Ask Prof. Cricket

Eco-traveling and translations services

2012-01-21T06:56:00.010-06:00

One way to learn more about the environment is to travel. Traveling is fun and a person’s eyes can be opened to new ideas. When you come home you look at your home city with fresh eyes. But if you are going to travel to a land where the people speak a different language than you, you might want to check out translation services first. One service is Rosetta. As I look over their site it seems they are mostly for business. You could check them out for your personal travel. They translate documents and will do something called cuchotage or whispered simultaneous interpreting. (Chuchotage is French.) This type of interpretation is good for groups of four or less.

Eco-travel is something that is growing in popularity. The word eco-travel can mean two things, either traveling to see environmental wonders (or everyday sites), or it can refer to what kind of a carbon footprint you leave on the environment. Do an Internet search for eco-tourism and see what you might find.

Everyday little things like shopping choices make a difference

2012-01-21T06:27:00.006-06:00

It’s those little boring things that a person does everyday that can contribute to society. I find that every consumer decision I make is also an reflection of my commitment to the environment. For example, purchasing a shower curtain can be a reflection of your conviction to the environment. I kept the same shower curtain for years, because I didn’t want to throw my old one in the landfill AND because I was worried about off-gassing of PVCs a new plastic curtain would produce. PVC is polyvinyl chloride. It contains phthalates, which is a toxic plastic softener, used in the coating of shower curtains. Phthalates have been linked to hormone disruption, cancer, and liver and kidney disease. You’ve heard about them in plastic baby bottles.

Today I have been asked to blog about shower curtains for www.become.com, you might want to check their links to shower curtains . I will see if they have some environmentally friendly shower curtains.

In looking over their selection at http://www.become.com/splash-home-shower-curtain I don’t see any that specifically advertise that they do not contain PVCs, but one option you have is to pick a cloth curtain.

Another topic I’ve been asked to blog about is a square teak table for 8. If you follow this link to the www.become.com site you will see tables. I would say to choose a table that is made in the United States, close to you. Teak typically is not grown in the United States.

The third topic I’ve been asked to mention is a bedding comforter with a Mario theme. As I look at the link I see most are made of polyester so you will have decide if you want all natural fabric or if your child’s desire for a Super Mario them overrides the environmentalist in you. Sometimes you have to give in to keep peace in the family.

Minnesotans thank the EPA

2012-01-19T08:05:00.012-06:00

By Rebecca Bischoff

Environmental reporter/writer

On a sub-zero day in day in Duluth Minnesotans gathered at the Environmental Protection Agency office near Lake Superior to thank the agency for issuing strong new mercury pollution safeguards. They presented a large thank you card signed by local Duluthians and a banner made by Girl Scout Troop 12965. In December, the EPA finalized strong public health safeguards to limit mercury and other toxic pollution from coal power plants.

Caption: Dr. Carl Richards, Director of the Duluth EPA laboratory, shakes hands with Sierra Club member John Doberstein as he accepts a thank you card signed by Duluthians in support of stronger mercury emission regulations for coal power plants. To Richards left is a banner made by Girl Scout Troop 12965.

Attendance included members of the Sierra Club, the Duluth faith community, Duluth City Council, Izaak Walter League, and University of Minnesota Duluth students.

Sierra Club member John Doberstein said the new safeguards will slash mercury emissions from coal power plants by up to 90%.

City Councilor Linda Krug said she has heard from citizens concerned about Lake Superior’s water quality. “Toxic levels of mercury in Lake Superior are not what we want for Duluth, Minnesota, or America.”

Pastor David Carlson of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church spoke of the importance of creation care and being a voice for the voiceless. “They [wildlife and future generations] can’t help it, but we can,” he said of environmental issues.

Sportsman Darrel Spencer of the Izaac Walter League said his family’s diet consists of large amount of wild game. “It sickens me that we have to limit our fish intake in [waters as pristine as] the boundary waters.”

Kate Mensing, a member of MPING, a UMD student group that focuses on issues of environmental and social justice, said her group was involved because mercury pollution “affects both wildlife and citizens.”

According to the EPA, these new standards will prevent up to 150 premature deaths in Minnesota annually and create up to $1.2 billion in health benefits each year.

Rebecca Bischoff has a degree in environmental science from Northland College, Ashland Wisc. She lives in Duluth and is interested in fitness and nutrition and all issues relating to environmental protection.

GPS

2012-01-15T12:55:00.001-06:00

Contribution by Stevie Kirby

My husband refuses to use a GPS. We got one a few years ago and I thought it was the coolest thing because it would save us so much time by keeping us from having to look up directions. We keep the GPS in my car because that is the car we use more frequently when we are going somewhere with our whole family. Whenever my husband is going to drive somewhere, he always looks up directions online. He says that he wants to use our clear Dallas internet to make sure that we have directions in case something happens to the GPS. However, once he gets in the car, he refuses to look at the GPS and only uses his written directions. I told him that he needs to trust modern technology because it is safer to use the GPS than trying to read a piece of paper while driving. His response was that the GPS does not always go the quickest way and that sometimes the GPS is incorrect. I do remember one time when we were going to a wedding and the GPS told us to turn on a road that did not exist and we ended up being late to the wedding. I still think it is safer to travel with a GPS than reading paper while driving. I guess it does not hurt to have a backup though.

The story of cosmetics

2011-09-05T15:40:00.000-05:00

2011-09-05T15:39:00.001-05:00

BPA

2011-08-21T15:27:00.000-05:00

Fact: Bisphenol A (BPA), which has been associated with diabetes, heart disease and obesity, is found in the blood of 92 percent of all Americans over the age of five.

Tip: Purchase foods packaged in Tetra Paks.

Even if the FDA isn't paying attention, the media is! | Sarah Janssen's Blog | Switchboard, from NRDC

2011-08-21T15:25:00.000-05:00

Even if the FDA isn't paying attention, the media is! | Sarah Janssen's Blog | Switchboard, from NRDC

Smart Woman: Global Mamas

2011-08-16T19:01:00.001-05:00

Smart Woman: Global Mamas

UMW National Seminar 2011 at Linn Park

2011-08-16T14:29:00.002-05:00

Esmeralda Brown stands at the Gazebo in Linn Park with United Methodist Women in the background.
Polly Pearson made a sign for clean water.

Transformation UMW National Seminar 2011

2011-08-16T09:56:00.001-05:00

Put your fears in the Saturday Cave.
Tell your sister she is transformed and anoint her.

The symbolic Saturday Cave.

Busy Day

2011-08-15T19:05:00.002-05:00

We had a busy day today. We visited Pratt City, where a tornado had devasted a neighborhood in Birmingham.
We also visited the McCoy Center.

Another stop we made was at the Southern Environmental Center at Birmingham Southern College

We are also particpating in Meatless Monday.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

2011-08-15T08:12:00.006-05:00

Last night we toured the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

It is across the street from the 16th Street Baptist in 1962 church which was bombed. Dozens were hurt. Four girls attending Sunday School were killed.
This man was met outside and gave us a little history. He also said, "No cameras allowed." I took a photo of his back with the Negro League logos.

You can follow some of out lectures and Bible studies here at UMW National Seminar 2011

Snippets of words that touch my heart at the UMW National Seminar 2011 Birmingham Ala.

2011-08-14T13:37:00.003-05:00

I have been posting snippets of sentences that speak to me as I listen to our speakers at the National Seminar.

"Poverty is a slap in the face of God."

Why does domestic violence happen? Because it can.

Batterers are made, not born.

Violence happens with the idea that some should have power and others should not.

The reason people don't see human trafficking is because it is a hidden crime.

U.S. immigration laws are confusing and contribute to human trafficking.

If I give you a ride and you are an undocumented immigrant, I've broken the law...or if I've feed you.

People of the Maldives Islands say two degrees hotter on this earth is suicide for them.

Domestic violence, racism, human trafficking . immigration, climate change and poverty are all intertwined.

Visible power is who is calling the shots.

Invisible powers are people and institutions that shape our beliefs. (Food is power and is intertwined in all of this.

Sunday

2011-08-14T07:52:00.001-05:00

Well, I plan to keep you posted on what's going on next.
Click on the link to live stream
http://nat-seminar.umwonline.net/

We are treading lightly on the earth by eating local food

2011-08-13T19:02:00.002-05:00

Catfish and okra
Pecan pie

UMW National Seminar 2011

2011-08-13T19:00:00.001-05:00

Prof. Cricket's mommy is in Birmingham Ala. to attend the UMW National Conference. The theme is Mission Reconciliation: Restoring Justice, building Community.

I will post photos and other information soon. I need to go to a session.

In Duluth solar-powered trash compactors and recycling bins to "green" Lakewalk

2010-10-16T14:25:00.006-05:00

Caption ~ TOP - A ribbon cutting for the solar powered trash compactors at in Philadelphia (Photo from BigBellySolar.com) LOWER LEFT: Mayor Don Ness announces the addition of solar-powered trash compactors and recycling bins along the Lakewalk. (Photo by Rebecca Yaeger-Bischoff)

It saves money and the planet

By Rebecca Yaeger-Bischoff

Over 1 million people use Duluth’s Lakewalk each year, and all of those people using the Lakewalk can add up to a lot of trash. Recently the city received a grant that will help it reduce the volume of trash that needs to be carted to a landfill.

At a press conference on Sept. 30 Mayor Don Ness announced that starting this spring there will be solar-powered trash compactors and recycling bins along Duluth’s Lakewalk. The city plans to install 10 of each unit from Canal Park to Brighton Beach. This project is being funded by a $41,159 grant from the Department of Natural Resources Solar Legacy Grant Fund.

The new units will help the city improve the efficiency of waste pick-up by providing status updates via text message to the Park Maintenance Center. The trash compactors also can hold up to 5 times as much as waste the current bins. Reducing the number of times need to empty the trash containers will not only save the city money, but will also reduce CO2 emissions. The city will look into expanding the trash compactor and recycling units after the effectiveness of the Lakewalk units is determined. For more information about the solar-powered units visit http://bigbellysolar.com/solutions/

2010-08-08T22:15:00.000-05:00

WLSSD and RSPT to Host Compost Bin and Rain Barrel Sale

2010-05-19T11:31:00.000-05:00

NEWS RELEASE

Duluth, MN: The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District and the Regional Stormwater Protection Team will host a one-day rain barrel and backyard compost bin sale at Lake Superior College's lower east parking lot on Saturday, May 22nd, from 9 am – 3 pm.

High-quality rain barrels and compost bins will be available at 50% of retail prices at the event.
Free composting and rain water collection instruction will be offered throughout the day by WLSSD and RSPT representatives.

“This sale is a great way for residents to obtain affordable, high-quality rain barrels and composters,” said Susan Darley-Hill, WLSSD Environmental Program Coordinator. “They are easy to assemble and, once in place, are ready for use.”

Both composting and collecting rainwater can be a great help to gardeners. Collecting rainwater helps reduce stormwater runoff and provides a ready source of water for thirsty plants. Backyard composting creates a natural soil amendment that provides many benefits for lawns and gardens.

The SYSTERN rain barrel will be sold for $50, while supplies last. The 55-gallon SYSTERN can be placed under any downspout and connected together to collect water for use in yards and gardens. Each SYSTERN is designed with a screen to keep water free of debris and mosquitoes. The SYSTERN is made of 50% post consumer plastic and is a neutral tan color.

The Earth Machine® compost bin will be sold for $40, while supplies last. No reservations are necessary. The composter fits in nearly any vehicle and carries a 10-year warranty. When assembled, the bin holds up to 80 gallons (10.5 cubic feet) of compostable material. Compost turners ($15) and kitchen scrap pails ($7) will also be available for purchase. Payment by check or credit card is preferred (Discover, MC, or Visa.)

Lake Superior College is located at 2101 Trinity Road, Duluth. Area residents can access the college’s lower east parking lot from the main driveway off of Trinity Road.

More information about rain barrels and collecting rain water can be found on RSPT’s website at www.lakesuperiorstreams.org/stormwater/toolkit/rainbarrels.html

More information on backyard composting is available on WLSSD’s website at http://www.wlssd.com/compost_howto.php . Residents are reminded that, by ordinance, compost bins must be situated 15 feet from any dwelling in the city of Duluth. Best placement is in a partially shaded area that is convenient for adding or removing material.

Western Lake Superior Sanitary District provides award-winning wastewater and solid waste services to residents, businesses and industries within its 530 square mile legislative boundaries in Southern St. Louis and northern Carlton counties, and is a nationally recognized leader in pollution prevention.

New carpet literally makes bank teller sick

2010-05-06T15:59:00.002-05:00

Today I went to the bank and asked were once the tellers who is usually is always working was. They said she went home sick. Then they went on to say it was from the fumes of a new carpet that was being laid. Or the glue for the new carpet. She had an allergic reaction to it. Well, maybe she is allergic. Or maybe she is the "canary in the coal mine". It should be an warning to us all. If fumes make a person sick then maybe it isn't all that good for you.

There are alternative products to use which are more eco-friendly.

Article about processed foods

2010-04-17T22:18:00.000-05:00

The Ten Commandments for living on the earth

2010-04-08T08:58:00.002-05:00

I received this from Scott Fielder Scott

The following "Ten Commandments" was adopted by the 1991 Wyoming
Annual conference. The Wyoming Conference (of NY & PA) will end this year. I think these commandments should be shared with the new conferences and others.

1. You shall live in harmony with all the earth and with every living thing.
2. You shall have your fair share of the earth and no more.
3. You shall fight to protect the earth; it is your home.
4. You shall return to the earth all the organic treasures she freely gives you.
5. You shall make beautiful and enduring whatever is to be made.
6. You shall keep faith with future generations, and be wise guardians of their inheritance.
7. You shall place necessity above greed, and wonder above wealth.
8. You shall trade only necessary things, and demand no useless ones.
9. You shall be masters of technology and not its servants.
10. You shall come together with all your brothers and sisters and sing the joy of the earth.

A great new blog - Fed Up With Lunch: The School Lunch Project

2010-04-01T08:45:00.003-05:00

There is a great new blog out there named Fed Up With Lunch: The School Lunch Project. A teacher is forgot her own lunch in January so she ate what the children eat. Then she decided to eat that every single day and blog about it. Boy, it is an eye-opener. No wonder our kids our fat! Look at what they are eating every single day. This is a national problem.

See her Feed Up With School Lunch blog here.

Read what guest blogger, Jan Poppendieck, Professor of Sociology Hunter, College, City University of New York) wrote today on the Fed Up With Lunch: The School Lunch Project has to say about what YOU can do. She is the author of Free For All: Fixing Food in America

She says: This is the moment for readers of FED UP to SPEAK UP. Right now, the Child Nutrition Reauthorization legislation, the legislation that will control school food and other child nutrition programs for the next five years, is wending its way through Congress. Now is the time to tell your Senators and Representatives what you want to see as an end result. Now is the time to ask for enough money to do the job right.

I'm sure many Fed Up readers are old hands at communicating with Congress, but for those who are not, here are some tips. If you are uncertain about just who your legislators are, you can find out by entering your zip code into designated box on the web site called Contacting Congress: http://www.contactingthecongress.org/. Then, you can go directly to a form for submitting an e-mail to a member of the House at https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml and to your Senators at http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm.

You don't have to draft the legislation for them; that is their job. You just have to tell them: 1) what you want, 2) how important it is to you, 3) and why it is important—and remind them to put enough money in the bill to make achievement of these ends possible.

56 Papers in 45 Countries Publish Joint Editorial on Climate Crisis

2009-12-16T10:09:00.003-06:00

By E&P Staff ( Editor and Publisher)

Published: December 06, 2009 7:10 PM ET
NEW YORK Tomorrow 56 newspapers in 45 countries take the perhaps
unprecedented step of speaking with one voice through a common
editorial. Many if not most will publish it on the front page, warning
of a "profound emergency."

The Guardian of London, which helped draft the editorial, published it
today, with a note at the end.
Here it is. * Read it here.

UMW Green Team in Copenhagen

2009-12-16T09:25:00.007-06:00

Click here to see more Copenhagen stories.

Caption: Left to right - Esmeralda Brown, Tupou Kelemeni, Pamela Sparr and Pat Watkins

Hi UMW members and friends. This past few days have been historic and UMW has played a role. Four representatives of United Methodist Women are now ( Dec. 6 through 18) in Copenhagen. They are: Tupou Kelemeni, Pat Watkins, Esmeralda Brown, Pamela Sparr.

Tupou Kelemeni, Women's Divison Director from Hawaii said, " I am here in Copenhagen because I care about people, especially women, children and youth. I must learn all that I can, go home and share all that I have learned here, and advocate in every possible way that I can". You can read her whole statement here, Reflections from Copenhagen on the UMWmission.org site.

Pamela Sparr, UMW Consultant said, "I am listening especially for examples of how climate change is affecting women and girls and stories of what women and girls are doing to address this challenge. I heard my first “good news” story in line about a biofuel cooking stove than could run on sugarcane pulp. This new technology has many advantages: it reduces indoor air pollution which kills nearly two million people each year – primarily women and children." You can read her whole statement here, Reflections from Copenhagen on the UMWmission.org site.

Pat Watkin's UMW Green Team member said, "From the beginning of my first day, I have been so impressed by the diversity of folks here, especially young women from all over the world. They will make a very positive difference in the world and it gives me such great hope!" He goes on to say, "Lots of people are talking about lots of different things around here, but I’m here to talk about God’s creation and God’s kingdom. My contribution, I pray, will be to enable God’s kingdom to become just a little more of a reality. Please pray that prayer with me." You can read his whole statement here, Reflections from Copenhagen on the UMWmission.org site.

Esmeradla Brown, Women's Division staff, said, " We began our busy schedule on Saturday, December 5th, where Tupou and I attended an all day Orientation and Strategy Meeting by the Ecumenical Climate Secretariat held at the Danish Church Aid premises. The meeting was very helpful since it provided important information as to the history of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate change and the Kyoto Protocol and its implication, particularly for the Global South and the issue of Climate Justice for poor nations been affected by climate change and climate migration. The issue of mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology and capacity building and the long term goal for emission reductions. You can read her whole statement here, Reflections from Copenhagen on the UMWmission.org site.

What do your neighbors think of a clothesline?

2009-11-19T09:26:00.004-06:00

U.S. residents fight for the right to hang laundry

Thanksgiving, how we eat affects the Earth

2009-11-19T08:31:00.012-06:00

Thanksgiving is in one week. Have you thought about what you will eat or serve? What's that got to do with the environment? Plenty.

While you are planning your Thanksgiving dinner think about each and every aspect of it. Will you use Styrofoam for plates or cups? How about take-out or take-home? What about your turkey or ham? How was it raised? What was the impact on the Earth during the raising of your holiday turkey or ham? What was the animal's daily life like?

I have become a flexitarian, meaning most of the time I am a vegetarian. I am not against eating meat. I will eat sustainably raised animal products.

So, as you prepare your Thanksgiving meal, decide ahead of time if you want to eat locally grown vegetables and animals, and what is more important to you locally produced or organic.

Here is a passage I took from Sustainable Table's blog The D aily Table

When people think about Thanksgiving, the first thing that should pop into mind is gratitude for all of the blessings received throughout the year. The real first thought, however, may be food. Thanksgiving, the most delicious of holidays, is a great time to experiment with sustainable and heritage foods. Read more at Sustainable Table blog post: You can have your turkey and eat it too.

Food, Inc. - live streaming video powered by Livestream

2009-11-19T08:26:00.005-06:00

Have you seen "Food, Inc."?

I had embedded the video into this post, but it played, with sound, as soon as you visited the blog. I thought that might irritate some people. Therefore just click the green link above to see the promo for "Food, Inc."

Local television station has regular environmental feature

2009-11-19T06:37:00.009-06:00

Caption: Logo of Northland Newscenter's environmental feature.

Many of the mainstream media now have regular environmental features. In the Duluth area the Northland's Newscenter (CBS 6, CBS 3, My 9 and Northland CB) features "Your Green Life." Often in many areas it is the meteorologist or weatherperson who reports the environmental features.

This morning as I watched my morning news, Meteorologist Jeff Edmondson asked, "Which is better, paper or plastic?"

During my environmental presentations I ask this as a trivia question. The winner receives a piece of organic, fair trade chocolate.

So what does the United Methodist Women answer to "Paper or plastic?"

"Neither, I brought my own."

See the the reasons why on this video Paper verses plastic and resusuable bags.

Prof. Cricket and I would love to hear from you. Does your local television station carry an environmental feature? How about your local newspaper?

Choosing a toothpaste and the a company's commitment to water

2009-11-18T07:52:00.016-06:00

I try to use natural health care products. Yesterday I needed more toothpaste. I purchased Nature's Gate Cool Mint Gel. I had been using Tom's of Maine. I liked it fine, but I thought I would try something else. I don't know enough about toothpastes to make a recommendation. Do you know about toothpastes and what ingredients are safe and preferred?

As for Professor Cricket, we do have toothpaste for her, but we haven't brushed her teeth in months, maybe even years.

P.S. I just visited the Nature's Gate website and I see they are involved in Water Aid America. Today is November 19: World Toilet Day ››

World Toilet Day is a key date to champion the human right of people everywhere to sanitation.

P.S.S. And now I have just visited the Tom's of Maine website and they are involved in Charity Water. See their community involvement here.

Superior Grown Food Summit discusses our role in what we eat

2009-11-14T20:37:00.014-06:00

Caption: Rick Dale spoke about his experience as a blueberry farmer near Bayfield Wisconsin. He owns Highland Valley Farm, Bayfield, WI. Website: http://www.bayfieldblues.com/

Today I attended the Superior Grown Food Summit. The topic was food security and how we might do that with locally grown foods. I truly believe in consuming locally grown foods. I try to do that and also try to eat organic foods. Last summer we had a community garden. It was interesting for me to listen to the people who wanted to get into farming, as what I would say is a small-time farmer, not a huge mega farm, because many of my relatives left the farm. Farming is very hard work.

I stayed until 2 p.m. I took lots of notes, but I am getting tired now. I hope to post something more about this event.

You may also visit the site www.superiorgrown.com

Caption: The keynote speaker was Darrin Nordahl. He talked about growing food in public spaces like boulevards and landscaping around parking lots. This photo shows graphs of the obesity epidemic in the United States since 1990. Some states have a good size of their population at over 40 pounds overweight. He is the author of Public Produce: Building a New Urban Agriculture. He currently works at the Design Center Davenport, IA

Website: http://www.darrinnordahl.com/

Here is a list of the guest speakers along with weblinks.

The Lure of the Local: What's Happening in the Local Foods Movement and Why?" (30 min.)

Maggie Adamek, Executive Vice President, Fourth Sector Consulting

Website: http://www.fourthsectorconsulting.com/

A Locally Adapted Food System Assessment (30 min.)

David Abazs, David Syring, and Stacey Stark, University of Minnesota, Duluth

Website: http://www.round-river.com/ AND http://www.d.umn.edu/cscd/projects.html

11:00am-12:15pm: Panel II: Building Blocks for Locally Adapted Food Systems

Family Farms and Locally Adapted Food Systems (30 min.)

Rick Dale, Highland Valley Farm, Bayfield, WI

Website: http://www.bayfieldblues.com/

Integrated Farming Systems for Adding Value: The Case of Free Range Poultry (30 min.)

Reginaldo (Regi) Haslett-Marroquin, Rural Enterprise Institute, SE MN

Website: http://www.mainstreetproject.org/programs/rural_enterprise_center.html

12:30-2:00pm: Keynote Speaker during Lunch
Public Produce: Building a New Urban Agriculture
Darrin Nordahl, Design Center, Davenport, IA

Website: http://www.darrinnordahl.com/

-------

Women's Division's deputy general secretary says Repower America

2009-11-13T17:27:00.009-06:00

Repower America asked people to add their voices on the Repower America Wall visit that here.

Here is a YouTube message from the Women's Division's chief executive officer, Harriet Jane Olson. The Women’s Division is the national administrative and policy-making arm of United Methodist Women. Olson's formal title is deputy general secretary of the Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Women. Read more about Harriet here

Real dishes instead of throwaway

2009-11-13T13:08:00.009-06:00

Yesterday evening I attended a spaghetti dinner for Neighborhood Housing Services. As I was leaving, I double-checked to make sure I did have my extra plate, cup and silverware in my car. I now keep a plate under my passenger seat so I can use it at public functions where Styrofoam or other throwaway products are used. It is wrapped in plastic to protect it.

Turns out I didn't need it because there is a young man, Brendan, an employee with NHS, who is really fighting the use of Styrofoam and paper throw-away products. The group held their spaghetti dinner at a church and used the real dishes and the dishwasher.

Yeah!!!!

One curious thing I have noticed about these dinners is that even though people use the real plates, they put the dessert on paper or Styrofoam plates. I am not sure why. They already have the dishwasher going so why do they do this?

Postcards delivered: Green Team to go to Copenhagen

2009-11-08T08:48:00.011-06:00

Green Team members received an email from Sung-ok Lee on Thursday. Sung-ok is Assistant General Secretary Section of Women's Division, GBGM. She informed us that some of our Green Team members will be going to Copenhagen.

Some of her key points:

UMW collected 4,000 plus Countdown to Copenhagen postcards and hundreds of online sign-ons and more individual cards sent directly to the Church World Service office in Washington, DC.
The total so far counted from the entire ecumenical community is 14,200 postcards.
On Thursday Nov. 5, postcards were delivered deliver to the White House and UMW and other faith groups made senate visits. Green Team was represented by Betty Henderson and Grace Pyen, along with Esmeralda Brown, Pam Sparr and Sung-ok working together with our ecumenical partners, Church World Service, National Council of Churches and other faith-based partners.
Our UMW leadership, Harriett Olson and Inelda Gonzalez, attended the entire day's events and spoke to the importance of climate justice and U.S. role in setting strong domestic and international policy on climate change.
Four persons will participate in the international conference on climate change in Copenhagen, Denmark. Our president, Inelda Gonzalez, has selected one director and recommended a Green Team member and staff persons to organize this delegation. Sung-ok recommended Pat Watkins, as he has been a strong advocate around the US legislative process around climate change in the past couple of years and has steadily guided us in framing a theological perspective on this issue.
The two persons attending and assisting with organizing the delegation will be Esmeralda Brown and Pamela Sparr. Inelda has recommended Tupou Kelemeni of Honolulu, HI as the director attending this conference. As a Tongan-American living in Hawaii she has been following what has been happening to small islands in the Pacific with deep concern.

No Bottled water at the county courthouse

2009-11-07T20:45:00.004-06:00

On Friday I was in the St. Louis County Court House in Duluth and noticed this water fountain. With sign "filtered water" above it. I like to take photos of public water fountains because bottled water is very hard on our environment. While I was taking a photo of this a woman came out of her office and filled up a plastic water bottle. I told her that I was happy the county was not encouraging bottle water.

Read Spin the Bottle and Five Reasons Not to Drink Bottled Water on the Lighter Footstep.

What is in NILoder?

2009-11-07T20:10:00.006-06:00

The other day I went into our church bathroom and noticed what seemed to be an artificial smell used to disguise bad odors. I tried to find out what is in this air-freshener, but I did not have any luck. I never noticed it until last week, so I don't know if this is something our building engineer or janitor has always used to keep the restroom smelling fresh, or if it was a recent addition.

I am very sensitive to scents, and it was too strong for me. I also wondered what the ingredients were inside this product. The website says their products are environmentally-friendly, but I am not sure. Have you ever seen these or heard about them? Are they environmentally friendly?

It says NILoder on it and the website is here, but I can't find anything about it.

I don't really care for these things that put smells into the air.

Recycle on the Go!

2009-11-04T19:33:00.013-06:00

Captions: Upper left - Left to right; Lena Schaumburg - MSOCS, Kirk Grandell - Coca Cola, Ellen Telander - executive director RAM, and Olaf Urban Coca Cola and Mike McGrath. Lower - The Message in a Bottle container to recycle bottles away from home. (Photos by Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff)

Lots of people clean out their cars when they refill their tanks at the gas station, but many stations do not provide recycling options. Now when people go to a Little Store convenience store and gas station in Duluth, they will see a four-foot tall plastic bottle beside the trash cans. These bottles are actually containers to place plastic recyclable beverage bottles.

This afternoon I attended a kick-off event at the Little Store on 1831 W. Superior St. The purpose of the event was to introduce the concept of recycling away from home and to catch people in the act of recycling. Prizes of soda pop, bumper stickers, t-shirts and products made from recyclable materials were given away. I met several people including Ellen Telander of Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM), a non-profit organization which encourages people to recycle. RAM is working in partnership with Minnesota Waste Wise and Western lake Superior Sanitary District with two programs - "Message in a Bottle" and "Its' in the Bag"

An organization which employs developmentally disabled people, AirPark Products & Services (APS), will collect the containers of plastic recyclables so that they can use them to make recyclable products. APS is a division of the Minnesota State Operated Community Services (MSOCS) programs. APS employees will sort and package the recyclables for transport. The program is projected to create more than 20 full-time jobs at APS.

Friends of the Earth video on how a bill becomes law

2009-11-03T21:07:00.001-06:00

UMW: role models and leaders in protecting our environment

2009-10-25T07:56:00.011-05:00

Captions: Naomi Yaeger, UMW Green Team Representative, asking trivia questions of the audience. (The winners got organic fair trade chocolate pieces). Some of the women in the audience.

Yesterday was Just Cap It Day and International Day of Climate Change Action or 350.org Day. In conjunction with this I gave a UMW Green Team presentation for the Minnesota UMW district officers training event held at the Koinonia Retreat Center in South Haven (which is about 15 miles south of St. Cloud). What a beautiful place to meet, especially with the colorful autumn leaves. I did have be to extra careful driving because of a few large slow-moving farm vehicles on the road. Fall is a beautiful season.

This event was attended by 83 women. I was excited to meet so many active leaders; women who are involved and working for social justice through their faith. I am pleased at their level of commitment to the environment.

I talked about why the Women's Division started a Green Team: because so many of the vulnerable are paying the price for environmental degradation. Instead of putting a bandage on the problem we need to get on the front end of the problem. Let's solve the issue instead of mopping up the mess.

We reviewed the UMW policies:

Don't use bottled water. (If this is necessary consider larger containers and filters.)
Avoid Styrofoam
Use Chlorine-free paper
Sign your Countdown to Copenhagen postcard, or do it online here. We want our president to attend this summit with the rest of the world leaders.

Remember, you are a role model for others and you DO have power. Every time you use or purchase something you are exercising that power. Choose wisely.

(Would you like me to speak at your UMW meeting, church event or a non-faith oriented event. I can tailor the presentation to your interests and can meet with large or small groups.

Measure your energy use

2009-10-20T07:39:00.001-05:00

IF YOU CAN MEASURE IT, YOU CAN MANAGE IT…

LEARN HOW TO IDENTIFY AND ELIMINATE ENERGY WASTE!

Reducing CO2 with a Green Midday Lunch

2009-10-19T18:12:00.010-05:00

Caption: James Merle and Tressa Erickson are members of the College of St. Scholastica's Earth Action club. The club provided a locally procured meal and encouraged students to compost food waste in their dorms with these tiny buckets. (See below.)

Three-hundred fifty, that's an important number. It is the number of the upper limit of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that our earth can sustain before we have damaging effects. Right now we are at 390 parts per million. But it IS POSSIBLE for us to reduce this. There are many things you can do. For example, did you know that the biggest culprit of fossil fuel usage in agriculture is fertilizers and pesticides? (Learn more at Sustainable Table.)

Today my daughter, Rebecca, was visiting, and we decided to participate in the Earth Action Green Midday Lunch at the College of St. Scholastica. Everything that the students provided for this lunch was locally grown or raised.

The lunch, held in Tower Hall at the Multicultural Center, was served on ceramic plates, and tumblers were provided for people to get water from the drinking fountain. We got there a little late, so we missed out on the lasagna, but we did get the vegetarian rotellini and blue corn chips. Our dessert, the apple crisp, was great.

Learn more about the International Day of Climate Action which is Oct. 24 at 350.org.

See more photos of the Green Midday Lunch here.

See the Twin Ports 350 blog here.

Learn about 350 Day of Action

2009-10-13T09:30:00.004-05:00

350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide—measured in "Parts Per Million" in our atmosphere. 350 PPM—it's the number humanity needs to get back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change.

Learn more about what people of faith can do here.

This is taken from the the 350 International Day of Climate Action

So here’s the plan. On October 24, we need you to organize an action in the place where you live, something that will make that most important number visible to everyone. People in more than 1000 communities around the globe have already announced plans—they’ll be school children planting 350 trees in Bangledesh, scientists hanging banners saying 350 on the statues on Easter Island, 350 scuba divers diving underwater at the Great Barrier Reef, and a thousand more creative actions like these. At each event, people will gather for a big group photo that somehow depicts 350--and upload that photo to the web 350.org. As actions take place around the world, we'll link all the pictures together electronically via the web--by the end of the day, we'll have a powerful visual petition linking together the entire planet that we can deliver to the media and world leaders.

So far more than 100 nations are taking part—it's shaping up to be to be the biggest day of grassroots action on global warming ever. But we need it to be much larger—we need you, in your village or town or city, to take part. It’s not hard—we can help you with materials and ideas. But you need to take the first step, by registering an action and starting to let your friends and neighbors know about it.

If you want to be environmentally-friendly, stay organized

2009-10-13T08:25:00.002-05:00

I have found that the key to having an environmentally-friendly life is to be organized.

I subscribe to Flylady.net and to the Organizer Lady and they help me with organizational skills.

I found this message from the Organizer Lady very helpful:

1. New Message of the Day - DEADLY WORDS

Seven words that will kill the order in your
home are these, "I'm going to take care of that
soon." When they are often used, these are the
words of a procrastinator and procrastination is
poisonous to living an orderly life. It has two
traps that will snare us.

Leaching car battery

2009-10-06T22:03:00.001-05:00

This battery was left on the couch and and the whitish trail is what leaked out.

Batteries need to be disposed of properly.

Making a tri-fold display

2009-09-18T09:23:00.005-05:00

Hello,

Yesterday I worked on making a new tri-fold display for my talk in the Twin Cities for the Twin Cities District annual business meeting. I will be speaking at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19 Yes, my little doggie, Prof. Cricket, did get a walk before I started on this project.

Here is the blurb that appeared in their "Twin Cities Connection":

TWIN CITIES DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING

Naomi Yaeger, the Minnesota UMW Green Team representative, to speak on Green Team projects! Naomi lives in Duluth

and attends First United Methodist Church. She is a freelance photographer and writer and edits a community monthly

newspaper, “The Hillsider”. She started as a Green Team member while living in Grand Forks, N.D. and serving as co-

president of UMW. As a reporter in Grand Forks she covered a community fighting the relocation of a landfill near their

town. The Green Team and environmentally consciousness has changed her life. She now thinks twice when shopping for

everyday little things likes soap, clothing and food. If having a cup of coffee means using a Styrofoam cup, she goes

without. Purchases are no longer just about the product, but about how much waste will need to be disposed after the

product is brought home.

The annual meeting for the Twin Cities District, United Methodist Women, will be held at Brooklyn United Methodist

Church on Saturday, September 19.

Registration and morning coffee will open at 9 a.m., with gathering for singing in the sanctuary at 9:30. The

worship service will follow, with the Emma Norton Tea (coffee break) following. The checks and cash given

at this time help us make our goal for support of Emma Norton Services for the year, so plan to give

generously.

The business meeting will complete the rest of the morning session. Following lunch, our speaker will be

Naomi Yaeger. She will discuss with us the direction the Green Team is taking concerning global warming,

clean energy and other environmental issues of concern to all women. You won’t want to miss her.

The Resource Room and other displays will be available for your browsing during free times.

Registrations may be made with Carol Foster, either by calling her at 763-537-3678 or emailing to GRUMPYTF@aol.com.

Please include the following information:

Name ________________________________

Church ________________________________

Need child care? ______ If yes, name and age of child. Please bring a bag lunch for each child. Snacks will be provided.

Deadline for registering is Tuesday, September 14. Cost is $8.00, payable at the door.

Directions to Brooklyn UMC: Take 694 W to Brooklyn Blvd exit; turn right on Noble Ave. Parking lot is across street from

church.

Preparing for presentation

2009-09-15T07:42:00.008-05:00

I am preparing for an UMW talk in Brooklyn Park area of the Twin Cities. Currently I am trying to preparing a nice tri-fold. I am planning to talk about the Countdown to Copenhagen and how our food choices affect our environment.

This weekend my daughter and I took a trip and along the way we purposely stopped at a natural food store and a consignment shop. We like to support these storse. I think they are gentler on the environment.

We also shopped at a farmers market. I bought some homemade laundry soap.

Experimenting with video

2009-08-13T09:36:00.002-05:00

Here is Prof. Cricket at the beach. She had a lot of fun trying to bite those waves.

The dog days of summer

2009-08-12T22:13:00.006-05:00

Prof. Cricket get trapped in some rocks at Canal Park.

Youth squealed as they jumped of the cement structure into the cold lake. I stuff my feet in the lake...yeap 43 degrees!

74°F

Current: Clear
Wind: S at 0 mph
Humidity: 70%

Wed

86°F | 63°F

Thu

85°F | 65°F

Fri

83°F | 65°F

Sat

81°F | 63°F

It is almost the middle of August. Time to get serious about the content of the September Hillsider. Today I phoned some advertisers and worked on the layout a bit.

It was really, really hot today. I had a picnic lunch at Canal Park. I found out it is really hard to access the beach with all the boulders there. Those rocks were hot enough to fry an egg! My little doggie got trapped between a couple rocks, but she wormed her way out. Finally we went down near the canal and there is an easier access to the water there. Lots of kids were throwing rock and feeding seagull.

Later we went to Brighton Beach, were Prof. Cricket chased the waves. She likes to try to bite them. She go all the way in the water and believe it or not she did get cold. I had to put her in the car to warm her up.

Anyway, I got my laptop out and worked on the design, made some phone calls and looked at the photos I now have. We want to have a candidate questionnaire and it is looking very tight for space unless I sell some more adds to make a 16 pager rather than a 12 pager.

Water photo

2009-08-11T10:21:00.002-05:00

For the past four years I have taken photos of public drinking water access. These might not be the best ones to start off with, but they are my most recent.

Public drinking water is very important. United Methodist Women believe that water is a human right. Not a commodity to by bought and sold.

Usually when I am out and about I will take a drink at a public fountain, not because I am thirsty, but because I want to see if the fountain works. And to exercise what I believe is a right.

Bulk shopping and plastic bags

2009-08-11T07:20:00.004-05:00

I am usually aware of packaging as I am shopping. My favorite place to shop is Whole Foods Co-op so I can get natural and/or organic food and purchase in bulk. It does bother me that I use a lot of plastic bags. I have been trying to save them and reuse them. Washing them is kinda a hassle. Right now I have a whole bunch of used plastic bags.

I save them to pick up Prof. Cricket's dog doo. I don't know if this is a good reuse or not because I don't like the fact that it takes forever for these bags to break down (decompose). Picking up dog doo is important though. If we don't pick it up it all goes into our water supply. Here in Duluth that would be Lake Superior. So I am protecting the lake when I pick it up, even if it is being preserved in the plastic bag which ends up in a landfill.

I have started to use the little brown paper bags for my dry bulk goods, especially treats like nuts, chocolate drops and my peanut butter covered pretzels.

Recently I purchased BYO* Bags. They are a cloth mesh. The tag line is “*Bring Your Own. An Earth Friendly Alternative to plastic produce bags.”

I keep forgetting to put them in my car or purse to try them out.

Check out their website: www.coohatz.biz

UMW starts the Countdown to Copenhagen: Time to ensure enough for all

2009-07-28T21:31:00.004-05:00

By Naomi Yaeger

UMW Green Team Dakotas Rep

Greetings! The UMW Green Team encourages you to get involved in environmental issues. As a Green Team representative, I attended Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C. this March. The theme year was “Enough for All Creation”. After the event we all spoke to our congresspeople and senators on Capital Hill.

Please study the issues and encourage President Obama to attend the Copenhagen, Denmark summit with other world leaders this December. UMW is working with the National Council of Churches and Church World Service in a postcard campaign. I have 1,000 of these postcards and would be happy to send you some. It is important that our president personally attend this event to show that the U.S. is committed to the environment. Caring about the environment is not just about trees and exotic animals. It is about caring for God’s children. The world’s poorest people are disproportionately affected by environmental derogation. Diseases and poverty go hand-in-hand with environmental racism. In our own country our poorest people have the most environmentally caused illnesses and diseases.

Please visit the websites www.churchworldservice.org and www.nccecojustice.org

You may join an environmental Internet group or learn more about UMW at www.umwonline.org.

Also please read your June issue of “Response”, I wrote an article on page 22 titled, “Loving God, people and the earth”. The article profiles other Green Team members and what they are doing within their districts. The Rev. Pat Watkins has founded Caretakers of God’s Creation ministry and another member, Kyung Yu, talks about her role as a Green Team representative and as a scientist.

I would be happy to consult with you or visit your church as a speaker. You may email me at sun_dog_press AT yahoo.com.

Organic hair care

2009-06-27T06:44:00.002-05:00

Hello,
Last week I meet another woman who has an organic beauty shop. Have you ever stopped to think what a permanent does to your hair? Or some of the other chemicals that are common in a beauty shop?

There are ways to be kind to yourself, your beautician and the environment.
Naomi

House Passes Comprehensive Clean Energy Bill

2009-06-27T06:19:00.003-05:00

I received this letter from Repower American. I also received emails from other environmental groups. The clean energy bill passed the house yesterday.
Dear Repower America Member,

The House of Representatives has just passed a landmark bill that will propel our nation toward a clean energy future.

The vote was close. Know that all of your efforts -- whether a signed petition, a donation, or a call -- made a difference in the outcome. Together, we are truly showing the power of government by the people and for the people.

It's not over though. The debate moves on to the Senate where our opponents will redouble their efforts. There will be more distortions and foot dragging, but the momentum is on our side.

Today, we have something to celebrate. For the first time in decades, we have taken bold action to help solve the climate crisis. I look forward to working with you in the days ahead.

Thanks for all that you do,

Steve Bouchard
Campaign Manager
www.RepowerAmerica.org

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Now, you to keep the pressure on the senate. The United Methodist Women's Green Team urges you to contact your senator and let him or her know we need a comprehensive clean energy bill.

In Minnesota, we still only have one senator: Amy Klobuchar. Contact her at:

Klobuchar, Amy - (D - MN)
302 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3244
Web Form: klobuchar.senate.gov/emailamy.cfm

If you live in another state please click this link to contact your senator: U.S. Senate

Dulcimer Day organizer returns with Woman-Made | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

2009-06-26T17:37:00.001-05:00

Dulcimer Day organizer returns with Woman-Made | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

Posted using ShareThis

Organic cotton, hemp and bamboo clothes

2009-06-11T16:40:00.005-05:00

So a couple weeks ago I purchased organic clothes at the Green Mercantile which is in downtown Duluth.

The clothes I purchased had these brand names: Of the Earth, Indigenous, and Blue Canoe. I suppose I should have someone take a photo of me in my new clothes.

My jeans are made of hemp and they fit perfectly. Right now there website is down www.oftheearth.com so I will have to check back to see if they have photos of my jeans online. I also got a black jacket and a skirt made of cotton and silk.

I selected two shirts from Blue Canoe.
The one shown here, which I got in sapphire blue or what Blue Canoe calls cornflower and another black tank top with lace around the arms.

In the past I had only purchased organic cotton socks at the Green Mercantile because I told myself it was too expensive. When I found myself tempted by some new clothes at an upscale boutique I decided, "If I can buy these, I can buy the ones at Green Mercantile." So I went right over to the Green Mercantile and tried on some clothes. I am very pleased.

(The address is 209 East Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802. And the phone number is (218) 722-1771.)

If you are living in another location in Minnesota visit this websearch page to find other stores with organic clothing.

Second hand clothing saves on the environment

2009-05-30T10:39:00.004-05:00

Hi,

I had been on a contest with myself to see if I could purchase all my clothing second hand so as not to place a demand for new products on the environment.

I have had very good luck with this. I often get compliments on my clothes.

This spring while at a Ecumenical Advocacy Days I told another UMW member about this. She didn't like the idea because she had to wear second hand clothes as a child. She said they didn't fit right and often were smelly.

Well, I do have rules about purchasing second hand.

The must fit and be comfortable

There can't be anything wrong with them. No spots, stains and certainly not smelly

Wow, that certainly got this off on a sour note.

Another rule is that I know designer tags when I see them. I always look at the tag and see who made the clothing and what the fabric is made of. Usually a well made designer piece of clothing will last a long time. And you will feel proud to wear it.

Yesterday I purchased some new clothing for the first time in about three years. The only other new items I had purchased was two hats. (I am a hat lady.)

In the U.S., African Amercans are the hardest hit by climate change

2009-03-31T06:36:00.014-05:00

Captions: left Prof. Cricket with her Christmas scarf. Right: the Rev. Michael McClain of the National Council of Churches of Christ Eco-Justice Programs.(Photos by Naomi)

By Naomi Yaeger UMW Green Team Rep and Prof. Cricket, her determined little dog.

Prof. Cricket and I live in a northern city, Duluth, MN. We go for lots of walks and this keeps us in contact with the people of the neighborhood. While Duluth doesn't have a large population of African Americans, we live in a part of the city that has a larger population of minorities than other parts of this city of 80,000 people.

One thing my little doggie and I have noticed is that of our environmentally minded friends we do not see many African Americans. I serve as the editor of "The Hillsider". It is a newspaper for the core neighborhoods in Duluth and we work hard to cover issues that affect minority people. One of the people on the board of directors of this non-profit newspaper, an African American woman, also had noticed that not many of her African American friends and acquaintances were as interested in environmental issues. She lived only a block away and I used to stop by with Prof. Cricket when we went for walks. (Prof. Cricket was fascinated with her cat.)

Anyway, we would talk about many things and one day she phoned me to tell me about an African American man she had just met. He was interested in the environment and trying to get people to recycle and participate in other environmental programs. She said this was the first African American that she had met who was "into" the environment. To her environmentalism was low on her priority scale. She thought she had more pressing issues to worry about.

Well, anyway the above story illustrates my personal experience with minorities interest in green issues. Here is an article I wrote for our newspaper:

Baptist minister says impacts of global warming fall harder on African-Americans than others

In March I attended Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C. as part of my role as a member of the United Methodist Women’s Green Team for the state of Minnesota. Over 700 people of faith from across the nation attended this conference. The theme was “Enough for all.” On the last day we visited our representatives and senators on Capitol Hill
We learned about environmental racism, in which the people who are already living in poverty are often dealing with the effects of environmental degradation.

I met Baptist minister Michael McClain, a staff-member of the National Council of Churches of Christ Eco-Justice Programs. He spoke about how minority people have often felt left out of the environmental movement when in fact they are the ones who are hardest hit by environmental degradation.

He said, “The worst impacts of global warming fall harder on African-Americans than on anyone else in the United States.” He cited asthma rates are often higher in minority communities, and minorities will pay a higher percentage of their incomes to increasing energy costs.
McClain works to reach out to historic black churches, explain the ways in which climate change is impacting poor people and people of color, and invite them to sign the National Council of Churches’ Faith Principles on Global Warming.
He is also working on home insulation programs, which help people lower energy costs as well as lower their carbon footprint.
If you would like to learn more email McClain at mmclain AT nccecojustice.org or visit nccecojustice.org

Eat fair trade chocolate at Easter time, urge Cadbury's to go fair trade in America

2009-03-25T08:42:00.004-05:00

Many people eat lots of chocolate at Easter time.

Make sure you buy fair trade chocolate.

In England Cadbury's has made a commitment to selling fair trade chocolate.

Here is what Green America has to say:
he significance of this fantastic news is that Cadbury is the first major chocolate brand to go Fair Trade with one of its main product lines, one of the goals Green America has been striving towards. Cadbury's announcement proves what Green America has been saying for years: it is viable for a major chocolate bar to go Fair Trade without passing a significant cost increase to consumers. Congratulations on this important victory to all of you who have taken action by buying a Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate bar or writing a letter to bring us to this moment!

Read more here.

World Water Day is March 22

2009-03-21T09:39:00.005-05:00

World Water Day Highlights Value of Water Resources

"On World Water Day, we are all called to think about how countries can collaborate to assure sustainable freshwater supplies for all people, especially when those supplies span different countries' borders. In doing so, let's all think about the value of water and call ourselves and others to a high standard of water stewardship."

Denver (Vocus) March 20, 2009 -- The American Water Works Association (AWWA (www.awwa.org)), the authoritative resource on safe water, today joined the United Nations and water advocates throughout the world in recognizing the 16th annual World Water Day, observed March 22, 2009. AWWA Executive Director Gary Zimmerman issued the following statement.

"World Water Day provides a great opportunity to focus on the immeasurable value of water and to recommit ourselves to being excellent stewards of our global water resources. AWWA's 2008 State of the Industry report found that water resources were the single top concern among North American water professionals over both the near- and long terms.

"In the developed world, we frequently take safe water for granted, expecting it will always be there when we turn on the tap. But as drought grips California, Texas and other regions in North America, we need to think about how we use water in our homes and our places of business. All of us - from scientists to resource planners to utility managers to consumers - have a role to play in maximizing the smart and efficient use of our valued water resources.

Eighty-five World Water Day events have been planned across 27 countries as of this release. The United States and Canada will hold 37 such events, the most of any region of the world. Read about World Water Day in Streamlines (http://www.awwa.org/publications/breakingnewsdetail.cfm?itemnumber=47057). More information on World Water Day 2009 can be found at www.worldwaterday.org.

AWWA is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond. AWWA is the largest organization of water professionals in the world. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the entire water community. Through our collective strength we become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the environment.

UMW Green Team's Initiative on Climate change

2009-03-20T22:04:00.006-05:00

Carol Rieke and Jane Todd visiting at the Washington, D.C. office with Senator Amy Klobuchar's aide Charley (Photo by Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff)

Visiting with Rep. Jim Oberstar's aid in the Rayborn Building in Washington, DC. Naomi Yaeger, Franciscan sister and Jane Todd.

UMW Green Team’s Initiative on Climate Change: Countdown to Copenhagen Campaign 2009

From the GBGM-UMW website

The Women’s Division and United Methodist Women are active partners with Church World Service, the National Council of Churches USA, their member denominations, and ecumenical partners in developed and developing nations on the Countdown to Copenhagen Campaign (C2C).

This effort strives to build awareness among people of faith of the critical need for compassionate, bold action on climate change which is damaging God’s creation and imposing unjust burdens on the poor around the world.

The campaign calls upon the world’s leaders to commit to strong limits on carbon emissions. It also calls for wealthy nations to contribute funds to assist developing countries to adapt to the climactic changes that have already begun.

Clear here to learn things you can do

SCHOOLS OF CHRISTIAN MISSION

HOST A POSTCARD TABLE

LINK THE C2C CAMPAIGN WITH AN EDUCATIONAL EFFORT

· Adult Sunday School class

· Vacation Bible School class

· Teens – participatory learning

· Beat the Heat Fair

INFORM, INSPIRE AND ACTIVATE WITH A LOW CARBON FOOTPRINT MEAL

CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY IN A SPECIAL WAY

HOST A VIDEO PARTY.

HOST A PUBLIC VIGIL/PRAYER SERVICE

Click here to learn more

For more information

Contact Esmeralda Brown at Women’s Division: EBrown AT gbgm-umc.org

212-682-3633.

For Policy and Legislative Updates contact Susie Johnson at Washington Office: umwanet AT gbgm-umc.org / 202-488-5660

UMW Green Team members gather for envirnomental justice-learning event

2009-03-20T21:43:00.006-05:00

United Methodist Women Social Action Coordinators, Green Team members and Women's Divison directors meet in Washington, D.C. for Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Alexandria, Virginia. (Photo by Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff)

Climate Change Tops Ecumenical Advocacy Days

by YVETTE MOORE*

Forty-seven United Methodist Women social action and environmental justice leaders shared organizing tips and boned up on legislation affecting women, children, youth and the environment at the 7th Annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days in the Washington, D.C., area, Mar. 12-16. The “Enough for All Creation” ecumenical advocacy event convened more than 600 people from various denominations and faith groups to focus on the urgent need for legislative action around climate change.

Even event workshops on Africa, peace, hunger and economic justice examined the impact of global warming on those issues.

“As Christians, we must be truth-tellers,” said the Rev. Sean McDonagh in the opening plenary worship of the ecumenical event. “If we continue in the way we are going, by 2100, a third of the earth will be desert. So children I baptize this year -- whom I would hope would live to be 100 -- they will be here when this happens. … This is a Kairos moment. Pray courage for individuals and courage for our leaders. We have the technology. The world has the wealth. But the world still doesn’t have the political will to act -- and we have a window of about 10-20 years to effect change.”

Read the whole story on the GBGM UMW website here

Biokleen laundry liquid has no phosphate or chlorine and works well

2009-03-11T07:43:00.004-05:00

It works very well. Here is what the Biokleen's website says about the laundry liquid:

Citrus Laundry Liquid

Phosphate & Chlorine Free:
Our Laundry liquid removes the toughest dirt, grease, stains and odors, yet is gentle enough for cloth diapers, delicate fabrics and hand washables. Rinses clean without leaving residue on clothes that can irritate skin or ruin fabrics.

• 3x More Concentrated
• Grapefruit Seed & Orange Peel Extracts
• Naturally controls stains and odors
• Makes a great pre-treat for stains

I don't like fragrances in my laundry soap. I smelled my laundry and it smell clean and there was no flowery or other smell.

Here are the ingredients: Surfactants and conditioners form coconut and/or corn, orange peel extract, grapefruit seed and pulp extract, linear suffonate, filter water.

I went to a green conference the other day and Shannon from the Whole Foods Co-op gave me a sample of Biokeen. It is an all temperature Laundry Liquid and it is phosphate and chlorine free.

Giving up Carbon for Lent

2009-03-01T08:12:00.006-06:00

Will you give up something for Lent?

Here is a post on Twilight Earth:

The 10 Best Ways to Give Up Carbon for Lent.

10. Get a cloth sack

9. Give the dishwasher a break -

8. Fill your plates - What plates are those? Light switches and plug plates!

7. Don’t let it shine - “Oh Honey! You turned down the lights! How romantic!”

6. The Secret Sister of the Recycle, Reuse and Reduce triplets -Let me introduce you to Precycling! Simply put, Precycling is the act of “not purchasing” something that would otherwise be Recycled or thrown into a landfill.

5. Eat Slow, Joe - Fast foods are Carbon intensive.

4. Got a Bounty of Brawny Scott’s in your kitchen? Give’em the boot! -

3. Wean yourself off the bottle - No, not that bottle, this bottle.

2. Don’t be Latte for work - How much water goes into that single Latte you buy on the way to work? 50 Gallons! Check out this video.

And the number 1 thing you can do to give up carbon for Lent? Give up Beef! For every 1 pound of beef that you eat, you are also consuming 7lbs of grain, and 2,500 gallons of water. Not to mention about 270 antibiotic injections. 1lb of beef also produces the carbon equivalent of driving a car at 60 miles an hour for 200 miles or burning a 100 watt bulb continuously for 20 years.

Our pastor is giving up red meat for Lent because he wants to lessen his carbon footprint.

You may read more about the effects of meat production on the environment here at:

Beef Effects on People, the Environment and Society.

Klobuchar Secures Nearly $50 Million in Funding for Minnesota Energy and Water Projects

2009-02-26T07:06:00.002-06:00

Klobuchar secures funds for homegrown energy and additional job-creating measures

Washington, D.C. – Continuing her efforts to secure funding for important initiatives across the state, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced that over $49 million will be included in the Energy and Water section of the Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2009. The measure includes funding for many projects that will provide jobs for Minnesotans, including flood control and mitigation in Breckenridge and Crookston, waste-to-energy facilities in Pope and Douglas counties and the Lewis & Clark Rural Water System in southwest Minnesota.

Klobuchar secured $4 million for the continuation of work on the Red River of the North Flood Control project in Breckenridge. After the massive Red River basin floods of 1997, government officials decided to implement permanent flood damage reduction projects for the communities along the river, including Breckenridge. Funding announced today will go towards creating a high-flow diversion channel and two separate permanent levee reaches that will protect all of Breckenridge.

“Early federal support was vital to Minnesotans’ efforts to recover and rebuild in the aftermath of the ’97 floods,” said Klobuchar. “Last summer’s flooding in the Midwest demonstrated how important these projects are to helping communities avoid catastrophe. Flood projects like this can mean the difference between minor damage and total destruction.”

Along with five senators from South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota, Klobuchar announced further federal funding allocations for the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System. Klobuchar announced today that $27 million would be sent to the project for the construction of a water pipeline that will provide clean water from the Missouri River to over 300,000 people in Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa through its 20 member cities and rural water systems.

“This important initiative will provide fresh, clean drinking water to people across southern Minnesota,” said Klobuchar. “In the land of 10,000 lakes, we value clean water and this project will help deliver that to families and businesses.”

In addition, Klobuchar secured nearly $1 million towards a new Plasma Gasification Waste To Energy facility in Koochiching County that converts municipal solid wastes into energy and other marketable by-products in an environmentally sound manner. The Renewable Energy Clean Air Project (RECAP) would use the funds to conduct a feasibility study to assess technical, economic and environmental matters.

“This is the type of innovation and leadership that we need to achieve energy security,” said Klobuchar. “At a time of unstable energy costs it is important that we invest in new technologies and the homegrown energy that will create the new jobs and businesses that will fuel our future.”

Senator Klobuchar secured nearly $1 million for the expansion of the Waste to Energy facility shared by Pope and Douglas Counties. The expansion is needed in order to meet the growing needs of the two counties. The Waste to Energy facility provides steam energy to neighboring businesses, such as the 3M Manufacturing plant and the Douglas County Hospital, and produces 500 kilowatts per hour of electricity for the Waste to Energy facility itself.

“The Pope/Douglas Waste to Energy facility is an example of Minnesotans leading the push for homegrown energy,” said Klobuchar. “Projects like this can create good jobs in Minnesota while capturing new energy sources, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and protecting the environment.”

Klobuchar also announced funding for the Minnesota Center for Renewable Energy. The center’s purpose is to move the Midwest toward greater environmentally friendly, sustainable energy use and energy independence. The Center, funded at $713,625 will operate as an applied research consortium of faculty, business and industry partners, and entrepreneurial leaders.

Klobuchar also secured over $8.6 million for a program to improve navigation efficiency and environmental restoration efforts on the Upper Mississippi River. The Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program works to ensure economic and environmental sustainability of the Upper Mississippi River System. It aims to reduce commercial traffic delays and protect and restore the environment.

Klobuchar was also successful in securing funding for a public-use harbor and dock in Duluth. The McQuade Road Safe Harbor Project includes a three-acre harbor where small craft can be protected during storms, ramps for boat and kayak launching, and adjustable docks. The facility also includes fishing spots and sidewalks above the shore and an underpass beneath Scenic Highway 61.

In addition, Klobuchar obtained funding to guard against floods in Granite Falls, Grand Forks, Ada and Montevideo. Funding for the Drayton Dam is also included in the bill.

Klobuchar secured funding for the restoration of Minnehaha’s Painter Creek, a water system which was straightened for agricultural uses in the early 1900s.

Other major Minnesota environment and water initiatives included in the bill include:

* $287,000 for repairing two levees damaged by ice in April 2005 in Crookston, MN.
* $217,000 for funding towards the Marsh Lake Aquation Ecosystem Feasibility study which would identify measures to restore more than 5,000 acres of wetland habitat within the existing reservoir and to reconnect Lac qui Parle to more than 750 miles of streams in the Pomme de Terre River basin. This restoration would allow more Minnesota hunters, anglers, birders, canoeists and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy thousands of migratory waterfowl and other birds and fish.
* $382,000 for use by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District for flood mitigation between Lake Itasca and Lock and Dam #2, near Hastings, MN.
* $478,000 for the restoration of the Red River of the North Basin.
* $598,000 for the restoration and protection of the St. Croix River Basin.
* $259,000 for the restoration of the Wild Rice River of the North Basin.
* $500,000 for flood mitigation efforts in Roseau.

“It's our responsibility to provide communities with clean drinking water, protect our homes and businesses from flooding and restore our beloved rivers and lakes” said Klobuchar. “Today we took a significant step in making sure that we invest in infrastructure to allow communities to grow and our ecosystems to prosper.

Ecumenical Workshops Offered on Creation Care in Duluth

2009-02-20T07:57:00.001-06:00

An ecumenical creation care educational workshop will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran in Duluth, Minnesota on February 21st, 2009 from 9-noon. Cost of $10 includes the workshop, a resource disk, and a mini-concert by the Northfield Youth Choir. Patricia Benson, Creation Care Coordinator for the Lutheran Coalition of Public Policy in Minnesota (LCPPM), will facilitate the event. Later in the afternoon the Minnesota Episcopal Environmental Stewardship Commission (MEESC) will host presentations and discussion about "greening our church buildings" beginning at 3:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s by-the-Lake Episcopal. Speakers will touch on concerns in all buildings, and discuss examples of new construction as well as remodeled churches in the Duluth area where environmentally friendly design was incorporated.
Faith communities have been deeply engaged in action and advocacy relative to refugee, hunger, and poverty issues. This workshop is designed to develop further understanding of how climate change is an underlying contributor to each of these social justice issues and how global warming will impact core church ministries. A menu of responses provides a variety of personal and group actions designed to contribute to lasting solutions.
A segment from the DVD Sisters on the Planet (Oxfam) will be shown, demonstrating how people around the world are experiencing the consequences of climate change today. Information provided will assist you in becoming an advocate on current Minnesota legislative issues to protect our rivers, lakes and streams, to reduce pollution and increase energy efficiency, and to make our stewardship of the earth a legacy to our children.
There will also be breakout sessions to attend within a smaller group setting. Topics to be covered include Climate Change Impact on Hunger and Poverty Issues, Personal Action Plan, and Congregational Action Plan.
The purpose of the workshop is to inform people of the scriptural basis for environmental stewardship, to provide a network of connections and resources to people and communities, and to provide the opportunity to engage with others to make a difference in the world.
A contribution for the local food shelf is the admission request to a short concert at 11:30, following the morning workshop. Since 1986, the Northfield Youth Choirs have helped more than a thousand young singers "find their voice." The group's mission is to provide the finest choral education possible in an environment that challenges and affirms children and young adults in grades one through twelve. The Chorale, a mixed ensemble for grades 10 – 12, is directed by Karen Lutgen and accompanied by Mary Davis.
The Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in response to God’s love, seeks to engage all people of faith in the promotion of public policy that supports peace, justice, and care for all of God’s creation. The Minnesota Episcopal Environmental Stewardship Commission is a dynamic pace setter for understanding, reflection, and action in the Diocese of Minnesota and the Episcopal Church in America. As public awareness of concerns about the environment has grown, both organizations have taken on a new energy to mentor churches, set process and policy and develop liturgical and educational materials in our faith communities.

Creation Care Workshop at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
219 North 6th Avenue East, Duluth, Minnesota 218.722.3381
February 21st, 9-11:30 Cost: $10 & a food shelf item
“Green Building” Experience in Local Churches at St Andrew's by-the-Lake Episcopal Church
2802 Minnesota Avenue, Duluth, Minnesota
February 21st, 3:00 p.m. Supper at 5:00 – main dish and beverage provided; bring a side dish, bread, or dessert to share. All are welcome.

Barbara H. Holt, Marketing Communications Specialist

Woman Throws No Trash Away for an Entire Year

2009-02-20T06:32:00.005-06:00

Television story about a woman who doesn't throw any trash away for one year.

Blue Sky Soda

2009-02-19T21:34:00.004-06:00

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 can (354 mL)
Servings Per Container 1

Amount Per Serving
Calories 160	Fat Cal.0

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0g	0%
Sodium10mg	1%
Total Carb42g	14%
Sugars 42g
Protein 0g	0%


*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 Calorie diet
INGREDIENTS: FILTERED CARBONATED WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SWEETENER, NATURAL COLA NUT FLAVOR, CARAMEL COLOR (FROM FRUCTOSE), TARTARIC ACID (FROM GRAPES), AND CITRIC ACID.

Blue Sky Soda

Today I gave a UMW Green Team presentation to the "Coppertoppers" at my church. The "Coppertoppers" are retired group of people.

I talked about UMW stand on chlorine-free paper, the use of Stryofoam, UMW stance against bottled water and other issues.

I started off by asking trivia questions. The first person to get a trivia question correct got a fair trade organic piece of chocolate.

I also passed around a can of Blue Sky Soda and said that it is still junk food, but it has less bad stuff in it than more mainstream sodas

An application to join UMW Green Teams

2009-01-10T15:21:00.004-06:00

If you would like an application to join the United Methodist Women's Green Advocacy for Environmental Justice please contact me and I will send you an application.

Here is a sample of the type of questions that you will need to answer:

Basic information like your name, address, etc.

What you live and the size of town and the size of you UMW unit Your racial/ethnic background and age range. Languages that you speak.

Answer these questions/statements:

Please describe your particular area of environmental concern and experience in organizing/mobilizing people to advocate on an issue:

Please describe your experience working with a team and the role you played in this group.

What do you see as your strength or gifts as a leader?

Wanted: UMW Green Team Members

2009-01-10T14:55:00.005-06:00

How to join the UMW Green Team

Psalm 24:1-2

“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.”

The UMW Green Team is looking for more members. The duties include:

• Working at the local, district and conference level to inform and educate members on enviornmental justice, particularly its impact on women and children and on communities of color.

• Participate in two major initiatives on environmental justice during the 2009 – 2012 quadrennium
1. Enlist colleges/university and UM Annual conference to commit to certified chlorine-free paper procurement
2. Engage in a climate change advocacy campaign through education and action to amplify UMW voices on this issue.

• Utilize UMW venues such as School of Christian Mission, Mother’s Day events, UMW Sunday, etc. to promote and educate environmental justice

• Submit an annual report of activities.

Deadline is due by January 30. For an application contact Naomi Yaeger at (218) 728-1031 or naomi@sundogpress.com.

Example application here.

For further information contact:
Office of Global Justice
Women's Division
777 UN Plaza
New York, NY 10017
212-682-3633
ebrown AT gbgm-umc.org
Esmeralda Brown

Top 10 Eco-Tips for the Holidays

2008-12-21T06:35:00.001-06:00

Top 10 Eco-Tips for the Holidays

Toys: Do they contain toxic chemicals?

2008-12-19T17:57:00.001-06:00

Visit HealthyToys.org

Buy Nothing Day

2008-11-27T20:25:00.001-06:00

Top Ten Green Mom Blogs or How to raise children and respect the environment

2008-08-22T08:07:00.010-05:00

Here are links to several "green mom" blogs

Top ten popular green mom blogs.

10 Great Green Mom Blogs
Eco Child's Play

Sustainable Babyish is the Stylish Cloth Diaper That’s Also Very Green

Eco Children Everywhere - Miley Goes Green

Back to School Brandwashing: Freecycling for Picky Preteens

Great Green Goods

Recycled Bracelet - from Inner Tubes and Flip Flops

Back to School - Recycled Lunch Bags

Upcycled Coffee Cup Sleeves

Green Baby Guide

Savoring the Last Weeks of Summer: Carbon-Free, Low-Cost Entertainment for Kids

Little Water Wasters: What to Do When Your Youngster Doesn’t Understand the Meaning of Conservation

Building Green Communities with Like-minded Parents

Green Mom Find

Like A Big, Fluffy Hug

Not Just A Pretty Face

Supercharged Sleeping

Green Style Mom

Have to brag...
Blog Guilt

Friday Afternoon Club

Mindful Momma

Saving Face

Done with Dryer Sheets

Living Sustainably by Staying Put

Mom Go Green

baby's here announcements

back again

new favorite sunscreen

Nature Moms Blog

Acme Reusable Bags and a Pop Quiz

The Benefits of Green Smoothies

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Petite Planet

Which Toothpaste is Best for Your Child?

Teach Me Toothbrush Set

LA Quake, A Reminder to Get Shaking

Teensy Green

A Recipe For Those Stuck Indoors (Today or Any Day)

Managing Moments Giveaway!

Lunchbags For Everyone Roundup

Smart Car in Canal Park

2008-08-05T20:24:00.002-05:00

Smart Car
Read AP story about Smart Car

Cell phone companies encourage electronic waste

2008-08-02T09:28:00.004-05:00

I think the mobile or cell phone industry encourages people to discard their phones. We tried to purchase an additional phone for my mother at the beginning of the year because she was one of the people that we phoned lot and we wanted to save long distance charges and add her to our family plan. We were with Cellular One which was purchased by AT&T. At the former Cellular One stores were told that they didn't have anymore phones that would be compatible with our old Cellular One phones and that we had to purchase ALL new AT&T phones for the whole family. (We had three: my husband, myself and my daughter.)

We I asked about the electronic waste this would cause, I was told that the phone would be donated to soldiers. Okay.....so if the phone will work for the soldiers.....why can't they continue to work for us?

Every former Cellular One store we went to was "all out" of the old Cellular One phones and tried to sell us a new AT&T phone for the whole family.

Can someone explain to me why it was impossible to purchase a phone that would be compatible with the three phones we already had?

Discarded Mobile Phones Create an

Showing your toenails this summer?

2008-07-28T08:30:00.003-05:00

Since it is summer, lots of women are wearing sandals. I put my sandals on for the first time this year last week. I would like to paint my nails, but I am not sure about all the ingredients in nail polish. This link from the Green Guide (Nail Care) give pointers on the least toxic ways to have attractive toenails.

Keeping deer out of our gardens

2008-07-26T22:01:00.001-05:00

Deer are a problem for our gardens in Duluth. How do you keep deer out of your gardens?

How walkable is your neighborhood?

2008-07-16T08:44:00.005-05:00

When my husband and I had to move for a job almost three years ago, we purposely chose a neighborhood that we could easily get to work and shop by walking.

Today on the National Geographic's website "The Green Guide," the blog "The Ecopolitan"
by Jay Walljasper is featured. He discusses the "walkablity" of your neighborhood. This calculation come from the site "Walkscore."

I plugged in the numbers for my neighborhood, it came out to 72 which means it is a very walkable neighborhood and it would be possible to get around without a car. Walk Score calculates the walkability of an address by locating nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc. Walk Score measures how easy it is to live a car-lite lifestyle—not how pretty the area is for walking.

Now, if we would just buy a condo near his office we could have a walk score of 95 !

Pick your own berries this summer

2008-07-11T17:22:00.005-05:00

Prof. Cricket loves any chance she can get to go outdoors. She would just love to be a farm dog and romp around outdoors all day long. This summer, even if you don't have your own garden, you can get out of doors and have some fun picking your own berries. Dessert never tasted so good as when you picked the berries yourself.

I remember when my daughter was little we picked berries with our church group. It was relaxing to get out of town (we lived in Seattle) and see the rural areas. Plus, it was an social event for our church group. Kids of all ages think it is great fun. Later, at the church, people made strawberry shortcake.

If you are near Duluth, Minnesota try Finke's Berry Farm. The strawberries are ripe at their farm in Carlton. Be sure to phone ahead. The farm is located at 2331 Co. Rd. 4. Call 384-4432 or see finkesberryfarm.com for more information. Raspberries will be ripe later in the month or early in August.

Get creative, join together with others in your area to have a jam making party.

Greens, radishes, spring onions, and other fresh foods are available at farmers' markets now.

If you are in the Duluth, Minnesota area check out the Association Sustainable Farming Association's website for a list of area markets, including locations and times. (http://www.lakesuperiorfarming.org/FarmProductsDirectory.aspx)

More information will be posted on the Slow Food Lake Superior website, http://www.slowfoodlakesuperior.org/.

Purchase grass-fed beef at a farmers market

2008-07-09T22:15:00.007-05:00

Eat locally grown food.
This ground beef was purchased at the Farmers Market in East Hillside from Green Pastures. Green Pastures Dairy is located in Carlton, Minn. and the cattle eat grass.

It is kinda expensive, but most Americans eat too much red meat. I made hamburgers tonight. It would have been easy for my husband to eat a one-half pound burger, but I made him a quarter-pounder and made sure he had lots of extras to fill him up.

Learn more about grass-fed beef at Eat Wild.

Green Pastures will be having an open house on Aug. 2nd.

Here is their contact information:
Green Pastures Dairy
2353 Bromfield Road
Carlton, MN 55718
(218) 384-4513
cheese@greenpasturesdairy.com

We also sell our products at the Duluth Farmers Markets every Saturday,
from June through October.

Duluth Farmers Market
14th Ave. E. & 3rd St.
7:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Poison yards? Keep children and pets of the grass for their own safety

2008-07-07T12:29:00.002-05:00

Prof. Cricket and I walk at least two times a day. I had her pose by this sign. I suppose I should be careful, it says to keep pets and children off because the lawn has just been sprayed with a weedkiller.

Do you really want you yard to be poisonous to children and small furry animals?

What do you do to keep your yard free from weeds? Please post your comments.

Save Energy, clean behind your refridgerator

2008-07-03T21:37:00.014-05:00

When I was a kid, my mom told a story on herself. As a young women her refrigerator did not work so she called a repairman. He came over and vacuumed the back side of her refrigerator. She said she was embarrassed, but it did fix her refrigerator.

A refrigerator uses about 15 % of your household electricity.

A couple years ago I went to the Green Energy Fair in Duluth and I listened to a talk by Tony Mancuso. (He figures out lots of innovative ways to save energy for St. Louis County.) He also talked about how you could increase the efficiency of your refrigerator if you clean behind it, and he had some examples of brushes you could use. So, I purchased this nifty brush that Prof. Cricket is posing by, but I never used it.

About a month ago our refrigerator started making all kinds of funny noises. It was very loud. So I spent a good hour using the brush behind the coils and especially the areas close to the floor and near the fan.

Now our refrigerator isn't making any more funny noises and it is quiet.

Here is a link on how to clean the coils for your refrigerator
http://www.ehow.com/how_2026039_save-energy-fridge.html

This above example talks about removing a plate. I did not do that.

Here is another blog, Brave New Leaf, with a post about how to clean the coils:
http://www.bravenewleaf.com/environment/2008/03/scary-and-new-c.html

Alternative gift registry for weddings, babies, etc

2008-06-23T12:47:00.000-05:00

This is from New American Dream
Why Alternative Gifts?
Do you want to plan an event that emphasizes time spent with loved ones and de-emphasizes store-bought gifts? Do you want to give a special gift to someone you love that focuses on the bond you share, rather than something that costs a bundle and may not be what they really want?
We all love giving and receiving gifts; it’s important to our culture and good for the spirit. When the gifts we buy don’t match our values, however, they can distract from, rather than deepen, the meaning behind an event, despite the best intentions of those involved. The cost to gift-givers—not to mention the environmental impacts—also adds up quickly.
Fortunately, for many brides, grooms, parents-to-be, and other gift recipients, less truly is more. By encouraging non-material, second-hand, homemade, and environmentally friendly gifts, we seek to continue the proud tradition of gift-giving while helping celebrants focus on what matters most: a joyous commemoration with loved ones that honors the important moments in their lives.
Creating a registry and choosing a gift, of course, is highly personal. We have offered a number of green suggestions, but celebrants can fill in their own ideas and link to products outside this site to offer the widest and most meaningful gift selection possible.
To get started just click here to create a registry, or click here to find your loved one’s registry.

Electric Cars You Can Buy Now

2008-06-22T07:54:00.002-05:00

Electric Cares You can Buy Now

http://finance.yahoo.com/loans/article/105265/5-Electric-Cars-You-Can-Buy-Now

American's first carbon tax

2008-06-21T08:41:00.004-05:00

My friend Wendy, sent me this information from the
Post Carbon Cities Weekly Blog

America's first carbon tax
Published 21 May 2008 by ABC News "Science and Society" blog (original article Not content to wait for federal carbon regulation, San Francisco's air quality authority is putting in place the U.S.'s first carbon tax. They decided on 20 May 2008 to place a price of 4.4 cents per ton of CO2 released into the atmosphere -- which is not much, as some have pointed out, but a start.

Save the Internet

2008-06-09T07:04:00.001-05:00

To reduce waste stay organized

2008-06-04T11:55:00.006-05:00

Staying organized is a challenge for me. It seems I have a million things to do. When a person is so busy it is easy to want to eat out, and eat fast food.

I rarely eat at a fast food joint. I want to eat healthy food and I don't want to create more waste.

Last night were busy and my husband was very hungry. If I had been better organized, I would have had something good ready for him to eat, but I didn't.

He wanted a burger. The last thing I want is a fast food burger. We did decide to go to Taco John's. I think I haven't been their in years.

We both ordered salads. He had a taco (hamburger) salad; I had a chicken salad. I was disappointed in myself be it was served on disposable plastic plates with plastic forks.

We thought it would be more healthy if we ordered one root beer and one water and shared. Well, the root beer came in a plastic cup and the water came in a Styrofoam cup. A couple of years ago I gave up Styrofoam. When I mentioned the Styrofoam to my husband, he seemed perturbed. I think he wishes I would loosen up a bit on my standards.

I noticed they also had paper cups. I suppose if you order water you get Styrofoam so it doesn't screw up their count on sold soda pop with the supply company.

Today I brought my own cup to a coffeehouse. I could have done that yesterday if I would have known that it was going to be in Styrofoam.

Energy Fair in Wisconsin, June 20-22

2008-05-30T12:13:00.006-05:00

Don't miss the Midwest Energy Fair June 20 thorugh the 22nd in Custer Wisconsin.

http://www.the-mrea.org/

Energy Fair Keynotes & Workshops

Keynotes

Friday, June 20 - Jason Walsh,

Green For All Jason Walsh serves as the National Policy Director for Green For All. Green For All's goal is to help build a green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty. Jason was previously State Policy Director for The Workforce Alliance, a national coalition advocating for public policies that invest in the skills of America's workers, where he worked on a range of federal and state workforce development legislation, including the Green Jobs Act.

Saturday, June 21 - Jim Hightower

National radio commentator, writer, public speaker, and author of the forthcoming book, Swim Against The Current: Even A Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow, Jim Hightower has spent three decades battling the Powers That Be on behalf of the Powers That Ought To Be - consumers, working families, environmentalists, small businesses, and just-plain-folks.

Meet Jim, and sign up for his newsletter The Hightower Lowdown at his website.

Sunday, June 22 - Eco-Municipality Expert Torbjörn LahtiTorbjorn Lahti is the project director for Sustainable Robertsfors, a five-year sustainable community demonstration project. He was the project planner for Sweden's first eco-municipality, and is co-author of The Natural Step for Communities. Lahti will also present an extended workshop at the Energy Fair for individuals interested in a more in-depth study of eco-municipalities.

Interested in eco-municipalities? Purchase The Natural Step through the MREA Marketplace.

Duluth Hospital serves good food "organic" food

2008-05-30T11:49:00.005-05:00

Duluth hospital serves good food

"We're starting to see the health-care profession is starting to take food nutrition seriously," Harvie said, beyond just having dieticians advise that people eat nutritiously. "They're trying to change the food system, the way our food is produced and distributed."As more hospitals demand organic and locally grown foods, suppliers are beginning to offer it, he said.Branovan has witnessed that happen.

Click here to go to the Duluth News Tribune article by Patrick Garmoe

Please leave a comment if you have stayed and St. Luke's and what you thought about the food.

Chickens in the City?

2008-05-26T16:43:00.005-05:00

Today, Memorial Day, I broke a couple of my own rules. I shopped on a national holiday and I purchased a bunch of non-organic food. (We were going to have a cook-out with our neighbor, but it is raining. I am going to make bison burgers. Which I will post about some day to talk about the benefits of this type of meat.)

I went to Whole Foods Co-op at 4 p.m., but they had closed a 3 p.m. So I went to Super One Foods. I almost purchased some of the regular eggs, but they had some eggs in a see-three plastic egg crates that were "cage-free," so I purchased those instead. It bothered me that the egg crate is made of plastic. When I got home the crate said that it was made from recycled plastic.

Here is a chance for you to learn about the benefits of having chickens in your backyard for eggs.

A group of people in Duluth are trying to pass an ordinance allowing for the raising of chickens in the city limits of Duluth, MN.

"Duluth City Chickens: A group advocating for chicken raising in the city of Duluth,MN"

The mission of the "Duluth City Chickens" is to promote responsible urban agriculture by establishing clear legal guidelines for raising chickens within the city of Duluth.

Supporting language

As modern large-scale agriculture becomes unsustainable (due to the rising cost of fuel, the need to cut down on emissions of greenhouse gases, etc.) and as the safety of our food supply becomes less certain, people throughout the world are turning to urban agriculture (including the cultivation of vegetables and fruits, and the raising of poultry for eggs and meat) as a way to increase food self-sufficiency. By recognizing the advantages of ensuring that people living in urban areas have the legal right to raise their own food, it is in the best interests of the residents of Duluth that we establish clear guidelines for responsible urban agriculture.

Read more at Duluth City Chickens

Cooking meat on Memorial Day?

2008-05-25T22:06:00.007-05:00

Go ahead and celebrate Memorial Day with a cook-out on the grill. Then, next Monday, consider eating less meat.

I'm not saying Prof. Cricket needs to eat less meat. She is a canine after all. But I think Americans eat way too much meat. You will be healthier if you find other forms of protein; and so with the earth.

Some say "A meat-eater on a bicycle leaves a bigger carbon footprint than a vegan in a Hummer!"Did you know...

-Animal agriculture produces more greenhouse gas emissions than automobiles. Cows raised for beef, in particular, emit massive amounts of nitrous oxide and methane.

-Animal waste and feed cropland dump more pollutants into our waterways than all other human activities combined.

-Meat-based diets require 10-20 times as much land as plant-based diets - nearly half of the world's grains & soybeans are fed to animals.

Meat Out Mondays
Eating meat is something many of us grew up believing was the best thing to do to get protein. It is hard a habit to break, and I am not asking Prof. Cricket to participate, but I use recipes from Meat Out Mondays. My favorite is sweet potatoes topped with black bean chili.

Your choices on Memorial Day

2008-05-23T22:17:00.002-05:00

What will you be doing for Memorial Day weekend?

Will you travel?

If you do travel, how much gas will you use.

If you don't travel, is it because of the price of gas?

Will you have a cookout?

What type of meat will you eat? How do you think your choices of meat affect the environment?

Church members work together to prevent water pollution from the runoff of parking lot

2008-05-22T14:19:00.012-05:00

With beautiful Lake Superior in the background members of the First United Methodist Church in Duluth, Minn. swept of the winter's collection of sand, gravel and salt.

Even the bags used to collect the debris were recycled.

This April members of the First United Methodist Church aka "The Coppertop," wore work clothes and brought brooms to the Sunday service. It was time to sweep the sand, silt and salt off the church's parking lot before the spring rains sweep away the grit thus adding it right into Lake Superior which, by the way, the city uses for drinking water.

The church's sustainability committee thought up the idea. The sustainability committee met and worked on a weekday evening to get a head start. The following Sunday members grabbed their brooms and joined in. A dinner was also provided. It was stressed that anyone could join at the dinner, you didn't have to participate in the sweeping.

The activity succeeded in stopping some pollution and demonstrated to the congregation that we are able to take steps on our own to help the environment. It was also an educational activity for anyone attending church or reading the church bulletin or newsletter.

Visit this site to learn more: Lake Superior Streams.

Clothesrack saves energy

2008-05-21T21:52:00.004-05:00

Today was the first day of the year that I wanted to use the clothesline. It must really be spring in Duluth because when I went outside the neighbor was scraping paint of his house to prep it for paint. The flecks were flying, so I decided to put the clothes on a clothesrack inside to save some money and energy.

Leave a comment if you use a clothes rack inside of the dryer.

Tomorrow is Endangered Species Day, See Minnesota Endangered Species Day events

2008-05-15T13:36:00.006-05:00

I picked up the paper today and looked at the photo of the polar bear. Polar bears will now be officially listed as an endangered species. To me this is different than the wolves, or the bison. In many states humans purposely killed those species. I think it is sad, but some humans still don't feel bad about driving out a species that endangered their way of life...like raising cattle. Many ranchers hate wolves. In he state of Wisconsin, many years ago, humans purposely killed as many as possible.

The bison were killed for sport.

What is different is that no one is purposely killing polar bears. There is no bounty. There is no group of sportsmen taking glee in killing. There is really no individual to point the finger at.

Reading the story on the front page made me feel hopeless. What can we do?

Read what No Impact Man has to say.

If you live in the southern part of Minnesota here are some events you could attend:

Friday, May 16, is Endangered Species Day.

Minnesota Endangered Species Day event

Upper Missouri River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge

US Fish and Wildlife Service

51 East 4st Street

Winona, MN

507-452-4232

You can enjoy biking and canoeing and watch bald eagle or search for prairie birds and plants. The refuge is an angler’s paradise, waterfowl hunters dream and birdwatchers bounty.

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

US Fish and Wildlife Service

3815 American Blvd. East

Bloomington, MN

952-854-5900

Visit the refuge in the heart of the Twin Cities, where you can hike, bike, canoe and much more. Learn about the 6 endangered, 4 threatened and 4 candidate species in Minnesota.

Sherbune Refuge

US Fish and Wildlife Service

17076 293rd Avenue

Zimmerman, MN

763-389-3323

The refuge is 50 miles northwest of the Twin Cities and has two scenic hiking trails. Learn about the 6 endangered, 4 threatened and 4 candidate species in Minnesota.

Disposing of dog doo

2008-05-14T14:32:00.001-05:00

Plastic does terrible things to the environment. It never biodegrades. I do use plastic, and I feel guilty if I don't re-use plastic bags. I even save the plastic bags that frozen vegetables come in, or new product are shipped in.

When I walk Prof. Cricket I bring these bags along and recycle them by using them to pick up her dog doo. My friend says I am very dedicated because I even bring the bag back home and dump the contents into the toilet instead of throwing it into a trash can which then sends it to the landfill to become mummified in plastic for thousands of years.

It is not good for the environment to leave dog doo out. (Read my earlier post.) But it is also not the best to send it to the landfill.

If you follow my lead on this, please be very careful that you don't get any leaves, grass or sticks into the toilet. And you have a greater risk of soiling your hands doing this...so please wash your hands very carefully.

Mummifying our trash

2008-05-14T14:25:00.001-05:00

Mummifying our trash
Landfills: protection by storage

When we talk about helping the environment often times we speak about recycling instead of “landfilling” our trash or garbage. This July, Rebecca and I started composting our food waste. Composting is a way of recycling nutrients back to the earth.
One of the display items we showed during our Green Team presentations this summer was a food waste collection container loaned by Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) for special occasions like weddings, picnics and graduations. It really isn’t that special. It is just a large plastic garbage can lined with a biodegradable plastic bag. The container is returned to WLSSD and the food scraps are composted.
This project prompted an excellent question for Prof. Cricket from an Iowa woman. She asked, “Why don’t food and yard waste return to the earth in a landfill when they do in a compost pile?”
To understand why landfills don’t compost our waste, Prof. Cricket will give a mini-lesson in the construction of a landfill.
Landfills are actually like condominiums or tombs for our garbage. In the old days we had dumps. Anything and everything was thrown into a pile. Some places burned the garbage and others covered it up.
The problem was that there were no safeguards in place. Poisons could leach out of the dumps and into our water. Dumps were stinky places and often breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects and rodents. Today landfills are constructed. A lengthy process including an environmental impact study in which many experts such as geologists, biologists, social scientists and engineers scrutinize the effect of the landfill on the natural and social environment.
Landfills are lined with clay and plastic to prevent leachate or garbage-juice from leaking out. They are actually designed to slow down decomposition. A series of tubes and pipes are included underneath, through and around the landfill. These pipes collect the leachate to treat it so that it doesn’t containment water. Some of the leachate turns to methane gas and is vented through the pipes.
Each day the garbage at a landfill is covered with soil, which helps prevent odors and pests. This process is repeated until a section or cell is full. One landfill has many cells. When it is full it is capped off with clay and soil. It still needs to be monitored for future years.

Prof. Cricket wonders, “If a steak bone with meat on it is thrown in our kitchen garbage can, then to our alley trash can; picked up by our garbage truck and then transported and dumped into a sanitary landfill, which is later sealed and capped, will there still be meat on the bone 15 years later?”
An Anthropology professor at the University of Arizona, William L. Rathje, conducted several archeological excavations on landfills in Arizona, California and Illinois. This was named, “The Garbage Project.” He said of landfills, “They are vast mummifiers.” His team found readable newspapers, hot-dogs and a T-bone with meat and fat on it.
This archeological projected showed that a well-designed and managed landfill slows biodegration of some organic garbage to a standstill. Some never did start to biodegrade.
According to the EPA Americans throw away 25 percent of the food we prepare. This amounts to 96 million pounds of food waste. It costs us $1 billion.So while today’s landfill is a way to protect our water supply from dangerous pollutants and also prevent disease-carrying vermin. They aren’t a very good way to return organic materials to the earth.

Dogs' use of outdoors as bathroom affects our water

2008-05-13T13:10:00.005-05:00

This photo is fromDuluthStreams.org

Until recently, the only reason I picked up Prof. Cricket's dog-doo was as a matter of courtesy for my neighbors. I thought it was unsightly, a hazard to people who might accidentally step on it. It wasn't until Marnie Lonsdale a Duluth, Minn city employee and Project Lead, City Administrative Lead, Stormwater Plan Links came to visit my United Methodist Women's circle earlier this year that I realized that dog waste is a health hazard. It gets carried by runoff water into everyone's water supply hurting humans, lakes, rivers and aquatic life.

"But wild animals poop in the woods in nature," you may say. This is true, but we human's have more pet population in a small land area compared to the population of animals in the wild. It is estimated that 40 percent of Americans own a dog. In Duluth it is estimated that 125 dogs live within a square mile.

Your dog's business is everyone's business
I am embarrassed to admit that I never saw the need to pick up dog doo in my own yard if I didn't feel like it. I thought it was my yard and my dog's business was no one else's business. I thought that the rain dissolved it and it "biodegraded" and returned to the land. I was wrong. Bacteria from pet droppings ends up in the water supply.

This spring I was walking Prof. Cricket when I met an elderly couple who were so upset by the the piles of dog doo in front of their house that they had shovels and were flinging the excrement onto the street. This was actually making the situation worse. Cars were driving over the excrement and it was taken by the water of the melting snow straight to the storm sewers and into Lake Superior.

It is important to pick up the dog doo to prevent contamination of water. But if you read Prof. Cricket's previous post about mummifying our garbage in landfills, you might wonder whether or not the dog doo biodegrades even if you use biodegradable bags. Biodegradable material relies on microbial action for degradation. Microbes require moisture, oxygen and elevated temperature for survival. Landfills are designed to exclude moisture and compaction reduces oxygen. A majority of dog waste bags end up in landfills. A brand named Mutt Mitt labels itself "degradable" and says, Mutt Mitts include additional degradants and will degrade even in a landfill.

Flushable bags
Some bags are designed to be flushed down the toliet. I would double check with the city or the person in charge of your spectic system before doing this. Here are some companies that sell flushable bags: The Flushable Bag™ and Handicapped Pets

Dog doo composters
If you live in suburbia you can even purchase an underground doggie doo composter. Check outDoggie Dooley , Pet D Posit or a City Farmer site

Different cities handle this question in other ways. Here are the options in Duluth: • flushed down the toilet (be sure to pick out rocks and sticks first) • put in the trash or • buried in your own yard. If you want to bury pet waste, make sure it is in a hole at least 6 inches deep, away from vegetable gardens and water sources, and in permeable soil (not clay). Do not add it to compost piles.

Honey Bees on Strike!?

2008-05-13T13:03:00.002-05:00

Cartoon creator Mike Adams www.NaturalNews.com

Why are the honey bees disappearing?