How special it was to have my mom Ruthie, the Queen of F’ing Everything join me in the studio for her 95th Birthday. Token Bros Phil and Mitch Margo were also there to celebrate mom, and to talk about growing up in Brooklyn and being sustainable before it became a buzzword. Mom talked about gardening and nature walks on Ocean Parkway, and vacant lots that grew wild flowers and shrubs that we used as cuttings. Throw in some politics and music to spice things up, and voila a birthday celebration turned into a show. My Dad Leon, was definitely looking down from the heavens and smiling. For more info on Phil and Mitch go to www.thetokens.com and check out a great reading tool www.margoreader.com.
Category: New York City
1424: ‘The Plan?’, a film by Dr. Susan Rubin
Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide, Dr. Susan Rubin and I discuss her new short documentary film, “The Plan(?)”, which focuses on the evacuation plan, or lack thereof for the Indian Point Nuclear Facility in Buchanan, NY. The plant is 35 miles north of NYC, and an orderly and safe evacuation scenario is a fantasy. Where would you go, and what would you do, should there be a catastrophic event at the plant? How do you safely evacuate 300,000 to 20 million people? Would you go to your local evacuation bus stop with the Blue and White signs?? Would you jump into your car and pray that the roads are clear? Are those options based in reality???
To find out more, tune in to the program, and please view the film “The Plan(?)” by viewing below or going to: www.vimeo.com/96615872
http://www.drsusanrubin.com/spread-plan/
#1424: The Plan, a film by Dr. Susan Rubin
Trailer for the film:
1418: June Stoyer, The Organic View
My guest this week is June Stoyer, radio host of The Organic View and bee advocate. Our discussion focuses on why bees are dying by the millions. One of the major culprits in this horrific scenario is the chemical neonicotinoids, a class of neuro-active insecticides chemically similar to nicotine. It is used to as a pesticide to kill insects on crops, and the residue is entering nectar and pollen which is fatal to bees. Neonicotinoids are present in the nursery plants you buy, so you must be very prudent in picking plants that are organically grown.
Organic produce is the way to go. In addition, we discuss another alarming practice called “Canned or Trophy Hunting,” which is decimating the Big Cat population in Africa. On a brighter note, June is a master composter and volunteers her time to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, a most beautiful and sustainable place. For more info go to www.theorganicview.com
#1423: Nancy Bruning, Green Gym Day
Nancy Bruning, founder of Nancercize, and organizer of Green Gym Day is my guest this week. We discuss the importance of using our city parks to walk, jog, play ball and hike, in order to connect with nature and keep fit. You don’t need to workout in an expensive gym, when there are “101 Things You Can Do on a Park Bench”…..by this we mean things like push-ups, knee bends and more. Hike the Heights in Northern Manhattan (on 6/7/14), and be a part of Green Gym Day (on 6/8/14). Go out and utilize public spaces and get moving, it is good for the body and the soul. For more information go to www.greengymday.org and www.nancercize.net.
1416: Sara Romanoski, East Village Community Coalition
The East Village in NYC is a mecca for the arts, the bohemian in all of us, and it is a NYC treasure that must be preserved. Sara Romanoski, Managing Director of the East Village Community Coalition, is working hard to maintain the character, architecture and sense of community in this vibrant and historic neighborhood in Manhattan. Community Gardens dot the area with flora and fauna, and buildings with rich histories must be cared for and cherished. One must often fight for what’s right, and legal actions to maintain these buildings are intense and involve many community residents, and yes, many lawyers. The plight of the old PS 64 building has been an example of how the community has come together to save the 100 plus year old structure. With the influx of new money comes certain changes that do not reflect the character of the neighborhood, which is why the East Village Community Coalition is working to preserve the past and build for the future. Please visit www.evccnyc.org to find out how you can help keep the East Village diverse, bohemian and beautiful.
#1420: John Parker, Environmental Attorney
Joining me on the program this week is friend of the show and environmental attorney John Parker. We discuss the problems associated with transporting Bakken crude oil via rail and boat. There have been several accidents attributed to the transport of this very volatile product, and communities affected both in upstate New York and in Canada have become very vocal opponents of how the oil is being moved around the country. We also had a special guest, Liam, who told us about his experience aboard the Riverkeeper patrol boat with Captain John Lipscomb. You can learn more about NYS environmental initiatives and get more information by emailing John at parkerjlp@gmail.com
#1412: Charlotte Ghiorse, House of Choclet Part 2/2
In Part 2 of our interview with Charlotte Ghiorse we continue to discuss “American Garbage” both the film and the exhibit. In addition, we talk about her unique connection with the FDNY, and how she worked with firefighters during and after 9/11, to capture the fires and chaos during that most horrific event in US history. On the lighter side, we delve into how individuals can be more proactive in recycling, and how uber cool the House of Choclet is. Go to www.charlotteg.com to find out more.
#1411: Charlotte Ghiorse, House of Choclet Part 1/2
Charlotte Ghiorse, artist, filmmaker, eco-activist, astrologer and mom of three joins me to chat about her artistic endeavors, and the connection between art and the environment. Charlotte produced a film called “American Garbage” based on the art exhibit of the same title, which won the Spirit Award at the Williamsburg Film Festival. She is an extraordinary talent, and uses that talent to get the word out about the environment, recycling, and sustainability. Her work can be seen in galleries in NYC, and she has had exhibits at The Museum of Motherhood. Check out House of Choclet and www.charlotteg.com for more info.
#1410: 2GreenMinds & Holistic Spaces
Part 1: Ann Delmarmo
Americans use about 2,200 paper napkins per person each year, that is a lot of unnecessary waste in landfills. Enter Ann Delmarmo, one of the founders of 2GreenMinds, a company that produces a product called eco-kins, a napkin you can take everywhere, and re-use on a daily basis. Find out how an idea sprouting from necessity is helping solve a problem of unnecessary waste. Tune in to get more info on Ann, 2GreenMinds and where you can get eco-kins.
Part 2: Anjie Cho
How can we nourish our spaces and ourselves? Anjie Cho, founder of Holistic Spaces, Feng Shui architect and green designer, explains how simple it is to feed our mind and body in order to create more balanced spaces that give positive energy or “chi”. Learn about EMFS, and how you can reduce your exposure to electromagnetic fields that emit from your smartphones, TVs, computers, tablets and transmission lines. Go to www.anjiecho.com for more information.
#1408: Iwilla Remedy
Body care with a purpose is how my guests Selima and Tami Lust describe their natural beauty/body care company, Iwilla Remedy. Handcrafted in Brooklyn via a social partnership with Brooklyn Community Services, Iwilla Remedy has a line of products that are plant based and paraben free. Tami and Selima took first place in the 2013 PowerUp Business Plan Competition sponsored by the Brooklyn Public Library. Connecting business and community makes for a very special company, that prides itself on combining excellent product with social responsibility. So lavish yourself in some lavender oils and be one with nature. For more information visit www.iwillaremedy.com.
#1401: Brooklyn Grange Farm
Learn what you can grow Up On The Roof, as Bradley Fleming, Farm Manager at Brooklyn Grange Farm explains how urban agriculture is taking hold on a tall building near you. Find out what grows best on a city roof, and how it helps both the environment and adds to the sustainability of NYC. Go to www.brooklyngrangefarm.com for more info.
#1406: Ken Gale
What is the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), and why is it such a “secret.” Ken Gale, host of Eco-Logic on WBAI, gives us the reasons why we need to be very afraid of what is called “NAFTA on steroids.” Internet Freedom, Food Safety, US jobs, Copyrights, the Environment, Public Health, and the price of medicine will all be affected by this agreement, which is being negotiated behind closed doors by the Executive Branch, the USTR and Fortune 500 corporations, who stand to greatly benefit should it pass. Congress is putting this matter on the “Fast Track”, without even knowing what the TPP contains, which considering their record, is not all surprising. Get more information by going to www.citizen.org/TPP. Tune into Ken’s show Eco-Logic, Tuesdays at 8 PM on WBAI.