BP Oil Leak Video feed and Leak Estimation Counter [via PSB Newshour]

WONDERMINUTE (June 2010)

O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Psalm 104:24
 

An amazing number of God’s creatures can be found in one’s own backyard with just a little informed observation. This spring I have been amazed to see these migratory birds at our home just blocks from the church: Indigo Bunting, American Redstart, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Palm Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Swainson's Thrush. A combination of a few trees of multiple heights, some dense shrubs, assorted flowers, a bird bath with a dripper and a couple of feeders with differing foods equal an extraordinary welcome mat for these neo-tropical migrants.

Birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and amphibians all depend on pathways through urban environments; wide-open lawns pose numerous risks. With the decline of hedgerows, fencelines and woodlots in cities comes the loss of natural corridors for animal travel and refuge.

Sara Stein, in her book Noah’s Garden: Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Backyards, suggests that if homeowners would cooperatively landscape property edges that the aggregate result would be a substantial increase in overall corridor area (see diagram; Stein). This concept could be incorporated into subdivision design from the beginning to benefit both humans and animals. You may be the very catalyst that starts a wildlife corridor landscape initiative in your neighborhood.

[Diagram: Sara Stein, in her book Noah’s Garden: Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Backyards. Purchase at Half.com]

New Rain Garden at Mennonite Church of Normal

This spring, work will begin on a large rain garden planting in the stormwater swale in the SW corner of the lawn at Mennonite Church of Normal. The swale is already designed to capture runoff from parking areas to allow it to slowly percolate into the soil rather than flood storm sewers. The deep-rooted, perennial native grasses and wildflowers that will comprise MCN’s first rain garden boost the effectiveness of the swale, taking up additional water and releasing it slowly into the air; as well as filtering pollutants.

The rain garden planting will increased biodiversity on the property and expand habitat for birds and butterflies. Apart from the intrinsic beauty of the plants, they will provide some reduction of dust and noise for the Residential Community. Potential opportunities for missional connections with the neighborhood and broader community include use as an outdoor learning area for Headstart and as a demonstration site for rain garden workshops like those offered by Ecology Action Center.

Sod will be removed this spring and weeds will be shallowly cultivated throughout the summer. The prairie grass and wildflower seeds will be planted in the fall to take advantage of the natural effects of winter frost; both softening the seed coat and settling the seeds into the soil. The most labor is required in the first three years after which maintenance reduces to a once-a-year mowing.

#CONSCIENTIOUSOBJECTORS

Almost all male U.S. citizens age 18-25, are required by law to register with the Selective Service; the administrator of military drafts. In the event of a draft, a young man receiving a draft notice has the opportunity to make a claim for classification as a conscientious objector (CO). Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA offers a number of helpful resources on faith-driven conscientious objection to war.
[Source: Mennonite C.O. resources, PJSN, http://bit.ly/PJSNCO]

Pax Service: An Alternative To War (DVD)

What does it mean to "make peace?" Between 1951 and 1976, some 1,200 young men refused to join the military. Their religious beliefs forbade their taking another human life. Instead, they volunteered to build homes for World War II refugees, taught African subsistence farmers modern farming methods, helped Greek villages preserve food for the winter months, and built a road through the Green Hell of the Paraguayan Chaco. They did this through an alternative service program called Pax, overall serving in 40 countries. This program features the Pax work in Germany, Austria, Greece, Paraguay and the Congo.

Purchase Pax Service: An Alternative To War (DVD) at Amazon

Mennonite Voluntary Service and U.S. Selective Service Sign Agreement

On April 20, Mennonite Voluntary Service and the Selective Service entered into an agreement making MVS the first faith-based organization to become an officially recognized employer for conscientious objectors, should the draft ever be reinstated.

“I have appreciated the opportunity to learn about Mennonites, and we are proud that our first agreement of this kind could be with the Mennonites,” said Selective Service Director Lawrence Romo. “It’s important to respect each other's religions. It is a founding principle of the United States, and so it’s important to have a robust alternative service program.”

Romo and Mennonite Mission Network Executive Director/CEO Stanley Green signed and solidified this agreement during a ceremony at San Antonio (Texas) Mennonite Church. This is the first agreement of its kind to be signed by the Selective Service in 25 years, and makes MVS an official member of the Alternative Service Employer Network.

“The importance of this signing is that it ensures that, in the event of a draft, people who have convictions about war and come from historic peace church backgrounds can serve their country with their convictions intact,” said Green. “We believe it is just as patriotic to serve human need in our country as it is to serve through war."

[Excerpted from Mennonite Mission Network, http://bit.ly/MVSCO]

#ITSALLFUNANDGAMESTILLSOMEBODYGETSHURT

Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children's Entertainment (T.R.U.C.E.) is a national group of educators deeply concerned about how children's entertainment and toys are affecting the play and behavior of children. T.R.U.C.E. says that “quality play experiences help children develop critical thinking, problem solving skills, curiosity, persistence, and creativity” which are the foundation of educational success.
[Source: T.R.U.C.E. Guides to Toys and Child Development, http://bit.ly/truceguides]

#BUGBITES

Biting insects are due to make their appearance and the best plan for avoiding itchy bites is to apply insect repellent before going outside; particularly at dawn and dusk. If you still get nipped, dab some roll-on antiperspirant directly on the bite. "The aluminum salts in the antiperspirant help the body to reabsorb the fluid in the bug bite. The swelling goes down and the itching goes away," says Ken Haller, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University.
[Source: http://bit.ly/bugbiteremedy]

#BIBLEVERSIONS

To create an English-language Bible, the original languages of the Bible—Hebrew and Greek—have to be translated. Some English versions take a technical approach and aim to get the most exact translation word-for-word. Others strive to get the gist of the meaning from the original languages. Some show a balance between the two schools of translation. Zondervan’s Translation Comparison resource can help you learn more about the translation you use most often and perhaps help you find one that suits you better
[Source: Zondervan’s Translation Comparison resource, http://bit.ly/bibleversionscompared]

#SOCIALNETWORKING

Meredith Whitmore writing for pluggedin.com suggests that, in regard to social networking websites, the question to ask isn't "How many friends do I have?" but instead, "Who is my truest community?" Whitmore advises narrowing down friend lists to those you “have meaningful contact with regularly, then do everything you can to help them thrive—and see them face-to-face instead of just on Facebook.” Weed out distracting online connections that keep you from attending to “physically present friends in need of ministry and fellowship.”
[Source: pluggedin.com, http://bit.ly/friendrevisted]

#FREEDENTISTRY

The Illinois State Dental Society is sponsoring a “Mission of Mercy” event June 11-12 at the Interstate Center in Bloomington, IL. More than 300 volunteer dentists, hygienists and others from throughout Illinois will provide free basic dental care and oral surgery to all comers. The doors will open each day at 6 a.m., and no appointments will be taken. Not all dental services will be available. More information on the event is available by emailing mom@isds.org.
[Source: State Journal-Register, http://bit.ly/ILfreedentistry]

Virute Review: OWLY Graphic Novels by Andy Runton

Andy Runton has created a truly all-ages sequential art series (a.k.a. comic books) in OWLY.

The forest creatures are naturally wary of the title character, but Owly’s unexpectedly sweet disposition wins out. The art is nearly wordless; relying on facial expression, gesture, setting and symbols to carry the story along.

Far from simplistic, though, the stories offer realistic conflict and distress for Owly and his friends that are solved with virtues like: reconciliation, hospitality, honesty, bravery, compassion, kindness, friendship, persistence and more…

Owly (Vol 1): The Way Home "The first graphic novel in the series contains two enchanting novellas, wherein Owly discovers the meaning of friendship, and that saying goodbye doesn't always mean forever."*

Owly (Vol 2): Just A Little Blue "The second graphic novel in the breakout, all-ages series wherein Owly learns that sometimes you have to make sacrifices and work at things that are important, especially friendship."*

Owly (Vol 3): Flying Lessons "In this, the third graphic novel in the series, Owly and Wormy meet a new friend and learn that everyone has their own special strengths and it's okay to be different."*

Owly (Vol 4): A Time To Be Brave "The fourth Owly volume tells the story of a new visitor to the forest who is misunderstood because of how he looks, but things aren't always what they seem, and everyone soon finds out that the power of friendship can fix just about anything."*

*Volume descriptions from, and purchase available at, http://andyrunton.com/

So We're Back to Scrolls Are We?

It seems that what goes around, comes around. This time though, I hope somebody remembers to back up the data (cf. Library of Alexandria).



[via ohgizmo.com]

Underwater footage of Gulf oil spill from ABC News