Another Winter Solstice Enviro Show...only better

Greetings Earthlings. Happy Winter Solstice to you and yours! Yes, it's old-time religion time; not the far-right's "War on Christmas" blather so much as a look at the very real ongoing War on Paganism! Laura Wildman, Priestess and Third Degree, Gardnerian Witch joins us along with our old friend and Mass Earth First!er, Penny Novack to celebrate The Winter Solstice. Sorry, we'll probably be fully clothed and bonfires are not allowed in the studio, but we'll do our best to do justice to all things pagan. As always, we checkout The Enviro Show Echo Chamber, the Meet the New Boss segment and E-Valley-uation, but first it's time for....Revenge of the Critters! Penguin attack!. That'll teach you humans to warm the globe!

Topping off The Enviro Show Echo Chamber: a brief review of the Saturday, December 12 Mass march at the COP-15 UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen outside and inside out! Then on Wednesday, December 16 the Reclaim Power Action made their long way to the Bella Center where the summit is taking place. Checkout this slideshow and the Guardian's coverage. Also, this must-read from George Minbiot.

Our E-Valley-uation news comes from the Biomess struggle. The Manomet greenwash....err...we mean white paper on so-called biomass "sustainability" had its coming out party last Thursday in Holyoke. Glen gives us the report-back.

Then it's time to Meet the New Boss once again (yes, we know, the same as the old boss...almost). The news is: EPA's Secret Plan to Raise Public Radiation Exposure Levels Challenged. That would be Obama's EPA . How about this headline: "Salazar Approves Arctic Oil Drilling Plan as He Prepares Keynote at Copenhagen"? It gets worse: read Obama's Big Sellout in the new Rolling Stone.

Turtle's "We all come from the Goddess" takes us to our conversation & Solstice celebration with Laura & Penny. Then it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

January 2-13.“Step It Up to Shut it Down” A Winter’s Walk From Brattleboro to Montpelier to tell the Vermont Legislature to “Retire Vermont Yankee!” and Replace it with Safe, Renewable Power Sources. Sponsored by the Safe & Green Campaign. Call: (802) 254-9098 or email: safeandgreenwalk@gmail.com. More information is available at www.safeandgreencampaign.org.

Friday, January 15, 7:30PM. Charlie King, Karen Brandow and Kim and Reggie Harris will rock Greenfield's St. James Church (8 Church Street) to celebrate and benefit the work of organizations such as National Priorities Project, Traprock Peace Center, AFSC, Arise for Social Justice and Jobs with Justice. Concert information: NPP, 413.584.9556, jo@nationalpriorities.org and www.nationalpriorities.org.

Fridays, January 8-February 12. NATURE DISCOVERY PRESCHOOL: WINTER WONDERS (Ages 3-5). Each day will include a combination of hands-on activities, songs, stories, games, movement and crafts. This program is designed for children ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult. The group will go outside for a short exploration each day unless temperatures are extreme. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006. Partial scholarships may be available. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 525 South Pleasant Street, Amherst.

We are done for '09. Next year it's Living Simply with Jonathan & Susan. Until then remember: listen to your Mother....ok? We'll go out with "The Old Ways" by Loreena McKennitt. HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE!!

The Sanitized Biomess Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Sick & tired of dirty old biomass incineration? Looking for a cleaner image? New terms? How about biomass pellets? Meg Sheehan calls in once more to cast more sunlight on the Biomess. In our E-Valley-uation segment local liberal pols climb in bed with the developers! We'll check-in with The Enviro Show Echo Chamber and "Meet the new Boss", but first it's time for...Revenge of the Critters! Humboldt squid swim-in!

It's a Foursome in our E-Valley-uation Segment. The Montague Reporter informs us that the former Montague dump site once considered for a toxic ash dump may now be utilized as a solar energy site. Talk about best use! Also this: as reported in The Valley Advocate, some unlikely local reps seem to be greasing the skids for extermination of endangered species. We brought up this attack on the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act months ago but would anyone listen to a bunch of pagan dirt-worshippers like us? Hrrumph! Finally, can Co-op Power really pull-off a "sustainable" biomass pellet operation in Greenfield? Checkout the pitch here (scroll down a few paragraphs). We guess you can register your thoughts on their survey too, no? Hopefully we'll be getting a short call from Rev. Billy about the Shopocalypse and his gig in Greenfield on the 19th.

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber a bookish guy goes rogue on Palin(she of the wolf slaughter and countless other bad ideas). Also this: remember "The Story of Stuff" we linked to awhile back? Now it's The Story of Crap & Trade!

Our Meet the New Boss moment takes a brief look at what could well be Obama's Waterloo. Did you catch the West Point speech on Afghanistan? The U.S. isn't interested in other nation's resources?? Who knew!

Tom Neilson's Biomess song (which we can't play enough) takes us to our interview with Meg. Then it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Wednesday, December 9th, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Transition Towns. Northampton Friends Meeting, 43 Center St., Suite 202. Transition Towns is a rapidly growing model for pulling a community together toward sustainable, joyous living. The goal is to get everyone involved in building a life that where we meet local needs locally, phase out the use of fossil fuels and other technologies that threaten the environment, and break through the isolation and separation that modern society have brought about.
For more information call 582-6700

Friday, December 11, from 4:30 to 5:30 PM on the Amherst Town Common: Candlelight Vigil on Climate Change. See: http://amherst350.org

December 12th: Global Day of Action - demonstrations in 106 countries on climate change. Go HERE.

Saturday, December 12, 1-2pm. All about snow! What is snow and why is it important to so many living things? Have you ever wondered about the beautiful patterns of snowflakes? Come learn the answers to all of these questions. Great Falls Discovery Center, Avenue A, Turners Falls. Ph 413.863.3221

Saturday, December 19, 2:00pm. Mass. Christmas Revival with Rev. Billy! Greenfield All Souls Church, 399 Main Street, Corner of Hope and Main, Greenfield

Monday, December 21, 12:47pm.: Winter Solstice!

Saturday, December 19, 1-2pm. How to identify trees. Come learn how to identify a tree without its leaves. You will learn about tree shape, bark, and buds of our local trees. This presentation is geared towards folks 12 years of age and older. Great Falls Discovery Center, Avenue A, Turners Falls. Ph 413.863.3221


January 2-13. “Step It Up to Shut it Down” A Winter’s Walk From Brattleboro to Montpelier to tell the Vermont Legislature to “Retire Vermont Yankee!” and Replace it with Safe, Renewable Power Sources. Sponsored by the Safe & Green Campaign. Call: (802) 254-9098.

That'll hold you 'til next time, yes? Hopefully our Winter Solstice Show won't leave you cold (groan). Until then, remember: listen to yur' Mother!

Checkout This Bod Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. It's time once again to checkout our toxic bodies on The Enviro Show, this time with Nena Baker, author of "The Body Toxic". Toxic rubber duckies for the kids! ARRGGHHHH! As usual, we'll also checkout The Enviro Show Quote of the Week, The Enviro ShowEcho Chamber, our "Meet the New Boss" segment and then some. but first it's time for....Revenge of the Critters! A seasonal special: Turkey takes its toll!

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber folks are sleeping around in the climate crisis! And this: 50% of U.S. warming due to land use changes. Speaking of global warming, check this old ad for Humble Oil (now Exxon/Mobil) pulled out on Grist. Finally, we checkout a recent frontpage New York Times piece on the myth of carbon offsets for air travel. Come Fly with Me? No thanks, Frank!!

Time to Meet the New Boss! Shall we take the high road with Bill McKibben, or the full monty with veteran journalist Robert Scheer?

For our Enviro Show Quote of the Week we go for the wayback machine again for a word from Thomas Carlyle:

"Not what you possess but what you do with what you have, determines your true worth."

A few short notes in our E-Valley-uation segment: WMass goes East for N30!. Also, a brief report on resistance to the proposed biomass plant for Springfield. And, Rev. Billy, The Stop Shopping Gospel Choir and The Not Buying It Band! remind us to "Stop Shopping" for corporate crap on Black Friday.....especially!


After our interview with Nena Baker, author of "The Body Toxic" we head over to the Bus Stop Billboard:

*

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Greenfield Conservation Commission will hold a Public Hearing at the Greenfield Police Station Meeting Room located at 321 High St. to review a Notice of Intent submitted by Pioneer Renewable Energy, LLC, for property located with the public Rights of Way at the intersection of French King Highway (Route 2A), Route 2, Adams Road, Greenfield.

Thursday, November 26, 12 Noon - 40th Annual Day of Mourning. Cole’s Hill (the hill above Plymouth Rock) Plymouth, MA. For More Information Contact: United American Indians of New England/LPSG 617-522-6626 info@uaine.org www.uaine.org Pot-luck Social to Follow

Friday, November 27, All Day! Buy Nothing Day.

Friday, November 27, 7pm. Screening of “A Killer Bargain” investigates the toxic conditions for impoverished workers in Indian sweatshops manufacturing textiles for customers in the developed world. Media Education Foundation (behind the Woodstar Cafe on Masonic St., Northampton). Northampton Committee to Stop War.

Saturday, November 28, 1-2pm. Wildlife Tracking. Learn the basics of how to identify what animals left those tracks behind. You will learn how to identify track features and track patterns. You will also be able to test your knowledge at identifying select wildlife tracks. This program is designed for individuals new to wildlife tracking. Great Falls Discovery Center, Avenue A, Turners Falls. Call: 413-863-3221

Monday, November 30. N30 is the 10th anniversary of the WTO shutdown in Seattle and is exactly one week before the climate talks in corporatehaven..err..we mean Coppenhagen. Actions in Boston! See: http://massclimatejustice.org/. Or call: 413-522-7505

Tuesday, December 1, 11am. Environment Committee hearing will be held in Hearing Room A-2. State House, Boston. Bills of interest: *H 759*, sponsored by Rep. Kocot, relative to wood burning electricity producing biomass combustion facilities and their potential impact upon the air, water and population of the Commonwealth; *H 778*, sponsored by Rep. Kulik, for legislation to regulate commercial water storage and bottling.

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 7 pm, The air permitting hearing for the Springfield Pioneer Renewable Energy Construction and Demolition Debris Incinerator at the Kennedy Middle School, 1385 Berkshire Ave., Springfield. Call (413) 455-3829.

That's about it for the likes of us. Have a truly thankful holiday and remember to.....LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER!

The Crap & Trade Carbon Copy Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Once again, it's time to checkout our CO2 emissions. We're told they're getting a bit out of hand. The average U.S. citizen is responsible for 19.8 tonnes per person per annum. Michael Despines, Climate Resilience Campaign Coordinator at Friends of the Earth joins us to talk about the climate bill in congress and other such mind-numbing matters. In the Enviro Show Echo Chamber we scope out the upcoming N30 actions, among other things. There's the Quote of the Week to deal with as well as our E-Valley-uation segment, but first it's time for...Revenge of the Critters! Another listener submission folks, but you'll need to access to cyberspace for this one. Talk about being the butt of all elephant jokes!

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week is a rerun of Al Gore's call to action on the climate crisis: "I can't understand why there aren't rings of young people blocking bulldozers and preventing them from constructing coal-fired power plants." Well actually, Al.....there are! Where are you??

That's a fitting segway into our Enviro Show E-Valley-uation segment and The Enviro Show, LLC's proposal to blow the top off Mt. Tom! and dump it in the reservoir. Sadly, when we sent out our press release for that highly beneficial example of economic development for the Mt. Tom Reservation no one belived us! What's THAT about?? Speaking of mountaintop removal, if you go here you can take action to help stop it (maybe by...umm..2011??).

Tom Neilson's Mountain-top Removal song takes us to The Enviro Show Echo Chamber where we bring you back to the 350 Reasons Carbon Trading Won't Work. Checkout our new interactive pages here. We had 100 people, from 6 continents and 13 countries working on the project. Back to the drawing board Senators Kerry & Boxer! Also, it appears that Ben Wright has Been Wrong about First Nations spiritual practices. The spokes for Environment Massachusetts seems to believe Native people don't speak for themselves and that Wampanoag spiritual practices are ...."pure farce"? Checkout our response here. And, the EPA agrees to cut toxic emissions at power plants.....eventually. Finally, Climate change: The carbon trading debacle.

Global Warming Remix by Avril Lavigne rocks us into our interview with Michael Despines. Then it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Sunday, November 15, 11am. Biomass Yes/Biomass NO! Speakers at the Bernardston Untitarian Church across from the Sunoco Station on the corner of Rte 10 & Depot Streets.


Wednesday, Nov. 18: 6 - 7:30: Springfield Public Health Council meeting, Pine Point Citizens Council, 335 Berkshire Ave. Springfield. Proposed Palmer Renewable Energy biomess plant. Contact: plpare@comcast.net

Wednesday, November 18, 7-9 p.m. Forests of Wonder. Join Bob Leverett, co-founder and Executive Director of the Eastern Native Tree Society, as he takes us on a virtual tour of his favorite woodland haunts. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Amherst. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Thursday, November 19, 7 - 8:30pm. The Nature of New England. Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls. A strong emphasis in the program is on the perceptions people have in favor of some groups of animals (like birds) at the expense of other equally interesting ones (like snakes). How various groups survive the winter season is also spotlighted. Call: 413.863.3221

Thursday, November 19, 7:30pm. Ramona Peters, "Columbus & Thanksgiving - A Native Perspective". Leverett Town Hall.

Saturday, November 21, 1 - 2pm. Wild About Turkeys. Why were turkeys reintroduced into the area? What roles do they play in the ecological system as well as being Thanksgiving dinner? Come join Tasha Daniels, at the Great Falls Discovery Center. Call: 413.863.3221

Friday, November 27, All Day! Buy Nothing Day.

Monday, November 30. N30 is the 10th anniversary of the WTO shutdown in Seattle and is exactly one week before the climate talks in corporatehaven..err..we mean Coppenhagen. Stay tuned for an action in Boston.

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 7 pm, The air permitting hearing for the Springfield Pioneer Renewable Energy Construction and Demolition Debris Incinerator at the Kennedy Middle School, 1385 Berkshire Ave., Springfield.

Enough! Next time it's Nena Baker on the Body Toxic (no, it's not some garage band....yet). Until then remember to listen to your Mother......ok?

Environment Massachusetts treading troubled water

Ben Wright of Environment Massachusetts (the home of MASSPIRG's environmental work) sent out an alert on November 3, 2009 to the groups mailing list titled "The cynical ploy to take down Cape Wind". Wright puts the onus of the "ploy" on the anti-Cape Wind group, The Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, but it is Wampanoag spokespeople in both Mashpee and Aquinnah who are making the statement that Horseshoe Shoals is sacred. The Alliance is merely repeating what the native people are saying. That being the case, is Ben Wright going to state that First Nations' claim of Horseshoe Shoals being sacred "is pure farce"?

Wright goes on to say: "Furthermore, the Native American tribe that is working with the Alliance to block Cape Wind recently proposed their own off-shore wind project just hundreds of yards from a real national historic site off of the Gay Head cliffs on Martha's Vineyard." That may be so, but that site is not being identified as sacred, nor would it interfere with their "Eastern Door", the unobstructed view of sunrise so integral to Wampanoag spiritual practices.

Perhaps Ben Wright is not familiar with Native spiritual practices, perhaps he doesn't care. Whatever the case, respecting First Nations and their belief systems, especially given the long history of genocide and repression of them by non-natives, is right up there with other aspects of overcoming racism.

We all want safe, renewable energy, but not at any cost. Ben Wright and Cape Wind proponents need to temper their zeal and get real.

#######


See: http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2009/10/26/2_tribes_object_to_cape_wind_turbines/

Enviro Show, LLC Proposes Mountaintop Removal for Western Mass!

A proposal to remove the top few hundred feet of Mt. Tom in Mt. Tom State Reservation in Holyoke, MA was made public today by the Enviro Show, LLC. Mr. Glen Ayers, spokesperson for the company stated: "We are not sure exactly what important geologic materials are buried deep inside of Mt. Tom, but it could be something that is needed somewhere in the world, and who ever needs it should not be concerned about the impacts that blowing off the top of this mountain will have on our local environment."

The proposed operation would remove the top part of the mountain with explosives to get at the deeper, economically important geologic
materials. Ayers said the Old Growth Forest and the excess overburden from the blasting could be bull-dozed and dumped into the Whiting Street Reservoir which is conveniently located down hill, providing plenty of capacity for spoil materials and any associated toxic wastes that the mining will generate. The project is seen as a boon to economic
development in the region.

Ayers noted that "Immediately next to the Mt. Tom State Reservation is the Mt. Tom Power Plant on the banks of the Connecticut River, which gets its coal from mountain top removal operations in Central Appalachia, burning 1,200 tons every day to generate CO2 and 146 Megawatts of much needed electricity. That coal is delivered by 80-car long trains, directly from the mines in places like Rawl, West Virginia". Ayers says that mountain top removal has become an accepted practice and that it will benefit the community through the creation of jobs and eventual recreation
opportunities on the leveled area.

"This represents a good business opportunity", says Ayers. "We are looking for smart investors, and expect the State of Massachusetts and the Patrick Administration to fully support this important effort to improve the economy of the Pioneer Valley. Public lands are special places that should be used to benefit society, industry, and the local economy. Such uses have a long and proud history in the Valley."


The Enviro Show, LLC, plans for this site include creating a large flat treeless expanse that will better support future development
opportunities. Some ideas that may be pursued on the reclaimed site are community or private football and athletic fields, golf courses,
cross-country skiing, community gardens, parkland and open space, and solar panel arrays, making this proposal a truly "green" opportunity. Its win-win-win for everyone!

######

For more information contact Glen Ayers at The Enviro Show, LLC
413-834-5729

The Freakin' Fund Drive Frankentree Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Time to pay the piper AND prepare for upcoming Halloween festivities. Anne Peterman of Global Justice Ecology calls in with scary tales of the FrankenTrees!. But, even scarier than that: we pitch and pitch and pitch until YOU, dear listener, surrender to our siren call. Yes, we're in a.....ahem....GRAVE situation here and need YOUR support! Valley Free Radio can't continue to serve you with excellent award-winning shows like The Enviro Show without your contributions. If your reading this on our blog PLEASE go HERE and donate today. We'll have more of that and some frightening news but first it's time for.... Revenge of the Critters! Spiders in Texas build MONSTER WEB. Don't get caught up in it!!

After we pitch, pitch, pitch for a spell we'll lay The Enviro Show Quote of the week on you thus:

"The cloning of humans is on most of the lists of things to worry about from Science, along with behavior control, genetic engineering, transplanted heads, computer poetry and the unrestrained growth of plastic flowers” - Lewis Thomas

We may never get into The Enviro Show Echo Chamber what with all our begging for donations, but if we did we'd be sure to tell you about Bill Gates pimping for biotech! Of course, the BIG news is all the 350.org events all over the planet (not to mention all over The Valley!). Least we fall under the spell of certain hero worshipper types, bear in mind it was the people who made all this possible. No single person can save the world.....except maybe Clark Ken.....err...I mean, Superman. Also this: The Yes Men have been working overtime these days. The faux New York Post (ugh!) during the UN Climate Summit; the Chamber of Commerce media heist at the National Press Club, and now a DC costume part, just in time for Halloween! AND this: 350 Reasons Crap & Trade won't work!

The "Climate Mash" will rock us to our E-Valley-uation segment where we may have some clips from the 350 Climate Action Carnival in Greenfield on hand. Maybe we'll play one for each $50 pledge that comes in? That's called.....what? an incentive? a bribe? We will, of course, have time for this: The Stop Spewing Carbon signature drive is critical for the ecological health of the Commonwealth. We need to collect 100,000 signatures by Nov. 16 from Massachusetts registered voters and we need YOUR help. If we get the needed signatures we can get a question on the ballot in 2010 to limit CO2 emissions from biomass incinerators. Go HERE to learn more. Big news for our local Biomess from Princeton science geeks!.

"Biotech is Godzilla" by Sepultura takes us to our interview with Anne Peterman and the Attack of the Franken Trees! Everyone run for your lives! Then it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Thursday October 29, Noon. Billionaires for Wealthcare at Monarch Place, corner of Main St and Boland Way in Springfield. Monarch Place houses Health New England. (And Bank of America too!). Billionaires For Wealthcare describe themselves as “a grassroots network of health insurance CEOs, HMO lobbyists, talk-show hosts, and others profiting off of our broken health care system. We'll do whatever it takes to ensure another decade where your pain is our gain. "Counter demonstration" called!

October 30, All Day. End Mountain Top Removal Day of Action. EPA Offices Boston and The Enviro Show just may have a local event in mind too! Go to www.mountainjustice.org/

Saturday, October 31, 1 to 2pm. Bats are Cool! Great Falls Discovery Center. Avenue A, Turners Falls. What do you really know about bats? Are they really the scary creatures that a lot of folks think they are? Come by and learn some very interesting facts about them and while you're here, pick up a Halloween Treat!

Monday Nov 2, 7pm. Public hearing relating to the Biomess. Greenfield Middle School, Federal Street, Greenfield. This could be the last chance to be heard by the town.
Go to: www.greenfieldbiomass.info


Tentative: Tuesday Nov 3 6:30 p.m. Greenfield Economic Development Committee Water supply Agreement Lease of space for Installation of Pump(s) at WPC Plane. Greenfield P.D.

Wednesday Nov 4 6:30 p.m. Greenfield Ways and Means Committee. Water Supply Agreement. Lease of Space for Installation. Greenfield P.D.

Sunday, November 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Hike the Holyoke Range with Ted Watt. Hitchcock Center for the Environment. Ted's areas of special knowledge include plants and birds. Identification, inter-relationships, life histories and special adaptations of theliving things we find will deepen our awareness of the beauties and complexities of the natural world around us! Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Tuesday Nov 10, 6pm? Greenfield Town Committee Meeting. Greenfield Middle School (tentative venue). Matters related to Pioneer Renewable Energy on the agenda and most likely voted on. Check CCFC site for updates: http://www.greenfieldbiomass.info/

Thursday, November 19, 7:30pm. Ramona Peters, "Columbus & Thanksgiving - A Native Perspective". Leverett Town Hall.

OK, was that a treat? What? You thought it was a trick?? Well, trick or treat, we'll be back next time with A Friend of the Earth checking out the atmosphere. Sooo, if you're going out for some Halloween fun remember....listen to your Mother.

Phony Remedies - The Climate Crisis & Snake Oil on Blog Action Day

Leave it to Washington and the corporados to come up with bogus responses to something as critical to our survival as the Climate Crisis. Like with the present health care reform debacle, decision-makers in DC and their sponsors in the insurance racket....did I say racket?...industry have come up with a host of half-measures and false solutions to the crisis in health care. Of course, their idea of reform is all about their own self-interest and continued over-the-top profits and perks. Surprise! Capitalism at its worst. OK, so it's no surprise. Likewise, their remedies for the GREATEST THREAT TO THE PLANET are pretty much useless.

Most members of Congress, firmly in the pocket of Big Oil and other energy interests, have been advocating "cap and trade" (crap and trade, actually) schemes as a way to reduce human-caused carbon emissions that are trashing Earth's atmosphere. Some believe these schemes will actually be worse than doing nothing and the movement grows to defeat them. In addition, it is believed that crap & trade could lead to another economic meltdown. So, what about a carbon tax? Dems are loath to advocate for ANY sort of tax increase, given that the Repugnicans will jump all over them and use "tax & spend Dems" as their mid-term elections theme. However, there's a lot going for this approach.

There is no shortage of other bogus schemes to address the Climate Crisis. Naturally (or should we say UN-naturally?) the biotech industry has climbed on-board the global warming gravy train. But perhaps so-called "biomass" seems to have gotten the most attention lately of a good many energy developers, as well as desperate greenwashers in government. These people claim industrial-scale biomass incineration is "carbon neutral". That might fly IF you had all the time in the world. We don't. A full-blown move to what we call The Biomess could also lead to massive deforestation; just the thing we DON'T need at this point in time given that forests CAPTURE carbon!

Of course, King Coal wants in on the action. Their snake oil comes in the form of such greenwashing schemes as "clean coal" and "carbon capture & storage". And, least we forget the worst of the worst, much of our coal comes from the clever use of explosives and massive machinery that blows off the tops of mountains and.....are you ready?....dumps them in streams! Mountaintop removal is such a bad idea it's hard to fathom what sort of thinking lies behind it.

Finally, an old Enviro Show favorite, Cape Wind and other promoters of industrial-scale wind plants have touted their plans for erecting massive windmill arrays as a remedy for the Climate Crisis. We call Cape Wind the "Right project in the WRONG place" not only because it calls for the corporate privatization of The Commons (Nanutucket Sound), but also because it is proposed to be sited next to The Great Atlantic Flyway (would you believe?) and because the Wampanoag Nation identifies the site as sacred land. Actually, windpower IS one of the rational remedies for the Climate Crisis, but it's important that such operations are carefully sited and are scaled to local energy needs.

Did somebody say energy CONSERVATION? How quaint! Yes, far tooooooo little attention is being paid to conserving energy here in the U.S. Truly, government, industry and even Big Green are guilty of putting energy conservation and efficiency on the back burner while pushing snake oil schemes like some of those above on us marks in the crowd. Given the critical time frame we face it's time to prioritize conservation and lifestyle change. It's also time to resist phony remedies.

The Moving Violations Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Sick and tired of having your peace & quiet disturbed; having the fields & streams & critters trashed; the lakes and bays polluted and abused, all by off-road vehicles, snowmobiles and jet-skis? Kyla Bennett calls in to talk about off-road "wreckreation" and guys with little motors. In our "Meet the New Boss" segment: is Obama closing down on openness? As usual, we visit The Enviro Show Echo Chamber and the Quote of the Week, but first it's time for....Revenge of the Critters! Fed-up stingray takes revenge on jet-ski rider!.

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we hear from The Irregular Times on an alternative to offshore oil drilling!. Also this from The New York Times: Paul Krugman on the Casandras of Climate. Our Enviro Show Blog Bonus? Well, it's a two-fer again:The girl who silenced the world for 5 minutes‏ (ok, so not The World, but at least some world leader-types!) AND, The Huge Mistake. We echo the award-winning Enviro Show (ahem!) with this: The Stop Spewing Carbon signature drive is critical for the ecological health of the Commonwealth. We need to collect 100,000 signatures by Nov. 16 from Massachusetts registered voters and we need YOUR help. If we get the needed signatures we can get a question on the ballot in 2010 to limit CO2 emissions from biomass incinerators. Go HERE to learn more.

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week puts us back in the Wayback Machine and is spot-on with regard to that jet-ski guy in Revenge of the Critters:

"The squirrel that you kill in jest, dies in earnest." - Henry David Thoreau

Time to "Meet the New Boss". The editors over at The New York Times think they can see through Obama's promise of transparency.

Then it's on to our interview with Kyla Bennett. We'll talk about off-road "wreckreation" and all those annoying mud-spattered ORV's, dirt-bikes and woodland-trashing snowmobiles out there. Besides the environmental aspects of wreckreation, there are also issues of tresspass here in the Commonwealth.

OK, now let's see what's posted on the Bus Stop Billboard:

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 7:30 PM. "EARTH 2100" Or: Will America Collapse Due to Climate Change? ~An ABC-TV Special with animation, interviews, and documentary footage to be followed by a discussion with Hampshire College professors Elizabeth Hartmann, Michael Klare, and Steve Roof. HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE Franklin Patterson Hall, Main Lecture Hall. Call: 413-559-5563


Oct. 15, 7:00 - 8:30 pm. New England Forests Thruogh Time. Come here John O'Keefe, co-author of the book New England Forest Through Time. Dr. O'Keefe will share information on the present state as well as the history of our local forests. Great falls Discovery Center,2 Avenue A,Turners Falls. Call: (413)863-3221

Friday October 16, 7pm. FREE FILM: "CONSUME THIS MOVIE". Media Education Foundation, 60 Masonic Street, same building as Woodstar Café, Northampton. Discussion following. Consume This Movie takes a critical look at social injustice, peak oil, resource depletion, and our need to feel connected to each other through what we choose to consume. Info: http://www.northamptoncommittee.org/.


Saturday, October 17th, 2009, 10AM-5PM. Bill McKibben, Benjamin Barber and Alisa Gravitz speaking at First Congregational Church, Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Registration & admission. Call: (413) 528-1737

Sunday, October 18 beginning at 10 a.m. on Hadley’s historic West Street Common. The 5K Road Race (or 2 mile walk) to Benefit Kestrel Trust. Call: 413-549-1097

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6 - 9pm. Screening of "Looming Crisis In Oil Depletion": Richard Heinberg, nationally known authority on peak oil, describes the history of energy use from the dawn of agriculture to the present industrial and computer age, while offering solutions to the coming collapse of cheap oil. Sponsored by the Town of Amherst's Energy Task Force, the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, and the Pioneer Valley Relocalization Project (PVRP), the latter being an environmental group working in Amherst and the Pioneer Valley to educate on peak oil and global warming. Info: Steve Randall, 256-2130 or Rob Crowner, 253-6526

Tuesday, October 20, 7:30 pm. GREEN Northampton & WRSI are co-sponsoring a debate between Mayor Clare Higgins & City Councilor At Large Michael Bardsley in the auditorium at Northampton High School. It is scheduled to last 90 minutes and will include 30 minutes of Q&A with the audience and the candidates. Call: 413 584 8785.

Friday, October 23, 6pm-11pm. No Biomass Autumn Harvest Dinner & Dance. At the Russell VFW on Route 20 in Russell. This is a community fundraiser to benefit the Concerned Citizens of Russell. Dinner, dancing, raffles, cash bar, homemade salads & desserts, and just a great time with friends. For more information or to volunteer please call Debbie Hoppe at 862-4035.


Friday, October 23, 7pm. FREE FILM: "BLIND SPOT",Media Education Foundation, 60 Masonic Street, same building as Woodstar Café, Northampton. Discussion following. Blind Spot investigates peak oil – the links between the energy we use, the way we run the economy, and the effect it has on the environment. Info: http://www.northamptoncommittee.org/.


24 October 2009 - 350.org Actions in The Valley: 9:30AM-2:30PM: Greenfield Climate Action Carnival at Greenfield High School (off Silver Street, off Federal) Call 774- 5952/773-7004; 10:00am-11:00am: Across from Leverett P.O. to raise the flags and ring the bell at the church 350 times. Contact Barbara@wetlanded.com; 11:00am-12:00pm: 1st Churches in downtown Northampton; 11am: Montague Center Common, group photo with the 350 banner; 12:00pm: Ashfield Main Street Town Common; 12:00pm-1:00pm: Grace Church will ring its bells 350 times while 350 "maple trees" on the Amherst town common will stage a Maple Tree Drama; Student-run actions on Amherst College campus all day; All day at 91 South Main Street in Sunderland, musicians, speakers, children's art displays; 4:00pm-6:00pm: The Gill Tavern, 326 Main Road Gill, they ask guests to arrive by bicycle, for there is no better way to travel. It's all about the bike.

We are so out of here once again. Next time: Franken Trees. Just in time for HALLOWEEN!! We'll go out with "Snowmobile Driver", almost as scary as Halloween but not nearly as much fun. Soooo, remember: when your're out at night on your bike, wear white and.....LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER!

Cape Wind: Corporate privatization of The Commons

The designation of the Cape Cod National Seashore, made possible by the Kennedy family and others decades ago, was an effort to save what is left of the fragile eastern U.S. coastline from the forces of development. Anything erected within the boundaries of the Cape coastline detracts from its unparalleled beauty and ecological fragility.

The proposed Cape Wind project is an industrial-scale wind plant the size of Manhattan slated for Horseshoe Shoals in Nantucket Sound, off the southern coast of the Cape. It is another example of the corporate privatization of The Commons. Nantucket Sound is public property and Cape Wind is a private for-profit corporation. Do we really need to lose more of the commons to the corporados? Some find it curious that outfits like Greenpeace and other progressive organizations who have railed against corporate America in the past and privatization in general, make exceptions for Cape Wind.

It is also an odd position for environmentalists to take given that The Wampanoag Nation has identified Horseshoe Shoals as sacred ground. They have stated publicly that Horseshoe Shoals was once above ground and that some of their ancestors may be buried there. In addition, as Keepers of the Eastern Door, the Wampanoags must have an unobstructed view of the water as part of their spiritual practices. Would supporters of Cape Wind deny First Nations their heritage?

Also, there is the issue of the project's potential effects on wildlife living in and passing through the Great Atlantic Flyway in Nantucket Sound. The Humane Society has highlighted many of these effects and is part of a coalition of environmental groups opposed to the sitting. Bill McKibben and others seem to be making the argument that non-humans would benefit in the long run from Cape Wind's project due to its possible lessening of the effects of climate change. Some would say it is most humane to protect our non-human neighbors here and now from potential death and maiming by the construction and operation of this industrial facility.

We can say yes to wind power, but put it where there is wind AND existing development. Buying into the development of fragile coasts; continued corporate privatization of The Commons; further marginalization and disrespect for First Nations; and God Squad trade-offs on non-human life forms in the name of "saving the planet" sounds a lot like destroying the planet to save it.

Links of interest:

http://www.saveoursound.org/site/PageServer

http://www.usetinc.org/_searchfordocument.aspx (gateway to PDF)

http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/cape_wildlife_center/wildlife_advocacy/hot_topics_on_the_cape/the_fight_over_wind_farms_not_tilting_at_windmills.html

The Commonwealth Enviro Show

Greetings Earthling. What's the state of our state environmentally speaking? Massachusetts State Sen. Stan Rosenberg calls-in with the details. Lots to cover, take the Wind Energy Siting Reform Act for instance! In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we review the recent climate actions in New York & Pittsburgh. Meanwhile back at the ranch, Rep. Steve Kulik seems ready to save the old-growth in our Commonwealth. We'll lay the Enviro Show Quote of the Week on you, return to our new "Meet the New Boss" segment, and tour the Bus Stop Billboard, but first it's time for.... Revenge of the Critters! Who put the Bee in baseball? Was the swarm fed up with the astroturf?

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week is from David Susuki:

"The human brain now holds the key to our future. We have to recall the image of the planet from outer space: a single entity in which air, water, and continents are interconnected. That is our home."

In the E-Valley-uation segment the Shut it Down Affinity Group is at it again!

We open up The Enviro Show Echo Chamber to the words of Rep. Steve Kulik. It's good news/bad news for the old growth trees in the Commonwealth. If only our VFR Time Machine was in working order, we might save those old trees on Mt. Wacchusetts the Crowley's destroyed years ago! And this: Pirates raid UN sideshow!. The Climate IMC reports that a well-endowed Greenpeace did a monster banner hang at the G20 in Pittsburgh (why do THEY get all the nice toys??). Finally, our Enviro Show Blog Bonus Specials! Star Wars for Idiots!. And that faux New York Post the Yes Men put out during the UN Climate Summit.

We return to our "Meet the New Boss" segment with another disheartening look at Obama's EPA & U.S. Fish & Wildlife. Yes, we thought he could!

[Here's the updates on those State Senate & House Bills we talked about with Stan. The newly introduced bottle bills are HERE. Rep. Peter Kocot's Act Prohibiting Clear Cuttingin State Forests and Parks is H765. Rep. Kulik's Act establishing old-growth reserves is H.1381. Call your reps supporting these bills.....OK?]

After we talk with Stan we'll scan the Bus Stop Billboard:


Wednesday, September 30th, 6 pm. Springfield Stop Biomass meeting at Arise. Email: michaelannb@gmail.com

Saturday, October 3, 10am-4pm. NESEA's "Green Buildings Open House". Contact: Pamela Lester, 413-774-6051, x14, plester@nesea.org

Saturday October 3, 2009. Starting at 7:30am NCC Bikefest '09. The BikeFest was developed to get children engaged in and excited about cycling through the festival itself, and by raising money for NCC youth programs, such as our free kids race series and our cyclocross camp. Go to: http://www.nohobikeclub.org/bikefest2009 or email: hemp.mike(at)gmail.com

Saturday, October 3rd Massachusetts Power Shift (MAPS) is pleased to invite you to our leadership and organizing training at Amherst College. MAPS is a coalition of college students from across the commonwealth, but we are reaching out to communities as well because we know that strong climate legislation comes from people of all types working together. Join us at 10:30 at Amherst College's Converse Hall (right by the PVTA stop) in the Red Room. Training will run until about 5pm. Call: 914-589-9539


Sunday, October 4, 1-4 p.m. LOST AND FOUND: NAVIGATION, MAPS, AND COMPASS. This workshop will be based outdoors so we can practice our new skills; please wear clothes and footwear suitable for hiking. Appropriate for adults and children age 10 and older accompanied by an adult. Hitchcock Center for the Environment. West Street, Amherst. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Sat & Sun, Oct 3rd & 4th‏, Hurricane Season. Doors open @ 6:45pm. Showtime 7:00pm. The Northeast American School of Dance, 25 Main Street Northampton, MA. Info at: hurricanseasontour.com

Tuesday, October 6, 9:30 AM. Blowin' in the Wind: Managing Renewable Energy Siting Conflicts (1-Day Workshop), Focusing on Massachusetts, this seminar will provide participants with strategies for addressing the conflicts that arise as communities wrestle with the dual objectives of land conservation and new investments in renewable energy. Space is limited. Pre-registration required. 464 Abbott Avenue, Leominster. Call (978) 840-4446

Wednesday, October 7, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. The Impact of Climate Change on Our Forests, What We Can Expect and When. Join the Friends of Robinson State Park in welcoming Dr. Frelich and Bob Leverett for this rare opportunity to hear them speak about forests, locally and globally. Agawam Senior Center, 954 Main Street, Agawam. Call: (413)568- 9379

Oct. 15, 7:00 - 8:30 pm. New England Forests Thruogh Time. Come here John O'Keefe, co-author of the book New England Forest Through Time. Dr. O'Keefe will share information on the present state as well as the history of our local forests. Great falls Discovery Center,2 Avenue A,Turners Falls. Call: (413)863-3221

One final note: The Stop Spewing Carbon signature drive is critical for the ecological health of the Commonwealth. We need to collect 100,000 signatures by Nov. 16 from Massachusetts registered voters and we need YOUR help. If we get the needed signatures we can get a question on the ballot in 2010 to limit CO2 emissions from biomass incinerators. Go HERE to learn more.

We'll go out with Tom Neilson's new tune about the Biomess that made its debut on SOME OTHER STATION! (groan). That is all......except remember....listen to your Mother!

The Noise Free Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Is it getting way too loud out there? Shall we kick all our sound effects to the curb? Would you rather hear dead air?? Ted Rueter of Noise Free America calls-in to sound-off. In our E-Valley-uation segment it's hi-ho, off to the fair! Also, it's Climate SOS in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber. As always, we'll checkout the Enviro Show Quote of the Week and The Bus Stop Billboard, but first it's time for.... Revenge of the Critters! Warning shoppers: Tubiflex Worms at six o'clock!

Our Quote of the Week is on theme. We jump back in the Wayback Machine to hear words of wisdom from good old Ben Franklin:

"The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise"

In the E-Valley-uation segment we reminisce about last week's Franklin County Fair Parade (guess who brought the "Entering Brownfield" banner?). We had a Biomess booth and the Flying Wallendas got lots of air-time! Also, it's referendum season. Time to advance the peoples' voice. This year the Stop spewing carbon initiative! And, MORE!

What are we hearing in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber? An echo, right?? Sort of: it's the return of the carbon tax but in FRANCE!. Wake-up America!! And this Enviro Show Blog Bonus: Massachusetts' disappearing forests! Also, Why is the "Greenest City" silencing green voices?

The natural sounds of way late summer takes us to our interview with Ted Rueter of Noise Free America. Just think, soon you'll be serenaded by armies of leaf blowers and obnoxious snowmobiles!

Onto the Bus Stop Billboard:


Thursday, September 17 at 7:00pm at the Russell Elementary School, the Concerned Citizens of Russell invite all members of the public to a Community Information Forum on the impacts of the proposed Russell Biomass facility. (413) 454-1898, janachicoine@verizon.net, www.concernedcitizensofrussell.org


Friday, September 18 at 7pm. Bread & Puppet Cabaret! A benefit for the South Amherst Conservation Association. Amherst Regional High School, 21 Matoon St.,

Amherst, MA. Tickets available at Food for Thought Books in Amherst & Broadside Books in Northampton. For info call (413) 256-0433

Friday, September 18, 8pm. Concerned Citizens of Franklin County fund-raiser at the Guiding Star Grange Hall in Greenfield, 401 Chapman Street. Contra Dance to help raise money to fight the Greenfield Biomess Incinerator.

*September 20-25 Three Rivers Climate Convergence: United for Environmental Justice (Pittsburgh, PA)
http://www.actforclimatejustice.org/regions/g20/
*September 21-23 International Coal Conference (Pittsburgh, PA),
*September 24-25 G-20 Summit (Pittsburgh, PA) Go to: resistg20.org/

Monday morning, September 21. Global Climate wake-up Flashmob. Go to: http://www.avaaz.org/en/sept21_hosts

Monday, September 21, 7:30pm. Hampshire Mall Cinema, Hadley. "The Age of Stupid" premier. Go to: www.theageofstupid.net


Tuesday, September 22. Climate SOS Action in Boston. Contact us for details: enviroshow@valleyfreeradio.org

Tuesday, September 22, 6:30pm. D.O. reading at the Leverett Library in Leverett Center. Call (413) 548-9220

Saturday, October 3, 10am-4pm. NESEA's "Green Buildings Open House". Pamela Lester, 413-774-6051, x14, plester@nesea.org

Tuesday, October 6, 9:30 AM. Blowin' in the Wind: Managing Renewable Energy Siting Conflicts (1-Day Workshop). This seminar is designed for staff and volunteers from planning boards, conservation commissions, openspace committees and land trusts, elected officials and others who care about conservation and sustainability in their communities. Focusing on Massachusetts, this seminar will provide participants with strategies for addressing the conflicts that arise as communities wrestle with the dual objectives of land conservation and new investments in renewable energy. Space is limited. Pre-registration required. 464 Abbott Avenue, Leominster. Call (978) 840-4446

That is all. Next time Sen. Stan Rosenberg checks-in. Until then you best listen to your Mother.

Cape Bag 'o Wind Enviro Show, Part II

Greetings Earthlings. It's down to the sea once again! This time: still trying to save Nantucket Sound from Big Wind corporados and their privatizing friends at GreenPee! (did i spell that right?). We talk with Audra Parker, Executive Director of the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound about the issues and D.O. reports back from the line in the ....umm...sea? In our E-Valley-uation segment Jana Chicone nearly gets busted for free speech on the Russell Biomess and in the Enviro Show Echo Chamber we recall Ted Kennedy's good work for Mother Earth. As always we do the Quote of the Week and checkout the Bus Stop Billboard, but first it's time for... Revenge of the Critters! No, Revenge of the Octopus!

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week comes from the late Ted Kennedy:
"There is no morality in the mushroom cloud. The black rain will fall equally on the just and the unjust. And the world that is left in the ashes of Armageddon will little note nor long remember which was the evil empire."

And in the Enviro Show Echo Chamber we mourn the loss of The Lion of the U.S. Senate and review his long record of environmental legislation. Also, from the Center for Biological Diversity, Bat Alert: they need your help NOW! Finally, this Enviro Show Blog Action Special: Climate SOS!

In our E-Valley-uation segment we checkout Biomass Buzz for the near arrest of arch foe of the proposed Russell Biomess, Jana Chicone for exercising her First Ammendment Rights. Our link takes you to the cast of players. Looks like they're straight out of central casting!

Leading up to our interview with Audra Parker on the proposed Cape Wind/Bad Wind industrial project, D.O. gives a brief report-back from the frontlines on Martha's Vineyard where he had letters in both local papers and engaged in outreach wars with Greenpeace corporado supporters! Did we mention that the Wampanoags are opposed to the Cape Wind siting because it would be on sacred grounds? Yo Greenpeace? Are you listening?? See photos of GreenPee's corporate tactics here (note the copywrites? how terribly corporate!).

Then it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:


Sunday, September 6 thru Oct.1: "Climate Change?", works by artist Robert Markey at the Art Gallery, St. Germain Campus Center, Western New England College, Springfield. For info call (413)782-1567.

Thusday,September 10, 5:30pm the Franlin County Fair Parade starts at the Greenfield Middle School. Join the CCFC contingent and march against the BIOMESS! We'd like to have reps from every town in the Valley. Call 773-5529 for details.


Friday, September 11, 7:30pm. Paul Winter Consort performs for New England Farm Relief at the Latchis Theater in Brattleboro, Go to www.brattleborotix.com

Friday, September 18 at 7pm. Bread & Puppet Cabaret! A benefit for the South Amherst Conservation Association. Amherst Regional High School, 21 Matoon St., Amherst, MA. Tickets available at Food for Thought Books in Amherst & Broadside Books in Northampton. For info call (413) 256-0433

Friday, September 18, 8pm. Concerned Citizens of Franklin County fund-raiser at the Guiding Star Grange Hall in Greenfield, 401 Chapman Street. Contra Dance to help raise money to fight the Greenfield Biomess Incinerator.


*September 20-25 Three Rivers Climate Convergence: United for Environmental Justice (Pittsburgh, PA)
http://www.actforclimatejustice.org/regions/g20/
*September 21-23 International Coal Conference (Pittsburgh, PA),
*September 24-25 G-20 Summit (Pittsburgh, PA) Go to: resistg20.org/


Monday, September 21, 7:30pm. Hampshire Mall Cinema, Hadley. "The Age of Stupid" premier. Go to: www.theageofstupid.net

That is all. Tune in next time for a Noise Free America......umm....it's a campaign, not like dead air for everyone! Until then, remember: LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER!!

The Drugs on Tap Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings! Out of the Valley on vacation? Don't forget you can catch us on the webstream. No matter where you are, do you know what's in the water coming out of your tap? (Didn't we already ask you that?). Whistle-blower and Director of New England Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, Kyla Bennett calls in with the low-down. And, The New Boss's signing statements are starting to look like the old boss's signing statements. We'll checkout The Enviro Show Echo Chamber with Jim Hightower on the invasion of the FrankenTrees! Also, the Quote of the week, but first it's time for..... Revenge of the Critters! Mum attacked by killer chipmunk!

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we find Big Oil taking the cue from the far-right Astroturf screamers. They want to disrupt public events. Also, Jim Hightower scares the beejesus out of us with tales of the invasion of the FrankenTrees!

Soooo, you thought all those Bush Era signing statements and the scourge of the "unitary executive" were behind us? Think again! In our "Meet the New Boss" segment: Obama's embrace of Bush tactic riles Congress.

This timely Enviro Show Quote of the Week comes from Rachel Carson:

"In the age when man has forgotten his origins and is blind to even his most essential needs for survival, water along with other resources has become the victim of his indifference".

In our E-Valley-uation segment: remember The Blob? Well after it terrorized small town PA back in '58 the U.S. Army dropped it in the Arctic thinking it would stay frozen forever, right? Arctic? Global Warming? Well......it's baaaack and it's right HERE in the Valley! And YOU can become one of its' victims!! We're taking The Blob to Pittsburg for the G20 at the end of September and YOU are invited to accompany it! Just drop us an email saying you want to babysit The Blob and we'll get back to you. The address is: enviroshow@valleyfreeradio.org. ALSO This: there's an effort is underway to gut the Mass. Endangered Species Act!

"Head of the River"by Eliot Bronson from "101 Subtle Ways" takes us to our interview with Kyla Bennett. Recall Kyla's efforts last year to keep more drugs and personal care products out of Massachusetts waters? No? Tune-in then!

Finally, we have a gander at the Bus Stop Billboard:

Wednesday, Aug. 19, 6 pm. Springfield Biomess meeting at Arise 467 State St. Call 455-3829 for information.

Thursday, August 20, 2009, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain date: Friday, August 21, 2009) Herp Search! Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 25 South Pleasant Street,
Amherst. We’ll visit a variety of habitats in the local area, searching for snakes and turtles, salamanders and frogs. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Wednesday, August 26, 7:30 - 9:30am. Morning Nature Walk. Participants will meet at the bird bath outside the main entrance to the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls by the bridge. For more information, call 413.863.3221 or visit www.greatfallsma.org.

Wednesday August 26, 7pm. MELTDOWN: VOICES FROM CHERNOBYL. Christ Church Cathedral, 35 Chestnut St, Springfield. A dramatic presentation of the stories of survivors of the disaster at Chernobyl, read by local activists including Sr. Jane Morrissey SSJ, Jeannine Haas, Frances Crowe, Ruth Hooke, and Chris Rohmann. Donation welcome. Sponsored by AFSC, Arise for Social Justice, Traprock, CAN, Peace Pagoda, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and the Enviro Show.

Friday, September 18 at 7pm. Bread & Puppet Cabaret! A benefit for the South Amherst Conservation Association.

Three IMPORTANT reasons to go to Pittsburgh, PA:

*September 20-25 Three Rivers Climate Convergence: United for Environmental Justice. Check it out!
*September 21-23 International Coal Conference
*September 24-25 G-20 Summit. Go to: resistg20.org/

We are so out of here. Next time we rewind your mind with Cape Wind: the right project in the WRONG place! Until then, remember.....(are you listening Cape Wind believers?)...LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER!

The Save the Land Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Will developers fill every last acre with condos, McMansions and malls? Carol Gray of the South Amherst Conservation Association joins us to talk about saving the former Rock Farm on South East Street in Amherst, an environmentally rich piece of land threatened by a proposed high density development of 17 luxury condos (just what Amherst needs: more condos!). The Globe spins in our E-Valley-uation segment and it's Obama's bad in "Meet the New Boss". Also, The Enviro Show Echo Chamber defers to The Daily Show while the Quote of the Week gets dragged out from beneath the Wayback machine, but first it's time for...... Revenge of the Critters! Leech attack. Gardeners beware! Better wear eye protection.

On the E-Valley-uation segment, The Boston Globe tries for balance on the Biomess. Ya' right! Do read the comments. Speaking of comments, YOURS are needed to curb destructive ORV's in Massachusetts. Also, an update on the proposed Northampton dump expansion over the Barnes Aquifer. And an Enviro Show Blog Action Special: help bring Zero Waste solutions to The Commonwealth.

Then it's Time to Meet the New Boss! Treehugger asks: Is the Green Honeymoon Over?. Hey! we filed for divorce months ago!!

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week is short & sweet; special for all you developers out there:
"Goodness is the only investment that never fails." - Henry David Thoreau

Meanwhile,in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber Jon Stewart pans the House Climate Bill. It's our Blog Special, guys. Then it's back to the sea. Last week's Science Times revealed that Scientists Find a Microbe Haven at Ocean’s Surface. Check it out: "Scientists say it is important to become better acquainted with this mysterious ocean skin, because it may play a critical role in the environmental well-being of the planet....The microlayer is also crucial to the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas."

"God Bless the Grass", by Sara Thomson from "Big Breath" takes us to our interview with Carol Gray. We'll see if we can hold our tongues concerning certain yuppie developers...umm...sorry. We'll do our best to behave....really! (really?)

Finally we checkout the Bus Stop Billboard:


Thursday, August 6, 6:10pm. Screening of "Flow". Irena Salina's award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century - The World Water Crisis. The film begs the question: CAN ANYONE REALLY OWN WATER? Jones Library, Amherst (accross from The Amherst Cinema)

Saturday, Aug 8th. 9:30pm VFR benefit @ the Elevens, 50 Conz Street, Northampton. “Music, raffle, community!”

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, August 7-9. Northeast Organic Farmings Assn's annual Conference & Celebration of Sustainability, held on the UMass-Amherst campus on this year. www.nofasummerconference.org for details.

Sunday, August 9. Solar Rollers Tour Vermont 31st Anniversary Ride. Brattleboro-Vernon. If you are interested in riding with us or interested in hosting the riders for an evening presentation and overnight floor space, please contact claire at 413-626-3620 or cchang@nukebusters.org


Thursday, August 20th, 7pm through Sunday August 23rd, 5pm. Gender and Deep Ecology. Earthlands Program Center, Petersham, MA. An unusual gathering of women and men for an in-depth exploration of our relationship to ourselves, each other, Spirit and Earth. Registration info@universityofthewild.org
(978) 724-3448.

Tuesday, August 25, 7 PM. "MELTDOWN - Voices of Chernobyl" Edwards Church 299 Main St. Northampton, MA. MELTDOWN is a dramatic presentation that asks the question, "What if it happened here?" The voices in the play are those of Chernobyl survivors but the readers are local, from Western Massachusetts. Call AFSC at 413-584-8975


Wednesday August 26, 5:30-7:30pm, WESTERN MASS GREEN ECONOMY WORKING GROUP. Pioneer Valley AFL-CIO Hall, 640 Page Boulevard, Springfield (732-7970). This Working Group consists of advocates for a Green Economy which serves local communities; guarantees workers' rights to organize; and promotes community-owned sustainable projects.

Thursday, August 27, 2009, 9 am - 1 pm. Massachusetts Forest Futures Visioning Process at the Doyle Conservation Center, Leominster. Contact Claudia at mandchurley@comcast.net .

Done. Next time it's the anniversary of the FIRST FM radio construction permit in the U.S. issued to W1X0J, Boston MA! And today's WXOJ's anniversay? FRIDAY! Until then, remember: listen to who? YOUR MOTHER!!

The Nuke-free Future Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. D.O.'s off this week, but he left this behind. Do you think "we can create a nuclear free future"? Doug Renik from AFSC braves the walk down to the basement to join us and talk about all things nuclear. Our new and improved segment, "Meet the new Boss..." finds Obama between a rock and a hard place! We'll have a look at the latest from the Biomess in our E-Valley-uation segment and checkout the Enviro Show Echo Chamber, but first it's time for.....Renvenge of the Critters! More Revenge of the Trees from Down-under!!

In our new "Meet the New Boss..." segment Greenpeace does the Obama banner-drop on Mt. Rushmore. Also, we try again for that "Bush redux" piece that keeps getting shelved.....over and over and over....

In our E-Valley-uation segment WE HAVE A WINNER! Collins is voicing second thoughts on the Biomess. The winner of the Chris Collins Climate Challenge is Mark Beaubien, Greenfield businessman and driver of sense into thick heads! Mark gets to be on the show AND wins the Mass Earth First! bumpersticker!! Also this: the proposed Springfield Biomess looks a LOT like environmental injustice!

Meanwhile, over in the Enviro Show Echo Chamber we refer you to Rainforest Action Network's Take Action page linked to The Enviro Show Blog for some on-line "activism". While here in the real world, how about some action in the street! Checkout the G20 and the International Coal Conference Actions, both coming to Pittsburg in late September. We're talking major action here! Also, your Enviro Show Blog Bonus Special: Ten things you can do to abolish the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act.

"The Great Unknown" by Dar Williams takes us to our interview on a Nuclear Free Future. August, you may recall, is the anniversaries of the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Some legacy, huh?

Finally, on the Bus Stop Billboard:


Wednesday, July 22, 6pm. Springfield Biomess meeting at the Arise office, 467 State St., Springfield. Call for info: 734-4948

Thursday, July 23, 2009, 5:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. MID-SUMMER EVENING NATURE WALK. Experience a leisurely late-day stroll around the Quabbin Dike at the height of life and activity in this ecosystem. We will encounter wildflowers, a chorus of insects, perhaps grazing deer, turkeys and the singing of Hermit Thrushes. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Saturday, July 26, 1-4pm. Water chestnut removal at Fitzgerald Lake. River Valley Market & Broad Brook Coalition. Call (413)584-2665

"Meltdown; Voices From Chernobyl" Part of August "Nuclear Free Future Month".
July 25, 7:30 PM GCC, Greenfield, MA
July 26, 7:30 PM Mocha Maya House, 47 Bridge St. Shelburne Falls, MA
July 27, 7 PM 1794 Meetinghouse Main St., New Salem, MA
August 25, 7 PM Edwards Church 299 Main St. Northampton, MA
For more info. contact Shantigar: 413 339 2747 (for July dates) Jeff Napolitano at AFSC-413-584-8975

Friday, July 31, 9am to 2pm. Come paddle the Connecticut River to Rainbow Beach in Northampton with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and learn about conservation efforts to protect the federally endangered Puritan Tiger Beetle. Found in only two locations on the planet (the other is Chesapeake Bay), the puritan tiger beetle faces some steep odds in its efforts to survive in the Connecticut River Watershed. Participants should meet at the Elwell Recreation Area boat landing, Northampton, Mass., at 9:00 am. Seating is limited. Bring lunch, water, sunscreen,
insect repellant, and binoculars (to see the beetles and other wildlife). Please call 413-863-3221 to register for this FREE program. Registration deadline is July 29, 2009.

Sunday, August 9. Solar Rollers Tour Vermont 31st Anniversary Ride. Brattleboro-Vernon. If you are interested in riding with us or interested in hosting the riders for an evening presentation and overnight floor space, please contact Claire at 413-626-3620 or cchang@nukebusters.org

We are soooo out of here. Next time: Carol Gray joins us to talk land conservation in South Amherst. Until then, remember to listen to your Mother!

The Coming Biomess Enviro Show, Part III

Greetings Earthlings. It's back to the Biomess again! Hang onto your...umm...biosphere! Jana Chicone returns to the studio to update us on the proposed Russell biomass incinerator and Chris Matera calls in from his undisclosed location deep in the forests of New England where he'll speak for the trees. As always we check-in to our E-Valley-uation segment and The Enviro Show Echo Chamber, as well as hear The Quote of The Week, but first it's time for..... Revenge of the Critters! Attack of the trees!

The big news in our E-Valley-uation segment is, of course, the.....ahem...decision? by the Greenfield old boys network....umm...we mean Zoning Board of Appeals, giving the go-ahead for Madera Energy to build their biomass forest incinerator. Bring in the lawyers! Be sure to read Mary Serreze's piece in The Valley Advocate. While you're at it, checkout the new Mass Forest Watch Power Point. And, we MAY have a winner of the Chris Collins Climate Challenge! Only time will tell. Stay tuned!

"The Land of Fake Fires" by Joules Graves from "Plunge" segways us nicely into The Enviro Show Echo Chamber: Who says old news is no news?? We read from the Madera, California Tribune that Madera Power's (Yes, THAT Madera) biomass plant BLEW UP! two years ago. Also, Jeffrey St. Clair answers the disturbing questions: Who is Sam Hamilton? Who is Tom Tidwell? And why is Obama in bed with enemies of the Earth? And this: More corporate privatization of the Commons! This time for solar and geothermal energy! And this hold-over that went unread on the last show, Is it Bush Redux in the Obama White House?. Say it ain't so, O! Finally some GOOD NEWS: A federal judge just struck down the Bush administration's rules limiting protection and citizen oversight of the entire 193-million acre National Forest System.

The Quote of the week comes by way of loyal listener, Lynn from right here in the Valley. At the Greenfield ZBA hearing The Man from Epsilon Associates, Environmental Engineers and Consultants, regarding the proposed Greenfield forest incinerator said:

"There will be no change in air quality because we will be able to purchase offsets".

WHOA! It's like magic. Who needs atmospheric science!

Did you get enough thunderstorms last week? We'll raise one right here in the studio as an introduction to Jana & Chris, both of whom are raising a storm of protest over the oncoming biomess!

Then we scope out the Bus Stop Billboard:


Wednesday, July 8 at 10:30 a.m. The Greenfield ZBA Re-vote will be at the Greenfield High School cafeteria. It's a circus! Bring funny hats & noise-makers!

Thursday, July 9, 4-7:00 p.m. Powerhouse Tour. See a house that makes more power than it consumes. Corner of Sherman and Clark Ave, Turners Falls.
Call Tina at 413-863-5253

July 10-12, SolarFest - New England Renewable Energy Festival. Forget-Me-Not Farm, Tinmouth, VT. SolarFest '09 is three days of world-class musicians, dancers and performance artists, a stellar line-up of speakers, and over 70 workshops on renewable energy and sustainability topics. For 15 years, demonstrating the power of
positive energy! www.solarfest.org/

Wednesdays, July 8th & 15th, Fridays, July 10th & 17th, 7:30 - 9:30am. Morning Nature Walks. Participants will meet at the bird bath outside the main entrance to the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls at 7:30 A.M. For more information, call 413.863.3221 or visit www.greatfallsma.org.

Saturday, July 11, 2009, 10 a.m. to noon. MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS: THE GEOLOGY OF THE PIONEER VALLEY. Discover the stories in the stones around us! The Holyoke Range can tell us much about how the Earth’s crust is shaped. It is a geologically unique area, where we can find evidence of shifting tectonic plates, earthquakes, volcanoes, glaciers, and erosion, all in one day’s field trip. This Hitchcock Center trip is based at Skinner State Park and involves some light hiking. Adults and families with children ages 8 and up are welcome. Bring a picnic lunch and stay to picnic on top after the program. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Friday July 17, 7pm, “Women from Planet Diversity”: Documentary on 2008 grassroots international conference in Germany on the future of agriculture, examing the hunger crisis, climate change, and the loss of cultural and biological diversity. 45 min. Jean Grossholtz, professor emeritus at Mt. Holyoke College, will be the guest speaker. Northampton Media Education Foundation, Masonic Street behind the Woodstar Cafe.

Friday, July 17, 2009. 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. Watersheds: The Trickle Down Effect-It's not just a river! This event will happen four Fridays in July. Children gredes K-6 welcome. No charge but registration requested. Call Great Falls Discovery Center at 413.863.3221.

July 17-19, The 2009 Clamshell Alliance Reunion. World Fellowship Center, near Conway, NH 603-447-2280

Sundays, July 19 & July 26, 2009, 1 to 3:30 p.m. LOST AND FOUND: NAVIGATION, MAPS, AND COMPASS. Gain confidence while increasing your enjoyment of being in the woods by learning the basics of navigation and map and compass. Pre-registration is required; please call Hitchcock Center for the Environment at (413) 256-6006.

Wednesday, July 22, 6pm. Springfield Biomess meeting at the Arise office, 467 State St., Spfld. Call for info: 734-4948

"Meltdown; Voices From Chernobyl" Part of August "Nuclear Free Future Month".
July 25, 7:30 PM GCC, Greenfield, MA
July 26, 7:30 PM Mocha Maya House, 47 Bridge St. Shelburne Falls, MA
July 27, 7 PM 1794 Meetinghouse Main St., New Salem, MA
August 25, 7 PM Edwards Church 299 Main St. Northampton, MA
for more info. contact Shantigar: 413 339 2747 (for July dates) Jeff Napolitano at AFSC-413-584-8975

That does it for us....more or less. We'll be back next time looking at a Nuclear Free Furure. Until then, remember; listen to your Mother!

The Full of Sludge Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings! Summer Solstice is upon us. Confirming what some have suspected all along: we're full of sludge (at least tonight). Catherine Price, author of The Sludge Report joins us to get into some heavy.....umm...sludge? Naturally, this provides us with the perfect segway into returning to the subject of Madera Energy's proposed forest incinerator, given that they plan to cool it with sewage! We'll hear from Glen on that, we're sure! As usual, we'll checkout other news of the planet in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber, hear the Quote of the Week, and maybe even get to the Bus Stop Billboard, but first it's time for...... Revenge of the Critters! Flies invade White House!. That'll teach you to blow the tops off mountains!

The Enviro show Quote of the week comes from our favorite Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson:

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure."

"Try Not to Breathe" by REM takes us to our E-Valley-uation segment where we ponder the possibility of breathing sewage in the Valley! Sound crazy? Well....yeah! AND speaking of crazy: our Chris Collins Climate Challenge is in its third week, having been given new life by.....guess who? Chris Collins!

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber Grist tells us the cure for the population bomb has finally been found by the father of the Gaia Hypothesis. Also this: Is it Bush Redux in the Obama White House?. Say it ain't so, O! And, as we close in on the House vote for the VERY compromised Waxman-Markey Climate/Energy Bill: Will Cap & Trade cause another market meltdown?. For The Enviro Show Blog Bonus Special we offer you the mind-bending film "Home". It's REALLY worth watching (unlike YouTube ditties of brain-addled tweens performing in front of their webcams).

Next is our interview with Catherine which was partly inspired by her piece in Grist's Poop Series. We'll avoid the s-word on the air (it's illegal, after all!) but no such shit to worry about here!


On the Bus Stop Billboard:


Wednesday, June 24, 6pm. Public "listening sessions" to receive feedback on the potential for wind power development on state-owned lands. Beacon Hill sees potential for large-scale wind installations in some regions of the state, particularly coastal areas and ridge tops in Western Massachusetts. Berkshire Community College, Main campus, K111 Theater, 1350 West Street, Pittsfield. BEWARE the Wind Energy Siting Reform Act!

Wednesday June 24, 5:30 - 7:30 WESTERN MASS GREEN ECONOMY WORKING GROUP. Pioneer Valley AFL-CIO Hall, 640 Page Boulevard, Springfield (732-7970). This Working Group consists of advocates for a Green Economy which serves local communities; guarantees workers' rights to organize; and promotes community-owned sustainable projects. Info: Jon Weissman, 827-0301

FRIDAY, JUNE 26th at the Massage School, 1 Northampton St., Easthampton. There are still openings available for a relaxing one-hour massage. Proceeds will benefit the Manhan Rail Trail sinkhole repair fund. Please call 529-2900 to make your reservation.

Sunday, June 28, 2009, 1 to 4 p.m. WHAT DOES NATURE DO? A BIOMIMICRY WALK. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 525 South Pleasant Street, Amherst. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Saturday, July 4th. Join CAN for a 4th of July Parade in Brattleboro. We are ready for a change to renewable energy. It's our choice! Wear your Solar Roller T shirt or a sign for how We CAN Replace VY! Hopefully there will be 3 groups represented this yr! Contact cchang@nukebusters.org

Tom Neilson's "Outhouse Blues", with words by Wanita Nelson takes us out. Next time Jana Chicoine returns to the studio for more biomess bashing. Tune in! And remember: listen to your Mother!