Archive for the ‘Post Topics’ Category

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GMO Apples

Saturday, April 30th, 2016
Frankenfood

Frankenfood

By Catherine Haug, April 30, 2016 (image, right, from Organic Consumers’ Association (4), used with permission)

A variety of GMO apple has been approved for a while now – the Arctic Apple in two varieties, Granny Smith and Golden Delicious (3); its DNA has been modified to keep it from turning brown once the apple is cut or sliced. You probably won’t see this in the produce section (at least not at first), but if you eat commercial products containing cooked apples, or prepped fresh fruit plates, you may be unwittingly eating this GMO apple.

It may sound harmless enough – at least it isn’t GMO to allow being heavily sprayed with insecticides – but it may actually be even worse than the pesticides. (more…)

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Posted in Agriculture, Food-Nutrition-Health, GMO | No Comments »

Film Showing: “This Changes Everything” April 21, 2016

Friday, April 15th, 2016

By Catherine Haug, April 15, 2016

The following is from Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC)

This film will be shown one evening only. It is about confronting the climate crisis to build a better world, and re-imagining the vast challenge of climate change. .

  • When: April 21.2016. Doors open at 6:30 PM, film starts at 7 PM, with a Q&A after the film.
  • Where: Casey’s 9bar), 101 Central Ave, Whitefish MT
  • Cost: $10 to benefit MEIC and the Whitefish Review. Tickets for sale at the door, only.
  • For more information: contact MEIC at (406) 443-2520. See also This Changes Everything: The Film. Or view the trailer on YouTube:

(link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpuSt_ST4_U)

Posted in Ecology, Events: Other | No Comments »

Energy cost savings programs and income tax credits, 2016

Wednesday, April 13th, 2016

By Catherine Haug, April 13, 2016

Previously, I posted information from Flathead Electric Coop (FEC) about green programs they offer that could save you money – as opposed to what Arcadia Power is offering (see my Feb 15, 2016 article About Arcadia Power’s mailing to all FEC customers, and my Dec 30, 2017 article Arcadia Power: Is it better than FEC? in response to an email from Daily Kos).

David Bopp at FEC recently sent me more information (see below) about ways to save money on electricity through federal and/or state income tax credits, as well as FEC offerings. 2018 update: I have updated Federal Income Tax Credits section. Read on for more. (more…)

Posted in Energy, Home & Ranch | No Comments »

2015 Dirty Dozen (pesticide-laden fruits, veggies) and Clean 15

Wednesday, April 13th, 2016
Apples at Market

Apples at Market

By Catherine Haug, April 13, 2016; updated April 27 to add the Clean 15 (image, right, from Wikimedia Commons)

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has published it’s annual “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15” lists based on tests on over 7,000 samples (non-Organic) around the country during 2014. Dirty Dozen are fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residue, and Clean 15 are those with the lowest levels; the tests do not include seeds and grains, just fresh produce. (1,2) Compare this with  2013 “Dirty Dozen” – Foods best as Organic published in 2013.

They also added a new category: Dirty Dozen Plus, which may not have had high levels of pesticides, but those they found were particularly toxic. (1,2)

Note that these tests are on non-organic produce. To avoid the toxic pesticides, always choose Organic when you can. (more…)

Posted in Agriculture, Food-Nutrition-Health, GMO, Organics, Shop Local | No Comments »

Event Notice: Oppose bridge to Dockstader’s Island April 4, 2016

Thursday, March 31st, 2016

By Catherine Haug, March 31, 2016

The following is from Dave Hadden, of CANSC (Community Association for North Shore Conservation)

Flathead Lake needs you to show up at the Flathead County Commissioners’ meeting room this Monday, April 4 at 9:00 am.  The commissioners will be hearing an application for a “permit amendment” from the developer of the bridge on the north shore.  The developer will be adding:
  • Gargoyles
  • Lighting
  • Pennant flags
  • And cross bracing under the bridge
All of these additions will add to obstruction of navigable waters and further degrade the scenic qualities of the north shore.  
The commissioners need to see that people are concerned about this bridge.
(you’ll have to click again when new page comes up)

Posted in Ecology, Events: Other | No Comments »

Event Notice: Historic Swan River Bridge Informational Meeting in Bigfork, April 12, 2016

Thursday, March 31st, 2016
Bigfork's Swan River Bridge at Christmastime

Bigfork’s Swan River Bridge at Christmastime

By Catherine Haug, March 31, 2016 (Photo, right, by C. Haug)

The following information is from Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and  Kadrmas, Lee and Jackson (KLJ) who represent Flathead County.

  • What: Open house and informational meeting, to assist with a feasibility study of the Swan River Bridge (the historical 1912 steel truss bridge near the power plant and Sliter Park in Bigfork). The bridge is aging and has been found structurally deficient; meaning the bridge will not continue its current usage without improvements in the near future.
  • When: Tuesday, April 12, 2016; presentation at 5:30 PM; open house from 5 – 8 PM
  • Where: Bigfork Elementary School at 600 Commerce St in Bigfork [the invitation did not indicate which room].
  • Who: all Bigfork residents, home and business owners are invited to attend.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, you may provide your comments by either of two methods, by May 12, 2016. Read on for this and for contact information. (more…)

Posted in Community, Events: Other, Transportation | No Comments »

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