Eco-Chick · The modern girl's guide to living green & fabulous.

Clearwater Great Hudson River Revival

1 Comment

by Starre Vartan · 06/19/06

I had the best time at the Hudson River Clearwater Revival this weekend! It is one of the oldest environmental summer festivals in the country (over 35 years!) and still going strong! In fact I think there were more people this year than I’ve seen in awhile. I attended this gathering as a kid (when I wasn’t away at camp) and it has always bookended my summers- Clearwater Revival as summer starts, and the Garrison Art Center’s Arts & Crafts Fair towards the end. Clearwater is more that just having fun though. The price of admission goes towards educating people about the importance of the Hudson River from the Clearwater sloop.

All proceeds go directly to support Clearwater’s environmental research, education and advocacy to help preserve and protect the Hudson River and its tributaries, as well as communities in the river valley.

The Clearwater has quite a history, a true story of locally-based action eventually having a national impact.

Back in the mid-sixties, after centuries of accumulated sewage pollution and industrial dumping of toxic chemicals, the Hudson River was deemed “dead”. The river’s fragile ecological system was devastated. Not a single fish was found in many areas; the level of commercial fishery dropped dramatically and the once-thriving oyster harvesting industry became almost nonexistent. Recognizing this incredible social and environmental tragedy, Pete Seeger, a popular musician and respected activist, decided “to build a boat to save the river”. Holding small, fundraising river concerts throughout the Hudson River Valley, he literally passed his banjo among the crowd, collecting contributions to build the elegant tall ship that would become a symbol of environmental advocacy, the flagship of the American Environmental Movement, the Sloop Clearwater.

Later, Pete Seeger and the Clearwater org helped pass the original Clean Water Act and more recently forced GE to clean up the PCB’s they had dumped in the river.

I helped out at the E Magazine table, ate vegan soul food at Nyota’s Ting, listened to more music than I could keep track of (the stage was solar powered), caught some rays on the grass next to my beloved Hudson River, talked to lots of folks about tomorrow night’s POMED event in NYC, went shopping for some great new clothes (I’ll be highlighting some of the great stuff I found in future posts), signed petitions (one was to close Indian Point) and generally chilled out and appreciated the day.

The weather was beautiful, and the company was excellent. If you’d like to see more photos from the day, go to Remy C’s site.

book, clothes, Crafts, fish, Food, Hudson River, India, Lighting, local, magazine, Music, NYC, Pollution, Shopping, soul, style, summer, vegan, water, weather

nude lube

10 Comments

by Summer Rayne Oakes · 04/12/06

I’m just on this major shopping spree right now. Boyfriend coming to town, doing a little strategic pick-up with my credit card online. Wham, Bam, Thank you Ma’am – click here to pay – and Voi’la. Lube at your doorstep two days later.

Happened to cum upon this incredible, in-depth website called Organic Lubricant.  Basically they sold me on the first line:

“Firefly® is a 100% natural moisturizing lubricant from the makers of Nude™, that provides incredible pleasure for men and women who want to have the best sex possible.” $hit man, not that we need any help, but hell, if it’s that good…”

Nude lube is one of the lines sold under Firefly. I was searching for reviews and happened to cum upon clitical. Ha, what a funny name. Anyway, this horny guinea pig of a lady did one really in depth review, literally. So it’d be good to check out the “ups and downs” of this product before purchasing. And hey, if you are one of the lucky ladies (or men) who try out this product or others, definitely post a reply….inquiring loins want to know. ;o)

car, Eco-Chick, nude, Organic, reviews, Shopping, women

Hail to the Co-Op

8 Comments

by Kimberly Jordan Allen · 04/08/06

Living in Vermont during my formative years provided me with a true education in what it means to be “green.” I had my first experience with a grease car, had my first friends who were eating almost entirely from their garden, and had my first exposure to the term co-op. The mecca for this sustainable lifestyle in Southern Vermont is the Brattleboro Food Co-op. Founded in 1975, the co-op, which was once a small buying club, is now a massive store of 16,000 square feet. Visiting the co-op is an opportunity to stock up on necessities and enjoy socializing with like-minded folk.

Being a member of a co-op means taking a direct part in where your food comes from, which in this day and age is vital to many. These democratic organizations are non-profits owned and operated by the members. Co-ops are popular because individuals actually participate in all levels of the process, from ordering produce to running the cash register. This democritization of food-buying leaves people with a strong sense of community and a powerful support for sustainable businesses. Plus, these community hubs usually provide a much more enjoyable shopping experience, with plants everywhere, painted murals on the walls, and often have a kid’s section, as well as yummy deli service.

The Brattleboro Co-op, in particular, has the best deli I have ever frequented. When you first walk into the store, you hit the deli section which is chock full of delicious homemade salads, soups and whole food dishes. Next is the fresh flowers and ready-made teas and coffees, where they have some of the best chai around. The produce section is phenomenal with an array of exotic and domestic organic fruits, an ecclectic selection of fresh locally harvested greens and all the roots and veggies one could imagine.

The commitment to whole foods has made the Brattleboro Co-op a favorite and is highly recommended for anyone travelling through Vermont (there is also the Hunger Mountain Co-op in Montpelier, which is terrific). The food is always vibrant and fresh, and the staff, being members, are always helpful and fun to talk to. My new favorite is the Berkshire Co-op. For more info on co-ops in your area check out the directory. This eco-business list is also useful.

business, car, coffee, community, eating, Eco-Chick, Food, fruit, garden, Home, homemade, local, Organic, Plants, produce, Shopping, soup, style, sustainable, Tea, travel