Happy Earth Day!

This is NOT me...

In honor of Earth Day and the return of the pretty weather, I am getting my clothesline out of the basement! Time to dry my clothes using solar AND wind power. Wow.

Line drying isn't my prefered method of drying my clothes for a few reasons:
1. I'm lazy. which leads to point number
2. The clothes are usually really wrinkled when they get dried outside, leading to point number
3. I'm lazy.

Does anyone have any tips for line drying your clothes?


(Thanks to www.stacksandstacks.com for the image - I wonder how her mom jeans hold up getting dried outside...)

Thanks for asking...

I love that when I to to Jimmy John's (among other places) they ASK ME if I would like my receipt. Why do I need that receipt? I'll ask if I need one, ok?

Mitch Hedberg (one of the funniest people ever!) summed it up perfectly:

I bought a doughnut, and they gave me a receipt.
There is no need for that, man.
I'll just give you the money, you give me the doughnut. End of transaction.
We do not need to bring ink and paper into this.
I cannot imagine a situation in which I would have to prove that I bought a doughnut.
Some skeptical friend: "Hey man! Don't even act like I didn't buy that doughnut! I got the documentation right here...damn...I forgot it at home... it's in the filing cabinet...under D...for doughnut."

I think I'm going Kosher...

While this program is clearly a rip-off of Theology on Tap (which is a really cool, but copyrighted, program started by the Archdiocese of Chicago Young Adult Ministry and recently purchased by Renew, International) it is on a topic near and dear to my heart.

If I just liked vegetables better I would go vegetarian in a heartbeat! I think I'm still on my path there, but it won't be overnight!

Did you know that if everyone limited their consumption of red meat to once or twice a week, it would make a huge impact on the enviroment. Cattle producers use lots of grain and corn for feed and think of all that methane that the cows give off...

But they are pretty cute...

THEOLOGY AT BOTTLEWORKS
Wednesday, April 18
at Bottleworks

This large and lively discussion combines cold beer and hot conversation on important subjects of our times. This month's topic is "Food, Friends or Fodder for Science? Animal Treatment and Ethics." We'll discuss the various ways our society views and uses animals. Animals are viewed as pets and pests, as food and entertainment. Are there ethics and even rights in dealing with animals? Are they over-protected or undervalued? Should people always have priority? Grab a brew, give your view and lend an ear to others. Free and open to anyone. For more information, e-mail midrash@journeyon.net. 7:00 p.m.

I'm also not sure who this group is - what religion or denomination they represent - so go at your own risk!

Is the Earth Bi-polar (oh, that is awful!)

Obviously when one jumps from pole to pole problems arise.

For example: You should ALWAYS eat your vegetables.
Well, yes, except for when you have already eaten too much, or say they are deep fried in trans-fatty oils or wrapped in Bacon.

But you get in trouble when you say - OK so I won't EVER eat vegetables again. They aren't organic, they pay immigrants insulting wages to pick and process them, vegetables are gross...


The same is true when it comes to recycling.

I've heard arguments on why you are morally obligated to recycle (I am Catholic...) and why it is responsible to recycle.

I've also found arguments on why you shouldn't recycle - work with me - environmental strain/side effects of the recycling process, increased curb side pick up... etc

I think the idea here is to meet somewhere in the middle (gasp, quelle horreur! Is there a middle left anywhere?!!!)
Recycling is a good option - but is it the best option? Probably our best choice is to make purchases based on less packaging, reusing containers instead of throwing them straight into the bin, and keeping yourself informed on what happens AFTER the bin leaves your curb.

This is an interesting article from 2003. I do not support nor do I reject the theories here - I'm just putting them out there for you to inform yourself.

Way to Go Wash U! (Although I still like SLU better)

Thanks to friend, JT for sending this my way - I am certainly relying on the kindness of friends and strangers as my semester comes to a close... Either I will be posting every five minutes (due to procrastination) or not much at all until the first week of May - stay tuned!

Happy Almost Earth Day!!!



Thurtene Carnival continues green theme

By Neil Schoenherr

More than 120,000 people from the St. Louis area are expected to attend the annual Thurtene Carnival from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. April 21-22 on the North Brookings parking lot.

This year's theme is "Wish. Dream. Live. Play." Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation is sponsoring the carnival.

Already the oldest and largest student-run carnival in the nation, this year, Thurtene aims to reach further into the St. Louis community while expanding on last year's pledge to remain environmentally friendly.

A new addition to the carnival is the "Kids to the Carnival" initiative, sponsored by Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. The Thurtene Junior Honorary is subsidizing ride tickets and will provide buses to local schools and charities to give more St. Louis children the opportunity to experience the carnival. When are the city schools going to start using hydrogen buses like they have in National Parks?

This year's carnival will feature a continuation of last year's Green Thurtene project.

"We are trying to make the carnival even more environmentally friendly," said Sydney Schneider, public relations co-chair of Thurtene. "We will also offer education to members of the community regarding environmental issues and sustainability."

Toward that end, B-5 generators, which run on 5 percent biodiesel, will help power the carnival. Student members of Engineers Without Borders will be at the carnival building a prototype of a sustainable house they plan to construct in Guatemala. Additionally, there will be a recycling center for wood, paintbrushes and food-service waste, as well as an education center run by various green groups on campus. I wonder if they will recycle 6's - I've been looking for someone to take mine and my poor friend Press is carrying a bunch of them in her trunk!

Another exciting addition is the performance of a children's play by The Black Repertory Theater Co. at 12:30 and 4 p.m. both days of the carnival. All shows are free and open to the public.

Net proceeds from the carnival will benefit the George Washington Carver House, a community center that offers innovative youth-development programs, including a radio station and entrepreneur program.

"With many of these new additions to the carnival, we hope to highlight Thurtene's commitment to community," Schneider said. "Since its beginning, the Thurtene Carnival has been the ultimate community event, bringing together the students and faculty of Washington University with people from all over the St. Louis community."

More than 50 student organizations will take over the North Brookings parking lot for the event, presented by members of Thurtene Junior Honorary, 13 juniors who bear responsibility for the continuation of the tradition.

The carnival features myriad rides and food, six facades showing a variety of student-produced plays and a rock-climbing wall.

The first carnival was held May 9, 1907. It evolved from a circus to a vaudeville show in its early years. Rides appeared in 1914, when a freshman-powered merry-go-round was featured. Sounds like a eco-friendly ride to me! We should think about powering more things with Freshmen! (It would probably solve America's obesity problem, too. But I can only solve one problem per blog!)

In 1935, after a few years off and some festivals in other forms, a revival of the carnival by the Thurtene Junior Honorary saw the inception of what now is recognized as Thurtene Carnival.

Admission is free, though tickets must be purchased for rides and some plays.

The week preceding the carnival, dubbed "Lot Week," receives recognition from the State of Missouri through an official declaration from the governor as "Thurtene Carnival Week." During this week, students work around the clock raising facades and practicing plays.

As always at the conclusion of the carnival, the Thurtene Junior Honorary will present awards for best production, the Buckley Award for best construction of a facade, best food and best game booth.

Also to be awarded are the prestigious Chancellor's Charity Cup for the highest donation to charity and the coveted Burmeister Cup for best overall participation in the carnival.

I'd ikea it if you'd come to our city...

Join IKEA in reducing waste and "Bag the Plastic Bag"!

IKEA is asking our customers to join us in reducing plastic bags usage by 50% - from 70 million to 35 million in the first year. Beginning March 15th we will charge 5 cents for every "throw-away" plastic bag. All proceeds* from the first year of this program will be donated to American Forests, the nation's oldest non-profit conservation organization, to plant trees and offset CO2 emissions. WHY? The amount of plastic shopping bags that we all use once and toss is overwhelming. - The average family of 4 accumulates 1460 plastic shopping bags a year - 100 billion are given away each year in the US - Plus it can take up to 1000 years for a plastic bag to break down in the environment. REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE! IKEA has a great alternative to "throw-away" plastic bags- the IKEA Blue Bag. We've reduced the price on this large, reusable and durable bag to 59 cents. One of these bags can replace hundreds of "throw-away" plastic bags and has lots of great uses! * A maximum contribution of $1,750,000 within 12 months I do love IKEA! PS - I just found Mesh bags at a semi-local Goodwill store for 73 cents a piece. Washable and sturdy! Now I have to remember to put them in my car/purse for shopping. Perhaps not as cool as an "ikea brand bag" but I think shipping 59 cent bags across the ocean to save the earth is a bit irresponsible...

Earth day is right around the corner

and everything I pick up is a constant reminder.

At first I thought "Hey, people are getting this!" then I realized that it was a clever marketing ploy. "What should we put in the magazine this month?" "Oh just throw in some Earth Day stuff, next month we'll do that spread on what type of diaper Brangelina thinks is best."
"Oh and did we get that shipment of virgin paper to print with horribly toxic ink on?"

I know - I'm speaking hyperbolically - but I really get peeved that the easier it becomes to be "green" the more packaging, wasteful products, etc companies come up with to waste our money on!

OK - I'll step off my soapbox - I'm really not here to complain...
I'm here to make you feel guilty about your choices!


Here are my Earth Day resolutions - things that I have decided to do to help save the world:

Switch to hankies
During allergy season I use many, many, many tissues! I do try to buy the ones made of recycled paper, but that is not always possible.

Get the clothesline out
It is almost warm enough to get our clothesline back out. The only thing I still haven't figured out is how to keep my clothes from drying all wrinkly - any suggestions for easy outdoor drying????

Stop getting lids and straws at restaurants.
Each time I hit Bread Co. I've decided that I definitely do NOT need a lid nor do I need the stupid plastic straw wrapped in plastic. Also at "fancy" restaurants (those where they bring your drinks in real glass, glasses) I am going to stop asking for straws, too.

For ladies only - I'm warning you, men, if you are sensitive, you will not want to read this one:
I'm going to start buying stuff from diaperware.com- check out "mooncare"... I think this is a bit too sensitive/personal to share with you on the blog - so don't expect any reviews!

Finally - after we pay our outrageous tax bill! (I know, no politics) I am investing in some good canvas (organically produced, of course) bags for grocery shopping. Now I wish I had a good corner market where I could walk and shop daily... argh - stupid Regal Foods, stupid gas station people who won't sell to the organic cool market! Just wait, I'll save the neighborhood after I save the world. I can only do one project at a time!


whoo hoo - look out world! I'm comin' to save ya'! I know these don't seem like HUGE changes, but I think that is the point. You can't change your life style in one day/month/year it is going to take many little steps...

Feel free to post your thoughts on drying clothes outside - or on little things you can do that could make a big impact...


(Thanks to www.parks.ashland.or.us/earthday/ for the cool logo - their earth day celebration sounds pretty neat - carbon neutral, zero waste... wow!)