(Big Cheers for Clare Kerr for submitted this story) Sheffield, England- Three lovely blokes were moving into a flat at 165 Sharrow Vale Road when they realized their piano was too heavy to haul up their new stairs. They decided to leave it on the sidewalk for the entertainment of all. They put a sign on it which simply read: “STREET PIANO: feel free to play any time between 9am and 9pm”. Hugh ‘Bert Ray’ Jones is a vastly entertaining writer and has documented the entire story of what happened next at StreetPianoss.org. The public loved the idea, but the Sheffield Council did not, one day delivering an officially laminated notice, pinned to the piano, ordering its removal. . .
Street Piano Saved by Citizens Fighting City Council
Encouraging Results from NCAA Steroid Tests
Steroid use among college athletes declined 46 percent in the five years since 2000. (AP)
Butterflies Fly Freer in the Americas
At a time when conflicting budgets and environmental philosophies have split North American countries, Reuters is reporting that a glimmer of orange may well continue to blossom across Canada, the United States and Mexico. All three have agreed to designate 13 Monarch butterfly preserves as part of a new “Trilateral Monarch Butterfly Sister Protected Area Network.” . . .
Cow Dung Is Used to Make Electricity
Instead of treating the waste from cows in smelly lagoons, why not harness the methane for energy, break down the waste for fertilizer and put some money in farmer’s pockets while adding to the nation’s renewable power! The New York Times reports on powering our homes with the waste from animals.
India, China Reconnect with Historic Road, Cautious Optimism
An ancient Silk Road reopened high in the Himalayas on Thursday to mark the beginning of a new era in trade and diplomatic relations between massive neighbors China and India after more than 40 years of war, mistrust and suspicion. (AP writes another terrific good news report: Seattle PI)
Homeless Alcoholics Receive a Permanent Place to Live, and Drink
This is a fascinating story about Seattle’s solution for the homeless — and hopeless — drunks living on the streets: House them. Care for them. Let them keep drinking. This policy saves the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, hours of police work and Emergency Room Costs. Plus the city is cleaner without the urine and vomit on the sidewalks. The further I read into this New York Times story, the more I was impressed. The Bush administration is impressed too. Their regional federal housing director calls it a "glorious experiment", ignoring cries of foul by conservative radio talk shows.
20 percent are military veterans. The average age is 45. Most receive state or federal disability payments, and all residents pay 30 percent of their income as rent under HUD’s guideline for low-income housing.
The values at work here? Compassion and Freedom: NY Times
Lesotho: Textiles Making a Comeback, Jobs Follow
JOHANNESBURG – Lesotho’s single largest employer, the textile industry, has made a remarkable comeback, setting an example for the region and giving thousands back their jobs in South Africa. “All the factories that were closed have been reopened” the number of jobs that had shrunk from just over 50,000 to below 40,000 have now climbed back to around 47,000” . . .
Andy Salm, Regional Textile and Apparel Specialist at ComMark Trust, an NGO that monitors the industry in Southern Africa, told IRIN.
Lesotho was an early victim of cheap Chinese exports to the key US market when the World Trade Organisation’s 30-year old Multi-Fiber Agreement (MFA) expired in 2005. The MFA was established to protect smaller textile industries in developing countries by insulating them from Chinese competition.
But the industry was now ‘significantly picking up and a lot more orders are now being placed in Lesotho again’, Salm said. One of the reasons large retailers and brands have returned to Lesotho is that the ‘government has been working hard to become a destination of ethical choice, and this has started to pay off’.
‘We have seen a strong increase of demand from the US and more recently from Europe,’ said Bahlakoana Shaw Lebakae, deputy secretary-general of the Lesotho Clothing and Allied Workers Union.
Tiny Lesotho has even grabbed the attention of U2 rock band singer and global campaigner, Bono, who launched a new labelling scheme in January, known as ‘Product Red’, to generate durable funding from top commercial brands and consumers to fight HIV/AIDS in developing countries. Bono recently visited Lesotho’s textile industry.
With commitments from brands such as Levis, GAP Inc and Nike, and consumer-consciousness in the US and Europe on the rise, Lebakae had ‘high hopes that orders will continue to come into Lesotho’.
Salm cited the Apparel Lesotho Alliance to Fight AIDS (ALAFA) as an example of a broader move to enhance the industry’s growing reputation as a socially responsible source of clothing for famous brands, commenting that ALAFA aimed to fight HIV/AIDS in Lesotho’s garment industry, and ‘these brands like looking after their employees’.
Lebakae said Lesotho was also benefiting from the efforts of the MFA Forum, a network of companies, trade unions, NGOs and international institutions working to mitigate the negative impact of the MFA phase-out: ‘Lesotho and Bangladesh are part of an ethical trade agreement through an MFA forum pilot programme that aims to attract large brands and retailers to source in Lesotho.’
According to Salm, the industry’s revival could not be attributed to a change in consumer consciousness alone, and noted when comparing Lesotho to other countries in the region that there were ‘a number of lessons learned’, which others might want to consider.
‘Companies are showing increased interest in Lesotho because they appreciate the engagement of the government” the minister of trade and industry is very receptive to working with the industry and comes together with key players every two weeks to work out any issues that there might be. The government is very actively fighting to keep the industry and to grow it,’ he pointed out.
Lesotho has also made concerted efforts to develop strong relationships with buyers and ‘clear bureaucratic red tape’, a significant contribution to turning around the industry.
But Lebakae cautioned that with ‘100 percent of the textile industry foreign owned’, mostly by Asian investors who were struggling to compete with mainland China, there was room for improvement. Lesotho had welcomed foreign textile industry investors when officials thought the African Growth and Opportunity act (AGOA), which granted duty-free access to the lucrative US market, would give the country a chance of establishing a sustainable a textile industry. ‘But they [foreign investors] all left,’ Lebakae said.
However, Salm expected foreign investment to stay: ‘around 95 percent of Lesotho’s textiles go to the US, and there is new interest in Lesotho as anticipation grows that AGOA [due to expire in 2007] will be extended.’
‘It’s early days, but it is clear that these influences have brought big brands to Lesotho, and there is a lot of trickle-down: the freight industry, the transport industry and everything around the textile industry will benefit” 17 million US dollars is paid to textile workers a year,’ Salm said. ‘This cash is feeding people.’
Copyright IRIN 2006 Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN
Maine Extends Giving Laptops to Seventh Graders
Maine extended its successful laptop program in schools last week announcing a contract for Apple Computers to supply new laptops to more than 30,000 middle school kids and their teachers, and provide wireless internet and service throughout the next four years. The cost works out to $289 per iBook per year. Maine’s program, launched in 2002 by Gov. Angus King, has been applauded by parents, educators and students alike. . .
Cheap Allergy Drug Found to Cure Malaria in Mice
"The breakthrough has excited researchers" because the allergy drug found to kill the malaria parasite is "already licensed for use in people," and because it is "no longer under patent, it will be possible to manufacture it at rock-bottom prices." … The drug could save 1 million children in sub-Saharan Africa every year. (The Guardian)
East Timor Rebels Hand in Guns, Desire Peace
A third group of rebel soldiers in East Timor has surrendered its weapons – part of an initiative to restore order in the troubled nation. A major in charge of the rebel faction, said: "We don’t want to fight anymore and we support peace." (BBC )
Judge Rules for Whales in Navy Sonar Case
For those of you concerned that the Navy was going ahead this week with exercises at sea utilizing underwater sonar known to harm whales and porpoises, a judge yesterday granted the environmentalists a temporary restricting order. (More from EarthTimes)
UK Creates its Largest Wetlands for Birds and Flood-Control
The UK is breaking down a sea wall in Essex to give a wide swath of wetlands back to the birds. The government-funded project costing £7.5m aims to replace bird habitats lost to development by creating the nation’s largest area of wetland with mudflats, saline lagoons and seven artificial islands. The new bird habitat, stretching for 115 hectares (284 acres), also delivers storm defense and flood management. (BBC)
Sporty Electric Cars On Silicon Valley Horizon
Tesla Motors’ goal is to design a sports car that would go as fast as a Ferrari or Porsche — but run on electricity. Their first model, “a sleek two-seater called the Roadster” looking something like “a Lotus Elise”, will be unveiled next month for prospective buyers in Santa Monica.
“With about 80 employees, Tesla just raised $40 million from high-profile investors and it plans to start selling its first model next year.”…
At least three Silicon Valley startups — Tesla Motors, Wrightspeed Inc. and battery maker Li-on Cells — are among a small cadre of companies nationwide developing electric cars or components. (CBS.com)
See also the GNN-i report introducing the Tango, another sporty two-seater, made by Commuter Cars, Inc., that George Clooney bought for himself. (195 Miles per Gallon, Zero to 60 in Four seconds… The Electric Supercar is Here!)
Got Breast Milk? New State Law Celebrated
A recent Alabama law says a woman may breast-feed her baby in public or private anywhere she has a right to be. More than 38 states have similar laws. (All 50 states should codify this common sense right. Further, they should encourage their new moms to breast-feed, in order to deliver all the health benefits possible to each child — a proven increase in both mental and physical advantage.)
Chinese Exercises Benefit Older Adults
Tai Chi and Qigong (chee-kung) combine simple, graceful movements and meditation. They are exercises believed to have positive, relaxing effects on a person’s mind, body and spirit.
In two studies, researchers at the University of Illinois found that healthy seniors who practiced a combination of Qigong and Tai Chi three times a week for six months experienced significant physical benefits after only two months. . .
Bionic Limb Breakthrough in Britain
The latest work by scientists in Britain is paving the way for bionic limbs controlled by the central nervous system. Early clinical trials on a small group of patients who had lost fingers or thumbs has been very encouraging. The next stage of trials will involve upper and lower limb replacements and probably benefit victims of last year’s London bombing attacks. The technology could be ready for thumb and forefingers in a few years, and larger limb replacements in five years. (BBC)
Congo Militiamen Disarm Ahead of Deadline
A "massive disarmament" took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo last week, days before a deadline. Hundreds of militiamen who were fighting in the bush, including at least 18 children surrendered, one explaining it was for the good of his country. They were given some supplies, money and a certificate for rejoining a community of their choice.
"I have surrendered my weapons at last, to help rebuild my country," Ngajole Lipri, one of the disarmed militia leaders, said on Wednesday at a disarmament site it Bunia, the main town in Ituri District, Orientale Province…
Affordable Housing Built by Inmates Teaches Construction Skills
Community groups in Minnesota concerned with affordable housing are teaming up with groups of prison inmates who want to learn constuction skills while behind bars. They learn roofing skills while supervised on site or build modular homes while inside the prisons. This is the kind of win-win rehabilitation program for convicts (and society) that needs to be replicated across the country. NPR’s All Things Considered features text and audio versions of the story.
Buddhists Coexist with Tigers at Sanctuary
A remarkable monastery in Thailand cares for wild animals which are being squeezed off their land by too much development.
A video shows tigers walking next to monks and allowing visitors to pet them, even wrestle with their cubs. A beautiful story of compassion.
The animal senses that the only thing in the minds of the monks is peace. Now, the monastery is raising money for a tiger island sanctuary. Tourism is a natural outgrowth of the peaceful coexistance the monks have established here. Reincarnation is part of the reason behind the compassion.
(Read the text or view the video from PBS’s Religion and Ethics Newsweekly)
Chicago Unveils Most Ambitious Bike Plan in US
Chicago has unveiled its new Bike 2015 Plan, designed to achieve the mayor’s goal to make the Windy City the most bicycle-friendly city in the United States. Work has already begun on 75 of the plan’s 150 strategies, including Constructing 10 miles of new bikeways in 2006, to help reach the plan’s goal of a 500-mile bikeway network by 2015…
The Plan’s Strategies Include:
- Providing secure bike parking inside city buildings, to encourage employees to bike to work.
