Bottled H2O costing more

July 3, 2007

By LARRY SINGER
Index-Journal staff writer

Americans have an unquenchable thirst for bottled water.
Currently, more than half of all Americans gulp bottled water, about a third of the public consumes it regularly and sales of bottled water have flooded to about $50 billion a year.
The Natural Resources Defense Council reports demand for bottled water is not only increasing, but also producing unnecessary plastic waste and consuming vast quantities of energy.
Although in the industrial world, bottled water is often no healthier than tap water, it can cost up to 10,000 times more. At as much as $10 per gallon, bottled water costs three times more than gasoline.
In grocery, drug and convenience stores, bottled water can be found in its own aisle and cooler.
“We sell a ton of it,” said Ted Boyd, manager of Bi-Lo in Northside Plaza. “We laughed when we first heard about it. We thought, who’s going to pay for water?”
The answer to that question is about 150 million people.
Jyll Maddox, manager of Piggly Wiggly in Abney Plaza, said the bottled water craze began in his store about a decade ago.
“In the last three years, it’s really taken off,” Maddox said.
To make room for the bottled water, Maddox explained, the amount of soft drinks on his aisles have gradually been replaced with water.
Because Pepsi distributes Aquafina bottled water and Coke distributes Dasani, the two soft drink leaders have not had a problem with the shift.
While some 94 percent of the bottled water sold in the United States is produced domestically, Americans also import water shipped from Fiji and other faraway places to satisfy the demand for exotic water in beautiful bottles.
Fossil fuels are, of course, also used in the packaging of water. The most commonly used plastic for making water bottles comes from crude oil.
According to the Container Recycling Institute, making bottles to meet Americans’ demand for bottled water requires more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually — enough to fuel some 100,000 U.S. cars for a year.
In contrast to tap water, which is distributed through an energy-efficient system, moving bottled water from where it is bottled to where it is sold involves burning massive quantities of gas.
After we drink all that water, the plastic bottle it came in has to go somewhere.
According to the CRI, 86 percent of plastic water bottles used in the United States become garbage or litter, and burning them is not a solution because torching most used bottles produces toxic byproducts such as chlorine gas.
A buried water bottle can take up to 1,000 years to be absorbed into the earth and disappear.
Almost 40 percent of the bottles that were deposited for recycling in the United States in 2004 were actually exported, sometimes to as far away as China — adding to the energy consumed by bottled water.
Although the marketing of bottled water implies the fluid inside the bottle tastes better and is healthier than tap water, in some instances this is not true.
According to government and industry estimates, about one-fourth of bottled water is bottled tap water.
Because of the strict federal standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act, tap water is as contaminant-free as many brands of bottled water.
A few hundred miles northeast of Greenwood, in Grottoes, Va., the municipal water originates from the clear streams of nearby Shenandoah National Park. It’s so good the EPA doesn’t require Grottoes to filter it. If a consumer bought and drank a one-liter bottle of water, he could refill that bottle once a day for 10 years, five months, and 21 days with Grottoes tap water before that water would cost $1.35. Put another way, if the water we use at home cost what even cheap bottled water costs, our monthly water bills would run $9,000.
Despite the high cost of bottled water, consumers continue to drink more of it every year.
“I buy bottled water because it’s healthier,” said Robert Holloway, of Greenwood, as he filled his cart at Piggly Wiggly.
While mulitmillion dollar advertising campaigns might convince consumers bottled water is better for them, the man in charge of water for CPW said the water Greenwood residents drink daily from the kitchen sink is every bit as pure as the bottled variety.
“Tap water is tested and treated under more stringent regulations than bottled water,” said David Tuck, CPW water treatment plant superintendent. “That makes it the safest water there is.”

Street racing speeds into Greenwood

July 3, 2007

By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal staff writer

You’ve seen it before. Maybe even done it.
You pull up to a stop light and it glows red in the early evening dusk. It’s mid-summer, but not overwhelmingly hot. The windows are rolled down in your car and you hear the sounds of motorists around you — the blare of a horn, the scream of tires as a car takes a turn too fast, the thumping bass of a car with a powerful audio system, the revving of an engine.
Immediately your mind switches to Formula 1 mode.
Before you can turn to see the vehicle next to you inching up with the driver crooning his neck forward to check out your ride, your mind is already racing and you wait for the green signal suspended above you. You want to launch yourself off the line and leave your competitor embarrassed and coughing up your exhaust in the background.
Then, you’re brought back to reality.
You drive a Ford Escort and the only modification you’ve done to your sweet ride is to place a bumper sticker on the back that says you are the proud parent of an honor roll student.

The need for speed

Two vehicles toe the imaginary starting line along a Greenwood road. Neither vehicle is really made for racing.
One is a Dodge Dakota and the other is a Jimmy — not exactly a pair of tricked-out Civics. No ground effects, no body kits, no nitrous. No, these are different; they’re low riders.
The two drivers aren’t really into racing their vehicles; they usually prefer to ride “low and slow.” But sometimes a driver just feels that “need for speed.”
“I love it,” said the Dodge driver named “Big Nick” among his closest friends. “I’ll race anytime I can.”
The driver of the Jimmy, a guy who goes by “Sno,” isn’t much into racing, but lines up next to Big Nick anyway. There’s nothing to lose on this night. No money will be exchanged.
The tail lights of the two low riders illuminate the road behind them, but the trucks remain mostly hidden from light. The path ahead of their bumpers is lit, but only by their headlights.
No reason to be seen. No reason for trouble.
A girl, “Blondie,” stands in between the vehicles, arms raised and ready to drop. Once her arms fall the racers will take off down the road — their bragging rights and safety in their own hands.

Breaking the law

Street racing is illegal, of course.
According to section 56 5 1590 of the South Carolina Code of Law, it is “unlawful to race or assist in racing on public roads.”
“It shall be unlawful to engage in a motor vehicle race or contest for speed on any public road, street or highway in this state or to aid, abet or assist in any manner whatsoever in any such race or contest.”
Law also prohibits altering a vehicle for the purpose of racing or speeding on any public road, will be considered as “aiding, abetting or assisting for the purposes of Sections 56 5 1590 to 56 5 1620.”
Violations can result in a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $600 or imprisonment for not less than two months nor more than six months, or both, in the discretion of the trial judge,” the South Carolina Code of Law says.
Violators can have their driver’s licensed revoked for one year.
“Street racing is an extremely dangerous activity, which endangers innocent motorists and pedestrians. That’s why the penalties are so severe,” said Greenwood County Sheriff Dan Wideman. “There are legal outlets for drag racing all across the state, and that’s where it should take place.”
If it does take place on the streets, however, it can often be very hard to stop.
Lance Cpl. Scot Edgeworth of South Carolina Highway Patrol Troop 2 said troopers often get complaints, but by the time a trooper gets to the scene, “they’re pretty much gone.”
Edgeworth did say individuals who spot a possible street race can help by getting descriptions of the people, the cars, the tag numbers and the direction the vehicles are traveling. But by no means should individuals try to pursue the racers or endanger themselves.
And while law enforcement in Greenwood does get complaints about street racing, it is still not a huge problem here.
“Street racing has not emerged as a major enforcement issue for us here in Greenwood County as of yet,” Chief Deputy Mike Frederick said. “It has become a problem across the U.S. and in certain parts of this state.
“We think that part of the reason the problem may appear more prevalent than it is stems from the popularity of import car modification and hot rodding. It’s basically become a subculture unto itself, and once souped up, the cars become very high profile.”
The loud exhaust systems (which authorities enforce as well) also draw additional attention to these vehicles, Frederick said. He said the majority of the import car clubs and shows in this area focus less on organized racing and more on car customization.

Why do it?

So, with a growing concern across other parts of the country and stiff penalties, why would anyone take the chance?
“A lot of people do it on the street as more of an adrenaline rush,” a street racer only identified as “D.K.” said. “It’s not really organized; it’s spontaneous.”
“Adrenaline,” replied a former street racer nicknamed “Pro-Grudge.” “Street racing in the summer can get your teeth chattering because you’re so excited. But if I don’t race for money, I don’t care about it. If you put down money you risk something.”
Another racer, “Bob,” had a different reason for street racing.
“With working on your car you take pride in your car. You’re going take pride in it being able to do what you’ve built it to do,” he said.
D.K. said many young people meet in parking lots to just talk about cars, but even just sitting in the parking lot can lead to trouble.
“It’s a risk just sitting in the parking lot,” D.K. said, adding police come by frequently, sometimes asking them to leave. Sometimes they don’t mind.
That doesn’t stop them, though. D.K. said the past couple of weeks local cruisers have been in parking lots about every night.
“We just get tired of being at home so we come out and do what everyone else is doing,” a female called “Little Ali” said.
But don’t get Ali wrong, she despises street racing.
“I hate it,” she said. “I’ve worked in an emergency room and the young people don’t understand the trauma that comes with it. If they’re dumb enough to do it, then they will suffer the consequences.”
Ali mentioned that in the dark of night, speeding down back roads and on out-of-town highways, drivers won’t necessarily be able to stop for a deer or a pedestrian.
“Guys and their adrenaline and their egos — there ain’t nothing you can about it.”

But it isn’t just guys participating.

Even as Ali spoke a female circled the group in their chosen parking lot for the night. Driving what Ali said was her boyfriend’s Dodge Neon, the girl navigated the car around the group, revving the engine a few times before taking off to find a possible competitor on the street. Her engine spurts were suddenly drowned out by a low-riding truck that screamed past, accelerating down a road near the parking lot. The driver dropped the back end of his truck, called dragging or sparking, so the asphalt lit up with hundreds of short white sparks. The little pale lights flew behind the truck for 30 yards or so.
Blondie, watching from the parking lot, didn’t say much, but she admitted she gets an adrenaline rush just watching the races and the activity surrounding the races. However, she agreed that it is dangerous.

The legal way

But maybe danger is what these racers look for. After all, if they wanted to race legally and in a safer setting, the young people would go to Ware Shoals Dragway.
“A lot of people go to the drag strip on Friday nights,” D.K. said, though he spent Thursday evening on an Augusta drag strip. “It’s a good alternative, but not everyone wants to go out to Ware Shoals.”
After talking to other racers, though, the drag strip seems to be the place to lay down the rubber and the cash. “The big drag racing goes on at Ware Shoals dragstrip. If anybody is going to gamble, that’s where it’s going to be,” said the owner of a Mazda RX 7. “Just because it’s in a controlled environment and you know how the track is going to be. There is no question of who wins.” The car’s owner said he has never raced for money but does go to the drag strip every other weekend.
“It’s all at the track now,” Pro-Grudge said.
Grudge has taken a few risks in his time. It wasn’t too long ago that he spent a night behind bars just for being at a race in Edgefield County. He now understands the risks and said they outweigh the reasons for illegal street racing.
“I like street racing and all, but it definitely has its time and place,” he said. “It’s way too risky now.”
But maybe a night in jail is what some young people need to understand the reality of the penalties and the usefulness of a local drag strip.
Big Nick and his crew used the drag strip one night for an entirely different purpose.
“We raced two cars coming back from the drag strip,” Big Nick chuckled. “And we beat them!”
But Big Nick and his crew aren’t really into racing as much as some in Greenwood.

True racers and talkers

Ali said there are really two groups. One group consists of the true racers — the ones who sometimes race for money and the group more into talking about cars, working on them and driving low-rider trucks.
Big Nick and his crew are in the second group.
“They pull me over for going slow — not too fast,” Sno joked.
But part of his statement is true. Sno has never had a speeding ticket.
Though Sno and Big Nick really don’t race now, it would be a lie to say they haven’t before.
“When I lived in Columbia, I raced for money,” Big Nick said.
He raced once or twice a week and would put up from $200 to $500 on a race.
“After I moved up here I got away from it.” Then he had a 1988 Chevy S10.
However, according to D.K., the true racers don’t drive the trucks. He said the Ford Focus, which he drives, is really popular. Bob added the Dodge Neon SRT4 is also popular.
“It’s a relatively cheaper new car but it comes turbo charged.”
And then, even as the crew talked about who might be racing for the night, a couple of Ford Mustangs drove by. Bob said of the cars that race in Greenwood, Mustangs seem to be the most popular.
However, no matter what car one decides to race against, racers have to be suspicious of vehicles, their drivers, and as always, the police.
“We race some when people come up to challenge us. I try to keep a low profile because my car’s already hot,” a driver nicknamed “Big Bird” said.
Ali said that although they all meet in the parking lots, they don’t always know each other that well. How could they? Some nights as many as 50 will gather in the same lot at the same time.
Then, with the group congregated and perched on tailgates or hoods, cigarette smoke blowing into the night air and bass-heavy rap music rumbling from the speakers of a couple of the flashier cars, a driver gets a call on his cell phone.
More than likely he has found a race. Without much delay he and a couple of buddies hop in the car.
It’s like D.K. said — street racing in Greenwood is spontaneous.
The car peels out and turns onto the highway with the engine humming, running on gasoline ... and adrenaline.

Obituaries

Windell Aiken

ABBEVILLE — Windell Aiken, 83, of 1412 Davis Road, Abbeville, SC, died Sunday, July 1, 2007 at HospiceCare of the Piedmont, Greenwood, SC. He was the husband of Mary Davis Aiken.
He was born in Abbeville, SC, to the parentage of the late Frank Aiken and the late Marigene Ely. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Lola Bobo.
He served in the U.S. Army and was retired from CSX Railroad.
Survivors include his wife of the home; three daughters, Arlene Aiken of the home, Thelma Hill of Due West, SC, and Betty Davis of Abbeville, SC; one son, O’Dell (Jerome) Aiken of Anderson, SC; two brothers, Henry Jordan of Abbeville, SC, and Nathaniel Jordan of Hightville, MD; two sisters, Dorothy Tillman of Abbeville, SC, and Elizabeth Tate of Hightville, MD; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be Wednesday, July 4, 2007 at 1 p.m. at the Abbeville & White Mortuary, Inc. Eugene Brownlee Memorial Chapel, with Rev. Milton Aiken, officiating and Rev. Patricia Paul, assisting.
Interment will be at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, Abbeville, SC.
Viewing will be Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at the Abbeville & White Mortuary, Inc. from 1 p.m.-8 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Abbeville & White Mortuary, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences can be sent to awmort@wctel.net.

Brian J. Daly Jr.

ABBEVILLE — Brian J. Daly Jr., 48, husband of Tracy Hagen Daly, died Sunday, July 1, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Harris Funeral Home.

Mary Cooper Davis

ABBEVILLE — Mrs. Mary Cooper Davis, residing at 646 New Zion Road, Abbeville, S.C.,wife of the late Charlie Davis Jr., died Sunday, July 1, 2007 at her home. She was born July 23, 1922 in Greenwood, S.C., to the late Walter Cooper and the late Allie “Sweet” Richie Cooper. She was formerly employed in the Greenwood District 50 school system at Emerald High School as a custodian.
She was a member of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Promised Land, where she was a former choir member. She leaves to cherish her memory her son, James Walter Davis of the home, one sister of the home, Mattie E. Cooper, one granddaughter, and a devoted niece and caregiver, Marion E. Cooper of the home. Graveside services will be July 3, 2007, 11 a.m., at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, with the Rev. Cornell Morton officiating.
The family is at the home. Robinson and Son Mortuary, Inc. is assisting the Davis family. Online condolences my be sent to robson@nctv.com.

Gloria Jane Tinsley

Gloria Jane (GoGo) Tinsley, 60, of 202 Sample Road, longtime companion of Edward Lee Strawhorn, died June 28, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Anderson County, she was a daughter of the late Harold and Virginia Tinsley.
She is survived by her companion.
Graveside services were 3 p.m. Monday in Upper Long Cane Cemetery in Abbeville. The family will speak to friends after the service at the graveside.
Pruitt Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Billy Ray Williams

HODGES — Billy Ray Williams, 60, of 613 E. Grumling Road, husband of Patricia Jordan Williams, died Monday, July 2, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Greenwood.

Opinion

Observations ... and other reflections

July 3, 2007

There’s yet another movement for Congress to write new laws on what some describe as hate crimes. The fact is, though, there are already enough laws on the books, in Columbia and Washington, to address every crime there is.
There are laws against murder, rape, assault, etc. that provide stiff penalties. Why are more needed. Just enforce those we have.
Writing specific laws to cover the things already covered doesn’t improve anything. To the contrary, if “hate” laws are written to cover one category of people where will it stop? Who will define hate, and who will decide who to cover? What “politically correct” group will want to be included? Or any other group, for that matter?
Laws - current laws - cover everyone. That should be sufficient.

* * * * *

Some high school football teams have more coaches than starting players. Not long ago those teams had one, two or maybe three coaches at the most. Some of those teams of the past performed just as well as those today. It could be argued that some, in fact, did even better.
The lessons learned from athletics, including football, are lessons that support players throughout their lives. However, at a time when some schools in South Carolina are having trouble finding good teachers, some South Carolinians wonder what’s the message we send when one high school football team has 15 or more coaches?

* * * * *

Spain, Italy, Germany, the United States, England, Scotland, Bali, Greece, and Kenya. So, what do these countries, and more, have in common?
They all have been attacked by terrorists. The latest, of course, were England and Scotland where authorities say the attacks were carried out by the same group that was responsible for the 9/11 murders, al-Qaida.
Some of these attacks, including those against American troops in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, were long before the U. S. was ever involved in Iraq or even Bosnia and Kosovo.
Radical Muslims have been killing Americans and others for a long time. That truth defies the charges by some that we created Muslim hatred of us by taking the fight to extremists in Iraq and Afghanistan.