Earthman Blog for Hurricane Andrew
Posted on 18. Aug, 2012 by Howard Salus in Education, Environment, featured, Florida News, Help Others
The Initimable Earthman - LANNY SMITH
All of us who went through Hurricane Andrew were changed. Lives shifted, neighbors and friends separated as people were forced to move on. Who knows when fate will strike again in the hurricane roulette. Who knows what year down the road, sea level rise from climate change will force millions of South Floridians to move to higher ground. Both scenarios are in the cards.
Yet, there is one huge lesson we learned from Hurricane Andrew that can be applied to all storms of life. We learned that the power of love can build anything. People from all over the United States came to our community and picked up trash, rebuilt homes, comforted the hurting, and showed the true spirit of humanity. A lesson we could all learn from in the storms of anger and hate currently tearing at our nation.
In 1992, the United Methodist Church Disaster Response asked me to create a video and a music video sharing what happened in the storm and asking for volunteers to come help rebuild. Many people brought their gifts to the table on this project. The following websites give you the opportunity to again be a witness to the damage and receive the inspiration to remember again that “Love Can Build Anything”.
A Covenant to Rebuild – The full 15 minute video with the “Love Can Build Anything” music video.
“Love Can Build Anything music video by itself.
Stop The Pebble Mine
Posted on 03. Apr, 2012 by Howard Salus in Environment, featured, Florida News, Global News, Help Others
Two weeks from now, foreign mining giants Anglo American and Rio Tinto — two of the major backers of the disastrous Pebble Mine — will hold their annual shareholder meetings in London.
There’s no better time for you and me to shine a harsh spotlight on their plans and turn up the heat on their executives and investors.
That’s why I joined with NRDC to make a new, hard-hitting video about this outrageous assault on an American natural treasure. But we’re counting on you to do the rest.
Please watch this one-minute video, then sign our Petition of Protest. It will be delivered directly to the shareholder meetings in London by representatives of NRDC.
Here’s the ugly truth: the Pebble Mine would dump some 10 billion tons of toxin-laced mining waste into one of our nation’s last and greatest wild places — endangering a wildlife paradise, the world’s greatest sockeye salmon runs and the people who depend on that extraordinary fishery for survival.
Robert Redford, Trustee, Natural Resources Defense Council
Doing Good Things for LAM = Fun!
Posted on 07. Nov, 2011 by Howard Salus in featured, Florida News, Help Others
Another Successful, Fun-Filled, Little LAM Inc. Fund Raising Event!
Howard Salus
This past October 30th, 2011 at the Pine Island Ridge Country Club in
Davie Florida, Rodi Alexander’s Little LAM Inc. was at it again. They
created a Halloween atmosphere with a huge, 13 foot inflated haunted stage
coach, party decorations, candy on the tables as well as orange and midnight
purple balloons, and a parade of costumes worn by about half of the guests,
as well as all of the dozen children who attended. This set the stage for a
truly festive afternoon. When we first arrived, we were greeted by Treasurer
Beverlee Gluck, mother of Rodi Alexander,(who is a LAM patient as well as
President and Founder of Little LAM Inc). Beverlee was dressed as the most
colorful circus clown that would rival Emmett Kelly! As we entered the
ballroom, a beautiful fairy, (LAM patient and board member Lisa
Calzadilla) waved her magic wand and welcomed us into this Halloween
Wonderland. PR board member Carolyn Navarra, as Cruella De-ville,
President Rodi Alexander, as Wonder Woman, And Mark Friedman, Rodi’s
husband, as a 6 foot 10 inch Kiss rocker, Gene Simmons, really set the mood
for the afternoon. The costumes were terrific!
Once we found our table, we enjoyed, what this reporter considers, one
of the best brunches in town, with a huge variety of food as well as great
service. For the next hour and a half we ate, bought tickets for a Chinese
Style raffle, and bid on silent auction items. Also during that time, board
members shared several stories from LAM patients. Royce Rose, son of
board member and VP of Little LAM, Rona Rose Witek, began by reading a
“blog” written by a young woman afflicted with LAM. Royce expressed the
life altering effects of this dreaded disease, and how it has destroyed not
only her family, her financial stability, but her will to live as well, knowing
that her only option for a brief addition to her life span, is a lung transplant,
which, unfortunately, she cannot afford. Next was Carolyn Navarra and
board member Holly Lipton, who read about the physical pain these girls are
in, and how they are looking for advice from other LAM patients. These
stories were extremely touching and quite sad.
It was around 2:15 when President Rodi Alexander, welcomed
everyone, and introduced Guest Speaker and LAM Patient, Lisa Calzadilla.
Lisa told her story how she was diagnosed with LAM at the age of 33, just
after giving birth to her son. Doctors told Lisa that her disease was not only
progressive, but fatal. The prognosis was, 5 years! Devastated that she
wouldn’t have the opportunity to see her son graduate from kindergarten,
Lisa sought out and found her savior, Dr. Marilyn Glassberg, Rare Lung
Disorder Specialist, and LAM Researcher. When she first met Lisa, Dr.
Glassberg, with a smile from ear to ear, calmly, but firmly told Lisa, “don’t
worry, you are NOT going to die!” Her heartfelt story brought tears to
everyone.
Next on the agenda was the check presentation to the University of
Miami. The board members of Rodi Alexander’s Little LAM presented a
check of $11,000 to Dr. Marilyn Glassberg, Dr. Sharon Elliot (lung
specialist and LAM researcher) and Elizabeth Goldberg (UM Development
Director Department of Medicine), all of whom were dressed in white with
ears as Little Lambs. How apropos! Rodi Alexander’s Little LAM Inc. has
funded UM with $35,000 to date. They have also funded The LAM
Foundation in Cincinnati Ohio, with $15,000. A great accomplishment in
such a short period of time!
Following the check presentation was Guest speaker, Dr. Marilyn
Glassberg, who recently returned from addressing over 9,000
pulmonologists at a conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Glassberg shared
her interest and passion for LAM, and how she became interested in such a
rare disease, diagnosed only in women. For the next ten minutes, Dr.
Glassberg took, what is normally highly intricate data and medical
information, and reformatted it into an easy to understand conversation
about this disease, and the progress that is being made by her staff. Her
expertise and knowledge on the subject had everyone at full attention. It is
no wonder why she and her team have the full support of Little LAM Inc. I
believe Dr. Glassberg is making tremendous headway in understanding this
horrendous disease, which is claiming the lives of women in their
childbearing years, and will no doubt, find a cure!
The Amazing Sharon Daniels
“SHOWTIME” was kicked off with comedy impressionist, Sharon Daniels.
Ms. Daniels and her parade of characters was a perfect addition to the
Halloween theme! First was the very funny, Joan Rivers, followed by Carol
Channing, Fran Dresser, Sharon Osborn, Catherine Hepburn, to name a few,
and ending with her very best, Barbra Streisand. Her jokes were funny as
well as her story telling and her star impressions were delivered with
perfection. Sharon Daniels is one talented lady!
Next up, and closing the show, was variety act, Mark Friedman and
Rodi Alexander, who were recently awarded the “Entertainment Couple of
the Year” by the Footlighters of South Florida. It is no wonder this couple is
known as the “Dynamic Duo!” Mark and Rodi don’t just take the stage, they
COMMAND IT!!! Their high energy 60’s medley left the audience on their
feet and energized. The fun loving chemistry that Mark and Rodi portray
cannot be acted or faked. These two lovebirds are having a true blast! What
is also amazing to realize, is that Rodi, diagnosed with a progressive lung disease, is singing and dancing with more energy than most of us even have.
Talk about being an inspiration and example to all! Her Halloween costume
suited her perfectly. She is, indeed, “Wonder Woman”!
“Dynamic Duo” Mark Friedman and Rodi Alexander
President and Founder of Rodi Alexander’s Little
LAM Inc., Rodi Alexander. The caption to this
Picture is, “Watch out LAM, you don’t stand a chance!”
I have to say that being a member of this wonderful, worthy charity, is
not only necessary, but loads of fun! These girls know how to put on an
event. From a Country and Western themed party, a Miami Mansion cocktail
party, Benefit shows with stars like Lanie Kazan, a hip South Beach Fashion
show, to a family style Halloween Brunch, Rodi Alexander’s Little LAM
Inc. knows how to throw a “Party for a Purpose” in any style!!!
To become a member or to make a donation, please send checks to;
Little LAM Inc.
PO Box 822005
South Florida, FL. 33082-2005
All donations collected are tax deductible and support University of Miami
LAM Research.
All picture taken and donated by Amy Kahn Great Real Photography.
Car Air Conditioning – Very Important
Posted on 13. Jun, 2011 by Howard Salus in Education, Environment, featured, Florida News, Help Others
Another valuable tip from Rodi
Rodi Alexander
My car book says to roll down the windows to let out all the hot air before turning on A/C.
WHY ?
Car Airconditioning – No wonder more folks are dying from cancer than ever before. We wonder where this stuff comes from but here is an example that explains a lot of the cancer causing incidents.
Many people are in their cars first thing in the morning and the last thing at night, 7 days a week.
As I read this, it makes me feel guilty and ill. Please pass this on to as many people as possible. Guess it’s not too late to make some changes.
Please do NOT turn on A/C as soon as you enter the car.
Open the windows after you enter your car and then turn ON the AC after a couple of minutes.
Here’s why: According to research, the car dashboard, seats, air freshener emit Benzene, a Cancer causing toxin (carcinogen – take time to observe the smell of heated plastic in your car).
In addition to causing cancer, Benzene poisons your bones, causes anemia and reduces white blood cells. Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer. Can also cause miscarriage.
Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq. ft. A car parked indoors with windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene.
If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, the Benzene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level.
People who get into the car, keeping windows closed will inevitably inhale, in quick succession, excessive amounts of the toxin.
Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver. What’s worse, it is extremely difficult for your body to expel this toxic stuff.
So friends, please open the windows and door of your car – give time for interior to air out -dispel the deadly stuff – before you enter.
Thought: ‘When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others.’
This is what snopes.com says. It is not the air conditioning in the car but the Benzene producing agents that cause cancer. http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/benzene.asp
8 Uses for Bananas?
Posted on 10. Apr, 2011 by Howard Salus in Education, Environment, featured, Florida News, Healthy Foods, Help Others
8 Uses Of Banana You Might Never Have Imagined
Sandi Linder
Banana is a delicious, nutritious, and filling fruit, rich in potassium, iron, vitamin C and more – we all know that. But here are some amazing facts and uses of banana and its peel you might have never have known or imagined before.
1. Banana can be used as a good face pack
Does it seem like the so-called “natural” products you buy don’t feel very natural? Try banana crush as a face pack and experience a really natural way to treat your skin, making it super supple and soft. Leaving banana pulp on your face and skin for ten to twenty minutes before washing it off can help your skin to be well moisturized and can fight off the tiny wrinkles that may appear in the later years. You can also try making a mask with 1/4 cup of yoghurt, two tablespoons of honey and a medium sized banana to have a natural skin care mask.
2. Freshen your plants
Is your plants looking dull and dusty lately? Maybe the leaves need a good wiping. Don’t throw away the peel of banana after you eat the fruit, because here is an amazing use of banana peel – you can rub off the dust on the leaves with the banana skin to make your plants look good, clean and fresh.
3. Use the banana to fight aphids
Dried or cut up banana peels buried deep in soil can make the aphids attacking your garden to run off. Remember not to bury a full banana or a whole, intact banana peel as this aphid repellent could backfire by attracting other pests like raccoons and squirrels who would love to dig it up for a treat.
Believe it or not, there is a natural alternative to regular, foul-smelling shoe polish. Banana peels can impart the best shine to your dusty shoes as well as your silverware. Banana peels do work magic in cleaning off the dust and giving your leather and metals an extra shine without using any chemicals. Just rub it on and wipe it off with a clean cloth.
5. Banana fertilizer
Banana peels, just like the fruit, have loads of potassium in them. So swap your store-bought “potassium-rich” garden fertilizer with a natural potassium mulch made from banana peels. Dry out your peels in the sun or indoors during winter and powder those to get one of the best natural treats for your garden plants without harming the soil.
6. Banana composting
If I have more bananas than I know our family can eat, I cut them into inch-size chunks, freeze them, and then add them to smoothies as needed. What to do with all the peels, though? They can go directly into your compost pile and contribute to the natural compost formation. Drop them deep in the pile and be patient. The thicker parts may take a year or two to disappear.
7. Tenderize your roast
Banana leaves or peel can be used while roasting meat so as to tenderize the morsel and allow it to cook well. You can also add a ripe peeled banana to the roasting pan the next time you are finding it hard to roast a meat, to get a well cooked but juicy meat roast.
8. Have more birds and butterflies in your garden
Who does not like the garden to be full of fluttering and colorful life? Place a good ripe banana with a few holes poked through it in your backyard to attract birds and butterflies. Feel the lovely life all around your house and give a warm feel to your garden with the banana treat. But hey, don’t forget to bury it in the compost pile before sunset as it can also attract nocturnal creatures like bats and raccoons if left to stay.
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