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Earth Hour 2007 was an event in Sydney Australia and it started as a way to inspire people to think about what each of us can do to with regard to climate change. For one hour, on March 31, 2007, the city of Sydney asked its residents to turn off their lights.
What started as a statement by one city has become a global movement. Cities all around the world have signed on to participate. Businesses have agreed to take off their lights. You can participate too. All you have to do is take off your lights for between 8.00 – 9.00 pm on March 29 th and you will be participating in this worldwide event.
You can also help spread the word to your family, friends, neighbours, businesses and city or town councils. For more information go to: http://www.earthhour.org/ and get involved for our planet!
Petition for Melissa Kern
Melissa Kern is a Tolkien fan who has been very active in the LOTR, Harry Potter and Dragon*Con communities. Recently Melissa was diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease). Her husband, Chris, has put up a petition and we can’t say any more eloquently than he does:
“I wanted to do something for Melissa, to show her the impact that she's had on people, in the Lord of the Rings, Pirates, Harry Potter and Dragon*Con communities and beyond. To that end, I have put together a petition online. I call it "Project FIVER" (after her name on the community websites), and it is a petition to have New Line cast her as an extra in THE HOBBIT. We don't know the course her disease will take, so she worries that she won't be around to see the movies in theaters, so this was the next best thing. Even being a non-speaking crowd-hobbit in the background of one scene would still mean the world to her. It would be her reason to hang on.
If you wouldn't mind, please go to http://ProjectFiver.com and sign the petition.”
Please help support Melissa and head over to sign the petition, if you haven’t already.
Situation in Tibet
Over the past few days news has come to the world’s attention of violence in Tibet. On March 10 th monks in the city of Lhasa (a holy city to Tibetans) began a peaceful protest march. Chinese authorities responded and violence erupted. Amnesty International Canada has issued an urgent appeal for the release of 15 monks and the following:
- Stop repressing freedom of expression and religion.
- Respect peaceful protests.
- Allow for a full United Nations investigation into the recent events.
- Allow for media access to the area.
If you would like to get involved please go to: https://www.amnesty.ca/urgentappeal/tibet2008/email_appeal/appeal.html
There is also a petition at Avaaz.org that you can sign: http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/22.php?cl=64918897
This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere.
~ Gandalf, Fellowship of the Ring
The White Tree Fund is dedicated to upholding the ideals of Middle-earth such as unity, nobility, courage, honour and peace. To this we also add the qualities symbolized by the White Tree of the Kings, renewal, healing and enduring hope. This forms the core of our Fellowship as we follow in the footsteps of the Last Alliance to strengthen the stand against oppression and tyranny, and care for our brothers and sisters in their times of need. In the tradition of the peaceful gardeners of the Shire, we put the spirit of our Earth first and make caring for it and replenishing it our priority. And, lead by the example of the Istari, we aim to help those reaching for knowledge and understanding.
WTF is an incorporated non-profit and our mandate includes the support of humanitarian and aid programs, environmental initiatives, and literacy programs assisting children and adults. For more information, see: http://www.whitetreefund.org/.
March 2008
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