MOVIE: TAPPED--SHOWING IN VERO

from Nancy Stiefel

What:  Tapped, a 2009 documentary about the big business of bottled water

When:  Sunday, Nov. 10, 7:00 PM

Where:  Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, corner of 27th Avenue and 16th Street

The documentary Tapped is an unflinching examination of the big business of bottled water.  From the producers of Who Killed the Electric Car and I.O.U.S.A., this timely documentary is a behind-the-scenes look into the unregulated and unseen world of an industry that aims to privatize and sell back the one resource that ought never to become a commodity: our water.

Soechtig's cautionary tale is well supported by interviews with a variety of activists, environmentalists, community leaders, and several small-town residents whose health and welfare have been compromised by the encroachment of the bottled water industry.

Discussion following the film will be led by Lynna Kauchek of the organization Food & Water Watch, Ft. Lauderdale office.  The Fellowship's Fair Trade Corner will be open for 1/2 hour prior to the film.

The public is invited, and there is no charge.  However, donations to offset the cost of the screening rights fees are always welcomed.

OCTOBER 2013 MEETING REMINDER

from John Debus

Hi Everyone,

A reminder of our event this Tuesday evening, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, October 29, 2013

at the American Legion Post #40, 810 S. US 1, Fort Pierce, Fl. 34950. Please use

the front entrance (on US1) and it is the large room on the right side as you come in

the front door. Plenty of parking is on the side of the building. We have water and

Green Tea (free) available or you can purchase drinks from the bar in the next room.

This month we have our Annual Organization Meeting and expecting a surprise

guess speaker from the Space Coast Progressive Alliance. We are also hoping to

have enough time for a short documentary movie. Come listen and add your opinion

on our priorities, direction and plans for our coming year. Volunteer to serve or

nominate others for positions. Meet and get to know our members/family and make

new friends.

The action table at our event is set up for group's information, sign-up sheets, upcoming

events, and petitions. All groups will also have 1-3 minutes at the beginning to tell us

about themselves. You can also contact Kathy or myself to have your events posted

on our web-site happenings page.

Please come out, we need your support to make a difference, be part of the experience.

We also would like your feed-back on our Events and Organization. So feel free to

respond to this e-mail. CHECK OUT OUR WEB-SITE;  tcprogressivealliance.com

Check often as many events are posted late with little notice. We post as soon as we

get them. Also check out our blog with many interesting articles and information posted

there.

Thanks for your support,

Take care,

See you Tuesday,

John

UPDATE ON UU's SEVEN50 PRESENTATION

from Richard Silvestri

John Debus, Erika Alvarez and I attended Jan Booher's presentation at the UU Church in Stuart on the 21st.  I cannot speak for the other two, but I was very happy listening to Jan Booher and I can envision calling upon her in the future.  Her "call to action" beginning with "EGAD" and includes the paragraph following mirrors what I have been saying all along.  (Read her forwarded comment herein.) 

As she went through her presentation of the highlights, background, reasons for Seven50 it just makes more and more sense to me.  Jan originally got into this through an action group regarding Climate Change in Boca Raton.  The opposition to this plan I feel is based on the Koch Bros need to thwart local movements that result in lower oil consumption.  Sustainability does just that and the rationale is based on Global Warming Justice started by Al Gore and which banner has been picked up by 350.org and numerous other groups like Bold Nebraska, Credo, the former Pope, The National Council of Churches and not least some of our own folks right here in SLC.  If the Koch Bros. can get sustainability denounced in enough local areas, the cumulative effect is felt at the Federal level and results in a victory for them nationwide.  It results in a defeat for future generations in this county, SE Florida, and the Earth.  Forgive me if this seems obvious, but I want to put it on the examining table so we all a clear view in the light of day.

I have gone to Seven50.org and read the home page and most of the drop-down windows there.  I have listened to Jan explain it.  All the information dove-tails nicely and simply makes sense.  I have visited the AC4PR website which has been changed.  Since Seven50 clearly had $3Million in Federal funds we can understand why the website is so professional-considerable money was put into it!  Likewise AC4PR's website is professional because someone put money into it!  We know where the money came from for the former.  Need I ask where the money comes from for the latter?  Originally AC4PR listed some of the things they were against and some other items.  They are against "Common Core" and Smart Meters, for instance.  They also referenced Glenn Beck, even stating "Glenn said...." at one point.  I use the past tense here because the website was changed and now is devoted entirely to Seven50 bashing.  And it is still an expensive, professionally done website-and the change was rather sudden, too.  So there is big money involved here.

The AC4PR presentation to the SLC BOCC October 15th meeting was not the same as the "introductory" presentation at the Palm City library on Sept 28th.  Why?  The latter was a pep-rally and frankly was an insult to my intelligence.  I am sure it would have insulted the Commissioners.  They knew better than to make the same presentation on the 15th.  That presentation-while slanted-was professional and relatively tame.

The reason I wanted to attend the Common Core Debate last night was because of AC4PR's objections to it.  There were a lot of faces there from AC4PR and a few "Seven50 buster" buttons were worn.  It is very interesting that the Republican Party of MC, IRC and SLC played a very prominent and active role at the AC4PR on Sept 28th yet AC4PR continually states their "coalition" is non-partisan.  I tried to be objective last night and even Rep. Lee, John Debus and I discussed it, it was the Repbulican Parties of MC and SLC that sponsored the debate.  John and I don't think it fair that two of the three panelists are obviously opposed-and formerly stated so-to Common Core while only one was for it in a room of mostly Republicans and many of those far-right Republicans.  However, I must credit the Republicans for holding the debate and it was open to anyone.  It behooves our own Democratic Parties to hold forums like this on issues especially those that are being pulled left or right as with Seven50 and Common Core.  John is considering having a forum on Common Core open to anyone.  The Progressive Alliance does not align with any party or candidate.  Nonetheless I think Democrats need to pay more attention to issues that divide-and all issues, regardless-and become proactive as the Republicans are-at least locally.

Regarding Seven50:  That should-be-neutral issue has been vilified by the right-wing fringers.  As Jan Booher states, quoting Greg Wilson regarding "going to the source", years ago at Miami Fire-Rescue we had the Anti-Defamation League present to us regarding rumors.  We were advised something we should all do when told something that seems a bit skewed.  And that is to ask the sender where he/she got the information and to ask that source to do likewise right on back to the prime source.  If that were done all the time, rumors would die.  Most of the negatives about Seven50 are rumors and misconceptions that well-meaning people spread.  It is just human nature but when we are talking about a future for our kids that doesn't look too good if we continue "business as usual", it can be devastating.  Seven50 will make its formal presentation to the SLC BOCC on November 7th.  Mark your calendar.  We need to stand up for TRUTH!

Richard C. Silvestri

KICK START PROJECT

from Sue Chandler

I'd very much appreciate some attention to one of my recent Wobbly Warrior blog posts about William "Tommy" Zeigler, an innocent who has been on Florida's death row for over 37 years. Please use the buttons available on the page to share the post on Facebook and Twitter, and donate to the production of the documentary if you can ($1 minimum). Unraveling the conviction corruption in Tommy's case will free many incarcerated innocents. Many thanks!

http://wobblywarrior.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/197-reasons-to-help-fund-the-production-of-dead-man-waiting/

SEPTEMBER 2013 UPDATE

from John Debus

Hi Everyone,

Our first annual picnic was a great success. It was a nice turnout with plenty of food

and a lot of good conversation with like-minded friends. There were some suggestions

to get together more often, so we are thinking of having another one between Christmas

and New Years. We ended it with a new kayaking experience with Joy, one of our new

members. All had a good time.

Hands across the Lagoon was a huge success at ALL bridges and causeways.

Our Call to Action at the St. Lucie County Commissioners meeting did not produce

much of a turn out. However, we like to thank those who did come out in support.

Our fight is not over. The Tea Party group, ac4pr, is well organized and have

been turning many people out with their talking points propaganda. They got the

BOCC to give them a 1 hour presentation, which I believe some commissioners

are tired of hearing. However, there is a lot of pressure on the BOCC, which is why we

need more people to start showing up and give some of the commissioners (at least

3) the support to tell them no. We do not need to pull out of the plan. We need to

wait until all the information is available for the people and allow the people to make

their decision. If you need more information on this issue, please come and join us

Monday night 21 October  from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the Treasure Coast

Unitarian Universalist Church, 21 SE Central PKwy, Stuart, Fl. 34994 where

Jan Booher will be speaking on the Seven50 Plan and SE Florida  Regional Climate

Change Action Plan. SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING.

The city of Vero Beach had there first reading of their strong fertilizer ordinance.

It went fairly well, so we will be going to a second reading and expecting a

stronger opposition there. Those of us that want to save our river need to come

out and support the commissioners who are leaning toward approval. Check the

City of Vero Beach website for date, time and place.

St. Lucie County will be presenting their final draft of their fertilizer ordinance

at their meeting on November 5 at 6:00 pm at the county building on the

3rd floor on Virginia Ave in Fort Pierce. We need to show up and make

sure they understand we will only accept a strong ordinance.

There is a lot of things happening on our Treasure Coast Area and Florida.

So check our website Happenings' page and Blog often, because some

events are on short notice. Come on out, get involved, and show your support.

Thanks to all,

Take care,

John

Earth Rights and Recovery Talk

from Greg Wilson

The Seven50 Plan and the SE FL Regional Climate Change Action Plan (RCAP) are serving as national models of how to address climate change impacts through sustainability planning on a regional scale.

 Jan Booher will be speaking at the Treasure Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 21 SE Central Pkwy, Stuart, FL 34994,Monday night October 21st, 7:00 to 8:30.  Jan is knowledgeable about this plan and has been working with this group for over 2 years. There will also be music and a new song about the Indian River Lagoon by DockStreet Band.

Please come and hear the facts. It is time our leaders took a long term view in leading this region rather than the short term.

HEALING OUR WORLD: SAVE THE LAGOON

from Gregory Wilson