PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 26, 2001
SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
RECOGNIZES PATRICIA DINES FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
SEBASTOPOL - At the Tues. November 20
Sebastopol City Council meeting, Mayor Larry Robinson presented
Patricia Dines with a Proclamation recognizing her for
"outstanding service in the community as an advocate and proactive
role model for a culture without toxics."
Included in the Proclamation was recognition
for Ms. Dines' work as Editor of The Next STEP newsletter.
This newsletter, which the City sends bi-monthly to all Sebastopol
residents in their water bills, provides information about the
potential health and environmental harm of common household and
garden toxics (including synthetic pesticides), and offers helpful
information about healthier alternatives. The Next STEP is
a key component of the City's Sebastopol Toxics Education Program
(STEP), whose mission is "to support Sebastopol citizens in
reducing their toxic use and exposure, creating a healthier and
safer Sebastopol for everyone."
The City's Proclamation recognized Ms. Dines
for her efforts in assisting with the launch of the STEP
newsletter, and keeping it going by gathering information, writing
and editing articles, inviting and coordinating articles by
others, and creating the newsletter's attractive and readable
presentation.
The Proclamation also recognized Ms. Dines for
her "contribution to the greater community" by publishing The
Organic Guide to Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino Counties, "which
greatly promotes local organic businesses and agriculture
[and] is a valuable resource for the public." Ms. Dines is
President of the volunteer, community-supported organization
Community Action Publications (CAP), which has published the Guide
(now 112 pages) since 1998. In July 2001, CAP released a new book,
The Organic Guide to San Francisco. She has been actively
educating people about toxics and alternatives since being exposed
to agricultural pesticides in 1993.
The Proclamation also expressed appreciation
that Ms. Dines "has more than demonstrated her community
mindfulness through continued positive actions [and]
unlimited zest and zeal ... in working towards the goal of having
a toxic-free environment."
"It is important that we honor and acknowledge
those people who contribute to the community welfare simply
because they love this world," said Mayor Larry Robinson.
"Patricia Dines is one of those people."
Says Ms. Dines, "I'm deeply honored to have my
efforts on behalf of the community be acknowledged by the City
Council. I think it's wonderful that Larry Robinson and this City
Council, and the previous one, have had the vision to create and
encourage the STEP program, with the support of members of the
community. Every year toxics unnecessarily harm the health of
millions of people, plus the environment upon which all of our
lives depend. So it's a real pleasure to have the opportunity to
work with Craig Litwin and Rebecca Dwan in creating The Next
STEP newsletter, and to share with others what we've found out
about toxics and alternatives &endash; so that we can all have
healthier, more joyful lives."
"I'm also deeply grateful for all the people in
the community taking positive actions to create a less-toxic
world, including the organic farmers and others who choose to work
cooperatively with nature. It's an honor to share the good news of
their work in the Guides, and to encourage others to support them
and follow their lead. I'm especially grateful to those who
support the work we do through the Guides project, including the
Guides sponsors. I invite everyone to join in helping manifest the
vision of these two projects, as well as other community projects
that inspire them, so that together we can truly create a better
world!"
More information about the STEP program -
including copies of The Next STEP newsletter - is on the
City's website <www.admin.ci.sebastopol.ca.us>;
look under Programs. Ms. Dines indicates that "Article ideas and
submissions, as well as reader comments and collaboration ideas,
are always welcome!"
The Organic Guides are available at local
stores or through Community Action Publications. For more
information, see <www.healthyworld.org> or contact Ms. Dines
at <PD@patriciadines.info> or 829-2999.
###
BACKGROUND
INFORMATION
Sebastopol Toxics Education
Program (STEP)
In May 2000, the Sebastopol City Council voted
to establish Sebastopol as a Voluntary Toxics-Free Zone. With this
resolution - the first of its kind - the City committed to avoid
toxic pesticides on City land and to encourage citizens to do the
same. The Sebastopol Toxics Education Program (STEP) is a
volunteer citizen's group formed to assist the City in
implementing this resolution.
The Next STEP newsletter is a key
component of the STEP program. Helping create this newsletter is
the editorial team of Craig Litwin and Rebecca Dwan. Article
topics since the premiere Jan. 2001 issue have included:
"Pesticides and Your Health", "Controlling Ant Invaders", "Healthy
Homes for the Holidays", "Nurturing Your Garden, Non-toxically",
"The Joys of Diatomaceous Earth", and "Got Weeds?"
The City and The Next STEP newsletter
team frequently hear from residents who find the newsletter
helpful. One of the most gratifying notes received was from a
Sebastopol resident who wrote, "After reading [your first
newsletter], I decided to dispose of my worst garden
pesticides and buy safe ones. Thank you for tactfully raising my
awareness."
In addition to the newsletter, STEP also works
with Planting Earth Activation (PEA) in helping the City avoid
toxic pesticides and plant organic landscaping on City land. STEP
is interested in collaborating with local businesses and schools
to reduce toxic use and highlight positive examples.
Other members of STEP who've helped to create
the program are: Michael Black, Jeff Edelheit, Nan Fuchs, and Sam
Spooner.
The Organic
Guides
Patricia Dines is President of the volunteer,
community-supported organization Community Action Publications
(CAP), which has published The Organic Guide to Sonoma, Napa,
and Mendocino Counties since 1998. Through extensive primary
research, this beautiful innovative 112-page book brings forward
many wonderful local places that offer organic food and wine,
including farms, health food stores, restaurants, wineries,
bakeries, nurseries, catering services, and much more. The Guide
also provides empowering and inspiring information on pesticides,
organics, local agriculture, community gardens, CSAs, local people
and activities, resources for more information, etc.
CAP also offers The Organic Guide to San
Francisco, released in July 2001, which makes it easy for
locals and visitors to find organics in San Francisco &endash;
including places that offer organic food and wine originally
produced in Sonoma County.
The sponsors of the 2001 edition of The
Organic Guide to Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino Counties are:
Whole Foods Market (Sonoma County), Community Market, Bonterra
Vineyards, Napa Wine Company, and California Certified Organic
Farmers (CCOF). The sponsors of The Organic Guide to San
Francisco in 2001 are: Whole Foods Market (SF), Real Food
Company, Veritable Vegetable, and California Certified Organic
Farmers (CCOF).
"Our goal with the Guides," says Ms. Dines, "is
to make it easy for folks to find, explore, and nurture local
organics &endash; thus supporting those farmers who are creating
our less-toxic future, and encouraging more farms to convert to
organic farming methods."
"Our vision is that all area agriculture will
go organic - with diverse crops, plenty of small farms, and rich
wild areas - thus creating a healthier, less-toxic world for
everyone. We created the Guides to make it easy for people to
support that vision, while nurturing themselves and their loved
ones &endash; and having fun!"
FOR MORE INFORMATION,
CONTACT:
Larry Robinson
Mayor, City of Sebastopol
(707) 823-1708
lrob@pon.net
Patricia Dines
Community Action Publications
(707) 829-2999
PD@patriciadines.info
