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Local Currency

steveinboise — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 09:20:23 -0700

Hello, this is the first time I have posted to this group. Forgive me if this has already been brought up, but I am curious to know if anyone in Boise has started or is interested in starting a local currency exchange? I would be interested to hear any comments on this subject! Thanks! Steven

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Spyglass Gardens

JMaus — Sat, 03 May 2008 19:11:10 -0700

We rode our bikes out to Spyglass Gardens on Linder Rd. just south of Victory today. It's a really cool place and we ended up bringing home fresh asparagus and some butternut squash seeds. The farmer/owner Steve was helpful and gave us some advice on when to plant our squash seed and told us if we ever had any questions about growing produce to just ask him. I'm really excited about having fresh, organic produce so close to where we live, I may even see if they need any help this summer in exchange for food!

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Let's get the Coop to post food miles.

whitnuld — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:43:14 -0700

Many are now making the point that just eating organic isn't enough: so what if that mango was grown organically when it took many tons of CO2 to get it here? We should be able to know where our food came from and how long it took to get here. I'm betting many members of this group are also members of the Coop - what a great place to start! Let's start with an email campaign, then perhaps attend their next board meeting if we don't get results. Here's how to contact them: http://www.boisecoop.com/contactus.asp

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Welcome to BSLC

Boise SLN — Mon, 21 May 2007 23:05:26 -0700

Boise's blossoming relocalization community was founded in January 2007 by a handful of optimistic and energetic members. Since then we have experienced steady growth and we are very happy to report that the network of Boise localists is gaining momentum in both numbers and vision.

We are very fortunate to be experiencing a convergence of positive, proactive energies in this area. Take a look around our web digs and have a peek at some of the great things happening in our community. Consider becoming involved in this inspired community of active localists working toward positive change. Help grow our local network of food sources and share in our resources of knowledge and energy. Whatever your level of involvement, we hope you are inspired to Keep It Local!

***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
-Gandhi
***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Introductions

Anneliese — Mon, 21 May 2007 23:53:08 -0700

I'll start...

Names people call me: Ann, Anneliese, Love, Mom, MaahMeeeee! and others...some of which I don't know and some of which I know but won't tell you.

I am partnered with a patient, loving and inspiring soulmate named Kevin.

I'm a stay-at-home mom to an awe*some daughter. *in the most spiritual sense of the word.

I hunt for useful materials on craigslist and I can be a bit of an insomniac....baaaad combination!

Recent personal discoveries: the architectural salvage place on Grove St, and a deeper appreciation for the inspiration I draw from the BSLC community.

Recent fearless positive action: completed the bicycle survey JohnW posted about in News, and helped rescue nearly a cord of maple hardwood from going to a landfill. Oh, and I stopped drinking daily coffee, which took more courage than you might think.

Some of my current relocalize goals: grow some food, make some compost, pedal more - drive less,

BSLC has made a tremendous impact on the sustainability factor in my life. I'm very excited about where we're headed.

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Seed Saving - act now for tomatoes

Anneliese — Thu, 24 May 2007 15:59:20 -0700

I just read an article from Organic Gardening that mentions something about saving seeds from tomatoes.

Garden-grown tomatoes can cross-pollinate and produce hybrids. So if there's a particular strain you're interested in preserving, it looks like you need to isolate the plant during the flowering stage.

Paraphrasing what the article states:

"Find a cluster of blossoms before they have opened and wrap a section of row cover fabric around them....Take care not to crush the blossoms or stem. Leave the row cover on until you see that tiny tomatoes have developed....You can confidently save seeds from tomatoes isolated using this technique.....tie a piece of twine loosely around the cluster so you can easily identify which tomaotes are okay to save seed from when harvest time comes."

Of course, isolating the unopened flowers is only important if you're interested in preserving the strain.

Hope that helps.

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Extra Potato Seed

JMaus — Thu, 24 May 2007 17:02:39 -0700

I'm getting a late start with the garden, but am hoping to have it planted by the end of the weekend, however I may have bought too much potato seed, mostly Burbank Russet. If anybody would like the leftover seed, let me know!

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Coming soon, community media sharing!

johnw — Sun, 27 May 2007 12:10:44 -0700

A listing of books/DVDs and other media and their current location.

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Garden!

JMaus — Sun, 27 May 2007 20:12:04 -0700

Here it is:

It was covered with grass just a week ago and this is what it looked like after today. Planting will begin tomorrow!

Boise Sustainable Living Community

NEEM Oil.....

Amy Westover — Wed, 30 May 2007 08:18:40 -0700

Perhaps many of you have heard about the Neem plant and the oil extracted from it. I encountered it for the first time while we were in Bali in April and since have been finding out more about it's properties and uses.

The latest discovery is that organic farmers have been using Neem Oil as a pesticide that is completely safe to humans, animals and Honey Bees! There is an obvious problem with the bee population and it is suggested by many that chemical pesticides used on roses and other flowers to get rid of aphids have been a culprit in the death of the bees.

You can rid your flowers of pest and still keep them safe for bees by making a diluted spray with neem oil. The Co-op is sold out of the stuff right now and I am on a waiting list for some. I will let you all know when I get some and how it works.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neem_oil

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Carbon negative day?

Anneliese — Thu, 31 May 2007 16:23:29 -0700

Respirator anyone?

Hack Hack.

Kevin just got home from work. His bike commute is only a mile or two, but he came home feeling pretty discouraged today. He can feel the strain on his lungs when he commutes on these orange alert days. And meanwhile he passes motorists idling in a/c'd vehicles of mythic proportions. Bah. He's breathing in this pollution and essentially acting like a carbon filter for others' needless oil excess.

Orange alerts and it's not even June yet.

What's a biker to do?

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Want to talk Trash?

Anneliese — Thu, 31 May 2007 16:52:43 -0700

I got an email from City of Boise regarding the city's long-range solid-waste plan. Here's an excerpt:

"The city of Boise is hosting public open houses in June and July to solicit feedback from the community on what the future of trash and recycling should look like in this community. Residents are encouraged to attend one of these informational meetings (see below), learn more about the proposed Boise City Solid Waste Strategic Plan, and weigh-in on the issues that are important to them. All comments will be recorded and considered as part of the planning process.

Decisions made in the Plan will help guide the future of solid waste management in Boise for years to come. The issues and decisions facing Boise residents and business owners include (but not limited to) future recycling programs, trash disposal and costs, services, and the methods used to collect materials.

Along with the public open houses, we are available to present this information on a limited basis and by reservation only at your office, service club meeting, church, neighborhood meeting, etc.

The Mayor's goal is "to make Boise the most livable city in America." This solid waste strategic planning process gives everyone an opportunity to help shape the future of solid waste management and contribute to achieving that goal - most livable city in America."

Waste management is definitely a sustainability issue. Those huge polluting trash trucks certainly affect our air quality. Metered trash handling could go a long way in getting folks to be more mindful of what they consume. And I've heard that in places in Europe recycling is actually enforced. I can't tell you how much useful stuff I see at people's curbs every week. It's abhorrent.

I'm interested in participating in one of these open houses. Any comments or suggestions about how waste is handled in Boise? I'd be happy to share them at one of the meetings. If there's any interest in participating as a group, let me know and I'll post some details.

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Now what day is it?

jbird — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 07:22:38 -0700

Amy and I had been so excited about this weeks meeting that we forgot to really check the date. Both of us thought it was Sunday and didn't even question it. I hear we missed out on some great food! Thanks for waiting and sorry for the no-show. See you next time!

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Alright, who posted this on Craigslist?

JMaus — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 20:20:39 -0700

I found this on Craigslist, it sounds kind of fun:

Downtown bicycle TAKE OVER!!!
Reply to: sale-349121184@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-06-10, 2:08PM MDT

Every first Friday night of every month bike riders from the treasure valley will meet at the grove at 10:30 to ride downtown boise, and take over the cruise.

fun times will be had, friends will be made, teenagers will get pissed.

hope to see you there.

Boise Sustainable Living Community

I've been dreaming about cohousing lately

Anneliese — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 13:50:07 -0700

And here's what it looks like....

A 4-plex, or townhomes, or apt bldg.
A garden space large enough to feed the residents
Fruit trees
A chicken coop
A green house
A shop for woodworking
A shop for auto/bike repair

Car share
Bike share
Optional meal sharing

Solar dehydrators and an enormous solar oven.

TeePee as Gathering space for music and community building.

It's off the grid - made possible by economies of scale.

We catch water and have grey water systems.

It's on the greenbelt to support car-free lifestlyles.

It's not downwind from IdahoEnergyTerrorism.com

Sigh. A girl can dream.

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Yet another dream: Renew Boise Critical Mass

Anneliese — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 22:43:47 -0700

On the Last Friday in July
We meet up at 5:30 pm at The Grove.
Route to be determined.
Ending at a pub or eatery to be determined.

Organized and coincidental enough that I feel safe trailing my most precious cargo.

Wigs, witty signs, and goodwill abound.

Interested?
Read more here: How to Organize a Coincidence

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Introduction

Kether — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 03:53:54 -0700

Hello all;

As you see I am new to this group.
I just want to reach out and connect with those who have alternative to the norm thinking and see what you are all up to.
I am a long time resident of Boise.
I am curious how organized this group is together.
I see that there is a gathering planned in late July.
I wish I could be there and meet you all but I will be participating as a vendor at the Goddess Fest that day.
Do you as a group ever do any sort of public events or participate in things that bring awareness to the issues you care about?

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Solar dehydrator

jbird — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:02:46 -0700

Here is the link to the different plans for building you solar dehydrators. If anyone has any questions, let me know. If anyone is interested in getting some stainless steel screen we could share an order?
Here are the links:
http://www.jrwhipple.com/sr/soldehydrate.html
http://www.organicdownunder.com/solar_dryer.htm
http://www.permapak.net/solarfooddryers.htm
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Cooking/cooking.htm#Drying
happy drying!
J

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Anyone have experience with cover crops?

Anneliese — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 09:51:51 -0700

I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with cover crops in this area. There's some soil on the south end of the house that could use some help/enrichment. Things I've considered: crimson clover, buckwheat, or vetch and rye. Anyone tried any of these or perhaps others?

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Sustainable Presence - A Santa Fe group's cooperative fund

Anneliese — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 18:53:00 -0700

Kevin and I have often thought how people seeking sustainable living might cooperate financially to provide each other with quicker means to self-sufficiency. Out with the banks and power to the people, so to speak.

What can frustrate people like K and I is that while we are getting by just fine, making big purchases or changes often requires a huge wait time to accumulate the bulk of the funds. Meanwhile, the expense of being less self-sufficient eats into the budget while we wait. With a cooperative fund, the time to project completion can be shortened, sometimes drastically for at least some, resulting in immediately freeing up more funds for future projects....and without the cost of borrowing from a bank.

I was excited to find out about a group doing just this in Santa Fe. Here's a link to a description of their co-op: http://www.permaearth.org/livinglightly.html The description of the group seemed to really jive with the direction BSLC is headed, and I found it inspiring.

BSLC is likely a bit young for something like this, but I wanted to put it out there as something perhaps a tighter subgroup might pursue sometime in the future. We can be our own farmers, fixers, innovators....and bankers too.

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Local Info from Casey O'Leary, Farmer Extraordinare

Anneliese — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:43:06 -0800

As part of the effort to network/source local staples....

1. LocalFirst Community Market
Casey said there has been some interest in opening a local food coop... with "local food" being the focus. This would be a storefront business, with goals including public education (ie the mere site of "food miles" signs on produce, along with farmer profiles), a place for community presentations, bookgroups, education classes, and for creating a critical food mass of sorts - coordinated community support for this is would generate more clout than uncoordinated, individual efforts. Casey is very interested in having this resource in Boise. She was thinking of having it out in here neighborhood - Collister, but is now rethinking her level of involvement (she already runs two businesses). So the location is still flexible. This is a vision she has been working on with another - Joni ? - who is currently quite busy working on the Green Expo until May - so the project is currently on hold. Casey is considering organizing a meeting of interested parties to keep the project moving forward. If I or anyone gets involved with this it'd be great to post the details here. If you're very interested in the project you can contact Casey at greenSheRa at hotmail dot com.

2. Local grains
There are apparently wheat berries being sold at the Boise Food KoOp. I'd like to know which farm where and how they're grown. But according to Casey they are indeed local. I'll try to remember to check this out next time I'm in there. If anyone happens to think of it before that please do share. You can get wild rice from Sandpoint. Don't know specific source, though.

3. Legumes -
M&M Heath Farms (Mike Heath and ____ Jones) out of Buell may have beans. Apparently the white navy and small red chili at the KoOp are from this farm. I believe these are the Idaho potato farmers featured in Botany of Desire. They also may have potatoes and squash.

4. Local (woodriver valley) farmer's coop
oooooohhh! Check this out! http://www.idahosbounty.org/shop.php Casey thought they were working on expanding to the Treasure Valley. I've got an inquiry into them just now to see if they are starting to deliver to Boise. They require subscription of $75, I think, as well as 15% member dues on sales and a delivery charge. Don't be discouraged, though. You've got to check this out. You can order what you want from multiple farmers. It's like a medium-distance local food coop. That sounds odd - they're WRV, but that's still a huge distance closer than our local Fred Meyers.

5. dairy
Oh, to get some raw dairy. I don't have anything to add here, other than huge sparkly wishes. If you know of any local-ish sources of raw dairy products please please please share.

BTW It was great to see old friends and new faces at the meeting tonight. I've missed you! The discussion was lively and at times heated and even sometimes on topic! I'd like to recommit to staying on the topic of personal, locally sustainable actions when we meet. Won't you join me? Let's share resources of knowledge, tools, time, skills, optimism and positive vision. Supporting each other....it's the right thing to do.

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Soapmaking 101

JMaus — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 07:47:11 -0800

I am reading two books about soapmaking this month and hopefully by January I will be able to give a demonstration of how it's done.

Has anybody made it before?

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Freecycle!

JMaus — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 07:55:13 -0800

I have been thinking lately that it would be cool to have a "freecycle" exchange among BSLC members. I guess what that means is if you have too much clutter in your life and would like to have an outlet for getting rid of it, you could list your items on here and whoever may be interested in it could make arrangements to get unwanted items from you.

Would anybody be interested?

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Bike commuters - A little juice for your ride

Anneliese — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:09:33 -0800

I don't know how well these may or may not be made, but they look promising.
Delta Cycle's Airzound.
http://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=1

Boise Sustainable Living Community

Organic Produce Shares

drkaren — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:44:05 -0800

Hello everyone,
I order organic produce and split it up several times each month. I saw other postings about sharing organic produce, so I thought I'd add mine. I am attaching my list below and there is more detail on my website. (http://drkarenerickson.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=86&p=166#p166)

The prices listed are wholesale costs. Additionally I pay a gas surcharge and a few other small fees. My mark up to cover these expenses is 10% and I charge sales tax. If anyone is interested, e-mail me at keinfo@mac.com. My deadline for this order is tonight (see web link for details).

Additionally we are giving away 5 free organic gardens to needy recipients with the goal of making gardening a successful experience and introducing the benefits of organic growing. We will vote at the end of February and need more people on our list of recipients. We will take any inexperienced or struggling backyard gardener or want-to-be gardener in the area! If you can think of any worthy people you want to turn on to organic gardening, please pass along their names and a short blurb about them. There is more info on my blog about this. Everyone is welcome at our Garden Party/Seed Swap where we will vote and volunteer for putting in the gardens. Here is the link: http://www.drkarenerickson.com/?p=27

Thanks,
Karen

Boise Sustainable Living Community