Ithaca is POLLUTED!!!!

As I've said many times I love Ithaca, this is my town, my locale, my home. But I was always concerned about how polluted six mile creek was near my house growing up. As a kid I spend time fishing with friends, and cackling at jokes underneath the bridge bellow south Cayuga, where we would find remnants of broken beer bottles from a homeless man who must have slept there the night before. This sounds ghetto to some extent but it really was not, we were curious kids playing near water in the city of Ithaca. We used to catch a lot of fish, crawfish, and then throwing them back, but as Ithaca became more developed, the water became more dirty. Trash and shopping carts littered the bottom, and fish were no longer around. The walls were tagged with graffiti, and I admit as a kid I may have painted once or twice, but my cans were always properly disposed of. Anyway, today no fishing, perhaps because not many fish are around, or kids just don't like to fish anymore, but its sad to see an area filled with curiosity become dirty and non appealing.

Ithaca Youth Bureau

IYB is helping kids learn about computers and repairs, while offering them a chance to build and take home a computer. This is a wonderful idea, and IYB has helped many children throughout the community. Sadly I have class during the times when volunteers are needed, 2:30 - 5:00 MW or TR, if anyone would like to help here is the link. You might need some techy knowledge.

Besides this particular program the IYB offers extra curricular activities, such as sports and hands on learning. I was privaleged to utilize this resource playing basketball while I was a tike growing up. Please take a look at the side links to see programs and other activities.

http://www.cityofithaca.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7BBD83450C-97EC-46E9-921C-D9F5F3E7CEDF%7D&DE=%7B8B358890-74C7-4A33-BED9-44EBFFF93271%7D

Increase MPG

Have you ever wanted to know why you run out of gas so fast. Well obviously those people are driving more then they need to. Try these tips found on fueleconomy.gov, this site will help you understand how much you spend on gas per year. I love cars, and this site is actually fun to use. Most consumers purchase used cars without knowing what the car gets per mile, this site shows averages through other consumers and studies to determine realistic gas mileage. Bellow is a link to the website on how someone can save on gas.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG/driveHabits.shtml

My Uncle whom is retired sent me this message. It was very interesting, making plastics bottles look even worse.

Please Read

Cancer Update from John Hopkins

This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well.

No plastic containers in microwave.

No water bottles in freezer.

No plastic wrap in microwave.

A dioxin chemical causes cancer, especially breast cancer.

Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze
your plastic

Bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.

Recently, Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital ,

Was on a TV program to explain this health hazard.

He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us.

He said that we should not be heating our food in the

Microwave using plastic containers...

This especially applies to foods that contain fat.

He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin

Into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body...

Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic

Containers for heating food... You get the same results, only without
the dioxin.

So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc.,

Should be removed from the container and heated in something else.

Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper.

It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc.
He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away

From the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons...

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when

Placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high

Heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap
and drip into the food.

Cover food with a paper towel instead.

This is an article that should be sent

To anyone important in

Your life!