Hello Everyone,
So here we are again, celebrating Earth Day, and more than any previous year, it feels to me like green is going mainstream. What do you think, am I being too optimistic? Or is the Berekely microclimate skewing my perception?
A green mainstream is a fantastic thing... as more and more people start thinking meaninfully about daily choices with their planetary (and local environmental) impact in mind, we have more of a chance to save our environment, and to restore what's already damaged. We can argue about the magnitude of the change endlessly, but the bottom line is more awareness can only be better. What's worrying about the shift of green to mainstream is the increasing quantity of mis-information and over-simplification (distributed by people who don't understand the issues), dis-information (distribued by people who understand, but distort the issues), and greenwashing (which we're all to familiar with). As the message goes more mainstream, the core of the movement doesn't have as much control over the content of the messages that get to the public.
My thought is this: while in the past, much of our focus has been spreading the word about more sustainable ways of living, I think it's becoming extremely important to start thinking about how and where we want environmental information vetted, and to start passing the word about trusted sources... so that when the choices become confusing because of more and more environmental info in the media stream, the choices about where to go to get the bottom line, the straight talk so to speak, becomes clear.
To tie the thought into a book (as usual), I'd like to offer up Ellis Jones' newly updated "Better World Handbook" as a place that I get information I trust.
If anyone has thoughts / or other trusted sources, please share!
jill
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
The last week for 50 % off books
Come and get 'em!
Our big 50% off sale ends on March 31 - come and check out a large selection of books we simply have to many of! There's bound to be something on your "to read" list... or something worth adding!
Happy reading
js
Our big 50% off sale ends on March 31 - come and check out a large selection of books we simply have to many of! There's bound to be something on your "to read" list... or something worth adding!
Happy reading
js
Come see Ellis Jones
Hi Everyone,
We're having an exciting book signing tomorrow night. Ellis Jones - Author of "The Better World Handbook," and "The Better World Shopping Guide" will be here tomorrow night. Come on down and discuss your power as a consumer, learn about his research, and find out - when you spend you're money, how can you choose among the sometimes mystifying array of companies. Learn who the 'good guys,' and who the 'bad guys' are in the world of corporate consumer goods (including groceries!).
Wednesday March 28, 2007
At the Ecology Center
2530 San Pablo Ave. in Berkeley
7pm - 9pm
thanks!
js
We're having an exciting book signing tomorrow night. Ellis Jones - Author of "The Better World Handbook," and "The Better World Shopping Guide" will be here tomorrow night. Come on down and discuss your power as a consumer, learn about his research, and find out - when you spend you're money, how can you choose among the sometimes mystifying array of companies. Learn who the 'good guys,' and who the 'bad guys' are in the world of corporate consumer goods (including groceries!).
Wednesday March 28, 2007
At the Ecology Center
2530 San Pablo Ave. in Berkeley
7pm - 9pm
thanks!
js
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Book Sale!
Hey, we're having a Book Sale!
So, we don't often have a sale at the Ecology Center. We're more on the low prices all the time plan around here... However, every once in a while, we need to do a little house cleaning. So, come on down. We have a large selection of books that have just been marked 50% off!
We'll eventually return most of them. Some titles we just have too many, or they're hardcover and the paper back is out, or maybe we're just reducing our stock. The fact is, we've got more books than we want right now, and we thought we'd see if anyone around here wanted them at the price we'd get when we send them back.
We hope you find a bunch of titles that you'll enjoy,
and we'll have less to ship back to our vendors,
and everyone will be happier!
Thanks!
jill
So, we don't often have a sale at the Ecology Center. We're more on the low prices all the time plan around here... However, every once in a while, we need to do a little house cleaning. So, come on down. We have a large selection of books that have just been marked 50% off!
We'll eventually return most of them. Some titles we just have too many, or they're hardcover and the paper back is out, or maybe we're just reducing our stock. The fact is, we've got more books than we want right now, and we thought we'd see if anyone around here wanted them at the price we'd get when we send them back.
We hope you find a bunch of titles that you'll enjoy,
and we'll have less to ship back to our vendors,
and everyone will be happier!
Thanks!
jill
Chomsky Quartet
It's been a while! Here's the first in 2007's series of book reviews - this is actually a collection.
The Chomsky Quartet
Noam Chomsky
This is a collection of for of Chomsky’s short political works. It’s a great little collection, and a good buy for anyone interested in sampling Chomsky’s thought in smaller, bite-sized pieces. You can read these books in a day or two.
What Uncle Sam Really Wants is broken up in to for themed sections, entitled: The Main Goals of US Foreign Policy, Devastation Abroad, Brainwashing at Home, and The Future. These 101 small pages of text are packed with commentary on US involvement abroad. From the cold war, to WW II, US actions in Central America, South East Asia, the Middle east, and up to the first Gulf War, Chomsky deals out a healthy dose of history, analysis, and vitriolic comment on US foreign relations.
The Common Good is the longest book, at 160 pages, and is a discussion (literally, much of it is in question and answer format) of domestic and global economics, class, corporate domination, globalization, the market in general, and progressive resistance.
Secrets, Lies, and Democracy directs our attention political problems at home and abroad. Domestically, Chomsky discusses systemic inadequacies in our democracy. He touches on many of the great domestic debates: Health Care, Crime, Gun Control, Labor, Media, and more. He gets into the politics and economics of ‘free trade’ with details on several specific countries, and closes with a “what can you do” section which includes a wonderful list of organizations doing great work around the world.
The Prosperous Few and the Restless Many takes on the discussion of global trade directly. Chomsky examines global trade, violence and racism in the final selection for this quartet.
The Chomsky Quartet
Noam Chomsky
This is a collection of for of Chomsky’s short political works. It’s a great little collection, and a good buy for anyone interested in sampling Chomsky’s thought in smaller, bite-sized pieces. You can read these books in a day or two.
What Uncle Sam Really Wants is broken up in to for themed sections, entitled: The Main Goals of US Foreign Policy, Devastation Abroad, Brainwashing at Home, and The Future. These 101 small pages of text are packed with commentary on US involvement abroad. From the cold war, to WW II, US actions in Central America, South East Asia, the Middle east, and up to the first Gulf War, Chomsky deals out a healthy dose of history, analysis, and vitriolic comment on US foreign relations.
The Common Good is the longest book, at 160 pages, and is a discussion (literally, much of it is in question and answer format) of domestic and global economics, class, corporate domination, globalization, the market in general, and progressive resistance.
Secrets, Lies, and Democracy directs our attention political problems at home and abroad. Domestically, Chomsky discusses systemic inadequacies in our democracy. He touches on many of the great domestic debates: Health Care, Crime, Gun Control, Labor, Media, and more. He gets into the politics and economics of ‘free trade’ with details on several specific countries, and closes with a “what can you do” section which includes a wonderful list of organizations doing great work around the world.
The Prosperous Few and the Restless Many takes on the discussion of global trade directly. Chomsky examines global trade, violence and racism in the final selection for this quartet.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Fall Gardening
It'll seem strange to many of you, especially those from colder climates, but I spent last weekend (September 16th and 17th) sowing seeds!
Whether you’ve got a few pots by the front door, or an extensive backyard garden, one of the fun things about green thumbs in the Bay Area is our year round growing season. As we move into the fall, here are some things to think about. It’s a great time to plant greens: lettuces, kales, chards, and spinach are all great fall and winter crops. In late October and November, you can plant peas again. Other great fall and winter crops include brussels sprouts, broccoli, leeks, Onions, and radishes. It’s also time to think about cover crops to enrich your soil; fava beans, winter rye and hairy vetch are all candidates for fall or winter planted cover crops.
If you’re interested in gardening with native plants, fall the time to introduce new plants to your garden. The fall and winter rains will help them get established before next summer’s dry season. It’s also the time to think about planting many landscape plants. Trees, shrubs and ground covers should all be planted now for the same reason – our winter rains will help them establish root systems that will sustain them through the dry summer.
The Ecology Center store has a great selection of gardening books and products. If you want more information on gardening in our neighborhoods this fall and winter, check out Pam Pierce’s Golden Gate Gardening, Katherine Grace Endicott’s Norhtern California Gardening: a Month-by-Month Guide, and Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates of the San Francisco Bay Region produced by the East Bay Municipal Utility District. If you don’t have dirt in the ground to play in, you should also check out McGee & Stuckey’s The Bountiful Container, a comprehensive guide to all sorts of gardening in containers.
Out of season seeds are on sale! Come into to the store to get seeds for next season for 50% off.
Whether you’ve got a few pots by the front door, or an extensive backyard garden, one of the fun things about green thumbs in the Bay Area is our year round growing season. As we move into the fall, here are some things to think about. It’s a great time to plant greens: lettuces, kales, chards, and spinach are all great fall and winter crops. In late October and November, you can plant peas again. Other great fall and winter crops include brussels sprouts, broccoli, leeks, Onions, and radishes. It’s also time to think about cover crops to enrich your soil; fava beans, winter rye and hairy vetch are all candidates for fall or winter planted cover crops.
If you’re interested in gardening with native plants, fall the time to introduce new plants to your garden. The fall and winter rains will help them get established before next summer’s dry season. It’s also the time to think about planting many landscape plants. Trees, shrubs and ground covers should all be planted now for the same reason – our winter rains will help them establish root systems that will sustain them through the dry summer.
The Ecology Center store has a great selection of gardening books and products. If you want more information on gardening in our neighborhoods this fall and winter, check out Pam Pierce’s Golden Gate Gardening, Katherine Grace Endicott’s Norhtern California Gardening: a Month-by-Month Guide, and Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates of the San Francisco Bay Region produced by the East Bay Municipal Utility District. If you don’t have dirt in the ground to play in, you should also check out McGee & Stuckey’s The Bountiful Container, a comprehensive guide to all sorts of gardening in containers.
Out of season seeds are on sale! Come into to the store to get seeds for next season for 50% off.
Organic Cotton Baby Stuff!
You probably know that the Ecology Center stocks a fun selection of organic cotton t-shirts, but unless you’ve been in the store in the last few weeks, you don’t know about our great new selection of organic cotton baby stuff!
I’ve been looking for organic cotton baby items for years. At my last big trade show, I literally went around to every single baby vendor, and no one had anything organic. This month, the market is definitely booming. I have clothing coming in from seven different vendors – t-shirts, onesies, footies, many with matching hats, bibs and blankies. The sizes range from newborn to 4T, and I can order some styles in 6T. Just as exciting is a fantastic line of organic cotton stuffed animals. They’re adorable!
Switching from conventional to organic cotton products is one very important move for those of us looking to live more sustainable lives. Conventional cotton farming uses more insecticides than any other crop, and, according to the Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) “epitomizes the worst effects of chemically dependent agriculture” (Organic Cotton Breifing Kit, PANNA, http://www.panna.org).
Both the volume and the toxicity of pesticides used on cotton are particularly bad, many of the chemicals used on cotton were developed during WWII as chemical weapons – they’re nerve agents. While much of the world’s cotton is grown in the global south, pesticide intensive cotton growing is certainly not a removed problem. Also according to PANNA, in comparing pesticide linked illnesses of farm workers in California, conventional cotton is the third worst offender. In addition to purely chemical problems, Monsanto introduced Bt cotton, a genetically engineered plant in 1996. All of the strains of genetically modified cotton have had serious problems wherever they are grown, many actually showing signs of significantly lower resistance to pests and disease than non GM cotton varieties (Myers, Adrian, Organic Futures: The Case for Organic Farming).
I’ve been looking for organic cotton baby items for years. At my last big trade show, I literally went around to every single baby vendor, and no one had anything organic. This month, the market is definitely booming. I have clothing coming in from seven different vendors – t-shirts, onesies, footies, many with matching hats, bibs and blankies. The sizes range from newborn to 4T, and I can order some styles in 6T. Just as exciting is a fantastic line of organic cotton stuffed animals. They’re adorable!
Switching from conventional to organic cotton products is one very important move for those of us looking to live more sustainable lives. Conventional cotton farming uses more insecticides than any other crop, and, according to the Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) “epitomizes the worst effects of chemically dependent agriculture” (Organic Cotton Breifing Kit, PANNA, http://www.panna.org).
Both the volume and the toxicity of pesticides used on cotton are particularly bad, many of the chemicals used on cotton were developed during WWII as chemical weapons – they’re nerve agents. While much of the world’s cotton is grown in the global south, pesticide intensive cotton growing is certainly not a removed problem. Also according to PANNA, in comparing pesticide linked illnesses of farm workers in California, conventional cotton is the third worst offender. In addition to purely chemical problems, Monsanto introduced Bt cotton, a genetically engineered plant in 1996. All of the strains of genetically modified cotton have had serious problems wherever they are grown, many actually showing signs of significantly lower resistance to pests and disease than non GM cotton varieties (Myers, Adrian, Organic Futures: The Case for Organic Farming).
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Organizing for a Simpler Life
Ok folks,
We've been in a flurry of activity down here. In August, I attended a great trade show, and found a bunch of wonderful new products. The winning category was definitely organic baby! Many of you know that I've been looking for good organic baby products for quite a while now, and all of a sudden there are tons of options. I've got products coming in from seven new vendors, so come on in and see what we have!
I'm also in a flurry of organizing activity. It has to do with the 2nd Annual Simplicity Conference that I just got to attend in Oakland. As usual for these events, I bought some books that I thought would intrigue that audience in particular.... and we've got a collection of Organizing books by Donna Smallin.
Here we have "Organizing Plain & Simple" which, if you're a beginner is great, but if you're an old pro (like I am) at trying to get organized, you'll have heard most of these suggestions before. My favorite so far "The One-Minute Organizer." Because, while I have heard some of these suggestions before, it's great to have them in little bite-sized pieces that you can squeeze into that 15 minutes before lunch, when you don't have time to do anything big... but those small things can really add up! Finally, I'm very much looking forward to "Unclutter Your Mind," which, for me, is the biggest organization project of all!
Here's to organizing!
Jill
We've been in a flurry of activity down here. In August, I attended a great trade show, and found a bunch of wonderful new products. The winning category was definitely organic baby! Many of you know that I've been looking for good organic baby products for quite a while now, and all of a sudden there are tons of options. I've got products coming in from seven new vendors, so come on in and see what we have!
I'm also in a flurry of organizing activity. It has to do with the 2nd Annual Simplicity Conference that I just got to attend in Oakland. As usual for these events, I bought some books that I thought would intrigue that audience in particular.... and we've got a collection of Organizing books by Donna Smallin.
Here we have "Organizing Plain & Simple" which, if you're a beginner is great, but if you're an old pro (like I am) at trying to get organized, you'll have heard most of these suggestions before. My favorite so far "The One-Minute Organizer." Because, while I have heard some of these suggestions before, it's great to have them in little bite-sized pieces that you can squeeze into that 15 minutes before lunch, when you don't have time to do anything big... but those small things can really add up! Finally, I'm very much looking forward to "Unclutter Your Mind," which, for me, is the biggest organization project of all!
Here's to organizing!
Jill
Friday, June 09, 2006
Blithe Tomato: An Insiders Wry Look at Farmers' Market Society
Blithe Tomato: An Insiders Wry Look at Farmers' Market Society
by Mike Madison
Heyday Books
2006
$15.00
I love this book. It's a collection of great little stories about farming, farmers, and markets. The author tells a great story, delves into a somewhat odd obsession with old tractors (perhaps not so odd to farmers, but it is to me), and has a great eye for character. His prose speaks quickly and eloquently, sometimes telling a beautiful tale in less than a page. Opinionated (in a good way), funny and poignant, this is a great selection of scenes and essays, at times requiring me to read out loud to my co-workers (whether they wanted me to or not).
One of my favorite paragraphs in the book is from one of Madison's frequent political forays: "When I checked my e-mail, an image popped up on the screen of an idiotic man dressed in red, white, and blue bunting, deliriously happy over the victories of the Republicans in yesterday's election. I voted, too, but for the most part my candidates did not win. Perhaps democracy in this country is by now a complete failure, with elections openly for sale to the highest bidder. Even worse, democracy might be a success, and the election shows the true character of our people as they cast their votes for a violently exploitative attitude toward the planet and its creatures."
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
js
by Mike Madison
Heyday Books
2006
$15.00
I love this book. It's a collection of great little stories about farming, farmers, and markets. The author tells a great story, delves into a somewhat odd obsession with old tractors (perhaps not so odd to farmers, but it is to me), and has a great eye for character. His prose speaks quickly and eloquently, sometimes telling a beautiful tale in less than a page. Opinionated (in a good way), funny and poignant, this is a great selection of scenes and essays, at times requiring me to read out loud to my co-workers (whether they wanted me to or not).
One of my favorite paragraphs in the book is from one of Madison's frequent political forays: "When I checked my e-mail, an image popped up on the screen of an idiotic man dressed in red, white, and blue bunting, deliriously happy over the victories of the Republicans in yesterday's election. I voted, too, but for the most part my candidates did not win. Perhaps democracy in this country is by now a complete failure, with elections openly for sale to the highest bidder. Even worse, democracy might be a success, and the election shows the true character of our people as they cast their votes for a violently exploitative attitude toward the planet and its creatures."
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
js
A flood of new books
It's been a crazy year so far, and we're starting to get a flood of great new books in. I've decided that instead of trying to organize, categorize, and prioritize which I want to tell you about, I'm just going to start writing. So, keep your eyes on the blog, I'm hoping to give you quick updates on a bunch of 2006's best titles.
js
js
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Top 10 Books in 2005
Top 10 Book list in 2005
I thought it would be fun to publish some top 10 lists – Here’s the first in the series…
Top 10 bestselling books at the Ecology Center Store:
10. Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, by John Perkins. This is a startlingly honest memoir of one of the world’s biggest moneylenders, and an insider’s look at international infrastructure and development financing fraud. It’s also very readable!
9. Ecotopia, by Ernest Callenbach. First published in 1975, the 30-year anniversary edition was very popular last year. It’s a fictional, inspirational vision of an ecologically, politically, and humanly workable future.
8. Biodiesel: Growing a New Energy Economy, by Greg Pahl. This is the first of three biodiesel books on the list. It discusses the history, technology and future prospects of biodiesel.
7. Alternative Urban Futures, by Raquel Pinderhuges. A great book by a local professor, author, and Ecology Center board member, it explores sustainable urban development through appropriate technologies in water, waste, energy, transportation and food systems.
6. Gaia’s Garden: a guide to home scale permaculture, by Toby Hemenway. A great gardening book for those of us interested in permaculture for urban and suburban plots of land.
5. Diet for a Dead Planet: How the Food Industry is Killing Us, by Christopher D. Cook. Another local author who’s produced a fascinating, readable, and intense document exposing the inside of the industry that feeds so many of us.
4. Biodiesel: Home Brewer’s Guide, by Maria “girl Mark” Alovert. A locally produced, home made guide to home brew biodiesel from local biodiesel teacher and activist girl Mark.
3. Earth Art Coloring Book, by Sue Coccia. A series of coloring books with intricate animal drawings based on the traditional artwork of the pacific north west.
2. From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank by Joshua Tickell. Always a favorite, this is a complete guide to using biodiesel or straight vegetable oil in your diesel car or truck.
And…
The number one bestselling book at the Ecology Center Store in 2005 was…
1. Golden Gate Gardening: The Complete Guide to Year-Round Food Gardening in the San Francisco Bay Area and Coastal California, by Pam Pierce. Our perennial bestseller, and the one gardening book you really need to read if you garden in or around the Bay Area.
I thought it would be fun to publish some top 10 lists – Here’s the first in the series…
Top 10 bestselling books at the Ecology Center Store:
10. Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, by John Perkins. This is a startlingly honest memoir of one of the world’s biggest moneylenders, and an insider’s look at international infrastructure and development financing fraud. It’s also very readable!
9. Ecotopia, by Ernest Callenbach. First published in 1975, the 30-year anniversary edition was very popular last year. It’s a fictional, inspirational vision of an ecologically, politically, and humanly workable future.
8. Biodiesel: Growing a New Energy Economy, by Greg Pahl. This is the first of three biodiesel books on the list. It discusses the history, technology and future prospects of biodiesel.
7. Alternative Urban Futures, by Raquel Pinderhuges. A great book by a local professor, author, and Ecology Center board member, it explores sustainable urban development through appropriate technologies in water, waste, energy, transportation and food systems.
6. Gaia’s Garden: a guide to home scale permaculture, by Toby Hemenway. A great gardening book for those of us interested in permaculture for urban and suburban plots of land.
5. Diet for a Dead Planet: How the Food Industry is Killing Us, by Christopher D. Cook. Another local author who’s produced a fascinating, readable, and intense document exposing the inside of the industry that feeds so many of us.
4. Biodiesel: Home Brewer’s Guide, by Maria “girl Mark” Alovert. A locally produced, home made guide to home brew biodiesel from local biodiesel teacher and activist girl Mark.
3. Earth Art Coloring Book, by Sue Coccia. A series of coloring books with intricate animal drawings based on the traditional artwork of the pacific north west.
2. From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank by Joshua Tickell. Always a favorite, this is a complete guide to using biodiesel or straight vegetable oil in your diesel car or truck.
And…
The number one bestselling book at the Ecology Center Store in 2005 was…
1. Golden Gate Gardening: The Complete Guide to Year-Round Food Gardening in the San Francisco Bay Area and Coastal California, by Pam Pierce. Our perennial bestseller, and the one gardening book you really need to read if you garden in or around the Bay Area.
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