European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 28, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tuesday August 28, 1990 the stars and stripes a pages crisis tip Wood stove sales Boston apr sales of Wood stoves Are heating up again As people worry about the rising Cost of fuel for the Winter. When Oil prices increased and tensions in the Middle East fanned sales in the 1970s and Early 1980s, Wood stoves were the target of pollution restrictions and the cause of fatal House fires. But Industry officials say stoves today have More sophisticated designs to Remc Jay the old problems. Now manufacturers. And retailers arc hoping to Cash in on the persian Gulf crisis which they say dam constr alas the risks of depending on Oil. A the Good news for our Industry is that there a been a Wake up Call on the Energy front a said Jim Hermann president of the Earth stove inc. His Portland ore., company is one of the largest Wood stove producers in the country. Stores that sell Wood stoves say they saw surging interest in their products almost immediately after Iraq invaded Kuwait on aug. 2. In Massachusetts the average Price of Home heating Oil has risen 18 cents per gallon since the invasion. A we had twice As Many Calls right off a said Peter Dormitzer owner of the Chelmsford fireplace Center North of Boston. One Day last week his store sold five stoves a we Haven to been doing five stoves a month until now a he said. More than a decade ago tic Industry was expanding so rapidly that officials had no solid sales figures. They estimated annual stove sales exceeded 1 million during the Early 1980s, As manufacturers proliferated around the country. But for several reasons sales slumped substantially. Annual sales arc now estimated at around 225,000. A big Factor was the falling Price of Oil which meant people no longer were looking for another Energy source. Instead Wood stoves increasingly were bought for aesthetic reasons which meant they were a competing with a new sofa or Var a said Jason Densmore of Lebanon n.h., president of Wood heating Alliance a National Trade association. Wood stoves Aiso developed an image problem. Mountain towns in Colorado where air currents create special pollution problems restricted the number of Wood stoves. In 1988, the . Environmental Protection Agency set new rules for Wood stoves dictating a Sharp reductions in smoke emissions. Fatal House fires in which Wood stoves were involved were Given wide play throughout the country. Industry officials Clairis however that these accidents were due mainly to improper installation of the stoves or poor maintenance of chimneys. But these events have prompted the Industry to change for the better company representatives say. Because of the Epa restrictions Wood stoves today Burn much More cleanly. They arc also made under tighter safety guidelines said Jiggs Blackburn research and development director for Vermont castings inc., a Wood stove maker in Randolph it. A Wood stoves have undergone a remarkable transformation a Blackburn said. A it is now a very sophisticated  while the initial investment in a Wood stove can exceed $ 1,000, representatives say the Low Price of Wood compared with Oil translates into savings Over the Long term. That is part of the sales pitch for people who might otherwise prefer the convenience of turning up their thermostats rather than gathering Wood. Another advantage is simply the Independence from foreign Oil suppliers or local utilities said Densmore who noted he uses a Wood stove to heat his 12-room House in Central new Hampshire. A i think we re certainly pleased to see the alternative fuel Issue raised a he said. A unfortunately it takes something like this to create the  president Bush assists his Mother Dorothy As the two exit St. Annas episcopal Church in Kennebunkport. Bush takes 1 Day break Kennebunkport Maine apr president Bush spent a Sun drenched sunday with family members attending Church services and playing Tennis and Golf while aides updated him on developments in the persian Gulf. It the president in the third week of a vacation at his Seaside family Home received a briefing from his National Security adviser Brent scowcroft Early in the morning before heading off to Church. He attended an annual breakfast for the vestry men of St. Annas episcopal Church where he is an cider and was joined later by his wife Barbara Mother Dorothy Walker Bush son Job and assorted grandchildren for services. Bush waved olt reporters attempts to question him about developments in the persian Gulf and returned Home for some Tennis and an afternoon game of Golf. Bush s  sunday launched a week in which he planned to devote energies to the Middle East including a scheduled meeting with Canadian prime minister Brian mul Roney on monday and a congressional briefing on tuesday in  Oil not Worth . Lives neb. Senator says Washington a it declaring that Young americans  die in Battle just to keep gasoline prices Low sen. Bob Kerrey on sunday said the United states should abandon the notion of cheap Oil. The Nebraska Democrat a Vietnam War Veteran and medal of Honor Winner said he supported president Bush a decision to Send troops to the persian Gulf but Only As a Means of preventing an iraqi invasion of saudi Arabia. A i question the response that says that we re going to go there and have our Young people die so that we can have cheap Oil Here at Home a Kerrey said in an appearance on Abc tvs a meet the  a the Only justification that i find that is legitimate is that. We re the Only nation that could move Quick enough to prevent an invasion of saudi  congressional democrats have generally supported Bush during the Middle East crisis although there has been some grumbling that the president should Dar try his Long term objectives in the Gulf Region. American troops were sent to the area after iraqi forces easily conquered Kuwait in an aug 2 invasion. Iraq annexed the Oil Rich emirate six Days later. Like most members of Congress which has been recessed in August Kerrey has been in his Home state while the tense situation in the Mideast unfolded. He expressed some frustration that Bush had not provided lawmakers with More details about the administrations intentions in theogul Region Kerrey suggested that american demand for cheap Oil contributed to iraqi president Saddam Hussein a Rise to Power in the Middle East. A we in general have been blinded by Money. And As a consequence we put into place policy that encouraged Hussein to become Strong a he said. Epileptic Driver charged with homicide in boys death cartels of time c. West Mifflin a. Apr a Man whose Drivers License was taken away became he has epilepsy was charged with homicide after he suffered a seizure while driving and struck and killed a 7-year-old boy authorities said. James Cheatham 23, of Hazelwood was ordered on Friday to stand trial in the aug. 3 death of Van Maszle in West millin. At a hearing the arresting officer Joseph soak said he initially suspected Cheatham was under the influence of drugs or alcohol because Cheatham said nothing after the Accident and could barely  15 minutes after the Accident however. Cheatham recovered from his seizure Sotak said. After the hearing in Allegheny county court Cheatham was charged with involuntary manslaughter and homicide by vehicle. He was also charged with aggravated assault reckless endangerment driving under suspension reckless driving and carrying a firearm without a License. Cheatham s attorney argued that because his client was suffering a seizure at the time he could not have formed the intent to harm and therefore the charges were unfounded. Rvan was sitting on a Fence with his sister and Cousin when the car struck  the stars and stripes 40 years ago today. Aug. 28, 1950 a the army look Over control of the nations railroads and. The two unions that had been set to strike renewed their pledge if keep the trains rolling.30 years ago today aug. 28. 1960 a two world swimming records were set at the olympic games in Rome. England Santia Lonsbrough won the women a 200-meter breaststroke and australians John Devin the menus 100-Meler freestyle.20 years ago today. Aug. 28, 1970 a vice president Spiro t. Agnew arrived in Saigon and said there was no Chance of a delay in . Troop w withdraw als from South vietnam.10 years ago today. Aug. 28. 1980 a Congress gave final approval to a 5,52.8 billion defense authorization Bill that included Money for the my missile system and a new generation of bombers to replace the aging b-57s