Thank you to the Framingham Sierra Club for an informative, well-attended meeting on local food at the Framingham library last night (March 29th). I've added some new links to "places to find local food" on the lower right side of this blog page -- Silverwood Organic Farm in Sherborn and the Mass Local Food Co-op that may be coming to Framingham. Contact Kelly O'Connor: president@masslocalfood.org if you are interested in the Mass Local Food Co-op (note, this isn't a commitment to participate) or interested in volunteering to help run a drop-off site in Framingham (driving, helping to distribute orders, co-ordinating, etc.)
Anyone else attend the meeting, or know of places (markets, farms, etc) that I should add to our local food list? I have the feeling I have not found everything yet! I would love to find more place to buy eggs, for example.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Earth Hour -- tonight -- Saturday, March 26th, 8:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Can you turn off all your lights and electronic devices for one hour tonight? This has become an annual event -- check out the website for more information on "Earth Hour" -- http://www.earthhour.org/Homepage.aspx?intro=no. I just saw this on today's Carbon Fast -- and like most of the things on the fast, I think it's worth a try.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Lenten Carbon Fast -- Discussion
Lent started this week and some of us are signed up for the Lenten Carbon Fast -- sponsored by the New England Council of Churches -- you can still sign up here.
The fast gives you daily email suggestions of things to do and prayerfully consider. Here's a summary so far:
Day 1 -- commit to the fast!
Day 2 -- pick a lightbulb anywhere in your home and take it out for the duration of the fast
Day 3 -- slay "vampire power" in your home -- unplug power plugs needlessly using electricity
Day 4 -- sign up for an energy audit through NSTAR or your own power company
Day 5 -- consider how 20% of the earth's population use 80% of its resources
I was a little dubious at first thinking I'm "ahead of the curve" on some things and at my limit on others. But then I found an extra light-bulb in my bathroom that turns on every time I turn on the bathroom light -- I get along fine without it. If all 1,000 people in the fast do the same, that's not insignificant. I went looking for vampire power and found two things I'd forgotten about. I got to pat myself on the back for already having an energy audit. And the thought for Day 5 prompted me to get some laundry on the line today, even though the weather is a bit borderline, and the girls had a great time running through the towels. A clothes dryer is quite a luxury in the grand scheme of things -- after all I'm lucky to have a washer compared to a lot of mothers around the world. And you can't play "run through the towels" when they are in the dryer.
So looking forward to the next 35 days -- anyone else have any reactions to the fast?
The fast gives you daily email suggestions of things to do and prayerfully consider. Here's a summary so far:
Day 1 -- commit to the fast!
Day 2 -- pick a lightbulb anywhere in your home and take it out for the duration of the fast
Day 3 -- slay "vampire power" in your home -- unplug power plugs needlessly using electricity
Day 4 -- sign up for an energy audit through NSTAR or your own power company
Day 5 -- consider how 20% of the earth's population use 80% of its resources
I was a little dubious at first thinking I'm "ahead of the curve" on some things and at my limit on others. But then I found an extra light-bulb in my bathroom that turns on every time I turn on the bathroom light -- I get along fine without it. If all 1,000 people in the fast do the same, that's not insignificant. I went looking for vampire power and found two things I'd forgotten about. I got to pat myself on the back for already having an energy audit. And the thought for Day 5 prompted me to get some laundry on the line today, even though the weather is a bit borderline, and the girls had a great time running through the towels. A clothes dryer is quite a luxury in the grand scheme of things -- after all I'm lucky to have a washer compared to a lot of mothers around the world. And you can't play "run through the towels" when they are in the dryer.
So looking forward to the next 35 days -- anyone else have any reactions to the fast?
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Response to "No Impact Man"
Thank you to the brave souls who came out on a tough weather night to share good popcorn and a good movie.
If you are thinking of doing your own, "no impact" project for Lent or on your own time-table, our youngest viewer would love to hear from you. She has been inspired to create her own earthcare blog (really, on her own, I only found out what she was up to after helping to spell various words like "styrofoam," "transportation," etc.), you can find it here: http://www.earthcarebyakid.blogspot.com/. We can't wait to hear what projects this may have inspired!
If you are thinking of doing your own, "no impact" project for Lent or on your own time-table, our youngest viewer would love to hear from you. She has been inspired to create her own earthcare blog (really, on her own, I only found out what she was up to after helping to spell various words like "styrofoam," "transportation," etc.), you can find it here: http://www.earthcarebyakid.blogspot.com/. We can't wait to hear what projects this may have inspired!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Free movie night -- "No Impact Man" -- Friday, Feb. 25th
Free Friday Night Flick with Earthcare Education!
Featured Movie: “No Impact Man”
Friday, February 25, 7 – 9 p.m.
Grace Congregational Church, UCC; 76 Salem End Rd., Framingham
We’ll provide the movie, snacks (Framingham’s Stearns Farm popcorn!), and plenty of food for thought.
Edwards Church UCC and Grace Congregational Church UCC present another in our series of Earthcare events. Find out what happens when a “New York liberal decides to practice what he preaches for one year . . . Turns off the electricity, stops making garbage, gives up TV . . . all while taking his baby daughter and caffeine-loving retail-obsessed TV-addicted wife along with him." Then discuss how you could dial down YOUR impact this Lent with a “carbon fast.” Sponsored with the generous support of the Barnes Foundation.
Call the Grace office 508-872-3342 for more information, see the Grace website for directions.
Featured Movie: “No Impact Man”
Friday, February 25, 7 – 9 p.m.
Grace Congregational Church, UCC; 76 Salem End Rd., Framingham
We’ll provide the movie, snacks (Framingham’s Stearns Farm popcorn!), and plenty of food for thought.
Edwards Church UCC and Grace Congregational Church UCC present another in our series of Earthcare events. Find out what happens when a “New York liberal decides to practice what he preaches for one year . . . Turns off the electricity, stops making garbage, gives up TV . . . all while taking his baby daughter and caffeine-loving retail-obsessed TV-addicted wife along with him." Then discuss how you could dial down YOUR impact this Lent with a “carbon fast.” Sponsored with the generous support of the Barnes Foundation.
Call the Grace office 508-872-3342 for more information, see the Grace website for directions.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Next Event -- Dessert and Book Discussion -- RESCHEDULED to Mon., Nov. 22nd 7:30 p.m.
Note: we've moved the date from Nov. 9th to Nov. 22nd. This will allow us to attend the first Framingham Sierra Club meeting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 9th at the Framingham Public Library (all welcome!). But otherwise, same details, new date.
Book Choice: Eaarth by Bill McKibben
At Edwards Church, UCC; 39 Edwards St., Framingham
Join us if you’ve read the book cover-to-cover, just dipped into the first chapter, or are just curious why this book spells “earth” incorrectly. Bill McKibben has a powerful argument to make about the fate of our earth, a sobering argument that yet leaves room to hope. Come share your thoughts and share some food.
Dessert and beverages provided!
For directions see http://www.edwardschurch.org/directions.html , or call the Edwards office: 508-877-2050. We will most likely meet in the fellowship hall building nearest the parking lot, not the main church building, look for cars parked near, lights on, and an "Earthcare" sign!
Book Choice: Eaarth by Bill McKibben
At Edwards Church, UCC; 39 Edwards St., Framingham
Join us if you’ve read the book cover-to-cover, just dipped into the first chapter, or are just curious why this book spells “earth” incorrectly. Bill McKibben has a powerful argument to make about the fate of our earth, a sobering argument that yet leaves room to hope. Come share your thoughts and share some food.
Dessert and beverages provided!
For directions see http://www.edwardschurch.org/directions.html , or call the Edwards office: 508-877-2050. We will most likely meet in the fellowship hall building nearest the parking lot, not the main church building, look for cars parked near, lights on, and an "Earthcare" sign!
Fall Work Day -- Stearns Farm, Oct. 16, 2010
The Grace church group joined Stearns sharers, staff, and other volunteers to help plant over 7,000 garlic this past Saturday. The weather was great, the group enthusiastic, and we had 7 kids with us who turned out to be garlic clove peeling and planting naturals. These work hours are part of our commitment to providing a winter share for the food pantry -- this year's "winter" share will extend into March, so we're looking forward to picking up spinach, kale, and root veggies in a warm greenhouse in the snow as 2010 turns to 2011.
Thank you to Amelia, our 9 year-old photographer. You won't see her in the photos because she was behind the lens!
Thank you to Amelia, our 9 year-old photographer. You won't see her in the photos because she was behind the lens!
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