I was biking on East 10th Avenue the other day when I came across the scene depicted in the photo above. I opened the cupboard door to find bike tube patches, a pump, and other items that one would find helpful in changing a flat.

When folks are willing to set aside a piece of their front yard for the benefit of strangers, you know you have found a great place to live.

It gets the wheels turning about what I would like to do in front of my house.

It also reminded me of some residential intersections in Portland, Oregon, where community members have voluntarily contributed corners of their lots for the benefit of the neighborhood, building cob benches, tea tables, or inviting folks to borrow a book or share a drawing on a chalkboard.

Efforts such as these are sponsored by City Repair Project:

"City Repair was formed in Portland, Oregon in 1996 by citizen activists who wanted a more community-oriented and ecologically sustainable society. Born out of a successful grassroots neighborhood initiative that converted a residential street intersection into a neighborhood public square, City Repair began its work with the idea that localization (of culture, of economy, of decision-making) is a necessary foundation of sustainability. By reclaiming urban spaces to create community-oriented places, we plant the seeds for greater neighborhood communication, empower our communities and nurture our local culture."

Here are some photos that I took in 2006 of examples of their projects:

Tea kiosk. Notice the colorful street as well.

Information kiosk and chalkboard for public art.

Cob bench

This summer I have been coordinating the Gardeners’ Swap Meets, an informal weekly gathering of Chicoans trading zucchinis for peaches, basil for egglants, or tomatoes for blackberries. I thought people would show up, drop off their zook’s, chat for a minute, grab some plums, and be on their merry way. But what has amazed me is how many folks show up to the Swap Meet and stay for 45 minutes or more before bidding their fond farewells, as if at friend’s drop-in barbecue party.

What I had originally intended to be simply a fun way to unload some excess squash is evolving into a weekly social event, with the focal point being home-grown goodies.

Fresh on the heels of the Swap Meets, the G.R.U.B. program has started up, the brainchild of four CSU, Chico students. The goal of G.R.U.B. (Growing Resourcefully, Uniting Bellies) is equally as simple: To resourcefully grow vegetable gardens in the yards of local residents that do not have the time or 'know-how' to grow their own. The resulting produce is harvested, sorted into boxes and delivered via bicycle to residents with a G.R.U.B. garden as well as to surrounding neighbors. As of August 27, 6 gardens in Chico have been planted, with an additional 30 folks offering up space. Once I plant the cauliflower starts I got, my garden will be number 7. (For more information, on G.R.U.B. contact Francine at grubchico[at]yahoo[dot]com)

The reasons why it is favorable to grow and eat local food are numerous. As compared to supermarket produce, veggies that come from a neighbor’s garden are fresh, require minimal petroleum to transport to the table, and are grown without the use of industrial pesticides or fertilizers (which also require energy to produce and transport). And generally speaking, most backyard veggies aren’t produced for profit, but rather for the pure joy growing. In this manner a beloved pastime and healthy eating are merged into one.

But in my mind, the most important element that is emerging as a result of these two programs is the bringing together of people in the community. This creates stronger bonds between neighbors, resulting in safer, more pleasant, and overall healthier living spaces.

Where might this lead? I would like to see local gardeners teaming up based on geographical proximity to grow and share produce for their entire community, perhaps 5 gardeners for a neighborhood of 15-20 households. The growers could coordinate such that each focuses on a different set of veggies. Those community members blessed with prolific fruit trees could also make themselves known to their neighbors. A further bonus would be if a neighborhood has among them someone who knows (or is willing to learn) the “lost art” of canning, which could thus enable the community to enjoy local foods at times when it isn't thriving in the garden.

I have heard that is some parts of town this is already happening to an extent. Are you presently a part of such an endeavor? Please share your thoughts or inspirations!

Backpackers will tell of the “Ten Essentials,” ten items that you shouldn’t be without in the wilderness, lest you perish some horrid death for want of a waterproof match. Though there is some variation to this list, it basically includes the items in the graphic above.

I am finding that I am in need of a new “Ten Essentials” list for being out and about in Chico’s urban wilderness. So here are my “Sustainable 'Ten' Essentials” for when I bike around Chico, in no particular order:

1) Keys and Wallet (with ID and purchasing power)
2) Beater Bike with Lock and Baskets
3) Geeky Yellow Bike Helmet (so I can be readily spotted and laughed at by skatepunks and SUV drivers alike)
4) Sun Protection, including a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
5) Water Bottle
6) Backpack with 1-2 empty cloth bags containing 1-2 empty plastic bags (previously used, but clean) in each
7) Snack food from home (to resist the urge to make an unneeded purchase that comes with unwanted packaging)
8) Plan/Route— Using and errand list, I check a map (physical or mental), and plot my path accordingly. Planning a route that makes sense is key to saving time, and, if you are in a car, gas.
9) Container-- If I know in advance that I will be dining out, I will also have with me an enamel bowl with a lid for leftovers to eliminate the need for take-out packaging.
10) Smile--Smiling is a sustainable renewable resource.

Anything that I missed?

I saw something similar to this photo today on the Esplanade: a red pickup towing a trailer outfitted with a canvas advertisement for the Chico AirFest. The advertising company, I found out, also sells ad-space on bicycle-towed billboards. That's a pretty cool idea--If I see one of them, I may be more inspired to check out the AirFest.

As it was, however, I did what I felt I needed to do: I called both phone numbers on the billboard (one for the ad company, and one for the Chico Chamber of Commerce), and politely expressed my disapproval of this type of advertising, as I see it as a waste of roadspace and gasoline, and an unnecessary reason to add the emissions of yet another vehicle to our air.

I went on to mention that seeing the AirFest advertised in this manner actually made me LESS likely to want to check out the event, despite the fact that Chico Velo will be offering valet bike parking.

Post-Script:

A few hours after leaving my voicemail message to the ad company, I received a message on my phone from the gentleman towing the billboard. A clear attack on his livelihood, my voicemail had certainly touched a nerve. In his message (which was civil) he called me a "liberal" and "treehugger" (both true), and he expressed his conviction that the whole global warming "panic" is just a "bunch of hype" and that he is "not hurting the Earth at all."

I, of course, respectfully disagree. In my mind, it may be his livelihood, but it is my life.

On the flip side, he also pointed out (as I also mention in this post) that he has a "bicycle billboard" option as a part of his business. So enough criticism, and time for a plug:

All of you folks out there in need of advertising--Use this gentleman and the "bicycle billboard" part of his business! Overwhelm him with requests! And in process, perhaps we can convince the him that despite his opinions regarding global warming, using bikes exclusively (or perhaps a combination of bikes and neighborhood electric vehicles like the GEM) is a more lucrative option for is business than using his pickup.

One of the cleverest pieces of furniture in our house is a wooden chair that folds into step-stool, kind of a domestic version of a Transformer, though we have to provide the cool sound effects ourselves. My wife found it at Orange Street Consignment, one of a myriad of great thrift shops, consignment stores, and antique stores here in Chico.

I am getting into the habit of first thinking of second-hand stores (and yard sales, when it is convenient) when buying non-consumable items. In addition to saving money, shopping at Chico's second-hand stores supports local businesses and is both convenient and sustainable in a big way. Giving a second, third, or even fourth life to a kitchen gadget, child's toy, piece of furniture, hardware item, or article of clothing by purchasing it second-hand is, environmentally-speaking, far superior to buying the same item new. I personally keep an eye out for garden tools, colorful plates, and cotton Hawaiian t-shirts (I am partial to blue).

Misto, My Hero

My favorite breakfast is homemade waffles. To this end my college roommate and I went though hundreds of eggs, gallons of Mrs. Butterworth’s, and tubs of I Can’t Believe Its Not Butter. Every morning our thrift store-purchased, never-say-die Toastmaster waffle iron diligently cranked out breakfast after breakfast. The non-stick coating had long worn away, so we had to make sure we were liberal with the Pam spray.

These days I am a more cultured waffler. I use real butter and I splurge for maple syrup. I still use the same waffle iron though. But the Pam is long gone—I now use Misto, my waffle hero.

You see, I prefer to buy in bulk. Flour, syrup—these things are easy to come by. But there are no gallon-sized Pam’s. And then I got Misto as a gift: a refillable cooking oil spray bottle. Generally speaking I am not a big fan of kitchen gizmos--usually I am the kind of guy who would prefer to find 20 different uses for a steak knife—but this thing is cool. I can just pour in some basic veggie oil (organic canola), pump it a few times, and tada! No-stick waffles, and one less item for the landfill. In the long run it is cheaper as well—It sells for $15 at Colliers, making it a better deal than Pam over the long haul.

I know that economically and environmentally speaking, gardening at my house is not a sustainable enterprise. When you add up the cost of seeds and gardening equipment, my inefficient water use, the amount of time that is required till, plant, water, and harvest, and the fact that the fruits of my labors are essentially going towards feeding just two people, the whole project must be considered more as a hobby rather than as a fully successful exercise in self-sufficiency. I am also quite aware that when I go to the Farmer's Markets I can purchase inexpensive veggies that are usually just as tasty, almost as local, equally as organic, and are grown with more environmental and economic efficiency than what I can manage in my backyard. Perhaps this will change as I gain more gardening wisdom and experience, but somehow I doubt it.

But while my garden may not be sustainable in an easily quantifiable manner, I firmly believe that it is in a qualitative sense. You see, I enjoy gardening. I enjoy the feeling of being linked to my backyard and the plants and animals that live there, of recognizing how the aroma of the soil varies when it is hot or cool, noting the traffic jam of insects that zip around the sunflowers, and having the ability to pluck a cherry tomato off the vine and insert it directly into my mouth. I always leave my garden with a greater sense of peace than when I entered it, and eating meals that include produce from the yard becomes a more connected, intimate experience, because not only do I know where my food came from, but I also know that I was a part of that process.

In his book The Last Child in the Woods, author Richard Louv points out that Chinese Taoists created gardens and greenhouses over 2000 years ago for their health benefits. As for the Western world, as early as 1699 the book English Gardener advised that one spend "spare time in the garden, either digging, setting out, or weeding; there is no better way to preserve your health."

In short, having a garden and being outside are things that sustain me. They help make me whole. And this is my greatest justification for being an advocate for gardening--we need more whole people in the world.

This 2006 photo is a typical summer view looking west towards the Central Valley as seen from Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park. The city beneath the smog in the distance is Visalia, with more than 400,000 people living in the greater metro area. Let me begin this post by pointing out that is was definitely people, not global warming, that made the smog.

Much has been discussed, argued, or ranted about global warming. Is it happening? Is it part of a natural cycle, or is it human caused? What, if anything, should we, or can we, do about it?

A LOT of good science has gone into trying to answer these questions, as well as some not-so-good science, be it the result of carelessness or of political agenda. Though I am uncertain of his personal views regarding environmental issues, I do, in fact, applaud the diligence of Chico meteorologist Anthony Watts in trying to keep science "honest" by looking at the compliance (or apparent lack thereof) of temperature monitoring stations.

What I fear, however, is summed up in the following tongue-and-cheek (I hope) comment by one of his blog readers, in response to the fact that Mr. Watts' efforts have cast doubts on NASA's accuracy in determining if average national temperatures are indeed rising:

"Okay, I'll keep the green [compact fluorescent] light bulbs, but I'm turning the air conditioner back on."

For the record, I do believe global warming is real. Melting ice sheets and rapidly retreating glaciers alone have been enough to convince me of this, and peer-reviewed scientific research has further convinced me that human activity is one of the key causes of the rise in temperature through the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. I further believe that we must recognize a sense of urgency in addressing these issues (starting, like, now).

But for the sake of argument, let's take global warming out of the equation. Does that mean we no longer need to be concerned with our energy use or vehicle emissions? Absolutely not.

Long before we heard about global warming, we knew that the stuff that comes out of exhaust pipes and goes into our air is, in short, not healthy for our lungs. Solutions include driving less, biking more, taking public transportation, buying low-emissions vehicles, and purchasing locally made products that don't need to travel far to get to market.

Before we heard about global warming, we knew that it was cheaper to be fuel efficient. (Kind of a no-brainer: Use less energy, pay less money).

Before we heard about global warming, we knew that planting trees was generally considered to be good, and cutting down entire forests was generally considered to be bad.

Before we heard about global warming, we knew the drawbacks of having a fuel economy that is linked to foreign oil.

Before we heard about global warming, we knew that almost every source of energy has its environmental challenges, whether through the means of energy extraction (ex: stripmining coal, damming rivers), or the risks and issues associated with processing or transporting the energy (ex: Exxon Valdez, acid rain, disposing of spent nuclear material).

I could write more, but you get the gist of what I'm saying. The bottom line is that even without the specter of global warming, there are plenty of other environmental, economic, political, or health reasons why reducing vehicle emissions and energy use now, today, is still a pretty darn good idea. And yes, this includes keeping the air conditioner off (or more specifically, keeping the thermostat set at 78 degrees or higher in the summer).

Just my two cents.

Thank you very much to all who responded to my previous post. The advice is overwhelmingly in favor of using the paint that I presently have, with the reasoning being that energy has already been expended in manufacturing the paint and getting it to my house; putting forth additional energy and money to transport the old paint to the hazardous waste facility AND purchase and take home new paint would likely not offset the benefits of "recycling" the old paint and using a low-VOC product. In a nutshell, Greg's comment reminds us that "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" is more than a set of options, it is also an order of operations. Reducing (by using the old paint) is a better choice than recycling and purchasing anew. Note that "purchasing new," even an eco-product, is not even on this list. It is amazing how quickly our retail-oriented world can cause us to lose track of the most basic of environmental tenets.

I would like to follow up on two points made by Sustainability Guy. First of all, a call to the Butte Regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility revealed that the paint would indeed NOT be recycled; rather it would be either reused for a project such as painting over graffiti or would be taken to a waste disposal facility and incinerated. The woman I spoke to echoed the comments of one reader, suggesting that it would be better to donate perfectly good paint (even if it is higher VOC content) to a cause such as Habitat for Humanity.

However, a conversation with a representative at Kelly-Moore's home office in Sacramento revealed that paints CAN be recycled. The gentleman was proud to report that Kelly-Moore is the only large-scale paint company to have a program where the public may return excess Kelly-Moore latex paint (in the original can) to the Sacramento facility at 5101 Raley Boulevard, where it is then reprocessed and resold. Similar to many other recycled products, the energy required to reprocess the paint is a fraction of the cost to produce a virgin product, and thus Kelly-Moore's E-Coat line of recycled paints retails for about $7.75 per gallon, roughly a quarter the cost of purchasing new paint. The VOC content of these paints is relatively high, as much as 250 grams per liter.

More information on recycled paints can be found by checking out: California Integrated Waste Management Board.

I would like to paint some cabinet doors in our garage a basic shade of white. The previous owners of our house were gracious enough to leave behind the paint that had been used in previous house projects, perhaps 12 gallons of various shades and textures (including white) of conventional Kelly-Moore paint, all of it purchased within the last five years.

The eco-buzzword these days when considering paint is "VOC content." VOC stands for "volatile organic compounds," which is, essentially, the stinky chemicals in paint that can cause headaches and aren't particularly healthy to be around. These chemicals do eventually dissipate into the air once the paint dries, but all this means is that everyone else's air has become just a slightly bit more toxic.

The Kelly-Moore paints that we inherited have a VOC content of <150 grams per liter, which is in compliance with EPA standards (max. 200 g/L) as well as the stricter regulations of the California Air Resources Board (max. 150 g/L). However, there are more environmentally friendly alternatives.

Kelly-Moore has a line of interior paints called "Enviro-Cote" with a VOC content ranging from 15-20 g/L and retails for $28.95 per gallon; the Sherwin-Williams "Harmony" line has an even lower VOC content (<10 g/L) and sells for $27.95 per gallon (presently on sale). Both of these cost only a couple bucks more per gallon than conventional paints. I asked the Kelly-Moore folks if they had a "trade-in" policy, where I might be able to receive some store credit for bringing in my old paint. Regretfully they said they did not have such a program.

However, I did learn that as a Butte County resident I can recycle my partially-used paint cans for free at the Butte Regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility over by the Chico Airport.

So here is the dilemma: Do I use the paints that I presently have (there would be plenty to complete the cabinet door job), or do I recycle my existing stockpile and spend $30 on new, eco-savvy paints?

More and more people are bringing their own containers when they purchase coffee, tea, or soda, especially in Chico. The upside is that this practice is becoming gradually more accepted by our society. But there are times when I leave town and feel as if I am back in the dark ages, like the 1980’s. I dropped into a Starbucks in Vacaville the other day and offered them my water bottle as they took my order. The barista promptly began to fill a plastic cup with blended coffee, which he then unceremoniously dumped into my bottle. The cup, of course, ended up in the trash. I have had the same thing happen at Jamba Juice, too.

I have recently started taking my bottle to the next level: 36,000 feet. When I offer airline attendants my bottle and say, “Ginger ale, please” (my traditional airline drink of choice), they get this amazing puzzled look on their face, as if I am handing them a rubber chicken. I highly recommend trying it.

Just remember to make sure your bottle starts off empty when you arrive at the airport. Airport security officials frown upon liquids these days, unless you have a container that holds less than 3 ounces. So a full shot glass would be okay.

My wife and I turn heads at restaurants whenever we dutifully set our own empty food containers beside us in anticipation of being served more than we can eat in one sitting. Many restaurant patrons apparently think it is strange, and perhaps a bit "uncultured," to be dining away with a Tupperware container at the ready. Yet those same folks don't give a second thought to accepting a styrofoam container at the end of the meal, which usually leaks (especially if it is Asian food), so it in turn is placed into a plastic bag. Less then 24 hours later, the leftovers are eaten and both the bag and the styrofoam end up in the garbage can, destined for the landfill.

I encourage folks to join us in turning heads by bringing your own empty container of choice for your leftovers. I promise to share some of my leftover pad thai.

This Saturday, from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. the Chico Community Environmental Gardens will be holding a Tomato Taste-Off, where the public is invited to sample almost 50 different varieties of tomatoes of all shapes, sizes, colors, flavors, and textures. The event will take place at the Community Garden on Silver Dollar Way, across the street from Costco off of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway.

I used to think I had a pretty good understanding of the tomato world. There were cherries, grapes, romas, slicers, dicers, and squishers. I knew six varieties!—I thought I was doing quite well. Then I moved to Chico, where tomatoes apparently are a passion, and where their pulpy goodness seems to grow not on cute little plants, but in veritable backyard jungles dotted with soft-ball sized spheres of orange, green, purple, yellow, and red fruits. Then came last week’s Tomato Contests at the Farmer’s Market, and now 50 varieties are going to be available for sampling at the Community Garden. Clearly I needed a tomato re-education. So I did some research, and was amazed to learn how the world of supermarkets and big business has limited my culinary experience, as well as blinded me to the ecological value of vegetable diversity.