April 2013Life, Health & Home WordPlay: Vocab Rehab by Marcia Singer


This Month’s Word: Ecological


(eck-o-law-jick-al)


SANTA ROSA, CA. ~ I’m walking my talk


month to better shape my relation- ship to Mother Earth, and to mak- ing every day a day to take care of our mother


ship. I’m


hoping you and I might be inspired to do something special not only on Earth Day, April 22, but all month long –and even enjoy the process of being ‘greener.’


I confess I don’t always


enjoy the process. It’s not always convenient. And it seems that the road for envi- ronmentalists of all stripes is often uphill, fighting for clean air to breathe, pure water to drink and bathe in, good, healthy soil in which to grow fresh, whole foods that nour- ish us –and all living things-- on every level.


this


enviro organizations –none of whom had funds to purchase my books, or time away from The Good Fight to be teach- ing kids: too many environ- mental fires to put out. I gave away nearly two thou- sands books, and waited eighteen years to see my dream


coming


true in the U.S. When I moved to Santa Rosa late 2008, I was delighted to find


April’s word


helps us get our arms around all that. Ecological means how every living thing affects and is affected by other living things in their earthly environ- ments. Ecology is the study of these relationships. With human beings, it can include thoughts and attitudes, besides actions. The word ecosys- tem refers to a community of plants and creatures and how they depend upon each other for well being. This branch of science assumes there’s a logic, an order, a reason, sen- sibility, an intelligence under- lying natural ecosystems: we could call this eco-logical. My own environmental path took root in 1990 with a novel idea: to provide chil- dren with a green education. I imagined the “greening of a next generation” who could appreciate, respect and enjoy taking care of our earth. Early the next year, Love Me, Love My Planet Playbook was published. It garnered lovely reviews and testimonials from many national and regional


an Environmental Discovery Center for educating kids – and their grown-ups—right here in town. We’re waking up to eco- logic. Since the instigation of a national Earth recognition day in 1970, lots of us are finding ways to live green each day. We re-use, recy- cle, reduce waste and rethink things. In Sonoma county, organic community gardens are springing up to provide fresh, whole foods to per- sons with little immediate access. Neighborhood clean- up groups tackle nature and creekside trails, picking up litter and trash, and persuade friends to toss cigarette butts, candy wrappers, soda cans or water bottles in bins –not on the ground. Maybe you’ve participated in putting up solar panels, making adobe, or just unplugging


your devices overnight.


electrical There are


endless ways to be eco-logi- cal, to be part of an ecology of sustainable living for all. This month, let’s notice


how we’re all interconnected in countless ways. Like John Muir or our Native peoples, let’s


Pay closer atten- of


tion to how we impact our environments at home, work, school,


house


workship or parks –everywhere we are. This is a home stretch for Mom Earth. Shine deLight!


“Good manners: The noise you don't make when you're eating soup.” ~ Bennett Cerf UPBEAT TIMES • April 2013 • 21


sense the living intel- ligence in creation. Stretch to respect and include others’ welfare.


UPBEAT TIMES • April 2013 • 21


Health & Nutrition” SANTA ROSA, CA. ~ The Santa Rosa community will come together to celebrate the life of César Chávez at the 13th Annual César Chávez Health Fair.


Fair will be held at Cook Middle School, 2480 Sebastopol


Santa Rosa on April 6th, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free to the public.


Annual Health Fair Celebrating “Dental


Community Will Honor Life of César Chávez at


Luther Burbank’s Experiment Farm


Open House and Plant Sale at


The Rd,


The Cesar


Chavez Health Fair embodies the ideals of Cesar Chavez and addresses disparities in access to health care among Latino chil- dren and their families. Over 20 health care providers will offer free screenings and vital health information for the community, focusing on promoting Dental Health and Nutrition. The Fair is a fun event for families that also includes dancing, music, healthy food tastings, physical activity events and games for the family. For more information about the Cesar Chavez Health Fair, please call 707-586-9062.


SEBASTOPOL, CA. ~ Learn about worms and what they can do for your garden. See a worm bin in action. Buy some worms to jump-start your compost pile. Experts will show you how to set up your own bin in a small amount of space. When: April 27 & 28, Saturday & Sunday, 10 AM – 4 PM. Free. Luther Burbank per- formed most of the experiments which resulted in the creation of more than 800 new varieties of trees, shrubs and flowers at Gold Ridge Farm in Sebastopol. Three acres of the original 18 are main- tained by the volunteers from the Western Sonoma County Historical Society, and are open to


the public, free of charge.


Where: Gold Ridge Farm is located above Burbank Heights and Orchards, just west of down- town Sebastopol on Bodega Ave. Turn into the Burbank Heights and Orchards


senior housing


complex at 7777 Bodega Ave. and you’ll find the Farm at the top of the hill.


There is now


on-site parking as well as Visitor parking at the Heights.


Weird Facts & Trivia -8


When Leif Ericsson landed in North America in A.D. 1001, he was so impressed by the proliferation of grapevines that he named it Vinland.


Old wine almost never turns to vinegar. It spoils by oxidation.


Bettino Ricasoli, founder of Brolio, is credited with having created the original recipe for Chianti,


combining two red grapes (Sangiovese and Canaiolo) with two white grapes (Malvasia and Trebbiano). Today the better


Chiantis have little or no white grapes in them and may contain some Cabernet. They are thus deeper in color and flavor and more age worthy.


The 'Flower of Kent' is a large green skinned apple variety, and is thought to have been the variety that struck Sir Isaac Newton on the head and inspired his thoughts on gravity.


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