Updates May 2008

• /31/08 - May is Lyme Disease Prevention Month Ticks & Lyme Disease Lyme Disease and other Tick-borne Diseases The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and local health departments continue to investigate the spread of Lyme disease throughout New York State. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected deer tick. Untreated, the disease can cause a number of health problems. Patients treated with antibiotics in the early stage of the infection usually recover rapidly and completely. Since Lyme disease first became reportable in 1986, over 72,000 cases have now been confirmed in New York State. --from New York State Department of Health
• 5/31/08 -  - **EVENT**  -  Got an issue with Rochester's Environment? MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2008 ROCHESTER ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Time: 5:30 PM Location: City Hall, Conference Room 124B Address: 30 Church Street If you have any questions, please contact Dorraine Carr Laudisi at 428-6698.
• 5/31/08 - This Rochester-area site sounds interesting, working on Global Warming with a local agenda. Go Green Rochester - Global Warming Awareness Go Green Rochester is committed to raising environmental awareness throughout the Rochester community. Our new site is designed to educate community members on how to get involved while highlighting the individuals, organizations, and businesses in Rochester who are doing their part to help. Go Green Rochester is proposing a Bag Global Warming Day for Rochester and its surrounding communities. Our goal is to give away 500,000 bags to the general public, free of charge, dispersed at different locations throughout Monroe County. Companies sponsoring the Bag Global Warming Day will receive premier placement on these bags. We are hoping that Bag Global Warming Day becomes an integral part of our sustainability initiative that will change our culture and the way we think as a community. In the meantime, we invite you to work with us to educate Rochester about your company or organization’s green initiatives. Contact us to learn how you can be featured on our ‘Green Rochester’ page within this site.
• 5/30/08 - Commuting by bike is great for the environment, Transportation, and great for your health.  But, it's a change and if you are considering it, bone up on some recommendations.  Here's a site that will help Commute by Bike | Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters  Especially, check out Commuting 101 | Commute by Bike
• 5/30 -08 - - **EVENT**  - According to the American Hiking Society, which sponsors National Trails Day, the event inspires the public and trail enthusiasts nationwide to seek out their favorite trails to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops and trail work projects. So why not join the Trails Committee on Saturday, June 7th at the Veterans Memorial Park in Penfield, from 9 to 12pm, as we help the Penfield Trails Committee and the Parks' Department spruce up the trail extension located behind the Penfield Town Hall? [Click for map (3.2 mb pdf)] For this year's project, we will help do basic trail maintenance (spread wood chips and rake them out) with equipment provided by the Parks Department. All you need to bring is water, work gloves, hat, sunscreen, and your stamina. For more information on how to join us, contact Mary Norman. At 12pm, we will head to a local restaurant for lunch. In addition, there will be a hike before or after the project as part of the Saturday Hiking program–check back here as the details for the hike unfold. Contact Mary Norman at Mary.Norman@xerox.com  or 585-278-7547.
• 5/28/08 -  - **EVENT**  -Finger Lakes Water Day - Sunday, June 1, 2008 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm On the shores of Keuka Lake Champlin Beach Park, Hammondsport, NY Admission and Parking Free Learn water testing and aquatic identification with local science teachers. A wide range of organizations working on water issues have been invited to exhibit, including the Bath Fish Hatchery, DEC, Haudenausaunee Environmental Task Force, Keuka Lake Association, Peaceweavers, soil and water associations, historical societies and libraries, sheriff’s offices, fishing and angling groups, local artists, local publishers, and trail associations. Local musicians and authors will perform. Food will be available. Sponsored by: The Finger Lakes Group of the Sierra Club, the Steuben County Environmental Management Council, the Steuben County League of Women Voters and the Schuyler County Environmental Management Council. For information about attending or exhibiting, email flwaterday@ecobooks.com  or call 607-962-5157 Download the Flyer
• 5/28/08 -  - **EVENT**  -  Coastal Connections Thursday, June 12, 2008 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club, 7030 Bayview Drive Coastal Connections offers a day-long conference with expert speakers discussing perspectives on Lake Ontario. Items to be covered include lake level regulation, water quality, watershed projects, and a keynote address by Commissioner Grannis of the NYS DEC. --from CEI: Center for Environmental Information
• 5/28/08 -  - **EVENT**  -  BirdCOR (Bird Coalition of Rochester) & Genesee Valley Audubon Society -  Contact: David Semple - 585-223-8369 or dsemple@birdcor.org - Event Title: 5th Annual Rubber Duck Race & NEW Super Duck Draw at Fairport Canal Days Event Date: Sunday, June 8, 2008 (pre-race activities all weekend; duck drop and race at 3 p.m., Sun., June 8th) Location: Erie Canal at Main Street (Route 250), Fairport - Presented by: BirdCOR & Genesee Valley Audubon Society - Phone: 585-223-8369 - Web site: www.birdcor.org Event Details: Ready ... Set ... Quack! .... The rubber duckies will take their annual plunge for charity on Sunday afternoon, June 8, as a culminating element of Fairport Canal Days, one of the largest festivals of its kind in the northeast. This year’s top prize in the Rubber Duck Race will be a check for $500 to the winner. One lucky winner in our new Super Duck Draw will receive half the “super” tix proceeds up to $5,000. PRIZES: Duck Race: Grand Prize $500; over 70 prizes worth over $2,400. Super Duck Draw: One prize of 50% of the proceeds up to $5,000. PRICES: Admission: FREE. Duck Race Tickets: $5 per ticket. Super Duck Draw Tickets: $20 per ticket. (Only 500 “Super” tix available.) OTHER DETAILS: Buy tickets now at: Gift Ferrys, Head to Toe Essentials, TK’s Pizzeria (Village of Fairport). The program is wheelchair accessible and open to the public. The splashy event raises funds for BirdCOR’s Flying WILD™—an education program of teacher workshops and student service-learning projects in the Rochester area. Sponsored by various local merchants donating prizes for the event. Information, images from the duck race, & printable fact sheets at: www.birdcor.org .
• 5/24/08 -  - **EVENT**  -  Sierra Club Book Study Group -The next gathering of the Sierra Club book discussion group will be a potluck picnic, Monday, June 9, at 6:30 p.m. Assuming good weather*, we will gather at the picnic tables in Highland Park, near the reservoir, at the "overlook". Beverages will be provided. Please bring a dish to share and your own place setting. There is room there to park 5-6 cars, perpendicular to Reservoir Drive; other parking is further west on Reservoir. We thought it would be fun to have a more free-wheeling discussion, after all the ones we've had that focused on a particular book. In addition, we want to make some plans for the 2008-09 season, including how to publicize our existence, so more people will join in the fun. * If the weather is not obviously good, call Janet Laird (323-2254) to confirm where we will gather  -- from Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club
• 5/24/08 -  - **EVENT**  - Hybrid Electric Vehicle Bus and Truck Seminar -When: Tuesday- June 24, 2008 8:30 a.m.-3:00p.m. -Where: Leonard Bus Sales Inc. 7150 Apple Tree Ave. Bergen, NY 14416 • Presentations and Updates on the Latest Commercial & School Bus HEV Technology • Product Reviews • Discussion of Funding Opportunities • Equipment Show • Ride and Drive • Lunch will be provided -Presented by the Genesee Region Clean Communities coalition in partnership with Leonard Bus Sales Inc. Event Sponsors: There is no charge for this event but you must register in advance to attend. Invitations will be sent out soon.
• 5/24/08 -  - **EVENT**  - Rochester Birding Association field Trips" June 7 Saturday Bergen Swamp A trip to this unique place is by special permit from the Bergen Swamp Preservation Society and will feature nesting birds. The mix of vegetation zones provides secluded nesting habitat for the usual western N.Y. species as well as those more characteristic of the Canadian zone such as Blue-headed Vireo, Hermit Thrush, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Black-and -White, Canada and Nashville Warblers. This is a walking trip of 2-5 miles on variably wet and slippery corduroy trails that must be followed closely for safety reasons and because of the fragile habitat. Sturdy boots (rather than sneakers) are STRONGLY recommended and hiking or ski poles may be useful. Parking at the trailhead is limited so we will meet in the parking lot of the Sunoco Gas Station at the junction of Routes 33 and 19 at 7:30 a.m. Drive about 20 miles west of Rochester on I-490 to exit 2. Turn right (north) on Route 33 and go about one mile to the junction with Route l9. Turn left (west) and then immediately left into the parking lot. Park near the "Drop Off" sign. Leaders: Jay 256-0485 and Kimberly 503-2534.  --from Rochester Birding Association
• 5/24/08 -  - **EVENT**  - Rochester Birding Association field Trips" June 1 Sunday Letchworth State Park Looking for a variety of nesting warblers, vireos, flycatchers and many other species. Meet at the west side Mt. Morris Dam Overlook parking lot at 6:00 a.m. Extra spotting scopes and FRS radios would be very helpful. Leaders: Doug Bassett (park naturalist) 493-3625 and Bob S. 671-5690. --from Rochester Birding Association
• 5/24/08 -  - **EVENT**  - Rochester Birding Association field Trips" May 31 Saturday Allegany County We'll explore upland habitat and visit Foster Lake to look for nesting Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ravens, White-throated Sparrows, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Clay-colored Sparrows, Cliff Swallows and Prairie Warblers. Meet at Border's Bookstore on Hylan Drive (across from Marketplace Mall) at 6:30 a.m. where possible car pool arrangements can be made. It's advisable to pack a lunch, snacks and beverage. Leaders: Betsy 607-587-9571 and John L. 586-0683. --from Rochester Birding Association
• 5/24/08 -  - **EVENT**  - Rochester Birding Association field Trips" May 27 Tuesday Oatka Creek Park Woods and meadow provide great habitat for nesting species such as Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee, Blue-winged Warbler and Field Sparrow. Meet at the park entrance -- intersection of Quaker Road and Union Street in Garbutt at 7:30 a.m. Take Route 383 (Scottsville-Mumford Road) west 1.5 to 2 miles from its intersection with Route 386 in Scottsville and turn south on Union Street for about 0.5 miles. Leaders: Jay 256-0485 and Ursula 226-8380. --from Rochester Birding Association
• 5/22/08 -  - **EVENT**  - The Henrietta Youth Asset Team is planning an Environmental Awareness and Action Day! Date: Saturday, August 16, 2008 Time: 10-4 (demonstrations, workshops, & tabling 10-3 & park cleanup 3-4) Location: Hansen Nature Center in Tinker Park, 1525 Calkins Rd. Henrietta - We are looking for individuals and groups who are interested in having an information table at the event and/or providing an informative workshop or demonstration for conference attendees. We expect attendance of between 200-250 youth and adults. Presentation materials should be youth-friendly (factual but not overly frightening and focused on solution-oriented activities in which anyone can engage) Particular areas of interest to our youth organizers are: energy conservation, water conservation, battery and other household waste recycling, addressing automobile dependence and other suburban eco-issues. Interested parties may contact me at this email OR shughes@townofhenrietta.org OR by calling 359-2540 and asking for me, Sara Hughes.
• 5/22/08 -  - **EVENT**  - Nightlife that promotes environmental awareness - On Saturday May 31st, get ready for "EARTH". The first event of the ELEMENT series presented at ONE Nightclub (1 Ryan Alley, Rochester, NY 14607 ) . Themed after the Earth’s Elements, these musical social experiences will give club goers the chance to see some of the World's best house dj's while at the same time promoting and encouraging environmental awareness. Aside from being able to sign electronic petitions at the club regarding “green” issues like the “ Bigger Better Bottle Bill “. People will also have the opportunity to receive interactive information from local environmental groups like www.greenupstateny.org , www.foodlinkny.org  and www.newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester . For the “Earth” event, there will be giveaways of Bitter:Sweet's highly anticipated sophomore release "Drama". This will be an exclusive opportunity to get a cd hard copy before it hits stores on June 3rd!
• 5/22/08 -  - **EVENT**  - Save Energy Save Dollars - This is a great time to plan summer projects to make our homes more energy-efficient, which will keep us cooler in the summer as well as warmer in the winter. ALL WORKSHOPS EXCEPT ONE HELD AT CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF TOMPKINS COUNTY 615 WILLOW AVE., ITHACA, NY 14850 You are invited to a FREE 2-hour workshop, Save Energy Save Dollars, where you will learn many low-cost and no-cost ways to lower your home energy bills. You'll also hear about New York State programs that can help you finance energy-efficiency improvements. The information shared at this workshop is appropriate for year-round energy reduction, not just during the cold weather! Also, each household will receive a free kit of energy-saving items worth approx. $15. - WORKSHOPS WILL BE HELD ON: THURSDAY, MAY 22, 6:30 - 8:30 PM - THURSDAY MAY 28 7-9 PM (Brooktondale Community Center's Old Fire Hall, 522 Valley Road) THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 12:30-2:30 PM TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 10:00 AM-NOON TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1-3 PM MONDAY, JULY 21, 7-9 PM THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 6:30-8:30 PM Pre-registration is required. Call CCE- Tompkins at (607) 272-2292 to reserve a seat and an Energy Kit, or email Carole Fisher at crf11@cornell.edu . Carole Fisher Community Educator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 272-2292
• 5/22/08 -  - **EVENT**  - TWO EVENTS AT CLIMATE CHANGE CENTRAL - Climate Change Central is an office we have opened up at 545 Park Avenue (corner of Barrington), Rochester. We have two events scheduled there. Both are free and open to the public: On Friday, May 23 from 7-9pm, join us for viewing and conversation about Rising Waters. This beautiful film puts a human face on climate change. http://www.itvs.org/risingwaters/  --- On Tuesday, May 27 from 7-9pm, join us for conversation about Lester Brown's Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization. You can download this book for free at: http://earthpolicy.org/Books/PB3/Contents.htm Come whether you've read the book, or not.
• 5/22/08 - Here's an interesting item about tracking wildlife diseases around the world. Global Wildlife Disease News Map v.2
• 5/22/08 -  - **EVENT**  - A Cordial Invitation to View ‘Black Diamonds" You are cordially invited to a special Sierra Club event on Thursday, June 19th, 7pm, in the Brighton Town Hall auditorium (the building next to the library; 2300 Elmwood Avenue). Admission is free. Light refreshments to be served! We are hosting a Rochester presentation of the film, “Black Diamonds: Mountaintop Removal and the Fight for Coalfield Justice,” a vibrant film of 72 minutes set in the picturesque mountains of southern West Virginia. Following the film will be an in-depth discussion with a knowledgeable, local panelist (to be announced) about both coal energy and Rochester’s connection to mountaintop removal. Discussion will also include what we, as individuals, can do to help save and protect the remaining mountain wilderness in Appalachia. “Black Diamonds” has received a number of awards since its release in 2006 and is still the definitive documentary about mountaintop removal (directed by a native daughter of Appalachia, Catherine Pancake). In fact, one of the activists featured in the film, Judy Bonds, visited us last year and showed the film for the first time locally. She spoke passionately of the need for assistance in ending this devastating mining practice – a call for assistance that is just as urgent today. We hope you can join us on June 19th at 7pm. Please bring a friend – even if he/she is not a Sierra member. We look forward to seeing you there! - Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club
• 1/18/08 - A spring reminder.  West Nile Virus is going to be with us for a long time and incidents of this invasive disease increase as our weather gets warmer. Get The Dead Crow Report Form and other WNV info from Monroe County.
• 5/18/08 -  - **EVENT**  - GARY FRANCIONE is coming to speak in Rochester NY! * Sunday, May 18th, 2008 * 5:30pm - Vegan potluck Dinner * 7:00pm - Lecture "ANIMAL RIGHTS vs ANIMAL WELFARE: Making the Case" * Brighton Town Lodge, 777 Westfall Road, Rochester, NY 14620 Are you an animal lover, an animal activist? A well-known subscriber to the abolitionist position, Francione argues that working for such things as "bigger cages" will not ultimately benefit animals. Come learn why. Gary Francione is articulate and fearless. His talks are controversial and engaging. DO NOT MISS THIS MEETING! Gary Francione ~ Distinguished Professor of Law and Nicholas deB. Katzenbach Scholar of Law and Philosophy at Rutgers University Law School. Gary Francione was the first academic to teach Animal Rights Theory in an American law school, and has lectured on the topic throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Gary Francione as author, including: "Vivisection and Dissection in the classroom: a Guide to Conscientious Objection" (1992) "Animals, Property, and the Law" (1995) "Rain Without Thunder: The Ideology of the Animal Rights Movement" (1996) "Introduction to Animal Rights: Your Child or the Dog?" (2000) His forthcoming book: Animals as Persons: Essays on the Abolition of Animal Exploitation (2008) (http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/index.php?page_id=78) Gary Francione's Website: www.abolitionistapproach.com  Francione's Bio: http://law.newark.rutgers.edu/facbio/francione.html  Unofficial Francione Website: http://www.gary-francione.com/  BOOKS by Gary Francione: http://www.gary-francione.com/books.html  BOOKS (used) by Gary Francione: http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?S=R&wauth=Gary+Francione&siteID=1JSk6CbYEf0-6A.PsEXYbeu0H5z245fMvw DINNER: Dinner is a vegan potluck. Vegan means no animal products (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, or honey). Please bring a dish with enough to serve a crowd (~8) and a serving utensil; also bring a place setting for your own dinner. Non-vegetarians or others uncertain about how to make or bring a Vegan dish, please call (585)234-8750 for help. DIRECTIONS: Brighton Town Lodge is on Westfall between E. Henrietta Rd (15A) and S. Clinton. From Route 390, take Exit 16 onto 15A, and go north to traffic light. Turn right on Westfall Rd. Lodge on south side of Westfall; it is a log cabin set well back from the road, and the driveway leading to the Lodge is called "Haudenosaunee Trail."
• 5/18/08 - Ways you can Help Out by communing greener: Green Your Commute If we’ve learned anything from Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, it is that each of us has a responsibility to protect Earth. But can your individual effort amount to much in the face of multinational polluters and doom-and-gloom projections? Sure, it can. To get you started, here are some tips for making your work commute more environmentally friendly. --from - 13WHAM.com
• 5/17/08 -  - **EVENT**  - “Community Forum on Priorities for Great Lakes Protection” Woodlawn Nature Center Woodlawn Beach State Park S-3580 Lakeshore Road, Blasdell (Hamburg) Thursday, June 5th 7:00-9:00p.m. Hosted by: Kit Kennedy Special Deputy Attorney General for Environmental Protection Office - Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo OAG Contact Number: 716-852-6271 Visit Our Website: www.oag.state.ny.us  Parking Available  Learn how the Attorney General’s Office is protecting our Great Lakes Share your priorities for Great Lakes protection
• 5/17/08 - A great new environmental health blog from the University of Rochester Health Center: Blog are a ubiquitous entity now around the web and everyone gets their say.  But, some blogs because of their expertise and reputation rise above the usual. Check this blog out from the University of Rochester often and chime in. Community Health V.O.I.C.E. The Community Health VOICE (Volunteer, Organize, Innovate, Collaborate, Empower) Blog was created to serve as a forum for faculty, staff, students, residents and fellows at the University of Rochester Medical Center and our partners in the Rochester area and beyond who are engaged or have an interest in community-based health services, education, research, and advocacy.
• 5/16/08 - Is Ethanol a good solution for sustainability? What will our Energy future in Rochester be like? Check out this very comprehensive serious of reports about a very important environmental issue: Special Report - Ethanol - 13WHAM.com
• 5/16/08 - Listen in on Discussion about Great Lakes: Communities Take Action to Protect Great Lakes : NPR · The five Great Lakes — Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan and Superior — are said to hold one-fifth of the world's surface fresh water. Communities surrounding the Great Lakes are working to protect the major fresh water resource, which is threatened by fluctuating water levels, invasive species and pollution. (May 16, 2008) NPR : National Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts
• 5/12/08 - **ACTION**  - Pass the Bigger Better Bottle Bill!   For Cleaner Communities and a Healthier Environment   The bottle bill is New York’s most effective recycling and litter prevention program.  Since 1982, more than 90 billion bottles and cans have been returned and recycled in New York because of the 5-cent refundable deposit on beer and soda containers.  The bottle bill has worked hand in hand with local recycling programs to make our communities cleaner and healthier places to live -from Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club. 
• 5/12/08 - A law is being proposed to ban backyard burning in rural areas of NY state.: Air Pollution Proposed, Emergency, and Recently Adopted Regulations - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation  More dioxins and furnans are released from backyard burning than all other sources combined. The DEC is holding hearings and taking comments on the issue. You can contact them by mail at NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233 or by e-mail at www.dec.ny.gov 
• 5/09/08 - This is a long-term issue that should be on our radar--our aging sewer systems.  Check out the result for Monroe County -Sewer project database | © 2008 Gannett News Service -from Aging systems releasing sewage into rivers, streams - USATODAY.com America's aging sewer systems continue to dump human waste into rivers and streams, despite years of fines and penalties targeting publicly owned agencies responsible for sewage overflows, a Gannett News Service analysis shows. The analysis of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data found that since 2003, hundreds of municipal sewer authorities have been fined for violations, including spills that make people sick, threaten local drinking water and kill aquatic animals and plants. News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World - USATODAY.com
• 5/07/08 - Great Lakes Lakes Level - Summary of the New Lake Level Regulation Plan - Plan 2007 - As released during this morning's press conference. Please see the following web site for more information: http://www.ijc.org/LOSLdocuments/index.php - Highlights of proposed new Order of Approval - The International Joint Commission (the Commission) is seeking comment on a proposed new Order of Approval for the regulation of water levels and flows in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River through the Moses-Saunders dam at Cornwall, Ontario, and Massena, New York. The Commission proposes to implement a new order after considering public comments and making any changes to the draft order that may be needed. The proposed new order would replace the 1956 Order of Approval that is currently in force. See the full text of the new Order at http://www.ijc.org/LOSLdocuments/pdf/LOSL_draft_order_e.pdf or by contacting the Commission.
• 5/07/08 -  - **EVENT**  - Geneva Area Earth Alliance (GAEA) Location: First United Methodist Church 340 N. Main St. (at Seneca St.), Geneva, NY Please enter at back of church where there is plenty of off-street parking off Williams St.) Email: wadejarrett@juno.com <mailto:wadejarrett@juno.com> Partnering to Make a Better World - Hello and Greetings from the Geneva Area Earth Alliance (GAEA, for short): We are excited to announce that on Sunday, June 1 at 6:30 PM we are hosting a symposium of environmental groups in the greater Finger Lakes area at the First United Methodist Church. Your organization is invited to join our symposium to introduce your group. Refreshments will be provided afterwards. The symposium would not only be a chance for likeminded people to come together-perhaps for the first time-but for each group to express their “top current concern” in a roundtable discussion forum, thereby increasing their visibility and potential membership. The public is also invited to attend. GAEA is a group who has come together around a common concern over global warming, but shares an ever-expanding list of other concerns as well. (See our charter, below). Having been in existence for a year and-a-half, we are at a point in our evolution where we would like to expand our reach by partnering with likeminded groups to develop win-win relationships wherever and whenever we can. Perhaps we can not only find common cause in working together but we can also develop a sense of duty to help ensure each other’s success-a rare event it seems around the world these days, but a much needed one. Please RSVP to the e-mail address above to let us know if you can attend, or if not, how we still might be able to arrange meeting each other. For any questions you may have, please send an e-mail as well. Sincerely, Glen Silver Phone: 315-539-9987 Wade Jarrett GAEA CHARTER: Geneva Area Earth Alliance (GAEA) is an inclusive network of people supporting one another and our communities as we work together to explore, promote and implement energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, responsible consumption and sustainable practices to mitigate climate change and foster positive Earth stewardship.
• 5/02/08 -  - **EVENT**  - The next Living in Harmony meeting is Tuesday, May 13, 7 PM - 9 PM, Henrietta United Church of Christ, 1400 Lehigh Station Road. All are invited. We will watch and discuss the movie A CRUDE AWAKENING. Here is Amazon's review of the movie: An unforgettable and shocking wake-up call, A CRUDE AWAKENING offers the rock-solid argument that the era of cheap oil is in the past. Relentless and clear-eyed, this intensively-researched film drills deep into the uncomfortable realities of a world that is both addicted to fossil fuels and blissfully unaware of the looming "peak oil" crisis. Drawing on an international cast of maverick energy experts and thinkers, directors Basil Gelpke and Ray McCormack debunk the conventional wisdom that oil production will continue to climb, and instead stare bleakly at a planet facing economic meltdown and conflict over its most valuable resource....Amidst a dark and disturbing vision of our future, A CRUDE AWAKENING hints at a humbler way of life built around sustainability and alternative energy, providing a visually stunning, boldly prophetic testament which provokes not just thought but action.

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