Woodmont Farmers Market

The Woodmont Farmers Market is set to start Wednesday

July 1st 3:30-7:00 at Robert Treat Farm!

rumor has it the CATCH A HEALTHY HABIT CAFE will

be there!

Catch A Healthy Habit at the Woodmont Farmers Market

Catch A Healthy Habit Cafe will be at the Woodmont Farmers Market

starting July 1st 3:30-7pm!

Dementia caused by your Fork!

Howard Lyman "The Mad Cowboy" will be speaking at Catch A Healthy Habit Cafe in West Haven

Saturday June 6th at 7:30 pm. 

Howard has author two books "Madcowboy" and "No More Bull" as well as produced a documentary "The Mad Cowboy"

His appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show in the late 90's sparked a lawsuit that pitted Oprah & Howard vs the Meat Industry. He has since travelled the world as the once cattle farmer now vegetarian telling his story!

 

The Talk is open to the public 

The Fee is $12 payable at the door 

CATCH A HEALTHY HABIT CAFE

487A CAMPBELL AVE WEST HAVEN CT 06516

(203)521-7648

WWW.CATCHAHEALTHYHABITCAFE.BLOGSPOT.COM

Hi Milford Trees Friends,

Hi Milford Trees Friends,

Just a reminder...we will be planting 7 trees on the Post Rd. across from Beard Concrete, Sand & Gravel this Saturday, May 30th at 9:00 a.m. They are located at 127 Boston Post Rd. The holes have been dug and backfilled for easier planting thanks to Public Works. The more people we have, the faster we can get the trees planted, so I hope you can join us. Please bring gloves, a shovel and anything else you need to be comfortable. I will pick up some beverages.

Thanks everyone!

Best always,

Mary

State Solid Waste Management Advisory Committee Meeting

State Solid Waste Management Advisory Committee Meeting - May 26th, 2009 9:30am - 11:00 am
DEP Building - 79 Elm Street - 5th floor Auditorium, Hartford, CT [:delta

Conference Call Capability: 20 lines open/begins at 9:30 am and ends at 11:00 am; participants calling in will be able put calls through and comment/ask questions

Call-in Toll-Free Number: 1-877-954-4032 ; Participants Passcode: 2737160

9:30 a.m. Convene, Welcome and Updates: Tessa Gutowski, CTDEP, Management Analyst 3, Office of Planning & Program Development (OPPD)

§ Special Focus Presentation: Materials Reuse Network/Deconstruction: Members will provide insight into their work, the barriers facing their work and the opportunities for recovering more C & D for reuse and recycling. The Materials Reuse Network (MRN) is a group of professionals interested in building materials reuse and increasing deconstruction activities in Connecticut. More deconstruction may increase reuse and recovery efforts of construction, renovation and demolition debris and surplus/salvaged goods in Connecticut. Since its first meeting in November 2008, the group has expanded to include members representing deconstruction, building materials reuse, demolition, community colleges, technical high schools, environmental groups, municipalities and more.

§ Sherill Baldwin, DEP, Office of Source Reduction and Recycling

§ Joe DeRisi, Urbanminers, LLC

§ John Powers, cloverNINE green building, LLC

§ Dave Cooper, Gateway Community College

§ Rick Roberts, Eco One Solutions

§ Tentatively someone from ReStore Home Improvement Center

11:00 a.m. Adjourn

Learn about foods growing Wild All Around Us!

Friday May 29th 7pm
Sergei Boutenko from www.harmonyhikes.com
will be speaking at Catch A Healthy Habit Cafe in West Haven
487a Campbell Ave!
www.catchahealthyhabitcafe.blogspot.com
(203)521-7648
call to register $15

Chris Dodd, Credit C.A.R.D. Act,

Dear Friends,

I’m writing to you from Washington where all week I’ve been working to pass the Credit C.A.R.D. Act – legislation I’ve written to crack down on the hidden credit card fees and penalty interest rates that drive so many families deeper into debt. We’re not out of the woods yet, but I wanted to let you know about a rally we’ll be holding Friday afternoon following debate on the bill. I’ll be joined by consumer advocates, lawmakers, civil rights groups and families throughout the state.

Where: Machinists Union Hall, 357 Main Street, East Hartford

When: Friday, May 15th, 1:30 pm

You can RSVP by clicking here or sending an email to: CTBanking@dodd.senate.gov

The following day at noon, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and I will be hosting the fourth and final “Connecticut Prescriptions for Change” town hall at Griffin Hospital in Derby. I’m particularly thrilled Rosa and I will be joined by the director of the White House Office of Health Reform, Nancy-Ann DeParle. As the health care debate heats up, this is your opportunity to chat one-on-one with President Obama’s top health care official.

Where: Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby

When: Saturday, May 16th, 12 pm

You can RSVP by clicking here or sending an email to: Rx4Change@dodd.senate.gov

I hope you’ll be able to join us.

Abusive credit card practices and skyrocketing health care costs are big problems for working families in Connecticut struggling to make ends meet right now. And as we stand on the cusp of change in each of those areas, I’m confident that real reforms in Washington will be an even bigger part of the solution back home.

I look forward to seeing you.

Sincerely,

Chris Dodd

Saturday, May 9 - Celebrate "International Migratory Bird Day" at Audubon Greenwich in Greenwich, CT

Saturday, May 9 - Celebrate "International Migratory Bird Day"
at Audubon Greenwich in Greenwich, CT
~~~~~
Meet David Sibley - Bird Artist Extraordinaire
5:30-7:30 pm (a cocktail reception followed by a presentation)

Join Audubon staff and the birding community for a memorable lecture and reception with David Sibley. David Allen Sibley is a naturalist, birder and artist who has been painting and drawing birds since he was seven years old. He surprised everyone (including himself) when his work of many years was transformed almost overnight into a national bestseller, THE SIBLEY GUIDE TO BIRDS. Sibley followed up this book with THE SIBLEY GUIDE TO BIRD LIFE & BEHAVIOR – a book Time magazine called “A treasure of valuable information.” David Sibley has created a new landmark in bird guides. Most recently he has completed THE SIBLEY GUIDE TO TREES which will be published by Knopf in late August 2009.

Refreshments will be served . $20 per person. RSVP to Jeff: 203-869-5272 x239.
Sibley books will be for sale in Audubon Greenwich's Nature Store.

... Earlier on the same day …

Annual Birding & Breakfast Event
6:30-8:00 am – Birding on the Audubon grounds (meet in the main parking area)
8:00-9:00 am – Annual Birders Breakfast
Enjoy Audubon’s tradition of early morning birding and breakfast in the barn. Breakfast: $8/person - RSVP required for breakfast. RSVP to Brian at 203-869-5272 x221.

... Followed by …

Bridget Stutchbury : ‘Voices for the Birds’ Tour
9:30-10:30 am
Bridget present a special lecture on conservation biology and highlight connections between coffee plantations and birds. She is author of Silence of the Songbirds, and an advocate for conservation that has led to her being called the Rachel Carson of the 21st Century. She is a professor and Canada Research Chair in Ecology and Conservation Biology at York University, Toronto. Since the 1980s, she has followed songbirds to their wintering grounds in Latin America and back to their breeding grounds in North America to understand their behavior, ecology and conservation. This special lecture sponsored by www.BirdsAndBeans.com. $5 suggested donation.

For more information, visit the Audubon Greenwich website: http://greenwich.audubon.org or http://audubonct.org

Plus, BIRDS & BEANS COFFEE will be on sale throughout the day. It is organic, bird-friendly and comes in 2 lb. bags for only $25!
***
Jeff Cordulack
Events and Communications Manager
Audubon Connecticut
613 Riversville Road
Greenwich, CT 06831
203-613-8813
jcordulack@audubon.org
http://greenwich.audubon.org

Cinco De Mayo at Catch A Healthy Habit Cafe

The Renegade Health Show & The Kale Whale (green rv)
make a Ct stop on their Nation wide tour!
Kevin & Ann Marie Gianni will be hanging from 4-8pm at the Cafe!
Ann Marie will do a Raw Food Prep Class & Kevin will be sharing about his new
book, High Raw - a Simple Approach toHealth, Eating and Saving the Planet
Tuesday May 5th Cinco De Mayo

Catch A Healthy Habit Cafe
487a Campbell Ave West Haven 06516
(203)521-7648
www.catchahealthyhabitcafe.blogspot.com

A Conference on Making Offices More Sustainable and Cost-Effective

MassRecycle’s 3rd Annual Green Office Event
Building Green Value:
A Conference on Making Offices More Sustainable and Cost-Effective

June 23, 2009
UMass Boston Campus & Conference Center
100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA
8 am - 2:30 pm

Whether you own your office or lease it, whether your office is large or small, there are ways to make it more sustainable, healthier for the staff, and more cost-effective.

Listen to representatives of leading New England Businesses and institutions that have made “green” work for them. Get real answers:
# Does “greening up” make business sense for your office?
# What are the projects and tools that work for other businesses?
# What are the benefits others reaped from their efforts?

Benefits of attending:

* Workshop sessions focused on practical solutions
* Sixty-page Green Office Manual containing concrete steps to take after the conference
* Green Office Start-up Kit with a variety of products to jump-start your efforts
* Catered breakfast and lunch
* Vendor displays
* Opportunities to win free environmental consulting services for your business


Who should attend?

* Presidents & CEOs
* Building Owners
* Property Managers
* Facility Staff
* Sales & Marketing
* Office Managers
* Office Staff

Come if you…

* Lease your office space
* Own your office space
* Manage, lease or sell office space to others

This event is presented by MassRecycle in partnership with the Massachusetts Operational Services Division and UMass-Boston’s UMBe Green Program.

Questions? Contact Megan at 617-312-5671 or megan@massrecycle.org

MassRecycle, Inc.
60 Thoreau Street, #203
Concord, MA 01742
Phone: (617) 338-0244
Email: info@massrecycle.org

Milford's April Green Drinks,

Source: The BridgeportNews.com

Mayor Bill Finch signed an executive order last week requiring the city to emphasize “sustainability planning” in all its actions as a way to better protect the environment.

“We all have to participate in this,” Finch said.

The measure, being called “B-Green 2020,” mandates municipal departments focus on reducing the city’s energy use and carbon footprint in their decisions.

This will range from buying only “green” cleaning products to purchasing municipal vehicles powered by hydrogen, bio-diesels and electricity. It also will involve conducting a comprehensive energy audit of all city buildings, trying to lure fuel cell manufacturers to the city, and perhaps using wind and solar power to create energy within Bridgeport.

The actions could be as simple as always turning off lights when not in use. “This will lead to a new set of behaviors,” Finch said. “We’re changing the very way we do business as a city on a day-to-day basis.”

Finch, long known for his strong environmental views, said the policy was a way to make Bridgeport a leader in the environmental movement while also attracting new businesses and improving its image.

“This is about jobs,” he said. “This is about the planet. This is about our taxes.”

Although the United States has only 6 percent of the world’s population, it uses 30 percent of the world’s resources. “This can’t continue,” Finch said.

The mayor signed the executive order in a packed City Hall Annex conference room. He announced the formation of a 37-member Sustainability Community Advisory Committee to oversee the measure. The committee is made up of representatives from business, government, academia, the nonprofit sector and environmental organizations.

The Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC), where Finch previously worked, will seek private grants and hire a consultant to work with the committee on drawing up a formal sustainability plan.

Paul S. Timpanelli, BRBC president, said a more ecologically-inclined approach would be good for business as well as the environment. “This will be a place businesses want to locate, including future growth industries,” Timpanelli said of Bridgeport.

One push will be to create a fuel cell manufacturing cluster in the West End, near the former Bryant Electric plant. This idea first surfaced a few years ago as part of a state government goal to support producers of fuel cells — still considered an emerging technology with an uncertain market — in Connecticut.

“We should be the fuel cell capital of the world,” Finch said of Bridgeport and Connecticut.

The Bryant site is considered a brownfield because its past industrial use left environmental contamination, and cleaning and developing brownfields is a major goal in Finch’s plan. Much of the land in the city available for development has environmental problems from prior use. The sustainability plan will include a thorough inventory of brownfields.

Finch said American and Bridgeport ingenuity could be used to find ways to maintain the country’s high standard of living while fighting climate change.

“There are things we haven’t even dreamed of yet,” he said.


Potential marketing tool

Going green could even become a marketing tool for the city, Finch said. “Green is a superior commodity in our society,” he said.

“We’re going to wear this as a badge of honor and change the impression of Bridgeport,” Finch said.

[Brownfield jobs training program graduates Jorge Cruz, left, and Brian Loehn proudly show off their diplomas during the mayoral event at City Hall Annex.]

Brownfield jobs training program graduates Jorge Cruz, left, and Brian Loehn proudly show off their diplomas during the mayoral event at City Hall Annex.
Gina McCarthy, state environmental protection commissioner, said going green could be a way to revitalize Bridgeport and other Connecticut cities by creating economic opportunities.

McCarthy said this should be combined with developing brownfields and making smart land-use decisions to push development back to cities, where the needed infrastructure already exists.

“Cities aren’t the problem, they are the solution,” she said. “If we didn’t have cities, we’d have to create them so people could live near where they work and shop.”

McCarthy also praised Finch for supporting environmental issues since he was a middle school student in Trumbull, when she said he started an ecology club, created a nature trail and tried to stop the construction of the Route 25 highway.

City Council member James Holloway said national organizations are available to offer Bridgeport guidance on enacting more environmental-friendly practices.

Holloway said he’s seen what other cities are doing through his involvement with the National League of Cities. For instance, most municipal vehicles in the Tucson, Ariz., fleet use compressed natural gas (CNG), he said. Bridgeport owns a few city vehicles that use CNG for fuel.

The city’s congressman, U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, said he was proud to live in Bridgeport on such a momentous day.

Shays predicted the federal government would focus more on promoting sustainability issues with a change in presidential administrations, and begin funding more worthwhile projects. “There will be lots of federal dollars coming into the city,” he said.


No budgetary concerns

Finch insisted environmental-friendly products and approaches don’t have to cost more, and many improvements would only involve spending existing funds differently.

“There will be some things that require investment, but the city is investing money all the time,” he said.

He said the new approach is possible despite the city’s current financial problems, which have led to city employee layoffs and large tax increase three months ago.

Finch also said greening programs could provide environmental justice for those who have been wronged by hurtful practices. “This isn’t just about saving the polar bears,” he said. “It’s about saving children.”

Martin L. Mador of the Connecticut Sierra Club insisted ecological-friendly products and approaches make financial sense. “There is no longer any cost-differential in using clean and green,” Mador said.

Mador said Finch’s plan shows long-range vision. “The mayor is looking beyond the issues on his desk, which are the crises of the next 24 hours,” he said.

The push toward energy sustainability, Mador said, should be viewed as a way to improve the city’s quality of life and boost its economy. “It’s an investment for us and our children,” he said.

Finch said jobs involving sustainability won’t be lost overseas. “Every job we create to retro-fit a building is a job that won’t be shipped overseas,” he said.

Some people already are being trained to work in related businesses, such as two recent graduates of a brownfields training program who attended the mayoral event.

Bridgeport residents Jorge Cruz and Brian Loehn just completed their training in asbestos, lead and hazardous waste cleanup activities. With the help of their program certificates, they now are preparing to go out on job interviews. Many positions in the field begin in the $20-an-hour range.

“The job potential gives us a brighter outlook on our own lives,” Loehn said, “while knowing what we will be doing should create a better future for all children.”

Volunteer Opportunity share your passion, An Opportunity For Milford's Green Community To Shine!

-----------------------
2009 - 47th Annual Milford Green Show - Spring Press Release



Milford, CT. May 9 - 10 MEET THE ARTISTS AND ARTISANS 47TH Annual Spring Show on the Milford Green Show..10-5 whatever the weather!

FREE ADMISSION. Directions; I-95 north exit 37, South-39A..follow yellow artist artisan-arrow signs. Merrit/Wilbur Cross Exit 54 to NY South on U.S. l to High ST. The Historic Milford Green at High and Broad Streets in downtown Milford.



Mothers Day weekend will be the opening arrival of juried fine artists and handcrafters presenting their creative winter productions of beauty and skill to grace and energize Milford center . Many new participants introduce renewed, or unfamiliar styles, free to the public. On site demonstrations of painting, drawing, wood carved water and shore birds, portraiture, caricatures, spinning hand dyed yarn, mosaic frame making, tatted-shuttle lace, knitting, wood turned vessels, glass making. Twelve states represent participants.

* *

The 47th show adds “The Greening” of the "Milford" Green, with numerous environmental groups invited to share their knowledge of conserving the trees, gardens, ponds and woodlands that beautify our area. Milford Garden Club, Community Gardens, green rooms by architect Arthur Ratner, the greening of the Post Rd, Milford Trees , E.E.C. ,are all experts in their field and willing to share knowledge with the public, who may want to interact as members/ volunteers with these preservation and consciousness raising citizens.

Milford Environmental Concerns Coalition is looking for volunteers. Come enjoy this opportunity to share your passion for the environment with others. If you are passionate about green living join in the fun. Are you interested in energy efficiency, green cleaning, eating local, pure drinking water, farm preservation, Sustainable Life Styles, butterfly gardening, LIS Preservation, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, non-toxic products, Brown Field Recovery, Green Building, Recycling, Peace, ETC...

Warmest Regards,
Contact: Chairperson Ann Berman 878-0910 or Diane Vasseur 283-1441

Sign up for an Evite to Milford Green Drinks Call Dan German 203-494-8132. Dan runs GOGREENMILFORD

Sierra Club's South Central Group will also be one of the environmental groups. Any members who would be willing to assist our group in sharing environmental information to the attendees would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me as soon as possible if you are able to assist.

Best regards,

Diane Lentakis,

Chairperson of South Central Group, 203-783-0686

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Field Hearing on Transportation & Transit Initiatives and Communities Conference

Event: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Field Hearing on Transportation

The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Field Hearing on Transportation Chaired By Senator Chris Dodd holds "A 21st Century Transportation System: Reducing Gridlock, Tackling Climate Change, and Growing Connecticut’s Economy," today, Thursday, April 16, 2009, 10 a.m. at the Hall of Records, 200 Orange St., New Haven, CT.

Input from public sought today on transit issues - The New Haven Register: "NEW HAVEN — Members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs will hold a public hearing on transit issues that affect the area at 10 a.m. today at the Kennedy Mitchell Hall of Records, 200 Orange St."

Taken from Christopher Zurcher's site at 4/16/2009 07:52:00 AM
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Transit Initiatives and Communities Conference
understanding the keys to successful transit ballot measure campaigns

TIC logo

Salt Lake City, Utah
May 31 - June 2, 2009
Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel


The Center for Transportation Excellence (CFTE) is gearing up for its biannual Transit Initiatives and Communities (TIC) Conference. This year’s conference will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah from May 31 – June 2, 2009. TIC brings together transit agencies, local officials, transportation supporters, advocates, and ballot measure campaign professionals to get the latest information on transportation ballot measures.

Transportation ballot measures have enjoyed broad public support in recent election cycles. Today’s campaigns face unique challenges to continue this record of success. Economic and energy issues are vital concerns to voters. This year’s conference will address both the long-term trends and short-term issues affecting proponents of transportation investment.

The global recession is affecting transportation in critical ways. Transportation agencies are facing declining revenues from existing sources while continuing to see rising ridership and increased operating costs. We have also seen the rise of Green—buildings, cars, lifestyles—and a renewed emphasis on energy conservation and environmental awareness. The issue now is highlighting the linkages between transit investment and building a sustainable future while facing economic challenges.

Salt Lake City was chosen as the site for this year’s TIC conference due to its recent, and many, triumphs at the ballot box. The Utah Transit Authority, and the region at large, has become a national model for new investment while achieving broad public support. This year’s conference will look at the secrets of success in places like Salt Lake City, and how communities around the country can parlay those lessons into winning ballot measure campaigns.





REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Register Online or Download PDF to register by email/fax
Early Registration: $325
Late Registration: $425 (after May 6th)

Thinking about sending a delegation from your community to TIC? Groups of 3 or more registrants from the same organization will be eligible for a reduced rate of $295 per registrant. Call (202) 234-7562 or email us at info@cfte.org to register at reduced rate.







PROGRAM INFORMATION:

Download the preliminary program for TIC 2009 (updated 4.13)
Program will be updated as changes and speaker confirmations occur.







HOTEL INFORMATION:

Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel
150 West 500 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
http://www.saltlakecitysheraton.com/

Reservation Number: 1-800-325-3535
Mention that you are with the TIC Conference for discounted rate of $139/night
The last day to reserve rooms at this reduced rate is Thursday, April 30, 2009







SPONSORS:

2009 Transit Initiatives and Communities Conference Sponsors


Download Sponsorship Form -Become a Sponsor for the only national conference devoted to transportation ballot measures. Get unparalleled access to community decision-makers working on transportation investment initiatives.

TIC brings together transit agencies, local officials, transportation supporters, advocates, and ballot measure campaign professionals to get the latest information on transportation ballot measures. Conference sessions offer insights into recent elections and key trends shaping campaigns. We have limited sponsorship opportunities available so act quickly.



Contact info@cfte.org with questions.



Previous TIC conference information

21st Century Transportation System: You're Invited on April 16

21st Century Transportation System:
Reducing Gridlock, Tackling Climate Change, and Growing Connecticut's Economy

Hi --

Do you think a 21st century transportation system is critical to Connecticut's economy, quality of life, environment and communities?

If you do, you'll definitely want to join the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs' field hearing on transportation this Thursday, April 16 at 10 am in New Haven.

The hearing will be chaired by Senator Chris Dodd.
. . . . . . . . . .

What: A 21st Century Transportation System: Reducing Gridlock, Tackling Climate Change, and Growing Connecticut's Economy.

When: Thursday, April 16, 2009, 10:00 A.M.

Where: Hall of Records, 200 Orange Street, New Haven, CT

RSVP: To RSVP for the event, or for more information, please email CTBanking@dodd.senate.gov or call 860.258.6940

. . . . . . . . . .

Join CCE at the Inaugural Environmental Film Festival at Yale April 16-19, 2009

CITIZENS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
EVENT ALERT!

Join CCE at the Inaugural
Environmental Film Festival at Yale
April 16-19, 2009

Logo of the 2009 Environmental Film Festival at Yale.

CCE is proud to cosponsor the first-ever Environmental Film Festival at Yale, which will showcase cutting-edge documentaries and short films to raise awareness of current environmental issues. All screenings and special events are free and open to the public. Discussions will follow the films, providing an opportunity to speak with filmmakers and other experts in an intimate setting. Doors will open a half hour prior to each screening. Visit environment.yale.edu/film for more information about show times and locations throughout the City of New Haven, Connecticut.

'Poster of the movie

The Yale Festival will feature a special advance screening of the Disney film Earth and a documentary by Madonna that chronicles the suffering of children in Malawi orphaned by AIDS.

Earth, the first film in the Disney nature series and narrated by James Earl Jones, will be shown on Sunday, April 19, at 1 p.m. at Criterion Cinemas on 86 Temple Street. The 99-minute-long film captures the most intimate moments of the planet’s wildest and most elusive creatures on their journeys around the globe. Directors Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield, the acclaimed creative team behind the Emmy Award-winning television show Planet Earth, combine forces again to bring this epic adventure to the big screen.

Also on April 19, Madonna exposes the tragic stories of millions of Malawian children orphaned by AIDS and offers a call to action to stop the epidemic, in the 90-minute-long film, I Am Because We Are. The film will begin at 10 a.m. in the Whitney Humanities Center at 53 Wall Street and features interviews with former President Bill Clinton and Desmond Tutu, recipient of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize and vocal critic of apartheid in South Africa. Jeffrey Sachs, director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University, and Phillippe van den Bossche, executive director of Raising Malawi, a nonprofit co-founded by Madonna, will participate in a Q&A session following the screening.

The full schedule is available on the website: environment.yale.edu/film.

The event is sponsored by:

Logos of the event sponsors.

Thank you for joining us. We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

YOUR FRIENDS AT CCE

Image of CCE staff.

Bill -- HR 875 Please check it out on the internet and Call Rosa with your opinion, farming in CT!

Dr. Mercola's Comments: http://articles.mercola.com
The World’s Most Popular Natural Health Newsletter

Although I’m not familiar enough with this bill in its entirety to make any definitive declarations about what it would mean for the future of small organic farms should it pass, I will say this: any law introduced by someone with ties to Monsanto is likely to be grossly tainted by industry bias.

Who Does This Bill Benefit the Most?

And Monsanto in particular – one of the most evil companies on the planet -- is a powerful entity that has repeatedly proven its clout. Monsanto has already managed so many reprehensible acts, it boggles the mind. Including:

*
Leading the world into a new age of potentially hazardous genetic modification of seeds.
*
Patenting not only their own GMO seeds, but also a huge number of crop seeds, patenting life forms for the first time -- without a vote of the people or Congress.
*
Not allowing farmers to save their seeds to replant the next year – a practice that has been done for generations. Instead, they aggressively seek out and sue farmers they suspect of doing so.
*
Suing farmers who have not been able to prevent the inevitable drift of Monsanto’s GE pollen or seed onto their land for patent infringement!
*
Producing two of the most toxic substances ever known -- polychlorinated biphenyls, known as PCBs, and dioxin (Agent Orange).

Perhaps their biggest assault to your food supply already is what’s known as terminator technology. These are seeds that have been genetically modified to “self-destruct.” In other words, the seeds (and the forthcoming crops) are sterile, which means farmers must buy them again each year.

The implications that terminator seeds could have on the world’s food supply are disastrous: the traits from genetically engineered crops can get passed on to other crops. Once the terminator seeds are released into a region, the trait of seed sterility could be passed to other non-genetically-engineered crops, making most or all of the seeds in the region sterile.

If allowed to continue, every farmer in the world could come to rely on Monsanto for their seed supply!

So, would it be safe to say that Monsanto stands to gain from H.R. 875?

Absolutely! With thousands of organic farmers driven out of business, they would be that much closer to dominating the food supply of the world, since organic farms don’t use Monsanto seeds or toxic products.

Based on their history, I believe it’s prudent to question what the future of our small farms will hold, should a bill with such blatant ties to Monsanto be allowed to pass without further scrutiny.

It is quite possible, perhaps even most probable, that the bill entitled H.R. 875: Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 is designed to halt the growing trend of small organic farms – not through a direct, frontal assault on organic farming, but rather by insidiously creating rules and laws that make it extremely difficult, and incredibly expensive, for small farms to comply.

And in this case, the rules and regulations created by this proposed bill are mandatory, not voluntary, meaning they apply equally to a tiny farmer with half a dozen cows as it does to a massive factory farm.

What are the Potential Hazards of HR 875?

The stated purpose of H.R. 875: Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 is:

To establish the Food Safety Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services to protect the public health by preventing food-borne illness, ensuring the safety of food, improving research on contaminants leading to food-borne illness, and improving security of food from intentional contamination, and for other purposes.

As detailed in the articles above, some of the potential hazards of HR 875 include:

* It includes small farmers who just sell their fruits and vegetables at farmer’s markets
* Anyone engaged in food growing, or “holding food for consumption” in the U.S. would have to register annually, and create and maintain extensive records of the foods they grow and/or store
* The definitions of who this law pertains to are so broad and loosely defined that they could potentially even include your personal backyard fruit or vegetable garden, even if you don’t sell anything but grow them for personal consumption
* It appears it could dictate how all food growers would have to grow their food, including potentially the necessity to use certain pest control measures, for example
* Authorities would have the ability to inspect any food production facility at random to make sure it’s operating in compliance with the food safety law, and again the definition of “food production facility” is so loosely defined it could apply to your personal orchard, vineyard, or vegetable garden, as long as it produces something edible
* After the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and representatives of State departments of agriculture will promulgate regulations to establish “science-based minimum standards for the safe production of food” by food production facilities. Meaning, no one even knows what the food production standards are yet, but whatever they turn out to be will have to be followed
* It is prohibited to: fail to register; refuse to permit access to an inspector; refuse to allow copying of all records; fail to establish or maintain any record required under the law
* Should you fail to comply with any of the rules and regulations, there are both civil and criminal penalties, going as high as $1 million per violation, something that could clearly wipe out any small farmer in a blink of an eye

What Can You Do?

I believe everyone should take the time to look this bill over and decide for yourself -- Do you, or do you not believe industry will use every loophole they can find to further their own interests over up-and-coming small, organic family farms?

If you believe this bill warrants further scrutiny before being blindly passed, here are a few ways you can get involved and make your voice heard:

1. Contact your Congressional members at 202-224-3121 and ask them to oppose HR 875 and S 425.
2. Sign the Natural Solutions Foundation’s petition to Amend the Food Safety Modernization Act H.R. 875 [and Substitutes], by adding a “Natural and Family Food and Farming Exclusion Amendment”
3. Find out who sits on your states agriculture and farming committee and contact them with your concerns.
4. Contact your local elected officials and let them know your position on legislation and why.
5. Attend a local Weston A. Price Foundation (WAPF) meeting, this is a good start to learning about what is going on in farming, as well as getting involved with local and state initiatives .
6. Support the Farmers Legal Defense Fund



Related Links:

Monsanto's Many Attempts to Destroy All Seeds but Their Own

This Company May Be the Biggest Threat to Your Future Health

How Monsanto Manipulates the System to Poison Your Health

URBANMINERS LLC NEWS & EVENTS
www.urbanminers.com
Hello all, hope everyone is looking forward to spring !

Urbanminers is located at 30 Oregon Ave in Hamden, about 150 feet from
the recently expanded Farmington bike/hike trail so bring your bikes
stop in and browse and then go for a ride. Or better yet, get on your
bikes and ride over to Urbanminers. 15% discount for anyone visiting
via the linear trail on Saturdays ( everyone else gets 10%).

-----We have lots of new furniture and building materials in stock-------
However we are still waiting for cabinets to come in to cover our
backlog of requests. Right now we are between deconstruction jobs (
with many pending) and so are catching up on long needed organization
and pricing. As we all recover from the initial shock of the economic
"downturn" we hope to catch up soon on our bills as well. It is a
struggle, but I see this as an indication that the economy is turning
"green", that is, struggling towards sustainability.

Thanks to Frank and Bob, the showroom is, well, a showroom instead
of a jumble of stored items. Check out our lighting displays and
furniture.

* I will be particpating in a number of GREEN events this spring
including the upcoming " 2nd Annual Global Environmental
Sustainability Symposium: Renewable Energy and Carbon Neutrality" at
Central Connecticut State University. I will be on a panel. Our
workshop will be entitled:
"Recycling Buildings: Historic Preservation and Embodied Energy." On
Thursday evening Paul Winter will be performing at this event.

Website: http://www.ccsu.edu/GESAC/symposium09.htm[1]

Urbanminers will also have a table at the Town of Hamden's Earth Day
event at the Hamden Middle School on
April 25th from 10 am to 3 pm. This is a great event for educating the kids..

I am also teaching a section of a Sustainable Building course at
Gateway Community College on April 3 -4th. Then on April 27th I will
be going to Chicago for the International Deconstruction Conference
and returning on May
2nd.

Remember our hours are 8:30 to 4:30 Tuesday through Saturday and we
will stay late until 7:30 PM on Thursdays by appointment only.
Buy used?. for the environment and for the economy (including Urbanminers'
economy). Support local, independently owned businesses.

New consignment policy: Folks with items of value to sell: We will
take items on the following basis: We will determine a fair market
value, subtract retrieval costs from the items value and then offer
the owner 25% of the net determined market value as store credit. The
market for most household items is so depressed and there is so much
stuff available it just does not make sense for us to pay cash for
these items. This policy also holds for most building materials,
however, the economics of each job will be evaluated individually as
the value versus retrieval labor ratios vary widely from job to job.
Got all of that?

Of course the new policy is NOT retroactive and those of you with
consignments in progress will be paid as arranged. However keep in
mind that sales, particularly on household items, are not what they
used to be, and so the prices we are getting now may be significantly
lower than originally anticipated. Please bear with us as we struggle
with a new developing business within an economic, uh, mess. We are
catching up!

Remember we do household clean outs and estates as well as full or
partial building deconstruction. Information is available on our website.

Giant baby bottle phases out BPA, Tuesday April 14th 2009

Coalition for a Safe & Healthy Connecticut
Working Together to Protect Our Health
Correction
No More BPA Rally & Press Conference Now on April 14th
10:30am - 11:30am, Minuteman Park, Hartford

Giant baby bottle Last week we sent a message about our rally in support of HB 6572 that phases out BPA. We have changed the date of the rally to Tuesday April 14th. Time, location, 35' tall baby bottle, bottle swap all stay the same, we are just moving to April 14th.

Please join families, parents, health professionals, legislators, and concerned citizens from around the state as we stand up in support of Connecticut's House Bill 6572 to phase out BPA from products that come in contact with our food. This is your chance to stand with a 35' giant baby bottle , swap your old baby bottle for a BPA free bottle and talk with your legislators along with other members of the Coalition for a Safe & Healthy Connecticut. Bring a child, bring a sign, bring a friend, or just bring yourself!

* Who: Parents, health professionals, legislators, and concerned citizens from around the state
* What: Rally in support of legislation to phase out BPA
* Where: Legislative Office Building's Minuteman Park, Hartford CT (Rain location is hearing room 1D of the Legislative Office Building)
* When: Wednesday April 14th, 10:30am-11:30am

To RSVP, volunteer, or get information on car pooling, please contact Chris Corcoran at 860-232-6232

For more information about BPA and House Bill 6572, please visit our website
Directions

Minuteman Park is the grassy area in front of Legislative Office Building and the State Armory, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford CT.

Visitor parking is typically available in the Legislative Office Building parking garage. Arrive early to allow time for parking.

Directions to the Legislative Office Building can be found here or read below.
Directions to the Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Avenue Hartford CT 06106

Going East on I-84:

* Take the Capitol Ave. Exit 48B.
* Turn right on Capitol Avenue and take a right at the first light into the driveway of the LOB (Minuteman Park is now on your left).
* Proceed straight forward at the first stop sign and follow the road to the public parking section of the parking garage.

Public parking is located on the ground level or roof top if it's a busy day.

Going West on I-84:

* Take the Asylum Street Exit 48.
* Turn right at the light, then immediately take the left fork, which is Farmington Avenue.
* Turn left at the next light onto Broad Street.
* After one light and the State Armory, turn left into the Legislative Office Building driveway (Minuteman Park is now on your right), take a left the the stop sign and continue to the LOB Garage.

Public parking is located on the ground level or roof top if it's a busy day.

From I-91 North and South:

* Take the Capitol Area Exit 29A.
* Follow the Whitehead Highway
o Go halfway around the rotary onto Elm St.
o Left onto Trinity St.,
o Bear right onto Capitol Ave.
* At the third traffic light turn right into the driveway of the Legislative Office Building (Minuteman Park is now on your left) and follow the road to the public parking section of the garage.

Public parking is located on the ground level or roof top if it's a busy day.

April 07, 2009, Economic Stimulus Forum - Opportunities for Advanced Technology and Clean Energy Under the ARRA

Tuesday, April 07, 2009 12:00 PM
End Date/Time: Tuesday, April 07, 2009 4:30 PM
Recurring Event: One time event

Description:

Connecticut Innovations and the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund are pleased to invite you to an Economic Stimulus Forum focused on opportunities for advanced technology and clean energy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Attendees will hear directly from federal agencies about how to maximize opportunities to apply for competitive grants for clean energy and advanced technology projects. Staff from all of Connecticut’s Congressional offices have been invited.

The Economic Stimulus Forum will provide detailed guidance about:
•Types and amounts of funding available through ARRA
•Types of projects eligible to receive funding
•Gaining access to the available federal funding

Who should attend?
•Entrepreneurs
•Renewable Energy Businesses
•Advanced Technology Businesses
•Municipal Leaders / Public Works
•Academia - Engineering and Sustainable Practice
•Renewable Energy & Technology Trade Associations

Economic Stimulus Forum
Aqua Turf, Southington, CT
12:00 pm - 4:30 pm

To register or learn more please visit: www.ctinnovations.com/stimulus Enter code: ESF

Connecticut Emerging Green Builders Kick Off Event...Saturday, April 18th

Connecticut Emerging Green Builders Kick Off Event...Saturday, April 18th from 9 am to
1 pm Hartford Historic Church of the Good Shepherd, 155 Wyllys Street; Hartford. Contact
elynch@slamcoll.com for more information.