CT Green Scene

FIRST BRANFORD LED LUMINATA DRAWS LARGE CROWD TO GREEN

(Branford, CT)  During a brisk autumn night crowds of families gathered on the Branford Green, blankets across their laps.  Most weren't exactly sure what they were going to see, but were intrigued by the massive lighting and music rehearsals taking place on the green all week.  The crew, led by Jamie Burnett, worked from dusk until dawn for several days in preparation for this historical presentation, to present the Branford Town Hall and Green in a "new light". 

Projects2k, a non-profit group of artists, scientists, & environmentalists,  The Town of Branford and the Branford Historical Society collaborated on this unique event to present an educational and beautiful depiction of Branford History in typical Projects2k fashion.  They are widely known for the Terra Series in the Stony Creek Quarry, often times straying outside of the lines, exposing people to science in a theatrical style.

Branford Luminata's program depicted an historical narrative through beautiful lighting effects (mostly low energy LED lighting), old images and photos projected onto the facade of the town hall and even a group of Branford High School students with full-sized clear models of themselves, named The Light Brigade.

If you missed last nights, you have one last opportunity to see it. Sunday nights program begins at 7:30 on The Branford Town Green!

Treehugger: Not Just An Environmental Web Site

by Eileen Weber

For David Johnston, nature and wildlife are more than just a backdrop for portraits and weddings. There is a serene beauty in all of it that needs to be captured. That’s what he tries to do with much of his business, Treehugger Photography.

But why Treehugger? “I’m really environmental,” said Johnston. “Our family is green. I’m all about conservation and sustainable energy. And I really like being outside. I like to highlight natural scenes.”

Johnston’s early career runs the gamut of sales, business development, media advertising and technical web consulting. Offering to help with brand promotion, he ended up doing a lot of photography. He found he liked it more than as just a passing hobby.

Celebrate theater, the great landscape of the Connecticut River Valley, and a very Green event!

Shakespeare in the grove is an annual event that runs from June 17th through  the 27th) at Middlesex Community College (100 Training Hill rd, Middletown, CT) The EcoFestival starts at 4 PM and features not only live circus performers and musical entertainment, but also over 20 green vendors selling their locally made and environmentally friendly wares and local farmers selling their fresh, organic produce!

We have live headliner musicians performing at 6 PM.

This goes on until around 7PM when the FREE performance of "Twelfth Night" starts. Suggested donation is 10 dollars. Feel free to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets and food as this is an outdoor event!

For more info: www.art-farm.org or email info@art-farm.org. ArtFARM is a non profit organization that believes in affordable, high quality theatre for all and a dedication to simple, environmentally sustainable living.

Fun, Function, Art and Sustainablity

Consumers currently use 500 billion (yes, that's with a "B") plastic bags each year for shopping: that's 60,000 every 5 seconds. And what happens to many of those bags?

According to the San Fransisco Chronicle, "In reality, the rogue bag would float into a sewer, follow the storm drain to the ocean, then make its way to the so-called Great Pacific Garbage Patch - the enormous stew of trash - twice the size of Texas, which consists of 80 percent plastics and weighs some 3.5 million tons, say oceanographers - floats where few people ever travel, in a no-man's land between San Francisco and Hawaii."

OnusGear is focused on the solution. They have developed a unique way
to reduce the use of plastic bags and inspire community participation by conducting monthly design contests through their website, OnusGear.com.

Members can submit designs and other members can vote once per day.
Each month the 3 designs with the most votes will have their winning images printed on the heavy-duty canvas bags that come complete with a beverage holder and straps that are easy to sling over your shoulder. Membership is free.

The theme for the May contest is any design that has to do with trees.

So grab a pen, let the creative juices flow, and sign up on their website to submit your own design and vote!

Come to GreenDrinks for Drama!

Join us Wednesday, April 9th for GreenDrinks at the Fairfield Theatre in downtown Fairfield.

We'll enjoy a 20 minute special performance of The Boycott, written and performed by Kathryn Blume. Here's what's been said about the play:

"Packed to the rafters with moxie and magic, The Boycott tells the story of the First Lady of the United States launching a nationwide sex strike to fight global warming and save the world.  Come for a raucous tour of Oval Office affairs, psychadelic absinthe trips, enchanted frogs, movie star cameos - and land in a heap of unabashed hope."

Afterwards, we'll network and enjoy organic beverages and food as usual!

Westport Artist to Show Work

Westport artist, Mercedes Arensberg will show her new series of paintings in Brooklyn New York 11205, at Pillow Independent Art Space. The title of the show: "You, Me, Her, Him" opens Friday March 7th. The paintings are depicted in Arensberg's characteristic bold, post-modern style; a style which captures attention instantaneously and is meant to convey a thought or feeling without build up.

"We have the grand opportunity to decide to embrace the light and dark inside and in so doing bring a fusion of polarities; like those that exist between religions and cultures.  The point is to endeavor to bridge the divide in the most intimate, individual way.  This is giving birth to forgiveness and peace."  " As well as becoming aware that within each of us exists the other" Arensberg's desire and motivation is to simply and boldly express her belief in the possibility of a fresh start for all humankind.

Opening reception will be held on Friday March 7th, 2008 from 5pm to 8pm, 505 Myrtle Avenue in NYC, between Grand and Ryerson. Work will be up through April 4th.

The Graying Of The Greens

ERIN WALRATH and her fiancée, Peter Mariano, chat during Fairfield County Green Drinks, a cocktail party at the Westport Arts Center for people interested in environmental issues. (MICHAEL KODAS / February 13, 2008)

With Aging Memberships, Environmental Groups Reach Out To Younger Members

by STEVE GRANT |  The Hartford Courant

Something's happened to Connecticut's venerable environmental groups. They're aging, often dominated by members and leaders well into their 50s and beyond. Greens gone gray.

It has them worried. "The environmental community must make room for younger, more creative and less bureaucratic individuals who will stick their neck out on important issues and who will have the energy and expertise to galvanize the public into action," said Allan Williams of West Hartford, a longtime environmental activist and member of the Sierra Club.

Fearful of a loss of relevance, concerned they might lose influence in shaping state policy, long-established groups like the Connecticut Audubon, the Connecticut chapter of the Sierra Club and the Connecticut Forest & Park Association are now reaching out to attract younger members, employees and board members.

"We certainly do want to attract younger people," said Adam R. Moore, executive director of the forest and park group. "We've been working on that, just like every environmental group has been."

 

Surprise--The US Electronics Industry Isn't Green

The Kent Film Festival announced that the documentary film, "E-Dump" would be shown at the Festival, March 27-30, 2008 at various locations in Kent, CT.  The 20-minute film by Zhao takes a critical look at the waste that is produced by old computers and electronic equipment.  Zhao takes the viewer on a tour of Chinese towns that have been polluted and ravaged by waste products. It features workers sorting through computer product waste and shots of polluted wastelands.

According to filmmaker, Michael Zhao, electronic waste (or "e-waste") is being dumped on Chinese workers who suffer from bad working conditions while recycling 80% of the electronics exported from America.

Frank Galterio, co-founder of the Kent Film Festival said, "the state of the environment is sad, this film highlights the waste we produce and how it then produces ghastly amounts of pollution in other countries like China. Zhao's film is a wake up call to us all--we all need to take going green seriously.  It's a must see film for those concerned about the environment."  For more information on the festival see www.kentfilmfestival.org

To Do or Not to Do, That Is NOT the Question

I came across this video clip while reading the latest post on Colin Beaven's No Impact Man blog. It's an interesting argument and I'd love to hear what all of you out there think.