I attended my first Northfield City Council meeting Monday night and frankly, it was pathetic. I've heard a lot about some of the issues that Northfield city politics have been facing: an incompetent mayor (who at least appeared to be sober at this week's meeting), a possible suit from the city administrator, city council members stepping down, etc. This however, was a much higher level of incapability that I ever expected.
It was an hour and a half filled with procedural confusion, bickering, personal attacks, and utterly childish behavior that was downright inexcusable. [I expect Rush Limbaugh and Keith Olbermann could have had an easier time getting along, or at least being civil. (New "We Campaign" Ad anyone?....Hah!)] Much of this appeared to revolve around the mayor's need to feel like he was in charge: he repeatedly interrupted any council member he disagreed with and was utterly incapable of compromising with anyone...on anything.
At one point, Contented Cow owner Norm Butler stood up and declared, "I have never seen such passive-aggressive behavior in my life." And he was right.
I understand that local politics can be frustrating: after all, a lot of time and effort has to go into procedural issues, hearing every citizen's voice, discussing, drafting proposals, voting, etc. It's not exactly the most efficient process and it likely never will be. However, I have witnessed Duluth City Council meetings before, and while they may have had some conflicts of their own or seemed to have droned on for hours, at least they were led by a group of (mostly) adults.
I had attended the meeting in hopes of hearing a discussion about the Northfield Energy Task Force's recommendations about energy issues, global climate change, etc. as well as a discussion about non-motorized transit. However, after an hour and forty minutes of wanted to shoot myself in the foot to at least have something to distract me from the pain of what I witnessing, I had to get up and leave. And for how much I care about the issues, that is really too bad.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Home Composting
I've received several requests for advice from people interested in learning how to start a compost at home. While I'm by no means an expert on the subject, fortunately it doesn't take one to start your own compost. In fact, it's surprisingly easy. Here's some suggestions and links for how to get started:
The first thing people need to decide is where to place the outdoor aspect of the composting, which is usually some kind of a bin. (I have seen some farmers and people who aren't as concerned with aesthetics just making a pile or heap right in their backyard without a bin. This works great too, but typical homeowners seem to like some kind of a bin or container to put it in). The backyard is usually the best place to put your bin, and it should be in a location that is close to your house and convenient to reach during the winter months since you will be adding to it several times a week even when its freezing out. If you don't have a backyard, then a compost bin in your basement works just fine.
If you choose to use a bin, getting one is the next step. They can be bought online at such sites as http://www.composters.com/?gclid=CMrG_ubw1pQCFSCcnAodEV6QrA or possibly found at a local hardware store. (The CSL is also considering sponsoring a compost bin sale and we'll let you know if we do!) Even better, you can fairly easily build one yourself. Here's an example of one way to build your own that I found from composting101.com:
"Want to build your own? Here's one simple solution: convert old shipping pallets (which you can usually pick up for free) into a compost "repository." Use one for the bottom. Pound in metal support poles and then add pallets by slipping them over the support poles to make your bin's walls and you're all set."
Next, you'll need to need some kind of pail or container to keep in the kitchen. Keeping around old, gallon ice cream pails works great. The important thing is to have a lid to keep away fruit flies and to either line the pail with newspaper (which can be composted) or to wash it between uses to keep it fairly clean.
Here's what you SHOULD and SHOULD NOT compost:
What to compost:
From the Kitchen: fruit and vegetable scraps, plant cuttings, coffee grounds, tea bags, rice, pasta, egg shells, coffee filters, stale bread, paper towels, dryer lint (cool, huh?), hair.
From the yard: flowers, vegetables, hedge clippings, small amounts of grass, leaves, straw, small twigs or woodchips, hay.
Do NOT compost:
Dairy products, Meat, fish or bones, Fats or Oils, Diseased Plants, weeds containing seeds, sauces, ashes, pet waste (although pet hair is okay).
At this point you just need to toss food scraps into your pail (chopping larger items like corn cobs and watermelon rinds up), empty your full pails into your heap or bin, stir your pile with a pitchfork or garden tool, and cover it with some leaves, soil, or other dried yard waste. Stirring is important because it adds oxygen and covering the pile adds carbon and reduces the chance of odors or flies.
Contrary to some rumors, properly running composters should not smell unpleasant, so if this has been stopping you, don't worry. (Just remember to stay away from meat and dairy and to mix and cover your bin after every addition).
Follow these steps and after a few months the earliest additions to your pile will have broken down and will look much like soil. Take out what's ready with a shovel, load it into a wheelbarrow, and spread it wherever (garden, shrubs, trees, lawn, etc.)
That's it. It's really, really easy. And with a small amount of effort you can see garbage reductions of around 25-30% and have valuable home compost to add to your garden. I hope this helps get you started!
For more great links on composting and building your own bin, check out:
How to Start a home compost: http://www.grist.org/advice/how/2008/08/19/?source=daily
http://www.stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=441
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/Recycle/Compost/Home4.htm
Composting in small, urban backyards: http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2005/01/06/umbra-compost/index.html
The first thing people need to decide is where to place the outdoor aspect of the composting, which is usually some kind of a bin. (I have seen some farmers and people who aren't as concerned with aesthetics just making a pile or heap right in their backyard without a bin. This works great too, but typical homeowners seem to like some kind of a bin or container to put it in). The backyard is usually the best place to put your bin, and it should be in a location that is close to your house and convenient to reach during the winter months since you will be adding to it several times a week even when its freezing out. If you don't have a backyard, then a compost bin in your basement works just fine.
If you choose to use a bin, getting one is the next step. They can be bought online at such sites as http://www.composters.com/?gclid=CMrG_ubw1pQCFSCcnAodEV6QrA or possibly found at a local hardware store. (The CSL is also considering sponsoring a compost bin sale and we'll let you know if we do!) Even better, you can fairly easily build one yourself. Here's an example of one way to build your own that I found from composting101.com:
"Want to build your own? Here's one simple solution: convert old shipping pallets (which you can usually pick up for free) into a compost "repository." Use one for the bottom. Pound in metal support poles and then add pallets by slipping them over the support poles to make your bin's walls and you're all set."
Next, you'll need to need some kind of pail or container to keep in the kitchen. Keeping around old, gallon ice cream pails works great. The important thing is to have a lid to keep away fruit flies and to either line the pail with newspaper (which can be composted) or to wash it between uses to keep it fairly clean.
Here's what you SHOULD and SHOULD NOT compost:
What to compost:
From the Kitchen: fruit and vegetable scraps, plant cuttings, coffee grounds, tea bags, rice, pasta, egg shells, coffee filters, stale bread, paper towels, dryer lint (cool, huh?), hair.
From the yard: flowers, vegetables, hedge clippings, small amounts of grass, leaves, straw, small twigs or woodchips, hay.
Do NOT compost:
Dairy products, Meat, fish or bones, Fats or Oils, Diseased Plants, weeds containing seeds, sauces, ashes, pet waste (although pet hair is okay).
At this point you just need to toss food scraps into your pail (chopping larger items like corn cobs and watermelon rinds up), empty your full pails into your heap or bin, stir your pile with a pitchfork or garden tool, and cover it with some leaves, soil, or other dried yard waste. Stirring is important because it adds oxygen and covering the pile adds carbon and reduces the chance of odors or flies.
Contrary to some rumors, properly running composters should not smell unpleasant, so if this has been stopping you, don't worry. (Just remember to stay away from meat and dairy and to mix and cover your bin after every addition).
Follow these steps and after a few months the earliest additions to your pile will have broken down and will look much like soil. Take out what's ready with a shovel, load it into a wheelbarrow, and spread it wherever (garden, shrubs, trees, lawn, etc.)
That's it. It's really, really easy. And with a small amount of effort you can see garbage reductions of around 25-30% and have valuable home compost to add to your garden. I hope this helps get you started!
For more great links on composting and building your own bin, check out:
How to Start a home compost: http://www.grist.org/advice/how/2008/08/19/?source=daily
http://www.stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=441
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/Recycle/Compost/Home4.htm
Composting in small, urban backyards: http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2005/01/06/umbra-compost/index.html
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
St. Olaf Natural Lands Tour With Professor Gene Bakko
St. Olaf Biology Professor and Curator of the Natural Lands Gene Bakko will be hosting a tour this Thursday. I've been in classes that he's giving tours to before and they are incredibly informative and a great way to spend an afternoon! Here's some more information and a link to event registration for those who are interested:
https://www.stolaf.edu/alumni/events/greenyahyah.html
What: A St. Olaf Family Experience for Oles and Their Kids
When: Thursday, July 24, 2008
Schedule: • 10:00 a.m. - Sign in at Skoglund/Tostrud Center, parking circle entrance
• 10:15 a.m. - Enjoy a natural lands tour with Gene Bakko, a STOGROW tour and a hayride
• Noon - Lunch in Stav Hall
Cost: $10 for adults, $8 for children 8-15 years old and $5 for children 3-7 (under 3 are free).
RSVP: Space is limited to 70 spots, so register early!
https://www.stolaf.edu/alumni/events/greenyahyah.html
What: A St. Olaf Family Experience for Oles and Their Kids
When: Thursday, July 24, 2008
Schedule: • 10:00 a.m. - Sign in at Skoglund/Tostrud Center, parking circle entrance
• 10:15 a.m. - Enjoy a natural lands tour with Gene Bakko, a STOGROW tour and a hayride
• Noon - Lunch in Stav Hall
Cost: $10 for adults, $8 for children 8-15 years old and $5 for children 3-7 (under 3 are free).
RSVP: Space is limited to 70 spots, so register early!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Wellstone "Remaking America" Essay Contest
I recently submitted an essay titled "America's Energy Revolution: A Tax Incentive Approach" to an essay competition on "Remaking America" that is being held in honor of Paul and Sheila Wellstone. It's a very quick read, because the competition had a strict word requirement of between 260 and 280 words. Definitely not a lot of space to lay out a detailed plan to "Remake America", but I guess brevity is the point. I've attached it below. Let me know what you think.
America’s Energy Revolution: A Tax Incentive Approach
Currently, our economy is in shambles, gas prices are at record highs, global warming is accelerating, and Peak Oil is quickly approaching. How we get our energy is not just an environmental issue, but also an economic, national security, and social justice issue. Solutions to the energy crisis proposed by our political leaders are wholly inadequate. Instead, what America needs is a bold, innovative plan that puts us on the path to energy independence rather than oil dependence, that is not afraid to challenge the status quo in Washington, and that demands more from the American people while providing more for the American people. What we need is an energy revolution.
In order to facilitate an energy revolution, political leaders need to employ economic incentives to encourage innovation, efficiency and conservation. This must be done in two primary ways. First, we have to shift income and payroll taxes over to resource consumption taxes. In doing so, we send a message to businesses and the American public that we admire hard work and disvalue harmful forms of energy such as burning carbon-based fuels. This tax shift must reassure the public that taxes are neither being raised nor lowered but simply shifted. It must also be progressive enough to ensure that consumptive taxes do not disproportionately affect low-income Americans. Second, this tax restructuring must be coupled with tax breaks for investment into renewable energy sources and efficiency as well as subsidies for conservation programs, public transit, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, etc.
The time has come for us to face our energy crisis. America has the opportunity to become a global leader in clean, renewable power. We can do better. And we must.
America’s Energy Revolution: A Tax Incentive Approach
Currently, our economy is in shambles, gas prices are at record highs, global warming is accelerating, and Peak Oil is quickly approaching. How we get our energy is not just an environmental issue, but also an economic, national security, and social justice issue. Solutions to the energy crisis proposed by our political leaders are wholly inadequate. Instead, what America needs is a bold, innovative plan that puts us on the path to energy independence rather than oil dependence, that is not afraid to challenge the status quo in Washington, and that demands more from the American people while providing more for the American people. What we need is an energy revolution.
In order to facilitate an energy revolution, political leaders need to employ economic incentives to encourage innovation, efficiency and conservation. This must be done in two primary ways. First, we have to shift income and payroll taxes over to resource consumption taxes. In doing so, we send a message to businesses and the American public that we admire hard work and disvalue harmful forms of energy such as burning carbon-based fuels. This tax shift must reassure the public that taxes are neither being raised nor lowered but simply shifted. It must also be progressive enough to ensure that consumptive taxes do not disproportionately affect low-income Americans. Second, this tax restructuring must be coupled with tax breaks for investment into renewable energy sources and efficiency as well as subsidies for conservation programs, public transit, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, etc.
The time has come for us to face our energy crisis. America has the opportunity to become a global leader in clean, renewable power. We can do better. And we must.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Reflections on the CSL Board Meeting
A few weeks ago, I was able to witness my first Center for Sustainable Living board meeting. I had some ideas I was ready to present to the board at the meeting, and I was wondering going into the meeting just how my ideas would be received. After all, how often are new interns in an organization allowed to sit in on board meetings to present their ideas and ask for support? However, with a group of amazing people such as this running the CSL, I should have known better than to even have the slightest inkling of intimidation going into the meeting.
The CSL “board meeting” was the first non-profit board meeting I had ever participated in. Unfortunately, I think it might give me a misconception of what potential board meetings in my future may look like. I could be wrong, but I don’t think that most non-profit board meetings begin with homemade soup, homemade bread, spinach casserole (made with freshly picked spinach from some members’ Community Supported Agriculture farm) and pie. As such, I realized right away that the CSL does their board meetings a little differently, which of course fits right in with their style and reputation.
When we were all happily filled with mostly local food, it was time to get down to business. With several of its members on vacation and a few others unaccounted for, the attendance at the meeting was nothing to brag about-only 4 of the 10 board members were at this meeting plus myself and one guest from the community, Nate Jacobi. As such, it did become difficult to address certain issues that were being spearheaded by absent members. This, obviously makes progress for the organization more difficult, and is likely one of the reasons why the CSL is known for being sporadically active. However, this is understandable considering that the CSL is comprised not of paid, non-profit professionals but everyday, visionary Northfielders who volunteer time outside of their professional and family lives to tackle important community issues.
Despite the missing members, the meeting ran fairly smoothly and efficiently, addressing each issue that had been laid out on the previous meeting’s agenda. Despite the laid back and egalitarian nature of the meeting, I was at times reminded of the board members’ experience and knowledge of non-profit work when issues of legality, bylaws, and other matters of record came up that I didn’t quite understand the nuances of. Once all previous projects were addressed, each member had the opportunity to bring up any other new proposals to the board. When it was my turn, I was thrilled with the enthusiasm and support that was offered to each of my ideas by the board members. In addition, they were able to provide invaluable advice about who to contact in the community about composting, non-motorized transit, etc. Total time for the meeting (including dinner and bullshitting amongst friends) was about 2 hours. Not a huge time commitment for a two-month period, especially considering what could be accomplished in the community coming out of such a meeting.
The CSL “board meeting” was the first non-profit board meeting I had ever participated in. Unfortunately, I think it might give me a misconception of what potential board meetings in my future may look like. I could be wrong, but I don’t think that most non-profit board meetings begin with homemade soup, homemade bread, spinach casserole (made with freshly picked spinach from some members’ Community Supported Agriculture farm) and pie. As such, I realized right away that the CSL does their board meetings a little differently, which of course fits right in with their style and reputation.
When we were all happily filled with mostly local food, it was time to get down to business. With several of its members on vacation and a few others unaccounted for, the attendance at the meeting was nothing to brag about-only 4 of the 10 board members were at this meeting plus myself and one guest from the community, Nate Jacobi. As such, it did become difficult to address certain issues that were being spearheaded by absent members. This, obviously makes progress for the organization more difficult, and is likely one of the reasons why the CSL is known for being sporadically active. However, this is understandable considering that the CSL is comprised not of paid, non-profit professionals but everyday, visionary Northfielders who volunteer time outside of their professional and family lives to tackle important community issues.
Despite the missing members, the meeting ran fairly smoothly and efficiently, addressing each issue that had been laid out on the previous meeting’s agenda. Despite the laid back and egalitarian nature of the meeting, I was at times reminded of the board members’ experience and knowledge of non-profit work when issues of legality, bylaws, and other matters of record came up that I didn’t quite understand the nuances of. Once all previous projects were addressed, each member had the opportunity to bring up any other new proposals to the board. When it was my turn, I was thrilled with the enthusiasm and support that was offered to each of my ideas by the board members. In addition, they were able to provide invaluable advice about who to contact in the community about composting, non-motorized transit, etc. Total time for the meeting (including dinner and bullshitting amongst friends) was about 2 hours. Not a huge time commitment for a two-month period, especially considering what could be accomplished in the community coming out of such a meeting.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The St. Olaf Natural Lands: A True Community Asset
As part of my internship this summer, I’ve had the opportunity to spend some “unstructured reflection time” on the St. Olaf Natural Lands. The point of such reflection is not to necessarily have a goal in mind when I arrive, but to let my mind wander, and to write about the time I spend there.
Two weeks ago, four of my housemates and I all decided to go for an evening stroll through the trails that weave through the restored prairies and woodlands that surround the campus proper. Carrying a cup of hot tea, I listened to my housemates talk about their workweeks. We were all fortunate to have a former national parks employee in our midst, who pointed out invasive thistles on our right and helped us identify whatever bird species he could remember as we moved along. By the time we returned home, we all were remarking about how fortunate we were to have our own “nature center” in our backyard.
Over the past few weeks, I have continued to visit the natural lands sporadically, oftentimes ending up at the same bench overlooking a restored wetland after a good walk. I'm a little bit surprised at how unused the St. Olaf’s natural lands are in Northfield during the summer. True, Northfield does seem to have no shortage of beautiful outdoor areas to visit (the Carleton Arboretum being my personal favorite), but the St. Olaf Natural Lands provide a little something different than farmland vistas and city’s parks. They provide us with a chance to experience a totally unique aspect of the wild world around us. Unfortunately, I think sometimes people forget that St. Olaf College is a friendly member of the Northfield community and that its land can be just as much of a community asset as Ames Park or the River Bend Nature Center.
For those of you who haven’t yet checked out the Natural Lands, here’s a link to our website that describes them. http://www.stolaf.edu/academics/naturallands/
Visiting “townies” and students can find over 90 acres of restored woodlands, 150 acres of restored tall grass prairie, 15 restored wetland marshes, an extensive bluebird trail, and some good-old-fashioned biodiversity, just to name a few things. So, next time your out for a walk, or looking for a new form of summer entertainment for the kids, head to the natural lands. I guarantee you’ll leave feeling reenergized and refreshed.
More on the Natural Lands to come…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
