Here at our store, F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods and Supplies, 56 Maine Street, Brunswick, we will host a showing of "Gardeners of the Spirit," followed by a discussion led by Brunswick filmmaker Eric Herter on Thursday, April 9, at 7:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public.
"An Arizona-based group working to install school and community gardens asked us to talk with them about a documentary on their projects," said Herter. "Out of these talks came the idea that the film should cover the works of 'gardeners of the spirit' across the US, as they build community through the collaborative creation of peaceful, beautiful green sanctuaries in cities, schools, hospitals and prisons."
Starting in Maine, Boston, the Bronx and North Philadelphia, Brunswick residents Eric and Hoa Herter began shooting "Gardeners of the Spirit." They then moved by rent-a-car (daughter and all) from Minneapolis to Des Moines, St. Louis, Fort Worth, Phoenix, LA and the Bay Area, seeing vibrant gardens in ruined city-scapes, and recording meetings with remarkable people. "Gardeners of the Spirit" attempts to convey some of the spirit of the gardens and their creators.
Eric will be on hand to discuss his experiences making the film and share information about the proposed Brunswick Park and Gardens. He worked for years as a magazine writer/ photographer/ editor before starting to produce independent TV films for film festivals and local PBS affiliates. In the mid-'90s he became the producer for Associated Press Television in Hanoi, Vietnam, making videos for worldwide broadcast on Vietnamese human-interest and environmental topics. While with AP, he met and married Tran Thi Hoa, a photographer doing photo assignments for non-governmental organizations (NGOs). After their daughter was born in the late '90s, Hoa and Eric teamed up to produce video documentaries for the UN, international broadcast networks, and NGOs doing development and environmental work in Vietnam . Several of their environmental films are re-broadcast regularly in Vietnam.
Space is limited, so those interested in attending are encouraged to call the store at 729-4050 to reserve a seat.
This event is part of the F.W. Horch series on sustainable living. Each monthly event is held at the F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods & Supplies store, 56 Maine Street, Brunswick on the second Thursday of the month.
For more information, please call 729-4050 or visit www.FWHorch.com.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Gardeners of the Spirit
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Compost and Castings
When starting seeds, use 1 part finished compost or worm castings to 3 parts potting mix to give your little plants a healthy head start without synthetic fertilizers.
More Facts About Compost and Castings
- It's easy to make your own compost or worm castings from kitchen scraps.
- When micro-organisms decompose organic matter, the result is called "compost". Finished compost is dark brown or black, crumbly, and has a mild organic aroma like mushrooms.
- When worms process organic matter, the result is called "castings". Castings look like wet coffee grounds and smell like healthy soil.
- Both compost and castings provide essential nutrients for growing plants.
- Most families can produce enough compost or castings to provide a rich mix for starting their seeds.
- You'll need to add some dry materials like shredded paper, leaves, or clean sawdust to your kitchen scraps. Adding these materials helps the decomposing process go faster without nasty odors.
- A plug-in kitchen composter like the NatureMill reliably produces compost in two weeks by maintaining the perfect conditions for hot composting by microbial cultures. The compost it produces is ready to use right away, or can be stored for later use.
- Worm bins generally take a little longer to produce results--about six weeks start to finish--depending on temperature, the type of food scraps, and the appetite of your worms. Worm castings can be used as is, but if you plan to store them for later use, you'll probably want to dry them first.
- Worms like the same temperatures as we do, but will tolerate cool temperatures down to the mid-50s and high temperatures into the mid-80s. They work best in the low-70s.
- If you put a worm bin in your basement, use a portable thermometer to determine the temperature range. Near the boiler is often a convenient and relatively warm location.
- Keeping your kitchen scraps out of your garbage benefits you and your community; neither landfills nor incinerators need wet organic waste.
- Whether you make compost or castings, most of your kitchen waste will literally vanish into thin air as the process creates water vapor and carbon dioxide.
- Compost and castings improve the texture and health of soil, helping it retain moisture while allowing roots to penetrate.
- Recycling organic nutrients back into the soil completes the cycle of life and allows new plant growth to occur without requiring exogenous synthetic chemical inputs.
- Building healthy soil with compost and castings is an essential part of successful organic gardening.
- Besides mixing compost or castings in your seed-starting medium, you can also use them as a top dressing periodically in your garden, around trees, or on your lawn.
- A kitchen compost pail makes it easy to collect scraps. A tight-fitting lid with a charcoal filter controls odors and keeps everything contained until you're ready to add it to your composter or worm bin.
- It's fine to toss your kitchen scraps in an outdoor compost pile all winter. They won't start composting outdoors until warmer temperature arrives, but there's no harm in letting your food waste freeze and thaw before it turns into compost.
- Some people even store their kitchen waste in their freezer until spring. This isn't as crazy as it sounds. It actually helps your freezer's efficiency to be full rather than empty, and if you ever lose power, hunks of frozen garbage can keep your food cool. Just make sure you label everything carefully!
- Composting equipment, information and supplies, including worms and worm bins, are available year round at F.W. Horch in Brunswick and online at www.FWHorch.com.
Featured Products for March 2009
Organic Seeds from Fedco
Grow your own organic garden with MOFGA certified organic seeds from Fedco Seeds. We have 56 varieties of their most popular vegetables, herbs and flowers, all heirloom and certified organic. Seed-starting season is here!
Organic Seeds Packet $1.95
Ordering on your own from Fedco? Put your order in with ours and save on shipping and handling. We'll be placing our next order TOMORROW (Thursday, March 5) to beat their March 6 backorder deadline. After March 6, Fedco seed orders are filled from stock on hand.
Worm Castings
Have you tried adding worm castings to your seed starting mix? If you have, you know what an incredible head start these give your little plants! For ensuring plant health and vigor naturally, nothing beats worm castings.
One pound $1.29
Kitchen Compost Pail
Do you compost? Our stainless steel compost pail is a stylish way to collect your food scraps for the compost pile or bin. Beautiful enough to leave on the kitchen counter. Easy to carry and clean. Carbon filters in lid contain odors. Replacement filters available. Holds about a gallon.
Pail and filters $34.95
Home Composting Made Easy
Easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for composting in your own backyard. Instead of overburdening your local landfill, learn how to turn kitchen scraps, yard trimmings and paper scraps into "black gold" for your lawn and garden.
Booklet $2.95
Can O Worms
Conveniently compost your kitchen scraps all year round with the help of hundreds of hungry red wigglers. Having trouble finding the compost pile under the snow drifts? Why not bring the action inside with your very own worm colony? Start now and by summer you'll have a nice supply of worm castings, the very best fertilizer you can make.
Can O Worms bin $125 (worms sold separately)
Composting Worms
Need to start a worm bin? Get a Chinese take out box of red wigglers (Eisenia foetida), including a healthy dose of food for the worms to work on while your worm bin is getting started plus the mini-ecosystem of creatures that help the worms break down food into castings. When you get your starter package, add the worms and the active compost they are living in to your worm bin. Feed them small amounts several times a week. Within a few weeks you'll have hundreds of worms!
Starter pack of worms $6
Wiggle Room Worm Bin
Let worms eat your garbage with the Wiggle Room worm bin. Stocked with Maine-grown red worms in leaves or shredded paper bedding, this is your basic vermiculture system. Push aside the bedding to feed your worms, and add more shredded paper when necessary. Pop the cork to collect worm tea, a great liquid fertilizer. Everything you need to get started right away (including worms).
NOTE: Available for pick up in store only.
NOTE: Available for pick up in store only.
Wiggle Room bin $39.95 (including worms)
Environmental Happenings
What's Happening in the Local Environmental Scene and Beyond
New store hours at F.W. Horch in Brunswick: we're now open on Mondays!
Store hours: Mon 9:30-4, T-F 9:30-7, Sat: 9:30-6, Sun Closed.
Events in Maine
Thursday, March 5 - Meet Your Local Farmers, 6:30-8:00 pm, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. Seth Kroeck of Crystal Spring Farm, Russell Libby of Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and Sue Segeant of Patchwork Organic Gardens discuss their commitment to a local economy that honors and preserves Maine's farming traditions. Moderated by Tom Settlemire of the Brunswick / Topsham Land Trust.
Saturday, March 7 - Hands On Fermentation Workshop, 1:00-3:00 pm, Freeport Community Library, Freeport. Local organic farmers Chris Colson and JoD Saffeir will share their experiences while working at Tenuta di Spannocchia in Sienna, Italy. Hands-on sauerkraut making / lactofermentation workshop to follow. For more information, visit www.FreeportLibrary.com.
Tuesday, March 10 - Cooking with Locally Grown Food, Noon-1:30 pm, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. Ken Cardone of Bowdoin College Kitchens, Kris Lindsey of Hannaford Bros. Market, Aaron Park of Henry & Marty's Restaurant, and Amy Winston of Focus on Agriculture in Rural Maine Schools discuss the benefits and challenges of cooking with locally produced food. Moderated by Tyson Weems of The Health League, Inc.
Wednesday, March 11 - Book Discussion: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, 6:30-8:00 pm, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. Facilitated by Gary Lawless of Gulf of Maine Books and Eloise Humphrey of El Camino Restaurant.
Thursday, March 12 - Starting an Organic Vegetable Garden, 7 pm, F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods & Supplies, Brunswick. Master gardener volunteer Brett Thompson explains how to start your own organic vegetable garden. Are raised beds a good idea? Will mulch save you time on weeding and watering? How can you improve your soil? Join us to find out. Seating is limited, so please reserve a space by calling us at 729-4050.
Sunday, March 15 - Caring for Rhododendrons and Azaleas, 1:00 pm, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. Brunswick Park and Gardens is hosting a garden talk by Tom York of York's Rhododendrons to discuss the proper care, feeding and pruning of rhododendrons and azaleas. For more information, call 833-5125.
Sunday, March 15 - Energy Forum, 3:00 - 5:00 pm, Bath Middle School, Bath. Bath Democratic Committee and Cool Bath invite you to an Energy Forum in support of the Maine Renewable Energy Sources Act (Feed-in Tariff Bill). Did you know that there is a bill under consideration by the state legislature that offers the people of Maine a chance to sell "green" electricity at a premium, making the purchase of solar photovoltaic and wind electric turbine systems more affordable? Panelists are Peter Drum and Paul Kando of the Midcoast Green Collaborative, the organization that drafted the legislation; Senator Seth Goodall (D) District 19; Rep. Les Fossel (R) District 53; and Mike White, designer and builder of Eco Village One, Island Carpentry. For more information, email Polly Shaw - polly_shaw@myfairpoint.net.
Monday, March 23 - Off the Grid: Tours of a Working Farm, 10 am-Noon, Milkweed Farm on Gott Lane, Brunswick. Owners Lucretia and Michael Woodruff, with Eloise Humphrey of El Camino Restaurant, will show visitors how a small family farm works. The family raises their own vegetables, turkeys, pigs, chickens, eggs and dairy products.
Monday, March 23 - Off the Grid: Tours of a Working Farm, 10 am-Noon, Milkweed Farm on Gott Lane, Brunswick. Owners Lucretia and Michael Woodruff, with Eloise Humphrey of El Camino Restaurant, will show visitors how a small family farm works. The family raises their own vegetables, turkeys, pigs, chickens, eggs and dairy products.
Tuesday, March 31 - The World According to Monsanto, 6:00 - 8:30 pm, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. "The World According to Monsanto" is a provocative documentary by French filmmaker Marie-Monique Robin that unveils the motives and work of the Missouri-based biotechnology giant Monsanto. The film leads the viewer to explore the history of food and the seed upon which we rely for sustenance. Questions and Answers to follow the film.
News and Views
MIT's Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change finds that it is more likely that global warming by the end of the century will be greater than previous studies have projected. The MIT researchers used an in-house computer model known as the MIT Integrated Global System Model that incorporates new insight into how the climate system functions. MIT's "Greenhouse Gamble" conveys the "range of probability of potential global warming" via roulette wheel graphics. The output unveiled in February 2009 shows that the odds have shifted in favor of larger temperature increases. "The take home message from the new greenhouse gamble wheels is that [...] the dangers are much greater than we thought three or four years ago," said Ronald G. Prinn, professor of atmospheric chemistry at MIT.
Tainted peanut products in North America have made 604 people sick, sent 187 to the hospital and killed eight so far in 2009. The salmonella outbreak in processed peanuts also has led to more than 2,000 product recalls in the U.S., more than any other food epidemic, according to Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, a food distribution and safety specialist and associate dean at the Levene Graduate School of Business, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Regina. "Globalization has had a significant impact on how we eat and has kept food prices at reasonable levels. But an unfortunate side affect is that our capacity to manage risks has been severely compromised," writes Dr. Charlebois. "The 'cheap calorie' factor is also putting a lot of pressure on food industry stakeholders. [...] Today, Canadian and American consumers spend only about 10-12% of their disposable income on food purchased from a store. That number was at around 25% less than a generation ago."
Clearance Corner
We've got some great deals for you in our "Buy One, Get One Free" Clearance Corner. Need to prime or paint a room? Get two gallons of Safecoat wallboard primer for just $31.90! Stop by or give a call to see what we've got in stock. At the moment, we're still clearing out American Pride and Safecoat paint, Durostain wood stain, and a variety of AFM sealers. Let us help you save your lungs and your money!
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Organic Gardening Workshop
On Thursday, March 12, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, our store will host a gardening workshop, "Starting an Organic Vegetable Garden," by Master Gardener Volunteer Brett Thompson. The workshop is free and open to the public.
"We'll help you get started growing your own organic vegetables," says Brett Thompson, a Master Gardener Volunteer and F.W. Horch manager. "Our workshop will emphasize organic and sustainable methods of gardening because that's just the way we are."
Topics will include the pros and cons of raised beds, how to reduce weeding and watering by using mulches, and methods of improving your soil. No prior gardening knowledge is assumed or required. Time will be provided for questions and answers.
Space for the workshop is limited, so those interested in attending are encouraged to call the store at 729-4050 to reserve a seat.
This workshop is part of the F.W. Horch series on sustainable living. Each monthly talk is held at the F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods & Supplies store, 56 Maine Street, Brunswick on the second Thursday of the month.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Solar Spaceheating: February's Sustainable Living Tip
Using solar energy for space heating is five times more affordable and four times more efficient than using solar energy to generate electricity.
More Facts About Solar Space Heating
- Solar space heaters (solar air thermal systems) collect heat from the sun and pump it inside on sunny days, while preventing heat from escaping at night or during cloudy days.
- Because they consume no fossil fuel during use and rely on solar energy that shines directly on the building where they are installed, solar space heaters have the lowest total environmental impact of any heating system available today.
- Solar space heaters have been successfully used in Maine since the 1970s. During that decade's energy crisis, several magazines published “do-it-yourself” plans for building solar space heaters from spare lumber and plate glass.
- Unlike the “do-it-yourself” wooden boxes from the '70s, modern solar space heaters feature aluminum frames, optimized glazing and absorber plates, back-draft dampers, and thermostat controls. Their expected useful lifetimes is 30 years.
- At Maine's latitude, solar space heaters are typically installed vertically on southern-facing walls. This maximizes winter solar gain and eliminates snow accumulation concerns.
- Solar space heaters cost about $1,700 per installed kilowatt, compared to $9,000 per installed kilowatt for solar electric (photovoltaic) systems.
- Total installed cost for a 1.5 kW SolarSheat space heater from F.W. Horch is $2,500, or you can buy the unit for $1,979 and install it yourself.
- Solar space heaters require no electric or plumbing connections, so they can be easily installed by carpenters or homeowners. They work just as well on a house in the suburbs as on a remote camp in the wilderness.
- In new construction, solar space heaters can be built into southern-facing walls, taking the place of siding.
- On existing buildings, solar space heaters are mounted on top of the existing siding or on the roof.
- Solar space heaters can also be ground mounted with heating ducts installed underground.
- The SolarSheat space heater has an SRCC efficiency rating of 625 watts per square meter, more than four times higher than a typical solar PV (electric) panel, which has an efficiency of less than 150 watts per square meter. (Solar efficiency ratings are based on insolation of 1,000 watts per square meter.)
- The reason solar space heaters are able to achieve four times greater efficiency than PV panels is that solar space heaters absorb a wider spectrum of solar energy and transfer the sun's heat energy rather than convert it to an electric current.
- During summer months when no space heat is needed, a solar space heater can simply be covered to shade it from the sun, or it can be controlled by a thermostat to prevent it from transferring heat inside.
- Combination solar space heaters and solar water heaters are available. These units operate as space heaters during the heating season and as water heaters during the rest of the year.
- Maine's solar rebate program covered solar space heaters. It is unclear whether state funding for this program will continue, or whether federal funding will become available. According to Efficiency Maine, “Rebates for solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal installations are no longer available, as of January 16, 2009. Due to high demand and resource limitations, all of the funds made available for these programs have been allocated for this year. Under current law, the programs are due to receive renewed funding in January of 2010.”
- Solar space heaters can be used to reduce the heat load of any building with a sunny wall or roof, but they are best used in combination with electric heat or with high efficiency direct-vent combustion heaters that allow for air-tight and super-insulated construction.
- Climate data and heat loss models show that super-insulated buildings with heat storage and heat recovery ventilation systems can be heated entirely by solar space heaters to maintain a comfortable 68 degree Fahrenheit temperate year round in Maine.
- While reducing heating bills by 100% is theoretically possible with solar space heaters, heat load reductions of 25% to 50% are more reasonable targets for existing homes that are well insulated and weatherized. The remaining 50% to 75% of the heat load could be met with a wood stove or electric space heaters.
Featured Products for February 2009
Organic Seeds from Fedco
Grow your own organic garden with MOFGA certified organic seeds from Fedco Seeds. We have 56 varieties of their most popular vegetables, herbs and flowers. Seed-starting season will be here before you know it!
Organic Seeds Packet $1.95
Enjoy warm air from your wood stove, circulated throughout your room instead of rising to the ceiling. Watch this fan operate quietly with no external power or batteries, using just the energy flow from a hot surface. This three-bladed EcoFan is more effective than its two-bladed cousin because it moves more air.
150 CFM fan, nickel or gold $149.95
BioBricks compressed wood
Way more convenient and reliable than cord wood, BioBricks and Night Logs are compressed, dried sawdust for use in wood stoves. The bricks are easy to light and burn for 3 hours. Logs require a bed of coals, then provide heat for 6-7 hours. Keep these on hand and you'll never have to worry about wet wood or bugs!
38 lbs BioBricks $9.95
32 lbs Night Logs $12.50
Our best seller at Common Ground Fair, this large drying rack features a unique design, thick birch dowels, and a lifetime guarantee from the craftsman who makes them here in Maine!
Large drying rack $75
Large drying rack $75
Maine Balsam Draft Stopper
Handmade in Maine with fragrant balsam harvested from the paper and lumber industry, these attractive draft stoppers halt cold drafts from doors and windows. Covered with 100% cotton in assorted patterns.
30" for windows $15.95
42" for doors $19.95
42" for doors $19.95
The SolarSheat hot air collector is a self-contained and self-powered sustainable solution for space heating. Mounts on a south-facing wall or roof. No need for plumbing or electricity -- these 4' by 8' units have a built-in solar-powered fan to blow in warm air whenever there is sun. Now anyone can go solar!
1500 watts $1,979
Convectair Electric Space Heater
Perfect as a complement to a solar space heater, or anywhere you need a heating boost, the Convectair Apero electric space heater works on the proven principle of natural convection. Hangs on the wall and plugs into a regular 120 volt outlet. 1250 watts $257Vornado Electric Space Heater
The unique fan design of Vornado electric space heaters distributes heat quickly and evenly throughout a room, eliminating cold spots and maintaining a consistent, comfortable temperature. Easily portable; can also be operated in the summer as a fan only. Plugs into a regular 120 volt outlet.
1500 watts $99.95
Environmental Happenings
News and Views
The New York Times reports that the installation of new renewable energy equipment is expected to decline by 30 to 50 percent in 2009 due to the credit crunch and global recession.
Here in Maine, the state solar rebates are no longer available. Efficiency Maine says that as of January 16, 2009, "all of the funds made available for these programs have been allocated for this year."
An international panel of 155 scientists from 26 countries has issued the Monaco Declaration, stating that "severe damages are imminent" as a result of increasing ocean acidity. Burning fossil fuels pumps carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The oceans absorb some of this carbon dioxide, which reacts with ocean water to create acids. The increasing acidity of the oceans is interfering with the growth and health of shellfish and eating away at coral reefs, a processes that will eventually affect marine food webs. "The chemistry is so fundamental and changes so rapid and severe that impacts on organisms appear unavoidable," said James Orr, head of the symposium’s scientific committee.
Events in Maine
Events in Maine
Thursday, February 5 - What's Bugging Us? Browntail Moths and More, 7 pm, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. Learn about Browntail moths with Charlene Donahue, a Forest Entomologist with the Maine Forest Service who was recently elected president of the Maine Entomological Society. For more information, call Misty Gorski, Executive Coordinator, Friends of Merrymeeting Bay, at 582-5608 or email fomb@gwi.net.
Saturdays in February - Parent-Child Nature Walks, 1-2 pm, Wolf’s Neck Farm, Freeport. Bring your family and come take a guided 1-2 mile walk in the winter woods! You and your children can learn how to identify different plants, read animal tracks, and understand what different species do to survive a Maine winter! All ages welcome. Fee: $10/adult, $5/children under 12. Meet at the Haze Hut next to Little River Farmhouse.
Sunday, February 8 - Community Supported Food Fair, 1-4 pm, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 27 Pleasant Street, Brunswick. Meet your local farmers and fishermen and learn how to sign up for a farm or fishery share. Fourteen farms will attend the event in Brunswick. Other locations on the same day around the state include Belfast, Canaan, Ellsworth, Farmington, Hallowell, Newcastle, Norway, Orono, Portland and Saco. Admission is free! For more information, visit www.MOFGA.org.
Sunday, February 15 - Herb Garden 101, 1 pm, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. Brunswick Park & Garden hosts Betsey-Ann Golon, co -owner of Common Folk Farm Organic Herbs. "Herb Garden 101" is for everyone who loves herbs. Betsey-Ann will offer handouts on a simple "potted" garden to a garden of "Simple Abundance" that integrates herbs, fruits and vegetables. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 833-5125.
Sunday, February 15 - Irreplaceable Wildlife in a Warming World, 1:30 - 3 pm, First Parish Church, 425 Congress Street, Portland. View beautiful photos of endangered species. Learn from Maine advocates what you can do. Slide show and panel presentations featuring Anne D. (Andy) Burt, Environmental Justice Consultant, Maine Council of Churches; Andy Whitman, Director, Natural Capital Initiative Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences; Jym St. Pierre, Nature photographer & Maine Director of RESTORE: The North Woods; and Tara Thornton, Maine Coordinator, Endangered Species Coalition. For more information, call 268-2108 or email tthornton@stopextinction.org.
New store hours at F.W. Horch in Brunswick: we're now open on Mondays!
Store hours: Mon 9:30-4, T-F 9:30-7, Sat: 9:30-6, Sun Closed.
Clearance Corner
We've got some great deals for you in our "Buy One, Get One Free" Clearance Corner. Need to prime or paint a room? Get two gallons of Safecoat wallboard primer for just $31.90! Stop by or give a call to see what we've got in stock. At the moment, we're clearing out American Pride and Safecoat paint, Durostain wood stain, and a variety of AFM sealers. Let us help you save your lungs and your money!
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Sustainable Coffee Talk
On Thursday, February 12, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, our store will host "Sustainable Coffee: From Crop to Cup," a talk by Bob and Carmen Garver, owners of Wicked Joe Coffee . The talk is free and open to the public and will be held at our store, F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods and Supplies, 56 Maine St., Brunswick.
"Our mission at Wicked Joe Coffee is to roast epic coffee in a manner that is kind to the earth and to the farmers who painstakingly grow our tasty beans," says Carmen Garver, who recently returned from a sustainability trip to a number of Rainforest Alliance coffee farms in El Salvador, meeting the farmers and working alongside them.
According to some estimates, coffee is the second-largest commodity trade on the globe, employing 25 million people worldwide. All of the producing regions are in equitorial latitudes -- none in the continental United States -- while the primary consumer markets are in temperate regions. Those attending the talk will learn how coffee is grown, harvested, processed, shipped and roasted. The Garvers will discuss the vast environmental and social impacts of the coffee trade, and explain what it means for their Brunswick roastery to be a USDA Certified Organic Operation and a member of the National Organic Program.
Free samples of organic, fair trade and shade-grown coffee from around the world will be provided. Seating is limited, so those interested in attending are encouraged to call the store at (207) 729-4050 to reserve a space.
This presentation is part of the F.W. Horch series on sustainable living. Each monthly talk is held at the F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods & Supplies store, 56 Maine Street, Brunswick on the second Thursday of the month.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Environmental Happenings
What's Happening in the Local Environmental Scene and Beyond
Brunswick now has two winter farmers markets!
Brunswick now has two winter farmers markets!
The Granite Farm Winter Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at 93 Casco Road in Brunswick with several vendors from the Crystal Spring Farm market offering eggs, poultry products, pies, whole birds, soy candles, canvas bags, goat meat, herbs, vegetables, frozen soups and vegetables, baked goods, maple syrup, honey, apples, flowers and wreaths. Vendors interested in this market can call Debbie Cupo of Granite Farm at 729-5275.
The Brunswick winter farmers market has opened in Fort Andross in Brunswick, just a block away from F.W. Horch. From January through April, every Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon, market vendors will offer baked goods, dairy products, vegetables, turkey, chicken, pork, eggs, beef, seafood, honey, candles, crafts and alpaca wool. To find the farmers market, use the west tower entrance toward the left of the building, near the antique store and flea market. Vendors interested in the winter market at Fort Andross can call Dean Zoulamis of Mother Oven Bakery at 837-9028.
According to an article in the Times Record, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection fined M.W. Sewall & Co. $6,247 in connection with a West Bath development near Long Cove Brook. No state permit for the development had been issued, and DEP staff observed that a single-family home had been built within 75 feet of the brook and "erosion controls were not adequate or properly installed to prevent erosion and that sediment had been discharged into the brook." The developer agreed to "restore buffer areas" and "remove the remaining sediment from areas in and adjacent to Long Cove Brook, and permanently stabilize all disturbed areas."
Thursday, January 8 - Seed Starting: Grow Your Own Organic Food, 7 pm, F.W. Horch, 56 Maine Street, Brunswick. Learn how to start seeds, build your own light stand, and make paper pots. Space is limited! To reserve a spot, please call us at 729-4050.
Thursday, January 8 - Land for Maine's Future: Protect It While We Can, 7 pm, Cram Alumni House, 83 Federal St., Bowdoin College, Brunswick. Join Friends of Merrymeeting Bay (FOMB) on Thursday, January 8 at 6 pm for our annual potluck supper, brief annual business meeting and election and at 7 pm the featured presentation, 4th in this season’s Winter Speaker Series: Land for Maine’s Future: Protect It While We Can. The evening presentation features Tim Glidden, Director of the Land for Maine’s Future program.
Saturday, January 10 - Saving Money, Energy and the Environment, 9 am, Woodfords Congregational Church, Portland. Learn how to identify and eliminate energy waste. This free workshop is a 'how to' class for performing basic energy audits for congregations. For more information, call Maine Interfaith Power and Light at 721-0444.
Tuesday, January 13 - Whale Research and Conservation, 7 pm, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. Nan Hauser, President and Director of the Center for Cetacean Research and Conservation and Principal Investigator of the Cook Islands Whale Research Project, will give a multimedia presentation that includes amazing photos, video, recordings of humpback whale songs and tales about her field work with dolphins and whales. For more information about Nan and the Center for Cetacean Research visit whaleresearch.org
Thursday, January 15 - Sustainable Portland by 2030! How Do We Get There?, 4:30 pm, Portland Museum of Art, Portland. Join Portland Society of Architects and The Urban Land Institute at a forum to identify and discuss strategies for achieving a sustainable Portland. This open forum brings together community leaders, citizens and Gary Lawrence, an expert on developing communities that address human need and environmental limitations. Free admission. For more information, visit portlandarchitects.org
Sunday, January 18 - Children's Ice Fishing Derby, Lake St. George State Park, Liberty. Experience ice fishing as a family, thanks to the "Take It Outside" initiative. The Maine Department of Conservation Bureau of Parks and Lands will provide everything you need, including traps, bait and instruction. To preregister and for more information, call Lake St. George State Park at 589-4255.
New store hours at F.W. Horch in Brunswick: we're now open on Mondays!
Store hours: Mon 9:30-4, T-F 9:30-7, Sat: 9:30-6, Sun Closed.
Featured Products
EcoFan Airplus 802
Enjoy warm air from your wood stove, circulated throughout your room instead of rising to the ceiling. Watch this fan operate quietly with no external power or batteries, using just the energy flow from a hot surface. This three-bladed EcoFan is more effective than its two-bladed cousin because it moves more air.
150 CFM fan, nickel or gold $149.95
BioBricks compressed wood
Way more convenient and reliable than cord wood, BioBricks and Night Logs are compressed, dried sawdust for use in wood stoves. The bricks are easy to light and burn for 3 hours. Logs require a bed of coals, then provide heat for 6-7 hours. Keep these on hand and you'll never have to worry about wet wood or bugs!
38 lbs BioBricks $9.95
32 lbs Night Logs $12.50
Our best seller at Common Ground Fair, this large drying rack features a unique design, thick birch dowels, and a lifetime guarantee from the craftsman who makes them here in Maine!
Large drying rack $75
Large drying rack $75
Maine Balsam Draft Stopper
Handmade in Maine with fragrant balsam harvested from the paper and lumber industry, these attractive draft stoppers halt cold drafts from doors and windows. Covered with 100% cotton in assorted patterns.
30" for windows $15.95
42" for doors $19.95
42" for doors $19.95
The SolarSheat hot air collector is a self-contained and self-powered sustainable solution for space heating. Mounts on a south-facing wall or roof. No need for plumbing or electricity -- these 4' by 8' units have a built-in solar-powered fan to blow in warm air whenever there is sun. Now anyone can go solar!
1500 watts $1,979
Convectair Electric Space Heater
Perfect as a complement to a solar space heater, or anywhere you need a heating boost, the Convectair Apero electric space heater works on the proven principle of natural convection. Hangs on the wall and plugs into a regular 120 volt outlet.1250 watts $257
Sustainable Living Tips
To celebrate the first anniversary of our sustainable living tips column, I've collected them all -- from "Efficient Lighting" to "Shop Local" -- with links to the original articles.
A Year's Worth of Sustainable Living Tips
- January: When upgrading a friend's house or your own to energy-efficient compact fluorescent lighting (CFLs), put all of the old-fashioned energy-wasting incandescent bulbs in a box, label it, and store it in the basement, attic, or garage. It's better to replace as many bulbs as possible to start saving money (and the planet) as soon as you can. But don't throw away your old bulbs! Keep a stash of spare bulbs to use in a pinch. More »
- February: According to Efficiency Maine, 75% of electricity used for home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. You can use a Kill-a-Watt meter to test which appliances are "vampires"--sucking electricity all night long. Stop them by unplugging them or putting them on a power strip with a switch. More »
- March: Earthworm castings are a gentle, slow-release, natural fertilizer that works especially well for seedlings. Mix 1 part castings to 3 parts potting soil to start seeds, or line the bottom and sides of seed furrows with 1"-2" of castings to give your little plants a healthy head start. More »
- April: The most sustainable source of fresh water falls from the sky. Try a rain barrel to collect and store rain water. More »
- May: Eating locally-grown food is a delicious way to help save the planet. If every Mainer spent just $10 per week on locally-grown food for six months, $100 million would circulate in Maine's economy. More »
- June: One rechargeable battery can replace up to 1,000 disposable batteries. More »
- July: Instead of gas, oil, pellets or wood, choose clean electricity for your household energy needs. We believe that in terms of sustainability, "green" electricity is the best option today and in the foreseeable future for all household energy needs. Efficient products are on the market now for space and water heating, refrigeration, lighting and all other household activities; it is relatively easy for consumers to go "all electric". Maine's electricity grid is already powered by clean energy sources such as rivers and wind, and through "green" electricity Mainers can choose to support these sources exclusively. More »
- August: Compost year round to ease the burden on your local landfill while building soil fertility in your own landscape. More »
- September: "Weatherizing" your home by sealing air leaks and adding insulation to ceilings, walls and floors is likely the most effective way you can protect both your personal climate and the global climate. More »
- October: As you tighten up your home for winter, it's all the more important to protect indoor air quality by choosing heaters, paints, finishes and cleaning products that don't emit noxious fumes. More »
- November: Save money while saving the planet. Personal thrift promotes planetary well being. But think carefully about every purchase. Don't save money at the expense of the planet--eating at a fast-food chain instead of an organic local restaurant, for example. Instead, find ways to balance your budget that bring global benefits. More »
- December: Shop locally to keep dollars circulating in your community. According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, every dollar spent at a locally-owned business creates more than three times as much local economic activity as a dollar spent at a national chain store. More »
News From ReVision Energy
ReVision Energy will be launching their own newsletter this year, so we bid them a fond farewell from Green Tidings! As soon as I have the details for how you can subscribe to their newsletter, I'll share them. In the meantime, you can keep up with ReVision through their blog at http://www.revisionenergy.com/blog/
Friday, January 02, 2009
Seed Starting Class
We will host a seed starting class, "Grow Your Own Organic Food," by master gardener volunteer Brett Thompson on Thursday, January 8, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm here at our store, F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods and Supplies, 56 Maine St., Brunswick, Maine. The talk is free and open to the public.
"We'll show you how to grow an indoor salad and at last have real baby greens!" says Brett Thompson, a master gardener volunteer and F.W. Horch manager.
Attendees will learn how to start garden seeds and build a light stand for under $11 in parts. Including shop lights, the total cost is under $40. With this stand one can start seedlings of organic vegetables, fruits and flowers. Class participants will also learn how to plant seeds directly in trays or in paper pots that home gardeners can make themselves.
Space for the class is limited, so those interested in attending are encouraged to call the store at 729-4050 to reserve a seat.
This class is part of the F.W. Horch series on sustainable living. Each monthly talk is held at the F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods & Supplies store, 56 Maine Street, Brunswick, Maine, on the second Thursday of the month. February's talk will feature Bob Garver of Wicked Joe's, speaking on the topic of sustainable coffee.
For more information, please call 729-4050.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Featured Products for December
Maine-Made Drying Rack
Our best seller at Common Ground Fair, this large drying rack features a unique design, thick birch dowels, and a lifetime guarantee from the craftsman who makes them here in Maine!
Large drying rack $75
Large drying rack $75
Guyot Designs Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Guyot Designs, based in Deer Isle, Maine, believes in beautiful, functional design. Treat yourself to the gold standard in stainless steel bottles. Made from high quality 18/10 surgical grade stainless steel machined to exacting specifications, these wide-mouth bottles can be easily cleaned. The tethered lids open and close with a comfortable turn and will not leak due to the well-designed threads.
Backpacker 32 oz $24.95
Maine Balsam Draft StopperHandmade in Maine with fragrant balsam harvested from the paper and lumber industry, these attractive draft stoppers halt cold drafts from doors and windows. Covered with 100% cotton in assorted patterns.
30" for windows $15.95
42" for doors $19.95
42" for doors $19.95
Voltaic solar backpacks are mobile solar power generators designed to charge virtually all handheld electronics. Embedded in the outside of the bags are lightweight, tough, waterproof solar panels. A custom battery pack stores any surplus power generated, so it is available when you need it - not just when the sun is up. The battery packs can also be charged using the included AC travel charger or car charger, making them just as useful on the grid as off. Voltaic bags use fabrics made from recycled soda bottles. Recycled PET fabric is light weight, extremely durable, UV and water resistant, and even looks better than the nylon it replaced. Most importantly, it uses significantly less energy to produce and creates demand for recycled materials.
Large backpack $249
ActiveTrax on the Go AudioStop wasting all those batteries! The ActiceTrax On The Go Audio solar-powered speakers allow you to literally crank up the tunes. Plug your iPod (or USB compatible MP3 player) into the side jack of this mini boom-box for a great external speaker. Or, use the AM/FM/WB radio (the weather band radio plays the most local station). You can also recharge your iPod from the ActiveTrax's USB jack. Includes a solar panel on top, as well as an easy-crank self-powered charging system that gives you 20 minutes of speaker play for each minute of cranking.
ActiveTrax speaker/radio/charger $39.95
Learn more »
Rechargeable Acculoop Batteries
These new nickel metal hydride batteries come charged and ready to use. Not only are they reusable up to 1,000 times, but the Acculoop batteries hold their charge much better than other brands.
2-pack AA $13.95
2-pack AAA $6.95
SolarSheat Space Heater The SolarSheat hot air collector is a self-contained and self-powered sustainable solution for space heating. Mounts on a south-facing wall or roof. No need for plumbing or electricity -- these units have a built-in solar-powered fan to blow in warm air whenever there is sun. Now anyone can go solar!1500 watts $1,979 Learn more »
Convectair Electric Space Heater
Perfect as a complement to a solar space heater, or anywhere you need a heating boost, the Convectair Apero electric space heater works on the proven principle of natural convection. Hangs on the wall and plugs into a regular 120 volt outlet. 1250 watts $257
Energy FilmInsulate your window glass without adhesive using an easy-to-apply spectrally-selective cling film. Reduce heat loss through treated windows by 12 - 18%, in effect turning regular glass into low-E glazing. Non-reflective surface retains excellent visual clarity. Blocks 97% of UV light and 70% of infrared light, while allowing 77% of visible light to pass through. Includes squeegee for installation.
24"x48" $19.95; 36"x48" $29.95; 48"x84" $39.95
24"x48" $19.95; 36"x48" $29.95; 48"x84" $39.95
Yolo Colorhouse Paint - Special Offer!
YOLO Colorhouse performs like a premium conventional paint, yet it has low odor, no harmful chemicals, and no added solvents. Green Seal certified, zero VOC, 100% acrylic, with 40% volume solids, YOLO Colorhouse interior paint has excellent hide and layout. Pick from their designer palette or custom tint to match any color.
$45.95 / gal
Special offer: Buy 3, get 1 free until 12/7
Environmental Happenings
What's Happening in the Local Environmental Scene and Beyond
On Tuesday, November 18, the Maine Legislature’s Transportation Committee voted to accept a negotiated conservation easement for Sears Island but to leave it unsigned, meaning no action will be taken. Instead, the committee requested a bill in the next Legislature instructing the Maine Department of Transportation to pursue the permitting of a cargo port on Sears Island, which is owned by the State of Maine. At the head of Penobscot Bay, Sears Island is the largest causeway accessible undeveloped island on the eastern coast of the United States. At issue is whether the development of a cargo port will be permitted on the island.
The Ocean Energy Institute, a tiny research organization founded by Maine resident Matthew Simmons, hopes to build a 5-gigawatt, deep-water wind farm--the largest in the world--in the Gulf of Maine. Because the winds are strongest several miles offshore, the turbines would be built on floating platforms anchored some 12 to 20 miles off the coast in waters 100 to 200 meters deep. The target generating capacity of 5 gigawatts equals the power required to replace the use of home heating oil in Maine. The Gulf of Maine has an estimated wind power potential of 100 gigawatts, peaking in winter when winds are stronger.
Arctic sea ice and climate are behaving in ways not seen before in the satellite record—both in the rate and extent of ice loss during the spring and summer, and in the record ice growth rates and increased Arctic air heating during the fall and winter. During the 2008 melt season, Arctic sea ice declined by a record 10.58 million square kilometers, then rebounded at an astounding rate. As of October 31, ice extent was at 9.27 million square kilometers, more than doubling since the annual minimum of 4.52 million square kilometers measured on September 14, 2008. Over much of the Arctic, especially over the Arctic Ocean, air temperatures were unusually high, consistent with rapid ice growth. Near-surface air temperatures in the Beaufort Sea north of Alaska were more than 7 degrees Celsius above normal and the warming extended well into higher levels of the atmosphere.
Thursday, December 4 - The Kennebec Estuary: Health and Sustainability, 7 pm, Long Reach Hall, Maine Maritime Museum, Bath, Maine. A presentation of The State of the Kennebec Estuary, a research project contracted by the Kennebec Estuary Collaboration. This report assesses current ecological conditions of the estuary and identifies key challenges and opportunities for conservation of this unique system. Speakers: Slade Moore, Director of Biological Conservation, Jaret Reblin, Biologist. For more information, call 442-8400.
Thursday, December 4 - Wildlife Rehabilitation: Raptors, Reptiles & More, 7 pm, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. A presentation by Karen McElmurry, Director, Center for Wildlife. Part of the Friends of Merrymeeting Bay Speaker Series. For more information, contact Misty Gorski at 582-5608.
Thursday, December 11 - Sustainable Gifts, 7 pm, F.W. Horch, 56 Maine Street, Brunswick. Tie into the deeper meanings of the holiday time by giving simple, sustainable gifts. Join us for some ideas about gifts that nurture relationships, build on old and new rituals, and create environmentally sustainable and just communities. Space is limited! To reserve a spot, please call us at 729-4050.
Please note: our store will be closed from Thursday, December 25 through Thursday, January 1, 2009, re-opening on Friday, January 2. Happy Holidays!
Shop Local: December's Sustainable Living Tip
Shop local to keep dollars circulating in your community. According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, every dollar spent at a locally owned business creates more than three times as much local economic activity as a dollar spent at a national chain store.
Facts About Locally Owned Businesses
- According to a 2006 study, only 14% of the revenue taken in by a typical big box store in midcoast Maine remains in the Maine economy. 86% leaves Maine.
- In contrast, locally owned businesses spend 45% of their revenue in Maine.
- Compared to national chains, local retailers purchase a much larger share of the goods and services needed to run their stores from other local businesses.
- Locally owned businesses are more likely to advertise in local newspapers than national chains.
- One study has found that small businesses give more than twice as much per employee to charitable causes as do large companies.
- Locally owned businesses create and support more jobs in the communities they serve than do national chains.
- The idea that national chains, by bringing shoppers to town, boost sales at surrounding retail stores is a myth. Data analysis shows that Maine communities that gained a Wal*Mart supercenter in the 1990s experienced a decline in retail "pull factor."
- Studies show that national chains put smaller local stores out of business, resulting in job losses that exceed the jobs available at the national chain stores.
- National chains have much higher employee turnover rates than locally owned businesses.
- Locally owned businesses fill downtown retail spaces too small for national chains.
- National chain stores typically build "big-box" new buildings to suit their needs, leaving existing retail space vacant as smaller locally owned stores are forced to close.
- A typical big box store requires 1,000 parking spaces and generates 10,000 car trips every day. Even smaller-scale chains, like Walgreen's and Borders, favor locations and store designs that foster driving and discourage walking and public transit.
- A recent analysis in Barnstable, Massachusetts, found that big box stores require nearly $800 more in public services per 1,000 square feet than Main Street businesses.
- The two main factors behind the higher costs were greater expenditures for road maintenance (due to a much greater volume of car trips per 1,000 square feet) and greater demand for police services (compared to small businesses, big box stores generate a much larger volume of police calls for crimes like shoplifting and check fraud, as well as parking lot accidents).
- Small manufacturers with innovative products are more likely to obtain shelf space in small locally owned retail stores.
- Two national chains control nearly 45 percent of the hardware and building supply market in the United States.
- Two national chains currently capture half of all bookstore sales in the United States.
- Maine residents today log three times as many road miles for shopping and errands as they did a generation ago.
- A national study by Cornell University found that counties where small businesses dominated economic activity had greater income equality, more owner-occupied homes, lower levels of worker disability, higher educational outcomes, lower crime rates, a larger independent middle class and higher rates of civic engagement, as measured by voter turnout and membership in community organizations.
- Small-scale, locally owned stores help to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable town centers—which in turn play an essential role in limiting sprawl and automobile use, and reducing related problems like habitat loss and air and water pollution.
News From ReVision Energy
Here's the news from ReVision Energy, our renewable energy partner:
ReVision Energy has done some recent installations worth noting. One was for a new Portland home through the Habitat for Humanity organization. The project was a solar hot water installation matched with a high efficiency gas boiler. ReVision Energy and its purveyors provided the Habitat project with parts and materials. The staff from ReVision Energy took time out of one of their weekends to volunteer the work needed to install these systems. The project is to provide the new homeowners with long term energy savings. You can view more about this project by clicking here:
ReVision Energy has done some recent installations worth noting. One was for a new Portland home through the Habitat for Humanity organization. The project was a solar hot water installation matched with a high efficiency gas boiler. ReVision Energy and its purveyors provided the Habitat project with parts and materials. The staff from ReVision Energy took time out of one of their weekends to volunteer the work needed to install these systems. The project is to provide the new homeowners with long term energy savings. You can view more about this project by clicking here:
ReVision Energy also recently completed an installation through York County Shelters in Alfred, Maine. The York County Shelters is a living facility for the homeless. This new construction is the first of its kind for homeless shelters in Maine to integrate the cost of renewable energy systems into its building designs. The additional upfront costs are justified as these systems will offer long term savings on their energy usage. The York County Shelters is utilizing a high efficiency gasification wood boiler with thermal storage tank, solar hot water collectors, and a 4kW solar electric system. To read more, click here:
December 13th, I will give a presentation entitled Introduction to Active Solar at the Shelter Institute in Woolwich. The class is free, but space is limited, so pre-registering is suggested. Please click here for more information: http://www.shelterinstitute.com/ActiveSolar.htm
We hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. We would like to remind everyone that we do work throughout the winter. We are able to do indoor work when the weather conditions are poor and save the roof work for when the weather is more favorable. We are still running a half off special on our site evaluations from now until the New Year. Our site evaluations allow us to design and propose a renewable energy system to integrate into what you have now. If you move forward with a job, 100% of your deposit goes towards it.
As always, please call ReVision Energy at 221-6342 with any questions you may have. We would be more than happy to help you find a long term solution to your energy saving needs.
- Jen
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