Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach 1975

Wow, I first read this book in the mid 1980′s because at the time I was a Pagan (The Women were real easy) and needed to know the mind set so along with Drawing Down The Moon and other books I read this one and the next in the Series Ecotopia Rising. I liked the fist the latter not so much. A fun quick read I liked some of the ideas talked about in the book and thought that further exploring some of them be worthwhile so I did, became a big supporter of Alternative Power such as Wind (and I still am) The Book was a fast read and if your interested I say find the book and read it. I missed not being able to get it at my Library that I bought a used copy on line from Barns and Noble on Line. ( The shipping cost more then the book)
Anyway for the last few months after the Agriculture Network blew up in my Face just been thinking more and more about the book and my thoughts on what “green” means to me.
Yes IMHO there is a lot if not all on Global Warming is a scam the old Global Warming = Big Government+ Big Business + Big Unions and I have talked about that here once on the Blog. Still we should and can do more what and how much I am not sure of but I hope that by rereading Ecotpia will help me to start thinking on those ideas.
One big idea is that IMHO the right could be more focused on the issues and opportunities in the “Green” area such as Urban Ag and Alternative power as growth areas. Why should we send $$ to counties that hate us if we do not have too? Why not allow if not encourage Urban Farming on land just sitting?

Its that time of year when we here are getting ready for Winter.
Plastic over the Windows,using barriers in the windows to keep in the heat, bring in the decorations that might get damaged in the Snow/Cold.
With this effort I am forced to think I could have done more this year. Things happen they do some the fault of others some no one’s fault. End result is the same I need to do more to get ready come only the Cold/Snow of Winter or if the E.U. troubles bring all hell it will be me that must prepare for what may happen.
A lot to think about and be ready for, but in no way will it be a pity party.

Mayor John Dickert is claiming full credit for RUGN. Rather interesting when it was RUGN itself (lead by one former Bord member who has been driven out) from finding the Space (that be me) going to all the city meetings drawing the maps etc
Then too Dickert is famous for claiming work done by others from this to Delta Hawk, yes its “john Dickert” will he soon claim to be the Son of God or will he let Obama keep that title?
Looks like to be he is having others follow me on Twitter/Facebook and trying to counter act my voice that speaks out on his fun and games. One would hope that he have better things to do like oh fight crime or help jobs come to Racine but that make too much sense.
One should ask him whats up with the Danish Ground and the west Racine Farmers market?

After a mix up stopping me from starting action on the first plot.  I am pleased to say that been fixed (Thanks Kathy and Chris!) and starting on the 7th The action to set up the plots be starting. I hope to have the beds ready to go and seeds in the ground!

I do hope to help set up other plots as may be needed a lot of folks doing work here are older and not in good shape (could be said about me!) I should be talking to the youth leader from the Racine Volunteer Center  about how we will be working together at RUGN and the Deadlands.

Tomatoes from seed Swiss Chard  and Okra here at bed1 I know some Pumpkins and squash at bed 2

Going to shoot some shows for Green Racine TV. Focus of the shows will be small Green Businesses and groups.

The goal is to promote the businesses and groups and educate viewers about what is going on in South East Wisconsin by real everyday folks not the Al Gore fruitcakes.

Like The Podcast I do of the Same Name Green Racine at Blog Talk Radio

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/green-racine    All shows can be found here.  The shows will be right of center but I hope with no slant.

Among other businesses/groups I hope to cover:

RUGN

Hide House Community Garden

Milwaukee Community Compost

Victory Garden Initiative

Sweet Water Organics

Milwaukee Bio-Diesel

Future Green

The shows will air both on CATV and Web outlets

Part of Lots to plots was working with kids,to show them how to garden how crops are raised the work it takes  growing food.  No group liability insurance put a huge damper on that. The school will not allow them  to visit sites without it. To say the least I was bummed.
Well the other day I met by chance the youth leader of the Racine County Volunteer Center! She is all about Gardening and has the insurance needed for the kids to visit the areas AND!!!!!! wants very much to work together to grow food in the Gardens she has for her center. Talk about Win/Win. Far more kids will be able to be exposed to what great things can be done taught by Gardening!

She needs seeds/plants since she has little cash and I can give her some of what I have. (thanks Dollar Seeds). I can help her with water and hvy labor.

There are three main locations for Lots  to plots

Valhalla  200 Blk of Jones St   4   8*10 raised beds   a 10* 20 vertical bed and misc containers.

This is also the location of the mushroom operation.

RUGN 400 Blk of Racine St  2  10*20 plots   misc containers

Deadlands  This is an old neglected garden area that I and others are bringing back.  It is still very wet from the rain we had.  The City Parks Dept will be nicely plowing up the site for us. As they had a tractor stuck in the mud they want to wait until the area is dryer.

I expect to have at least a 20 * 20 area.

We wanted more however the fund drive results did not allow us to buy insurance to rent commercial  property.

We need to be prepared. Not thinking for a 10 point F-5 blow out sort of thing but at least prepared

for a storm such a the winter storm we had hear in Racine 2/2/11 or a tornados that we have in the Midwest.

First step would be to visit the FEMA web site and see what FEMA suggests you do to be prepared they would have the most up to date information.Everyone plans will not be the same. I will outline what our prep plans are for a idea for others. NOTE:  we all should take basic first aid and CERT training so we can at least do something for ourselves and neighbors

(please read what FEMA and the Redcross have to say on this)

1) We have a small stock of food/water for our family, not a lot for a huge number but I estimate we have 3 days worth for 10. Not the ritz but we get by for a time.

2) Water same

3) Pets we have both Dogs and Cat. We have food and water for them. Note make plans to care for your pets many shelters will not be set up for them. Be sure to have them lic and vaccination keep proof of that

4) First Aid training  might be a bit of time before help comes being able to help your self a bit could be a good thing.

5) Phone have a landline so you can call with out a cell phone if power goes out you can still call same if  Cell towers no longer work  the $10 a month you spend may well be worth it.

6) Battery powered Radio so we can know what is going on with of course extra batteries

7) Flashlight with extra batteries be needed to see if the power goes out.

Change of cloths

9) Blankets if the weather gets cold

There is a lot more I could talk about but the this is the basic outline of idea. We all must be getting prepared if something should happen calling 911 may not work

Green Racine is looking for the following to help with lots to plots and other programs we are undertaking.
As we will try to use as much that we can find scrap or donated so if you have access to the list and could donate that be great. I do not have a truck to pick up large amounts or sized items:

1) 55 Gal Plastic Barrows clean be great but can not have been used for toxic chemicals
2) Drills
3) PCP Pipes
4) Garden Hose
5) Shovel
6) E-Tool
7) Garden hand tools Wood saw
9) plastic tubing all sizes
10) Clamps
11) PVC Glue
12) Old windows
13) Scrap wood
14) Scrap metal
15) nails
Major Ask!!!!!!!!

Warehouse space!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shared space is fine no power needed or heat/AC just a few hundred sq feet

Please email me at wclingman@wi.rr.com if you can help!

So with the gardening idea I see ways that can be looked into where more then a few jobs can be started this is cool becuse jobs are hard to come by and I think as prices go up its going to get higher see the price of Gas. see the price of bread? I think they will go higher I have touched a bit on that and its not the point for tonight.
Tonight is more on what I call hopes what I hope happens in my perfect world I know its not my perfect world far from it. I can hope and plan right?
Read someplace that one should start at the end result act as if so to speak. so should I?

Write and hand out contracts for the RSA part of Lots to Plots?
Have staff write info sheets to give to the schools to gather youth before we know how many we may need?
Find places to pick up composting materials at (yes a no brainier)
suspect I should be doing the speaking thing at the business groups around town anther no brainier.

I know I need to find set days and times for taping Green Racine CATV show and starting looking for guests for those days and times. Need to find a Agriculture product manufacturer to rep for so I have more products to offer to Farmer’s- Gardeners other growers. I do not need to do all this by tomorrow I do have to do it and as a plan and wait I need to stay focused on the image of me on the cargo bike going to one of the gardens and returning home with say Kale to make a great dish to eat after a long day working with the soil and helping others to do so too.