From Ms K

Well, I decided that I really want to start getting things organized for a gathering here locally…. I've been meeting so many wonderful people online who live nearby… so I am using a new service from an acquaintance that I met at Bioneers… and I'm going to allow you to vote on when you'd like to meet – namely, those who are in the Boulder area (or close enough to drive for a great visit!)  It's gonna be a party unlike any other!! :)

So … HERE'S THE LINK TO GO VOTE ON WHAT DAY YOU'D PREFER TO ZAANGHA!

Once I get the date determined… I will find a location within the Boulder area that can handle the size of group that we end up having… (let's DREAM BIG, eh?!)

So, let's get this party started…. with a VOTE!!


And if you know of other Zaadzsters in the area … pass this link along to them and make it even bigger!!!

I am SO excited to be able to meet some of you for the first time!!!!  Can't we go ahead and do this tomorrow, already!?!?! ;)

Let's Zaangha!
~K

more direct contact?  kelly(at)zaadz.com

from Beyourownmedicine
If your one who is still driving a car and need to purchase gas but want a more conscious place to buy from, check out Moto. Its the hip, clean station on the corner of Canyon Boulevard and Folsom Street in Boulder.  When I noticed the Eco-Cycle box next to the pumps, I knew something was up. I went in and enthusiastically questioned Michael Marsilio about his new business. Michael shared that his gas is 100% domestic (foreign oil is crude), his store is a Cancer Free Zone (no cigarettes sold), and natural and organic foods are sold. Hell Yeah!!! It's about time!!! Ohh, did I mention the Illy espresso bar? 

I know it is crazy to get excited about a gas station practicing conscious business but I love it!!! He is creating an experience that I will be drawn to when I go to fill up for gas. For those who live in Boulder, have you seen this place?

from Eat Local Guide

The Guide is the result of months of effort by many people. It was originally inspired by the Eat Local Food Map produced as part of the Ft. Collins Be Local Coupon Book published last September, the inspiration of Gailmarie Kimmel of the Rocky Mountain Sustainable Living Association. When we saw that map, we knew instantly that we needed to create something similar for Boulder County.

 A team of Boulder Valley Relocalization volunteers ("foodies" to the core) jumped in to do the initial legwork. We quickly found that no comprehensive lists of growers and other food sources had ever been developed here, and went to work contacting farmers and restaurateurs directly to get their information. It became an overwhelming task, and the list grew to immense proportions-way too many sources to fit on a map! That ultimately led to our decision to publish the list in a magazine format. An EAT LOCAL! website will soon follow (www.eatlocalguide.com).

 There were many unexpected challenges we encountered along the way. For instance, how could we tell whether a restaurant was really serving locally-grown produce? How much of their food had to be local to include them in the list? To help make the tough decisions, we asked chefs to tell us what growers they bought their produce from. And we coordinated with the Boulder County Farmers' Market "Restaurant Fresh Connection" program to find out which restaurants were actually acknowledged by growers and got their "farm vote."

It's inevitable that we've left some sources off the list who should be here and have included others who might be questionable. And that's part of why this is the "fall preview edition." We know that the first annual edition, which we plan to publish in early spring, will naturally be more comprehensive and accurate. For that, we depend on your feedback. If you know of someone who should be listed in the guide, please email us (info@bouldergoinglocal.com).

--Michael Brownlee, publisher
Boulder County Going Local

Check out the Eat Local Guide

From:  Eat Local Guide

The Guide is the result of months of effort by many people. It was originally inspired by the Eat Local Food Map produced as part of the Ft. Collins Be Local Coupon Book published last September, the inspiration of Gailmarie Kimmel of the Rocky Mountain Sustainable Living Association. When we saw that map, we knew instantly that we needed to create something similar for Boulder County.

 A team of Boulder Valley Relocalization volunteers ("foodies" to the core) jumped in to do the initial legwork. We quickly found that no comprehensive lists of growers and other food sources had ever been developed here, and went to work contacting farmers and restaurateurs directly to get their information. It became an overwhelming task, and the list grew to immense proportions-way too many sources to fit on a map! That ultimately led to our decision to publish the list in a magazine format. An EAT LOCAL! website will soon follow (www.eatlocalguide.com).

 There were many unexpected challenges we encountered along the way. For instance, how could we tell whether a restaurant was really serving locally-grown produce? How much of their food had to be local to include them in the list? To help make the tough decisions, we asked chefs to tell us what growers they bought their produce from. And we coordinated with the Boulder County Farmers' Market "Restaurant Fresh Connection" program to find out which restaurants were actually acknowledged by growers and got their "farm vote."

It's inevitable that we've left some sources off the list who should be here and have included others who might be questionable. And that's part of why this is the "fall preview edition." We know that the first annual edition, which we plan to publish in early spring, will naturally be more comprehensive and accurate. For that, we depend on your feedback. If you know of someone who should be listed in the guide, please email us (info@bouldergoinglocal.com).

--Michael Brownlee, publisher
Boulder County Going Local

"Permaculture offers a radical approach to food production and urban renewal, water, energy and pollution. It integrates ecology, landscape, organic gardening, architecture and agro-forestry in creating a rich and sustainable way of living. It uses appropriate technology giving high yields for low energy inputs, achieving a resource of great diversity and stability. The design principles are equally applicable to both urban and rural dwellers. " --Bill Mollison

 

Dear friends of BVR and the BOULDER COUNTY GOING LOCAL! Campaign,
 
As you know, Richard Heinberg and others have pointed to the urgent need for millions of new farmers in this country over the next several years, and one of the best ways of helping to achieve this goal is to get as many people as possible trained in Permaculture principles and methods. Fortunately, interest in Permaculture is booming in Boulder County, which will help stimulate the expansion of our local foodshed.
 
On January 7 (Mon.), 7:00 p.m., Sandy Cruz of High Altitude Permaculture Institute will be teaching INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE PRINCIPLES. The class will be free for those who register (call 303-459-3494), and will be held at Boulder Meadows Community Room, 4500 19th Street (Violet & 19th in North Boulder).
 
Following a dynamic conclusion to the PERMACULTURE THROUGH THE SEASONS! Design Certification Course last month (with 35 graduates), we are pleased to announce that Sandy Cruz will be teaching another eight-month course in 2008, along with Becky Elder, a permaculture activist and gardener from Manitou Springs. Guest teachers will include Marco Chung-Shu Lam and Jerome Osentowski. The course, sponsored by Boulder County Going Local, will be held the second weekend of each month, March 8 through October 12. A descriptive flyer is available here. Register soon, because this course will sell out quickly! Sandy says, "Please think about joining us this year, and let your friends know, too. We expect the course to fill, so if you're considering signing up or applying for a scholarship, be sure to request a registration form soon. Our super-early-bird discount will be in effect until January 8th, followed by our early-bird discount until February 8th." To register, call Sandy at 303-459-3494.
 
Sandy and Becky will also be offering the first locally-based course for PERMACULTURE TEACHER'S CERTIFICATION, providing ongoing support for new teachers and opportunities to assist experienced instructors at workshops. Winter classroom work will focus on developing teaching and organizational skills, with hands-on exercises to build confidence and ease. Participants will then assist at diverse Permaculture workshops offered along the Front Range, and have an individual conference with the instructor. Dates of the course are February 9, 16, 23 and July 26. The closing day of the course will focus on future collaboration among participants by developing teaching teams and designing a local workshop curriculum for Fall 2008-2009. Details available here.
 
Planning for other Permaculture Design Courses in 2008 is underway. Pikes Peak Permaculture in Colorado Springs will hold a Design Certification Course in the eight-month format beginning in April. In the Boulder area, Sandy will teach a variety of one and two-day permaculture workshops on specific subjects beginning in the spring. She will also be training new instructors this winter to help meet the soaring demand for Permaculture education.
 
Meanwhile, Bill Wilson, the "permaculture evangelist" of Midwest Permaculture, will host a Design Certification Course in a different format in April. This is a 72-hour course, with 12 hours of webinar instruction, and eight consecutive days of on-site work in Boulder County (April 19-26). Details available soon.
 
We hope you will take advantage of some of the incredible Permaculture instruction that is becoming available!
 
 

Backyard Chickens
source: Daily Camera

Last year about this time, Kelly Simmons was perusing hatchery catalogs, looking at various types of chickens with an eye to raising them at her home in Martin Acres-- a city neighborhood characterized by '50s-style ranch homes and small yards.

A year later, she's collecting eggs, although not as many as she did last summer when she was gathering as many as 19 a day from her nine chickens and four ducks. Simmons, who teaches classes through the nonprofit Boulder Sustainability Education Center, says keeping the chickens is a logical extension of her large garden, a way to be closely involved in the food she and her family eat.

Read more of this article on  the Daily Camera website