Happy Earth Day! Y mas!

No point alerting readers to an upcoming speech yesterday without delivering. Here's a webcast link to Council of Canadians chair Maude Barlow's speech today to the UN on water resources. She's also senior adviser to the UN General Assembly president on issues of global water conservation.  Also, a link to a text of the water resources speech.

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If you've ever struggled to release a computer power cord from its plastic prison, despaired about food packaging or wondered why restaurants can't use cardboard takeout, take a look at the outstanding Star series, "Beating the Wrap." It's running all week.

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This has nothing particularly to do with Earth Day: Mexican singer Chavela Vargas is simply one of my favorite artists and I love her version of "Macorina." Also, "Volver, volver," but you can search it out yourself if you want to hear more Vargas.