Archive for the ‘Community’ Category

Avoiding Food-Borne Illness (Like E. Coli)

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

by Catherine Haug, June 7, 2011

With all the concern over illness and deaths in Germany and other Eurozone countries from an outbreak of a deadly strain of E. Coli bacteria, I thought it might be good to address how to protect yourself from food-borne illness. While this particular E.coli strain has not been found in the Americas, we have had our own problems with E. coli in the past, as well as other infectious microbes (such as staph and salmonella), and are likely to have more in the future.

In this post I discuss:

  • Buy local
  • Boost your immune System
  • Clean your fresh produce properly

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More on Importance of Community

Sunday, June 5th, 2011

by Catherine Haug, June 5, 2011

Ronny (one of the presenters at the Sourdough gathering) and I have been conversing about my experimentation with my new sourdough starter, for making bread. I found an informational website: SourdoughHome.com that has some tips I’m trying out, and sharing my results and questions with Ronny.

This morning she sent me a wonderful email that I just had to share with all of you, about our community: (more…)

Feeding your Family — Or the World

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

by Catherine Haug, August 29, 2010

One of the most prevalent arguments used by the biotech companies and mainstream agriculture to justify the use of GMO seeds, pesticides and synthetic fertilizers is that such use is the only way to feed the world. They argue that organic methods cannot even come close. However, if GMO crops were safe, and they really want to feed the world, why have they made the seeds of GMO crops sterile, requiring farmers to buy more seeds for every crop?

On the other side of the debate are the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), and similar voices, who argue that the use of Organic methods is the only way to ensure the health of the soil and water through the generations, and can more than feed the world.

It is my understanding that we already have more than enough food to feed all people around the world. If this is true, and I believe it is, then why do so many go hungry?

For the answer to this conundrum, one has to go back in history, to the beginnings of colonization of primitive peoples by powerful, civilized Europe. (more…)

Preparedness for Any Emergency

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

by Catherine Haug

Part of ESP’s mission is to build a stronger Bigfork community, and an integral part of that community is helping our neighbors and our families to be prepared for any emergency or disaster that might befall us.

I have volunteered to help get the Bigfork Emergency Response Team (BERT) website up and running, with links to important informational about preparedness for everyone to access. I am also providing these links on our ESP website for your convenience. These include things like:

  • Supplies kits and checklists including ESP Document: Emergency Supplies List;
  • Suggestions on how to be ready for whatever may come;
  • National Weather Service and their Missoula Hydrograph site that tracks river levels;
  • Guide to evacuation levels;
  • Sheltering in place;
  • FEMA and Red Cross info sites and brochures.

To see all articles concerning preparedness on this site, go to Emergency Preparedness Articles..

About impending flooding

Be aware that even though your home may be on high ground, you could still be negatively impacted by the flood. For example: (more…)

Event Summary: Preparing an Emergency 4-day (96 hour) Food & Water Pack

Saturday, April 30th, 2011

4-Day Pack For 1

by Catherine Haug, April 27, 2011

(Photo of 4-day food pack by Lana Nelson; NOTE: fruit leather is missing from the photo)

This event was held on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 7 PM in the Bigfork High School Music Room, and was hosted by the recently formed Bigfork Emergency Response Team (BERT), as part of their 2011 Community Preparedness work.

Topics covered at this event:

  • Welcome by Cheryl Richmond
  • Report on current situation, by Mark Noland
  • Ways to become involved, by Bruce Nelson
  • Emergency communication, by Jim Eddington
  • 96-hour Food Pack and Water by Lana Nelson
  • 4-Day (96 Hour) Emergency Kit (Food Only), by Lana Nelson (printable pdf)

In addition, I have added some recommendations from ESP community members.

Here are two news items about how other communities came together to recover from floods:

  • After Floods: Nashville Proud of Model Recovery (NPR News Item): As communities across the country’s midsection respond to potentially historic flooding, federal emergency officials say they could take some cues from Nashville. The city endured record-breaking rainfall and devastating floods one year ago, and FEMA continues to point to the local response as a model. From member station WPLN, Blake Farmer reports.
  • Community Preparedness for Flooding  in Vernonia OR (ESP post based on article in The Oregonian): A small, rural community organized to deal with, and recover from an oncoming, devastating flood.

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Are You Prepared for Flooding or Other Disasters?

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

by Catherine Haug, April 17, 2011, updated April 27, 2011 (red text)

Local news reports are projecting major flooding in the Flathead this spring; some parts of Montana are already seeing flooding. But this is not the only natural disaster that can befall us here. Our mountains are of volcanic origin; a major fault line traverses our valley; violent winds and avalanche are common; forest and other fires happen every year.

Are you prepared? Is your community prepared?

ESP is planning an evening discussion for our regular July 20, 2011 gathering, on the topic of community awareness for emergency response & preparation. This event will be held at:

Bethany Lutheran Church, 8559 Mt Highway 35, Bigfork, (basement)

Located just south of the junction of Highways 35 and 209

By then, we should all have begun to recover from the 2011 flood that is predicted for all of Montana, so we will know how important it is to be prepared for any disaster, that can come without warning.

The following will be attending the event to assist with the discussion and address questions that arise during discussion.

  • Marv –  Assistant Fire Chief Ferndale
  • Wayne – Bigfork Fire Chief
  • Cindy – Flathead Co. Assistant Director, Office of Emergency Services
  • Steve – Lake Co. Coordinator Office of Emergency Services
  • Susan – Director, Flathead Center for the Aging

To prepare yourselves for potential disaster and also for this discussion event, check out the ready.gov and FEMA.gov documents listed below.

See also Event Sunmary: Bigfork Prepares for 2011 Flooding, and Preparing an Emergency 96-Hour (4-Day) Food Pack.

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