Alternative Energy Tech Conference

Oct. 13, 2004

Conference Call
New ideas for restoring the earth and alternative energy are the focus of two conferences in Traverse City this week:
The Alternative Energy Technology Conference takes place Thursday, Oct. 14 at the Great Lakes Campus of NMC. A forum on renewable energy is open to the public in the morning. The conference will discuss green building and energy efficiency for your home, and alternative energy entrepreneurship among other topics. For info, call 1-800-748-0566, ext. 1700.
The popular Third Annual Great Lakes Bioneers Conference has its most ambitious program yet at NMC, presenting visionary ideas for using nature to heal nature. The conference includes a live telecast from sessions of the national Bioneers Conference in San Rafael, California, as well as many local programs and speakers.
Keynote speakers will include Josè Perez Vazquez, a representative of 30 communities of Tzotzil Mayan peoples in Chiapas, Mexico, who are seeking social justice; Lee Sprague, chief of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians; and Grace Lee Boggs, an activist and writer who brings 60 years of involvement in U.S. social movements.
Numerous workshops will focus on such subjects as:
• Building Local Food Systems
• Greening the City: One Roof at a Time
• Home Energy Audits
• Fair-trade Coffee & Indigenous Rights
• Media as a Tool for Social Change
• Ancient Wisdom and Modern Medicine
• Women, Water and Poverty
• Protecting Waters of the Great Lakes
• Energy Independence
• Business Ethics
• Community Gardens
• Eco-Forestry for the Great Lakes
• Worm Composting
• Local Currency
• Indoor Air Quality
• Green Medicine Cabinet
• Yoga and meditation for all abilities
• Buddhist Economics
Other highlights for this year’s conference include a Thursday night banquet featuring fresh ingredients available in Northwest Michigan during October and a dance on Saturday with the Steppin‘ In It band at Mt. Holiday Ski Resort Lodge.
To take part, contact sponsors at the Neahtawanta Center or SEEDS at 1-800-220-1415, www.nrec.org/glbioneers, or register at the conference.

DIRTY UNDERWEAR? It sounds like a News of the Weird item, but Michigan‘s Republican Party claims it‘s serious about seeking criminal charges against rabble-rouser Michael Moore for bribing students to vote by offering them Haynes underwear and Ramen noodles.
Last week, Moore spoke at Michigan State University to a crowd of more than 3,500. As part of his tour, he tossed out packets of the low-priced instant noodles and 12-packs of Haynes briefs to students who promised that they would vote Nov. 2
The Michigan GOP reportedly sent letters to prosecutors in four counties, Antrim, Ingham, Isabella and Wayne, requesting criminal charges against Moore. It‘s a misdemeanor to offer or receive items in exchange for votes, punishable by a fine up to $500 or 90 days in jail.
Moore is currently on the Slacker Uprising Tour, speaking to huge crowds at 60 campuses across the country prior to the election.

DRAFT DEFEATED Republicans are crowing over the overwhelming rejection of a bill to revive the draft which was presented in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Charles Rangel, Democrat of New York. Rangel‘s bill would have required all young persons in the United States to perform a period of military or civilian service for national defense and homeland security.
“This should put the rumors to rest once and for all,” said Congressman Dave Camp. “The draft is not coming back. Our all volunteer army is doing a superb job and new recruits and reenlistments are meeting our military needs.”
Rep. Rangel has noted on various talk shows, however, that he never expected his bill to pass; it‘s largely a symbolic measure to point out that the volunteer army is comprised to a large degree by young people from low income backgrounds with few job opportunities. Rangel claims that a draft involving children of middle class and wealthy parents would prompt more caution on America‘s war plans.