Halibut Herald October 23

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ALIBUT HERALD October 23, 2008

Bits and Bites 10 Incredible Underground Lakes and Rivers

Reed Flute Cave in Guilin, China was discovered during the Tang Dynasty almost 1,300 years ago. Image by Ian Sewell Far below the Earth’s surface, where the sun rarely penetrates, is a world of twinkling glow worms, precious gems and limestone caves and mountains, a land inhabited by nature alone. Within this world are visions to rival many landscapes decorating our horizon; lakes lie still and calm, great networks of caves know no borders and rivers and rivulets carve an ever-evolving terrain. We invite you to explore this remarkable subterranean domain through these incredible images we’ve complied for your viewing pleasure. 1. Cheddar Gorge is Britain’s biggest canyon and is found within the Cheddar Caves, where the UK’s oldest complete human skeleton was found in 1903. Known as the Cheddar Man, the remains were estimated to be 9,000 years old. SEE BELOW FOR MORE PICS. READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE: http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/underground-lakes-river/2190

The World’s First Wave Farm Goes Live in Portugal

The world’s first commercial wave farm went live at the end of September in Agucadoura, located off the coast of northern Portugal. Designed by Pelamis Wave Power, the farm employs three Wave Energy Converters snakelike, semi-submerged devices that generate electricity with hydraulic rams driven by waves. This first phase of the new renewable energy farm is rated at 2.25 MW with 3 machines, and the the second phase will add an additional 25 machines to bring the capacity to 21 MW - enough to power 15,000 homes! READ ON HERE: http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/10/22/portugal-wavepower-plant-goes-live/

More News Links The First LEED Platinum Skyscraper Nearly Completed

http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/10/02/one-bryant-park-nearly-completed/

U.S. Pledges $40 Million To Protect Asian Coral Reefs; 'We Can Save These Extraordinary Marine Ecosystems' http://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=43517921080

Very cool! Underwater Volcano Eruption Video http://www.smithsonianmag.com/specialsections/ocean-hall/atm-jukebox200809.html#

Baby Walrus Gets Bling

http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2008/10/walrus-baby-gets-bling.html

Baby Stingrays at the Florida Aquarium

http://zooborns.typepad.com/zooborns/stingray/

Pre-Halloween Special Chocolate coins sold in Canada tainted with melamine More than 3,000 kilograms of chocolates sold at Costco, dollar and bulk stores across Canada were recalled Wednesday after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency found that the chocolates contain melamine, the toxic chemical compound that has left four babies dead and thousands sickened in China. Canadian health officials said the products affected in the nationwide recall were sold under the name Sherwood Brands Pirate's Gold Milk Chocolate Coins. The chocolate coins, sold in 840 gram containers, each with 240 pieces, have been distributed in the country since January 2008, CFIA spokesman Garfield Balsom said Wednesday. The chocolates have a bar code of 0 36077 112407 and lot code 1928S1. Balsom said the chocolates, a product of China, were distributed at Costco stores across the country. The most recent shipment of 3,360 kilograms of chocolates came into Canada last April. The agency believes the chocolates have also been sold in dollar and bulk stores. Balsom said the levels of melamine found in the chocolates was very low. There have also been no illnesses reported as a result of consuming the chocolate. "The risk is very low but we decided to send out an advisory because of the wide distribution of the chocolates," he said. "The chocolates may be consumed by kids, and with Halloween coming, we wanted to get the information out there." This is the sixth time a Chinese-made product has been recalled in Canada after being tested positive for melamine. Canadian consumers were being warned not to have OK OK Kaiser pretzels, Lotte brand Koala's March filled cookies, Mr. Brown 3-in-1 Instant Coffee products, White Rabbit candy, and Nissin Cha Cha Dessert. The health agency also warns Canadians about consuming infant formula originating from China. Melamine has been at the centre of a growing tainted-milk controversy in China, which has left four infants dead and sickened more than 54,000 babies.

Why Some People Deserve to be Bitten by Dogs…

We aren’t the only ones thinking about a Green Halloween! http://greenhalloween.org/blog/

Green Tips & Links Green Web Hosting! http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/taproot-uses-wind-for-greener-webhosting.php

http://green.cbc.ca/Default.aspx

Archival Photo

Line up towards admissions, 1956. (Looks kind of like today’s madness!)

Green Team Ride-Sharing for Employees of the Vancouver Aquarium The Vancouver Aquarium has its very own Ride Share site for Aquarium employees! Jack Bell Ride-Share allows you to find ride matches with coworkers to fill your personal car, find a driver to carpool with, or use a Jack Bell fleet vehicle! This calculates both costs and greenhouse gas savings at the same time! Registration is restricted to email addresses ending in @vanaqua.org. Register today! 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Go to http://vanaqua.ride-share.com/en/my/ Register for free with your @vanaqua.org email address Enter your home address Search for matching commuters with adjustable search options Click matching commuters to suggest a ride-share Start ride-sharing!

Quick Tip: Did you know that approximately 45% of commuters in Metro Vancouver travel alone in their vehicles? Ridesharing with just 1 other person would eliminate over 1 million cars a day crossing in and out of Metro Vancouver. This is equivalent to 1.6 million litres of gas saved, and 4000 tonnes of greenhouse gases not emitted. Other sustainable modes of transportation: Don’t forget, every day is a good day to walk, bike, or swim to the Aquarium! Did you know that the Vancouver Aquarium has shower and locker facilities as well as secure bike storage for cyclists? Secure bike storage is found on the east side of the building near the Grounds office, and the shower and locker facilities are in the washrooms on the 1st floor (basement) of Aquaquest.

Events BC TOURISM INDUSTRY AWARDS CALL FOR NOMINATIONS Do you know of a tourism business practicing industry excellence? Be sure to nominate them in one of the nine categories for the 10th Annual BC Tourism Industry Awards. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and award presentations will take place during the BC Tourism Industry Conference on February 12, 2009 in Vancouver. Award categories: •

Tourism industry leader of the year

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Best tourism marketing campaign

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Environmentally responsible tourism

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Foresight sustainability award

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Tourism media

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SuperHost® customer service

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Technology in tourism

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Employees first

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Sport tourism community legacy

Find award nomination forms and criteria on Tourism BC's corporate website at www.tourismbc.com. Previous nominees may resubmit as appropriate. Deadline for nominations is November 28. ***********************************************

Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE October 30, 2008, 7:0PM The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts 777 Homer Street, Vancouver Aquarium Tickets available @ Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.ca or 604-978-4444 Special pricing available for groups of 20 or more. Contact: [email protected] or 416978-3633 www.janegoodall.ca

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