Fair Trade

WASHINGTON -- The federal government's trade agency ruled yesterday that Detroit's automakers had not suffered significant harm from imported Japanese minivans, a verdict that prevents the Commerce Department from proceeding with plans to impose tariffs on the imports.The decision by the independent agency, the International Trade Commission, to reject a highly political case is a landmark in U.S. trade policy.It reflects the presence of a new majority, more skeptical of industry claims, on the little-known body, which has the power to block U.S. industries from receiving Commerce Department protection from imports.

Clarksville boutique to mark Earth Day Nest, an independently owned boutique in Clarksville, will celebrate Earth Day from noon to 4 p.m. April 22. Jeff Kaufman and Jody Cutler, owners of Roots Market, Great Sage and Bark, all on Clarksville Square Drive, opened the eco-friendly store 2 1/2 years ago. Nest offers products that support independent artists, fair-trade importing, organic farming and recycling. The store sells clothing from organic fibers, handmade pottery, books on vegetarian cooking, ecology and parenting, and children's books, as well as fair-trade jewelry, candles, meditation accessories and other items.

Quote: "It didn't feel good. It's a fair trade for the win."-- Expos pitcher Mike Thurman, who was hit by a pitch in the third inning but got the victory yesterday against the Cubs.It's a fact: The Mets, who have the best record in the NL, have their biggest lead after the All-Star break -- 1 1/2 games -- since winning the NL East by 15 games in 1988.Who's hot: Rockies' Pedro Astacio has five complete games, trailing only Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling for the NL lead.Who's not: Even with a win last night, the Braves have lost nine of their past 13 road games.

MURANCHO KUTALA, Ethiopia - For 30 years, coffee was much more than a morning drink to farmer Amalo Sakuma. It was his life. He sold the coffee beans he grew on his farm in the Great Rift Valley to traders who peddled them to roasters and coffeehouses as far away as Rome and Los Angeles, earning him enough money to marry two wives and raise 10 children. But last year when world coffee prices fell to their lowest levels in a century, the 71-year-old grandfather had had enough. He tugged up his once-prized coffee plants in disgust and joined the drug trade.

"People have really embraced fair trade," said Becky Collins behind the counter of her shop, just a stone's throw from the Susquehanna River at 308 St. John St. in Havre de Grace. The shop is called Doodads Inc. Inside are two floors of items from around the world. The store promotes fair trade with local and international artisans. The shop opened in May last year. Because items are not mass-produced, what you see on one day may not be there the next. Collins has a knack for acquiring more items through fair/alternative trade organizations such as SERRV, Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation Vocations International.

I read with interest Eileen Pollock's essay about retiring to Baltimore ("Why I'm thinking about retiring to Baltimore," Feb. 17). My hat's off to her for espousing Baltimore's strengths instead of the usual (and frankly, tiresome) complaint about the city's high taxes. Look at what downtown Baltimore alone has to offer: Four colleges and universities, easy proximity via MARC train to the District of Columbia, museums, symphony, wonderful restaurants, two major sports stadiums, four Circulator bus routes providing free transportation (see if you can find that in Manhattan)

For years, Gloria Whitted found herself on and off welfare in a working career that took her from military service to a variety of low-income jobs with frequent layoffs.But now, as part of a six-member Durham, N.C., crafts cooperative, she is a businesswoman.Whitted and two cooperative members will demonstrate how to make rolled beeswax candles and will sell their wares tomorrow at the annual International Festival sponsored by the Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation Vocations (SERRV)

ROBERT BERNING, 73 Influential wine buyer Robert Berning, who as the principal wine buyer for Trader Joe's beginning in the 1970s helped introduce consumers to bargain-priced wines from around the globe, has died. Mr. Berning died of bone cancer Saturday at his home in Fallbrook, Calif., said his daughter, Christina Coulourides. Mr. Berning was an experienced grocer in 1965 when he was hired as a store manager for Pronto Markets, a chain of convenience stores in the Los Angeles area that began being transformed into the specialty grocery store chain Trader Joe's in 1967.

These events are scheduled at the Baltimore Convention Center, Howard and Pratt streets: Oct. 16: One World Fitness -- trade show. Estimated attendance: 1,500+. Contact number: 609-397-2139. Oct. 17-23: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation -- meeting. Estimated attendance: 3,000+. Contact number: 301-907- 2545. Oct. 18: Governor's Conference on Housing -- meeting. Estimated attendance: 850. Contact number: 410-514-7143. Oct. 24-27: PowerSystems World -- power electronics and quality convention.