Earthday 2012 - Got Plans?

EARTH DAY 2012 is APRIL 22!

Feel free to share community events on our blog and let's us know:
What are you planning?

Mobilize and find activities at EARTHDAY.ORG

Graphic via earthday.org

World Water Day

Aren't we lucky? We wake up each morning- brush our teeth, hop in the shower, make a cup o' joe and off we go on our way.

Today is World Water Day - a great reminder that throughout the world there are many less fortunate. Today, take a moment each time you sip or use a drop of H20 and remember how fortunate you are to have this consumable right at your tap. We take so much for granted, right?

Being in the paper industry we are all too aware how much water is consmed in our industry and we have tried to do our part to conserve, consume less and carefully research the production practices of the mills that produce our paper. We read the Whole Living Daily WATER IQ TEST below on Huffington Post {and failed miserably} and it reminds us, once again, how precious each drop is.

Click HERE to see a larger view: By Whole Living Daily via huffingtonpost.com

Sweet Times! Maple Weekend in New York State

Maple Weekend in New York State is March 17-18 and March 24-25. Sugar shacks sprinkled throughout the state open their doors for tours, pancake breakfasts and tastings... kind of like "open studio" for the art and craft of all things maple.

And a craft it really is. Next time you open a bottle of syrup to put on your waffles- think twice- most commercial grades a la Aunt Jemima are made from the lowest grade syrup added to copious amounts of corn syrup while the stuff that comes in the cute bottles and is super pricey--- that's the good stuff- the cream of the crop so to speak.

Many syrup businesses are small cottage ventures and many a seasonal offset for dairy farmers to bring in a few extra bucks during the Spring season. The syrup business is not for the frail - it is hard labor and a labor of love. The sweet stuff does not flow easily and taking it from tree to table is a monumental effort.

Contrary to what many think- maple season is early Spring, not Fall. Warm days of early Spring and cool nights make sap run- and it is the sap that we have come to know as maple syrup. First you need the trees, and lots of them! Sugar Maple and Black Maple are the most popular variety and to yield a great crop you need more than a bucket.

We had the sweet fortune of visiting Fairbanks Maple in Forestville, NY on Saturday and were amazed at just how elaborate the "tiny" operation is. With over 3,300 trees each tapped just once a season, there are what seems like miles of endless blue lines that run the sap from tree to tank.

Once collected, the sap is converted to syrup. When sap is first collected it is mostly water and the sap to syrup conversion happens when most of the water is boiled away. It takes over 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup.

Packaging alone is a craft in and of itself. Similar to canning- issues of hygiene and proper sealing of the container must be precise to avoid contamination- if any introduction of air is released into the seal, the syrup is destroyed.

Next time you sit down to a hearty breakfast- think twice- and enjoy the sugary sweetness as you pour maple syrup- a truly sweet labor of love!

MAKING THE GRADE

Here's a run down of maple syrup by quality and grade:

Grade A maple syrup is classified according to color. The darker the syrup, the stronger the maple taste.

Grade A Light Amber — the lightest of the three classifications with a mild and delicate flavor. It’s best for maple cream and molded maple sugar (candy).

Medium Amber — a bit darker with a fuller flavor. This is the most popular grade for table syrup.

Dark Amber — the darkest of the three grades has a stronger maple flavor. This all-purpose syrup is good for cooking, baking and table use.

Extra Dark — used for cooking, strongest maple flavor. Best for cooking.

Grade B — sold in bulk for reprocessing and the manufacture of commercial table syrups. Best for baking.

Source: Mapleweekend.com

Learn more here:
NY State Maple Producers Association
Cornell University Sugar Maple Research Program

Photos taken at Fairbanks Maple: Forestville, NY - (716) 965-4208
Photo #1: via getentrepreneurial.com

Eco Friendly Rugs from Armadillo&Co.

We're always on the lookout for home decor accessories that tread lightly on the earth. We recently came across this small rug company that makes a big impact... both aesthetically and, through the eco practices that guide it's business practices.


Armadillo&Co rugs are made by hand and produced to the highest ethical standards. Every piece embraces Fair Trade practices and is crafted from sustainable natural fibers - pure wool, jute, cotton and hemp. All purchases benefit local schools in the the villages where their weavers live and work.



Armadillo&Co. participates in ‘Care & Fair’ - an initiative against illegal child labor in the carpet production industry in India, Nepal and Pakistan. All of their rugs made in these countries carry the ‘KALEEN’ label. Issued by the Carpet Export Promotion Council of India, it guarantees that no child labor was not used in the making of the product.



If your floors need a pick me up and your current rugs have taken a beating- consider upgrading to one of these lovelies to soften your {carbon} footsteps!

Where to buy rugs here

Photos via Armadillo&Co. and modernrepresentation.com

October = Breast Cancer Awareness Month

We are all too, too aware of breast cancer- there are few of us who have not been touched by this heinous disease. Since 1985 October has been designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month dedicated to remembrance, hope, and to finding a cure.

The organizations dedicated to this cause are many and below are just a few of our personal crusades. Feel free to post a comment with the breast cancer non-profit that is near and dear to your, well, er... breast!

Breast Cancer Research Foundation {The only cancer organization to hold an A+ from the American Institute of Philanthropy}

Care2.com {A free, daily click to donate site that offers mammograms for women in need}

National Breast Cancer Coalition {Promotes activism to end breast cancer}

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center/Cancer Information {An informative site from the treatment giant. An A rated organization by the American Institute of Philanthropy}

Susan G. Komen for the Cure {The mother of all breast cancer organizations holds only a B+ rating but is the powerhouse for breast cancer awareness}

What's Next {Online cancer support groups through the American Cancer Society}

SHARE {Support hotline for women by women who are survivors.}

Fraud Alert: Breast Cancer Support Foundation and Breast Cancer Charities of America are known to be questionable organizations- take caution.

Ribbon by MesserWoland

Recycle your phone for a great cause

Got cell phones? Old, dated, dead? No problem... Here's a chance to put recycling to good use...

Secure the Call is a non-profit organization that donates cell phones to the elderly and at risk population to use to call 911 in an emergency. Secure the Call is soliciting companies/businesses (retail storefronts are ideal) to host a drop box for one month- a nominal $60 donation is requested.

You can read more and sign up to host a donation drive here. If your not up for sponsoring a donation box, you can donate your old phones at most Whole Foods and Shoprite stores throughout the U.S. And if that's too far out of the way- you can download a mail-in donation form here.

Clean out your drawers, take advantage of your phone service upgrade plan and donate your old phones... Can you hear me now? ;)

September is Ovarian Cancer Month

I tweeted yesterday with a link to support ovarian cancer research. I mentioned it this evening to a dear friend, who, I'm afraid, is all too well with the subject. As a ovarian cancer survivor she told me that September is Ovarian Cancer month and I think it well worth mentioning again---

Please visit this link and Seventh Generation will donate 1$ for each person who signs up. It's free to you, and Seventh Generation is a company Green Paper Company truly hearts. We applaud their generosity!

Learn more about ovarian cancer here. It is a blind disease, often with out symptoms, so we encourage all women to familiarize yourself with the basics.

Other September events in support of Ovarian Cancer research:

Alexandria/DC area: Rock, Paper, Cocktails
Atlanta: Overcome Ovarian Cancer 5K Walk
Georgetown/DC area: Georgetown Cupcakes (Mondays in Sept.)

Do you know of an event in your area? Please post a comment and let us know...

Compared with the slick, high profile Think Pink events planned for October and Breast Cancer awareness, we're surprised how little media play ovarian cancer receives. Let's make sure we align support against this incredibly devastating silent disease. Think Teal!

Read the printed word.org

Think beyond the blog!! A great set of widgets for bloggers and/or web sites, a special icon for all you paper lovers out there.

ReadthePrintedWord.org is putting in the good word for keeping printed matter alive and well. You can download these vintage chic icons and post them as widgets to you own website or blog. There are ten different options to select from... such a great idea! (As long as that paper you are reading is recycled!) ;)

Their mission:

"We support the printed word in all its forms: newspapers, magazines, and of course books. We think reading on computers or phones or whatever is fine, but it cannot replace the experience of reading words printed on paper. We pledge to continue reading the printed word in the digital era and beyond."

Combat Paper Project

I recently read about The Combat Paper Project on Etsy and was incredibly moved by this amazing powerful endeavor.

The Combat Paper Project is a collaboration initiated by Drew Matott and Drew Cameron, involving war veterans, activists and artists. The premise is as simple as it is impossibly complex: take a uniform of war and transform it into a creative healing initiative.

Combat uniforms are shredded, turned into paper pulp and re-created into powerful, cathartic works of art.

Drew Cameron explains: "The story of the fiber, the blood, sweat and tears, the months of hardship and brutal violence are held within those old uniforms. The uniforms often become inhabitants of closets or boxes in the attic. Reclaiming that association of subordination, of warfare and service into something collective and beautiful is our inspiration."

"Through ongoing participation in the papermaking process, combat papermakers are attempting to progress from creating works specific to their military experiences to expressing a broader vision on militarism and society. The work reflects both the anger of the past and hope for the future. Through this collaboration between civilians and veterans, a much-needed conversation is generated regarding our responsibilities to the returned veteran and an understanding of the dehumanizing effects of warfare."

The Combat Paper Project is based out of Green Door Studio in Burlington, Vermont and has traveled throughout North America. Providing workshops, art exhibitions, and artist talks, the project is a collaboration between artists, collectors, schools and combat veterans.

More information about the papermaking process can be found at the People's Republic of Paper
and more info on the project at Combat Paper.

A Love Letter For You Murals

Having spent lots of time in NY, Boston, LA and of course Chicago it's hard not to notice the raw talent and artistry behind grafiti.

Many cities have tried to harness this beauty in efforts that promote social change and random acts of artistry throughout a given city. The Mural Arts Program began in Philadelphia in 1984 as part of the city's Anti-Graffiti Network. What began as a small city agency has grown into the nation's largest mural program, a catalyst for positive social change.

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program has recently collaborated with artist Stephen Powers to create A Love Letter For You, a massive public art mural project consisting of a series of 50 rooftop murals. And what an amazing project it is!!

The murals, which are best viewed from the Market-Frankford elevated transit line, collectively express a love letter; from an artist to his hometown, from a man to a woman, and, from local residents to their West Phili neighborhood.

We love the bold colors and use of type throughout the project- not to mention the subject of love that is so close to our heart! Part poetry, part tongue in cheek, a little kitsch and a lot of romance... right up our alley!

Next time you're in Phili- hop over to the west side after visiting the Liberty Bell and take a ride to see this fab project in it's entirety. Till then, you can see a recap of the overall project here and read lots more about it, here.

All images via: aloveletterforyou.com

Clinton Climate Initiative

The former President is hard at work promoting awareness about climate change...

THE CLINTON CLIMATE INITIATIVE

The Clinton Foundation is immersed in combating climate change- deforestation, solar energy, waste management, quantifying energy usage, urban redesign of lighting, and the list goes on.

"The Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) is working with government partners including Indonesia, Cambodia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Guyana to develop projects that enable local communities to be compensated for preserving and regrowing forests. Tropical deforestation represents around 15 percent of global carbon emissions – more than all the world’s cars, trucks buses, trains, and airplanes put together. Many countries cut down forests, or will be compelled to do so in the future, due to the economic benefits of activities such as logging and agriculture."

"Each year more than 13 million hectares of tropical forests are lost. Destroying forests not only releases carbon into the atmosphere through burning and decomposition, but also removes their ability to serve as "carbon sinks" –– natural reservoirs of carbon. We need forests to absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere and release oxygen. Forests help regulate the Earth’s water cycle, sustain a great diversity of plant and animal species, and directly support more than 750 million people."

The Clinton Foundation is raising awareness to make it more profitable for countries to preserve forests than to cut them down, create robust systems to measure the carbon content of forests, and actively involve local communities in the preservation of their forests."

With a special action plan in place for Earth Day- make a visit to the website to learn more. See what they have already accomplished, and while there, you can test your own knowledge about climate change by taking the climate change QUIZ.

Thank you Mr. President!

All info and photos via clintonfoundation.org

4+22=40 Earth day celebrates 40 years!

Earth Day 2010- the 40th anniversary of Earth Day is just around the corner. Here's a brief list of easy clicks to help you plan your day and to celebrate all things earth conscious.

Feel free to add to the list by posting a comment with your event or Earth Day links...

History of Earth Day
Earthday.org
A Billion Acts of Green
Gaylord Nelson
Find local events here
Clinton Foundation events: Chicago, NY, Houston and Little Rock
Global Days of Service
Activist Phone Book Contact List
Teacher activities for kids
Arts for the Earth

Drawing: A Billion Acts of Green

A Must See!

This is truly a must see for any designer, design advocate, typophile or paper person! Type Face documents the success and challenges that Hamilton Wood Type in Two Rivers, Wisconsin is faced with in today's world. Directed by Justine Nagan and produced by Kartemquin Films (of Hoop Dream fame), she describes the film as a navigation between the convergence of modern design and traditional technique. Screenings have just begun this past weekend, and will continue nationally this spring. See the film's website here to attend a viewing and to find out more.

Donatemydress.org

I know there are many fashionistas out there who will swoon, heart and L-O-V-E these oh so 80's dresses, (for which we will gladly give you the source ;) (see below), but for those of us who have had to buy one too many a bridesmaid dress- here is the perfect green savvy way to rid your closet of those ruffles, fluff and all around synthetic finery. Donatemydress.org is an online site that is dedicated to helping recycle special occasion fashion- in particular prom and bridesmaid dresses.
DonateMyDress.org is the first national campaign designed to encourage girls around the country to donate their prom and special occasion dresses to those who cannot afford the costly experience of going to their prom, sweet 16, quinceañera or formal event. The site features a directory of local dress drive organizations across the U.S. that will enable girls to easily find out where in their local markets they can donate a dress or receive one.

So if your prom days are long gone but always a bridesmaid days are upon you- click here for a state-by-state listing of where to donate. And if you have a teenage daughter, niece, neighbor or friend- pass this info along. If there is not a location near you- remember Goodwill, The Kidney Association and Salvation Army are in almost every area nationwide and are stocking up for the holidays. So dust off your tiara, and clean out your closet today- dresses wanted! And oooohhh, this one's our fave.....

All photos via: beflirtydresses.com

Creative Visions Foundation

The web weaves a mysterious web indeed! While doing some buying today for my shop I came upon a jewelry blog- Modern Jewelry Trends. More than the info contained within, I took special note of an intriguing logo at the bottom of the screen- "Are You a Creative Activist?" So with little reading about baubles and gems I linked to the site and came upon a really interesting foundation, Creative Visions created by a mom who lost her son, Dan Eldon, a young photo journalist, while he was covering the conflict in Somalia in the early 1990's.

The Creative Visions Foundation was created by his family to honor his activist mission, his life and his creative work. Creative Visions Foundation supports "Creative Activists", individuals who use the power of media and the arts to create positive change in the world.

According to the site, "Creative Visions Foundation partners with creative activists through fiscal sponsorship, mentorship and outreach programs to develop, thrive and promote vital social change. Our network of creative activists inspires others to be the spark of change in communities all over the world and to support “creative activists” like Dan - who use thought and imagination to catalyze positive change in our world."

Take a look at a really touching video that so succinctly portrays Dan's spirit, his too short life, and moreover an inspiring glimpse of his artwork through journals and his family's dedication to promote change.

BTW- there is an odd P.S. twist to all this - as I was reading and watching the video on the website the story sounded vaguely familiar. As it turns out, the sister of Dan Eldon is the sister in law of one of my dear friends. Talk about a small world.

In any case- be inspired by your own creativity today, on behalf of those who no longer can, and on behalf of your own talent. What can you create today?

All photos via: creativevisions.org