Advocacy Project: Healthy People/THOMAS

1. Focus Area 27: Tobacco Use
• Goal: Reduce illness, disability, and death related to tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke
• Objective: 27-1: Reduce tobacco use by adults aged 18 and older
• Sub objectives:  Reduce tobacco use by adults aged 18 and older in a) Cigarette smoking b) spit tobacco c) cigar smoking d) other products. 
• According to the Progress Quotient Chart:
• Cigarette Smoking: 25% have moved toward target 
• Spit Tobacco: 10% have moved toward target
• Cigar smoking: 17% have moved toward target
• Tobacco use regarding cigarettes, spit tobacco, and cigars for those age 18 and older, has made progress toward the goal.  Cigarette smoking for this age group has declined from the 1998 baseline 24% to the 2003 level of 21%.  Although spit tobacco and cigar smoking are progressing towards their target, it is going at a slower rate than cigarette smoking.
2. Progress, disparities, opportunities & challenges, and emerging issues:
•  Hispanics/Latinos have the best group and are moving toward the target for reducing cigarette smoking.  The next best group are Asians.  White and black non-Hispanics follow.  Then would be those classified as two races.  And the group with the greatest distance from the best group is American Indian or Alaska native. 
• Changes in disparity were not available for this objective. 
• Females with some college are the best group at reducing cigarette smoking.  Leaving those with less than high school and high school graduates at the low end.  For spit tobacco, gender was not an issue, but those with some college are the best group at reducing their usage.  And for smoking cigars, the best group was high school graduates either male or female.
• There are four emerging issues identified:
• Use and risks of Potentially Reduced Exposure Products (PREPs)
• Smokeless tobacco
• Internet sale of tobacco products
• Access of tobacco products through other sources besides retail stores
• Focusing on youth smoking is significant in achieving the Healthy People 2010 Goals. 
• Tobacco advertisement sales have increased and state funding has decreased on this, these two things together will likely have a negative impact on this goal's result 

H.R. 1850 Quit Smoking for Life Act of 2009 (Introduced in House)

Title: Quit Smoking for Life Act of 2009: Amends titles XVIII, V, XIX of Social Security Act to cover services and materials to aid in the cessation of tobacco.

Sponsor: Red DeGette, Diana [CO-1] - 4/1/2009; Red Platts, Todd Russel [PA-19] - 4/1/2009; Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] - 10/22/2009

Last major action:  4/1/2009 introduced to Committee on Energy and Commerce, Committee on Ways and Means, House Energy and Commerce, and House Ways and Means

Recommendation: Vote Yes for H.R. 1850 Quit Smoking for Life Act 2009

My Political Representative: Congressman Congressmen Chip Cravaack 

Share and Voice: Sign the Declaration

While looking up background information for my Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change, I came acrossed this declaration which fit perfectly!  It is from the documentary we watched in class, Tapped,  which is proving to be a valuable resource to me.  The declaration states that you will minimize your use of bottled water and always attempt to bring your reusable bottle with you.  This is showing the government that tap water is important and you do not support companies purchasing our tap water and selling it for 1900 times the cost.  Off the declaration page, it also gives you a list of other things you can do to Take Action.  I signed the Declaration and am taking action on this issue.  I encourage you to do so as well!

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 1: My SMART Goal

My SMART Goal is:

I will drink 8 ounces of water out of my reusable stainless steel water bottle 6 days a week.


I currently, sad to say, have a tendency to drink out of plastic water bottles.  Sometimes it is just easier or more convenient to grab a plastic water bottle.  I would like to minimize my use of bottled water by relying solely on the use of my reusable bottle.  Recently, we watched the documentary Tapped.  This gave me a whole new perspective on bottled water.  This lifestyle change is most definitely eco-chic because not only will minimizing my use of bottled water help myself to consume necessary amounts of water, it also helps the environment.  Bottles used for bottled water are not recycled properly and contain harmful chemicals like BPA.  They have a negative effect on our environment, for instance, the North Pacific Garbage Patch.  Also, not having to purchase water bottles will save me money, which as a college student is always helpful!  But it also is one small step to showing the water bottle industry that I do not support their actions. This goal is important to me because it is something I have always wanted to implement in my life, but never really had something continue to motivate me.  Making this my goal will serve as that motivational factor to keep me doing it.  I am actually really excited to put this goal into action because I think it will also encourage others around me to think twice before picking up a plastic water bottle. 

**Image is from http://www.kleankanteen.com/tapped/index.php  and they are a sponsor for Tapped: Get Off the Bottle Movie Tour.  This is also an example of the type of bottle I will be using to be successful with my goal.

Blogged for the Eco Chic Lifestyle Change Week 1 hosted by Amy@Amy in the Rain

Advocacy Project: My Political Representatives

My political representatives are the following:

President:  Barack Obama, Democrat 
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington DC 20500
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president-obama

US Senators:  Al Franken, Democrat;

320 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510

(202) 224-5641

Web Form: franken.senate.gov/?p=contact Amy Klobuchar, Democrat, 302 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-3244 Web Form: http://klobuchar.senate.gov/emailamy.cfm

US Representatives:
District 8: Chip Cravaack, Republican; PO Box 951 North Branch, MN 55056; email: info@chipcravaack.com

Governor: Not Known due to recent election.
Mark Dayton, Democrat;
 or Tom Emmer, Republican;
Governor Office: 130 State Capitol 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.  St. Paul, MN 55155
MN State Representatives:
District 3A: Tom Anzelc, DFL;  417 State Office Bldg 651-296-4936; email: rep.tom.anzelc@house.mn
District 3B: Carolyn McElfatrick, Republican; NA State Office Bldg 651-297-9010; email NA
District 8A: Bill Hilty, DFL; 559 State Office Bldg 651-296-4308; email rep.bill.hilty@house.mn
District 8B: Roger Crawford, Republican; NA State Office Building  651-297-9010; email NA

MN State Senators:
District 3: Tom Saxhaug, DFL; 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Capitol Bldg,
Rm 124 651-296-4136; sen.tom.saxhaug@senate.mn
District 8: Tony Lourey, DFL; 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Capitol Bldg,
Rm 303 651-296-0293; sen.tony.lourey@senate.mn

Itasca County Commissioner:
Mark Mandich, 36820 Baypoint Rd Bovey, MN 55709  218-245-1547; mark.mandich@afscmecouncil65.org

Itasca County Board Chair:
Lori Dowling, 123 NE 4th St. Grand Rapids MN 55744 218-327-2847
lori.dowling@co.itasca.mn.us

City Mayor:  Not known due to recent election.
Michael Antonovich or Holly Guyer
Coleraine City Hall, PO Box 670 Coleraine MN 55722 218-245-2112

Reflection: Weeks 5-8

I have learned so much in the last four weeks.  My new knowledge comes from in class discussions, finishing my Read 'N' Seed Book, and Eye Openers.  One day in class, we were able to design graphical headers.  I liked that because it makes me feel more technologically savvy and that I am able to create something that looks professional.  Throughout the last month we have watch four films, which are Future of Food, Fresh, Green, Tapped.  This films have really inspired me and provided me with so much new information.  I had no idea half the stuff that went on when it comes to growing foods or bottled water.  Not going to lie, everyday I leave thinking there are so many things wrong with this world.  We are destroying it, and in return destroying future generations.  Eventually, no one will experience this planet like we do.  After each movie, we discuss as a class the impact it has on us.  I think it is really eye opening for everyone in the class to see these films; thus very beneficial that we have the opportunity to learn from them. 

I also finished my book for the Read 'N' Seed, which was Plenty - Eating Locally on the 100 Mile Diet.  I learned some amazing benefits from choosing to eat locally and how this impacts the environment.  Basically, only good comes from participating in something like this.  Granted, it may be difficult at first, it is worth it in the end.  Through Eye Openers, I learned about my Eating Green Calculator and how this is impacting my environment.  I also learned about how harmful cosmetic products are.  I have no idea that there were so many chemicals and negative consequences to using make up products.  I have always assumed that since it is approved to be sold, it must also be safe.  Well, that is completely wrong; at least that is what I have been learning.  Most recently, we have begun to learn about "junking."  Or basically reusing items to create new things, or finding things that other people do not want and making them your own.  It has really opened a whole new creative side of me and I think it is something that I will really enjoy.

Overall, I would say that I have mainly just learned how big of an impact I really have on this planet.  Whether I am trying to or not, I am affecting everything around me for better or for worse.  Some things I can do to try and improve my effects include cutting out certain food groups.  It is becoming more and more relevant for me to become a vegetarian and I am seriously considering it.  I need to be recycling everything I can.  I should reuse items that perhaps I may have seen as waste, or even other people's waste and turn it into a creative project.  I should also reconsider cosmetic and hair care products.  And lastly, I will not be buying bottled water any more.  These are just some of the things that I have learned about over the last four weeks that I will start to incorporating into my life.

Share 'N' Voice: Environment Minnesota

So I was just pokin around online and I came across this awesome website called Environment Minnesota.  It is all about things occuring in Minnesota that we can be a part of to help our environment.  There are some interesting subjects like the boundary waters, green transportation, clean water acts, and saving the forests.  They even have a breakfast forum titled "Green Ideas and Ham."  I love the title!  Dr. Seuss anyone?  I found a lot of valuable information on the site, and it really hits home since it is all about Minnesota.  And the best part, they offer internships!  I know we all have to do one, so if there is something interesting to you I encourage you to look for further information.  Check out a few things and let me know what you think.

Eye Opener: Junk on the Brain

Part 1:

1. Antiques: an old collectible item; desirable because of age, uniqueness, beauty, etc.
2. Antiquing: form of distressing with intention of making the item look old or antique
3. Junk: is an unwanted or undesirable item
4. Junking: finding discarded items and turning them into usable items
5. Flea market: a place where inexpensive secondhand items are sold or bartered
6. Thrift shop: a shop that sells goods at low prices
7. Upcycling: coverting waste materials or unusable products into new materials of higher environmental value
8. Resale shop: shop that sells items again

Part 2:

1. All the of terms above greatly relate to the environment and environmental health.  They all deal with the fact of reusing things.  Whether that is taking something someone else didn't want, or recreating something into a whole new item, it is all about being resourceful and utilizing the items we currently have or that are in close proximity to us.
2. Name, address, phone, and website or blog for the terms above:
1. Antiques: Father Time Antiques  395 S Lake Ave Duluth, MN 55802 218-625-2379
2. Junking: Snowman Hill 4462 West Tischer Road Duluth MN 55803
3. Flea Markets: Studebaker Drivers Club Swap Meet Flea Market and Classic Car Show, Lake Superior College 2101 Trinity Road Duluth MN 55811 
4. Thrift Shops: Savers 1740 Mall Dr, Duluth, MN 55811  218-722-1894 
5. Upcycling: An example of upcycling is Sara's Table, they convert wine corks into bulletin boards and parking lots.1902 East 8th Street Duluth, MN 55812 (218) 723-8569
6. Resale Shop: Pawn America 339 E Central Entrance, Duluth, MN 55811-5513                       (218) 727-2274
3. I currently do not use any of these things.  I do occaisionally go to the Good Will in my hometown with my mom or grandma but here in Duluth I have not taken advantage of these places.  I would say I do not utilize these places for a couple of reasons.  First, I just never thought about their existence, therefore I never went.  And second, simply time.  It is easier to just go to Target whenever I need things and get them all in one place.

Part 3

1. The first item I found that I think is amazing are these picture frames.  I'm obsessed with pictures and scrapbooking and this is a really neat way to display it in my home.  I love the uniqueness of it.I also feel like I could actually create something like this and would enjoy doing it.
2. The next item I found are these bookends.  Granted, I am not very into chess but the idea of it is really neat.  Bookends would be really neat gift ideas and fun to create, you could put a ton of different items on the base.
3. I love this last item.  It is a domino clock.  I do not think I am experienced enough to be able to do it, but I think it would be really neat to be able to do and it looks really cool.  I have a ton of old dominoes that I could reuse for this kind of project, so perhaps one day I could do it.