River WaterWorks Newsletter, August/September 2005
http://www.riverwaterworks.org/News/current_newsletter.html
The contents of the August/September 2005 newsletter are as follows:
1. WaterWorks: A RIVER JOURNEY TO THE SEA
2. A BOAT WITH A NAME
3. DONATIONS ABOUND
4. MAJOR WEBSITE UPDATE
5. MUSEUM PROGRAMS CONFIRMED
6. WELCOME CREW MEMBER AIMEE ROWE!
7. HURRICANE KATRINA
1. WaterWorks: A RIVER JOURNEY TO THE SEA
If you are a new subscriber to this newsletter, welcome! The newsletter is published about once a month by the River WaterWorks organization, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created for the purpose of river and watershed education. The organization's current project is entitled "WaterWorks: A River Journey to the Sea" and departed from Chautauqua Lake in New York state on Monday 05.September, 2005. An 18-foot bicycle-powered pontoon boat and its crew are following the journey that a drop of water takes down the Allegheny, Ohio, and Lower Mississippi River all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel is stopping in schools and museums in towns along the rivers to teach people about the importance of water. More details about the project can be found on the website, http://www.riverwaterworks.org .
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2. A BOAT WITH A NAME
Inspired by the abnormal number of dragonflies that visited the vessel while it was being built during the month of August, it has been decided that the name of the vessel is 'BPV Libelula ' which is the insect's Spanish name. Lib e lula also refers to a specific Latin Genus of the illustrious Odontan. The 'BPV' of course stands for 'Bicycle Powered Vessel'! The dragonfly tends to thrive in healthy aquatic environments and will provide an interesting educational extension to the WaterWorks River Journey. In addition it should be noted that the name 'libelula' is quite fun to say, especially when you speak it three times in a row as quickly as possible. Read more about the vessel and see some pictures at: www.riverwaterworks.org/vessel.html .
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3. DONATIONS ABOUND!
We've been collecting all sorts of stuff during the past two months, and would like to extend thanks to the following organizations and individuals for their support:
Mr. Nobby Peers at WHITWORTH MARINE SERVICES ( http://whitworthmarine.com ) has allowed us to borrow a 12-volt 55-watt solar panel for the duration of the journey.
Captains Shane Walden and Justin Cathcartt at the SoundWaters organization ( http://www.soundwaters.org ) arranged for us to borrow a spare groundwater simulator for use as part of our educational program.
Jaret Lynch of Hamden, CT lent his welding, design, and construction talents, which enabled the 'BPV Libélula ' vessel construction to be completed on time.
John Bontrager of Falmouth, MA donated an alcohol stove, an anchor and a small 12 VDC electrical generator for use during our journey.
Arnold and Phyllis Rowe of Riverside, CA donated a portable solar camping shower and a handheld GPS device.
Joan Smith of Chautauqua, NY donated an assortment of musical percussion instruments for our educational program.
Marty and Bob Gingell of Amherst, NY donated a vinyl banner printed with our logo and website for us to hang out while in port to inform people of our project.
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4. MAJOR WEBSITE UPDATE
We're pleased to announce a major website update that provides much more information than our old version. Check it out at http://www.riverwaterworks.org ! We now have downloadable versions of our curriculum and curriculum extensions, downloadable press release and associated images, a revamped navigation system, descriptions and photos of the crew and the vessel, a journey logbook, and a lot more. The Journey Logbook currently contains an account of our first two weeks of travels. We hope to update the logbook about once every week pending internet availability on the river.
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5. MUSEUM PROGRAMS CONFIRMED
Educational programs have been confirmed at Louisville Science Center in Louisville, KY and the Children's Museum of Memphis. We've also published our itinerary of the schools we are visiting on the website. Check out where and when we will be online at http://www.riverwaterworks.org/Education/itinerary.html .
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6. WELCOME CREW MEMBER AIMEE ROWE!
Aimee Rowe joined the BPV Libelula on Sunday 11.September, 2005. Aimee has past experience working on boats and doing environmental education, so she is a perfect addition to the WaterWorks crew! She plans to be aboard for the entire duration of the journey, and has therefore earned the title of Chief Mate. Aimee comes from Riverside, CA and is looking forward to the grand adventure that lies ahead.
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7. HURRICANE KATRINA
The recent effects of Hurricane Katrina on the lower Mississippi and the State of Louisiana have raised questions as to how the WaterWorks River Journey may conclude. Our current idea is to stick with our original plan and continue on downriver through New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico. This however, may be subject to change depending on the conditions and restrictions in place in the area at that time. We are considering ways that we might be able to offer assistance to the areas affected by the hurricane, particularly since we plan on arriving in the region during the holiday season. If you have any thoughts or suggestions of ways we might go about doing this, please let us know,
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Copyright 2005, River WaterWorks
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