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Fall 2008

Fall 2008. The Link Between the Environment and the Economy. Dreaming of a Green Christmas. Sustaining the Saenger Theatre. Real Tips for Real Life. Is Bad Credit Haunting Your Chances For Home Ownership?. How Much Do You Really Know About Fuel-Efficiency?. 60 SEEDS.

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Fall 2008

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  1. Fall 2008 The Link Between the Environment and the Economy Dreaming of a Green Christmas Sustaining the Saenger Theatre Real Tips forReal Life Is Bad Credit Haunting Your Chances For Home Ownership? How Much Do You Really Know About Fuel-Efficiency? 60 SEEDS

  2. List of Content - Volume 1, Number 1 Holiday Features 6 Dreaming of a Green Christmasby Sharon WarrenSustainability Features 12 Sustainability in the Comp II Classroom By Paige Woodbury33 Living and Learning in a Foreign Land By Alexander Hornish 17 A New Life for an Old Treasure: Sustaining the Saenger Theatre By Kathy Summerlin 27 Link Between the Environment and Economy By Jessica Mohr Environmental Features8 It’s not Easy Being Green by Susan Hoffman23 Real Tips for Real Life By Jessica Mohr 30 Junk to Art By Brittany Unrick Economic Features15 Life’s a Gas, or 40 Ways to Avoid The Gas Pump By Susan Hoffman21 Is Bad Credit Haunting Your Chances For Home Ownership? By Kathy Summerlin 25 Joni Mitchell By Amanda Nelson 26 Music We All Love It, But Why is it in the Trash By Amanda Nelson32 Carpooling: The Green and White Way by Susan Hoffman Games 11 How Much Do You Really Know About Fuel-Efficiency? A Quiz by Jessica Mohr 27 Environmental Word Search Don’t Forget to Access our Crossword Puzzle at https://angel.pjc.edu/AngelUploads/Content/group_sustainability_project/_assoc/d1ccca3ed6d34406a8774755367d67f3/crossword-puzzle_php.htm

  3. INTERACT WITH US @ http://pjcsustainability.wordpress.com/ Look for links at the end of some of the articles that allow you to voice your opinion. Follow the links to that particular section in the blog. Once there, look for other opportunities to let your voice be heard. Interact with other readers and tell us your thoughts about environmental and economic sustainability through the “comment” feature of the posts. THANK YOU!

  4. Letter From the Editor in Chief When Jen Ehrhardt gave the online students of MMC2000W – Survey of Mass Communication the assignment to create an online magazine with the theme of sustainability, I suspect her plan was to teach us the ins and outs of magazine production in an online venue. We have certainly learned that, but we have also learned so much more. Before this experience I would have never considered myself concerned about the environment or the economy. I will probably never be found chained to a great redwood protesting for a bunch of little birds, but I have learned a respect and a sense of responsibility for the place we inhabit. I have learned that individuals do make a difference and that the little things we do in our daily lives affect us all globally. I have enjoyed working with my online classmates immensely. During the production of the e-Zine we have come to know each other fairly well and have each put a little piece of ourselves into this project. Please read and enjoy our effort and try to put into practice some of the tips suggested to you. Hopefully you too will see our home in a different way and make some small changes that will mean a lot.Susan Hoffman, Editor in ChiefDecember 5, 2008 “I have learned that individuals do make a difference and that the little things we do in our daily lives affect us all globally.” Thank You! The online students of MMC2000W would like to express the warmest appreciation to Alice Crann Good, Stephen Milford, Neil Clark and Jen Ehrhardt.Without your help and support we could not have taken on a project like “Saving Grace.” Brittany Urnick Jessica Mohr Kathy Summerlin Amanda Nelson MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  5. Letters to the Editor in Chief Dear Editor, As a college student, my generation is facing many challenges. We are faced with an uncertain economic future and an environment desperate for change. Your suggestions, reminders, and wealth of information are truly helpful for living a life that is environmentally and economically conscious. -Jessica Mohr Dear Editor, This is a great magazine. I really enjoyed learning about how to make the environment a better place. The class did an amazing job, they really looked into everything. I am looking forward to trying some of the suggestions, from the articles. -Taylor Bostic Dear Editor,Obviously, our generation is facing millions of problems. It is up to us students to change the way our world is moving and change it around so it can become a better, economic friendly place for our future generations. I believe everyone needs to be aware of the problems our societies are facing and need to all come together to make our world a better place. - Mandy Patti Dear Editor in Chief, Your magazine is so cool. I love the articles and the ideas that you and your team has put together. This will give the college students of today a better understanding of how the world can be a better place to be. I also liked the games and puzzles that you put into the magazine. It really got my brain thinking about the answers. Again, thank you so much. - Amanda G. Nelson I would like to thank you for raising awareness in the Pensacola area regarding sustainability via you ezine. This is much needed and much appreciated. - S.A. Warren Dear Editor, This is an amazing insight into helping the environment. It is very interesting to see how each person has their own ideas on how to help out. -Esther Brewton Dear Editor, I am so impressed by the concept of “Saving Grace.” The members of today’s society are overwhelmed with the challenges that are thrown at them. Finances and the environment are an ever present concern for us all. Now, finally there is a source we can go to for advice and support. Hopefully more readers will turn to the pages of “Saving Grace” to find that help and support. Thank you, Susan Covington Dear Editor, I am in the three dimensional class, so I also did the junk to art project. It is amazing how nothing special could be made into something so incredible. I think that the project is a good idea for everyone to try. Instead of throwing away your junk, make it all into something interesting. -Kat Demello Dear Editor, I would like to commend whoever is responsible for the clean-up of Bay Bluffs Beach. Recently, I returned to the beach with my mom after some time away and I couldn’t believe the change for the better. Garbage cans were placed by the path down to the bay and the beach was litter and glass free. A beautiful and well done job! I have seen visitors and tourists grimace, complain and leave the are disgusted due to the awful state it was previously in. If you know who is responsible for this awesome change, please let me know, so I may write them and tell them how proud they should be. Sincerely, Alyssa Burt Dear Editor,What an amazing accomplishment for a group of college students to undertake. With many of them employed full time and some just out of high school, the commitment to publish an eZine with a focus on environmental and economic sustainability proves their dedication to these very important and timely topics. -Kathy Summerlin MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  6. Dreaming of a Green Christmasby Sharon Warren A perfect holiday gift giving idea that will not only brighten the eyes of the receivers, but will be a positive influence on the environment and economy is to choose “green” presents for those we love and care for. By opting to be a conscientious consumer, we endorse the production of sustainable goods which provide a safer, more plentiful planet for our children and all. Merely supporting local businesses is a form of environmental conservation because less energy and fuel are used for transportation, shipping, processing, and packaging. Purchasing items that are made from recycled products or can become recyclable fit into this category as do organic or non-toxic materials that do not inflict harm to the natural surroundings. Sustainable growth products are simply those that support the economy and the environment of a community and leave no deficit in the overall health of the immediate ecosystem. Local art, antiques, organic clothing and products, all fit into this family of green, ecologically friendly gift ware. Fortunately, Pensacola has many options to offer. There are a variety of items and venues to choose from including the work of local artists whose work may be an aesthetic treasure as well as an investment in the immediate economy. One does not have to travel any further than across campus to the PJC bookstore to purchase recycled paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, reusable bags, and used books that may be resold back at the same value as if it were a new edition. While these might not be gift items, you can use them to start making your secret Christmas list and treat yourself to laudable supplies to be used in future semesters. The bookstore is managed by the Follett Higher Education Group, a company “committed to sustainability and environmental matters.” The bookstore’s website provides links to other areas of ecological interest and textbooks and materials may also be ordered online to save on your own energy costs. And speaking of books - literature that explains or illustrates herbicide and pesticide free gardening, weatherproofing, solar energy installations and the like are all green in nature, too. But before you start making that list and checking it twice, let’s closely consider the benefits of shopping for ecologically friendly products. The definition of ecology has recently been enlarged to “transcend physical and biological considerations to encompass the totality of man and the environment, including his socioeconomic well-being and health.”1 Bearing this in mind, we currently find ourselves on the cusp of paramount choice and possibility. We can embrace a spirit of opportunity and rise above our frayed economy and a suppressed spirit. If we support sustainable and innovative energy industries, use our power sources thriftily and responsibly - we Continued on page 7 MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  7. “Dreaming of a Green Christmas” cont. from page 6 can drive job growth while positively impacting our community and protecting local biological diversity. It’s also important to realize that the more of us that buy sustainable products, the lower the price of manufacturing becomes, thus eventually decreasing consumer costs. It’s clearly a case of supply and demand. Consider the fact that J.C. Penney, Target, Publix, and even Walmart sell organic food or clothing - just a few years ago this was only a pipedream for many of us - now it’s a very welcome reality. Money, in our society, is power and how we spend ours directly affects nearly every aspect of our lives. Every dollar can make a difference. We have the chance to reinvent our country and our community. All together and one by one, in the most minute of ways, we can clear a trail that takes a positive path into the future. We can provide actions and solutions that increase our prosperity, preserve our planet, create a safe world for our children and theirs, all while painting Pensacola as the jewel of the deepest hue of green along the Emerald Coast. A SAMPLING OF GREEN SHOPPING IN P’COLA Theater, and on. They promote the natural beauty and architectural history of Pensacola like no others. You can find their work online or purchase these treasures from a kiosk located in Cordova Mall near Dillard’s, where you can meet Sherry or Larry, this holiday season, live and in person. Special note: the Graffiti Bridge can be ordered with your own personal signage placed into the print. 3. Belmont Arts Center 401 North Reus St. (Inside the Widow Factory) 850-429-1222 The Belmont Arts and Cultural Center, located downtown, will be holding the ‘Belmont Bizarre’ December 6, 2008. This is an Arts and Crafts Show that encourages original and out of the box thinking. More than 40 area artists are expected to exhibit photographs, paintings, drawings, mixed media, jewelry, pottery, and more. Glass blowing, bead making, and pottery demonstrations will also be held. Be sure to bring the kids along as they will be able to construct their own ornaments, pottery pieces, and holiday craft items. 4. Downtown PensacolaInstead of driving to the outlet mall, you can stroll along the historic streets of brick, revel in the gentle Gulf winds, as you pass under the great live oaks and palm trees. There are a 1. EVER’MAN NATURAL FOOD COOPERATIVE 315 GARDEN STREET 850-549-4881 More than a health food co-op, Ever’man’s is an adventure. This downtown, not- for- profit, store offers many different types of products including organic and local wines, local produce, beauty products, vitamins and herbs, organic honey, meats and sweets, candles, jewelry, and essential oils produced by Master Herbalist, Theresa Finkbeiner. If you get hungry from perusing all of the delicious foodstuffs and specialty items not to be found anywhere else in the city, there is a small deli and dining area. Ready to eat salads and sandwiches are also available for take home. The staff persons are especially informative, friendly, and helpful. 2. CITY ART MARKET http://cityartmarket 850-206-0470 Larry and Sherry Paulsen, local and nationally renowned artists who lost their home during hurricane Ivan, now travel the countryside in their Airstream creating “fine quality art prints that chronicle American icons in all their originality and quirkiness.” Pensacola is the foremost city to be immortalized ingorgeous reproductions of the Pensacola Beach sign and landmarks such as Krispy Kreme doughnuts, The Coffee Cup, the San Carlos Hotel, McGuires, The Fish House, The Saenger Continued on page 9 MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  8. It’s Not Easy Being Green By Susan Hoffman why Gulf Breeze seems to be doing so well. Steve told me that in early 2008, the city of Gulf Breeze began a new contract with its waste collector. To keep costs down for the citizens, garbage pick up would no longer occur twice weekly. Household garbage would only be collected once each week. To ease the burden this would cause, citizens would be given a larger recycling container. This move brought about the effect hoped for. Citizens chose to recycle simply because they had too much garbage for one regular pick up each week. Most of us believe that recycling is always a good thing. Globally that is. Locally it is not always the entire solution to the problem. The financial cost of recycling is often high. To make recycling attractive for residents, it must be cheap and easy. The components of recycling are pickup, sorting, decontamination, bundling, transportation, storage, inspection and reprocessing. Most small towns like Gulf Breeze do not have the facilities nearby to complete the recycling process so tons of waste must be trucked to another location. This is often expensive and bad for the environment. Many municipalities are finding disposal of solid waste to be a huge problem. We are producing so much garbage that we are creating mountains of it in landfills. Valuable land is being used to store garbage. Landfills are an eyesore, smell, encourage rats and bugs and often allow toxins to leach into our water supply. People are hesitant to recycle because it requires more effort and most people feel like their small effort won’t be enough. How can this mountainous problem be solved? During the 2008 Florida Legislative Session, Section 403.7032, of the Florida Statutes was created by our Legislators to address the problem of solid waste. Generally this statute states that because the disposal of solid waste is becoming a monumental task, maximum recycling efforts must begin. By the year 2020, the long term goal is that municipalities, private companies and organizations and the general public will reduce the amount of solid waste going into landfills and incinerators by 75%. It also states that the Department of Environmental Protection must implement a program to do this that will be approved by the Legislature by 2010. The DEP must also implement programs to identify purchasing practices that encourage the use of recyclable, more durable and less toxic goods as well as begin programs to educate students in grades K-12 and the general public about recycling. This is a great first step that will make a difference. I recently talked with Stephen Milford about the new recycling program for the city of Gulf Breeze. Steve is the Municipal Solid Waste Coordinator for Gulf Breeze and the recycling guru for Santa Rosa and Escambia counties I chose to speak with Steve because I had heard that Gulf Breeze has increased the amount it recycles by thirteen pounds per person since February. Often municipalities begin recycling programs and find that residents are less than enthusiastic about participating. I asked Steve Continued on page 10 MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  9. “Dreaming of a Green Christmas” cont. from page 7 6. Jennifer’s Flea Market.3100 Gulf Beach Highway, 850.455.6471 In business for over ten years, Jennifer offers antiques and collectibles at Flea Market prices. Now nearing completion of its most recent expansion, three barns house a multitude of booths to explore. You might purchase organic soaps and beauty products, handmade linens, family heirlooms, handmade jewelry, a book or two or three, and even pots, pans, towels, or any household item needed at really reasonable prices. And if you are so inclined, you can rent a booth yourself and sell all the stuff you found left in late Aunt Thelma’s attic. Numerous sales now and through the holidays where “friends tell friends and the dealers aren’t telling!” Open 7 Days M-SAT 9A-5P SUN 11A-5P 455-6471. Credit Cards Accepted. You may know of other Pensacola venues that offer the creativity of local artistry and earth friendly sustainable wares, please support them! Handmade crafts, organic gardening kits, houseplants, and that potted Christmas tree that can be replanted in the Spring are excellent ideas for green gift giving as well. Use your creative imaginations and please feel welcome to offer suggestions in our blog. Let us know where you do your sustainable shopping. Purchases of presents that bolster our environment and our economy are the gifts we truly dream of - the gifts that do keep on giving. Source Gerhard J. Neusmaier, Ecology and Environment, Inc. Pensacola, FL number of private art galleries and the Art Museum that display and sell the work of the many talented artists that we are so fortunate to have in our area. The Blue Morning Gallery offers gifts of local art for under $50.00 throughout the holidays. Blondie’s, the absolutely coolest store downtown, sells handmade and retro jewelry and clothing. And while you’re in the neighborhood, have lunch or dinner and relax as Pensacola hosts many wonderful restaurants and top notch chefs. The Happy Cow and the End of the Line Cafe offer delicious Vegan meals prepared with locally procured produce. 5. Blue Moon Antique Mall 3721 W. Navy Blvd 850.455.7377 65 shops within a 13,000 square foot, air-conditioned mall. You might find Antique and Vintage pottery, jewelry, clothing, household items and just about anything you might imagine inside this treasure chest of a building. Purses, paintings, rhinestone pins, are just inklings of ideas for gladly accepted gifts that you might find here. Plan to spend some time, there is so much to see. To interact with this article, please go to: http://pjcsustainability.wordpress.com/2008/11/16/green-shopping/. Thank you! MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  10. “It’s Not Easy Being Green” cont. from page 8Trucking garbage over a long distance wastes fuel and puts unnecessary emissions into the air. An advocate of recycling might ask why more of these facilities can’t be built closer to towns and cities. This is often an unpopular suggestion with most citizens because the process is usually found to be repugnant. Most people would not want to live near a facility that is a noisy, smelly, sorting and processing facility for garbage. If recycling is sometimes difficult to accomplish and often expensive, what are the alternatives? We have all read the slogan “reduce, recycle, reuse.” REDUCE Probably the most important component of that slogan is “reduce”. According to a study done by the United Nations Environment Program, richer countries dispose of more waste. The United States ranks 6th among the worst offenders with Greece being the worst of all. If we reduce the amount of waste we create then there is less to dispose of. In the city of Gulf Breeze, the average amount of solid waste generated by each person is 55 pounds per week. Imagine going to the store and purchasing 55 pounds of material solely for the purpose of disposing of it. No reasonable person would do that, but in truth we all do it daily. Every time we buy a product, we also buy the packaging that goes along with it. To reduce the amount of garbage we make, we need to rethink the way we buy our products. In other words, when you choose to buy a microwave dinner you are buying a lot of packaging to go with it. Choosing fresh food would probably require much less packaging. You not only pay for convenience in dollars but also environmentally. One promising trend on the horizon is that many other countries have begun minimizing their packaging. For instance, when consumers purchase milk in Canada they get their milk in a large plastic bag containing 2 smaller plastic bags that are 2 liters each. The consumer then takes the bags home and pours them into a into pitcher. The only thing to be thrown away are three plastic bags. This is not the best option because of the difficulty with plastic bag disposal. Reusable bags would be even better. Other countries have laws in place that require the manufacturers to be responsible for the disposal of all garbage associated with their products. Obviously, we cannot do away with all packaging, but how can we responsibly dispose of it?RECYCLING We have discussed that recycling is sometimes costly and not always efficient. We know that Americans throw away an alarming amount of household garbage. To understand how to fix the problem, we first need to understand what we are throwing away. Food, clothing made of natural fibers and paper products all breakdown reasonably quickly. They are all waste that can be composted. Composting recycles or “down cycles” organic household and yard waste into very useful soil-like matter called compost. Ultimately this allows the return of needed organic matter and nutrientsthe food chain and reduces the amount of “green” waste going into the landfills. Aluminum is an item that is somewhat profitable to recycle and by recycling it we lesson the need for bauxite mining. For the most part, that leaves us with plastics and electronics to dispose of. We currently recycle some plastics but it is often expensive and the quality of products that come from recycled plastic is poor and not very diverse. At this time there are not enough people trained to recycle electronics so most electronic waste goes to third world countries where it is burned in barrels to retrieve the metals. This is unhealthy and very environmentally damaging. Some companies have begun buying old technological components like computers with the intention of repurposing the parts salvaged. At this time the best option for disposing of our technical garbage is to repurpose and reuse it as much as possible. Continued on page 13 MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  11. GAME TIME:How Much Do You Really Know About Fuel-Efficiency?By Jessica Mohr 1. By filling up my tank when it is still half full I . . . A. use less gas in the end. B. use more gas in the end. C. don’t effect the amount of gas I use.2. It is best to buy gas . . . A. at the coolest point in the day because it is less dense.B. at the hottest point in the day because it is less dense.C. when it is raining because it is less dense.3. I should drive . . . A. as fast as possible because the faster I go, the better my gas mileage. B. on busy streets with a lot of stopping and starting. C. at the speed limit because it is the most fuel efficient and safe.4. I should put the tailgate of my truck . . . A. down to prevent drag.B. up to prevent drag. C. up or down depending on which looks better.5. I should buy . . . A. the highest grade gas. B. the lowest grade gas appropriate for my car. C. the mid-grade gas. 6. Using cruise control . . . A. saves gas. B. uses more gas. C. has no effect on fuel-efficiency. 7. When driving on the interstate . . . A. I should keep my windows rolled down to save energy by not using the air conditioner. B. I should roll down my windows and use my air conditioning to prevent the car from overheating. C. I should keep my windows rolled up so there is no wind drag. 8. By constantly changing speeds . . . A. I prevent gas from being wasted. B. I have no effect on my fuel-efficiency. C. I waste more gas. 9. When driving on hills . . . A. I should speed up as fast as possible to save gas. B. I should gradually speed up to save gas. C. I should drive as slow as possible to save gas. 10. Air conditioners . . . A. use more energy. B. use less energy C. have no effect on fuel efficiency. Answers: How did you do? Well, whether you answered them all right or all wrong you can definitely learn something from the tips we have compiled. Head on over to Life’s a Gas, or 40 Ways to Avoid the Gas Pump by Susan Hoffman. I can guarantee you will learn something you hadn’t known. 1. B 2. A 3. C 4. A 5. B 6.A 7. C 8. C 9. B 10. A MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  12. Sustainability in the Comp II Classroom By Paige Woodbury somebody doesn't start talking to your generation about this now, you won't be equipped to deal with the problems that are here and that are emerging.Earlier in the semester, Dr. Neuman had said that sustainability applies to the environment, to the economy, and to our own personal lives. Really, none of those three things are separate. That is why we're investigating the broad concept of thinking ahead in our class—”How can I manage this thing (whatever that thing is) in such a way that I don't compromise anything in the future?”Here is an interview segment on why Dr. Neuman chose to go with student personal responsibility for the course focus: “Generally, the best learning occurs when the things people are learning about have some emotional component to them. That is, how does a person tie what he or she is learning to an essential part of his or her life? Well, if a person is writing about something that is of significant value, then the writer will learn a lot about that specific topic, but the student will learn a lot about writing as well. Moreover, because the things that the student's learning are meaningful and personal, then the learning will most likely stick.” In my English Composition II class, we are working on an on-going essay about sustainability. The final essay will be a group of 3 essays constructed through the course of the semester. Our class has started out with a definition essay and is now working on a causal essay and then the final essay, the resolution. At the end of the three essays’ we will put them all together to make one large essay. As we all know, sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of today without compromising the needs of the future. First Dr. Neuman and I discussed the focus on sustainability in the college classroom and he replied, “If there was ever a time to think about how our behavior impacts our economy and our planet, then now is the time. All of the world's resources are running out. If we keep the rate of consumption (what we buy, eat, sell, and so on) constant, then we will need an entirely new planet to meet those needs by 2050. But things can't stay constant because more people are added to the planet daily. It took the entire course of human history to get to the number of people who were alive in the year I was born. That number has doubled since then. “ According to Professor Neuman, “Right now, because of economic consumption, 90 percent of the world's large fish population is gone. Seventy-five percent of the fisheries (where we catch fish to feed people) are almost depleted-- 25% are depleted. I can go on. The point is, how do we support 100 percent of the population on the 25% that's left? Economies and ecologies are not separate things. If we extract resources from the earth, those resources are not as available to future generations. Neither, then is the money that the processes of production generated. We're looking at a globe full of poor, hot, hungry people-- with nowhere to go. It is utterly up to your generation to deal with these issues, and if Continued on page 14 MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  13. “It’s Not Easy Being Green,’ cont. from page 10 insist that manufacturers provide products that have less packaging. If you buy a product that has a lot of packaging, such as a television, feel free to ask Walmart to keep the box for you. If enough individuals do this, soon the packaging will become minimal. When disposing of garbage at home, compost everything possible. Composting is a simple process that the whole family can participate in. Home composting bins can be purchased for about $80.00. Instructions are usually included or can be found online. Basically, organic materials such as food garbage are deposited in the bin and for the most part, Mother Nature does the rest. In time, you have rich, nutrient filled matter to put back in your garden. If you have garbage items that can’t be reused or composted, recycle them responsibly and choose more efficient packaging when possible.Take your own reusable grocery bags to the store. Do you really need a Starbuck’s cup of coffee at work everyday or could you bring a cup from home and wash it? When we begin to think of the consequences of our choices globally, its easier to make small changes locally that can have a big effect everywhere. We know that we dispose of far more solid waste than we should. American’s rank among the top offenders. We know that disposal of all that waste is an enormous problem. We also know that recycling is not going to solve the problem alone. We must educate ourselves. We must make wise purchasing decisions. We must educate our children and show them how to not bury themselves in a mountain of garbage. This can be done most effectively by making a good example of ourselves for them to follow. Most of all, we must remember that the first little baby step begins with each of us. This is not a process that will happen over night, but it is something we must take seriously and use due speed and effort to accomplish. Even the small choices we make will affect us all globally. REUSE Reusing is certainly the most cost effective method of dealing with our waste. If an item can be reused it eliminates the need to buy a new one. There are also opportunities to sell or donate used items, providing a source of income for the seller or for the charity. Garage sales have become a popular way to clean out the closets as well as a great way to find a bargain. Libraries often accept donations of used books to sell at fundraisers. Thrift stores accept donations of everything from shoes to washing machines. Every winter I am pleased to see coat and shoe drives for the less fortunate. Many children’s hospitals accept donations of stuffed animals and toys to amuse patients. I have a relative in a nursing home and see the need there for magazines, books, puzzles, clothing hangers, blankets, movies on VHS and DVD and radios and televisions in good working order. These are small ways we can reuse our garbage but there are also much larger ways. The city of Queens, New York has begun a reuse program called “Build It Green.” The purpose of the program is to reuse and repurpose building materials. Since the program began in 2004 more than 600 tons of building materials have been saved from going into landfills. Not all communities have such an effective building materials salvage program but most do have a salvage yard where used building supplies can be donated or purchased at a fraction of the original cost. On an even larger scale, house moving is becoming a more popular trend. People who appreciate the aesthetics of an older home are opting to move a house condemned for destruction to a new location and restore it to its full potential. Many of these reuse ideas are effective ways we can do something for the environment. What else can we do?WHAT YOU CAN DO Everyday when we shop, we need to make conscious decisions about the products we buy and the way they are packaged. We need to See sources on page 14 MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  14. “Sustainability in the Comp II Classroom,’ cont. from page 12 as Dr. Neuman replied, "I really do. Your generation has abilities that my generation simply doesn't have. You don't hold the same preconceived notions that my generation holds. You're much more open to new ideas and new ways of thinking. Your natural default mechanism is teamwork and collectivist construction of new ideas: look at Myspace and Facebook. You all like to work together, and you have a strong sense of both shared and extended community. Think about how powerful that is. Consider this, too—It's your generation that is so much responsible for the electing the first minority president of the most powerful country in the history of human existence. Wow! That takes guts. And you did it! You have the guts. You have the courage to try new things, and you have the sense to know that brave new things must be tried. You're already starting to provide the leadership, school and education will provide the skills.” As a student at PJC, I believe it is a very good thing that Pensacola Junior College has made this a college goal. It has really made people think about our future and what we can do together, as well as individually, to help save our economy and environment. Personally, I think all of this is wonderful for our community and environment. People actually are caring and trying to put forth the effort to make our world a better place. I know it takes time, but it can be done . . . and needs to be done. It seems as if this large project has really made a difference, even in the students' minds. Mandi, a 19-year-old student, who is just attending PJC to take this one English course, is going to school to become an elementary school teacher. Here is what Mandy had to say about the project: "Well, I thought at first it was a bit different. I did not really like the idea of three essays all combining into one large essay. It was difficult to think of something that you could write that much about and that really mattered that much to you enough to hope and make it better." Mandy has tried to lower her use of gas and has tried driving less and carpooling with people if they are going in the same vicinity. Now, I have really started thinking about how much energy I use, and particularly things I can do to save energy and other everyday resources. I think it has really started to benefit the class because I think a lot of people think this way now and actually are trying to make our community a better place. The students really seem to have started caring for the environment and trying to lower their intake of harmful sources that are being put into our environment. From talking with the students in my class, all of them seem to be trying to make a difference, not just within their lives, but helping other's out as well. It takes time, but change will eventually happen and hopefully for the better. I asked, "Do you think that PJC students will actually take this further and try to help out?", “It’s Not Easy Being Green” cont. from page 14 Sources United Nations Environment Program, (2008) “Municipal Waste on The Rise”, retrieved November 1, 2008, from www.vitalgraphics.net/waste City of Gulf Breeze, (2008) “Residential FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions”, retrieved October 29, 2008, from http://www.br3323.com/garbage/rfaqa.htm Science Daily, (February 20, 2007) “New E-Waste Recycling Technology”, retrieved November 13, 2008, from http://www.science daily:com/releases/2007/02/070220034628.htm Business Services Industry, (November 14,2007) “Green Queen Program Gathers 600Tons of Garbage For Reuse”, retrieved November 13, 2008, from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3601/is_/ai_n21119813 Stephen Milford, personal communication, October 29, 2008 Wikipedia, (November 11, 2008) “Composting”, retrieved November 13, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/composting Artwork by Marie Hicks, illustrator. Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on discoveryschool.com MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  15. Life’s a Gas, or 40 Ways to Avoid The Gas Pump By Susan Hoffman Although gas prices have begun to drop a bit, I think most of us have learned our lesson. Why buy gas if you don’t have to? For many of us the amount of money we spend on gas would greatly supplement our dwindling retirement funds or help to finance our college educations. The financial cost for all this gas is only the tip of the iceberg (no pun intended). Think of what all that useless waste of gas is doing to the environment. With these thoughts in mind I have compiled a list of what I think are sound and tested ideas for helping us all avoid making so many trips to the gas pump. 1. Combine errands. It saves you driving time and money. 2. Don’t drive around with skis, bikes, surfboards and luggage racks on the roof of your car. All these items cause wind drag which burns gas. 3. Turn off your headlights during the day. Electrical items run off the alternator. The alternator puts a load on the engine and that burns more gas. 4. Don’t fill up the tank if you are not on empty. Gas is heavy. Weight in your car causes less fuel efficiency. 5. Drop the tailgate of your pickup truck to avoid more wind drag. 6. If you have cruise control, use it. It can save up to 14% and averages 7% savings at the pump. 7. Buy the lowest grade of gas that is appropriate for your car. 8. When replacing your car, buy a fuel efficient one. Calculate long term fuel costs. Your savings could supplement your new car payments. 9. Park in the shade or the garage. Heating up your car in the summer causes a greater amount of gas to evaporate from the tank. Also, having to use the air conditioner or heater uses more fuel as well. 10. Keep your car’s air filter clean and changed regularly. 11. Use the correct oil for your car. Using the oil suggested by the auto manufacturer can improve the gas mileage by 1-2%. 12. Buy gas during the coolest time of the day. Gas is less dense then and this saves money. 13. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. 14. Avoid revving up the engine. 15. Avoid starting and stopping the engine. Turning the engine on and off consumes a lot of gas. 16. Avoid filling the tank to the top. Overfilling can result in sloshing the gas out of the tank. 17. Some gasoline contains impurities. If your car runs rough, choose a different brand next time. 18. Exceeding 40mph causes your car to have to overcome great wind resistance. 19. Never exceed the legal speed limit. Not only is the speed limit set for safety, it also is more fuel efficient. Driving at 55mph gives you 21% better mileage than driving 65mph. 20. Traveling at fast rates of speed in low gears can consume up to 45% more fuel. 21. Avoid prolonged warming of the engine, even on cold mornings. 22. Manual shift cars allow you to save gas by driving at lower or higher RPMs as needed. 23. Regular tune-ups help your car be most efficient. 24. When parking your car plan for your departure. Reverse maneuvers waste gas. 25. Keep your windows closed at high speeds. The drag caused by open windows can reduce your fuel economy by 10%. 26. Drive in a steady, even manner. Speeding up and slowing down wastes gas. 27. When idling at intersections or railroad crossings, place the car in neutral. This allows the transmission to cool down. Continued on page 16 MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  16. “Life is a Gas, or 40 Ways to Save at the Pump,” cont. from page 15 28. Stop lights are often timed to allow motorists to travel in one direction without stopping. Traveling the speed limit on that road will usually help you get through the lights. 29. Don’t rest your left foot on the brake while driving. Even the slightest bit of brake drag can burn more fuel. 30. Think ahead when approaching hills. Gradual acceleration is more fuel efficient. 31. Avoid rough roads. Dirt or gravel can rob a car of 30% of its fuel efficiency. 32. Use alternate roads that are shorter and straighter. 33. During cold weather watch for ice that can build up on the car. This can be added weight. 34. Car pools save gas and make the trip a little less boring. 35. Choose tires carefully. Deep treads have better traction but this is less gas efficient. 36. Check your car regularly for alignment problems. Misalignment can cause drag. 37. Inflate your tires to the maximum limit suggested by the manufacturer. Also, buy larger diameter tires for the rear of the car. Radial tires are fuel savers. 38. Vinyl tops on cars cause wind drag. Smooth ones are much more fuel efficient. 39. Auto air conditioners reduce fuel economy by 10-20%. 40. Get the junk out of your trunk! Those golf clubs in the trunk of your car are just added weight you are hauling around. Now you are armed with forty great ways to save gas. Some of them are practical and some are not quite as easy, but they are all within your reach. If you only put into practice one of these tips, then you are doing that much more for the environment. Not only that, the fringe benefit to you is a money savings at the gas pump. Now that’s something we can all feel good about. Sources Broderick, Cynthia, E. “15 Ways to Save Money on Gas”, Bankrate.com, updated July 8, 2008, sections 2-5, retrieved November 1, 2008, http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/advice/20000215c.asp Gunther, Andre, “How to Save Money on Gas - 29 Tips”, Open Travel Info, sections 2-4, retrieved November 1, 2008, http://www.opentravelinfo.com/trave-guide/uncategorized/how-to-save-money-on-gas-29tips.html Lazarony, Lucy, “11Car-Care Tips That Save Gas” Bankrate.com, updated April 20, 2005, paragraphs 1-10, retrieved November 1, 2008, http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/auto/fuel-efficient/5.asp Miles, Ernest, “Thirty Gas Saving Tips”, How to Advice.com, paragraphs 1-4, retrieved November 1, 2008, http://www.howtoadvice.com/savinggas MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  17. A New Life For An Old Treasure Sustaining The Pensacola Saenger Theatre By Kathy Summerlin The Historic Saenger Theatre in downtown Pensacola is undergoing a monumental Renovation, Restoration and Expansion. The project has a budget of $15 million funded by several different sources including $12 million from the City of Pensacola, $2 million from Escambia County and $1 million in fundraising from the Friends of the Saenger. This project began with a grass roots group comprised of the major users of the Saenger including the Friends of the Saenger, Ballet Pensacola, Pensacola Opera, Pensacola Symphony and the Pensacola Children’s Chorus. There were many shortcomings in the 83-year-old theatre that weren’t meeting the needs of the local and touring arts groups including lack of dressing room space, adequate prop storage areas, staff catering facilities, a proper loading dock, additional audience restrooms and much-needed storage space. The project was originally presented with a $9 million projected cost, however that was prior to Hurricane Ivan and the drastic increase in construction and material costs ballooned the project to $15 million. The architect, Caldwell and Associates, and the contractor, Dooley Mack Constructors, have worked hand-in-hand to not only re-use certain portions of the existing theatre, but also integrate sustainable and energy-saving design features into the project. Other items were either salvaged to be re-used in the design of the renovation or they were used in fundraising for the project. Grand Curtain Recall One of the first items that was re-purposed from the renovation was the Grand Curtain. The curtain for the Saenger stage was the original from 1925. The Marketing Director of the Saenger Theatre, Kathy Summerlin proposed the idea of using the curtain as a fund-raiser for the Friends of the Saenger Capital Campaign. Rather than seeing such an important piece of the Saenger’s history going to the landfill, she proposed creating a shadow box that would include a piece of the original curtain. In addition to the piece of the curtain, it contains a photo of the stage, and a plaque. The shadow box is very popular for gift-giving—especially for the many children that have performed on the Saenger stage. The shadow boxes have brought in just over $5,000 for the renovation. Marilyn Stefani has a daughter who danced on the Saenger’s stage as a child. “I jumped at the idea of having a piece of the Saenger and what a better representation of those sweet memories than a piece of the grand curtain!” $50,000. Continued on page 18 MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  18. “A New Life for an Old Treasure” cont. from page 17 Fringe BenefitsIn addition to using the curtain to help raise money for the renovation project, the 18” fringe that was on the bottom was salvaged to be applied to the new curtain that would be installed. The proscenium opening of the stage is approximately forty-three feet wide; however the curtain in its fullness is four times that length at 160 feet. To completely replace the fringe on the new grand curtain would cost approximately $300 per linear foot. So not only is re-purposing the curtain fringe keeping more waste from our landfills, but it’s also saving the project almost $50,000. It’s A Brick HouseThe chiller tower and southern stairwell emergency entrance was demolished to make room for the new addition to the project that will house the new dressing rooms, new meeting rooms, receiving area, loading dock and cast/crew catering areas. The ineffective chiller tower was taken by the Recreation Department in the City of Pensacola to be re-used in one of their community centers. The decorative plaster rosettes in the entrance of the auditorium were removed and have been put aside for safekeeping to be utilized in a different area of the theatre . From the demolition of these areas, bricks were rescued to be re-used in some of the new wall areas. This Pallet of brick waiting to be re-purposed wasn’t the first time that bricks were re-used in the Saenger Theatre either. The Pensacola Opera House that was located on the corner of Jefferson and Government Streets was demolished by the Hurricane of 1917. The rubble was scoured over to find materials to salvage for the Saenger Theatre. Both bricks and the balcony railing were used in the construction of the Saenger. Prior to the current renovation, you could still see the two different colors of bricks that were used in the walls of the Theatre. There were not quite enough bricks to complete the entire spans of the wall and the brick color was matched as close as possible to the bricks from the Opera House. You can easily see the two-tones of bricks Have a Seat There are about 100 proud Pensacolians who have one of the balcony seats in their homes or businesses. The seats were removed and reassembled in single seats, pairs or triples and sold to raise money for the renovation. Paying anywhere from $100 for a single seat to $500 for a group of Continued on page 19 MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  19. “A New Life for an Old Treasure: cont. from page 18 The other benefit of the LED lighting over the popular CFL is they do not contain mercury so recycling is not as cumbersome. So not only will the Saenger Theatre benefit from the cost savings of using a more energy-efficient bulb, but also there will be fewer light bulbs going to the landfills, and less energy will be used in powering the light bulbs. Saenger Theatre Assistant General Manager, Erik Wortendyke commented about the aisle lights. “The LED lights are lower voltage, with a longer life cycle. Both of these things combined will help to reduce our maintenance labor between 5 and 8% and will lower the power costs associated in operating the aisle lighting.” “Lights!”The same thought process was used in selecting the stage lighting. The type of light bulb used in stage lighting is tungsten-halogen or quartz-halogen lighting. This is another type of incandescent light bulb that operates much more efficiently than a standard incandescent light bulb. The popular website, Doityourself.com, discusses the quartz-halogen bulb: “The quartz-halogen bulb also has a different type of gas inside: halogen. Halogen gas has a very interesting property: It combines with the vapor from the tungsten filament. As the tungsten heats, it emits vapors, and if the tempera- ture is high enough, the halogen gas combines with the atoms in those vapors, re-depositing them on the filament. This is a perfect example of recycling at its best. Because of this recycling, the filament in a quartz-halogen bulb lasts longer, and burns hotter, getting more light per unit of energy.” six seats, t they were e gobbled up I in the first three days of being offered for sale. Over $10,000 was raised for the renova- tion from The salvaged seats. “If I had realized what a treasure these seats would be, I would have bought several other groupings of the seats,” said Deborah Dunlap who purchased a block of six seats. The original Saenger aisle lighting that was used for safety and low lighting during performances were 10 watt incandescent light bulbs. The new seating that will be installed in the theatre will contain aisle lighting that, instead of using inefficient and ineffective incandescent bulbs, will utilize more efficient and better-light-producing LED, or light emitting diode, lighting. According to an article by Earthtech Prodcuts, “The advantages of Led Light bulbs over incandescent, fluor- escent and halogen bulbs are: Led Light Bulbs have a life cycle upwards of 60,000 hours; Led Light Bulbs are extremely durable and are built inside of a solid package also known as solid state lighting. Durable Led Light Bulbs have no fragile filaments to break from shaking and rattling. Led Light Bulbs consume only 1.5 to 15 watts of electricity that’s 1/3 to 1/30th of incandescent or CFL light bulbs.” Continued on page 20 MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  20. “A New Life for an Old Treasure” cont. from page 19 The bonus of using the quartz halogen is the quality and strength of light that is emitted from the lamp. This is the only solution that is available for stage lighting. Many of the existing lighting fixtures will be re-worked and updated rather than purchasing brand-new lighting—once again saving the project money and keeping the stage lamps out of the landfill. So as you can see, even an historic building on the list of the National Historic Landmarks can participate in reusing items and engaging in sustainable practices to help in saving our cultural heritage as well as our environment. The Saenger Theatre is scheduled to re-open on February 17, 2009 with the Pensacola premier of the Broadway show, Hairspray. SOURCES Doityourself.com. doityourself.com. 2008. 1 Nov. 2008. <http://www.doityourself.com/stry/quartzhalogen>. Dunlap, Deborah. Personal Interview. 6 Oct. 2008. Earthtec Products. www.earthtechproducts.com . 2006. 1 Nov. 2008 <http://www.earthtechproducts.com/energy-saving-led-light-bulbs.html>. Stefani, Marilyn. Personal Interview. 10 Nov. 2008. Wortendyke, Erik. Personal Interview. 10 Nov. 2008. Interior shot of Saenger Theatre prior to 2008-2009 renovation MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  21. Is Bad Credit HauntingYour Chances for Home Ownership? By Kathy Summerlin • After you have reached the third step the counselor helps you determine how much house you can afford. Your income is documented. They will also help you to determine if you have funds to pay for the earnest money deposit, home inspections, pre-paid closing costs like insurance. They also discuss Payment Shock – the difference between your rent and your mortgage payment. You are required to save towards that payment shock throughout the process. • Benefits of the NACA program • no down payment, • no closing costs, • no fees, • no requirement for • perfect credit • Below-market • interest rate • This program has a • proven, twenty-plus-year, • track record and lenders are ready and • willing to loan to NACA clients money to • purchase their home. The prevailing interest • rate when I purchased my home in 2006 was • 6.5% and I was able to finance my house for • 5.5% with a traditional thirty-year mortgage • from Bank of America. Rather than • requiring Property Mortgage Insurance, you • pay a monthly fee to NACA of $50 for the • first five years of the mortgage. That $50 fee • funds the program and helps out NACA • clients who may happen to get into financial • trouble with foreclosure avoidance • assistance. Because of their extremely low • foreclosure rate, NACA has strength and • power with the lending agencies. • The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, NACA, is a non-profit advocacy and home ownership organization. The dream of home ownership can still be a reality for many American’s who have made bad credit mistakes in their past. No longer is it necessary to participate in the predatory, high-interest, sub-prime mortgage industry. With some hard work, discipline and the participation in the NACA program even if you could not qualify for a traditional, much less a sub-prime home mortgage, you can make your home ownership dreams come true. • Here’s how the program works: • 1. You attend a NACA workshop • In this workshop, they explain in detail how the program works. • 2. You schedule an appointment with a NACA counselor. • The counselor will require you to fill out paperwork regarding your bills, debts, household expenses, etc. A credit report is pulled and you have a discussion with the counselor about what happened with each of the delinquent or in-collection debts. • The counselor works with you on a plan to either pay off all of your past due debt or made arrangements to bring the debt current. • Prior to moving forward, you must be • current on all of your debt or have made • arrangements to pay off old debt. In • addition, you must have one year of on- • time payments. They also work with you • in establishing a realistic budget. MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace Continued on page 22

  22. “Is Bad Credit Haunting Your Chances for Home Ownership?” cont. from page 21 This program is not an instant home-ownership program. It takes discipline, determination and hard work. I am thankful for NACA’s program and am a proud owner of my home. I have gone from a credit score that hovered around 500 to now having close to an 800 credit score and receive prime lending rates. I have no consumer debt except for my home and my auto loan. I use my American Express credit card for everything and pay it off at the end of the month. If you are looking for a home-ownership program that is a quick-fix, then the NACA program is not for you. America needs to get back to reasonable expectations where you work hard, save up for a down payment, and earn the right to own a home. With NACA, you can do exactly that. For more information on the NACA program visit their website at www.NACA.com . MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  23. Real Tips For Real LifeBy Jessica Mohr Each program works a little differently. By reading the explanation of the application you can decide which one is right for you. As a member, you will also have access to dozens of other tips from users just like you. 3. Don’t Just Talk the Talk, Walk the Walk Walking across campus can not only help you be healthier, but it will also save you a lot of gas. There is no down side. You will save money and lose fat. To learn more ways to save gas read the article “Life’s a Gas.” 4. Be a Leader Although many college campuses have already implemented a recycling program, there are many more that have not. By taking a stand on your campus you can help make your campus eco-friendly. Start by finding a teacher or administrator to sponsor your efforts. Rally support from other students and stand up for the needed change. Get signatures, hold rallies, do what it takes to make change happen. 5. Buy a Reusable Shopping Bag Everywhere you look stores are beginning to sell reusable bags. By buying these bags or using a bag you already have, your use of plastic bags will be reduced dramatically. Such a small step can make such a big impact in saving our environment. 6. Keep Them Accountable Many college campuses have areas that are not the most up-to-date. They lack many energy saving updates that cost little to no money. I have been in several bathrooms where the faucet won’t turn off all the way. There is a constant flow of water. By having a group of students who will keep administrators responsible for this wastefulness, we can possibly cut down on a lot of wasted resources. College is stressful enough. The little amount of recycling I do won’t really make a difference. It is too expensive to be environmentally friendly. These are all excuses I have heard a million times. I have used a few of them myself. However, when it comes to saving the environment, coming up with new excuses is often more difficult than actually getting something done. There are so many simple, free tips that truly impact the world we live in. So stop rationalizing your lack of eco-friendly activity and start incorporating the health of our world into your everyday life! I have compiled some of the easiest tips out there to get you started on your environmental journey. Here are 10 easy, helpful tips that you may not have heard of before. 1. Recycle Your Shoes Did you know that you can recycle your used tennis shoes? If you send your shoes to Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program, your shoes can be used to create playgrounds. All you have to do is go to http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/ and find a location near you. You can then take your shoes to the store and feel good about saving the earth. Feeling ambitious? Nike also provides the opportunity to hold a shoe drive in your community. No matter how busy you are or how tight your budget is this tip will work for you. 2. Make Your Profile Green Social networking websites have become a major part of college life for this generation. Applications such as Greenbook on Facebook allow you to help save the environment by simply adding the program to your profile. Continued on page 24 MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  24. “Real Tips for Real Life” cont. from page 23 7. Feeling Stuck Are you reading this story feeling like you have already done it all? Do you want to push others into action? Did you know there is a Campus Carbon Calculator? By going to http://www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/toolkit/inv-calculator.php you can download the calculator. In many places the numbers are just staggering. Find out the numbers at your campus. Show your friends what a huge impact a little change can make. 8. Passionate About Green Do you love learning about the environment? Why not explore a career revolving around the environment? As more is discovered about the environment, more questions are raised. You can truly impact our world and make money while doing it. As a college student, this is your time to decide where you want to take your life. If this interests you, talk to your counselor and find out what environmental professions are available at your university. 9. Volunteer Get your fraternity or sorority, religious group, or academic club to partner with an environmental group to clean up the environment. Not only could it be a fun experience that will allow you to meet tons of new people, but it could also open up future opportunities. Employers like to hire professionals who are actively involved in their community. You can network and save the environment while having a blast during the whole process. There is no down side! 10. Throw a Party Yes, I said throw a party. It is not what you are thinking though. Make a commitment with a few friends to celebrate Earth Day by planting a tree every year. This small, simple commitment can make a difference to help put us in the right mindset and remind us to live eco-friendly lives. http://pjcsustainability.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/suggestions-anyone/ Carpooling, The Green And White Way By Susan Hoffman Carpooling is a great way to save gas, help the environment, keep a few more dollars in your pocket and maybe make a few new friends. Wow! Carpooling sounds like the right thing to do. At least that’s what Neil Clark is trying to tell us. Neil Clark is a member of the faculty in the Biology Services Department at PJC. Neil and I recently shared an e-mail or two and he told me that he would love to see a lot more carpooling to and from campus. The only thing slowing down the process is that a message board is needed for students and faculty for signing up. Neil thinks that The Green and White would be a good place for staff and faculty to sign up. He also thinks that the Student Lounge or Library would be a good place for students to find rides. Imagine how much fuel and emissions could be saved by a successful carpooling program. Hopefully this article will spur us all on to be thrifty, friendly and environmentally conscious. It’s up to you. Go over to the student lounge or look in The Green And White and find someone to share a ride with. It’s the right thing to do. MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  25. Joni Mitchellby Amanda Nelson Have you looked around at our world today? I see so many things that need to change: our economy, our school systems, and our healthcare plans, and how we treat our environment. Popular artiest also see things that need to be changed, and they have used their public influence on the audience, and their creativity to help make others aware of how we treat the environment and they also use their creativity to help promote a healthy environment for us to live in. Joni Mitchell is one such artist. Joni Mitchell was born on November 7, 1943. As a young child, she was always thinking up songs. As she grew older she also wrote poetry which grew into great music. She also was a very good artist and painter. She rocked our world in 1970 when she wrote a song called Big Yellow Taxi. It is a song that talks about how bad our environment has become. In the song, she mentioned places that have been severely affected because we have hurt our earth for such a long time. One such place is the Tree Museum in Hawaii. She wrote the song because there were a lot of cars in Hawaii which is a very pretty place to be. She re-recorded this song last year. Many people have commented her song. Susan Hoffman said, “I first heard "Big Yellow Taxi" when I was about 10. It was a big hit and was by Joni Mitchell. She was popular then. As a child I don't think I really thought about its meaning. I just thought it was a cool song. I still love Joni Mitchell music. I play her all the time. I was really excited to hear the Counting Crows version. It's nice when new groups redo old songs and do them well. Of course now I understand its meaning and think it could be a sort of mantra for the environment.” Also, many other artists such as Amy Grant have taken her song and made their own version of it. Amy Grant’s version was put out on her cd called House of Love. Since that recording, Counting Crows has re-recorded her song. Jennifer Ehrhardt said, “I heard the Counting Crows version first and I like part of the refrain. I like the sound of the singer's voice, too. However, I have a hard time hearing lyrics, so it wasn't until we discussed the song in MMC2000 face-to- face that I figured out it had an environmental message. We watched the music video in class, and the students had a lot to say about it. Obviously, they had paid attention to the lyrics! I will tell them to post here as well.” I think that if people stopped and look around they would see that we need to change how we treat our environment. MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  26. Music we love it, but why is it in the trash?By Amanda Nelson This is a landfill-gross!!!! Music we all love it. Some of us like pop and others prefer country. But there is a growing problem our music is ending up in the landfills across the world. We are hurting our earth. We buy millions of cd’s each year and, when our cd’s get scratched, we throw them away. They end up in the landfills for a very long time depending on what type of martial we are using. We can help reduce this waste by using digital music players. Rather than going out to the local store and buying an entire cd for thirteen dollars we can buy our music from music stores on the internet such as iTunes who sells their music for $.99. We can also save money on batteries. Many digital players use just one battery, or you can just plug your music player into the wall and charge it. Why are we hurting our earth? Go out and buy a digital media player today! MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  27. The Link Between the Environment and the Economy It doesn’t look like these numbers will change anytime soon as people continue losing their jobs and the economy sinks into a bigger hole. Despite the realization about gas prices, third world countries prove that economic hardship takes a much worse toll on the environment than economic prosperity. Pollution has been, and continues to be, a plague in developing nations. Fears about the future and simply surviving consume the thoughts and minds of countries that are economically unstable. In the United States, many individual’s idea of economic suffering is not being able to afford gasoline, struggling to pay for heat, and depending on the government for financial help. Although these situations are very unfortunate and should not be discounted in the least, they are nothing compared to the struggles of those in developing countries. In most third world countries clean water is a luxury, food is sparse, and eco-friendly living is not a priority. It seems that until these countries economic situation improves, their environmental situation will remain much the same. Part of their problem is a lack of education about these issues. By helping them grow educationally and economically, we may be able to impact their environmental shortcomings. Even in our developed nation, many people refuse to buy a more expensive product when presented with a choice even if it is much more environmentally friendly. By Jessica Mohr There is a strong link between the economy and the environment. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. However, it is a little trickier to figure out which way the economy effects the environment. Does a healthy economy mean a healthy environment or does a hurting economy mean a healthy environment? To be honest, there is no clear cut answer. There are trends that help us understand the effects of the economy on the environment though. The easiest trend for us to understand in our current economic situation is gas prices. In July 2008, gas prices hit an unprecedented high. However, just a few months later they are back down to a low that the United States hasn’t seen in over a year. According to AAA, the national average for unleaded gas prices reached a high on July 17, 2008 of $4.114. However, the current average is $1.953. The reason for this fall is a lower demand. Not only were gas prices rising so high that people couldn’t afford to drive as often as they had, but also the economy as a whole hit a slump. Gas was not in as high of demand and it began to drop to the prices we see today. In this situation, the rise in gas prices related to the hurting economy helped the environment by lowering gas emissions. Continued on page 28 MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  28. “The Link Between the Environment and the Economy” cont. from page 27 Unfortunately I fit into this category. Often I look down the road at two days from now instead of 200 years from now. This is often due to an uncertain economic future. However, I think that if we truly examine our options, economic uncertainty is much less frightening than environmental uncertainty. Although I am unable to provide a definite answer, I will go out on a limb and say that a healthier economy will lead to a healthier environment. I would say that it goes the other way around also. A healthier environment will lead to a healthier economy. So the moral of the story is not to wait until economic prosperity comes knocking on your door. Act now. Recycle now. Change your light bulbs now. Do every little thing you can to help the environment. Most of it doesn’t even cost a thing. The main expense it will cost you is time. http://pjcsustainability.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/good-economy-or-bad-economy/ Works Cited Book Rags. (2005-2006). Third World Pollution. Retrieved November 12, 2008, from http://www.bookrags.com/research/third-world-pollution-enve-02/ AAA. (2008). National Unleaded Average. Retrieved November 22, 2008, from http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/index.asp MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  29. QFTMDSGGFPOSSIBILITYQ FTVAHVIKMNOITULLOPWXI YQJWBPYSXQFNHEVFLAART BNEERGNSSYGRENEFJIJVE EKCJHTNEMNORIVNEVMXLC YTILIBANIATSUSERUTUFH XESOEPMOERUTANEDTFWIN NPPPCEIPCACQPEGSZCQXO OOOPISTROPOVMINREUSEL IHTOKHQESYNHWLANVCLTO TEEROLQVYUTGNIHDHCBKG AXNTEEEOSFANOTCXYJLHY VATUCVELTRMOITKCEZTHI RBINULDUEAISTEEMNORSW EEAIDVETMYNKURVPEAAJW SKLTEIBIMMAGLQKGOINJG NCHYRNVODUTYOAAEKPSDY OMKIKRNNTEIFSONBODFLF CEOOYOAIQNOWNOSDRNOZF HFZPCTQZLRNLZDRFCFRDU SXPEUVKEBGDOIRJOHOMVX https://angel.pjc.edu/AngelUploads/Content/group_sustainability_project/assoc/e299a3c7d0da4979996cf7dc538f335f/Custom_Word_Search_Puzzle.htm MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  30. Junk to Art By Brittany Unrick • It was just another day sitting in my three dimensional design class, when my teacher tells us to go ahead and get found objects for our next project. After telling us all about the found object assignment, we all had questions. Where do we get items from? How much do we need to bring? What are we going to make? • Finding objects is fairly easy. I asked co-workers, and it gave me a reason to finally clean out my closet. Some of my classmates went to the post office and got some really cool junk. Even some of their work places gave them some damaged products to use. The answer to how much junk do we need was the more the better. This was because we weren’t supposed to know what we were making going into the project. • So we needed a lot of junk, because the more there is the more you have to work with. The junk is supposed to tell you what it wants to be and also that we couldn’t use let’s say, an ear for an ear. When the teacher said this we all thought he was crazy. I had a lot of junk, forks, an old computer, water bottles, curling iron, you name it. And when I started rearranging the objects, I found that the teacher was right, it did tell you what it wanted to be. And if something didn’t work, all I had to do was find a different solution. • Everyone created something different from a penguin, elephant, duck, to a scorpion and even a helicopter. When I started my project and saw how the objects worked together. I made the objects into the mascot of my favorite hockey team, the Manitoba Moose. This has been my favorite project. I had no idea that junk could be created into something really cool. It is a new way to recycle. I highly recommend looking around the house for things you don’t use anymore, and try to create a work of art. Just give it a try. Continued on page 31 MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  31. “Junk to Art” cont. from page 30 • The moose is made out of many • items including: • Skull • Stuffed animal • Water bottles • Curling iron • Forks • Shoe straps • Bubble wrap • Spoons Find more pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/pjclargeprojects/ MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

  32. Living and Learning in a Foreign Land Another reason why the Greek economy continues to flourish is the fact that there aren’t too many luxury items available. My dad said it right when he described Greece as "An emerging third world country." This is true, there are many things to fix in the country, but the fact that the average wealth isn’t too incredibly high is the reason that people try to save more. Thus more money is readily available for the people to place it where they need. My good friend and Pastor Γιωργος Υφανθιδης (George Ifanthidis) gave me a tip: "I only spend money when I need to, and save the rest." This kind of attitude could be used by all of us to help the economy of America sustain itself. No binge spending, instead, spend money when we need it, and don’t take out loans unless completely necessary. If this idea was adopted by all, it would do a great deal of good in today’s decreasing stock markets and lowering economies. 1: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece) HORNISH (ATH1047) By Alexander Hornish Greece: A nation surrounded by Albania, Macedonia, and Turkey, situated on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. 1 It is renowned for its beautiful island resorts and great vacationing spots. Many great philosophers and stories have originated from this country, but not too much is heard from it today. I happened to be thrown into the mix of it when my dad, who is in the military, got stationed there. Little did we know what it would be like. Greece’s main language is Greek, of course, but it is a little bit different than ancient Greek. As I found out immediately, it is an extremely difficult language to learn. There are about twenty ways to greet someone, ranging from ’yia sas (γεια σας)’, which means ’hi, you’, to ’haidete (χαιδετε)’ which means ’pleased’. Another difficulty is that the past tense uses a completely different form of word. Despite possible communication difficulties, the Greek economy does exist and survive. One of the reasons the economy is able to sustain itself: Everyone owns their houses. Very few people rent, but very many of them lease. This means that the banks aren’t running bankrupt because of loans made that people cant pay, thus more money that people have is theirs and not someone else’s. MMC2000W FALL 2008 saving grace

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