Dear JBS members and others, Rarely an opportunity comes along that is as important as one that came my way. I was asked (and agreed) to serve on the board of directors of Anaskimin, a new nonprofit organization. Although the details of the mission statement are being fine tuned, the general purpose of Anaskimin is "to awaken within us a deep awareness of our surroundings so we are able to reconnect with natural places, increase our self-reliance, and enhance our healthful living." An important part of its work will be educating people about natural history, especially edible, medicinal, and utilitarian plants. As people interact more with plants they live with on landscape, they will become more interested in habitat preservation. This is an approach that I do not think has been used effectively by traditional conservation organizations. Through programs and publications, Anaskimin will connect people with plants and, thereby, promote healthful living (wild plants are far more nutritious than cultivated relatives) and conservation (people will become interested in preserving sources of their food, medicine, and materials for constructing useful objects). In order to devote more of my time and resources to Anaskimin, I am putting my entire stock of natural history and primitive skills books up for sale. I will not sell the client list (never have, never will) but will, at the new owner's request (and expense), send a notice to my clients informing them of the sale and encouraging them to purchase books from the new owner. Please contact me by telephone (207-266-5748), e-mail ([log in to unmask]), or by traditional mail (address at bottom of this message). Until the stock of books sells, I will remain in business and hope to continue receiving your requests for books. Thanks, Tom Thomas F. Vining V. F. Thomas Co. P. O. Box 400 Southwest Harbor, ME 04679 207-266-5748 = 207-BOOKS-4-U http://www.vfthomas.com