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.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Links to additional information about this are welcomed via e-mail.
Maine
Government Overview of Environmental Illness
An easy-to-read listing of common questions and general information
An Overview of MCS
History and general medical explanation of chemical sensitivity/environmental
illnesses.
Chemical
Sensitivity
Gives a "big picture" of environmental illnesses and offers some additional
scientific ideas.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
This city has a municipal "scent-awareness" program which apparently
has been very successful.
Housing for Chemically Sensitive People
A snapshot of some challanges in housing, food and medical care for chemically
sensitive people. Also has links to listings of housing options for sale/rent.
Stages of
MCS Progression
Describes how the illness progresses in medical terms, from the initial onset
to long-term deterioration of organ tissue.
Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D.
Environmental writer, speaker 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.
TECHNICAL ARTICLES
US
Government Report on Fragrance Chemicals
Regarding public access to buildings and access for people with chemical sensitivities
as a disability.
Policy for Indoor
Air Quality in Workplaces
This is a copy of the Center for Disease Control's policy for their workplace.
Chemical
Exposures to Fragrances; Models for Fragrance Policies
From the Massachusetts Nurses Association. Well-organized and, of course, scientific.
US Government
Report "General Guidance for Building Cleaning Programs"
Outlines Procedures and gives specific recommendations for "less toxic
cleaning" of public buildings.
U.S. National Library
of Medicine
Articles including "Acute toxic effects of fragrance products" and
"Toxic effects of air freshener emissions."
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.
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.
Fragranced Products Information
Network
A fairly well-written summary of chemicals used in fragrance products and the
social, industrial and medical implications.
MORE LINKS
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.