Are fireworks bad for the environment?

Although firework shows are infrequent, we do see an effect on the environment. They spray out a toxic concoction of chemicals that do not break down. Instead they find themselves in lakes, rivers, and bays. Because of this we see mercury in fish, and back in the 70's fireworks played a roll in the thinning of the bald eagle eggs. We also see an effect on human health too, although its hard to prove. For more information please visit: http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/translating-uncle-sam/stories/are-fireworks-bad-for-the-environment

Plans for the Club

Hi everyone,
This is Rebecca and today's meeting focused on what we want to do this year, so to keep everyone in the loop here's what's going on with Save the World Fridays:

1. We'll be working in the IS garden (meeting there next Friday, actually). If you haven't been there in a while, be sure to stop by and check it out because there's some interesting behind it...

Things you might not know about the IS garden:
a) There's a bench and tree in memory of Jim Rudolph, a much loved math teacher who died December 5, 2006
b) Mr. Strebler's dad's ashes are there

2. We're going to be promoting bike riding and carpooling a lot more this year and we're hoping to either start a carpool network or, if the district has one, to use that.

3. We are encouraging students to empty the recycling bins (over by where the old bungalows used to be) of their classes, especially if you are TA-ing for a class.

4. We are planning on doing clean-ups (at beaches, rivers, etc.) during the year. Let me know if you are interested in that or show up at the meetings!

5. A new t-shirt design is in the making, if you have any ideas please let us know! We'll let you know when they're ready so you can buy one and (as always) they will be printed on organic material.

Many thanks to Clare Moran and Mr. Steussy who brought in baked goods today for the meeting! Also, kudos to Geoff and Ben who rode their bikes in today!

Be sure to come to our meeting next Friday on the 15th in the IS GARDEN!

The 2010-2011 year is here(:

This year we have many new additions including a new blog writer! Our positions for this year are as follows: 
President- Emmy Phillips (second term)
Vice president- Rebecca Chhay
Secretary- Nataliya Kotlova 
Treasurer- Sienna Crespin 
Blog writers- Emmy, Rebecca, and Brenda Marques 

We are currently working on our goals for this year, and are open to ideas! Also, if anyone knows someone who can print our t-shirts for a reasonable low price in San Diego, please let us know, we need a new vendor. Can't wait for the year ahead(:

STWF

We're very exited for this year's Save the World on Friday's group. We had our first meeting last Friday and I was pretty amazed at the amount of people that decided to join us. Remember, STWF is about you making a difference on Fridays by riding your bike, taking the city bus, carpool or anything to help our environment, we really appreciated.

Mission Valley Fire & Wildfire tips

This afternoon around 2:19, a fire on a canyon on the south side of I-8 below University Heights, near Camino Del Rio South struck up. The fire was contained by fire fighters and two helicopters. However, around 4 PM the fire struck again, and quickly rose up the hill side. Thirty home owners and many hotel guests from the La Quinta and Hilton Inn were evacuated. Several backyards were almost touched by the fire. The fire has since been contained. Four acres were lost, no one was hurt, and the cause of the fire is still unknown. An investigation is under way. Many of my fellow Californian's say that "while other states have snow days, we have fire days." It is true, in the last five years students in San Diego and neighboring counties got a total of two weeks off due to wildfires. Although some fires are natural, which may be the case in the recent fire, some can be prevented. Here are some tips on how to prevent wild fires from your friend Smokey Bear at smokeybear.com
Campfire safety: http://www.smokeybear.com/campfire-safety.asp
Burning debris: http://www.smokeybear.com/debris-burning.asp
Equipment maintenance: http://www.smokeybear.com/equipment-maintenance.asp
House safety: http://www.smokeybear.com/house-safety.asp
If you start a wild fire, call 911, don't get scared and run. The sooner you call the sooner the fire can be contained and less will be destroyed. If you see a wildfire, don't assume someone else has already called 911, call and describe the location of the fire, answer all questions, and speak slowly and clearly. If you are asked to evacuate because of a wildfire, visit the FEMA website for tips. http://www.fema.gov/hazard/wildfire/wf_before.shtm