W ... T ... F ..?

Okay, get this ...

Heart of New Hampshire (a publisher and parent company of the Going Green Expos) are claiming bankruptcy. Oh my holy sh*t.

At the above link, the company sites lack of available credit and lack of sponsors as their main reasons for filing chapter 7.

I'm simply blown away. What kind of times are we living in? First people's homes, then their 401Ks, now their vested interests are getting flushed by our horrible economy.

What's next? Is my job next? My parent's? My sister's? My boyfriend's? It's finally hitting me, all of this bottoming-out-all-around-economic-failure.

It makes me scared. I'm afraid for all of us.

I'm a veggie, you're a veggie- who's a local-vore?

My dear, dear friends and readers, many of you know I'm not a fan of the meats. I do eat a fair amount of seafood, but I try to stick with the most sustainable options available (I've recently had to change my sushi eating habits!). I'm not one to ask people to change their lifestyles on my behalf- on behalf of the planet is one thing, but that has to come from within- but to ask my neighbors, friends and family to become more aware of how their food gets to them isn't that far out of line ... is it?

Let's start with the section of proteins I delve in the most: seafood. Too often, Americans are sold one fish and told it's another. The most common examples of this trend are Chilean Sea Bass (actually named a "Toothfish") and Orange Roughy ("Slimefish," I couldn't make that up). They're being fished into extinction- I remember eating "Roughy" when I was really young, being the fish was super popular in the early 90s. I have yet to see it in a supermarket since.

Another factor that should be paid attention to when selecting fish for your table is whether the fish was farmed or wild caught. Fish farms, more often than not, are horrible polluters. There are several that are heavily policed and remain neutral to the ocean environment. An other caution when it comes to sea life is heavy metals (not Slayer or Pantara, more like mercury). With so much to think about, it may seem impossible to find safe fish, right?

WRONG!
There are guides to help you swim(haha) through the tides(hahaha) of the changing face of the fishing industry. Look to the following online guides to reel in(hehe) the answers you've been fishing for(bahahahaha).
The Environmental Defense Fund: Check here for a comprehensive, no-doubt-about-it list of the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to eating seafood.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium: The largest, most exquisite, most advanced aquarium in the world- this place touts an actual LIVING KELP FOREST and a seafood watch page, so we can all make healthy choices for more healthy oceans.

Now for the other meats. Have you ever driven behind a chicken truck? New Englanders: Do you have a neighbor that sports a chicken coop in the backyard? Chickens are gross animals when left to their own devices, but add humans to the mix and the poultry industry is one mess that would make you think twice about that chicken parm/chicken salad/chicken cutlet you're about to devour.

Even Oprah is fed up (not that it takes much for that to happen, she just has to have the facts smack her over the head).



So, chicken farms- the conventional ones anyway- are gross and the animals are treated like, well, food ... and not beings. This, believe it or not, is not necessarily why I perscribe to a vegetarian diet. Regardless, there are ways to get free-range chickens and free-range eggs, though sometimes they are expensive. BUT, I have investigated in my time at the grocery store. For all the people bitching and moaning about organic prices being too lofty: look at your generics ridden recepts. Everything is expensive. What this economy is really doing is creating a level playing field for all types of groceries, organic and conventional.

My favorite cage-free egg option comes from Nellie's Nest Cage-Free Eggs. At my local Hannaford supermarket, Nellie's eggs cost the same as generic large and extra large eggs. As for Hannaford as an organics producer, check out their very own Organic lines, aptly named "Nature's Place." Shaw's and Alberton's offer their "Wild Harvest" line. The options are everywhere and they encompass all manner of foods, from veggies, to meats to the things you can't eat- cleaning and personal care products, paper products, etc.

Look to this site, "Happy Meat," to really understand the delemma most humans are facing. To meat, or not to eat? That's a hefty question. Sustainability is possible and the best way to ensure it is to eat locally.




Visit the Northeast Organic Farming Association web site to find organic farms in your area. Get to know your farmer. Get to know where your meals are coming from. I bet you they'll be a lot easier to stomach once you do. I recommend the Twist of Fate Farm for all your local, organic meat needs. They're at just about every farmers' market in the area and their web site is great. Eating local isn't just about the environment, it's about your community, about the place you call home and preserving it for the future. It's common sense.

That's all for now, guys. I'm tuckered out ... and feeling kind of hungry to be honest. I'm thinking of hitting up one of my favorite local joints, The Bridge Cafe on Elm St. Their food is pretty awesome and with that chill in the air, I'm thinking a heaping portion of tomato bisque is just what I need! Be well, eat well, love often and in overwhelming portions.

Love,
Say

So ... is Bethlehem suffering from negligence- or a false alarm?

The Department of Environmental Services has their meeting with the citizens of Bethlehem last night, albeit at short notice, and said that there was no evidence that the largest landfill in the state is contributing to the large number of cancer cases in the town's small population. Here's a link to the story the Concord Monitor published on the subject today.

In the CM article, Rita Farrell is quoted relating this health investigation to that of the US's tobacco industry just a few decades ago. Farrell is convinced that something is afoot- especially considering the short time frame in which the investigation and subsequent community update was completed in.

Can you blame this community for being concerned? They're home to the largest landfill in New Hampshire and quite possibly the largest number of documented pancreatic and breast cancer cases per capita. I'm with Farrell on this one- there must be a correlation between the two and it is up to the appropriate state departments to investigate this matter in the amount of time it deserves. It all seems a bit hasty ... I wonder what kind of kick backs local and state government get from the people responsible for managing this big hole filled with waste? Whenever there's money involved, people get sneaky. That's a fact of life.

I'm still sure we haven't heard the last of this matter. More to come.

Best,
Say

Landfills = Cancer? Bethlehem wants to know.

North Country Environmental Services (I love the "environmental" in there, the irony is delicious) manages landfills in the north country, including in the town of Bethlehem. Today, October 7, from 6 to 10 p.m., NH's Department of Environmental Services will hold a community forum to inform the town of Bethlehem about findings from a recent investigation concerning health problems that may be a result of the NCES run landfill there.

Surprised that a landfill could cause cancer? That the possibility is so real that a whole town is having the matter investigated? Turns out, New Hampshir-ites have a greater chance of getting breast or prostate cancer due to the high amounts of radon the Granite State emits. Take that adverse effect and add to it landfill drainage and waste leaking into underground water systems, contaminating vegetation and air quality ... that's a recipe for a multitude of health problems- let alone cancer.

So, DES sent out their press release on this matter late yesterday. It gives no insight into what the findings actually are, but if I were to put any money on the situation, I would say they found plenty to alert the community.

This story certainly relates to something I've been thinking about for a long time now- really, actively thinking about. Landfills. There are plenty of them around our great state, already covered in grass with those big white candy cane shaped PVC pipes popping up sporadically. Hell, my old high school is built adjacent to Bow's old dumping grounds. I think my next major assignment, after I've finally finished the ones already in my lap, is to map out every single landfill in this state, show where it's projected to grow to and where new sites are proposed when the giant holes we have open are finally full to capacity.

It seems like a daunting task, but let's be honest- it's information we need now.

Keep your ear to the ground on this issue, guys. I think a lot is going to come out of it. I bet the papers have plenty to say about this meeting tomorrow morning.

Happy Tuesday.
Best,
Say

The House of Representatives passed a bill this week that lifts the ban on offshore drilling on both the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts.

My stomach dropped when I read this. It has some good points, don't get me wrong ... an extension on tax incentives for solar and wind power is a big deal ... but it seems to me that this bill won't make it farther than it's already gone.

George Bush Sr. instituted a ban on new drilling in 1990. Now his party wants to get rid of a policy that was established for a very good reason- namely oil spills washing up on beaches, killing off species of marine life, poisoning water and people and stifling tourism to coastal areas.

We don't see those problems right now because of the ban on drilling. Lift that ban and watch the beaches turn black again. No one cares now because it's not in their face. If I had a nickel for every ignorant person that forgot their obligation to hand down a clean and functioning planet to their children, I would never have to work again.

Alas, money won't rain down on me and our population won't get any smarter until today's youth finally inherit the Earth- and even then I question their ability to know better than their parents.

The population has decided to chant "drill, baby, drill" at political rallies and therefore both parties will do whatever they say, just so they can get votes on their behalf on November 4th. Both sides of the isle will pander to whatever is popular- even an under-qualified "sexy librarian."

May I just add that as a female voter, I am annoyed and insulted by whatever powers make assumptions about how I'll end up voting. As a registered independent who would love to see an educated, well qualified and seasoned female politician take hold of the white house, I am appalled at the assumption of the Republican party that just because they decided to choose Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate I'm going to slather on some more lipstick and vote at the polls by using a lip print next to her name.

Hell no.

She's anti-environment, anti-women's rights, she believes that creationism should be taught in schools and that sexual education should go no farther than abstinence. Two steps forward and three steps back. And as for the whole "lipstick" controversy, it's just the Republicans manipulating women once again. They're trying to get us all fired up by misinterpreting statements and assuming that we're all so stupid we don't watch the news or study the candidates before we vote. Like we're a bunch of doe-eyed, fragile beings chained to our kitchens hoping that one day an other vagina can pull us out of the dark ages.

Shame on all of them. Be you a stay at home mom, a working mother, a young female professional, whatever- you chose the life you're leading. You make conscious decisions every day about how you'll live your life. Don't let them make assumptions about the person you are. If you agree with the Republican policies, please vote for them, but not because they've got a woman on their side.

Alright, I'm done.

Happy Thursday.
Best,
Say

It's in the wind ... the air of change.

Behold! New Hampshire's first wind farm.

Lempster Mountain over looks this small town, which is no doubt about to get bigger and bit richer.



The Union Leader has an article about it that went to print on Monday ... Here it is.

The Concord Monitor had something to say about it, too.

The Lempster Company, based in PA., is creating a wind farm in Dixville Notch very soon. The buzz has already taken hold of the state. Cross your fingers.

So, wind power is finally coming to the Granite State. This is a great thing, guys- especially for small northern towns that struggle to remain economically sound after the eventual fall out of the lumber/paper industry. If you ask me, Berlin, Gorham, Groveton and several cities in Maine should follow this lead. Sections of forest cleared by the logging industry can be used to establish farms in high altitude areas. There's no emissions, just clean power. If you want to get really crazy about it, you can camouflage the turbines the way lots of towns try to hide cell phone towers.

The Lempster project claims it will create enough power for 33,000 homes. Sweet, but that's not even cracking the numbers we should really be trying to hit. I know, baby steps. This is our first attempt. No, I take that back- way back in the day, when I was still a wee tyke, I heard stories of a fella up north, near Berlin, who erected a wind turbine on his property. It was ultimately vandalized and shunned by the surrounding community. This was what feels like ages ago for me, but then again I'm still young, but it perfectly illustrates the obstacles we'll have to overcome in order to make alternative energy a reality in a state known for being slow to change. Did you know that New Hampshire has the second oldest population in the country? We're right behind Florida ... the Shire's retirement home. Go figure. With that being said, I call upon you, young reader- will you do what you can when you finally own property? Will you be active in your community's decision making process? Will you vote to make alternative energy a tangible medium for you and your neighbors? Will you support your neighbors should they have the ability to make some of these possibilities a reality? Will you remain open minded and continue to educate yourself on these matters and others that impact our environment?

I hope so. We're the generation that's finally going to be able to make a difference. Let's stand up and reverse the problems created by the masses before us. Let's put an end to our use-and-toss culture. It's up to us.

ALSO!

Fun factoid for my female friends.

Do you use exfoliant? I would start reading the labels of anything you use to slough off dead skin. Turns out a lot of the companies that make these products use small pieces of plastic in the formula to act as those "scrubbers." When you rinse off, those small particulates escape into waste water and eventually make their way to the ocean. They're so small they often can't be removed in conventional waste water treatment plants and many are so small that once they get to the oceans they can be ingested by phyto-plankton, the base of our entire food web- the very same organisms that clean our air and water. When they eat those little granules of plastic they choke and die. After that, the animals biodegrade, but the plastic pieces won't which leaves them available to be eaten by something else. It's a cycle we can't stop, since the garbage is already in the sea and near impossible for us to remove ... but we can change our habits. Please read the labels of items you use on a regular basis. Do you see words that look strangely familiar to "Petrol," things you can't pronounce ... with three consonants in a row ... words that barely make any sense and may have a number incorporated into their name? Those are the substances to avoid.

Now, I understand that products sans these long and elaborate substances made of rigid and durable polymer chains are kind of expensive. Until the industry of organic beauty care is flooded with demand, the prices may not change, but look at it this way:

Would you rather pay a bit more right now for a biodegradable face wash than pay thousands of dollars in medical bills later in life when you're suffering from a skin disease that was most likely related to pollution??

Yeah ... think about it.

Happy hump day, everyone. More to come, so stick around.

Love,
Say

Loonacy.

I'm lucky that Mark and Kris make our local paper a part of their morning routine. Hanna and I had tried to maintain a weekend subscription to the Concord Monitor, but it didn't work out. Now that I'm moving to Downing St. I can share in the wealth of Mark and Kris' dedication to local news.

That said, I was reading the Concord Monitor this morning and stumbled upon an article written by Chelsea Conabo. Kudos, Chelsea, on such a thorough job. Turns out, there are record numbers of nesting pairs of Loons in the state of New Hampshire, 240 to be exact. That's a big deal, since the species' population dipped dramatically in past years. So, more loons should mean more eggs, which should mean more baby loons. Not so fast.

At this juncture, I'll quote Conabo's article:

"... The rate of reproduction was about 0.4 chicks per pair, too low to maintain a stable population. Even more worrying is that a total of seven chicks survived on the state's largest lakes: Umbagog, Winnipesaukee and Squam."

Ouch. Those three lakes should have more than enough room and untouched shoreline to sustain themselves. Several eggs were tested for contaminates, the most predominant of those found was Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (also known as PBDEs).

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Does anyone in my generation remember when DDT was threatening the fabric of Bald Eagle populations? For Europe and several US state's attempts at banning certain types of PBDEs, they're still being produced in other spaces. That means they're still getting into our water systems. Let's define exactly what PBDEs are:

Wikipedia describes PBDEs as: "Polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDE, are organic compounds that are used as a flame retardant. Like other brominated flame retardants, PBDEs have been used in a wide array of products, including building materials, electronics, furnishings, motor vehicles, plastics, polyurethane foams, and textiles. They are structurally akin to the PCB’s, consisting of two halogenated aromatic rings linked by an ether group. PBDEs are classified according to the average number of bromine atoms in the molecule. The health hazards of these chemicals have attracted increasing scrutiny."

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has a Public Health Statement in regards to these substances as well:


There are three commercial PBDE products (i.e., penta-, octa-, and decabromodiphenyl ethers). Deca- and octa-brominated types of PBDEs are also produced outside of the United States (in China and Israel). Decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) makes up 82% of these products manufactured globally. Its main use is for electronic enclosures, such as television cabinets. Octabromodiphenyl ether (octaBDE) product is used in plastics for business equipment. Pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE) product is used in foam for cushioning in upholstery. PBDEs have not been associated with actual health-related effects. Concerns have increased, however, because some of these chemicals (particularly the pentaBDEs) have been found in the environment at varying concentrations. Environmental concentrations of lower brominated PBDEs, which may be leveling off in Europe, appear to be increasing in certain areas of Canada and the United States.

"PBDEs are a group of synthetic organic chemicals with no known natural sources in the environment, except for a few marine organisms that produce forms of PBDEs that contain higher levels of oxygen. Commercial decaBDE and octaBDE products are colorless to off-white solids, whereas commercial pentaBDE product is a thick liquid. PBDEs are not expected to evaporate into the air. PBDEs in the air are mostly found with dust rather than as a vapor. PBDEs enter the environment as mixtures containing a variety of individual brominated diphenyl ether (for PBDEs) components, known as congeners. Congeners are distinct members of a class of chemical substances. Some commercial mixtures of PBDEs may be known by their industrial trade names, (i.e., DE-60F Special, DE-61, DE-62, DE-71, DE-79, DE 83R, Saytex® 102E). PBDEs are still produced and widely used in the United States, although the sole manufacturer of penta- and octaPBDE commercial products in the United States is expected to quit making these chemicals by the end of 2004."

This article continues and explains what happens when these chemicals are introduced to the environment and what happens when people come into contact with PBDEs.

Now, I read all of this information with a heavy helping of cynicism. Sure, we may have stopped making several versions of the stuff, but it's still around. Loons aren't the only animals that will feel adverse effects from toxic chemicals like these. Try human fetuses. Our generation (I'm talking to you, dear 20 and 30-somethings) is the first generation to be raised in the tradition of "better life through chemistry." Our baby boomer parents love chemicals. They've only had the pleasure of living with them for half of their lives- we, however, will deal with them our entire lives.

Sure, there's no way to really know just how much of an effect chemicals will have on our genetic make-up and our life expectancy, but I think it's safe to say that SOME effects will show up. Our generation is the world's guinea pig. When we're finally hitting our 80s (if we live that long) science can finally say when kind of mess we've put ourselves in.

The Loons are our first real indicators. Their lives are much shorter than ours, but they're compromised by every chemical that makes its way into their systems. Lead, PBDEs, DDT, the stuff that makes up the "Chemical Soup" Conabo refers to. We've got that in our bodies, too. As go the Loons, so goes society. Remember that.

I'm sure after reading all of this you might be wondering, "What does she expect me to do about all of this?" In all honest, there's isn't much that CAN be done. I can't climb into a row boat and filter all the PBDE out of my favorite lake. What we can do is try to be informed citizens. Buying some new gadgets for your house? Making a large electronics or other technological purchase? Research the companies you're buying from. If you're making the effort to shop around for the best price, why not shop around for the most sustainable company at the same time? There's a great organization based in Manchester, funded by the Stonyfield company (of organic yogurt fame), that rates various companies on their sustainability. Climate Counts has easy to comprehend score cards that rate some nationally recognized companies- a few are Nike, Sony and General Mills. Use the research they've done to save you some time. Being an informed consumer does more than just complaining about the problems we're facing. Money talks, party people ... money talks.

I've been pretty long winded on this post, but the moral of this report is the unshakable reality that despite man's best efforts to protect the species that surround him, nothing can stop the effects of the damage we've already done. That's a scary thought, isn't it?

Save the Loons, save ourselves.