US Farm Program Reform Needed
(The following column is the first of three dealing with the defects in U.S. farm policies).
There are new signs of hope in this country as President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take office.
For that reason, it is a good time to address a serious problem: the need to make substantial reforms in the nation’s farm programs. Small changes will not be enough. Instead, we must recognize that every aspect of the nation’s farm programs must be revised to make the system work for everyone.
Unfortunately, most people are not aware of the problem. For that reason, a careful review of the issue and its effects on ordinary citizens is required.
Order Your Rain Barrel Today
The ZWP is part of a multi-partner project to convert old water softener tubs into functional rain barrels for the community. Using barrels donated from Culligan Water Conditioning, and new hardware purchased from Arrow Ace Hardware, we are ready to take orders for the first pick-up date in May 2009.
Diversity Council's Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Poetry Contest
"A change in one person can cause a tidal wave to reach the shore."
Those eloquent words could have been spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Rochester on Tour - Wednesday, Jan. 28
Come Rally with Rochester business leaders and community members in St. Paul to promote Rochester at the 6th Annual Rochester on Tour at the Capitol!
Last year, more than 85 legislators from across the state learned from 700- plus citizens how important Rochester is to the economic vitality of the state. When attending this event, you have the opportunity to network with legislative, business and community leaders while highlighting many of Rochester’s prominent legislative priorities.
Event Cost
Lunch, Dinner & Entertainment $35
Transportation (free for seniors 62+ and students) $10
Politically Correct Bus Tour $6
(a humorous, historic look at Minnesota politics)
Islam and Catholic Leaders Meet to Find Common Ground
Leaders of the Catholic and Islamic religions have been meeting to discuss ways to improve relations between them and to discuss issues that unite or divide them.
Meetings have been held at the Vatican and included an audience with Pope Benedict. The Islamic leaders had met previously in the United States with Protestant and Anglican church officials.
Before the meetings in the United States, the Islamic leaders had issued a manifesto called "Common Word" which argued that "both religions share core principles of love of God and neighbor." The talks focused on what this means for the religions and how they can create harmony between them.
Wit, Wisdom & Wine - Fundraiser for the Rochester Public Library Foundation
This entertaining and intellectual annual fundraising event features a variety of speakers. Attendees select two class choices to attend. Wine and hors d'oeuvres are served throughtout the evening with special wine tasting and refreshments following the 2nd class. Proceeds are used to support the mission and vision of the Rochester Public Library Foundation. Registration is required. Please visit the website www.rochesterpubliclibraryfoundation.org/witwine.html or call 328-2343 for registration information.
Stay ACTIVE This Winter!
Below material submitted by Olmsted County Public Health from their In Good Health newsletter. Let them hear from you! Drop them a line on how you use this information or visit them on the web. Additional information on healthy living can be found at Steps to a Healthier MN.
Instead of staying inside this winter, embrace the Minnesota weather and enjoy some outdoor activities! Rochester Park and Recreation offers excellent amenities for outdoor winter activities. If you have a love of sledding, ice skating, hockey, snow shoeing or cross country skiing you’ll have plenty of places to go!
Home Energy Forums
Izaak Walton League Cabin
937 7th Av NE
Rochester MN
7 PM
Open to the Public
- December 2, 2008
Solar Electric Energy
by Tom ThompsonTom Thompson, owner of Pine Island Solar, started building super insulated homes in 1970s. His work then migrated to passive solar homes and now to photovoltaic and solar thermal installations. He will be discussing design requirements, system sizing and expected performance of photovoltaic systems in December and solar thermal systems in April.
- January 6, 2009
Government and Utility Incentives
by Christopher Childs and Nancy Lange
An Opportunity to Rebuild our Economy
The best way to deal with a calamity is to turn it into an opportunity.
That is the path that lies open to U. S. leaders as they grapple with the current world-wide financial meltdown. We first need to restore calm to the financial markets and to make sure credit is again available both to consumers and to banks.
But we also have a need for hundreds of thousands of jobs. The best way to provide them is to complete the transition from fossil fuels to renewable fuels as quickly as possible. We have made a good start with electric cars, wind turbines, solar power and LEED-certified buildings, but now we need to give top priority to complete the greening of the economy.
Is it more than the Winter Blues?
Below material submitted by Olmsted County Public Health from their In Good Health newsletter. Let them hear from you! Drop them a line on how you use this information or visit them on the web. Additional information on healthy living can be found at Steps to a Healthier MN.
During fall and winter months, some people may suffer from symptoms of depression that appear gradually or come on all at once. As seasons change and spring arrives, these symptoms may dissipate.
