Story of Stuff & Their Endless Pursuit on Sustainability

I've been a long time fan of The Story of Stuff Project and their many documentaries. Their very first one came out in 2007, and I've been writing about them for awhile.

They have a few new features out in their Movies page of their website. "Reuse Revolution" is fairly new, and their first movie details Okapi Coffee and it's circular economy solution to keep waste out of landfills by encouraging patrons to use reusable cups:

Go to Okapi's website to learn more about where to find participating cafes that are in their network.

I'm eager to see what else Story of Stuff comes up with for their Reuse Revolution series!

In the mean time, here are more of their educational movies you can check out.

• Their 13 video set of their "Story of ..." Movies.
• Their 6 video collection of their plastic pollution documentaries.
• Their 3 video series "Exposed" about Coca-Cola Company's attempts & advertising campaigns, all of which essentially shut down recycling their glass bottles. 
• "Burning Injustice" about incinerators in California and the toxic air pollution they create.
• Their 10 video set on plastic solutions in "Solving Plastics."
• Their set of 5 videos entitled "The World We Need" showcasing activists standing up to make a difference.
• Their 15 video collection "The Good Stuff" where they look at some pollution problems and some potential sustainable solutions that would benefit us all.
• Their 3 video set of "Water Documentaries" about clean water and bottle water sources.
• Their 11 episode series "The Shift" on the coronavirus epidemic of 2020.

With 67 video shorts (as of this writing) over the last 19 years, this is a powerhouse collection of environmental and sustability resources... all just a click away! What a bounty!

Video from https://www.storyofstuff.org/movies/reuse-revolution-coffee-without-the-waste/, image from https://www.storyofstuff.org/movies/the-reuse-revolution/

Plastic Free July

Stop. 🛑 

Set a timer for 60 seconds. 

Watch that minute count down. 

In that minute (not to mention every other minute), the equivalent of one garbage truck full of plastic finds its way into the ocean. With 525,600 minutes in a year, that amounts to over 8 million TONS of plastic pollution created each year. 

But that's just what ends up in our waterways. Compare that to the approximately 400 million metric tons of plastic humans globally produce each year. And of that, 91% is often still not recycled--hard to believe when recycling has been "a thing" for decades. 

Not to mention, a majority of this is single use plastic--used once, then tossed. 

We need to be "once bitten, twice shy" instead! And July is a great time to flip this script. Plastic Free July is the perfect time to ditch disposables, rethink packaging, and demonstrate that "plastic is not fantastic." 

Small behavior shifts can make a a difference in our consumption, our landfills, & our values. 

Grab your stainless steel straw, your reusable tumbler, your tote bag of tote bags to make moves to step away from plastic.

Here's an oldie but goodie--It's not me, it's you:

Places to check out:

• Plastic Free July's website:
• To learn, go to their Ideas & solutions 
• For inspiration from others, check out their What Others Do page
• Take their Plastic Free pledge where you can get inspired by their visual gallery of pledge cards
• The Story of Stuff's "Fight Plastic Pollution" page
• Plastic Bank's Facebook page

Videos from https://youtu.be/ByayHG5CscE?si=0WkLH0_YXsmmRhHA and https://youtu.be/-DEc16dEMns?si=SIOjks5X-RLzQHk1, images from https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/resources/assets/ and https://123timer.com/60-second

"Are Bioplastics Really Better?" Quiz & America Recycles Day: November 15th

Time to test your knowledge friends? What do you know about bioplastics....and are they really better? Take the quiz from the Story of Stuff Project. Even if you are a tad test-averse, these 6 questions aren't too frightening...though you might be surprised by some of the answers. Once you get your results, you can watch a 2 minute video and learn even more about bioplastics: what they are and how they impact our world. Likewise, you can check your answers and learn from your mistakes.

All of this gears you up and gets you ready for America Recycles Day -- annually on November 15th. To learn more:

• Check out the America Recycles Day website.
• Take the Recycles Reality Check Quiz.
• Check out the "Do Beautiful Things" podcast.
• Find a multitude of resources at the EPA's America Recycles Day website.

Images screenshot from https://action.storyofstuff.org/survey/bioplastics-quiz and https://kab.org/our-signature-programs/america-recycles-day/.

When Less Is More

I've just finished reading"The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store" by Cait Flanders. In it, she details a life of minimalism and how she arrived there in one year with by imposing her own "shopping ban." In truth, it also details her several-year "journey of less" in all aspects of her life. Less shopping, less clutter, less debt, less food & snacking, less weight, less mindless TV watching, less social media, less drinking, less work, and much more.

Minimalism has always piqued my interest--as evident on my bookshelf (filled, ironically, way too many books) but in titles such as "Simplify Your Life" and "Inner Simplicity" (both by Elaine St. James), "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" (by Greg McKeown), and "Simple Abundance" (by Sarah Ban Breathnach). I've watched  "Minimalism: A Documentary About Important Things." But it sometimes is hard to be a true minimalist when you have teenagers and a husband and a dog, all of whom have differing opinions.

It wasn't intentional, but I ended up reading Cait Flanders book right after spending 30 man-hours this summer with all of the above participants (minus the dog) overhauling the basement. When you have teenagers,  you don't necessarily need the "Magic Treehouse" books, or Lincoln Logs, or Playmobile guys, or dress-up costumes, or stuffed animals anymore. It was a process that was probably at least 5 years overdue. I tend to be very organized, so I can organize a lot of stuff and not look like a hoarder. However, we had certainly surpassed that point in the basement. It was a big job. And it stunned me a little bit thinking of all the money over the years that had gone to all of this stuff we were getting rid of. But, as my husband reminded me, it served a purpose at the time, and that time had passed. This certainly was a strong tie in to Cait's own realizations and her journey as well.

I tackled the lion share of the job, but I couldn't even start the project on my own due to overwhelm. As a family, we created 4 blocks of time where all four of us worked for only one hour at a time, cranking through as much as we could in that hour. Those blocks of simultaneous 4-man-hours helped accomplish a lot in a concentrated time. They cut through my sentimental "maybe we should keep it" moments. They were far more cut-throat! Multiple truck-loads of stuff were donated--bags of books included. Old crafting items went to school to be up for grabs. Several bookshelves were grabbed from the curb by our neighbor. We still have a pile of stuff that we're considering selling (or it may come to donating) as I'm really just ready to offload those items.

The memorabilia was my hardest part, with boxes of never-scrapbooked items, but I organized those into one tub per child of keepsakes. Apparently I thought it'd be a good idea to save every kindergarten handwriting page my daughter ever wrote, so we had a lot of recycling as well.


The room is still a work in progress as we have some odds and ends to fix (one of which may involve a handy man), but it is a world of improvement. It's not overstuffed and cluttered. It's actually spacious and inviting. It goes with Cait's concept of "Whenever you let go of something negative in your life, you make room for something positive."

Likewise, as I was wrapping up Cait Flanders' book last night, I reflected on some of her broader thoughts. The basement overhaul has been tied also to my daily treks on the exercise bike (also in the basement) to improve my overall health and stamina--which in turn has started helping to shed a few pounds. This, in turn, has also led to more veggies on my plate. Cait's quote "Every small change you make pays compound interest. It helps you make another change, another mind-set shift, another decision to live in a new way" seemed to be whispering right to me. Ironically too, it's cropped up as I'm simultaneously reading James Clear's "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones."

Having never been much of a shop-a-holic, both Cait's book and my basement have led me even further away. I don't need more. We have enough. Along those lines, I'm trying to read more books on Kindle (including Cait's) as books are my shopping downfall! I'm grateful for what we do have, and I know that some of our stuff will be the same stuff we will later be getting rid of. The landfills truly don't need more, and I wonder how much I'm greenwashing myself with all my donations simply to avoid seeing someone else throw them away! In reading Cait's journey and taking my own, it makes you look at your priorities through a fine-toothed comb... and that was only my basement!

You can learn more about Cait Flanders on her website or by following #TheYearOfLess in social media. Maybe it, or my basement story, will inspire you to make the best out of "less" in your life.


Cait Flanders' book cover from https://www.amazon.com/Year-Less-Shopping-Belongings-Discovered/dp/9386832933 & all other photos from my phone & basement.

The Story of Water: Who Controls The Way We Drink?

I've long been a fan of Annie Leonard and the Story of Stuff. Her "stuff" has been a frequent highlight here at GTG. Annie & the Story of Stuff Team have a new video out:  "The Story of Water: Who Controls The Way We Drink?" which takes a look at the privatization of water systems, and why that's actually NOT a good thing.

Water is that one thing we all need--and it's one thing that can be hard to come by, depending on what population you are a part of. The book "Thirst" by Scott Harrison instantly comes to mind. So too does the saying "water water everywhere and not a drop to drink." We've got this marble-esque blue planet (which definitely brings to mind #bluemind), yet the percentage of potable water on this planet is a problem given the majority of our water being housed in salty oceans.

Additionally, anytime a system is privatized, it has done so for a reason; namely--for a company to make a profit. This could get (and in the past many times, has gotten) in the way of doing things in an environmentally healthy way--for both us (as humans) and our planet. This also can become enmeshed in economic issues, leading things to fall on one side or the other of the dividing line of between the "haves" and the "have nots."

The Story of Water: Who Controls The Way We Drink goes into more of this. The video is narrated by Baltimore's Mayor, Bernard Young. As stated on the Story of Water's page, Baltimore is "the first major city in the United States to ban certain forms of water privatization, setting a new standard for public water protection that other cities can aspire to follow." Way to go, Baltimore, my nearby neighbor!!



Images from https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/17/story-water-new-video-story-stuff-team-delivers-short-beautiful-smackdown-water and https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news2/drink-up-our-tap-water-quality-in-fairfax-county/; Video from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04jTleV0gK0

Reinventing Our Relationship With Styrofoam

Ask my son what my thoughts are on Styrofoam, and he'll let you know: Evil Styrofoam!

Styrofoam, a common name tho really a brand name for polystyrene foam, is everywhere: cups, plates coolers, and more. It's far from eco-friendly in that it never biodegrades. Never... as in not ever. Nor is it recyclable, despite the little recycle symbol with the #6 on the bottom--a common misconception among people who sometimes think if the symbol is there, then certainly it's recyclable.  Additionally, polystyrene is also one of the leading causes of marine debris.

Given that, it begs the question: why is it still even a thing in this day and age.

As time and awareness continue on, more innovation is on the way. Additionally, so are Styrofoam bans. Given that, I'm proud of nearby Baltimore, who's City Council voted unanimously this February 28th, 2018 to ban Styrofoam in restaurants. Violations could lead to a $1000 fine.

"We look at all the litter in our waterways. It's not biodegradable. It's not actually being recycled," said Councilman John Bullock, the lead sponsor of Bill 17-0117. "For the most part, it's ending up in landfills or being incinerated. In water, it breaks apart into small pieces, which makes it very difficult to clear up the water and dangerous for wildlife."

Check out Groundswell's 2014 map of all the areas in the United States that have banned Styrofoam. Likewise, you can find an incomplete listing (though huge in and of itself) updated to approximately 2016 (and self-advertised as not updating regularly at the bottom of their list), check out the list of Polystyrene Ordinances at Surfrider.org.

Additionally, this article from Story of Stuff has some interesting pointers on what you can do yourself!

But...what about all that Styrofoam stuff that's already out there? 

Well, some people have some ideas!

This Attn. video featured below summarizes Ashton Cofer's 6 minute TED Talk from December 2016... and his innovative plan with how we can repurpose Styrofoam. Additionally, Ashton does an exceptional job of highlighting the importance of the design process!

Cheers to the young leaders, innovators, and game changers who are out there making an environmental difference! May we all follow their lead!

 


Video from
Images from https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/styrofoam-ban; http://ohhmywhitecoffin.blogspot.com/p/fact.html; http://guyanachronicle.com/2015/12/13/say-no-to-styrofoam

Story of Stuff: 10 Years of #Eco-Education

Back in 2007, Annie Leonard was fed up with "STUFF" and decided enough is enough with "enough!" She released the original animated documentary called "The Story of Stuff," which has lead her now on a decade-long adventure of activism through "The Story of Stuff Project."

Annie & her "Say No to Stuff" mantra has been a frequent focus here at GTG.


Her latest environmental education mini-movie was released last month... 'round about the same time our new head of the EPA was denying climate change and our human-planetary impact.  Her latest is "The Story of Microfibers" and it will change the way you look at clothing, laundry, and how it affects marine life and our water supply.


In addition to her many movies, there's a plethora of environmental-awareness resources.  Check out her bounty with the links below. They are kid-friendly and perfect for Earth Day ahead as you inspire your young stewards to be community-minded, solutions-focused, and action-oriented--just like Annie's S-O-S Team!

• "The Good Stuff" Podcast
• Teaching Tools
• Blog
• Take Action by researching and pursuing some of their many campaigns & more

Image from http://storyofstuff.org/resources/; video from http://storyofstuff.org/movies/story-of-microfibers/

Reinventing Trash & Finding Beauty

In The Story of Stuff, Annie Leonard talks about how we, as a planet, have an excess of...well...stuff. Whether it's bangles, clothing, shoes, kitchen gadgets, electronics, or any other "must have," we have become a materialistic society that wants
more, more, more!

So we spend our hard-earned money on it, we get it, we stock-pile it, and eventually we trash it... And the landfill grows.

But here are 5 short AJ+ videos of ways people around the planet are reinventing trash & what they do with it. All 5 are examples of innovation and ways to make trash recyclable, reusable, approachable, re-inventable, and a newly usable resource. From art to music to inventions, each of these examples illustrate how we can find beauty outside the landfill with something we might easily have just thrown away.











Reinventing Trash image created on www.canva.com
Story of Stuff image from http://storyofstuff.org/;
Videos from:
1. Bolivian Wall-E: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka6nEMPqF0Y
2. Haitian Teens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAVI-ny3OE0
3. Taiwain's Musical Solution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMQ1NfjPauw
4. She Turns Trash To Art: https://youtu.be/z1jxPG2nl2s
5. Wearable E-Waste: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv--ezAQOrY

Documentaries that Counter the "Shop 'Til You Drop" Phenomenon

By this point in the Holiday Season, you probably fall into one of the following 5 camps:

1.  It's not December 20th yet, so you haven't even thought about starting.

2.  You are like me, you've toe-dipped in (mainly through online ventures since you can't stomach "real" shopping), but are still waiting on some wish lists because you want it to be right & your money well-spent on the best deal you can find.

3.  You're a DIY-Pinterest-kind-of-peep who has been busy crafting for months.

4.  You are über-organized and shop all year long, and are nearly (if not completely) done--perhaps with even presents wrapped under your already-decorated tree.

5.  You shopped 'til you dropped over Thanksgiving/Black Friday/Cyber Monday Weekend and you are done, or darn-near close (clearly with more stamina than this girl will ever have to endure the crowded craziness of guerrilla shopping at that level).

Here's AJ+'s take on all that's #5:


Regardless of the type of shopper, you probably have some kind of shopping list, some kind of budget, and some kind of despair of getting the "just right" gift for those you love.  Stress is usually involved in one way or another.

I've written many times before about Annie Leonard's "The Story of Stuff," materialism, & how shopping doesn't buy happiness--it's a proven fact.  I ran across this great article/list on Black Friday about videos compiled about consumerism (and the conundrum it creates) over at Films for Action (written by Tim Hjersted).

Here are a number of documentaries he shared. (I listed them here by date released, most recent first.):

• Culture in Decline #3:  CVD--Consumption Vanity Disorder (2013)
• Pyramids of Waste: The Lighbulb Conspiracy:  The Untold Story of Planned Obsolescence (2010)
• Consuming Kids:  The Commercialization of Childhood (2008)
• What Would Jesus Buy?  (2007)
• No Logo: Brands. Globalization. Resistance. (2003)
• Surplus:  Terrorized into Being Consumers (2003)
• The Century of Self (2002)
• Advertising & The End of the World (1997)
• Affluenza (1997)

Interesting: 18 years of still-topical documentaries. 18 years?!  With no real signs of the times based on Cyber Monday's stat's (see the AJ+ video above!)

He also has a nice list of shorts where you can get the condensed version & more on materialism. That's where I found The Center For A New American Dream's "The High Price of Materialism:"



Images from http://www.coupons.com/thegoodstuff/which-type-of-holiday-shopper-are-you/, http://www.filmsforaction.org/articles/black_friday_is_buy_nothing_day/; videos from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ospeMuUFgyk and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGab38pKscw

The Story of Microbeads

Annie Leonard from the "Story of Stuff" Project does it again,  She and her team of  activists & illustrators from Free Range Studios have created another in her series of "Story of Stuff" videos.

This time, her focus in on the tiniest of pesky tiny things:  microbeads.  What on Earth are microbeads, you ask? The technical term is polyethylene microspheres, but you know them as the little plastic grit in lotions, face cleansers, exfoliants, makeup, toothpaste, and more.  And, much like the other "Story of's..." we learn they were purposely made to go away and be thrown away. Watch here:



After watching "The Story of Microbeads," you can take it a step further and take action to "ban the bead" with the help of their informational website by learning more there, and also by sending (or modifying) their templated letter to your Senator.

For more "Story of'..." videos, be sure to check out all of these:

The Story of Stuff (Dec 2007)

The Story of Cap & Trade (Dec. 2009)

The Story of Bottled Water (March 2010)

The Story of Cosmetics (July 2010)

The Story of Electronics (Nov. 2011)

The Story of Citizens United v. FEC (2011)

The Story of Broke (2011)

The Story of Change (July 2012)

The Story of Solutions (Oct. 2013)

The "Story of Stuff:  Microbeads" video is from http://storyofstuff.org/movies/lets-ban-the-bead/; The penny/microbead pic is from http://www.npr.org/2014/05/21/313157701/why-those-tiny-microbeads-in-soap-may-pose-problem-for-great-lakes (another great article, in and of itself!)

PBS's Loop Scoops & the Sphinx Tackle Garbage

It's been around the block awhile now, but PBS's "Loop Scoops" are a series of shorts that are designed to help you think about all of your "stuff" and how it affects both you AND the environment.  Perhaps it's not a surprise that "Story of Stuff" creator Annie Leonard is the Content Director.  She definitely has opinions on "stuff."

Here, the Loop Scoops & the Sphinx tackle "Garbage:"



For some other great kid-friendly, eco-friendly & insightful websites, check out the Loop Scoops resources.



Video from:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c5cnM_TdHw;  Loop Scoops banner from http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/lpsc/ (where you can find links to many other great, thought-provoking videos about the "stuff" in your life!

On the Road Again....Holiday Style

Back in the day, flying solo, I used to adore the space in-flight, on plane, 
between here and there.  Point A and Point B.   Destination & Arrival. 

It was a no-man's land where time sort of stands still... especially if you are traveling between time zones.  Some peaceful solo time.  Don't talk to me mid-flight: this is my time!  On paper, time even seems to cease to exist, because sometimes you arrive, in that other time zone, at a time that just reasonably doesn't make sense (due to the time zones!).  At the very least, it's the perfect time for reflection.  And possibly even a nap!  (Anyone who knows me knows I love a good nap!)

At this point in life with 2 kids, a spousal unit, and two dogs, the mode of transportation is a four-wheeled, non-flying vehicle... largely due to stuff to schlep, Christmas gifts to give, and the expense.  (Though thankfully, we are at least able to locally offload the pups!) 

Now that the jaunt is the highway versus the flyway, the path is 12-14 hours on the road to get from Point B to my old homeland of Point A. 

Point A is my alpha home of days-gone-by, where you remember the original nuclear family where you were 8 or 12... despite the fact that you are now 40-&-change.

Yes, there is still reflection time trucking along in the driver's seat & also while "riding shotgun." Moreso with Papa Bear's book on tape, and the teenage and tweenage Bears all headphoned-&-hooked-into their electronic games and movies.

With New Year's ahead, thoughts of "one word," holiday hopes, annual reflections, and future goals, there certainly enough to think about. And, half a nation of countryside to admire. Sparse in its no-snow winter wonderland, still lovely in its rolling changes across the miles. 

It's nice to see what life looks like outside your typical daily circle of scenes. Reason #347 why travel opens your eyes and helps you see the vastness of what's out there. Even if it's a road you have traveled once before, to a place you once lived, it is still different for seeing it with new and current eyes. I have never seen it all in this light, the light I am seeing it in today, at this age I am at now, with the vision and wisdom (or perhaps lack there of) that I am at now.

Reminds me a bit of lines in two songs:

Sheryl Crow's song "Every Day is a Winding Road" 

"These are the days when anything goes...

Everyday is a winding road

I get a little bit closer

Everyday is a faded sign

I get a little bit closer to feeling fine."

The Beatles: "Long & Winding Road."

"The long and winding road that leads to your door

Will never disappear.

I've seen that road before it always leads me here

Leads me to your door."

Makes you curious where you own road will wind and take you for 2015. 

May it take you to new places, old places, memories in your heart and mind, exciting new adventures ahead, and places of reflection along the way.

Song lyrics from http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/sherylcrow/everydayisawindingroad.html and http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/beatles/thelongandwindingroad.html;  Song covers from  http://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Winding-Road-Sheryl-Crow/dp/B00AYNDM80/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1419986670&sr=8-4&keywords=sheryl+crow+everyday+is+a+winding+road and http://www.amazon.com/Long-Winding-Road-Beatles-Story/dp/B00005YA92/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1419985960&sr=8-10&keywords=beatles+long+and+winding+road
All other photos from my roadside, carside camera.

Christmas is A-Coming, Bow Box, Reused Ribbons, & More!

On the 9th Day of Christmas Blogging....

Today, we had one of our first adventures in gift giving and receiving. Family fun & festivities in front of the lighted tree....after full family photos with 16 people!  Fully day indeed!  (And even relatively pain-free!)

A day of gifts...a day of memories.  Part of my long-ago family tradition, as far back as I remember, always included the "bow box" (most of which was reused), the box of tissue paper (most of which was reused), and the box of gift bags.  Yes, you guessed it, most of it reused.  That tradition continues, in a nicely-wrapped box so it can live under my tree, at the wrapping ready.  Decorated gift boxes, bags, and tissue paper were heavily used on our side of the gift giving for the festivities of today.

But what do you expect from an eco-warrior?!

It was in the memory of my Christmas Pasts and Christmas Present that this picture of percentages spoke to me.  I saw it first on a Story of Stuff's Facebook post that showed up on my news feed.  They attributed the image and stats to PLAN:  The Post Landfill Action Network's FB page.  They in turn attributed the stats to EcoATM.  All great FB follows, if you are looking for some!

So the season is upon us and in full swing.  May you be in the 52%...the 17% or even the über20%.  No matter what....may you be happy, healthy, and do what you can to carve out a sustainable holiday season! 

Recycle your holidays pic from http://blog.hardtofinditems.com/christmas/light-sets/white-wire-lights-light-sets-christmas/recycling-christmas-lights-2/;  Statistics pic from: https://www.facebook.com/storyofstuff/photos/a.219639005883.174012.104834210883/10153462002100884/?type=1&fref=nf

The Perfect Gift: The Video of the Gift That We All Need!

We have entered that time of year when Halloween candy morphs into candy corn & feasting as Thanksgiving's not far off, which means Christmas will be here before you know it. The stores like to remind us of that, as you are getting those last bits for your Halloween costume in one aisle, while Christmas stockings (or heavens forbid, lighted Christmas trees) are up in the next one.

Given all of that, gift giving gets on your mind.  Well here, is a great tongue-in-cheek video short entitled "The Perfect Gift! Science Revealed."  For anyone who is a fan of "The Story of Stuff" and the need to declutter our lives of our "stuff," this video is for you!  Professor Gauntlett has a way of putting a smile on your face, while having you nod along, saying "yep!"





Image from http://www.dumpaday.com/random-pictures/funny-pictures/funny-pictures-of-the-day-70-pics-3/attachment/halloween-pictures-2/;  Video from http://youtu.be/0OnjcnAyZSo

Earth Week Day 3: Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time, there was a little school on the shores of the Magothy River, with a great view of the Chesapeake Bay. Although, in reality, it was a little white and gray school yet it truly was seen more as a little green school.  A Maryland "Green" School.  And, during one week in April (a week, in fact, right around Earth Day), it  becomes greener than ever, for a week.  A week we like to call "Earth Week."  It is during this week that we hang out with "green" authors, sing "green" songs, do a plethora of "green" activities, and even put on a "green" show.  This year, Eagle Cove School's last year, is no difference. The creative genius of our science teacher and our music teacher were at it again for this sixth (and final) theatrical season.

This year's play centered on around 3 somewhat fractured fairy tales, that got a very green slant.  3 familiar stories, each with dashing young princes and "fair" fairy princesses to be rescued.  Each story centered around 3 familiar environmental themes:  reduce, reuse, recycle.  

Since you couldn't be there, and it seems like the "made for TV movie" might not be happening for awhile, here are the run downs:

Act 1, Scene 1:  Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty pricks her finger in the royal forest on some royally gross trash that has been left lying about. After consulting the Big Book of Fairy Tales, there are only 2 solutions:  a kiss from a royal prince, or (when reading the fine print--everybody loves fine print) "disposing of the enchanted glass properly."  The Prince goes off in quest to find out what exactly that means, and runs into 2 merchants at a crossroads:  one is the manager of the local dump, and one is the manager of the nearby recycling center.  The two explain what their version of "disposal" means, and The Prince opts for Door #2:  The blue bin and recycling.  This breaks the spell cast by the enchanted pollution, and the forest is cleaned.  Long live recycling!  (Insert royal trumpets here.)

Act 2, Scene 1:  Rapunzel

Rapunzel is high up in the forest tower when Prince #2 comes dashingly walking by.  Rapunzel shares her sad, sorrowful tale of being dropped in the tower by the wicked witch, who daily brings her lunch in plastic grocery bags that Rapunzel pulls up on a little drop rope with a hook.  So all that's left for poor Rapunzel is a towerful of bags.  The Prince has a flash of brilliance and recommends that Rapunzel braids the bags into a rope so he can come up and rescue her from her prison.  So, she builds a rope, drops it, and is about to be rescued when the witch re-arrives, seeing the near escape.  Foiled for another day, Rapunzel and The Prince plan to save up bags and set the plan back in action.  Which is all very good... until the Witch comes back the next day with....oh no!  A reusable bag!!  Rapunzel didn't see that one coming, and the Witch leaves stating "Even The Witch gets to win sometimes!"   Long live reusing!  (Insert royal trumpets here.)

Act 3, Scene 1:  Snow White

We enter into the castle seeing Snow White under a royal spell, surrounded by two poor distraught dwarfs,  Happy & Grumpy.  We also see that Snow White has quite a thing for her electronics:  TV is on, music is a-playing, lights are a-blazing.  It's a technology wonderland!  Prince #3 comes into the scene and surveys the very bright yet somber situation, and the Big Book of Fairy Tales comes back out.  Again, there are 2 possible situations for breaking the spell:  that kissing business, or "do something to save energy."  Again, the Prince opts for door #2 and goes off on a quest for how to save energy.  Well, the light bulb clicks on for The Prince (with a little help from the Fairy Green Father), and he heads back and starts flicking off switches.  This promptly awakens Snow White...which makes both Happy and Grumpy a bit happier.  Unfortunately, it is much to Snow White's chagrin, who feels she looks much better in bright light and needs all her "stuff" on.  So, in her dash to go turn it all on, she finds herself right back under the spell, down and out and in the same predicament.  Happy & Grumpy shrug it off, coming to the conclusion that perhaps it's better having Snow White in this state after, given her personality.  Long live reducing energy!  (Insert royal trumpets here.)

To take a little peek at some of the past ECS Earth Week productions of Decker-Vernon, click where you can below.  Past play remixes include:  

"The Lorax," 2010

"The Wizard of Oz," 2011

"Jack and the Greenstalk," 2012

"An Earth Day Carol," 2013 

Pics from our ECS Play, center picture our play program created by two of our 5th graders (with a slight homonymal oversight).

Shop 'Til You Drop

I'm sitting here, a week-and-change after Black Friday and all the ads, incentives, free shipping, & more, looking at my Christmas list (making check marks as I shop -- as any good Santa would do), and I find it all fascinating.

Propaganda, errr, I mean advertising... to the N'th degree!  Sigh.

The day after Thanksgiving I ran across this on Pinterest:



There's something more than a tad disturbing with this philosophy!!
Or rather...this REALITY.

For me, one who isn't a fan of shopping on a "good day," Christmas and all that comes with it hits me oddly. I love the lights, the music, the sights, the sounds, the magic & mystique (especially from they eyes of the cherubs)... but the shopping (and yes, admittedly, the spending of money), hits me poorly.  The meaning that's projected is "If you love me, you will spend a boatload of money on me."

Anyone who has been following along the last 4 years knows that materialism doesn't exactly float my boat. I am a big fan of "The Story of Stuff."  I know the value of the dollar.  I have the salary of an independent school teacher, and while we do okay, we're not rolling in the dough.  We don't overtly overly-indulge our 2 children, and yet, they want for not.

We are a middle class family, and my kids have a crew who loves them.
Therefore, we have "stuff."

I feel we are a society over-consumed by consumerism. There's wayyy too much "stuff" out there.  In the world, in the stores, in my own house.  Christmas comes around (for both my kids and I), and I'm hit with the loud thought:  how much more "stuff" do we really need?  I think back to the BIG chit'lin "wants" from last year (from my own home), and I assess & query: "how much were they truly used the last 365 days?" I'm saddened by the probable answer.

Insert "Toys 'R' Us" ad here.  When I saw this advertisement, I knew it was "blog fodder."  As an environmentalist & anti-materialist, I'm more-than-slightly appalled!  Yes, Toys 'R' Us is a mecca (which has overwhelmed me since it first came about in my hometown during my teen years). Yet, this video screams consumerism over environmentalism to the N'th degree.  There are soooo many things wrong here.  Watch and see. (Then read the LiveWell's article "Misguided Toys 'R' Us Ad Makes Nature the Bad Guy.")



So my challenge to you (and yes, to me, as well):  Step away from this ad.  Step away from the Christmas consumerism.  Step toward the light of sanity, and do what you need to do this holiday season that will keep you on the straight and narrow this season!

Delight in the fun, festivities, the humor, the hugs, the lights, the sights, and the sounds, and all the people around.


Images from:
SomeEcard from http://www.whatevo.com/post/Black-Friday-BD868F37CD935E16
"Story of Stuff" pic from http://dariobusch.com/2011/01/the-story-of-stuff/
Shop Till you drop from http://www.myniceprofile.com/girls-45787.html
Meet the Forest pic from http://livewellcolorado.org/livewells-commitment/newsroom/livewell-blog/misguided-toys-r-us-ad-makes-nature-the-bad-guy

Video from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5SXybm6bss

CNN Eco-Hero of the Year 2013

It's probably not a surprise to anyone, that I follow a whole lot of eco-peeps over on Facebook and Twitter.  EdTech stuff too.  Well, my eco-feeds today were overwhelmingly telling the same story.  The big story o'the day was all about CNN's Hero of the Year 2013.

For me, I had a double dose o'pride:  Chad Pregracke, this year's #1 Hero, is not only an environmentalist, but an Illinois guy.  Go ILLINI!  I'm proud of the heartland; I'm proud of the homeland!



The numbers in this less-than-2-minute CNN video are amazing alone.  Chad (& CNN) do a nice job of showing (in under 2 minutes) how much impact an inspired "party of one" can make.  This always emphasizes:  One person CAN make a difference.  Working with his nonprofit Living Lands & Waters, Chad has dedicated himself to river cleanups country-wide.   Over the past 15 years, Chad has made a pretty impressive resume for himself:  he has collected 7 MILLION pounds of trash.  That's dedication. That's definitely a "R.O.L.E. Model."  My favorite quote:

"The garbage got into the water one piece at a time...And that's the only way it's going to come out." ~ Chad Pregracke

Sad but true--the finds show that 90% of what is found is recyclable.  Makes you wonder:  what are we doing here?  And why aren't we doing more?  And why aren't we recycling it?

Thank you Chad Pregracke for doing more!

To meet all of this year's hero's, check out this page over at CNN.

In the aftermath of all this info, make December 1st a DVR kind-of-night.  Set the remote, or camp out in front of the telly.  Check out the heroes for some must-see-TV of the best kind.  The type of reality TV that really matters!  Check out "CNN Heroes:  An All-Star Tribute" on Sunday, December at 8pm, EST.

But wait! There's more!

What are you doing Spring Break?!

If you don't have an exotic beach-side adventure in store--you could. Beach-side the Mississippi River, in the Memphis, Tennessee area. Living Lands & Waters is offering up an Alternative Spring Break. Eco-tourism, at it's finest! Check out this video for more insight and information on this project, Spring 2014.

For more on Chad Pregracke, watch this:




Pic from: http://mikerowe.com/2013/10/vote-for-chad/

Videos from:

#1: http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/19/world/hero-of-the-year/index.html?c=homepage-t

#2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFXSnigIMzk&feature=player_embedded#!

#3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsfFw1hnJ_8

Annie Leonard Does it Again: The Story of Solutions

Annie Leonard has been a long time favorite over here at GTG.  She had me at "The Story of Stuff," and kept me with her many other animated shorts speaking out on other "stuff."  She's covered a lot of ground in the last 6+ years.

Her latest:  The Story of Solutions.  A look at "game changing" solutions, making a move away from "more" to "better."  (The timing of its release I find interesting given the situation of our ever-so-effective governmental shut-down!!)  Once again, she nails it.



Check out "The Story of Stuff" website for resources & information, to read her blog or take action, and of course to learn more about all her 8 past projects & movies

To see more on my thoughts on the rock star I think Annie is, be sure to look into the GTG Archives:

• Ode to Annie Leonard   (3/15/2010)
• When David de Rothschild Meets Annie Leonard   (3/22/2010)
• Story of Stuff   (7/7/2010)
• Scary Stuff & Powerful Percentages   (7/10/2010)
• The Story of ...My Garage!  (11/14/2010)
• Black Friday Burnout   (11/27/2010)
• Another Successful Story of Stuff: The Story of Broke   (11/17/2011)
• Meditating on the Materials Economy:  AKA, Studying "The Story of Stuff"  (1/4/2012)
• Annie Leonard's "Story of Change"   (7/20/2012)

Video from https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cpkRvc-sOKk

Reduce. Reduce. Reduce. Reuse. (THEN Recycle!)

I saw this today, and thought it was the perfect follow up to my "1 Reason Why Reuse Trumps Recycle" post of a few days ago.  "Reduce" is even higher up the true scale on the 3R's mantra than "Reuse" (and most certainly higher than "Recycle")!

To learn more, run, don't walk to "The Story of Stuff!!"




From The Story of Stuff Project's Facebook Page:   https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151753997645884&set=a.219639005883.174012.104834210883&type=1&theater