Woodmont, CT's Pesticide Free Paradise Initiative

Connecticut Transistion, CONNECTICUT TRAINING for TRANSITION - Saturday and Sunday, 9AM - 5 PM, March 26 & 27, 2011 Common Ground High School

2011-02-28T09:36:00.000-08:00

Milford Environmental Concerns Coalition is encouraging Milford residents and our regional neighbors to join us in taking this Transition Training.

Sincerely,
Diane Vasseur,
ECC Chairwoman.

ddmiddens@gmail.com

Transition U.S. (www.TransitionUS.org) is offering the two-day Training for Transition course developed by the Transition Network in England (www.TransitionNetwork.org). The course is an in-depth experiential introduction to Transition for those considering bringing Transition to their community. It is recommended for local communities wishing to become an internationally-recognized Transition Initiative.

At the Training for Transition course, you will:

• Learn how to describe the Triple Challenge of Peak Oil, climate instability, and economic deterioration in ways that move people to positive action

• Discover imaginative and rewarding ways to work with obstacles that have prevented our communities from recognizing and responding to challenges

• Explore ways that your local Transition initiative can be created and strengthened

• Connect with others who share your concerns and are on a similar path!

• Become a part of a rapidly growing positive, inspirational, global movement!

Curriculum: The course describes how to catalyze, build and facilitate a successful Transition Initiative. It is packed with imaginative and successful ways to engage your community, and delves into both the theory and practice of Transition that has worked so well in hundreds of communities in the U.K. and around the world.

Who should attend: People interested in learning about Transition Towns in greater depth and leaders already creating a Transition Initiative in their community.

Instructors: Tina Clarke and Mario Yanez, certified Transition Trainers.

Cost: $180 per person. A $100 deposit holds your place. Lunch, refreshments and materials included. (Lodging not included.) If you can give extra money for scholarships, your generosity will help those with low incomes to attend! Bring a friend and both of you receive 10% off!

Registration:

http://conservect.org/northwest/ ; You can also pay by check. Checks should be made out to the Northwest Conservation District or NCD and mailed to The Northwest Conservation District, 1185 New Litchfield Street, Torrington, CT 06790. Please include your name, address, phone number and email address with your check.

Questions? Please contact

Sharon Vocke – sharlynn23@yahoo.com or Terry Halwes – terry@dharmahaven.org

Preparation: Participants are encouraged to read:

• The Transition Handbook: From Oil Dependency to Local Resilience, by Rob Hopkins

• Transition Primer (free at: http://transitionnetwork.org/resources/transition-primer )

• View: In Transition 1.0 (watch free at: www.vimeo.com/8029815 )

eNews Alert: Action Update on America's Great Outdoors Report , Land Trust Alliance

2011-02-17T19:54:00.000-08:00

Dear Land Trust Alliance Friends,

Last night, I was delighted to attend a White House event where President Barack Obama unveiled the America’s Great Outdoors Report and again cited the importance of land trusts. Our collective voice was reflected in the report, which proposes to extend the enhanced easement incentive beyond 2011, fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and focus a portion of those funds on innovative projects that support urban parks, community green spaces and large-scale land conservation.

This report arrives amid a climate of unprecedented fiscal stress in Washington. To make these proposals a reality, we will need your help spreading the word and demonstrating public support on the local level. This is also a great news hook for your organization to demonstrate how its everyday work fits in to a national context. We’ve prepared some sample materials for your use:

Whether your organization focuses on working lands, wildlife habitat, urban gardens, historic sites or all of the above, you’re sure to find elements of this report that embrace your work. We encourage you to take a closer look as you spread the word to your supporters:

Thanks to each land trust that participated in the America’s Great Outdoors listening sessions we have much to be thankful for in this report.

Rand Wentworth
President, Land Trust Alliance

P.S. – Even as we celebrate the vision of $900 million for LWCF, the House is preparing to vote this evening on a broad spending bill for the next seven months that, unfortunately, singles out key conservation programs for extreme cuts. It would cut LWCF by 90% to just $59 million. It would eliminate all funding for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and State Wildlife Grants. This is only an opening volley in what promises to be a protracted budget fight with the Senate and the President, but we hope you’ll call your Representative’s office at 202-224-3121 and urge them to vote NO on the fiscal year 2011 continuing resolution because of these disproportionate cuts for conservation programs.

What a scientist didn't tell the NY Times on honeybee deaths - Oct. 8, 2010

2011-02-17T09:26:00.000-08:00

What a scientist didn't tell the NY Times on honeybee deaths - Oct. 8, 2010

What a scientist didn't tell the New York Times about his study on bee deaths

Jerry Bromenshenk, bee investigator By Katherine Eban, contributorOctober 8, 2010: 1:42 PM ET

"FORTUNE -- Few ecological disasters have been as confounding as the massive and devastating die-off of the world's honeybees. The phenomenon of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) -- in which disoriented honeybees die far from their hives -- has kept scientists, beekeepers, and regulators desperately seeking the cause. After all, the honeybee, nature's ultimate utility player, pollinates a third of all the food we eat and contributes an estimated $15 billion in annual agriculture revenue to the U.S. economy.
The long list of possible suspects has included pests, viruses, fungi, and also pesticides, particularly so-called neonicotinoids, a class of neurotoxins that kills insects by attacking their nervous systems. For years, their leading manufacturer, Bayer Crop Science, a subsidiary of the German pharmaceutical giant Bayer AG (BAYRY), has tangled with regulators and fended off lawsuits from angry beekeepers who allege that the pesticides have disoriented and ultimately killed their bees. The company has countered that, when used correctly, the pesticides pose little risk.

Please go to the post and read on.

FOOD ISSUE: Feds Approve Monsanto Herbicide-Resistant Crops, by: Mike Ludwig, t r u t h o u t | Report

2011-02-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

Feds Approve Monsanto Herbicide-Resistant Crops

Tuesday 15 February 2011

by: Mike Ludwig, t r u t h o u t | Report

(Photo: Ian Hayhurst; Edited: Jared Rodriguez / t r u t h o u t)

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved plantings of three genetically engineered (GE) crops in as many weeks, including Monsanto Co.'s Roundup Ready sugar beets and alfalfa that are engineered to tolerate Roundup Ready weed-killing herbicide.

The USDA on February 11 also legalized, without restriction, the world's first GE corn crop meant for biofuel production. Biotech giant Syngenta's Event 3272 seed corn will simplify ethanol production and is not meant to feed animals or humans.

The approvals flew in the face of legal and regulatory challenges posed by GE crop opponents and members of the agricultural industry. Opponents fear the GE crop varieties could contaminate conventional food crops and promote the overuse of herbicides like the glyphosate-based Roundup and more toxic chemicals used to kill glyphosate-resistant weeds.

Monsanto won a victory on February 4 when the USDA partially deregulated Roundup Ready sugar beets. A federal court in August 2010 temporarily banned the beets and ordered the USDA to re-review the environmental impacts of the Roundup Ready sugar beets as the result of a lawsuit filed by farmers and environmental groups.

Plaintiff attorney Paul Achitoff from the environmental group Earthjustice said the USDA's decision to allow plantings of the sugar beets under "lax conditions" violates federal law. However, the USDA said the beets pose no "plant pest risk" and farmers can start planting them before a final Environmental Impact Statement is issued in 2012.

Roundup Ready alfalfa was legalized without any restrictions on January 27 after nearly five years of legal battles that pitted farmers and GE critics against the USDA and Monsanto.

The USDA disappointed GE critics again last week when it fully deregulated Swiss agribusiness giant Syngenta's Event 3272 GE corn. The corn is genetically engineered to produce an enzyme that converts starch to sugar, making it easier to process the corn and turn it into the biofuel ethanol.

The North American Millers Association (NAMA), a normally pro-biotech organization that represents 170 agricultural mills in 38 states, is concerned that Event 3271 kernels could accidentally mix with corn meant for food processing and damage the quality of food products like snacks and breakfast cereals.

"USDA has failed to provide the public with sufficient scientific data on the economic impacts of contamination on food production, or information on how USDA will ensure Syngenta's compliance with a stewardship plan," said NAMA President Mary Waters.

Fight the lies and misinformation; support truth! Please make a tax-deductible donation to Truthout today and keep real independent journalism strong.

The USDA is counting on a "closed loop system" created by Syngenta to prevent Event 3272 corn from contaminating the food supply and is encouraging dialogue between Syngenta and the food industry, according to a release. The USDA is aware that some millers and food processors are concerned about Event 3272 and is promoting participation in an industry advisory council sponsored by Syngenta to review the "closed loop system."

Bill Freese, GE critic and policy analyst at the Center for Food Safety (CFS), said that the USDA should to take a closer look at Syngenta's track record.

A 2004 investigation conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed that Syngenta had illegally distributed GE seed corn engineered to produce an unregistered pesticide on over 1,000 occasions to farmers in the US, South America and Europe.

The EPA fined Syngenta $1.5 million in 2006 for distributing the seed corn, which produced a then unregistered pesticide called Bt 10.

The USDA did not classify Event 3272 corn as a crop grown to produce an industrial compound during its review of Syngenta's petition to legalize the corn, and NAMA argues that the agency would have completed a more thorough scientific review of the product if it regulators classified it as industrial.

A USDA spokesperson told Truthout that Event 3272 is not considered an industrial product crop because its extra genetic traits turn starch into sugar, not ethanol itself.

Syngenta's own recently released data shows Event 3272 would have "adverse impacts" on food quality if it entered the conventional corn supply, according to NAMA.

NAMA spokesperson Terri Long said the millers' association is concerned about food product quality and not Syngenta's past violations.

Freese said that Event 3272 is supposed to be used for domestic ethanol production, but Syngenta has applied for import approvals for Event 3272 in nations where the US exports corn. Freese said Syngenta is trying to avoid liability in case Event 3272 does contaminate the domestic corn supply.

Freese and CFS helped represent plaintiffs in the lawsuits against the USDA that challenged initial approvals of Roundup Ready alfalfa and sugar beets.

Acetyl-l-carnitine, alpha lipoic acid, and CoQ10 - I take care of my lawn and gardens and I take care of myself. I take these three products. I do not sell them but I do take them daily because they make me feel great. I share my organic gardening tips and here is my personal favorite health snack combo . Read up on it and make up your own mind.

2010-10-31T05:56:00.000-07:00

This mixture gives me the same energy I had when I was 30, I'm 50 now. I thank God for this great discovery. I'm not recomending this because I believe in making informed choices when ever possible so read-up, educate yourself and decide for yourself. I have tried many brand and my favorites change, so I'm not recommending any company, make up your own mind. I am now using Natrol for my alpha lipoic acid, TwinLab for my Acetyl-L-Carnitine and I'm not sure of who to buy CoQ10 from information regarding a new and better form needs to be explored.

Acetyl-l-carnitine, alpha lipoic acid, and CoQ10

Note: BioEndurance contains only pharmaceutical grade raw materials. Acetyl-l-carnitine (Biosint�) is manufactured in Italy by Sigma Tau Health Sciences, Alpha lipoic acid is pharmaceutical grade pure RS form manufactured in the US, CoQ10 is pharmaceutical grade manufactured in Japan, and Bioperine is manufactured in the US by Sabinsa Corporation. This product does not contain any ingredients made in China which is typically where less expensive ALC, CoQ10 (synthetic) and ALA are manafactured. BioEndurance is guaranteed to contain the highest quality ingredients available.
Acetyl-l-carnitine, Alpha Lipoic Acid and CoQ10 - A combination of 3 exceptional nutrients that support your body's cell function as you age. Acetyl-l-carnitine is a stabilized form of the amino acid metabolite L-Carnitine and is utilized in the same manner in the body. Acetyl-l-carnitine plays and important role in the transfer and utilization of long-chain fatty acids, which are used in the production of energy. Alpha lipoic acid is known as the "universal antioxidant" because of its unique solubility in both water and fat. It has the ability to conserve and prolong the life of vitamins C & E in the body, increasing their effectiveness. Alpha lipoic acid is also an excellent metal detoxifier, particularly for mercury and cadmium, which it binds to and neutralizes for excretion. CoQ10 is a vitamin-like compound also called ubiquinone. It is an essential component of cells and is utilized by the mitochondria in the normal process of energy production. It helps convert food into energy at a very basic, cellular level and it is an antioxidant. CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) may play a role in preventing cancer, heart attacks, and other diseases linked to free-radical damage. It's also used as a general anti-aging supplement. Because levels of the compound diminish with age (and with certain diseases), some doctors recommend daily supplementation beginning about age 40.
These three nutrients in combination are extremely effective for prolonging cellular vitality and reducing the ravages of oxidative stress by reducing the body's production of free radicals. ALC, ALA, and CoQ10 also enhance production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the chemical form of energy in the body. ATP has at least two functions related to normal DNA activity. One, it provides the energy DNA needs to move and do its job. Two, ATP also provides what biochemists call "ademine ring" to the very structure of DNA. Without ATP, you can't make DNA, and without certain nutrients, you can't make ATP. These nutrients help repair damaged DNA and make new DNA and genes, which are needed for making new cells for healing and normal growth.
The 3 main popular and effective ingredients in BioEndurance� when combined work synergistically but are generally sold separately and are expensive. We have researched prices on these main ingredients when sold separately. Using the lowest prices we could find, here's the breakdown:
Acetyl-L-Carnitine 500 mg x 90 capsules = $41.38
Alpha Lipoic Acid 200 mg x 90 capsules = $28.78
CoQ10 20 mg x 90 capsules = $14.99
Total = $85.15
BioEndurance�
Sale Price $38.99

Milford Green Drinks is meeting in Woodmont on Oct 27th, at Scribner's,

2010-09-19T14:01:00.000-07:00

Milford CT's Green Drinks (October 27th 6:30 pm at Scribner's Restaurant, Milford) will present: “Sustaining Sustainability: Smart Marketing” that increases response rates by 72%

Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Date, OCT 27TH, 2010
Location: Scribner's Restaurant
Organized By: Dan German 203-494-8132 and Malcolm Ashley 203-283-1441,
For Monthly E-invite Contact DD at ddmiddens@gmail.com

Event Description:
Dear Green Drinks Colleagues,This month’s Green Drinks (Oct 27th 6:30 pm at Scribner's Restaurant, Milford) will present: “Sustaining Sustainability: Smart Marketing” free & open to the public. This presentation will benefit business owners, nonprofits, organizations, event planners, program directors, etc...

· How to create a message that will speak to heads and hearts to gain loyalty.

· Three ingredients in a message that increases response rates by 72%.

· Group exercise: all participants will create a 1st draft message for their business.

Presented by Max Gregorich, CEO of CEO One Stop, LLC. 203-283-9149

Marketing and Management Consultant Services.

If you can't make it, you can catch max again at:

Max will be teaching Classes at Gateway Community College - Center For A Sustainable Future

1. Sustainable Marketing & Sales - This general course can be applied to any business.
2. Measuring Business Performance
3. Manufacturing Technology - Basic & Intermediate levels with a dose of lean manufacturing thrown in to give you a competitive edge. sign up, call Max at 203-283-9149

My friend Linda will be teaching at Gateway. I have personally benefited tremendously from her classes.
Linda Kolbylarz will be teaching:
1. Grant Writing - Learn about opportunities to benefit from $ Millions available for grants
2. Employ-ability Skills For The Green Economy
Sign up call Linda at 860-675-8003

Coming soon: Business Boot Camp featuring CFO Genie - www.cfogenie.com, Grant Writing, Etc... (ask Diane Vasseur about this comprehensive program) 203-506-8360

Thank you.

Yours in Success,

Green Drinks organizers:

Dan German: 203-494-8132
Go Green Milford, ETC...

DD Vasseur: 203-506-8360
Chair of Milford's Environmental Concern's Coalition
Environmental Advocate, CT Home Education Advocate & Program Coordinator / Developer, Veteran's Advocate

Malcolm Ashley,203-283-1441
Advisory Board Member of Milford's Environmental Concern's Coalition
economist and systems engineer trained at Yale University and the Georgia Institute of Technology with 25 years of experience facilitating sustainable and strategic economic development through research, grant development, and institutional development.
Mr. Ashley was a founding member of the Connecticut Energy Cooperative, facilitator of the Noank Aquaculture Cooperative; first Director of Development of the Cooperative Development Institute, the Northeast Center of Excellence for Cooperative Development, and a seven year board member of Youth Continuum, Inc. of Connecticut receiving a distinguished board service award.
His professional specialties includes Data Envelopment Analysis, Input-Outout (REMI) models and Econometric Forecasting. Malcolm is currently a vice president with the Center for Cooperative Housing in Bridgeport.

Next Month's speaker will be New Haven's Clean Cities Coalition.

The mission of the Clean Cities Program is to advance the nation's economic and environmental position and improve energy security by facilitating local decisions to adopt practices that contribute to reductions of petroleum consumption. Clean Cities is a network of more than 89 volunteer coalitions nationwide, which develop public/private partnerships to promote alternative fuels and vehicles, fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction.
For info contact Lee Grannis at 203-627-3715 or email: grannis@nhcleancities.org
Clean Cities brought 29 Million in Grant Money to CT in just one year. Ask Lee how we can help him do even more for your city!

--
Warmest Regards,
Dianalynn Vasseur or DD
CoChair Environmental Concerns Coalition

Beach cleanup part of Gathering of the Vibes- The New Haven Register - Serving New Haven, Connecticut

2010-07-29T07:56:00.000-07:00

Beach cleanup part of Gathering of the Vibes- The New Haven Register - Serving New Haven, Connecticut

Beach cleanup part of Gathering of the Vibes

Published: Thursday, July 29, 2010

2 comment(s) | Email to a friend | Print version | ShareThis | RSS Feeds

BRIDGEPORT — Save the Sound will hold a beach cleanup at the Gathering of the Vibes music festival this weekend at Seaside Park.

The cleanup is part of the official Vibes program and will start at 9 a.m. Friday730.

Volunteers will meet at the Save the Sound tent, in the nonprofit village and will then work along the park’s shore with trash bags and gloves, collecting litter from the festival and debris that has washed up on shore from the Sound.

Coastal cleanups make the shore safer for humans and remove environmentally damaging materials such as cigarette filters, which leach toxins into the water, and plastic bags, which marine animals sometimes mistake for food.

More information about the coastal cleanup program can be found at www.ctenvironment.org/beach-cleanups.cfm.

Transforming a piece of land: Sunflower garden a 1st step to improve neighborhood - The New Haven Register (nhregister.com)

2010-07-29T07:45:00.000-07:00

Transforming a piece of land: Sunflower garden a 1st step to improve neighborhood - The New Haven Register (nhregister.com)

The New Haven Register (nhregister.com), Serving New Haven, CT

News
Transforming a piece of land: Sunflower garden a 1st step to improve neighborhood

Thursday, July 29, 2010

By Jonathan Meoli, Special to the Register

She’ll only plant sunflower seeds, but Mattie Stevenson hopes to reap much more than flowers in the New Haven neighborhood where she is creating a garden.

Stevenson, of West Haven, was awarded a $50 “Seeds of Encouragement” stipend toward creating a new garden at 47 Stevens St. The garden is the first step toward establishing a strong community in the Hill neighborhood after similar projects succeeded in Chatham Square.

A spiritual woman who views gardening as a healing experience, Stevenson said she is excited about the possibility of reaching the area’s children and improving the neighborhood surrounding the garden, which she has decided to name the Sunflower Windmill Garden.

“I’m an artist, and I teach children how to meditate and look within to bring out art and heal themselves,” said Stevenson, who creates art from natural and recycled materials.

Her use of the sunflowers she planted last year at Davenport Garden, where she is a coordinator, inspired her to pursue a sunflower garden. She created faces out of the heads of the sunflower, and made drumsticks out of the stalks.

“My son is a musician,” she said. “We used to go to the store and buy drumsticks, but they’re expensive.”

Because of this, Stevenson hopes to partner with her son’s foundation, Drums No Guns, to teach children to make their own and express themselves through music. Drums No Guns will hold workshops and performances at the garden.

The process of establishing the garden has gone smoothly.

The New Haven Land Trust previously used the land for a garden, but did not need it so the city has let Stevenson use it on condition that it remains well-kept.

From there, Stevenson received a letter from Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven, informing her they would offer their support. NHS employee RJ Mercede, who Stevenson says has been extremely helpful, obtained the grant for her.

Kevin Ewing, who is involved in the project through the Neighborhoods of Choice program, stresses that any improvement needs to come from within the community.

“The key is getting the residents to do for themselves instead of outside organizations doing for them,” said Ewing.

Stevenson also hopes to take her own involvement in the project further than gardening. She has told Mercede that if they create a flier for her, she will go door-to-door to speak with parents about keeping their children safe.

“I raised five children by myself, working 18 hours a day as a beautician, security guard and everything in between,” she said. “My children stayed out of trouble, but it starts with the parents. I want to make sure they know they can reach their children.”

“The garden is a good place for people to rally around, though we know it’s not for everyone,” said Ewing. “But they all have their residence in common, and that’s a good starting point.”

Jonathan Meoli is a New Haven Register intern.

URL: http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2010/07/29/news/doc4c50f831d59ea866866020.prt

© 2010 nhregister.com, a Journal Register Property

freedom lawn contest 09 entry

2009-05-14T07:59:00.000-07:00

the freedom lawn contest 2009 is underway

if you dont mind we would love you to help by signing up online

Photos of your attractive non-toxic gardens and lawns convince others to follow your lead.

Articles on the health hazards of pesticides are helpful but the photos from the contest drive home how unnecessary the products are.

Milford Green Drinks, June 24th at Stonebridge

2009-04-10T19:53:00.000-07:00

Milford Green Drinks
June 24th at Stonebridge
For more info contact: Dan German! 494-8132 for an e-vite email dgerms@aol.com

I have missed Laurel, she's like the Goddess of Spring, bringing beauty, texture & a rainbow of color back to Milford for another season!

2009-04-02T19:49:00.000-07:00

woodmont goes green

2009-04-02T09:38:00.000-07:00

There is so much interest in toxic free yards now, that engaging whole neighborhoods is timely.

We already have South street area (which on some maps is called Farview Beach). we could come up with a number of homes that would create a threshold for Freedom Lawn neighborhood designation?

Here is a good nytimes article on sustainable yard care

golfdigest.com Golf & the Environment, The Activist: Jay Feldman How Green Is Golf?

2009-03-25T19:36:00.000-07:00

Golf & the Environment
The Activist: Jay Feldman
How Green Is Golf?
Jay Feldman

Related Links
Rebuttal from Debra Edwards, Ph.D.
Intro: How Green Is Golf?
The Course Architect: Mike Hurdzan
Course Superintendent: Jeff Carlson
The Regulator: Robert Wood
The Advocate: Ronald G. Dodson
The Grass Expert: James T. Snow
The Environmentalist: Brent Blackwelder

Interviewed By John Barton
Portraits By Kagan McLeod May 2008

Jay Feldman, 54, is a co-founder and the director of Beyond Pesticides (beyondpesticides.org), a nonprofit membership organization started in 1981 that "works with allies in protecting public health and the environment to lead the transition to a world free of toxic pesticides." Feldman has been involved in the Golf & the Environment Initiative from the beginning, attending that first meeting at Pebble Beach and every summit since then. I interviewed him in his office in Washington, D.C., a few blocks southeast of the U.S. Capitol. We drank bottled water. Feldman never drinks water from the tap.

Golf Digest: Would you say that golf-course pesticide use in the United States today is not safe?
Jay Feldman:
I would say that, yes.

What in simple terms are the dangers?
Pesticides pose health risks, both acute and chronic, from common coldlike symptoms, nausea, dizziness, headaches, rashes, to birth defects, learning disabilities, infertility, leukemia, various cancers including brain cancer, breast cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Asthma rates in the U.S. have skyrocketed, and there are studies linking asthma to pesticides that are widely used on golf courses. In all cases there are studies that link pesticides to these effects.

And these things can happen to golfers who are exposed directly and to people who live near golf courses?
Right. Through runoff and airborne drift. The problem is, when you spray pesticides, they tend to move off the target site. The U.S. Geological Survey put out a report in 2006 that looked at waters and streams and lakes in the U.S. and found pesticides everywhere they looked. The typical response you get from superintendents is that they're using registered pesticide products, they're using them in compliance with the label, their pesticide applicators are trained and certified, so what's the problem? But there are clear deficiencies in the regulatory process in evaluating the full body of health outcomes that we're concerned about. Endocrine disruption, for instance. We ought to have information on the impact of pesticides on the endocrine system, and yet we don't in the U.S.

What are the consequences of endocrine disruption?
It changes the hormonal balance in the body and can affect disease outcomes later in life, it can affect development, it can affect a range of organ development, developmental systems that have an impact on illness, cancer, reproductive effects, developmental effects, sexual development.

And that's not tested for?
Not tested for. The next generation of chemicals defy classical toxicological models, which say that the dose makes the poison. You'll hear golf-course superintendents say, "We're using such minuscule amounts of these chemicals." But endocrine disruption can happen at really low exposures. We don't even have the testing protocol to assess this low dose. [Note: For more on endocrine disruption, try the chilling, classic book, Our Stolen Future -- details at ourstolenfuture.org.] With pesticides, we're not just dealing with what we do know, but also what we don't know. The risk-assessment protocol is filled with wrong assumptions. One example is the story of chlorpyrifos, whose trade name is Dursban, which was banned from household use in 2000 because of neurological effects. It had been widely used for insect control indoors and outdoors. But it's still used in golf. And when you as an individual look at the EPA's risk assessment, you might say, "Well, I don't fit in with their assumptions because I golf a lot," for example, or "I'm a kid who plays golf." In its Dursban risk assessment, the EPA assumes that children do not play golf.

Really?
It's written right into the risk assessment. It defies logic, and it defies reality. Risk assessment is filled with these assumptions that are just inaccurate and incomplete. It wasn't until the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act that EPA was required to look at exposure to pesticides in combination. Dursban, for instance, has food uses, in agriculture, and non-food uses such as on golf courses, so you have dietary and nondietary exposure. Prior to the adoption of this act, believe it or not, the agency did not add up exposures from different sources. So if a kid was drinking a lot of juice, say, which kids do, and playing a lot of golf, at the end of the day that kid is getting a high toxic load. So OK, now we're adding up exposures to a chemical, but we're still not looking at the synergistic effects of different chemicals in combination. And we know that combinations of chemicals can cause greater risk. We know, for instance, that if you're taking Tagamet, and you're exposed to an organophosphate pesticide, the potency of that organophosphate is going to be higher. And the same thing happens between certain pesticides. And the EPA knows this. We also know that pesticides can break down to other toxic components, and the EPA doesn't evaluate those breakdown products. There are huge, unanswered questions. The bottom line is, the EPA should be the biggest proponent of the precautionary principle. They should be saying, "We're doing the best we can with the resources we have, but there are a lot of deficiencies in our process."

Garden Clubs’ Earth Day Symposium, Jay Feldman, Executive Director of Beyond Pesticides, a national organization based in Washington, D.C.,

2009-03-25T19:31:00.000-07:00

Garden Clubs’ Earth Day Symposium
Date
Apr 22, 2009
6:30 pm
Description

Sasqua and Fairfield Garden Clubs are sponsoring an Earth Day Symposium on the expanding field of organic lawn care and issues related to pesticide use in our communities. The symposium will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at the Southport Congregational Church, 524 Pequot Avenue in Southport. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for attendees to meet product exhibitors and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m.

The program, entitled “Going Green in Your Own Backyard”, features two speakers who are leaders in their respective fields of organic lawn care and pesticides. Both have shown tremendous leadership in the effort to educate individuals, municipalities and state and federal government agencies on the benefits of using organic lawn care practices and limiting the use of pesticides in our everyday world.

Jay Feldman, Executive Director of Beyond Pesticides, a national organization based in Washington, D.C., will open the program. Beyond Pesticides was founded in 1981 to focus national attention on the burgeoning pesticide problem across our country. Jay will speak about the harmful effects of pesticide use in our homes, our yards and our children’s schools and playgrounds. His discussion is particularly
germane to parents because increasing evidence points to the hazards of pesticides and chemicals that are used daily in our schools and on our playgrounds.
Location

Southport Congregational Church
524 Pequot Ave
Southport, CT
View map »
Additional Information

For more information:

Telephone: (203) 255-1594

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.

Club Green, The Hottest Green Social Scene, Devon's Unofficial Green Drinks

2009-03-03T22:35:00.000-08:00

Welcome To Devon's Unofficial Green Drinks! It's (Club Green) for eco-minded people, businesses, academia and political junkies. We invite a variety of people for you to mix and mingle with. Come have fun at this green mixer. This is a self organizing event pass it on. To Receive Email invites call Dan German

Date: March 11th, 2009
Time 6:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Location: Johnny Ray's 1015 Bridgeport Ave. Milford, CT, 06460,
Contact: Ph: 203-877-2200

Special Guests:

1. Paul Nonnemacher From CRRA, The Stratford Garbage Museum Needs Saving! Come hear why. Volunteers needed, Trash Bash Fund raising tickets available sign up now. Corporate Sponsors needed - Call DD Vasseur at 203-283-1441

2. Energy Efficiency Expert Roland Tai, of Sensible Energy Solutions will be dropping in to share some Sensible Energy Solutions. His targets audience: universities, multi building complexes, HVAC businesses, Stores, etc…

3. Come Talk With L.J. Grillo, He’s working on becoming CT’s Largest Wind Farmer.
He is an everyday hero, making the world a better place for all of us. L J Grillo is looking for investors.

4. Come meet Joy Fang Zhao, Zouping’s Chinese Representative to CT. Sign up for a public presentation and learn about one of China's Premier Schools “Zouping Educational”.

· Private Schools presentations are available. Laurelton, ETC…
· Sign Up For A Milford Public Presentation ( Milford Parents )
· Sign Up For An Up Coming ( Home School ) Presentation!

5. Come Toast And Cheer, Ann Berman And Letty Malone
Each Month A Green Business or Person is awarded the Green Toast Of The Town Award For Outstanding Green Community Service!

6. This month’s Featured Product: Primo Pellet Fuel & Bio Bricks. We will have info on local pellet stove retailers. Homemade pellet fuel makers are available for those of us who hate junk mail and boxes.

During A Recession Local Coastal Tourism Flourishes, Developing Green Tourism is high on Milford’s Green Agenda. Bring your idea for the perfect weekend getaways and day-tripper attractions. We want to make it fun and personal.

“Why bio-fuels are part of Milford's future”
Let's Tap into the Clean Fuel Corridor that could pass us by if we are not diligent. Plenty of funding is available now and we are perfectly located!
Diane Vasseur
Lee Grannis, coordinator of the Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition, Inc., a US Department of Energy Program, tells us about why bio-fuels are important. Also learn about what bio-fuels are made from and how they are made. Other topics will include energy security, mobile source emissions, renewable fuels and energy value.“Why bio-fuels are part of Clean Energy future and necessary for national security.”

Club Green is a gathering of people who are interested in growing a sustainable green economy and making green lifestyles easier. You’ll find people discussing a wide range of topics. Don’t be shy, shake hands and say hello. This is a very casual, informal, gathering that attracts interesting people.

It’s Free, We Meet Twice Monthly

At Cafe Atlantique enjoy 2 free beginner Mandarin lessons each week along with a Chinese Cultural Club that meets twice a month

2009-03-03T08:59:00.001-08:00

At Milford CT's Cafe Atlantique enjoy 2 free beginner Mandarin lessons each week along with a Chinese Cultural Club that meets twice a month
This Parisian inspired cafe offers much more than just coffee and cakes. The owners of Cafe Atlantique consider their restaurant a community space, too, hosting open mic nights twice a month, displaying works by local artists, offering live jazz and blues music on weekends and even 2 free beginner Mandarin lessons each week along with a Chinese Cultural Club that meets twice a month. Private Mandarin Lessons are available Call: Joy Zhao 508- 3369 or DD 283-1441 and email ddmiddens@gmail.com. Every seat has a window view. If you're in the mood for a little fresh air, the outdoor patio and lawn provide additional seating.

Milford, CT. Congradulates Branford CT. A Hearty Hooray To Branford! Less Toxic Waste In LIS benefits us all!

2009-03-01T10:06:00.000-08:00

Lawns'll Be "Greener" In Branford | New Haven Independent

Lawns'll Be "Greener" In Branford | New Haven Independent: "In a unanimous decision, the Board of Selectmen last week adopted a resolution asking town residents to voluntarily give up pesticides and chemical fertilizers in favor of organic care for their lawns.

In what many say is a major environmental step, the board asked residents to do what the town is already doing at the Green and at its parks and ballfields: Use organic products for various turfs." Congratulations! From Milford CT!Milford Congratulates Branford's Anti Pesticide

Woodmont, CT's Pesticide Free Paradise Initiative, Meeting in Milford CT. Call 203-283-1441

2009-02-19T11:51:00.000-08:00

Woodmont, CT's Pesticide Free Paradise Initiative
We have a Project Garden Today Plan, It increase Business For Local Landscape Businesses, Garden Supply Stores and Treat's Farm Market. Not using pesticides is good for business and we will prove it. It will also enhance our green tourism potential and increase LIS health. If you want abundant Shellfish, lobsters and fishing do not use pesticides on lawns or artificial fertilizers. Nitrogen from lawns adds to LIS's dead zone. We need fish, tourism, food and jobs.

Plainville's getting rid of pesticides on town properties, "Connecticut was the first state in the country to ban pesticides on its elementary school

2009-02-17T22:20:00.000-08:00

Connecticut News and Stories
New Webzine on New England Food and Farms
I wanted to let members know about a new webzine promoting New England food and farms: www.NewEnglandGrown.com.

Plainville's getting rid of pesticides on town properties
By: Jennette Brodeur, Herald Correspondent 01/11/2007. PLAINVILLE - Even in the throes of winter, Plainville is getting "greener" all the time, thanks to the efforts of the Plainville Conservation Commission. The 11-member commission has worked hard to ensure that about 167 acres of town properties will remain free of pesticides and free of synthetic fertilizers. The Town Council voted unanimously last month to accept the commission's request to keep the town-owned properties free of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Plainville is the second town in the state to pass a voluntary resolution to not use pesticides on its properties, according to Jason Rupaka, vice chairman of the Plainville Conservation Commission. Rupaka said Milford was the first in the state to adopt the resolution.

Plainville also is home to the pesticide-free Paderewski Park, one of only nine in the nation that does not use any pesticides, Rupaka said. "We've come a long way," Rupaka said. "Connecticut was the first state in the country to ban pesticides on its elementary school properties and our Board of Education has already asked the Town Council to look into other types of lawn care on the rest of its school properties. I am very happy with what we've been able to do," Rupaka said. "Our state is the most progressive and Plainville is one of the most progressive towns in the state to have a voluntary nonuse of pesticides." Town manager Robert Lee said the town's voluntary program is designed to reduce the amount of pollution that goes into the Pequabuck and Quinnipiac rivers in town. Lee said the commission has asked the town to stop using pesticides on six town properties. Rupaka told the council that 49 homeowners have committed more than 16 acres as pesticide free so far as part of the commission's Clean Rivers Project.

The Clean Rivers Project is an expansion of the group's Freedom Lawn Initiative, a group of Plainville citizens who have committed to not using pesticides on their lawns. Rupaka said this is not something that is mandated, but is strictly a voluntary program. The commission is also targeting property owners whose properties abut the rivers in town. Rupaka said there are 34 property owners with land next to the Pequabuck River with the town owning six of those properties. After the commission works to free the areas near the Pequabuck River of pesticides, Rupaka said then it would focus on the 80 properties abutting the Quinnipiac River. The commission is sending out letters and information to all property owners along the two rivers hoping to persuade them to stop using pesticides on their properties. The commission plans to ask condominium associations to consider organic land-care maintenance. "By the end of 2007, we're hoping to have everyone covered," Rupaka said. For more information on the Plainville Conservation Commission, the Freedom Lawn Initiative and the Clean Rivers Project, call Rupaka at (860) 793-0221 or visit his at: www.rupaka.com.

Organic growth: Natural foods company expanding
New Haven Register. CT NOFA Member, Jane Maher grows her organic food business, SnootyFood. Read the whole article here.

Farmers All Manic
New Haven Advocate. Cherry trees blooming. Sheep twisting ankles. Early spring wreaks havoc on local farms. Featuring Northfordy Farm, Old Solar Farm and Mill River Valley Gardens. Read the whole article here.

CitySeed co-founder helps feed poor
New Haven Register. CT NOFA Board Member and CitySeed co-founder, Jennifer McTiernan brings farmers markets and affordable fresh food to New Haven. Read the whole article here.

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National and International News and Stories

Report: Certified Organic Farmland Found in Every State
As of 2005, all 50 states had certified organic farmland, according to a recent report issued by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS). According to the report, U.S. organic farmland consisted of 2.3 million acres of cropland and 1.7 million acres of rangeland and pasture-to organic production systems. ERS collected data from USDA-accredited State and private certification groups to calculate certified organic farmland acreage and livestock in the United States. The data is presented in 13 tables showing the change in U.S. organic acreage and livestock numbers from 1992 to 2005. Data for 1997 and 2000-2005 are presented by state and commodity. Data for 2000-2005 include the number of certified operations, by state. http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/Organic/

MONSANTO'S PESTICIDE BREEDING GIANT SUPERWEEDS
The discovery of a pesticide-resistant weed that can grow up to 10 feet tall has cotton farmers in the Southern U.S. worried. "It is potentially the worst threat since the boll weevil," said Alan York, a weed scientist at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. The boll weevil destroyed cotton crops in the early 1900s and caused farmers to switch to alternatives such as peanuts, until the beetle was eradicated in some states 70 years later. Now a new adversary has arrived: a pesticide- Resistant pigweed, known as Palmer amaranth, which has been confirmed in 10 North Carolina counties, four Georgia counties and is suspected in Tennessee, South Carolina and Arkansas. In Georgia, amaranth literally took over some fields and the cotton had to be cut down, rather than harvested. Scientist blame the pesticide resistance on the overuse of Monsanto's Roundup (glyphosate). "This is something we do look at very seriously," said Monsanto representative Michelle Starke. Learn more here: http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_3639.cfm

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Other Items of Interest

What is in your milk?
CHICAGO, Illinois, January 3, 2007 --/WORLD-WIRE/-- Dr. Samuel S. Epstein, professor emeritus of environmental medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health and world renowned author, has announced the publication of his new book, "What's in Your Milk?", a powerful expose of the dangers of Monsanto's genetically engineered (rBGH) milk, and the company's no-holds-barred conspiracy to suppress this information. Monsanto, supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), insist that rBGH milk is indistinguishable from natural milk, and that it is safe for consumers. This is blatantly false: rBGH makes cows sick. Monsanto has been forced to admit to about 20 toxic effects, including mastitis, on its Posilac label. www.world-wire.com/news/0701030001.html

Pesticide-free Valentine bouquets

2009-01-29T20:16:00.001-08:00

Pesticide-free Valentine bouquets

Valentine's Day is the second biggest consumer-spending holiday after Christmas. A study released by the National Retail Federation predicts consumers will shell out over $5 billion on flowers to express their sentiments. To keep your loved one from inhaling pesticides along with the fragrance from your bouquet, consider giving organic flowers. Most commercial flowers are imported from places where the workers suffer major health problems due to long hours, poor working conditions and pesticide exposure. Giving organic says you cherish the health of your sweetheart -- and the planet. If you can't find local organic flowers, go to PAN's Special Offers. When you buy from California Organic Flowers, they donate 12% of each purchase to PAN's work.

More complaints about yellow flags come from Woodmont's than anywhere else in Milford.

2009-01-29T19:22:00.000-08:00

How Come?

Do we use more pesticides than other communities

Do we get angrier than average when our neighbors use pesticides

Because we are a seaside community are we more concerned about LIS

Please send your suggestions, I'll post the answer given most next Friday.

European Parliament passes pesticides bill (to save the bees)

2009-01-21T22:30:00.000-08:00

Source: AP

STRASBOURG, France (AP) - The European Parliament voted Tuesday to tighten rules on the use of pesticides amid fears it is posing an increasing danger to human health and animals like the industrious honeybee.

EU lawmakers approved two laws on licensing and use that will ban the most dangerous, cancer-causing pesticides across the 27-nation bloc.

. . .

The rules will force farmers and chemical producers to replace 22 high toxic products, deemed to be the most dangerous pesticides, over the next decade.

. . .
Threatened wild and farm honeybees were also given attention in the new legislation. Substances deemed to be harmful to nature's largest pollinators will be banned in an attempt to reverse the recent dramatic decrease of bee populations across Europe and other continents.

Many scientists believe the increased use of pesticides is a factor in the worldwide decline of bees.

Read more: http://www.pr-inside.com/european-parliament-passes-pes...
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We must protect our bees or suffer the consequences read the list of crops that depend on bees. It is impossible to imagine the numerous wild plants that bees pollinate for free.

Pollination and Bee Plants

File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML

Many crops grown commercially today REQUIRE insects to pollinate them and set the fruit. Here is a list. of those plants that must have bee pollinators: ...
gears.tucson.ars.ag.gov/beeclass/Pollination.pdf - Similar pages -

Local Milford Honey by beekeeper Ralph Harrison. here is his contact info for purchasing honey directly
Ralph beekeeper harrisonw@aol.com

Woodmont: Safer Choices In Our Daily Lives

2009-01-21T11:05:00.000-08:00

With autism rates as high as they are it's time to eliminate as much unnecessary day to day chemical exposure exposure as we can. Amongst my 6 siblings, 2 have special needs. Why temp the hand of fate by exposing yourself and your loved ones to pesticides. We are exposed to a Pandora's Box of chemical's daily and it's time to say no!

Last I heard they suspected a pesticide caused all the frog mutations. I will look for a link to post.

Let's Discuss Ways To Lessen Unnecessary Exposure In Our Daily Living

European's thinks we are in the dark ages regarding chemical exposure.
They have developed REACH.
American's are required to sell REACH standard products to Europe, let's demand they sell REACH STANDARD products to us as well.

ACTION ALERT: We will be working on a (2009 Green Cleaner Resolution For Milford's Schools)
Green Cleaners are cost neutral and they work.

I highly recommend:
The Center for Green Building, LLC 3380 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605
Phone: 203-382-0774 Fax: 203-382-0764 Email Us

Freedom Lawn 2009 Blog entry

2008-12-31T09:14:00.000-08:00

Freedom Lawns mentioned in Suburban Safari by Hannah Holmes:

"The Freedom Lawn was invented, so to speak, by three scholars at Yale's School of Forestry and Envrironmental Studies, who argue the merits of weeds in Redesigning the American Lawn. Their description fits my patchwork lawn perfectly. who knew I was a trendsetter in landscape design? Poking around the Internet, I find that the Freedom Lawn is becoming more and more common. Lawn owners who lack the necessary weeds to start a Freedom Lawn are ordering "eco-turf" mixes of stuff like clovers, wild daisies, chamomile, yarrow, rye, fescue, and baby blue eyes. Some mixes combine flowering greens, while others feature herbs. Chamomile, one source advertises, perfumes the air with the scent of pineapple whenever you step on it. some mixes are meant to be mowed only once a month.

"The Freedom Lawn is becoming a movement. In Milford, Connecticut, residents now compete for an annual Freedom Lawn prize. The Garden Club of America, citing cancer rates, pollution, and water shortages, is promoting something called the New American Lawn, which sounds exactly like a Freedom Lawn."

--from Urban Safari by Hannah Holmes

Woodmont's Unofficial GreenDrinks has Freedom Lawn and Milford's ECC Members attending each event who can answer questions

2008-12-31T08:59:00.000-08:00

Call Ann Berman with Questions 878-0910
She runs Milford's ECC

Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog, Milford ECC's Freedom Lawn Blog A Pesticide Free Zone Since 1996

2008-12-31T08:46:00.000-08:00

Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog » Blog Archive » Rockport, Maine ...

The growth of the pesticide-free zone movement around the country and the ... We have been having a Freedom Lawn Contest since 1996, that is lawns and yards ...
www.beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/?p=371 - 60k

Milford ECC's Freedom Lawn Blog A Pesticide Free Zone Since 1996