ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SERIES: Transportation, Food & Nutrition & Low Income Housing
Please join us for a series of presentations on issues of importance to our community: transportation, low-income housing & food and nutrition. These three topics were highlighted as key issues of importance to Marin County and intersect environmental, economic and social justice issues.
The presentations will be held on three Thursday evenings in October (October 11th, 18th and 25th) at the College of Marin's Olney Hall Rm. 96 (6:30-8:30pm)
Food & Nutrition in Low Income Communities
October 11th 6:30-8:30
Chaired by David Escobar, Aide to Supervisor Steve Kinsey, with panelists:
- Annan Patterson – President Sustainable Novato
- Denise Hardy Providing Healthy Food Outlets in Low Income Communities: The Marin City Farm Stand
- Julie Lehman, Nutrition & Garden Support for Low Income Schools
- Leticia Jones – The benefits of an after-school nutrition program for Families in Need
Transportation: Meeting the Needs of Communities
October 18th – 6:30-8:30
Chaired by Steve Kinsey, Marin County Supervisor
Keynote Speech by Steve Kinsey
Panelists:
- Charles Rivasplata, Transportation planner for SF County
- Rafael Durr
Low Income Housing
October 25th (6:30-8:30 pm)
Chair Dave Coury with panelists:
- Cyane Dandridge, Executive Director of Strategic Energy Innovations
- Katie Crecelius, Vice President, Marin Services for Women
Olivia Beltran, Grass Roots Leadership Network - Marge Macris, Chair, Marin Environmental Housing Dialogue
- Mike Daley, EAH Manager of Advocacy and Communication
EECOM is a coalition of more than 130 businesses, schools, and non-profit organizations devoted to implementing sound ecological practices and promoting environmental education in Marin. Members meet regularly to exchange information, share skills and develop new projects that can be addressed collaboratively.
Our many members and affiliates believe that:
- People's lives are improved by a connection with nature.
- Healthy ecosystems and biodiversity are critical to a thriving, vital economy.
- Green businesses, agriculture and sustainable products and services should be encouraged and supported locally.
- Our work is regional in nature and can transcend political and socioeconomic boundaries.
- Working together in partnership within our region is one of the most effective ways to achieve our common goals.
- While we work at a county level, we remain global citizens, in touch with issues facing the world, and providing productive models for a better world.
- Human diversity and equity are important to the future of Marin County, and the world.
Environmental Education Council of Marin
42 Bolinas Road, Suite G
Fairfax, CA 94930
Phone: 415-485-4908
support@eecom.net
www.eecom.net
EECOM | 42 Bolinas | Fairfax | CA | 94930
-Thousands of Bay Area families set to benefit from increased loan limits for high priced markets-
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey today joined the majority of her House colleagues in passing Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007, a series of much needed reforms to the Federal Housing Authority designed to buffer the national housing market from continued problems arising from volatility in the sub-prime mortgage industry. Passed by a vote of 348 to 72 the legislation would also increase the loan limits for potential buyers in high priced housing markets, potentially benefiting thousands of families throughout the Bay Area.
“Home ownership is part of the American Dream, and we must do everything in our power to make sure that hardworking Americans have access to affordable loans,” Woolsey said. “Unfortunately, due to unscrupulous lending practices over the past few years we are now facing a crisis in the sub-prime mortgage sector that is threatening the housing market nationwide.”
In addition to authorizing zero- and lower-down payment loans to help borrowers who can afford mortgage payments (but not the down payment), the legislation increases the FHA loan limits to serve families in higher cost markets, such as the Bay Area. The legislation allows the FHA for the first time to enter high price markets, and raises the maximum loan limit from 95% of the local median home price to 125%. Historically, home prices in Marin and Sonoma counties have been well above the current conforming loan limit, making it difficult for homebuyers to secure financing. The legislation also provides the mortgage sector with increased flexibility needed to respond to housing trends by authorizing the Department of Housing and Urban Development to raise loan limits by up to $100,000 “if market conditions warrant.” With consistently high housing prices in the Bay Area, Woolsey was optimistic that the legislation would benefit first time buyers throughout the 6th district:
“As housing prices in our area continue to be higher than most other markets, and the uncertainty in the mortgage market continues to grow, we are seeing more and more people who are being shut out of the housing market, including families with two income earners,” Woolsey said. “It’s just not right, and this legislation is a first step towards stabilizing the mortgage industry and allowing people to own their own homes.”
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Greetings
September 17th, 2007
Events
 Green Fusion will participate in several green events in September outside of our beautiful showroom. On September 20 -22, 2007 at San Francisco's renowned Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, West Coast Green is giving a full scale 3-day conference and expo. Come visit Green Fusion as we partner with Canyon Construction at Booth #18 to offer you a full sevice green remodeling experience. On Tuesday September 25th, from 7-9pm Green Fusion Design Center will join with local green businesses; The Wooden Duck and Renu-smart solutions for healthy homes to sponsor an informational evening on how to green your home. "Local Green" will be hosted at the Wooden Duck featuring furniture made from recycled wood in San Rafael. Raffle Prizes and Discounts will be available. For more information or to RSVP to this Free event please contact: amy@thewoodenduck.com or call The Wooden Duck in San Rafael (415) 453-0345.  On Wednesday 9/26 from 11:30am- 1:30pm. Join the Women for Success Committee as they welcome a panel of local experts speaking on what it takes to become a Green Business. Green Fusion's own Linda Delair will be one of the featured speakers. For more information please contact: The San Rafael Chamber of Commerce or call 415- 454-4163
What's on Sale?
    In September, Green Fusion will offer a 15% discount on all carpeting. This includes the latest addition to our carpet line by Merida. Merida offers a full line woven floor coverings and natural fibers. To see our entire line of carpets click here visit the showroom or call(415) 454-0174 Sale ends September 30th.
New Products
At Green Fusion we are always looking for the best products for you to create a healthy home. We have such a wide diversity of interior finishes and furnishings that we have created a complete product line to make it easier at a glance to see what Green Fusion has to offer. Our new product line sheet also includes a list of the most knowledgeable people for each product. To see our latest product line click here and come visit our expanded showroom to get a feel for the latest green options for your home.
Advisory Board
At Green Fusion we rely on a team of very dedicated, talented people to help us create a business we love. People like Carol Venolia, Eugene Tsui, and Debra Lynn Dadd are some of the Green Building experts we have been fortunate to have on our Advisory Board. Green Fusion is honored to offically welcome David Johnston as part of our distinguised board. David is an author, lecturer, green building expert and President of What's Working. To learn more about David and hear what he has to say about Green Fusion Design Center click here Team
Speaking of talented team, Green Fusion has been fortunate to have the talented artistry of Androniki Ashford. Androniki is a true artist in every sense of the word. She has created a beautiful sculpture for our window display and is an expert in color design, paints, and finishes. To learn more about Androniki click here. Green Fusion wants to let you know what's happening in the showroom, so we created this FYE (For Your Environment). Please be assured your privacy is very important to us, so we will not; sell, rent, or give your name or email address to anyone. Thanks again for your support. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us. Sincerely, Green Fusion Design Center
email: info@greenfusiondesigncenter.com
phone: (415) 454-0174
web: http://gfdc1.com/
Green Fusion Design Center 14 Greenfield Avenue San Anselmo CA 94960
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"... the 2007 West Coast Green Conference – the largest green building event this side of the Mississippi and we here are Treehugger are pumped. The keynote speakers includes a long-list of eco-celebs like Ed Begley Jr, Bill Weihl (Google), Steve Wozniak (Apple), Hunter Lovins and Erin Brockovich. But enough with the star-gazing, because the entire speakers list is an amazing compilation of some of the most visionary architects, designers and builders available today.
This year’s convention takes place in San Francisco at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and runs from Thursday September 20 through Saturday September 22, 2007. The Saturday event is open to homeowners and tickets can be purchased for just $25 online and $35 at the door. Discounts are available for students and groups. They are expecting over 13,000 visitors to this event, so don’t dawdle on getting tickets or getting to the conference.
Presentations range from creating a bay-friendly garden, installing photovoltaic panels, energy efficient home design, and every thing is geared toward residential applications. There are also several hands-on events that will take place before the conference. These events all look pretty tempting, including Grid-Tied PV for Professionals and How to find your Green Dream Job. There will also be a large exhibit hall with 250 vendors and products that you can test and compare.
Don’t worry – just because this event is huge does not mean that it will have a huge eco footprint. All vinyl table clothes will be replaced with linen, food packaging is biodegradable, all signage and materials are printed on recycled paper with vegetable-based inks. There will also be carbon offsets at the event and a Resource Recovery Station, instead of trash cans at each booth, where volunteers will identify which items are recoverable, recyclable and which are true trash. Biodiesel trucks will be available for all deliveries. If only the building itself were biodegradable this event would be perfect.
Yours truly will be there on Saturday presenting in two different sessions: Saturday 10:3-noon “Engaging Future Generations” and Saturday 4-4:30 pm “Hugging Generations Y and Z.” You can find me during both sessions in the Futures Room.
To get tickets to the event, check them out online at West Coast Green.com.
from treehugger.com -- http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/09/west_coast_green_2007.php
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| |  | | Hot Topics | News | Resources | Job Link | Our Sites | About GreenBiz.com | Taking Care of Business The fact that the advertising industry is suddenly competing, at least in part, on their green attributes strikes me as yet another milestone on the road to a greener economy. As we report below, Grey New York has launched an initiative to promote its green cred, and to challenge its ad-agency brethren to follow suit. I've seen it coming for the past several months. With just about every company, it seems, asking themselves some form of the question, "What's our green strategy" (even if they don't really understand what that means), they often find themselves turning to their tried-and-true partners: management consultants, strategy firms, public relations firms, market researchers, and all the rest. (I hear from a lot of these firms, seeking to jumpstart a newly formed green practice.) That the ad agencies are also hearing from their big customers, and are inspired to "green up" their operations, is particularly significant, as they are the great storytellers of our time. As GreenBiz Editor at Large Christine Ervin notes this week, telling those stories -- and making them clear and concise -- is seen as an increasingly critical part of companies' sustainability efforts. I'm not starry-eyed about all this. The advertising world will always be focused on helping their clients sell more stuff, even stuff we never imagined needing, so it's unlikely that the creators of ads will be our green savior. But the fact that Madison Avenue is sitting up and taking notice increases the chances that some vital messages will be heard on Main Street, and even Wall Street. -- Joel Makower, Executive Editor
P.S. I'll be keynoting Good and Green, a conference this November focused on the greening of marketing and advertising. I hope you can join me there.  THIS ISSUE'S SPONSOR Headlines The Latest News on Business and the Environment EEStor Inc.'s Invention Could Supplant Car Batteries
A Texas company could be on the road to commercially producing a device that allows electric vehicles to charge in minutes and drive for hundreds of miles. Staples, FedEx Kinko's Top Scorecard: Report
Office supply retailers have taken strides to increase recycled paper use, commit to sustainable logging management and other environmental issues, a recent report found. Most Manufacturers Worry About Reducing Waste: Study
A majority of manufacturers in the U.S., Italy, Brazil and Germany believe reducing waste is the most significant environmental issue they face, a new study revealed. Grey New York Wants Advertising Agencies to Go Green
Grey New York wants the region's advertising industry to go green with the launch Tuesday of an initiative and website called Green-It-Forward. BMW, Norsk Hydro Among the World's Most Sustainable Companies
In the ninth annual survey of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, Norwegian aluminum company Norsk Hydro took the overall top score, while BMW topped the automotive index for the third year running. Wegmans Reverses Supermarket Supply Chain, Starts Organic Farm
Wegmans, a 71-store supermarket chain based in Rochester, has begun selling produce grown on its own 50-acre organic farm to nearby grocery stores. Tesla, PG&E Team to Advance Remote Car Charging
Tesla Motors and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. will join forces to explore vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. Google to Invest $10M in Companies That Speed Up PHEV Use
As part of its RechargeIT initiative announced in June, Google's philanthropic arm wants to invest $10 million in companies that help speed up widespread use of plug-in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid technologies. Conergy, BP Solar Among Founding Members of The Solar Alliance
Manufacturers, installers and systems integrators from around the country teamed to create The Solar Alliance, an organization that will promote solar policies and programs across the U.S. Toyota, U.C. Berkeley Come Together to Discuss Transportation, Urban Planning Future
By Tilde Herrera
Big names within the urban planning and transportation technology sectors met this week to begin a conversation about how they could create more sustainable cities and vehicles. Frankfurt Auto Show Highlights Industry's Green Efforts
Small, fuel-sipping cars, high-tech electronics geared at improving efficiency rather than performance, and alternative-fuel vehicles dominated the International Auto Show that opened this week. Carbon Reduction Wins Mega Brand Attention at Conference
By Sarah Fister Gale
At this week's Carbon Footprint Consumer Products Conference and Expo in Chicago, the companies behind the world's biggest brands made it abundantly clear that they are both dedicated to reducing their carbon footprints and to spreading the word about their efforts. Put GreenBiz news on your site for free! Learn more... > MORE NEWS HEADLINES Featured Resource A Wealth of Hands-On Help Green Corner
From Premier Healthcare Alliance
This Web site is dedicated to showcasing success stories in environmental or "green" initiatives, or programs that contribute to a safer and healthier environment. > MORE TOOLS > MORE WEB SITES Columns and Features Insight and Inspiration from the Experts The Potential For Energy Efficiency Among Industrial Giants
By Kevin Klustner
In the face of an increasingly industrialized world -- and a world facing unknown threats from climate change -- the importance of driving up energy efficiency across sectors becomes crystal clear. Communicating Climate Change: Getting Beyond the Usual Suspects
By Christine Ervin
Even in tourist destinations that are most likely to be altered -- if not destroyed entirely -- by climate change, there is very little action to bring the change dialogue beyond the "usual suspects" of political and advocacy forums to the venues that touch Americans in their working and leisurely pursuits. Finding the Green in Cleaning Products
By Stephen Ashkin
Because it is so often low-hanging fruit for facility managers, green cleaning is an easy, early effort that is taking off in popularity. Wanna write for GreenBiz? GreenBiz is looking for guest and regular columnists and feature writers. We're seeking contributions from business leaders as well as the journalists who write about them. If you're interested, send a brief query to managing editor Matthew Wheeland, at editor@greenbiz.com | Read our editorial guidelines > MORE COLUMNS > MORE FEATURES |   FEATURED BOOK Biofuels for Transport: Global Potential and Implications for Energy and Agriculture
By The Worldwatch Institute  With global demand for biofuels on the rise, this book offers a timely exploration of the many implications of using food crops for biofuel production, and assesses the future impacts on global food supply from alternative fuels. > BUY IT! | READ MORE FEATURED EVENT CMS: Supply Chain Innovation in Fluctuating Markets Date: October 23-25 2007
Location: San Francisco, Calif. The 11th Annual CMS Workshop features progressive case studies and practical dialogue in chemical management, with speakers from a variety of sectors including aerospace, air transport, automotive, defense, government, utilities, and schools. > SUBMIT YOUR EVENT  News Releases from the World of Green Business > Suncor Energy releases report on climate change > Alcoa Signs Agreement to Support Geothermal Power Research Project in Iceland > Wal-mart, Caterpillar, Ford, IBM, Dow, and Others Prepare to Share Their Sustainability Strategies > More European Companies Switch to Green Power > Safeway Unveils First Solar-Powered Grocery Store > Aspen Institute Names Catto Fellows For 2007 > More from the Wire > About this Service     YOUR AD HERE! Become a GreenBuzz sponsor or advertiser, reaching tens of thousands of businesses every week. Click Here to receive more information. Please e-mail content queries to the GreenBiz Editor. | | | | GREENBUZZ and GreenBiz.com are produced by Greener World Media, Inc.
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
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 | |  | | | |  | The Cool Cities Campaign is making great progress solving global warming one city at a time. As of today, over 660 cities have committed to reducing their greenhouse gas pollution -- and you are making it happen. Given our accelerating momentum and new tools on our revamped web site, it's time to update you on what's being achieved around the country, our strategy, new tools and next steps you can take as part of the Cool Cities campaign -- including StepItUp II on November 3rd. Join us for a special conference call
with Conservation Director Greg Haegele and myself
Tuesday September 25th
4:30 p.m. Pacific / 5:30 p.m. Mountain / 6:30 p.m. Central / 7:30 p.m. Eastern Spots are limited so RSVP now. If you can't make the call, be sure to check out the many new resources on the web site including tools like the Cool Cash Fact Sheet (pdf) with details on how much money your city can save by implementing smart energy solutions, how to write a letter to your mayor encouraging him or her to sign and implement the Mayors' Agreement (included in the downloadable Toolkit (pdf)), and much more.
Find and contact your local Cool Cities leader in your city or if there isn't one, become a city leader yourself! Thank you for helping solve global warming. Sincerely, Glen Brand, Cool Cities Campaign Director  | | |
Google To Invest $10 Million In Green Startups Posted: 12 Sep 2007 10:34 AM CDT  Google will be investing up to $10 million "green" startups, the company said today. Specifically, they are looking to invest $500k - $2 million in multiple for-profit startups that are focusing on electric/hybrid transportation. Details are here.
But startups don't have much time to fine tune their pitches - proposals requesting funding must be submitted to Google by October 22 2007. This inches Google ahead in the race with Yahoo and other tech companies to show who cares most about the environment.
from http://www.techcrunch.com
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| | | | Hot Topics | News | Resources | Job Link | Our Sites | About GreenBiz.com | Taking Care of BusinessI've long maintained that human resource managers are the real drivers of sustainability inside mainstream companies. Every time I see how-to advice on greening a company that includes the suggestion to "get top-management buy-in," I think, "Sure, but what about everyone else?" The potential of human resource professionals -- whose dominion includes hiring and training, among other things -- is significant, and largely untapped, in helping to make sustainability a strategic activity inside companies. With a growing number of companies competing to be seen as an employer of choice, and with sustainability and corporate responsibility looming increasingly larger in some sectors, the ability for HR folks to attract, hire, and retain green-minded job seekers can play a huge role in the success of a company's long-term sustainability goals. Sometimes, motivating employees starts with teaching them "how to fish" -- that is, helping them be more aware and engaged in sustainability in their personal lives. That's what Wal-Mart is doing in helping its 1.3 million employees engage in Personal Sustainability Projects. As Judah Schiller, whose company developed the concept for Wal-Mart, explains this week, "Just as sustainability is being used more frequently from an operational perspective to improve internal processes, reduce costs and create efficiencies, personal sustainability can also be used as a powerful tool to improve upon a range of HR issues: commitment, attrition, education, health & wellness, motivation, and engagement." The Wal-Mart experiment is -- well, an experiment. We don't yet know whether and how sustainability will "stick" with the company's employees. But it's an intriguing notion: by demonstrating the benefits of sustainability -- from improved health and well-being to creating a more eco-conscious community -- in their personal lives, employees just might help their employer be similarly less wasteful, more resourceful, and more engaged in the local community. And that makes human resources a critical link in the quest to make sustainabiilty a part of everyone's job. -- Joel Makower, Executive Editor
THIS ISSUE'S SPONSOR Headlines The Latest News on Business and the Environment Toyota and BMW Cut Emissions, Take Market Share: Report
Toyota and BMW cut their fleets' carbon dioxide emissions rates while taking larger slices of the U.S. automobile market, according to a recent report. Trade Group Launches Eco-Tool For Envelope Manufacturers
An envelope manufacturing trade group announced this week a new tool to help industry stakeholders learn about environmental best practices. Progress Energy Florida Takes Solar Energy to Schools
Progress Energy Florida is taking renewable energy to schools through a program that will install photovoltaic solar systems at schools throughout its 35-county service area. Fisker Automotive Announces New Luxury Plug-In Hybrid
A new company that could give the highly anticipated Tesla Roadster a run for its money plans to unveil a luxury plug-in hybrid in January. Coca-Cola Unveils 100% Recycling Goal, New Plant Plans
Coca-Cola announced plans Wednesday to build a $60 million recycling plant in the U.S. to aid its efforts of recycling or reusing all of its plastic bottles. Businesses Cut Carbon on the Scale of Two Cities, Carbon Trust Reports
By Dana Gornitzki, Edie News
U.K. businesses have cut more than 10 million tons of C02 emissions since 2001 because of work with the Carbon Trust, according to the government-funded organization. Dow Corning Introduces Three New Solar Materials
Dow Corning Solar Solutions announced Tuesday the introduction of the three materials to its solar energy product line. Tool Helps Travelers Offset Emissions
Another tool to help travelers calculate their carbon imprint is now available, but this one lets them immediately offset their flight- or auto-related emissions. Wells Fargo Kicks Off Green Marketing Campaign
Wells Fargo & Co. announced a green marketing campaign Tuesday that will give Washington State customers three eco-friendly new services. Skoll Foundation Accepting Grant Applicants for Social Entrepreneurs
The foundation, founded by Jeff Skoll, the first employee and president of EBay, now seeks applicants for grants to advance work that can have a large-scale impact on critical social challenges. Calif. Company Offers Homeowners Solar Option
Premier Power Renewable Energy Inc. is offering some homeowners the chance to pay fixed electricity rates for the next 20 years through a solar installation program. Frito-Lay Joins Nat'l. Green Leadership Program
The Jonesboro, Ark., plant of Frito-Lay Inc. plans to cut pollution and water usage and boost its recycling as a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Environmental Performance Track program, the company announced. Put GreenBiz news on your site for free! Learn more... > MORE NEWS HEADLINES Featured Resource A Wealth of Hands-On Help Stakeholder Engagement: A Good Practice Handbook for Companies Doing Business in Emerging Markets
From International Finance Corp.
This report draws on the current thinking and best practices of a range of companies and other institutions to provide the good practice "essentials" for building and sustaining constructive relationships over time as a means of risk mitigation, new business identification, and enhancing development outcomes. > MORE TOOLS > MORE WEB SITES Columns and Features Insight and Inspiration from the Experts Leave Only Footprints: Measuring and Managing Corporate Carbon Emissions
By Bill Baue with Francesca Rheannon, SocialFunds.com
Corporate carbon footprinting is on the rise, but so too is the number of footprint methodologies, challenging companies and investors to discern the best options. Strategic Thinking: Shifting from 'Top Down' to Grassroots Creates Sustainable H.R.
By Judah Schiller
The grassroots framework underlying the idea of "Personal Sustainability" in organizations offers human resources departments a way to enhance and integrate corporate engagement, health and wellness and social responsibility efforts. Wanna write for GreenBiz? GreenBiz is looking for guest and regular columnists and feature writers. We're seeking contributions from business leaders as well as the journalists who write about them. If you're interested, send a brief query to managing editor Matthew Wheeland, at editor@greenbiz.com | Read our editorial guidelines > MORE COLUMNS > MORE FEATURES | FEATURED BOOK The New Environmental Regulation
By Daniel J. Fiorino  Fiorino provides a thorough and concise overview of U.S. environmental regulation -- its history, its rationale, and its application -- and offers recommendations for a more collaborative and performance-based alternative. > BUY IT! | READ MORE FEATURED EVENT Ecobuild Fall and AEC-ST Fall Date: December 10-13 2007
Location: Washington, D.C. Ecobuild Fall and AEC-ST Fall covers green building, sustainable design, renewable energy, environmental planning processes and information collaboration strategies for commercial, industrial, institutional and residential construction. > SUBMIT YOUR EVENT News Releases from the World of Green Business > The Future of Good Business is Nau > A2 Hosting, Inc. Offsets its Carbon Emissions with Carbonfund.org > World Bank Group Launches New Initiative to Light Africa > IETA and Koelnmesse to Launch "Carbon Forum America 2008" > Mitsubishi International Corporation Foundation Sponsors Indigenous Women's Seminar About Climate Change in Colombia > Corporate U.S. goes green > More from the Wire > About this Service YOUR AD HERE! Become a GreenBuzz sponsor or advertiser, reaching tens of thousands of businesses every week. Click Here to receive more information. Please e-mail content queries to the GreenBiz Editor. | | | | GREENBUZZ and GreenBiz.com are produced by Greener World Media, Inc.
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved
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