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.