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OVER s & 250 FINE ARTISTS
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ART DANCE MUSIC
FOOD
F r WINE g P arki n CRAB CAKE STILT WALKERS
Saturday s World Music 12:30 James Henry & Hands on Fire 2:30 Jesus Diaz & y su Salsa-Timba Grupo 4:30 The Caribbean Allstars
Sunday s American Music 12:30 Ray Bonneville 2:30 Twist and Shout with Rhonda Benin 4:30 The Volker Strifler Band
Marin Dance Showcase Two Full Days of Dance Performances Details at marinartfestival.com
f£äÊ ` Ãà ÊUÊ ÀÌvÕ Ê ÃÌÕ iÃÊ iÌÊ Ê ÀiiÊUÊ ` ÃÃ Ê , ÊÌ Ê> ÊvÀ Ê£äÊ Ê££ 24 PACIFIC SUN JUNE 11 - JUNE 17, 2010
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< 20 Fatal ‘Reaction” application of all weed ’n’ feed type products across Canada by the end of 2012. Half of Canada has already banned such products. The film will leave you wondering why we are allowing these chemicals into our backyards, local parks and school landscapes. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, a growing body of evidence is linking cosmetic pesticides to several cancers, including adult and childhood leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer and some brain cancers. “Parents are afraid because hundreds of untested chemicals are found in their children’s bodies,” says Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J. “EPA does not have the tools to act on dangerous chemicals, and the chemical industry has asked for stronger laws so that their customers are assured their products are safe.” Many scientists and environmental health advocates cite the fact that the EPA has evaluated only 200 of the estimated 80,000 industrial chemicals in commerce—and banned only five—as evidence of the TSCA’s (Toxic Substances Control Act) failure to protect the health of consumers. Therefore, billion-dollar corporations, with somewhat arbitrary oversight, are telling us we are safe. Hmmm, where have I heard that before? Oh, yes, too big to fail, the financial industry. As we say in my tribe, that’s meshugana. Plymale and his crew interviewed many doctors, veterinarians and scientists who all agree that the chemicals found in these
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lawn-care products are dangerous and, in some cases, are known carcinogens. They also agree that the effects on the human body are largely unknown and are nearly impossible to isolate and prove scientifically. “My interest is to force the issue that every single person who uses these chemicals on their lawn needs to be aware of the risks. The people warning of the risks don’t have a million-dollar advertising campaign to reach the public,” says Plymale. “These risks need to be known so that a homeowner can make an educated decision about what they’re doing on their patch of paradise, and conversely what effects their decisions have on their community or, better yet, their own family.” ✹ Mow Annie down at Annie@dirtdiva.com.
See our online Real Estate section at ›› pacificsun.com
An eco-heroine Last week the Crissy Field Center held its annual Community Heroes Awards where “10 ordinary people are celebrated for doing extraordinary things to preserve, protect, and raise awareness about the urban environment of the San Francisco Bay Area.” One of the 2010 recipients was Novato scientist Marie Chan. Chan’s particular concern is with multiple chemical sensitivities, a chronic medical condition resulting from exposure to pesticides, plastics, paints, etc. Because of her tireless work over the last few years, the Novato Unified School District now uses only sustainable, nontoxic cleaning supplies and is the only school district in the state to receive the California Department of Public Health’s 2010 Achievement in Respiratory Health award for its implementation of the Tools for Schools program. Because of Chan’s efforts, district officials are realizing that being “clean and green” doesn’t cost any more than traditional methods.As one of Chan’s groupies in her Green Schools Coalition of Novato, and as the selfappointed president of the Marie Chan Fan Club, I’m crowning her with a Dirt Diva-sparkly-green-tiara award, as well! May she continue crusading in style.
Grass is always greener 1. Become a member of the Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org), which just last month introduced the Safe Chemicals Act in the U.S. Congress. This new legislation aims to reform our toxics laws and force companies to show that their chemicals are kid-safe before they’re put on the market. 2.Support organic lawn-care companies like Fire Belly Organic Lawn Care, John & Bob’s, Chickity Doo Doo, Dr. Earth, NatraTurf and Gardens Alive. Or, do what I do. All I add to my backyard lawn is a sprinkling of compost monthly in the spring and my lawn is the nicest one in the ’hood. You don’t need all those chemicals. Really. 3.Grow Eco-Lawn (www.eco-lawn. com), a native drought-tolerant grass that doesn’t require any fertilizer. 4. If you can afford “people,” hire a local lawn-care company—such as www. cleanairlawncaresanfrancisco.com— that is locally owned and tends to lawns organically with electric- and biodieselpowered equipment.