Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Want Organic Produce? Grow Your Own!
Since we had a discussion in the Overlook Estates Post recently about buying organic foods, I thought the following would be particularly interesting to the neighborhood.
I regularly listen to Growning Concerns on KUT and have posted interesting clips from the program both here and at the Hill Country Voice. This week, there was an extremely interesting program about an Organic Food conference being held at the Hilton Conference Center in College Station, February 1-3.
One of the conference organizers, and the current president of The Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Brad Stufflebeam, made some very interesting statements about organic farming.
First, it is very profitable. Organic farmers around the Austin area who are selling directly to the consumer are currently grossing $20k to $28k per acre! Compare that with about $500/acre for conventional farming.
Second it does not take a very large farm to make a lot of money. Just 10 to 20 acres.
Third, for organic farming "small" farming is a more sustainable model than "large" farming. Whereas the Agricultural Department is advising farmers to "get big or get out," Brad's advice is to "get small and stay in!"
And fourth, "the ultimate way to know the quality and safety of the food you eat is to grow it yourself."
Hmmmm.... Anyone want to start an organic farm?! Even if you don't have this desire, you need to listen to this podcast and maybe attend the conference!
Also in this podcast, Brad Stufflebeam mentions another interesting concept - Community Supported Agriculture or CSA. Check out this concept at the US Department of Agriculture!
--Rusty
I regularly listen to Growning Concerns on KUT and have posted interesting clips from the program both here and at the Hill Country Voice. This week, there was an extremely interesting program about an Organic Food conference being held at the Hilton Conference Center in College Station, February 1-3.
One of the conference organizers, and the current president of The Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Brad Stufflebeam, made some very interesting statements about organic farming.
First, it is very profitable. Organic farmers around the Austin area who are selling directly to the consumer are currently grossing $20k to $28k per acre! Compare that with about $500/acre for conventional farming.
Second it does not take a very large farm to make a lot of money. Just 10 to 20 acres.
Third, for organic farming "small" farming is a more sustainable model than "large" farming. Whereas the Agricultural Department is advising farmers to "get big or get out," Brad's advice is to "get small and stay in!"
And fourth, "the ultimate way to know the quality and safety of the food you eat is to grow it yourself."
Hmmmm.... Anyone want to start an organic farm?! Even if you don't have this desire, you need to listen to this podcast and maybe attend the conference!
Also in this podcast, Brad Stufflebeam mentions another interesting concept - Community Supported Agriculture or CSA. Check out this concept at the US Department of Agriculture!
--Rusty
Monday, January 21, 2008
The Dirt on Composting
From The Austin Chronicle January 18, 2008...
Compost happens. It's nature's way of sustaining herself nutritionally, sending all manner or life to take apart and recycle decaying organic matter, a symbiosis that allows insects, worms, and microorganisms to feed while transforming everything from leaves to lemon peels into rich soil that minimizes the need for chemical fertilizers and watering.
But the way we commonly dispose of much of our organic waste – by bagging it in plastic and burying it in tomblike landfills – makes it very hard for nature to do her thing.
Read more...
Compost happens. It's nature's way of sustaining herself nutritionally, sending all manner or life to take apart and recycle decaying organic matter, a symbiosis that allows insects, worms, and microorganisms to feed while transforming everything from leaves to lemon peels into rich soil that minimizes the need for chemical fertilizers and watering.
But the way we commonly dispose of much of our organic waste – by bagging it in plastic and burying it in tomblike landfills – makes it very hard for nature to do her thing.
Read more...
Credit Issuer Says Data Lost for 650,000 Customers
From ZDNet News January 18, 2008...
A computer tape containing personal data of 650,000 customers of about 230 retailers including J.C. Penney is missing, credit card issuer GE Money said on Friday.
Richard Jones, a spokesman for the General Electric unit, said a backup computer tape being stored at a facility operated by Iron Mountain, an information protection and storage company, had been lost.
Read more...
A computer tape containing personal data of 650,000 customers of about 230 retailers including J.C. Penney is missing, credit card issuer GE Money said on Friday.
Richard Jones, a spokesman for the General Electric unit, said a backup computer tape being stored at a facility operated by Iron Mountain, an information protection and storage company, had been lost.
Read more...
Does Anyone Have Experience With "The Crossings"?
There is a wellness center and spa in the Leander area (Balcones Canyonlands) called The Crossings. Has anyone been there?
See the posting about it at The Hill Country Voice. Also see the article about The Crossings being named as one of the "greenest" hotels in the world.
--Rusty
See the posting about it at The Hill Country Voice. Also see the article about The Crossings being named as one of the "greenest" hotels in the world.
--Rusty
Group to Gather at the Way Off Broadway Theater
From the inbox:
It’s “culture time” again. This has worked out great the past couple of months, and we’ve had such a good time, so we thought it would be nice to organize another one for this month.
The play this month is Arsenic and Old Lace, a comedy murder mystery, at 8PM this coming Friday 1/25. Prices are adults $12, seniors $10, and children $5.
We would love to have a bunch of you attend. If you want, we will be happy to make reservations for you. We plan to make ours on Wed 1/23 so if you want us to make yours we would need to know by Tue night 1/22.
Since seats are not reserved, and to be sure you get the one you want, you should be there by 7:30 or a few minutes before.
As we have in the past, we will have dinner at the O’leander Café at about 6:00 and leave around 7:20 in case any of you would like to join us.
Following is the link to Way Off Broadway in case you want to read about the play:
http://www.wobcp.org/
Jan & Les
It’s “culture time” again. This has worked out great the past couple of months, and we’ve had such a good time, so we thought it would be nice to organize another one for this month.
The play this month is Arsenic and Old Lace, a comedy murder mystery, at 8PM this coming Friday 1/25. Prices are adults $12, seniors $10, and children $5.
We would love to have a bunch of you attend. If you want, we will be happy to make reservations for you. We plan to make ours on Wed 1/23 so if you want us to make yours we would need to know by Tue night 1/22.
Since seats are not reserved, and to be sure you get the one you want, you should be there by 7:30 or a few minutes before.
As we have in the past, we will have dinner at the O’leander Café at about 6:00 and leave around 7:20 in case any of you would like to join us.
Following is the link to Way Off Broadway in case you want to read about the play:
http://www.wobcp.org/
Jan & Les
Men's Breakfast Comes Out of Hibernation
The monthly Overlook Estates men's breakfast comes out of hibernation this Saturday at 9 am at the O'Leander Cafe. Will it see its shadow? All OE men are invited to come and see if we will have six more weeks of winter, or if spring is on the way!
Threadgill's Back on Track
From the Community Impact Newspaper January, 2008...
The Cedar Park location of Threadgill’s, the popular Austin eatery known for its live music and laid-back atmosphere, plans to open sometime this summer, said spokesperson Gracie Taylor. Disagreements between the Cedar Park landlord and the restaurant’s owner caused an almost two-year delay in opening the establishment, which will be located west of the Railyard shopping center on RM 1431.
Read more about what's happening in the area at the Hill Country Voice...
The Cedar Park location of Threadgill’s, the popular Austin eatery known for its live music and laid-back atmosphere, plans to open sometime this summer, said spokesperson Gracie Taylor. Disagreements between the Cedar Park landlord and the restaurant’s owner caused an almost two-year delay in opening the establishment, which will be located west of the Railyard shopping center on RM 1431.
Read more about what's happening in the area at the Hill Country Voice...
Big Plans on Tap For Leander
According to the Community Impact Newspaper, there will be an eight-story hotel a few miles from Overlook Estates. Check out what's in store for the FM-2243 corridor at the link provided at the Hill Country Voice.
History at the Forefront of Two Projects
From the Community Impact Newspaper January, 2008...
Cedar Park plans to hire a consultant to make recommendations about creating a historical district within the city, including where it should be located, what buildings and artifacts to include and how it could contribute to the city’s tourist appeal.
In Leander, a property predating the town sits in the planned path of CR 274. Initially overlooked when state officials were plotting future roads, the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark designation was noticed during the construction of the frontage roads for 183A Toll, which cut through the property and would be intersected by CR 274. The road is in limbo without a clear solution.
Read more...
Cedar Park plans to hire a consultant to make recommendations about creating a historical district within the city, including where it should be located, what buildings and artifacts to include and how it could contribute to the city’s tourist appeal.
In Leander, a property predating the town sits in the planned path of CR 274. Initially overlooked when state officials were plotting future roads, the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark designation was noticed during the construction of the frontage roads for 183A Toll, which cut through the property and would be intersected by CR 274. The road is in limbo without a clear solution.
Read more...
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Find a Dead Bird? Leave it Alone!
Tina sent me an email today saying that she had found a dead bird. I sent her a lengthy reply which, I think, bears repeating to the neighborhood:
Tina,
The bird you found was most likely a yellow-rumped warbler (affectionately known as "butter-butts" in the birding community), and not a baby. Warblers are coming through the area now in their fall/winter migration and are very tiny birds. Almost all birds you see this time of year will be adult birds (or first-year birds known as juvenals [different from 'juvenile']), due to the fact that breeding season is late spring to late summer.
Also, when you find a dead bird, its best not to handle it. First, it might be carrying disease (avian influenza, west nile virus, or salmonella, to name just a few) and at the least mites and lice. Remember, if it's dead, there was a cause of death. See article, More than 60 transmissible bird diseases (some of which are fatal) for more info.
Secondly, it is against the law. The International Migratory Bird Treaty makes it illegal to have migratory birds in your possession (dead or alive) unless you are a licensed ornithological researcher or a wildlife rehabillitator. This treaty was enacted to try and stop the illegal trade in songbirds and raptors (it is a burgeoning trade in Mexico, Central and South America).
Many of our endangered and threatened birds got that way, not so much because of activity in North America where the birds breed, but becuase of illegal activities in the birds' wintering grounds - poaching, massive killings, deforestation, clear-cutting, etc.)
We signed this treaty to help solve some of those problems in other countries, but it has unintended consequences for the "good Samaritan" who just wants to help a sick bird, or bury a dead one.
For a good general resource on laws which are related to birding, see BirdIQ.
--Rusty
Tina,
The bird you found was most likely a yellow-rumped warbler (affectionately known as "butter-butts" in the birding community), and not a baby. Warblers are coming through the area now in their fall/winter migration and are very tiny birds. Almost all birds you see this time of year will be adult birds (or first-year birds known as juvenals [different from 'juvenile']), due to the fact that breeding season is late spring to late summer.
Also, when you find a dead bird, its best not to handle it. First, it might be carrying disease (avian influenza, west nile virus, or salmonella, to name just a few) and at the least mites and lice. Remember, if it's dead, there was a cause of death. See article, More than 60 transmissible bird diseases (some of which are fatal) for more info.
Secondly, it is against the law. The International Migratory Bird Treaty makes it illegal to have migratory birds in your possession (dead or alive) unless you are a licensed ornithological researcher or a wildlife rehabillitator. This treaty was enacted to try and stop the illegal trade in songbirds and raptors (it is a burgeoning trade in Mexico, Central and South America).
Many of our endangered and threatened birds got that way, not so much because of activity in North America where the birds breed, but becuase of illegal activities in the birds' wintering grounds - poaching, massive killings, deforestation, clear-cutting, etc.)
We signed this treaty to help solve some of those problems in other countries, but it has unintended consequences for the "good Samaritan" who just wants to help a sick bird, or bury a dead one.
For a good general resource on laws which are related to birding, see BirdIQ.
--Rusty
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Any Poets in Overlook Estates?
Kids in kindergarten through 12th grade are welcome to submit poetry to be considered for publication in the Austin International Poetry Festival's annual Diverse Youth anthology. See AIPF for details.
Adults can make submissions, too. Deadline for all submissions is January 31.
Adults can make submissions, too. Deadline for all submissions is January 31.
Greenling Organic Delivery
Hello all,
I was reading in the Austin American Statesman today about a company that delivers local and organic produce, meats, milk, etc. It is called Greenling Organic Delivery. Their prices are comparable to Whole Foods Market and Central Market. The website is http://www.greenling.com/ . The only problem is that they do not deliver to Leander yet. They deliver to Cedar Park. I sent them in my info and it says on the website that if enough people from a certain area inquire into delivery service than they might be able to deliver outside of their normal delivery area.
Just thought I might send this out in case anyone else is interested.
Thanks,
Jennifer
I was reading in the Austin American Statesman today about a company that delivers local and organic produce, meats, milk, etc. It is called Greenling Organic Delivery. Their prices are comparable to Whole Foods Market and Central Market. The website is http://www.greenling.com/ . The only problem is that they do not deliver to Leander yet. They deliver to Cedar Park. I sent them in my info and it says on the website that if enough people from a certain area inquire into delivery service than they might be able to deliver outside of their normal delivery area.
Just thought I might send this out in case anyone else is interested.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Gardening for the New Year
From Growing Concerns by Cecelia Nasty on KUT December 29, 2007...
The New Year is upon us. And this time on Growing Concerns, Cecilia Nasti offers ideas for making the new gardening year the best ever.
View article...
Listen to podcast...
The New Year is upon us. And this time on Growing Concerns, Cecilia Nasti offers ideas for making the new gardening year the best ever.
View article...
Listen to podcast...
Goldfinches Have Arrived
I finally had a few goldfinches in the yard the week of Christmas. They are still here this morning.
--Rusty
--Rusty
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