Real v. Artificial Tree for Christmas

So have you ever pondered, which is better for earth? cutting down all these trees every year and some of them not even making it to a home, or not cutting, and buying an artificial which should last you 5-10 years....

There are many opinions as to which is better, but the arbor day foundation feels it is more environmentally sound to use real trees instead of artificial.

They recommend using real trees either from forest thinnings or - more commonly - grown for the purpose. According to statistics, 85% of artificial trees begin in overseas factories where working conditions are less than ideal. Also, they are made with metals and plastics that sometimes include PVC or lead, and they end up in landfills. Their stance on supporting the traditional Christmas tree industry is based on many reasons, including the fact the Christmas trees that come from farms:

• are a renewable, sustainable resource


• provide jobs in rural areas and support American families


• provide the usual benefits of trees, including oxygen, CO2 uptake, erosion control, and wildlife habitat


• help to preserve open space


• are biodegradable and recyclable; they can be made into chips or compost, or used for conservation purposes such as filling eroding gullies or sunk in lakes to provide better fish habitat.

Just a thought for this upcoming holiday season.

www.arborday.org

Carl's Miracle
PLEASE HELP THIS FAMILY!

THIS IS CARL'S MIRACLE WAITING TO HAPPEN!

Carl Stevens, resident of Garrison, Missouri, lost his sight January, 2004, after more than a month long battle with Strep B Pneumonia. Somehow his optic nerve became damaged during his battle to survive this tragic illness. Carl has total darkness all the time and cannot even tell if it's day or night. He was told by specialists in St. Louis, Missouri, Baltimore, Maryland and Houston, Texas that no treatment was available for his diagnosed Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. They all gave him absolutely no hope to ever be able to see again! He thought he would never be able to see his children now ages 14 and 17, grow up. This family and many of their friends and relatives have never given up their faith that Carl's sight would be returned to him.

Carl heard about the miraculous story on NBC one day about a child that was born blind and was able to get his eyesight back by traveling to China for the stem cell treatments. We researched the story and Carl has now been accepted to go to a hospital in Hangzhou, China for Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Transfusions. He will be the first adult to participate in this case study. This will be done through http://www.stemcellschina.com/ and http://www.beikebiotech.com/. The doctors in China have already had miraculous results with this treatment in several children from the U.S. The treatment costs over $25,000 and is not covered by Health Insurance.

Carl will be accompanied to China, by his brother-in-law, for this treatment, which will require a month long stay in China. They will leave from Houston, Texas on December 25, 2007 and return January 25, 2008. Carl's wife, Vickie, is not able to go with him as she is currently undergoing Chemo for her Breast Cancer Battle. Upon returning home, Carl will require follow-up treatments in a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber for 5 days a week for many months. The approximate cost for this treatment is between $15,000-$25,000.

DONATIONS

You may make a donation to the "Carl Stevens - Medical Fund"
At any Bank of America;

Or mail your donation directly to;
Carl Stevens - Medical Fund

PO Box 106

Taneyville, Missouri 65759

Thank You Carl & His Family Humbly Thank You for Your Support & Your Prayers!

You can send a personal message to Carl & His Family at this e-mail address:
carl_vickie@carlsmiracle.com