Press-Republican

A&E

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
comments powered by Disqus
December 2, 2009

Montreal Biosphere explores our toxic world

By STEVEN HOWELL

MONTREAL — Planet Earth — what a dump!

But there's hope for us yet.

The Montreal Biosphere presents Tic Tac Tox, a new 25-minute multimedia interactive exhibition aimed for kids that tells about the toxic world in which we live and what we can do to make it better. And on a greener note, this weekend only, is the fourth-annual Recycling-Artists Eco Fair, an exposition where 52 Quebec artists sell their recycled artistic creations.

Tic Tac Tox combines a colorful high-tech multimedia animation with low-tech, old-school fun in the form of a giant tic-tac-toe board.

"Chemicals are all around us," said biosphere educator and guide Graham Calder. "But they are not always toxic and not always dangerous."

Calder asks the assembled audience, appropriately seated atop mini oil drums, to brainstorm a variety of everyday chemicals. Cleaning products, medicines and pesticides all make the short list. Next, the crowd watches a colorful eight-minute animation that explores the chemicals and toxic wastes that humans are exposed to on a daily basis. The animation, shown on six screens, leaves young and old completely captivated.

STAGGERING STATS
Calder returns as part scientist and part toxic tic-tac-toe master of ceremonies, complete with white lab coat and nerdy black glasses, to offer a question-and-answer game of Xs and Os. The pertinent topics at hand look at environmental concerns of water, food, prescription medicines, big industry, cleaning supplies and transportation. The statistics provided are staggering.

For example, in the category of water, it takes some 600 years for a plastic water bottle to decompose in the landfill. In addition, 25 percent of so-called "pure" bottled water actually comes from the tap. The solution? Save money and the environment by adding a filter to your faucet.

Additional displays offer an interactive Google Earth computer generation of the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) provided to Environment Canada, the Canadian equivalent of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The registrar pinpoints all the toxic waste produced by a variety of Canadian industries. Another interactive display shows how certain chemicals affect the human body.

In this game of Tic Tac Tox, everyone comes out a winner. All participants receive a copy of "Clean Home and Green Garden," a green guide that offers helpful hints on home maintenance and eco-friendly gardening.

ECO FAIR
Next, if you're in the market for a unique holiday gift, green is the way to go at the Recycling-Artists Eco Fair.

"All of the eco-artists used recycled items to turn waste into art," said communications coordinator Christine Berube.

The green inventory includes women's bags made from recycled vinyl 45 rpm records and bicycle tires, clothes made from a variety of recycled goods, including grandma's old fur coat, and beautiful bracelets fashioned out of flatware.

The fair is held from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Montreal Biosphere's Facebook page offers a link to each artist and his or her respective products. More than 4,000 visitors are expected, Berube said.

Permanent exhibits always worthy of a visit at the Biosphere include "Planet Bucky," which looks at the life of Buckminster Fuller, the designer of the Biosphere's geodesic dome created for Montreal's Expo '67; "Moving Giant," which explores the Great Lakes ecosystem, and "Water Wonders," with a variety of interactive hands-on fun and one display that lets you "walk" on water.

The Biosphere is on Ile Ste. Helene of Jean Drapeau Park (Metro station Jean Drapeau). Admission costs $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and free for youngsters 17 and under (does not apply to groups). Take public transportation and receive an additional 25 percent off the admission price. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Call (514) 283-5000 or visit www.biosphere.ec.gc.ca.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Steve Ouellette's Movie Reviews

Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Entertainment Videos
ShowBiz Minute: Super Bowl, Taylor, Adele Dench: 'I'm Not Going to Retire.' No 'Safe House' With Ryan Reynolds Around Stars Come Out at the Oscars Luncheon David Guetta, Avicii Talk Grammy Nominations Rapper J. Cole Is Ready for the Grammys Chris Brown, More R&B Performers Look to Rapping ShowBiz Minute: Chris Brown, Jay-Z, Oscar Lunche Love in the Air at 'The Vow' Premiere Daniel Radcliffe Haunted by the 'Woman in Black' ShowBiz Minute: M.I.A., Washington, Box Office Video of M.I.A's Obscene Halftime Gesture M.I.A. Flips Bird at Super Bowl Halftime Show Kelly Clarkson Honors America at Super Bowl Backstage Access With Celebs at Super Bowl Katy Perry, Taylor Lautner at NFL Awards Celebs Suit Up for DirecTV Beach Bowl "Twlight" Star Defends Tom Brady and Gisele ShowBiz Minute: Roseanne, Madonna, Cyrus Madonna Nervous About Super Bowl Halftime Show