AliveAndKickN

I Miss the Honky Tonk, Dairy Queens and 7-11s

Yesterday was "Clean up our Town Day."  A few dozen parents and kids were able to sneak away from the crazy schedule that is suburbia and don long pants, gloves and garbage bags in search of the elusive trash.  Eldest and I took the area by the swim club near our house, and concentrated on the areas in and around the tributary that leads from the pond to the Oradel Reservoir, which provides drinking water to over a million people in the north Jersey area.  In one hour only, we filled two huge trash bags with mostly cans, water bottles, gatorade bottles, dunkin donuts styrofoam cups, newspaper bags with dog poop, and of course beer bottles.  We also found some barb wire, some tires, a hose, two dozen golf balls, a dozen tennis balls, some baseballs, and various picnic gear - cups, styrofoam coolers and happy meal toys.  Now, we're a small town, and we're pretty well maintained (both by the people and the DPW), so I started thinking about volume.  If there's enough trash in such a small area which leads to driking water, you can do the math statewide, nationally, and obvioulsy internationally. Ironically, during the clean-up, The Talking Heads song "You've Got It" came on the iPod.  If you haven't heard the words, do so when you get a chance.  

In keeping with the clean-up theme, I was in the yard, putting newly fallen leaves into the composter, when a hawk swooped down, not fifteen feet from me, grabbed a chipmunk, looked briefly at me, and went back into the trees.  Awesome.

Once again, I feel compelled to quote Bill Maher from Real Time.  If Climate Change is the war for the future, why are we making changes around the edges only?  If our food system is killing us, why are we keeping it the same?  If tax rates were 50% or much higher from the 30's through the '60's, why are we so stuck on issues such as 35% tax rates?  Stuff needs to be paid for.  Income distribution is just not working currently.         

Who's Got the Time?

It's mid-late September once again, and the season is rapidly changing to fall.  School has started and parents who haven't seen each other in a while ask "how's your summer?"  I feel like the summer didn't take place this year.  The usual transition from spring to summer in June didn't occur, as it rained like crazy.  Then, after the kids started their camps, we had to prepare for the accreditation process for the business (if you remember, we had to kill half a dozen trees in order to create policies and procedure for something that had nothing to do with our business - just so we can stay in business).  Then my shoulder gave out, the misses had to have her appendix out, and the next thing you know, we're home from Vancouver (the ten days there were amazing, but with a bad shoulder, still pain-killer induced) and here comes fall.  I never got out to hike, the garden in the yard barely produced any strawberries, many of the tomatoes fell victim to the tomato blight, and only one pear survived.  The eggplants, cabbage and peppers are trying to rally finally.  We'll see.

Eldest finally submitted his report on the survivor of the holocaust we interviewed.  It had been sitting on his computer for several months, but the time didn't seem to work until this week.  Upon presenting to the Holocaust Center, I couldn't have been more proud.  The coordinator was so pleased with him, and most of all, the survivor was pleased with us.  It's obviously not easy to relive such a horrifying experience, and if we made it comfortable for her, it's a blessing.  Not sure if he'll present his report to the world, but the meaning seems to be ingrained in his mind.  In a year, he's grown so much, possibly too much.  Same weight as last year, just six inches taller.  His mother isn't willng to admit it, but he's taller than her.  I kid him that too many adults are saying he's good looking.  I assume he gets it from his mother.  Don't grow up too fast.     

The previous Rabbi is no longer at the synagogue this year for the high Holidays.  He apparently didn't fulfill his job description responsibilities and it didn't end well.  I miss his insight, regardless.  I think he gets "it" but doesn't know how to always transfer it, and I guess a job is a job.  Unfortunate.  This year's sermon from the pulpit talked about how the Bible shouldn't be taken literally.  Not sure if someone in that position should hold that thought, but I agree.  It's from a different time.       

Waterwise Finally?

The other day, the Wall Street Journal showed up at the house again.  I still didn't order it, and obviously I don't pay for it, but hey, reading material is reading material.  Amongst all of the teaparty healthcare nonsense articles, I found article about desert and sunbelt states finally getting water conscious.  As someone who doesn't water the lawn ever, I still find it unfathomable to have grass in the desert, but it's obviously there.  Of course, as in any scenario, when one industry is faced with looming cuts in profits, they fight it, regardless of the virtuosity, in this case Scott's.  Is it true that the financial industry really hasn't changed much since last year's meltdown?  Amazing. 

The Obama administration is finishing a project initialized during the Bush administration creating a federal oversight of ocean conservation.  Recently, I posted that I thought the amount spent on space exploration should be spent on our oceans.  Considering 50% or more of the global population lives on a coastline, it might be important to preserve it.  Of course, just like the healthcare debate, the water debate is hinged on big food as well.  Our drinking water will continue to take a hit from the factory farms producing more "material" that can safely be applied as fertilizer or even turned into energy.  And with the amount of usable water going towads big food farming, it will continue to be an issue unless changed.    

 I've been asked to present to this year's leadership group on local politics.  I'm not sure why I was asked, but I'll see what I can do.  Realistically, I don't live in a town with a lot of controversy or issues.  Maybe that should be the topic.  Maintain order and everyone's happy, sort of.   

More Taxes!!

I had to visit one of my doctors the other day, or as I like to say, put Humpty Dumpty back together again.  Anyway, since I was going to be near Union Square, I called the Environmental Defense Fund to talk shop.  I like the EDF because they look for solutions that are not only good for the environment, but also good for the organization they are working with.  Win-Win, so to speak.  Businesses tend to like that.  Not knowing anybody by name, I found an ex-PSEG guy, and we talked energy for a few minutes.  Among other things, the biggest tidbit I took away was a story about a part of Maryland where the county is bonding municipalities to finance energy efficiency upgrades.  It's so simple, it's beautiful.  The county bonds the municipality.  The property owner gets an energy audit.  It takes the findings, presents it to the county, and the project/upgrade is financed interest-free.  The cost of the project is spread out over 15 years as part of the property's taxes.  Theoretically the project savings in energy should more than outweigh the costs of the project.  Also, theoretically, since it's a concerted effort, recycling should take place for appliances, bulbs, etc.  I like it. 

The Bergen Volunteer Center has three major fundraising efforts each year, the Bike Tour, Derby Day, and a drive around the holidays.  So far, we're on track to do ok for the Bike Tour this year.  As a Board member, I've gathered $1600 so far.  I don't think I'll be able to ride, so I'll probably run of the refreshment stands.  It all goes to the same place. 

Last night, the President made his push further for the health care overhaul.  Today I noticed several articles regarding the food system.  They agree that the system needs to be overhauled, but as long as our population continues to eat unhealthy, remain sedentary, and factory farm, costs and illnesses will continue to rise.  I don't disagree.  Something to think about.