7/31 Bag ban, BC pipelines, phthalate disease, waterless toilet, Kevin Bartlett

(PHOTO: Laurie MacBride)

Laurie MacBride in Eye on Environment writes: "Sometimes, after weighing your options and finding that none of them are perfect, you just have to seize the moment and “go for it” – that is, if you’re to have any hope of reaching your day’s goal. Cameleon Harbour on Sonora Island is a lovely anchorage and a good place to paddle, even if the next rain shower might arrive at any moment – which, of course, it did. No matter: that’s what raingear is for, right?" Cameleon Skies  

With the city's plastic bag ban set to start Wednesday, Aug. 1, some Bellingham stores are offering reusable bag promotions and classes to get people set for life after plastic. The ban means that stores in Bellingham will no longer offer single-use plastic bags at check out. They'll charge 5 cents per paper bag as a means to encourage shoppers to use reusable bags. The ban applies to all stores, not just grocery stores. Bellingham stores offer reusable bag promotions, classes  

Alberta stands to rake in more than half a trillion dollars in taxes over 25 years should three major pipeline projects – all facing stiff opposition – proceed, a new report says.  British Columbia will receive just a trickle in comparison, even though the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline and Trans Mountain network will snake through the province and oil tankers will ship out of its ports. Proposed pipelines all risk, little reward for B.C.: report  

First Nations in B.C. are prepared to go to the wall to stop construction of the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs president, warned Monday. First Nations warn of civil disobedience if Northern Gateway pipeline goes ahead

A group of chemicals found in household plastics and medical supplies is linked to higher rates of diabetes in women – up to double the rate for women with the highest levels, according to new research led by Harvard scientists. Blacks and Mexican Americans and women living in poverty are exposed to the highest levels of some of these compounds, called phthalates, the scientists reported. Crystal Gammon reports. Plastics chemicals linked to diabetes in women; blacks and Hispanics most exposed  

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded a $110,000 grant to an Israeli company for the development of a new toilet that doesn’t require water and recycles the waste. The Gates Foundation awarded the grant to Paulee CleanTec as part of the Seattle-based foundation's efforts to “create the next generation sanitation technology.” Valerie Bauman reports. Gates Foundation grants $110K to Israeli company for waterless toilet

Many people have their own fishmongers and butchers, and now, with the opening of the Taylor Shellfish store at Melrose Market, Seattle now has its own resident oyster guy. Kevin Bartlett, manager of the Seattle store, spent his childhood fishing and eating shellfish out of the Puget Sound. He beat out a likely large group of applicants to head Taylor's Seattle store. Tiffany Ran blogs.  Kevin Bartlett Turns Hobby to Career at Taylor Shellfish  

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PDT TUE JUL 31 2012
TODAY
W WIND 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT. NW SWELL 2 FT AT 14 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF RAIN AND DRIZZLE THIS MORNING.
TONIGHT
W WIND 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT. W SWELL 2 FT AT 14 SECONDS.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to: msato@salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told