Stop Vilsack’s Confirmation as Secretary of Agriculture
Dec
17
Dec
17
Having bought up the normal seed companies, having locked farmers in the Midwest (only an example, it is true worldwide) into patent contracts that remove their right to collect seeds anymore, having set loose a biotechnology that contaminates normal seeds of farmers who do not buy into the patented seeds, having made plain it will sue if even a volunteer plant comes up, Monsanto is now working to eliminate the last man standing between humans and corporate privatized seeds - the seed cleaner.
Dec
15
A petition is being circulated asking Obama to appoint a “sustainable” choice as Secretary of Agriculture, someone who will shift the focus away from agri-business and towards a more sustainable and nutritious food supply…
And here’s a little Go Texan bit for you to add if you wish:
In the comments section of the petition, feel free to cut and paste in the following:
Jim Hightower, former Agricultural Commissioner of Texas, promoter of local, organic, and sustainable agriculture and author of Hard Times Hard Tomatoes and other writing concerning Agri-business and food nutrition would be a great candidate for the job.
Dec
12
Head to the new North Austin location of Hey Cupcake! for the Grander Opening tomorrow (Saturday). There will be live music, bubbles, balloons, hoola-hoops, and of course tons of cupcakes! Festivities start at noon and will go until the cupcakes run out. It’s gonna be gorgeous out Saturday, get out on the town:)
Dec
7
I’m not into self denial. I am into conservation, efficiency & good ergonomics. I’m also into technology & beautiful design.
So I’m very into Austin being a leader in New Urbanist principles as a way to use our energy more wisely and be kinder to the planet.
My spouse & I spent a few joyful hours last night in downtown Austin for John Aelli’s holiday sing along and the lighting of the tree at the state capitol.
We strolled around the 2nd St. mixed use zone (and I know this economy will likely stall a rush in downtown condo sales, but this area does get it right– lots of local shops and eateries below some very nice dwellings with access via public transit to all of downtown means a lot less cars).
We admired the LED light displays on Congress.
We listened to drummers and buskers.
We had absinthe at Peche.
We shopped in the farmers market open for the night.
We even got caught in a half block mini snow storm, thanks to a snow machine mounted above the crowd.
& there was quite a crowd– a good night for local businesses and a lot of free wonderful entertainment for Austinites.
It always takes me a little by surprise that all this urban goodness is such a short drive from my home. When I get home to my neighborhood which is dark but for my neighbors’ light displays & mostly quiet but for the yipping of coyotes, I feel a million miles away from the city.
Dec
5
Dec
4
Coffee for Education will benefit The University of Texas Elementary School’s nurse’s office and medical supplies. The fundraiser is bringing a select community of independent Austin coffee houses together to raise money for UT Elementary School in East Austin, which provides exemplary education to a mostly low income and minority population of children.
