I wouldn’t ordinarily tell someone to go out and buy a book, but this one is definitely one I think should be added to every household.  It’s a great book for newlyweds or college kids or folks who are starting out on their own.  Why?  The book is full of useful, practical, environmentally friendly tricks and tips for day-to-day house keeping.
It’s a compilation from Reader’s Digest–I know, I know–Yes, that book your gramma has on the little shelf in the bathroom.  But think about all the stuff your gramma knows how to fix and organize and DO.  Think of how we have changed our mentality of thrift to going out and buying convenience or buying all kinds of single purpose tools.  Yet, we already have tons of stuff in our pantries and cupboards and junk drawers that could do a lot more if we only thought differently about their uses.
If you try to read it cover to cover in one setting, you’ll be overwhelmed–there’s over 2300 tips!  Instead, read it a little each night or thumb through it and read whatever bits strike your fancy.  There’s tons of photos, drawings, and sidebars which break up all the concentrated information.  You will be a greener Know-it-All in no time.  It has everything from cleaning to cooking, storage to organizing and repairing– making play-dough and more.  You will save money, buy fewer tools, you will use (and flush) fewer harmful chemicals down the drain, you will be more useful to others and you’ll be richer in experience!  Unfortunately, the library won’t let you keep it forever, so get it used from a used book store instead.

For two years now, I’ve been sharing a little kooky idea to create a fleet of trikes that have the capability to water the newly planted trees, flower beds and planters throughout our neighborhood–using rain water! (see kooky napkin sketch at left).
The necessity of this hit home yesterday as I was driving up Dodge and noticed too many of the new trees look dry and knowing I don’t have an easy way to fix the problem.
We haven’t had much luck getting the Hydro Buffalo idea funded. I thought maybe “if I could just get it started” with a prototype–at least ONE trike, then riding that suped-up trike around could prove to everyone that it’s not just a kooky idea–it’s a GREAT kooky idea! and eventually we’d be able to expand the fleet.

Before you ask–YES, Blue Bike and Riverkeeper are aware of this idea, and we hope our collective audience is excited to help–we’re all in the same boat though. We need one adult trike to get us started! If anyone out there can donate a solid adult trike we can then weld a cart and get this thing rolling.  If you think you can help–please get in touch with Caesandra at volunteer {at} buffaloreuse(.)org or call 716-885-4131

Here’s the other part of the proposal if you are “People who know People”
Read the rest of this entry »

Governance for a NEW New York
The Coalition for Economic Justice to host State Senate Candidates Forum

What: An opportunity for the Buffalo public to interface directly with the State Senate Candidates in Erie County (58th, 59th, 60th and 61st districts) and to seek insight regarding candidates’ plans for the state.
When: Thursday July 29th, 2010 at 5:30p.m
Where: Allen Hall Theatre University at Buffalo – South Campus
Who: Coalition for Economic Justice, State Senate Candidates, Community, Faith, and Labor Leaders.
Why: The elections for State Senate will be held on November 2nd. CEJ seeks to promote opportunities for citizens to meet and learn more about the candidates that will directly affect the residents of Erie County and its communities. This forum will provide concerned citizens with a chance to hear directly from the candidates and to foster a dialogue between community members and elected officials.

The Coalition for Economic Justice and our allies are interested in how the candidates plan on addressing some of the major issues impacting the greater Buffalo area: sound economic growth and development, public accountability for government and enterprise, and providing good jobs to residents.

You are probably seeing more and more rain barrels popping up in gardens, driveways, and backyards — if you haven’t found one for yourself yet, look no further.

And if you do not yet know: rain barrels can make a huge impact on our local ecology by conserving rain water, slowing water runoff, and preventing pollution and debris from being carried into our waterways and municipal systems.  Installing a rain barrel allows you to catch clean, untreated water that has fallen from the sky and hold it there until you need it — taking a bit of the burden off your tapwater, and the municipalities that make it.  If everyone in the city did this, think of the difference that could be made!!!

You will most likely see rain barrels all over if you are out and about for Buffalo’s Garden Walk this weekend, so if you get jealous and have the urge to keep up with the Joneses (or just want to water your garden or wash your car), you can get yourself a rainbarrel from our store at 298 Northampton for just $30.

We hope you’ll join Michael Gainer and others as we share really inspiring examples of community building and neighborhood improvement efforts from around the country–even some from other countries!

This is an opportunity to throw off the cynicism and see how regular people lead the way in creating thriving neighborhoods.  You are the best person to start making a difference because you know your neighborhood and the kind of neighborhood where you want to live.

Gracious Hostess, Prish Moran, is allowing us to meet with you at her cafe, Sweet_ness7 –from 6-8pm Tuesday, July 20th.  We really hope you can make some time to be inspired–bring a friend or a new face!

(oops Caesandra put the wrong date on the printed calendar) It’s THIS SATURDAY–July 10th!!! From noon-4pm at the corner of Vermont & Normal.
If you want to participate in the Really REALLY FREE MARKET, Here’s the rules:
Bring what you can–it can be a song, a dance, books, CDs, artwork, art supplies, plants, baked goods

• NO Sale
• NO Barter
• NO Trade
• Everything must be FREE

You can take whatever is offered
This is the ultimate form of reuse.

A message from Jason Crane, executive director of the New York Bicycling Coalition (and Green Options Buffalo):
New York State’s ‘Complete Streets’ Bill Is In Jeopardy—We Need Your Help!

TAKE ACTION:
We’re asking you to make one phone call, with a one-sentence appeal: “Please amend the ‘complete streets’ bill (Assembly Bill 8587-a) so that it matches the version passed in the Senate on June 17.”
Assemblyman David Gantt’s contact info:
District Office: 585-454-3670
Albany Office: 518-455-5606
GanttD {at} assembly.state.ny(.)us

(June 22, 2010) — In Albany, bicycling advocates are working overtime to help assure the passage of a Complete Streets law—sweeping legislation that will create more livable, bikeable and walkable communities across the state. This proposed law would direct the state Department of Transportation to consider bicycle and pedestrian accommodations in the planning and development of state, county, and local roads and other transportation facilities. NYBC is working closing with the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, AARP and other groups to get this legislation passed.

On June 17, the Senate passed the bill 53-3. Unfortunately, Assemblyman David Gantt of Rochester has amended the Assembly version of the bill in a way that would render the legislation nearly useless. Assemblyman Gantt’s amended bill covers only state roads, meaning that more than 90% of the roads in New York State would not be covered by the law. Additionally, of the 21 most dangerous roads in the state, as defined in a recent study by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, only 6 would be covered under Assemblyman Gantt’s amended version of the law.

The only way to get this process back on track is if we can get bicycling advocates — particularly those in Rochester, where Assembly Gantt is based — to make their voices heard!
Thank you for supporting Complete Streets in New York State!
Sincerely,
Jason Crane
Executive Director
New York Bicycling Coalition

You may already know gazelle.com I promise, it’s not the guy with the orange tan and ponytail.
It’s a site that will take some specific types of electronic gear–ipods, iphones, laptops, computers, external hard drives, even movies and they give you cash. Get paid for being a responsible consumer?! That’s amazing!
You can also donate part of your refund to charity–be responsible and generous with their Gazelle for Good program!  If your job or office is upgrading their company issued technology–maybe this is a way they can give back.
Search the site for charities that interest you OR allow me to suggest one! Buffalo’s Tool Library would love to benefit from your electronics cleanouts!  Checkout the gadget drive that we created for funding our Community Programs http://buffaloreuse.gazelle.com

Join Us for Food Matters: A Four Film Series

Film has become a powerful medium when exploring controversial topics or when making a point about a particular subject. For the last several years those concerned with the state of our food supply in this country have done well in exploring, exposing, and initiating dialogue on this critical subject. The Lexington Cooperative Market and Edible Buffalo have joined together to present Food Matters: A Four Film Series. The films selected for the series are some of the most critically acclaimed on the topic of food production, food supply and the overall state of our food economy. The series includes the following films; King Corn, The Real Dirt on Farmer John, Dirt! The Movie, and FRESH. Each screening will take place at Hallwalls ContemporaryArt Center in Buffalo.

King Corn was first released in 2007 and explores the tenuous topic of corn production in the United States. As America’s most subsidized crop, this film follows to young gentleman as they try to follow their corn crop as it enters our food system. What they learn is both troubling and eye-opening as it raises many questions about how we eat and how we farm. As more and more industrial food companies are coming under fire for their prevalent use of high fructose corn syrup in their products, this film continues to be timely and relevant. The screening date for this film is May 27, 2010 at HallwallsContemporaryArtCenter at 341 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo. Doors open at 6:30pm with the film beginning promptly at 7pm.
The Real Dirt on Farmer John is the true story of third-generation Illinois farmer John Peterson and how he struggles to stay afloat as family farms decline. His story is one that parallels the history of American farming. His family farm eventually hits rock bottom but Peterson is able to turn things around and become one of the leaders in the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) movement as head of Angelic Organics. The screening date for this film is June 30, 2010 at HallwallsContemporaryArtCenter at 341 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo. Doors open at 6:30pm with the film beginning promptly at 7pm.
Dirt! The Movie takes on the unlikely subject of soil. This film tells the story of Earth’s most valuable and underappreciated resource. Through modern industrial pursuits and the clamoring for both profit and natural resources, our human connection to dirt has been disrupted. The film makes the case that drought, climate change, even war all directly related to how we are treating our soils. The only remedy is to reconnect with this precious natural resource. The screening date for this film is July 28, 2010 at HallwallsContemporaryArtCenter at 341 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo. Doors open at 6:30pm with the film beginning promptly at 7pm.
The Food Matters film series concludes with an encore screening of FRESH. As films like Food Inc. and Super Size Me expose the pitfalls and wrong doings of our industrial food system, FRESH goes in the direction of looking at solutions to our ailing food supply by celebrating the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Among several main characters, FRESH features urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, a 2008 MacArthur’s “Genius Award” fellow; sustainable farmer and entrepreneur, Joel Salatin, made famous by Michael Pollan’s book, the Omnivore’s Dilemma; and supermarket owner, David Ball, who is creating a new market model for our family farmers. FRESH’s focus on these inspiring individuals and their initiatives around the US provides the audience with actionable solutions. The screening date for this film is September 30, 2010 at HallwallsContemporaryArtCenter at 341 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo. Doors open at 6:30pm with the film beginning promptly at 7pm.

Each film is approximately 85 minutes in length and will be followed by an audience discussion. Tickets for each film are $8.00 for general admission and $6.00 for Lexington Cooperative Market members, Edible Buffalo subscribers, seniors and students. There is also a series pass available for $20.00 which provides you admission to all four films. Tickets are available at the Lexington Cooperative Market at 807 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo or online at www.ediblebuffalo.com. The net proceeds from the film series will benefit Field & Fork Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting local consumers and food industry professionals with area farmers and artisan food producers.

I’m finally free of classes for the semester and am able to write again. I felt that I also had to write something about the ongoing Gulf of Mexico oil spill because it demonstrates exactly why we need to live more sustainably; use less, recycle more, and live in sustainable communities.

First, I recently heard an old song that reminded me that the first and ultimate tragedy is the loss of life of the workers, and energy miners everywhere. This accident is a poignant reminder that every electron that charges our cell phone, every old carpet we throw away, etc… contains energy and there are people at the bottom of this chain.

The midnight, the morning, or the middle of day,
Is the same to the miner who labors away.
Where the demons of death often come by surprise,
One fall of the slate and you’re buried alive.

It’s dark as a dungeon and damp as the dew,
Where danger is double and pleasures are few,
Where the rain never falls and the sun never shines
It’s dark as a dungeon way down in the mine.

“Dark as  Dungeon”

Merle Travis, 1946

Concerning the environment, It’s been 22 days (April 20) since the rig “Deepwater Horizon” burned and sunk. The leak is estimated spout about 200,000 gallons a day, but that number seems to be a guestimate at best. Using that number I calculate that 4,400,000 (four and a half million) gallons have been spilled so far. For perspective, the Exxon Valdez was estimated to have spilled 10,000,000 (ten million) gallons. Despite the best efforts the Gulf leak shows no sign of being stopped soon.

The leak… well maybe leak is too light a word, since oil is blowing out at about 180 gallons per minute. Fire hoses put out about 200 gallons per minute. In the two minutes of writing here that was 400 gallons of oil.

The leak is 5000 feet below the sea. This is an alien environment where the water pressure is a  crushing 2200 psi (pounds per square inch). If an average human male has about 2900 square inches of skin, he would experience a total of 6,500,000 pounds (about 7 elephants) pushing on him.

The temperature is just above freezing. The cold and extreme pressure causes methane gas in the oil to freeze as it emerges. It is like a tar slushy and it won’t flow through pipes. This is why the recent attempt to cap it with a giant container to funnel the oil to ships failed.

Crude oil itself has many consistencies, often likened to chocolate chocolate mousse. It is composed of a soup of millions of chemicals , it is full of gases, mud and other debris. In the cold many globs solidify and sink to the bottom. Larger globs coalesce from the slick and sink back down to the bottom.

The lighter hydrocarbons (eg gasoline [properly: hexanes, octanes, heptanes] ) and fluffy stuff float on the top where they drift to shore. Sunlight, oxygen, combined with waves “weather” the oil, emulsifying it and making it more soluble – much like a well-shaken Italian salad-dressing. This complicates oil removal as this oil cannot be easily skimmed. Some of the lighter hydrocarbons (e.g. propane or butane) evaporate into the atmosphere. Read the rest of this entry »