Redland Tropical Gardens Champions Homestead Centennial Celebration
Posted on 18. Jan, 2013 by Howard Salus in Education, Environment, featured, Florida News, Green Events
Homestead, FL-On Saturday, February 2, 2013, from 2:00 pm-7:00 pm, at Harris Field, 1034 Ne 8th St, Homestead, FL, Redland Tropical Gardens (RTG), will partner with the State of Florida, Viva Florida 500, Miami-Dade County, Homestead Centennial Committee, The Greater Miami Host Committee, Dade County Farm Bureau, Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association, the National Parks Service, the Miami-Dade College, and Homestead Job Corps to participate in the Homestead Centennial Celebration, and present Tropical Cornucopia, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, 100 years of Agriculture & Natural Resource History of Homestead, an integral part of the multi-billion dollar vegetable, fruit and tropical foliage market in Miami-Dade County and the State of Florida, and the only city in the United States with two national parks.
This event celebrates a century milestone of rural Homestead that promotes civic engagement, and brands this area as a sustainable tourism destination dubbed the “Bridge between Man and Nature”, where people “Love the Land”… an American Heritage.
Highlights include: a Historic Farm Family interactive living history presentation from the Historic Homestead Townhall Museum, and an exhibit of local tropical exotic fruits, spices, herbs, and vegetables, natural and organic products, native plants and flowering trees, as well as the National Parks Service, promoting the ancient and archaeological natural heritage of the Everglades and Biscayne National Parks.
The exhibit area is adjacent to the Centennial Kids Zone, which will include the “ Dean of Green” a “Greenwise” 45 minute interactive musical that promotes Homestead’s cultural, agricultural, and natural history, environmental stewardship, and healthy living for children and families with music, dance, and storytelling, a Pirate’s History Treasure Hunt, Environmental Face Painting- flowers, plants, butterflies, animals, bugs, rainbows, and clouds, Multicultural Historic Games, arcade, bounce houses, rock climbing, refreshments, history contests, and more!
Also on February 2nd, 2013, RTG will launch Tropical Cornucopia Pioneer, Agro and Eco-Farm and Garden Tours, as an ancillary component of the celebration, to include a one hour “Homestead Then and Now Bus Tour” with Miami-Dade College and RTG certified cultural and nature-based Tour Guides, beginning at 9:00 am-1:00pm, starting at the Historic Homestead Townhall Museum, 41 North Krome Ave. This tour will promote Homestead’s Historic Downtown District, the home to three nationally designated and four locally designated structures, as well as the Main Street District listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
“Through this event, RTG Board of Directors look forward to building relationships that will serve to provide the network to help us produce, host, and promote RTG’s upcoming smart growth, sustainable world-class, family, signature event “TROPICALCORNUCOPIA™”, INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL FARM, GARDEN AND FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL, to national and international markets, scheduled to take place November 2nd and 3rd, 2013, from 10:00am-6:00pm in Homestead. All our initiatives provide our community the opportunity to Learn, Live, Work, Play and Grow Together, in an agrarian, sustainable farm and garden lifestyle that supports agriculture, the first historic industry of the State of Florida. We also seek to promote, connect, maintain, protect, preserve, and enhance the historic, natural, cultivated, recreational, and diverse cultural resources of this area for sustainable tourism, economic and workforce development, community education, life-long learning, inclusion, social justice, equality, well-being, and a better quality of life for all; planting the seeds to grow a clean, safe, healthy, and green economy, and leaving a green legacy for future generations”- Margie Buster, President RTG.
ABOUT RTG
MISSION
RTG is now celebration its 17th year! Redland Tropical Gardens and Botanical Foundation, Inc., d.b.a. Redland Tropical Gardens is a not for profit foundation dedicated to providing the resources for the development, preservation, education and promotion of sustainable nature-based, historic and cultural heritage products, services and industries of the Redland and South Florida.
RTG is the first nonprofit community-based sustainable and rural tourism destination management nonprofit organization founded by women in South Florida. It established the first co-operative with other organizations furthering the interests of horticulture, conservation, environmental protection and beautification, as well as new economic generators, diversification of the agricultural industry in South Dade, and the connection of Tropical South Florida’s Green and Blue Corridors.
VISION
To encourage the establishment and maintenance of botanical gardens, arboreta and horticultural centers for the advancement of science, enjoyment and education of the public
To advance the study of gardening, landscape design, environmental issues, floral design and horticulture and assist deserving students through college scholarships in these fields of endeavor established the first co-operative with other organizations furthering the interests of horticulture, conservation, environmental protection and beautification.
To aid in the protection and conservation of natural resources, to promote civic beautification and encourage the improvement of roadsides and parks
To empower women in travel/tourism and hospitality as well as allied fields through education, information, promotions and professional development.
Join in Now – Tropical Cornucopia Tours
Posted on 10. Dec, 2012 by Howard Salus in Eco Tourism, Education, Environment, Everglades, featured, Florida News, Green Events
Redland Tropical Gardens “Seeds” Community-Based Tourism in South Dade
Homestead, Fl-On Wednesday, November 15, 2012, at 6:00 PM, the first community-based tourism workforce educational program awarded “Certificates of Completion” signed by both Redland Tropical Gardens and partner Miami-Dade College Homestead’s School of Continuing Education and Professional Development during a reception hosted by Mr. Mark Bell owner of Hotel Redland to seed South Dade, as a natural and cultural heritage tourism destination. These uniquely educated tour guides were trained in nature based tourism covering agriculture in our most diverse Redland ( our cultivated area) as well as both national parks (our wilderness with their unique ecosystems), while being polished to Host International Visitors through cooperation of the Greater Miami Host Committee.
ENTIRE CLASS
This is Phase One of a two year South Dade Smart Growth/Sustainable Communities Project, established by Redland Tropical Gardens (DBA) a State of Florida nonprofit 501(c)(3) listed as Redland Tropical Gardens & Botanical Foundation, Inc. These initiatives will serve as a vision to bridge man and nature by connecting yesterday, today and tomorrow (at the same time embrassing multicultural indigenous individuals seeking harmony, economic and social vitality, with long term sustainability). This project will enhance the quality of life for residents in all CRA areas where poverty rates are a staggering 44% well above the county’s 14% average. While assisting to promote the 2013 City of Homestead Centennial, and 2014 Florida City Centennial while prparing for tourism by green restoration, a plan for a green economic generator.
Please join us by reserving your seats for Redland Tropical Gardens, Tropical Cornucopia Tours, presenting a special “Home for the Holidays Historic Tour” in cooperation with the “Historic Homestead Town Hall Museum” on Saturday, December 15th for $10.00 each. You will meet our charming Certified Tour Guides and spend one hour on a bus tour, where you will receive a booklet celebrating Homesteads Centennial, “Homestead Then and Now”.
On your return to the museum you will be provided with Holiday Refreshments and a walking tour inside the museum guided by Director Ruth Campbell. Tours depart 10:00AM, 11:00AM, 12:00PM, 1:00PM, 2:00PM, 3:00PM, 4:00PM (final tour). Please call Redland Tropical Gardens 305-247-2016 for reservations or pay on line at paypal.com you may view our website, theredland.org
A vital letter from Bill McKibben (350.org)
Posted on 19. Jul, 2012 by Howard Salus in Climate, Education, Environment, featured, Florida News, Opinions
Dear friends,
There’s a piece of mine on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine today that I think may be the most important writing I’ve done since The End of Nature, way back in 1989. (And no, it’s not the profile of Justin Bieber)
Warning: it’s pretty long, and it’s not entirely cheerful. Indeed, it shows that the business plans of the fossil fuel industry will wreck the planet — that they’ve already got enough carbon in their reserves to drive the heat past anyone’s definition of okay.
Click here to read and share the piece: www.350.org/rollingstone
If you read it, you’ll get a sense of the direction 350.org is headed.
I’ll be hosting a video chat early next week to help cover all of these topics – in particular Keystone and the article I just released – and if you’d like to join that particular conversation, I’m told you can RSVP by clicking here: act.350.org/sign/bill-video-chat-july/
In the meantime: as we see it, we’ve got iconic battles underway in every part of the country, and against all the forms of fossil fuel. And they’re beginning to coalesce into a true movement against the heart of this most dangerous industry.
1) Keystone XL.
Centered along the pipeline route in the middle of the country, this battle against opening Canada’s vast tarsands has been in a holding pattern for a while, but that’s changing. On the southern half of the pipeline, our friends in Texas are actively planning for civil disobedience. Meanwhile, thanks to your efforts, a narrow Congressional plurality has blocked GOP attempts to force through the northern half of the pipeline this year. Now the ball is back in the State Department’s court — and so far they’re fumbling it. They need to conduct a new review, but they’ve not even agreed to look at the climate effects of the project (my take on how Sec. of State Hillary Clinton is mishandling this particular issue is here). We’re going to need your help to put pressure on them — and also to help mobilize against metastasizing tarsands pipelines, like the so-called Trailbreaker project across New England. Mitt Romney has promised opening Keystone will be his first act; we’re by no means certain Obama wouldn’t bend to corporate power either. We may need to go back to jail; no matter what, we’ll do our best to keep figuring out the incredibly murky Washington politics and trying to work out useful plans.
2) Coal ports.
Stymied by great organizing against coal-fired power in this country, the mining giants are scouting new markets in Asia — and building the ports along the Pacific to let them send that carbon overseas to be burned. People are mobilizing effectively to try and block those plans (and three coal-train derailments last week made it a little clearer to everyone what a bad plan this is). Meanwhile, mountaintop removal foes continue to press their case across Appalachia. Together we’ve all managed to blacken coal’s name considerably, and we can’t let up.
3) Fracking.
Opposition to fracking for gas has been loudest along the East Coast, atop the Marcellus Shale. We’ve been working in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York (and other places, like Vermont, where a statewide ban on fracking was enacted this spring). Given the deep pockets of the gas companies it’s a hard battle, but you’d be amazed at the depth of the local organizing; the drillers are being met by an aroused citizenry wherever they go!
So — oil, coal, gas; Midwest; Pacific; East. These fights are all crucial, but they’re also all part of the much larger battle, which is against carbon in the atmosphere. We’ve got to fight them all, but we can’t win one pipeline or port at a time. We’ve also got to change the basic ground rules.
Which is why we’re also engaged, right through election day, in the fight against fossil fuel subsidies. It’s gaining momentum — almost 60 Senators and Representatives have signed on in support of the Sanders/Ellison bill to end the giveaways to the richest industry on earth. Teams of people are fanning out across the country this week and next to ask their public officials: “Where do you stand on removing fossil fuel subsidies?”
All this activity is playing out, of course, against the backdrop of one of the greatest heatwaves and droughts in American history, a constant reminder just how high the stakes are. People are noticing — the polling indicates steady increases in concern about climate change — and now our job is to build that diffuse sentiment into a strong movement.
I’m awfully glad you’re a part of this movement, and hope you’re managing to stay cool.
On we go,
Bill McKibben for the crew at 350.org
P.S. And if you have reactions to and thoughts about that Rolling Stone piece please send them in to “thoughts@350.org“. The analysis — the math — that’s in there is going to form the basis of a lot of our work going forward, and it would be useful to hear how it strikes you.
The REVERB organization
Posted on 16. Jul, 2012 by Howard Salus in Eco Tourism, Education, featured, Florida News, Green Business, Products
Nancy Powell Radlauer (PowellReviews@aol.com)
The REVERB organization
REVERB, based in Portland, Maine, is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2004 by environmentalist Lauren Sullivan and her musician husband, Adam Gardner of Guster. Reverb provides comprehensive, custom greening programs for music tours while conducting grassroots outreach and education with fans around the globe. In addition to our greening work with bands and artists, Reverb also works to move forward the sustainable practices of music industry leaders, including venues, record labels, and radio stations. They take a positive “work-with” approach and believe that all of us can be active participants in protecting the environment and creating real, large-scale, and measurable change.
To date, REVERB has greened 116 tours and 1823 events, reduced 99,000 tons of CO2; involved 2,579 enviro-groups, and reached 14.5 million fans.
ILLEGAL WOOD GUITARS
Well-known musicians, such as Mick Jagger, Sting, Dave Matthews Band, Willie Nelson, Sarah McLachlan, Lenny Kravitz, Bryan Adams, Maroon 5, Barenaked Ladies, Bonnie Raitt, Raiza Said, and Simon Le Bon, among others, have stepped up to the plate in support of amendments added in recent years to the Lacey Act, aimed at preventing the importation of illegally logged wood from protected forests.
The Lacey Act combats trafficking in “illegal” wildlife, fish, and plants. The Lacey Act now, among other things, makes it unlawful, as of December 15, 2008, to import certain plants and plant products without an import declaration. But last year a bill was proposed in Congress to amend the federal Lacey Act that could significantly ease the regulatory burden on importers of wood.
THE MUSICIANS’ PLEDGE
Widespread illegal logging is placing at risk the wood we treasure in our musical instruments, and thus the future of music as we know it. As musicians dedicated to our art and to protecting the earth’s natural resources, we call on everyone involved in the sourcing, crafting and production of musical instruments to join us in our commitment to eliminate all trade in illegally logged timber and forest products. We will not buy a new instrument without asking where the wood comes from and if it was harvested legally and sustainably.
We support the Lacey Act and other laws that prohibit trade in illegally sourced wood and we oppose the efforts currently underway to weaken the Lacey Act. We urge lawmakers, suppliers and craftsmen to ensure that our art has a positive impact on the environment rather than contributing to forest destruction. We call on our fellow musicians to do the same.
FAN OUTREACH at CONCERTS
REVERB reaches thousands of music fans every year with a positive, uplifting message of environmental sustainability. Some of their practices include:
- Eco-Village | Festival-like village with environmental displays and activities to educate and engage
- Non-Profit Groups | Environmental organizations hosted at each Eco-Village
- Carbon Offset Program | Allows fans to offset their carbon footprint
- Volunteers | Reverb volunteers coordinated to encourage fans to participate in Eco-Village activities
- Eco-Concert Program | Takeaways for fans describe green initiatives of the tour and tips for action
- Jumbotron Slideshow | Includes eco-trivia, tour greening information, text messaging campaigns
- Greening Website | Custom, tour-specific site on all greening elements taken on tour with resources
- Online Carpooling | Resource for fans looking to carpool to and from shows
BEHIND the SCENES at CONCERTS
REVERB also works behind the scenes with each band or artist to create backstage greening programs with the aim of reducing the overall environmental impact of their tour.
- On-Site Coordinator | Reverb staffer in the tour’s crew to execute and oversee all greening elements
- Green Rider & Venue Advance | Custom rider creation and advancement of greening requests per venue
- Biodiesel Fueling Coordination | Working with production team and drivers to arrange biodiesel fuelings from local and sustainable stock
- Waste Reduction & Recycling | Assistance with with large-scale waste reduction and recycling initiatives
- Hospitality & Catering | Coordination of eco-friendly choices backstage including locally sourced organic food, green cleaning supplies, etc.
- Carbon Offsets | Calculation and neutralization of carbon emissions created on tour
Lauren Sullivan, REVERB Co-Founder
Willie Nelson and the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance recognize environmental visionaries Adam Gardner & Lauren Sullivan of Reverb by presenting them with the 2009 SBA Visionary Award.
Get involved!
Whether you’re a fan, non-profit organization, business, or artist we’ve got lots of ways you can connect with the Reverb community. You can volunteer to help them promote environmental sustainability at concerts across the country. If you’re interested in manning a table at a concert or partnering with Reverb to reach the masses, they are ready to collaborate with you. And, as a non-profit Reverb, they rely on the generous monetary and in-kind support of environmentally and socially responsible businesses. If you’re interested in supporting their mission or sponsoring the greening of a tour, visit www.REVERB.org,
Nutritional supplements prove better than toxic drugs….GlaxoSmith Klein..fraud
Posted on 09. Jul, 2012 by Howard Salus in Business, Education, featured, Florida News, Healthy Foods, Healthy Products, Products
Rodi Alexander
“Once upon a time….drug companies promoted drugs to treat disease. Now it’s often the opposite, they promote disease to fit their drugs”.
Interesting articles. It’s great to stay informed.
The best of health, Rodi.
naturalnews.com printable article Originally published July 4 2012
Nutritional supplements prove better than toxic drugs
by Jonathan Landsman
(NaturalNews) Do you know anyone that believes in poisoning the body to “get well”? The sad truth is that most ill-informed people think that un-natural medicine is the only way to solve health problems. By brainwashing doctors (in medical school); controlling politicians (with lobbying efforts) and “social conditioning” (through T.V. ads) – the pharmaceutical drug cartel has created a system of sick care that profits shareholders and promotes dis-ease. (“insider” proof below – keep reading)
Marcia Angell, M.D., the first female editor of The New England Journal of Medicine, once said this about the pharmaceutical industry:
“Once upon a time…Drug companies promoted drugs to treat disease. Now it is often just the opposite, they promote disease to fit their drugs.”
Don’t become a victim of conventional (narrow-minded) medicine. The medical literature is filled with highly-effective, natural ways to prevent – even treat – disease without harmful side effects. The next NaturalNews Talk Hour will reveal specific examples about how nutritional supplements are BETTER than toxic drugs!
Visit: http://www.naturalhealth365.com/ and enter your email for FREE show details + a FREE gift!
The reason why modern “healthcare” is broken
Dr. Angell, says it all about how controlling (and corrupt) the pharmaceutical industry has become. Remember, Dr. Angell worked as the editor of the New England Journal of Medicine for over 20 years! In other words – she knows how the system works…
“This industry uses its wealth and power to co-op every institution that might stand in its way, including the U.S. Congress, the Food and Drug Administration, Academic Medical Centers, and the medical profession itself.” – Marcia Angell
Eliminating disease is easier than you think
Clearly, natural medicine provides a better way to prevent, even reverse many of the illnesses we experience today, such as, migraines, high blood pressure, arthritis, obesity – the list goes on and on. Avoiding processed foods with harmful ingredients, detoxifying the body (naturally) of unwanted chemicals and supplementing your diet with food-based vitamins and minerals will dramatically reduce your dependency on drugs and the “modern” sick care system.
In the United States alone, over-the-counter and prescription drugs are the 4th leading cause of death and some would argue it’s even worse. When was the last time you heard about a friend or family member getting hurt by taking Vitamin D to boost immunity or essential fatty acids for a healthy heart and brain? For best results – always take a natural approach.
The NaturalNews Talk Hour begins this Thursday evening at 6pm Pacific / 9pm Eastern, and registration is FREE. Click this link – http://www.naturalhealth365.com/ and enter your email for FREE show details + a FREE gift!
This week’s guest: Michael Murray, N.D. – a leading authority on natural medicine
Discover the healing power of Vitamins, Minerals, and other supplements – Thu. July 5
Dr. Michael Murray is a graduate, faculty member, and serves on the Board of Regents of Bastyr University. He is co-author of “A Textbook of Natural Medicine“, the definitive textbook on naturopathic medicine for physicians, as well as the consumer version – the “Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine“.
For nearly thirty years, Dr. Murray has been compiling a massive data-base of original scientific studies from the medical literature. He has personally collected over 70,000 articles from the scientific literature which provide strong evidence on the effectiveness of diet, vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other natural measures in the maintenance of health and the treatment of disease.
Don’t become a victim of conventional (narrow-minded) medicine. The medical literature is filled with highly-effective, natural ways to prevent – even treat – disease without harmful side effects. The next NaturalNews Talk Hour will reveal specific examples about how nutritional supplements are BETTER than toxic drugs!
naturalnews.com printable article
Originally published July 4 2012
GlaxoSmithKline admits to criminal pharma fraud in 3 billion dollar case
by D Holt
(NaturalNews) British registered company, GlaxoSmithKline, faces $3 billion in penalties after pleading guilty to the biggest health care fraud case in history. GSK admitted that physicians had been bribed to push potentially dangerous drugs in exchange for Madonna tickets, Hawaiian holidays, cash and lucrative speaking tours. They also admitted distributing misleading information regarding the antidepressant Paxil. The report claimed that it was suitable for children, but failed to acknowledge data from studies proving its ineffectiveness in children and adolescents.
GSK faced charges that they had used the gifts to sell three drugs that were either unsafe, or used for purposes that were not approved. The first drug, Paxil also known as Seroxat, was touted as safe and effective for children and adolescents. The ineffectiveness of Paxil, and the link to suicides, meant that it was banned for kids under 18-years-olds in 2008.
The second drug, Avandia was used in Britain to treat diabetes until it was withdrawn due to safety fears, including increased risk of heart attacks. The US government claimed that GSK had attempted to conceal the data surrounding the dangers.
The third drug, Wellbrutin is used in the UK for treating depression, but it was alleged that GSK had recommended physicians used it for ADHD, lost libido and as a slimming aid. None of which were approved uses for the drug.
The moral code of Big Pharma companies exposed
Sir Andrew Witty, chief executive of GSK said “Whilst these offenses originate in a different era for the company, they cannot and will not be ignored. On behalf of GSK, I want to express our regret and reiterate that we have learned from the mistakes that were made. We are deeply committed to doing everything we can to live up to and exceed the expectations of those we work with and serve. In the US, we have taken action at all levels in the company. We have fundamentally changed our procedures for compliance, marketing and selling.”
US attorney for Massachusetts, Carmen Ortiz said: “The GSK sales force bribed physicians to prescribe GSK products using every imaginable form of high priced entertainment, from Hawaiian vacations to paying doctors millions of dollars to go on speaking tours, to a European pheasant hunt, to tickets to Madonna concerts.”
This is the biggest settlement in the history of drug industries, ahead of the 2009 Pfizer case in which it was fined $2.2 billion for promoting four drugs for unapproved uses. In 2010, GSK paid $96 million to a whistle-blower who exposed contamination problems and a management cover up in Puerto Rico.
The practice of pushing drugs for unapproved uses is endemic within the drug industries. Two of the largest drug companies have been caught and fined huge amounts for chasing sales targets using any means necessary. It proves that the health of customers, even children, ranks lower on the companies’ agenda than profit. Using bribes to get doctors to prescribe drugs shows a complete lack of moral fiber from both sales teams and the doctors. After this case, surely the doctors also need to face the courts for their conduct.
Whilst the amounts of money seem to be a huge punishment for GSK, the settlement is merely a slap on the wrist for a company whose market value is $133 billion. Can we trust another multinational that promises to clean up its act, when others have promised the same, only to behave just as recklessly but much more surreptitiously.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/03/business/glaxosmithkline-agrees-to-pay-3-billion-in-fraud-settlement.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57464923-10391704/glaxosmithkline-agrees-to-$3-billion-settlement-with-justice-department-in-largest-sum-of-its-kind-over-health-care-fraud/
http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/02/12525279-glaxosmithkline-settles-fraud-case-for-3-billion?lite
About the author:
D Holt is currently involved in research in the UK into the mechanisms involved in healing due to meditation, hypnosis and other ”spiritual” healers and techniques. Previous work has included investigations into effects of meditation on addiction, the effects of sulfites on the digestive system and the use of tartrazine and other additives in the restaurant industry. new blog is now available at http://tinyurl.com/sacredmeditation or follow on twitter @sacredmeditate
D Holt is currently involved in research in the UK into the mechanisms involved in healing due to meditation, hypnosis and other ”spiritual” healers and techniques. Previous work has included investigations into effects of meditation on addiction, the effects of sulfites on the digestive system and the use of tartrazine and other additives in the restaurant industry. new blog is now available at http://tinyurl.com/sacredmeditation or follow on twitter @sacredmeditate
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