Boston GreenScene

Event: Greening Government Center

 

What will Boston's Government Center look like in the next ten, twenty, or even fifty years?  The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) is partnering with private firms and local experts to ensure that Government Center and City Hall Plaza is green and accessible to all.  In December 2010, a three-day charrette was held on the re-design and now the BRA and several key stakeholders want to share these plans with the local community at a public event on Monday, February 7th.

Tim Love of Utile Inc. will be presenting the key recommendations and ideas from the charrette, and Tim Love and Gary Hilderbrand of Reed Hilderbrand will discuss their thoughts on the next steps for the green redesign of Government Center. Alex Krieger of Chan Krieger NBBJ and Ted Landsmark of the Boston Architectural College will be sitting on a panel to provide feedback on the design and recommendations. As in the last symposium, the event will provide a chance for the public to ask questions of the presenters and panel, as well as share their thoughts on the Greening of Government Center.  Should be a great event and we hope to see you there!

 

Who: You, open to the public

When: Monday, February 7th, 4:00-6:00 PM

Where: Modern Theatre, 523-525 Washington Street in Downtown Crossing, Boston

Contact: Boston Redevelopment Authority

Cost: Free 

 

Milking the corporate cow

By Ryan Parker

Ryan Parker is a former staff member of the United States House of Representatives. Currently, he runs a diversified, beyond organic, small family farm.

 A recent BDN article by Dr. Stephen Sears probably left readers wondering why it was relevant and what they should do about the deadly toxin raw milk. It might surprise the majority of Mainers that the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control have been spending lots of our tax dollars raiding small farms, sending FBI agents into stores with guns drawn, misleading consumers, shutting down family cheese artisans and issuing cease and desist orders to family farms (in Maine) that sell milk to their neighbors.

After Dr. Sears’ (Maine’s state epidemiologist) article, you’re probably breathing easy knowing these agencies are fighting such terrible threats as raw milk. Indeed, as the doctor wrote, according to the CDC, raw milk has been responsible for two deaths in the United States since 1998.

Obviously, Dr. Sears simply stated numbers from agency press releases and e-mails rather than actually looking at the Foodborne Outbreak Online Database. There, he would have found that, indeed, in the decade between 1998 and 2008, in a country now home to a population of more than 300 million, raw milk caused two deaths. What he neglected to mention regarding “public health” was that in 2007, in Massachusetts alone, there were three deaths from pasteurized milk.

How could Dr. Sears miss this information when he is so concerned about public health? Presumably, the same way he could quote an oft-stated CDC figure of 1,614 reported illnesses from raw milk. Why the CDC uses this figure is unbeknownst to the population, since its own data reveals 1,254 reported illnesses for the decade in question.

So what is going on here?

This is part of a nationwide campaign to take away your right to eat and feed your children healthy, real food. Sound like a conspiracy theory? Don’t take my word for it. Take the FDA’s. The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund recently sued the FDA because its ban on interstate sales of raw milk is unconstitutional. In the motion to dismiss, the FDA stated the following: “There is no right to consume or feed children any particular food. There is no generalized right to bodily and physical health.”

Scared? It gets worse.

10/10/10

 

Frustrated about climate change legislation not getting off the ground in D.C.? Concerned about oil spills and the rising ocean levels?  Want to work with others in your community to increase awareness about environmental issues? Well, 350.org is inviting you to a party.  

On October 10th, the folks at 350.org are hosting what they are calling a Global Work Party, and they want you to come.  Or better yet, to throw your own party.  According to 350.org founder, Bill McKibben:  

"On 10/10/10 we'll show that we the people can do this--but we need bold energy policies from our political leaders to do it on a scale that truly matters.  The goal of the day is not to solve the climate crisis one project at a time, but to send a pointed political message: if we can get to work, you can get to work too--on the legislation and the treaties that will make all our work easier in the long run.

It’s been a tough year—but it can be a beautiful day on the 10th Of October if we work together, and party together. And if we do it right, then we’ll take a big step towards the kind of political solutions we desperately need."

 

To sign up to host an event or to find one in your area, check out the 350.org Action Website. 

Let us know if you are planning on hosting an event in the Greater Boston Area and we will make sure the word gets out!

Boston Local Food Festival

 

Dear local food advocates, your dream festival has arrived. 

The first annual Boston Local Food Festival is being held on the waterfront at Fort Port Channel on Saturday, October 2nd.  Billed as an event of "Healthy Local Food for All", the free festival features dozens of local restaurants, farms, breweries, wineries, and non-profits dedicated to a sustainable, healthy, and delicious Boston.  Brought to you with support from the Massachsuetts Department of Agriculture, the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston, and several other local organizations -- including the folks that successfully campiagned for the Boston Public Market at Fort Point Channel -- this inaugural event will undoubtedly be the first of many festivals to come. 

The event runs from 11am to 5pm and our only complaint may be that this may not be enough time to take it all in.  For more details: www.bostonlocalfoodfestival.com.  

Event: Second Annual Urban Ag Fair

The Second Annual Urban Ag Fair is coming up in Harvard Square this weekend.  It should be a great day to celebrate fresh, local food in Cambridge -- we'll see you on the 19th!

Who: You

When: September 19th, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Where: Winthrop Park, Harvard Square, Cambridge

Contact: www.harvardsquare.com

Cost: Free

EVENT: HEET WEATHERIZATION BARNRAISING: 9/11

Looking to take part in the 9/11 Day of Service?  Here's a perfect way to volunteer in a green way:

Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) is a grassroots nonprofit that organizes free weatherization parties to teach volunteers hands-on how to lower their energy bills and carbon emissions.  HEET consults with energy experts to pass on accurate information and aims to build community, create social marketing for energy efficiency and help facilitate exchanges of ideas.  Volunteer work includes weatherizing doors, sealing windows, caulking air leaks, and programing thermostats.  You can pitch in to help a neighbor, learn skills to help you save money at home, fight climate change, and meet other concerned Bay Staters!   No previous work experience required.

Who: Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) 

When: Saturday, September 11, 2010, from 12:30-5:00pm

Where: Tot-Lot DayCare and Home - 65 Chestnut Street, Cambridgeport, MA 02139

Contact: heet.cambridge@gmail.com, heetma.com

Cost: Free

Explore the Changing Tide of Recycling’s Future

NERC’s Fall Conference, November 3 & 4, 2010

Interested in learning about changes on the horizon for recycling and waste management? Then plan on attending the Northeast Recycling Council Fall Conference. Complete agenda details are available online at www.nerc.org

When: November 3 – 4, 2010
Where: Hotel Northampton, Northampton, Massachusetts
Other Event Information: Register now for this exciting gathering at www.nerc.org Exhibit space and sponsorship opportunities are available.
Contact:  Mary Ann Remolador, NERC’s Assistant Director & Conference Organizer, (802) 254-3636 or maryann@nerc.org.

 

Fun events with healthy treats!

Together with Bear Naked we would like to invite you to Live Bear Naked Tour events in Boston. Bear Naked is participating in these events in the hopes of sharing their delicious, pure granola and parfaits with active, healthy-living enthusiasts. They are also bringing Bear Naked swag to giveaway as a thank you for stopping by!

 

Bear Naked is participating in both smaller community events and major events focusing on healthy living, nutrition and fun. Here are a few of the events currently in the line-up:

 

·         Aug. 7-8 – Pan Mass Challenge

·         Aug. 7 – Naukabout Music Festival

·         Aug. 15 – Falmouth Road Race

 

You can read about what Bear Naked has been doing in Boston at the Live Tour blog. Have a healthy, fun summer!

 

Money for your old appliances.

by Sylvia Rozwadowska

NSTAR offers you $50, and helps you save an additional $150 dollars a year!

The Appliance Recycling Program offers NSTAR customers $50 and free pick up and removal of second fridges and freezers in your basement or garage. The program is a great way to remove your appliances safely and appropriately.

Chances are, the older second refrigerator or freezer in your basement or garage is costing you up to $150 a year to run. Instead, recycle it, reduce your energy use and keep harmful materials out of landfills. They'll pick it up free and you'll pick up $50.

To sign up for a free pickup, call 877-545-4113 or visit www.MassSave.com/recycle for more information and program requirements.

A Permanant Boston Public Market

Boston needs a permanent public market and now there is a coordinated campaign to make it happen.  An impressive list of entrepreneurs, businesspeople, government officials, farmers, and community leaders have all come together to form a coalition that is building a grassroots campaign to send the message to our elected leaders.

As mentioned on this site before, building a sustainable food system is crucial to the future of Massachusetts.  A vibrant Boston Public Market would be a vital, visible step towards reaching that goal and this coaltion appears to have what it takes to make a permanant public market in Boston a reality.  So, take a second to visit the BPM website to learn more and send an email to Governor Patrick to express your support!

UPDATE: The Patrick administration has pledged $10 million to make the Boston Public Market a reality.