Recycling in Radford

Radford University student Mary Hickman has started an online petition to implement a curbside recycling program in the City of Radford.

She writes:

Those who represent the city of Radford are currently considering renovations which would include new sidewalks, bike trails, parks and landscaping. However, no funding has been provided in their five-year plan for much-needed improvements to the recycling program. I spoke with Larry Amy, who oversees recycling for the city (540. 731. 3605). He told me that Radford's streets are too narrow for a curbside recycling program. He also said that there are no future plans for improving the current recycling program.
Tell the city that you want curbside recycling and you want it NOW. Tell them that if you had this program, you would take advantage of it. Yes, there are obstacles that bar the city from creating a curbside program; however, with hard work the challenges can be overcome. The city of Radford is expanding as more students come in every year. Shouldn't our recycling program grow, too? See the city's five-year plan for improvements here.

Please consider signing and/or sending the link to the petition to others.

Also, I'd be curious to hear if other folks have more information about the history and obstacles of recycling in this area...

Memorial for the Mountains

Everybody's probably heard of the Google Earth program by now--someone you know has downloaded it to show you the satellite image of your house or office, with familiar cars in the parking lot--kind of eerie really. Wave hello to Big Brother.

But with the new version, not only can you also view the skies and explore the galaxy, but ILoveMountains.org has created a Memorial for the Mountains that allows you to locate and learn about the 470 mountains that have been destroyed so far by mountaintop removal.

After you've downloaded the latest version of Google Earth, select the Featured Content Layer, click on Global Awareness, and check the box for Appalachian Mountaintop Removal. There's a tutorial here to guide you there.

Once you've explored a little bit, be sure to add the additional features, such as the shockingly numerous file markings for all the Sludge Dams and Before-and-After Overlays.

I'm relatively new to Southwest Virginia, but the massive scale of the destruction surrounding my new home feels like it's in my backyard after having seen the Memorial. Please check it out, and then let's talk about what we can do to stop it from growing.

Taking it to the streets

First off, I want to thank Rick Robers for coordinating the educational booth about Fair Trade for the Radford Farmers Market on September 1. We were able to share information, as well as offer free samples of Equal Exchange coffee courtesy of Annie Kay's, and sell several paintings, handwoven hats and jewelry--proceeds of which will go directly back to the Haitian artisans who made them.

I also wanted to tell everybody about a few events coming up:
On September 15, 2007, the ANSWER Coalition and other groups are gathering in Washington D.C. for a large antiwar protest to coincide with the report by Gen. Petraeus on progress in Iraq. If folks from the NRV are looking for a ride, there will be a 54 passenger bus (chartered by the Peace & Justice Coalition, Code Pink, and Grandmothers for Peace) departing Blacksburg, VA at 6 a.m., stopping at the Park & Ride in Christiansburg and also in Roanoke at the Days Inn at the Hollins exit. It will depart DC after the march about 5 p.m., make a stop for dinner, and return to Blacksburg by about 11 p.m. The cost is $50. For more information and to see if there are spaces available, please contact Rosemarie Sawdon.

A group called Iraq Moratorium will be starting an "escalating series of actions" to demand an end to the war on September 21, 2007--and every third Friday after that. Locally, a group will congregate at Radford University, where a table will be set up on Hurlburt Plaza from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, please contact Michele Ren.

Lastly, this Saturday, September 8, 2007, the Radford University Green Team will join with MoveOn's Radford Operation Democracy Council to offer climate change information at the Radford Farmers Market booth from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Also, David Simpkins (who I personally think is the New River Valley's own Neil Young) will be playing live music from 10 a.m. to noon. Come on out!

UPDATE: Just received the unfortunate news that David Simpkins won't be playing the Farmer's Market this Saturday--that gig has been rescheduled to September 29... but MoveOn will be there then as well. If you can't wait til then, you can also catch him at Coffee Buy the Book (10 W. Main in Pulaski, VA) on September 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Stand Up in September Vigil

I'm so proud to report that on Tuesday, August 28, 2007, more than 40 people came out to the MoveOn.org "Stand Up in September" event.

Along with hundreds of other groups across the nation, we held candles and read the 2007 war toll calendar, listing how many soldiers died each day and where they were from.

The response from passing cars was extremely positive--according to one attendee's count, 48 to 4. And one voice in particular caught everyone up short, that of a little girl, shouting, "Bring my Daddy home!"

I've posted photos from the Radford Vigil (and the 8/25 Radford Farmers Market booth highlighting Mountain Top Removal education) and photos from other MoveOn vigils can be found here.

Thanks again to everyone who made it out--I was so overwhelmed by the support and the passion found right here in the New River Valley. Stay tuned for the next opportunity to get involved!

What is the cost of the war to our district?

I just wanted to say thanks to all the Council members who volunteered this weekend at the Radford Farmers Market for the "Cost of War Report" event.

Without you (Rick Robers, Tim Jackson, Melissa Londry, Teresa Volante, Laura Spielman & special guest, Sue England) we wouldn't have been able to hold such a successful event--signing up 13 new members to the council and generally spreading the word about how much the war in Iraq has cost Virginia's 9th district...

$679 Million so far, if you were wondering! That would've been enough to pay for healthcare coverage for 188,286 people (or 338,920 kids); Head Start for 94,124 additional kids; or 10,258 new elementary school teachers. I know, it's hard to fathom. Email me if you're interested in reading the full report from MoveOn.org (with data provided by the National Priorities Project.)

So if you're outraged and you want to do something about it, join us on Tuesday, August 28 at 7:45 p.m. for a candlelight vigil in Radford, VA. Go here for more details on how to convince Congress to "Stand Up in September."

Also, look out for a blurb about the Cost of War event in the upcoming August 23 issue of the New River Voice!

Toxicity

Another little video for you. This is the trailer for the Robert Salyer/Appalshop film, Sludge, which our group got together to watch recently. It's amazing to all of us that something of this magnitude could happen (a spill many times larger than Exxon's and in the middle of a town) and still get very little national press. Also frustrating that the company responsible got nothing but the teeniest slap on the wrist. Highly recommend this film!

Now for a little Venezuelan TV...

This is a little addendum to my last post (and will probably only be truly meaningful to those of us who know Rick) but fellow council member Melissa managed to find a YouTube video of our dear Rick chatting with President Hugo Chavez! The video is a tad long but Rick is introduced around 1:47 and is first on-screen at 1:49. Then zoom ahead to 2:46 to hear Rick address President Chavez. After which the camera pans to Sean Penn around 4:38... Yay Rick!