From bosak at ibiblio.org Wed Mar 1 09:36:01 2006 From: bosak at ibiblio.org (bosak@ibiblio.org) Date: Wed Mar 1 09:37:22 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fw: NY Times says peak oil "almost certainly correct" In-Reply-To: <23b.7b7bf99.313600f8@aol.com> References: <23b.7b7bf99.313600f8@aol.com> Message-ID: <32975.24.59.194.75.1141234561.squirrel@secure.ibiblio.org> The Establishment begins to wake up. http://energybulletin.net/13294.html Jon From tonydelplato at gmail.com Wed Mar 1 17:56:34 2006 From: tonydelplato at gmail.com (Tony Del Plato) Date: Wed Mar 1 17:56:39 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Key Victory! Food Uniformity Bill Vote Delayed! Message-ID: Key Victory! Uniformity Vote Delayed! Dear all, This message just came in from geactivist: Amazingly, the House Rules Committee just announced that they will hold one hour of debate tomorrow on HR 4167, the Food Uniformity bill, but they will not have a vote. They will also not debate amendments. The debate on amendments and the final vote have been put off until next week. This is an amazing victory, although we must keep in mind this is just a key battle--we haven't won the war yet. But there was a huge outpouring of phone calls and messages to Congress this week, from people concerned about food safety, about the environment, about consumer rights and about sustainable agriculture. Late today 35 State Attorney's General also came out against the bill. And the media began to pay attention. To all NYers: Please contact Randy Kuhl and Sherwood Boehlert, two sponsors of this legislation. Let them know you are opposed to it. If you're in another state, contact your House representative. Thanks for all the work you do. in solidarity, Tony Del Plato -- "Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die- life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly." Langston Hughes From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Wed Mar 1 18:13:32 2006 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Wed Mar 1 18:13:42 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainable Tompkins Community Gathering -Thu March 9 -Economic Justice Message-ID: LIVING WAGE: A KEY TO COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY "A Living Wage is the amount of income and resources (such as health insurance) needed for an individual or family to meet its basic needs without public or private assistance" Living Wage Coalition. Sustainable Tompkins invites you to our monthly networking and learning gathering on Thursday March 9, from 6:00 to 8:30 in the Parlor Room downstairs at the Unitarian Universalist Church, on the corner of Aurora and Buffalo Streets, in downtown Ithaca. We'll begin with a potluck dinner - hopefully including many locally grown and produced foods - and a chance to share what our interests or involvements are with personal and/or community sustainability. We will also hear briefly from the folks promoting biodiesel solutions in our region, Our special focus will be on the importance of the Living Wage Campaign as a way of supporting a decent quality of life for all in our community AND as a necessary foundation for a more vibrant and sustainable local economy. Economic fairness is essential to ensure our community's well being; poverty in our community saps all of our energy and our spirit. Pete Meyers of the Living Wage Coalition/Workers' Rights Center, and Leni Hochman of the Alternatives Federal Credit Union, will be our presenters. After they speak and answer questions, participants will be invited to explore as a team how to expand the work of the campaign while also creating stronger partnerships for the long-term health of our community. This is a chance to get to know - and collaborate with - others who also wonder how best to engage in crucial issues and hopeful solutions that directly affect ALL of us. Please join us and invite a friend or two! For more information, contact: Elan Shapiro Sustainable Tompkins Program Co-Chair elansla@ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us, 607-275-0249. Sustainable Tompkins is a coalition of citizens, community organizations, elected officials, educators and professionals from diverse fields - all working to promote a more sustainable community. www.sustainabletompkins.org -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Living Associates and Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi From GayNicholson at aol.com Wed Mar 1 22:45:11 2006 From: GayNicholson at aol.com (GayNicholson@aol.com) Date: Wed Mar 1 22:45:24 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] elder cohousing trend Message-ID: <2b7.57bf5c7.3137ee77@aol.com> NY Times ____________________________________ February 27, 2006 Growing Old Together, in New Kind of Commune By _PATRICIA LEIGH BROWN_ (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/patricia_leigh_brown/index.html?inline=nyt-per) DAVIS, Calif., Feb. 23 ? They are unlikely revolutionaries. Bearing walkers and canes, a veritable Merck Manual of ailments among them, the 12 old friends ? average age 80 ? looked as though they should have been sitting down to a game of Scrabble, not pioneering a new kind of commune. Opting for old age on their own terms, they were starting a new chapter in their lives as residents of Glacier Circle, the country's first self-planned housing development for the elderly ? a community they had conceived and designed themselves, right down to its purple gutters. Over the past five years, the residents of Glacier Circle have found and bought land together, hired an architect together, ironed out insurance together, lobbied for a zoning change together and existentially probed togetherness together. "Here you get to pick your family instead of being born into it," said Peggy Northup-Dawson, 79, a retired family therapist and mother of six who is legally blind. "We recognized that when you're physically closer to each other, you pay more attention, look in on each other. The idea was to share care." The four couples, two widows and two who are now living solo live in eight individual town houses, grouped around an inner courtyard. Still under construction is the "common house" with a living room and a large kitchen and dining room for communal dinners; upstairs is a studio apartment they will rent at below market value to a skilled nurse who will provide additional care. It is their own self-styled, potluck utopia. "It's an acknowledgment that intimacy doesn't happen by chance," said John Jungerman, 84, a retired nuclear physicist and one of several Ph.D.'s in the group, who is perpetually clad in purple socks and sandals. "At first John said, 'I'm not old enough,' " his wife, Nancy, said of the commune. "I said, 'You're 80 years old. How old do you have to be?' " There are about a dozen co-operative housing developments for the elderly in development, from Santa Fe, N.M., to St. Petersburg, Fla., a fledgling movement to communally address "the challenge of aging non-institutionally," said Charles Durett, an architect in Nevada City, Calif., who imported the concept he named co-housing ? people buying homes in a community they plan and run together ? from Denmark in the late 1960's. Though communal housing for the elderly is new, intergenerational communities have been around since 1991, when the first opened in this politically progressive university town. There are now 82 across the country. In Abingdon, Va., residents are beginning to move into ElderSpirit, a development founded by a 76-year-old former nun, Dene Peterson. The community of 37, 10 years in the making, includes a "spirit house" for ecumenical prayer and meditation. Video: The elderly residents of Glacier Circle explain their motivation for starting a new community. (Produced by Brent McDonald.) "I just thought there had to be a better way for older people to live," said Ms. Peterson, who formed a nonprofit development corporation with three other former Glenmary sisters, a Catholic order, and knit together a variety of private and governmental funds (16 of the 29 units are subsidized affordable housing). Ms. Peterson says she was haunted and inspired by her work with elderly public housing residents in Chicago in the 1960's. "The elderly were dying," she recalled, "and they were anonymous." With millions of baby boomers moving toward retirement, gerontologists and developers are looking to communal housing for the elderly with growing interest, building on a generation's mythology that already includes communes and college dormitories. In co-operative housing, said Janice Blanchard, a gerontologist and housing consultant in Denver, "the social consciousness of the 1960's can get re-expressed." Baby boomers, she predicted, "are going to want to recreate the peak experience of their lives. Whether a commune or a college dorm, the common denominator was community." Rich Morrison, 79, a retired psychologist from Sacramento State University and the sole single man at Glacier Circle, only recently gave up his hobby, swimming the major rapids of the Colorado River. "Emotionally, there's no reason why I can't continue to grow until I'm 100, if I'm lucky," he said. Mr. Morrison is once widowed and twice divorced. Like others in the group who have struggled through every loss, from a child's _suicide_ (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/suicidesandsuicide attempts/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier) to the death of a spouse, he speaks about now being able to make "heart choices," hard won. "I've been lonely," said Lois Grau, 87, whose husband died three years ago. "Little things go wrong that he would have fixed." Mrs. Grau and her friends have known each other for nearly 40 years, raising children in the same neighborhood. Many residents met through the local Unitarian Universalist Church, and they still begin weekly meetings by pledging to "listen deeply and thoughtfully" to each other. Davis is known for its involved citizenry who dash off to their book groups at 7 p.m. The Glacier Circle 12 even partake of what they call a "dream group," in which they discuss their dreams. Their talents and resources are by no means typical. They are all accomplished professionals, and the market value of their homes allowed them to purchase land and build their dream at a cost of $3.2 million, or about $400,000 each, plus $350 a month in dues. They expect to collect $850 a month in rental income. Individuals own their own homes but share expenses of common areas. Stan Dawson, 75, a resident who has a doctorate from the Harvard School of Public Health, retired as chief of air pollution standards for the State of California to navigate the project full time through bureaucratic hurdles. "It was a wonderful thing my dad played golf every day," he said of his father's retirement. "But I wanted to further my life in old age." The design-by-democracy may not work for everyone. The architect, Julie Haney, 49, said tension broke out over the color of gutters and trim on their bungalow-style homes. As Ms. Haney explained, "Ann likes blue, Stan wanted brown, Ann hates brown, everyone liked purple." Ms. Haney, whose own elderly parents died as the design was nearing completion, said the residents forgot things more often than her younger clients did but made up for it with perspective. "I asked, 'Do you want a 20-year roof or a 40-year roof?" she recalled. "They said, 'If it lasts five years, we'll be happy.' " To be sure, the challenges are daunting. Sue Saum, 74, for instance, moved in with her husband Jim, 84, a retired professor who, during the course of planning the community, was told he had _Alzheimer's_ (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/alzheimers/index.html?inline= nyt-classifier) disease. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Saum was operated on for _breast cancer_ (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/breastcancer/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier) , and recently she had back surgery. At some point, she acknowledges, her husband may need care beyond their friends' abilities. "It's one of those day-at-a-time, figure-it-out-as-you-go things," she said. "But creating a community like this, you learn a lot about the strength of the human spirit." Twelve friends' buying land at age 80 requires a certain leap of faith. By its nature Glacier Circle will change over time. A homeowners association, consisting of one resident from each unit, has the right of first refusal to buy any home when a vacancy arises, for whatever reason, or what Dr. Jungerman nonchalantly calls a visit from "the great father in the sky." Glacier Circle is too small to legally mandate age restrictions, but Ray Coppock, 83, a retired editor, thinks that will take care of itself. "They'll take one look at us," he said. "That should reduce the potential buyer situation." At ElderSpirit in Virginia, which will be fully occupied in late spring, spirituality is the major draw. Ms. Peterson defined spirituality as "people finding meaning in their lives, acknowledging ways to give up the ego and grow the soul." Six more ElderSpirit communities, in St. Petersburg, Fla., Wichita, Kan., and elsewhere, are in planning stages, with some financing from the Chicago-based Retirement Research Foundation. Not surprisingly, a streamlined form of community housing may be in the wind, as efforts spring up around the country to speed up the planning process, which normally takes two and a half to three and a half years. Unlike intergenerational co-operative housing, a niche market of about 5,000 people, communal housing for the elderly has "far more market potential," said Jim Leach, president of the Wonderland Hill Development Company in Denver, which is building Silver Sage, a communal housing development for the elderly scheduled to open in Boulder next year. Dr. William Thomas, who developed the "Eden Alternative," a widely publicized effort to make nursing homes less institutional, is developing Eldershire in Sherburne, N.Y., south of Syracuse, a hybrid between co-operative housing and a traditional development. The idea is to build first and then attract residents who will run it themselves. Dr. Thomas compares co-operative housing, and its time-consuming community planning, with "homemade bread ? people get together, mix the ingredients, let the dough rise." He's trying to adapt the concept for broader consumption ? "100 million people," he says, "buy bread at the store." Even revolutionaries need to be flexible. At Glacier Circle, where the first tulips of spring are popping up, the group had approved special wall insulation for Mr. Morrison, who has a penchant for playing Mahler's Ninth Symphony at 3 a.m. When the bass and timpani pulse through his subwoofer, his neighbor Dorie Datel, a youthful 80-year-old, just lets it slide. For Ms. Datel, whose husband left her for "the other woman" he met at Elderhostel, this group's wisdom and resolve are embedded in the square footage. "We've all lived through the _Depression_ (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/depression/index.html?inline=nyt-clas sifier) and war and the big stuff, so we know that things don't always stay the same," Ms. Datel said. "All of us are interested in living." Glacier Circle and ElderSpirit are self-developed cohousing communities. The Elder Cohousing Network, founded four years ago, offers for-profit how-to workshops. General information is available through a national non-profit, www.cohousing.org. *************************************** Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator _www.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 gaynicholson@aol.com Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 agn1@cornell.edu From ks47 at cornell.edu Thu Mar 2 04:42:44 2006 From: ks47 at cornell.edu (Kenneth Schlather) Date: Thu Mar 2 04:53:14 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] elder cohousing trend In-Reply-To: <2b7.57bf5c7.3137ee77@aol.com> References: <2b7.57bf5c7.3137ee77@aol.com> Message-ID: <6.2.3.4.2.20060302064157.036aeb48@postoffice7.mail.cornell.edu> This is one idea that would work in Tompkins County. ken At 12:45 AM 3/2/2006, you wrote: > > >NY Times > > > >____________________________________ >February 27, 2006 > >Growing Old Together, in New Kind of Commune >By _PATRICIA LEIGH BROWN_ >(http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/patricia_leigh_brown/index.html?inline=nyt-per) > > >DAVIS, Calif., Feb. 23 ? They are unlikely revolutionaries. Bearing walkers >and canes, a veritable Merck Manual of ailments >among them, the 12 old friends >? average age 80 ? looked as though they should >have been sn sitting down to a >game of Scrabble, not pioneering a new kind of commune. >Opting for old age on their own terms, they were starting a new chapter in >their lives as residents of Glacier Circle, the country's first self-planned >housing development for the elderly ? a community they had conceivedd and >designed themselves, right down to its purple gutters. >Over the past five years, the residents of Glacier Circle have found and >bought land together, hired an architect together, ironed out insurance >together, lobbied for a zoning change together >and existentially probed togetherness >together. >"Here you get to pick your family instead of being born into it," said Peggy >Northup-Dawson, 79, a retired family therapist and mother of six who is >legally blind. "We recognized that when you're >physically closer to each other, >you pay more attention, look in on each other. The idea was to share care." >The four couples, two widows and two who are now living solo live in eight >individual town houses, grouped around an inner courtyard. Still under >construction is the "common house" with a living >room and a large kitchen and dining >room for communal dinners; upstairs is a studio apartment they will rent at >below market value to a skilled nurse who will >provide additional care. It is >their own self-styled, potluck utopia. >"It's an acknowledgment that intimacy doesn't happen by chance," said John >Jungerman, 84, a retired nuclear physicist and one of several Ph.D.'s in the >group, who is perpetually clad in purple socks and sandals. >"At first John said, 'I'm not old enough,' " his wife, Nancy, said of the >commune. "I said, 'You're 80 years old. How old do you have to be?' " >There are about a dozen co-operative housing developments for the elderly in >development, from Santa Fe, N.M., to St. Petersburg, Fla., a fledgling >movement to communally address "the challenge >of aging non-institutionally," said >Charles Durett, an architect in Nevada City, >Calif., who imported the concept >he named co-housing ? people buying homes in a community they plan and run >together ? from Denmark in the late 1960's. >Though communal housing for the elderly is new, intergenerational communities > have been around since 1991, when the first opened in this politically >progressive university town. There are now 82 across the country. >In Abingdon, Va., residents are beginning to move into ElderSpirit, a >development founded by a 76-year-old former nun, >Dene Peterson. The community of >37, 10 years in the making, includes a "spirit >house" for ecumenical prayer and >meditation. Video: The elderly residents of Glacier Circle explain >their motivation for starting a new community. >(Produced by Brent McDonald.) >"I just thought there had to be a better way for older people to live," said >Ms. Peterson, who formed a nonprofit development corporation with three other > former Glenmary sisters, a Catholic order, and knit together a variety of >private and governmental funds (16 of the 29 units are subsidized affordable >housing). >Ms. Peterson says she was haunted and inspired by her work with elderly >public housing residents in Chicago in the 1960's. >"The elderly were dying," she recalled, "and they were anonymous." >With millions of baby boomers moving toward retirement, gerontologists and >developers are looking to communal housing for the elderly with growing >interest, building on a generation's mythology >that already includes communes and >college dormitories. >In co-operative housing, said Janice Blanchard, a gerontologist and housing >consultant in Denver, "the social consciousness of the 1960's can get >re-expressed." Baby boomers, she predicted, "are >going to want to recreate the peak >experience of their lives. Whether a commune or a college dorm, the common >denominator was community." >Rich Morrison, 79, a retired psychologist from Sacramento State University >and the sole single man at Glacier Circle, only recently gave up his hobby, >swimming the major rapids of the Colorado River. >"Emotionally, there's no reason > why I can't continue to grow until I'm 100, if I'm lucky," he said. >Mr. Morrison is once widowed and twice divorced. Like others in the group who > have struggled through every loss, from a child's _suicide_ >(http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/suicidesandsuicide >attempts/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier) >to the death of a spouse, he >speaks about now being able to make "heart choices," hard won. >"I've been lonely," said Lois Grau, 87, whose husband died three years ago. >"Little things go wrong that he would have fixed." >Mrs. Grau and her friends have known each other for nearly 40 years, raising >children in the same neighborhood. Many residents met through the local >Unitarian Universalist Church, and they still >begin weekly meetings by pledging >to "listen deeply and thoughtfully" to each other. Davis is known for its >involved citizenry who dash off to their book >groups at 7 p.m. The Glacier Circle >12 even partake of what they call a "dream group," in which they discuss >their dreams. >Their talents and resources are by no means typical. They are all >accomplished professionals, and the market value >of their homes allowed them to >purchase land and build their dream at a cost of >$3.2 million, or about $400,000 >each, plus $350 a month in dues. They expect to >collect $850 a month in rental >income. Individuals own their own homes but share expenses of common areas. >Stan Dawson, 75, a resident who has a doctorate from the Harvard School of >Public Health, retired as chief of air pollution standards for the State of >California to navigate the project full time through bureaucratic hurdles. >"It was a wonderful thing my dad played golf every day," he said of his >father's retirement. "But I wanted to further my life in old age." >The design-by-democracy may not work for everyone. >The architect, Julie Haney, 49, said tension broke out over the color of >gutters and trim on their bungalow-style homes. As Ms. Haney explained, "Ann >likes blue, Stan wanted brown, Ann hates brown, everyone liked purple." >Ms. Haney, whose own elderly parents died as the design was nearing >completion, said the residents forgot things >more often than her younger clients did >but made up for it with perspective. "I asked, >'Do you want a 20-year roof or >a 40-year roof?" she recalled. "They said, 'If it lasts five years, we'll be >happy.' " >To be sure, the challenges are daunting. Sue Saum, 74, for instance, moved in > with her husband Jim, 84, a retired professor who, during the course of >planning the community, was told he had _Alzheimer's_ >(http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/alzheimers/index.html?inline= >nyt-classifier) disease. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Saum was operated on for >_breast cancer_ >(http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/breastcancer/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier) >, and recently >she had back surgery. At some point, she acknowledges, her husband may need >care beyond their friends' abilities. >"It's one of those day-at-a-time, figure-it-out-as-you-go things," she said. >"But creating a community like this, you learn a lot about the strength of >the human spirit." >Twelve friends' buying land at age 80 requires a certain leap of faith. By >its nature Glacier Circle will change over time. A homeowners association, >consisting of one resident from each unit, has >the right of first refusal to buy >any home when a vacancy arises, for whatever reason, or what Dr. Jungerman >nonchalantly calls a visit from "the great father in the sky." >Glacier Circle is too small to legally mandate age restrictions, but Ray >Coppock, 83, a retired editor, thinks that will >take care of itself. "They'll >take one look at us," he said. "That should reduce the potential buyer >situation." >At ElderSpirit in Virginia, which will be fully occupied in late spring, >spirituality is the major draw. Ms. Peterson defined spirituality as "people >finding meaning in their lives, acknowledging >ways to give up the ego and grow >the soul." >Six more ElderSpirit communities, in St. Petersburg, Fla., Wichita, Kan., and > elsewhere, are in planning stages, with some financing from the >Chicago-based Retirement Research Foundation. >Not surprisingly, a streamlined form of community housing may be in the wind, > as efforts spring up around the country to speed up the planning process, >which normally takes two and a half to three and a half years. >Unlike intergenerational co-operative housing, a niche market of about 5,000 >people, communal housing for the elderly has "far more market potential," >said Jim Leach, president of the Wonderland >Hill Development Company in Denver, >which is building Silver Sage, a communal >housing development for the elderly > scheduled to open in Boulder next year. >Dr. William Thomas, who developed the "Eden Alternative," a widely publicized > effort to make nursing homes less > institutional, is developing Eldershire in > Sherburne, N.Y., south of Syracuse, a hybrid between co-operative housing >and a traditional development. The idea is to build first and then attract >residents who will run it themselves. >Dr. Thomas compares co-operative housing, and its time-consuming community >planning, with "homemade bread ? people get >together, mix the ingreddients, let >the dough rise." He's trying to adapt the concept for broader consumption ? >"100 million people," he says, "buy bread at the store." >Even revolutionaries need to be flexible. At Glacier Circle, where the first >tulips of spring are popping up, the group had approved special wall >insulation for Mr. Morrison, who has a penchant >for playing Mahler's Ninth Symphony >at 3 a.m. When the bass and timpani pulse >through his subwoofer, his neighbor >Dorie Datel, a youthful 80-year-old, just lets >it slide. For Ms. Datel, whose >husband left her for "the other woman" he met at Elderhostel, this group's >wisdom and resolve are embedded in the square footage. >"We've all lived through the _Depression_ >(http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/depression/index.html?inline=nyt-clas >sifier) >and war and the big stuff, so we know that things don't always stay >the same," Ms. Datel said. "All of us are interested in living." >Glacier Circle and ElderSpirit are self-developed cohousing communities. The >Elder Cohousing Network, founded four years ago, offers for-profit how-to >workshops. General information is available through a national non-profit, >www.cohousing.org. > > >*************************************** >Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. > >Sustainable Tompkins >Program Coordinator >_www.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) > >607-533-7312 (home office) >607-279-6618 (cell) > >1 Maple Avenue >Lansing, NY 14882 >gaynicholson@aol.com > >Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities >Regional Coordinator >Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County >615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 >agn1@cornell.edu > >_______________________________________________ >SustainableTompkins mailing list >SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org >http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From ks47 at cornell.edu Thu Mar 2 04:42:44 2006 From: ks47 at cornell.edu (Kenneth Schlather) Date: Thu Mar 2 04:56:10 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] elder cohousing trend In-Reply-To: <2b7.57bf5c7.3137ee77@aol.com> References: <2b7.57bf5c7.3137ee77@aol.com> Message-ID: <6.2.3.4.2.20060302064157.036aeb48@postoffice7.mail.cornell.edu> This is one idea that would work in Tompkins County. ken At 12:45 AM 3/2/2006, you wrote: > > >NY Times > > > >____________________________________ >February 27, 2006 > >Growing Old Together, in New Kind of Commune >By _PATRICIA LEIGH BROWN_ >(http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/patricia_leigh_brown/index.html?inline=nyt-per) > > >DAVIS, Calif., Feb. 23 ? They are unlikely revolutionaries. Bearing walkers >and canes, a veritable Merck Manual of ailments >among them, the 12 old friends >? average age 80 ? looked as though they should >have been sn sitting down to a >game of Scrabble, not pioneering a new kind of commune. >Opting for old age on their own terms, they were starting a new chapter in >their lives as residents of Glacier Circle, the country's first self-planned >housing development for the elderly ? a community they had conceivedd and >designed themselves, right down to its purple gutters. >Over the past five years, the residents of Glacier Circle have found and >bought land together, hired an architect together, ironed out insurance >together, lobbied for a zoning change together >and existentially probed togetherness >together. >"Here you get to pick your family instead of being born into it," said Peggy >Northup-Dawson, 79, a retired family therapist and mother of six who is >legally blind. "We recognized that when you're >physically closer to each other, >you pay more attention, look in on each other. The idea was to share care." >The four couples, two widows and two who are now living solo live in eight >individual town houses, grouped around an inner courtyard. Still under >construction is the "common house" with a living >room and a large kitchen and dining >room for communal dinners; upstairs is a studio apartment they will rent at >below market value to a skilled nurse who will >provide additional care. It is >their own self-styled, potluck utopia. >"It's an acknowledgment that intimacy doesn't happen by chance," said John >Jungerman, 84, a retired nuclear physicist and one of several Ph.D.'s in the >group, who is perpetually clad in purple socks and sandals. >"At first John said, 'I'm not old enough,' " his wife, Nancy, said of the >commune. "I said, 'You're 80 years old. How old do you have to be?' " >There are about a dozen co-operative housing developments for the elderly in >development, from Santa Fe, N.M., to St. Petersburg, Fla., a fledgling >movement to communally address "the challenge >of aging non-institutionally," said >Charles Durett, an architect in Nevada City, >Calif., who imported the concept >he named co-housing ? people buying homes in a community they plan and run >together ? from Denmark in the late 1960's. >Though communal housing for the elderly is new, intergenerational communities > have been around since 1991, when the first opened in this politically >progressive university town. There are now 82 across the country. >In Abingdon, Va., residents are beginning to move into ElderSpirit, a >development founded by a 76-year-old former nun, >Dene Peterson. The community of >37, 10 years in the making, includes a "spirit >house" for ecumenical prayer and >meditation. Video: The elderly residents of Glacier Circle explain >their motivation for starting a new community. >(Produced by Brent McDonald.) >"I just thought there had to be a better way for older people to live," said >Ms. Peterson, who formed a nonprofit development corporation with three other > former Glenmary sisters, a Catholic order, and knit together a variety of >private and governmental funds (16 of the 29 units are subsidized affordable >housing). >Ms. Peterson says she was haunted and inspired by her work with elderly >public housing residents in Chicago in the 1960's. >"The elderly were dying," she recalled, "and they were anonymous." >With millions of baby boomers moving toward retirement, gerontologists and >developers are looking to communal housing for the elderly with growing >interest, building on a generation's mythology >that already includes communes and >college dormitories. >In co-operative housing, said Janice Blanchard, a gerontologist and housing >consultant in Denver, "the social consciousness of the 1960's can get >re-expressed." Baby boomers, she predicted, "are >going to want to recreate the peak >experience of their lives. Whether a commune or a college dorm, the common >denominator was community." >Rich Morrison, 79, a retired psychologist from Sacramento State University >and the sole single man at Glacier Circle, only recently gave up his hobby, >swimming the major rapids of the Colorado River. >"Emotionally, there's no reason > why I can't continue to grow until I'm 100, if I'm lucky," he said. >Mr. Morrison is once widowed and twice divorced. Like others in the group who > have struggled through every loss, from a child's _suicide_ >(http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/suicidesandsuicide >attempts/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier) >to the death of a spouse, he >speaks about now being able to make "heart choices," hard won. >"I've been lonely," said Lois Grau, 87, whose husband died three years ago. >"Little things go wrong that he would have fixed." >Mrs. Grau and her friends have known each other for nearly 40 years, raising >children in the same neighborhood. Many residents met through the local >Unitarian Universalist Church, and they still >begin weekly meetings by pledging >to "listen deeply and thoughtfully" to each other. Davis is known for its >involved citizenry who dash off to their book >groups at 7 p.m. The Glacier Circle >12 even partake of what they call a "dream group," in which they discuss >their dreams. >Their talents and resources are by no means typical. They are all >accomplished professionals, and the market value >of their homes allowed them to >purchase land and build their dream at a cost of >$3.2 million, or about $400,000 >each, plus $350 a month in dues. They expect to >collect $850 a month in rental >income. Individuals own their own homes but share expenses of common areas. >Stan Dawson, 75, a resident who has a doctorate from the Harvard School of >Public Health, retired as chief of air pollution standards for the State of >California to navigate the project full time through bureaucratic hurdles. >"It was a wonderful thing my dad played golf every day," he said of his >father's retirement. "But I wanted to further my life in old age." >The design-by-democracy may not work for everyone. >The architect, Julie Haney, 49, said tension broke out over the color of >gutters and trim on their bungalow-style homes. As Ms. Haney explained, "Ann >likes blue, Stan wanted brown, Ann hates brown, everyone liked purple." >Ms. Haney, whose own elderly parents died as the design was nearing >completion, said the residents forgot things >more often than her younger clients did >but made up for it with perspective. "I asked, >'Do you want a 20-year roof or >a 40-year roof?" she recalled. "They said, 'If it lasts five years, we'll be >happy.' " >To be sure, the challenges are daunting. Sue Saum, 74, for instance, moved in > with her husband Jim, 84, a retired professor who, during the course of >planning the community, was told he had _Alzheimer's_ >(http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/alzheimers/index.html?inline= >nyt-classifier) disease. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Saum was operated on for >_breast cancer_ >(http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/breastcancer/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier) >, and recently >she had back surgery. At some point, she acknowledges, her husband may need >care beyond their friends' abilities. >"It's one of those day-at-a-time, figure-it-out-as-you-go things," she said. >"But creating a community like this, you learn a lot about the strength of >the human spirit." >Twelve friends' buying land at age 80 requires a certain leap of faith. By >its nature Glacier Circle will change over time. A homeowners association, >consisting of one resident from each unit, has >the right of first refusal to buy >any home when a vacancy arises, for whatever reason, or what Dr. Jungerman >nonchalantly calls a visit from "the great father in the sky." >Glacier Circle is too small to legally mandate age restrictions, but Ray >Coppock, 83, a retired editor, thinks that will >take care of itself. "They'll >take one look at us," he said. "That should reduce the potential buyer >situation." >At ElderSpirit in Virginia, which will be fully occupied in late spring, >spirituality is the major draw. Ms. Peterson defined spirituality as "people >finding meaning in their lives, acknowledging >ways to give up the ego and grow >the soul." >Six more ElderSpirit communities, in St. Petersburg, Fla., Wichita, Kan., and > elsewhere, are in planning stages, with some financing from the >Chicago-based Retirement Research Foundation. >Not surprisingly, a streamlined form of community housing may be in the wind, > as efforts spring up around the country to speed up the planning process, >which normally takes two and a half to three and a half years. >Unlike intergenerational co-operative housing, a niche market of about 5,000 >people, communal housing for the elderly has "far more market potential," >said Jim Leach, president of the Wonderland >Hill Development Company in Denver, >which is building Silver Sage, a communal >housing development for the elderly > scheduled to open in Boulder next year. >Dr. William Thomas, who developed the "Eden Alternative," a widely publicized > effort to make nursing homes less > institutional, is developing Eldershire in > Sherburne, N.Y., south of Syracuse, a hybrid between co-operative housing >and a traditional development. The idea is to build first and then attract >residents who will run it themselves. >Dr. Thomas compares co-operative housing, and its time-consuming community >planning, with "homemade bread ? people get >together, mix the ingreddients, let >the dough rise." He's trying to adapt the concept for broader consumption ? >"100 million people," he says, "buy bread at the store." >Even revolutionaries need to be flexible. At Glacier Circle, where the first >tulips of spring are popping up, the group had approved special wall >insulation for Mr. Morrison, who has a penchant >for playing Mahler's Ninth Symphony >at 3 a.m. When the bass and timpani pulse >through his subwoofer, his neighbor >Dorie Datel, a youthful 80-year-old, just lets >it slide. For Ms. Datel, whose >husband left her for "the other woman" he met at Elderhostel, this group's >wisdom and resolve are embedded in the square footage. >"We've all lived through the _Depression_ >(http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/depression/index.html?inline=nyt-clas >sifier) >and war and the big stuff, so we know that things don't always stay >the same," Ms. Datel said. "All of us are interested in living." >Glacier Circle and ElderSpirit are self-developed cohousing communities. The >Elder Cohousing Network, founded four years ago, offers for-profit how-to >workshops. General information is available through a national non-profit, >www.cohousing.org. > > >*************************************** >Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. > >Sustainable Tompkins >Program Coordinator >_www.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) > >607-533-7312 (home office) >607-279-6618 (cell) > >1 Maple Avenue >Lansing, NY 14882 >gaynicholson@aol.com > >Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities >Regional Coordinator >Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County >615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 >agn1@cornell.edu > >_______________________________________________ >SustainableTompkins mailing list >SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org >http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From cnp at thethomasgroup.com Thu Mar 2 05:59:46 2006 From: cnp at thethomasgroup.com (Christian Nielsen-Palacios) Date: Thu Mar 2 05:59:50 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Earth Day: PCF Children's Activities Book Message-ID: Looks like an interesting/fun website, and may be of interest to those planning Earth Day activities. >>> "Archie" 3/1/06 6:26 PM >>> Untitled DocumentDear Friends: I just finished my first Web Podcast with Rustle the Leaf: http://rustletheleaf.typepad.com/weblog/leave_it_green_podcast/index.html We also want to announce that there's a wonderful Earth Day educational opportunity for teachers, mothers, grandmothers, etc. this year--and it's being provided absolutely free by some friends of mine at Rustle the Leaf Environmental Comics. It's called 'Rustle the Leaf's Earth Day Book.' If you've never heard of Rustle the Leaf, it's a weekly comic strip that's become something of a phenomenon within the environmental movement. Their comics are now linked by over 50 Sierra Club chapters and groups, and by hundreds of other educational and environmentally-oriented web sites. http://www.rustletheleaf.com/linkingsites.html 'Rustle the Leaf's Earth Day Book' is a 12-page book that features comics, mazes, word puzzles and information about Earth Day, environmental issues and more. The inside cover of the book converts into a full-color poster containing 'Rustle the Leaf's Earth Day Pledge.' You can see 'Rustle's Earth Day Book' information and order books at: http://www.rustletheleaf.com/news.html By the way: in addition to their weekly comics, the folks at Rustle the Leaf also provide monthly environmental and Earth Science lesson plans for varying age groups. http://www.rustletheleaf.com/lessonplans.html If you're planning to celebrate Earth Day this year, you should log on to the Rustle the Leaf web site and order your supply of Earth Day Books soon. They're being sent--shipping included--at no cost or obligation. (And the activities and information are great!!) Sincerely, Archie From cnp at thethomasgroup.com Thu Mar 2 08:38:23 2006 From: cnp at thethomasgroup.com (Christian Nielsen-Palacios) Date: Thu Mar 2 08:38:44 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Anyone going to Boston for NESEA next week? Message-ID: I think I asked before, but... if anyone is going to Boston on Monday, to attend the NESEA conference, I am interested in a ride and sharing expenses. Christian From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Thu Mar 2 10:21:31 2006 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Thu Mar 2 10:22:51 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Positive News from EcoVillage at Ithaca Message-ID: News from EcoVillage at Ithaca January-February, 2006 By Liz Walker, EVI Director This is a quick update on some of the exciting developments of the last two months. Since the Winter 2006 Issue of the EVI newsletter just came out, I will highlight "late-breaking" news that the newsletter didn't cover. The newsletter can be accessed on the EVI website, http://www.ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us. Look under "newsletters." While you're at it, look at the exciting weeklong workshop and two "Experience Weekends" coming up. These can be accessed under the home page, or "education" on the website. FUNDRAISING SUCCESSES: Ongoing Funding for IC-EVI partnership In a significant show of support for our work with Ithaca College, the college has decided to fund the ongoing partnership between EVI and the IC Environmental Studies Department by making it a part of the permanent budget! The partnership was initiated three years ago through a National Science Foundation grant to teach new courses on the "science of sustainability." Our collaboration has led to Ithaca College making a major commitment to sustainability across the curriculum, and we have been nationally recognized as a cutting edge community-college partnership. The $30,000 budget item will enable EVI educators to teach one course per semester on sustainability related topics, and allow release time for IC faculty and EVI educators to jointly coordinate educational activities such as summer mini-grants, faculty development, prominent speakers, and student projects. In addition, IC & EVI have applied for a Phase II NSF grant that, if funded, would allow us to create innovative teaching modules in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) courses. Gaia Education grants 1,000 Euros to EVI course I'm fortunate to be on the Board of a new international organization, Gaia Education, which has developed a month long curriculum based on the best practices of ecovillages from around the world. We have just completed our first grant cycle, to fund twelve pilot training programs which will be held in countries from five continents. EVI will be teaching "Creating Sustainable Communities: the Ecological Dimension" from July 8-16th. We will use the 1,000 Euro grant to help provide scholarships. INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH: Schumacher Briefing Paper: Jonathan Dawson, co-coordinator of the Global Ecovillage Network for Europe and Africa, was invited to write a prestigious report that details trends in the global ecovillage movement. He chose to include EVI as one of five case studies. Having just reviewed his paper, I'm impressed with the depth and scope of his analysis. The paper is called, "Ecovillages: New Frontiers of Sustainability." I'll let you know how to access the paper once it is published. Contribution to Gaia Education's Curriculum Resource Guide I have been invited to contribute two short pieces to the first of four books which will be put together by Gaia Education as a resource guide to the curriculum mentioned above. The two pieces are "Birth and Death in an Ecovillage," and "Building Community: the Essentials." Both contributions are excerpted from my book, EcoVillage at Ithaca: Pioneering a Sustainable Culture. NATIONAL OUTREACH: Chapel Hill/Durham North Carolina trip: I recently returned from a delightful trip to North Carolina. The trip was sponsored by Second Journey, a national non-profit organization that creates dialogue groups to explore caring communities for elders. They are exploring the possibility of creating a senior cohousing community in Chapel Hill. While I was there, I gave a well-attended lecture to the group, attended a potluck dinner for informal dialogue, and a reception with the core leadership team. The following day I was interviewed for an hour on WUNC, the regional NPR affiliate, along with two other community leaders. My visit culminated with a reading to a very enthusiastic audience at the Regulator Bookstore in Durham. A number of the people who attended one of the many talks may join one of our upcoming workshops at EVI. April Trip: My partner Jared and I are now planning a two week vacation/book tour/fundraising tour. We plan to make stops in Princeton, NJ, Washington, DC, take a break to kayak on the Outer Banks of NC, and stop in Asheville, NC before heading home. If you have any contacts in any of those areas that you think would be interested in the ecovillage message, please send me an email at: liz@ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us. NEW EFFORTS IN SUSTAINABILITY AT EVI: Energy Task Force: An energetic group of EcoVillagers, led by Deena Berke, Jared Jones and Tina Nilsen-Hodges, are studying ways to cut energy usage dramatically, and to switch to renewables. Plans call for adding more photovoltaic panels to the village before the rebate legislation runs out in June, as well as many other ideas. There will be an in-depth report in the next EVI newsletter. Low Footprint Housing Cluster: Tom Ruscitti, a former renter at EVI, is spearheading a dialogue about the possibility of creating a 6-8 unit group of homes that would feature small, very energy-efficient homes. So far his idea has met with a very enthusiastic response from both the village residents and the EVI Board. I'll let you know as plans evolve. -- From rlg2 at cornell.edu Thu Mar 2 10:31:08 2006 From: rlg2 at cornell.edu (Robinne Gray) Date: Thu Mar 2 10:31:24 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] elder cohousing trend In-Reply-To: <2b7.57bf5c7.3137ee77@aol.com> References: <2b7.57bf5c7.3137ee77@aol.com> Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060302132933.01edc500@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> Yes, I enjoyed this article and the accompanying audio slide show. I was amused when some residents described how people would hear they were planning to build a "cooperative" and the listeners assumed that meant NYC-style high-rises. ~R. At 01:45 AM 3/2/2006, you wrote: > > >NY Times > > > >____________________________________ >February 27, 2006 > >Growing Old Together, in New Kind of Commune >By _PATRICIA LEIGH BROWN_ >(http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/patricia_leigh_brown/index.html?inline=nyt-per) > > >DAVIS, Calif., Feb. 23 ? They are unlikely revolutionaries. Bearing walkers >and canes, a veritable Merck Manual of ailments among them, the 12 old >friends >? average age 80 ? looked as though they should have been sn sitting down >to a >game of Scrabble, not pioneering a new kind of commune. >Opting for old age on their own terms, they were starting a new chapter in >their lives as residents of Glacier Circle, the country's first self-planned >housing development for the elderly ? a community they had conceivedd and >designed themselves, right down to its purple gutters. >Over the past five years, the residents of Glacier Circle have found and >bought land together, hired an architect together, ironed out insurance >together, lobbied for a zoning change together and existentially >probed togetherness >together. >"Here you get to pick your family instead of being born into it," said Peggy >Northup-Dawson, 79, a retired family therapist and mother of six who is >legally blind. "We recognized that when you're physically closer to each >other, >you pay more attention, look in on each other. The idea was to share care." >The four couples, two widows and two who are now living solo live in eight >individual town houses, grouped around an inner courtyard. Still under >construction is the "common house" with a living room and a large kitchen >and dining >room for communal dinners; upstairs is a studio apartment they will rent at >below market value to a skilled nurse who will provide additional care. It >is >their own self-styled, potluck utopia. >"It's an acknowledgment that intimacy doesn't happen by chance," said John >Jungerman, 84, a retired nuclear physicist and one of several Ph.D.'s in the >group, who is perpetually clad in purple socks and sandals. >"At first John said, 'I'm not old enough,' " his wife, Nancy, said of the >commune. "I said, 'You're 80 years old. How old do you have to be?' " >There are about a dozen co-operative housing developments for the elderly in >development, from Santa Fe, N.M., to St. Petersburg, Fla., a fledgling >movement to communally address "the challenge of aging >non-institutionally," said >Charles Durett, an architect in Nevada City, Calif., who imported the >concept >he named co-housing ? people buying homes in a community they plan and run >together ? from Denmark in the late 1960's. >Though communal housing for the elderly is new, intergenerational communities > have been around since 1991, when the first opened in this politically >progressive university town. There are now 82 across the country. >In Abingdon, Va., residents are beginning to move into ElderSpirit, a >development founded by a 76-year-old former nun, Dene Peterson. The >community of >37, 10 years in the making, includes a "spirit house" for ecumenical >prayer and >meditation. Video: The elderly residents of Glacier Circle explain >their motivation for starting a new community. (Produced by Brent >McDonald.) >"I just thought there had to be a better way for older people to live," said >Ms. Peterson, who formed a nonprofit development corporation with three other > former Glenmary sisters, a Catholic order, and knit together a variety of >private and governmental funds (16 of the 29 units are subsidized affordable >housing). >Ms. Peterson says she was haunted and inspired by her work with elderly >public housing residents in Chicago in the 1960's. >"The elderly were dying," she recalled, "and they were anonymous." >With millions of baby boomers moving toward retirement, gerontologists and >developers are looking to communal housing for the elderly with growing >interest, building on a generation's mythology that already includes >communes and >college dormitories. >In co-operative housing, said Janice Blanchard, a gerontologist and housing >consultant in Denver, "the social consciousness of the 1960's can get >re-expressed." Baby boomers, she predicted, "are going to want to recreate >the peak >experience of their lives. Whether a commune or a college dorm, the common >denominator was community." >Rich Morrison, 79, a retired psychologist from Sacramento State University >and the sole single man at Glacier Circle, only recently gave up his hobby, >swimming the major rapids of the Colorado River. "Emotionally, there's no >reason > why I can't continue to grow until I'm 100, if I'm lucky," he said. >Mr. Morrison is once widowed and twice divorced. Like others in the group who > have struggled through every loss, from a child's _suicide_ >(http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/suicidesandsuicide >attempts/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier) to the death of a spouse, he >speaks about now being able to make "heart choices," hard won. >"I've been lonely," said Lois Grau, 87, whose husband died three years ago. >"Little things go wrong that he would have fixed." >Mrs. Grau and her friends have known each other for nearly 40 years, raising >children in the same neighborhood. Many residents met through the local >Unitarian Universalist Church, and they still begin weekly meetings by >pledging >to "listen deeply and thoughtfully" to each other. Davis is known for its >involved citizenry who dash off to their book groups at 7 p.m. The >Glacier Circle >12 even partake of what they call a "dream group," in which they discuss >their dreams. >Their talents and resources are by no means typical. They are all >accomplished professionals, and the market value of their homes allowed >them to >purchase land and build their dream at a cost of $3.2 million, or about >$400,000 >each, plus $350 a month in dues. They expect to collect $850 a month in >rental >income. Individuals own their own homes but share expenses of common areas. >Stan Dawson, 75, a resident who has a doctorate from the Harvard School of >Public Health, retired as chief of air pollution standards for the State of >California to navigate the project full time through bureaucratic hurdles. >"It was a wonderful thing my dad played golf every day," he said of his >father's retirement. "But I wanted to further my life in old age." >The design-by-democracy may not work for everyone. >The architect, Julie Haney, 49, said tension broke out over the color of >gutters and trim on their bungalow-style homes. As Ms. Haney explained, "Ann >likes blue, Stan wanted brown, Ann hates brown, everyone liked purple." >Ms. Haney, whose own elderly parents died as the design was nearing >completion, said the residents forgot things more often than her younger >clients did >but made up for it with perspective. "I asked, 'Do you want a 20-year >roof or >a 40-year roof?" she recalled. "They said, 'If it lasts five years, we'll be >happy.' " >To be sure, the challenges are daunting. Sue Saum, 74, for instance, moved in > with her husband Jim, 84, a retired professor who, during the course of >planning the community, was told he had _Alzheimer's_ >(http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/alzheimers/index.html?inline= >nyt-classifier) disease. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Saum was operated on for >_breast cancer_ >(http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/breastcancer/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier) >, and recently >she had back surgery. At some point, she acknowledges, her husband may need >care beyond their friends' abilities. >"It's one of those day-at-a-time, figure-it-out-as-you-go things," she said. >"But creating a community like this, you learn a lot about the strength of >the human spirit." >Twelve friends' buying land at age 80 requires a certain leap of faith. By >its nature Glacier Circle will change over time. A homeowners association, >consisting of one resident from each unit, has the right of first refusal >to buy >any home when a vacancy arises, for whatever reason, or what Dr. Jungerman >nonchalantly calls a visit from "the great father in the sky." >Glacier Circle is too small to legally mandate age restrictions, but Ray >Coppock, 83, a retired editor, thinks that will take care of itself. >"They'll >take one look at us," he said. "That should reduce the potential buyer >situation." >At ElderSpirit in Virginia, which will be fully occupied in late spring, >spirituality is the major draw. Ms. Peterson defined spirituality as "people >finding meaning in their lives, acknowledging ways to give up the ego and >grow >the soul." >Six more ElderSpirit communities, in St. Petersburg, Fla., Wichita, Kan., and > elsewhere, are in planning stages, with some financing from the >Chicago-based Retirement Research Foundation. >Not surprisingly, a streamlined form of community housing may be in the wind, > as efforts spring up around the country to speed up the planning process, >which normally takes two and a half to three and a half years. >Unlike intergenerational co-operative housing, a niche market of about 5,000 >people, communal housing for the elderly has "far more market potential," >said Jim Leach, president of the Wonderland Hill Development Company in >Denver, >which is building Silver Sage, a communal housing development for the >elderly > scheduled to open in Boulder next year. >Dr. William Thomas, who developed the "Eden Alternative," a widely publicized > effort to make nursing homes less institutional, is developing > Eldershire in > Sherburne, N.Y., south of Syracuse, a hybrid between co-operative housing >and a traditional development. The idea is to build first and then attract >residents who will run it themselves. >Dr. Thomas compares co-operative housing, and its time-consuming community >planning, with "homemade bread ? people get together, mix the >ingreddients, let >the dough rise." He's trying to adapt the concept for broader consumption ? >"100 million people," he says, "buy bread at the store." >Even revolutionaries need to be flexible. At Glacier Circle, where the first >tulips of spring are popping up, the group had approved special wall >insulation for Mr. Morrison, who has a penchant for playing Mahler's >Ninth Symphony >at 3 a.m. When the bass and timpani pulse through his subwoofer, his >neighbor >Dorie Datel, a youthful 80-year-old, just lets it slide. For Ms. Datel, >whose >husband left her for "the other woman" he met at Elderhostel, this group's >wisdom and resolve are embedded in the square footage. >"We've all lived through the _Depression_ >(http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/depression/index.html?inline=nyt-clas >sifier) and war and the big stuff, so we know that things don't always stay >the same," Ms. Datel said. "All of us are interested in living." >Glacier Circle and ElderSpirit are self-developed cohousing communities. The >Elder Cohousing Network, founded four years ago, offers for-profit how-to >workshops. General information is available through a national non-profit, >www.cohousing.org. > > >*************************************** >Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. > >Sustainable Tompkins >Program Coordinator >_www.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) > >607-533-7312 (home office) >607-279-6618 (cell) > >1 Maple Avenue >Lansing, NY 14882 >gaynicholson@aol.com > >Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities >Regional Coordinator >Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County >615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 >agn1@cornell.edu > >_______________________________________________ >SustainableTompkins mailing list >SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org >http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From drk5 at cornell.edu Thu Mar 2 12:03:30 2006 From: drk5 at cornell.edu (Dean Koyanagi) Date: Thu Mar 2 12:03:59 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Time to chat? In-Reply-To: <6.2.3.4.2.20060302064157.036aeb48@postoffice7.mail.cornell .edu> References: <2b7.57bf5c7.3137ee77@aol.com> <6.2.3.4.2.20060302064157.036aeb48@postoffice7.mail.cornell.edu> Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060302150040.024c5218@postoffice7.mail.cornell.edu> Hi Ken, Thanks for taking the time to sit through the Green Hub meeting. I'd love to get together and hear what you have coming up on green rural projects. Next week I have Tuesday, Wednesday afternoon, and Thursday till 3 open/flexible. Any time in there work for you? Dean From mbrown at ithaca.edu Thu Mar 2 11:26:07 2006 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Thu Mar 2 12:11:21 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Ithaca College latest signatory of the Talloires Declaration Message-ID: <440746CF.7080706@ithaca.edu> Hi - in case you missed this announcement: http://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20060301170909294/print From GayNicholson at aol.com Thu Mar 2 21:07:37 2006 From: GayNicholson at aol.com (GayNicholson@aol.com) Date: Thu Mar 2 21:07:58 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Ithaca Biodiesel Fundraiser / Environmental Fair / Party for Mother Earth Message-ID: <289.69555d7.31392919@aol.com> A great way to spend Mother's Day! Ithaca Biodiesel Fundraiser / Environmental Fair / Party for Mother Earth Sunday, May 14th 2006 The Haunt Dear Interested Parties, I am writing to you on behalf of Ithaca Biodiesel, a small cooperative group in Ithaca that produces biodiesel from recycled restaurant fryer oil. We have constructed a processor, and have been producing fuel that we have sold to Musefest and used in our own cars. We are navigating the path of finding a winterized (heated) space that meets code requirements for what we are doing, officially a form of ?chemical manufacturing?. To do this, we need to do considerable fundraising in order to pay rent and finance certain modifications to the building we are prospectively moving into in order for it to meet the code requirements. Our mission is to produce fuel for diesel engines that reduces emissions and strengthens the local economy. Eventually we would like to provide fuel to more people than just ourselves, possibly in the form of a coop, although we have not yet solidified our organizational structure. On Sunday, May 14th, The Haunt is sponsoring a fundraiser for us. Our vision is to have a big Environmental Fair, themed Party for Mother Earth (Mother? s Day) with lots of booths from different community organizations and green businesses. We plan to have slide show and presentation on peak oil, activities for kids, $1 and $5 raffles, and the band Thousands of One play towards the end of the afternoon. The timeframe is set-up from noon ? 1:00pm, doors open at 1:00pm, 1:00 ? 5:30 is the event, and the band would play at 4:00pm. We changed this date at the suggestion of Gay Nicholson, who pointed out that our original date of April 23rd, Earth Day, conflicted with the Earth Day Fair at the Farmers? Market. We are hoping that many of the same groups who table there are willing to participate in the IB fundraiser. We would like to invite you, as representatives of green organizations, to table at this event, or to donate door prizes for the raffles. This can be a really wonderful community while also helping Ithaca Biodiesel raise money to advance our project. Our goal is to not only work towards a cleaner and green environment, but to specifically serve the Ithaca community. Please get in touch if you have any further questions or would like to participate in any way. I can be reached by phone at 607-342-1071 or email at _micaela@spiralupworks.com_ (mailto:micaela@spiralupworks.com) . Thank you for your time in considering this request. Sincerely, Micaela CookIthaca Biodiesel *************************************** Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator _www.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 gaynicholson@aol.com Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 agn1@cornell.edu From tonydelplato at gmail.com Fri Mar 3 04:56:31 2006 From: tonydelplato at gmail.com (Tony Del Plato) Date: Fri Mar 3 04:56:35 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Ithaca College latest signatory of the Talloires Declaration In-Reply-To: <440746CF.7080706@ithaca.edu> References: <440746CF.7080706@ithaca.edu> Message-ID: This is great. Has CU signed on? Tony Del Plato On 3/2/06, Marian Brown wrote: > > Hi - in case you missed this announcement: > > http://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20060301170909294/print > _______________________________________________ > SustainableTompkins mailing list > SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > -- "Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die- life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly." Langston Hughes From mbrown at ithaca.edu Fri Mar 3 07:33:25 2006 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Fri Mar 3 07:49:01 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Ithaca College latest signatory of the Talloires Declaration In-Reply-To: References: <440746CF.7080706@ithaca.edu> Message-ID: <440861C5.2030009@ithaca.edu> Hi, Tony - Cornell has not - yet- signed on to the Talloires Declaration as far as we know.... but I know Dean Koyanagi, the sustainability coordinator for CU, is aware of it, and I'm sure there may be some growing interest. It took a fair amount of student and thought for us to get to this point, and I suspect it will be exponentially more difficult for CU to rally 'round to do this. However, in fairness to our friends on East Hill, they are doing some things that WE have not yet done, either, and Dean is doing a GREAT job "up there" of advancing campus sustainability on a number of fronts. The statements about sustainability which the incoming president made recently in the Cornell press is heartening news that he will continue to support the pillar of sustainability that former president Lehman articulated; that will help keep the attention focused on the right end goals. Marian Tony Del Plato wrote: >This is great. Has CU signed on? >Tony Del Plato > >On 3/2/06, Marian Brown wrote: > > >>Hi - in case you missed this announcement: >> >>http://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20060301170909294/print >>_______________________________________________ >>SustainableTompkins mailing list >>SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org >>http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >>free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org >> >> >> > > > >-- >"Hold fast to dreams, >for if dreams die- >life is a broken-winged bird >that cannot fly." >Langston Hughes >_______________________________________________ >SustainableTompkins mailing list >SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org >http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > From jw93 at cornell.edu Fri Mar 3 07:50:46 2006 From: jw93 at cornell.edu (jenifer wightman) Date: Fri Mar 3 08:05:52 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] biomass talk today (miscanthus grass) Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060303104726.025cf8b8@postoffice7.mail.cornell.edu> There will be an informal seminar/discussion on bioenergy with Dr. Stephen Long on Friday, March 3, 11:15-12:15 in Room 22 Plant Sci Bldg. Steve will provide a brief (approx 20 min.) review of his Univ of IL research on Miscanthus giganteus as a potential biomass fuel crop (for more info: http://miscanthus.cropsci.uiuc.edu/ ) and then we will open it up for discussion and input from others interested in this topic or involved in similar research here. This will be in addition to his scheduled 4:00 pm seminar for the Biogeochemistry Pgm, previously announced. Jenifer Wightman Bioenergy and Greenhouse Gas Inventory 607-255-4230 905a Bradfield Hall Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14850 From tonydelplato at gmail.com Fri Mar 3 13:21:59 2006 From: tonydelplato at gmail.com (Tony Del Plato) Date: Fri Mar 3 13:36:17 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Ithaca College latest signatory of the Talloires Declaration In-Reply-To: <440861C5.2030009@ithaca.edu> References: <440746CF.7080706@ithaca.edu> <440861C5.2030009@ithaca.edu> Message-ID: Thanks Marian. Dean said that the big red is taking another look at the declaration. Looks like they can't let you guys on south hill one up them, can they??!! Whatever you, Dean and all are doing is very important and I have no doubt that before long they'll think of sustainability as more than a cliche or a marketing angle. best Tony On 3/3/06, Marian Brown wrote: > > Hi, Tony - Cornell has not - yet- signed on to the Talloires Declaration > as far as we know.... but I know Dean Koyanagi, the sustainability > coordinator for CU, is aware of it, and I'm sure there may be some > growing interest. > > It took a fair amount of student and thought for us to get to this > point, and I suspect it will be exponentially more difficult for CU to > rally 'round to do this. However, in fairness to our friends on East > Hill, they are doing some things that WE have not yet done, either, and > Dean is doing a GREAT job "up there" of advancing campus sustainability > on a number of fronts. > > The statements about sustainability which the incoming president made > recently in the Cornell press is heartening news that he will continue > to support the pillar of sustainability that former president Lehman > articulated; that will help keep the attention focused on the right end > goals. > > Marian > > > Tony Del Plato wrote: > > >This is great. Has CU signed on? > >Tony Del Plato > > > >On 3/2/06, Marian Brown wrote: > > > > > >>Hi - in case you missed this announcement: > >> > >>http://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20060301170909294/print > >>_______________________________________________ > >>SustainableTompkins mailing list > >>SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > >>http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > >>free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > >> > >> > >> > > > > > > > >-- > >"Hold fast to dreams, > >for if dreams die- > >life is a broken-winged bird > >that cannot fly." > >Langston Hughes > >_______________________________________________ > >SustainableTompkins mailing list > >SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > >http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > >free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > SustainableTompkins mailing list > SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > -- "Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die- life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly." Langston Hughes From rlg2 at cornell.edu Fri Mar 3 14:34:40 2006 From: rlg2 at cornell.edu (Robinne Gray) Date: Fri Mar 3 14:35:04 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] about the Talloires Declaration In-Reply-To: References: <440746CF.7080706@ithaca.edu> <440861C5.2030009@ithaca.edu> Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060303172837.01ec5788@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> Hi ST folk, That's my alma mater...following, not leading . But we do have Dean, and that's a positive step! I just looked at the website for the Talloires Declaration to see if I could determine what about it would potentially prevent universities from signing. the thing has been around since 1990 and is a relatively uncontroversial "10 Point Action Plan". The signatories "agree to take the following actions" so maybe people get nervous about accountability. The site is at http://www.ulsf.org/programs_talloires.html Did my posting about the big urban windmill in Toronto ever come over this list? ~Robinne At 04:21 PM 3/3/2006, Tony Del Plato wrote: >Thanks Marian. Dean said that the big red is taking another look at the >declaration. Looks like they can't let you guys on south hill one up them, >can they??!! >Whatever you, Dean and all are doing is very important and I have no doubt >that before long they'll think of sustainability as more than a cliche or a >marketing angle. >best >Tony From cnp at thethomasgroup.com Fri Mar 3 14:35:34 2006 From: cnp at thethomasgroup.com (Christian Nielsen-Palacios) Date: Fri Mar 3 14:36:09 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] about the Talloires Declaration Message-ID: I will be out of the office from Monday, March 6 until Monday, March 13. I will not have access to e-mail or voice mail I will respond to your message as soon as possible after my return. >>> sustainabletompkins 03/03/06 17:34 >>> Hi ST folk, That's my alma mater...following, not leading . But we do have Dean, and that's a positive step! I just looked at the website for the Talloires Declaration to see if I could determine what about it would potentially prevent universities from signing. the thing has been around since 1990 and is a relatively uncontroversial "10 Point Action Plan". The signatories "agree to take the following actions" so maybe people get nervous about accountability. The site is at http://www.ulsf.org/programs_talloires.html Did my posting about the big urban windmill in Toronto ever come over this list? ~Robinne At 04:21 PM 3/3/2006, Tony Del Plato wrote: >Thanks Marian. Dean said that the big red is taking another look at the >declaration. Looks like they can't let you guys on south hill one up them, >can they??!! >Whatever you, Dean and all are doing is very important and I have no doubt >that before long they'll think of sustainability as more than a cliche or a >marketing angle. >best >Tony _______________________________________________ SustainableTompkins mailing list SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From GayNicholson at aol.com Fri Mar 3 19:03:31 2006 From: GayNicholson at aol.com (GayNicholson@aol.com) Date: Fri Mar 3 19:08:51 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Yellow light for a 'green' energy source Message-ID: <2ba.599966e.313a5d83@aol.com> (http://search.csmonitor.com/index.html) from the March 02, 2006 edition - http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0302/p14s01-sten.html Yellow light for a 'green' energy source By _Mark Clayton_ (http://search.csmonitor.com/cgi-bin/encryptmail.pl?ID=CDE1F2EBA0C3ECE1F9F4EFEE) | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor Soaring on the wings of new wind-turbine technology, tax breaks, and rising fossil fuel costs, the US wind-power growth picture looks great - except to Edward Arnett, a wildlife biologist who sees a dead bat in it - many thousands of dead bats, actually. Swatted by wind-turbine blades perhaps 300 feet long and traveling up to 200 miles per hour at the tips, bats in some US regions may be killed by wind farms in greater numbers than previously thought, his industry-funded research shows. Dead bats are just one of a growing list of concerns that threaten to tarnish wind power's reputation as one of the nation's most promising renewable energy sources. Concerns over the potential impact on migratory songbirds, aesthetic issues like the "shutter effect" of flickering turbine blade shadows, and "view shed" damage from turbines on scenic skylines are growing, observers say. The nation's first offshore wind farm looks as though it could be blown away. An amendment to a US Coast Guard reauthorization bill, which may be taken up in Congress this week, would ban the big turbines within 1.5 nautical miles of shipping and ferry lanes. Amendment supporters say the turbines are a shipping hazard. Supporters say the real concern is that rich folk on the island of Martha's Vineyard don't want ocean views disrupted. A nest of other problems that may seem small today could hatch into much bigger ones. Consider the many bird lovers in the United States. How happy would they be if wind turbines killed songbirds? Birds killed by turbines are now only a tiny fraction of the hundreds of millions killed in collisions with skyscrapers, and by house cats. Yet the wind, wildlife, and aesthetics clash could intensify. The US wind power market is expected to grow by 40 percent this year, according to Emerging Energy Research, a Cambridge, Mass., research firm. The 3,400 megawatts of new capacity could power between 816,000 and 1,020,000 US homes, based on American Wind Energy Association estimates. "It is now recognized that wind power facilities can have adverse impacts - particularly on wildlife, and most significantly on birds and bats," the General Accountability Office (GAO) reported in September. Mr. Arnett, a research biologist with Bat Conservation International in Austin, Texas, coordinates an industry-funded research effort. "There's no question the industry will face some tough choices in order to maintain the 'green' image of wind energy," he says. Where to put wind farms is a big one. As wind farms sprout from the Appalachian Mountains to coastal waters to the vast expanse of North Dakota, signs of resistance are also appearing. A threat to scenic vistas may have undone the Cape Wind project in Massachusetts, but a sterner concern, a lawsuit citing adverse impact on migratory birds, has hit a proposed Virginia wind farm. Industry officials say such concerns are misplaced, since other forms of power generation do far more harm to the environment. Little is known about bat and bird mortality from wind turbines, they say, and industry studies should help stanch the problem. "We have a better understanding of the nature of the risk today," says Randall Swisher, executive director of the American Wind Energy Association in Washington, D.C. "We're working with turbine manufacturers and developers to learn how to minimize the risk and ensure that, as we build, we're not unduly harming birds and other wildlife." The same GAO report that cites birds and bat problems concludes ambiguously that, "it does not appear that wind power is responsible for a significant number of bird deaths." Wind generation has long been one of the great green hopes for pollution-free power. Current wind-generation capacity in the US is about 9,000 megawatts. The industry target is 100,000 megawatts by 2020, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo. Cheering wind power from the sidelines are a number of environmental groups, including the World Watch Institute and the Audubon Society. Audubon sees traditional power plants as a larger threat than wind turbines. "We support renewable energy, including wind power," an Audubon spokesman wrote in an e-mail statement. "Renewable energy has a lower overall impact." National Wind Watch (NWW), organized last year, is skeptical - and vocal. Though it represents only 1,000 activists, mostly in the Northeast, its ranks are growing. "Unlike other forms of electricity generation, there's very little in the way of regulation to oversee and ensure that the environment is not being harmed," says Lisa Linowes, an NWW spokeswoman. "So little reporting is required, that we don't know the harm being done." She points to Europe, where wind farms are far more common. Recent reports of eagle and other bird kills are big news in Germany and the United Kingdom, she says. Siting of facilities seems to have been a problem there, as in some US areas like Altamont, Calif., where wind turbines are notorious for killing large raptors. Wind advocates say a lot has been learned since Altamont about density and siting of wind turbines. Siting remains critical, and Audubon tempers its support by saying reviewing agencies must "conduct a detailed assessment of potential impacts on wildlife." New wind farms proposed for certain ridge lines in the Appalachian mountains in Virginia could, for instance, chop at already declining populations of migratory songbirds that tend to fly far lower - under 400 feet - than sea birds and raptors, scientists say. "We could see tens of thousands of birds moving down this range that would be in the hitting range of these turbines," says Mitchell Byrd, professor emeritus of ornithology at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., commenting on a proposed development for Highland County, Va. "People say other things kill more birds than turbines. But if someone slaps you five times, it still hurts the sixth time." The problem is even worse for bats, who seem attracted to turbines, says Arnett. In 2003, he studied bat mortality at a 44-turbine facility in West Virginia owned by FPL Energy of Juno Beach, Fla. What he and his colleagues found was a shock. In a six-week period, the 44 turbines killed an estimated 1,364 to 1,980 bats - 38 per turbine, according to their study, released last spring. If West Virginia were to build the more than 400 wind turbines currently permitted, research suggests up to 14,500 bats could be killed in a six-week migratory period alone, Arnett says. There are signs the wind-energy industry is responding. In January, FPL, the nation's largest wind-power utility, announced funding for several new bat conservation efforts. "We're not trying to say wind turbines don't have an impact [on wildlife]," says Steve Stengel, an FPL spokesman. "But if you look at all forms of power generation and compare them, wind stacks up very well." Bat advocates, too, expect a solution can be found. "I don't see wind energy and bat conservation as incompatible goals," says Arnett. "This is within our control to alleviate. We just haven't put enough money into solving it." _Full HTML version of this story which may include photos, graphics, and related links_ (http://search.csmonitor.com/2006/0302/p14s01-sten.html) *************************************** Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator _www.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 gaynicholson@aol.com Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 agn1@cornell.edu From rlg2 at cornell.edu Sat Mar 4 05:57:00 2006 From: rlg2 at cornell.edu (Robinne Gray) Date: Sat Mar 4 06:00:00 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Toronto: North America's first urban windmill Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060304085608.0347bae0@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> Resending....I don't think this went thru the first time. * * * * * Hi all, I just got back from a weekend in Toronto, a city I hadn't visited in a few years. As my friend and I approached the city from the west, we couldn't miss a dramatic new addition to the skyline: a big, beautiful windmill catching the wind off of Lake Ontario. Located in Exhibition Place, the fairgrounds where the Canadian National Exhibition is held, this thing is seen by hundreds of thousands traveling along the Gardiner Expressway and from views throughout the metro area. It's hard to imagine a more powerful, affirming statement for a city--or country--to make in support of alternative energy. It is sited on axis with the Prince's Gate entrance, framed in the arch under the Beaux Arts winged victory statue. You can drive right up to the base of the windmill and read educational signage that tells all about it. Wind power aficionados no doubt already know about this large urban machine (built on the site of an historic windmill) but it was a revelation to me. Having now experienced a particularly large model of windmill, I'm having trouble understanding why people find them so objectionable. I find them rather attractive and intriguing, like kinetic sculpture. Brief descriptive text at: http://www.friendsofbruce.ca/Photos,Maps,Etc/Toronto_Wind_Energy_Co-op_Windmill.html "The mill is 91 metres high (the hub is 65 metres). Its maximum power output is rated at 750 kW, and it's estimated to produce 1400 MW/h per year of electrical power. " Official windshare co-op site: http://www.windshare.ca/ "WindShare members do not wait, they lead." ~Robinne From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Sun Mar 5 08:15:46 2006 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Sun Mar 5 08:16:04 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] stories of hope, nice for sharing Message-ID: http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?ID=1389 by Bill McKibben includes a nice definition of sustainability: .........(what these hopeful projects have in common is ) the same aim: to build a community, natural and human, that actually works. Communities that don't depend on degradation for wealth, that might last longer than the next fiscal quarter or the next election cycle. In fact, that's as good a definition of "sustainability" as you're likely to get. Sustainability is a vexed term-no one knows quite what it means. But we know, instinctively, what it doesn't mean. It doesn't mean fast, and it doesn't mean cheap, and it doesn't mean easy. Those are the hallmarks of our economy at the moment, the things we hold up as our highest goals-but we'd cringe if someone used those words to describe a child of ours. Instead, we want a planet that's deeply rooted and patient and solid, a world that we can count on, an economy that's mature. A friend of mine has taken to replacing "sustainable" in his lexicon with the word "durable." ......... -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Living Associates and Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi From alh54 at cornell.edu Mon Mar 6 10:20:41 2006 From: alh54 at cornell.edu (Allison Jack) Date: Mon Mar 6 12:25:28 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] [NWAEG] Issues in Sustainable Agriculture Education: Taking Charge: Student Initiatives for Self Directed Learning] Message-ID: <3787.132.236.13.199.1141669241.squirrel@webmail.cornell.edu> Hi Everyone, Here's the next installment in the Issues in Sustainable Agriculture Education seminar series. We're featuring three undergraduates who have really made a difference on campus, and we could really use some community support this week to show that people interested in sustainable food systems and environmental justice are not as small a minority as some may think! Please join us in supporting these inspirational undergraduate students. Hope to see some of you there. Take care, Allison *************************************************************************** The Issues in Sustainable Agriculture Education Seminar Series presents: "Taking Charge: Student Initiatives for Self Directed Learning" Ethan Rainwater, Cornell senior in Natural Resources, Sustainability Hub Coordinator Dana Shapiro, Cornell senior in Natural Resources, Green Dragon: Sustainable Dining on campus Ding Kong, Cornell sophomore in Natural Resources, Environmental Justice & Racism Student Panel from the Sustainability Hub Friday, Mar 10, 2006 12:20-1:10; 135 Emerson These three undergraduate students are involved in three distinct projects at the Cornell Ithaca campus that seek to educate and empower students who want to engage in experiential learning. Ethan, Dana and Ding have each taken the initiative to create educational opportunities that promote topics currently not well represented in the Cornell curricula, and are working to institute those changes in order to inform and inspire others. Their efforts and accomplishments continue Ezra Cornell's vision of "...an institution where any person can find instruction in any study." Two documents are attached for more information: ?The Green Dragon Business Proposal? and ?The Hub Description and Activities.? To find more information regarding sustainability on the Cornell campus: http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/ Seminars are Free and Open to the Cornell and Greater Ithaca Community! Funded in part by the GPSAFC. Co-Sponsored by: New World Agriculture and Ecology Group (NWAEG) at Cornell, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences; Department of Horticulture, Cornell Small Farm Program; the Community, Food and Agriculture Program; the Community Food Systems Program; the GPSAFC, and the Community and Rural Development Institute. For more information about the seminar series please contact Julie at jmg225 or Allison at alh54 or visit http://www.rso.cornell.edu/nwaeg/ ************************************************************************** -------------------------- Allison L. H. Jack Graduate student 335 Plant Science Cornell University (607) 273-5762 From tonydelplato at gmail.com Mon Mar 6 12:57:14 2006 From: tonydelplato at gmail.com (Tony Del Plato) Date: Mon Mar 6 13:00:05 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] [NWAEG] Issues in Sustainable Agriculture Education: Taking Charge: Student Initiatives for Self Directed Learning] In-Reply-To: <3787.132.236.13.199.1141669241.squirrel@webmail.cornell.edu> References: <3787.132.236.13.199.1141669241.squirrel@webmail.cornell.edu> Message-ID: Thanks Allison for the post but the timing of the program doesn't work for me. The subject and speakers sound great. For many of us in the general community, lunch-time programs on campus aren't always assessible. Tony Del Plato On 3/6/06, Allison Jack wrote: > > Hi Everyone, > > Here's the next installment in the Issues in Sustainable Agriculture > Education seminar series. We're featuring three undergraduates who have > really made a difference on campus, and we could really use some community > support this week to show that people interested in sustainable food > systems and environmental justice are not as small a minority as some may > think! Please join us in supporting these inspirational undergraduate > students. Hope to see some of you there. > > Take care, > Allison > > > *************************************************************************** > > The Issues in Sustainable Agriculture Education Seminar Series presents: > > "Taking Charge: Student Initiatives for Self Directed Learning" > > Ethan Rainwater, Cornell senior in Natural Resources, Sustainability Hub > Coordinator > > Dana Shapiro, Cornell senior in Natural Resources, Green Dragon: > Sustainable > Dining on campus > > Ding Kong, Cornell sophomore in Natural Resources, Environmental Justice & > Racism Student Panel from the Sustainability Hub > > Friday, Mar 10, 2006 > 12:20-1:10; 135 Emerson > > These three undergraduate students are involved in three distinct projects > at the Cornell Ithaca campus that seek to educate and empower students who > want to engage in experiential learning. Ethan, Dana and Ding have each > taken the initiative to create educational opportunities that promote > topics currently not well represented in the Cornell curricula, and are > working to institute those changes in order to inform and inspire others. > Their efforts and accomplishments continue Ezra Cornell's vision of "...an > institution where any person can find instruction in any study." Two > documents are attached for more information: "The Green Dragon Business > Proposal" and "The Hub Description and Activities." To find more > information regarding > sustainability on the Cornell campus: > http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/ > > Seminars are Free and Open to the Cornell and Greater Ithaca Community! > Funded in part by the GPSAFC. > > Co-Sponsored by: New World Agriculture and Ecology Group (NWAEG) at > Cornell, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences; Department of Horticulture, > Cornell Small Farm Program; the Community, Food and Agriculture Program; > the Community Food Systems Program; the GPSAFC, and the Community and > Rural Development Institute. For more information about the seminar series > please contact Julie at jmg225 or Allison at alh54 or visit > http://www.rso.cornell.edu/nwaeg/ > > ************************************************************************** > -------------------------- > Allison L. H. Jack > Graduate student > 335 Plant Science > Cornell University > (607) 273-5762 > > > _______________________________________________ > SustainableTompkins mailing list > SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > > -- "A society contains a built-in blueprint for failure if the elite insulates itself from the consequences of its actions." ? Jared Diamond From dnr6 at cornell.edu Mon Mar 6 16:38:56 2006 From: dnr6 at cornell.edu (Daniel Roth) Date: Mon Mar 6 16:39:34 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Public Discussion on Systems Thinking Message-ID: > > Public Discussion of a Research Proposal > Tuesday, March 14, 2006 > 101 Kennedy Hall > 9:00 - 10:00 am > > Derek A. Cabrera > Ph.D. Candidate > > Systems Thinking > > Abstract? > > This exploratory empirical research used a methodology called > structured conceptualization, which mixes qualitative methods such as > brainstorming with multivariate statistical methods, to investigate > some of the challenges of implementing systems thinking in a public > health context. > > The motivation to understand and to implement systems thinking is > borne of the belief that a new kind of thinking is needed to solve the > most pressing crises humankind faces. There are numerous crises > competing for our attention (i.e., global warming, food security, > terrorism and fundamentalism, among others) yet solutions to each of > these crises will require that we solve the crisis that lies at the > root of these, the ?crisis of conceptualization?. > > Many people believe that systems thinking offers a solution to the > crisis of conceptualization and so in many fields (such as business, > education, evaluation, public health and the sciences) people are > attempting to implement systems thinking initiatives. Public health > practitioners have already engaged in implementation initiatives that > focus on systems thinking. Yet, these implementation efforts may be > premature and face numerous challenges because of the ambiguity of the > systems thinking construct. Among the community of scholars who work > on systems thinking there are many ambiguities, misconceptions, and > valid disputes. Because so many fields contribute to the systems > thinking construct it is often fractured into ?silos? of knowledge. > > Deming, one of the great scholars of management, said that systems > thinking is one of four sources of ?profound knowledge?. Precisely > because it is perceived as so important by so many, these ambiguities > must be remedied. > > The ambiguities in the systems thinking literature combined with the > results of this research point to the need to clarify the systems > thinking construct. Borne of this realization, and informed by the > literature and the research, a ?minimal concept theory? of systems > thinking is proposed. > > Copies of the proposal are availabe from Rose Hulslander in 428 > Kennedy Hall > > ? > > ? > > -- > Rosemary Hulslander > Graduate Field Assistant > Field of Education > Cornell University > Ithaca, NY 14853 > Phone: 607-255-4278 > FAX: 607-255-7905 From dnr6 at cornell.edu Mon Mar 6 16:39:42 2006 From: dnr6 at cornell.edu (Daniel Roth) Date: Mon Mar 6 16:40:25 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Invitation: 2nd Public Car Share Implementation Meeting Message-ID: <384b2f26b139ea88f4bdbd26f033fed6@cornell.edu> > > > Hello Ithaca Car Share supporters and friends > > *** Please Pass Along This Invitation to Your Networks *** > Forward the invitation to interested colleagues and potential > supporters. > WWW.ITHACACARSHARE.ORG > > See below for full list of volunteer opportunities. > > Please join us on Wednesday March 8th for the > 2nd Public Car Share Implementation Meeting > 7:30pm - 9:30pm > Old Jail House Conference Room > 125 East Court St. > Downtown Ithaca > > Facilitated by Suzanne Motheral and Scott Sears of Interface Consulting > Snacks provided > > Agenda: > Welcoming remarks and New Items of Business - Daniel Roth > Introduction by Facilitators - Suzanne Motheral and Scott Sears > Presentations of Process and Structure options by the Process > Subcomittee > Discussion of Next Steps - Full Group > Closing by Facilitators - Suzanne Motheral and Scott Sears > > New Items of Business: (Looking for Point People for the following) > > Partnership interest by Syracuse based Americar Company > Options for Dialogue with Flexcar and Zipcar > Invitation to engage in Ithaca Earth Day Celebration > Grants > EPA Environmental Justice Grant - > http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ > ej_smgrants.html > FTA Job Access Reverse Commute program - > http://www.fta.dot.gov/grant_programs/specific_grant_programs/ > job_access_reverse_commute/4341_7978_ENG_HTML.htm > > !!!!!!!!!!!!!! PREPARATORY INFORMATION!!!!!!!!!! > > In preparation for the meeting please continue to read below about the > past months diligent work. > > The Car Share Process Subcommittee has met 7 times in the past month > to research > options for the overall interim structure and support process for the > Car Share Initiative to move forward toward operation. > > The Goal of the Subcommittee was articulated as follows: > > To identify through informal and formal consultations with several > groups including Interface Consulting, Chamber of Commerce, TCAT, > existing car share founders, and car share consultants, several > options for an iterative organizational structure and process. The > structure and process will help move the car share initiative toward > formalization. The structure and process should include: > > $B,&(B Effective decision making bodies > $B,&(B Multi-stakeholder engagement > $B,&(B Research Capacity > $B,&(B Organizational development (including financing and grantwriting) > > The Process Subcommittee Included: > Granger Macy, Professor of Business at Ithaca College > David Lieb, Cornell Transportation Department. > Fernando De Aragon. I-TC Transportation Council > Sheryl Swink, Local resident > Jennifer Dotson, Curb Your Car Coalition > Tim Logue, Traffic Engineer of Ithaca > Shane Stennes, Local resident > Evelyn Wilson, Local resident > Daniel Roth, Ecovilage at Ithaca (Chair) > > Suzanne Motheral of Interface Consulting, who co-planned and > facilitated the Car Share Summit, was consulted frequently to develop > the options we present to the full public meeting on March 8th. > Additionally Scott Sears has joined the Interface Consulting team to > support > the car share initiative. > > Email Inquires for input were also sent to San Francisco Car Share, > Boulder Car Share, Cooperative Auto Network in Vancouver, BC. and > consultant Dave Brooks who founded > Portland, plus to our local Jean McPheeters at the Chamber of Commerce > and Dwight Mengel of TCAT. Responses have been included in the > planning process. > > Lastly a funding proposal for short term coordination and facilitation > support is being presented to the Cornell Ad Hoc Committee on > Transportation and Sustainability. > > The Process Subcommittee will meet on Monday to finalize our > presentation to the full March 8th meeting. > A final outline of the Process Committee outcomes will be sent out as > soon as possible or provided at the 7:30 pm meeting. > > > !!!!!!!!!! OPPORTUNITIES !!!!!!!!!!! > > We are still on the lookout for: > Organizational Partners across traditional sectors > Community Organizers > Social Entrepreneurs > Grant Writers > Volunteer Coordinators > Pro Bono Legal Support > Investors & Financing partnerships > > !!!!!!!!! PLEASE LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT WWW.ITHACACARSHARE.ORG !!!!!!!!! > > Peace... > Daniel Roth > (Cell) 518-727-6723 > > Co-Chair > Youth ActionTeam > US Partnership for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development > www.uspartnership.org > > Graduate Student > Adult and Extension Education > Cornell University > > > Peace... > Daniel Roth > (Cell) 518-727-6723 > > Co-Chair > Youth ActionTeam > US Partnership for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development > www.uspartnership.org > > Graduate Student > Adult and Extension Education > Cornell University From GayNicholson at aol.com Mon Mar 6 19:53:42 2006 From: GayNicholson at aol.com (GayNicholson@aol.com) Date: Mon Mar 6 19:53:56 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] from Allison: Issues in Sustainable Agriculture Education series Message-ID: Note that attachments can't be sent to the listserv -- you'll have to contact her for them. alh54@cornell.edu Hi Everyone, Here's the next installment in the Issues in Sustainable Agriculture Education seminar series. We're featuring three undergraduates who have really made a difference on campus, and we could really use some community support this week to show that people interested in sustainable food systems and environmental justice are not as small a minority as some may think! Please join us in supporting these inspirational undergraduate students. Hope to see some of you there. Take care, Allison *************************************************************************** The Issues in Sustainable Agriculture Education Seminar Series presents: "Taking Charge: Student Initiatives for Self Directed Learning" Ethan Rainwater, Cornell senior in Natural Resources, Sustainability Hub Coordinator Dana Shapiro, Cornell senior in Natural Resources, Green Dragon: Sustainable Dining on campus Ding Kong, Cornell sophomore in Natural Resources, Environmental Justice & Racism Student Panel from the Sustainability Hub Friday, Mar 10, 2006 12:20-1:10; 135 Emerson These three undergraduate students are involved in three distinct projects at the Cornell Ithaca campus that seek to educate and empower students who want to engage in experiential learning. Ethan, Dana and Ding have each taken the initiative to create educational opportunities that promote topics currently not well represented in the Cornell curricula, and are working to institute those changes in order to inform and inspire others. Their efforts and accomplishments continue Ezra Cornell's vision of "...an institution where any person can find instruction in any study." Two documents are attached for more information: ?The Green Dragon Business Proposal? and ?The Hub Description and Activities.? To find more information regarding sustainability on the Cornell campus: http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/ Seminars are Free and Open to the Cornell and Greater Ithaca Community! Funded in part by the GPSAFC. Co-Sponsored by: New World Agriculture and Ecology Group (NWAEG) at Cornell, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences; Department of Horticulture, Cornell Small Farm Program; the Community, Food and Agriculture Program; the Community Food Systems Program; the GPSAFC, and the Community and Rural Development Institute. For more information about the seminar series please contact Julie at jmg225 or Allison at alh54 or visit http://www.rso.cornell.edu/nwaeg/ ************************************************************************** -------------------------- Allison L. H. Jack Graduate student 335 Plant Science Cornell University (607) 273-5762 *************************************** Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator _www.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 gaynicholson@aol.com Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 agn1@cornell.edu From kqj at quinn-jacobs.org Tue Mar 7 04:14:20 2006 From: kqj at quinn-jacobs.org (Kathleen Quinn-Jacobs) Date: Tue Mar 7 04:19:42 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Invitation: 2nd Public Car Share Implementation Meeting In-Reply-To: <384b2f26b139ea88f4bdbd26f033fed6@cornell.edu> References: <384b2f26b139ea88f4bdbd26f033fed6@cornell.edu> Message-ID: <440D791C.5040308@quinn-jacobs.org> Dan, Entered a car sharing post to PreparedTompkins.org. Good luck with your project! http://www.preparedtompkins.org/?oc=DbDisplay&dn=Postings&or=vertical&oi=26 -- Katie Q-J Daniel Roth wrote: >> >> >> Hello Ithaca Car Share supporters and friends >> >> *** Please Pass Along This Invitation to Your Networks *** >> Forward the invitation to interested colleagues and potential >> supporters. >> WWW.ITHACACARSHARE.ORG >> >> See below for full list of volunteer opportunities. >> >> Please join us on Wednesday March 8th for the >> 2nd Public Car Share Implementation Meeting >> 7:30pm - 9:30pm >> Old Jail House Conference Room >> 125 East Court St. >> Downtown Ithaca >> >> Facilitated by Suzanne Motheral and Scott Sears of Interface Consulting >> Snacks provided >> >> Agenda: >> Welcoming remarks and New Items of Business - Daniel Roth >> Introduction by Facilitators - Suzanne Motheral and Scott Sears >> Presentations of Process and Structure options by the Process >> Subcomittee >> Discussion of Next Steps - Full Group >> Closing by Facilitators - Suzanne Motheral and Scott Sears >> >> New Items of Business: (Looking for Point People for the following) >> >> Partnership interest by Syracuse based Americar Company >> Options for Dialogue with Flexcar and Zipcar >> Invitation to engage in Ithaca Earth Day Celebration >> Grants >> EPA Environmental Justice Grant - >> http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ >> ej_smgrants.html >> FTA Job Access Reverse Commute program - >> http://www.fta.dot.gov/grant_programs/specific_grant_programs/ >> job_access_reverse_commute/4341_7978_ENG_HTML.htm >> >> !!!!!!!!!!!!!! PREPARATORY INFORMATION!!!!!!!!!! >> >> In preparation for the meeting please continue to read below about >> the past months diligent work. >> >> The Car Share Process Subcommittee has met 7 times in the past month >> to research >> options for the overall interim structure and support process for the >> Car Share Initiative to move forward toward operation. >> >> The Goal of the Subcommittee was articulated as follows: >> >> To identify through informal and formal consultations with several >> groups including Interface Consulting, Chamber of Commerce, TCAT, >> existing car share founders, and car share consultants, several >> options for an iterative organizational structure and process. The >> structure and process will help move the car share initiative toward >> formalization. The structure and process should include: >> >> ? Effective decision making bodies >> ? Multi-stakeholder engagement >> ? Research Capacity >> ? Organizational development (including financing and grantwriting) >> >> The Process Subcommittee Included: >> Granger Macy, Professor of Business at Ithaca College >> David Lieb, Cornell Transportation Department. >> Fernando De Aragon. I-TC Transportation Council >> Sheryl Swink, Local resident >> Jennifer Dotson, Curb Your Car Coalition >> Tim Logue, Traffic Engineer of Ithaca >> Shane Stennes, Local resident >> Evelyn Wilson, Local resident >> Daniel Roth, Ecovilage at Ithaca (Chair) >> >> Suzanne Motheral of Interface Consulting, who co-planned and >> facilitated the Car Share Summit, was consulted frequently to develop >> the options we present to the full public meeting on March 8th. >> Additionally Scott Sears has joined the Interface Consulting team to >> support >> the car share initiative. >> >> Email Inquires for input were also sent to San Francisco Car Share, >> Boulder Car Share, Cooperative Auto Network in Vancouver, BC. and >> consultant Dave Brooks who founded >> Portland, plus to our local Jean McPheeters at the Chamber of >> Commerce and Dwight Mengel of TCAT. Responses have been included in >> the planning process. >> >> Lastly a funding proposal for short term coordination and >> facilitation support is being presented to the Cornell Ad Hoc >> Committee on Transportation and Sustainability. >> >> The Process Subcommittee will meet on Monday to finalize our >> presentation to the full March 8th meeting. >> A final outline of the Process Committee outcomes will be sent out as >> soon as possible or provided at the 7:30 pm meeting. >> >> >> !!!!!!!!!! OPPORTUNITIES !!!!!!!!!!! >> >> We are still on the lookout for: >> Organizational Partners across traditional sectors >> Community Organizers >> Social Entrepreneurs >> Grant Writers >> Volunteer Coordinators >> Pro Bono Legal Support >> Investors & Financing partnerships >> >> !!!!!!!!! PLEASE LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT WWW.ITHACACARSHARE.ORG !!!!!!!!! >> >> Peace... >> Daniel Roth >> (Cell) 518-727-6723 >> >> Co-Chair >> Youth ActionTeam >> US Partnership for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development >> www.uspartnership.org >> >> Graduate Student >> Adult and Extension Education >> Cornell University >> >> >> Peace... >> Daniel Roth >> (Cell) 518-727-6723 >> >> Co-Chair >> Youth ActionTeam >> US Partnership for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development >> www.uspartnership.org >> >> Graduate Student >> Adult and Extension Education >> Cornell University > > _______________________________________________ > SustainableTompkins mailing list > SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Tue Mar 7 05:48:28 2006 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Tue Mar 7 05:48:39 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Reminder: ST Community Gathering- Economic Justice- Thu 3/9 -UUChurch - Message-ID: LIVING WAGE: A KEY TO COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY "A Living Wage is the amount of income and resources (such as health insurance) needed for an individual or family to meet its basic needs without public or private assistance" Living Wage Coalition. Sustainable Tompkins invites you to our monthly networking and learning gathering this Thursday March 9, from 6:00 to 8:30 in the Parlor Room downstairs at the Unitarian Universalist Church, on the corner of Aurora and Buffalo Streets, in downtown Ithaca. We'll begin with a potluck dinner - hopefully including many locally grown and produced foods - and a chance to share what our interests or involvements are with personal and/or community sustainability. We will also hear briefly from the folks promoting biodiesel solutions in our region, Our special focus will be on the importance of the Living Wage Campaign as a way of supporting a decent quality of life for all in our community AND as a necessary foundation for a more vibrant and sustainable local economy. Economic fairness is essential to ensure our community's well being; poverty in our community saps all of our energy and our spirit. Pete Meyers of the Living Wage Coalition/Workers' Rights Center, and Leni Hochman of the Alternatives Federal Credit Union, will be our presenters. After they speak and answer questions, participants will be invited to explore as a team how to expand the work of the campaign while also creating stronger partnerships for the long-term health of our community. This is a chance to get to know - and collaborate with - others who also wonder how best to engage in crucial issues and hopeful solutions that directly affect ALL of us. Please join us and invite a friend or two! For more information, contact: Elan Shapiro Sustainable Tompkins Program Co-Chair elansla@ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us, 607-275-0249. Sustainable Tompkins is a coalition of citizens, community organizations, elected officials, educators and professionals from diverse fields - all working to promote a more sustainable community. www.sustainabletompkins.org -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Living Associates and Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi From mbrown at ithaca.edu Tue Mar 7 08:01:14 2006 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Tue Mar 7 08:01:21 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Opportunity for rideshare to Wells College Activitism conference on March 10 Message-ID: <440DAE4A.2090905@ithaca.edu> Hi Marian: Could you please put the word out that I'm planning to go to this Wells College conference this Friday, March 10, leaving Ithaca about 8:00 a.m., returning home by 5:00. I'd be happy to have three or four passengers! Thanks. Best, Garry Thomas 114 Delaware Avenue 273-7567 - - - - - - - - > Here's information about a regional symposium on Activism, being held at > Wells College, on March 10 (yes, I know, during Spring break). A great > lineup of presenters and topics, though, especially keynote speaker, > Anna Lappe, co-author of "New Diet for a Small Planet." > > http://aurora.wells.edu/~symposium/ From mbrown at ithaca.edu Tue Mar 7 08:05:11 2006 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Tue Mar 7 08:05:18 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Notice of a reasonably close NYSERDA program Message-ID: <440DAF37.2000303@ithaca.edu> *_Binghamton:_ New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) March 16, 2006, 1pm to 4pm Location: SUNY Binghamton New York Energy Smart Forum: Explore Cost Saving Ideas and Programs for Businesses, Colleges/Universities, Municipalities, K-12 Schools, Building Owners/Managers, Home Owners and Renters Bring your energy concerns/questions. For more information: Call 1-866-NYSERDA or visit www.nyserda.org * From dnr6 at cornell.edu Tue Mar 7 08:01:20 2006 From: dnr6 at cornell.edu (Daniel Roth) Date: Tue Mar 7 08:05:49 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] ARTICLE: Advantages of car sharing in fleet replacement Message-ID: <525b293e1beacb0ef79c3117ae57d897@cornell.edu> Dear Car Share Friends The text below is part of an article, "The Gas Bill" by Gary Enos in Governing magazine March 2006. It describes the advatages of car sharing in fleet replacement focusing on the Portland, Ore. experience. Please distribute to the Ithaca car share community. Fernando ================================== UNDERSIZE ME During times of economic crisis, fleet administrators often resort to what can be a tough--and highly unpopular--decision: downsizing the fleet. No department likes to lose access to cars and the mobility they represent for their workers. Not surprisingly, fleet managers can be subjected to harsh reactions when they take cars away from departments. But reductions are a fact of life. In the 2001 economic downturn, Seattle found that the elimination of 200 cars helped balance its fleet books. A growing number of localities, mostly in the West, are also using an accompanying strategy to control fleet size. For workers who require use of a car only occasionally, fleet managers are entering into car- sharing agreements--the use of a car on an as-needed basis, be it an hour or a day. These car- sharing arrangements--a variation on rental car contracts-- have been more commonplace for private businesses and among city dwellers who may walk or take public transit to work but who like access to a car for an occasional weekend excursion or shopping trip. Now cities such as Portland are using car-sharing contracts to reduce the size of city motor pools, particularly for vehicles that can go unused for long periods of time. Car-sharing is similar to a family choosing between buying a beach home to use for its annual two-week vacation versus purchasing a time- share for that two-week period. Bruce Cross, who retired in late 2005 as fleet manager in Portland, says that his office looked at other options for short-term use--arrangements with cab companies or mass transit operators--before selecting the car-sharing service run by a private company. Government employees in a downtown location with nearby residential development, where the private company can share the costs of the service among many drivers, are ideal candidates for this type of arrangement. Also, it helps if the participating employees do not need a car every day: A building inspector, for instance, would be a poor candidate for car-sharing. As is the case with individuals and businesses, government agencies that enroll in a car-sharing program pay for the service based on vehicle usage, usually an hourly rate. In Portland's program, an employee who needs a car for an event or meeting can book the car online. When the employee arrives at the car, which is usually parked in a garage in a downtown location, he or she takes out a power card that holds member information, swipes it against the windshield, and unlocks the door. Entering more codes inside the car allows the driver to start the car and proceed to the destination. The driver returns the car to the same location after the trip is completed. Portland's car-sharing contract took effect July 1. While city officials expected they wouldn't see even 300 hours a month of total usage in the first year, they were surpassing 600 hours a month by October. The success of the arrangement allowed Portland to cut the size of its 30- vehicle motor pool in half. The city did experience some glitches with the system at first. It had to arrange to have new parking placards for display with the private vehicles so that parking enforcement personnel would know that, although the car had no city logo on it, it was being used by a city employee who had parking privileges. But despite the fact that city employees using the service have to "compete" with others in the community for temporary use of a car, response from staff was overwhelmingly positive. About the only potential barrier to the system's long-term use in Portland is a pending union grievance filed by mechanics over a loss of work on cars at the motor pool. If Portland could eliminate its motor pool entirely, it could realize a $30,000 annual saving, as the motor pool's $100,000 cost outpaces the $70,000 projected tab for the car- sharing arrangement. From burns at panix.com Tue Mar 7 08:26:13 2006 From: burns at panix.com (Michael Burns) Date: Tue Mar 7 08:26:17 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] [Fwd: Internship in a Sustainable Kitchen] Message-ID: <15160.216.162.28.201.1141748773.squirrel@mail.panix.com> I really wouldn't want to encourage any progressive activist working on sustainability, food security, and ecological regeneration to leave our area, BUT this is an interesting opportunity and maybe the experience an intern could get at this Calfornia institution could be brought back to our region... ------------------------------ Original Message ------------------------------ Subject: [SANET-MG] Internship in a Sustainable Kitchen From: "Lisa M. Hamilton" Date: Mon, March 6, 2006 8:43 pm To: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I'm writing to pass on this great opportunity for a person who wants to join a sustainable kitchen and learn from a talented chef. The parent organization is the Headlands Center for the Arts, a residency program in the Marin Headlands (national parkland just north of the Golden Gate Bridge). This internship is special in part because the kitchen allows for (and encourages) creativity that is not always possible in the traditional restaurant model. Furthermore, the internship means daily contact with a community of artists from throughout the Bay Area and the world. It's a great opportunity for someone who is motivated, creative, and inspired by food. Those who are interested can contact HCA directly. ? UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE ? KITCHEN INTERN The Headlands Center for the Arts (HCA) is seeking a part-time, live-in kitchen intern willing to make a commitment of three to six months. The HCA Kitchen Intern works twenty-five hours a week. Compensation includes a room in one of our artist houses and meals from our kitchen. The HCA kitchen is a beautiful space to cook. It was renovated as a commissioned work of nationally known artist Ann Hamilton. In the past it functioned as part of an old army mess hall; in its present state it marries form, function, and beauty to create a space that is both wonderful to work in and to experience. Part of Hamilton?s inspiration came from her fascination with and appreciation for culinary processes and their communal aspects, and those of us who work in the kitchen seek to keep this tradition alive. The philosophy of the HCA food program seeks to always honor the processes of food creation, not just the product, as is so common in the food industry today. In additional to the Hamilton commission, the kitchen is home to an Alan Scott wood-fired brick oven that has produced crusty loaves of country bread on a regular basis for the past eight years. The HCA kitchen has been serving dinners to artists and residents, as well as members and public program attendees for the past ten years. This is not a vegetarian kitchen, though we do use the most ethically-raised meats available, seeking out those from humane, small-scale, California ranches and farms. Located in the coastal wilderness of the Marin Headlands 15 minutes from San Francisco, HCA is a laboratory for the development of new work and a place for the exchange of ideas across cultures and professional disciplines. The programs include artists' residencies and commissions, public lectures, performances, and publications. Residencies are awarded to artists from many different disciplines, cultural backgrounds and nationalities while public programs engage artists, scholars, activists and other professionals. By creating opportunities for interaction across traditional boundaries, HCA works to introduce artists and audiences to new creative processes, and to broaden the range of possibilities for art's function in our society. The communal dining program is seen as a key contributor to reaching these goals. In summary, current HCA food programs include artist in residence dinners and public program meals, chiefly dinners. The Kitchen Intern may assist with any and all aspects related to providing these meals. Duties and responsibilities include: ? assisting the chef and in all aspects of running the dinner program, including food preparation and presentation, counter service, money collection and clean-up ? receiving and storing shipments ? making trips to the farmer?s market or other locations to pick up food ? participating with menu planning ? independently taking on meal preparation as experience allows, including planning, cooking and serving ? maintaining kitchen service and storage area organization Qualifications: The primary qualification for the Kitchen Intern is a passion for food and culinary processes, and either culinary training or hands-on experience in a kitchen. The intern must be willing to handle all kinds of ingredients and be open to all kinds of cuisines. Because the intern shares housing with up to three artists-in-residence, it is crucial that this individual be flexible, considerate, responsible and respectful of others? needs. It is helpful to own an automobile. The Kitchen Staff: The Kitchen Intern will work closely with, learn from and otherwise benefit from the experience and expertise of these individuals: Katie Powers (Dinner Chef) is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy and has been the chef at Woodwards Garden for three years previous to coming to HCA. She has an extensive knowledge and love of the culinary arts. By participating in farmers markets she is able to create food that is entirely seasonal. She is particularly interested in the freedom to experiment with different cuisines, baking and pastry methods. Her passion for food makes being a part of the HCA?s kitchen so enjoyable. Eduardo Morell (Baker) has worked in various restaurants before finding a culinary home at HCA where his love for food and cooking and his commitment to community values, creative expression, and the arts has come together. He worked for a year as the first Kitchen Intern. He returned three years ago to re-established our bread baking program and serve as an occasional interim Dinner Chef. His interest in bread baking began during his internship at HCA under the tutelage of French baker Laurent Pouget. Morell has been making good use of the wood-fired oven baking outstanding traditional, organic, naturally leavened country loaves. To Apply: Please contact us by sending a cover letter, resume, and three references to: Kitchen Intern Search Headlands Center for the Arts 944 Fort Barry Sausalito CA 94965 HCA Information: Further information about Headlands Center for the Arts and its programs can be found at our website www.headlands.org. Deadline: March 10, 2006 ASAP The Headlands Center for the Arts is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in its programs and hiring practices. We strongly encourage people of color to apply. ******************************************************** Visit the SANET-MG archives at: http://lists.sare.org/archives/sanet-mg.html. Questions? Visit http://www.sare.org/about/sanetFAQ.htm. For more information on grants and other resources available through the SARE program, please visit http://www.sare.org. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Michael Burns http://www.cayuta.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Earn your permaculture design certificate. The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute offers affordable local classes. Go to: http://www.flpci.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From tonydelplato at gmail.com Tue Mar 7 09:20:15 2006 From: tonydelplato at gmail.com (Tony Del Plato) Date: Tue Mar 7 09:20:33 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] [Fwd: Internship in a Sustainable Kitchen] In-Reply-To: <15160.216.162.28.201.1141748773.squirrel@mail.panix.com> References: <15160.216.162.28.201.1141748773.squirrel@mail.panix.com> Message-ID: Hi: While going to California is a great idea, if anyone wants to work in a sustainable kitchen, Moosewood Restaurant has met many of the criteria for sustainability in it's 33+year existence. Barbara Hotchkiss from the TC county waste management program did a waste audit in the mid to late 90's, maybe earlier, and gave Moosewood an excellent rating. Moosewood may be the first dining service in the area to start composting besides sorting the waste stream effectively. The limitations are obvious. We're not California w/12 month growing season, but we've got lots of water!!! It doesn't have a garden in the back. Seafood comes from a variety of places. The summer and fall we get most of our produce from the area, while most grains and beans come from other areas. Working conditions are enlightened and new people hired on make "almost" a living wage. Going to other places for a while is a great way to bring fresh ideas and experiences back to home. Tony Del Plato On 3/7/06, Michael Burns wrote: > > I really wouldn't want to encourage any progressive activist working on > sustainability, food security, and ecological regeneration to leave our > area, > BUT this is an interesting opportunity and maybe the experience an intern > could get at this Calfornia institution could be brought back to our > region... > > ------------------------------ Original Message > ------------------------------ > Subject: [SANET-MG] Internship in a Sustainable Kitchen > From: "Lisa M. Hamilton" > Date: Mon, March 6, 2006 8:43 pm > To: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > I'm writing to pass on this great opportunity for a person who wants to > join a > sustainable kitchen and learn from a talented chef. The parent > organization > is the Headlands Center for the Arts, a residency program in the Marin > Headlands (national parkland just north of the Golden Gate Bridge). This > internship is special in part because the kitchen allows for (and > encourages) > creativity that is not always possible in the traditional restaurant > model. > Furthermore, the internship means daily contact with a community of > artists > from throughout the Bay Area and the world. It's a great opportunity for > someone who is motivated, creative, and inspired by food. Those who are > interested can contact HCA directly. > > ? UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE ? > > KITCHEN INTERN > The Headlands Center for the Arts (HCA) is seeking a part-time, live-in > kitchen intern willing to make a commitment of three to six months. > > The HCA Kitchen Intern works twenty-five hours a week. Compensation > includes > a room in one of our artist houses and meals from our kitchen. > > The HCA kitchen is a beautiful space to cook. It was renovated as a > commissioned work of nationally known artist Ann Hamilton. In the past it > functioned as part of an old army mess hall; in its present state it > marries > form, function, and beauty to create a space that is both wonderful to > work in > and to experience. Part of Hamilton's inspiration came from her > fascination > with and appreciation for culinary processes and their communal aspects, > and > those of us who work in the kitchen seek to keep this tradition > alive. The > philosophy of the HCA food program seeks to always honor the processes of > food creation, not just the product, as is so common in the food industry > today. In additional to the Hamilton commission, the kitchen is home to an > Alan Scott wood-fired brick oven that has produced crusty loaves of > country > bread on a regular basis for the past eight years. The HCA kitchen has > been > serving dinners to artists and residents, as well as members and public > program attendees for the past ten years. > > This is not a vegetarian kitchen, though we do use the most > ethically-raised > meats available, seeking out those from humane, small-scale, California > ranches and farms. Located in the coastal wilderness of the Marin > Headlands 15 > minutes from San Francisco, HCA is a laboratory for the development of > new > work and a place for the exchange of ideas across cultures and > professional > disciplines. The programs include artists' residencies and commissions, > public lectures, performances, and publications. Residencies are awarded > to > artists from many different disciplines, cultural backgrounds and > nationalities while public programs engage artists, scholars, activists > and > other professionals. By creating opportunities for interaction across > traditional boundaries, HCA works to introduce artists and audiences to > new > creative processes, and to broaden the range of possibilities for art's > function in our society. The communal dining program is seen as a key > contributor to reaching these goals. > In summary, current HCA food programs include artist in residence dinners > and > public program meals, chiefly dinners. The Kitchen Intern may assist > with > any and all aspects related to providing these meals. > > Duties and responsibilities include: > ? assisting the chef and in all aspects of running the dinner > program, > including food preparation and presentation, counter service, money > collection and clean-up ? receiving and storing shipments > ? making trips to the farmer's market or other locations to pick up > food > ? participating with menu planning > ? independently taking on meal preparation as experience allows, > including > planning, cooking and serving > ? maintaining kitchen service and storage area organization > > Qualifications: The primary qualification for the Kitchen Intern is a > passion for food and culinary processes, and either culinary training or > hands-on experience in a kitchen. The intern must be willing to handle > all > kinds of ingredients and be open to all kinds of cuisines. Because the > intern > shares housing with up to three artists-in-residence, it is crucial that > this > individual be flexible, considerate, responsible and respectful of others' > needs. It is helpful to own an automobile. > > The Kitchen Staff: The Kitchen Intern will work closely with, learn from > and > otherwise benefit from the experience and expertise of these individuals: > Katie Powers (Dinner Chef) is a graduate of the California Culinary > Academy > and has been the chef at Woodwards Garden for three years previous to > coming > to HCA. She has an extensive knowledge and love of the culinary > arts. By > participating in farmers markets she is able to create food that > is entirely > seasonal. She is particularly interested in the freedom to experiment with > different cuisines, baking and pastry methods. Her passion for food makes > being a part of the HCA's kitchen so enjoyable. > > Eduardo Morell (Baker) has worked in various restaurants before finding a > culinary home at HCA where his love for food and cooking and his > commitment > to community values, creative expression, and the arts has come together. > He worked for a year as the first Kitchen Intern. He returned three > years > ago to re-established our bread baking program and serve as an occasional > interim Dinner Chef. His interest in bread baking began during his > internship at HCA under the tutelage of French baker Laurent Pouget. > Morell > has been making good use of the wood-fired oven baking outstanding > traditional, organic, naturally leavened country loaves. > > To Apply: Please contact us by sending a cover letter, resume, and three > references to: > Kitchen Intern Search > Headlands Center for the Arts > 944 Fort Barry > Sausalito CA 94965 > > HCA Information: Further information about Headlands Center for the Arts > and > its programs can be found at our website www.headlands.org. > > Deadline: March 10, 2006 ASAP > > The Headlands Center for the Arts is an equal opportunity employer > committed > to diversity in its programs and hiring practices. We strongly encourage > people of color to apply. > > ******************************************************** > Visit the SANET-MG archives at: > http://lists.sare.org/archives/sanet-mg.html. > Questions? Visit http://www.sare.org/about/sanetFAQ.htm. > For more information on grants and other resources available through the > SARE > program, please visit http://www.sare.org. > > > > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > Michael Burns > http://www.cayuta.org > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > Earn your permaculture design certificate. > The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute > offers affordable local classes. > Go to: http://www.flpci.org > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > > _______________________________________________ > SustainableTompkins mailing list > SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > -- "A society contains a built-in blueprint for failure if the elite insulates itself from the consequences of its actions." ? Jared Diamond From wsh6 at cornell.edu Tue Mar 7 09:36:02 2006 From: wsh6 at cornell.edu (Bill Hecht) Date: Tue Mar 7 10:36:05 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] [Fwd: Internship in a Sustainable Kitchen] In-Reply-To: References: <15160.216.162.28.201.1141748773.squirrel@mail.panix.com> Message-ID: <440DC482.80804@cornell.edu> Does anyone know of any commercial fishermen here iin the Finger Lakes that catch and sell local fish ? Tony Del Plato wrote: >Hi: >While going to California is a great idea, if anyone wants to work in a >sustainable kitchen, Moosewood Restaurant has met many of the criteria for >sustainability in it's 33+year existence. Barbara Hotchkiss from the TC >county waste management program did a waste audit in the mid to late 90's, >maybe earlier, and gave Moosewood an excellent rating. Moosewood may be the >first dining service in the area to start composting besides sorting the >waste stream effectively. The limitations are obvious. We're not California >w/12 month growing season, but we've got lots of water!!! It doesn't have a >garden in the back. Seafood comes from a variety of places. The summer and >fall we get most of our produce from the area, while most grains and beans >come from other areas. Working conditions are enlightened and new people >hired on make "almost" a living wage. >Going to other places for a while is a great way to bring fresh ideas and >experiences back to home. >Tony Del Plato > >On 3/7/06, Michael Burns wrote: > > >>I really wouldn't want to encourage any progressive activist working on >>sustainability, food security, and ecological regeneration to leave our >>area, >>BUT this is an interesting opportunity and maybe the experience an intern >>could get at this Calfornia institution could be brought back to our >>region... >> >>------------------------------ Original Message >>------------------------------ >>Subject: [SANET-MG] Internship in a Sustainable Kitchen >>From: "Lisa M. Hamilton" >>Date: Mon, March 6, 2006 8:43 pm >>To: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU >> >>------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> >>I'm writing to pass on this great opportunity for a person who wants to >>join a >>sustainable kitchen and learn from a talented chef. The parent >>organization >>is the Headlands Center for the Arts, a residency program in the Marin >>Headlands (national parkland just north of the Golden Gate Bridge). This >>internship is special in part because the kitchen allows for (and >>encourages) >>creativity that is not always possible in the traditional restaurant >>model. >>Furthermore, the internship means daily contact with a community of >>artists >>from throughout the Bay Area and the world. It's a great opportunity for >>someone who is motivated, creative, and inspired by food. Those who are >>interested can contact HCA directly. >> >>? UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE ? >> >>KITCHEN INTERN >>The Headlands Center for the Arts (HCA) is seeking a part-time, live-in >>kitchen intern willing to make a commitment of three to six months. >> >>The HCA Kitchen Intern works twenty-five hours a week. Compensation >>includes >>a room in one of our artist houses and meals from our kitchen. >> >>The HCA kitchen is a beautiful space to cook. It was renovated as a >>commissioned work of nationally known artist Ann Hamilton. In the past it >>functioned as part of an old army mess hall; in its present state it >>marries >>form, function, and beauty to create a space that is both wonderful to >>work in >>and to experience. Part of Hamilton's inspiration came from her >>fascination >>with and appreciation for culinary processes and their communal aspects, >>and >>those of us who work in the kitchen seek to keep this tradition >>alive. The >>philosophy of the HCA food program seeks to always honor the processes of >>food creation, not just the product, as is so common in the food industry >>today. In additional to the Hamilton commission, the kitchen is home to an >>Alan Scott wood-fired brick oven that has produced crusty loaves of >>country >>bread on a regular basis for the past eight years. The HCA kitchen has >>been >>serving dinners to artists and residents, as well as members and public >>program attendees for the past ten years. >> >>This is not a vegetarian kitchen, though we do use the most >>ethically-raised >>meats available, seeking out those from humane, small-scale, California >>ranches and farms. Located in the coastal wilderness of the Marin >>Headlands 15 >>minutes from San Francisco, HCA is a laboratory for the development of >>new >>work and a place for the exchange of ideas across cultures and >>professional >>disciplines. The programs include artists' residencies and commissions, >>public lectures, performances, and publications. Residencies are awarded >>to >>artists from many different disciplines, cultural backgrounds and >>nationalities while public programs engage artists, scholars, activists >>and >>other professionals. By creating opportunities for interaction across >>traditional boundaries, HCA works to introduce artists and audiences to >>new >>creative processes, and to broaden the range of possibilities for art's >>function in our society. The communal dining program is seen as a key >>contributor to reaching these goals. >>In summary, current HCA food programs include artist in residence dinners >>and >>public program meals, chiefly dinners. The Kitchen Intern may assist >>with >>any and all aspects related to providing these meals. >> >>Duties and responsibilities include: >>? assisting the chef and in all aspects of running the dinner >>program, >>including food preparation and presentation, counter service, money >>collection and clean-up ? receiving and storing shipments >>? making trips to the farmer's market or other locations to pick up >>food >>? participating with menu planning >>? independently taking on meal preparation as experience allows, >>including >>planning, cooking and serving >>? maintaining kitchen service and storage area organization >> >>Qualifications: The primary qualification for the Kitchen Intern is a >>passion for food and culinary processes, and either culinary training or >>hands-on experience in a kitchen. The intern must be willing to handle >>all >>kinds of ingredients and be open to all kinds of cuisines. Because the >>intern >>shares housing with up to three artists-in-residence, it is crucial that >>this >>individual be flexible, considerate, responsible and respectful of others' >>needs. It is helpful to own an automobile. >> >>The Kitchen Staff: The Kitchen Intern will work closely with, learn from >>and >>otherwise benefit from the experience and expertise of these individuals: >>Katie Powers (Dinner Chef) is a graduate of the California Culinary >>Academy >>and has been the chef at Woodwards Garden for three years previous to >>coming >>to HCA. She has an extensive knowledge and love of the culinary >>arts. By >>participating in farmers markets she is able to create food that >>is entirely >>seasonal. She is particularly interested in the freedom to experiment with >>different cuisines, baking and pastry methods. Her passion for food makes >>being a part of the HCA's kitchen so enjoyable. >> >>Eduardo Morell (Baker) has worked in various restaurants before finding a >>culinary home at HCA where his love for food and cooking and his >>commitment >>to community values, creative expression, and the arts has come together. >>He worked for a year as the first Kitchen Intern. He returned three >>years >>ago to re-established our bread baking program and serve as an occasional >>interim Dinner Chef. His interest in bread baking began during his >>internship at HCA under the tutelage of French baker Laurent Pouget. >>Morell >>has been making good use of the wood-fired oven baking outstanding >>traditional, organic, naturally leavened country loaves. >> >>To Apply: Please contact us by sending a cover letter, resume, and three >>references to: >>Kitchen Intern Search >>Headlands Center for the Arts >>944 Fort Barry >>Sausalito CA 94965 >> >>HCA Information: Further information about Headlands Center for the Arts >>and >>its programs can be found at our website www.headlands.org. >> >>Deadline: March 10, 2006 ASAP >> >>The Headlands Center for the Arts is an equal opportunity employer >>committed >>to diversity in its programs and hiring practices. We strongly encourage >>people of color to apply. >> >>******************************************************** >>Visit the SANET-MG archives at: >>http://lists.sare.org/archives/sanet-mg.html. >>Questions? Visit http://www.sare.org/about/sanetFAQ.htm. >>For more information on grants and other resources available through the >>SARE >>program, please visit http://www.sare.org. >> >> >> >> >>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >>Michael Burns >>http://www.cayuta.org >>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >>Earn your permaculture design certificate. >>The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute >>offers affordable local classes. >>Go to: http://www.flpci.org >>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >> >>_______________________________________________ >>SustainableTompkins mailing list >>SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org >>http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >>free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org >> >> >> > > > >-- >"A society contains a built-in blueprint for failure if the elite insulates >itself from the consequences of its actions." ? Jared Diamond >_______________________________________________ >SustainableTompkins mailing list >SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org >http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > > From drk5 at cornell.edu Tue Mar 7 11:02:32 2006 From: drk5 at cornell.edu (Dean Koyanagi) Date: Tue Mar 7 11:13:43 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Principles of Sustainable Design author Jason McLennan, March 15th Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060307135630.02ea0cc0@postoffice7.mail.cornell.edu> REMINDER: Don't Miss Wed. March 15, 4:30pm: Jason McLennan Director, BNIM/Elements (http://elements.bnim.com) Founder, Ecotone Publishing (www.ecotonedesign.com) Author, The Philosophy of Sustainable Design Call Alumni Auditorium in Kennedy Hall See his article (book excerpt) in the current edition of Architecture Week online: http://www.architectureweek.com/today.html From tonydelplato at gmail.com Tue Mar 7 13:31:36 2006 From: tonydelplato at gmail.com (Tony Del Plato) Date: Tue Mar 7 13:34:01 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] [Fwd: Internship in a Sustainable Kitchen] In-Reply-To: <440DC482.80804@cornell.edu> References: <15160.216.162.28.201.1141748773.squirrel@mail.panix.com> <440DC482.80804@cornell.edu> Message-ID: There are fish farms in the area. On 3/7/06, Bill Hecht wrote: > > Does anyone know of any commercial fishermen here iin the Finger Lakes > that catch and sell local fish ? > > Tony Del Plato wrote: > > >Hi: > >While going to California is a great idea, if anyone wants to work in a > >sustainable kitchen, Moosewood Restaurant has met many of the criteria > for > >sustainability in it's 33+year existence. Barbara Hotchkiss from the TC > >county waste management program did a waste audit in the mid to late > 90's, > >maybe earlier, and gave Moosewood an excellent rating. Moosewood may be > the > >first dining service in the area to start composting besides sorting the > >waste stream effectively. The limitations are obvious. We're not > California > >w/12 month growing season, but we've got lots of water!!! It doesn't have > a > >garden in the back. Seafood comes from a variety of places. The summer > and > >fall we get most of our produce from the area, while most grains and > beans > >come from other areas. Working conditions are enlightened and new people > >hired on make "almost" a living wage. > >Going to other places for a while is a great way to bring fresh ideas and > >experiences back to home. > >Tony Del Plato > > > >On 3/7/06, Michael Burns wrote: > > > > > >>I really wouldn't want to encourage any progressive activist working on > >>sustainability, food security, and ecological regeneration to leave our > >>area, > >>BUT this is an interesting opportunity and maybe the experience an > intern > >>could get at this Calfornia institution could be brought back to our > >>region... > >> > >>------------------------------ Original Message > >>------------------------------ > >>Subject: [SANET-MG] Internship in a Sustainable Kitchen > >>From: "Lisa M. Hamilton" > >>Date: Mon, March 6, 2006 8:43 pm > >>To: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU > >> > > >>------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >> > >>I'm writing to pass on this great opportunity for a person who wants to > >>join a > >>sustainable kitchen and learn from a talented chef. The parent > >>organization > >>is the Headlands Center for the Arts, a residency program in the Marin > >>Headlands (national parkland just north of the Golden Gate Bridge). > This > >>internship is special in part because the kitchen allows for (and > >>encourages) > >>creativity that is not always possible in the traditional restaurant > >>model. > >>Furthermore, the internship means daily contact with a community of > >>artists > >>from throughout the Bay Area and the world. It's a great opportunity > for > >>someone who is motivated, creative, and inspired by food. Those who are > >>interested can contact HCA directly. > >> > >>? UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE ? > >> > >>KITCHEN INTERN > >>The Headlands Center for the Arts (HCA) is seeking a part-time, live-in > >>kitchen intern willing to make a commitment of three to six months. > >> > >>The HCA Kitchen Intern works twenty-five hours a week. Compensation > >>includes > >>a room in one of our artist houses and meals from our kitchen. > >> > >>The HCA kitchen is a beautiful space to cook. It was renovated as a > >>commissioned work of nationally known artist Ann Hamilton. In the past > it > >>functioned as part of an old army mess hall; in its present state it > >>marries > >>form, function, and beauty to create a space that is both wonderful to > >>work in > >>and to experience. Part of Hamilton's inspiration came from her > >>fascination > >>with and appreciation for culinary processes and their communal > aspects, > >>and > >>those of us who work in the kitchen seek to keep this tradition > >>alive. The > >>philosophy of the HCA food program seeks to always honor the processes > of > >>food creation, not just the product, as is so common in the food > industry > >>today. In additional to the Hamilton commission, the kitchen is home to > an > >>Alan Scott wood-fired brick oven that has produced crusty loaves of > >>country > >>bread on a regular basis for the past eight years. The HCA kitchen has > >>been > >>serving dinners to artists and residents, as well as members and public > >>program attendees for the past ten years. > >> > >>This is not a vegetarian kitchen, though we do use the most > >>ethically-raised > >>meats available, seeking out those from humane, small-scale, California > >>ranches and farms. Located in the coastal wilderness of the Marin > >>Headlands 15 > >>minutes from San Francisco, HCA is a laboratory for the development of > >>new > >>work and a place for the exchange of ideas across cultures and > >>professional > >>disciplines. The programs include artists' residencies and commissions, > >>public lectures, performances, and publications. Residencies are > awarded > >>to > >>artists from many different disciplines, cultural backgrounds and > >>nationalities while public programs engage artists, scholars, activists > >>and > >>other professionals. By creating opportunities for interaction across > >>traditional boundaries, HCA works to introduce artists and audiences to > >>new > >>creative processes, and to broaden the range of possibilities for art's > >>function in our society. The communal dining program is seen as a key > >>contributor to reaching these goals. > >>In summary, current HCA food programs include artist in residence > dinners > >>and > >>public program meals, chiefly dinners. The Kitchen Intern may assist > >>with > >>any and all aspects related to providing these meals. > >> > >>Duties and responsibilities include: > >>? assisting the chef and in all aspects of running the dinner > >>program, > >>including food preparation and presentation, counter service, money > >>collection and clean-up ? receiving and storing shipments > >>? making trips to the farmer's market or other locations to pick > up > >>food > >>? participating with menu planning > >>? independently taking on meal preparation as experience allows, > >>including > >>planning, cooking and serving > >>? maintaining kitchen service and storage area organization > >> > >>Qualifications: The primary qualification for the Kitchen Intern is a > >>passion for food and culinary processes, and either culinary training > or > >>hands-on experience in a kitchen. The intern must be willing to handle > >>all > >>kinds of ingredients and be open to all kinds of cuisines. Because the > >>intern > >>shares housing with up to three artists-in-residence, it is crucial that > >>this > >>individual be flexible, considerate, responsible and respectful of > others' > >>needs. It is helpful to own an automobile. > >> > >>The Kitchen Staff: The Kitchen Intern will work closely with, learn > from > >>and > >>otherwise benefit from the experience and expertise of these > individuals: > >>Katie Powers (Dinner Chef) is a graduate of the California Culinary > >>Academy > >>and has been the chef at Woodwards Garden for three years previous to > >>coming > >>to HCA. She has an extensive knowledge and love of the culinary > >>arts. By > >>participating in farmers markets she is able to create food that > >>is entirely > >>seasonal. She is particularly interested in the freedom to experiment > with > >>different cuisines, baking and pastry methods. Her passion for food > makes > >>being a part of the HCA's kitchen so enjoyable. > >> > >>Eduardo Morell (Baker) has worked in various restaurants before finding > a > >>culinary home at HCA where his love for food and cooking and his > >>commitment > >>to community values, creative expression, and the arts has come > together. > >>He worked for a year as the first Kitchen Intern. He returned three > >>years > >>ago to re-established our bread baking program and serve as an > occasional > >>interim Dinner Chef. His interest in bread baking began during his > >>internship at HCA under the tutelage of French baker Laurent Pouget. > >>Morell > >>has been making good use of the wood-fired oven baking outstanding > >>traditional, organic, naturally leavened country loaves. > >> > >>To Apply: Please contact us by sending a cover letter, resume, and three > >>references to: > >>Kitchen Intern Search > >>Headlands Center for the Arts > >>944 Fort Barry > >>Sausalito CA 94965 > >> > >>HCA Information: Further information about Headlands Center for the > Arts > >>and > >>its programs can be found at our website www.headlands.org. > >> > >>Deadline: March 10, 2006 ASAP > >> > >>The Headlands Center for the Arts is an equal opportunity employer > >>committed > >>to diversity in its programs and hiring practices. We strongly > encourage > >>people of color to apply. > >> > >>******************************************************** > >>Visit the SANET-MG archives at: > >>http://lists.sare.org/archives/sanet-mg.html. > >>Questions? Visit http://www.sare.org/about/sanetFAQ.htm. > >>For more information on grants and other resources available through the > >>SARE > >>program, please visit http://www.sare.org. > >> > >> > >> > >> > >>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > >>Michael Burns > >>http://www.cayuta.org > >>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > >>Earn your permaculture design certificate. > >>The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute > >>offers affordable local classes. > >>Go to: http://www.flpci.org > >>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > >> > >>_______________________________________________ > >>SustainableTompkins mailing list > >>SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > >>http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > >>free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > >> > >> > >> > > > > > > > >-- > >"A society contains a built-in blueprint for failure if the elite > insulates > >itself from the consequences of its actions." ? Jared Diamond > >_______________________________________________ > >SustainableTompkins mailing list > >SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > >http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > >free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > SustainableTompkins mailing list > SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > -- "A society contains a built-in blueprint for failure if the elite insulates itself from the consequences of its actions." ? Jared Diamond From bosak at ibiblio.org Tue Mar 7 17:38:23 2006 From: bosak at ibiblio.org (bosak@ibiblio.org) Date: Tue Mar 7 17:38:31 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Things to come (parts 1-4) In-Reply-To: <6.2.1.2.2.20060129224740.04188cc8@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> References: <6.2.1.2.2.20060129224740.04188cc8@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> Message-ID: <33044.24.59.194.75.1141781903.squirrel@secure.ibiblio.org> This is a great set of articles. http://energybulletin.net/13200.html Jon From GayNicholson at aol.com Tue Mar 7 21:57:26 2006 From: GayNicholson at aol.com (GayNicholson@aol.com) Date: Tue Mar 7 21:57:49 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] $875 Million Available to Improve Energy Efficiency in New York State Message-ID: <24b.81cba1d.313fcc46@aol.com> Regional forum in Binghamton on March 16. FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE, March 2, 2006 CONTACT: Colleen Ryan, NYSERDA (518) 862-1090, ext. 3359 or cqr@nyserda.org $875 Million Available to Improve Energy Efficiency in New York State Homes and Businesses Binghamton, NY -- The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is holding one of nine statewide series of forums in Binghamton on Thursday, March 16, 2006. The forums will give residents and businesses the chance to learn more about $875 million in funding opportunities available through the New York Energy $martsm program. The forum will be held from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Binghamton University. Registration is encouraged, but not required. NYSERDA program directors and staff will be available to provide New York businesses, industries, municipalities, and residents, information on how to take advantage of these public benefit programs. To ensure that vital energy-efficiency and research and development programs continue to benefit New Yorkers during electric utility restructuring, the State's Public Service Commission (PSC) named NYSERDA administrator of programs paid for by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) on the electricity transmitted and distributed by the State's investor-owned utilities. ?NYSERDA encourages people to attend these forums to learn about the financial and technical assistance available to help them reduce their energy costs,? said Peter R. Smith, President and CEO of NYSERDA. ?Residents and businesses will receive information from NYSERDA?s staff about the different programs and services available, and how to participate.? As administrator of SBC funds for the past eight years, NYSERDA has awarded nearly $900 million in SBC funds through its New York Energy $martsm program, resulting in significant reductions in energy consumption, annual air emissions and millions of dollars of annual savings on customer bills. Estimated impacts of the program to date show NYSERDA reduced annual energy use by more than 1,700 million kilowatt hours and reduced energy demand by more than 1,000 megawatts. This is equivalent to serving the average annual electricity needs of approximately 240,000 residential homes. These programs are reducing energy expenses for consumers by more than $230 million a year and eliminating 1,500 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions, more than 2,700 tons of sulfur emissions, and more than 1.1 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Annually, these programs will help to create and retain about 4,450 new jobs in the State's retail and service sectors, as well as of keeping energy dollars in local economies where they can be reinvested into businesses and communities. Further, improved energy efficiency and fewer dollars leaving the State to pay for imported energy provide economic benefits statewide. In January 2001, the PSC extended the SBC for another five years with $750 million in funding opportunities available for businesses, industries, municipalities, and residents throughout the State. In 2006, the PSC extended the program again for five years with an additional $875 million available. NYSERDA?s forums are being held in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, Albany, Westchester, Bronx, and Brooklyn during the month of March. For more information on NYSERDA, or to register for the forums, please visit our web sites at www.nyserda.org, www.GetEnergySmart.org, or call 1-866-NYSERDA. ### *************************************** Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator _www.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 gaynicholson@aol.com Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 agn1@cornell.edu From GayNicholson at aol.com Tue Mar 7 21:50:30 2006 From: GayNicholson at aol.com (GayNicholson@aol.com) Date: Wed Mar 8 08:32:40 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Reminder: Energy Town Meeting March 9 at Cornell Message-ID: <266.7000623.313fcaa6@aol.com> Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 12:58:20 -0500 From: Carole Fisher Subject: Energy Town Meeting March 9th Feb.17, 2006 Ithaca, NY? The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Cornell Cooperative Extension will hold its second in a series of Energy Town Meetings on March 9, 2006. Scheduled across the State and open to the public, this meeting will provide energy efficiency tips. The Energy Town Meeting topic is ?Reducing Home Energy Costs? and focuses on how to keep home energy costs under control during this time of increasing energy prices. ? Simple no-cost and low-cost steps for reducing energy costs ? The three most cost-effective steps for reducing home heating costs ? Comprehensive Home Assessments ? Home Performance with ENERGY STAR? Presenters are Dr. Joe Laquatra, professor at Cornell University and Brian Atchinson, project manager at NYSERDA. The meeting will take place Thursday, March 9, 2006 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Room 153 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall (MVR Hall) on the Cornell University Campus. Call CCE-Tompkins to reserve a seat, at 272-2292. Carole Fisher Community Educator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 272-2292 E-mail: crf11@cornell.edu *************************************** Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator _www.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 gaynicholson@aol.com Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 agn1@cornell.edu From ph24 at kaxy.com Wed Mar 8 09:32:02 2006 From: ph24 at kaxy.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Wed Mar 8 11:32:56 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] elder cohousing trend In-Reply-To: <6.2.3.4.2.20060302064157.036aeb48@postoffice7.mail.cornell.edu> References: <2b7.57bf5c7.3137ee77@aol.com> <6.2.3.4.2.20060302064157.036aeb48@postoffice7.mail.cornell.edu> Message-ID: I'll forward this to the folks at IC's Gerontology program, Lifelong and the Office for Aging, with whom Level Green is working toward a Creative Aging Workshop foir National Dance wEEK. aLSO TO the emerging White Hawk intentional community.I agree with Ken that it's worth looking at. Perhaps we could get some of IC's students to research what's going on nationally in this direction - ? An initiatve aimed at the US Partnership's 1st anniversary Convocation in Raleigh last week - this dimension would complement other things that were put on the table. ----- Original Message ----- From: Kenneth Schlather To: Sustainable Tompkins County listserv Sent: Thu, 02 Mar 2006 06:42:44 -0600 Subject: Re: [SustainableTompkins] elder cohousing trend > This is one idea that would work in Tompkins County. ken > > At 12:45 AM 3/2/2006, you wrote: > > > > > >NY Times > > > > > > > >____________________________________ > >February 27, 2006 > > > >Growing Old Together, in New Kind of Commune > >By _PATRICIA LEIGH BROWN_ > >( > http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/patricia_leigh_brown/index.html?inline=nyt-per) > > > > > >DAVIS, Calif., Feb. 23 — They are unlikely revolutionaries. Bearing walkers > >and canes, a veritable Merck Manual of ailments > >among them, the 12 old friends > >— average age 80 — looked as though they should > >have been sn sitting down to a > >game of Scrabble, not pioneering a new kind of commune. > >Opting for old age on their own terms, they were starting a new chapter in > >their lives as residents of Glacier Circle, the country's first self-planned > >housing development for the elderly — a community they had conceivedd and > >designed themselves, right down to its purple gutters. > >Over the past five years, the residents of Glacier Circle have found and > >bought land together, hired an architect together, ironed out insurance > >together, lobbied for a zoning change together > >and existentially probed togetherness > >together. > >"Here you get to pick your family instead of being born into it," said Peggy > >Northup-Dawson, 79, a retired family therapist and mother of six who is > >legally blind. "We recognized that when you're > >physically closer to each other, > >you pay more attention, look in on each other. The idea was to share care." > >The four couples, two widows and two who are now living solo live in eight > >individual town houses, grouped around an inner courtyard. Still under > >construction is the "common house" with a living > >room and a large kitchen and dining > >room for communal dinners; upstairs is a studio apartment they will rent at > >below market value to a skilled nurse who will > >provide additional care. It is > >their own self-styled, potluck utopia. > >"It's an acknowledgment that intimacy doesn't happen by chance," said John > >Jungerman, 84, a retired nuclear physicist and one of several Ph.D.'s in the > >group, who is perpetually clad in purple socks and sandals. > >"At first John said, 'I'm not old enough,' " his wife, Nancy, said of the > >commune. "I said, 'You're 80 years old. How old do you have to be?' " > >There are about a dozen co-operative housing developments for the elderly in > >development, from Santa Fe, N.M., to St. Petersburg, Fla., a fledgling > >movement to communally address "the challenge > >of aging non-institutionally," said > >Charles Durett, an architect in Nevada City, > >Calif., who imported the concept > >he named co-housing — people buying homes in a community they plan and run > >together — from Denmark in the late 1960's. > >Though communal housing for the elderly is new, intergenerational communities > > have been around since 1991, when the first opened in this politically > >progressive university town. There are now 82 across the country. > >In Abingdon, Va., residents are beginning to move into ElderSpirit, a > >development founded by a 76-year-old former nun, > >Dene Peterson. The community of > >37, 10 years in the making, includes a "spirit > >house" for ecumenical prayer and > >meditation. Video: The elderly residents of Glacier Circle explain > >their motivation for starting a new community. > >(Produced by Brent McDonald.) > >"I just thought there had to be a better way for older people to live," said > >Ms. Peterson, who formed a nonprofit development corporation with three other > > former Glenmary sisters, a Catholic order, and knit together a variety of > >private and governmental funds (16 of the 29 units are subsidized affordable > >housing). > >Ms. Peterson says she was haunted and inspired by her work with elderly > >public housing residents in Chicago in the 1960's. > >"The elderly were dying," she recalled, "and they were anonymous." > >With millions of baby boomers moving toward retirement, gerontologists and > >developers are looking to communal housing for the elderly with growing > >interest, building on a generation's mythology > >that already includes communes and > >college dormitories. > >In co-operative housing, said Janice Blanchard, a gerontologist and housing > >consultant in Denver, "the social consciousness of the 1960's can get > >re-expressed." Baby boomers, she predicted, "are > >going to want to recreate the peak > >experience of their lives. Whether a commune or a college dorm, the common > >denominator was community." > >Rich Morrison, 79, a retired psychologist from Sacramento State University > >and the sole single man at Glacier Circle, only recently gave up his hobby, > >swimming the major rapids of the Colorado River. > >"Emotionally, there's no reason > > why I can't continue to grow until I'm 100, if I'm lucky," he said. > >Mr. Morrison is once widowed and twice divorced. Like others in the group who > > have struggled through every loss, from a child's _suicide_ > >(< > http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/suicidesandsuicide>http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/suicidesandsuicide > >< > http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/suicidesandsuicide>attempts/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier) > >to the death of a spouse, he > >speaks about now being able to make "heart choices," hard won. > >"I've been lonely," said Lois Grau, 87, whose husband died three years ago. > >"Little things go wrong that he would have fixed." > >Mrs. Grau and her friends have known each other for nearly 40 years, raising > >children in the same neighborhood. Many residents met through the local > >Unitarian Universalist Church, and they still > >begin weekly meetings by pledging > >to "listen deeply and thoughtfully" to each other. Davis is known for its > >involved citizenry who dash off to their book > >groups at 7 p.m. The Glacier Circle > >12 even partake of what they call a "dream group," in which they discuss > >their dreams. > >Their talents and resources are by no means typical. They are all > >accomplished professionals, and the market value > >of their homes allowed them to > >purchase land and build their dream at a cost of > >$3.2 million, or about $400,000 > >each, plus $350 a month in dues. They expect to > >collect $850 a month in rental > >income. Individuals own their own homes but share expenses of common areas. > >Stan Dawson, 75, a resident who has a doctorate from the Harvard School of > >Public Health, retired as chief of air pollution standards for the State of > >California to navigate the project full time through bureaucratic hurdles. > >"It was a wonderful thing my dad played golf every day," he said of his > >father's retirement. "But I wanted to further my life in old age." > >The design-by-democracy may not work for everyone. > >The architect, Julie Haney, 49, said tension broke out over the color of > >gutters and trim on their bungalow-style homes. As Ms. Haney explained, "Ann > >likes blue, Stan wanted brown, Ann hates brown, everyone liked purple." > >Ms. Haney, whose own elderly parents died as the design was nearing > >completion, said the residents forgot things > >more often than her younger clients did > >but made up for it with perspective. "I asked, > >'Do you want a 20-year roof or > >a 40-year roof?" she recalled. "They said, 'If it lasts five years, we'll be > >happy.' " > >To be sure, the challenges are daunting. Sue Saum, 74, for instance, moved in > > with her husband Jim, 84, a retired professor who, during the course of > >planning the community, was told he had _Alzheimer's_ > >(< > http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/alzheimers/index.html?inline=>http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/alzheimers/index.html?inline= > >nyt-classifier) disease. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Saum was operated on for > >_breast cancer_ > >( > http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/breastcancer/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier) > >, and recently > >she had back surgery. At some point, she acknowledges, her husband may need > >care beyond their friends' abilities. > >"It's one of those day-at-a-time, figure-it-out-as-you-go things," she said. > >"But creating a community like this, you learn a lot about the strength of > >the human spirit." > >Twelve friends' buying land at age 80 requires a certain leap of faith. By > >its nature Glacier Circle will change over time. A homeowners association, > >consisting of one resident from each unit, has > >the right of first refusal to buy > >any home when a vacancy arises, for whatever reason, or what Dr. Jungerman > >nonchalantly calls a visit from "the great father in the sky." > >Glacier Circle is too small to legally mandate age restrictions, but Ray > >Coppock, 83, a retired editor, thinks that will > >take care of itself. "They'll > >take one look at us," he said. "That should reduce the potential buyer > >situation." > >At ElderSpirit in Virginia, which will be fully occupied in late spring, > >spirituality is the major draw. Ms. Peterson defined spirituality as "people > >finding meaning in their lives, acknowledging > >ways to give up the ego and grow > >the soul." > >Six more ElderSpirit communities, in St. Petersburg, Fla., Wichita, Kan., and > > elsewhere, are in planning stages, with some financing from the > >Chicago-based Retirement Research Foundation. > >Not surprisingly, a streamlined form of community housing may be in the wind, > > as efforts spring up around the country to speed up the planning process, > >which normally takes two and a half to three and a half years. > >Unlike intergenerational co-operative housing, a niche market of about 5,000 > >people, communal housing for the elderly has "far more market potential," > >said Jim Leach, president of the Wonderland > >Hill Development Company in Denver, > >which is building Silver Sage, a communal > >housing development for the elderly > > scheduled to open in Boulder next year. > >Dr. William Thomas, who developed the "Eden Alternative," a widely publicized > > effort to make nursing homes less > > institutional, is developing Eldershire in > > Sherburne, N.Y., south of Syracuse, a hybrid between co-operative housing > >and a traditional development. The idea is to build first and then attract > >residents who will run it themselves. > >Dr. Thomas compares co-operative housing, and its time-consuming community > >planning, with "homemade bread — people get > >together, mix the ingreddients, let > >the dough rise." He's trying to adapt the concept for broader consumption — > >"100 million people," he says, "buy bread at the store." > >Even revolutionaries need to be flexible. At Glacier Circle, where the first > >tulips of spring are popping up, the group had approved special wall > >insulation for Mr. Morrison, who has a penchant > >for playing Mahler's Ninth Symphony > >at 3 a.m. When the bass and timpani pulse > >through his subwoofer, his neighbor > >Dorie Datel, a youthful 80-year-old, just lets > >it slide. For Ms. Datel, whose > >husband left her for "the other woman" he met at Elderhostel, this group's > >wisdom and resolve are embedded in the square footage. > >"We've all lived through the _Depression_ > >(< > http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/depression/index.html?inline=nyt-clas>http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/depression/index.html?inline=nyt-clas > >< > http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/depression/index.html?inline=nyt-clas>sifier) > >and war and the big stuff, so we know that things don't always stay > >the same," Ms. Datel said. "All of us are interested in living." > >Glacier Circle and ElderSpirit are self-developed cohousing communities. The > >Elder Cohousing Network, founded four years ago, offers for-profit how-to > >workshops. General information is available through a national non-profit, > >www.cohousing.org. > > > > > >*************************************** > >Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. > > > >Sustainable Tompkins > >Program Coordinator > >_www.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) > > > >607-533-7312 (home office) > >607-279-6618 (cell) > > > >1 Maple Avenue > >Lansing, NY 14882 > >gaynicholson@aol.com > > > >Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities > >Regional Coordinator > >Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County > >615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 > >agn1@cornell.edu > > > >_______________________________________________ > >SustainableTompkins mailing list > >SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > >http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > >free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > _______________________________________________ > SustainableTompkins mailing list > SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org Level Green Institute - fostering social, economic and environmental justice through collaborative initiatives in education and the arts -- This email was brought to you by Kaxy Mail http://www.kaxy.com/free_email_account.htm From tonydelplato at gmail.com Wed Mar 8 19:54:51 2006 From: tonydelplato at gmail.com (Tony Del Plato) Date: Wed Mar 8 19:55:06 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] National Uniformity for Food Act passes in House In-Reply-To: <440f75db.3f6797f8.26f9.79e3SMTPIN_ADDED@mx.gmail.com> References: <440f75db.3f6797f8.26f9.79e3SMTPIN_ADDED@mx.gmail.com> Message-ID: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: craig@thecampaign.org Date: Mar 8, 2006 7:23 PM Subject: [Geactivists] National Uniformity for Food Act passes in House Dear Folks, The bill HR 4167, the National Uniformity for Food Act, just passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 283 to 139. In other words, it wasn't even close. There is no companion bill in the Senate. However, with the passage in the House, I expect that will happen soon. If it passes into law, it will no doubt be challenged in the courts. Warm regards, Craig Winters President The Campaign Tel: 425-771-4049 E-mail: mailto:craig@thecampaign.org Web Site: http://www.thecampaign.org -- "A society contains a built-in blueprint for failure if the elite insulates itself from the consequences of its actions." ? Jared Diamond From burns at panix.com Thu Mar 9 08:46:22 2006 From: burns at panix.com (Michael Burns) Date: Thu Mar 9 08:46:31 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Community Garden to be flattened by Wal-Mart Message-ID: <19548.216.162.28.201.1141922782.squirrel@mail.panix.com> This is not directly connected to our life and struggles in the Finger Lakes region--although Ithaca's community gardens are located besides route 13 (a significant transportation corridor)--but the larger economic and political forces involved in this dispute are shaping our lives as well. -M.Burns --- Why the nation's largest community garden must become a Wal-Mart warehouse Posted by Tom Philpott at 2:56 PM on 07 Mar 2006 The fate of LA's South Central Community Garden , the largest of its kind in the United States, looks fairly straightforward: It sits on private property, and its owner wants to sell it for development. The 300 or so families who garden there, most of whom by all accounts live under the poverty line, will have to find a new source of food. If the owner/developer, one Ralph Horowitz, has decided to erect a massive Wal-Mart warehouse there, well, that's just the way it goes. However, an excellent article in Los Angeles CityBeat by Dean Kuipers shines an interesting light on this unhappy deal. (Note: The gardeners, who recently received an eviction notice, have won a stay until March 13. I assume all L.A. greens -- including movie producers, Baldwin brothers, etc. -- will hop in their hybrids, rush over to the garden, and rally to its defense in the meantime.) Like most urban community gardens, this one sprang up on land that no one much wanted originally. In the late 1980s, the city seized the land under eminent domain from an investment group led by Horowitz, Kuipers reports. Horowitz's investment company ended up receiving $4.7 million in compensation. The city's plan (alternative-energy fans take note): to build an incinerator to generate electricity by burning trash. Most people don't like to live amid the stench of garbage, so the neighborhood successfully organized to stop that project. By the time of the Rodney King rebellion in 1992, the lot had become trash-strewn and abandoned. The city agreed to allow a soup kitchen to turn it into a community-garden plot. By all accounts, neighborhood residents rallied around the asset, turning it into a vital source of fresh food in an area with few grocery stores. Here is how Kuipers describes it today, in an account that jibes with others I've read: The contrast with community gardens elsewhere in the city is shocking. These aren't tiny weekend projects with a few tomatoes and California poppies. The 330 spaces here are large, 20 X 30 feet, many of them doubled- and tripled-up into larger plots, crammed with a tropical density of native Mesoamerican plants -- full-grown guava trees, avocados, tamarinds, and palms draped in vines bearing huge pumpkins and chayotes, leaf vegetables, corn, seeds like chipilin grown for spice, and rank upon rank of cactus cut for nopales. The families who work these plots are all chosen to receive one because they are impoverished by USDA standards, and use them to augment their household food supply. These are survival gardens. But the birth of a thriving, productive community garden wasn't the only thing that changed in the area after the King riots. In the 1990s, the city of Los Angeles dropped a cool $2 billion building out the Alameda Corridor, "a modern rail and big-truck super-pipeline from the Port of Los Angeles straight through the warehouses of South L.A. and Vernon," Kuipers writes. And that made the once-depressed warehouse district an important hub for big-box retailers to organize the booming influx of goods from points west, including China. In turn, South Central land suddenly became very valuable. In his dealings with the city in the 1980s, Horowitz had retained right of first refusal if the city ever decided to sell the land. In 2003, he successfully sued to force the city to sell it back to him for $5 million --a figure many observers find extremely low, given the city had a few years earlier valued it at $13 million. Since then, he's been wrangling to evict the farmers from the land, a goal he looks set to reach on March 13. Let's think about this. The city of Los Angeles dropped $2 billion to beef up its port infrastructure, a move that brings undeniable benefits to import-minded big-box retailers and the consumers throughout the southwest who buy their gear. The great bulk of the jobs it creates, though, are of the low-wage, unskilled variety. And what does South Central get? Some low-wage jobs, and the loss of a garden that neighborhood residents cleaned up and turned into a vital place when no one wanted it. In place of a food source, they get a warehouse that will distribute food (among other things) to other localities. Here we have another example of public policy -- and cash -- subsidizing global commerce and smashing local production, under a false "free-market" banner. If the city has $2 billion to hand over to make things easier for big boxes, why can't it buy out Horowitz and turn the site into a permanent public farm? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Michael Burns http://www.cayuta.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Earn your permaculture design certificate. The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute offers affordable local classes. Go to: http://www.flpci.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From ws at twcny.rr.com Fri Mar 10 04:17:01 2006 From: ws at twcny.rr.com (Wendy Skinner) Date: Fri Mar 10 04:17:08 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Re-Fashion Contest Promotes Earth-Friendly Clothiing Message-ID: <003201c6443c$89b86f10$6401a8c0@wendyvaio> Ithaca Design Contest Promotes Earth-Friendly Fashion --------------------------- Fashion, home sewing, and sustainability come together in the Re-Fashion Design Contest, which promotes re-use and recycling of fabric and clothes. The challenge is to create new, fashionable apparel from unwanted or unused garments or other materials. Clothing designers and sewing enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels are invited to enter. The contest deadline is April 8. The design categories include career wear, casual clothes, party and evening clothes, kids' clothes, teen style, and fantasy. Designs can be as classic and elegant or as wild and experimental as you like, but garments must be wearable, and no more that 10 percent of any entry can be new material. Grand prize in the contest is $250 in cash and gift certificates from local merchants who support sustainable activities. First, second, and third-place winners in each category will also win prizes. All the winners will be invited to model or display their creations in a fashion show at the 2006 Ithaca Earth Day Celebration, April 23, at the Ithaca Farmers Market Pavilion. The Re-Fashion Design Contest is a way to promote an alternative to "shop till you drop" and overconsumption that stuffs closets with clothes that don't fit, don't last, or just never get worn. The way most new clothes are produced is unhealthy for people and the planet. Instead of supporting sweatshops and the use of agricultural and manufacturing toxins, start re-fashioning as a way to express your personal style! The design contest and fashion show are supported in part by grants from Sustainable Tompkins and the Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division. Refashion Design Contest entry forms are available at Ithaca-area contest sponsors: Trader K's, Petrune, Quilters Corner, Homespun Boutique, Mama Goose, Pastimes, Angelo Dry Cleaners, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the Community Arts Partnership; and online at www.reimaginestyle.com, or by calling 607-277-7611. ------------------------------------------ For more information, contact Re-Imagine Style: Valorie Rockney, vrockney@ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us or Wendy Skinner, ws@twcny.rr.com From dnr6 at cornell.edu Fri Mar 10 17:08:30 2006 From: dnr6 at cornell.edu (Daniel Roth) Date: Fri Mar 10 17:18:20 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] New American Dream Community Mini Grants Message-ID: <7934f2a7d6abf012f29f5a0f184915f2@cornell.edu> Ten days left for aspiring organizers and advisors to apply for mini-grants! Are you interested in working with New American Dream to create local resources for your community? Have you been meaning to fill out an application to join our pioneering team of five local organizers? If so, just tell us by March 20th why your community is an ideal place for us to join forces to reach more people, create stronger bonds, and help shift our culture's focus back to what really matters.? Learn more about our local pilot project and how you can apply:?http://www.newdream.org/make/action/organizer.php Peace... Daniel Roth (Cell) 518-727-6723 Co-Chair Youth ActionTeam US Partnership for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development www.uspartnership.org Graduate Student Adult and Extension Education Cornell University From ph24 at kaxy.com Sat Mar 11 03:44:35 2006 From: ph24 at kaxy.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Sat Mar 11 04:25:23 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] New American Dream Community Mini Grants In-Reply-To: <7934f2a7d6abf012f29f5a0f184915f2@cornell.edu> References: <7934f2a7d6abf012f29f5a0f184915f2@cornell.edu> Message-ID: Do any of you know whether Ithaca has local New American Dream organizers yet? If not - would anyone like to join Level Green in exploring possibilities for setting this up? mini-grants are much $, but it could go for a summer intern - ? contact ----- Original Message ----- From: Daniel Roth To: ST Listserve Listserve , SustainUS Discusssion , IC Sustainability Sent: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 20:08:30 -0500 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] New American Dream Community Mini Grants > > Ten days left for aspiring organizers and advisors to apply for > mini-grants! > > Are you interested in working with New American Dream to create local > resources for your community? Have you been meaning to fill out an > application to join our pioneering team of five local organizers? If > so, just tell us by March 20th why your community is an ideal place for > us to join forces to reach more people, create stronger bonds, and help > shift our culture's focus back to what really matters.  > > Learn more about our local pilot project and how you can > apply: http://www.newdream.org/make/action/organizer.php > > > Peace... > Daniel Roth > (Cell) 518-727-6723 > > Co-Chair > Youth ActionTeam > US Partnership for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development > www.uspartnership.org > > Graduate Student > Adult and Extension Education > Cornell University > _______________________________________________ > SustainableTompkins mailing list > SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org Level Green Institute - fostering social, economic and environmental justice through collaborative initiatives in education and the arts -- This email was brought to you by Kaxy Mail http://www.kaxy.com/free_email_account.htm From ph24 at kaxy.com Sat Mar 11 03:44:35 2006 From: ph24 at kaxy.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Sat Mar 11 04:25:23 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] New American Dream Community Mini Grants In-Reply-To: <7934f2a7d6abf012f29f5a0f184915f2@cornell.edu> References: <7934f2a7d6abf012f29f5a0f184915f2@cornell.edu> Message-ID: Do any of you know whether Ithaca has local New American Dream organizers yet? If not - would anyone like to join Level Green in exploring possibilities for setting this up? mini-grants are much $, but it could go for a summer intern - ? contact ----- Original Message ----- From: Daniel Roth To: ST Listserve Listserve , SustainUS Discusssion , IC Sustainability Sent: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 20:08:30 -0500 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] New American Dream Community Mini Grants > > Ten days left for aspiring organizers and advisors to apply for > mini-grants! > > Are you interested in working with New American Dream to create local > resources for your community? Have you been meaning to fill out an > application to join our pioneering team of five local organizers? If > so, just tell us by March 20th why your community is an ideal place for > us to join forces to reach more people, create stronger bonds, and help > shift our culture's focus back to what really matters.  > > Learn more about our local pilot project and how you can > apply: http://www.newdream.org/make/action/organizer.php > > > Peace... > Daniel Roth > (Cell) 518-727-6723 > > Co-Chair > Youth ActionTeam > US Partnership for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development > www.uspartnership.org > > Graduate Student > Adult and Extension Education > Cornell University > _______________________________________________ > SustainableTompkins mailing list > SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org Level Green Institute - fostering social, economic and environmental justice through collaborative initiatives in education and the arts -- This email was brought to you by Kaxy Mail http://www.kaxy.com/free_email_account.htm From glynn at tdarchitects.com Sat Mar 11 05:36:29 2006 From: glynn at tdarchitects.com (Glynn Bebee) Date: Sat Mar 11 05:36:32 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Let's manicure our woods... Message-ID: <001b01c64510$ce82a6e0$6601a8c0@Gateway600YGR> What if emergency vehicles used after Katrina were fueled by yard waste? Shove a few branches down the chipper-shredder incorporated into the back of the vehicle and off you go! http://www.green-trust.org/woodgas.htm From glynn at tdarchitects.com Sat Mar 11 21:21:07 2006 From: glynn at tdarchitects.com (Glynn Bebee) Date: Sat Mar 11 21:21:15 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Biomass Cookstoves...and so much more, if only we wanted it... Message-ID: <001501c64594$c62d9430$6601a8c0@Gateway600YGR> I once thought it was cool to be a techno-geek in a first world country. As I get older, I find myself embracing the purity and beauty of "third world" technology much more... http://www.crest.org/discussiongroups/resources/stoves/cookstoves2005.html http://www.crest.org/discussiongroups/resources/stoves/Design/Design.html http://www.woodgas.com/Superficial%20Velocity.pdf http://www.crest.org/discussiongroups/resources/stoves/midge/THE_COMPLETE_MI DGE.pdf http://www.inetlink.ca/a31ford/cgcmb/old-default.htm http://www.webpal.org/b_recovery/3_alternate_energy/woodgas/principles.htm http://www.hotel.ymex.net/~s-20222/gengas/kg_eng.html http://www.energy.kth.se/index.asp?pnr=10 &ID=468&lang=0 Let's take it further and start making some cogenerated power, too....engines to drivetrain, engine to generator...whatever. Why don't we make some gasification-electric hybrids? Give me power, and the electric drive is easy...the vehicle body and frame are probably easier... http://www.woodgas.com/history6.htm http://www.woodgas.com/history1.htm http://www.woodgas.com/history3.htm Though more important, why don't we each have downdraft biomass burners in our basements generating heat and power? I lived in Maine for a while and know that the ice storm a few years back did damage that I'll never forget, but I wasn't even there at the time. From glynn at tdarchitects.com Sun Mar 12 08:07:04 2006 From: glynn at tdarchitects.com (Glynn Bebee) Date: Sun Mar 12 08:08:53 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] (no subject) Message-ID: <001201c645ef$0338c430$6601a8c0@Gateway600YGR> Another great gasification resource: http://www.fao.org//docrep/t0512e/t0512e00.htm From sbrylin1 at ithaca.edu Sun Mar 12 15:13:57 2006 From: sbrylin1 at ithaca.edu (Sarah Brylinsky) Date: Sun Mar 12 18:39:35 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] RE: stories of hope, nice for sharing In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <2192.209.51.68.234.1142205237.squirrel@webmail.ithaca.edu> Sarah B. would like to add: earth + people = continued > Let's compile a list (three word max) of our individual definitions (or > associations to) the term "sustainable." > We start with McKibben's friends def'n: durable. > Monty adds: enough is enough > From mmw5 at cornell.edu Mon Mar 13 10:31:53 2006 From: mmw5 at cornell.edu (Micheal Wheeler) Date: Mon Mar 13 10:32:00 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fwd: (3/17) Review of CO2 Mitigation Workshop for Tompkins County Message-ID: <7e85ac6a0603131031o6b3ea583v3afb6437139eda7f@mail.gmail.com> --- begin forwarded text Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2006 15:45:25 -0500 From: Biogeochemistry Subject: BEB This Week (3/17): Review of CO2 Mitigation Workshop Reply-To: biogeo@cornell.edu On Friday, March 17 (4pm, Morison Room, Corson Hall) the BEB (Program in Biogeochemistry and Environmental Biocomplexity) seminar series welcomes Tim Fahey and Tim Vadas who will provide an overview of the Fall 2005: BEB Workshop on CO2 Mitigation. Fahey and Vadas will give a brief overview of the workshop project, participants and speakers. The project for the Fall 2005 semester consisted of quantifying the carbon budget for Tompkins County and examining the potential magnitude and costs of carbon mitigation in different sectors, including residential electricity and heating use, transportation, energy production, and carbon sequestration in biomass. The County budget will be presented as well as example calculations for different mitigation options. The plan is for about a 30 minute presentation. They hope to generate some discussion to further their progress on a manuscript. A description and discussion of future plans for Biogeochemistry Workshops also will be provided. Suzanne Wapner Program in Biogeochemistry and Environmental Biocomplexity 8 Fernow Hall Ithaca, NY 14853 607-255-1269 / FAX 607-254-8328 e-mail: biogeo@cornell.edu www.biogeo.cornell.edu --- end forwarded text From rlg2 at cornell.edu Mon Mar 13 17:19:11 2006 From: rlg2 at cornell.edu (Robinne Gray) Date: Mon Mar 13 17:19:26 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] NYTimes: Upstate NY Wind Farms Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060313201825.03370020@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> From the NY Times: >NEW YORK REGION | March 13, 2006 >Upstate >New York Farms Begin Raising New Crop: Electricity From Windmills >By ANTHONY DePALMA >A wind farm in Lewis County with 120 windmills is already the largest >alternative-energy project east of the Mississippi. From cnp at thethomasgroup.com Mon Mar 13 17:56:12 2006 From: cnp at thethomasgroup.com (Christian Nielsen-Palacios) Date: Mon Mar 13 17:56:30 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fwd: April 28 & 29th Sustainability Conference Message-ID: >>> ecala@facilities.buffalo.edu 3/13/06 4:59 PM >>> I thought this may be of interest. Please forward. Erin Cala UB Green PRESS RELEASE CONTACTS: Deb Denome Seeking Common Ground Director 585.394.7610 deb.scg@frontiernet.net Patty Love Rochester Lifeways Publisher 585.273.0177 rochesterlifeways@rochester.rr.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: March 1, 2006 Plant the Date! Seeking Common Ground and Rochester Lifeways Magazine are proud to announce their partnership in presenting SCG's third annual conference, Planting Seeds of Change, April 29, 2006 from 8:15 to 5 pm at Rochester's School Without Walls at 480 Broadway Street. This year's conference will kickoff Friday evening, April 28, 2006, at 7 pm at Monroe High School, 164 Alexander Street, Rochester, with a keynote presentation by internationally acclaimed author, Frances Moore Lappe. Ms. Lappe's newest book, Democracy's Edge, is a passionate and poetic call to enliven our republican Democracy through citizen involvement. Her first book, Diet for a Small Planet, is an ecological classic that inspired millions of Americans to connect what we eat with politics at home and abroad. Saturday's full day conference will feature speakers and workshops by some of Rochester's most progressive thinkers and movers on sustainable agriculture, local foods, health and vitality, renewal in education, green home design, building community, and much more. It will also include a vendor fair featuring innovative products and services from many local businesses and organizations, free demonstrations and chair massages, and a scrumptious organic lunch. The conference fee is $75 per person including the Friday evening keynote, and $12 for the keynote alone. Early bird, senior, and student discounts are available, as are work-study scholarships. Visit www.seekingcommonground.org for full registration information. Seeking Common Ground is a not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to exploring, modeling, and inspiring more conscious and restorative ways of life. Five women co-founded the organization in 1997 in response to a growing desire to apply their corporate education and publishing skills to topics closer to heart and home. Over the last 9 years, SCG has initiated a diverse array of projects including: a CSA, Roots and Wings Waldorf Initiative, Herb Haven garden and crafting program for under-served women and children, an annual organic harvest festival, Shimmering Light Farm Cooperative Garden, as well as workshops on consensus and community building, maintaining vitality at work, biodynamic agriculture, and healing with herbs. SCG President, Deb Denome, says,"Focused attention to issues in ourselves and our community can create a harmony whose ripple effects are felt throughout the world." SCG vice president, Sally Howard, reflects, "Our fast-paced, technological culture can be exhausting. A day like this conference is a breath of fresh air, giving us time and space to connect on a deeper level to each other, to our inner lives, to our natural world, and to our communities." Rochester Lifeways Magazine, the only magazine devoted to supporting sustainable and Earth-friendly living opportunities in the Greater Rochester Area, published its first issue June 2005. This free bi-monthly magazine is professionally distributed to more than 300 locations in Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Genesee, Livingston, and Wayne Counties. A resource of quality information about products, services, and events offered in our community, Rochester Lifeways strives to help its readers live healthier, more sustainable, and Earth-friendlier lifestyles. In keeping with its mission, this black and white magazine is printed on paper with the highest recycled content available, uses soy-based ink, and features local scenery on the cover. In addition, all production is done from home-based offices, and only locally-owned businesses are used for graphic design, printing, and distribution. "By supporting locally-owned and community-based businesses, especially those that are Earth-friendlier, we can each make a difference in our local economy, the health of our ecosystem, and improve the quality of our own lives," says Publisher, Patty Love. Our region has many individuals and small businesses taking big steps to do things differently. More people just need to know about them and how they fit into what we call the "er" lifestyle:greenER, healthiER, Earth-friendliER. Partnering with SCG to present this conference seemed like a natural extension of Rochester Lifeway's mission. From levelgreen at kaxy.com Tue Mar 14 05:18:05 2006 From: levelgreen at kaxy.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Tue Mar 14 05:59:21 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fw: 2006 EPA Collaborative Science & Technology Network for Sustainability grants Message-ID: although this originally came from a GIS funding alert, it's not just for GIS projects - how about IC's sustainability course? the wind network? -----Original Message----- From: steercomm-bounces@list.ncseonline.org [mailto:steercomm-bounces@list.ncseonline.org] On Behalf Of Patricia Haines Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2006 8:06 AM To: steercomm@list.ncseonline.org Subject: [USPDESDpartner] 2006 EPA Collaborative Science & Technology Network for Sustainability grants this is a useful e-notice list to be on, especially if you use GIS at all ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "ESRI Grant Notices" To: "Patricia Haines" Sent: Thu, 9 Mar 2006 20:10:54 -0800 Subject: 2006 EPA Collaborative Science and Technology Network for Sustaina= bility Grants Manage Your Subscriptions=20 =20 Non-ESRI-Sponsored Grants=20 =20 2006 Environmental Protection Agency Collaborative Science and Technol= ogy Network for Sustainability Grants *Applications due May 17, 2006* The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that funding is availabl= e for the Collaborative Science and Technology Network for Sustainability (CST) Progr= am. There are two program activities under this year's offering.=20=20 * Communities and the Built Environment =20 * Industrial Ecology and Organization Behavior =20=20 Geographic information system (GIS) technology is strongly applicable and = eligible under the requirements as well as for both activities above. Examples of ESRI GIS software solutions for these grants and full grant gu= idelines are provided in the ESRI Sample Text document, accessible by registering or updating you= r information on the ESRI Grant Notification System. For additional information about GIS solutions for this grant, please cont= act ESRI's grant coordinator at 208-286-0220. Manage Your Subscriptions=20 =20 Non-ESRI-Sponsored Grants=20 =20 2006 Environmental Protection Agency Collaborative Science and Technol= ogy Network for Sustainability Grants *Applications due May 17, 2006* The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that funding is availabl= e for the Collaborative Science and Technology Network for Sustainability (CST) Progr= am. There are two program activities under this year's offering.=20=20 * Communities and the Built Environment =20 * Industrial Ecology and Organization Behavior =20=20 Geographic information system (GIS) technology is strongly applicable and = eligible under the requirements as well as for both activities above. Examples of ESRI GIS software solutions for these grants and full grant gu= idelines are provided in the ESRI Sample Text document, accessible by registering or updating you= r information on the ESRI Grant Notification System. For additional information about GIS solutions for this grant, please cont= act ESRI's grant coordinator at 208-286-0220. "Never doubt that a group of committed citizens can change the world - indeed, it's the only thing that can." - Margaret Mead -- This email was brought to you by Kaxy Mail http://www.kaxy.com/free_email_account.htm _______________________________________________ SteerComm mailing list SteerComm@list.ncseonline.org http://list.ncseonline.org/mailman/listinfo/steercomm "Never doubt that a group of committed citizens can change the world - indeed, it's the only thing that can." - Margaret Mead -- This email was brought to you by Kaxy Mail http://www.kaxy.com/free_email_account.htm From mbrown at ithaca.edu Tue Mar 14 08:22:17 2006 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Tue Mar 14 08:23:09 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival (FLEFF) info is online - check it out!!! Message-ID: <4416EDB9.3000505@ithaca.edu> Check out the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival website - this more-than-weeklong extravaganza will be an amazing, "must-attend" event this year! http://www.ithaca.edu/fleff/ Marian From alh54 at cornell.edu Tue Mar 14 08:28:42 2006 From: alh54 at cornell.edu (Allison Jack) Date: Tue Mar 14 08:28:59 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fri Mar 17: Farm to School Approaches to Achieving Sustainable Food Systems] Message-ID: <2158.132.236.13.195.1142353722.squirrel@webmail.cornell.edu> Hi everyone, It's been great to see members of Sustainable Tompkins at these seminars. Thanks so much for your support. Here's our next speaker. -Allison ****Issues in Sustainable Agriculture Education Seminar Series**** Farm to School Approaches to Achieving Sustainable Food Systems Jennifer Wilkins, Ph.D., R.D Food and Society Policy Fellow Division of Nutritional Sciences Cornell University DATE: Friday, March 17, 2006 TIME: 12:20 - 1:10 p.m. PLACE: 135 Emerson Hall Across the country connections are being made between farms and cafeterias in K-12 schools, colleges and universities. Successful farm to school connections will require changes in the food system, in local, state and federal policy, and on the menu. This new approach to school and college food service provides several potential benefits for youth, farmers, and communities. Jennifer Wilkins is a Food and Society Policy Fellow in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University. Through her work, she explores the relationship between the food system and our health. She conceptualized and developed the first regional food guide in the United States - the Northeast Regional Food Guide. This food guide promotes health, sustainability, and local food systems. In her current role as a Food and Society Policy Fellow she is developing communication strategies to increase awareness and involvement in nutrition and the U.S. food system. Jennifer provides professional development on these issues for nutrition and extension educators. She established the Cornell Farm to School Program for which she received a Dannon Institute Award for Excellence in Community Nutrition in 2003. She served as president of Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society from 2003-2004, and served on the board of Directors for the Society for Nutrition Education from 1994-97. She is the 2004 recipient of the Environmental Nutrition Award from the Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group within the American Dietetic Association. She recently joined the Chefs Collaborative Board of Overseers. Seminars are free and open to the Cornell and greater Ithaca community! Funded in part by the GPSAFC. Co-Sponsored by: New World Agriculture and Ecology Group (NWAEG) at Cornell, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences; Department of Horticulture, Cornell Small Farm Program; the Community, Food and Agriculture Program; the Community Food Systems Program; the GPSAFC, and the Community and Rural Development Institute. For more information visit www.rso.cornell.edu/nwaeg/ or contact Julie at jmg225 or Allison at alh54 -- Allison L. H. Jack Graduate student 335 Plant Science Cornell University (607) 273-5762 From rlg2 at cornell.edu Tue Mar 14 09:10:59 2006 From: rlg2 at cornell.edu (Robinne Gray) Date: Tue Mar 14 09:11:16 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability In-Reply-To: <2192.209.51.68.234.1142205237.squirrel@webmail.ithaca.edu> References: <2192.209.51.68.234.1142205237.squirrel@webmail.ithaca.edu> Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060314120738.030415a8@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> How about: small-scale and simple is sufficient ? ~R. >Sarah B. would like to add: earth + people = continued > > > > Let's compile a list (three word max) of our individual definitions (or > > associations to) the term "sustainable." > > > We start with McKibben's friends def'n: durable. > > > Monty adds: enough is enough > > >_______________________________________________ From GayNicholson at aol.com Tue Mar 14 09:54:10 2006 From: GayNicholson at aol.com (GayNicholson@aol.com) Date: Tue Mar 14 09:54:32 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] The Philosophy of Sustainable Design March 15 Message-ID: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Sustainable Built Environment speaker series kicks off this Wednesday with a talk by leading green building advocate JASON McLENNAN, architect and author of The Philosophy of Sustainable Design. JASON McLENNAN Wednesday, March 15 4:30pm Call Auditorium, Kennedy Hall Refreshments served (from Greenstar!) Jason McLennan is a national leader in the green architecture movement and is sought for his design expertise and experience as the director of Elements, the green consulting division of BNIM Architects. He writes a bi-monthly column called ?The GreenEdge? for Environmental Design & Construction magazine. Mr. McLennan is active in the movement to formulate guidelines that will set new standards for energy efficiency, daylighting, resource and water conservation, and human health and productivity. He is the primary author of three books on sustainable design, including The Philosophy of Sustainable Design, which is used as a textbook in over 30 colleges and universities in North America. At Cornell it is used in DEA 422/ARCH 461, Ecological Literacy and Design, taught by professof Jack Elliott. Jason is the founding President and CEO of Ecotone Publishing, the first American publishing house to fully adopt a policy of carbon neutrality to offset its own contributions to global warming. Ecotone purchased 40 tons of carbon offsets from The Climate Trust and an additional 10 tons from the Solar Electric Light Fund to counterbalance carbon dioxide emissions produced in 2005 through the publisher?s use of paper, travel, fossil fuels, electricity and production of waste. Mr. McLennan is also an adjunct professor at the University of Kansas, where he has taught classes on Green Architecture, daylighting and technology. He is a former Director of the Solar Information Center at the University of Oregon where he helped disseminate information on sustainability and green architecture. He is on the technical board for the US Green Building Council?s LEED rating system and a board member for Bridging the Gap, an environmental advocacy organization in the Midwest. He is also a member of the Sustainable Buildings Industries Council, Sierra Club and the American Solar Energy Society. LINKS _http://elements.bnim.com_ (http://elements.bnim.com/) _www.ecotonedesign.com _ (http://www.ecotonedesign.com/) MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Upcoming speakers include: Susan Zielinski speaking on sustainable transportation options (the New Mobility) Friday, March 31, 3:30pm Warren Hall Auditorium (B45) John Abrams speaking on the role of business in promoting community, creating social equity, and maintaining ecological balance Friday, April 14, 3:30pm Warren Hall Auditorium (B45) Corey Brinkema speaking on eco-industrial development Last week in April--date TBD ABOUT THE SERIES Coordinated as a continuation of the Sustainability Summits programming begun on the Cornell campus last spring, the Sustainable Built Environment speaker series will present subjects of interest to all disciplines related to the built environment. It is designed to demonstrate the necessity, aesthetic appeal, and economic feasibility of building sustainably, and to spark interdisciplinary collaboration within a green context. University staff members and local residents and practitioners are invited to attend. The Sustainable Built Environment speaker series is sponsored by the Office of the Dean, College of Architecture, Art and Planning; Office of the Provost; Vice President for Student and Academic Affairs; and Executive Vice President for Administration, Finance and Facilities. # *************************************** Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator _www.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 gaynicholson@aol.com Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 agn1@cornell.edu From scnfish at clarityconnect.com Tue Mar 14 14:05:22 2006 From: scnfish at clarityconnect.com (Stephen Nicholson) Date: Tue Mar 14 14:06:05 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability In-Reply-To: <6.2.1.2.2.20060314120738.030415a8@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> Message-ID: <001901c647b3$67672990$2bf496d1@homenosolhcin> "The two-word definition of sustainability is 'one planet.'" --Mathis Wackernagel Stephen C. Nicholson Governance Chair, Sustainable Tompkins Ithaca, NY 607-539-6923 scnfish@clarityconnect.com -----Original Message----- From: sustainabletompkins-bounces@lists.mutualaid.org [mailto:sustainabletompkins-bounces@lists.mutualaid.org] On Behalf Of Robinne Gray Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 12:11 PM To: Sustainable Tompkins County listserv Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability How about: small-scale and simple is sufficient ? ~R. >Sarah B. would like to add: earth + people = continued > > > > Let's compile a list (three word max) of our individual definitions (or > > associations to) the term "sustainable." > > > We start with McKibben's friends def'n: durable. > > > Monty adds: enough is enough > > >_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ SustainableTompkins mailing list SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From jason at tdarchitects.com Tue Mar 14 18:37:01 2006 From: jason at tdarchitects.com (Jason Demarest) Date: Tue Mar 14 18:37:06 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability In-Reply-To: <001901c647b3$67672990$2bf496d1@homenosolhcin> Message-ID: <200603150237.k2F2b16P018605@ms-smtp-03.nyroc.rr.com> "Eternally regenerative" --Bucky Jason K. Demarest, AIA Tallman & Demarest Architects, LLP 301 S. Geneva St. Suite 101 Ithaca, NY 14850 Mobile: 607.351.0091 Office: 607.330.4555 Fax: 607.330.4508 www.tdarchitects.com -----Original Message----- From: sustainabletompkins-bounces@lists.mutualaid.org [mailto:sustainabletompkins-bounces@lists.mutualaid.org] On Behalf Of Stephen Nicholson Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 5:05 PM To: 'Sustainable Tompkins County listserv' Subject: RE: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability "The two-word definition of sustainability is 'one planet.'" --Mathis Wackernagel Stephen C. Nicholson Governance Chair, Sustainable Tompkins Ithaca, NY 607-539-6923 scnfish@clarityconnect.com -----Original Message----- From: sustainabletompkins-bounces@lists.mutualaid.org [mailto:sustainabletompkins-bounces@lists.mutualaid.org] On Behalf Of Robinne Gray Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 12:11 PM To: Sustainable Tompkins County listserv Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability How about: small-scale and simple is sufficient ? ~R. >Sarah B. would like to add: earth + people = continued > > > > Let's compile a list (three word max) of our individual definitions (or > > associations to) the term "sustainable." > > > We start with McKibben's friends def'n: durable. > > > Monty adds: enough is enough > > >_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ SustainableTompkins mailing list SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org _______________________________________________ SustainableTompkins mailing list SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From Cnielsen56 at aol.com Wed Mar 15 03:18:06 2006 From: Cnielsen56 at aol.com (Cnielsen56@aol.com) Date: Wed Mar 15 03:22:53 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability Message-ID: <25e.8a4d580.314951ee@aol.com> "The Lesson of the Hummingbird" "Often, as I eat my breakfast, I see a flash of iridescent orange zip by the kitchen window and hover in midair at the lip of a flower. A hummingbird threads its long, delicate bill into the center of the flower, not even touching the petals, and sips its breakfast. A moment later it is gone, having drunk only what was necessary and leaving the flower pollinated. Precise, efficient, agile, respectful: I think humanity can find no better teacher in the art of living. To me, the hummingbird holds out a promise: this is how we all can live, gradually outgrowing a way of life in which we gulp down all the nectar, spoil the flower by pulling off the petals, and finally uproot the plant." Eknath Easwaran One of the articles in _What Is Enough? (IC#26)_ (http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC26/TOC26.htm) Summer 1990 From nidus at pinax.com Wed Mar 15 04:48:10 2006 From: nidus at pinax.com (Bethany Schroeder) Date: Wed Mar 15 04:51:09 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability In-Reply-To: <25e.8a4d580.314951ee@aol.com> Message-ID: <4.2.2.20060315074610.0141b908@pop3.pinax.com> The following is a good example of why reducing a big idea to two or three words is usually inadequate. Thanks for introducing me to this rich publication! Bethany At 06:18 AM 3/15/2006 , you wrote: > >"The Lesson of the Hummingbird" >"Often, as I eat my breakfast, I see a flash of iridescent orange zip by the >kitchen window and hover in midair at the lip of a flower. A hummingbird >threads its long, delicate bill into the center of the flower, not even >touching >the petals, and sips its breakfast. A moment later it is gone, having drunk >only what was necessary and leaving the flower pollinated. Precise, >efficient, agile, respectful: I think humanity can find no better teacher >in the art >of living. >To me, the hummingbird holds out a promise: this is how we all can live, >gradually outgrowing a way of life in which we gulp down all the nectar, >spoil >the flower by pulling off the petals, and finally uproot the plant." > > >Eknath Easwaran >One of the articles in _What Is Enough? (IC#26)_ >(http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC26/TOC26.htm) >Summer 1990 > > >_______________________________________________ >SustainableTompkins mailing list >SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org >http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From mstephens at ithaca.edu Tue Mar 14 14:28:59 2006 From: mstephens at ithaca.edu (Maura) Date: Wed Mar 15 08:36:26 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] more terrible news from Iraq; need help! Message-ID: <441743AB.8050300@ithaca.edu> Dear friends and colleagues, Our young friend D. and his wife had a baby boy a few months ago. We lost touch with him several weeks ago, until today, when I received the e-mail below. I am now desperately trying to find a way to get him and his family out of Iraq. D. has a BA in English lit and wants to get an MA in English lit. He is a smart, engaging, intellectually curious young man and would be an asset to any graduate program or job he puts his mind to. D. is just one of many Iraqis I'm trying to help get out of the country, but his situation is one of the most dire, as you will see from his e-mail below. He has been working as a translator with coalition forces, and that work has made him a target. Because of the urgency I'm trying to cast a wide net, so please forward this to anyone you know who might help me find a way out for Dhia and his family before it is too late. I am hoping he can stay safe for a few more days, but the situation is very desperate. All help appreciated -- contacts at the UN High Commission for Refugees, the US State Dept., and state depts. in other countries, especially Canada, Australia, Ireland, UK, Jordan, Syria; someone who could help Dhia apply to a university in one of those countries; someone who could sponsor him as an employer; an immigration attorney; money to help pay for relocation; anything you can think of (except goods and food, which we have not been able to get into Iraq now). Thank you, and with wishes for peace and an end to such madness, Maura Ithaca, New York USA mstephens@ithaca.edu +1 607 274-3829 ---- my best friend Maura it's good to hear from u. For the first time i'm gonna tell u that i and my family have gone through harsh times. as u know i'm working with the coaliation forces as a translator and for that reason we were threatened by the terorrists. they atacked our house and destroyed it compeletly and they killed my father and brother during the last uprising in Najaf. at that time my wife and i were not at home. and now we are chased by the militia and those terorrists. i'm planning to flee the country to one of the neighboring countries, syria , to contact the UNHCR office to register as refugees there hoping to find any country that provide us with resettelment, our life has become impossible in iraq, the extremists targeting any one who works with the coalitions forces. these bigots have commited many tragic crimes against iraqi people. they have slayed many innocent people. u can not imagine how our situatiuon is, terrible. we live in fear and panic because of these extremists. sorry to tell you that. hope we meet soon . peace and love From glynn at tdarchitects.com Wed Mar 15 10:38:10 2006 From: glynn at tdarchitects.com (Glynn Bebee) Date: Wed Mar 15 10:39:00 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Ithaca Ranked? Message-ID: <001b01c6485f$9d4ba070$6601a8c0@Gateway600YGR> Ithaca listed as "expensive city" by this measure... http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/14/pf/couple_cities_coli/index.htm?cnn=yes Not very sustainable... From levelgreen at kaxy.com Thu Mar 16 05:03:44 2006 From: levelgreen at kaxy.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Thu Mar 16 05:45:37 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fw: invitation and offer from the National Issues Forums Institute Message-ID: ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Sandy Heierbacher To: OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU Sent: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 08:21:39 -0500 Subject: invitation and offer from the National Issues Forums Institute Hello! We wanted subscribers to the Open Space list to know that National Issues Forums is celebrating 25 years of convening forums to help put people's voices back into politics. We would like to invite you to take this opportunity to become part of the National Issues Forums network, and to utilize our newest issue book on "Democracy's Challenge: Reclaiming the Public's Role." As you know, many Americans are turning away from public life, becoming spectators rather than participants in our democracy. People are frustrated with politics and the seemingly insurmountable partisan divide. We know that proponents of Open Space are committed, as we are, to changing this trend. This year the National Issues Forums Institute is offering an issue book that directly addresses the reasons we are all involved in this work. "Democracy's Challenge: Reclaiming the Public's Role" tackles head-on the obstacles and issues people face in a democracy that appears to have nudged its citizens onto the sidelines. Democracy's Challenge forums encourage citizens to think about what they can do to strengthen the relationship that a democracy demands between the government and its people. The issue book presents three perspectives on the problem, each of which suggests a somewhat different course of action. Right now you are invited to take advantage of a limited time offer for free materials to use for convening a Democracy's Challenge forum. The free materials in each set include 1 copy of the full-length Democracy's Challenge issue discussion guide, 30 copies of the 8-page issue discussion-guide-in-brief, 1 copy of the moderator's guide, and 1 video. If you think you want to get involved in NIF or in the Democracy's Challenge issue, or you'd like to help us get the word out about this opportunity, we encourage you to: - Order your free set of Democracy's Challenge materials by calling 1-800-600-4060, or go to www.nifi.org/discussion_guides/index.aspx to download the moderator's guide or issue brief. - Connect with the NIF network contacts nearest you. These network hubs, listed at www.nifi.org/network/index.aspx, provide trainings and workshops, organize forums, and connect NIF folks in their region. - Sign up to receive NIF e-newsletters and stay informed about network activities. Email Patty Dineen at dineenp@msn.com with your name, email address, and mailing address (or just city and state) and ask her to add you to the NIF News email list. - Go to www.nifi.org/calendar/index.aspx to look up moderator trainings in your area. - Download "For Convenors and Moderators: Organizing for Public Deliberation and Moderating a Forum" at www.nifi.org/forums/detail.aspx?catID=4&itemID=230 - Tell others about this issue, and share this invitation to join the NIF network. Below is more information about the Democracy's Challenge issue and National Issues Forums. We hope to hear from you soon! - The National Issues Forums Institute Board William Winter, Chairman David Mathews, President Estus Smith, Vice President Joel Diemond David Dillon William DiMascio Patricia Dineen Jesus Garcia Sandy Heierbacher Sandra Hodge Les Ihara Ray Minor William Muse Sondra Myers William Raspberry Michelle Scott Sue Tate -- What are National Issues Forums? National Issues Forums (NIF) is a nonpartisan, nationwide network of locally sponsored public forums for the consideration of public policy issues. It is rooted in the simple notion that people need to come together to reason and talk - to deliberate about common problems. Indeed, democracy requires an ongoing deliberative public dialogue. These forums, organized by a variety of organizations, groups, and individuals, offer citizens the opportunity to join together to deliberate, to make choices with others about ways to approach difficult issues and to work toward creating reasoned public judgment. Forums range from small or large group gatherings similar to town hall meetings, to study circles held in public places or in people's homes on an ongoing basis. The National Issues Forums Institute works closely with the Kettering Foundation, an operating foundation rooted in the American tradition of inventive research. Established in 1927, the central question behind the foundation's current research is this: What does it take to make democracy work as it should? Forums focus on an issue such as health care, immigration, Social Security, or ethnic and racial tensions. The forums provide a way for people of diverse views and experiences to seek a shared understanding of the problem and to search for common ground for action. Forums are led by trained, neutral moderators, and use an issue discussion guide that frames the issue by presenting the overall problem and then three or four broad approaches to the problem. Forum participants work through the issue by considering each approach; examining what appeals to them or concerns them, and also what the costs, consequences, and trade offs may be that would be incurred in following that approach. More information about NIF can be found at www.nifi.org. -- Democracy's Challenge: Reclaiming the Public's Role While most Americans are still proud of living in a country that is governed by and for the people, many of them are no longer sure that Abraham Lincoln's vision of a democracy has withstood the test of time. They have become increasingly disaffected with a process that appears to have nudged its citizens onto the sidelines and increasingly disillusioned with politicians who appear disinterested in what they have to say. Too many Americans today have retreated from the public places, meetings, and associations at which they traditionally met to say what they thought and do what needed to be done to improve their communities and their nation. They have, so to speak, opted out. Politics is no longer working for them, they say. We have all read proposals for reforming the ways that government and politics operate. Most of them depend on government initiatives. This book is about what citizens can do. It suggests that citizens themselves can and should provide the motivating power that will rekindle the vibrant relationship that a democracy demands between the government and its people. While there is no widespread agreement on how this can be done, Democracy's Challenge provides a framework for a discussion of the possibilities. It presents three perspectives on the problem, each of which suggests a somewhat different course of action: Democratic Values: Rebuilding democracy's moral foundation As a nation, we have become self-indulgent and self absorbed, inclined to accept neither hard choices nor sacrifice. The emphasis on individual rights and personal freedom has undermined democracy. In recent decades, the moral curriculum has been neglected; this is a key element in our public troubles. Web of Connections: Reinventing citizenship Democracy requires the ability to work together on common concerns- civic skills that most people learn in clubs, church groups, and local associations. The public square is emptying because many Americans aren't making the civic connections that form the habits and sharpen the skills of citizenship. By the People: Bringing the public back into politics Government is no longer "of, by and for the people." Governance is something politicians do, not something that involves us. In a democratic nation where the people are supposed to be sovereign, citizens have lost control of the government. The political system has to be fixed so citizens once again have a central place in it. * * ========================================================== OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist "Never doubt that a group of committed citizens can change the world - indeed, it's the only thing that can." - Margaret Mead -- This email was brought to you by Kaxy Mail http://www.kaxy.com/free_email_account.htm From simonstl at simonstl.com Thu Mar 16 06:01:16 2006 From: simonstl at simonstl.com (Simon St.Laurent) Date: Thu Mar 16 06:04:42 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Ithaca Ranked? In-Reply-To: <001b01c6485f$9d4ba070$6601a8c0@Gateway600YGR> References: <001b01c6485f$9d4ba070$6601a8c0@Gateway600YGR> Message-ID: <1142517676.7794.10.camel@localhost.localdomain> On Wed, 2006-03-15 at 13:38 -0500, Glynn Bebee wrote: > Ithaca listed as "expensive city" by this measure... > > http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/14/pf/couple_cities_coli/index.htm?cnn=yes > > Not very sustainable... I'm curious what they're calling "moderately affluent," and wondering whether that lifestyle would qualify as sustainable by any definition. My guess is that it's not. It's also worth contemplating the sources of this data - the Tax Foundation (http://www.taxfoundation.org/) and the Maine Heritage Policy Center (http://www.mainepolicy.org/)- which likely have a few axes to grind here. I can't, however, find more details of this study at their sites. Simon St.Laurent http://livingindryden.org/ From levelgreen at kaxy.com Thu Mar 16 05:35:43 2006 From: levelgreen at kaxy.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Thu Mar 16 06:19:19 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] monthly open phone forum today - US Partnership for sustainability education Message-ID: Thanks for passing this along: Want to learn what others across the country are doing to further education for sustainable development? want to add your ideas to the growing conversation? share what you're up to? find collaborators? Please join us this afternoon at 1 pm for the US Partnership's monthly phone forum - free (thanks to the US Dept of Agriculture - your tax dollars at work!) and open to everyone. Call in 866-918-5492 - passcode of 479945. These calls last 1-2 hours generally, and you're welcome to come and go as your schedule allows. Members of the Partnership leadership team will fill us in on what's going on in k-12, higher education, interfaith initiatives,and community-level action - and on the 1st anniversary Convocation that took place in Raleigh, NC earlier this month. Everyone is invited to share what they're up to - and we're looking for suggestions for monthly special visitors - key voices from across the country and all aspects of "sustainability" - that you'd like to hear from in the future. If the Partnership is new to you, check . This is the US response to the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, launched March 2005. It is unique on the global scene - a totally voluntary and fast-growing network of partners ranging from middle school youth to Ford Motor Company, from colleges and universities to grassroots organizations, the White House Environmental Executive, the American Planning Association, and many more. Serving as a "switchboard" for sharing information and fostering collaborations that strengthen our individual effectiveness through collective commitment, the Partnership's mission is to leverage the UN Decade as impetus for integrating the values and knowledge essential for creating a sustainable world into formal and non-formal education. You'll see on the website that the Partnership is loosely structured into interest communities, 'sectors', for k-12, higher education, business, faith, living institutions (zoos, nature centers, aquariums etc), and adult/community learning. Cross-sector action teams weave youth, the arts (just emerging), funding, and marketing the vision of sustainability throughout. The Partnership Phone Forum takes place on the 3rd thursday of every month, 1-3 pm. If you can't join us this month, mark your calendar for April! "Never doubt that a group of committed citizens can change the world - indeed, it's the only thing that can." - Margaret Mead -- This email was brought to you by Kaxy Mail http://www.kaxy.com/free_email_account.htm From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Thu Mar 16 07:06:40 2006 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Thu Mar 16 07:11:43 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability In-Reply-To: <4.2.2.20060315074610.0141b908@pop3.pinax.com> References: <4.2.2.20060315074610.0141b908@pop3.pinax.com> Message-ID: my three wo-rds long-term community wellbeing -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Living Associates and Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi From ebauchne at twcny.rr.com Thu Mar 16 07:40:18 2006 From: ebauchne at twcny.rr.com (Elizabeth Bauchner) Date: Thu Mar 16 07:42:43 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability In-Reply-To: <6.2.1.2.2.20060314120738.030415a8@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> Message-ID: <01c501c6490f$f1154d40$6701a8c0@RasMama> My short definition/association: "Seven Generations Ahead" Elizabeth Bauchner Editor, Ithaca Community News http://www.ithacanews.org Freelance Writer http://www.elizabethbauchner.info -----Original Message----- From: sustainabletompkins-bounces@lists.mutualaid.org [mailto:sustainabletompkins-bounces@lists.mutualaid.org] On Behalf Of Robinne Gray Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 12:11 PM To: Sustainable Tompkins County listserv Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability How about: small-scale and simple is sufficient ? ~R. >Sarah B. would like to add: earth + people = continued > > > > Let's compile a list (three word max) of our individual definitions > > (or associations to) the term "sustainable." > > > We start with McKibben's friends def'n: durable. > > > Monty adds: enough is enough > > >_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ SustainableTompkins mailing list SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From bosak at ibiblio.org Thu Mar 16 07:56:21 2006 From: bosak at ibiblio.org (bosak@ibiblio.org) Date: Thu Mar 16 07:56:33 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] CNN: We Were Warned: Tomorrow's oil crisis Message-ID: <28698.207.34.158.130.1142524581.squirrel@secure.ibiblio.org> >From EnergyBulletin.net: We Were Warned: Tomorrow's oil crisis will be featured on CNN Presents this weekend. Showings are set for Saturday, March 18 at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET. http://energybulletin.net/13911.html [EnergyBulletin also quotes CNN Student News as saying that the program will be shown commercial-free Monday, March 20, 2006, from 4:00 - 5:00 a.m. ET on CNN for people who want to tape it.] Jon From Laurietodd at aol.com Thu Mar 16 08:11:36 2006 From: Laurietodd at aol.com (Laurietodd@aol.com) Date: Thu Mar 16 08:13:19 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability Message-ID: <2b7.68ba1c8.314ae838@aol.com> Hi all, The definition that I use is this: Sustainability means living in such a way as to meet our needs, while upholding the ability of other people and creatures to meet their own needs now and in the future. In three words? life upholding life Todd Saddler From mbrown at ithaca.edu Thu Mar 16 10:28:04 2006 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Thu Mar 16 10:29:22 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] C.P. Snow Lecture TONIGHT on "Poetry and Drumming" Message-ID: <4419AE34.1040901@ithaca.edu> Check out this event, which will be held tonight on campus. C.P.Snow was an early visionary who articulated the need for and value of integrating disciplines to resolve social issues - in this way, he was an early champion of the multidisciplinary approach which undergirds sustainability thinking. Marian - - - - - - - - - - - - This year's 2006 C.P. Snow Lecture Series Presents: Manjul Bhargava, Princeton University, speaking on "Drumming and Poetry, The Nature of Human Thought and the Origins of Mathematics" on Thursday, March 16th, 2006, Ithaca College, Textor Hall Room 103 at 7:00 pm. Professor Bhargava will integrate his lecture with percussion performances using a Tabla, a small India hand drum. Mathematics pervades all the sciences, but it also lies at the heart of a number of fields in the humanities. Two important such subjects, which go back to ancient times, are linguistics and music; in fact, many of the modern mathematical tools used in probability and combinatorics and applied in varied technologies such as those on NASA space missions, originate in problems encountered by linguists and musicians thousands of years ago. A look at some of these ancient, poetic problems-and their remarkable solutions through the ages-reveals much about the nature of human thought and the origins of mathematics. All are welcome to attend. From dnr6 at cornell.edu Thu Mar 16 10:52:43 2006 From: dnr6 at cornell.edu (Daniel Roth) Date: Thu Mar 16 10:55:43 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability In-Reply-To: <2b7.68ba1c8.314ae838@aol.com> References: <2b7.68ba1c8.314ae838@aol.com> Message-ID: To live in awareness of all relations. Peace... Daniel Roth (Cell) 518-727-6723 Co-Chair Youth ActionTeam US Partnership for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development www.uspartnership.org Graduate Student Adult and Extension Education Cornell University On Mar 16, 2006, at 11:11 AM, Laurietodd@aol.com wrote: > Hi all, > > The definition that I use is this: > > Sustainability means living in such a way as to meet our needs, while > upholding the ability of other people and creatures to meet their own > needs now and > in the future. > > In three words? > > life upholding life > > Todd Saddler > _______________________________________________ > SustainableTompkins mailing list > SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > From Wericclay at aol.com Thu Mar 16 11:02:21 2006 From: Wericclay at aol.com (Wericclay@aol.com) Date: Thu Mar 16 11:05:56 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability Message-ID: <243.8c45009.314b103d@aol.com> It strikes me this could use a little humor: perpetually muddling through Eric Clay In a message dated 3/16/2006 1:58:55 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, dnr6@cornell.edu writes: To live in awareness of all relations. Peace... Daniel Roth (Cell) 518-727-6723 Co-Chair Youth ActionTeam US Partnership for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development www.uspartnership.org Graduate Student Adult and Extension Education Cornell University On Mar 16, 2006, at 11:11 AM, Laurietodd@aol.com wrote: > Hi all, > > The definition that I use is this: > > Sustainability means living in such a way as to meet our needs, while > upholding the ability of other people and creatures to meet their own > needs now and > in the future. > > In three words? > > life upholding life > > Todd Saddler > _______________________________________________ > SustainableTompkins mailing list > SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > _______________________________________________ SustainableTompkins mailing list SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From mbrown at ithaca.edu Thu Mar 16 11:34:47 2006 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Thu Mar 16 11:39:20 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Grist Magazine piece on environmental film festivals showcases Finger Lakes Environmental Festival Message-ID: <4419BDD7.9080807@ithaca.edu> Check out this great piece in today's Grist magazine on environmental film festivals in general, but showcasing our own Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival. http://www.grist.org/advice/books/2006/03/15/henderson/index.html Marian From dnr6 at cornell.edu Thu Mar 16 11:30:14 2006 From: dnr6 at cornell.edu (Daniel Roth) Date: Thu Mar 16 11:40:09 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Activist-Educators with New Model for Social Change Message-ID: <86b80e885dc8c9de3448ddda3620396e@cornell.edu> >> >> >> Activist-Educators with New Model for Social Change Named Among >> World's 'Best Emerging Social Change Entrepreneurs' >> Scott Sherman & Randy Parraz receive $90,000 seed grant to train >> students in more effective strategies for social change and spark a >> new era of student activism >> NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES - The global nonprofit organization Echoing >> Green has named Scott Sherman and Randy Parraz among the world's >> "Best Emerging Social Change Entrepreneurs" for their bold plan to >> train new leaders to address Southern California's most pervasive >> problems by applying their innovative model for social activism, >> called "transformative action." >> Through their more than 25 years of combined dedication to social >> change, Sherman and Parraz have found, from both experience and >> academic study, that traditional social activist strategies of >> protests, boycotts and strikes have limited lasting impact on >> Southern California's labor, immigrant and environmental issues.? >> Despite the committed efforts of hundreds of organizations pursuing >> these issues through traditional methods, the problems persist:? A >> 2001 survey found that 67 percent of garment workshops in L.A. >> violate wage and labor laws, and 98 percent violate health laws; many >> of the immigrants who comprise 36 percent of all L.A. county >> residents fear to speak out for their rights; and L.A. suffers the >> worst air pollution in the United States, in addition to traffic >> congestion, water shortages and environmental racism. >> ? >> As winners of the prestigious 2005 Echoing Green Fellowship, Sherman >> and Parraz will receive $90,000 in seed funding, as well as two years >> of technical support, leadership training and strategic counsel, to >> develop the Transformative Action Institute (TAI) in Los Angeles, >> California, for training college students in innovative social change >> strategies that break the "us versus them" model to turn adversaries >> into allies, competition into cooperation and anger into goodwill. >> "Transformative action goes beyond fighting problems," said >> Sherman.? "It initiates the process of social transformation and wins >> over those who traditional activism views as the enemy.? It begins >> with a vision of the future and then creates broad and inclusive >> partnerships consisting of other nonprofits, government officials, >> corporations and small businesses." >> ?"Our goal is to become the 21st-century, West Coast version of the >> Highlander Center, the social change school in Tennessee where Rosa >> Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., and their peers learned more >> effective activism," said Parraz.? "We've chosen to train students in >> transformative action because they have proven time and again to have >> the energy, enthusiasm and motivation to spark important social >> change." >> TAI will begin by offering a class, for credit, at UCLA to the most >> promising social activists, and will continue as an incubator for >> social innovation that will offer ongoing support for its graduates.? >> As the course is being offered, students will be required to intern >> with a social justice organization or initiate a project on campus or >> in the surrounding community.? Ultimately, the goal is to identify, >> develop, train and equip a new and younger generation of leaders with >> the most effective and powerful strategies and methods for social >> change AND to inspire them to take action. >> Parraz and Sherman have been dedicated to social change since each >> experienced violence and tragedy in their own lives: Parraz's father, >> a deputy sheriff in Sacramento, was killed when Parraz was 11, and >> Sherman was beaten and nearly murdered in the midst of gang warfare >> at age 17. >> Parraz, a graduate of University of California Berkeley, earned a >> Master's degree in Public Administration at the John F. Kennedy >> School of Government at Harvard University and a J.D. at Berkeley's >> Boalt Hall School of Law.? In 1995, he started his career as an >> organizer with the Industrial Areas Foundation, and soon thereafter >> continued his work in social justice with the AFL-CIO. >> Sherman has been teaching and lecturing in universities since 1990.? >> A graduate of University of California Berkeley, he earned a J.D. at >> the Boalt Hall School of Law and a Ph.D. at the University of >> Michigan School of Natural Resources and the Environment, where his >> dissertation focused on strategies for success in the environmental >> justice movement.? Sherman received Berkeley's outstanding teaching >> award and was rated by a 2001 UCLA student survey as the best >> professor on campus.? His recent nationwide study of 60 successful >> social activists and their campaigns helped to shape and clarify the >> TAI model. >> ? >> The Transformative Action Institute is one of ten organizations to >> receive the 2005 Echoing Green Fellowship from 700 applicants in 28 >> countries.? From healthcare to human rights and education to economic >> development, Echoing Green's 2005 Fellowship recipients represent a >> cross-section of new leaders committed to using smart business >> principles to right seemingly intractable social wrongs.? The >> rigorous six-month selection process included the submission of >> detailed start-up plans and a series of in-person interviews before >> panels of veteran business and nonprofit leaders in New York City.? >> Judges evaluated applicants' leadership and entrepreneurial skills, >> creativity and the potential of their ideas to deliver long-term >> social change. >> "Our fellowship is designed to provide critical support to bold >> leaders like Scott Sherman and Randy Parraz when they need it most," >> said Dr. Cheryl L. Dorsey, Echoing Green's president (and a 1992 >> fellowship recipient for The Family Van, a mobile health unit for >> inner-city Boston neighborhoods). >> "These visionaries are not afraid to think big, and they need an >> investor with a strong track record to pave the way for future >> support. But that alone is not enough," she said. "That's why Echoing >> Green also provides strategic counsel, technical support and access >> to an extensive networking community." >> About Echoing Green >> Founded in 1987, Echoing Green identifies, funds and supports the >> world's most exceptional emerging social leaders and the >> organizations they launch. Through a two-year fellowship program, >> Echoing Green helps these leaders develop new solutions to society's >> most difficult problems in diverse fields including education, >> healthcare, housing, civil and human rights, the environment, >> economic development and the arts. With the support of co-founder >> General Atlantic, LLC (GA), a private equity firm, foundations and >> individual donors, Echoing Green has invested over $22 million in >> start-up funding to nearly 400 social change entrepreneurs. For more >> information, visit http://www.echoinggreen.org, call 212.689.1165 or >> email info@echoinggreen.org. Applications for the 2006 cycle will be >> accepted in September 2005. >> # # # >> >> >> >> >> ? Login >> >> -- >> >> Anke Wessels, PhD >> Executive Director >> Center for Religion, Ethics, and Social Policy >> 117 Anabel Taylor Hall >> Cornell University >> Ithaca, NY 14853 >> >> 607-255-5027 From tonydelplato at gmail.com Thu Mar 16 14:58:50 2006 From: tonydelplato at gmail.com (Tony Del Plato) Date: Thu Mar 16 14:58:57 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability In-Reply-To: <01c501c6490f$f1154d40$6701a8c0@RasMama> References: <6.2.1.2.2.20060314120738.030415a8@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> <01c501c6490f$f1154d40$6701a8c0@RasMama> Message-ID: Hmmmm...how about "passin' it on whole?" Tony Del Plato On 3/16/06, Elizabeth Bauchner wrote: > > My short definition/association: > > "Seven Generations Ahead" > > Elizabeth Bauchner > Editor, Ithaca Community News > http://www.ithacanews.org > Freelance Writer > http://www.elizabethbauchner.info > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: sustainabletompkins-bounces@lists.mutualaid.org > [mailto:sustainabletompkins-bounces@lists.mutualaid.org] On Behalf Of > Robinne Gray > Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 12:11 PM > To: Sustainable Tompkins County listserv > Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability > > > How about: small-scale and simple is sufficient ? > > ~R. > > >Sarah B. would like to add: earth + people = continued > > > > > > > Let's compile a list (three word max) of our individual definitions > > > (or associations to) the term "sustainable." > > > > > We start with McKibben's friends def'n: durable. > > > > > Monty adds: enough is enough > > > > >_______________________________________________ > > _______________________________________________ > SustainableTompkins mailing list SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > > _______________________________________________ > SustainableTompkins mailing list > SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > -- "I can remember when the air was clean and sex was dirty." - George Burns From rlg2 at cornell.edu Thu Mar 16 15:36:11 2006 From: rlg2 at cornell.edu (Robinne Gray) Date: Thu Mar 16 15:36:38 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability In-Reply-To: References: <6.2.1.2.2.20060314120738.030415a8@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> <01c501c6490f$f1154d40$6701a8c0@RasMama> Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060316183458.0339de30@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> This is fun! I'm also fond of the motto of the Center for a New American Dream: "More fun, less stuff!" ------------------------------------------------- We start with McKibben's friends def'n: durable. passin' it on whole Seven Generations Ahead Small-scale and simple is sufficient earth + people = continued long-term community wellbeing enough is enough To live in awareness of all relations "The two-word definition of sustainability is 'one planet.'" ?Mathis Wackernagel "Eternally regenerative" --Bucky life upholding life perpetually muddling through living in such a way as to meet our needs, while upholding the ability of other people and creatures to meet their own needs now and in the future. ? how we all can live, gradually outgrowing a way of life in which we gulp down all the nectar, spoil the flower by pulling off the petals, and finally uproot the plant." --Eknath Easwaran From kqj at quinn-jacobs.org Fri Mar 17 03:57:04 2006 From: kqj at quinn-jacobs.org (Kathleen Quinn-Jacobs) Date: Fri Mar 17 03:55:49 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability In-Reply-To: <2b7.68ba1c8.314ae838@aol.com> References: <2b7.68ba1c8.314ae838@aol.com> Message-ID: <441AA410.7080104@quinn-jacobs.org> My three word definition: The Next Revolution Katie Quinn-Jacobs Laurietodd@aol.com wrote: >Hi all, > >The definition that I use is this: > >Sustainability means living in such a way as to meet our needs, while >upholding the ability of other people and creatures to meet their own needs now and >in the future. > >In three words? > >life upholding life > >Todd Saddler >_______________________________________________ >SustainableTompkins mailing list >SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org >http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > > > From earthdayithaca at yahoo.com Fri Mar 17 06:28:54 2006 From: earthdayithaca at yahoo.com (Joey Gates) Date: Fri Mar 17 06:29:01 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Short definitions of sustainability In-Reply-To: <6.2.1.2.2.20060316183458.0339de30@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> Message-ID: <20060317142855.5952.qmail@web36306.mail.mud.yahoo.com> What came to my mind (similar to the humorous one) was: Perpetually Perfecting Robinne Gray wrote: This is fun! I'm also fond of the motto of the Center for a New American Dream: "More fun, less stuff!" ------------------------------------------------- We start with McKibben's friends def'n: durable. passin' it on whole Seven Generations Ahead Small-scale and simple is sufficient earth + people = continued long-term community wellbeing enough is enough To live in awareness of all relations "The two-word definition of sustainability is 'one planet.'" ?Mathis Wackernagel "Eternally regenerative" --Bucky life upholding life perpetually muddling through living in such a way as to meet our needs, while upholding the ability of other people and creatures to meet their own needs now and in the future. ? how we all can live, gradually outgrowing a way of life in which we gulp down all the nectar, spoil the flower by pulling off the petals, and finally uproot the plant." --Eknath Easwaran _______________________________________________ SustainableTompkins mailing list SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org --------------------------------- Yahoo! Mail Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments. From levelgreen at kaxy.com Fri Mar 17 06:09:10 2006 From: levelgreen at kaxy.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Fri Mar 17 06:50:58 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fw: 2006 nat'l conference on dialogue & deliberation Message-ID: ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Sandy Heierbacher To: OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU Sent: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 12:51:40 -0500 Subject: 2006 nat'l conference on dialogue & deliberation Below is an announcement about the 2006 NCDD conference. I encourage you to join us in San Francisco, and to share this message with your colleagues who may be interested! Sandy Heierbacher Director, National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation Don't Miss the 2006 National Conference on Dialogue & Deliberation The 2006 NCDD conference will take place in San Francisco, California August 4-6, with pre-conference trainings on Thursday, August 3rd. If you are dedicated to solving group and societal problems through honest talk, quality thinking and collaborative action, we invite you to join us at this innovative gathering. The conference will be held at the Renaissance Parc 55, a beautiful hotel in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Founded in 2002, the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation is a vibrant network of over 500 organizations and individuals who, collectively, regularly engage and mobilize millions of people across the globe around today's critical issues. NCDD's national conferences and resource-rich website (at www.thataway.org ) are crucial to the development of this emerging field of practice. Martha McCoy, Executive Director of the Study Circles Resource Center, says "NCDD has cultivated a broad and emerging field by making it possible for diverse threads of practice to learn from each other. Its mode of working is respectful, inclusive, and practitioner-oriented. Everyone who believes that dialogue and deliberation are key to transforming people, relationships, and society--including political systems--can benefit from being part of NCDD and its next conference." NCDD brings together dialogue and deliberation practitioners, scholars, trainers, artists, activists, teachers and students from all of the various streams of practice that exist in this emerging field. The main focus of NCDD conferences is to encourage conference attendees and planners, together, to continue developing this important, growing field of practice. Networking, experiencing different methods, sharing learnings, hearing from leaders in the field, learning about new research, exploring key issues facing the field-all of these are field-building activities, and all are given a place at the gatherings. Martha McCoy, Executive Director of the Study Circles Resource Center, says "NCDD has cultivated a broad and emerging field by making it possible for diverse threads of practice to learn from each other. Its mode of working is respectful, inclusive, and practitioner-oriented. Everyone who believes that dialogue and deliberation are key to transforming people, relationships, and society--including political systems--can benefit from being part of NCDD and its next conference." What can you expect from the 2006 National Conference on Dialogue & Deliberation? - Highly participatory plenary sessions that allow you to experience large-group dialogue and deliberation methods while enabling the community to explore issues relevant to the field - Quality workshops that enable you to focus on the issues, challenges, and questions most relevant to your work - Numerous opportunities throughout the gathering to experience how the arts (graphic, performing, etc.) can enhance dialogue and deliberation - Formal, informal, and self-organized opportunities to network and develop relationships with others who do dialogue and deliberation work or research - Opportunities to learn from and be inspired by established leaders in the field, highly innovative efforts initiated in the San Francisco Bay area, young people who are enthusiastic about this work, and more. NCDD's conferences are accessible, with registration fees starting at just $300, and with over $20,000 already earmarked for scholarships. The 2006 conference is funded, in part, by the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Whitman Institute, and by leading dialogue and deliberation organizations. Our conferences are planned collaboratively by people with all levels of experience in dialogue & deliberation. If you'd like to be part of the conference planning process, or if you're interested in attending, presenting a workshop, offering a pre-conference training, exhibiting, co-sponsoring, or just staying informed as planning progresses, email conference director Sandy Heierbacher at sandy@thataway.org and let her know. -- Some nice things people said about the 2002 and 2004 conferences. "The 2002 NCDD conference was the most amazing conference I've ever attended.. This is a big diverse field, bubbling with vitality. And NCDD is bringing it all together." - Tom Atlee, Founder of the Co-Intelligence Institute "You all were amazing -- I've never had a more exhilarating experience at a conference. Nourishing to mind, body and soul!" - one participants' comments on the 2004 conference satisfaction survey "I just wanted to let you know what an amazing conference it was in Denver. It deepened my understanding of D&D and I met many wonderful people. I believe events like this help strengthen and grow, not only the D&D community, but the work of conflict resolution and democracy world-wide. It was the best organized conference I have ever attended. You and those that helped you did an amazing job." - Stephan Gilchrist, Portland State University "I must say that my attending the national conference this past fall was life altering. The conference really gave me a sense of direction and purpose for the work I'd like to do as well as the vision I have for a more just and sustainable world." - Matt de Caussin, Intern, Denver District Attorney's Office "Thank you for putting on such an amazing conference. I thought the conference was absolutely phenomenal. I learned a lot, and I think even more importantly, realized that I am / we are part of a community!" - Priya Parker, Sustained Dialogue Campus Network "I met more people that I will follow up with at this conference than any in my 30 years of professional experience." - Stephanie Nestlerode, Omega Point International, Inc. "Thank you for the incredible work you are doing in creating opportunities for those of us involved in this work to meet, communicate and inspire one another in so many ways." - Glenna Gerard * * ========================================================== OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist "Never doubt that a group of committed citizens can change the world - indeed, it's the only thing that can." - Margaret Mead -- This email was brought to you by Kaxy Mail http://www.kaxy.com/free_email_account.htm From levelgreen at kaxy.com Fri Mar 17 06:29:59 2006 From: levelgreen at kaxy.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Fri Mar 17 07:12:04 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fw: [Excomm] George Clooney's "FYI - Film Your Issue" film competition for 18-26 year olds (Please circulate) Message-ID: Perhaps something for the IC film program? Does anyone have a contact with the Rod Serling film program in Binghamton? ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Steve Brant To: Steve Brant Sent: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 13:22:31 -0500 Subject: [Excomm] George Clooney's "FYI - Film Your Issue" film competition for 18-26 year olds (Please circulate) Dear Friends, George Clooney is promoting (and helping judge) a special 30-60 second "issue film" competition. The competition is open to all Americans between 18-26 years old. Other judges include Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Senator Barack Obama, Brian Williams, Anderson Cooper, and Walter Cronkite. The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2006. More information is available here - http://www.filmyourissue.com Please help get the word out about this! Thanks! Steve ------------------------------------- Steven G. Brant, Business Futurist Founder and Principal Trimtab Management Systems sbrant@trimtab.com http://www.trimtab.com http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-g-brant/ "Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe." - H. G. Wells _______________________________________________ Excomm mailing list Excomm@list.ncseonline.org http://list.ncseonline.org/mailman/listinfo/excomm "Never doubt that a group of committed citizens can change the world - indeed, it's the only thing that can." - Margaret Mead -- This email was brought to you by Kaxy Mail http://www.kaxy.com/free_email_account.htm From paulamcconnellbks at yahoo.com Fri Mar 17 09:42:29 2006 From: paulamcconnellbks at yahoo.com (Paula McConnell) Date: Fri Mar 17 09:42:50 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Class offered at the Unitarian Church Message-ID: <20060317174229.6778.qmail@web30702.mail.mud.yahoo.com> This is a terrific program and works well with voluntary simplicity. Spread the news! Your Money or Your Life Study Group Have you ever felt you were making a dying rather than making a living? Learn how to connect your money with your values, and keep you spending in alignment with these values, as you seek the "purpose" in your life through an 8-week study group based on the best-seller Your Money Or Your Life. Dates are 3/29, 4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/10 & 5/24. Cost is $5.00 for study guide; book is also required. Please call Jackie Thompson at 273-7521 or e-mail lepican@unitarian.ithaca.ny.us for more information. Class is held at the First Unitarian Church of Ithaca at 306 North Aurora Street. From burns at panix.com Fri Mar 17 13:18:37 2006 From: burns at panix.com (Michael Burns) Date: Fri Mar 17 14:59:54 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fwd: Intentional communities workshops NY Message-ID: >Calendar Listings > >Friday, April 21, Ecovillages: Where They Are, What They're Doing. >Slideshow and talk presented by Diana Leafe Christian, editor of Communities >magazine and author of Creating a Life Together: Practical Tools to Grow >Ecovillages and Intentional Communities. Easton Mountain Retreat Center, >Easton, New York, 6 P.M. light dinner, 7-9 P.M. presentation and questions. >All are welcome. Suggested donation $20, no one will be turned away. RSVP >by the Wednesday April 19th. 518-692-8023, or www.eastonmountain.com for >questions or directions. > >April 21 - April 23, Starting and Nurturing a Successful Ecovillage or >Intentional Community. Experiential workshop with Diana Leafe Christian, >editor of Communities magazine and author of Creating a Life Together: >Practical Tools to Grow Ecovillages and Intentional Communities. Lodging and >commuter rates, scholarships available. Easton Mountain Retreat Center, >Easton, New York. 518-692-8023, or www.eastonmountain.com > . > >------ >Dave Jacke >Dynamics Ecological Design >Site Planning - Landscape Design - Construction - Education - Permaculture >56 High St., Keene, NH 03431 >PHONE 603-357-8899 * FAX 603-357-6556 > > >My two-volume book Edible Forest Gardens is out on the market! Find details >at >And at > >"fas-cism (fash'iz'em) n. A system of government that exercises a >dictatorship of the extreme right, typically through the merging of state >and business leadership, together with belligerent nationalism." -- The American Heritage Dictionary -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Michael Burns http://www.cayuta.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Earn your permaculture design certificate. The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute offers affordable local classes. Go to: http://www.flpci.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From burns at panix.com Fri Mar 17 13:15:49 2006 From: burns at panix.com (Michael Burns) Date: Fri Mar 17 14:59:55 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fwd: Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival Message-ID: >>The Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival >>(March 30-April 6) is a one week multimedia >>interarts extravaganza that reboots the >>environment and sustainability into a larger >>global conversation, embracing issues ranging >>from labor, war, health, disease, music, >>intellectual property, fine art, software, >>remix culture, economics, archives, AIDS, >>women?s rights and human rights. >>The 2006 festival features more than 100 public >>events, more than 65 films representing over 30 >>nations, three radio specials, two live >>archival film remixes, 26 featured guest >>artists, scholars, writers and activists, a >>specially commissioned landscape installation, >>an international on line digital art >>exhibition, and over 20 special presentations >>and master classes. >>This year?s festival reimagines the environment >>beyond land, sea and air towards a larger >>vision of mediascapes, ethnoscapes, >>financescapes, ideoscapes, soundscapes, >>imagescapes, and screenscapes-from one screen >>to many screens, from one idea to a >>multiplicity of crosswirings >> >>Organized by Ithaca College. >> >>Details at http://www.ithaca.edu/fleff/. -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Michael Burns http://www.cayuta.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Earn your permaculture design certificate. The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute offers affordable local classes. Go to: http://www.flpci.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From GayNicholson at aol.com Fri Mar 17 20:02:20 2006 From: GayNicholson at aol.com (GayNicholson@aol.com) Date: Fri Mar 17 21:30:21 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Prototype condo a step on the road to 'utopia' Message-ID: <2df.418dcd3.314ce04c@aol.com> Prototype condo a step on the road to 'utopia' As rising energy prices show a social conscience can pay off, more builders are jumping on the eco-bandwagon By MARCIE GOOD Friday, March 10, 2006 Posted at 9:54 AM EST Special to The Globe and Mail VANCOUVER -- The arched ceiling beams of the Sustainable Condo built by the architectural firm Busby Perkins and Will appear like fingers clasped together, the way someone positions his hands when thinking. And, indeed, the award-winning creation is aimed at making you think. It presents a utopian vision: The most energy-efficient, water-saving, earth-friendly, health-promoting urban home that could be built. The wooden ribs, says principal architect Martin Nielsen, were designed for their visual appeal, but they also represent a vessel of ideas. As with everything in the 800-square-foot condo, they embody philosophy along with form and function: They're built of laminated strand lumber that uses fast-growing, carefully harvested aspen rather than old-growth trees. The Sustainable Condo, which has been awarded the Architectural Institute of British Columbia's Innovation Award, has been on tour, most recently at last fall's Greenbuild conference in Atlanta. The architects hope to bring it back to Vancouver this June for the World Urban Forum. (http://www.globeandmail.com/register) (http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;26721290;6958408;q?http://www.theglobeandmail.com/adventure) Designed to compete with those swanky presentation suites, the condo sells ideology rather than granite countertops. "The intent is to say that you can make better choices without compromising your lifestyle," says Mr. Nielsen. "When we talk to the development community we keep hearing that the public doesn't care or doesn't want to pay for it. Really the sustainable condo was about educating the public. If the market wants these features, they will do it." When the exhibit was shown at the PNE in 2004, it was so convincing that people kept asking where they could buy it. As the visitor walks around, small stickers remind them of the virtue of each feature: The sofa is made with CFC-free foam, water-based glues and stainless-steel frame; an exterior wall has photovoltaic cells that generate electricity; the flooring is reclaimed fir; the sheets are organic unbleached cotton. Everything works, and invites you to play house: The wood tiles in front of the entertainment centre flip over to create a lounging area of recycled-material carpet; and the water-saving toilets actually flush. Benefits to the condo owner, such as lower energy bills, are made clear. But visitors also get the bigger picture. If the next 10,000 condos were built like this, says sponsor EcoSmart Foundation Inc., it would save 23,000 truckloads of garbage each year. Even those who aren't interested in saving the world would be interested in saving space. As each square foot gets more expensive, multiuse design makes more and more sense. Here, a stainless-steel island in the kitchen is set up like a bar, which can be rotated to reveal a wood surface. Pull it out and there's a dining room table. Every time the condo is mounted, it gets the market's latest appliances. "The intent is to show technologies that are available in the marketplace today," says Kathy Wardle, director of research at Busby, adding that furniture and finishings are sourced from the city where the exhibit is displayed. That also cuts down on the considerable shipping costs, which reach about $150,000 to cross the country. But even since it was first shown to the public two years ago, its idealistic features have become increasingly attainable. Developers in many cities are facing scrutiny through the rezoning and approval process. Within a year, Vancouver aims to become the first municipality in North America with a "green" building strategy, requiring every new structure to meet energy and water efficiency requirements. "It's not really a green building standard any more, it's just the way business is done," says Dale Mikkelsen, the city's green building planner. "Now it opens the door for other developments to have to push the bar even further." Several landmark downtown buildings, including Westbank's Shangri-La and Jameson Development's Jameson House, are working towards LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation. The ratings system awards points for sustainability features, from using a brand of concrete with recycled materials to providing space for bicycle storage. Other buildings have incorporated green elements, and Mr. Mikkelsen points out that developers usually start with features they know will translate into sold units. Lower heating bills are easy to understand, and display suites with non-toxic paint, natural-fibre carpet, and renewable bamboo flooring make for a good sales pitch. Concord Pacific's Icon bills itself as the "first waterfront luxury high-rise residence in Vancouver inspired and built with a 'green' philosophy," and was the first experiment for the mega-developer. When he began sketches four years ago, senior vice president of development David Negrin estimated that the LEED measures the city asked for would add an extra $15 a square foot. After a long collaboration with planners and architects from Busby and Associates, they settled on a few major green features: a bris soleil design that incorporates horizontal blinds to reduce heat gain during the day and save energy costs; a green roof; water-efficient landscaping; and a recycling program. Challenges he faced were that the building products considered more sustainable didn't always carry warranty guarantees. While developers are called upon to carry the green torch, all the sub-contractors and manufacturers must also be committed to products and techniques that support the program. "We're moving that way, slowly and cautiously," Mr. Negrin says. "I think that people now are willing to pay more. They understand there's a benefit to sustainable development." An integrated design process can mitigate some of the higher costs of earth-friendly building, according to the developer of Victoria's Dockside Green. The 11.6-acre site on former industrial lands in the downtown harbour has garnered much attention for its comprehensive approach. Its LEED "platinum level" buildings include on-site sewage treatment and energy generation, and an electric car share program. "We may spend more money on envelope design and understanding how the sun works and low-heat glass and all those things," says Joe Van Belleghem of Windmill Development Group, which is building the Busby-designed project along with Van City. "But we're saving money on the mechanical systems and spending less money on heating and cooling, because we're focusing on passive design." Another area where they've saved money is in marketing. The buzz around the development and its unique ideas spread quickly enough that without any advertising, house-hunters snapped up 80 per cent of the units of the first phase in a few hours of going on sale. The presentation suite of this project doesn't have the same look as the Sustainable Condo, but Mr. Van Belleghem boasts that in many respects it's just as green. When he saw the exhibit in the fall, he noted that the Dockside's water fixtures are just a bit more thrifty. * ? Copyright 2006 Bell Globemedia Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved. *************************************** Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator _www.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 gaynicholson@aol.com Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 agn1@cornell.edu From ph24 at kaxy.com Sat Mar 18 04:28:00 2006 From: ph24 at kaxy.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Sat Mar 18 05:09:57 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fw: Greenbuild Keynote DVD, Housing & Other News Message-ID: ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "Greenbuild Denver" To: PH24@kaxy.com Sent: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 17:25:52 -0500 Subject: Greenbuild Keynote DVD, Housing & Other News March 2006 Greenbuild Newsletter Volume 5: Issue 1 Text Only Version _____________________________ TOP STORIES: 2005 Keynote Video Available on DVD Denver Sponsorship Opportunities Legacy Project Selected REGISTRATION UPDATE: Hotel Registration Opens Today OF INTEREST: ULI Conference _____________________________ Now on DVD: Greenbuild 2005 Opening Plenary Session The green building movement is still talking about the morning of November 9, 2005, when three of the movement’s most inspirational leaders came together for Greenbuild’s opening plenary session. In a joint address, Ray Anderson, Janine Benyus and Paul Hawken shared their unique and powerful visions for a sustainable future, creating one of the most memorable moments in Greenbuild’s — and USGBC’s — history. Strategies for Sustaining the Sustainable Building Movement recaptures this seminal moment, considered by many attendees the highlight of the conference. This inspiring message is now available on DVD to USGBC members and Greenbuild attendees for just $10.* Whether you were there in person and now want to share this incredible session with your friends and colleagues, or you want to see for yourself what the excitement is all about, this DVD is an invaluable addition to your library. Order your copy today at http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=300 *includes shipping & handling. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Biomimicry Guild. _____________________________ Build Relationships. Build Your Business. Become A Sponsor Greenbuild Denver will bring together leaders and decision makers from every sector of the building industry to explore what it means to take green building to a “higher level.” With three days of exceptional educational programs, renowned speakers, extensive networking, and an exhibit hall with over 500 leading-edge vendors, Greenbuild is the industry’s premiere conference and expo. Sponsoring Greenbuild is the perfect way to gain exposure for your company and products in every market sector of the green building and development industry, as well as demonstrate your commitment to Greenbuild and to the triple bottom line. All sponsors are recognized prominently before, during and after the conference as leading sup­porters of Greenbuild and the green building movement. Sponsorship packages are available for every budget—to learn more about these exciting opportunities, download a brochure at http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/Archive/WebSiteImages/Docs1340.pdf or contact our Sponsorship Manager, Rhiannon Jacobsen, at sponsor@usgbc.org or 202-828-1151. _____________________________ For three days in November, the Denver Convention Center will be brimming with thousands of people learning about the newest and best green building ideas and technologies. But Greenbuild doesn’t really take place in a convention center—instead, it exists within those thousands of people, and continues in the passion, innovation and inspiration they bring to communities all across the world. Each year, Greenbuild strives to deliver outstanding educational sessions and top-notch exhibitors, but our most important goal is always to have a positive impact on the environment and economy of our host city. That’s why we’re so excited about our 2006 Legacy Project, Nine10Arts, a gathering place for art and ideas where people of all ages can learn, grow, and share their creative abilities. Read more at http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=301 _____________________________ Registration Update: Denver hotel registration opens today March 15 Conference registration opens April 15 Streamlined Online Registration at http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/Register/default.asp With Greenbuild's new user-friendly online registration process, you’ll be able to register for hotels and the conference separately, and you’ll also be able to modify, confirm or cancel your registration. Win a Free Greenbuild Registration! Register as a full-conference attendee by May 31 for a chance to win a complimentary registration (or reimbursement for existing registration). Registrants will be automatically entered in the drawing; the winner will be chosen at random and announced in our June newsletter. _____________________________ ULI’s Developing Green Conference: Sustainability Entering the Mainstream April 10-11, 2006, Seattle, Washington Get up to date on the latest issues surrounding sustainable development. Learn about the latest trends, how green can be financially feasible, and how your business can benefit and profit. USGBC members can attend at the ULI member rate. Call 800-321-5011 or go to http://www.uli.org/conferences to register. _____________________________ Visit our conference website at: http://www.greenbuildexpo.org Denver photos courtesy of John Fielder. http://www.johnfielder.com leave-20943-1438336T@lists.usgbc.org--- To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to leave-20943-1438336T@lists.usgbc.org Copyright © 2006 U.S. Green Building Council http://www.usgbc.org _____________________________ Level Green Institute - fostering social, economic and environmental sustainability through collaborative initiatives in hospitality, education and the arts -- This email was brought to you by Kaxy Mail http://www.kaxy.com/free_email_account.htm From earthdayithaca at yahoo.com Sun Mar 19 07:28:59 2006 From: earthdayithaca at yahoo.com (Joey Gates) Date: Sun Mar 19 07:29:43 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Earth Week Flyer-call for submissions Message-ID: <20060319152859.42101.qmail@web36302.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Good Morning, Do you have a sustainability or environmental event going on in the week leading up to Earth Day? The CES would like to compile local events into a flyer for distribution around town. This will be a handy 1 page reference for people to find all the great happenings in the Tompkins County area. To submit, please include the name of the event, the organization, date, time, place and contact information, and send to this email address. If you have any questions feel free to drop me a note. Joey --------------------------------- Relax. Yahoo! Mail virus scanning helps detect nasty viruses! From tonydelplato at gmail.com Sun Mar 19 11:13:47 2006 From: tonydelplato at gmail.com (Tony Del Plato) Date: Sun Mar 19 12:38:33 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Op Ed on National Food Uniformity Act Message-ID: Hello all: This appeared in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The op ed beautifully lays out what's wrong with the National Food Uniformity Act. While it obliterated over 200 state regulations on food safety, IT DID NOT CREATE EVEN ONE PIECE OF FOOD SAFETY REGULATION. Republicans refused to allow a vote on appropriating funds to to the job of reviewing all of the regs. It would cost $100 billion dollars to do. Once again, Dums & Repugs have sold out to Coca Cola, Kraft, et al. We still have time to alert our US Senators and let them know that their House brethren were asleep at the wheel as the bill was slipped in while a phoney debate raged about a Dubai company operating US ports. buon' appetito, Tony http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/14/AR2006031401120.html -- "I can remember when the air was clean and sex was dirty." - George Burns From GayNicholson at aol.com Sun Mar 19 14:10:39 2006 From: GayNicholson at aol.com (GayNicholson@aol.com) Date: Sun Mar 19 14:10:54 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fair Prices for Farmers: Simple Idea, Complex Reality Message-ID: <333.41a14c.314f30df@aol.com> March 19, 2006 Spending Fair Prices for Farmers: Simple Idea, Complex Reality By JENNIFER ALSEVER TIM TERMAN always looks for the black and white certified Fair Trade logo when he buys bags of coffee from the Mountain People's Co-op in Morgantown, W. Va. He pays nearly twice as much ? up to $10 a pound ? as he would for conventional coffee, hoping the extra dollars go to struggling farmers. That's not always the case. Despite good intentions, most consumers who shop according to their social convictions don't know how much of their money makes it to the people they hope to help. Critics say too many fair trade dollars wind up in the pockets of retailers and middlemen, including nonprofit organizations. But organizations involved in fair trade say the benefits do trickle down. Paul Rice, chief executive of TransFair USA, which controls Fair Trade certification in the United States, said the programs sometimes eliminate as many as five middlemen ? a local buyer, miller, exporter, shipper and importer ? and instead allow farmers to deal directly with an American wholesaler. "It is empowering farmers to create a powerful export business," he said. "When they do that, they can make dramatically higher prices, often two to three times higher." If consumers pay a premium for those products, Mr. Rice said, it means the concept is working. "They put their money where their mouth is and pay a little more." TransFair USA and 19 similar nonprofit agencies in other countries collect licensing fees on each product that uses the Fair Trade label. All of them answer to an umbrella group, the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International, based in Bonn, which also monitors the farmers and assesses fees for fair trade participation. TransFair describes its logo fees as amounting to just pennies on the pound. The pennies add up. Last year, it generated $1.89 million in licensing fees from companies that used the logo. It also spent $1.7 million on salaries, travel, conferences and publications for the 40-employee organization. Some critics find such expenses excessive. "Farmers often receive very little," said Lawrence Solomon, managing director of the Energy Probe Research Foundation, a Canadian firm that analyzes trade and consumer issues. "Often fair trade is sold at a premium, but the entire premium goes to the middlemen." Fair trade programs, which promise a "fair wage" to family farmers, have grown rapidly. Today, 35,000 retailers and restaurants nationwide, including some McDonald's and Dunkin Donuts stores, carry products bearing the fair trade label, an increase of 60 percent in three years. Since 1999, more than 100 million pounds of certified Fair Trade coffee, cocoa, tea, rice, sugar, bananas, mangoes, pineapples and grapes have been imported to the United States. Sales of fair trade coffee tripled in that time, making it the fastest-growing part of the specialty coffee business. "There are now 800,000 small-scale farmers benefiting from fair trade," said Rick Peyser, director of social advocacy at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters in Waterbury, Vt., which has watched its fair trade coffee products grow two to three times as fast as its conventional lines. Fair trade coffee now makes up 23 percent of its $161.5 million in annual sales. Still, it can be difficult for consumers to quantify the benefit they bring to farmers or to understand the complexities of the programs they ostensibly support. As many as 137 food labels, from "salmon safe" to "ozone friendly," try to appeal to socially conscious consumers like Mr. Terman. Fair Trade labels don't list the amount paid to farmers; that sum requires research. The amount can vary depending on the commodity. An analysis using information from TransFair shows that cocoa farmers get 3 cents of the $3.49 spent on a 3.5-ounce chocolate bar labeled "organic fair trade" sold at Target . Farmers receive 24 cents for a one-pound bag of fair trade sugar sold at Whole Foods for $3.79. The coffee farmer who produced the one-pound bag of coffee purchased by Mr. Terman received $1.26, higher than the commodity rate of $1.10. But whether Mr. Terman paid $10 or $6 for that fair trade coffee, the farmer gets the same $1.26. "There is no reason why fair trade should cost astronomically more than traditional products," Nicole Chettero, a spokeswoman for TransFair USA, said. "We truly believe that the market will work itself out as Fair Trade certified products move from being a niche market to a mainstream option. As the demand and volume of Fair Trade certified products increase, retailers will naturally start to drop prices to remain competitive." In Europe, where fair trade is more pervasive, some critics complain that retailers have taken advantage of consumers who are not price-sensitive. At one point, Britain's largest chain of coffee shops, Costa Coffee, added 18 cents to the price of a cup of cappuccino brewed from fair trade coffee. Yet the coffee cost the chain just one or two cents extra, according to research by Tim Harford, author of the book "The Undercover Economist." The chain has since reduced its price for the drink. "Fair trade products make a promise that the producers will get a good deal," Mr. Harford said. "They do not promise that the consumer will get a good deal. That's down to you as a savvy shopper. You can find out how much farmers are getting and reward retailers who don't try to charge you something on top." Each fair trade commodity has its own fair trade price, or the lowest price farmers will receive even if conventional commodity prices fall. That price is meant to allow them to cover their cost of production and improve their lives ? by, for instance, providing money to be invested in their farms and in schools. Yet a price that is fair in one country may not be in another. In Brazil, "$1.26 per pound for coffee is a fortune," said Kevin Knox, a coffee consultant in Boulder, Colo. "In the forest in the mountains of Mexico, the money barely is enough to justify doing it. Their yields are small, and the costs of production are higher." In some cases, the individual farmers may receive less than fair trade rules require because the money goes to cooperatives, which have their own directors who decide how much to pass on to farmers. "We did a breakdown and saw that sometimes, what they're paying farmers is only 70 cents to 80 cents a pound" for coffee instead of the entire fair trade price of $1.26, said Christy Thorns, a buyer at Allegro Coffee, a roaster in Thornton, Colo., that is owned by Whole Foods. "There are so many layers involved." Transfair, she said, doesn't "clearly communicate that to consumers." Allegro is among a number of coffee and tea companies setting up their own systems to work directly with farmers and protect the environment. Allegro buys some of its coffee from fair trade farmers, but mostly it buys directly from other farmers, paying them based on quality, not market prices. In some cases, Allegro pays farmers as much as $2.25 a pound, Ms. Thorns said. Starbucks , which bought 11.5 million pounds of fair trade coffee last year, has created a buying program called CAFE, for Coffee and Farmer Equity Practices, and tries to ensure quality and protect the environment as well as maintain equitable relationships with farmers. The company plans to buy most of its coffee through this program, which is overseen by Scientific Certification Systems in Emeryville, Calif. Starbucks requires suppliers to provide receipts showing how each party in the supply chain was paid, but it has no fixed price for the coffee. Starbucks' Web site tells consumers about the program. Still, the fair trade system, which is independent of the food industry, carries weight in the mind of Shel Horowitz, a writer in Hadley, Mass. He buys fair trade products when he can, especially cocoa, after he read a report that much of the cocoa produced in Ivory Coast uses child slave labor. "When I found out about it, I was horrified," said Mr. Horowitz, who asked his wife to return a package of conventional cocoa to the store. "I didn't want to be party to that. I try to minimize the impact of my consumerism on people who have very little." The Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International in Bonn audits cocoa farms to make sure children's rights are protected. SHOPPING activism in the United States has helped funnel $67 million to fair trade farmers and farm workers throughout Latin America, Africa and Asia since 1999, according to TransFair. Without fair trade, supporters say, some farmers have no access to market information and can often be duped into selling to middlemen at below-market prices or, if prices fall, can be forced to quit farming. Ms. Chettero acknowledges the fair trade system is not perfect but said it is a step toward farmers improving their lives. If not for consumers and the fair trade system, she said, "Who else is going to do it?" *************************************** Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator _www.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 gaynicholson@aol.com Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 agn1@cornell.edu From earthdayithaca at yahoo.com Sun Mar 19 17:16:42 2006 From: earthdayithaca at yahoo.com (Joey Gates) Date: Sun Mar 19 17:16:52 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Earth Day Reminder Message-ID: <20060320011643.56906.qmail@web36306.mail.mud.yahoo.com> The next Earth Day planning meeting will be on Saturday, April 8th from 9-11 at the Tompkins County Solid Waste Office at 122 Commercial Ave. If you are interested in tabling and have not sent in your form yet or let us know, please do so soon. If you need a form-drop me a note and I will send you one. Joey --------------------------------- Yahoo! Mail Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze. From GayNicholson at aol.com Sun Mar 19 18:30:56 2006 From: GayNicholson at aol.com (GayNicholson@aol.com) Date: Sun Mar 19 18:31:08 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] From Teapot Dome to Gale Norton Message-ID: <82.389379a6.314f6de0@aol.com> >From Teapot Dome to Gale Norton By Kelpie Wilson t r u t h o u t | Perspective Sunday 19 March 2006 The rights of the public to the nation's natural resources outweigh private rights. -- Teddy Roosevelt Nothing dollarable is safe, however guarded. -- John Muir As the Teapot Dome scandal of Warren G. Harding's presidency was one milestone in the history of American resource piracy, the tenure of Gale Norton as Secretary of the Interior is surely another. Harding's Interior Secretary, Albert Fall, failed in his scheme to sell off the Teapot Dome oil reserves and pocket the money. He was prosecuted and sentenced to a year in prison. Gale Norton's timely exit on the heels of the Abramoff scandal that implicates top Interior Department officials could mean that she is worried, but it is not likely that she will face any prosecution for her giveaways to industry. Harding, like G.W. Bush, had little regard for proper English - Harding called for a return to "normalcy," while Bush says we should not "misunderestimate" him. On Harding's death, the poet E. E. Cummings said: "The only man, woman or child who wrote a simple declarative sentence with seven grammatical errors is dead." But just as Bush surpasses Harding as a mangler of language, so the Bush administration far outstrips the Harding administration in the game of looting. Gone are the days when corrupt officials took payments in "little black bags," as Albert Fall received his $100,000 payment for the Teapot Dome oil lease from Harry F. Sinclair. Fall also received a shipment from Sinclair of "six heifers, a yearling bull, two six-months-old boars, four sows and ... an English thoroughbred horse." Today our new reality is that the tycoons and the officials are actually the same persons, or at least part of the same hive. Like insects that go through a complex life cycle from larva to pupa tof egg-laying adult, people like Gale Norton and her deputy secretary Stephen J. Griles will go from lobbyist to regulator to corporate board member. At every stage of the life cycle they have one purpose: to direct the flow of resources back to the corporate nest. And so, when Norton claims she is leaving the Interior Department to set "new goals to achieve in the private sector," you know that she will be well supplied with hogs, heifers and whatever lucrative lawyering job she wants. Gale Norton's number one tool, which she used like a common thief slips a credit card up a door jamb to spring a cheap lock, is the ideology known as "Wise Use." The "Wise Use" doctrine is founded on anti-government rhetoric that advocates eliminating any environmental regulations that might restrict economic development. Because she was so well known as a "Wise Use" ideologue, only John Ashcroft was a more controversial cabinet appointment in Bush's first term. During her tenure as Secretary, Norton advanced this agenda through regulatory rollbacks, suppression of science, preferential treatment, and collusion with industry. For the most part, she was unable to enshrine "Wise Use" principles in regulations, with the exception of her new National Park Service regulations. Norton proceeded to revamp the Park Service regulations despite the lack of any identified need for new rules. Now in the final phase of adoption, the new directive drastically changes the mission of our national parks from preservation to commercially sponsored recreation. If these rules are adopted, park managers won't be able to prevent development that harms wildlife and other natural features, and corporate logos will spring up like daisies. These rules also require newly hired staff to take what amounts to a loyalty oath to the policies of the current administration. A loyalty oath may be the solution to the sticky problem of science that Norton kept running into. When her agency biologists reported that drilling in the Arctic Refuge would harm caribou, Norton rewrote the report before submitting it to Congress. She also suppressed a finding by the US Fish & Wildlife Service that new Army Corps rules for permitting development would devastate wetlands. In fact, Norton created a climate of intimidation at the Interior Department that functions almost as effectively as an unconstitutional loyalty oath would: Last year the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility took a survey of Fish & Wildlife Service biologists and found that more than half of the respondents said agency officials had reversed or withdrawn the biologists' scientific conclusions under pressure from industry groups. Lying to Congress and suppressing scientific findings. How is it that these are not prosecutable offenses? In 2001, Oregon potato farmers in the upper portion of the Klamath River suffering from a prolonged drought demanded that the Interior Department give them water dedicated to fish. Gale Norton complied, and in 2002, at least 35,000 salmon died at the mouth of the Klamath. The Klamath runs are now so low that the Fisheries Service is preparing to close the salmon fishing season, ruining a $150 million dollar industry. Gale Norton is responsible. Why can't she be indicted for ruining a precious and irreplaceable natural resource? Norton's supporters, like the National Association of Manufacturers, praise her primarily for her role in opening up the West to massive amounts of new energy development. Interior Department staff began referring to Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico as the "OPEC states," as the drilling permits multiplied and flew through the bureaucracy with minimal review and consultation with local citizens. Norton's own proudest accomplishment, she says, was implementing her "four C's" program - a supposedly new approach to public involvement that included "communication, consultation and cooperation, all in the service of conservation." Unfortunately, the four C's seem only to apply to industry and not to local people. Take for instance the town of Grand Junction, Colorado. Last September the BLM informed the city that a few hundred acres in the town's watershed used for drinking water supplies would be offered for oil and gas drilling. Then in December, at the end of the public comment period, the BLM told the town that actually several thousand acres would be leased for drilling. The agency withheld the information because it would otherwise "taint" the competitive bidding process. The town does not want any drilling at all in their watershed. Why can't Gale Norton be indicted for destroying a town's water supply? I can testify that the same process is happening in BLM's western forest lands where, on orders from Gale Norton, the BLM is tossing the Northwest Forest Plan out the window and preparing to log every last old growth forest that they manage in Washington, Oregon and California. Many public meetings are held, but they are all a waste of time because the communication, consultation and cooperation are not intended for local people but only for the timber industry. Under Gale Norton's leadership, the Department of Interior has become nothing less than a big box store for the mining, timber, oil, gas, and coal industries. As CEO, Norton has eliminated all rivals to give her corporate customers "low, low prices every day." Meanwhile, fish and wildlife and all the rest of us who need clean air and water underwrite the true cost. Bush's new nominee for Secretary of the Interior, Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne, is known for his animosity toward protecting the last wild roadless areas in Idaho. Unless something changes in Congress or the White House, unless Gale Norton is somehow made to pay the price for her looting of public resources, there is no doubt that he will keep the store open for business. ____________________________________ _Kelpie Wilson_ (http://truthout.org/contactkw.php) is the t r u t h o u t environment editor. A veteran forest protection activist and mechanical engineer, she writes from her solar-powered cabin in the Siskiyou Mountains of southwest Oregon. ------- *************************************** Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator _www.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 gaynicholson@aol.com Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 agn1@cornell.edu From GayNicholson at aol.com Sun Mar 19 18:31:58 2006 From: GayNicholson at aol.com (GayNicholson@aol.com) Date: Sun Mar 19 18:32:23 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Spitzer team wins appeal on clean air Message-ID: <278.6f29957.314f6e1e@aol.com> March 18, 2006 Judges Overturn Bush Bid to Ease Pollution Rules By MICHAEL JANOFSKY WASHINGTON, March 17 ? A federal appeals court on Friday overturned a clean-air regulation issued by the Bush administration that would have let many power plants, refineries and factories avoid installing costly new pollution controls to help offset any increased emissions caused by repairs and replacements of equipment. Ruling in favor of a coalition of states and environmental advocacy groups, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said the "plain language" of the law required a stricter approach. The court has primary jurisdiction in challenges to federal regulations. The ruling by a three-judge panel was the court's second decision in less than a year in a pair of closely related cases involving the administration's interpretations of a complex section of the Clean Air Act. Unlike its ruling last summer, when the court largely upheld the E.P.A.'s approach against challenges from industry, state governments and environmental groups, the new ruling was a defeat for the agency and for industry, and a victory for the states and their environmentalist allies. In the earlier case, a panel including two of the three judges who ruled on Friday decided that the agency had acted reasonably in 2002, when it issued a rule changing how pollution would be measured, effectively loosening the strictures on companies making changes to their equipment and operations. But on Friday, the court said the agency went too far in 2003 when it issued a separate new rule that opponents said would exempt most equipment changes from environmental reviews ? even changes that would result in higher emissions. With a wry footnote to Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking Glass," the court said that "only in a Humpty-Dumpty world" could the law be read otherwise. "We decline such a world view," said their unanimous decision, written by Judge Judith W. Rogers, an appointee of President Bill Clinton . Judges David Tatel, another Clinton appointee, and Janice Rogers Brown, a recent Bush appointee, joined her. The winners this time ?more than a dozen states, including New York and California and a large group of environmental organizations ? hailed the decision as one of their most important gains in years of litigation, regulation and legal challenges under the Clean Air Act. The provision of the law at issue, the "new source review" section, governs the permits required at more than 1,300 coal-fueled power plants around the country and 17,000 factories, refineries and chemical plants that spew millions of tons of pollution into the air each year. "This is an enormous victory over the concerted efforts by the Bush administration to dismantle the Clean Air Act," Eliot Spitzer , the New York attorney general, whose office led the opposition from the states, said in an interview. Mr. Spitzer, who is running for governor, said the ruling "shows that the administration's effort to misinterpret and undermine the statute is illegal." Howard Fox, a lawyer for Earth Justice, which represented six environmental and health groups in the case, called the ruling "a victory for public health," adding, "It makes no sense to allow huge multimillion-dollar projects that drastically increase air pollution without installing up-to-date pollution controls." The E.P.A. issued only a brief statement, saying: "We are disappointed that the court did not find in favor of the United States. We are reviewing and analyzing the opinion." The decision is unlikely to be the last word; several circuit courts or appeals courts have considered or decided related cases, and the issue may eventually reach the Supreme Court. Some in Congress say the uncertainty demands an overhaul of the Clean Air Act itself, but there has been no real movement in that direction in recent years. The new ruling addressed the administration's effort in 2003 to offer relief to energy companies that faced costly settlements of litigation brought by President Clinton's E.P.A. The agency proposed exemptions for companies whenever upgrades to their equipment amounted to less than 20 percent of the replacement cost of the equipment. In effect, that made perennial repairs of old equipment a more attractive alternative in many cases than its outright replacement. Energy companies said the two rules the administration proposed in 2002 and 2003 would help them expand energy supplies at lower cost to consumers. But environmentalists said the change would result in just the kind of increased pollution that the law was intended to control. The Clean Air Act calls for companies to build plants with up-to-date control technologies, and the new source provision was a way to ensure that as time goes by, pollution controls must be modernized along with the plants themselves. Industry groups, which had challenged the first E.P.A. rule last year as not being flexible enough, were aligned with the agency this time. In general, they have been close partners with the Bush administration in environmental matters, pushing for greater economic considerations in the creation of any new policy. The 20 percent threshold in the overturned rule would have enabled plant operators to make many repairs and upgrades without spending additional tens of millions of dollars for more advanced pollution controls. In settlements under the old rules, some companies faced costs of more than $100 million. "This is a terrible decision," said Scott Segal, director of the Electric Reliability Coordinating Council, a trade organization, arguing that the "any physical change" definition created financial instability for plant operators who spent as much as $800 million for a new boiler. He and other industry leaders expressed hope that the court ruling might induce Congress to pass new legislation that would include New Source Review, a step that he said would make it easier for plant operators to plan for their future upgrades and investments. John Engler, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, called the ruling "a significant setback to business efficiency" and environmental quality. The government has 45 days to decide whether to seek a review of the ruling by the entire appeals court. *************************************** Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator _www.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 gaynicholson@aol.com Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 agn1@cornell.edu From GayNicholson at aol.com Sun Mar 19 20:17:55 2006 From: GayNicholson at aol.com (GayNicholson@aol.com) Date: Sun Mar 19 20:18:08 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Michigan Governor makes every agency buy local first Message-ID: <29f.78b3105.314f86f3@aol.com> In a message dated 3/19/2006 11:16:08 PM Eastern Standard Time, greatveggies@hotmail.com writes: See this article at http://www.mlui.org/growthmanagement/fullarticle.asp?fileid=17006 Farmers Rejoice as Governor Orders State to Buy Michigan First Michigan's purchasing power to grow jobs, fight sprawl By Diane Conners Great Lakes Bulletin News Service *************************************** Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator _www.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 gaynicholson@aol.com Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 agn1@cornell.edu From levelgreen at kaxy.com Mon Mar 20 04:56:51 2006 From: levelgreen at kaxy.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Tue Mar 21 09:24:45 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Arizona statewide sustainability newsletter Message-ID: just for a bit of inspiration - of course, they have a lot more sunshine inArizona than we do ... ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "Sustainable Arizona eSedona" To: "Sustainable Arizona" Sent: Wed, 8 Mar 2006 16:37:05 -0700 Subject: [USPDESDpartner] Announcements - March 2006 Sustainable Arizona Resource & Education Council Newsletter - March 2006 To read it online, go to http://www.sustainablearizona.org/documents/Announcements-Mar06.doc In this issue: NORTHERN ARIZONA NEWS CENTRAL ARIZONA NEWS SOUTHERN ARIZONA NEWS STATEWIDE NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS OUTSIDE OF ARIZONA POLITICAL ACTION NEWS BRIEFS BIG CHANGE: SUSTAINABLE ARIZONA Communities Online: Our web site will soon be home to a dynamic, interactive online community. As subscribers, you will be able to log on, read and contribute to our ongoing dialogues or forums (fora for the excessively literate) about sustainability issues and events. Each forum will target an issue of interest concerning sustainable development: balancing environmental preservation with strong communities and vibrant economies. You will be able to chat with experts and other contributors about green building projects, energy technologies, water conservation, affordable housing, sustainable businesses, local agriculture, healthy lifestyles and much more. There will be active hyperlinks to associated sites and to locations where you can obtain in-depth content. Once on the site, you will be networked across the state, the country and soon, the world. We will continually review the content and adapt the site to reflect your interests as contributors and to support the changing needs of sustainability in Arizona and the Southwest. So, if you check in to find the site “Under Construction,” just wait a day or so – then log back on. We ’re looking forward to your input and your reactions. If you are already a subscriber to the Sustainable Arizona web site, your subscription to our new Communities Online will be free for the first 6 months. After that, we hope you’ll join us as a member. Current paid-up members of Sustainable Arizona can register on the site with no additional fees. So – look for us in just a few weeks – your new Sustainable Arizona Communities Online www.sustainablearizona.org Sedona, Verde Valley, and NORTHERN ARIZONA NEWS & Events Is the Verde River in Danger? Center for Biological Diversity, Rivers Program Director, Michelle Harrington, in Sedona, Thursday, March 9, at 5:45 p.m. In an average year, Arizonans use 2.4 trillion gallons of water. Michelle Harrington of the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity, will discuss the future of the Verde River's headwaters given Prescott's plans for major groundwater pumping from the Big Chino and the creation of an inter-basin transfer via pipeline to Prescott. In a recent analysis, the US. Geological Survey estimated that a large percentage of the Verde River's water flow comes that that same well-field in the Big Chino. Currently, 3.5 million Arizonan's are benefited by Verde River waters. Harrington's presentation will focus on potential impacts to the Verde River, endangered species and critical habitat, as well as the Center for Biological Diversity's plans to stop the project. All are welcome at this free event for wine and cheese at 5:30 p.m. at the Pushmataha Center, 360 Brewer Road, Sedona. The program will commence at 5:45 p.m. For more information call KSB at (928) 282-4938 or James Bishop Jr. at (928) 282-1966. Keep Sedona Beautiful promotes conservation of the greater Sedona area, and, by all practical means, seeks to preserve the unique natural environment and to enhance the quality of life for future generations. Visit www.keepsedonabeautiful.org . Reception to present Grant Reference LIBRARY! Thursday, March 9 from 4 to 6 pm at the Cottonwood Library in Cottonwood, celebrate Cocopai Resource Conservation and Development’s new online grant reference library. This project will benefit the non-profit and faith-based organizations in the Verde Valley, as well as local governmental entities seeking grant funds for various community projects. The reference features 80,000 funders and the AZ Grants collection of 1800 funders who have made grants in Arizona. The Wayne Latham Family of RiverFront Realty will be honored. They have provided full funding of $4,500 for this two-year project. The Cottonwood Library is providing in-kind services of work space, computer equipment and staff expertise for this project. For more information, contact Diane Joens, Vice President Cocopai RC&D, (928) 634-4112 or email dianej@sedona.net . first national Civic Tourism conference, March 16-18 in Prescott. Civic Tourism is an extension of cultural tourism, heritage tourism, ecotourism, geotourism, and other alternative approaches that position a region's sense of place as the tourism attraction. In that sense, it builds on "creative economy" or "idea economy" theory, where the focus is product development, not marketing. At least three things distinguish the Prescott meeting in March: Conversations will include all participants and will dig deeply into the issues that frame place-based tourism (authenticity, carrying capacity, interpretation, the community's role, funding, etc.). 2. See the Speakers section on the website - quality presenters from a variety of disciplines. Because place-based tourism encompasses the natural environment, historic preservation, cultural programs, politics, and the travel industry itself, we've gathered dozens of the nation's finest scholars, researchers, and practitioners from each sector. Many communities are facing the same issues as they attempt to use "place" for tourism and economic development (i.e., creative economy). We'd like this free website to be the place you turn to for up-to-date news and discussion. The conference presenters will lead some of the discussions on the blog. From the website you can also view a sample video about Civic Tourism and order your own copy. The conference and video prices are low (and the website free of ads) thanks to generous support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency, and Tourism Cares for Tomorrow, a private foundation. Staff and administrative support is given by AZ State University. Contact, Dan Shilling, PhD, Director, Civic Tourism Project Sharlot Hall Museum e-mail: dan@sharlot.org 602-300-6694 http://www.civictourism.org . Green to Gold Conference: Sustainable Cities, Healthy Local Economies, March 23 & 24th, 2006, Prescott College, Crossroads Center in Prescott. The mission of the conference is to offer a forum for cities and their citizens to learn and share tools, information, networking, and structures for transition to sustainable municipalities with healthy economies; and to develop support systems and tools for creating “Sustainable Cities Task Forces” in home communities. Randy Hayes will be the speak on “A Green City Plan to Save the World Speaker. Randy is described in the Wall Street Journal as “an environmental pit bull,” Hayes is Sustainability Director for the City of Oakland, founder of the Rainforest Action Network and producer/director of the award-winning film on Native American environmental issues “The Four Corners, A National Sacrifice Area.” Other key speakers included: Alisa Gravitz, CEO of Co-Op America, one of the (if not the) largest Sustainable Business Organizations in the US: Ed Fox, VP at Arizona Public Service: Austan Librach, the director of Transportation, Planning and Sustainability for the City of Austin, TX and many others. The cost is $100. Overnight accommodations packages available. For questions info and registration please contact Jan Bryan at 928- 771-0052. Email: green2gold@prescott.edu More info at www.prescott.edu . The Politics of Water Saturday, April 8, 6:30 PM , Sedona featuring State Representative Tom O’Halleran, County Supervisors Chip Davis & Matt Ryan presented by Sustainable Arizona, in the Sedona Public Library Community Room. Perhaps the most volatile issue facing the people of the Southwestern United States is water. In an area defined by rugged desert beauty and bright sunshine, the exploding population is crashing into the reality of limited water resources. It has been said that Arizona has developed strong water plans and regulations. Is that true? How do the water rules affect development in Northern Arizona? How will the fact that SRP owns the rights to the surface water in the Verde Valley affect our lives as the region continues to grow? Will the vitality of Northern Arizona be determined by the unending growth in Central Arizona? Come hear your State Representative Tom O’Halleran, Yavapai County Supervisor Chip Davis and Coconino County Supervisor Matt Ryan talk about the politics of water issues and possible solutions for Northern Arizona. Bring your questions and join in what is sure to be a lively discussion on our most threatened resource, water. Seating is limited. Contact John Neville at 928.282.2690 or jneville@navigatechange.com . Permaculture Workshop 4 Days: Sundays Apr. 23 & 30, May 14 & 21 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Flagstaff. A hands-on workshop to demonstrate how to apply the principles of ecological design in your own backyard. Instructors: Josh Robinson and Lisa Rayner 4-day, 2-credit course: Workshop topics: Site analysis & design, Mapping your yard, Microclimates, Water harvesting, Creating good soil, Plant selection, Plant guilds, Food forests, And Visits to Permaculture sites in northern Arizona. $112 for in-state residents. For information on how to register, pick up the 2006 Spring Schedule of Classes at the Lone Tree or Fourth St. Campuses or call the registrar at 928-527-1222 or 800-350-7122. Sign up information: CRN SUBJ CRS SEC Course title 13822 AGR 298 03. www.coconino.edu . CCC is an AA/EOE Institution and complies with ADA. CCC Office of College Publications (04.312). For more information, contact Lisa Rayner 928- 774-5942 Eco home in cornville, Featuring many sustainable products work in progress – finished in the summer. Builder looking into solar options, the best product and installer. It took two years to research and build. Home owner is a naturopath and building a healthy green office in the home. See how our surroundings affect our health. Available for tours or to consult others who want to do green building. Contact Dr. Julie Leader ND, healthyhorizonsbiz@yahoo.com, http://www.healthyhorizons.biz , http://www.my.USA.makelifebetter.com/LEADER COCONINO COMMUNITY COLLEGE – ALTERNATIVE ENERGY DEGREE PROGRAM, Find out more, go to (928) 527-1222. Or go online www.coconino.edu . Ecosa Institute’s Sustainable Design Pre-Professional Program in Prescott. This program is for those interested in exploring the design arts and sustainability without enrolling in a professional design school. There are no prerequisites and at the end of the semester, participants have a foundation on which to pursue further education and careers in the diverse, growing field of sustainable and ecological design. Participants travel to both ancient and modern sites exemplifying sustainability throughout Arizona and meet with leaders in the field. There will be guest lectures with Hunter Lovins, David Orr, John Todd, and Steve Badanes. Everything, from the water bottle you use to the city you drive through, is designed by someone. Designers have a powerful impact on the health of both human and natural environments. The Ecosa semester-long programs teach how the problem-solving power of design can provide solutions to the critical environmental issues of our time. They offer an in-depth, experiential immersion semester in which students explore the exciting challenges of bringing human activities into balance with the natural world. To find out more or to apply www.ecosainstitute.org or email info@ecosainstitute.org . Community Supported Agriculture: (CSA) is an alternative social and economic arrangement to conventional industrial food production and distribution. The community makes a bold statement in support of local, sustainable agriculture, and the farmers receive a sense of security in his/her career. ‘Shares’ of the harvest are equally distributed among the community. This method spreads the economic risk of farming during the season among all invested members. The community gains a greater sense of responsibility and a closer connection to their food source, while the farmer receives support for the quality of life they deserve. The food we normally purchase from a grocery store in the United States travels an average of 1500 miles to reach that store, in a CSA, the average mileage is much less. CSAs create a direct connection between the people who will be eating the food and the people who are growing it. We've been so separated from our food in the past. When you buy a quart of milk, there is something like 86¢ between what the farmer gets and what you pay. And those middlemen aren't farming. To find out more about a CSA in Flagstaff contact Kyrie and Jason, the new FCSA coordinators at flagcsa@gmail.com , or visit www.flagcsa.org . For the Prescott CSA, email pccsa@prescott.edu or call Dana Launius or Heather Houk, (928) 350-1401. To find out more about Community Supported Agriculture, or to find CSA farms in your area, visit www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/csa /. If you know of a CSA in Arizona we’ll announce it for you, send your contact information to info@sustainablearizona.org . Sustainable Arizona Partners with Sedona Public Library The Sedona Public Library, along with just about every business in Arizona, was hit with a large increase in its bills as the cost of electricity and natural gas went up across the country. The library, with its tightly budgeted operating costs, was facing bills it might not be able to pay. So David Keeber, the library director, turned to Sustainable Arizona for help. John Neville, president of Sustainable Arizona, performed an energy audit of the library and uncovered a range of ways to help them reduce their energy costs. Some solutions were very simple and cost nothing, such as changing the temperature settings. Others were more involved, including ventilation upgrades and even solar installations. During their conversations, Keeber and Neville struck upon an idea. As the library adopts its new energy conservation program, others in the community could learn from that experience. With that, the Sustainability Resource Center was conceived. The partnership between the library and Sustainable Arizona will provide the community with education, information and resources on sustainability topics. The Center at the library will feature displays, books and periodicals covering energy efficiency, green building, eco-communities, sustainable businesses, healthy lifestyles, water conservation, and more. Sustainable Arizona will create an online community through its web site that will feature a wide spectrum of discussions on sustainability issues affecting Arizona, the Southwest and the nation. To begin the project, Sustainable Arizona and the library collaborated on grant applications. The grants will serve as seed funding until a combination of sponsorships and subscribers provide the financing necessary to make the Sustainability Resource Center self-sustaining. Expect to see displays in the library by June. Sustainable Arizona Helps the Elks The high cost of energy is hitting everyone these days. The Elks Club of Sedona was hit as well. Their old building uses far more energy than it should, taking funds that could be used for community projects. So, the Elks Club asked Sustainable Arizona for help. John Neville visited the club on behalf of Sustainable Arizona. A brief energy audit revealed that the club house needed serious attention. A range of improvements were suggested, from low cost, simple things (such as controlling the thermostats and weather-stripping the doors) to more complete investments in new insulation, new windows, ventilation controls and other improvements. In return for Sustainable Arizona’s assistance, the Elks pledged to work with Sustainable Arizona to help spread the word about the benefits of sustainability throughout the community. CENTRAL ARIZONA NEWS NEW WATER CONSERVATION REBATES NOW AVAILABLE IN SCOTTSDALE for hot water recirculation systems, landscape irrigation controller and low-water-use landscaping. For details call the city's water conservation office 480-312-5650. For additional water conservation rebate programs access www.scottsdaleaz.gov/water . Brown Bag Lunch Presentation on Radiant Cooling, Wednesday, March 8th from 12:00-1:00, AIA Central Arizona Office, 30 North 3rd Avenue, 2nd floor , Phoenix. Michael O’Rourke from Radiant Advantage will discuss several successful projects recently built that utilize radiant cooling. Radiant cooling has the potential to offer both significant energy savings and improved indoor air quality especially in a climate like Arizona. Learn how radiant cooling could benefit your projects from a national expert in the field. Bring your lunch, refreshments will be provided. For more info call 602-252-4200. FIRST TUESDAY PERMACULTURE DISCUSSION, Tuesday, March 7, 6:30-8:00pm, Donation. Unlimited Coffee, 741 E. Glendale Avenue, Phoenix, 85020 (Glendale and 8th Place - directly across from Safeway). For more information call 602-565-7045. Future discussions: Organic Pest Control, Desert Hydroponics, Harvesting the Wind, Greywater Systems, Edible Landscapes, Green Building, Passive Solar Systems. Help with a tear down and build of a green home in the town of Guadalupe - March 13-19. Contact Daniel Glenn, Design Director (480) 727-5453 daniel.glenn@asu.edu or Jason Croxton jason.croxton@asu.edu for more information. https://www.usgbc.org/chapters/arizona/docs/pdf/Stardust_Guadalupe-flyer1.pd f ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY SOLAR SERIES BIG ISSUES TO DO-IT-YOURSELF Presented the 3rd Thursday of each month - 7 pm to 9 pm. The Arizona Solar Energy Association and the Arizona Solar Center in cooperation with the City of Scottsdale Green Building Program sponsor these lectures. FREE. Scottsdale Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road--old church at NE corner of 75th Street and Indian School--Access parking from 75th Street. Visit www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/greenbuilding for a list of Scottsdale Green Building and Solar lectures. Turning Water Scarcity Into Water Abundance, Guiding Principles to Welcome Rain Into Your Life and Landscape, Friday March 31, 7 pm, Phoenix. Lecture, Slide Show & Book Signing – with Brad Lancaster This is the inspiring story of how a poor dryland farmer and his family turned a wasteland into an oasis in the driest region of Zimbabwe by teaching themselves how to harvest the rain - and you can do the same where you live! Eight guiding principles of integrated water harvesting are demonstrated that can be replicated anywhere to help turn water scarcity into water abundance. This story and its principles are presented in the context of how my community of Tucson, Arizona, like many across the globe, has taken the wasteful path of scarcity by rapidly depleting its water resources by dehydrating the landscapes of its watersheds. Yet, we can choose the stewardship path to abundance by rehydrating our landscapes through simple water harvesting. Mr. Zephaniah Phiri Maseko and his family - the Zimbabwean water harvesters - are our example and the principles are our guides. Book Signing Brad will also be available to sell and sign copies of his new book Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands, Volume 1 - Guiding Principles to Welcome Rain Into Your Life and Landscape. 7:00 pm Unlimited Coffee, 741 E Glendale Ave., Phoenix 85020 - Glendale and 8th Place - Directly Across From Safeway Phone: 602-565-7045. Managing Demand, Planning for the Future: The 2006 Energy Management Conference presented by the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office Tuesday, March 21, at the Black Canyon Conference Center, Phoenix, For on-line registration, go to http://www.azcommerce.com/Energy, For questions, call Gloria Castro, Energy Office Conference Coordinator, 602-771-1143, or email: gloriac@azcommerce.com . FIRST SATURDAY URBAN FARM TOUR, Saturday, April 1st, 9am, $5 donation, Location: The Urban Farm, 6750 N. 13th Place, Phoenix (one-half block south of Glendale Avenue). COOL PAVEMENTS: Sustainable Materials for the Urban Environment Conference, Sunday, APRIL 24 at ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY. Topics include: Application of cool materials in urban regions ; Performance characteristics of existing and emerging urban materials; Materials case studies; Material optimization models and life cycle costing; National and international financing of urban infrastructure projects; Regulatory program considerations and incentives; Outreach and education opportunities. Attendees will receive a Tour of the new Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building II – the new home of the National Center of Excellence SMART Materials laboratories. Includes product demonstrations. A Tour of the 3-D 270 degree Decision Theater (one of only two in the United States) that includes a presentation on the Urban Heat Island and decision sciences for urban regions where there will be displays of product applications. Go to http://www.asusmart.org/smart/coolpavements/conference.jsp for registration and exhibitor information. Early Registration Deadline is March 24, 2006. This one day conference will be in conjunction with the two-day conference on “Pavements/Materials Today and Tomorrow” also hosted by ASU on April 25 and 26, 2006. Sponsored by the National Center of Excellence (NCE) on SMART Materials for Urban Climate + Energy. The NCE is a research cluster at Arizona State University involving the Global Institute of Sustainability, the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, the W. P. Carey School of Business, and the College of Design, in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). GREEN BUILDING: HOME REMODELING GUIDELINES for Sustainable Building in the Sonoran Desert, These guidelines can be picked up at City of Scottsdale One Civic Center, 7447 E. Indian School Rd., Suite 125. They can also be picked up at the Green Building lectures, 1st Thursday of the month, 7506 E. Indian School Rd., or downloaded from www.scottsdaleaz.gov/greenbuilding. For more information email greenbuilding@scottsdaleaz.gov . SHOP LOCALLY Large and small independent business owners throughout the metropolitan Phoenix area joined forces in 2003 under the name Arizona Chain Reaction, and we now represent businesses throughout Arizona. Our common goal is twofold: To educate the public about the significant sales tax revenues that fill the bank accounts of a community and state where local businesses thrive. It is sales tax revenue that creates the quality of life in our community. Secondly, local businesses create a unique atmosphere that set Arizona apart from anytown USA. Members of AZCR are your friends and your neighbors. Just like you, we pay the taxes that build the roads we travel on, the police and fire departments on which we depend, and the quality of education our children receive. We're the local business owners who call this community our home. You will find these businesses featured on our web site, where you will discover what they do, their products and services, where they are located, and how to contact them. You can click on their name and be taken to their web site for more information. www.azcr.org . ONE OUT OF THREE SCOTTSDALE HOMES ARE GOING GREEN In 2005, 33% of all single-family residential building permits adhered to Scottsdale's green building standards. In 2004 that figure was 20%. Since 1998 the City of Scottsdale has issued 932 green building permits. For more information visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/greenbuilding . Yard Waste and Organic Materials In the city of Chandler, Dispose of your organic waste properly, or you can learn how to recycle the materials at one of the City’s Backyard Composting Workshops. For more information about workshops and how you can start your own backyard composting call Solid Waste Services at (480) 782-3510. You can also get a compost bin is provided free of charge - just call or email the Solid Waste Services Dept. and they'll have it delivered to your driveway. http://www.chandleraz.gov/default.aspx?pageid=561. SOUTHERN ARIZONA EVENTS Arizona at Mid-Century- Utopia or Nightmare? with Bruce Babbitt 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at the Historic Y, 300 E. University Blvd., Tucson. Sky Island Alliance and the Environmental Law Society 2006 Speaker Series! Former Governor of Arizona and Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt e Babbitt served as U.S. Secretary of the Interior from 1993 to 2001, as Governor of Arizona from 1978 to 1987, and as Attorney General of Arizona from 1975 to 1978. He is the son of a northern Arizona ranching family and was exposed to Arizona's cultural and natural heritage from an early age. His father had helped to found the Arizona Wildlife Federation and the Arizona Game Protective Association. As Secretary of the Interior from 1993-2001, Babbitt combined experience and enthusiasm with a deep commitment to environmental protection and restoration. He tackled some of the most complex and controversial issues in public land management, resulting in long overdue reforms to mining, grazing, and endangered species law and the protection of millions of acres of federal land from development through the designation of several national monuments. Babbitt is recognized as the first Interior Secretary to restore fire to its natural role in the wild and the first to remove dams and restore rivers flowing into the Atlantic and the Pacific. He was personally involved in demonstrating catch and release programs for endangered trout and salmon to highlight how restoring native fish habitat restores economies. At the end of his term, he provided recommendations to President Clinton which led to the creation of 21 new monuments protected under the Antiquities Act, resulting in several million acres of spectacular resources on federal land coming under new conservation management. This event is free. Anigone Books will have his new book "Cities in the Wilderness: A New Vision of Land Use in America" available for purchase. Call Sky Island Alliance 520-624-7080 x209 for more information or contact nicole@skyislandalliance.org or visit www.skyislandalliance.org . Tucson Water offers free audits The Tucson Citizen reported that Tucson Water's Zanjero program provides for a free home audit. once its inception in 1996, the program - named for the 19th-century water managers who made sure farmers weren't wasting water -has performed more than 10,000 audits aimed at helping customers cut use – the majority of their efforts appear to be in landscaping, There are free low-flow showerheads and faucets, The program is marketed to people who use a lot of water, but it is available to any Tucson Water customer. Call 791-3242 for more information or to set up an appointment. Permaculture OPEN HOUSE Fourth Saturday of Each Month (except December): Bring Your Own Brunch (BYOB) - GET DOWN TO EARTH/ MUD DAY! See a Permaculture demonstration site and how to live and build sustainable in the Sonoran Desert! At DAWN SouthWest, 6570 W. Illinois, Tucson. Tel: 520 624 1673, FAX: 520 882 8676 or email dawnaz@earthlink.net or http://www.caneloproject.com/dawn, http://www.greenbuilder.com/dawn. Introduction to Building with Natural Materials, Saturday, Mar. 18, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, SW Tucson, Adobe, cob, & straw bale, along with earth plasters & finishes will be used in a hands-on workshop to build & sculpt small structures, such as garden walls & benches. An overview of design, structural elements, protection from rain, solar orientation, shading, sizing and scale will be given. Bring your own lunch. Instructors from DAWN SouthWest are members of Tucson Permaculture group. Co-Sponsored by Pima Community College. $98/person To register: Call (520) 206 6468 or email communityed@pima.edu ref: # 61954. Visit www.caneloproject.com/dawn , Or contact J. Joyce at dawnaz@earthlink.net or 520 624 1673. Rainwater Harvesting SystemS WORKSHOP Saturday, April 8, 9:00am-5:00 pm in SW Tucson. Learn creative ways to collect rainwater to grow gardens, intercept stormwater sheet flow, stop erosion and restore the natural landscape. We will show you how to build simple, in-ground catchments which will slow the runoff and let the water infiltrate the soil where you want a garden. We will also explore the possibilities of above ground cisterns, using recycled drain culverts to capture rooftop runoff. Site: Permaculture demonstration site using all these techniques. Site: TBA. Instructors from DAWN SouthWest are members of Tucson Permaculture group. Co-Sponsored by Pima Community College. Cost $95 per person. To register: Call (520) 206 6468 or email communityed@pima.edu ref: # 61955, visit www.caneloproject.com/dawn Or contact J. Joyce at dawnaz@earthlink.net or 520 624 1673. Distinctive Sonoran Desert sites sought for National Geographic MapGuide. The National Geographic Society is producing a Geotourism MapGuide of the Sonoran Desert and, with the help of its regional partners, is launching “The Pride of the Sonoran Desert Region” campaign to solicit nominations from the public for inclusion in this publication. The mapguide will display those unique places, attractions, flavors, and visitor experiences that best capture the beauty, diversity, and uniqueness of the Sonoran Desert region. Nomination forms are available at www.sonorandesertgeotourism.org or by calling the Sonoran Institute at 520-290-0828. Nominations should include as much information as possible and be returned by April 10, 2006.Visit the Web site and learn more about the nomination process and the benefits of geotourism to the region. Anyone may submit one or more items within the designated region (see map at bottom) including: natural areas, gardens, cultural sites or experiences, unique festivals and celebrations, historic districts, traditional/notable architecture, arts and crafts, performing arts, storytelling, local restaurants, shops, markets, accommodations, ranches or farms, museums, archeological sites, outdoor recreation, scenic attractions, or other distinctive sites or activities. The mapguide will be available for distribution in Spring 2007.Geotourism encourages both visitors and hosts to appreciate what makes a place distinctive — its flora and fauna as in ecotourism, but also history, archaeology, scenery, architecture, music, cuisine, crafts, dance, and other arts. Visitors enjoy an enriching, high-quality interpretation of a place, while providing incentive for local stewardship and protection of assets that create character, authenticity, and “sense of place.” Geotourism also benefits local economies by highlighting unique businesses and service providers based in the region. Tucson the No. 2 city for riding a bike, according to bicycling magazine. No. 1 on the list for cities with a population of 200,000 to 500,000 residents is Madison, Wis. In Bicycling's most recent rating, in 2001, ranked Tucson No. 3. Since then, according to an August interview with Pima County Bicycle and Pedestrian Program manager Matthew Zoll, the community has added 60 to 70 more miles of bikeway within the city. There are about 600 miles of bike trails and lanes in Tucson. And school safety plans are in the works to encourage students to bike safely. All news roads built since 2001 have included bike lanes. Back to TopSTATEWIDE NEWS AND EVENT LISTINGS apply for this year's Governor's Awards for Energy Efficiency. The Arizona Department of Commerce awards recognize the efforts and achievements of the public and private sector in energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy. The Awards Ceremony Luncheon, held in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office annual Energy Management Conference, will be held on March 21.This is the second year the awards have included business and industry. For application guidelines and submittal information, please visit http://www.azcommerce.com/energy. The 2006 Energy Management Conference will be held at the Black Canyon Conference Center, 9440 N. 25th Avenue, Phoenix. This year's Energy Management Conference will feature a variety of energy-related topics. If you have any questions, please contact Gloria Castro, Energy Office Conference Coordinator, 602-771-1143, or email gloriac@azcommerce.com . Gilbert Jimenez, Director. GREEN LIVING ARTICLES WANTED for Natural Awakenings, a monthly magazine in the Valley for the regularly featured green living section. Please submit articles that could expand the knowledge of sustainable living and alternative energy for those of us in Arizona. Contact Steve Berry, Publisher, natural awakenings AZ, 480-488-9237 www.naturalawakeningsmag.com , or email PhoenixEditor@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com . The Role of Higher Education in Creating a Sustainable World., Save the dates, October 4-7 the AASHE 2006 Conference at ASU, Tempe, Arizona hosted by Arizona State University and Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Contact Jenny Yi for more information: 480-727-8596 jia.yi@asu.edu or visit www.aashe.org . Arizona Public Interest Research Group (Arizona PIRG) Conducts research, educates the public, and advocates for the interests of Arizonans at both the state and federal level. Diane E. Brown, Arizona PIRG's Executive Director, has been working with the state PIRGs for approximately 20 years - the last 15 as the Executive Director for Illinois PIRG. Arizona PIRG's agenda will include clean water, clean air, clean energy, consumer protections, and government reform. Get involved, visit www.arizonapirg.org . New SOlar Energy Incentives FROM POWER COMPANIES: Three Arizona utilities are offering new or expanded incentives for their customers to install solar power systems. Following approval by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) in early August, Tucson Electric Power (TEP) has expanded its solar power incentives to provide a subsidy of up to $3000 per kilowatt of rated direct current capacity for a limited number of solar power systems, and $2000 per kilowatt of rated alternating –current capacity. According to TEP, solar power systems could also qualify for up to $1000 in state tax credits. UniSource Energy Services (UES), TEP’s sister company, is offering the same incentives. UES has also started a voluntary program for customers to add $2 to their monthly electric bill to support solar power projects in the UES service territory. TO find out more read the ACC press release at www.cc.state.az.us/news/pr08-04-04.htm . APS now has a solar partner program which asks its customers to pay $2.64 for 15 kilowatt hours (kWh). This premium assures that amount of electricity is generated by new APS solar power plants around Arizona. Customers can buy as many of the 15 kwh blocks as they want. To find out more about the program, call 800-659-8148 or visit www.aps.com/solarpartners /. STATE AND FEDERAL TAX INCENTIVES for renewable energy www.dsireusa.org/ . Also check out www. GreenerBuildings.com , a free resource on all aspects of designing, building, and operating buildings in ways that align environmental responsibility with more efficient, more healthful, and more profitable buildings. http://www.geoexchange.org/newsroom/news08_25_05.htm and http://www.ase.org/content/article/detail/2654 explain the new tax credits for installation of energy efficiency systems in homes and businesses. Too bad they aren't retroactive. RECYCLING facts: If all of the newspapers printed in the U.S. on a typical Sunday were recycled, we would save 550,000 trees--or about 26 million trees per year - California Department of Conservation. The energy saved each year by steel recycling is equal to the electrical power used by 18 million homes each year - or enough energy to last Los Angeles residents for eight years -Steel Recycling Institute. If every household in the U.S. replaced just one roll of 1,000 sheet virgin fiber bathroom tissues with 100% recycled ones, we could save: 373,000 trees, 1.48 million cubic feet of landfill space, and 155 million gallons of water - Seventh Generation Co. RECYCLE YOUR OLD COMPUTERS, CELL PHONES, RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES, ink cartridges. Exchange your used toner and ink cartridges and cell phones at your local Office Max for a free ream of recycled paper! Find a location near you where you can recycle rechargeable batteries (the ones found in power tools, cellular and cordless phones, and more) go to http://www.rbrc.org/index.html. To recycle cell phones so the phone’s toxic contents including lead, mercury, dacmium, and arsenic don’t leach into the groundwater and soil, you can send your phone to the Sierra Club office at 202 E. McDowell Road, Suite 277, Phoenix, AZ 85004, for more information call Don at 602-956-5057. You can also visit http://www.call2recycle.org/. A good place to recycle computers in Arizona can be found on www.azstrut.org (Students Recycling Used Technology). Sedona Recycles accepts old computers and parts, TVs, stereos, fax machines, cell phones, etc. for a minimum fee, call (928) 204-1185. And for more about recycling in Arizona, go to http://arizona.earth911.org/usa/master.asp . The Carefree/Cave Creek Community Recycling Partnership purchased a vapor vacuum lamp compactor in March 2005 to remove hazardous mercury vapor from fluorescent bulbs, which are then pulverized. After only 10 months, an innovative community recycling program has safely disposed of 1,000 fluorescent bulbs, enough to potentially contaminate more than 6 million gallons of water. This was the first time in the United States a vapor vacuum lamp compactor had been used for residential recycling. Residents bring their burned-out fluorescent tubes to either the Carefree or Cave Creek Rural/Metro Fire Stations, where they eventually are fed into the compactor. A hazardous material hauler, will empty the compactor's 55-gallon drum for the first time in 10 months. The pulverized glass will be tested for mercury contamination. If clean, as indicated in a preliminary test, the material will be taken to a landfill. The filter that absorbs the harmful mercury vapor does not need replacement until 33,000 bulbs are recycled. Millions of fluorescent tubes each year end up in landfills, potentially contaminating groundwater. FReecycle is not just a groovy Internet recycling site anymore. The Tucson-born network of Web sites, where people connect to give each other belongings they don't want, has been gradually going formal this year, and more changes are to come. The Freecycle Network is now sustained by a $150,000 grant from Waste Management Inc., donated earlier this year. As of last week, Freecycle's home page listed more than 3,250 Freecycle groups in 50-plus countries, with about 1.84 million members. In the past year, it is estimated that 100 million pounds of reusable goods has been exchanged through Freecycle, www.freecycle.org . There are similar online directories such as www.freesharing.org as well. Back to Top EVENTS OUTSIDE OF ARIZONA National Green Building Conference, March 12-14, 2006, Albuquerque, NM. Find out why a growing number of home builders are "Greening the American Dream" by making cost-effective business decisions that also help the environment. The goal at this conference is to provide all attendees, exhibitors, presenters and sponsors with an outstanding opportunity to improve their knowledge, increase their contacts, and generate productive networking. The high caliber education programs will give you a chance to meet other green-minded builders from all around the country as well as meet with exhibitors with products to help you build a better home. Go to http://www.nahb.org/meeting_details.aspx?meetingID=3249§ionID=120 for more information. Natural Building Workshop: STRAW BALE PRIVACY WALL AND EARTH PLASTER, March 25-26 Kingston, New Mexico. Please come join our small workshop and learn how to build your Straw Bale Privacy Wall with Earth Plaster! Visit http://www.LanderLand.com for more information and images. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail/call Tom and Satomi Lander, 505-895-5029. Permaculture Design Course April 16 – 29 in the gorgeous Snake River Canyon area of central Idaho. Certified permaculture facilitator and activist Larry Santoyo will lead this fully accredited permaculture course at “Sage Waters” retreat center in Bliss, Idaho, a little more than an hour east of Boise. It will be taught in three 4-day segments (with an overall emphasis on Eco-Village Design and issues) and feature many special guests in restorative agriculture, natural building and sustainability. $1500 includes all course work or take any one of the four-day segments for $550. Includes meals and on-site camping. For more information or to register, go to: www.IdahoPermaculture.com. Contact James Reed via email at jamescreed@mindspring.com . 2006 National Environmental Partnership Summit "Stewardship in Action: Our Responsibility – Our Environment" May 8-11, 2006, Sheraton Atlanta Hotel - Atlanta, Georgia During four days of interactive sessions, workshops and site visits, environmental assistance policy-makers, providers and recipients will explore stewardship activities in pollution prevention, compliance assistance, and performance based environmental leadership. Attendees will examine partnering, science and systems-based approaches, multi-media and 'whole toolbox' strategies, measurement, transferability, sustainability and more in the context of a vision of stewardship. This summit is dedicated to and created by individuals who inspire, lead, fund, create, deliver, and receive environmental assistance. Be inspired as you renew and create relationships with as many as 800 environmental leaders and innovators from all over the country. For More Information: http://www.environmentalSummit.org/ Phone: 303-690-4245 - 2006 National Environmental Partnership Summit Team. Co-sponsors: The National Pollution Prevention Roundtable Performance Track Participants Association, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, National Center for Environmental Innovation, and Office of Compliance, US EPA-Region 4. Society for Human Ecology XIV International Conference, Bar Harbor, Maine, October 18 - 21, 2006. First Call for Participation - Preliminary proposals for Symposia. Paper Sessions and Workshops are invited immediately. Suggestions from all areas of human ecology - theory, education, research and practice -are welcomed. Hosted by: College of the Atlantic -- an independent educational institution fully dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of human ecology, offering the B.A. and M. Phil in Human Ecology. Take part in a diverse international and interdisciplinary gathering; Contribute to a wide range of formal and informal exchanges in a relaxed atmosphere; Enjoy beautiful Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park at the peak of fall foliage in northern New England. Program suggestions can be mailed to Conference Committee, SHE - XIV, c/o College of the Atlantic, 105 Eden St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609 USA or via email to: humanecology@coa.edu . NEWS BRIEFS DO RECYCLING AND SOURCE REDUCTION SAVE ENERGY? The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed a way to quantify the energy benefits of improved materials management and found that recycling and source reduction conserve large amounts of energy. Since the energy of waste management practices for specific products accrue throughout the life-cycle, EPA undertook a study to calculate the energy benefits of improved material management using data from an existing greenhouse gas (GHG) life-cycle analysis. During the 1990s the EPA began an ongoing analysis of the life-cycle GHG impacts of waste management activities. Using life-cycle data from the GHG emissions research effort, the study developed net energy factors for a selection of commodities analyzed for four waste management options: source reduction, recycling combustion and landfilling. Energy impacts were calculated in million BTU per ton of material, with negative values indicating net energy savings. The study shows energy savings associated with recycling various materials are driven largely by the difference between manufacturing the material using virgin inputs and manufacturing the material using recycled inputs. But recycling results in some energy savings for all of the materials. The study demonstrates that recycling is not the only materials management practice that saves energy. In fact, waste reduction efforts such as source reduction can result in significant energy savings, in nearly every case exceeding the energy benefits of recycling. The study is summarized in the report, Solid Waste Management and Greenhouse Gases: A Life-Cycle Assessment of Emissions and Sinks. Resource Recycling, Jan 06, p 23, by Henry Ferland. http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/, ActionsWasteToolsSWMGHGreport.html New Mexico Approves Solar Energy Tax Credits New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed a bill last week that establishes state tax credits for solar energy installations. Senate Bill 269 allows an individual tax credit of 30 percent of the purchase and installation costs for solar electric and solar thermal systems, up to $9,000 for each system. The system must be certified by the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department and must be installed by 2015. The bill provides $3 million for solar electric tax credits and $2 million for solar thermal tax credits each year. According to the governor's press release, when the state tax credit is combined with federal tax credits, they will reduce the cost of a residential solar energy system by about one third. To help homeowners take advantage of the federal solar energy tax credits, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has published "The SEIA Guide to Federal Tax Credits for Solar Energy," a 40-page manual in the form of a 1.4-MB PDF file. http://www.seia.org/manualdownload.php. DEVELOPING MARKET-BASED INCENTIVES FOR WATER CONSERVATION: Tampa Bay Water, an association of six public water utilities in central Florida, embarked on one of the most comprehensive demand-side water management programs in the U.S. The 5-year program invested discretionary funds into water reuse infrastructure, monetary incentives (rebates), conservation services and public education in an effort to defer capital expansion and operational costs. To justify the program, the present value of Best Management Practice (BMP) program costs were compared to the present value of benefits derived from water savings. A case study on the effort reveals that water suppliers are providing conservation incentives to consumers as a cost-effective alternative to expanding infrastructure capacity to meet the demands of population and economic growth. The study proposes a methodology for developing market-based initiatives to stimulate demand-side conservation. Research at the University of Florida’s Center for Construction and Environment shows that consumer willingness-to-pay for green building alternatives varies widely between market sectors. As a result, water BMPs may be adopted without the need for an incentive in one market while requiring a significant rebate or other form of subsidy in another. Key components in the development of market based incentives include 1) characterizing water consumption by market segment (residential, commercial, industrial), 2) assessing the benefit-cost of BMPs (non-potable irrigation, water efficient landscape, low-flow clothes washer etc.), and 3) determining consumer willingness-to-pay for water conservation measures. The BMPs having the greatest water use reduction in single-family residential include: nonpotable irrigation; water efficient landscape; low-flow clothes washer; and low-flow toilets. Journal of Green Building, Vol 1, No 1, p 141, by K.R. Grosskopf and C. J. Kibert. www.collegepublishing.us/journal.htm GREEN SCHOOLS STUDY: Gregory Kats and his team at Capital E have completed a study of green schools, applying similar methods and reaching the same conclusions as their 2003 report on the costs and financial benefits of green buildings. The study, entitled “National Review of Green Schools: Costs, Benefits and Implications for Massachusetts,” analyzed cost and performance data for 30 schools, 12 in Massachusetts. On average, the study found that green schools are built at a premium of 1.5% to 2.5%, or about $4/ft2 ($40/m2). For this premium, the study identified a net present value benefit of $60 to $70/ft2. However, only about $15 of that accrues directly to the school, mostly from energy and water savings, improved teacher retention and lower healthcare costs. That $15 translates into nearly $200,000 per year of additional resources available for an average school (after any first-cost premium is paid for), according to Kats. The largest benefit in Kats’ analysis is based on the presumed increased earning potential for students whose achievements improved by the high-performance schools. Due to limitations in the available data, the study’s assumptions regarding energy savings, water savings and other benefits are mostly from simulations and predictions rather than from measured savings. Environmental Building News, Feb 06, p 14, by Nadav Malin. www.cap-e.com TERMITES IN YOUR MULCH? If you use mulch around your house be very careful about buying mulch this year. After the Hurricane in New Orleans many trees were blown over. These trees were then turned into mulch and the state is trying to get rid of tons and tons of this mulch to any state or company who will come and haul it away. So it will be showing up in Home Depot and Lowes at dirt cheap prices with one huge problem; Formosan Termites will be the bonus in many of those bags. New Orleans is one of the few areas in the country were the Formosan Termites has gotten a strong hold and most of the trees blown down were already badly infested with those termites. Now we may have the worst case of transporting a problem to all parts of the country that we have ever had. These termites can eat a house in no time at all and we have no good control against them, so tell your friends that own homes to avoid cheap mulch and know were it came from. http://www.agctr.lsu.edu/termites/ AIA TARGETS 50% FOSSIL FUEL REDUCTION IN BUILDINGS The American Institute of Architects' board of directors has set a goal of halving the amount of fossil fuels needed to construct and operate buildings by 2010 and reducing that amount a further 10 percent in each of the following five years. The ambitious goal was set in one of two "High Performance Building Position Statements" approved by AIA in December 2005. The first position statement, "Sustainable Architectural Practice," charges architects with leading the building industry towards more sustainable practices. The second position statement, "Sustainable Rating Systems," expresses support for "rating systems and standards that promote the design and construction of communities and buildings that contribute to a sustainable future." Environmental Building News, Jan 05, p 3, by Nadav Malin. www.aia.org/siteobjects/files.hpb_position_statements.pdf BUILDING GREEN ANNOUNCES 2005 TOP-10 PRODUCTS BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of the GreenSpec® Directory and Environmental Building News(TM), announced its fourth annual Top-10 Green Building Products: 1) BioNet® Erosion-Control Mats from North American Green www.nagreen.com ; 2) PureBond(TM) Hardwood Plywood and Agrifiber-Core Panels from Columbia Forest Products www.columbiaforestproducts.com ; 3) Nybacker(TM) Tile Backer Board from NYCORE, Inc. www.nycore.com ; 4) Stonescape(TM) Polymer Composition Tile from American Biltrite Canada, Ltd. www.american-biltrite.com ; 5) Terratex® Biobased Textiles from Interface Fabrics and Carnegie www.terratex.com ; 6) Uppercut(TM) Dual-Flush Flushometer Valve from Sloan Valve www.sloanvalve.com ; 7) Aquia(TM) Dual-Flush Toilet from TOTO USA, Inc. www.totousa.com ; 8) Ice Bear(TM) Thermal Energy Storage System from Ice Energy, Inc. www.ice-energy.com ; 9) UltimateAir(TM) RecoupAerator® 200DX Energy Recovery Ventilator from Stirling Technology, Inc. www.ultimateair.com ; 10) Enbryten(TM) LED Luminaires from Permlight Products, Inc. www.permlight.com ; From Environmental Building News, Dec 05, p 7. www.buildinggreen.com/press/topten2005/ advance the new Solar America Initiative (SAI) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Notice of Program Interest (NOPI) to (SAI) SAI will work to make solar energy cost-competitive with other electricity sources by 2015, supporting our nation’s energy independence. The SAI will focus primarily on photovoltaic (PV) systems, which convert sunlight directly into electrical current that can be used on site or transmitted to other users through the grid. The NOPI provides industry, universities, and other potential implementers with an opportunity to provide early input to planning for the Solar America Initiative. They are requested to provide ideas on critical planning topics, including program phasing, technology improvement opportunities, and procurement strategy. Information obtained as a result of this NOPI is meant to be used by the government on a non-attribution basis for program strategy and procurement planning. This NOPI has the potential to lead to new funding opportunities for research and development on new solar component technologies, manufacturing processes for components and integrated PV system designs that have the best chance at making PV-generated electricity cost-competitive by the 2015 goal. DOE will also develop a technology acceptance strategy to address marketplace barriers and challenges such as net metering, interconnection standards, and system financing. In April, DOE will convene a Technical Exchange Meeting to facilitate contributions to planning for the R&D elements of the SAI. This meeting will be open to organizations on a space-limited basis, and an announcement for the meeting will be posted on FedBizOpps. For more details on this announcement, please visit the Solar Technologies Program website . EARTH DAY "Solutions to Climate Change"! Worldwide, Earth Day events, festivals, and community dialogues will call for action on climate change. In Mexico, Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental is planning a bike ride in Mexico City and also promote for example, promote local efforts to green the roof tops in homes all across Mexico City. People across the planet are gearing up for the seventh annual Dive In To Earth Day event that will take place during the week of Earth Day, April 22. Volunteers from across the world will take action to protect their local aquatic environment by organizing fun activities that make a difference: beach and underwater clean-ups, educational workshops, fish and reef surveys, mooring buoy installations, among many others. If you would like to become a part of this global movement to protect the underwater world, either by organizing a Dive In event or participating in one, visit . Young Volunteers for the Environment is planning to coordinate a climate change campaign with a focus on civic and environmental education and media training in 11 countries in Africa, including Togo, Benin, Ghana, Niger, Gabon, etc. It is groups like yours that have helped to make Earth Day such a powerful call to action across the planet. Please email us your ideas for the 36th Earth Day at international@earthday.net or register your event at . California Builders Include Solar Power on Hundreds of Homes Two California homebuilders are building hundreds of new homes that will feature solar power systems and advanced, energy-efficient designs. The new homes will meet about half of their electricity needs using SunTile solar power systems from PowerLight Corporation. The Grupe Company is currently building 144 homes near Sacramento, creating the second largest "Zero Energy Home" Community in the United States. The Victoria Homes developments in Southern California will be designed and built under ConSol's ComfortWise energy efficiency program, which works with builders to combine energy saving technologies with energy efficient design and testing. The ComfortWise program yields homes that are 30 percent more efficient than the national Model Energy Code standard and 15 percent more efficient than the California Residential Energy Efficiency Standards. Since all the new homes will combine energy efficiency with solar power, homeowners are expected to achieve annual savings of up to 70 percent on their utility bills. See the PowerLight press releases about The Grupe Company and Victoria Homes , as well as the Victoria Homes and ConSol Web sites. Solar power installations on homes and small businesses may get less publicity than large projects at corporations and universities, but they also add a significant contribution to U.S. solar power production. On February 1st, California's Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) connected its 10,000th solar customer to the grid. The 10,000 customers provide the utility with more than 70 megawatts of solar power. Of course, California provides substantial rebates for solar power systems, and federal tax credits are also available now. How much do state rebates help? A new study from DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) suggests that California's solar rebates do not directly affect solar module costs, but do drive down the costs of the remaining electrical components. Unfortunately, the rebates can also result in some price inflation for solar power systems. See the PG&E press release and download either the executive summary of the new LBNL report ( PDF 141 KB ) or the full report ( PDF 2.1 MB ). Download Adobe Reader . "Factoids" on Renewable Energy + Energy Efficiency: Summer 2005, several of the organizations that comprise the Washington DC-based Sustainable Energy Coalition drafted a document entitled the “Sustainable Energy Blueprint.” The “Sustainable Energy Blueprint” proposes that the goals of the nation's energy policy should be to: 1.) promote energy-saving technologies in all sectors of the economy - including energy-efficient buildings, appliances, lighting, vehicles, and industrial processes as well as co-generation, district energy, and fuel cells; 2.) promote environmentally-responsible applications of the cross-section of renewable energy technologies including biofuels, biomass, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar, wind, and renewably-based hydrogen; 3.) reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level consistent with a world-wide goal of global climate stabilization (e.g., curbing U.S. CO2 emissions by 60-80% from current levels by no later than mid-century); 4.) eliminate U.S. energy imports (i.e., oil and natural gas - now 58% and 15% respectively), while reducing overall use of oil, coal, and natural gas; and 5.) phase out the current generation of nuclear power and not construct new reactors in their place. To demonstrate that it is technically and economically feasible to realize these goals, given the necessary political support, the Sustainable Energy Coalition is compiling a series of “factoids” that are being released on an approximately weekly basis. Sustainable Energy Network provides them to their subscribers. Factoids are a summary of a study on the potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency produced by a governmental, business, academic, or non-profit organization and provides a summary of the key findings of the study – often derived from the study’s media-release materials or executive summary. Accordingly, the first 13 factoids released to date are: #1 -- BIOMASS COULD PROVIDE 15 PERCENT OF U.S. ENERGY DEMAND BY 2030; #2 -- ANNUAL INSTALLATIONS OF ROOFTOP PHOTOVOLTAICS COULD POWER HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF HOMES AND BUSINESSES BY 2010; WIND POWER COULD GENERATE MORE THAN ENOUGH SUSTAINABLE ELECTRICITY TO MEET GLOBAL ENERGY NEEDS; #4 -- BIOMASS COULD PROVIDE AT LEAST 12 PERCENT OF CALIFORNIA'S ELECTRICITY NEEDS; #5 -- UNTAPPED GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES COULD PROVIDE 25,000 MW OF ELECTRICAL GENERATING CAPACITY; #6 -- U.S. CAN ELIMINATE OIL USE IN A FEW DECADES; #7 -- THE NORTHEAST HAS ENOUGH EFFICIENCY RESOURCES TO SLOW AND EVENTUALLY HALT GROWTH IN ELECTRICITY DEMAND; #8 -- WIND POWER COULD GENERATE 20 PERCENT OF ELECTRICTY BY 2020; RENEWABLE FUELS CAN LARGELY REPLACE GASOLINE BY 2050; #9 -- CALIFORNIA CAN SATISFY 33 PERCENT OF ITS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY NEEDS WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY BY 2020 WITH LITTLE OR NO INCREASE IN ELECTRIC RATES; #10 -- WESTERN U.S. COULD REDUCE ELECTRICITY USE BY 20 PERCENT FROM PROJECTED LEVELS BY 2020; #11 -- ENERGY USE IN BUILDINGS CAN BE CUT BY 14 PERCENT BY 2020 THROUGH SHORT-TERM EFFICIENCY POLICIES; #12 -- SOLAR ENERGY COULD PROVIDE 8,000+ MW OF CAPACITY IN WESTERN STATES BY 2015; #13 -- COMBINED HEAT & POWER COULD PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 43,000 MW OF ELECTRICAL GENERATING CAPACITY IN WESTERN STATES; #14 -- CALIFORNIA HAS POTENTIAL FOR ALMOST 150 GW OF WIND CAPACITY; #15 -- BIOMASS COULD PROVIDE 15 PERCENT OF U.S. ENERGY DEMAND BY 2030: A joint feasibility study conducted by the US Departments of Agriculture and Energy has concluded that the US has the potential to produce a billion dry tons of biomass per year, while still continuing to meet the nation’s food, feed and export demands. According to a proposed strategy outlined in the report, biomass from forest and agricultural lands could supply up to 15 per cent of energy demand in the US by 2030. Download the report, "Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry: The Technical Feasibility of a Billion-Ton Annual Supply" (April 2005; 78 pages) from either: http://www.eere.energy.gov/biomass/publications.html#feed, http://feedstockreview.ornl.gov/pdf/billion_ton_vision.pdf. EIA: Oil Prices to Exceed $60 per Barrel Through 2007 Prices for oil, petroleum products, and natural gas are expected to remain high through 2007, according to DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA's latest "Short-Term Energy Outlook," released on January 10th, expects crude oil to average $63 per barrel this year and $60 per barrel in 2007. Retail regular gasoline prices, which averaged $2.27 per gallon in 2005, are projected to average $2.41 in 2006 and $2.33 in 2007. Regular gasoline currently averages about $2.33 per gallon, so the EIA projection calls for increasing prices. And while spot prices for natural gas averaged $9 per thousand cubic feet (mcf) in 2005, the EIA expects them to average $9.80 per mcf in 2006 before dropping back to $8.84 per mcf in 2007. True to the forecast, crude oil spot prices have been hovering around $64 per barrel in recent weeks, according to EIA's "This Week in Petroleum" report. See the EIA's " Short Term Energy Outlook " and " This Week in Petroleum ," and for the latest prices at the pump, see the American Automobile Association's " Fuel Gage Report ." POLITICAL ACTION Sustainable Arizona Resource and Education Council is a 501(c)3 non profit organization. We provide information, resources, and services to achieve sustainability in the region. We are not a political action committee. However, we can provide you with information on how to access political action groups that support the goals of sustainability. Below is a list of links where you can take online action: Arizona Public Interest Resource Group www.arizonapirg.org Their Winter Report is available online: http://www.arizonapirg.org/newsletters/winter06/ Arizona Solar Energy Association Legislative Action http://www.azsolarcenter.com Apollo Alliance – Freedom from Foreign Oil www.apolloalliance.org Union of Concerned Scientists – Citizens and Scientists for Environmental Solutions www.ucsaction.org , www.ucsusa.org Environmental Working Group www.ewg.org Natural Resources Defense Council’s Earth Action Center, http://www.nrdc.org/action Sierra Club http://whistler.sierraclub.org/action/actionindex.jsp Forest Guardians - Preserves and Restores Native Wildlands and Wildlife in the Southwest www.fguardians.org Common Dreams - Breaking News for the Progressive Community www.commondreams.org Center for Biological Diversity www.biologicaldiversity.org Sky Island Alliance—in Tucson www.commongroundaz.org Bush Green Watch www.bushgreenwatch.org Organic Consumers – Campaigning for Health, Justice and Sustainability www.organicconsumers.org Citizen's Network for Sustainable Development www.citnet.org Save Our Environment – a National Coalition for the Environment www.saveourenvironment.org Care 2 Petition Site www.care2.org National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture www.sustainableagriculture.net Earth Justice – Because the earth needs a good lawyer www.earthjustice.org True Majority www.truemajority.org Your Vote Matters – Register to Vote http://www.yourvotematters.org/vote Planet Ark - Reduce your impact on the environment www.planetark.org Environmental Defense, Finding the ways that work www.environmentaldefense.org Environmental Defense’s Action Network, an Online Environmental Activism Community www.actionnetwork.org Community Solution, What do we do when oil runs out? www.communitysolution.org Culture Change founded by Sustainable Energy Institute www.culturechange.org GreenPeace - Earth deserves a voice. It needs solutions. It needs change. It needs action. www.greenpeace.org National Resource Defense Council project to Save Endangered Wild Places www.savebiogems.org The Wilderness Society, Arizona Action http://www.wilderness.org/WhereWeWork/Arizona/index.cfm Curbing the Proliferation of Harmful Food Production Facilities www.centerforfoodsafety.org National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture to help shape national policies www.sustainableagriculture.net Citizens for Health - The Voice of the natural health consumer www.healthactioncenter.com Vote Hemp - Dedicated to the free market acceptance of industrial hemp www.votehemp.com Defenders of Wildlife www.defenders.org Rainforest Action Network http://www.ran.org/ran_campaigns/ Alternative Energy Action Network, New steps for world energy www.altenergyaction.org To add more action networks, send them to info@sustainablearizona.org . Or Sustainable Arizona Resource & Education Council PO Box 586, Sedona, AZ 86339 www.sustainablearizona.org This email was sent to you by Sustainable Arizona Resource and Education Council. To be removed from this list, simply reply to this email with ‘remove’ in the subject line. Visit www.sustainablearizona.org for the latest in sustainability news and information in Arizona! "Never doubt that a group of committed citizens can change the world - indeed, it's the only thing that can." - Margaret Mead -- This email was brought to you by Kaxy Mail http://www.kaxy.com/free_email_account.htm -------------- next part -------------- _______________________________________________ SteerComm mailing list SteerComm@list.ncseonline.org http://list.ncseonline.org/mailman/listinfo/steercomm From mbrown at ithaca.edu Tue Mar 21 13:19:03 2006 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Tue Mar 21 14:14:04 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] "Anything into Oil" - update Message-ID: <44206DC7.4080207@ithaca.edu> In the April 2006 issue of Discover magazine, there is an update on the "thermal depolymerization" - now more memorably termed "thermal conversion" - plant in Carthage MO, located adjacent to the Butterball turkey processing plant, which is converting turkey offal into oil. What processed material from that conversion effort that cannot be converted into fuel oil becomes high-grade fertilizer, and the balance is water clean enough to discharge into a municipale wastewater system. The plant, run by Changing World Technologies, certainly had its start-up woes from the time Discover first covered the planned industrial scale-up from a research-grade operation, but it is beginning now to approach profitability. As a nice off-shoot, the thermal conversion process is creating a liquid organic fertilizer that has a nutrient composition akin to "Miracle-Gro" (9% nitrogen, 1% phosphorus, 2% potash, and 19 amino acides). Since it is produced from a high-temperature (essentially a "cracking" process), there is no bacterial contamination - even prions, the cause of mad cow disease, are destroyed. In a test of 3,000 pounds of "auto shredder residue" (unrecyclable mixes of plastics, treated fabrics, rubber and nylon left over when junked autos are recycled for the reclaimable metal content), broke down PCBs and dioxins, producing a quality "light oil" (D396) that could be used at an electric generation plant. Lots of promise for this technology.... it's technically possible to feed in all the organic materials dumped in landfills and convert them into oil products. This is maybe the future for Seneca Meadows....? One can dream... Marian From mstephens at ithaca.edu Tue Mar 21 14:01:38 2006 From: mstephens at ithaca.edu (Maura) Date: Tue Mar 21 14:59:16 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Re: "Anything into Oil" - update In-Reply-To: <44206DC7.4080207@ithaca.edu> References: <44206DC7.4080207@ithaca.edu> Message-ID: <442077C2.2060905@ithaca.edu> I would shudder, however, to think of how those turkeys are treated during their brief and brutal, not to mention hormone-pumped, lives. Maura Marian Brown wrote: > In the April 2006 issue of Discover magazine, there is an update on > the "thermal depolymerization" - now more memorably termed "thermal > conversion" - plant in Carthage MO, located adjacent to the Butterball > turkey processing plant, which is converting turkey offal into oil. > What processed material from that conversion effort that cannot be > converted into fuel oil becomes high-grade fertilizer, and the balance > is water clean enough to discharge into a municipale wastewater system. > > The plant, run by Changing World Technologies, certainly had its > start-up woes from the time Discover first covered the planned > industrial scale-up from a research-grade operation, but it is > beginning now to approach profitability. As a nice off-shoot, the > thermal conversion process is creating a liquid organic fertilizer > that has a nutrient composition akin to "Miracle-Gro" (9% nitrogen, 1% > phosphorus, 2% potash, and 19 amino acides). Since it is produced from > a high-temperature (essentially a "cracking" process), there is no > bacterial contamination - even prions, the cause of mad cow disease, > are destroyed. > > In a test of 3,000 pounds of "auto shredder residue" (unrecyclable > mixes of plastics, treated fabrics, rubber and nylon left over when > junked autos are recycled for the reclaimable metal content), broke > down PCBs and dioxins, producing a quality "light oil" (D396) that > could be used at an electric generation plant. > > Lots of promise for this technology.... it's technically possible to > feed in all the organic materials dumped in landfills and convert them > into oil products. This is maybe the future for Seneca Meadows....? > > One can dream... > > Marian > > From rlg2 at cornell.edu Tue Mar 21 16:04:27 2006 From: rlg2 at cornell.edu (Robinne Gray) Date: Tue Mar 21 17:00:42 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Re: "Anything into Oil" - update In-Reply-To: <442077C2.2060905@ithaca.edu> References: <44206DC7.4080207@ithaca.edu> <442077C2.2060905@ithaca.edu> Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060321185835.03501d88@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> Maura (and others), I had the same reaction! As someone in support of alternative fuel sources, I should applaud the effort to turn waste into energy. But the photo accompanying the article disgusted and saddened me, even though it wasn't particularly gory. The lesser of two evils, I suppose; that's the best I can say about it. http://www.discover.com/issues/apr-06/features/anything-oil/ I'd rather support local farmers who raise meat humanely--and I'm trying to move toward vegetarianism. ~Robinne At 05:01 PM 3/21/2006, you wrote: >I would shudder, however, to think of how those turkeys are treated during >their brief and brutal, not to mention hormone-pumped, lives. >Maura > > >Marian Brown wrote: > >>In the April 2006 issue of Discover magazine, there is an update on the >>"thermal depolymerization" - now more memorably termed "thermal >>conversion" - plant in Carthage MO, located adjacent to the Butterball >>turkey processing plant, which is converting turkey offal into oil. What >>processed material from that conversion effort that cannot be converted >>into fuel oil becomes high-grade fertilizer, and the balance is water >>clean enough to discharge into a municipale wastewater system. >> >>The plant, run by Changing World Technologies, certainly had its start-up >>woes from the time Discover first covered the planned industrial scale-up >>from a research-grade operation, but it is beginning now to approach >>profitability. As a nice off-shoot, the thermal conversion process is >>creating a liquid organic fertilizer that has a nutrient composition akin >>to "Miracle-Gro" (9% nitrogen, 1% phosphorus, 2% potash, and 19 amino >>acides). Since it is produced from a high-temperature (essentially a >>"cracking" process), there is no bacterial contamination - even prions, >>the cause of mad cow disease, are destroyed. >> >>In a test of 3,000 pounds of "auto shredder residue" (unrecyclable mixes >>of plastics, treated fabrics, rubber and nylon left over when junked >>autos are recycled for the reclaimable metal content), broke down PCBs >>and dioxins, producing a quality "light oil" (D396) that could be used at >>an electric generation plant. >> >>Lots of promise for this technology.... it's technically possible to feed >>in all the organic materials dumped in landfills and convert them into >>oil products. This is maybe the future for Seneca Meadows....? >> >>One can dream... >> >>Marian >> >_______________________________________________ >SustainableTompkins mailing list >SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org >http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From levelgreen at kaxy.com Wed Mar 22 04:27:02 2006 From: levelgreen at kaxy.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Wed Mar 22 05:09:38 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Democracy In Action newsletter Message-ID: This is a good organization to know about - ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "DemocracyInAction.org" To: levelgreen@kaxy.com Sent: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 13:17:48 -0500 (EST) Subject: News & Updates: March Dear DIA Community, Over the past month, we've enjoyed meeting many of you while some of us were on the road for trainings in NYC and San Francisco. And we're looking forward to meeting more of you as we head to Seattle this week for the NTEN conference. Check out what's going on in the DIA community lately: * Tech Updates * Trainings and Events * DIA User Community Updates * Meet the New Staff * Referral Program Launches Tech Update * Visit our blog for a detailed update on the latest features added to your Headquarters. http://blog.democracyinaction.org/comments.jsp?blog_entry_KEY=20781&t= * Check out this tip on maximizing your donation results. http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/dia/content.jsp?content_KEY=1411 Come to a Training or Event * We'll be holding our first Seattle area training on March 21st. http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/hq/We%27ll%20be%20holding%20our%20first%20Seattle%20area%20training%20on%20March%2021st.%20 * Look for us at the Seattle N-Ten March 22nd-24th. http://nten.org/ntc * Live training in New York! Join us April 14th to go over basic and intermediate functions of the tools. http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/dia/event/index.jsp?event_KEY=12777 Join DIA's Growing Online User Community * Would you like to communicate with campaign managers in your area about strategies, new campaigns and best practices? We're implementing area-specific listservs, and these three are our guinea pigs. -Bay Area -New York -DC Metropolitan Sign up here! http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/dia/signUp.jsp?key=1146 * Look for more interactive features to the DIA website coming soon! Meet the New Staff! * Brian Harrington, Systems Administrator (bharrington at democracyinaction.org) brian Brian has been working in the tech industry since 1998 beginning as a data librarian and progressing to Network Engineering & Systems Administration. Brian's role is to ensure the proper functioning of all hardware critical to the DiA infrastructure. In his free time Brian plays music in multiple Washington DC based bands and tours the country with them occasionally. * Yonathan Haregot, Application Developer (yharegot at democracyinaction.org) Yonathan has 7+ year of experience building tools for non-profits. Most recently he has been working with GreenpeaceUS as the lead application/web developer. He has worked with Greenpeace International as part of the system development team that has underscored todays globally distributed working environment. Prior to that he worked with Essential Information building affordable database driven tools for non-profits. * Anthony Cimino, Chief Strategy officer (Anthony at democracyinaction.org) Anthony has spent over 11 years creating compelling web experiences. After a few years at Apple Computer designing e-commerce and account management systems he decided to move over to the non-profit field. Once there he became the Creative Director for The Public WebWorks, a non-profit multi-media firm. After Public WebWorks, Anthony became a consultant for a variety of clients in the Washington, DC area including Greenpeace USA where he rebuilt their online communications and technology strategy. Over the years Anthony's work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, CNN, the NY Times and other major media outlets. Referal Program Launches * It's no secret - we want to change the world and now we’re asking for your help to make our community even more vibrant. We're really excited to launch our Referral Program, and we'd like to entice you with an incentive for spreading the word. Get all the info here, and send out your referral postcards now. http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/dia/content.jsp?content_KEY=141 Thank You Many thanks to the Surdna foundation for their generous support of DemocracyInAction! Cheers from the entire DIA team, (Chris, April, JasonZ, JasonL, Elissa, Nick, Mara, Kelly, Brian, Adam, Yonathan and Anthony) unsubscribe http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/dia/unsubscribe.jsp Thank you /*Your email ID. --*/ "Never doubt that a group of committed citizens can change the world - indeed, it's the only thing that can." - Margaret Mead -- This email was brought to you by Kaxy Mail http://www.kaxy.com/free_email_account.htm From drk5 at cornell.edu Wed Mar 22 10:48:21 2006 From: drk5 at cornell.edu (Dean Koyanagi) Date: Wed Mar 22 10:56:49 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] =?iso-8859-1?q?Vancouver=92s_30_days_of_su?= =?iso-8859-1?q?stainability_?= In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060322134222.06eab348@postoffice7.mail.cornell.edu> I was looking for other communities reaching out to discuss sustainability issues with their neighbors. Vancouver has quite a list of interesting activities scheduled for this month. http://www.30daysofsustainability.com/ Dean From Wericclay at aol.com Wed Mar 22 13:36:03 2006 From: Wericclay at aol.com (Wericclay@aol.com) Date: Wed Mar 22 13:38:52 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Today's Sojourners, for those interested in Evangelical Environmentalists Message-ID: <2da.501ae43.31531d43@aol.com> The Religious Right is losing control by Jim Wallis For more than a decade, a series of environmental initiatives have been coming from an unexpected source - a new generation of young evangelical activists. Mostly under the public radar screen, they were covered in places such as Sojourners and Prism, the magazine of Evangelicals for Social Action. There were new and creative projects such as the Evangelical Environmental Network and Creation Care magazine. In November, 2002, one of these initiatives got some national attention - a campaign called "What Would Jesus Drive?" complete with fact sheets, church resources, and bumper stickers. The campaign was launched with a Detroit press conference and meetings with automotive executives. Recently, more establishment evangelical groups, especially the National Association of Evangelicals, also began to speak up on the issue of creation care. Leading the way was Rich Cizik, NAE Vice President for Governmental Affairs, who, on issues like environmental concern and global poverty reduction, began to sound like the biblical prophet Amos. Cizik and NAE President Ted Haggard, a megachurch pastor in Colorado Springs, were attending critical seminars on the environment and climate change in particular and describing their experiences of "epiphany" and "conversion" on the issue. Cizik was quoted by The New York Times as saying, "I don't think God is going to ask us how he created the earth, but he will ask us what we did with what he created." In 2004, the NAE adopted a new policy statement, "For the Health of the Nation: An Evangelical Call to Civic Responsibility," which included a principle titled "We labor to protect God's creation." When the same New York Times article, written in March 2005 by Laurie Goodstein, noted that "A core group of influential evangelical leaders has put its considerable political power behind a cause that has barely registered on the evangelical agenda, fighting global warming," the politics of global warming changed overnight in Washington, D.C. Previously, advocates around climate change and other environmental issues were simply not a part of George Bush's political base and their concerns were not on Washington's political agenda. But the NAE constituency is mostly part of the Republican base and the new environmental concern was not unnoticed by the White House - the very day the article came out the White House called the NAE to ask what policies they were most concerned about. The next year saw NAE participation at many major climate change and environmental meetings - both domestically and internationally - and a series of press stories about the new evangelical environmentalists, including a full page interview with Rich Cizik in The New York Times Magazine. In January, the Religious Right reared its head. In a letter addressed to the NAE - signed by 22 of the Right's prominent leaders, including James Dobson, Charles Colson, Richard Land, and Louis Sheldon - they said, "We have appreciated the bold stance that the National Association of Evangelicals has taken on controversial issues like embracing a culture of life, protecting traditional marriage and family." They then went on to say, "We respectfully request, however, that the NAE not adopt any official position on the issue of global climate change. Global warming is not a consensus issue." It was a clear effort to prevent the NAE from taking a stand on environmental issues and even to veto the whole effort. Stick to our core issues they implied - meaning abortion and gay marriage. Five years ago, so powerful a group of conservative Christian leaders probably could have tamped down this new evangelical effort that served to broaden the range of moral values and issues of biblical concern. But not this time. A month later, on Feb. 9, a full page ad appeared in The New York Times with the headline: "Our commitment to Jesus Christ compels us to solve the global warming crisis." The striking ad announced the Evangelical Climate Initiative, and was signed by 86 prominent evangelical leaders, including the presidents of 39 Christian colleges. I was speaking at one of those schools shortly after the ad came out and talked to their president who was one of the signers. "I'm tired of those old white guys telling us what to think and do," he said. He is a younger white man who decided to take a stand, even if it was against the old guard of the Religious Right. The Evangelical Climate Initiative is of enormous importance and could be a tipping point in the climate change debate, according to one secular environmental leader I talked to. But of even wider importance, these events signal a sea change in evangelical Christian politics: The Religious Right is losing control. They have now lost control on the environmental issue - caring for God's creation is now a mainstream evangelical issue, especially for a new generation of evangelicals. But now so is sex trafficking, the genocide in Darfur, the pandemic of HIV/AIDS and, of course, global and domestic poverty. The call to overcome extreme poverty abroad and at home, in the world's richest nation, is becoming a new altar call around the world - a principal way Christians are deciding to put their faith into practice. In places such as the U.K., Christians are rallying around the call to "Make Poverty History." Many are comparing that call to the cry of British Parliamentarian William Wilberforce and an earlier generation of evangelical revivalists in the 18th and 19th centuries who changed history in England and America by their steadfast commitment to end slavery. For many, poverty is the new slavery. Again, this is especially true for a new generation of Christians. The connection between poverty and all the other key issues - the environment, HIV/AIDS, and violent conflicts around the world are increasingly clear for many people of faith. The sacredness of life and family values are deeply important to these Christians as well - yet too important to be used as partisan wedge issues that call for single issue voting patterns that ignore other critical biblical matters. The Religious Right has been able to win when they have been able to maintain and control a monologue on the relationship between faith and politics. But when a dialogue begins about the extent of moral values issues and what biblically-faithful Christians should care about, the Religious Right begins to lose. The best news of all for the American church and society is this: The monologue of the Religious Right is over, and a new dialogue has just begun. From mbrown at ithaca.edu Wed Mar 22 14:00:56 2006 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Wed Mar 22 14:02:25 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Center for Natural Sciences Sustainability Group Seminar on March 30 to focus on Solar Energy Message-ID: <4421C918.7080307@ithaca.edu> Hi - the CNS Sustainability Group is hosting a seminar on solar energy applications on Thursday, March 30 at 4:00pm in the Center for Natural Sciences Room 112. Dr. Gay Canough of ETM Solar Works will be presenting. http://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20060322120207652/print From ph24 at kaxy.com Thu Mar 23 03:41:03 2006 From: ph24 at kaxy.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Thu Mar 23 04:23:42 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Re: "Anything into Oil" - update In-Reply-To: <442077C2.2060905@ithaca.edu> References: <44206DC7.4080207@ithaca.edu> <442077C2.2060905@ithaca.edu> Message-ID: At the recent US Partnership Convocation in Raleigh, North Carolinian Frank Bell told us of his entrepreneurial initiatives to create refineries that turn chicken and hog wastes into biofuels - inspiring! especially when coupled with the stories below. Chicken and hog farms create huge environmental waste issues throughout the South - I don't support the inhumane treatment of animals in the way of such farms, but it's good news that this environmental hazard might be turnable into something useful. ----- Original Message ----- From: Maura To: Marian Brown Sent: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 17:01:38 -0500 Subject: Re: "Anything into Oil" - update > I would shudder, however, to think of how those turkeys are treated > during their brief and brutal, not to mention hormone-pumped, lives. > Maura > > > Marian Brown wrote: > > > In the April 2006 issue of Discover magazine, there is an update on > > the "thermal depolymerization" - now more memorably termed "thermal > > conversion" - plant in Carthage MO, located adjacent to the Butterball > > turkey processing plant, which is converting turkey offal into oil. > > What processed material from that conversion effort that cannot be > > converted into fuel oil becomes high-grade fertilizer, and the balance > > is water clean enough to discharge into a municipale wastewater system. > > > > The plant, run by Changing World Technologies, certainly had its > > start-up woes from the time Discover first covered the planned > > industrial scale-up from a research-grade operation, but it is > > beginning now to approach profitability. As a nice off-shoot, the > > thermal conversion process is creating a liquid organic fertilizer > > that has a nutrient composition akin to "Miracle-Gro" (9% nitrogen, 1% > > phosphorus, 2% potash, and 19 amino acides). Since it is produced from > > a high-temperature (essentially a "cracking" process), there is no > > bacterial contamination - even prions, the cause of mad cow disease, > > are destroyed. > > > > In a test of 3,000 pounds of "auto shredder residue" (unrecyclable > > mixes of plastics, treated fabrics, rubber and nylon left over when > > junked autos are recycled for the reclaimable metal content), broke > > down PCBs and dioxins, producing a quality "light oil" (D396) that > > could be used at an electric generation plant. > > > > Lots of promise for this technology.... it's technically possible to > > feed in all the organic materials dumped in landfills and convert them > > into oil products. This is maybe the future for Seneca Meadows....? > > > > One can dream... > > > > Marian > > > > > > The Tompkins Renewable Energy Education Alliance (TREEA) is committed to furthering discussion > and exploration of alternative energy options within our region. For more information about > TREEA, visit our website: > http://www.ithaca.edu/faculty/bclark/TREEA/TREEA.htm Level Green Institute - fostering social, economic and environmental sustainability through collaborative initiatives in hospitality, education and the arts -- This email was brought to you by Kaxy Mail http://www.kaxy.com/free_email_account.htm From vrockney at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Thu Mar 23 04:40:37 2006 From: vrockney at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Valorie Rockney) Date: Thu Mar 23 04:37:41 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Dragon Boat workshops tonight and next Thursday at library Message-ID: <44229745.2090009@ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us> Hi everyone, This is a really fun opportunity for adults, kids, and teens to learn more about Dragon Boat racing and about the big Dragon Boat festival and race to be held this July at Cass Park. These two workshops are co-sponsored by the Ithaca Asian American Association and by the Tompkins County Public Library. Yes, you'll have a chance to practice the special techniques of Dragon Boat paddling, involving close team coordination and the use of the breath. Big Dragon Boat drums set the beat. Prepare to be energized! Hope to see you there, Valorie Amy Somchanhmavong wrote: > > DRAGON BOATING 101: > INTRODUCTION TO DRAGON BOATING > > COME LEARN ABOUT: > * THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF DRAGON BOATING > * SPORT OF DRAGON BOAT RACING > * LOCAL OPPORTUNITY TO PADDLE RECREATIONALLY AND/OR COMPETITIVELY > * TEAMWORK, HEALTH AND FITNESS, AND HAVING FUN IN THE SUN > > > > INFORMATION SESSION > THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2006 > THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2006 > > 7:00PM > BORG WARNER ROOM, TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY (CORNER OF GREEN ST. > AND CAYUGA ST.) From marthaa at lightlink.com Thu Mar 23 06:55:07 2006 From: marthaa at lightlink.com (Martha Armstrong) Date: Thu Mar 23 06:55:22 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Deconstruction and Beneficial Use Program In-Reply-To: <442077C2.2060905@ithaca.edu> References: <44206DC7.4080207@ithaca.edu> <442077C2.2060905@ithaca.edu> Message-ID: The Environmental Business Association of New York State, Inc. is presenting two one-day programs. Fee is $175 for non-members. This may be of interest to some of you. Martha Deconstruction and Beneficial Use: The Other Side of Building Green June 14, 2006 in Buffalo, NY June 16, 2006 in New York, NY Construction-related waste accounts for about one-fourth of total landfilled waste in the United States, yet many construction materials can be recycled and reused. Current trends in green building make it easier than ever to deconstruct, reuse and recycle building materials. Reducing and recycling C&D debris conserves landfill space, reduces the environmental impact of producing new materials, creates jobs, and can reduce overall building project expenses through avoided purchase/disposal costs. Deconstruction and Beneficial Use: The Other Side of Building Green offers a full day of educational programs featuring industry and government experts discussing current business, operations, and regulatory trends and how they are impacting construction and demolition recycling and reuse. The conference will cover a full spectrum of building materials conservation from construction, renovation, and demolition debris management to the incorporation of reused and recycled materials into new and renovation construction. Co-Hosts: Environmental Business Association of New York State, Inc. (EBA/NYS) New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling, Inc. (NYSAR3) US Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 (EPA) Affiliates: American Coal Ash Association (ACAA) Center for Economic and Environmental Partnership, Inc. (CEEP) Institute for Local Self-Reliance Slag Cement Association UB Green Office, University at Buffalo (SUNY) Audience: Design professionals, building owners, deconstruction and demolition contractors, recycling and reuse services professionals, developers and governmental officials Topics: Deconstruction Costs and Benefits; Used Building Materials Markets; Federal, State, and Local Government Highlights; Green Building and Deconstruction Connections/LEED Credits; Design for Deconstruction and Reuse; and Financial Incentives for Deconstruction Agenda: DRAFT Agenda available online (scroll down to the bottom) Sponsorship and Exhibit Opportunity: Please contact Ed Parker at 518.432.6400 x227 or ed@eba-nys.org for more information. Speaking Opportunity: Please contact Donna Denley at 518.432.6400 x224 or donna@eba-nys.org if you would like to present on any of the topics mentioned. Online Registration now Available: http://store.mountainmedia.com/eba-nys/calendar.cfm?do=detail&d=3191&c=4943&p=34755 Visit the EVENTS CALENDAR at www.EBA-NYS.org for links to registration and more information. Donna C. Denley Deputy Executive Director/Administration EBA/NYS 126 State St 3rd fl Albany NY 12207 518.432.6400 x224 518.432.1383 fax www.eba-nys.org From katy at energyjustice.net Thu Mar 23 13:20:00 2006 From: katy at energyjustice.net (Katy Nicholson) Date: Thu Mar 23 13:19:59 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Re: "Anything to Oil" Message-ID: <44231100.6030402@energyjustice.net> On Animal Waste-Based Fuels Here are some negative impacts of coverting turkey guts to energy. Thermal depolymerization conversion claims to produce clean burning fuel oil to be used as electricity. Currently, we already have viable electricity solutions, including solar and wind power as well as conservation and efficiency of electricity which are both clean and safe and have already been shown to reduce our use of fossil fuels. Exploring turkey guts as an energy source requires a second look. Large factory farms are not interested in producing energy to reduce our petroleum dependency, rather they have large amounts of waste products which are a burden on their operations, as well as public waterways. Rather than providing incentives to reduce the amount of waste used on these large-scale farms, the government provides substantial subsidies for these farms to convert their waste into 'useful' products. Traditional farms, which usually both grow plants and raise animals, recycle manure as organic fertilizer and thus bear the full cost of handling their waste. The problem of the waste remains, however, with the burden simply being transfered elsewhere. Using manure in an anerobic digester to produce energy from methane or to produce biomethanol used in biodiesel, does not eliminate the waste product. Digesters produce a manure slurry (which is sometimes larger than the original volume of manure) which still has to be stored somewhere. The resulting slurry contains most of the manure's original pollutants. In waste to energy conversion, dioxins are necessarily created. Toxic metals, halogens or radioactive compounds do not disappear. All large-scale poultry operations use arsenic-containing feed, which resurfaces in the form of toxic ash and toxic air emissions. In addition, burning techonology does not destroy persistent prions. As with any issue, the ultimate (and longer-term) solution will need to involve reducing the waste problem in the first place by reducing meat consumption and by deconcentrating the agriculture industry both by geography and by corporate ownership and control. In short, using animal waste as fuel is a lose-lose situation. It promotes the development of waste and creates toxic byproducts, without solving the solution of waste reduction or fuel supply. Benefits can be gained in promoting the principles of zero waste (www.grrn.org/zerowaste/ ) and clean energy (solar and wind), rather than supporting techonology which gives subsidies to large factory farms, that are already putting a burden on our local communities. If you want to learn more, see below: For more information the negatives of poulty waste incineration in particular, check out: http://www.energyjustice.net/fibrowatch/ For more information on anerobic manure digesters: http://www.energyjustice.net/digesters/ There is some basic information on the problems with thermal depolymerization and other end-of-pipe waste-based "alternative" fuels technologies at the end of the article here: http://www.energyjustice.net/fuels/ Here is general information from the Sierra Club about using manure as an energy source: http://motherlode.sierraclub.org/MethaneDigestersSIERRACLUBGUIDANCE.htm And a recent New York Times Op-Ed on using energy from manure. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/04/opinion/04niman.html?ex=1299128400&en=1e4ccc376d2f7f6d&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss From Wericclay at aol.com Thu Mar 23 15:02:40 2006 From: Wericclay at aol.com (Wericclay@aol.com) Date: Thu Mar 23 15:03:28 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Rabbi Michael Lerner calls on environmentalists to develop a spiritual vision Message-ID: <309.e48811.31548310@aol.com> _http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2006/03/22/roberts/index.html?source=daily _ (http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2006/03/22/roberts/index.html?source=daily) Nothing new here for most on this list, but just another resource. Eric Eric Clay, M.Div., Ph.D. Community Coach Shared Journeys, Inc. 832 North Aurora Street Ithaca, New York 14850 607-592-6874 _wericclay@aol.com_ (mailto:wericclay@aol.com) From ws at twcny.rr.com Fri Mar 24 04:37:27 2006 From: ws at twcny.rr.com (Wendy Skinner) Date: Fri Mar 24 04:37:39 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Two Weeks to Go in Ithaca Re-Fashion Contest Message-ID: <002001c64f3f$b6848570$6401a8c0@wendyvaio> Please forward to anyone you think might be interested! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 23, 2006 Contact: Wendy Skinner, 607-277-7611 TWO WEEKS TO GO IN EARTH-FRIENDLY FASHION CONTEST Designers' work will be featured in fashion shows at the Johnson Museum of Art and Ithaca NY Earth Day celebration. NEWS BRIEF: Clothing designers and sewing enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels still have two weeks to complete their entries in the Re-Fashion Design Contest, an Ithaca-based event which promotes re-use and recycling of existing fabric and clothes. Entries are due April 8. Anyone can enter, and the grand prize is $250 in cash and gift certificates. The top designs will be featured in a fashion show at the Johnson Museum of Art as part of the museum's "Celebrate the World through Art" event on April 22 and again at the Ithaca Earth Day Celebration on April 23 at the Ithaca Farmers' Market Pavilion. By encouraging the creation of new, original, and fashionable apparel made from re-used garments or other materials, the contest promotes earth-friendly alternatives to the more negative aspects - such as sweatshop labor and use of environmental toxins - of the conventional fashion industry. Entry forms can be found at Ithaca area merchants, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the Community Arts Partnership, or on the web at www.reimaginestyle.com. For more information e-mail wendy@reimaginestyle.com or call 607-277-7611. ADDITIONAL DETAILS: The design categories include career wear, casual clothes, party and evening clothes, kids' clothes, teen style, and fantasy. The garments must be wearable. They will be judged on innovation and good looks as well as how comfortable and well-made they are. No more that 10 percent of any entry can be new material. The fantasy category invites use of just about anything, from bubble wrap to newspaper. Entries in this category will be judged more on innovation, humor, or educational value than on practicality. Grand prize in the contest is $250 in cash and gift certificates from local merchants who support sustainable activities. First, second, and third-place winners in each category will also win prizes. Winners will be invited to model or display their entries at the Johnson Museum of Art, on the Cornell University campus, at a community event at the museum on Saturday, April 22 and at the Ithaca Earth Day Celebration on Sunday, April 23. The deadline for entries in the Re-Fashion Design Contest is April 8 when the judging will take place. The line-up of judges includes Barbara Mink, artistic director of Light in Winter; artist Camille Doucet; Carol Spence, chair of the art department at Ithaca High School; fabric artist and designer Ariel Alberga-Martin; Amy Somchanhmavong of the Ithaca Asian American Association; Richard Driscoll, director of the Community Arts Partnership; and Bradley Choate Kennedy, a Cornell student with interests in both sustainability and reinvented fashion. The contest and fashion shows are being organized by Ithaca residents Valorie Rockney and Wendy Skinner, working as a team they call Re-Imagine Style. They have posted a website and published a small booklet promoting eco-fashion and re-use as solutions to over-consumption and the more unhealthy and inhumane aspects of the conventional apparel industry. Re-Imagine Style has received mini-grants in support of the contest and fashion shows from Sustainable Tompkins, the Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division, the Johnson Museum of Art, and a private donor. Re-Fashion Design Contest entry forms are available at Ithaca-area contest sponsors: Trader K's, Petrune, Quilters Corner, Homespun Boutique, Mama Goose, Pastimes, Angelo Dry Cleaners, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Community Arts Partnership; the Johnson Museum of Art; online at www.reimaginestyle.com, or by calling 607-277-7611. - end - From ph24 at kaxy.com Fri Mar 24 05:40:50 2006 From: ph24 at kaxy.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Fri Mar 24 06:24:58 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] EPA Collaborative Sci & Tech RFP - due May 17th Message-ID: Thanks to Dean Koyanagi, who alerted me to this RFP. I'm attaching selected downloads from the website describing the funding parameters. You'll see that a COMMUNITY OUTREACH coalition approach has been funded in the past that resonates with the role that ST has been developing. The focus is on strategies for environmental protection, including through community education in collaboration-building and decision-making. max $100/year for three years - would cover Gay plus others I'd be glad to be on a team to work up such a proposal on ST's behalf. I look forward to your thoughts.----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Dean Koyanagi To: "Patricia Haines" Sent: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 12:26:10 -0500 Subject: Fwd: Funding Opportunity For Sustainability This one due by May 17th. We'll need to get a faculty member on board as the PI quickly... Dean >>Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 11:36:38 -0500 >>From: Bagnoli.Peggy@epamail.epa.gov >>Subject: Funding Opportunity For Sustainability >> >>Collaborative Science And Technology Network For Sustainability ( >>http://es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2006/2006_star_cns.html) >>This is the initial announcement of this funding opportunity. >> >>To encourage innovative thinking about practical applications of science >>(including social science) and engineering for sustainability, ORD is >>funding the Collaborative Science and Technology Network for >>Sustainability (CNS). CNS projects will bring together diverse sets of >>partners to explore and learn about new approaches for environmental >>protection that are systems-oriented, forward-looking, and preventive >>and also link to economic and social dimensions. The collection of >>funded projects will inform practical learning on analytical tools, >>collaborative approaches, and informed decision-making that support >>progress towards sustainability. The analytical tools developed will >>draw on a scientific understanding of the consequences of decisions and >>actions. Information on projects currently funded under CNS can be found >>at http://www.epa.gov/ncer/cns. >> >>Funding Opportunity Numbers: Communities and the Built Environment >>(EPA-G2006-STAR-H1) >>Industrial Ecology and Organizational Behavior (EPA-G2006-STAR-H2) >> >>Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 66.509 >> >>Solicitation Opening Date: February 10, 2006 >>Solicitation Closing Date: May 17, 2006, 4:00 pm Eastern Time >> >>Eligibility Contact: Tom Barnwell: 202-343-9862; email: >>(barnwell.thomas@epa.gov) >>Electronic Submissions: Bronda Harrison: 202-343-9777; email: >>(harrison.bronda@epa.gov) >>Technical Contact: Diana Bauer: Phone: 202-343-9759; email: >>(bauer.diana@epa.gov) >> >> >> >>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >>Peggy Bagnoli >>EPA College & University Sector Liaison >>U.S. EPA: Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation >>Sector Strategies Division >>Mail: 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (MC 1807T) Washington, DC 20460 >>Ship: 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW (Room 1132), Washington, DC 20004 >>Phone: 202.566.2957; Fax: 202.566.2994 >>E-mail: bagnoli.peggy@epa.gov >>http://www.epa.gov/sectors/colleges Level Green Institute - fostering social, economic and environmental sustainability through collaborative initiatives in hospitality, education and the arts -- This email was brought to you by Kaxy Mail http://www.kaxy.com/free_email_account.htm From mstephens at ithaca.edu Fri Mar 24 14:59:15 2006 From: mstephens at ithaca.edu (Maura) Date: Fri Mar 24 14:59:25 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] grant for green building projects deadline June 1 Message-ID: <442479C3.4020203@ithaca.edu> I imagine some ST folks could make use of these grants . . . Carrier Corporation Invites Proposals for Funding for Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Deadline: June 1, 2006 Carrier Corp. ( http://www.carrier.com/ ), a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration solutions company, is accepting grant applications from qualified nonprofit organizations that promote the use of green building practices and environmental sustainability in urban centers. The company seeks to support innovative programs that protect and conserve the environment. Grants typically range between $5,000 and $25,000. However, more may be awarded for worthy projects. In considering requests for grants, priority is placed on programs that meet the program's eligibility criteria and operate in locations where Carrier has a significant employee base (Scottsboro, AL; Yuma, AZ; Farmington, CT; Athens, Kennesaw, and Stone Mountain, GA; Huntington and Indianapolis, IN; Rockton, IL; Niles, MI; Charlotte, NC; Reno and Verdi, NV; Syracuse, NY; Brookville, PA; Spartanburg, SC; Collierville and Lewisburg, TN; and Tyler and Wichita Falls, TX). Visit the Carrier Web site for complete program details and application procedures. RFP Link: http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10001593/carrier For additional RFPs in Environment, visit: http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_environment.jhtml From ks47 at cornell.edu Fri Mar 24 14:59:53 2006 From: ks47 at cornell.edu (Kenneth Schlather) Date: Fri Mar 24 15:00:03 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Saudi Arabian Breakfast--The Anti-Local Food In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060324175842.028e22b8@postoffice7.mail.cornell.edu> My Saudi Arabian Breakfast By Chad Heeter TomDispatch.com Friday 24 March 2006 Please join me for breakfast. It's time to fuel up again. On the table in my small Berkeley apartment this particular morning is a healthy looking little meal - a bowl of imported McCann's Irish oatmeal topped with Cascadian Farms organic frozen raspberries, and a cup of Peet's Fair Trade Blend coffee. Like most of us, I prepare my breakfast at home and the ingredients for this one probably cost me about $1.25. (If I went to a caf? in downtown Berkeley, I'd likely have to add another $6.00, plus tip for the same.) My breakfast fuels me up with about 400 calories, and it satisfies me. So, for just over a buck and half an hour spent reading the morning paper in my own kitchen, I'm energized for the next few hours. But before I put spoon to cereal, what if I consider this bowl of oatmeal porridge (to which I've just added a little butter, milk, and a shake of salt) from a different perspective. Say, a Saudi Arabian one. Then, what you'd be likely to see - what's really there, just hidden from our view (not to say our taste buds) - is about four ounces of crude oil. Throw in those luscious red raspberries and that cup of java (another three ounces of crude), and don't forget those modest additions of butter, milk, and salt (another ounce), and you've got a tiny bit of the Middle East right here in my kitchen. Now, let's drill a little deeper into this breakfast. Just where does this tiny gusher of oil actually come from? (We'll let this oil represent all fossil fuels in my breakfast, including natural gas and coal.) Nearly 20% of this oil went into growing my raspberries on Chilean farms many thousands of miles away, those oats in the fields of County Kildare, Ireland, and that specially-raised coffee in Guatemala - think tractors as well as petroleum-based fertilizers and pesticides. The next 40% of my breakfast fossil-fuel equation is burned up between the fields and the grocery store in processing, packaging, and shipping. Take that box of McCann's oatmeal. On it is an inviting image of pure, healthy goodness - a bowl of porridge, topped by two peach slices. Scattered around the bowl are a handful of raw oats, what look to be four acorns, and three fresh raspberries. Those raw oats are actually a reminder that the flakes require a few steps twixt field and box. In fact, a visit to McCann's website illustrates each step in the cleaning, steaming, hulling, cutting, and rolling that turns the raw oats into edible flakes. Those five essential steps require significant energy costs. Next, my oat flakes go into a plastic bag (made from oil), which is in turn inserted into an energy-intensive, pressed wood-pulp, printed paper box. Only then does my "breakfast" leave Ireland and travel over 5,000 fuel-gorging, CO2-emitting miles by ship and truck to my grocery store in California. Coming from another hemisphere, my raspberries take an even longer fossil-fueled journey to my neighborhood. Though packaged in a plastic bag labeled Cascadian Farms (which perhaps hints at a birthplace in the good old Cascade mountains of northwest Washington), the small print on the back, stamped "A Product of Chile," tells all - and what it speaks of is a 5,800-mile journey to Northern California. If you've been adding up percentages along the way, perhaps you've noticed that a few tablespoons of crude oil in my bowl have not been accounted for. That final 40% of the fossil fuel in my breakfast is used up by the simple acts of keeping food fresh and then preparing it. In home kitchens and restaurants, the chilling in refrigerators and the cooking on stoves using electricity or natural gas gobbles up more energy than you might imagine. For decades, scientists have calculated how much fossil fuel goes into our food by measuring the amount of energy consumed in growing, packing, shipping, consuming, and finally disposing of it. The "caloric input" of fossil fuel is then compared to the energy available in the edible product, the "caloric output." What they've discovered is astonishing. According to researchers at the University of Michigan's Center for Sustainable Agriculture, an average of over seven calories of fossil fuel is burned up for every calorie of energy we get from our food. This means that in eating my 400 calorie breakfast, I will, in effect, have "consumed" 2,800 calories of fossil-fuel energy. (Some researchers claim the ratio to be as high as ten to one.) But this is only an average. My cup of coffee gives me only a few calories of energy, but to process just one pound of coffee requires over 8,000 calories of fossil-fuel energy - the equivalent energy found in nearly a quart of crude oil, 30 cubic feet of natural gas, or around two and a half pounds of coal. So how do you gauge how much oil went into your food? First check out how far it traveled. The further it traveled, the more oil it required. Next, gauge how much processing went into the food. A fresh apple is not processed, but Kellogg's Apple Jacks cereal requires enormous amounts of energy to process. The more processed the food, the more oil it required. Then consider how much packaging is wrapped around your food. Buy fresh vegetables instead of canned, and buy bulk beans, grains, and flour if you want to reduce that packaging. By now, you're thinking that you're in the clear, because you eat strictly organically-grown foods. When it comes to fossil-fuel calculations though, the manner in which food's grown is where differences stop. Whether conventionally-grown or organically-grown, a raspberry is shipped, packed, and chilled the same way. Yes, there are some savings from growing organically, but possibly only of a slight nature. According to a study by David Pimentel at Cornell University, 30% of fossil-fuel expenditure on farms growing conventional (non-organic) crops is found in chemical fertilizer. This 30% is not consumed on organic farms, but only if the manure used as fertilizer is produced in very close proximity to the farm. Manure is a heavy, bulky product. If farms have to truck bulk manure for any distance over a few miles, the savings are eaten up in diesel-fuel consumption, according to Pimentel. One source of manure for organic farmers in California is the chicken producer Foster Farms. Organic farmers in Monterey County, for example, will have to truck tons of Foster's manure from their main plant in Livingston, Ca. to fields over one hundred miles away. So the next time we're at the grocer, do we now have to ask not only where and how this product was grown, but how far its manure was shipped? Well, if you're in New York City picking out a California-grown tomato that was fertilized with organic compost made from kelp shipped from Nova Scotia, maybe it's not such a bad question. But should we give up on organic? If you're buying organic raspberries from Chile each week, then yes. The fuel cost is too great, as is the production of the greenhouse gases along with it. Buying locally-grown foods should be the first priority when it comes to saving fossil fuel. But if there were really truth in packaging, on the back of my oatmeal box where it now tells me how many calories I get from each serving, it would also tell me how many calories of fossil fuels went into this product. On a scale from one to five - with one being non-processed, locally-grown products and five being processed, packaged imports - we could quickly average the numbers in our shopping cart to get a sense of the ecological footprint of our diet. From this we would gain a truer sense of the miles-per-gallon in our food. What appeared to be a simple, healthy meal of oatmeal, berries, and coffee looks different now. I thought I was essentially driving a Toyota Prius hybrid - by having a very fuel-efficient breakfast, but by the end of the week I've still eaten the equivalent of over two quarts of Valvoline. From the perspective of fossil-fuel consumption, I now look at my breakfast as a waste of precious resources. And what about the mornings that I head to Denny's for a Grand-Slam breakfast: eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage? On those mornings - forget about fuel efficiency - I'm driving a Hummer. What I eat for breakfast connects me to the planet, deep into its past with the fossilized remains of plants and animals which are now fuel, as well as into its future, when these non-renewable resources will likely be in scant supply. Maybe these thoughts are too grand to be having over breakfast, but I'm not the only one on the planet eating this morning. My meal traveled thousands of miles around the world to reach my plate. But then there's the rise of perhaps 600 million middle-class Indians and Chinese. They're already demanding the convenience of packaged meals and the taste of foreign flavors. What happens when middle-class families in India or China decide they want their Irish oats for breakfast, topped by organic raspberries from Chile? They'll dip more and more into the planet's communal oil well. And someday soon, we'll all suck it dry. ---------- Chad Heeter grew up eating fossil fuels in Lee's Summit, Missouri. He's a freelance writer, documentary filmmaker, and a former high school science teacher. ------- From northsheep at juno.com Fri Mar 24 18:15:49 2006 From: northsheep at juno.com (northsheep@juno.com) Date: Fri Mar 24 18:17:12 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Saudi Arabian Breakfast--The Anti-Local Food Message-ID: <20060324.211549.1568.1.northsheep@juno.com> On Fri, 24 Mar 2006 17:59:53 -0500 Kenneth Schlather writes: > > > My Saudi Arabian Breakfast > By Chad Heeter > TomDispatch.com Bravo Chad! (and Kenneth for posting this) for the rare, honest (even poetic) expos? of designer organic, showing how far it, and all organic is from really sustainable (and I have been an organic farmer for 20 years!). Even more sobering is what My Saudi Arabian Breakfast left out in the energy cost accounting. There is the energy and other finite resource cost of building all the production facilities, all the tools and infrastructure used in building them, and all the tools and facilities used in building THEM, etc. Each remove from the actual breakfast adds another level (albeit smaller) of energy use, in the manufacture of breakfasts and everything else we produce, including the energy cost of production of so-called 'renewable energy' itself, which doesn't look so sustainable once you add those costs in. The point is, there are many layers to the onion of understanding the meaning of sustainable, and most of the thinking so far in the 'sustainable society movement' relies on bogus energy accounting. The wishful thinking about biofuels is a glaring example. Karl North Northland Sheep Dairy, Freetown, New York USA www.geocities.com/northsheep/ "Mother Nature never farms without animals" - Albert Howard "Pueblo que canta no morira" - Cuban saying From rlg2 at cornell.edu Sat Mar 25 06:42:17 2006 From: rlg2 at cornell.edu (Robinne Gray) Date: Sat Mar 25 06:42:31 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sue Zielinski on sustainable transportation, 3/31 Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060325094054.033b4a38@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> The second talk in the series is this Friday. ~R. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Sustainable Built Environment speaker series continues with our second speaker 3/31: SUSAN ZIELINSKI Friday, March 31 3:30pm Warren Hall Auditorium (B45) Sue Zielinski has worked for over 20 years catalyzing innovative, collaborative partnerships for sustainable transportation and healthy cities. She recently became director of the Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility Research and Transformation (SMART) project at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Prior to joining SMART, she spent a year as a Harvard Loeb Fellow focusing on innovation and leadership for New Mobility, which reconceives transportation issues in terms of mobility and access. Previously she was co-founder and Director of Moving the Economy, a Toronto-based partnership of government, industry, and community working to support new mobility sector development. Moving the Economy created MTE OnLine, a searchable inventory of economic success stories in which sustainable transportation ventures have boosted business, created jobs, saved money, or revitalized local economies. In her former work as a transportation planner for the City of Toronto, Ms. Zielinski worked on initiatives such as smog reduction, green tourism, bicycle commuting, and the movement of urban goods. She has advised on a range of local and international initiatives, including the National Advisory Committee on Energy Efficiency, Transport Canada's Sustainable Development Advisory Committee, the OECD's Environmentally Sustainable Transport Project, the jury of the Stockholm Partnerships for Sustainable Cities, the Gridlock Panel of the Ontario Smart Growth Initiative, the Centre for Sustainable Transportation, the European Conference of Transport Ministers, and the Kyoto Cities Initiative International Advisory Panel. She is a Registered Professional Planner and member of the Canadian Institute of Planners. * * * * * * MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Upcoming speakers include: Responsible Business: John Abrams Co-founder and president, South Mountain Company Author, The Company We Keep Friday, April 14, 3:30pm Warren Hall Auditorium (B45) Eco-Industrial Development: Corey Brinkema Director, The Green Institute Wednesday, April 26 (venue TBD) ABOUT THE SERIES Coordinated as a continuation of the Sustainability Summits programming begun on the Cornell campus last spring, the Sustainable Built Environment speaker series will present subjects of interest to all disciplines related to the built environment. It is designed to demonstrate the necessity, aesthetic appeal, and economic feasibility of building sustainably, and to spark interdisciplinary collaboration within a green context. University staff members and local residents and practitioners are invited to attend. The Sustainable Built Environment speaker series is sponsored by the Office of the Dean, College of Architecture, Art and Planning; Office of the Provost; Vice President for Student and Academic Affairs; and Executive Vice President for Administration, Finance and Facilities. # From rlg2 at cornell.edu Sat Mar 25 07:48:58 2006 From: rlg2 at cornell.edu (Robinne Gray) Date: Sat Mar 25 07:49:12 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Saudi breakfast, turkey guts, energy accounting... In-Reply-To: <20060324.211549.1568.1.northsheep@juno.com> References: <20060324.211549.1568.1.northsheep@juno.com> Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060325094847.01e32278@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> ST folks, After our recent exchanges about turkey guts into oil, I surfed into an article that begins with a provocative assertion about muscle-powered transport, meat-eating, and energy use: "Most people think that bicycling doesn't use gas, but actually it does. It takes lots of fossil fuel to produce the food for the cyclist's calories -- and cycling requires more food fuel than driving.....David Pimentel of Cornell University calculates that it takes nearly twice as much fossil energy to produce a typical American diet than a pure vegetarian diet...." (from http://bicycleuniverse.info/transpo/beef.html). I thought of posting the article here, then decided not to, thinking it too much of a downer--even though it wasn't the intent of the author to depress everybody. Much of the hopeful vision offered by the sustainability movement is undercut by the negative counterthreads generated by well intentioned attempts to be clear-eyed in our assessments. Eating meat is bad because of animal suffering and wasted energy....eating food from out of one's bioregion or out of season is bad because of transport/fuel costs...eating organic isn't particularly helpful either...biofuel costs more energy to produce than is gained...producing photovoltaic cells is not a clean industry...on and on it goes. It resembles the way the left/progressives expend a lot of their energy on internecine squabbles, thus weakening their position from within, while the right is better at creating a united front and thus in accomplishing its goals. I get concerned that we could suffer from paralysis-by-analysis, or an insistence on purity, that discourages movement. I am not arguing for recklessness or naivete...just wondering where the balance is between caution and exploration. Last year I attended a session called "Planning Lessons from Burning Man" at the APA (city planning) conference. The first panelist, a founder of the Burning Man festival, asserted the need for visionary leadership, and used the analogy of President Kennedy declaring that we would put a man on the moon, without knowing how or when or even how feasible that might be. ~Robinne At 09:15 PM 3/24/2006, Karl wrote: >Bravo Chad! (and Kenneth for posting this) for the rare, honest (even >poetic) expos? of designer organic, showing how far it, and all organic >is from really sustainable (and I have been an organic farmer for 20 >years!). ... From simonstl at simonstl.com Sat Mar 25 09:02:10 2006 From: simonstl at simonstl.com (Simon St.Laurent) Date: Sat Mar 25 09:05:59 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Saudi breakfast, turkey guts, energy accounting... In-Reply-To: <6.2.1.2.2.20060325094847.01e32278@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> References: <20060324.211549.1568.1.northsheep@juno.com> <6.2.1.2.2.20060325094847.01e32278@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> Message-ID: <1143306131.7767.675.camel@localhost.localdomain> On Sat, 2006-03-25 at 10:48 -0500, Robinne Gray wrote: > I get concerned that we could suffer from paralysis-by-analysis, or an > insistence on purity, that discourages movement. I am not arguing for > recklessness or naivete...just wondering where the balance is between > caution and exploration. It seems to me like there's lots of room for good - better - best. It's good that you eat organic food. It's good that you buy local food. It's better that you buy food that is both; it may be best that you grow your own. Etc.... (And the bicycling article... Well, what a mess. Providing miles per gallon for vegetarians and meat-eaters walking and riding bicycles might make it make sense, but as it is, it's awfully hard to see any strong claim beyond the general problem of modern meat-heavy diets requiring more energy inputs - which has what to do with bicycling again?) Simon St.Laurent http://livingindryden.org/ From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Sun Mar 26 06:32:02 2006 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Sun Mar 26 06:32:20 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Saudi breakfast, ---broadcasting depression In-Reply-To: <6.2.1.2.2.20060325094847.01e32278@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> References: <20060324.211549.1568.1.northsheep@juno.com> <6.2.1.2.2.20060325094847.01e32278@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> Message-ID: >ST folks, > >re: After our recent exchanges about turkey guts into oil, I surfed >into an article that begins with a provocative assertion about >muscle-powered transport, meat-eating, and energy use: "Most people >think that bicycling doesn't use gas, but actually it does. It takes >lots of fossil fuel to produce the food for the cyclist's calories >-- and cycling requires more food fuel than driving.....David >Pimentel of Cornell University calculates that it takes nearly twice >as much fossil energy to produce a typical American diet than a pure >vegetarian diet...." (from >http://bicycleuniverse.info/transpo/beef.html). I thought of >posting the article here, then decided not to, thinking it too much >of a downer--even though it wasn't the intent of the author to >depress everybody. I don't personally find it depressing to realize that bicycling by itself is not "the" solution, or quick fix, but part of a process of interrrelated changes. I find it very grounding to figure in that if you bicycle, you need to also think about where your body's fuel comes. It's reassuring to me that you have choices about getting your bodily fuel which make a dramatic difference, eg. all or mostly vegetarian or vegan and local vs.standard high animal high protein long-distance American diet. My point here is that from a social marketing perspective, alot has to do with our own attitude about the changes that need to happen and the tone and energy with which we communicate about these changes. Are we putting out subtle or not-so-subtle moralistic warnings and shaming , or are we putting out inspiring encouragement about life-enhancing strategies? How much are we framing the changes as dutiful, righteous loss of comfort, familiarity and privilege and how much are we embracing the changes with a spirit of generosity, soulfulness, adventure, creativity, "enoughness" (i.e. joyful moderation and contentment), and fun? Focusing on embodying the changes we want to see and noting our hidden assumptions and attitudes could go a long way towards gradually weeding out the understandable but mostly ineffective environmentalist moralism and puritanism that is part of our heritage. I also feel it would be smart to add elegant and inspiring solutions, examples, and resources to any media work or presentations we do about what's wrong with our current way of life, not just in the very last section of the work, but for at least third, if not more, of the piece. It's alot more effort to balance the gloom with a convincing story of hope and empowerment, and it rarely happens in the same work, but it would sure make a big difference in our message to the world. . Elan PS . I ditto Simon's "good - better - best. It's good that you eat organic food. It's good that you buy local food. It's better that you buy food that is both; it may be best that you grow your own." as long as don't oversimplify. We may always want some oranges and bananas in the winter and someday someone may grow them locally for us in their greenhouse, if we don't have alot of south facing windows. -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Living Associates and Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi From tonydelplato at gmail.com Sun Mar 26 06:36:49 2006 From: tonydelplato at gmail.com (Tony Del Plato) Date: Sun Mar 26 06:36:53 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Saudi breakfast, ---broadcasting depression In-Reply-To: References: <20060324.211549.1568.1.northsheep@juno.com> <6.2.1.2.2.20060325094847.01e32278@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> Message-ID: Right on, Elan. Re: Simon's assertions - I worry about getting too much in to "risk analysis" as a means of "balancing" the requirements of sustainability & where people are "at" at the moment. Tony Del Plato On 3/26/06, Elan Shapiro wrote: > > >ST folks, > > > >re: After our recent exchanges about turkey guts into oil, I surfed > >into an article that begins with a provocative assertion about > >muscle-powered transport, meat-eating, and energy use: "Most people > >think that bicycling doesn't use gas, but actually it does. It takes > >lots of fossil fuel to produce the food for the cyclist's calories > >-- and cycling requires more food fuel than driving.....David > >Pimentel of Cornell University calculates that it takes nearly twice > >as much fossil energy to produce a typical American diet than a pure > >vegetarian diet...." (from > >http://bicycleuniverse.info/transpo/beef.html). I thought of > >posting the article here, then decided not to, thinking it too much > >of a downer--even though it wasn't the intent of the author to > >depress everybody. > > > I don't personally find it depressing to realize that bicycling by > itself is not "the" solution, or quick fix, but part of a process of > interrrelated changes. I find it very grounding to figure in that if > you bicycle, you need to also think about where your body's fuel > comes. It's reassuring to me that you have choices about getting > your bodily fuel which make a dramatic difference, eg. all or mostly > vegetarian or vegan and local vs.standard high animal high protein > long-distance American diet. > > My point here is that from a social marketing perspective, alot has > to do with our own attitude about the changes that need to happen and > the tone and energy with which we communicate about these changes. > > Are we putting out subtle or not-so-subtle moralistic warnings and > shaming , or are we putting out inspiring encouragement about > life-enhancing strategies? How much are we framing the changes as > dutiful, righteous loss of comfort, familiarity and privilege and how > much are we embracing the changes with a spirit of generosity, > soulfulness, adventure, creativity, "enoughness" (i.e. joyful > moderation and contentment), and fun? Focusing on embodying the > changes we want to see and noting our hidden assumptions and > attitudes could go a long way towards gradually weeding out the > understandable but mostly ineffective environmentalist moralism and > puritanism that is part of our heritage. > > I also feel it would be smart to add elegant and inspiring solutions, > examples, and resources to any media work or presentations we do > about what's wrong with our current way of life, not just in the very > last section of the work, but for at least third, if not more, of > the piece. It's alot more effort to balance the gloom with a > convincing story of hope and empowerment, and it rarely happens in > the same work, but it would sure make a big difference in our message > to the world. . > > Elan > > PS . I ditto Simon's > "good - better - best. > It's good that you eat organic food. It's good that you buy local food. > It's better that you buy food that is both; it may be best that you grow > your own." > as long as don't oversimplify. We may always want some oranges and > bananas in the winter and someday someone may grow them locally for > us in their greenhouse, if we don't have alot of south facing windows. > > > -- > Elan Shapiro > Sustainable Living Associates > and Frog's Way B&B > 211 Rachel Carson Way > Ithaca, NY 14850 > 607-275-0249 > "We must be the change we want to see in the world" > Mohandas Gandhi > > _______________________________________________ > SustainableTompkins mailing list > SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > -- "I can remember when the air was clean and sex was dirty." - George Burns aubade - a song greeting the dawn From ebauchne at twcny.rr.com Sun Mar 26 09:34:36 2006 From: ebauchne at twcny.rr.com (Elizabeth Bauchner) Date: Sun Mar 26 09:34:55 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Saudi breakfast, ---broadcasting depression In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <000001c650fb$90fc1210$6701a8c0@RasMama> Elan and All, It's definitely worth thinking about how we come across to other people when talking about sustainability. I am copying below a rather long essay I wrote almost exactly two years ago, which I just came across recently while transferring files to a new computer. I thought about trying to tighten it up and publish it elsewhere, but then though you ST folks might enjoy reading it. ;-) Remember, it is two years old, so it's not quite how I feel today, but it is an interesting glimpse into how I struggled with the relationships between consumption, sustainability, culture, and community. Best, Elizabeth Elizabeth Bauchner Editor, Ithaca Community News http://www.ithacanews.org Freelance Writer http://www.elizabethbauchner.info Thoughts on Sustainability, Culture and Consumerism March 31, 2004 Last night I attended the first of a series of "Sustainability Salons" at Gimme Coffee in Ithaca. There were eight of us present, an interesting little microcosm of Ithaca: people of varying ages, lifestyles and beliefs (though not racially diverse). We discussed our definitions of sustainability and how it applies to housing, education and healthcare, and a lot of interesting points were made. Our consumer-culture is out-of-control. Our current American lifestyle is only a hundred-year or so experiment and it's killing us. We drive too much. We use too many fossil fuels. Our government is corrupt. Our corporations are corrupt. Our choices are limited. We worry about what we're leaving behind to the future generations. One of the more important aspects of the conversation that we discussed only peripherally but never really addressed was how willing are we, really, to change our lifestyles to live more sustainably. We joked about living in wigwams and a few of us seemed to think that was a doable, even preferable idea to living in houses or apartments. I freely admitted that I'm not interested in giving up my consumer accouterments, although I am willing to make better choices about what I consume. And my comments were met with silence, and, I felt, negative judgment. Still, it's an accurate assessment of a lifetime of learning, and where I'm at. The problem, I feel, is not that I don't want to live in a wigwam, it's that making more ecologically sound consumer choices is not always so easy, and in fact in many cases is virtually impossible. So, I really feel that, while it's very important for all of us to do our part and do the best we can, and make the changes we can make, I feel it is even more important that we exert our collective energy not on judging each other but on pressuring our government and big businesses to give us better options for sustainable living. I see the benefit in supporting local businesses and people and being involved at the local level in politics and civic groups, but I also see a crucial need for some top-down changes. I'll explain why in a moment, but I feel the need to explain how I've come to this place in my life, if nothing else just so the people who tend to act so self-righteous about their choices can maybe see that their attitudes aren't going to get people to change. We all need to understand that everyone is on some sort of path to greater understanding, and we all need to show some compassion. Throughout my life, I've experimented with different lifestyles, though they've all been connected by common threads: environmental awareness and "alternativeness", as in "out of the mainstream." Yet what I've learned over the years is that I'm happiest in the city, surrounded by people, and working for cultural and social change as well as being politically active and striving to be more "sustainable." I'm coming to terms with the fact that I definitely do not want to live in a wigwam, and perhaps not even in an alternative, intentional community like eco-village (though I might be more into it if there were such a thing downtown and available to the working poor as well as the upper middle class). I've lived in three states, a couple small cities, in the suburbs and the country, and in various apartments, shared housing, and on my own. And I like Ithaca a lot. I like my racially diverse neighborhood. I like walking to the library and the Commons and listening to music outdoors on summer evenings and buying my kids ice cream cones on hot summer days. I like the Sciencenter. I like my yoga class downtown. I like Moosewood, Ithaca Bakery, Autumn Leaves and Gimme Coffee. I like walking to the park, Cascadilla gorge, and visiting art museums. I like the schools my kids go to (ACS, Belle Sherman and a cooperative preschool). I like goofing around on the Commons with my kids. And, I like my job, though I hardly make any money at all. Still, I work from home, I get paid to write, and I hope it continues. As a younger adult, I traveled the country over several years' time, as well as for six months with my oldest daughter when she was two and three. We visited alternative energy fairs, herbal healing workshops, feminist mothering retreats, Grateful Dead shows, a Native American reservation, hot springs in Oregon and Utah, Virgin forests in British Columbia and Washington and eventually settled in Northern California where we lived for six years. I worked odd jobs and studied as much as I could about parenting, the environment, appropriate technology, culture, religion, politics, etc. Basically, I did then and still do consider myself a lifelong learner. I wrote occasionally for local publications. I got married. A year later we had a son and moved to the country, to a house surrounded by Redwood trees with fruit trees in the yard and not too far from one of the most progressive towns in America. My dream was to be the ultimate "hippie earth mother," grow my own food, homeschool my kids, raise our own chickens and write part-time from home. And I did do that, to a certain extent, for a little while. But I became extremely depressed feeling cut-off from the rest of the world. Crazy depressed. I've since come to realize that even with all of our society's problems, even with my judgmental attitude toward the consumer-orgy that passes as culture in this country, I still want to be a part of society. I couldn't live a completely alternative lifestyle of growing my own food and homeschooling my kids. I felt too isolated from the things I truly love and, perhaps most importantly, I discovered that I'm no farmer. I'm not even a gardener! In fact, truth be told, I can't seem to keep houseplants alive for more than a year at a time. If I treated my children the way I do houseplants, I would've been imprisoned long ago. After a couple of years of that, we decided to move to the East Coast, where my (now ex) husband is from. We moved here in the summer of 2000 and throughout the chaos of the move, and due to stress and bad timing, I got pregnant again. I admit I carry a small amount of guilt about bringing a third child into the world, even though I love kids and had always wanted at least four. But growing up and realizing what a huge impact each American citizen has on the world made me aware that there is really no environmentally friendly way to bring a child into the world (unless you live the total earth mother lifestyle, which I don't want to do, as explained in part above). Anyway to make a long story a little bit shorter we decided to keep the baby, our daughter, Lily, who was born the following May in a birthing tub in our dining room. So now we are done bringing children into the world, but we have these three beautiful kids to raise, in the city in this consumer culture, and I'm once again wondering how we can raise them consciously, how much am I willing to sacrifice for them (it takes a lot of time and energy to raise kids outside the mainstream culture), how much can we save (both in terms of money and in terms of reusing stuff), and basically, how much can we do to protect the earth and live a more sustainable lifestyle? How far are we willing to go? And how possible is it? This last question is what brings me to what I briefly mentioned at the Sustainability Salon, but couldn't really explain, and that is that as a consumer, I am willing to make better choices, but I don't see enough of them available to me. Throughout all of my adult life (I'm 33 now), I always wanted to build a small, eco-groovy house to live in, but I've never been able to afford it. Now, I want to live in the city instead of the country, and I want to raise my kids here, but I'm not sure we could build an eco-groovy house in the city. And even if we could, perhaps it would be better to convert some old, crumbling houses into energy efficient, more sustainable housing. In fact, I think that is much more desirable than the current trend to build McMansions in the suburbs, or perhaps even Eco-Villages, out in the country which then become car-dependent. Then again, I live in a poorer neighborhood and gentrification is a real concern of many of my neighbors. They don't want Southside turned into what they'd possibly perceive as a yuppie, eco-groovy neighborhood. And I don't blame them, either. So what's a good solution that meets the needs of the residents where I live and helps this community become more sustainable? This last question is important to me because I love my neighborhood and my neighbors, so moving away isn't a desirable option. We have people from Peru and Russia on our block, black and white, Hispanic and Asian, gay and lesbian, young and old, mentally challenged, single folks and lots of kids. In August the kids gather at a neighbor's house to pick his blackberries. Other neighbors grow vegetables and flowers. It's mostly working poor and middle class. It's not an intentional community except in the sense that we all intentionally live here. However, it is far from eco-groovy, most of the homes are very old, including ours, which dates back to before slavery was eradicated. So our house, needless to say, is not very environmentally friendly. We've done some energy work on it (new windows and new insulation), but much, much more needs to be done. So, I get frustrated because there doesn't seem to be a lot of options for someone like me, someone who is environmentally aware, who would make a lot of changes in her lifestyle if it were truly feasible, but due to daily challenges of work and family we're like hamsters in the wheel, always running just to make enough to barely get by. We can't afford things like solar panels. In fact, we can barely afford our groceries, mainly because we try to shop more consciously, but even so, radical choices simply aren't available. Think of what's even available at Green Star - organic food that has been shipped from thousands of miles away. Does that really help? Obviously buying Earthbound Farm organic is better than buying Monsanto, and buying bulk saves waste as well as money, but I like fresh vegetables everyday, and buying fresh vegetables in March in upstate NY is probably not a good idea regardless of who grew it because of the transportation issues involved. And again, I would make better choices if better choices were available, but I'm not willing to entirely give up fresh veggies just because it's March and they have to be flown, or trucked in. This is a little bit of what I was trying to get at. Am I selfish? Probably. But my dad had a diet lacking in fresh vegetables and he died last year from colon cancer. The pain and misery of watching a loved one die from something that's possibly preventable through diet totally broke my heart. So selfishly, fresh veggies stay in the diet. All this to say this is why I think there needs to be a lot of top-down changes. Big corporations are buying out our government and collectively they have a lot more power to destroy or save this world than what I can do with my little bucket of compost and my cloth diapers that were used on more than four kids' butts. I don't say this because I don't want to be a responsible consumer or citizen, or because I feel hopeless about the state of the world. I say it because I think it's a bad idea to put the entire responsibility of saving the world onto consumers, not to mention a little hypocritical to judge others who are simply trying to live and work in this society. Unless we do go live in wigwams and grow all of our own food and practice all of our own holistic health care, we are going to live as consumers and American citizens and as such we are faced with some pretty shitty choices as to how environmentally conscious we can live out our ideals. The things we have to buy regularly, or daily, the things that have the most impact on the world. We need better choices, period. We need to be able to buy shoes made in this country, at the very least, with non-sweatshop labor and ecologically sound materials. We need to be able to afford organic, locally produced foods, all the time. Everyday. Other choices that don't really seem like true choices from the environment's perspective: Live in the country and rely on a car or live in the city and walk? Invest in so-called green investments, or save nothing and hope for the best when I'm 65? And where the hell can I buy clothes and shoes for my kids that I can afford, that aren't made in sweatshops, that didn't rely on fossil fuels to get here, that either aren't made from cotton grown with billions of pounds of pesticides or synthetic fibers laced with flame retardants? Making my own clothes is definitely not an option (I have real issues with anything resembling too much domesticity). We shop sometimes at Trader-Ks, Salvation Army and other used-clothing stores, but we can't always find what we need. Old Navy, on the other hand, often has great deals on kids' clothes, they fit well, my kids like them, and I can resell them later to Trader-Ks. It's a shitty trade-off, and I'm the first to admit it, but can I have another option, please? They're all just as bad; I've checked. The Gap. Sears. Land's End. Target. Kmart. Wal-Mart (the worst, by far). Even Hannah Anderson is sweatshop made. There are no kids' clothing stores on the Commons aside from Trader-Ks and Alphabet Soup, which is only for babies, and besides, Alphabet Soup is way too expensive for our family. Actually, there is the hemp store, but I can't really afford hemp clothes either. Basically, so many huge multi-national corporations are just plain evil, and plain hard to get around. What's worse, in some ways there is no way to know just how evil they are or what is really going on or how to stop it all because our media doesn't report on it. Nestle corporation is still actively and knowingly killing babies in Africa, but try to boycott them -- they own like half the shit in the grocery store, including most brands of bottled spring waters. And grocery stores? They're evil too but I certainly can't avoid them. I think that in order to make big changes in the world to make it more sustainable we really have to think big, as in big government and big corporate changes. We will not and cannot change the consumer culture, especially not by criticizing everyone who buys something we wouldn't. I think we have to start encouraging the government to subsidize alternate, truly renewable energy sources, putting pressure on the EPA to actually enforce the laws concerning big polluters, banning certain contaminants from production (like flame retardants, which are now being fed to our babies via breastmilk), and demanding that government subsidize smaller green businesses like they do larger corporations. (And %@!# George W. Bush when he claims that our old-growth forests are a renewable source of wood.) We will never get the majority of people to live car-free, but we can make other transportation changes, like making public transportation more feasible and demanding more electric hybrid cars. The technology is there, but our government and big business don't support it. We've got to find a way to make them support it and to make it accessible to people like me -- people who are willing to remain a part of this culture, for better and for worse, but want better, more ecological choices that are affordable to someone on a very tight budget. In other words, we need to change the cultural paradigm so that living sustainably is just the way it is. Let's stop pushing around the average citizen and start pushing around the government and big business. Of course, we can do whatever our hearts' desires to make the changes we feel are necessary. Ghandi said that we must be the change we want to see in the world. So live more sustainably, grow your own food, put solar panels on your house, compost all your food scraps, forgo childbearing or raise them vegan, donate large amounts of cash to Greenpeace, evade taxes, get politically active, practice voluntary simplicity, live in a wigwam. Do what you can, and it will make a difference. But remember, the biggest changes are going to come from the biggest polluters. Thanks for letting me rant a little. Elizabeth Bauchner http://www.elizabethbauchner.info http://www.ithacanews.org "Every million mile got to take a first step!" -- Michael Franti. From rlg2 at cornell.edu Sun Mar 26 13:36:29 2006 From: rlg2 at cornell.edu (Robinne Gray) Date: Sun Mar 26 13:36:48 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Saudi breakfast, ---broadcasting depression In-Reply-To: References: <20060324.211549.1568.1.northsheep@juno.com> <6.2.1.2.2.20060325094847.01e32278@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060326094708.033c4018@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> Thank you, Elan, for a sunnier Sunday message! I suppose I was subconsciously hoping that my post would evoke some thoughtful responses about how other folks deal with occasional feelings of overwhelm and bleakness. There's a fun article about a team of vegan firefighters in the NY Times. ~R. From alh54 at cornell.edu Mon Mar 27 15:46:54 2006 From: alh54 at cornell.edu (Allison Jack) Date: Mon Mar 27 17:34:04 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] ISAE Seminar series: Panel discussion on Dilmun Hill Student Farm Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060327184452.03454098@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> >Hi everyone, Here's the latest in our seminar series. Hope to see some of you there. -Allison >********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** > >The Issues in Sustainable Agriculture Education Seminar Series presents: > >Dilmun Hill Student Farm at Cornell: Past, Present and Future Directions > >PANELISTS: > >Dr. Laurie Drinkwater - Professor in Department of Horticulture >Erica Frenay - Small Farms Program >Heather Irvine - Dilmun Hill summer manager 2005 >Dr. Kenneth Mudge - Professor in Department of Horticulture >Marguerite Wells - Freeville Organic Research Farm Coordinator > >Cornell University, Ithaca, NY > >PLEASE NOTE ROOM CHANGE > >Friday, March 31, 2006 >12:20-1:30; 135 Emerson Hall > >This week's seminar will be a panel discussion on the formation, current >management, and future potential of the Dilmun Hill Student Organic Farm >at Cornell. The Dilmun Hill Student Farm was started in 1996 by the >Sustainable Agriculture Working Group who wanted to create more hands-on >agricultural experiences for Cornell students. In 1999 an extensive >visioning process was carried out to plan for the farm's future, resulting >in the Dilmun Hill Vision Plan. Recently the farm has joined with the >McDaniels Nut Grove to form the Dilmun-MacDaniels Agroecology Learning >Center (DMALC). Panelists include; two professors in the Department of >Horticulture, Ken Mudge, present advisor of the farm, and Laurie >Drinkwater who teaches a class using the farm, two current staff members >in the Department of Horticulture who were involved in the early >development of the farm when they were students, Erica Frenay and >Marguerite Wells [also staff farm manager 2002-2004], and an undergraduate >student summer manager, Heather Irvine. Panelists will discuss how the >farm could be best used to enhance both formal and informal sustainable >agriculture educational opportunities at Cornell. > >For more information on Dilmun Hill: > >http://www.hort.cornell.edu/department/facilities/dilmun/ >The Dilmun Hill Vision Plan: Greenprints for an Environmental Learning >Center Senior thesis: Heather Clark, Richard Kennedy (available as a pdf >on www.rso.cornell.edu/nwaeg/) > >Seminars are free and open to the Cornell and greater Ithaca community! >Funded in part by the GPSAFC. Co-Sponsored by: New World Agriculture and >Ecology Group (NWAEG) at Cornell, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences; >Department of Horticulture, Cornell Small Farm Program; the Community, >Food and Agriculture Program; the Community Food Systems Program; the >GPSAFC, the Community and Rural Development Institute, and the Toward >Sustainability Foundation. For more information visit >www.rso.cornell.edu/nwaeg/ or contact >Julie at jmg225 or Allison at alh54 > >********************************************************************************************************************************* >Allison L. H. Jack >Graduate Student >335 Plant Science >Department of Plant Pathology >Cornell University >Ithaca, NY 14853 > >(607) 273-5762 >alh54@cornell.edu > >********************************************************************************************************************************** > From Cnielsen56 at aol.com Mon Mar 27 20:07:34 2006 From: Cnielsen56 at aol.com (Cnielsen56@aol.com) Date: Mon Mar 27 20:39:22 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] The Year of Spending Stingily Message-ID: <311.1366b76.315a1086@aol.com> http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Savinganddebt/Savemoney/P148573.asp From tonydelplato at gmail.com Mon Mar 27 18:45:10 2006 From: tonydelplato at gmail.com (Tony Del Plato) Date: Tue Mar 28 08:27:32 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Tell the Senate: Toss that tainted food! In-Reply-To: <28815385.1143493461462.JavaMail.www@app18> References: <28815385.1143493461462.JavaMail.www@app18> Message-ID: Hello everyone: You sent thousands of letters and calls to stop a federal bill that will eliminate more than 200 state and local food safety laws--and your work had an immediate impact. Although the bill passed the House on March 8, many legislators who planned to vote for it decided to vote NO instead. Nine of the bill's cosponsors, its leading supporters, voted against it. Because your opposition as constituents suddenly made this a very controversial bill, it's passage in the Senate is far less certain, especially if we can make this tainted food bill unpalatable for your Senator! *Tell your Senators now to oppose the "National Uniformity for Food Act" when it comes before them for a vote.* Some people say Congress doesn't listen to constituents, but we proved otherwise in this fight. In just three short weeks we changed the political dynamics surrounding this bill. Your emails and phone calls put a spotlight on the bill's real effect, and helped create the momentum that we hope will stop it in the Senate. *To defeat the bill in the Senate we need you to send a clear message now--it's wrong to eliminate state and local food safety protections.* We will keep you informed of the bill's progress and ask you to help us oppose it at each key stage. When you have sent your quick message to your Senators, please take a further moment to help us build our base of opposition to this bill. Forward this email to at least five people in your address book so that they can help you tell Congress to throw this unpalatable meal away. Sincerely, Minerva Novoa Internet Action Coordinator Consumers Union 1535 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94103 *Donate |* Your Privacy | Change Email Preferences| About Consumers Union -- "I can remember when the air was clean and sex was dirty." - George Burns aubade - a song greeting the dawn From hiller at alum.mit.edu Wed Mar 29 06:35:21 2006 From: hiller at alum.mit.edu (Marty Hiller) Date: Wed Mar 29 06:36:51 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Saudi breakfast, turkey guts, energy accounting... In-Reply-To: <6.2.1.2.2.20060325094847.01e32278@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> References: <20060324.211549.1568.1.northsheep@juno.com> <6.2.1.2.2.20060325094847.01e32278@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> Message-ID: <3087120c9f029399faba38516604c9e6@alum.mit.edu> I was startled by the idea of focussing attention on all the "bad" foods you need to avoid. What works for me is to rejoice in the opportunity to eat so many yummy healthy feel-good foods, and to avoid shopping in places that confront me with too many compromises and not enough choices. I draw as much spiritual nourishment from my home-grown veggies as I do sustenance. And when I buy luxury foods (which I do fairly often) I treat them as luxuries, not sins. When I hear the "bad" word it's generally from people who are resisting change, not from people who are practicing change. I think we're so conditioned to respond to change messages with guilt and shame that we go there entirely on our own. It's kind of like, "I'm busy, I'm comfortable, I don't want to change, please don't make me think about it." I don't always buy according to my values either, but I feel good about it when I do, and that's incentive enough. What I think about the downer of reality checks is that the only way to get over that is to get over it. Reality is dire and gruesome right now, at least if you're talking about future prospects for humankind. Any movement that denies that reality is built on sand. Once we truly accept -- at a gut level -- that there's no magic bullet, we're in a much better position to evaluate our situation and make substantive changes. All this angst and hopeless despair arises from the lingering fantasy that maybe, just maybe, we can solve this problem with a few simple tweaks (substitute organic for conventional at the supermarket, substitute bio for fossil at the pump) and life can go on as usual. Ain't gonna happen. The times they are a'changin', to quote a fellow Minnesotan. You better get off your duff or you'll sink like a stone (or words to that effect.) For me it's not about guilt or shame or ascetic lifestyles. It's pure practicality. Change doesn't happen overnight, and the sooner we get our bicycles in gear the further along the change curve we'll be when the fertilizer hits the fan. You do what you can, you hope for the best. That's all you can do. - Marty p.s. The bicycle food-fuel issue sounds like a red herring to me. There are so many holes in that argument it might as well be a sieve. On Mar 25, 2006, at 10:48 AM, Robinne Gray wrote: > ST folks, > > After our recent exchanges about turkey guts into oil, I surfed into > an article that begins with a provocative assertion about > muscle-powered transport, meat-eating, and energy use: "Most people > think that bicycling doesn't use gas, but actually it does. It takes > lots of fossil fuel to produce the food for the cyclist's calories -- > and cycling requires more food fuel than driving.....David Pimentel of > Cornell University calculates that it takes nearly twice as much > fossil energy to produce a typical American diet than a pure > vegetarian diet...." (from > http://bicycleuniverse.info/transpo/beef.html). I thought of posting > the article here, then decided not to, thinking it too much of a > downer--even though it wasn't the intent of the author to depress > everybody. > > Much of the hopeful vision offered by the sustainability movement is > undercut by the negative counterthreads generated by well intentioned > attempts to be clear-eyed in our assessments. Eating meat is bad > because of animal suffering and wasted energy....eating food from out > of one's bioregion or out of season is bad because of transport/fuel > costs...eating organic isn't particularly helpful either...biofuel > costs more energy to produce than is gained...producing photovoltaic > cells is not a clean industry...on and on it goes. It resembles the > way the left/progressives expend a lot of their energy on internecine > squabbles, thus weakening their position from within, while the right > is better at creating a united front and thus in accomplishing its > goals. I get concerned that we could suffer from > paralysis-by-analysis, or an insistence on purity, that discourages > movement. I am not arguing for recklessness or naivete...just > wondering where the balance is between caution and exploration. > > Last year I attended a session called "Planning Lessons from Burning > Man" at the APA (city planning) conference. The first panelist, a > founder of the Burning Man festival, asserted the need for visionary > leadership, and used the analogy of President Kennedy declaring that > we would put a man on the moon, without knowing how or when or even > how feasible that might be. > > ~Robinne > > > At 09:15 PM 3/24/2006, Karl wrote: >> Bravo Chad! (and Kenneth for posting this) for the rare, honest (even >> poetic) expos? of designer organic, showing how far it, and all >> organic >> is from really sustainable (and I have been an organic farmer for 20 >> years!). ... > > _______________________________________________ > SustainableTompkins mailing list > SustainableTompkins@lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > ------------------------- Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. -- Clarissa Pinkola Estes From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Wed Mar 29 10:20:46 2006 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Wed Mar 29 10:22:57 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainable Tompkins Community Gathering -Thursday, April 6 Message-ID: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AND WHAT WE EACH CAN DO ABOUT IT Sustainable Tompkins invites you to our monthly networking and learning gathering on Wednesday, April 6 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension on 615 Willow Ave. The event will begin with a potluck dinner -including many locally grown and produced foods - and people will have a chance to share their interests in and involvements with personal and/or community sustainability. Dr. Jason Hamilton, Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at Ithaca College, will present a talk and slide show on how our global climate is changing and what we can do about. The presentation has been a "hit" all over the IC campus and the Ithaca area in the last year. Jason's captivating images and engaging style make it easy to understand the state of our planet's life support system, the emergence and meaning of the sustainability movement, and key areas for people to focus on to turn the situation around. Following Jason's presentation and time for questions, participants will be invited to offer examples of people and groups who ARE effectively addressing these issues, as well as ways that we ourselves can make a difference on a personal and collective basis. We hope to leave the evening inspired with realistic examples of what is possible even in the face of a daunting situation. Please join us, bring a dish to pass, and invite a friend or two! For more information, contact: Elan Shapiro Sustainable Tompkins Program Co-Chair elansla@ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us, 607-275-0249. Sustainable Tompkins is a coalition of citizens, community organizations, elected officials, educators and professionals from diverse fields - all working to promote a more just and sustainable community. www.sustainabletompkins.org -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Living Associates and Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Wed Mar 29 11:48:25 2006 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Wed Mar 29 11:49:08 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Note correction in text -event is Thu April 6 Message-ID: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AND WHAT WE EACH CAN DO ABOUT IT Sustainable Tompkins invites you to our monthly networking and learning gathering on Thursday April 6 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension on 615 Willow Ave. The event will begin with a potluck dinner -including many locally grown and produced foods - and people will have a chance to share their interests in and involvements with personal and/or community sustainability. Dr. Jason Hamilton, Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at Ithaca College, will present a talk and slide show on how our global climate is changing and what we can do about. The presentation has been a "hit" all over the IC campus and the Ithaca area in the last year. Jason's captivating images and engaging style make it easy to understand the state of our planet's life support system, the emergence and meaning of the sustainability movement, and key areas for people to focus on to turn the situation around. Following Jason's presentation and time for questions, participants will be invited to offer examples of people and groups who ARE effectively addressing these issues, as well as ways that we ourselves can make a difference on a personal and collective basis. We hope to leave the evening inspired with realistic examples of what is possible even in the face of a daunting situation. Please join us, bring a dish to pass, and invite a friend or two! For more information, contact: Elan Shapiro Sustainable Tompkins Program Co-Chair elansla@ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us, 607-275-0249. Sustainable Tompkins is a coalition of citizens, community organizations, elected officials, educators and professionals from diverse fields - all working to promote a more just and sustainable community. www.sustainabletompkins.org -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Living Associates and Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi From drk5 at cornell.edu Thu Mar 30 18:04:53 2006 From: drk5 at cornell.edu (Dean Koyanagi) Date: Thu Mar 30 18:05:05 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] "A Look Back at Politics: The Legacy of Activism at Cornell" In-Reply-To: <3087120c9f029399faba38516604c9e6@alum.mit.edu> References: <20060324.211549.1568.1.northsheep@juno.com> <6.2.1.2.2.20060325094847.01e32278@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> <3087120c9f029399faba38516604c9e6@alum.mit.edu> Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060330210147.0762bf38@postoffice7.mail.cornell.edu> I thought this might interest some of our members. "A LOOK BACK AT POLITICS: THE LEGACY OF ACTIVISM AT CORNELL" April 10 - April 22, Willard Straight Browsing Library: "FIFTY YEARS OF POLITICAL ACTIVISM AT CORNELL: A PHOTO EXHIBIT." A part of the series "A Look Back at Politics: The Legacy of Activism at Cornell." April 10 7:30, Anabel Taylor Auditorium: FR. DANIEL BERRIGAN. A part of the series "A Look Back at Politics: The Legacy of Activism at Cornell." Proceeds of the talk will benefit the St Patrick's Four. A part of the series "A Look Back at Politics: The Legacy of Activism at Cornell." April 17 6:30, Willard Straight Auditorium: ACTIVIST FILM NIGHT. Three documentary films by students and faculty at Cornell: "Straight '69," "Guantanamo," and "Showdown at Redbud Woods." Followed by a panel with James Turner, Africana Studies and Research Center, and the filmmakers. A part of the series "A Look Back at Politics: The Legacy of Activism at Cornell." April 22, 1:00 - 6:00, Lewis Auditorium: CONFERENCE: CAMPUS ACTIVISM PAST AND PRESENT: THE CORNELL EXPERIENCE FIRST PANEL (1:00 - 3:30): THE DIVESTMENT MOVEMENT TWENTY YEARS LATER. Panelists will include Professor David Lyons, Boston University; Professor Phil Gasper; Kelly MacGowan; and Professor James Turner, moderator. SECOND PANEL (4:00 - 6:00): REMEMBERING THE PAST, RE-BUILDING THE FUTURE: AN INTERGENERATIONAL DIALOGUE. Panelists will be past and former political activists at Cornell. A part of the series "A Look Back at Politics: The Legacy of Activism at Cornell." APRIL 22, 8:00, place TBA: CELEBRATING POLITICAL COMMITMENT: A CONCERT BY LOCAL MUSICIANS. From Wericclay at aol.com Fri Mar 31 05:00:13 2006 From: Wericclay at aol.com (Wericclay@aol.com) Date: Fri Mar 31 05:00:26 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Upcoming series on the practices of science and religion Message-ID: <244.9a2aee0.315e81dd@aol.com> Many of us draw on many resources to inform our practices. It is the same for the people with whom we work. For many, one of the more awkward tensions is between science and religion, spirituality or faith. This series will address that tension in constructive ways. You or those with whom you work may find it useful. I can send details on each session, if you want. Contact info is at the bottom. Eric Clay, Community Coach, Shared Journeys Is there common ground between scientists and people of faith? Perspectives on living the practices of science & religion. Accomplished scientists ? Jewish, Christian, Muslim and atheist who are also fluent in the practices of faith and religion ? will address three dimensions of the work of science and faith. The three sessions will be held April 9, 23, and 30 from 3:30 ? 5:30 p.m. in the Auditorium at Kendal of Ithaca. The moderated sessions will include opening comments from panelists followed by an hour of open conversation. Sponsored by Area Congregations Together, The Interfaith Activities Committee of the Residents? Association of Kendal at Ithaca and Shared Journeys. The Experience of Faith and Science: Being human and discovering what we still need to know. Roald Hoffmann, Professor of chemistry, Dept of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, published poet, atheist and author on the relationship of Judaism and science. The Practices of Religion and Science: Searching for understanding ? clarifying what we know and its implications for practice. Joe Regenstein, Professor of Food Science, Cornell University, member Temple Beth-El, Ithaca, advisor to national Halal and Kosher (Muslim and Jewish) food certification organizations, dining service advisor and product developer. Joseph Ballantyne, Professor Emeritus, Electrical and Computer Engineering, former Vice President for Research, Cornell University, an Elder in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Director of the LDS Institute of Religion at Cornell. Truth and Community: Shaping and challenging boundaries: The formation of scientists and persons of faith. Mossaad Abdel-Ghany, Senior Research Associate in Molecular Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, a Muslim from the Sunni tradition and recent coordinator of Friday prayers at Annabel Taylor Hall. Tom Owens, Associate Professor, Plant Biology and Biophysics, Cornell University teaches introductory biology for majors, serves as an Elder and member of Session at The First Presbyterian Church, Ithaca, and has led clergy in the local Presbytery in a study of science and religion. About the Series: This series proceeds on the notion that science, religion and faith, while in some ways different, are essentially complementary, sharing some common ground. The practice of each is subject to similar distortions; each flourishes under similar conditions. Any ?war? between science and religion is an exercise in one group of vested interests seeking privilege over the other. Eric Clay, M.Div., Ph.D., series organizer and discussion moderator. Community Coach, Shared Journeys, Inc. Over twenty years of work with persons of any faith or none at all, especially in health care and adult education. Ordained Minister, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). For more information, contact: _wericclay@aol.com_ (mailto:wericclay@aol.com) or 607-592-6874. From rlg2 at cornell.edu Fri Mar 31 05:27:44 2006 From: rlg2 at cornell.edu (Robinne Gray) Date: Fri Mar 31 05:28:30 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] The Future of Transportation: TODAY @ 3:30 Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20060331082659.033de008@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> "New mobility is where transport meets the new economy. It is the future of mobility: how we all are innovating and evolving to meet our emerging social, economic and environmental needs. It is about moving people, moving goods, moving less, moving minds, and moving money, in ways that are integrated, service-oriented, sustainable, safe, and knowledge-based. It reaches out to include telecommunications, urban form, development, finance, tourism, logistics, and a broad range of other services, products and technologies." The Sustainable Built Environment speaker series continues with our second speaker 3/31: SUSAN ZIELINSKI Friday, March 31 3:30pm Warren Hall Auditorium (B45) Cornell University * * * * * Sue Zielinski has worked for over 20 years catalyzing innovative, collaborative partnerships for sustainable transportation and healthy cities. She recently became director of the Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility Research and Transformation (SMART) project at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Prior to joining SMART, she spent a year as a Harvard Loeb Fellow focusing on innovation and leadership for New Mobility, which reconceives transportation issues in terms of mobility and access. Previously she was co-founder and Director of Moving the Economy, a Toronto-based partnership of government, industry, and community working to support new mobility sector development. Moving the Economy created MTE OnLine, a searchable inventory of economic success stories in which sustainable transportation ventures have boosted business, created jobs, saved money, or revitalized local economies. In her former work as a transportation planner for the City of Toronto, Ms. Zielinski worked on initiatives such as smog reduction, green tourism, bicycle commuting, and the movement of urban goods. She has advised on a range of local and international initiatives, including the National Advisory Committee on Energy Efficiency, Transport Canada's Sustainable Development Advisory Committee, the OECD's Environmentally Sustainable Transport Project, the jury of the Stockholm Partnerships for Sustainable Cities, the Gridlock Panel of the Ontario Smart Growth Initiative, the Centre for Sustainable Transportation, the European Conference of Transport Ministers, and the Kyoto Cities Initiative International Advisory Panel. She is a Registered Professional Planner and member of the Canadian Institute of Planners. * * * * * * From dnr6 at cornell.edu Fri Mar 31 19:07:01 2006 From: dnr6 at cornell.edu (Daniel Roth) Date: Fri Mar 31 19:12:49 2006 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainable Community Dev't and AI with Marian Zeitlin Message-ID: > Please forward widely.... > >>> The Cornell Participatory Action Research Network (CPARN) invites >>> you to attend the following special event: >>> >>> ?A presentation / discussion on Sustainable Community Development >>> and AI (Appreciative Inquiry) with Professor Marian Zeitlin. >>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >>> Wednesday, April 5, 2006 >>> 4:30 - 6:00pm >>> MVR Hall, G87 HD Conference Room??? Refreshments will be served. >>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >>> Marian is director of the Ecoyoff Living and Learning Center in >>> Senegal, co-founder of CRESP (Center of Resources for the Emergence >>> of Social Participation - affiliated with the CRESP at Cornell). She >>> is a former and visiting professor at Tufts University, Boston, and >>> courtesy professor at Cornell University. Marian is a specialist in >>> social science and action research, as well as program design >>> methods, all of which she practiced and taught in the context of >>> international food and nutrition programs.? >>> >>> For the past few years, Professor Zeitlin has been directing >>> programs for students from American and other universities, and >>> pairing them with a Senegalese partner, through Living Routes' study >>> abroad program. Together, they work and do research on various >>> topics, such as microenterprise and nutrition. >>> >>> I got to experience some of this myself, in 2004 and 2005, and it >>> was fantastic and life-changing! >>> >>> Appreciative Inquiry is the study and exploration of what gives life >>> to human systems when they are at their best. It is an organization >>> development methodology based on the assumption that inquiry into >>> and dialogue about strengths, successes, values, hopes and dreams is >>> itself transformational. In short, Appreciative Inquiry suggests >>> that human organizing and change, at its best, is a relational >>> process of inquiry, grounded in affirmation and appreciation. Once >>> selected, affirmative topics such as "inspired leadership," "optimal >>> margins," or "culture as competitive advantage" guide the 4-D Cycle >>> of Discovery, Dream, Design and Destiny. (taken from >>> http://www.positivechange.org/appreciative-inquiry.html). >>> >>> See more AI links below! >>> >>> Please join us for this event, Everyone is welcome! >>> Funded in part by GPSAFC >>> >>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >>> Ellen Maranca >>> PhD Candidate in Policy Analysis & Management >>> 120 MVR Hall >>> Cornell University >>> Ithaca, NY 14853 >>> >>> ?http://www.positivechange.org/appreciative-inquiry.html This is >>> especially related to organizational/ leadership development. >>> >>> http://appreciativeinquiry.case.edu/intro/classicsDetail.cfm? >>> coid=647 this is one of the classic articles discussing the theories >>> around positive change in organizations. >>> Positive Image, Positive Action: The Affirmative Basis of Organizing >>> by David L Cooperrider. This will take you to Appreciative Inquiry >>> Commons, a tremendous resource on AI. >>> http://www.iisd.org/ai/#top? This describes AI and has links to AI >>> projects in India and Canada. >>> >>> ?http://www.cresp.sn/llc.htm About CRESP/ Ecoyoff Living & Learning >>> Center >> http://www.livingroutes.com Living Routes website, about study-abroad >> programs in Senegal plus six other countries. >> >> http://appreciativeinquiry.case.edu/intro/bestcasesDetail.cfm? >> coid=3218 this is called "AI in Diversity Work: Avon Mexico"by Debbie >> Morris and Marge Schiller (1/1/03). An? (abbreviated, not detailed) >> example of AI in action - helping women break through the glass >> ceiling in Mexico. >> >> http://appreciativeinquiry.case.edu/uploads/ >> KTM%202020%20report%20August%202004.doc this is the Kathmandu 2020 >> Progress Report on the Kathmandu 2020 project happening in Nepal. >> This multi-year project aims at bringing all stakeholders together >> using AI to create the future of the country.? >> >> http://appreciativeinquiry.case.edu/practice/bibAiStoriesDetail.cfm? >> coid=6981 Building Collective Engagement and Community Visions >> Subtitle: AI in Senegalese Eco-Village Development Projects. This is >> written from the AI trainers' perspectives. >> >> http://www.positivedeviance.org/projects/seneanem/? This explains the >> Positive Deviance approach to iron deficiency in Senegal. >