letterfrompublisher I


n honor of Earth Day 2011, fully aware that producing thousands of magazines each month creates its own carbon footprint, I’d like to share


with you some of the unusual ways that Natural Awakenings readers and publishers have devised to extend the use of copies once they have read them. Of course, many of you have told us how you file every issue, so that you can periodically refer back to them. For those who prefer to go beyond recycling to imaginative reuses, following are some ideas to consider.


One person told us she shreds old issues to use as bedding for the family’s baby chicks because there are no chemicals in the soy based ink, and it is safe for the sensitive newborns. It also works well


for shredding into a litter box for new kittens or post surgical kitties. Another reported using the colorful pages of the magazine to wrap gifts and one created an amazing bow looping thinly sliced strips. Old issues also make great packing material; just put them in a shredder to avoid using the foam packing peanuts that harm the environment. Of course, newsprint is great for mulching flower beds and vegetable gardens. It’s also good starter material for composting piles. If creative reuse tickles your imagination with possibilities, let us know about it. Who knows, you may even see your suggestion in a future issue. Pictures are welcome. This month our feature article takes a look at what a truly sustainable lifestyle might look like in “Ed Begley, Jr.’s Green Home Makeover.” This actor turned activist is renowned as the epitome of conscious living, having turned a modest 1936 home into a nearly energy self-sufficient and waste-free residence. Read how this focus on a sustainable lifestyle works as a family affair (page 21). To celebrate Earth Day, you might consider these two large Tucson events:


The city’s 17th Annual Earth Day Festival at Reid Park on April 16th and the celebration on the U of A campus on the 22nd - promising to be one of the biggest Earth Day celebrations on campus ever. On another earth-friendly note, I was wondering whether worm composting could be truly viable in Tucson when just this morning I ran into Linda Leigh of Vermillion Wormery! I was excited to hear that yes, these slithery creatures will survive Tucson’s relentless heat, however special precautions must be taken to shade and water them. See “Kids Dig Worm Composting” (page 24). For specialized information for worm composting in southern Arizona and for worms, check out VermillionWormery.com. While we celebrate and bask in our beautiful Spring weather, our thoughts turn to the people of Japan who need so much compassionate support right now. If you wish to help, we suggest making a donation to an organization that is already on the ground there; page 24 lists ways to donate to the Red Cross. Another way to help is through Socks for Japan (page 41). Our thoughts and prayers go out to these tireless providers as well. Earth Day arrives as a timely annual reminder for all of us to be kinder to


our planet. We hope you’ll find the tips and advice offered on the pages within helpful in your quest.


Let’s make every day Earth Day.


contactus


Publisher/Editor, Holly Baker holly@naturaltucson.com


Editorial Staff Brad Poole Nancy Caniff


Contributing Writers Brent Baum Jon D’Auria


Catharine Sutherlund Marcia Detwiller Scupin


Sales & Marketing Holly Baker


holly@naturaltucson.com


To contact Natural Awakenings Tucson Edition:


4880 N Sabino Canyon Rd #12149 Tucson AZ, 85750-7010


Tucson Office Tel: 520-760-2378 Fax: 1-520-208-9797 naturaltucson.com


Franchise Sales 239-530-1377


© 2011 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.


Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.


We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we re- sponsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.


Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.


4 Tucson


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