| Red light for bad food
The Government is being urged to compel food and drink companies to introduce a "traffic light" system indicating how healthy items are if they will not do it voluntarily. Parliament's health select committee yesterday issued the results of its year-long inquiry into obesity and type 2 diabetes. It warned that the problems had the potential to "rapidly overwhelm the health system". The committee concluded that education alone would not be enough to tackle obesity and said existing initiatives were "fragmented and poorly co-ordinated". An increased effort to control obesity and type 2 diabetes was urgently needed, the committee said. "In general, there is too much emphasis on education and promotion of physical activity as the key preventive interventions." Led by Green MP and food standards campaigner Sue Kedgley, the committee has recommended the food industry use a "traffic light" or similar system of signs on packaging to highlight whether foods are healthy, unhealthy, or somewhere in between.
Thinking globally
Many think Opper's legacy will be defined by his actions on global warmingWhen Richard Opper was studying to become an environmental scientist 30 years ago, the talk was all about mining.Eastern Montana, which sits atop a thick cap of coal, was eyed as a potential energy Mecca for the United States and plans were in the works to dig several large open-pit coal mines there. Cleaning up the footprints of mining seemed like a career with an awfully long shelf life.Today, Opper (rhymes with copper) heads up the state agency that mandates mine cleanups, along with almost everything else relating to Montana's environment. But today, mining has taken a back seat to more tenacious environmental problems in the state.One of the biggest threats facing Montana now, Opper said, is global warming, which affects everything from the shrinking glaciers of Glacier National Park to Montana's farmers and skiers."Nobody talked about global warming back then," Opper said in an interview in his Department of Environmental Quality office.
Morongo Tribe to Present $70,000 in Scholarship Funds to Native American Students at Ceremony Friday, August 17th; ...
In a program designed to provide financial support for California Native American students statewide, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians provides a scholarship program unique in the state. Seven Indian students will be the recipients of this innovative effort this Friday when the Morongo tribal council presents them with $70,000 in scholarship funds. .
8 Days A Week- August 30
All events listed in 8 Days a Week are open to the public. To submit a listing, send to FFW, 203 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72701, or fax to 444-7289, at least two weeks prior to event. Submissions are printed as space allows. Photographs and art are also considered. SPECIAL EVENTS Artists' reception for Megan Chapman and Helen Phillips at 5 p.m. today at ddp gallery, 7 E. Mountain St. in Fayetteville. www.ddpgallery.com or 442-0001. Fayetteville Arts Festival, featuring exhibits, plays and workshops, Friday through Sunday and Sept. 7-9 in downtown Fayetteville. Some events free, some with a fee. www.fayettevilledowntown.org/faf or 571-3337. Grand opening of the Citizens Bank Gallery from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the old bank building, 116 E.
Briefs:Rabid bats found
A rabid bat was found this week in Marengo, bring the McHenry County total for this year to 10. Another rabid bat was found in an Aurora home, bringing Kane County's total this year to three. Last year, just one rabid bat was reported in Kane County. The McHenry County total tops the previous high of nine set in 2004. Statewide, 68 rabid bats have been reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health this year. Bats are the state's primary rabies carriers. Besides Aurora and Marengo, rabid bats have been found this year in Crystal Lake, Elgin, McHenry and Woodstock. West Nile found in bird A dead bird recovered near Wonder Lake in northern McHenry County has tested positive for West Nile virus, health authorities said Friday. The blue jay first bird to test positive this year.
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