Tasty Fresh Tomatoes Offered in New Bucks County, PA Enterprise

BRIGHT Farms, a manufacturer of hydroponic greenhouses, promises to cut out the middle man and shorten that antiquated system of delivering food and produce as an example of how to bring fresh foods to local residents. http://bit.ly/ZveAzQ

Unbiased Analysis of Hillsboro Airport Needed

By Miki Barnes, President of Oregon Aviation Watch

The mission of Oregon Aviation Watch is to enhance and protect the quality of life for Oregon residents by eliminating the adverse impacts of aviation activity. OAW formed as a non-profit after a few citizens succeeded in winning several legal challenges including an appeal of a Hillsboro Airport(HIO) zoning ordinance determined by LUBA to be unconstitutional - a ruling which was subsequently upheld by the Oregon Court of Appeals.

After more than 46 years of being owned and operated by the Port of Portland, HIO still remains reliant on lavish multimillion dollar cash infusions from the State of Oregon and the federal government, hardly the measure of a self-sustaining business model. In recent years, it has logged as many, if not more, annual operations than PDX, the largest airport in the state. Hillsboro Aviation makes money by inviting student pilots from around the globe to train over homes and neighborhoods throughout the region.

The vast majority of take-offs and landings at HIO are training flights generated in large part by Hillsboro Aviation's flight training school, a for-profit company owned by Max Lyons.

To municipal corporations like the Port of Portland and the City of Hillsboro, that utilize public money to promote unconstitutional ordinances and questionable airport expansion projects, grassroots organizations like OAW are often characterized as small and insignificant.

U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision deemed an environmental assessment for a proposed third runway at HIO to be deficient. These wins were made possible by generous community members who donated over $19,000 to cover legal costs. Contact:

http://www.oregonaviationwatch.org/

Can You Survive on $2 Per Day?

By Gabriel Thompson

For those living on the margins here, daily life can be a long string of emergencies. “There’s this whole roiling of folks,” says Edie Jessup, a longtime local anti-poverty activist. “They are homeless, move in someplace else, lose their jobs and are evicted, maybe end up in motels.” http://bit.ly/XjfnRu

Greenhouse Gas Reached New High in 2011

By Tom Miles

The volume of carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas emitted by human activities, grew at a similar rate to the previous decade and reached 390.9 parts per million (ppm), 40 percent above the pre-industrial level, the survey said. Greenhouse Gas Reached New High in 2011. More here: http://bit.ly/UkuSsU

Thurs. Nov. 22nd; Noon - Join National Day of Mourning at Plymouth Rock, MA

Fasting from sundown the day before, November 21st through the afternoon of the 22nd Natives and non-Natives alike mourn the devastating loss of ancestors, the genocide of Native peoples and the theft of all land. National Day of Mourning also becomes a day to experience political action.

Over the years, participants symbolically bury Plymouth Rock, board Mayflower replica, and placed ku klux klan sheets on the statue of William Bradford, governor and separatist leader born in 1590. Speakers, marches and a lunch are part of the ceremony. http://www.uaine.org

Communities around the World Protest Gas Drilling as Damages are Assessed by Scientists

John Rumpler, senior attorney for Environment America Research & Policy Center is co-author of the report: “Fracking’s environmental damage is bad enough, but it turns out that this dirty drilling imposes heavy dollar and cents costs as well. And in many cases, the public will be left holding the bag for those costs.” The Costs of Fracking report will be published as several states and localities are considering bans or moratoria on fracking. Recognizing the issues, people in communities around the world have moved toward public protests during the weekend of September 22nd. Read more here: http://bit.ly/OkwzWU

Five Environmental Groups Take a Stand Against NYC/NJ Gas Drilling Pipeline

Petitioners against the construction of the Spectra Pipeline include Food and Water Watch, NYC Friends of Clearwater, NYH20, Village Independent Democrats, United for Action, and several residents of the West Village. The suit maintains that the HRPT violated the terms of its charter and several environmental regulations by granting an easement to Spectra Energy for the Gansevoort Peninsula. Construction on the peninsula continues as petitioners await a ruling on the case, due on Sept 18th. In the meantime, the groups are protesting through sit ins on the lower Manhattan west side construction site. http://bit.ly/OaPBZO

2400 People Meet in Albany Against Cuomo's Imminent Marcellus Gas Drilling

By our count, 2400 people marched to the Capitol in Albany on Monday, August 27, and pledged out loud to resist fracking in New York State. After the crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to her, Sandra Steingraber noted that a fist is the same size as the human heart, so the gesture of raising one's fist is really that of putting one's heart into something. It was a beautiful, moving moment of solidarity.

Minutes later, a small crowd filed into the capitol building, singing as they moved up the historic stairs and into the newly-restored dome to deliver the more than 3,000 pledges to Cuomo offices. http://saneenergyproject.org/

Aug. 28 - 6PM "Garbage Warrior" film screening - Promotes Living Off the Grid

By Don Kennedy

"What does it mean to be really off the grid?" The film "Garbage Warrior" showcases the life of renegade architect Michael Reynolds, who has raised the "off the grid" concept to new heights with his development of Earthship Biotecture. The event is being sponsored by Transition Town Media.

Using old tires, soda bottles, beer cans, and rammed earth, Reynolds and his team have created houses that not only raise the bar for energy efficiency and self-sufficiency, but are also beautiful to look at and to live in. In the process, Reynolds has had to fight against antiquated zoning laws and has lost -- and regained -- his architect's license.

The food and film screening event begins with a potluck dinner from 6Pm-6:40PM. Come to the Media Borough Community Center, 301 N. Jackson Street, Media, PA. Attendees are invited to bring a dish to share (not mandatory). There will also be a swap table, and everyone is invited to bring items they no longer want, and to take items from the swap table.

Contact: mailto:donwkennedy@comcast.net

The Village of Wilson, N.Y. has passed a resolution to ban gas drilling.

“There is a growing recognition that Governor Cuomo’s proposed fracking regulations will fail to protect New York State’s drinking water supply from the hundreds of toxic chemicals that would be injected into the ground. New Yorkers—especially those of us here in the Western region—are realizing that fracking just can’t be done safely,” said Rita Yelda, organizer for Food and Water Watch.

“The Wilson Village Board has shown real leadership on the fracking issue and should be thanked for addressing the concerns of the community.” Read more: http://bit.ly/P5rBvg

Pregnant in Fracking Country

By Erin Belitskus

It’s maddening to see reports and opinion pieces that cajole and attempt to shame pregnant women for daring to have a glass of wine with her dinner while intoning that ‘there is no known minimum safe level of alcohol’ during pregnancy. But when it comes to gas and oil companies dumping radioactive fracking waste water into your river, suddenly, no one is interested in protecting the babies. Can someone explain what the known safe minimum level of radioactive fracking waste water is? Where’s the pearl clutching from talking heads on national television over that? Read more here: http://bit.ly/M08Lp5

NY Celebrity Chefs for the Marcellus Shale Appeal for Cuomo to Stop Push for Gas Drilling

By Hilary Baum

More than 100 chefs and food professionals have already signed on to the Chefs for the Marcellus campaign.

These illustrious and award-winning chefs will also be participating in a June 26th Gourmand Fundraiser: Mario Batali of Babbo; Mary Cleaver of The Green Table and Cleaver Co.; Cesare Casella of Salumeria Rosi; Shawn Gawle of Corton; Brooks Headley of Del Posto; Michael Laiskonis, formerly of Le Bernardin; Marc Meyer of Cookshop;Chris Santos of The Stanton Social; Francine Stephens of Franny’s;Alex Stupak of Empellón Taqueria; Bill Telepan of Telepan, and Zak Pelaccio of Fatty Crew.

The group has agreed to assert to Governor Andrew Cuomo: “Allowing fracking anywhere in the state puts New Yorkers and our friends from neighboring states in great jeopardy. To learn more about their platform and about tickets to the fundraiser: http://chefsformarcellus.org/ or call 718-884-5716

Bigots Prove to have Low Intelligence: Study

Research finds that children with low intelligence are more likely to hold prejudiced attitudes as adults. These findings point to a vicious cycle, according to lead researcher Gordon Hodson, a psychologist at Brock University in Ontario. Those ideologies, in turn, stress hierarchy and resistance to change, attitudes that can contribute to prejudice, Hodson wrote in an email to LiveScience.

More: http://bit.ly/Aj1iY2

2011 Was the Warmest Year in History - NASA

According to an annual analysis of global temperatures released earlier this week by NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), the planet’s average temperature was nearly one degree F warmer in 2011 than it was in the middle of the 20th century.

Read More Here: http://smrt.io/slVuau

Gas drilling is being sold to the American public as a miracle, arriving just in time to save us from peak oil. It’s an abundant new fuel supply that will be a “game-changer,” we’re told. We’ll soon be a major exporter of gas to the rest of the world. The economics of fossil fuels have been changed forever, along with our balance of trade.

But what if the business isn’t actually profitable? What if it’s really based on accounting trickery and overstated claims?

The costs of leasing, restimulating wells where production was flagging, and general operation and administrative overhead, operators need $8 to $9 per thousand cubic feet (mcf) to break even, assuming an 8 percent discount rate. For new development on existing leases, considering just the costs of drilling, completion and operation, operators need $5 to $6/mcf to break even. But the spot price (for immediate delivery) of gas is only $3.11/mcf today, and except for two brief moments in 2010, it has remained below $5 since February 2010. On an averaged annual basis, shale gas has been unprofitable since 2008.

If shale gas production is unprofitable, then why is there still so much drilling activity, and how are producers able to claim otherwise?

One answer to this conundrum is that operators need to keep drilling in order to hold onto their leases. If they don’t actively work the land that they spent the last several years acquiring in a buying frenzy, they lose it. The early operators in these gas formations, or “plays,” aren’t sufficiently well-funded to continue drilling at a loss; they’re simply trying to hold onto their leases long enough to flip them to larger companies at a profit. Hence the recent rash of joint ventures with deeper-pocketed players, which give the original leaseholders a way to pay off the leasing and initial drilling costs, but ultimately reduces their net asset values.

Rabbi Michael Shevack discusses "A Simple Spiritual Guide to Restoring America's Goodness"

Sacred Paths will present Rabbi Michael Shevack, discussing concepts in his new book, "The Six Fix: A Simple Spiritual Guide to Restoring America's Goodness" at noon on Sunday, November 20 at the Plumsteadville Grange, 5901 Easton Road (Rte. 611), Plumsteadville, PA.

As the final part of the Fall Enrichment Series, Shevack offers six simple spiritual principles, called The Six Fix, “outline shared spiritual priorities, in personal life, political life, sex life, economic life, educational life, marital life, corporate life, civic life--- you name it. Everything takes place in Life. According to Life’s rules! Politics is a minor power in the scheme of Life. “We’ve got to get our priorities Life-Centered,” he says.

The Sacred Paths session is open to everyone. The fee is $10.00 payable at the door. A packed lunch is suggested.

For further information contact Sacred Paths Community, 215-766-4988 or email Natalie Kaye at mailto:natkaye@starlinx.com

Republican bill requires Seniors, Non-drivers, Youth to Get I.D. Cards to Vote

Citizens are concerned over Republican bill that will excise voters who do not have I.D. cards. The bill has already passed the Republican controlled senate and Republican governor Corbett promises to sign it into law if it reaches his desk. The Coalition for Voting Integrity recommends people to call Sen. Chuck McIlhinney, sponsor of the bill, and express their views.

The only recent voter fraud case heard by the Bucks County Board of Elections was the case of a Republican voter and businessman, who didn't live in the town of Solebury, tried to help to elect a Republican candidate there. The voter was defended by Mike Fitzpatrick, now a Republican senator for the State of Pennsylvania. Fitzpatrick lost the case to have this vote counted. Now Republicans are moving to curtail senior citizens, the poor and young people from exercising their right to vote when there are no allegations of election fraud against them.

Additional numbers to contact McIlhinney are 717-787-7305 in Harrisburg, 215-736-5960

Harvard Professor says Health Care Reform is Politicians Re-Election Tool

The author of new book entitled, Republic, Lost: How Money Corrupts Congress–and a Plan to Stop It, by Professor Lawrence Lessig explains how health care reform in the US is used primarily to get politicians reelected.

Lessig points to "a system in which the dependence of politicians on campaign cash from industry interests induces the politicians to bow to the interests of those contributing industries — or find it necessary to “bribe” the industry interests with compromises in policy to procure their support of legislation — then the reform that comes out of that process will not completely reflect the will or needs of the American people. Instead, it will more perfectly reflect industry interests, or a compromise among those industry interests.

More here:

http://www.helpingyoucare.com/15992/is-money-in-politics-harmful-to-health-the-real-enemy-of-meaningful-health-care-reform

Hajj: A Pilgrimage in Islam, A Celebration Around the World

By Lee Phillips

On Sunday October 16th, between 1-4 PM, meet new friends at this free event at the Zubaida Foundation! Come learn about Hajj, A Feast of Sacrifice -- an ancient ritual that started with biblical Abraham and his family (the grandfather of three religions). The event address is 855 Big Oak Road, Yardley, PA 19067. Lunch will be served and your questions will be answered.

Attendees at this Hajj event will dialogue about the reasons behind the annual pilgrimage, why it is important to Muslims of the world, when it is during the year and how it is performed. During the Hajj, there is a celebration for those who were not able to make the pilgrimage. “Eid,” which means, “Celebration,” will also be discussed.

The Hajj event will support the process of learning how much people can enjoy spiritual commonality with those of other faiths. “We are each others neighbors - we have much to learn from each other and much to give to each other,” says Muhammed Husain, a Zubaida Foundation organizer. “Come and get to know your neighbors! Rejoice and embrace our in our differences and respect for each other,” says Husain.

For more information Email: leephillipsinpa@yahoo.com or call 215-932-4766. Please RSVP: Brother Muhammed Husain at: 215-736-1526 or mhusain0786@hotmail.com

SAT. SEPT. 17TH - 2:30PM Come to Bucks Transition Group Planning Meeting on "Living Well on Less" Event

Citizens gather every third Saturday at 2:30pm for the Bucks Transition Group meetings at the Lower Makefield Township Building Boardroom, 1100 Edgewood Road, Yardley.

This time, the group is planning an event and as is customary, all are invited. The timportant event is entitled, "Re-Imagine Living Well on Less" and will showcase unique recycling, upcycling and repurposing opportunities. Important information about preparations that prevent expenditures on emergencies will also be highlighted and shared during the festival-like conference.

To RSVP your attendance on Saturday, and to learn more about the Bucks Transition group, contact: mailto:buckstransition@gmail.com

Enter to Win the $1,000 Horse Apple Bingo Prize!

By Sarahlyn Dickhoff

Here is an easy way to win $1,000 while having local horses do all the work! Sacred Paths Community in Plumsteadville PA, announces its second annual Horse Apple Bingo fundraiser on September 10, 2011! Yes, those “horse apples” are worth a bushel of cash, but you have to purchase your land parcel deeds for only $10 each to win.

Hurry and get ‘em now before the land rush is over – only 300 deeds are available! Pony up before our steed is set free to roam over the deeded parcels and let nature take its course! If she homesteads on your spot, you’re the winner!

Sacred Paths offers a holistic ministry and free or low cost classes that help participants embrace their individual mental, physical, emotional and spiritual journey. The community helps to raise money and awareness for such charities as “A Woman’s Place,” “The Bucks County SPCA,” and Tibetan monks.

All are welcome to attend community gatherings every Sunday morning at 9:30 AM at the Plumsteadville Grange, 5901 Easton Road, Plumsteadville, Bucks County, PA. Like us on Facebook. http://on.fb.me/od69sI. Please join the $1000 drawing on PayPal: http://bit.ly/o4gy1u

Contact: natkaye@starlinx.com

What is the Keystone XL?

By Jamie Henn

The proposed Keystone XL Pipeline that, if it’s built, will carry oil from the tar sands deposits of Alberta, Canada down to the Gulf of Mexico.Why do we oppose the Keystone XL? Because those tar sands, one of the dirtiest and most carbon-intensive fossil fuels, is one of the largest pools of carbon in the world. As NASA scientist James Hansen said, any substantial tapping of the tar sands means it’s “essentially game over for the climate.”

http://www.tarsandsaction.org/

It’s time to stand up and help defuse the largest carbon bomb on the planet. More here:

http://act.350.org/sign/tar-sands/

Banning Corporate Personhood: How Communities Are Taking the Law Back from Big Companies

These last few days for gas drilling news in New York as been critical and a new level of urgency has been reached as the country watches how New York defines and decides its fate, the future of its famous unfiltered water supply, and communities in the directly impacted regions, whether for or against drilling are forging ahead to determine their immediate future and that for future generations.

It's coming down to Home Rule and self-determination as a way to protect municipalities from fracking. As the Department of Conservation (DEC) releases New Recommendations for Drilling in New York explained in the Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS) released a few days ago and municipalities organize to decide the fate of their towns.

Baldwin Borough Bans Gas Fracking

By Stephanie Hacke

The ordinance bans natural gas drilling "because the extraction violates the civil rights of Baldwin residents, and because it threatens the health, safety and welfare of residents and neighborhoods," it states.

The ordinance was drafted by the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund. It removes legal powers and authority from extraction corporations "in recognition that those legal powers are illegitimate and unjust," the ordinance reads.

Homeowners Successfully Foreclose a local Bank of America

By Keith Olsen

The Nyerges of Massachusetts hired an attorney to pursue a a levy on Bank of America after the bank wrongfully tried to foreclose on the couple's home. The sheriff entered the bank with the same court writ that is used against hundreds of thousands of U.S. homeowners. On June 3rd, office supplies such as copiers, desks and computers were ordered removed by the sheriff as a crowd cheered outside. Read more: http://bit.ly/iyfmpN

June 13th 12 Noon - Citizens Gather in Yardley, Bucks County, PA

By Robin Stelly

Local residents want answers -- truth vs. fiction and will meet outside the SEPTA station on at 7 Reading Avenue and S. Main Street about Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid and the push by Senators to eliminate these programs. A public discussion will be held at the Yardley train station at 12 noon on Monday. All are urged to attend.

PA Woman Files Lawsuit Against DEP After Tear is Found in Nearby Frack Fluid Pond

By Debbie Borowiec

A lawsuit has been filed with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania on May 23, 2011 against the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Beth Voyle requested that the DEP investigate noxious fumes emanating from the Yeager frac-water impoundment, that stores the toxic flow back fluid from Marcellus Shale gas wells.

Ms. Voyles contacted the DEP and requested an investigation of noxious fumes emanating from the Yeager frac-water impoundment, that stores the toxic flow back fluid from Marcellus Shale gas wells.

She says DEP personnel told her that he was instructed by superiors from both the Southwest Regional DEP office in Pittsburgh AND the Central DEP office in Harrisburg that he was NOT permitted to:

accept complaints relative to the noxious smell
accept complaints regarding potential ground water contamination while the Yeager impoundment was being drained.
to cite Range Resources for any violation relative to noxious smells or contamination resulting from the faulty liner that would place them in violation of State law.

The DEP employee said that a 'bacteria' problem required that the impoundment be 'drained' in order that the liner, that separates contaminated frac-fluid from soil and ground water, could be repaired. The frac-fluid was trucked to an undisclosed site and it remains uncertain how much of this contaminated fluid penetrated the surrounding soil and groundwater. More here: http://bit.ly/lED0Sd

Contact:

mailto:dsborowiec@aol.com

724-882-1491

Group Calls for Petition against PA Voter Suppression Bill

Pennsylvania legislators are introducing a voter ID bill that targets specific citizens' right to vote. Now organizations are asking citizens to act speedily in urging legislators to "Vote No" to HR 934. See Petition Here: http://bit.ly/mvSDOX

The move to suppress voting is opposed by the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, Common Cause Pennsylvania, ACLU of Pennsylvania, Erie Times-News, Delaware County Daily Times, and most state Democratic

officials.

http://bit.ly/lpps8J - Your State Legislators' Email Addresses

France is Banning Fracking

France is on the precipice of becoming the first country to ban hydraulic fracturing. Horizontal drilling drains fresh drinking water and uses chemicals fluids that can be fatal. In Louisiana fracking fluid made it to a pasture killing 17 cows at the farm.

The vote 287-146 by France's ruling UMP party and the vote comes after months of protests by environmentalists who are concerned that the process contaminates the water table. The question becomes whether the nation will buy U.S. produced natural gas that is damaging to communities and whether U.S. states will follow the example set by France.

"The People" Win Back Trout Stream from ExxonMobil

Last night, in the face of overwhelming public opposition, the Delaware River Basin Commission unanimously voted to table a request by ExxonMobil to withdraw 250,000 gallons of water a day from a Special Protection trout stream in Broome County New York. The commission promised to hold a public hearing in the vicinity that would be impacted by the withdrawal before rendering a decision on the application.

In the meantime, you can continue to urge the DRBC say "No!" to Exxon Mobil's plan to use our water to frack New York.

To learn more contact:: "Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy"

ExxonMobil Fossil Fuel Company Threatens Local Fishery

XTO Energy (owned by ExxonMobil) wants to take 0.25 million gallons of water per day from Oquaga Creek, a native trout stream that flows to the West Branch of the Delaware River in Broome and Delaware Counties to develop gas wells they plan to drill there. Citizens oppose the DRBC approving this water withdrawal during the gas drilling moratorium, while its draft gas rules are pending. New York has a hold on its generic permit for hydraulically fractured-horizontally drilled gas wells while it completes its environmental review.

The withdrawal site is on land owned by the Town of Sanford, which has given them access. There is no permit required by NY State; the DRBC provides the only review of this withdrawal.

To sign up in advance to speak at the May 11 Hearing contact

Ms. Schmitt at 609-883-9500 ext. 224 and ask to speak on the XTO proposed Docket.

Public hearing on this application at 1:30 pm meeting, West Trenton Volunteer Fire Company, 40 W. Upper Ferry Rd., West Trenton, N.J.

4/25 - Marcellas Gas Pipeline Planned for Crowded Cities - NJ and NYC

A new 30 inch pipeline is being planned by Houston-based Spectra Energy through crowded Jersey City, NJ, under the Hudson, and enter the teeming neighborhoods of Manhattan beneath the West Village to bring in natural gas. ETA: 2012. Residents want to know, "What is this gas company thinking?" See citizen action:

http://nogaspipeline.org/take-action

Thirty inches is also the size of the pipeline that caused the San Bruno, California explosion last September. Eight people died, 37 homes were destroyed. Photographs of the immediate aftermath are here. Welding mistake, possible hazards besides explosions in densely populated areas (that include chemical plants)are the toxins frequently released from the pipes. The Philadelphia explosion caused extensive damage. New York Mayor Bloomberg has said about fracking: "The consequences are so severe that it is not a risk that I think we should run. I do not think that we should allow fractured drilling anywhere near our water supply."

Philadelphia Explosion:

http://bit.ly/g4s7y2

San Bruno Explosion:

http://n.pr/haKtPQ

"Aflockalpse" Mapped by Google While Mystery of Millions of Dead Birds and Fish goes Unanswered

Great masses of birds falling from the skies and millions of fish washing up to the shore have left the governments and environmentalists scratching their heads. Regular updates pinpoint mass animal kills all over the world via this google map.

http://bit.ly/ijlECn

Seeking explanations for birds in field:

http://bit.ly/gwHzJz

Girl does Really Good Animal Impressions!

YouTube user Mel describes the video thusly: “I was studying abroad in NZ when my friends found out that I can do animal noises. So, they had me do them in front of a video camera. They suggested that I make a YouTube account and post it… Well, here it is! Enjoy!!” http://bit.ly/gQ7T9J

NY Legislators Vows to Protect Water

As new information continues to surface on the dangers of horizontal hydraulic fracturing, particularly in relation to the wastewater produced during the hydrofracking process, Senators Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan), Tony Avella (D-Queens) and Joseph Addabbo (D-Queens) have introduced a package of bills that aim to keep New York’s water clean against the effects of hydrofracking. First and foremost, the package calls for a ban on hydrofracking. While working toward this goal, the package installs a series of necessary, common sense measures that would implement stronger regulations and heightened scrutiny that will keep New Yorkers, and their water, safe.

The bills in the Clean Water Package are:

Ø S.425 (Krueger) - Would provide greater regulation of the use of hydraulic fracturing fluids used for oil and gas drilling, including prohibiting the use of frac fluids containing chemicals that pose a risk to human health.

Ø S.2697 (Avella) – Would provide for comprehensive regulation of oil and natural gas operations.

Ø S. 4251 (Addabbo) – Would require treatment works to test waste from hydraulic fracturing operations for radioactivity.

Ø S.4220 (Avella) – Would prohibit the use of hydraulic fracturing in the process of drilling for natural gas and/or oil.

Pick a State Here and Examine its Rating

Check out where states win and fail on environmental issues. Click: http://bit.ly/hBgLWU

TEENS: Win $1000 School Scholarship in Book Collection Drive

Bucks County high school students can take part in collecting books to re-stock the libraries of New Orleans' Recovery School District. DoSomething.org has teamed up with Better World Books to donate your books to NOLA kids.

Over 80% of schools in New Orleans were damaged by Hurricane Katrina. In the most underserved areas, there’s 1 book for every 300 children.

We’ve teamed up with Better World Books to change that. Join the Epic Book Drive. We want you to run book drives in your schools and communities, and send them to Better World Books (free of charge). We’ll make sure they're donated or sold to raise funds for New Orleans’ Recovery School District libraries.

It's Ludacris if you don't. Actually, its Ludacris if you do. He's our campaign spokesperson. Check back for his PSA!

How you ask? Easy:

Sign up below. We'll send you an e-mail with access info for the Better World Books portal. There, you'll be able to order book boxes and print mailing labels to ship your donated books free of charge.
Post pictures and tell explain why your book drive is so Epic. 2 people that submit outstanding photos will win a $1000 college scholarship!
When your drive is done, and no later than May 15th, be sure to access the Better World Books portal and coordinate a shipment of your donated books.

Collect 150 boxes or more, and they’ll make it even easier. Better World Books will pick them up from your school.

The most Epic book drive of all will win a $1000 donation to their school library, and a pizza party for the whole school!

Sign up here:

http://www.dosomething.org/epic-book-drive

Lasagna Gardening in Raised Beds at Bux-Mont Gardening Club

By Vivian Silvestri

You have no doubt seen references to Penn State Master Gardener Cathy Raupp in this space. I call on Cathy when I need clarification of anything gardening. Cathy is also one of my partners in crime at the Middletown Community Garden. We have had a very bountiful Lasagna Garden in Middletown for a couple of years. Cathy will share our groups experience with this method of gardening at the Churchville Nature Center, 501 Churchville Lane, at 7:15 p.m. on April 11. Lasagna gardening is a no dig, no till, no weed method of gardening. If you would rather spend your time watching your garden grow than laboring (weeding, weeding, weeding) then this way of gardening is for you. It was for me, and I'll never look back.

Cathy will be joined by Susanne Hewitt who will share her success story using raised beds for your vegetable or flower garden, as well as some construction tips. For more information on the meeting, call Joy, her number is 215-441-4596.

Raised beds are the way to go. The same year that I joined the Middletown group, my son built 3 beds for my backyard. I can not believe the improvement in the quality of my garden using the Lasagna Gardening method in combination with these beds.

This meeting is a must for all gardeners who have not employed these methods in their backyards thus far, and for gardeners who are converts like me who want to share their Lasagna gardening/raised bed experiences.

Green Job Opportunities for Youth

The Green Jobs Training Program at Foundations, Inc. is now opening enrollment for its next track, which is focused on local and sustainable food systems and food preparation. Trainees who are accepted to the program will receive ServSafe certification and gain the skills and knowledge they need to be competitive candidates for entry-level jobs in restaurant and other commercial kitchens. They will also obtain special knowledge of organic growing methods, urban and small-scale farms, and other areas that will give them an understanding of the local food movement that so many Philadelphia restaurants are ascribing to. The program will start on March 21 and end May 5. Throughout the course of the program, we will not only be providing youth with the skills that they need to secure a job, but also helping them with job or post-secondary placement.

Please note: This program is for Philadelphia youth ages 20-24 who are unemployed or underemployed and qualify as "low income" according to WIA regulations. They may be high school graduates or dropouts and may have had some college but may not be college graduates.

The first step of the selection process for youth is to sign up for an information session as described on the attached flyer. If you know any youth who may be interested, please encourage them to call the number on the flyer, and please post or pass this flyer around wherever you see fit. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Natalie Lucas

Assistant Director, Expanded Learning

Foundations, Inc.

2 Executive Drive, Suite 1

Moorestown, NJ 08057

NLucas@foundationsinc.org <mailto:NLucas@foundationsinc.org>

Toll-free: 1-888-977-KIDS (5437)

How Richboro Residents Won a Battle Against Development

Like much of Bucks County, open land seems to be up for grabs by developers. The heart of Richboro was in line for development by Dreher, a company that wants to put in a Giant supermarket complex. Residents feared traffic congestion and prefer a classic small Main Street of mom and pop stores. But like David against a Goliath, the community came together with petitions and sat in on Zoning Board and Township meetings to share their views. In the end, the Planning Commission shot down the Giant.

The war began over a year ago when citizens discovered that approval was being considered for yet another supermarket chain. There are already two nearby plus a proliferation of new malls and chains in Newtown Township, also not far away. Dreher has successfully developed over 1.8 million acres of land across the country, with a value of over $300 million.

The issue of the proposed supermarket mall was popularized by a petition, which was not only signed by 5,000 community members, but by 2,000 people who must drive through Richboro every day to work. A city planner was hired by citizens to review the efficacy of traffic once the mall was in. Results pointed to a nightmare for drivers and residents.

After the Planning Commission denied the Giant mall, an article appeared in The Courier which indicated that Dreher would continue the fight. Now residents say they feel they are in "limbo" as they wait to see what the developer will do.

In the meantime, people say that what will truly help the community are businesses, including a youth center for children and teens, that currently go elsewhere for entertainment. People who were interviewed for this story agree they would rather keep their young people closer to home.

Minutes of the meetings regarding the supermarket development can be found at Northampton Township's website: http://bit.ly/dhWk8Q

First Suburbs Meeting Date was major success

Natalie and Ivan Winegar, Newtown

Will provide an update on the latest First Suburbs meeting that was held on July 16th in Lancaster, PA, which included "very impressive speakers" who talked about issues and problems in towns around Lancaster and out west -- the same problems that affect Bucks County towns. Stay tuned for their update.

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The meeting of First Suburbs Project in Bucks on May 26 successfully rallied support from 70 people to continue an ongoing regional series of meetings. The non-profit organization of municipal, faith and community leaders from the older, developed suburbs of Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. We are planning to attend the next meeting in Lancaster and we hope more from Bucks will come as well.

This project is devoted to galvanizing people across municipal boundaries to form partnerships and influence policies re the challenges of higher taxes, crumbling infrastructure, declining schools, changing demographics and aging housing stocks of the inner (older) suburbs. People spoke up from Montgomery to Bucks County about infrastructures that are in need of repair. This is a problem which gets worse every day and must be reversed through concerted community action.

Correcting the problem requires petitioning legislators to listen to the concerns of the tax paying citizens. To find out more, contact Angela.firstsuburbs.org or dial 267-977-9654. Many who attended the meeting in Bucks County have agreed to attend the Lancaster meeting and would like more community members to join them.

New Global Supermarket for Richboro?

Developers from the Dreher Group had conducted a own survey of citizens through the mail, asking whether people wanted another supermarket and gas station, but the companies never presented the results at the March 13th citizens meeting.

Instead, lawyers for Richboro residents got up and handed in over 6,000 petitions to the Township supervisors that are against development of 3 acres in the center of town. Ahold Corporation, a Netherlands based company, wants a gas station, another supermarket and a facade of apartment buildings much like what was built in Newtown.

Murray Battleman, owner of Shop N Bag told officials that each store including Tanners on average would suffer a 20 percent loss in profit and that they wouldn't be able to survive.

Ahold Corporation included in its specs a plan for speed bumps and parallel parking on Second Street Pike to alleviate traffic, residents say this plan is inadequate and won't alleviate burgeoning traffic.

Next Meeting - April 13, 7:00 At Richboro Middle School, 98 Upper Holland Road, Richboro 18954 215-944-2500

Downtown Richboro or just another Strip Mall?

By Mary Ann Gould

Just like the the changes in Newtown, I cannot see any positives for Richboro as more shopping malls take hold….Quite the opposite. I believe another mall will undermine our property values a s we get engulfed by strips.

Part of the land is not zoned yet for commercial enterprise. There was a major hearing at the township building on February 2nd and so many people showed up they planned for another meeting on Tuesday, March 9th at 7PM at the Richboro Middle School opposite from Northhampton Library. A concern is that once approved, the plans can be changed based strictly on the judgment of developers.

Although township officials must hear citizens' concerns they must limit decisions to expert opinions. I ask instead that citizens be recognized in actual decision-making as experts of what they want in their community and have more rights than a business wanting to come in. It's time for the voice of the citizens to be heard and heeded and Richboro enriched by actual community participation in decisions which directly impact us as well as our properties and quality of the area.. Except the exercise of people getting up and speaking is often meaningless because of the law behind "Corporate Personhood" where "expert opinions" trump all citizen input.

The new development is coming in on the bend where Second Street Pike goes to right near Bustleton Pike …a very tight fit. The corner is seriously congested already and many accidents occur there.

We already have two large supermarkets and really don't need another especially with the trend toward local goods and services rather than Giant box stores. They are fronting the area with some apartments and stores, but they've only given two drawings and some generalizations. They used Newtown as the model for this design, claiming that it will be a village, but it is a facade to front the real goal -- the unneeded
Goliath.

The real issue is what does Richboro want to be? Do we want to enhance the unique little downtown area into a real small town ambiance with specialty stores and options for cultural activities?

I grew up in Churchville and nothing existed then but a small farmers market and a tiny grocery hardware store. Then the Richboro Shopping Center went in down the road. The people said nothing because some stores were need. In Southampton and Feasterville shopping centers continued now they have one strip after another.

In Doylestown people walk the streets. There are street fairs that draw community participation and create a pleasant feeling in comparison to those strip mall towns.

Downtown Richboro is old and underutilized. There is great potential to create something special. We don't need another big chain supermarket. Further, It likely could drive out one of those presently existing. Empty stores might be rented to lower quality establishments,negatively impacting other smaller stores in the respective centers.That's how slides begin and values decline.

Mary Ann is a founder the Coalition For Voting Integrity, Co-host of Voice of the Voters Radio and Internet and also an acknowledged expert in quality, improvement and planning. She has also served as advisor to Philadelphia City Council and Advisor to the Mayor's office and City Council for Economic Development.