled. The video describes how this unlikely candidate became an advocated for healthier food.

Approximately 90% of Americans want genetically engineered foods labeled. So why isn’t it?

Contact the FDA and tell them you want GMO foods labeled. But don’t stop there. California has a important initiative coming up on the November ballot. If you are a California resident, VOTE in November on this initiative that will require labeling of GMO foods in California.

For another look at how Robyn O’Brien came to her decision on food labeling, see Got Allergies? This Post is for You.

Earth Day and Every Day–It’s worthy of our care.

Photo courtesy GardenQuest via BBB Seed Heirloom Vegetable & Wildflower

Don’t miss this informative event if:

• You want to help your congregation’s members be better stewards of the earth
• You want to know how to implement “green” practices at your house of worship
• You want to know what other congregations are doing.

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For many Christians, the 40-day period of fasting and reflection before Easter known as Lent is a chance to get in mental and spiritual shape.

People give up chocolate; quit drinking or smoking; avoid meat; start reading the Bible regularly; or even give up social media – “fasts” intended to discipline and re-direct one’s mind to the divine. For Catholics, liturgical Protestants, and, increasingly, non-denominational Christians around the country, Lent fasts can often feel like New Year’s Resolutions 2.0: a second attempt at giving up small indulgences for personal betterment.

Read the Entire Article Here.

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The song, “The Hand of Man,” was released as part of a new 21-track album with bands from Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia performing songs about protecting the Appalachian Mountains and surrounding communities from destructive coal mining practices.

Mountaintop removal mining is exactly what it sounds like: Explosives are used to to blow up mountains in order to access coal reserves, thus forcing rocks and soil into valleys and increasing concentrations of mercury and arsenic in water supplies. According to researchersfrom Washington State University and West Virginia University, communities located near mountaintop mining sites have seen double the amount of birth defects than the national rate. To date, almost 3,000 mountain ridges have been blown apart to access coal.

It is with a profound sense of loss that we recognize the passing of our friend, fellow EV advocate, and valued mentor Doug Korthof.  Doug was a passionate advocate for plug-in vehicles, who worked tirelessly to educate anyone who would listen about the benefits of driving electric.

For those of us involved in the fight to stop the automaker’s practice of removing working electric vehicles from the road, Doug was always there, working late night shifts and volunteering to help with most any task.  He was a prolific writer whose musings on electric transportation can still be found on numerous websites.

Doug’s passions ran far beyond plug-in vehicles.  He was also a strong advocate for solar energy, opening the family home to numerous tours, speaking at public events and government hearings, and helping out at his son William’s solar business.  In his home of Orange County California, Doug is well known for leading roles in stopping the offshore dumping of lightly treated municipal sewerage through the county’s ocean outfall pipe. He was also a moving force to reduce the size and scope of development on the Bolsa Chica Wetlands as well as a strong voice for the rights of Native Americans, whose ancestral villages and burial grounds were being disturbed by development.

Doug is survived by his wife Lisa Rosen, and sons William and Ed Korthof.

Doug’s loss will be felt far and wide in the Plug-in community.  If you’d like to help celebrate Doug’s contributions, a Doug Korthof Memorial Charger Fund has been established to fund the installation and maintenance of one or more charging locations in Doug’s honor.  With the help of Doug’s family, locations will be selected near Doug’s family home in Seal Beach California or his alma-mater, Cal State Long Beach.   The installation and maintenance will be managed by the non-profit organization, Adopt-A-Charger.  If you’d like to donate to this effort you can do so here:

http://adoptacharger.org/doug-korthof-memorial-fund

Topics being covered are:

• The up to $2,500 rebate available through California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project.
• Southern California Edison’s PEV rates and programs.
• Regional activity on public infrastructure.

Date: February 15, 2012

Time: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Location: Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA

For more information or to register click here.