2/22/2009

Beginning Beekeeping Workshop, Carthage,

We will be conducting a two-day beginner's beekeeping workshop March 21 and March 28 from 8am-12 noon at the Agricultural Center in Carthage.

After each classroom session, there will be a hands-on session at a local apiary. Let me know if you would like to help with the class. At the March 28 session, I will give the certified exam to anyone who wishes to take it. For anyone wishing to register for the class, they should contact me at stoole@nc.rr.com (preferred) or at 910-295-6676.

Cost of the course is $20.00.

2/20/2009

Hokpins, Transition Town interview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQF09NG00V8

Compost Happens

http://www.chelseagreen.com/content/index.php?p=1945

Low-Carbon Refrigerator

http://www.chelseagreen.com/content/index.php?p=1982

Job Losses in Mining

Anglo American to cut 9,000 jobs
Mining giant Anglo American is to cut 9,000 jobs, on top of the 10,000 losses already announced at its Anglo Platinum unit. http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/business/7900925.stm

Define Permaculture

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permaculture

2/19/2009

Beauty and Destruction in Peru, Hewson

ADAM CAVE FINE ART
115-1/2 East Hargett Street, 2nd Floor - Raleigh, NC 27601 - (919) 838-6692
The Peruvian Amazon: Beauty and Destruction

Wednesday, February 25th, 6:30 pm

Take this uncommon opportunity to travel with North Carolina artist David Hewson, far from his Sandhill’s roots, into the remote jungles and villages of Peru. Learn about an obscure but important part of the world and what is happening there in 2009.

The artist has been bearing witness to gross environmental contamination resulting from oil drilling in the jungle; abuses by multi-national corporations that have gone under-reported world-wide.

David will give a slide presentation on his past two years living in Iquitos on the banks of the Amazon; a place where mythological spirits are still part of daily life. Indian legends, shamanistic healing and ancient plant medicines are the inspiration for David's recent artwork now on display in the gallery.

Please RSVP. Seating for this event is limited.

Small Mart Revolution

http://allalongtheedge.blogspot.com/2009/02/small-mart-revolution.html

2/18/2009

Marchers Blocking MX-US Border

Marchers block Mexico-US border
Hundreds of Mexicans block crossings into the US in protest against the deployment of the army to fight drug traffickers.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/americas/7896094.stm

2/17/2009

To Stay With the Vision

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/opinion/17morone.html

Like It or Not--Shared Housing

http://allalongtheedge.blogspot.com/2009/02/whether-we-like-it-or-not.html

Rain Barrels Anyone?

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090302/lohan?rel=emailNation

Grassroots Festival, April, Shakori Hills

http://www.shakorihills.org/ will include a sustainability fair also.

Pruning Workshop, Carthage, Feb. 25

Pruning Workshop Now is the best time to get your trees and shrubs ready for spring. On Wednesday, February 25, Extension Agent Taylor Williams, will conduct a workshop and demonstration on how to correctly prune and shape broad leaf evergreens; prune flowering trees and shrubs such as crape myrtles and crab apples to enhance their appearance; and prune fruit trees for maximum yield and life.
2:00pm in the agriculture building, 707 Pinehurst Avenue, Carthage and then move outside for some hands-on pruning. Bring your shears and a notebook. Handouts will be available. For additional information, call the Extension office at 947-3188.

2/16/2009

Workshop, Insects in the Garden, Feb 28, Pinehurst

Please join us for a workshop on insects in the garden: Hindering Hoodlums & Helping Heroes......Understanding Insects in Your Garden
Presented by the Pinehurst Conservation Commission, Greenway Wildlife Habitat Committee Date: Sat., Feb 28, 2009Time: 10:30 AM - Noon Place: Pinehurst Village Hall, 395 Magnolia Road
This is the first of the GWHC spring backyard workshops to guide homeownersin their efforts to manage insects and wild animals in their gardens. Taylor Williams, Agricultural Agent for the NC Cooperative Extension Service of Moore County, will speak about desirable and undesirable insects.
The next workshop, March 21, will focus on animal control. Open to the public at no charge. For information call 295-1900.

From Philly

http://allalongtheedge.blogspot.com/2009/02/inspiration-from-phily.html

Bridge to an Organic Future Forum, Carrboro, April

Bridge to an Organic Future: Opportunities for health and the environment, the 27th National Pesticide Forum, will be held April 3-4, 2009 at the Century Center in Carrboro, NC.

This national environmental conference, convened by Beyond Pesticides and Toxic Free NC, will cover a range of issues affecting NC and the nation including: fair, organic food; pesticides and health; clean water; organic lawns; schools and daycare; and more. Keynote speakers include: Jim Hightower, author and radio commentator; Baldemar Velasquez, president of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee; and, Philip and Alice Shabecoff, authors of Poisoned Profits.

Registration and more information online at www.beyondpesticides.org/forum. Carolina Farm Stewardship Association is co-sponsoring this event.

How to Save the Suburbs

http://chelseagreen.com/blogs/rjruppenthal/2009/02/16/how-to-save-the-suburbs/

2/15/2009

Food Garden Tax Break

http://www.chelseagreen.com/content/index.php?p=1965

Rejecting the Dumbing Down of Food

http://www.chelseagreen.com/content/index.php?p=1971

Sow Those Seeds!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/opinion/15sun4.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Yes, They Could, Yes, They Did

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/opinion/15friedman.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Global Warming Underestimated

Global warming 'underestimated'
The severity of global warming over the next century will be worse than forecast, a leading climate scientist warns.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/science/nature/7890988.stm

2/14/2009

Conservation Insider Bulletin, CCNC

Conservation Insider Bulletin
Published weekly for the Conservation Council of North Carolina
Conservation News to Peruse & Use
Editor: Dan Besse, cib@conservationcouncilnc.org
February 13, 2009

What's green in the stimulus? We may have that answer, plus more news, this week in CIB:

National environmental advocates are praising the reported results of the House-Senate conference committee compromise on the stimulus package, reached surprisingly swiftly this week. As environmentalists had hoped from the start, the huge economy-boosting spending bill includes "game-changing" appropriations for energy efficiency and renewable energy development, and a big fiscal shot for public transit as well.

In the legislative process, it's always dangerous to count one's dollars before the final signature is attached. As a consequence, this week's report comes with the caveat that the proposal must pass final votes in the House and Senate (and get the president's signature, which in this case is assured) before it is truly a done deal. With that caution, however, it appears that we now know the major components of the legislation.

In a statement released 2/12/09, League of Conservation Voters president Gene Karpinski praised the bill's contents, as reported based on conference committee deliberations. He said that it appeared that the conference report "kept the best aspects of the House and Senate versions of the bill. Tens of billions of dollars for clean energy, energy efficiency, public transportation, scientific research and a smart energy grid remain. Tens of billions set to be wasted on coal and other outdated energy sources were removed."

Karpinski also said, "As the first act of a new Congress to promote clean energy and reduce global warming pollution, this bill bodes well for the future."

The positive analysis by Karpinski and other environmental advocates is based on an understanding that the compromise bill retains over $28 billion for a series of major renewable energy and energy efficiency programs and initiatives, plus over $17 billion for rail and other public transit initiatives. Apparently axed during conference negotiations was a Senate proposal to throw $50 billion in loan guarantees at nuclear and coal power development. Again, we'll hold our final judgment until the ink is dry on the president's signature, but if these reports turn out to be accurate, we'll join in pronouncing this to be a green stimulus.

Legislative Watch: House Environmental Committees: Signup for Hot List

House Environmental Committees: Last week we reported on key Senate committee leadership. This week, it's the House's turn. As one might expect from the larger chamber, there are more committees of interest, including some newly created ones. Under Speaker Joe Hackney, there are now eight committees in need of note from an environmental basis:

--Two are Appropriations Subcommittees: Natural and Economic Resources, and Transportation. NER is co-chaired by Reps. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford), Garland Pierce (D-Scotland), and Edith Warren (D-Pitt). Transportation is co-chaired by Reps. Nelson Cole (D-Rockingham) and Grier Martin (D-Wake). This puts two particularly strong environmental legislators (Harrison and Martin) at the head of the two key appropriations subcommittees in the House.

--Six other committees are general subject-area jurisdiction entities: Energy and Energy Efficiency, Environment and Natural Resources, Marine Resources and Aquaculture, Transportation, and Water Resources and Infrastructure. We won't attempt to lay out in this edition a comprehensive listing of the designated leaders, but here are some items of note. Rep. Angela Bryant (D-Nash) is the new chair of Energy, taking over from Pricey Harrison. Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg) chairs Transportation—which may be significant in placing a representative of the state's only (so far) county with light rail in legislative transportation leadership. Rep. Cullie Tarleton (D-Watauga) chairs the newly created Water Resources and Infrastructure committee, and Rep. Lucy Allen (D-Franklin) chairs the Environment and Natural Resources committee.

For a complete listing of the chairs, vice chairs, and members of all House committees, you can go to http://projects.newsobserver.com/sites/projects.newsobserver.com/files/house-committees-2009.pdf and see where your representative sits.

To recap from last week, key Senate chairs are the following: Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources—Bob Atwater (D-Chatham); Transportation—Larry Shaw (D-Cumberland); Energy, Science, and Technology—Katie Dorsett (D-Guilford) and Joe Sam Queen (D-Haywood); Appropriations—Linda Garrou (D-Forsyth), Charlie Albertson (D-Duplin), A.B. Swindell (D-Nash), and Charlie Dannelly (D-Mecklenburg).

Signup for Hot List: CIB recipients—would you also like to receive Hot List, the Conservation Council's periodic email bulletin offering a more extended review of pending state legislation of environmental interest? Hot List comes out every week or two during the state legislative session. If you'd like to be added to that list, please just send an email with "subscribe Hot List" in the subject line to CCNC executive director Carrie Clark at carrie@conservationcouncilnc.org.

Common Agenda Detailed: Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP)

This week, we also start a more detailed look at some of the items comprising the "Common Agenda" of citizen environmental groups for this year's General Assembly. FYI, CCNC lobbyist Dan Crawford brings you this summary of the Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP):

Contaminated stormwater runoff is the number one cause of impaired surface waters in North Carolina, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Stormwater is rain runoff from developed areas, such as roads, roofs, parking lots and driveways, that pollutes rivers, lakes and streams and triggers flooding in towns and neighborhoods.

The Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP) is a voluntary, incentive-based program to install stormwater best management practices on urban, suburban and rural lands. CCAP is administered by the N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation, which provides educational, technical and financial assistance to landowners through its network of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Homeowners, businesses, schools, churches and other civic and community groups may be reimbursed up to 75 percent for approved stormwater retrofit projects.

CCAP was created by the General Assembly in 2006 with the support of realtor, homebuilder and environmental organizations, the NC League of Municipalities and the NC Association of County Commissioners. Currently 65 of the 96 Soil and Water Conservation Districts in North Carolina participate in CCAP.

Funding for CCAP will help stimulate the economy by providing new jobs for contractors and landscapers to conduct “public works” projects that retrofit existing sources of stormwater. This green jobs program will result in cleaner rivers, lakes and streams statewide. The Common Agenda this year asks for $3.4 million to support green jobs and water quality through CCAP.

Coast Watch: Salazar Extends Offshore Energy Study

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar this week continued revisiting some of the late Bush blunders, as he turned attention to the 11th-hour Bush Interior Department's effort to crank up offshore drill leasing on a wide front. Instead of simply stopping the process, Salazar extended the public comment period by six months—and expanded its focus to include "offshore energy" options beyond drilling, including offshore wind energy and wave energy. (Offshore wind energy is considered one of the major untapped resources for renewable energy in the United States.)

In announcing the revised public comment plans, Salazar was blunt in his criticism of the Bush initiative, which was published in the Federal Register on the last day of business before Obama's inauguration. Salazar called the Bush proposal "a headlong rush of the worst kind", "a process rigged to force hurried decisions based on bad information", and "a process tilted toward the usual energy players while renewable energy companies and the interests of American consumers and taxpayers were overlooked." (New York Times, 2/10/09.) We can't argue with that assessment.

Administrative Watch: DENR Assistants Named

The N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) this week announced the rest of its new leadership team under the Perdue Administration and DENR Secretary Dee Freeman. Manley Wilder, previously the DENR assistant secretary for natural resources, has been moved up to chief deputy/chief operating officer. Wilder previously had been director of the N.C. Div. of Soil and Water Conservation, following a 35-year career with the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Filling the position of Assistant Secretary for Natural Resources will be a veteran conservation advocate, David Knight, who will be coming from his current position as director of government relations for the Nature Conservancy. In his new state post, Knight will supervise the DENR divisions and work groups of Soil and Water Conservation, Forest Resources, Marine Fisheries, Parks and Recreation, the Ecosystem Enhancement Program, and Natural Resources Planning and Conservation.

Career state environmental staff person Robin W. Smith will continue as Assistant Secretary for the Environment, which position oversees the divisions of Water Quality, Air Quality, and Coastal Management, among others. Also continuing in their current roles will be Elizabeth Biser, Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Diana Kees, Communications Director.

Mary Penny Thompson, DENR's general counsel, will retain that job and take on a dual role as Assistant Secretary of Information Technology.

High Fructose Corn Syrup + Mercury

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/02/14/Most-Common-Source-of-Calories-in-US-is-LOADED-With-Mercury.aspx

Climate Change, CO2

Bleak forecast on fishery stocks
Changing ocean temperatures will force many fish species to migrate towards the poles, hitting fish stocks, scientists warn.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/science/nature/7887536.stm

CO2 reduction treaties useless'
A new report says that treaties, such as the Kyoto Protocol, which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, are useless.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/uk_news/7888994.stm

2/11/2009

Sustainable Sandhills Film Series, Feb. 17

Sustainable Sandhills Introduces Free Film Series in Moore County

Sustainable Sandhills is kicking off a free Film Series focused on sustainability-related topics. The desire of Sustainable Sandhills is to heighten public awareness of pressing sustainability issues and to encourage community dialogue following each film.

In anticipation of our upcoming Urban Farm Tour (to be held in Moore and Cumberland Counties on Saturday, April 11th), the first film will look at food-related issues and is titled "Asparagus! Stalking the American Life." It will be shown Tuesday, February 17th, at Sandhills Community College's Dempsey Student Center, upstairs in the Clement Dining Room from 6:30-8:00 PM. A trailer of the film was shown at our Moore County Community Action Team Meeting on January 29th, which sparked the interest of the group and also received several good laughs. This promises to be an educational yet entertaining film.

The Film Series will be held on a bi-monthly schedule, alternating with the Sustainable Sandhills Moore County Community Action Team Meetings. Each film will be aired from 6:30-8:00 PM at the same location, and the 2009 schedule is as follows: February 17th, April 14th, June 16th, August 18th, October 20th, and December 15th.

Bring the family! All ages are invited to attend and it’s FREE!!!. We look forward to seeing you there!

Iceland's Cashless Society

http://www.truthout.org/020909M

Incubator Farm Info

http://allalongtheedge.blogspot.com/2009/02/building-new-farm-incubator-programs.html

BioChar to Help Save the Planet

http://henandharvest.com/?tag=biochar

10 Questions re NC Ag

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4406387/

2/10/2009

Good News From Iowa

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/opinion/10tue4.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Permablitzing AU

http://allalongtheedge.blogspot.com/2009/02/permablitzing-au.html

Sustainability Winning Over Naysayers

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090209/TBW/902060239/1104/Biz

Toxic Cleaners

http://www.azdailysun.com/articles/2009/02/09/news/local/20090209_local_190571.txt

Field to Market Sustainability

http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Keystone_Alliance_Issues_Field_to_Market_Report_on_Ag_Sustainability-70464.html

Battle Hymn Rewritten

From Baptist Peacemaker, January-March, 2009

Battle Hymn of the Republic, Revised
by Doug Norton

My eyes have seen the glory of the providence of God,
In the bounty of the vintage and the beauty of the sod;
In infusing faithful light along each path that we have trod:
God's love goes on and on.

Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
God's love goes on and on.

We have seen God in the star fires and the emptiness of space;
We have felt God at the altar and within a friend’s embrace;
We can read God’s righteous sentence in each loving human face;
God’s grace goes on and on.

Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
God’s grace goes on and on.

God has sounded forth the music to which every heart can beat
In a symphony of living in a harmony complete.
Oh, be swift, my soul, to sing along! Be jubilant, my feet!
God’s truth goes on and on.

Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
God’s truth goes on and on.

In the beauty of the living of a life in Galilee
Comes a glorious glimpse of Godliness for all the world to see.
Just as God’s light shines through Jesus, let us all God’s prism be:
God’s light shines on and on.

Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
God’s light shines on and on.

Doug Norton is a member of Central Baptist Church in Wayne, PA. These lyrics were written in June, 2008

None in Moore County

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/garden/CommunityGarden/gardens.html

Diseases Linked to Soft Drinks

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/02/10/10-Diseases-Linked-To-Soda.aspx

2/09/2009

War on Women

Playwright, V-Day Founder Eve Ensler and Congolese Gynecologist Dr. Denis Mukwege Raise Awareness on War on Women in DRC

Tens of thousands of women have been brutally raped in the DRC as part of an ongoing internal conflict. We speak with playwright and V-Day founder Eve Ensler and Congolese gynecologist Dr. Denis Mukwege, founder of one of the only hospitals that treats victims of rape and mutilation.

Dr. Mukwege has helped over 21,000 women in the past decade and was named "African of the Year" by a Nigerian newspaper last month.

www.democracynow.org/2009/2/9/playwright_v_day_founder_eve_ensler

NC Food Folk to Raleigh, Mar. 2, 3

http://allalongtheedge.blogspot.com/2009/02/calling-all-nc-food-folk-to-raleigh.html

To Assist With Biodiversity

http://allalongtheedge.blogspot.com/2009/02/ark-of-taste.html

2/05/2009

South Central Farm - The Movie

http://allalongtheedge.blogspot.com/2009/02/south-central-farm-movie.html

Example

http://www.citygardenfarms.com/

Integrating Food Production

http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2009/1/29/Growing-Food-Locally-Integrating-Agriculture-Into-the-Built-Environment/

Waste to Food for Poultry

http://www.thebiopod.com/

Concert, Feb. 7, Aberdeen

Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart are at it again with their Gearle Records 2008 releases, “Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart Town Square” and Mark Stuart “Left of Nashville available at shows only.A show not to miss, Stacey and Mark reach back and grab songs of the past, then fast forward to present and into the future. They will be performing from their own new solo releases as well during their tour. Both Stacey and Mark are veteran Dukes, of Steve Earle and the Dukes.

Guitar workshop 3-5 pm Saturday with Mark Stuart, all levels wlecome. Registration due by 5 pm Feb. 5 please. $40., cash or check.

Tickets at the door cash or check, reservations preferred, or on line, credit or debit card. Adults $12. Children under 12, $6.

2/04/2009

Anyone Can Do It

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/Raising-Chicks.aspx?utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email

How Not to Screw Up the Stimulus

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/stimulus_package/?r_by=2420-1600844-eDD78gx&rc=paste

What Is Biodynamic Ag?

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/biodynamic.html

Generals Seek to Reverse Obama

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=45640

Rise and Fall of Empire

http://allalongtheedge.blogspot.com/2009/02/rising-and-falling-of-empire.html

Food Film Series Starts Feb. 17

Sustainable Sandhills Introduces Free Film Series in Moore County

Food - It's What's for Dinner!

Sustainable Sandhills is kicking off a free Film Series in February focused on sustainability-related topics. The desire of Sustainable Sandhills is to heighten public awareness of pressing sustainability issues and to encourage community dialogue following each film.

In anticipation of an upcoming Urban Farm Tour (to be held in Moore and Cumberland Counties on Saturday, April 11th), the first two films will look at food-related issues. The first film is "Asparagus: Stalking the American Life". It will be shown Tuesday, February 17th, at Sandhills Community College's Dempsey Student Center, upstairs in the Clement Dining Room from 6:30-8:00 PM. The second film will be shown April 14th, the week following the Urban Farm Tour.

The Film Series will be held on a bi-monthly schedule, alternating with the Sustainable Sandhills Moore County Community Action Team Meetings. Each film will be aired from 6:30-8:00 PM at the same location, and the 2009 schedule is as follows: February 17th, April 14th, June 16th, August 18th, October 20th, and December 15th.

Bring the family! All ages are invited to attend.

For more information please contact:

Heather Brown, (910) 639-7024, brownh@ctc.com

www.SustainableSandhills.org/MooreCounty