The Immeasurably Diminished Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Another year gone by, another lost opportunity to save the planet. On our very first show, over six years ago, we read excerpts from the 1992 World Scientists' Warning to Humanity which said in part: "No more than one or a few decades remain before the chance to avert the threats we now confront will be lost and the prospects for humanity immeasurably diminished." In case you missed that from the 1992 Warning, we repeat: "No more than one or a few decades". It's 2012. Happy New Year? Brenda Ekwurzel calls in. Brenda is Assistant Director of Climate Research and Analysis for the Union of Concerned Scientists. The World Scientists' Warning was spearheaded by the late Henry Kendall, former chair of UCS's board of directors. If all that is way too much doom & gloom for you, we'll bury our collective heads in the sand looking for the Fool-on-the-Hill and the Quote of the YEAR!, as well as search for some good news in our Enviro Show Echo Chamber and maybe the E-Valley-uation segment, but first it's time for... Revenge of the Critters! A classic for the New Year: Elephant vs. Big Oil!

The big news in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber was last week's EPA announcement that it has finalized The Mercury Rule, one of the most important updates to the Clean Air Act in the Act's 40 year history. That's the good news, OK? (You see, it's not all doom & gloom here, no matter what people say). You've no doubt heard that the zombie Keystone Pipeline may rise from the dead in two months, yes? Well, for what it's worth, here's an action link requesting Obama to put that monster out of its misery. Did we say action? Here's our Enviro Show Blog Bonus: tell Montana Gov. Schweitzer to Stop Shooting Wolves! Meanwhile, it's mixed messages for wolves closer to home. Wolves in the Great Lakes region have been stripped of protection, though a proposal to remove protections for wolves in Northeast is delayed and likely dead.

In our E-Valley-uation segment we hinted at good news, and here it is: Cinda Jones of Cowls Lumber & Kristin DeBoer, executive director of Kestrel Land Trust have saved Brushy Mountain in Leverett and 666 adjacent acres, much of it in Shutesbury from development forever. It's the biggest conservation deal on a block of privately owned land in Massachusetts history. Congrats to all involved! Of course, there is some bad news: this from Westborough regarding highly questionable logging practices.One hand giveth/one taketh away....like they say!

The second (or is it third?) time candidate for Fool-on-the-Hill has gone so far off the rails that we hesitate to trash her once again and risk being accused of making fun of the mentally challenged. Be that as it may, Rep. Michele Bachmann takes the cake for her recent comment on the science of climate change: "I think all these issues have to be settled on the base of real science, not manufactured science.” Manufactured, we assume, by the vast, vast majority of the world's senior scientists?

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week is from (surprise!) the 1992 World Scientists' Warning to Humanity!

After our interview with Brenda Ekwurzel we amble on over to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Wednesday, January 4th, 7:00-9:00pm. Occupy Franklin County meets at the Second Congregational Church, Court Square, Greenfield. Email: davidjc@comcast.net

Friday, January 6th,7:30 AM - 10:00 AM. Environmental Business Council of New England Breakfast Meeting with Mark Sylvia, Commissioner, Department of Energy Resources. ML Strategies, LLC. One Financial Center, Boston. Commissioner Sylvia will discuss the status and near- term goals of Massachusetts energy programs, as well as their ramification for businesses and communities in the Commonwealth. Hefty entrance fee. Call: (617)505-1818

Tuesday, January 10th and Tuesday January 24th, 6 to 8pm. Community Action for a Renewed Environment in Springfield meetings at Springfield Technical Community College, One Armory Square, Springfield; Scibelli Hall, 7th Floor. Call: (413)794-1454

Wednesday, January 11, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Green Drinks Northampton is at the Northampton Brewery. If you have any materials to swap, please bring them: books, cds, dvds event announcements -- anything of Green or Sustainable interest. GD will start at 5:30 pm and will overlap with the end of Western Mass Green Consortium meeting which begins at 4pm. Call: (413) 586-7350 ext. 28

Tuesday, January 17. All Day +. Occupy Congress! The U.S. House of Representatives convenes for the first time in 2012 on January 17th, and they will be welcomed by the largest national unification of Occupiers to date. This grassroots assembly of nationwide occupations will be a peaceful and non-violent demonstration against our corrupted political system, aiming to further the movement’s success at shifting the political discourse towards real issues that matter to the people of America. Email: occupycongressj17@gmail.com Go to: http://www.occupyyourcongress.info/

Thursday, January 19, 7 to 8:30pm. How much wood do we use? Where does our wood come from? How do our local forests fit into the picture? Can wood be “better?” Join Outreach Service Forester Peter Grima from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to learn about the local and global consequences of our wood consumption, and take away some bits of knowledge that may enable you to make better wood purchases. Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A., Turners Falls, Call: (413) 863-3221

January 25, 6:30 pm. Greening Greenfield Energy Committee presents: "A SEA CHANGE" This film is both a personal journey and a scientifically rigorous, sometimes humorous, unflinchingly honest look at the reality we have created in our oceans. It conveys the urgent steps we need to make to reduce the severity of the chemistry of our oceans. Greenfield Public Library, Greenfield.

That about does it for the New Year. How about a REAL resolution, like listen to your Mother?
--

And Another Winter Solstice Enviro Show!

Solstice Greetings Earthlings! Here it is, another Winter Solstice, another Enviro Show to make you wonder why you're not dancing naked around the Solstice Bonfire. Our favorite house witch, Michelle returns to tell us why we might be doing that and Mark Serreze, Director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science (and brother to Mary, we might add) calls in with news from the North Pole. If that sounds a little frosty we have some hot news that may warm your heart in our E-Valley-uation segment regarding the scary Vermont Yankee nuke. Also, news all the way from South Africa, Japan and closer to home in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber, as well as a peek at this week's Fool-on-the-Hill and more, but first it's time for....Revenge of the Critters!Another Reindeer attack!

Since we're getting into the warm glow of the season with Michelle, let's move our attention toward that radioactive hot spot just over the border in Vermont. It's our E-Valley-uation segment featuring our own Jean, busted yet again at Vermont Yankee along with the Shut it Down Affinity Group! Also this: nuke safety experts disturbed by operator errors. Come on! What's the worst that could happen anyway??

Did someone say Fukushima? In the Enviro Show Echo Chamber we have dueling opinions on the chances of a China Syndrome event at Reactor #1. This audio interview with Keven Kamps of Beyond Nuclear on the Thom Hartmann Show is flat-out bad news for anyone even remotely close to Northern Japan, but the folks over at Nuclear Information and Resource Service see it differently. Will someone please make-up their mind. If nuclear meltdown isn't of much interest to you, how about complete ecological collapse! The news from the COP17 climate summit in South Africa? COP17 fails, world melts down. We should add however, that at least The Rights of Nature were introduced at this press conference. How about something a bit more positive, OK? The next generation's response: sue the bastards! Finally, our Enviro Show Blog Bonus: will you help Stop Biomass Incineration Subsidies?

This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is Texas Rep. Ralph Hall, the chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. We're wondering if the Space might be in Hall's head, underneath that tinfoil hat. He has launched a probe of NOAA, claiming that the agency was conducting "a shadow climate service operation". Ooooooo! Science geeks plotting for the end of America! If you'd like to send Hall and his nutjob climate crisis denier friends some actual tin foil hats for the Holidays go here!

Tim Story's "In the Winter's Pale" takes us to our interview with Mark Serreze, then it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard (thanks to Hilltown Families):


Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

6-8:30pm – SOLSTICE FIRE & SONG: Celebrate the solstice with a bonfire and music! Aracadia Wildlife Sanctuary hosts a solstice celebration for families tonight- bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. 413-584-3009. 127 Coombs Road. Easthampton, MA.

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

7am and 3pm – SOLSTICE SUNWHEEL: Watch the sunrise or sunset at the UMass Sunwheel. There will be a presentation on the significance of the solstices and equinoxes, phases of the moon, and other sunwheels around the world. Learn about the cultural significance of the solstice worldwide! Rocky Hill Road. Amherst, MA.

5-8pm – SOLSTICE STORIES & SONGS: Celebrate the winter solstice at a community event on the Shutesbury town common. Bring your own light source to light up the circle, and share stories and songs. Town Common Road. Shutebury, MA.

6-9pm – SOLSTICE HIKE: Hike with a headlamp tonight at Northfield Mountain! Celebrate the solstice by enjoying nature- especially the stars and moon. Ages 12+, registration requested.. 800-859-2960. 99 Millers Falls Road. Northfield, MA.

7-9pm – SOLSTICE PAGENT: Celebrate the solstice with students from the Hartsbrook School! They’ll be performing seasonal music and songs, as well as sharing stories, at the Northampton Center for the Arts. 413-584-7327. 17 New South Street. Northampton, MA.


A new coalition of regional anti-nuclear groups, is planning non-violent direct actions to stop the re-licensing and continued operation of Vermont Yankee. The court case between the State of Vermont and Entergy is still pending. However, we know that Entergy will try everything it can to keep the reactor open past March 21 2012 - its scheduled shut down date. It's time to get involved! Nonviolence trainings are about to begin and March 21 is not far away. But we need you to get in touch with us, even if you're part of a longstanding group that is reviving. Once we know where you are, we can plug you into the local organizing, training and affinity group formation. We also hope you will spread the word to friends and co-workers so they'll join us as well. Even if civil disobedience is impossible for you, support people who do not risk arrest are vital affinity groups members. And nonviolent training is necessary for all action participants. Please go to the SAGE website and fill out your contact info at http://sagealliance.net/contact/join_us or email the Convener of the SAGE Affinity Group Committee, David Detmold at reporter@montaguema.net

Christmas Bird Count. From December 14 through January 5 tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas take part in an adventure that has become a family tradition among generations. Families and students, birders and scientists, armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists go out on an annual mission - often before dawn. For over one hundred years, the desire to both make a difference and to experience the beauty of nature has driven dedicated people to leave the comfort of a warm house during the Holiday season. Contact: Greenfield: Mark Fairbrother 413-367-2695; Southern Berkshire: René Laubach 413-637-0320 x8351

Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Nature Center/Trail Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. - noon, Friday 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Sunday and most holidays except Christmas, noon - 3:30 p.m. 127 Combs Road, Easthampton. Call: 413-584-3009

Friday, January 13,7pm. "What Pentagon Spending Means to Your Community: What is Behind the Numbers?" Chris Hellman, the Senior Research Analyst at the National Priorities Project will be speaking at the Leverett Town Hall Friday evening followed by a community discussion led by Chris and the Leverett Peace Commission
on: "Building a Community Peace Budget in Leverett". Call: Tom Wolff 367 0239 or Jim Perkins at 367 9520.

January 25, 6:30 pm. Greening Greenfield Energy Committee presents: "A SEA CHANGE" This film is both a personal journey and a scientifically rigorous, sometimes humorous, unflinchingly honest look at the reality we have created in our oceans. It conveys the urgent steps we need to make to reduce the severity of the chemistry of our oceans. Greenfield Public Library, Greenfield.

We go out with "The Christians & the Pagans" by Dar Williams and some holiday advice: Listen to your Mother!

The Tortured Brook Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Recovered from tropical storm Irene yet? The Chickley Brook hasn't. It's gotten trashed by some engineers who should probably be working for the Once-lers. Andrea Donlon, River Steward for the Connecticut River Watershed Council joins us for some river talk and some serious E-Valley-uation. Then it's on to the Enviro Show Echo Chamber and a meet-up with the Fool-on-the-Hill, as well as treating you to our Quote of the Week, but first it's time for....Revenge of the Critters! Otters may be feed up with humans!

In the Enviro Show Echo Chamber we applaud Bolivia on recognizing The Rights of Nature. You may recall Ecuador did this as well. Hey, we've got nature in the U.S. also........well, at least some, but no rights, right? Remember 'The Story of Stuff?' Now, we've got The Story of Broke. It's not about the 1%....no broke there. Our friends at The Global Justice Ecology Project are doing report-backs from the COP17 climate talks in Durban, South Africa. If you want to know what the actual grassroots are up to over there, follow their Climate Connections blog. And this: you want jobs? How about 1.5 million jobs? It's here. Finally, a follow-up on our last coal show: Coal exports bigger climate threat than the Keystone pipeline!.

This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is actually not on the Hill anymore BUT he's truly still a GIGANTIC fool! It's none other than former Rep. Newt Gingrich who once believed the science of the climate crisis so much he did this video with Nancy Pelosi. Now that he's trying to be the Repugnican candidate for prez he's trying to explain his old position......and not very well....actually, kinda' pathetic...he is..

Our Enviro Show Quote of the Week is all about rivers. "What makes a river so restful to people is that it doesn't have any doubt it is sure to get where it is going, and it doesn't want to go anywhere else." - Hal Boyle

Our interview is THE heart of our E-Valley-uation segment, but before we go there we'd like to read an excerpt of a Letter to the Editor of The Montague Reporter concerning the use of live pigs in trauma training at Baystate Medical Center which eventually leads to their untimely, and perhaps painful death. We will read it and weep. Also we look into the windpower controversy that's picking up......wind? in Franklin County.


Following our interview with Andrea Donlon we move on to the Bus Stop Billboard:


Wednesday, December 7, 6pm. Green Speaker Series at GCC - Deb Katz, Act Today to Change Tomorrow. Room C208, (Second Floor Core Building), GCC, Greenfield. For more information you can email us at renewable@gcc.mass.edu or call (413) 775-1472.

Thursday, December 8th, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm VT Yankee Supper/Briefing session.at the Center Congregational Church in Brattleboro VT (193 Main Street, in the basement). The briefing will include the status of the federal court case (Entergy v. State of Vermont), preparations for non-violent direct action if Vermont Yankee is still operating on March 21st, and the many important ways you can participate in and/or support such action. Contact: safeandgreencampaign@gmail.com

Saturday, December 10, 10:30am to 2pm. Second Saturday Children's Nature Series. Daily activities may include crafts, games, investigations, or outdoor adventures. Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A., Turners Falls, MA 01376, Call: 413.863.3221

Saturday, December 10, 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Green-Rainbow Party of Massachusetts Annual Convention. Unity Hall, First Unitarian Church, 90 Main Street, Worcester, MA. Contact:
Dick Vaillette · rvaillette@gmail.com

Thursday, December 15, 7 PM. Western Mass Fund Our Communities Not War gathering at Open Square in Holyoke (UAW office). What local actions can we actively support and mobilize for in the near future? What are your ideas for building sustainable community? Call: 413-253-2161

Whoa! That went fast. Maybe it's the 60 minute news cycle? In any case, did we remind you to listen to your mother yet?

The Down with King Coal Enviro Show, Part III

Greetings Earthlings. About had it with having some of the worst air quality in the region? How about the Mt. Tom coal-burning power plant? Do you think it's part of the problem....'ya think?? Claire B. W. Miller, Community Organizer for Toxics Action Center calls in to talk about that turkey by Mt. Tom and local activist, Jane Andresen joins us in the studio.. We'll also be giving some thanks in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber while our Fool-on-the-Hill gets the stuffing knocked out him. Tired of the seasonal puns yet? You may find some relief in our E-Valley-uation segment. First though, it's time for....Revenge of the Critters! Turf war with Turkeys!

In the Enviro Show Echo Chamber Grist finds a green Occupy Wall Street right down to the pedal power. Then we give thanks that at least some justice is being served down in coal country. We all look forward to the day Don Blankenship serves some time too! Here's an Enviro Show Blog Bonus Action Link to help stop one particularly ugly mountain top removal project. On the down side (you knew we'd go there, right?), it looks like New England forests will be shipped off to Europe in countless tiny pieces. Since we're talking trash on King Coal here, how about that coal ash spill in Lake Michigan earlier this month? Talk about dirt bags!

Our Fool-on-the-Hill would like to gut the Cross State Air Pollution Rule, you know the one that applies to all that bad air wafting into the Valley from Mid-west mega coal-burning power plants? Yes, and none other than arch Repugnican teabagger Senator Rand Paul, carving knife in hand, is poised to cut away. We're thinking he should be excused from the table.......sorry.....can't resist those T-Day puns.

In our E-Valley-uation segment we're asking you to take action against corporate welfare for biomass incinerators, OK? If you've been paying attention here to the show you know those biomonsters have their beady eyes set on Western Mass forests. Now, about that old coal-burning clunker by Mt. Tom: did you know about the Greening of Mt. Tom? Hmm......well, we wish it was reforestation, but.... Finally, it seems the FBI is all over Northampton looking for Daniel Andreas San Diego, the alleged "eco-terrorist" they put way up on top of their most wanted list. Of course, San Diego is only accused of property destruction but since it was corporate property he must be part of "the number one domestic terrorist threat" in the nation, right? OK, so he's not armed to the teeth like all those far-right militia freaks, and he didn't rip us all off for billions of dollars, throwing many of us into the streets, like the banksters & corporados, he's still a terrorist, right? right? no?...

Tom Neilson's "Corporations are Human" takes us to our interview with Claire Miller. Then we adjourn to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Monday, November 21, 11:00am. March & Rally on Wall Street Banks. Meet behind Dunkin Donuts on Corner of Morris & Central Sts., Springfield, Mass. THIS IS THE BIG ONE! Join hundreds of residents fighting back against banks who are foreclosing and evicting our families for the biggest action yet against the banksters! More information, press releases, flyers will be available at www.springfieldnooneleaves.org

Friday, November 25, All day is BUY NOTHING DAY! Go to: http://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd

Tuesday, November 29th, 7:00 PM, Dr. Penny Gill - “Reclaiming Politics: Thinking About “Occupy Wall Street” Leverett Library, Montague Road, Leverett. “Occupy Wall Street” is a struggle to recreate an independent public space, and in so doing to invigorate local and national political life. Contact: Barbara Tiner - Barbara@wetlanded.com

Wednesday, November 30, 6:30 pm. Screening of "Gasland" at St. James Church, Greenfield. The Halliburton-developed drilling technology of “fracking” or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a “Saudi Arabia of natural gas”, but is it safe? This film follows a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination.Call: 413-773-7004

Dec. 2-4. Non-violence Training for trainers. The people's campaign of nonviolent direct action to shut down Vermont Yankee on schedule - by March 21st, is looking for experienced nonviolence trainers as well as people who have experience in nonviolent direct action want to become trainers to help to prepare the people for this action. Contact VY-NVTraining@riseup.net

Tuesday, December 6, 6:30pm. LIFE AFTER VERMONT YANKEE. Forum with Panel discussion and Q&A to address what will happen when Vermont Yankee shutters in 2012. A three-person panel will talk about transition, clean-up, long-term waste storage and what role citizens can play in the process. Bangs Center Amherst. This event is co-sponsored by the Safe & Green Campaign, New England Coalition on Nuclear Pollution and Nuclear Free Vermont by 2012. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Deb Katz 413.339.5781.

Saturday, December 10, 10:30am to 2pm. Second Saturday Children's Nature Series. Daily activities may include crafts, games, investigations, or outdoor adventures. Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A., Turners Falls, MA 01376, Ph 413.863.3221

That does it for us. Be thankful to your Mother....and listen to her!

That Fracking Enviro Show!

Greetings Earthlings. Recovered from the latest natural disaster yet? What makes you think it's natural? Do we need still more anecdotal evidence that humanity is hard at work destroying the ecosphere? No? How about some overwhelming scientific evidence?? We'll get to that and a call-in from fracking expert, Jessica Ennis of EarthJustice. Now is a critical moment in the anti-fracking movement here in the Northeast. Checkout this crucial demonstration set for November 21st. Also, if a snowbound Halloween wasn't scary enough for you, how about a visit to our Fool-on-the-Hill? No? The Enviro Show Horror....er...i mean Echo Chamber is always open for business. We'll lay the Quote of the week on you and maybe some other stuff but first it's time for...
Revenge of the Critters! Gator Gobbles Georgia Granny. Lawyers in hot pursuit!

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber you'll find the NPR story that inspired this week's show. Almost everyone knows about fracking for gas and its associated pollution, but did you know about fracking for oil? How about a GIGANTIC fracking for oil BOOM? And, how about communities coming together and saying: No fracking way! Meanwhile, across the border in New York, citizens are jumping into the fray, as well. Since we're in NY State, check this out: Occupy Wall Street says What the Frack! (Their not stopping there however, it looks like every Sunday may be Environmentalist Solidarity Day at OWS). What? You don't believe fracking is perfectly safe? Well now, back in August this Haliburton CEO had his taster drink their new, improved fracking fluid on stage! No word yet on the underling's status. Here's that climate crisis science we were talking about at the top of the show. Finally this: Chomsky on the Occupation movement.

Guess who's back! "In 2005, at the urging of Vice President Dick Cheney, Congress created the so-called "Halliburton loophole" to clean water protections in federal law to prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from regulating the fracking process, despite serious concerns that were raised about the chemicals used in the process and its demonstrated spoiling and contamination of drinking water. In 2001, Cheney's "energy task force" had touted the benefits of hydrofracking, while redacting references to human health hazards associated with hydrofracking. Halliburton, which was previously led by Cheney, reportedly earns $1.5 billion a year from its energy operations, which rely substantially on its hydrofracking business." That's from the Los Angeles Times, October 14, 2004.

"My Water's on Fire Tonight" by David Holmes takes us to our E-Valley-uation segment where YOUR favorite enviro radio show gets a nod on Grist (blush).

This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) who is targeting the Environmental Protection Agency’s nonexistent farm dust regulations......yes, we said non-existent. Like our own MA Rep. Ed Markey said: "There is no plan to regulate farm dust, any more than there is to regulate fairy dust". Leave it to the Repugnicans to come up empty as the nation goes down the tubes.

The Enviro Show quote of the Week puts us once again into the Wayback Machine, and speaking of machines: "Let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine" - Henry David Thoreau

Following our interview with Jessica Ennis of EarthJustice we head over to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Occupy UMass. General Assembly Wednesdays from 1 to 3pm, and will begin a second meeting starting this week on Fridays starting at 5 PM. Wednesday meetings are held in front of the WEB Dubois library on the cement platform, and the Friday meetings are held on the steps in front of the Student Union. Email: shavahnbest@gmail.com Subscribe to list here: occupyumassamherst@googlegroups.com

Occupy Greenfield rallies on the Common on Saturdays 10am-Noon and Mondays 5-6pm.

Friday, November 11 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm. Tropic of Chaos: Climate Change and the New Geography of Violence. Author Christian Parenti will discuss the connection between climate change and increased social and political conflict. Join us as we discuss why climate change is fundamentally a political problem that requires political solutions in order to prevent climate-change driven violence and increased global disparity. Food for Thought Books, N. Pleasant Street, Amherst.

Saturday, November 12th, 1:00pm. Occupy Wall Street Teach-In at Smith College, Stoddard Hall

Sunday, November 13 · 11:00am - 2:00pm, Occupy New England Solidarity March! Worcester, MA. Occupy Worcester, recognizing the need for solidarity between various Occupations, seeks to organize a march with any and all who would share our company. Worcester has a central location in relation to other major cities, we've got a good rapport with the police and city hall, so no major opposition is expected. Schedule: 11AM: Gather in the Commons behind city hall, open forum for inter- city cooperation and solidarity, shared DA's, and idle chit-chat.11:45: March begins! Go to: http://OccupyWorcester.com

Sunday November 13, 7pm. Screenimng of "Farmageddon; The Unseen War on American Family Farms" at the Academy of Music, Northampton. CONTACT: Grow Food Northampton, 413-584-0081,or email: info@growfoodnorthampton.com

Thursday, November 17, 9:30a.m. Meeting of Nuclear free Future in the AFSC office, 2 Conz Street, Suite 2B, Northampton. Call: (413) 584-8975

Friday, November 18, 7-9pm. "It's Our Future! Youth Speak Out to Save the Environment & the Earth". Northampton Center for the Arts, 17 New South Street--across from Academy of Music. Using poetry, prose, hip-hop rhyming, music, dance, art, video, sculpture, skits, and stand-up comedy, young people between the ages of 8 and 25 are invited to speak out about climate change and other environmental threats, and express their hope and vision for a sustainable valley, nation, and planet. Contact: johnpberk@gmail.com

Monday, November 21, 8am. No fracking in the Delaware River Basin! Demonstration before crucial vote by The Delaware River Basin Commission. Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive Trenton, N.J. Email: savethedelawareriver@gmail.com or go to: http://savethedelaware.wordpress.com/

November 30, 6:30 pm. Screening of "Gasland" at St. James Church, Greenfield. The Halliburton-developed drilling technology of “fracking” or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a “Saudi Arabia of natural gas”, but is it safe? This film follows a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination.Call: 413-773-7004

There. Another Enviro Show come and gone. There's just one more thing: Listen to your Mother!

Another Very Scary Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Are we ready for All Hallows Eve, the Pagan Festival of Samhain? Our new house witch, Michelle returns to set the stage. Also, we get a scary call from our favorite Nukebuster, Deb Katz on that very spooky nuclear power plant looming just over the border in Vermont. O, and guess what? Speaking of frightening, there are now 7 BILLION PEOPLE on planet Earth! Where will we put them all?? In any case, we'll take you trick or treating into The Enviro Echo Chamber and drag you kicking and screaming to Meet the New Boss and the Fools-on-the-Hill, but first it's time for...Revenge of the Critters! Beware of Sharks....on the links? No, not those golfing politicians, REAL sharks!

Following our All Hallows Eve celebration the Fool-on-the-Hill goes plural once again: This time the U.S. House Repugnicans walk away with the prize. They have manufactured the most anti-environment congress.....EVER! Are we surprised? No?? This is what you get when the Enemies of the Earth are allowed to play with the adults.

On to the Enviro Show Echo Chamber, where you might want to get into the swing of things and Occupy some boardrooms. We also have a list of ways to support the Occupy movement from YES Magazine. Also this from PETA: the recent wholesale slaughter of escaped exotic (AND highly endangered) species in Ohio puts a spotlight on that state's lack of regulation. You can take action here. And, a Halloween trick from MassPirg on the Bottle Bill. Finally, a treat! Corporados frightened of scary protesters!

In our E-Valley-uation segment the BIG news is that old frightening coal-burning power plant by Mt. Tom may be headed for the dustbin of history......or at least retooled for a less noxious fuel source. The folks at Toxics Action Center tell us "the Holyoke City Council adopted a resolution to do a reuse study and engage the public in how to reuse the plant in an environmentally friendly way once it closes." OK, how about we install treadmills and put some of those criminal banksters in them? Good idea?

Then it's time to Meet the New Boss and his Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton who seems to have some...umm...special relationship? with TransCanada and their bogus Keystone pipeline. Check the blog for all those treats! As for her boss: how about his old campaign promise to have genetically engineered food labeled? What? Campaign promises don't mean a thing? Who knew! More coming up.

After Deb scares the tar out of us we move on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Everyday: Occupy Northampton. General assembly Tuesday-Thursday 8pm, Friday-Monday 4pm. Protesting on Main Street EVERY DAY from 5pm-8pm. This Saturday's Occupation 11am to 1pm at Pulaski Park. Go to: http://www.occupynorthampton.com/ Email: sethn91184@yahoo.com

Wednesdays 5pm & Sundays 12pm: Occupy Amherst on the Town Common. See you all there! Email: occupyamherst@gmail.com. Go to: http://www.occupyamherst.com

Mondays: Occupy Greenfield: on the Greenfield Common every Monday 5-6pm. Info: Joe Kurland & Peggy Davis, yosl@ganeydn.com.

Wednesday, October 26, 7-9 p.m. STUDYING MOUNTAIN LIONS WITH MARK ELBROCH . Sliding scale fee. Location to be determined. Pre-registration at Hitchcock Center for the Environment required; please call 413-256-6006.

Friday, October 28, 7:30 pm. The Echo Lake Coffeehouse presents WOOL&GRANT with special guest, Arjuna Greist. Town Hall, 9 Montague Rd., Leverett, MA. Email: diacrowe@yahoo.com

SATURDAY October 29th , 12-6 pm. Occupy Springfield! Converge together once again on Court Square in Springfield. Rally from 12-5 (get there when you can; you certainly don't have to be there the whole time to participate) - and then General Assembly from 5-6. Please bring food.

Sunday, Oct 30, noon. Call to Action: Rally at the Gates of the Vermont Yankee nuclear reactor. 546 Governor Hunt Rd. Vernon, VT. We will not allow this reactor to operate beyond its scheduled closure date. It is time to close up and clean up. Go to: http://safeandgreenenergyalliance.org/

Thursday, November 3, 7:00 PM: Talk and film clips on nuclear power in japan with award winning Japanese film maker, Hitomi Kamanka. Also a Fukushima Exhibit.
at Unitarian Society of Northampton, 220 Main Street — preceded by 6:00 PM potluck with Ms. Kamanaka at same location.

Sat, Nov 5, 8:30a-4:30p
m. Creating Greenfield's Future: Our Food, Economy, and Community. Greenfield Community College, Main Campus

. Greening Greenfield Energy Committee. Call: 413-773-7004

Saturday Nov. 5, 9 – 11 am. Occupy Amherst & others do Bank Transfer Day in front of Bank of America, Amherst. Go to: http://facebook.com/nov.fifth

Sunday, November 6, Noon. Occupy Amherst. Contact: Dylan, at 339 364 4154 or email at dylanrk22@gmail.com

Sunday, November 6. All day. Encircle the White House in opposition to the proposed Keystone Tar Sands Pipeline. Go to: www.350.org/occupy


Thursday, November 17, 9:30a.m. Meeting of Nuclear free Future in the AFSC office, 2 Conz Street, Suite 2B, Northampton. Call: (413) 584-8975

OK, time to turn out the lights, pull down the shades,and refuse to answer the door. This place is way too scary. O, one more thing: listen to your Mother!

The Occupy Everywhere Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. We are fresh back from the front in the non-violent struggle against the corporados. D.O. & Jean will report back on their trip to both the #OccupyWallStreet and #OccupyBoston. We're hoping they will add The Rights of Nature to their declarations. Also, our roving reporter, Tom Neilson will report back from the DC Occupation of Freedom Plaza, then we remind everyone that the rape of the forests and the fouling of the biosphere is all about Corporate America with Chris Matera of Mass Forest Watch who joins us once again to connect the dots. As always we venture into our E-Valley-uation segment, the Enviro Show Echo Chamber and visit the Fool-on-the-hill, but first it's time for...Revenge of the Critters! Human rights? How about bats rights!

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we note The New York Times has discovered the importance of forests. How's that for hard-nosed reporting! Of course, we have to give them some credit for their front page, above the fold coverage of the Wall Street Occupation....but only some. And speaking of New York, how about YOU send Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Kelly a note reminding them about the First Amendment? Did we say Occupy Wall Street? How about the State Department! And this from Grist: UK activist denied entry into The States due to super glue attack on Obama!

In our E-Valley-uation segment we send out kudos to the folks who Occupied Northampton and Occupied Amherst. Who knows, maybe we'll even consider OccupiedQuabbin!

This week's Fool-on-the-Hill goes plural. GOP members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee get to wear the Fool's cap for their opposition to a proposed regulation that would restrict the transportation and importation of nine types of snakes, including the Burmese Python, that are invasive and threatening to wildlife. Apparently, exotic invasives are job creators! Who knew! We thought all the snakes in the grass lying about job creation were Repugnican congressmen.

Our Enviro Show Quote of the Week comes from Anonymous:

"We are legion. We are everywhere!" Well.....yeah!

After our interview with Chris we head over to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Wednesday, October 12, 2pm. Occupy UMass, Student Union steps. Go to: http://occupyamherst.com/

Wednesday, October 12, 5:30pm. Join Jobs with Justice, Occupy Boston, IBEW 2222, and CWA for a day of action for working people, against the wealthy 1% that holds our government and our country hostage. We are joining forces to march from OccupiedBoston at Dewey Square to Verizon and demand that the company accept the union's contract proposal. Verizon must not cut health care, pensions, wages, and security for the workers who keep Verizon running. Contact Jobs With Justice at 617-524-8778

Wednesday, October 12,7:00pm - 10:00pm. Free screening of "Inside Job" on the side of Bank of America, 144 Main Street, Northampton. The story of how Wall Street totally screwed us. Bring a sweater--Bring a seat--Bring a friend!

Saturday, October 15, 1:00 pm. March & Rally to Stop Wars Home & Abroad. Park Street Station at Boston Common (Park & Tremont), Boston. Call: 781-285-8622

Monday, October 17, 8:30am - 6:00pm. Occupy Springfield! Court Sq, Springfield. If your incensed about being economically marginalized and angry about the democratic process being usurped by big business and corporations -- meet at Court Sq. in Springfield on October 17th at 8:30 a.m. Bring your signs and defiance to this event. Let the world know that you aren't going to remain silent and complacent. Be angry -- it's all that you have left.

October 22, 3-9 p.m. Citizens Awareness Network's 20th anniversary party at Kiwanis Park in Bernardston, MA. Cover charge: sliding scale. B.Y.O.B. Now we are creating a sustainable energy future by replacing Vermont Yankee!
• Patty Carpenter and friends – Blues / Folk Rock / Jazz
• Wildcat O’Halloran – Blues / Classic Rock
• Brook Batteau and The New Cosmology - Rock / Dance Pop
• Rae C Wright’s tips on proper radiation hygiene
• Our favorite M.C., Will Nukem
• D.J. Emporer
No one turned away for lack of funds. For information and directions:
Citizens Awareness Network • 413-339-5781 • www.nukebusters.org

Wednesday, October 26, 7-9 p.m. STUDYING MOUNTAIN LIONS WITH MARK ELBROCH . Sliding scale fee. Location to be determined. Pre-registration at Hitchcock Center for the Environment required; please call 413-256-6006.

Sunday, Oct 30, noon. Call to Action: Rally at the Gates of the Vermont Yankee nuclear reactor. 546 Governor Hunt Rd. Vernon, VT.
We will not allow this reactor to operate beyond its scheduled closure date. It is time to close up and clean up. Go to: http://safeandgreenenergyalliance.org/

There. We've occupied your time long enough....'til next time, that is. There is however one more thing we must add: LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER!!

The Fall of Corporate America

There was the Arab Spring and there is the North American Autumn; the harvest time when the fruits of our labor are gathered up and stored. The Rites of Autumn concern a return to balance, darkness and light in sync. Following a long season of growing unrest, an economy out of balance and the social fabric torn and twisted, it's time for the fall of Corporate America. The 99% of North Americans who are not filthy rich want to harvest the promise of the United States of America and like the seed corn saved for the next growing season, they look forward to the democracy nurtured by our agrarian ancestors, by the founders.

No need to repeat what we already know here: the litany of inequality, the injustice of rule by oligarchs and their enablers, and the broken promise of the Pledge of Allegiance. You've read all that. You've lived it through unemployment or underemployment; through homelessness or dispossession; through the loss of liberty and the degradation of a democratic form of government. Now, at last, comes the turning. Now we take stock and prepare for the long hard winter.

Corporate America was genetically engineered by the filthy rich. It was always out of balance, a fabrication, a fake. The so-called Tea Party was a product of Corporate America. It was funded and promoted by the corporados and the banksters. They served the interests of Corporate America, disguised as patriots. The corporate media focused on the so-called Tea Party, misleading Americans to believe they spoke for the average citizen. They did not. Nor did Republican candidates who spoke in folksy ways or posed by tractors at county fairs. Republicans speak for the filthy rich, there is no daylight between them and the so-called Tea Party. That tea is tainted, poisoned.

Corporate America is not a person either. The myth of corporate personhood, like the myth of a patriotic Tea Party, was also a fabrication of the wealthy. Their minions on the Supreme Court began the process of corporate dominance long ago. The founders of the United States of America warned us about them. Now we begin to reverse that process, to return the power to the people, to their communities.

It is no accident that the Occupation of Wall Street grew out of the anti-corporate, anti-consumer society ranks, from operations like Ad Busters and the countless numbers of people fed up with money in politics, stolen elections, lobbyists in government, the destruction of democracy and the commodification of our society and the planet. We don't buy the concept of corporate personhood. We don't believe in Corporate America.

The Occupation of Wall Street and the growing occupations of other streets all across North America and around the world, tells us that we have finally reached a tipping point; a time when students, young couples, workers, the unemployed and underemployed, senior citizens of limited means, and untold numbers of other Americans have said to Corporate America and its enablers: enough! basta! We want an end to Corporate America. We want the return of the United States of America.

- d.o.

Composting the Corporados Enviro Show, Part II

Greetings Earthlings. Are corporations people? We don't think so! Are they busy at work destroying the planet? Well.....yah! Gail Darrell of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund calls in to discuss local home rule and the end of Corporate America (to which we say: YES!). As always, we'll also checkout our Fool-on-the-Hill, The Enviro Show Echo Chamber, our Quote of the Week, and the E-Vally-uation segment, but first it's time for....Revenge of the Critters! This one from our favorite hydrologist: cowboys choose the wrong bear!

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we have this excellent piece on the Wall Street Occupation where the banksters & corporados get exposed to the light. For daily updates on the Occupation go here. Then, some "Sustainable Forestry Initiative" greenwashing corporados getting an earfull from Green Mountain State tree-huggers. Also, could this Scottish nuke that will never, ever be cleaned up just as easily happen up the river at Vermont Yankee? Better hope not! And, another Enviro Show Blog Bonus: this Rainforest Action Network graphic just might keep you from shopping at all!

Speaking of vile corporados, this week's Fool-on-the-Hill is Rep. Eric Cantor (again!) who is leading the charge to put corporate polluters ahead of public health & the planet......SURPRISE! Here's an action link for a League of Conservation Voters effort to counter Cantor.........counter Cantor.....we like that! O, and some droppings from the bottom of his fellow Repugnicans' cage: a House vote to fund FEMA assistance for those recent disasters? Not without cutting green jobs! Where do we get these people??

Our Enviro Show Quote of the Week comes to you from our second favorite president, Thomas Jefferson and is in complete keeping with our theme here:

"I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country."

In our E-Valley-uation segment anti-biomass incineration/pro-clean energy activists took it to Beacon Hill last week for a demo under the dome. Yo Gov, got the message? For a more in-depth report on the issue go here. And this coming Saturday, October 1 is the Irene edition of the annual Source to Sea Connecticut River watershed-wide cleanup! Sign-up for the river, OK? Finally, on the theme of signing-up, how about kicking in for Valley Free Radio during our E Pledge Drive? You'd be supporting our work here on the show and hopefully cutting down on Autumn Pledge Drive interruptions to your favorite programming. We are passing the virtual hat on to you here.

Once again we air "The American Dream" by George Carlin (we can't get enough of this, sorry......wait! We're not sorry at all! Listen up, will you!!). Then it's on to our interview with Gail Darrell of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund.

Then we visit the Bus Stop Billboard:

Wednesday September 28, 12:30-2pm, GREENWORK: THE WESTERN MASS GREEN ECONOMY WORKING GROUP Brown Bag Lunch at Noon, Pioneer Valley AFL-CIO Hall, 640 Page Boulevard, Springfield. Call: (413)732-7970.

Wednesday, Sept. 28, 1 to 3:30 p.m. HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT/HEALTHY AGING. What do clean air, water, and soil have to do with aging? Why should be concerned about our environment as we get older? What does the recent tornado clean-up have to do with our health? A community discussion. Springfield Hobby Club, 309 Chestnut St. (off Franklin St., behind YMCA). Contact: Mass. Senior Action, 543-2334

Wednesday, September 28, 6:30pm. Meeting at the Holyoke Public Library about a coordinated effort to start moving the gears faster towards retirement and redevelopment of the Mt. Tom coal plant.Please feel free to invite any die-hard coal activists in the area who have time on their hands. Contact: Claire B. W. Miller Community Organizer, Toxics Action Center at 617.747.4408/Cell 781.775.1429. Email:
claire@toxicsaction.org

Thursday, September 29, 4:00pm to 5:30pm. Internationally acclaimed author, anti-hunger activist and food policy reformer Francis Moore Lappé, best known for her 1970s book, “Diet for a Small Planet,” will be the keynote speaker at the Franklin Permaculture Garden at UMass Amherst. Students and administrators will dedicate the campus’s permaculture garden and celebrate the UMass Amherst Permaculture Initiative’s first harvest. Contact: (978)314-1176 or email: rharb@mail.aux.umass.edu

Friday September 30, 2pm. TAKE BACK OUR CITIES! HISTORIC MARCH & RALLY. Boston Common Band Stand. 11am: Bus from Springfield Plaza, 1225 Liberty St. Big banks are destroying our communities! Big businesses are killing our jobs and our environment! Reserve your seat on the bus, call 413-342-1804 or 347-385-8049.

Friday, September 30, 7pm. Screening of "Gashole". Corporate interests work behind the scenes to keep America dependent on oil. 7:00 p.m., Frances Crowe Community Room, 60 Masonic Street in Northampton. Enter via Woodstar Cafe, at the front of the building. The venue is accessible. Contact: info@northamptoncommittee.org

Sat, Oct 1,7 pm. "Windfall" A film documenting the experiences of Meredith, NY residents as industrial wind turbines are debated as an option to help counter economic challenges. Cost: $5 Memorial Hall, 51 Bridge Street, Shelburne Falls, MA,
(413) 625-3052

Sunday, October 2, 10am to 2:30pm. 26th Anniversary of the New England Peace Pagoda. Keynote speaker: Dr. Vincent Harding, speech writer for Martin Luther King, including King's famous anti-Vietnam War speech, "A Time to Break Silence". 100 Cave Hill Road, Leverett, MA. Call: (413)367- 2202

October 2, Jones Library, Amherst 2-4 PM; October 3, Art Space, Greenfield, 7-9 PM; October 4, Jones Library, Amherst, 7-9 PM. Auditions for RADIUM GIRLS, a play that takes an unflinching look at the peculiarly American obsession with health, wealth, and the commercialization of science as one lone woman battles a corporation, her own family, and friends to seek justice in the story of a landmark case in occupational safety and the environment. Large cast, multiple roles. Men and women, 17-70. Actresses 17-30 a necessity. Details: Robert Freedman, director, 413-586-6095, rpaulfre@gis.net.

Thursday, Oct. 6 - We call on people of conscience and courage—all who seek peace, economic justice, human rights and a healthy environment to join together in Washington, D.C., beginning on Oct. 6, 2011, in nonviolent resistance similar to the Arab Spring and the Midwest awakening. A concert, rally and protest will kick off a powerful and sustained nonviolent resistance to the corporate criminals that dominate our government. "Stop the Machine! • Create a New World!" is a clarion call for all who are deeply concerned with injustice, militarism and environmental destruction to join in ending concentrated corporate power and taking direct control of a real participatory democracy. Some people from the Valley are planning to go by the Megabus which leaves from the Ingleside Mall in Holyoke at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, getting in DC at 10:00 PM. Contact cjmoos@crocker.com for further info. Also go to: http://october2011.org.

Wednesday, October 26, 7-9 p.m. STUDYING MOUNTAIN LIONS WITH MARK ELBROCH . Sliding scale fee. Location to be determined. Pre-registration at Hitchcock Center for the Environment required; please call 413-256-6006.

Sunday, November 6, 2-4 p.m. DEEP-ENERGY-RETROFITTING YOUR HOME with Bick Corsa, Energy Efficient Builder (35 years' experience in residential renovation & construction with a focus on energy efficiency & passive solar design). Free. Pre-registration required at Hitchcock Center for the Environment; please call 413-256-6006.

We go out with "Corporations are People, Too" by Dave Rovics who always listens to his Mother. And you?

The Shut it Down NOW! Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Continuing our monitoring of that radioactive ticking time bomb just over the border in Vermont we welcome Deb Katz of the Citizens Awareness Network back on the show to talk about all the recent events up there as well as the resurgence of the Clamshell Alliance and other protest activities. Like always we entertain you with our Fool-on-the-Hill and have you Meet the New Boss, as well as a trip to the E-Valley-uation segment and more, but first it's time for....Revenge of the Critters! Fox in the UK is feeling at home!

This week's Fool-on-the-Hill goes easily to Repugnican Rep. Eric Cantor who called for no funding for recent disaster relief unless funds are cut for.....are you ready?....first responders! Sounds like this guy is smokin' waayyyy too much tea! For what it's worth you can add your name to a petition for this fool.

Time to Meet the New Boss (have you noticed some similarity to the old boss lately?). Take a deep breath now: Obama caves on better air quality. And here's another take on this move by the Prez written by Massachusetts anti-corporado crusader, Jeff Clements. And yet another! You can take him to the woodshed here.

In the E-Valley-uation segment six of the usual Massachusetts suspects were arrested on August 30th after citing Vermont Yankee for polluting. No word on Entergy's response to the citation, but kudos to MA State Senator Stan Rosenberg for requesting that the MA Emergency Management Agency fill the position for its Nuclear Safety Engineer that's been vacant for.....are you ready? two years! And this Enviro Show Blog Bonus: GCC gets down and goes geothermal! Also, the Gov needs to hear from YOU one more time to stop the Biomonster. Watch this video! Finally, what's with the AFL-CIO hooking up with the so-called Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) for the worthy idea of a labor/enviro alliance? ELM is not just elitist and corporate friendly, they also recommend you see "a tremendously useful PowerPoint presentation by Frank Luntz's nationally-respected polling firm". Frank Luntz?? Just for the record, our friends at Mass Forest Watch note that in 2009, ELM supported a 400% increase in logging, 76% of it even aged, clearcut type logging, on Massachusetts State Parks and Forests. Did someone say "environmentalists"?

And, in our Enviro Show Echo Chamber we learn that the Japanese nuke industry dropped about 168 atomic bombs on their own country (OK, so the equivalent of 168 A-bombs). And this on the biomess from The Boston Phoenix: The Gov's Green Blues. You can send your protestations here: and here: . Also, from our friends at Climate Connections: Hurricane Irene worse cuz' of climate change. Did we say climate? How about this final wrap on "part one" of the Tar Sands Pipeline protest at the White House. If you want to take part in Part Two go here. Tar sands? How about dirty coal? Isn't it time we put put Massey Coal out of business? Go here to do it!

After our interview with Deb we swing over to a well-stocked Bus Stop Billboard:


Tuesday September 20, 11am-12:30pm, NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION: DON’T X OUT PUBLIC TRANSIT. Meet on the corner of Liberty St. and Main St. on the side of the Springfield Republican, across from the bus terminal (which is 1776 Main St), Springfield. Rally for increased – not decreased – investment in public transportation. Please visit www.supporttransit.org. Info: Richard Gardner, (413) 732-8041,
rgardner@atulocal448.com.

Tuesday, September 20, 7pm. Dr. Kinari Webb is speaking at the Northampton Friends Meeting about working with rainforest communities in Indonesia to save the environment and human health. She does this by providing quality medical care. She helps loggers become organic farmers. Go to: www.healthinharmony.org

Saturday, September 24. It's the Moving Planet Big Freeze and Fossil Fuel Funeral in Northampton. 11:30 Spread out around town. 12:00 noon - Strike a pose and freeze for five minutes! Be creative! Do not block people or traffic. Northampton sidewalks have a band of pink brick which is fine to use. FOSSIL FUEL FUNERAL - Wear a costume, improvise, dress in black, bring an umbrella, dance, sing, skateboard, bike! 12:05 Join the parade which starts on Main Street adjacent to Pulaski Park. We will march down Main Street, take a right on Pleasant St, right on Armory St., and congregate behind Thorne's Market where the Tuesday Farmer's Market is. Contact Director Jill Turner. jillturnerbigfreeze@gmail. com or 413 306 4813

Saturday, September 24, 10am Bikers will assemble at Mt Tom Power Plant on Rte 5 in Holyoke at 10 a.m. and move "en masse" up Rte 5, across the bridge, along Rte 9 in Hadley to the center of Amherst. Another group of walkers, skateboarders, dancers, stroller-pushers etc will assemble (10 a.m.) at the proposed solar array location at the old Amherst landfill on Rte 9 and head toward the center of Amherst. The two groups will converge for a rally calling for a move from dirty to clean energy. Contact: morrisfri@aol.com

Saturday, September 24,3-6PM. Run by trainers affiliated with The Public Interest Network, the Activist Workshops will cover the best techniques for citizens to take action. They will cover how to plan a campaign and develop your campaign’s goals, strategies and tactics - and how to recruit volunteers and get people plugged into the thing you are passionate about. It’s a chance to learn, share ideas and connect with other environmentally active citizens as well as activists from other causes. Click the link below for more details and to RSVP:
https://secure3.convio.net/engage/site/Donation2?idb=385250126&df_id=6221&6221.donation=form1
If you have any questions, email Jessie Miller atjmiller@publicinterestnetwork.org or call her at (978)621-7367.

Sunday, Sept. 25, 1-5pm. Chill-Out the Climate Rally! 1pm: Gather at Bridge Street School park next to Route 9 in Northampton, 1/2 mile east of downtown. Come by bike, skateboard, skates, feet, bus, car, carpool.Parking on side streets nearby. 2pm: Cross the bridge to a safe climate/clean energy future. March one mile east on Rt. 9 sidewalk to Coolidge Bridge. Cross over using walkway on north side. With hundreds on bridge walkway, 20 people in the middle hold big block letter signs saying: CHILL THE CLIMATE! 350.org. Photo will be taken for local media, and for 350.org to share online worldwide. Parade then connects with Bike Path/Rail Trail in Hadley, goes back across river, and back to Bridge St. School. 3:30-5pm: Rally. Contact: 413-625-6374 Johnpberk@gmail.com

Wednesday, September 28, 11am. Green Economy Principles meeting at the Central Labor Council Hall, 640 Page Blvd, Springfield. This meeting will be followed by the return of our regular public “roundtable” discussions, brown bag lunch at noon, roundtable 12:30-2pm.

Friday September 30, 2pm. TAKE BACK OUR CITIES! HISTORIC MARCH & RALLY. Boston Common Band Stand. 11am: Bus from Springfield Plaza, 1225 Liberty St. Big banks are destroying our communities! Big businesses are killing our jobs and our environment! Springfield No One Leaves will mobilize a brigade of buses from Western Mass. to join with thousands from the national organization Right to the City (RTTC). We need you to come and join us. Reserve your seat on the bus by email: nooneleavesspringfield@gmail.com or call 413-342-1804 or 347-385-8049. Info: 413-342-1804, nooneleavessspringfield@gmail.com, www.springfieldnooneleaves.org.

October 2, Jones Library, Amherst 2-4 PM; October 3, Art Space, Greenfield, 7-9 PM; October 4, Jones Library, Amherst, 7-9 PM. Auditions for RADIUM GIRLS, a play that takes an unflinching look at the peculiarly American obsession with health, wealth, and the commercialization of science as one lone woman battles a corporation, her own family, and friends to seek justice in the story of a landmark case in occupational safety and the environment. Large cast, multiple roles. Men and women, 17-70. Actresses 17-30 a necessity. Details: Robert Freedman, director, 413-586-6095, rpaulfre@gis.net.

Thursday, Oct. 6 - We call on people of conscience and courage—all who seek peace, economic justice, human rights and a healthy environment to join together in Washington, D.C., beginning on Oct. 6, 2011, in nonviolent resistance similar to the Arab Spring and the Midwest awakening. A concert, rally and protest will kick off a powerful and sustained nonviolent resistance to the corporate criminals that dominate our government. "Stop the Machine! • Create a New World!" is a clarion call for all who are deeply concerned with injustice, militarism and environmental destruction to join in ending concentrated corporate power and taking direct control of a real participatory democracy. Go to: http://october2011.org. Regional contact: peterawhite@excite.com

Whoa! Lots going on, yes? That's it for us but remember: listen to your Mother!

The Think LocaGlobo Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Time to talk local energy and sustainability as Chris Mason, Energy and Sustainability Officer for the City of Northampton returns to these microphones. You may recall Chris was on the show when he first started that position a few years back. We'll find out what he's been up to and look into some other related issues in our E-Valley-uation segment. We'll also visit The Enviro Show Echo Chamber and our Fool-on-the-Hill as well as give you the Quote of the week, but first it's time for.....Revenge of the Critters! Jaws comes home!

Since 2011 is the International Year of Forests we thought we'd check out some forests in our neck of the woods for the E-Valley-uation segment. Maybe you caught Chris Matera's recent letter in the Valley Advocate on the alleged biomass windfall(!) in the Brimfield State Forest. Chris points out that "even if 100 percent of the trees on all 1,200 acres of blown down Brimfield forest were chipped and burned it would only fuel a single biomass plant like the one in Russell for less than two months or all of the proposed Pioneer Valley biomass plants for only three weeks. Then what?" Hmm, let's take a stab at this...........clearcut the entire state?!

This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is U.S. Repugnican Rep. Rich Nugent. This from Grist: "Florida Tea Party members believe that federal efforts to protect manatees from extinction are part of a United Nations conspiracy to place manatee over man. Freshman Rep. Nugent is standing up for the Tea Partiers against the feared manatee overlords, offering an amendment to the FY 2012 Interior and Environment appropriations bill (HR 2584) that would block the creation of a manatee refuge in Citrus County" Did we mention manatees are listed as an Endangered Species? We're thinking if anything should become extinct the so-called Tea Party is the perfect candidate.

Our Quote of the Week goes out to all the corporados out there.

"I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country." -- Thomas Jefferson

Dave Rovics' "Corporations are People, Too" seems like a good follow-up for Tom Jefferson. Then it's on to The Enviro Show Echo Chamber where the Tar Sands Action across from the White House has led to hundreds of arrests. Even union guys are coming out against the proposed Keystone pipeline. You can send YOUR protest to Obama here!

After our interview with Chris we move over to the Bus Stop Billboard:

August 30 to September 27 - Court appearances for the Shut it Down Affinity Group members following their most recent arrest at Vermont Yankee. Go here for specific dates.

Thursday, Sept. 8, 5:30pm. Shutdown VT. Yankee contingent in the Franklin County Parade. Line up in Parking Lot, behind Greenfield Middle School, Federal St, Greenfield, MA . Join us for the parade through downtown Greenfield and then party at the Fair! Get free entrance passes into the fair after the parade!

Saturday, Sept 10, 1:00-2:30. Rally to Support Vermont in its decision to shutter Vermont Yankee and replace it with sustainable energy solutions. Wells Fountain, Court House, Brattleboro, VT. Monday, September 12, Entergy's lawsuit against the state will be heard in Federal court in Brattleboro. It is important that people express their support for Vermont's courageous act to support the will of the people. Join us for good music and speeches!! Call: (413)339-5781

Wednesday, September 14 at 8:00pm - September 15 at 9:00pm. 24 Hours of Reality is a worldwide event that will share the reality of the climate crisis. From Tonga to Cape Verde, Mexico City to Alaska, Jakarta to London, people living with the impacts of climate change every day will tell their story. The event features a new multimedia presentation created by Al Gore and delivered once per hour for 24 hours, in every time zone around the globe. Go to: http://climaterealityproje​ct.org/the-event/

Saturday, September 17 at 6:00am. Occupy Wall Street! On September 17, we want to see 20,000 people flood into lower Manhattan, set up tents, kitchens, peaceful barricades and occupy Wall Street for a few months. Once there, we shall incessantly repeat one simple demand in a plurality of voices. It's time for DEMOCRACY NOT CORPORATOCRACY! Go to: http://www.adbusters.org/b​logs/adbusters-blog/occupy​wallstreet.html

Saturday, September 24, 11:40 Gather at Pulaski Park for this year's 350.org parade in Northampton. It's the Moving Planet Big Freeze and Fossil Fuel Funeral. Go to: http://www.moving-planet.org/events/us/downtown-northampton/613

October 2, Jones Library, Amherst 2-4 PM; October 3, Art Space, Greenfield, 7-9 PM; October 4, Jones Library, Amherst, 7-9 PM. Auditions for RADIUM GIRLS, a play that takes an unflinching look at the peculiarly American obsession with health, wealth, and the commercialization of science as one lone woman battles a corporation, her own family, and friends to seek justice in the story of a landmark case in occupational safety and the environment. Large cast, multiple roles. Men and women, 17-70. Actresses 17-30 a necessity. Details: Robert Freedman, director, 413-586-6095, rpaulfre@gis.net.


Thursday, Oct. 6 - We call on people of conscience and courage—all who seek peace, economic justice, human rights and a healthy environment to join together in Washington, D.C., beginning on Oct. 6, 2011, in nonviolent resistance similar to the Arab Spring and the Midwest awakening. A concert, rally and protest will kick off a powerful and sustained nonviolent resistance to the corporate criminals that dominate our government. "Stop the Machine! • Create a New World!" is a clarion call for all who are deeply concerned with injustice, militarism and environmental destruction to join in ending concentrated corporate power and taking direct control of a real participatory democracy. Go to: http://october2011.org. Regional contact: deross2@yahoo.com, tel: 802-922-4029

OK, we are soooo out of here. Until next time, remember, listen to your Mother!

The Enviro Justice Show

Greetings Earthlings. Guess who suffers more than most from pollution and environmental degradation? OK, probably the critters, but next in line are low-income communities and people of color. Surprise! Some of this may become obvious as class warfare makes itself at home in the UK. The poor get dumped on amidst the plenty. Aron Goldman of The Springfield Institute's Environmental Justice Bike Tour joins us for the virtual tour. As always we take YOU for a tour in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber, our E-Valley-uation segment, a visit with the Fool-on-the-Hill among other familiar stops, but first it's time for.... Revenge of the Critters! Raccoon battles woman over turf!

In our E-Valley-uation segment we find radioactive Strontium in fish taken from the Connecticut River. The Union of Concerned Scientists wants the NRC to investigate Entergy Nuclear officials for lying to the public. What? Entergy lying? Can't be! And btw, why are fish being taken from their river anyway??

We have a two for the price of one BIG Fool-on-the-Hill. It's none other than Repugnican Rep. Bachman "solving" the energy problem and vowing to shut down the EPA!

In the Enviro Show Echo Chamber you can join Public Citizen and Friends of the Earth in calling on President Obama to reject the proposed tar sands pipeline and focus on clean, safe energy alternatives OR you can go right down to the White House on August 20th with a bunch of well-dressed protesters and make your voice heard! Speaking of protests, indigenous people are not pleased with plans for uranium mining in the Grand Canyon. And this: Anonymous hacks corporados here. Also: Friends of the Earth on what the debt deal means to the planet and the poor.

Then it's time to Meet the New Boss again and it's a sad state of affairs. We meld in our Quote of the Week from a New York Times op-ed by Drew Weston with the New Boss's latest cave-in to the Repugs:

"The president is fond of referring to “the arc of history,” paraphrasing the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous statement that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” But with his deep-seated aversion to conflict and his profound failure to understand bully dynamics — in which conciliation is always the wrong course of action, because bullies perceive it as weakness and just punch harder the next time — he has broken that arc and has likely bent it backward for at least a generation."

On the up side you can always sign on to the Contract for the American Dream, but we'd be negligent in our duty here if we didn't point out that much of that "dream" is a nightmare for the planet. After all, so much of prosperity involves over-consumption and waste. Hey, how about a NEW American Dream (this time we could include all of America!).

The Joshua Marcus song "Invisible City" takes us to our interview with Aron Goldman we move on to the Bus Stop Billboard:


Friday/Satruday August 19-20. Boston Greenfest. See: http://bostongreenfest.org/

Saturday, August 20th – September 3rd. Protest tar sands mining and the proposed Keystone pipeline! With people power and time-tested tactics of civil disobedience - join thousands of people from across the continent in a wave of sustained sit-ins at the White House. Together we’ll amplify our voices and escalate the movement and stop the Keystone XL pipeline to the Canadian tar sands. Go to:
http://www.tarsandsaction.org/ or Contact tarsandsaction@gmail.com

Saturday, August 27,1-4pm. Western Mass Green Consortium’s annual BBQ & Clambake: “Celebrate Sustainable Living” . Come have learn about projects, have fun, eat great food, dance to live music!! If you plan on attending, please register at www.westernmassgreenconsor​tium.org

Sunday, August 28, 11:30 am – 5:30 pm. JOIN THE ORGANIZING OF A REGIONAL CAMPAIGN OF NONVIOLENT DIRECT ACTION TO SHUT DOWN VERMONT YANKEE at the Norwich Congregational Church, 15 Church St, Norwich, VT. Informational sessions about Vermont Yankee and nonviolence training workshops will be scheduled for later dates, including a VT Yankee Action Camp at Wheelock Mountain Farm, in Wheelock, VT, on Friday evening Sept 9th – Saturday evening, Sept 10th – for info call Robin at 802-533-2296.

August 30 to September 27 - Court appearances for the Shut it Down Affinity Group members following their most recent arrest at Vermont Yankee. Go here for specific dates.

Thursday, Sept. 8, 5:30pm. Shutdown VT. Yankee contingent in the Franklin County Parade. Line up in Parking Lot, behind Greenfield Middle School, Federal St, Greenfield, MA . Join us for the parade through downtown Greenfield and then party at the Fair! Get free entrance passes into the fair after the parade!

Saturday, Sept 10, 1:00-2:30. Rally to Support Vermont in its decision to shutter Vermont Yankee and replace it with sustainable energy solutions. Wells Fountain, Court House, Brattleboro, VT. Monday, September 12, Entergy's lawsuit against the state will be heard in Federal court in Brattleboro. It is important that people express their support for Vermont's courageous act to support the will of the people.
Join us for good music and speeches!! Call: (413)339-5781

Wednesday, September 14 at 8:00pm - September 15 at 9:00pm. 24 Hours of Reality is a worldwide event that will share the reality of the climate crisis. From Tonga to Cape Verde, Mexico City to Alaska, Jakarta to London, people living with the impacts of climate change every day will tell their story. The event features a new multimedia presentation created by Al Gore and delivered once per hour for 24 hours, in every time zone around the globe. Go to: http://climaterealityproje​ct.org/the-event/

Saturday, September 17 at 6:00am. Occupy Wall Street! On September 17, we want to see 20,000 people flood into lower Manhattan, set up tents, kitchens, peaceful barricades and occupy Wall Street for a few months. Once there, we shall incessantly repeat one simple demand in a plurality of voices. It's time for DEMOCRACY NOT CORPORATOCRACY! Go to: http://www.adbusters.org/b​logs/adbusters-blog/occupy​wallstreet.html

Saturday, September 24, 11:40 Gather at Pulaski Park for this year's 350.org parade in Northampton. It's the Moving Planet Big Freeze and Fossil Fuel Funeral. Go to: http://www.moving-planet.org/events/us/downtown-northampton/613

Thursday, Oct. 6 - We call on people of conscience and courage—all who seek peace, economic justice, human rights and a healthy environment to join together in Washington, D.C., beginning on Oct. 6, 2011, in nonviolent resistance similar to the Arab Spring and the Midwest awakening. A concert, rally and protest will kick off a powerful and sustained nonviolent resistance to the corporate criminals that dominate our government. "Stop the Machine! • Create a New World!" is a clarion call for all who are deeply concerned with injustice, militarism and environmental destruction to join in ending concentrated corporate power and taking direct control of a real participatory democracy. Go to: http://october2011.org. Regional contact: deross2@yahoo.com, tel: 802-922-4029

There. You are rid of us 'til next time, but remember: listen to your Mother!

Michael Perlman, presenta!

I just had the disturbing experience of finding one of the early voices on the climate crisis slipping down the cyber memory hole. Dr. Michael Perlman, author of "The Power of Trees - A reforesting of the soul" and other works lived here in the Valley in the '90s. He helped greatly to raise awareness of what he insisted we call "climate chaos" or "climate disruption" (instead of the less cogent phrase "global warming"). Below I've reposted Bob Leverett's heart felt tribute to Perlman. It is vital that we honor those who have sounded the alarm about what is the gravest threat to life on planet Earth. This, even more so since it is believed that Michael Perlman took his own life out of despair over humanity's lack of or concern or action regarding climate disruption.

- d.o.

In the 1990s I had a great friend named Dr. Michael Perlman, one of the co-founders of ENTS. He died in April 1998. Michael was absolutely brilliant. He had many credits. He wrote The Power of Trees - A reforesting of the soul . He was an adjunct professor at Vermont College, a Jungian psychologist, and an ecologist. He was editing the Einstein papers for Princeton University at the time of his death - a testament to his immense intellect. He was also working on a paper that explored the basis of mathematics as an expression of inherent universal structure and properties. He had previously thought of mathematics as a product of abstract human thinking divorced from any natural roots - an artificially developed discipline carried on within the confines of classrooms, private studies, and lecture halls, but not outdoors - conceptually perhaps, but seldom in practice. I don't know precisely what was in Mike's mind, but his new hypothesis may have been that true mathematics is in encoded in our DNA as an expression of the universal physical laws - and of course the architecture of trees. When mathematics is observed to ooze out of the brain of some precocious genius, Mike would likely maintain that that expression isn't a consequence of some sternly developed human talent, but the song of the spheres, so to speak, manifesting itself through genetic pathways formed from several million years of trial and error.

Mike and I used to walk the forest together and he would unabashedly hug trees. Feeling uncomfortable, I would always look around first to make sure nobody was watching. But, Mike? No hesitation. He talked freely of going to meet a tree. He saw trees as life forms with psychological structures as surely as he accepted the obvious physical ones. He didn't see the psychological structures of trees as human. He wasn't projecting his own traits into their outstretched branches. He was far too intelligent for that. His thinking occurred on many levels, and that left those of us trying to understand him groping. Language is not always a sufficient tool to convey understanding, so Mike's explanations as transmitted through his words were seldom sufficient to enable the rest of us to understand how he came to his conclusions. I finally gave up, but not before many conversations had taken place both in the forest and over a beer or two in the comfort of my living room.

Mike probably influenced me more than I can fully comprehend, and I can also say with humility that I influenced him. When in his presence, he coaxed me to think more deeply about the role of forests and tree and our interaction with them. Were he with us today, I can well imagine him struggling hard with the Forest Futures process, currently underway. He had little tolerance for corporatized thinking. He certainly would not have seen most of the TSC members as visionaries. By contrast, I am more tolerant and pragmatic. He sometimes envied that in me, and I sometimes disliked it in myself. We often served as a balance for each other - idealism and pragmatism. I suppose he could be pragmatic, but I don't think I ever fully witnessed it.

I have to smile when I think of Michael returning from a convention with his fellow and lady psychologists. He would come back fuming and complaining that none could climb out of the deep well of anthropocentric values and priorities. He would explain that everything of value to them had to be a byproduct of human emotions and personality traits, a self-absorbed examination of how one felt instant by instant. Such a preoccupation with a moment by moment fretting over what what is inside of one's head left no room for thinking more broadly, about what is good for plants and animals. I often wondered what had lead him to Jungian Psychology. Of course I always had the answer. It was his great compassion. He saved many from taking their own lives. He could save them, but not himself.

Mike has a tree named for him in Mohawk Trail State Forest. Mike's tree is perfectly straight and is located right on the Mahican- Mohawk Recreational Trail. His tree was not chosen out of impulse. It is the site of two friends coming together, Mike and John Knuerr. Mike's tree is on the docket to reach 150 feet in height at the end of next season's growth, an accomplishment that Mike would not have concerned himself from his own inner priorities, but would have indulged on my account.

I often think of Mike and visit his tree when in the Algonquin Grove. If I think of Mike, I must also think separately of his tree. To think only of Mike and not of his tree as a separate being would be to miss the whole point of Mike's life and what was important to him.

Bob