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Ithaca Winter

restart — Wed, 05 Oct 2005 20:43:21 -0700

Hi,
I've been up to Ithaca to visit and looked at some land. Am interested in starting permaculture place there but am concerned about growing season, as it is really cold in Winter. How do people in Ithaca rate the climate and growing season? Also how safe is Ithaca vis a vis nuclear, health or environmental hazards?

Any info appreciated. I'd like to relocate by December so I need to start making some choices about where to live. Basicly I'm looking for a safer bet.

Thanks,

Marg

Post Carbon Ithaca (Ithaca, NY)

Burlington Council retreats defeated by Walmart Store on Fairview

grahamia — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 10:27:48 -0800

The news hit the street yesterday. Burlington Council voted in favour of withdrawing protest to the Walmart development application for Fairview Ave beside the GO Station.
People are getting the news out, and they are getting madder. City caves and the rest is history?
NO WAY! Stay tuned for public protest. Come to the council meeting Monday Jan 22.
Call all the councillors and the Mayor, and anyone on staff. The word needs to get out.
Resist. Spend that cool $1Million saved on snow removal to fight Walmart.

Ian

Post Carbon York Region, Ontario

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

xtraspatial — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 10:19:34 -0700

I'm in the process of reading "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life" by Barbara Kingsolver, in which she, along with her husband, Steve Hopp, and daughter Camille describe their experience of eating (nearly) exclusively local food for an entire year.

The book is organized by topics but follows pretty much the chronology of their excursion into the food supplies found in their gardens, their neighbors gardens, and the various places where they travel (including Canada, Ohio, Pennsylvania).

Her style of writing is uplifting and celebratory, with a bit of sarcasm and a pinch of cynicism. It is a great companion to Bill McKibben's "Deep Economy."

Camille includes recipes at the end of most chapters, and I've learned to make Mozzarella Cheese from her! I now make my own very local mozzarella using Meadowbrook milk (just southwest of Albany), citric acid (OK, not so local), and vegetarian rennet. It takes about an hour (less if you use a microwave), and can be eaten directly thereafter or chilled for later. I had it on my tomatoes, and topped it with my basil, drizzled with olive oil (OK, OK!! Not local!), and pepper (I know: not local). I figure it costs me about $2.75 in materials (half-gallon of milk and traces of the citric acid and rennet). This compares to the $4.50 for the same amount of cheese made from non-organic (and probably rBGH-infused) milk from some huge dairy conglomerate and wrapped in plastic. Next, I want to try cream cheese (or Neufchatel), creme fraiche, and some aged hard cheese (like cheddar). Then on to blues.

I don't eat much dairy now, but I'm intrigued by the process of preserving food and cheese foots the bill there.

Anyone else reading the book or have cheese-making experiences to share?

Sustainable Saratoga Springs (NY)

relocating, looking for green/natural building advice

arimoore — Sat, 10 May 2008 07:15:27 -0700

Hi all,

My partner and I are relocating to Ithaca at the end of the summer and are interested in (vegan) low-impact living, natural building, going off-grid, etc. I was hoping I could find a local forum with people exchanging info (strawbale vs. cob, best angles and such for a warm passive solar house in the Ithaca winter, etc.). I've found the Ithaca Green Building Alliance but it seems primarily aimed at vendors / building companies, not individuals. Can anyone here give us advice on how best to hook up with folks who are doing this kind of thing in Ithaca?

Thanks, and peace!
Ari

Post Carbon Ithaca (Ithaca, NY)