I found an interesting set of documents while staying in Maryland. Maryland has a handbook for bicyclists with complete listings of all the laws and rights of people who use their biycles. This state also has a map of the entire states with bicycle routes.
Something like this would be a real asset to bicyclists in Utah.
I belong to Salt Lake Freecycle – a yahoo group that is designed for people to give things away (or trade). Absolutely no money can be exchanged. It’s a great way to recycle things and give stuff away you don’t need anymore – instead of throwing it away. It’s nationwide, so you can join from just about any city – or if there isn’t one in your city, you can start one!
The deal is that you post what you have to offer and folks who want your stuff come get it. You can also post things you are looking for. Last year we gave tomatoe plants to a Ronald McDonal House in Salt Lake City through Freecycle. This year I’ve given away boxes of clothes and some other assorted items. I love getting thank you’s from folks who have picked up stuff I’ve offered.
What a great system!
I will be giving a workshop at the Green Party of the United States National Committee meeting in Tuscon (July 27-30) on July 27, as a member of the GPUS Eco Action Committee. Other committee members will also be giving workshops. Additionally, Kathy Dopp, Desert Greens Green Party of Utah candidate, will be providing a presentation on the Diebold Voting Machine issue. I have provided times and descriptions below.
The Facts of Nuclear Testing and Waste Transportation – It Affects Us All!
Thursday, July 27, 2005 at 1:00pm – 2:30pm
presenters: Deanna Taylor, Tom King – Utah
Continue reading
EAch time I ride TRAX wtih my bicycle I become more and more convinced that we need more accomodations for bicycles.
Tonight we rode our bikes to the nearest TRAX station to attend a meeting in Sugarhouse. ON our way back, about 9pm, we missed the first train because all the bike spaces were full (they allow only 2 bikes on the ends of each car). So we had to wait for the next train. This is not the first, second or third time this has happened to us. This is happening more and more when we travel this way.
My solution:
Provide a large bicycle space at the back of each car to accomodate about 10 bikes. Have fold up seats in that space so that when it isn’t filled with bikes, it can still be used for seats for people.
I saw this done in D.C. on its light rail system. It works.
I have been riding my bicycle a lot for the past several years. You discover a lot by bicycling and walking.
Walking affords one to really see their surroundings. Each time I walk in my neighborhood I see new things.
Bicycling really allows one to get to places more quickly than walking. It also allows one to see how reckless many automobile drivers are. I’ve known several people who have been hit by cars while on bikes (car drivers’ fault), including my son.
Both forms of transportation afford one more exercise. They both involve more planning and time, but the benefits far outweigh the “benefits” of driving for convenience and is healthier to our bodies, mind and planet.
We need more walkable communities, better mass transportation, and more incentives to walk and bicycle.
Jen of Jen’s Green Journal has created a new community devoted to climate change issues.
The new community is Climate Crisis Action Team.
I want to remind readers that a fellow activist in Utah created the Stop the Divine Strake website and is keeping it updated. I have added it to the end of my links list in the left sidebar.
Be sure to refer to it for updates on the Divine Strake Test.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged divine strake, environment, indigenous issues, nuclear issues, Utah
It was great to leave the valley and take our first backpacking trip of the season. I was in way better shape than I thought, carrying a pack weighing about 30-35 pounds and hiking the first day about 2-3 miles, virtually all uphill, without having to stop much. It was a beautiful couple of days.
It’s always nice to get away from everyday life and technology and just enjoy “being”.
Here is a photo of Pfeifferhorn Peak that I took at the end of the Maybird Gulch Trail we hiked on our second day:
You can view more photos of my trip here.
The Salt Lake Tribune published this article: Panel rejects PFS nuclear storage–
U.S. Senate: A subcommittee votes to allow facilties only in states with reactors.
A Senate panel dealt a blow to Private Fuel Storage’s plan to build temporary nuclear storage in Utah on Tuesday, voting in favor of short-term storage, but specifically prohibiting storage at the PFS facility.
The Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee included $10 million for the temporary storage facilities, but requires them to be federally run and located in states that have nuclear reactors.
The spent nuclear fuel would be kept there until a technology can be developed to extract the reusable parts of the fuel and dispose of the rest.
Since Utah has no reactors, this would significantly impact the PFS storage project on the Goshute reservation.
Of course, PFS spokespersons are stating that by doing this Congress if just prolonging the storage of waste since, according to PFS, licensing will take 8-10 years for any facility.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out and I’ll be sure to provide any updates here.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged environment, goshutes, nuclear issues, private fuel storage, Utah
The Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS) has issued a statment on the Safety and Security Concerns about Derailment of Train Hauling Atomic Waste: Inconsistencies Raise Questions about Emergency Preparedness.
According to Kevin Kamps of NIRS, a train bound for an EnergySolutions facility derailed in Michigan last week. Disturbingly, no one seems to know what the actual contents of the rail cars is. Please read the press release above. We will keep you informed about when this train will be traveling through Utah, and what we will be doing about it. We will be posting articles shortly about the derailment.
More information:
Continue reading
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 