Wissahickon Growing Greener
Let's Promote and Educate RESIDENTS about a Sustainable Future for OUR AreaNEWS
Ambler wants to start a Food Co-Op.
The Ambler community is holding an informational meeting about forming an Ambler food co-op at 7:00pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at the Montgomery County Senior Adult Activities Center, located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler, PA.
All members of the community are invited to attend this public meeting to learn what a food cooperative can do for Ambler and the surrounding area, and how they can get involved and make it happen. Representatives from Mount Airy's Weavers Way Food Co-op will present the process and milestones of starting up a new co-op that may lead to a community-owned cooperative grocery in Ambler. This will be the first of many community meetings that will inform and update the public on the progress of this initiative.
The snow date for the meeting is Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at 7:00pm, also at the Montgomery County Senior Adult Activities Center.For more information, to get involved, or to be kept informed on the co-op's progress, please call 215-326-9792 or send an email to amblerfoodcoop@gmail.com.
Save the dates for Pennypack's Sustainability Movie Series
This season's movies will focus on the core mission of Pennypack Farm - good food that's available to all. Each movie will delve into a different aspect of our food system. Learn how making small changes to what you eat and where you buy it can make a big difference to the world. Tickets are now on sale at www.amblertheater.org/pennypack Single Tickets/$10.00 Series Tickets/$24.00.
All movies will be shown at the Ambler Theater, 108 E. Butler Avenue, Ambler.
Come early to meet and learn more about the sponsors and local organizations. Stay afterwards for an insightful panel discussion. Panelists to be announced soon.
Feb. 14 Queen of the Sun
Mar. 13 What's Organic About Organic?
Apr. 10 PLANEAT
Registration is open for The Home Grown Institute, March 24-25, held at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in NW Philly.
Free Rain Barrel or Worm Farm Compost Bin for All! (one per residence).* Free gifts - rain barrels or composters - for ALL registrants*
* 50+ workshops and activities for adults
* Fun, Engaging and Educational Kids and Teen program
* Storytelling, Seed and Tool Exchanges
* Films, Silent Auction and Awards Reception
* Neighborhood "Community Kitchen" Incubator
Red Earth Farm CSA has a local pick up spot in Ambler
Shares are delivered from June to October.
Check www.redearthfarm.org for info. Here is a sample of pricing, but more options can be found under the"About CSA" section of the website
Donate sheets and towels
Exchange Clothes
Other places to look for gently used clothes include consignment sales/shops, Thrift shops, Freecycle.org, or hold your own clothing swap!
Why bother?
-you might be helping out a local charity
-keep good clothing out of the landfill
-save money (you might even make some)
-conserving resources
-declutter
One COOL Way to Reduce Greenhouse Gasses
Pennypack Sustainability Series
Pennypack Farm and Education Center presents three nights at the movies followed by discussion groups led by panels of experts. Each movie delves into a different aspect of sustainability - bees, organic eating, and our love of meat and dairy. Learn how your small changes can make a big difference to the world.
Events are held the second Tuesday of the month in Feb (Queen of the Sun), March (What's Organic?), and April(PlanEat). Doors open at 6:00pm for the Sponsor Expo in the lobby. Films begin at 7:30pm.
Tickets $10 each. More details and ticket sales coming soon.
Here's a link to the series: http://www.amblertheater.org/pennypack.php
Watch: A vegetable garden can do more than save you money -- it can save the world. At TEDxDirigo Roger Doiron shows how gardens can re-localize our food and feed our growing population.
Recycling Christmas Trees
Christmas Trees will be recycled in Whitpain Township Jan 25. Christmas trees must be free of any ornaments, including tree bags, lights, tinsel and or they will not be collected. Please have your items out at the curb Tuesday night for Wednesday's pick up.
Check Earth911.com for a tree recycling program in your area.
Recycling Plastic Bags
It seems that even though we take the reusable bags to the store, we still end up with plastic bags from bread loaves and toilet paper. This clean and dry plastic can be recycled. Check here for info. Most grocery stores collect the plastic.
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Recycle Greeting Cards (all occasions)
You can recycle the cards you get in the mail as well as support St. Jude's Hospital.
Recycled Card Program
Send
your used cards (Christmas, birthday, any type!) to the children at St.
Jude’s Ranch. The kids there will cut the fronts off of the old cards
and affix new backs, creating new cards! The cards can be purchased on their website.
Who does this program benefit? It benefits all of US by encouraging us to “go green” and recycle. It benefits the children at St. Jude’s Ranch by teaching them about recycling and earning some spending money!
St. Jude’s Ranch is accepting used, all-occasion cards YEAR ROUND!
You can mail your donations to:
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
Recycled Card Program
100 St. Jude’s Street – Boulder City, NV 89005
877-977-SJRC (7572)
Some card donating tips:
- All types of greeting cards, including Christmas are used.
- Only the card front can be used (please check to be sure the back side is clear of any writing, etc.)
- They can not accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards.
- 5″ x 7″ size or smaller is preferred.
Winter share CSAs available
Where are the PA Shale wells being drilled?
NPR's StateImpact Pennsylvania has created a website for tracking deep gas drilling in Pennsylvania. The application lets you track where the drillers are drilling (by county and municipality), who owns the well, how much gas it is producing, and any violations at the well cited by the Department of Environmental Protection. Each well has its own URL, so you can share it via social media. The information will be updated each month as DEP releases new data. Thanks for the tip, PennFuture.
Five Household Toxins you should banish from your home
OrganicGardening.com had a article to save money and protect your health. On the list was:
2. Synthetic pesticides
3. Antibacterial soap. (Good old-fashioned soap and warm water will kill just as many germs, studies have shown. If you must use a hand sanitizer, pick one that’s alcohol-based and doesn’t list triclosan or other chemicals on its label.)
4. Synthetic fragrances. (Used in laundry detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, cleaning supplies and disinfectants, air fresheners, deodorizers, shampoos, hair sprays, gels, lotions, sunscreens, soaps, perfumes, powders, and scented candles, )
5. Harsh cleaning products. (When cleaning in the kitchen after prepping meat, use hot, soapy water first (we like simple, unscented castile soaps) and then follow with the vinegar-water solution.)
Check out the full article here.
Jan 25, Ambler Food Co-Op Informational Meeting, 7pm, Montgomery County Senior Adult Activities Center
All members of the community are invited to attend this public meeting to learn what a food cooperative can do for Ambler and the surrounding area, and how they can get involved and make it happen. Representatives from Mount Airy's Weavers Way Food Co-op will present the process and milestones of starting up a new co-op that may lead to a community-owned cooperative grocery in Ambler. This will be the first of many community meetings that will inform and update the public on the progress of this initiative.
The snow date for the meeting is Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at 7:00pm, also at the Montgomery County Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler, PA.For more information, to get involved, or to be kept informed on the co-op's progress, please call 215-326-9792 or send an email to amblerfoodcoop@gmail.com.
Jan 28, Weed/Pest Management and Lawn Alternative Landscaping for the Real World, 9-12noon, Springfield Township Building, 50 Powell Road, Springfield, PA 19064 (Delaware County)
This is FREE and presented by the Springfield Township, PA Environmental Advisory Committee. http://www.steacdelco.org/Pest_Mgmt_and_Lawn_alternatives_2012.pdf
For more info, contact Ann Jackson ajackson61@verizon.net 610-585-5038; or Ken Rapp: ken@steacdelco.org
JAN 28, 10:00 am, COMPOSTING - Mia Mengucci, PCH
All classes run approximately 1 hour. Space is limited and registration is required. There is a $10
fee per class due at time of registration. You must pay in advance. A $5 Primex Gift
Card
will be issued to each paid registrant that attends the lecture.
Register in the store or by calling 215-887-7500.
Primex Garden Center, 435 W Glenside Ave, Glenside, PA 19038
www.primexgardencenter.com
Jan 28th, 1:00 pm STARTING SPRING TURF & RENOVATION – Mia Mengucci, PCH
All classes run approximately 1 hour. Space is limited and registration is required. There is a $10
fee per class due at time of registration. You must pay in advance. A $5 Primex Gift
Card
will be issued to each paid registrant that attends the lecture.
Register in the store or by calling 215-887-7500.
Primex Garden Center, 435 W Glenside Ave, Glenside, PA 19038
www.primexgardencenter.com
FEB 4, 10:00 am, BACKYARD CHICKENS - Jesse Howe, Primex Garden Center
All classes run approximately 1 hour. Space is limited and registration is required. There is a $10
fee per class due at time of registration. You must pay in advance. A $5 Primex Gift
Card
will be issued to each paid registrant that attends the lecture.
Register in the store or by calling 215-887-7500.
Primex Garden Center, 435 W Glenside Ave, Glenside, PA 19038
www.primexgardencenter.com
FEB 11, 10:00 am, ATTRACTING BIRDS AND BACKYARD FEEDING, Primex
All classes run approximately 1 hour. Space is limited and registration is required. There is a $10
fee per class due at time of registration. You must pay in advance. A $5 Primex Gift
Card
will be issued to each paid registrant that attends the lecture.
Register in the store or by calling 215-887-7500.
Primex Garden Center, 435 W Glenside Ave, Glenside, PA 19038
www.primexgardencenter.com
Feb 14, Pennypack Sustainability Movie Series presents Queen of the Sun, Ambler Theatre, 7:30.
On a pilgrimage around the world, the film unveils 10,000 years of beekeeping highlighting how our historic and sacred relationship with bees has been lost. This engaging, alarming and ultimately uplifting film uncovers the problems and solutions in renewing a culture in balance with nature. More information at queenofthesun.com.
Feb 18 10:00 am, RAINWATER AS A RESOURCE: REDUCE RUNOFF & FLOODING - Dottie Baumgarten, Primex Garden Center
gardens. Dottie is the owner of Sustainable Choices, aspires to support positive changes towards earth-friendly behaviors through knowledge.
All classes run approximately 1 hour. Space is limited and registration is required. There is a $10
fee per class due at time of registration. You must pay in advance. A $5 Primex Gift
Card
will be issued to each paid registrant that attends the lecture.
Register in the store or by calling 215-887-7500.
Primex Garden Center, 435 W Glenside Ave, Glenside, PA 19038
www.primexgardencenter.com
Feb 18, 1:00 pm, BACKYARD FRUITS - Anne Myers, Primex
All classes run approximately 1 hour. Space is limited and registration is required. There is a $10
fee per class due at time of registration. You must pay in advance. A $5 Primex Gift
Card
will be issued to each paid registrant that attends the lecture.
Register in the store or by calling 215-887-7500.
Primex Garden Center, 435 W Glenside Ave, Glenside, PA 19038
www.primexgardencenter.com
Feb 18, 1:00 pm, RAIN BARRELS - Sally McCabe, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
All classes run approximately 1 hour. Space is limited and registration is required. There is a $10
fee per class due at time of registration. You must pay in advance. A $5 Primex Gift
Card
will be issued to each paid registrant that attends the lecture.
Register in the store or by calling 215-887-7500.
Primex Garden Center, 435 W Glenside Ave, Glenside, PA 19038
www.primexgardencenter.com
Feb 18, Design in Harmony with Nature, 11-1pm, Yardley - Makefield Meeting Room, FREE
Permaculture draws from several disciplines including:
Organic Farming, Agroforestry, Applied Ecology
Sustainable Development & Appropriate Technology
Permaculture can help make Life on Earth Sustainable!
Contact: Henry D'Silva Tel: 267-679-0617 or henrydsilva@comcast.net
Feb 25, 1:00 pm, BERRIES, BRAMBLES, & GRAPES - Anne Myers
whys of growing edible delights in your backyard.
All classes run approximately 1 hour. Space is limited and registration is required. There is a $10
fee per class due at time of registration. You must pay in advance. A $5 Primex Gift
Card
will be issued to each paid registrant that attends the lecture.
Register in the store or by calling 215-887-7500.
Primex Garden Center, 435 W Glenside Ave, Glenside, PA 19038
www.primexgardencenter.com
March 13, Pennypack Sustainability Movie Series presents What's Organic, Ambler Theatre, 7:30.
With charm and humanity, this film leads viewers to examine how organic farming has evolved from a grassroots movement into a multi-billion dollar international industry. The film reveals what’s at stake in creating and maintaining meaningful standards for organic production to protect citizen interests, heal the environment, and maintain the livelihoods of family farmers. More information at whatsorganicmovie.com.
March 17, 10:00 am, ORGANIC GARDENING – Primex
All classes run approximately 1 hour. Space is limited and registration is required. There is a $10
fee per class due at time of registration. You must pay in advance. A $5 Primex Gift
Card
will be issued to each paid registrant that attends the lecture.
Register in the store or by calling 215-887-7500.
Primex Garden Center, 435 W Glenside Ave, Glenside, PA 19038
www.primexgardencenter.com
March 17, 1pm, COMPANION PLANTING – Ron Kushner, Primex
All classes run approximately 1 hour. Space is limited and registration is required. There is a $10
fee per class due at time of registration. You must pay in advance. A $5 Primex Gift
Card
will be issued to each paid registrant that attends the lecture.
Register in the store or by calling 215-887-7500.
Primex Garden Center, 435 W Glenside Ave, Glenside, PA 19038
www.primexgardencenter.com
March 24-25, Sustsainable -Skills event, Chestnut Hill
The EAC Network is proud to be a Community Partner
with The Home Grown Institute - a local
sustainable-skills event that will be held in Chestnut Hill March 24-25. The
Home Grown Institute will be filled with hands-on activities such
as beekeeping, backyard chickens, and organic gardening techniques (beginner
and advanced). Workshops such as How to Make Healthy Food Habits Stick,
Designing a Rain Garden, Composting and Food Preservation will also be offered.
There will even be nature meditations for a little peace and quiet.
Please take 7 minutes to help us make sure The
Home Grown Institute has something for you! Click here
to help fine-tune the program and to give us feedback about whether an event
like The Home Grown Institute is right for your community.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EACHomeGrown
April 10 - Pennypack Sustainability Movie Series presents PLANEAT, Ambler Theatre, 7:30.
The search for a diet which is good for our health, environment and future of the planet. The film presents a convincing case to re-examine our love affair with meat and dairy. With the help of innovative farmers, chefs and some of the best cooking you have ever seen, PLANEAT advocates eating less meat as a step towards solving some of the problems we face today.
In order to take advantage of our WEEKLY NEWSLETTER with tips and calendar, send an email to WissahickonGrowingGreener@gmail.com .