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!