Rubber Sidewalks Go Where Concrete Fears To Tread

7/1/2/06 USA Edition

by Matt Bradley

"Although making sidewalks out of rubber seemed "kind of preposterous," Valeriano acted on the idea in 1998. Thanks to some partnerships and public grants, his rubber reveries are now very much a reality. Some 130,000 square feet of rubberized sidewalks grace about 60 North American cities, giving local governments an alternative to concrete and its attendant pitfalls, such as rising prices, exorbitant trip-and-fall lawsuits, and a trail of chopped-down urban trees.
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"In the early days, whenever you'd say that to someone, they'd just burst out laughing," says Lindsay Smith of her company, Rubbersidewalks Inc., which she founded in 2001 with inspiration from Valeriano's vision. "There would be disbelief at first, because we think of sidewalks as synonymous with concrete."

Ms. Smith's company, a for-profit firm based out of Gardena, Calif., recycles discarded tires to make premolded sidewalk pavers - which she uses as a big selling point.

Unlike concrete, which is poured and set on location, the prefab rubber squares arrive from its California factory and are cut to fit. Installers usually place Rubbersidewalks pavers over a bed of crushed granite and connect the pavers using interlocking dowels. The result: a sidewalk with a two-inch-deep footprint - far shallower than its concrete cousins. To repair a rubber sidewalk, workers simply unlock the dowels and remove the individual paver.>

Each square foot of rubberized sidewalk contains almost one discarded tire. Americans generate about 290 million waste tires a year, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association in Washington - many of which languish in junk yards or are burned. As Smith sees it, there should be no shortage of rubber solutions.

"Our goal is to have rubber sidewalks in every municipality in the United States, to eliminate the problems that concrete causes," Smith says. "I think in five years, there will be rubber sidewalks everywhere."

Another reason Smith classifies her firm as a "green tech" company is its service to urban foliage. When faced with replacing sidewalks or razing street-side trees, many cities choose the latter, less-expensive option.. . .'

more at

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0712/p01s03-usgn.html

www.csmonitor.com Copyright © 2006 The Christian Science Monitor. All rights reserved.

Woolsey: Congress Never Authorized Occupation

Washington, D.C.

One of the most outspoken critics of the war in Iraq, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) today introduced H.R. 5875, legislation that would repeal the President's War Powers for the Iraq War.

While the Congress authorized President Bush to wage war against Iraq in 2002, the original authorization did not anticipate an open-ended U.S. military campaign against Iraq, or the occupation that currently exists.

"Six weeks after we invaded Iraq, President Bush stood aboard an aircraft carrier before a banner that read 'Mission Accomplished,' declaring that 'major combat operations in Iraq are over,' Woolsey said.

"From that moment on, we were no longer fighting a war, but rather participating in an occupation. You can not win an occupation!"

Not only did Congress not authorize the long-term occupation of Iraq, but our troops' presence is contributing to the state of civil war that exists in the country.

According to the United Nations, the violence in Iraq is increasing, with an average of 100 Iraqis dying every day.

"Rescinding the President's War Powers in Iraq is the least that we can do for our troops, and for their families who anxiously await their return," Woolsey said.

"With over 2,550 brave men and women having given their lives, and thousands seriously wounded, how many more must die before we put an end to this madness?

"By repealing the Iraq War Powers, Congress would resume its Constitutional role overseeing the use of military force, and would reassert its authority by bringing our troops home."

Woolsey was joined by 18 other original co-sponsors of the legislation, in no particular order they include: Barbara Lee (CA); Dennis Kucinich (OH); Maxine Waters (CA); Maurice Hinchey (NY); James Moran (VA); Major Owens (NY); Cynthia McKinney (GA); Fortney "Pete" Stark (CA); Bob Filner (CA); Julia Carson (IN); Chaka Fattah (PA); Carolyn Kilpatrick (MI); Marty Meehan (MA); Donald Payne (NJ); Jose Serrano (NY); Danny Davis (IL); David Wu (OR) and Sheila Jackson Lee (TX).

from Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey -- IMA_CA06@mail.house.gov

Article on Blue-Green Alliance

That's blue as in blue collar not blue as in ocean --
read article
posted at ecotalk

Spare The Air

Acting on the success of the first three “ride transit for free” Spare the Air days (June 22, 23, 26), on Friday, July 14, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission approved funding to support THREE MORE FREE-RIDE SPARE THE AIR DAYS occurring before October 13, 2006.

Golden Gate Transit (GGT) and Golden Gate Larkspur and Sausalito Ferry (GGF) will offer FREE all-day commute rides during the next three non-holiday “Spare the Air” weekdays declared by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD).

Passengers using GGT and GGF – as well as 23 other Bay Area transit systems – can take advantage of the FREE rides during regular hours of operation. For more information, call toll-free 511 or visit www.511.org.

Notice from Author Jennifer Roberts

"If you’re thinking about redoing your kitchen or know someone who is, I’ve got some good green ideas for you. Check out the first issue of my newsletter. This issue is all about kitchens — and it’s free. No strings attached"

"Click here to download or go to goodgreenhomes.com."

"Best regards,

Jennifer Roberts
author, Good Green Kitchens, Redux
Good Green Homes
415 695 1721 tel San Francisco CA
jennifer@jenniferroberts.com
www.goodgreenhomes.com"