Thursday, July 08, 2010

Environmental Happenings

Thursday, July 8 - Living Simply in an Affordable Solar Home, 7 pm, F.W. Horch, 56 Maine Street, Brunswick.  In 2008 Ben Tipton and his family sold their large home in Vermont, gave away or donated most of their possessions and moved to Maine. They now live more simply in a nearly carbon-free house, paying less than a dollar a day for utilities.  Join us to learn how Ben's family made the journey to "footprint reduction."  For more information, please call 729-4050. Free and open to the public.

Friday, July 9 - Friends of Highland Mountains, 7 pm, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. Jonathan Carter of Forest Ecology Network and Karen Pease of Friends of the Highland Mountains will show a documentary DVD and speak about the proposed 48 turbine wind project proposed for the Highland Mountains in western Maine. Join them to find out why they believe "industrial wind isn’t green and is destroying Maine’s mountains." Free and open to the public.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 9, 10, 11 - Maine Bike Rally, 1 pm, Brunswick High School. Bicyclists from across Maine, New England, other states, and Canada will gather again this summer for the 22nd annual Maine Bike Rally. The Maine Bike Rally is a combined effort of local enthusiasts, the Casco Bay Bicycle Club, Merrymeeting Wheelers Bicycle Club and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. The three-day event features both on-road and off-road rides as well as an accredited time-trial event. Riders can choose from more than 30 rides that vary in length from a short five miles to a 100-mile century ride winding through country lanes and shorelines. This year's event will be held at Brunswick High School with check-in and set up for campers beginning on Friday, July 9 at 1:00 pm. Bicyclists from Bath, Brunswick, Durham, Freeport, Harpswell, Topsham, and West-Bath ride for $15/person or $30/family meals not included. For more information, visit www.mainebikerally.org.

Saturday, July 10 - Merrymeeting Bay Bird Walk, 6:30-8:30 am, Bowdoinham.  Join Friends of Merrymeeting Bay to learn about the diversity of birds found around Merrymeeting Bay. Led by Will Broussard, ornithologist and acoustics expert, this walk will provide numerous opportunities to see, hear, and learn more about the birds utilizing the abundant resources around Merrymeeting Bay. From eagles and ospreys to indigo buntings and Baltimore orioles, this is one walk you won’t want to miss!  Pre-registration with trip leader Will Broussard at 837-9520 is required.

Saturday, July 10 - Seasonal Organic Recipe Demonstration, Augusta Farmers' Market, Turnpike Mall (Exit 109 off Interstate 95). The Maine Organic Farmer and Gardeners Association's Organic Marketing Consultant and Resident Chef Cheryl Wixson will host a "Show and Taste" event at the Augusta Farmers' Market. A long-time local foods advocate, Wixson inspires eaters of all ages to enjoy the pleasures of local eating. Plan on leaving inspired to cook, with ingredients and recipes in hand! Wixson's "Show and Taste" will be one in a series of special events at the Augusta Farmers' Market this summer. For more information, contact Sarah Lincoln-Harrison via email at sarah@ecofarm.org or by phone at 781-771-2034.

Sunday, July 11 - Georges River Land Trust Gardens in the Watershed garden tour, 10 am to 5 pm, rain or shine. Seven diverse, lovely gardens in South Thomaston, Thomaston and Cushing. Tickets $25 in advance; $28 on tour day. Gourmet bag lunch available by pre-order. For more information, call 594-5166 or email info@grlt.org

Saturday, July 17 - Local Foods Breakfast at Morris Farm, 8-11 am, 156 Gardiner Road, Wiscasset. Grace Goldberg, volunteer Chef at Morris Farm, also known for her work as the Give Peas a Chance Pea Soup Booth cooker at the Common Ground Fair, works magic in the kitchen with wholesome, organic, local ingredients. Menu includes eggs, home fries, blueberry scones, rhubarb coffeecake, coffee and tea. Adults $10, kids 5-12 $5, 4 and under eat free. For more information visit www.morrisfarm.org or call at 882-4080.

 
Saturday, July 17 - Boyd Street Bash, 11 am to 1 pm, Portland. Join Cultivating Community to celebrate the Urban Gardens, the Diversity of the Neighborhood and Urban Sustainability.  For more information, visit www.cultivatingcommunity.org

Friday, July 23 - Newforest Institute Open House, 9 am to 4 pm, Newforest Institute, 66 Monroe Highway, Brooks.  Join Bill Errickson & Lauren Buyofsky for instructional, hands-on permaculture garden projects in the morning, followed by lunch and a tour of the farm in the afternoon. Tour starts at 1:30 pm. Come for the morning, afternoon tour, or both!  Free, but please pre-register by calling 722-3625, emailing Bill@NewforestInstitute.org, or visiting www.newforestinstitute.org

Saturday, July 31 - Artisan Bread Fair, Skowhegan State Fairgrounds, Madison Avenue (210 North), Skowhegan. Wood-fired oven demonstrations, artisan bread samplings, and opportunities to talk with professional bakers and explore the best books, tools, and delicious accoutrements to artisan bread baking. For further information visit www.kneadingconference.com or contact Dusty Dowse, Fair Director, dowse@maine.edu, cell 717-4578.

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