(click link if not embedding well on blog)

Listening to elders. What is their role in community? Are we herding elders off to gated zones .. separating them form people because it s easier and more cost efficient? Can planners integrate them and can neighbors step up to check on them or a neighbor certified nurse can be assigned to elders.  There must be solutions.  The Elder Zones — some are good but so many?  Mixed use… and mixed ages and mixed mixing.  Thompkins Square Park in the East VIllage is all  about zones: kids here, dogs here, people no pets here, walking here. Thankfully cruising through on a bike and skateboarding through the park is still okay.  It is a small space so there is still lots of interactivity. I don’t have a big problem with that.  Anyway, this short interview is reflective of an elder integrated into the fabric of the community …  though it seems he is in a touristy spot.

Excerpt from Freelancers Union Newsletter:

CO-OPs are nonprofit health insurance plans that are focused on the needs of the insured, not on making a profit – a belief that is core to our work. Widely regarded as one of the most innovative cost-containment solutions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (also known as the Health Care Reform Act), these nonprofit CO-OPs will compete with private insurers on the open market. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will provide $340 million in loans to the three CO-OPs we’ll be sponsoring. They will be open to everyone, with financial help available to lower-income Americans. (ref below)

I have not done research on this. Links are below to start looking into how this might work for you.

http://www.freelancersunion.org/co-ops/?utm_source=Freelancers+Union+List&utm_campaign=c77d3d0b0b-CO_OPs_NY_members_non_FIC2_21_2012&utm_medium=email

Read more:

• HHS on CO-OP background: http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/choices/co-op/index.html
• HHS Fact Sheet on CO-OPs: http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2011/07/coops07182011a.html
• HHS on the State Exchange: http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/choices/exchanges/index.html
• National Alliance for CO-OPs: http://www.nashco.coop/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=53
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: http://cciio.cms.gov/programs/coop/index.htmlv
• National Cooperative Business Association on health care cooperatives:http://www.ncba.coop/ncba/about-co-ops/co-op-sectors/146-healthcare
• Wikipedia on health insurance cooperatives: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_insurance_cooperative

More info to come.

It’s at Trilok in Brooklyn, Fort Greene. 143 Waverly Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205 map

Sat late morning for a few hours.

Vandra normally teaches the bokashi “compost” method there. Fermentation growing pickling not a compost rotting. We are working up to a large amount for the Figment Participatory Arts Festival 2012 Stockpile of Beneficial Mud Balls.

Come learn how to make them and help us stockpile! Posting on Meet up soon.

http://events.ran.org/occupyourfoodsupply/events/show/5761

Monday, February 27, 2012 at 11:30am/  2pm / 3pm

Crystallization of Sand Roses-NYT video Still

Nomads, NYT Video Capture

4 architects designing museums in the desert based on cultural traditions to make sustainable desirable spaces. Creating cool with underling principles — working with nature.  They reflect ancient cultivated discoveries in historic construction.  A great synthesis, interconnectivity and cosmopolitanism inspire their aesthetic choices that also create sustainable spaces that are based in history which is based on working with nature.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/27/arts/design/museums.html

Jean Nouvel - Doha - NYT video capture

Jean Nouvel - Doha - NYT video capture

Jean Nouvel: NYT Video capture

I.M. PEI DOHA Museum of Islamic Art NYT video capture

Norman Foster Abu Dhabi NYT Video capture: National Museum

Frank Gehry Guggenheim Museum Abu Dhabi. NYT Video capture:

Bob Simon’s Birthday 4/12 & Family History Story 4/19.

Sat. April 12, in Reston ,Va: Community Celebration of Reston’s 48th & Bob Simon’s 98th Birthday
Sat., April 19, 2012 Mr. Simon Talks on his Family History

Mr Robert E Simon Jr. Photo Still by DD Maucher

12:00 – 3:00 pm
Lake Anne Village Center
FREE Family Fun There will be lots of fun for everyone on the plaza at Lake Anne Village Center, and cake by MallowDrama!

Supported by in part by the Reston Community Center

History Lecture

Thursday, April 19, 2012
7:00 – 8:30 PM

“Simon Says” – Bob Simon talks of his life and family tree at the Reston Community Center-Lake Anne.

Mr. Robert Simon Sr. NYC, Photo of photo by DD Maucher

12:00 – 5:00 pm
Reston Museum Open House
Come see our renovated space.

Then join the crowd for the 2nd Annual Reston Founder’s Day Treasure Hunt – a two hour adventure discovering Reston’s places and history.

The most important thing about city planning is to enable community. The association of people between each other . And of course it is best when the aassociations are of people of different colors and races, different income groups — because having broader horizens makes for a more interesting way to live.   – R.E. SIMON JR

Here is a clip of part of his talk.

Social Innovation Symposium: Innovative Thinking for Social Good. Innovation is at the core of advancements in the social sector. The Social
Innovation Symposium, a collaboration between SEA at Stern, the Wagner
School of Public Service and LSEA at the NYU School of Law, aims to
stimulate a dialogue around this issue and bring it to the forefront of our
business education.

- Friday, February 10, 2012, 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- NYU Stern Kaufman Management Center, 44 West 4th Street, NY

Innovation is at the core of advancements in the social sector. The Social
Innovation Symposium, a collaboration between SEA at Stern, the Wagner
School of Public Service and LSEA at the NYU School of Law, aims to
stimulate a dialogue around this issue and bring it to the forefront of our
business education.

This year’s conference, Innovative Thinking for Social Good, will feature
interactive sessions, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and a
keynote address by Jonathan Greenblatt, Director of the White House Office
of Social Innovation and Civic Participation. Learn more about the speakers
on our website:  www.nyusis.tumblr.com

**NYU STUDENTS Free/others buy tickets: https://nyustern.campusgroups.com/sea/rsvp?id=54148

Dispose of your working and non-working electronics easier than ever before. Bring your unwanted electronics to the Lower East Side Ecology Center’s new permanent e-waste collection center in Gowanus, Brooklyn.

Drop-off Hours: (beginning January 31st)
Tuesday: 10am – 5pm
Wednesday: 12pm – 7pm
Thursday: 10am – 5pm
Friday: 10am – 5pm
Saturday: 10am – 4pm
Sunday-Monday: closed

Community Reception

Saturday February 4, 2012
noon – 4pm
469 President Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Come celebrate the opening of the Ecology Center’s E-waste Warehouse. You’ll have a chance to drop off your e-waste, tour the space, and learn about why we are going to go beyond recycling and start reusing. Light refreshments will be provided. All are welcome.

Thank the New York Community Trust, ConEdison, and Tekserve for their generous support of this growing program.

These family farmers had come along way for this day. (This is just the beginning). They were not happy and very disappointed in the behavior of the judge.
Noted by Dave Murphy, who was in the courtroom:

I know that there was a feeling of disappointment by some after the hearing and wanted to pass along what our lawyer said. He felt it was a good sign that the judge was engaged with the details of the case as she was and that it was to be expected for her to ask tough questions of both sides.

There were a lot of cameras but no TV news trucks. No fighting, no crazies, no nudity, no violence so no news. Just intelligent, informed people. We were amongst 50 farmers who grow America’s best food, protect and cultivate our best seeds.

I heard people felt as if the judge was bought out from the start — noted smile toward the Monsanto folks. Monsanto side was noted saying “All these farmers have behind them is a movie called ‘Food, Inc.’”
It’s all n the delivery. That documentary film opened a lot of eyes informing people about the bad practices taking place. It is only one of many like-minded documentaries. People need to know how their food is being made.

I can’t say a lot about what happened inside but I was outside and the farmers who came were inclined to speak-out to the public– they had something to say. Each farmer was speaking just beneath a cracking heartbroken voice. It wasn’t what they said but how they said it.

Maybe there is no way out. We are all fucked by the mysterious ways of Monsanto. It was just announced that both Wholefoods and Stoneyfield have crumbled under the pressure. They agreed to stop battling Monsanto. 2/3rds of Wholefoods food sales are from conventional GMO seeds and Monsanto’s Round Up pesticide must be applied. Only 1/3 of the food there is whole and organic: free of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. I have been raised on chemical foods.

Monsanto started their empire in 1900 and their time is up — unless they slowly poison me first. My mother grew up being sprayed with DDT to kill bugs at the beach. ( who made DDT?) That was proven safe too. Cigarettes too were known to be good for health.

In the future, the next civilization will talk about ours. They poisoned themselves and went extinct. Throughout time that is the pattern. Each civilization makes a mistake– this is only one of ours.

When the videos come out I will post them. This moment, when the farmers and people were crushed by the behemoth, brought out sounds from farmers hearts, years of sacrifice, hope and hard work.

Thankfully there was a huge crowd outside waiting to cheer them for their efforts. After the farmers spoke, consumers spoke out. The need to get the word out. To inform the people was a must. They can’t do it alone. People left more uplifted and empowered to keep up the work. It will take time to inform and educate the millions who only watch TV for news. (At least we get better TV news than the Chinese.)

If the GMO’s are so good why not label them? Usually when a product has a recognizable benefit producers and advertisers cover the food with statements. In the case of GMO food, never have I seen any sticker or label boasting GMO.

Why is the labeling kept out of the point of purchase? Maybe because It is unknown the results of eating GMO foods. All I know is that i have more than one reason to not buy conventional unlabeled GMO foods– because the makers stubbornly refuse to label it; they buy out opposition; they blackmail small farmers to buy their seeds and are forced to use Round-up which in-turn kills the natural biodiverse micro-nutrient rich soil they have cultivated over sweat and tears. And yes, kills “soul” (my phone-made its’ typo contribution). Lastly, because we can taste the difference.

Is there a conclusion… the wealthy can afford real food and the less get the toxic food (okay so at least they have food unlike in third world countries). . Actually many who have less money that grow their own food are healthier. Wealthy are more inclined to eat what is sold to them. Those who know their farmers are the privileged. Those who support the people who bring them their local food are the well off.

I will vote for more good seeds and local food grown everywhere, planted by every civilian everywhere. This way there will can be an abundance of food choices. Build soil from food waste, share heirloom seeds, grow food in pots or in the ground. We can start practicing now. Just practice with one. Try arugula, strawberries, tomatoes, garlic or kale– that’s all I ask– do it now while can run to the store. Oh and while you are there take a moment for a little direct action: label the GMO’s –tee hee hee.

http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/home/

How to Avoid GMO’s: http://www.naturalnews.com/033321_GMOs_avoid.html#ixzz1lFptX3xj

There is an app for the Iphone called Shop No GMO… it lists a lot of products containing no GMO’s : http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/

FoodDemocracyNow.org for more information.
Photos of Dave and Lisa, co-founders are shown speaking. Photos of individuals in the OWS Food Justice group. They worked closely with Food Democracy Now to bring people out. They made the time line, pr poster and supportive signs. Gratitude is abundant.
I have no photos of the farmers because what they said had me captivated and I forgot. There will be plenty from others.