Living in the Shadows comment

by Margarita Solorzano, Hispanic Women's Organization of Arkansas

April 23, 2012

Springdale AR- As an organization which believes in building a stronger America, the Hispanic Women’s Organization of Arkansas (HWOA) applauds the initiative of the University of Arkansas Chancellor Dr. David Gearhart to talk about the Undocumented: living in the shadows.  The University of Arkansas as an educational institution has a responsibility to educate and inform the public on social and political issues that affect our state and nation. This institution has been trusted to educate our community on important legal, social, educational, cultural, economic, policy, and political issues as a service to the public. The issue of undocumented students is one of these issues.

Undocumented: living in the shadows provided participants a glimpse into the lives of these six students and a picture of what it is like to live and grow up in America without the claim to citizenship. The Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, a modest and sensible piece of legislation would allow young undocumented students to pursue higher education or serve in the military.   Beneficiaries of this piece of legislation would be students who were brought to the United States by their parents at a very young age, and have been educated in the American educational system and recognize America as their home.

Arkansas and America cannot afford to lose a generation of young people who stand to contribute to this country’s economic and social prosperity. The beneficiaries of the “DREAM Act” are our future teachers, nurses, and engineers. The U.S. has invested in the education of many of these individuals since kindergarten, and it is only by permitting them to serve and contribute that our country will reap the benefits.  This issue needs to be discussed here in our state.  HWOA supports the University’s efforts to bring these young students out of the shadows.  

We know from released studies that the students covered under the “DREAM Act” will contribute at least one trillion dollars to the American economy over the course of their lifetimes. Moreover, according to the Congressional Budget Office, enacting the “DREAM Act” would reduce the deficit by $1.4 billion dollars over ten years.  

The Hispanic Women’s Organization of Arkansas (HWOA) was founded in July 1999 by a group of women concerned with the well-being of their families and their community.  HWOA obtained 501(c)(3) status in 2003.  Our mission is to advance educational opportunities for Hispanic women and their families, to celebrate and teach others about our cultures, and to become active participants in the community. 

Trayvon Martin scandal - boycott Orlando

NEW MILLENNIUM CHURCH CALLS FOR ECONOMIC BOYCOTT OF ORLANDO, FLORIDA IN THE WAKE OF THE TRAYVON MARTIN KILLING

            March 22, 2012, LITTLE ROCK—New Millennium extends our deepest condolences to the family of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager shot and killed by George Zimmerman on February 26 while walking to his father's home.   Sanford, Florida police did not disarm Zimmerman.  They did not arrest Zimmerman.  Local prosecutors have not charged Zimmerman with committing a homicide.

            Sanford, Florida is a suburb of Orlando in Seminole County. Orlando is a popular tourist, conference, and vacation destination.  But a community that refuses to protect an unarmed teenager from being threatened by an armed vigilante, that refuses to arrest the vigilante who shot the teenager, and that refuses to aggressively investigate and prosecute the vigilante cannot reasonably be called a proper destination for tourists, businesses, and vacationers. 

            Our congregation joins the voices of people who are dismayed, frustrated, and morally outraged concerning Trayvon's death.  We do not accept the conduct of Chief Bill Lee and the Sanford, Florida Police Department and are offended by the behavior of state prosecutors in Florida. 

            Therefore, we call for an economic boycott of Orlando.  We will not support or attend conferences in Orlando.  We will not vacation in Orlando.  And we urge all other persons and groups who believe in justice to do the same. Orlando, Sanford, and Seminole County do not deserve the patronage of people who believe in justice for crime victims. 

            Remember Trayvon Martin!  Boycott Orlando!

Contact:  Rev. Wendell Griffen (judggriff@aol.com), Grif Stockley (grifstockley@sbcglobal. net)

Statement from Center for Biological Diversity

Shell Oil has sued the Center for Biological Diversity and 12 other environmental groups.

But with generous donations by more than 1,500 supporters in the past week, we're close to reaching our Emergency Legal Defense Fund goal to stop Shell's strong-arm tactics.

It seems that Shell thinks it can intimidate us with threats in order to push through dangerous new drilling in the fragile Arctic ecosystem.

Please stand with the Center today and help us defeat this obnoxious, anti-free-speech lawsuit -- donate to our Emergency Legal Defense Fund today. We need to reach our goal by the end of this week and time is running short.

Remember that due to this emergency, a generous Center supporter has agreed to match all donations if we can raise $50,000, so if you can, please make a special gift today to stop Shell's attack and save the Arctic.

Why is Shell Oil suing the Center? Because we've stopped every offshore drilling proposal in the Arctic since 2007. Shell knows we're effective, so it's trying to take us out with its preemptive attack.

But we're not backing down. We're fighting back.

Don't let Shell win. Donate today to the Center's Emergency Legal Defense Fund to save the Arctic.

Please, help us take a stand against Shell's strong-arm tactics.

We need to raise $50,000 to secure the matching pledge so we can defeat Shell's attack on the Center, free speech and the Arctic wilderness. Please donate today and forward this email to friends or post this link on Facebook.

Thanks in advance,

P.S. While Shell is aggressively suing us, it's telling the Supreme Court that environmentalists should be prohibited from suing it. Don't let Shell's hypocrisy stand! Please donate to the Emergency Legal Defense Fund today.

Save & Close

Working for Public Transit

Letters by environmental advocate Dr. Art Hobson and Sierra Club president Michelle Halsell

Dear Environmental Advocates,

We have a tremendous opportunity to advance environmental sustainability in Washington County.  The Washington County Quorum Court voted to put the 1/4 cent sales tax to expand public transit on the May 22 ballot.  We have about 65 days to get out the vote and pass this tax. 

There will be two important meetings next week.

1) Tuesday, March 20, 5 pm to 7 pm at the Fayetteville Public Library.  This is a campaign strategy meeting. We are encouraging both the social service agencies and environmental groups to meet together to map out strategy, form committees, and recruit volunteers for specific activities such as phone banking, fund raising, and distributing materials at Farmer's Markets.

2) Wednesday, March 21, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Springdale.  This is the next Finance Committee Meeting. If you are skilled at fund raising and you'd like to assist in raising money to fund the campaign, please plan to attend.

I've tried to reach everyone that I could think of including Omni, League of Women Voters, Sierra Club, Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association, Green Drinks, Arkansas Interfaith Power & Light, Green Economy Group, Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks.  If I have missed anyone, PLEASE forward this email to them. 

It is going to take ALL of us working together to pass this 1/4 cent tax and deliver a more just, equitable, and environmentally responsible transportation system for our community.  Washington County can lead the way for the entire region!

Forward!  Michele Halsell

Here (absolutely free of charge!) are a couple of thoughts about the "Transit Group Eyes Funding Bill" article in the NWA Times yesterday.    :-)  

There is no way that this bill "nullifies one of the core arguments initially used by backers of the …tax."  The Times never should have said that.  This bill is tentative.  More importantly, it's only for two years, after which funding stops unless the bill is renewed.  And, as you point out in the article, it requires matching--for which we'll need the new tax.  ORT cannot rely on the feds or on the NWARPC or on the RMA for funding.  ORT needs an independent source.  

The most important item for me was the table of what the tax will buy:  22 fixed routes (up from 6), 39 buses (up from 8), and full-time service except midnight-6 am.  Of course, I'd seen these figures before, but we all need to see them frequently.  The present service is helpful and well-managed, but it's done on a shoestring budget and is grossly inadequate.  To me, it's unbelievable that there are only 6 fixed routes, 8 buses, and weekday-only service throughout NW Arkansas.  Going to 22 routes, 39 buses, and nearly full-time service still seems minimal to me.  Opponents look at this as a huge upward jump in funding, but really the new funding will be minimal in providing adequate service.  

Cheers - Art Hobson

Sustainable life resource pagehttp://eco.walton.uark.edu/

CLIMATE CHANGE BOOK GROUP RESOURCE SHEET

Kat Eustice and other members of the Climate Change Book Group have put to gether a listing of Northwest Arkansas resource groups and people you'll want to know about.  Love to have your additions to the list.   Reply to the forum listed below.   Great resource, Kat. Thanks.

Sustainable Life Resource Page forum 

DISCLAIMER: Because sustainable living cannot readily be defined at this point and time, individuals must define it according to their own parameters.  This list is a tool to begin your search for individual climate change mitigation.  This content has been provided by interested organizations and those individual organizations are solely responsible for their content.

Arkansas Interfaith Power & Light is a 501c3 non-profit established in 2009.  Arkansas is a part of a larger, national Interfaith Power & Light organization and was the 30th state chapter formed in the US.  All faiths are welcome.  We promote energy efficiency and renewable energy for houses of worship and for the members of the congregation.  Arkansas IP&L has completed several energy efficiency retrofit projects for churches and for other non-profits.  We have hosted documentary film screenings on a variety of environmental topics.  We host educational events such as an Energy Scavenger Hunt in June 2011.  In October 2011, we hosted an educational tour of energy efficiency homes in Northwest Arkansas.  There is an active group in Northwest Arkansas that meets monthly and an active group in Central Arkansas.  For more information, visit our website at www.arkansasipl.com.  For more information about the Northwest Arkansas Group, contact michele.halsell@gmail.com. 

Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks  is a 501(c)3 non-profit working to create a more bicycle-friendly community through Education & Infrastructure. A more bicycle-friendly community is a happier, safer, healthier, more people-friendly community.  A community that builds towards a more sustainable society through ending the use of fossil fuels.  

Cuddlefish Clothes is a one of a kind baby and children’s clothing made from local upcycled material utilizing water based inks and ecologically friendly screen printing practices.  Cuddlefish promotes earth-based lifestyles through an almost zero waste manufacturing process and the screen printing designs themselves range from roosters, octopus and bean shoots.   For more information, contact sage@cuddlefishclothes.com. 

EcoLogical Communities: The Applied Sustainability Center at the University of Arkansas invites people to make their personal pledge to reduce their environmental impact through a unique program called EcoLogical Communities. Resource conservation has positive economic, environmental and social outcomes. Participants receive a monthly newsletter that includes information on rebates and tax incentives that can help them reduce their energy use and save money. Also included is information about upcoming community events. At a larger level, EcoLogical Communities provides a scorecard for Fayetteville that shows how much energy and water it takes to run the city and how much waste is generated each year. 

Fayetteville Courier Service is a local organization that uses bicycle power to deliver items around Fayetteville.  All earnings go towards funding ARTTE, a collective of veterans from Fayetteville.  Together, these veterans have covered over 7,000 miles in the United States bicycling for peace and healing of veterans.  They will continue to ride until the end of war.  Contact Jacob at 479-252-2142 for dispatch and more information.  Prices vary according to weather conditions but are generally 25 cents per pound and $1per mile.

The Green Economy Group is a group of thoughtful citizens exploring cutting edge technologies in the realms of energy efficient housing, transportation and utilities, as well as legislative change, with a goal towards creating job growth in sustainable, environmentally sound practices.  We meet on the first Friday of every month at 8 am in the Chamber of Commerce building.  All are welcome.

Kathleen Eustice is a home and business environmental consultant who focuses on increasing the use of permaculture, increasing organic home gardening and eliminating waste streams from home and business consumption practices.  Home waste audits and creative reduction methods and implementation are available at a very reasonable price.  Decreasing our carbon footprint and saving money go hand in hand! Call Kathleen at 918-630-2979.  

OMNI Center for Peace, Justice & Ecology  is an organization designed to educate Arkansans about current realities of climate change and to take actions to prevent further harm to the atmosphere. OMNI 350 is committed to actions that lead to the reduction of greenhouse gases to a scientifically safe level of 350 parts per million of Carbon Dioxide(CO2) in the atmosphere through life-style and legislative change, which includes partnering with like-minded organizations. We're working toward a culture of peace, and it can only happen in a vibrantly healthy earth. 

PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) is a game-changer for financing energy upgrades to existing homes and businesses.

Sierra Club, Ozark Headwaters Group, hosts monthly membership meetings featuring guest speakers on a variety of topics ranging from forest conservation to public transit, from fracking natural gas to climate change. As a 501c4 organization, the Sierra Club is able to endorse political candidates and can advocate for specific pieces of legislation.   The Arkansas Chapter of the Sierra Club is actively engaged in the Beyond Coal campaign and other issues of relevance in the state.  For upcoming OHG events or to get involved, you can find us on Facebook at sierra.ohg@groups.facebook.com.

St. Paul’s Gaia Guild is a self-organizing team of church members.  The mission of the Gaia Guild is to recognize the sanctity of all creation, advocate for the restoration and protection of our natural resources, contribute by our own actions to the health of the planet, and in all things honor God’s presence on this fragile earth, our island home.  We are actively engaged in helping St. Paul’s live up to the Genesis Covenant.  We support our church in reducing its environmental footprint through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and conservation.  We support each other in reducing our own environmental footprints at home.  And we host educational speakers and events throughout the year for the St. Paul’s community.  For more information, contact Terri Lane at treehuggerlane@cox.net.

Summer Kitchen Family Farm is a local organic farm that encourages environmental stewardship and earthbound lifestyles through yoga practice, volunteering opportunities and connecting with Mother Earth.  For CSA information and availability of meat, eggs and vegetables call Mariah at 479-263-9965.  For yoga and meditation scheduling and availability call Kat at 918-630-2979.  

Treadwell Institute- is an interdisciplinary nonprofit corporation devoted to finding sustainable solutions for the built environments where we ultimately live, work, and play -- Advocacy, Conservation, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Clean Energy, Clean Tech, and Green Jobs in the New Green Economy.  We were heavily involved in advocating FOR the first Stream Side Protection ordinance passed in Fayetteville last January, 2011.We have been at the front of the conversations surrounding the development of an State Energy Plan for Arkansas. We have been in the middle of advocating FOR transit oriented development regionally, and involved in developing a regional transportation plan with expanded ORT bus service, a trolley for Fayetteville and eventually light-rail for the NWA corridor.  Contact Mikel Lolley at 479-841-7801 for more information.

Worship Your Food is a book by local author Quinn Montana which focuses on specific ways to lessen your family’s environmental impact through your food choices while improving your health.  It is available at Ozark Natural Foods and Nightbird Books as well as online stores such as Lulu.com, Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Follow Quinn on Facebook at www.facebook.com/worshipyourfood.

Wren’s Winter Market  is a local winter market serving NWA area with high quality locally grown vegetables, fruit, flowers, meats and eggs.  Partner farms rotate according to product availability.  Customers are encouraged to pre-order for Saturday market.  Contact Debra Elam for more information and to sign up for the weekly newsletter wrenthicket@gmail.com.

WWOOF  Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms a site that links volunteers with organic farmers and helps people share more sustainable ways of living.  www.wwoof.org