Are You Having Trouble Viewing Videos on This Blog?

Readers:

Several of you have mentioned not being able to view the videos that I have embedded in this blog. I may have the solution.

I tried watching some videos from several sites that I was viewing just yesterday. The videos streamed beautifully and I watched quite a few of them. Today, I was unable to stream one video, I just kept getting error messages saying that either I had disabled my JavaScript or I didn't have the latest Flash Player. One of these sites is Youtube.com, the site I usually use for embedded videos.

Overnight, my flash player had become obsolete as these sites had done some upgrading and I needed to update my flash player. This turned out to be more difficult than expected.

The site to visit for a free flash player download (and solutions if it doesn't work the first time): Adobe.com

It didn't work the first time for me and I had to change some computer settings to allow the download. Fortunately, this site also has the solutions.

May your download go better than mine!

The Good Connection - Gem #3 (final)

Again from Will Braun, editor of Geez Magazine.

Though the truth can be difficult, it has the power to set us free. Wrapping our heads around economic connections in our global village is complicated and hard on the conscience. We all fall short. This grace, for me, is the gentle path forward. It is what inspires me to try to be a caring member of the global village.

Food and Other Products Recall

May 13---Tofutti Brands recalls Vanilla Cuties FROZEN DESSERTS
May 13---Marks & Spencer issues allergy alert on Chicken Forestier PATE---U.K.
May 13---Haigh's Manufacturing recalls Chocolate/Almond COOKIES---Australia
May 13---Fushin USA recalls Youth Model ATV's
May 13---Louisiana-Pacific recalls Composite DECKING
May 13---Browning/Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation recall Skinner Knife SHEATHS
May 13---Polaris recalls 2009 Widetrak SNOWMOBILES
May 13---Dorel/ Eddie Bauer recall Soothe & Sway PLAY YARDS---U.S./Canada
May 13---Houston Tech/JR Home Products recall Portable Free Standing Infrared Electric HEATERS---Canada
May 13---Beauté Cosmétique recalls Magno Spray-on DEODORANT---Canada
May 13---Mothercare recalls Activity Rattle Garden Highchair TOYS---U.K.
May 13---Horizon Hobby recalls Spektrum DX6i TRANSMITTERS---U.K.
May 13---Bunnings Warehouse Stores recalls Talon LAWNMOWERS---New Zealand
May 13---Prodoc Limited recalls 150/300mg Clindamycine CAPSULES---Canada
May 13---Dominion Pharmacal/Pharmascience/Pro Doc recall pms-Gabapentin CAPSULES---Canada
May 13---Ferring Inc. recalls Duratocin IV INJECTION---Canada
May 13---Mission Falls recalls Premium Ionic SOLUTION---Canada
May 13---Novopharm recalls Irinotecan INJECTION---Canada
May 13---PendoPharm/Pharmascience recall Rhinaris Sinomarin NASAL WASH---Canada
May 13---Vita Health Products recalls Several SENNA LAXATIVE Tablets---Canada
May 13---Erfa Canada recalls 75mg Sinequan CAPSULES---Canada
May 13---Cardiac Pacemakers Inc. recalls Cognis/ Teligen Ventricular LEADS---Canada
May 13---BHM Medical Inc. recalls Several COMBI SLINGS---Canada
May 13---Alcon Grieshabe recalls Vertical/MPC MICROSCISSORS---Canada
May 13---B. Braun Medical recalls 2 IV SETS---Canada
May 13---Wallac recalls Delfia Xpress PAPP-A BOTTLES---Canada
May 13---Roche Molecular Systems recalls Factor II (Prothrombin) G20210A KITS---Canada
May 13---Philips Medical Systems recalls Holter SOFTWARE---Canada
May 13---Haemonetics Corp. recalls No. 620 PCS2 Harness SETS---Canada
May 13---Wallac recalls Neogram Amino Acids Mass SPEC KITS---Canada
May 13---Coloplast recalls Philips BOUGIES---Canada
May 13---Bard Access Systems recalls Wizard Replacement Gastrostomy DEVICES---Canada
May 13---Stryker Medical recalls 1550 Electric STRETCHERS---Canada
May 13---Ace Surgical Supply recalls Polyglycolic Acid Absorbable SUTURES---Canada
May 13---Uniprix Inc. recalls Option+ Sterile PADS---Canada
May 13---Arrow International recalls Several Medical PRODUCTS---Canada
May 13---Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics recalls Several Vitros Chemistry SLIDES---Canada
May 13---Bard Peripheral Vascular recalls Max-Core Disposable Biopsy INSTRUMENTS---Canada
May 13---Walter Lorenz Surgical recalls Byrd Self Drilling SCREWS---Canada
May 13---Biomet Orthopedics recalls C2A Ringloc Acetabular SYSTEMS---Canada
May 13---Teleflex Medical recalls 7" Coronary SCISSORS---Canada
May 13---Beckman Coulter recalls Flow-Set FLUOROSPHERES---Canada
May 13---Dentsply Tulsa Dental recalls GT Series X FILES---Canada
May 13---Spacelabs Medical recalls Medical Flat Panel POWER SUPPLY---Canada
May 13---Howmedica Osteonics recalls Restoration Modular CONE BODIES---Canada
May 13---Critical Care recalls Servo 300 CIRCUIT BOARDS---Canada
May 13---Bard Peripheral Vascular recalls Truguide Coaxial Biopsy NEEDLES---Canada
May 13---Apotex Inc. recalls Apo-Clindamycin 300/150 mg CAPSULES---Int.

Stay safe, friends!

Food and Other Products Recall

May 12---Bob's Food City recalls GROUND BEEF Products
May 12---Vita+ recalls 500gr Basmati RICE---Austria
May 12---Fun Express Inc. recalls Children's Water-Based Face PAINTS
May 12---Dahon/REI Novara recall Folding BICYCLES
May 12---Lumetique recalls Botanika CANDLES
May 12---Butterfly Fashions Trading recalls CHARM BRACELETS---Canada
May 12---Texas Department Store recalls Coloured Candle HOLDERS---U.K.
May 12---Peugeot recalls 2008 308 VEHICLES---Australia
May 12---AS Medications Solution recalls All Lots of .25mg Digoxin TABLETS
May 12---FDA to destroy Body-Building DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
May 12---GlaxoSmithKline recalls Seretide 250 Evohaler INHALERS---U.K.
May 12---IMB issues safety review of Clopidogrel(Plavix) MEDICATIONS---Ireland

Stay safe, friends!

Food and Other Products Recall

May 11---Houston H.E.B. recalls GROUND GEEF Products
May 11---The Nuthouse recalls PISTACHIO Products
May 11---CFIA recalls Isagenix Chocolate Dipped Honey Peanut ISALEAN BARS---Canada
May 11---Mars Confectionery recalls Single/5-Pack BANJO PRODUCTS---Netherlands
May 11---European Food & Feed Recalls---Week 19
May 11---Meritor Wabco recalls Haldex Brake Quick Release VALVES
May 11---Chrysler recalls 2009 Dodge Ram VEHICLES
May 11---Volvo recalls 2006-2008 S800 VEHICLES---China
May 11---R82 recalls Paediatric Posture HIP BELTS---U.K.
May 11---DH recalls SB Factor/GQ Factor SLIMMING PRODUCT---Hong Kong

Stay safe, friends!

The Good Connection - Gem #2

These economic links have a spiritual dimension. I can only conclude that if a problem is eroding the spirits of my friends and/or neighbours, it must be doing the same to mine. If my action harms others - even if I'm not aware of it - then it also harms my soul.

Slightly reworded from Will Braun - editor of Geez magazine.

The Living Fountain

A "Living Machine" wastewater treatment water feature. Photo: Worrell Water Technologies.

What a relaxing spot to eat your lunch on a park bench! It’s got everything: plants, grass, running water, pathways, ambience, there might even be a small koi pond…

This tiny place of tranquility is in Florida, a state in the middle of a critical water shortage. Florida is suffering its third driest season on record since 1932 (rainfall has dropped 30%) which combined with salty estuaries and the Everglades’ marshes evaporating has created the desperate water situation that exists today.

So, why is Florida allowing this type of landscape feature that appears to using valuable water resources with little or no return for the sacrifice? Let’s look a little closer. All is not as it appears.

It’s hard to recognize this as the tiny little wetland-based wastewater treatment system that it really is. But, the Living Machine (as they have been named) is fashioned after the best filtration system in the world – Mother Nature’s.

The water-conserving fountain was created by Worrell Water Technologies. The system provides quality freshwater to be re-used without chemicals or by-products. While this water is not treated enough to be used as drinking water, the grey water it has treated can be used for landscape irrigation; toilet flushing; washing equipment and/or buildings; and, even that small koi pond I mentioned earlier.

It replicates a tidal wetland system by collecting wastewater through a series of basins, with oxygen, vegetation and natural microorganisms naturally cleansing it.

Derived from the innovative eco-design of Dr. John Todd, the system was re-engineered in 1999 by his partner Tom Worrell to eliminate large amounts of biowaste that required disposal. The second generation Living Machine was developed without chemicals, industrial processes, high energy costs, or expensive investments in public infrastructure.

In the EcoCentre, home to the Romano Law Group, the “aquatecture” uses environmental features to save the building 200,000 gallons of water annually. The Romano Law Group has managed to incorporate an 8,000 gallon cistern on the green roof to collect rainwater and a 150 sq.ft. fountain in the lobby as well as other innovative touches to make the building a living building.

With his vision for "Vive Verde," (Live Green) John F. Romano was inspired to do more than give green lip-service:

Water is not an infinite resource. We're especially seeing that in South Florida. It is essential that we do our part to try to preserve the water we do have by re-using it…As leaders in our communities, we believe that we also have the responsibility to effect change for the good of society. I realized it's not enough to just recycle, not litter, and love the outdoors. Businesses and community leaders need to enhance the environment.

So far Living Machines have been installed in over 24 locations including:
Treasure Island, Esalen Institute, Guilford Schools in North Carolina, a YMCA camp, El Monte Sagrado Resort in Taos, Norder Zoo in the Netherlands, and a Vermont rest stop mentioned here back in 2005.

Here’s hoping this an idea that will catch on and spread! If a reststop in Vermont can see the wisdom; surely we can!

Food and Other Products Recall

May 8---Genentech updates safety information on Tarceva (erlotinib) MEDICATION
May 8---DH recalls a Tuen Mun Tea Shop's HERBAL TEA---China
May 8---ReDriven Power Inc. recall Wind Turbine BLADES
May 8---Johnson-Rose Inc. recalls Methanol Gel Solid CHAFING FUEL---Canada
May 8---Sani-Marc Inc. expands earlier POOL CHEMICAL recall---Canada
May 8---Dyson recalls DC22 Motorhead VACUUM CLEANERS---U.K.
May 8---Sarah Zanka recalls Black/Grey Ladie's SHOES---France
May 8---Reino & Aino recall Gift Set Baby's Long Sleeve BODYSUITS---Poland
May 8---Baby Plaything recalls J's 2 RATTLE SETS---Poland
May 8---Wing Crown recalls Plastic TOY RHINOCEROS---Poland
May 8---Jumbo recalls Girl's Pink SWEATSHIRT---Greece
May 8---Tdr San He/ Shuai Te Er recall 3 Seperate FLASHLIGHTS---Hungary
May 8---Zuan Shibao recalls Children's Lined Hooded WAISTCOATS---Hungary
May 8---Kemz recalls Portable Immersion WATER HEATERS---Bulgaria
May 8---Sapir recalls Electric FAN HEATERS---Bulgaria
May 8---WR/ Mini Light/ Microlampadas recall LIGHTING CHAINS---Bulgaria
May 8---Alexander recalls Children's Black Imitation COATS---Bulgaria
May 8---Vikideia recalls Children's SPORT SUITS---Bulgaria
May 8---Hua Fei recalls Children's Yellow Zippered JACKETS---Bulgaria
May 8---Happytree recalls Children's Pink SPORTS OUTFITS---Bulgaria
May 8---Disney Pixar recalls "Cars" Children's Folding TABLE/ CHAIR---Bulgaria
May 8---FSB Comers recalls Baby's Long Sleeve CAMISOLES---Bulgaria
May 8---GEL CANDLE w/Four Easter Eggs recalled---Austria
May 8---Disney recalls Child's "Tinkerbell" FAIRY COSTUMES---Spain
May 8---Luciano Barachini recalls Ladie's BLACK SHOES---Spain
May 8---Early Learning Centre recalls My First TAMBOURINE/ DRUM---Spain
May 8---Guirma recalls 50 Micro-Light LIGHTING CHAINS---Spain
May 8---Unifirst recalls High-Pressure WATER CLEANERS---Spain
May 8---Terex recalls Several 2009 TRAILERS
May 8---Oshkosh recalls Several 2008 Heavy VEHICLES
May 8---Iovate Health Sciences updates Hydroxycut-Branded Product CODES
May 8---Hitpharm Pharmaceutical recalls 46 Pharmaceutical PRODUCTS---China

Stay safe, friends!

Carteret Islanders - First Climate Refugees Begin Move

The trees you see on the beach used to be a source of food for the Islanders; but, the encroaching saltwater has destroyed the roots of these trees causing them to just fall over and die. As the salt water encroaches more and more, more food-bearing trees are lost to the Islanders.
Rising sea levels have eroded much of the coastlines of the low-lying Carteret Islands situated 50 miles from Bougainville Island, in the South Pacific. Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert /Greenpeace.

The Yup’ik Eskimos of Newtok, Alaska are still in the planning stages of moving their village 9 miles upriver; so, the coveted title of “World’s First Climate Refugees” has been given to the residents of the Carteret Islands off the coast of Bougainville off the coast of Papua, New Guinea. One more “off the coast of” and we would have been in the middle of the ocean which is exactly where the islanders have found themselves.

Two weeks ago, an event that will forever change the way we view manmade global occurred with the world’s first evacuation of an entire peoples. The islands are small coral atolls which support 2,600 inhabitants or used to until two weeks ago.

This is certain to be the first of many such evacuations with other such communities being forced into the same or similar actions. The combination of sea levels continuing their steady rise and a distinct lack of meaningful action from governments of rich, polluting nations will mean more helpless communities will be forced to leave their homes or sink slowly in the sea and possible oblivion. The islands are estimated to be completely underwater by 2015. Not surprising since highest point in the islands is a mere 170 cm (5.5 ft) above sea level.

Photo via the Daily Mail.

The first five families have moved to Bougainville in preparation for the final stage of the evacuation. The islanders consist of approximately 40 extended families comprising the total of 2,600 evacuees.

Over the past few years the islanders have been repeatedly inundated by spring tides which have wiped out the islanders' vegetable and fruit gardens leaving the land salty. This destroys their subsistence and makes supporting and feeding the families increasingly difficult with each tide.

An earlier picture of water flowing onto Han Island during January 2007 high tide.
(Source: Pip Starr Pictures).

Dan Box from the Ecologist, one of only a handful of media outlets to cover the story, and the only one to have a reporter on hand to witness the evacuation. In Dan's words:

The men climbed silently from the boat and into the shallows. They splashed towards us, carrying almost nothing. From beside me, others who had come to meet them walked out quietly in welcome. The air was still, both sad and happy, which seemed to suit the moment. That single boat carrying these five men is the first wave in what is, as far as I can tell, the world’s first official evacuation of an entire people because of climate change.

The sea level has risen enough to effectively cut Huene Island into two pieces. Photo by Pip Starr.

For those who still don't believe in global warming - there's a small coral atoll off the coast of Bougainville off the coast of Papua, New Guinea that can be bought at a rock-bottom (or is that ocean-bottom) price!

The following videos are incredible and describe the problem well.

Disappearing Sea Plant

Apparently, there is quite a debate as to whether the plant featured in the video is a plant at all. It is thought that from its reaction to touch, it may be a lower form of animal. Does anyone know what this sea plant/animal is exactly?