Category Archives: ~ my 2cents …

Support Fair Trade

06/11/2015 Nativegrl77

Current logo of Ten Thousand Villages. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

just another rant …

The first time I heard the term” Fair Trade”, I was still living at home. I have to admit that I did not understand nor relate to the conversation but i knew it was having an impact on someone in my family. While I may not have understood it then, I could hear the passion in my mom’s voice; she was adamant about laborers and wages, yes, it is tough to compete but we must support those who labour, are environmentally and socially aware while making products people can buy sell and use that do no harm.

Fair Trade by definition: Although not universally accepted definition of fair trade exists… definition of fair trade developed by FINE, as a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers –especially in the South. Fair trade organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.

The company or industries I remember most talked about while living at home was Ten Thousand Villages’, which is a non-profit organization. They have always encouraged artisans to employ production methods that are environmentally sustainable or recycled and natural materials whenever possible. The thing that was impressive as a kid was that Ten Thousand Villages offered products from all over the world are diverse and true treasures from places we probably would never go while helping disadvantaged artisans at the same time. I loved the small gifts, goodies and handmade toys but I was too young to appreciate the home decor at the time but believe me I have bought and enjoyed scarves, baskets and gadgets from Ten Thousand Villages over the years. I remember the coffee not only smelled different it was very exotic, which is part of why I love some fair trade coffees. Ten Thousand Villages, a Fair Trade company has been a leader in the quest to help the disadvantaged, respect for our environment by using sustainable products in all their forms. I have to say that growing up knowing that most of the people who benefited from Ten Thousand Villages premise were people of colour was major to my family and as the 90’s started to love retro. The “everything old is new again” industry and its revenue has and still is doing far better than those who probably are really supporting and working in the Free Trade world. I believe Free Trade needs to be reformed on all levels, which means reducing tariffs quotas and upping regulatory policies according to supply&demand including size of the company.

Free trade by definition: is a policy in international markets in which governments do not restrict imports or exports. Free trade is exemplified by the European Union / European Economic Area and the North American Free Trade Agreement, which have established open markets. Most nations are today members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) multilateral trade agreements. However, most governments still impose some protectionist policies that are intended to support local employment, such as applying tariffs to imports or subsidies to exports. Governments may also restrict free trade to limit exports of natural resources. Other barriers that may hinder trade include import quotas, taxes, and non-tariff barriers, such as regulatory legislation.

While in college, I discovered The Body Shop, a Fair Trade company trying to bring environmental and sustainable product awareness to young women. The products cost more than the big box stores but the quality was and still is better. I know that my family felt good about supporting free trade companies that help folks earn reasonable wages, is environmentally aware; where sustainable products are readily available. I have beyond sensitive skin; suffice it to say they became a part of my life over the last few years.

I believe in the free enterprise system, but what we have heard lately, suggests corruption is on the rise. We need to have as much transparency in the Free Trade industry as possible. The old attitude of “I will help you if you help me” is definitely an issue with countries and this problem continues today when the art of politics and money gets in the way causing the seller, buyer and workers to become collateral damage.

Since 2008, Ten Thousand Villages has been named one of World’s Most Ethical Companies annually by the Ethisphere Institute. www.Ethisphere.com

Support Fair Trade… the information below is from their website

www.tenthousandvillages.com

Ten Thousand Villages

is an exceptional source for unique handmade gifts, jewelry, home decor, art and sculpture, textiles, serve ware and personal accessories representing the diverse cultures of artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. One of the world’s largest fair trade organizations and a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), about us the company strives to improve the livelihood of tens of thousands of disadvantaged artisans in 38 countries. Ten Thousand Villages accomplishes this by establishing a sustainable market for handmade products in North America, and building long term buying relationships in places where skilled artisan partners lack opportunities for stable income. Product sales help pay for food, education, healthcare and housing for artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed.

Founded in 1946, the company has grown from the trunk of founder Edna Ruth Byler’s car to a network of more than 390 retail outlets throughout the United States selling Ten Thousand Villages products. The company encourages artisan partners to use environmentally friendly processes, sustainable natural resources and recycled materials to ensure each product offered has been crafted responsibly. Ten Thousand Villages is a partner of Mennonite Central Committee.

Ten Thousand Villages is an independent nonprofit, charitable organization (501(c)3, with an independent, nine member board of directors. All sales revenue generated by Ten Thousand Villages and any surplus earned by operations is retained within Ten Thousand Villages. Surpluses are used to increase purchases from artisans and to finance the growth of Ten Thousand Villages retail network.

Our Vision

One day all artisans in the developing countries will earn a fair wage, be treated with dignity and respect and be able to live a life of quality.

Our Mission

Ten Thousand Villages’ mission is to create opportunities for artisans in developing countries to earn income by bringing their products and stories to our markets through long-term fair trading relationships.

Our Name

The inspiration for our name—Ten Thousand Villages—came from a Mahatma Gandhi quote: “…India is not to be found in its few cities but in the 700,000 villages…we have hardly ever paused to inquire if these folks get sufficient to eat and clothe themselves with.” To us, each village in the world represents a unique, distinctive people…offering extraordinary products born of their rich cultures and traditions.

Our Logo

Our logo represents the values we want to invest in the name Ten Thousand Villages. The continuous line of rooftops reminds us we are all linked together as we live on this earth. The light in the doors and windows reminds us of homes of people with whom we work in many villages. The warm red color and hand-etched edge represent the materials and methods used to make the quality handicrafts we sell. Multiply the village idea by ten thousand and it represents the world we are working to build. We invite you to join us in making this vision a reality.

~ my 2cents ...

Fair Trade …

06/11/2015 Nativegrl77

Fair Trade

Fair Trade by definition: Although no universally accepted definition of fair trade exists… It is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers –especially in the South. Fair trade organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade. [7]Wiki

The company or industries I remember most talked about while living at home was Ten Thousand Villages’, which is a non-profit organization. They have always encouraged artisans to employ production methods that are environmentally sustainable or recycled and natural materials whenever possible. The thing that was impressive as a kid was that Ten Thousand Villages offered products from all over the world are diverse and true treasures from places we probably would never go while helping disadvantaged artisans at the same time. I loved the small gifts, goodies and handmade toys but I was too young to appreciate the home decor at the time but believe me I have bought and enjoyed scarves, baskets and gadgets from Ten Thousand Villages over the years. I remember the coffee was different than at other people’s houses … the exotic smells filled our house …I think that is why I love exotic fair trade coffee, it smelled so good at our house. Ten Thousand Villages, a Fair Trade company has been a leader in the quest to help the disadvantaged, respect for our environment by using sustainable products in all their forms. I have to say that growing up knowing that most of the people who benefited from Ten Thousand Villages premise were people of colour was major to my family and as the 90’s started to love retro. The “everything old is new again” industry and its revenue has and still is doing far better than those who probably are really supporting and working in the Free Trade world. While in college, I discovered The Body Shop, a Fair Trade company trying to bring environmental and sustainable product awareness to young women. The products cost more than the big box stores but the quality was and still is better. I know that my family felt good about supporting free trade companies that help folks earn reasonable wages, is environmentally aware; where sustainable products are readily available. I have beyond sensitive skin; suffice it to say they became a part of my life over the last few years.

Support Fair Trade…

~ my 2cents ...

dwts S20 10th anniversary celebration and val’s win!

05/24/2015 Nativegrl77

I sat back waiting to write about the DWTS 10th Anniversary celebration because i was disappointed with what seemed to be going on. There were months after the MNM win when we would see past competitors on the show but no MNM, interviews but no MNM, promos and interview gigs from past competitors yet no MNM. So, when the 10th anniversary announcement was made the weeks leading up to any appearances on DWTS seemed fraught with a lot of “stuff” making fans wonder if DWTS would lose a substantial amount of viewers… Then they started doing promos for their 10th anniversary celebration. I admit that the teasing of who would be among the guests or dancers was fun. There were plenty of commercials with interviews of past competitors planning to dance or at least be in the audience supporting everyone else on the dance floor. Yes, fans of dance, competition and drama had their plate full as snippets of rehearsals, interviews, pictures of costumes and word that a dance off between maks and Meryl Vs witney and alphonso was on along with a vote for your choice to win site, which probably crashed. Anyway, the 10th anniversary was great, it was definitely well produced and while there was a lot going on it was good stuff filled with a lot of talk that viewers actually wanted to hear. The costumes and dancing were amazing, the entertainment was good and while alphonso & witney killed it the Paso slash tango by MNM was beyond amazing. It was apparent that MNM slayed it though the music was a bit different for me. I admit it was fun, up-tempo and added a modern feel they might have been going for and succeeded as the camera panned the room fans were up celebrating having fun. In fact, fans are still talking about how MNM have not as tom said, lost a step, that Meryl has actually improved least we talk about her costume, great burst of curly hair and the clever red lighting, which made me scream … it, was perfect. Their interview was fun cute and amazing because so few past DWTS winners maintain support that MNM continues to have.

So, as the 10^th anniversary faded into the background and the 2014 MNM anniversary of the coveted MBT win was approaching, mak’s little brother Val qualified for the DWTS finals. There was a week or two of folks talking tweeting revisiting MNM videos leading up to both events. When low and behold some could say, the stars were aligned because it just so happens that S20 ended with a big win for his little brother Val and Rumer Willis on May 19, 2015. What a night it must have been for Val to win the coveted MBT on the anniversary of his big brother!

I have been an avid DWTS fan since 2005. I watched until melb lost, stopped then heard about Season16 skipped most of Season17, why? Amber was great, I just don’t believe she dance as much as the others and just to be honest Derek did most of the work. I loved Season18 and watched Season19 sort of end in a predictable way because Alphonso was beyond amazing, he took his win on the DWTS tour and did quite well. I thought Val’s choreography was good, his partner’s foot work not so much and the rumors of showmances surrounding that season seemed to take over so I lost interest. I admit that Season20 was not a favorite of mine, though we could definitely relax because the showmances were nowhere to be found, only what we saw happening between Kym and Robert, which fans still support. It just seemed like there were too many changes; why fix it if it is not broken. The dances seemed to only last a split second and was I the only one distracted by all the props or “backup” dancers least we talk about the immunity debacle. While most of us wanted loved and needed the result night back, it was not that great. The best thing about Season 20 was watching Val’s face and his number one supporter when he won.

Dance is about expression, more often than not there is a story, it’s about moving through space and time, to beats lyrics music that may or may not mean a thing to the dancer or the audience in the beginning yet, does by the end: like maks’ has said, he likes to tell a story touching your heart and soul …done. I think that is definitely why fans want to see them dance and MNM has continued dancing for charity, support each other’s projects, meet & greets and generally do what they both love to do best … dance!

Their passion shows each time they go out onto the floor.

If you haven’t already, get your tickets to see SWAY ~~ Meryl Amy and Rumer will all be there dancing !

~ my 2cents ...

the other Washington … what happened to Metro

05/17/2015 Nativegrl77

It’s now 2015 and a proposal for more buses has been put on the table by king county

WHAT?

On May 1st, 2015 king county and surrounding residents were told …

Metro transit to add more buses, more trips this fall

The regional transportation agency will buy more buses and provide more trips beginning in the fall.

WHAT?

I get the feeling that the whole idea of light rail has been lost maybe the funding gone wrong and well, bertha hasn’t been cooperating with the workers. This makes me question where all this money is coming from and why shouldn’t those dollars go toward what we all have come to know as “Light Rail.” While most folks probably agree that we all need better parking, if king county is trying to reduce or redirect cars from coming into downtown they should keep have or offer a great alternative… right. I don’t know about you but that doesn’t necessarily include more buses. I hope there are more voters willing to demand answers spend the sudden influx of funds on light or any rail into place as we have all been waiting for.

From 2010 through 2014 we were told among other things that Metro Service cuts are proposed …again?

a Re-post because taxpayers should know what happened to Metro between 2010 and 2014 ?

Metro must plan now for major service cuts in absence of funding

We’ve cut costs, raised fares, and created other efficiencies to preserve most service over the past five years. But temporary funding authority from the state expires in June, and unless action is taken on stable funding, Metro must plan now for drastic service reductions next year.

More than 80 percent of Metro’s bus and DART routes would be affected.

Riders and communities across King County would feel the impacts: fewer travel options, longer waits between buses, more transfers, more-crowded and less-reliable buses, and increased traffic congestion.

http://metro.kingcounty.gov/am/future/why-cut.html

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Washington transit system: Our roads got a grade of D , light rail reduced and now our bridges

Posted by Nativegrl77 on 11/12/2013

Dear Washingtonians

Below is a snippet of an article and petition you should sign from the Washington Chapter of the Sierra Club.Senator Curtis King, Co-Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, is promoting a new transportation funding proposal that will set us back decades. This new budget proposal fails to fund over $900 million worth of projects that are necessary to operate our transit system, provide street improvements for bikes and pedestrians, and address polluted water runoff associated with roads.

Our bridges are literally crumbling around us. Workers can’t get to jobs because their bus service has been cut. The new road “mega-projects” being considered in the transportation funding proposal would dramatically increase climate changing pollution and increase sprawl. The Senate transportation funding proposal is simply unacceptable.

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Don’t Eliminate the “Ride Free Zone”

Washingtonians need to ask … what did the savings of $2 million with the elimination of the “Free Zone” do for our transportation when our bus services might still be cut !!!

TO: Seattle City Council

I wrote about The “ride free zone” ending way before the September 29th deadline hoping they would rescind the order to end it. Today, the local media showed and interviewed the people who have suffered from the new change and not in a good way. The thing that struck me most aside from the obvious was the comment about “a one time set-aside for bus tickets,” of $250,000 in emergency money for homeless people to ride Metro.

Below is a video and article that is heartbreaking

Homeless hopes public helps with discounted Metro bus tickets … click on the link below for the video and article !

http://www.king5.com/news/cities/seattle/Homeless-council-member-ask-for–174292691.html

It was a nice surprise to hear that people are still protesting the elimination of the “Ride Free Zone” giving full exposure to the real reasons why the Seattle King Council voted to eliminate the “Ride Free Zone.” Yes, we all know about that 2million dollar savings but the mission to make the downtown and the transit look and smell beautiful by leaving the homeless, disabled and those needing services out in the cold, which btw are all located on or near the “Ride Free Zone.”

In 2011, king county hit its residents with a two-year vehicle license fee that was supposed to help keep metro alive. Now, Metro Bus Riders find out that a deal done with Republicans will eliminate the “Ride Free Zone,” a Merchant straight away and beautiful feature of the City of Seattle – free for over 35 years.

The facts are; that more than 10 million boarding’s are logged each year inside the Ride Free Area; another 9,000 rides are taken each day without fare. There are reports that without the compromise reductions in Metro would have affected 80% of all bus riders including the poor. Unfortunately, balancing budgets off the backs of the middle and poor has been a Republican mission since 2010. It is with great sadness to think and or believe all that King County Officials seemed to have forgotten or sacrificed for that 2 million “Ride Free Zone” cost savings per year. This includes tourists, people commuting home from across the water, downtown workers accustomed to hopping on the bus to grab a quick bite, or get some dry cleaning, pop into a store all within an hour and low-income folks who, if you ride in the zone now; know they use it to get around daily.

King County Officials say the “Ride Free Zone” will end after Sept. 29; tell them that making deals with Republicans to phase out an urban mainstay for so many, is bad for Seattle.

If, this new mega-projects monstrosity is real yet will create an environment for more pollution and increase sprawl …

We must say NO

challenge who was in charge of spending

demand accountability

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Congratulations! You saved King County Metro! …Julia Deak Sandler, Prevent Metro Transit Cuts in King County, WA Campaign

Posted on 08/17/2011

We did it! You and I, with our coalition partners and all the individuals we set in motion, have saved metro. The King County Council enacted the $20 Congestion Reduction Charge last night, after some intelligent, bipartisan negotiation and compromise, and I am so proud of them. Jane Hague and Kathy Lambert, in particular, really rose to the occasion. They not only made those controversial “yes” votes that carried the day, but they improved the proposal by giving 8 free bus tickets to everyone who pays the $20 car tab fee and letting those who don’t want them donate that value to social service organizations. Doesn’t it feel great to see your democratic government working the way it’s supposed to?

The lesson we can learn from this success is that our participation matters. Without the outpouring of “overwhelming” support for transit, this deal never would have happened. When democracy works, it is because we push our elected officials to do the right thing. I know this success has inspired and energized me, and I hope it’s done the same for you.

If you feel a little giddy at this vision of what participating in your democracy can do, here are some ways to keep at it:

1. Join me in going past this temporary 2-year solution. We need to find permanent, progressive funding for transit, and convince the voters to vote for it. If you would like to work on this issue with me and our local organizational partners, please reply to this email. We’ll be starting the discussion with a free movie screening of the film Contested Streets (a transit documentary) on Fri. Aug. 26th at 7pm at Bethany UCC, corner of S. Beacon St. and Graham St. in Beacon Hill. Please join us for the screening and discussion. RSVP

2. If transit is not your pet issue, and you just like standing up for common sense, progressive causes and social justice, there are ways to do that, too. Since last November, I’ve been volunteering with my local MoveOn Council and have found it to be a great way to develop my skills and learn from more experienced and active citizens. Each council is a group of active individuals that works on national campaigns with the national MoveOn.org organization, but can also weigh in on local issues or help members get involved with local advocacy groups.

3. Last but not least, you can make your own petition on signon.org at any time! Any individual can start a petition about any issue, so consider it, and let me know if you have questions.

These are dire times in many ways. We are struggling economically, environmentally, and politically. But there are rays of hope, like this victory today. Just remember, there are more of us than there are of them, and all we need to do is stand up and make our voices heard. Please stand with me in the years to come and help make King County the kind of place we all want to live in.

Thank you and Peace be with you, Julia Deak Sandler

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Final Vote on Bus Cuts on Mon. 8/15

Posted by Nativegrl77 on 08/11/2011

: Image via Wikipedia

Your support for saving King County Metro has made a huge difference. More than 8,200 people signed our SignOn petition to save our buses, and more than 14,000 total signed letters or petitions. The testimony at the 7/26 hearing was fantastic, and we didn’t lose! But we also haven’t won yet…

We need six of nine councilmembers to vote in favor of the two-year stop-gap measure to save our buses. We have the support of 5 members, but the sixth has been elusive.

The King County Council was set to vote on the matter that day. Luckily, thanks to the thousands of people who voiced their support, the four remaining councilmembers – all Republicans – agreed to take three more weeks to seriously consider the the measure.

Now, we must double-down. This is our last chance to save our buses from devastating 17% cuts that will significantly hurt 4 out of 5 riders. Though I started this petition as an individual, I’ve learned that many professionals are working on this and related issues under the umbrella of the Transportation for Washington campaign. Here’s what they recommend:

First, please send your own personal letter to the King County Councilmembers. There are no more opportunities for public testimony, so calling or sending another letter is the best way to remind them of our arguments. Feel free to edit or add personal details.

Click here to send your letter. http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5127/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=7814

Next, pack the meeting on Monday, August 15. Click here to RSVP. http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5153/p/salsa/web/questionnaire/public/?questionnaire_KEY=608

Finally, we need volunteers to help petition, phonebank, write letters to newpaper editors, and enter data. Email Brock Howell, field director of Transportation 4 WA, at brock@futurewise.org to volunteer.

Thanks again for your support. Your dedication to the betterment of our society and planet warms my heart. Together we can save our buses. Stay strong & don’t give up!

Peace to all of you,

Julia Deak

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~ my 2cents ...

Remembering the BP Oil Spill ~~~

04/20/2015 Nativegrl77

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Site (Photo credit: Green Fire Productions)

just another rant ..,

In memory of the BP oil spill … A day just like today, the sun came up and the light of day gave way to a whole lot of life, but on 4/20, the morning light showed just how bad the BP oil spill disaster was, uncovering an event that will forever affect the Gulf Coast. As the media pushes, viewers begin to listen because they have questions, the media thinks they have solutions and the answers to how each Political Party will handle the disaster that is BP. They will talk about the BP oil spill and the damage to marine wildlife and habitat, the economy, the health of the people, those who worked and fought the oil as well as the local government weather and each other to save the Gulf Coast.

We all need to Remember the eleven people who died.

I still wonder just how much the Republican Party of No knows about the lack of preparedness drilling oil companies seem to be engaged in.

The BP oil disaster … proof of our need for rules regulations and while some oil companies rely and exist on short cuts and deregulation; Congress, specifically those from oil Country have avoided legislation that would make sure it does not happen again. Republicans did not seem fazed by the oil disaster whatsoever, screamed for more drilling though eleven people died, no heads rolled and no one did any jail time. It was the worse spill in our history yet Congress has swept it under the depths of the ocean that clearly needs man’s help. I have a riddle …what happens when a big corporation might knowingly try to save money by betting on worst-case scenario. Well, we do not know how many other narrow escapes there were or why they simply chose not to have high-tech equipment already in place or a multi-billion dollar plan B, but luck ran out and somebody’s risk analysis tool failed.

President Obama is willing to change direction on issues when the facts and or evidence show themselves. The moratorium President Obama put in place was a move coming from a President who has common sense. The BP oil disaster, led to major delays and or cancellation of offshore drilling and this clearly upset Republican members of Congress. Yet, given the latest information, maybe they should be more accountable for pushing for less regulation, less time waiting for permits more space for drilling; like that, 84,000 acres BP is or will lease to Ohio; which happens to be Boehner country. It is with great sadness folks on the right talk about drilling, like that old cliché … for us by us. FYI – it will take at least ten years to produce enough of our own to make a slight difference; in the meanwhile we should be implementing a full range of things including wind and solar but Republican oil seems to be more important. Yes, there are jobs, jobs, jobs in that there oil but betting against the odds puts more than an oil platform at risk which cannot be said enough times . A human error

I have to say the first reports of the explosion and then word that everything was okay made me wonder …common sense tells you okay the well is underground; it could bleed out, up or both. This spill, the worse ever is a warning to change the rules regulations, the way the clean-up process works with all equipment close or at least get an emergency plan in place. Safety first, seems like common sense at work though not too lucrative. I am no expert, but emergency equipment should always be available immediately. However, I saw nothing but boats watching, waiting for the leak to show and spread.

I haven’t heard much lately, but folks want to know what exactly is the status of the wildlife, those eyeless, clawless oddly deformed shellfish or fish with open sores some gulf coast fishermen may have caught though the FDA said “no worries,” we all wonder how much pollution they theirs or we are being subjected to.