South African Student Invents Waterless Bathing

When finding a steady source of portable water is challenge enough in the developing world who has the time—or water—to take a shower? One South African student may have the answer with a unique, water-less shower gel—that he invented on his dumb phone.

DryBath, as the gel is called, was developed by 22 year old college student Ludwick Marishane in response to the rankness of a friend. Rubbed onto the skin, like Purell, the gel kills bacteria, moisturizes the skin and, unlike Purell, leaves a fresh scent, according to Marishane's company website, Headboy Industries. One packet—priced at $0.50 for rural communities, $1.50 for corporate types—is enough to wash the entire body and kill 99.9-percent of germs, which should cut down on the disease rate in rural areas onset by by poor hygiene. Marishane also sees the technology being adopted by militaries, hotels, and even airlines.

What's really amazing is that Marishane brought the product to market using only his feature phone. From the initial research to building his business plan to developing the patented blend of biocide, bioflavonoids and moisturizers, he did it all without a computer.

New Mexico County First in Nation to Ban all Drilling and Fracking

Mora County, N.M., has a message for the oil and gas industry: “You’re not welcome here.”

The county commissioners also adopted a bill of rights that asserts Mora County’s right to block drilling, even if the state or federal governments try to allow it. Again from the AP:

In addition to putting the county off limits to oil and gas development, the ordinance establishes a bill of rights aimed at affirming the county’s right to local autonomy and self-governance.
The ordinance states that any permits or licenses issued by either the federal or state government that would allow activities that would compromise the county’s rights would be considered invalid.
“This is the fight that people have been too chicken to pick over the last 10 years, which is essentially deciding who makes decisions about the future of the places where we live,” said Thomas Linzey, executive director of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund. “Either it’s the people who live there or it’s the corporations that have an interest in exploiting them. It’s very basic.”

Congratulations, Mora County. May you continue to conserve and enjoy your precious groundwater supplies and clean environment.

Gasland Director Exposes Fracking

Police Shoot and Kill 75 Year old

The founder and president of a Connecticut military museum was shot and killed at his home by police on memorial day weekend following an alleged domestic disturbance call.

75-year-old John Valluzzo, veteran and president of a Connecticut military museum was shot and killed by police when they came to his house in response to a domestic disturbance call.  The police are suggesting that he pulled a gun on them and they had no choice but to shoot him, but there is no evidence of that it happened that way.Witnesses say they heard several shots fired inside the residence. 

Valluzzo was a decorated Korean War veteran and founded the Military Museum of Southern New England in 1995.The museum called Valluzzo's death at the start of the Memorial Day weekend a "senseless tragedy.""Sorrow fills our hearts at this sad moment," the museum said on its website. "The news of the untimely death of John Valluzzo comes as a great shock to all who knew him. His departure was sudden, unexpected and particularly distressing."

An autopsy is planned for Valluzzo.

State police said Sunday they're investigating the circumstances at the request of the Danbury state's attorney and Ridgefield police.