Up North Earth Day News

It's nice to live in a community in which there are too many events to attend on Earth Day. I spent mine appreciating the dedication and energy of Little Artshram and Rythmic Adventures to create a parade that had folks grinning in all of Downtown Traverse City, even with the sputtering from the sky.

In other Earth Day news, Apple Computer announced its new recycling program, an issue that Texas Campaign for the Environment (home to Brad's last stint as a community organizer) continues to focus energy on. According to their website, "A typical 14-inch monitor contains 4 lbs. of lead. Multiply by 500 million obsolete computers by 2007, that's over 1.2 billion lbs. of lead that has to go somewhere." In addition to the trade-back recycling program, Apple announced that the new iPods are "100 percent compliant with the upcoming restrictions of hazardous substances (RoHS) in California and Europe, which are recognized as the new global standard for environmental regulation." Although these actions don't solve the problem, they are certainly headed in the right direction.

Congratulations to the folks at Unity Fair Trade Marketplace for a successful opening day on Earth Day! If you are in Traverse City, you may visit them on State Street--while you're there, browse a part of ISLAND's Resource Lending Library.

Read about the Peace Through Unity Project in the Record Eagle here: http://www.record-eagle.com/2006/apr/15gretch.htm

Read the recent article in the Record Eagle about Dede and Marc of Rythmic Adventures here: http://www.record-eagle.com/2006/apr/20earth.htm