www.hopehoffman.org

~ EDUCATIONAL, TRANSPORTATIONAL & PRACTICAL ~

Maine Eastern Railroad
Train service May-October from Brunswick to Rockland.

Train Riders Northeast
A volunteer organization dedicated to modern and efficient passenger rail service in Northern New England.

Amtrak
Frequent train service from Portland, Maine to Boston with many stops along the way in southern Maine and New Hampshire.

Habitat for Humanity
Does a good job getting the practical work done of building houses.

Saving on Heating Costs
I think the most practical way to save heating fuel is to weatherproof the building so heat heat actually stays in it. Here's a basic listing of efficiency tips.

Halifax, Nova Scotia
This city has a municipal "scent-awareness" program which apparently has been very successful.

An Overview of MCS
This is the best article on chemical sensitivity/environmental illnesses I've found in 10 years. Links to additional, better, and more scientific/professional information about this are welcomed.

Fragranced Products Information Network
A fairly well-written summary of chemicals used in fragrance products and the social, industrial and medical implications.

U.S. National Library of Medicine
Articles including "Acute toxic effects of fragrance products" and "Toxic effects of air freshener emissions."

Campaign for Cleaner Indoor Air
The sensibility of this is article a bit messy, but it succeeds in collecting some ideas about the bigger picture of fragrance products as well as some listings of specific chemicals.

Policy for Indoor Air Quality in Workplaces
This is a copy of the Center for Disease Control's policy for their workplace. Many of the retirement communities and public libraries I perform at use synthetically fragranced "plug-ins" and cleaning products which are causing more and more people health problems in the short-term and long-term.

Chemical Exposures to Fragrances; Models for Fragrance Policies
From the Massachusetts Nurses Association. Well-organized and, of course, scientific.

US Government Report on Fragrance Chemicals
Regarding public access to buildings and access for people with chemical sensitivities as a disability.

US Government Report "General Guidance for Building Cleaning Programs"
Outlines Procedures and gives specific recommendations for "less toxic cleaning" of public buildings

Indoor Environmental Air Quality Recommendations
A list of very useful links from the US government's Access Board, an independent federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities.

Environmental Working Group
This organization's recommendations have been incorporated into recent changes in policies regarding harmful chemicals. Website includes easily searchable categories to find detailed facts about specific substances, as well as general overviews.

Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D.
Environmental writer and activist. Her warmth and meticulousness were outstanding when I was a student in one of her university poetry classes. Her books are very well-written and conceived, and useful.

Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
Undergraduate and graduate courses in photography, writing and radio. Students record contemporary Maine through field research, which is presented in a photography gallery, magazine and archives.

Old Grey Goose International presents concerts sharing the band's experiences in exchange programs with musicians in eastern Europe and Cuba. Both highly educational and highly entertaining!

Positive Futures Network/Yes Magazine
Informative, compact and quite fascinating articles detailing helpful ideas for the future, and admirable projects currently underway.

The Sun magazine
Wonderful black and white photography, and great interviews.

Town of Bowdoinham Business Directory
Includes many artists, farmers and craftspeople in this historic village by the river.

State of Maine
Site lists legislation, staff etc.

Project Vote Smart
Nonpartisan, easy to use and comprehensive. Enter your zip code to see who your representatives are.

Maine Public Radio
Around election time, this site has information on the issues being voted on.

Electricity from renewable Maine resources
Through Maine Interfaith Power and Light, individuals and organizations in Maine can keep their same account with the electric company, while paying towards using 100% renewable energy (wind, water and wood, generated in Maine).

Uncle Henry's
Well-designed site lets you search classified ads for "just about anything under the sun," and find pets "free to good home." It's great! Between this and the recycling center, I furnished my entire house. A Maine-based publication.

www.donotcall.gov
Simple registration to block telemarketers calls for your home/cell phone number for 5 years. Seems to work well.
Also, post offices have a form you can fill out to stop getting third class mail.

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