November / December 2010 - Indiana Living Green

p u b l i s h e rLynn Jenkins

[email protected](317) 769-3456

e D i T O rBetsy Sheldon

[email protected]

C O N T r i b u T O r s Megan Fernandez Jesse Kharbanda L. Mark Finch Helen W. O’Guinn Wendell Fowler Maria Smietana Judy Kenninger Jerry Williams

s A l e s [email protected]

(317) 769-3456

g r A p h i C D e s i g N Paul Wilson, Wilson Design, LLC

e - N e w s l e T T e r e D i T O rApril Perkins

w e b D e s i g NMargaret Hsu Stout

Greenway Consulting, LLC

A D v i s O r y b O A r D

Hugh Baker John Hazelett Bill Brown Grant Jenkins Jeff Echols Jesse Kharbanda Liz Ellis Glenn Livers Deb Ellman Greg Martz Bert Gilbert Ellen Michel Carey Hamilton

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C O m m u N i T y• Making the grade: I.U. Bloomington’s environmental report card . . . . . . . . . . . 12

e N e r g y• Budget fixes for cold-weather energy savings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

F A m i l y / h O m e• Bright ideas for choosing eco-friendly candles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

N A T u r e • For the Birds: making your yard a welcoming place in winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

F O O D• Holiday menus starring local chefs and local ingredients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

C O N s u m e r i s m • No-gift gifting: 10 ways to give without generating waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20• Upcycled style: locally made totes feature repurposed material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

F e A T u r e s• Business Service Directory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 • Eat Right Now with Wendell Fowler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 • Footprints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 • Green, Greener, Greenest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 • Green Greetings from the Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 • Green Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 • Hoosier Environment with Jesse Kharbanda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 • The Last Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

C O N T e N T s

November/December 2010 3

ON THE COVER: From the herb-roasted leg of lamb to his hallmark persimmon sugar cream pie, Chef Thom England turns to local sources for all the key ingredients in his holiday feasts. © Photo by Julie King

INDIANA LIVING GREEN is published bimonthly and is printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks.

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Need-to-know guide to maintaining or updating

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It’s seed-catalog time! Ready to try seed sprouting?

10 surefire signs of a “green” restaurant

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In Our Next IssueJ

GREEN

Greenest!

Indiana Living Green offers ways for you to make a difference.

greeN 1. Avoid buying “stuff” just to have a gift to give. Give a sincere and joyful greeting

instead of a mindless gift.2. Eat seasonal. Pass up the summer fruits and vegetables brought in from South

America.3. Start with easy steps to save energy and

money: Change out all your light bulbs to CFLs or LED lights; turn down your water heater to 120 degrees; close curtains/blinds at night, but open on sunny days for some passive solar heat.

greeNer 1. Take time to re-visit your gift list to see how you might “green” it up a bit.2. When dining out, ask the staff if foods are locally raised and/or grass-fed, pastured, or organic.3. Small tasks and simple investments can

return big rewards: Wrap your water heater if it’s an older model; add a wool

blanket or down comforter to your bed for extra warmth; install a programmable thermostat.

greeNesT 1. Invest time and talent rather than money

on your holiday gifts. Give something you make: food, crafts, music, or a unique service you provide.

2. For gatherings and celebrations, visit restaurants or hire caterers that support a local, seasonal, and sustainable food economy.

3. Have an energy audit and make sure your home is prepared for this winter’s expected colder-than-normal temperatures.

greeNer

4

Dear ILG, I would like to thank Betsy Sheldon for the very nice article that recently appeared in your magazine. GreenCycle has been recycling in Indianapolis and the surrounding area since 1992. We appreciate having a little bit of nice publicity. I am not sure that many of our mulch and com-post customers realize that all of our products are recycled. We make it easy to be green.

Caroline RepenningPresident, GreenCycle of Indiana, Zionsville

Dear ILG, Please cancel the hard copy I receive at my home address. I just discovered that I can read it online. I receive it as part of my WFYI membership, and would like to access it online to save a tree or two or three. Today is the first time I have looked at your website—what a treasure of information! I’ll enjoy reading it online.

Thank you,Marilyn Smith, Crawfordsville

Response: We are so glad you enjoy our online “treasure,” which includes the maga-zine as a full flip-page version. We love the WFYI subscribers who have found us on the Pledge Drive. We also appreciate the support from readers who pay us for a subscription.

Dear ILG, Thanks for your thoughtful review and kind words about my new book, The Cheapskate Next Door. BTW, quite a number of the stories and people in the book are Hoosiers, including various Amish families in the northern part of the state. If you’re interested in learning more about “fiscal fasting,” I wrote a lot about that topic in my first book, The Ultimate Cheapskate’s Road Map to True Riches, which is also widely available at public libraries. Thanks again for your interest, and... stay cheap!

Jeff Yeager, author

Joy.Peace.Love.Thesearewordsthatusu-allydefinethewinterholidayseason,regard-lessoffaithorculturaltradition. Anotherwordisalsoimportant

incelebration:community.Whetherfamily,neighborhood,work,worship,organization,orprinciple,thecon-nectiontoothersisadefiningcharacteristicofourspecies.Itisvitaltoourwell-being.Belongingtoacommunityprovidesussecurityandhope,andfulfillsthesocialneedsofournature. Butbelongingisonlythestart.Participatingincommunitywillbringgreaterrealiza-tionoftheheartandsoulofourhumanness.Connectingactivelywithlike-mindedothersdoesmorethanjustsatisfyourownneeds.Italsohelpsotherindividualsand,ultimately,the“community”towhichwebelong.Thereareplainandsimplegroupswithdown-to-earthgatherings,aswellashighlystructuredorganizations. Forgreen-focusedgroups,considerGreenDrinks(sevengroupsinIndiana,www.greendrinks.org),theU.S.GreenBuildingCouncilwithfivestatewidechapters,SlowFood(chaptersinIndyandBloomington,withnewonesforminginMuncieandEvansville).EnvironmentalgroupssuchastheHoosierEnvironmentalCouncilandIndianaRecyclingCoalitionalwaysappreciatemoreactivemembers.Groupsencourag-ingrenewableenergyincludethestatewideIndianaRenewableEnergyAssociationandSouthernIndianaRenewableEnergyNetworkinBloomington.Greentransportationadvocacygroupsforbothmasstransit(IndianaCitizensAllianceforTransit)andbicy-cling(INDYCOG),areeagerforyoursupport.AndorganizationssuchastheIndianaOrganicGardenersAssociationandtheBloomingtonOrganicGardenersalsowelcomeyou.There’sevenaGreenSingleswebsitetoconnectwithothergreenHoosiers. Youmightevenfindgreencommunityinyourownbackyard.NeighborhoodgroupssuchasIrvingtonGreenInitiativeinIndianapolisandGreenAcresinBlooming-tonarejusttwoexamplesofthegrowingnumberofgrassrootseffortstocreatesustain-ablecommunitiesonablock-by-blockbasis. Opportunitiesaboundtobepartofsomegreencommunitythisholidayseason!Indiana Living Greenwisheseveryoneawarmconnectiontotheirowncommunityandencouragesalltoparticipateasfullyasyouareable.Therewardsaregreatforyou,yourcommunity,andourEarth.n


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CelebrateTogetherinCommunity

Comments from our readers

rAntS&raveS

6 www.indianalivinggreen.com

Feedingwildbirdshasbecomeapopularpastimeandamultibillion-dollarindustryintheUnitedStates.Andnowonder:Birdseatalot.Mostbirdseatone-quartertoone-halftheirweightdaily,andthosethatstickaroundinthewinterhavetoincreasetheirintaketostaywarmwhenit’scoldout.Intheabsenceoftastyinsectsandfruitingplants,foodismoredifficultforthemtofind,particularlywhenthere’sasnowcover. Fortunatelyforthem,birdfoodiseasyforhumanstofindatpetstores,groceries,gardencenters,andspecialtyshopssuchasWildBirdsUnlimited,withlocationsaroundthestate,andBackyardBirdsinBroadRipple.

Seeds: get the good stuff Itusuallypaystospringforthebet-terqualityseeds.Inexpensivemixesmaycostlessperpound,buttheymayalsocontainmorechaffandotherinedibleplantpartsthatbirdswillignore.Formostbirds,blackoilsunflowerseedsarethebestchoicebecausetheyhaveahighmeat-to-shellratio,lotsoffat,andare

easyforsmallspeciestocrackandeat. Beforeyoufillyourfeeders,makesurethey’reclean.Dirtyfeederscanspreadaviandiseasesandcauseseedtospoilfaster.Afterremovingoldseed,mold,birddroppingsandothergunk,rinsewithvinegarora1:9solutionofbleachandwater,rinsethoroughlywithwater,andletdry.TheAudubonSocietyrecommendscleaningfeederseverytwoweeks. Birdswilleatplentyofotherthingsbesidesbirdseeds,includingbreadspreadwithpeanutbutterandsprinkledwithseeds.Butbearinmindthatyou’llneedtobreakthosethingsintobird-sizedservings.Somebirdsalsolikefruits:Blueberries,andraisinssoakedinwateruntilplumpedaregoodchoices. Somebirdslikesuet,particularlywoodpeckers,flickers,nuthatches,andchickadees.Youcanbuysuet—ormakeyourowncakesbyrenderingbeeffatorbacongreaseandfreezingitintopatties.Aneasywaytogiveatreattocreepingbirdsistosimplyspreadpeanutbutteronatreetrunk.

Location, location, location Givecarefulconsiderationtotheplacementofyourfeeders.Don’tputthemtooclosetobushes,thickets,or

How to play the perfect host for the real snowbirds— the ones that don’t fly south for the winter

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otherplaceswherepredatorscanhide.Tohelpdiscouragesquirrels,placefeedersatleast8feetawayfromtreetrunksorotherjumping-offplaces,preferablymountedonmetalposts. Intheeventthatbirdsofpreyorlargermammalsstarthangingaroundyourfeeders,discontinuefeedinginthatareaandwaitafewdaysuntilthey’vemovedonbeforeresuming.Don’tworryaboutbreakingcontinuity—yourbirdswillbeback. Makewateravailableforyourbirds,too.Positionabirdbathorwateringstationfarenoughfromyourfeedersthatitwon’tgetseedinit,againbearinginmindwhereanypotentialpredatorscouldhide.Infreezingweather,you’llneedtoreplacethewaterdaily. Ifyou’reuptodoingalittleland-scaping,treesbeneficialtobirdsincludehackberry,mulberry,mountainash,maples,blackcherry,hawthorn,andoaks;aswellasfood-bearingshrubsincludeserviceberry,dogwoods,choke-cherry,blackberry,raspberry,blueberry,wildrose,andgooseberry.Beforeplant-inganytreesorshrubs,doalittlere-searchfirst—somearemessyand,whilethebirdsmaylikethem,youmightnot.

Give ‘em shelter Toprovidewintershelterforbirds,plantevergreens—cedar,spruce,orhemlock.Commonjuniperisalsoagoodshelterplant,anditsberriesprovidefoodforsomespecies. Feedingwildbirdscanofferagreatdealofentertainmentinexchangeforrelativelylittleeffortorexpense.Andonceyougetsettledintoyourbird-watchingstationwithyourbirdbook,binoculars,andcamera(andyourseedcatalog),wintermightbealittlemorebearable.n

Mark Finch learned about birds (and lots of other

things) from his mother, Virginia, who was a volunteer

naturalist at Eagle Creek Park for 40 years.

Earlierthisyear,morethanahalf-billioneggswererecalled,mostofwhich—stunningly—weretracedtotwopoorlyrunindustriallivestockoperationsinIowa.Thatincidentillustrateshowafewbadeggscanhavefar-reachingfoodsafetyimplications. IndustriallivestockoperationsdottheIndianalandscape,numberingmorethan3,000,accordingtostatefigures.Nearly80percentareofthelargestsize—ConcentratedAnimalFeedingOperations(CAFOs)—withthousandsofhogsortensofthousandsofchickensinasinglefacility.From2002to2007,Indianaexperiencedatriplingoftotallivestock,accordingtotheIndianaBusinessResearchCenter.Poorlymanagedindustriallivestockoperationscanbeamajorrisktotheenvironment.U.S.CAFOsproduceapproximately300milliontonsofmanureeveryyear,roughlytwicethatofthehumanpopulation.Butincontrasttohumanwaste,animalmanurefromCAFOsisbyandlargenottreated.Fullofnitrates,

phosphates,andpathogens,thewasteisgenerallyappliedtoorirrigatedbackontofarmland. Intheabsenceofeffectivestateoversight,someCAFOoperatorshaveimprop-erlyappliedtheiruntreatedmanure,andotheroperatorshavelettheirwastelagoonsfillupwithmanurebeyondthedesignedlimits.Bothsituationscanleadtocontami-nationofriversandgroundwater.Justthissummer,anindustriallivestockoperatorover-applied200,000gallonsofmanureontoa60-acrespace,whichisallegedtohavecontributedtothedeathofmorethan100,000fishinjustafewdays. HECanditspartnersareactivelyinvolvedinshapingthedevelopmentofnewwastepolicybytheIndianaDepartmentofEnvironmentalManagement(IDEM)andtheIndianaStateChemistOffice.WhiletheseruleswillbetterprotectIndiana’swaterways,manygapsinenvironmentalandhealthsafeguardswilllikelyremain.TheStateChemistOfficeis,forexample,notgoingtorequiremandatorypathogentestingaspartofitsnewmanurehaulercertificationprogram.Indianaisunlikelytorequirethatoperatorshavethefinancialresourcestoproperlyandsafelyclosetheirmanurepits.Andthenewrulesareunlikelytocreatereasonabledistancesbetweenindustriallivestockoperationsandwaterways,orsimplifytheprocesswherebylocalgovernmentshavetheauthoritytoregulatemanuremanagement. Buyingdairy,meat,andeggsfromlocallyowned,free-rangefarmsisastepthatreaderscantake.Butyoucanmultiplyyourimpactbygettinginvolvedatanevenbroaderlevel:Giveyourvoicetoupcominglegislationin2011thatwillsafeguardourrivers,groundwater,andultimatelyourhealth.Tolearnmore,[email protected],“CAFOs.”n

Jesse KharbandaistheexecutivedirectoroftheHoosierEnvironmentalCouncil.Learnmoreaboutrenewablestandardsandtheorganization’sworkatwww.hecweb.org

hoosier environment by Jesse KhArbANDA

UntreatedCAFOWasteFoulsIndianaWaters

HEC and its partners

are actively involved in

shaping the development

of new waste policy.

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Budget Fixes for Cold-Weather Energy Savings

ByHelenW.O’Guinn

WeHoosiersgobbleupenergyataprodigiousrate,rankingusthe10th-highestpercapitaconsumerofenergyamongthe50states,accordingtoEnergyTrends.org,awebsitethattracksenergyconsumptionandisfundedbytheLexingtonInstitute.DonSoifer,executivevicepresidentoftheinstitute,says,“ResidentialuseofcoalwasabigpartofthepictureinIndiana.”Henotesthatwedon’tyetusealotofrenewablefuels,suchassolarandwind.That,though,squareswithmuchofthecountry.“Asanation,wetalkaboutsolarandwind,butwedon’tuseverymuchofit.Wearealongwayfromhavingthosebeabigpartofourusage.” Inthemeantime,theOld Farmer’s Almanacispredictingacolder-than-nor-malwinterforourregion.Withnotonlytheenvironmentatissuebutalsoyourpocketbook,whatcanyoudonowtoprepyourhomeforwinterbothinexpen-sivelyandeffectively?

Audit your energy usage Startbyfiguringoutwhereyou’relosingheat.Anauditwillhelpyoufindtheanswers.Therearethreeroutes:

1. Do it yourself. AlthoughmanysitesontheInternettellyouhowtoperformyourownenergyaudit,youcan’tdoanybetterthantheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy’ssite,www.energysavers.gov.It’seasytounder-stand,thorough,andthoughtful.

2.Turn to your power company.IPL,Duke,andVectrenofferonlinetoolstohelpcustomersanalyzeenergyus-age.DukespokesmanLewMiddletonsaysthathiscompanyalsooffersfree

on-siteenergyauditing.Hehastenstoexplain,“Customerscan’tcallupandrequestanaudit.Wewillnotifycustomerswhentheirzipcodecomesupandthentheycansignup.”Dukecontractswithindependentenergyauditors,buttheserviceisfree.IPL’swebsitenotesasimilarservice,alsofree.

3. Use a professional energy audi-tor. AlbertSchinaziofHomeChekexplainsthathecandodifferentkindsofaudits.Hecanspotmanyissuesbysimplywalkingthroughyourhome.Hismostcomprehensiveauditinvolvesbringingindiagnosticequipment,analyzingtheresults,andsendingyouafullwrittenreport.Anauditcanrangefrom$200to$800,

dependinguponthescopeoftheprojectandthesizeofthehouse.Anenergyauditorwillnotonlypinpointairleakagebutalsocheckcarbon-dioxidelevelsinthehome,ensuringthattoxic-gaslevelsdon’tincreasewhenyouplugleaks.

Little things make a difference Becauseheatingaccountsforthelargestportionofhome-energyusageinwinter,accordingtoIPL,reducingtherateofairexchangecansignificantlyloweryourbill.It’snotlikely,however,topaybackaninvestmentinanewfurnaceorlow-E,argon-filled,double-panedwindowsforquiteawhile. Buttherearelotsofbudget-friendlystepsyoucantakeimmediately.

1. Putweatherstrippingarounddoorsandcaulkaroundwindows.

2.Ifyouliveinanoldhome,insulateoutsidewallelectricaloutletsandswitchesaswell.(Thoseinnewerhomesshouldalreadybeinsulated.)

3.Closethecurtains!Evencellularblindshelpblockcoldair—heavydraperiesevenmoreso.

4.Wrapwindowsinplastic.Inexpensiveinsulationkitsfromthehardwarestore,ahairdryer,andscissorsareall

Illustration Courtesy of the US Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR Program


youneedto“laminate”windows untilspring.5.Ifyouhaven’talready,insulateyour

attic—it’snotnearlyasexpensiveaswhole-houseinsulation.

6.Replaceincandescentbulbswith fluorescents.Withfewerhoursof daylightinthewinter,you’llhave

lightsonmoreoften.7.Forareasonableinvestment,a dual-actionceilingfanwithareverse

switchpusheswarmairdown.8.Blanketyourwaterheaterininsulation.9.Anddon’tforgettheeasiestandleast-

expensivefix:Turndownthethermo-stat,pullonasweater,andtossanextrablanketonthebed.n

Helen W. O’Guinn, an Indianapolis writer and editor,

will greet this winter with a cozy cardigan, down duvet,

and fluffy slippers.

A little stimulus for youFor more expensive fixes, you may be ableto get some help from the government. Until the end of 2010, you can take a 30-percent tax deduction up to $1,500 on the some furnaces, window and door replacement, roofs, and water heaters. In addition, there are state incentives (www.in.gov/oed/2379.htm), and some utilities offer their own programs—go to this site for details: www.dsireusa.org/incentives/

r e s O u r C e s :AREA ENERGY COMpANIESDuke Energy, 800.521.2232www.duke-energy.com/Indiana.asp

Indianapolis Power & Light Company800.261.8222, www.iplpower.com

Vectren Corporation, 800.227.1376www.vectren.com

ENERGY AudITORSEnergyChek, 317.259.0759www.energyhomechek.com

Thermo-Scan, 800.846.4655www.thermo-scan.com

INFORMATIONDasolar.com, www.dasolar.comResidential Energy Services Networkwww.resnet.usEnergy Star, www.energystar.gov


Inspring,summer,andfall,friendsandneighborsengageinaffablecommunion.Withitsarrival,cinerealwinterevokesasacredprivacythatnootherseasonpresents.Onlyduringtheausterityofwintercanyoutakepleasureinlengthy,hushedstretchestosavorwhat’strulysignificant.Inwinterthere’ssolittletodo,youcanpermityourselftheluxuryoffertilecontemplationwhilepercolatingearthlylessons.Asthegardenpeacefullyslumbers,enumerableactivitiesoccurdeepwithinthemuskysoil.Justlikehumans,gardensusethistimetoprocessandstowawayknowledgefrompreviousseasonalexperiences,torebuild,toreinforcerootsystems,andtorestorecosmicvitality. Emergingseekersyettoblossommaystillliveincom-pletedisconnectfromtheadverseimpactsoftheirdailychoicesandactivitiesonthethirdstarfromthesun.OurcollectivemindsharborblindspotstothefalloutfromBigFoodandourdietarysupportofagribusinesseco-terrorists;acrisisofculturethathasagargantuanimpact.Happily,manydevelopinggreeniesaregrowingmoreconsciousastohowtheirbehavioraffectslifetothefarcornersoftheearth. Bythecommencementofthe21stcentury,societyhadlosttouchwithwhatmaybethesingularsensibilityfundamentaltooursurvivalasaspecies:agreen,reverent,sustainableculture.Mightwinterbethetimetoconsiderhowmodernlifehasdiminishedourinnate,heavenlyskillsandwisdom?Asthetemperaturedrops,thedaysgetshorter;animals,insects,andplantshavegonetosleep;thesunappearslowinthesky.Inpeace-filleddarkness,webecomemoreconsciousofthewondrousunknownsoflife,loss,death,rebirth,andthenaturalrhythmsoftheEarth. Stokeawarmingfire,sitnexttothesummerplantyoubroughtinsideforthewinter,reflectonhowourspeciesthreatenstoconsumeandbefoulthenaturalworldataratefarexceedingourplanet’scarryingcapacity.Scrutinizeyourhabitsasyoucontinuethevoyageofgreeningyourlifeandhome. BeforetheIndustrialRevolution,ourliveswereintimatelytiedtotheseasons,andwedevelopedtraditionstoexpressthesetransitionaltimesinuniqueways.Eachseasonhaditsowncustoms,representedinsymbolsandcelebrations;springwasabouttherebirthoflifeonEarth,summeraboutcultivationandfruitfulness,autumnaboutharvestandspiritualattunement,andwinteraboutthereturnoflightinthemidstofdarkness. Digintothereservesyouaccumulatedduringtheyear,aperfectoccasiontobaskintheglowofyourimagination.Grabgrandmother’safghanandcurlupwithyourKindle,driftofftoyourfavoritetunes,orjournalyourreflections,perchancetodiscoveryoursouloverflowingwithclarity,likestarspaintedontotheinfinite,cobalt,frost-polishedheavens.n

Chef Wendell Fowler(www.chefwendell.com)hasbeenaveganvegetarianfor20years,promptedbyhisnear-deathfromterminalviralheartdisease.Helost100poundsandovercamealcohol,cigarettes,andfastfood.Deathcanberathermotivating.

e a t r i g h t n o w by weNDell FOwler

InWinter,DwellWithin

In winter there’s so little to do, you can permit yourself the luxury of fertile contemplation while percolating earthly lessons.

Cooking up community spirit Two summers ago, when a couple of sweltering kitchen sessions pitched oven heat against air-condition-ing, Shawndra Miller decided to take her bread-baking outside. Using a solar cooker seemed a good solution. Since then, she’s successfully cooked up len-til casseroles, whole grain dishes, fruit cobblers, stews—even a chicken. Unfortunately, she didn’t have much luck with the bread. But that’s the only downside to Miller’s experience with sun-pow-ered food prep. In fact, as part of Spirit & Place Festival in November, she and partner Judy Hostetler will demonstrate the joys of solar cooking on Sunday, November 7 during Irvington’s SkillShare “Feast”ival. Driven by a “waste-not, want-not” ethic, Miller says that her upbringingas a Mennonite has contributed to her focus on conservation and seeking out ways to use less and save more. “I’ve always had a passion for nature, and waste has always bothered me. It’s definitely contributed to how I think and act today.” One of those acts has been to build a relationship with “place.” In 2007, she and neighbor Laura Hildreth co-founded the Irvington Green Initiative as a community clearinghouse of information via a bimonthly newsletter and frequent gatherings. Since then, the organization “has taken on a life of its own.” From the initiative came the Irvington Development Organization. Neighbors get together for Green Hour once a month. IGI sponsors film screenings. It has created a teaching rain garden. The close-knit group operates—says Miller—on a net-zero budget. “We do this all on our own love of neighborhood and commitment to sustainability.” SkillShare is one of the biggest project IGI has tackled, Miller says of the Spirit & Place event that she is heading up. The “Feast”ival is an afternoon of demonstrations, allowing Irvington folks to share their expertise in a range of areas of self-reliance: food canning, cold-frame gardening, beekeeping, beer brewing, composting, and—of course—solar cooking. Attendees are likely to learn how easy and inexpensive it is to build a solar cooker. Miller reports that Hostetler put together the device using two boxes, aluminum foil, some insula-tion, duct tape, a piece of glass, and a few more items for an investment of $10 to $15. Miller is not expecting the workshop to change the world—yet. But she knows how ideas spread: one person at a time. “It’s not something that a lot of people would do, but if half a dozen people got excited enough to build their own solar cooker, that’s cool.” n

For Shawndra Miller’s “suntata” recipe, visit www.IndianaLivingGreen.com.

November/December 2010 1 1

f o o t p r i n t s

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D-plus.That’sagradethatmightcompelmoststudentstoreconsidertheirfieldofstudy.WhenIndianaUniversityBloomingtonreceivedsuchamarkfromtheCollegeSustainabilityReportCardin2007,however,campusactivistorgani-zationsonlycontinuedtheirhardwork.Asof2010,I.U.haspulledthegradeup

b y b e T s y s h e l D O N


toaB-minus,andappearsdeterminedtotransformtheschoolwitha40,000populationintoanA-plusBigTenofGreen. Theachievementisinnosmallpartduetolongtimecommitmentfromstudents,faculty,andadministration,butwascertainlybolsteredbytheIndianaUniversityTaskForceonCampusSus-tainabilityjustpriorto2007.Thegroupdevelopedalong-termplan—whichincludedthecreationoftheIndianaUni-versityOfficeofSustainability(IUOS). EnterBillBrown.InFebruary2009,heassumeddirectorshipoftheoffice.TheI.U.alumnusbringsimpressivecre-dentialstothejob:Anarchitect,hewasonthesteeringgroupthatcreatedtheAIANationalCommitteeontheEnvi-ronment,andparticipatedintheGreen-ingoftheWhiteHousein1993.He’sbeenactiveintheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncilatastateandnationallevel.Heisarecipientofseveralawards,includingtwonationalAIAPresidentialAwardsand,mostrecently,theLugarEnergyPatriotaward.

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gradeByBetsySheldon

Making the

I.U. Bloomington is on an accelerated track to improve its environmental report card.

BrownrecognizedthatmanyoftheexistingI.U.greeninitiativeswereslowedorstalledbecauseofcommunica-tionbarriersbetweendifferentdepart-mentsandfactions.So,leveraginghisstaffoftwoandadozenorsointernstobetheconduittoadvancesustain-ability,hesettledonthemosteffectivestrategy:buildingcommunity.“There’snotverymuchthatwedobyourselves,”saysBrown.“We’rereallytryingasanofficetobeacatalystforcollaborationandconnectvariousfactions:operations,faculty,andstudents.”

Themester credits Oneexampleofsuchacollaborativeeffortisthe2010Themester,theannualsemester-longstudyprogramthroughtheCollegeofArtsandSciences.“Sustain.ability:ThrivingonaSmallPlanet,”isthisyear’stheme,supportedbyatuition-freecurriculumoflectures,films,anddiscussions,runningfromSeptemberthroughmid-December. Brownticksoffajustafewforwardactionsoncampus:E-wasteDays,saving

suchastheIUStudentAssociation.TheStudentSustainabilityCouncilprovidesthestructurewherebroadandnicheorganizationscancommunicatewithoneanother.” Someofthemostfar-reachingcampusinitiativesarestudent-driven.TheEnergyChallengecompetitiontoconserveelectricityandwaterhas,initsthirdspring,saved2.5milliongallonsofwaterand1millionkilowatthoursof


morethan1millionpoundsoftossedcomputersandperipheralsinatwo-yearperiod;ZipcarandZimrideservice,al-lowingcheapcarrentalsforoccasionaldrivingneedsandanonlinerideshareboard;studentgardening,promotinguseoflocalfoodindininghalls,andinves-tigatinguniversity-widecomposting;astudentsustainabilitywebsiteincorporat-ingblogsandpodcasts;thegreeningoftheIndianaMemorialUnion;aformalcommitmenttoseekLEEDcertificationonallnewbuildingprojects;andanin-tegratedenergymasterplanthatprojectsa$15millioninvestmenttoupgrade23buildingandincreasethetreecanopyfrom20percentto40percent.

Student power Thefocusoncollaborationandcommunityisadriveratthestudentlevel,aswell.DirectoroftheStudentSustainabilityCouncilJacobBowers-BirseestheroleofSSCassimilartothatofIUOS.“Wehaveseveralnicheorganiza-tionsdedicatedtooneaspectofsustain-ability.Thenwehavethelargebodies — Continued on page 14

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energy—enoughtoavoidCO2emissionsof1.6millionpoundsandsavetheuniversitynearly$70,000.Thefirst-everfallcompetitionrunsthroughOctoberthisyear,andhasexpandedtoinclude10residencehalls,18fraternitiesandsororities,and12academicbuildings. Thechallengerepresentsatremendouslevelofcooperationamongdifferentbodies,saysMcKenzieBever-age,whodirectstheinitiative.But,shesays,thebottomlineisbasedonsmallsteps.“Ourgoalisgreaterawarenessabouttheimpactthatsmallbehavioralchangescanhave:turningofflights,choosingnottotaketheelevator,turningoffthecomputerattheendoftheday.”

Small steps toward big changes Persuadingstudentsthatlittlestepsareimportantisnotalwaysaneasytask.NotesBeverage,“Whenyou’rereaching40,000people,you’regoingtofinddifferentreactions:Somereallyembraceit,someseeitasaneverydayfactoflife,someareambivalent,andsomedislikeit.” But,sheconcedes,thecultureisshifting.“Greenisbecomingaveryacceptedwayoflifehere.It’snotjustanicheinterest.It’sbecomingmainstream.” Asthetopicbecomesmoremain-stream,sodoestheneedforhigherlearn-inginthatrealm.IUOSseekstoexpanddegreeopportunities.Inhisfact-gatheringforThemester,Brownwasheartenedtofindthatmorethan240coursesrelat-ingtosustainabilityareofferedthroughIndianaUniversity. Noreasontostopthere:AdegreeprogramisindevelopmentandBrownintroduced,justlastyear,anewclassonsustainablecommunities.Henotesthatfellowships,scholarships,internships,andothertoolsareavailabletosupportstudentsseekingexperience—andthatmuchoftheresearchthat’shelpedtoguidetheIUOSactivitieshascomefromthesestudents’work.

Seeking a national standard Arecent20/20visionretreat,saysBrown,resultedinadefiningmission:topositionIndianaUniversityasanationalleaderincampussustainability.Butby

— Continued from page 13


whosestandard?“Therearealotofrank-ingsoutthere,”Brownreflects. “Butwe’removingtowardanationalstandard.”AndthatmeasureistheSustainabilityTracking,Assessment&Rating—STARS—fromtheAssociationfortheAdvancementofSustainableHigherEducation.“We’vesignedonasachartermember.” Bower-Birs,however,advisesthatcampusactivistsnotgettootiedupingrades,assuchrankingsystemsareoftenmisused.“Sometimestheseratingsonlygradewhatlookstobehappening.I.U.hasdonealot—whatwefailtodoispublicizewhatwedo,”hesays.“We’regoingtodoabetterjobofgettingpeopletorecognizeallthegoodthingsthatwe’redoing.” Indeed,everyoneseemstobeonthebandwagontodojustthat.What’scriticalnow,saysBrown,iskeepingthevariouscomponentsconnectedandsynergisticinordertomaintainprogress.“We’refacingreallycomplex,unprece-dentedissues.Thewaytomakeprogressisthroughalargeflexibleorganizationthatcanrespondquicklyandeffectively.Thingsarereallytakingoff—it’snearlyimpossibletokeeptrackofeverythingthat’sgoingon.” That’stheperspectiveofBower-Birs,too.“I.U.hasthecommitment,theminds,andtheeffort.Soon,peoplewillassociatesustainabilitywithI.U.I’mnotjustoptimisticaboutthat.I’mveryoptimistic.”n

r e s O u r C e s :Indiana University Office of Sustainability:www.indiana.edu/~sustain/home.html

Association for the Advancement of Sustainable Higher Education: www.aashe.org.

Themester: www.themester.indiana.edu

Energy Challenge: www.Energychallenge.Indiana.edu

Photo courtesy of Indiana University Office of Sustainability.


IndianaLocally sourced holiday meals from Indy’s greenest chefs

Cooks AttheendofAugust,it’seasyforIn-dianaresidentstoembraceeatinglocal.Tomatoes,peppers,zucchini,eggplants,andmelonsfillfarmersmarketsandgroceryshelves,andapples,pumpkins,andwintersquasharejustbeginningtomakeanappearance. ButbythetimeThanksgivingarrives,manyfoodenthusiastsgiveupontheirefforts.Andwhenconfrontedwithholidayentertainment,theyreverttoproduceshippedfromChileandNewZealand,orrelyonboxed,bagged,orfrozenproductsfromtheaislesofthechainsupermarket. There’snoarguingthateatinglocalismoreofachallengeoncethefieldsfreezeoverinIndiana.ButthereareplentyofwaystobringHoosier-producedfoods

tothetable:Winterfarmersmarketsaregrowinginnumberandexpandinginofferings.Indiana-basedproviderswithforesightarepreservingsummersurplus,fromraspberryjamtocannedtomatoes.Andlocalmeats,eggs,anddairyprod-uctsremainavailableyear-round. WeaskedahostofIndiana-basedchefsandcatererstosuggestaholidaymenubasedonlocalofferings.Whilethedishesaren’texclusivelyfromlocalin-gredients,localcontributionsdominateeachmenu.Andmanyofthe“invisible”ingredients—flour,butter,eggs,milk—aresourcedwithinIndiana,aswell. Withalittleresearchandalotofin-genuity,ourculinarycontributorsraidedtheirrootcellars,searchedtheirpantries,scouredthefarmersmarkets,andvisited

theirfavoritesupplierstopresentthiscornucopiaofmouthwateringmaster-pieces.ThemealsreflectavarietyoffestiveoccasionsfromaThanksgivingbanquettoaheartyNewYear’sbrunch.Thechefssharetheirsuggestionshere.Youcanfindtherecipesatwww.Indi-anaLivingGreen.com.

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Top,ThomEngland’sautumnharvestsoupshowcasespumpkinandbutternutsquash,bothplentifulatfarmersmarketsinlatefall.Above,afrittatawithGoudaandpotatoesfeaturescheesefromTrader’sPointCreamery.

Thom England’s Christmas dinner

IndianafoodtraditionsisafavoritetopicofThomEngland,culinaryartsinstructoratIVYTechandactivememberofSlowFoodIndy.Servinguptidbitsofculinaryheritage,hepointstopolenta,ahistoricstapleofIndiana.AndnothingsaysHoosier,henotes,likeapersimmon-baseddessert.HisholidaymenufeaturesdishesthatwinblueribbonsattheStateFairandyieldahearty,fillingrepast.

Christmas Herb-roasted leg of lamb Autumn harvest soup with squash Sauteed Indiana brussels sprouts Goat cheese polenta

Persimmon sugar cream pie

IndianaCooks

A Thanksgiving banquet from Green B.E.A.N. Delivery

MostpeopleknowGreenB.E.A.N.Delivery(formerlyFarmFreshDelivery)asafarm-to-kitchendeliverycompany.Thecompanyalsooffersacateringservice,ablydrivenbychefsElizabethBlessingandBrandonHamilton.Thetwohavetheirfingersonthepulseofthelocalandregionalfoodindustry—afterallit’sthebreadandbutterofthefam-ily-ownedcompany.

Thanksgiving Roasted winter squash with chorizo and goat cheese crema on crostini Persimmon and spinach salad with roasted onion vinaigrette Turkey with herb glaze and chardonnay gravy

Pumpkin apple pie

Bloomingfoods’ Thanksgiving vegan-style

Thegreatthingaboutthemenupro-posedbychefsKaiBookwalterandAlanSimmerman?Youcangeteverylastlocalingredient—fromcornmealtocannedfruit—fromBloomingfoods’MarketandDeliinBloomington.Anotherplus:Thespreadisaheartyalternativeforveganswhocravethedepthoftradi-tionalfestivemeals.It’seasilyadaptedtoacarnivore’spalatebysimplyaddingaturkey(whichthestorecarries,too).

Vegan Thanksgiving Walnut loaf and mushroom gravy Wild rice salad Cornbread stuffing Glazed yams Berry pie made with preserved summer berries


Hanukkuh Couscous with lamb and squash Zucchini latkes Applesauce

Sufganyot (jam-filled pastries)

Sharon Mishkin’s Hanukkah supper

SharonMishkindirectsfoodpreparationforeventsatCongrega-tionBethElZedeckinIndianapolis.InkeepingwithJewishdietarylaws,shemusttakecareaboutingredients.HerrecipefortraditionalHanukkahsufganyot,forexample,replacesmilkwithanondairysubstitute,becauseit’snotkoshertomixmilkandmeatatthesamemeal.FoodscookedinoilareaHanukkahhallmark,hark-ingtotheMiracleofLights,whenonesmallportionoflampoillastedforeightnights.

Jennifer Laughner’s winter solstice repast

FormerchefforEarthHouseinIndianapolis,ChefJenxiehasestablishedaprivatecateringservice,butshehasn’tdesertedherculinaryroots:down-to-earthingredients.“IlovethefreshflavorsofIndianaproduceandproducts.Myfavoritewintermealcanbemadeusingalllocalfare.”Thefollowing

menuisaperfectreflectionofthespiritofwintersolstice.

Winter Solstice

Sweet and sour cabbage with sausage

Whipped potatoes and parsnips

Fried apples in maple syrup

Pumpkin bread

— Continued on page 18

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New Year’s brunch from Trader’s Point Creamery

Sourceofaward-winningyogurtandsiteofafarmersmarketthatrunsinsummerandwinter,Trader’sPointCreameryinZionsvillealsofeaturessomesatisfyingdininginitsloft.Delectabledishesareworthcelebrating,especiallyatholidays.Afarm-heartybrunch,showcasingeggs,cheese,andyogurtfromtheCreameryisagreatwaytogettheyearofftoagoodstart.

New Year‘s BrunchFrittata with Gouda and potatoesCrispy baconEnglish muffinsYogurt panna cotta with candied pecans and honey applesTrader’s Point eggnog


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YogurtpannacottafromTheLoftRestaurantatTrader’sPointCreamery


r e s O u r C e s :

By no means a comprehensive list, the following reflects the sources of ingredients included by our cooks. For more information about where to find local foods, visit the following sites:• www.localharvest.org• www.goinglocal-info.com• www.indyfoodfarmfamily.org

MEAT Goose the Market, Indianapolis www.goosethemarket.com

Gunthorp Farms, LaGrange www.gunthorpfarms.com

Moody Meats, Avon, Zionsville, Ladoga www.moodymeats.com

Skillington Farms, Lebanonwww.skillingtonfarms.com, winter market IWFM

Viking Lamb, Morristownwww.vikinglamb.com/meat

dAIRY ANd EGGSCapriole Farmstead, Greenvillewww.capriolegoatcheese.com

Skillington Farms, Lebanonwww.skillingtonfarms.com, winter market IWFM

Traders Point Creamery, Zionsvillewww.tpforganics.com

pROduCEBeasley’s Orchard, Danvillewww.beasleys-orchard.com

FDK Growers, garlic, onions, by special order or through delivery service, Orleans

Stout’s Melody Acres, Indianapolis Winter Market, Bloomington Winter Market

Valentine Hill Farms, Zionsvillewww.valentinehillfarm.com

OTHERClabber Girl, cornstarch, baking powder, Terre Haute, www.clabbergirl-store.com

Easley Winery, Indianapoliswww.easelywinery.com

Fields of Agape, flour, grains, Carthagewww.fieldsofagape.com

Heartland Distillers, Indianapoliswww.heartlanddistillers.com

Local Folks Foods, condiments, sauces, jams, and salsas, Sheridan www.localfolks.food

Nicole Taylor’s, vinegar, pasta, sauces, found at farmers markets

Scholar’s Inn Bakehouse, www.scholarsinn.com

STORES THAT CARRY AN ABuNdANCE OF LOCAL pROduCTSBloomingfoods Market and Deli, Bloomingtonwww.bloomingfoods.coop

Good Earth, 6350, Guilford Ave., Indianapolis www.good-earth.com

Goose the Market, 2503 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, www.goosethemarket.com

WINTER FARMERS MARkETSIndy Winter Market, 530 E. Ohio St.www.indywinterfarmersmarket.org

Traders Point Creamery, 9101 Moore Rd.Zionsville, www.tpforganics.com

Winter Farmers Market, 909 E. 2nd St.Bloomington, [email protected]

Down With


Present-10 ways to dodge shopping stress, give without generating waste, and reclaim the holidays this year

By Judy Kenninger

AnyonewhodoubtstheinsanityofourmodernholidaysshoulddrivethroughanysubdivisiononthefirsttrashdayafterDecember25.Thedebrisspillingfromrubbishcansatteststotherampantconsumptionthathascometodefineholidaycelebrations. Inresponse,theReverendBilly,aNewYorkCity-basedperformanceartist,hasstartedtheChurchofLifeAfterShopping.AhighholydayforthisgroupisBuyNothingDay,onitsliturgicalcalendarastheFridayafterThanksgiving.Sharingtheinspira-tion,Adbusters,ananti-consumer-ismactivistgroup,ispromotingtheBuyNothingChristmas. “’Tistheseasontoreclaimouryear-endcelebrationsandmakethemourownagain,”saystheAdbusterswebsite.Bothgroupsurgeustothinkabouthowwereallywanttoliveandtoactivelyincorporatethosegoalsinto

The Buy-Nothing Strategy

Unilateraldisarmamentinthegiftwarwithoutnegotiatingatreatyfirstmaynotbeeasy.Trytosetexpectationsandobtaincooperationfromco-workers,grandmothers,siblings,and

friends.Youmayfindtheywelcomeano-giftpolicy.

Thebuy-nothingholidaydoesn’thavetomeanano-giftholiday.Afunactivityisthewhiteelephantgiftexchange

party.Everyonebringssomethingtheyownbutdon’tneed.(Wrappresentsinoldnewspapers,shoppingbags,orpillow-

cases.)Afterthefirstpersonopensagift,thenextpersoncantakethatgiftorchooseonefromthepile.Eachgiftcanonly

changehandsonceperround.

The perfect gift

Not a thing in a box, but something

personal and meaningful. An invitation,

perhaps: to an outing, to dinner . . . really,

to just sit and talk.

Ray Woodcock, student, Bloomington

tensetheholidays.Amajorplusisthatfindingthetruemeaningoftheholidaysiseasierwhenyou’renotspendingeverysparemomentatthemall. Ifyou’rereadytostoptheinsanity,checkouttheseprescriptionsforhappiergift-givingthisyear.

November/December 2010 2 1

Present-

A helpful service. TheResidentialEnergyServicesNetworkhasasearchengineforcertifiedhome-energyaudi-tors.Overtime,thisgiftcouldsavetherecipienthundredsofdollars,plushelpsavetheplanet.Otherideas:hotmealsdeliveredtoanelderlyrelative,housekeepingservices,amassage,andaportraitsessionwithaphotographer.

tense Youcanalsomakegiftsfromthingsaroundyourhome.Theonlylimitisyourimagination.

• Make cuttings from houseplants • Can vegetables from your garden • Repair and refinish an old chair, picture frame, or table • Build a garden cold frame out of an old window and some bricks • Put together a book of family recipes • Record a DVD of your child singing holiday songs for a far-away grandparent • Pack a suitcase filled with old clothes and jewelry for a child dress-up trunk.

The No-Object Lesson

Ifbuyingnothingistooextreme,tryforanobject-freeapproachandgivethegiftofexperience.

Event tickets.Ballet,theater,music,movies.Afterallthehype,every-oneiscurioustoseethenewPalladiumconcerthallopeningatCarmel’sCenterforthePerformingArtsonJanuary29.

2

Memberships. Museums,parks,anddues-payingorganizations.TheIndianaStateMuseum’sTITANIC: The Artifact Exhibitionrunsthrough

Jan.16,2011,andmembersreceivea$10discountontickets.

Classes. Art,photography,swimming,upholstery,tennis.Forhow-topossi-bilities,checkouttheIndianapolisArtCenter,IUPUI’sCommunityLearningNetwork,andtheJCCACEclassesforeverythingfromglass-blowingtobluesharmonica.

The perfect gift

A couple of years ago my piano

teacher, local artist and composer

Becky Archibald, wrote a piano

piece and dedicated it to me,

because I teach her on Sunday.

doris Jane Conway, sustainability activist Indianapolis

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The perfect gift

I like to give massages—I am not the one performing

the massage: Usually I go to a local place like Heal Thy Self

and purchase a massage for someone.

Neal Bennett, president Green Broad Ripple, Indianapolis

The perfect gift

Membership to the

Indy Food Coop.

Jeff Echols, architect, member of Irvington Green Initiative

The Home-grown approach

Ifyousimplymustshop,consideritemsthatarerecycledormadelocally.Giftsfromnearbyfarms,orchards,andmanufacturersreducetheenergycostsofshipping.

• At Trader’s Point Creamery, find a gift box of three locally made artisan cheeses.

• Fair trade Endangered Species chocolates are made by an Indianapolis-based chocolatier; Peace Leaf Tea— its signature Mellow Morning Blend is made with lavender from Willowfield Lavender Farm in Mooresville.

• At Beasley’s Orchard, custom-create your gift box, adding nuts and candy to your specifications. Most other orchards have similar programs.

The gift of giving

Adoptapolarbear,snowleopard,orgiantpandathroughtheWorldWild-lifeFund;Allama,pig,bees,andmorethroughHeiferInternational;throughOxfam,schoolsuppliesormosquitonettingtoprotectyoungchildreninmalaria-riddencountries.Mostsuchdonationsaretransactedonlineandtherecipientgetsane-certificate(agreatchoiceforlast-minuteshoppers).


The perfect gift

I’ve done Heifer several times and a new favor-

ite is The Smile Train. I love the idea of one of

these children having a beautiful, new smile.

Michael Ryan, yoga instructor, Indianapolis

• Both Half-Price Books (locations around the city) and Half.com offer a wide selection of used books. Personalize your gift with an inscription.

• Herbal Art in Fishers has skincare products and candles made from thyme, lavender, and other natural ingredients. They even have a dog shampoo, Boo’s Shampoo, for $13, so Fido doesn’t feel left out.

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Thank goodness for the explosion of clutches, totes, and shoulder bags made from reclaimed materials. And when you buy a creation made by a local entrepreneur, even better. In fact, treating someone on your gift list to one of these fabulous finds is more than acceptable; it’s the responsible thing to do! So go ahead—get carried away.

ReFind Originals It used to be a…bomber jacket Anita Hopper bought a buttery-soft men’s leather jacket at Goodwill for $9.99, sewed it into a purse—and it was so pretty and polished, someone bought it. That was at least 1,000 bags ago. Her line, ReFind Originals, is sold in several local boutiques and on her own website. Styles include smart shoulder bags and clutches with ruffles, a large leather flower, or jacket-pocket detail. Hopper will also re-imagine a piece hanging in your closet. “I might use someone’s shirt as a lining,” she says. “They become keepsake bags.”

Felt Sew GoodIt used to be a…wool sweaterCheryl Patterson says she was the “nerdy kid who liked

home ec” before she became a professional graphic designer. She’s putting both crafts-manship and visual savvy to good use now as the creator of Felt Sew Good, a collection of stylish felted-wool bags. The process starts with shrinking old sweaters in the washing machine, which melds the fibers together so they don’t unravel. Patterson then irons the wool and gives it new life as a stunning purse. Her 12 styles mix colors and prints, and jazz up the design with other sturdy fabrics such as herringbone from a man’s jacket—and the pockets remain functional.

Eco Billboard BagsIt use to be a…roadside advertisement

Even the tackiest highway billboard becomes a thing of beauty in the hands of Cynthia England and Jeanne Shirley. They tested the colorful toteables at a cocktail party. More than 150 bags sold. Every billboard has enough material to cut and stitch 20 to 80 bags. Usually, the design yields a variety of swatches for completely one-of-a-kind totes—a bold geometric shape, a colorful abstract image, or huge initials. Eco Billboard bags come in five styles, from a cosmetics case to a large beach tote. Boxy, slightly stiff, and unfussy, these are utility bags that send a message.

RCA dome BagsIt used to be a…stadium roof Much of the fabric roof of the RCA Dome was rescued by a nonprofit called People for Urban Progress to be fashioned into shade shelters for public spaces. To fund the project, some of the fabric was turned into a line of accessories called Dome Bags. They even cus-tomized a bag for each member of the Obama family. Only a few Dome Bags remain, but People for Urban Progress recently released another line made from a smoother part of the roof. Urban Hobos are smaller shoulder bags with simple decorative stitching. Roof-covered journals called Noteables have hit shelves, too.

WHERE TO BuY:ReFind Originals. $75-$300. Basile History Market at the Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St., Enroute Spa, Indianapolis International Airport. For other locations and online sales: www.refindoriginals.com

Felt Sew Good. $24-$54. Online sales only: www.etsy.com/shop/feltsewgood.

Eco Billboard Bags. $20-$45. Gardener’s Market, 7501 Westfield Blvd., Posh Petals, 1134 E. 54th St. #L. Online sales: www.ecobillboardbags.com

RCA Dome Bags. $80-$160 for Dome Bags, $65 for Urban Hobos. Noteables are $24-$55. Silver in the City, 434 Massachusetts Ave., Info: www.peopleup.org

ByMeganFernandez

Locally made from recycled materials, these totes make perfect gifts for the woman who can never have too many purses.

Upcycled Style


—In the Bag

Fair share

Whileitdoesn’tfeaturelocallymadegoods,GlobalGifts,withlocationsinIndianapolisandBloomington,offersfairtradeitemsmadefromrecycledma-terialsinadditiontoaworldsamplingofhandmadecrafts.Arecentvisitfoundaportfoliomadefromrecycledvideo-tapesinIndiaandtotebagsmadefromusedfishfoodbagsinCambodia.

r e s O u r C e s :

For a transportation-free shopping spree, the Internet is the way to go. Following are resources mentioned in this article:

LOCAL FINdSBeasley’s Orchard, www.beasleys-orchard.com

Trader’s Point Creamery, www.tpforganics.com

Global Gifts, www.globalgiftsindy.com

Half Price Books, www.halfpricebooks.com

MEMBERSHIpS, ACTIVITIES, ANd SERVICESIndiana State Museum, www.indianamuseum.org

Indianapolis Art Center, www.indplsartcenter.org

IUPUI’s Community Learning Network,www.cln.iupui.edu

The perfect gift

A CD of tunes that you think the person

would enjoy. This was a favorite gift

from my daughter.

kim Ort, nature photographer, Indianapolis

The perfect gift

Gift certificate/card from a favorite

nursery or garden—or for a load of

compost, mulch or planter’s mix from

a landscape supplier next spring.

Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, garden expert, Indianapolis

10— Continued from page 23


The perfect gift

I have a few friends I exchange Heifer

International gifts with.

Mark Finch, writer, Indianapolis

Carmel’s Center for the Performing Arts,www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org

Residential Energy Services Network,www.resnet.us

JCC ACE classes, www.jccindy.org

dONATIONSHeifer International, www.heifer.org

Oxfam, www.oxfamunwrapped.com

World Wildlife Fund, www.worldwildlife.org/ogc/

ANTI-CONSuMER ORGANIzATIONSReverend Billy, www.revbilly.com

Adbusters Buy-Nothing Christmas, www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd

The perfect gift

Rink tickets for ice-skating—

I would like that!

katherine Finch, photographer, Indianapolis


’Tistheseasontolightcandles.Ah,butthosetraditionsthatwarmtheheartmayalsobedoingharmtotheenviron-ment,andyourownindoorairquality. Conventionalcandlesaremadeofparaffin,whichcomesfrompetroleum—thesamenonrenewablefossilfuelthat’singasoline,lubricants,fueloil,plastics,asphalt,andothermaterialswhosemanufacturegeneratesgreenhousegasemissions. Inaddition,candle-burningproducessmokeandsootandmayreleaseothersubstancesthatcancauseirritation—orworseifyouhaverespiratoryproblems.

Getting the lead out Until2003,consumerswereendan-geredbyanotheraspectofconventionalcandles:lead-corewicks.Whenburned,theleadconvertstovaporsthatenterairways,andsettleontowalls,furnish-ings,andcarpet. Breatheasighofrelief:TheU.S.ConsumerProductSafetyCommission(CSPC)bannedthemanufacture,im-port,andsaleofcandleswithlead-corewicksin2003.Intheorythatthreatiseliminated,buttherehavebeencasesinwhichimportedcandlescontainingleadhavemadetheirwayontotheshelvesofAmericanstores.

Stick to soy, beeswax, and palm Anotherfactortoconsideristhecontentofthecandlewaxitself.Toavoidthepetroleumconnection,choosecandlesmadefromrenewableresources:beeswaxorvegetable-basedoilssuchassoyorpalm. TajuanaCommon,candle-makerandproprietorofEssenceofGreen,choosessoyasthebasefortheproductsshesells.“First,becauseIalsoeatanddrinksoy,”shesays.“AndIknowwegrowsoy-beanshereinIndiana.”AuthorofTen-aciously Green: 10 Ways to Go Green in 41 Areas of Your Life, CommonsaystheIndiana-basedcompanyshepurchaseshermaterialsfromusesbeansharvestedintheMidwest.Inadditiontothelocallink,Commonnotesthatsoycandles—likepalmandbeeswaxcandles—lastlongerandburncleanerthanconventionalparaffincandles.

Lights with no scents Thosepluses,shesays,areinad-ditiontothesematerials’lowerhealthrisk:Somestudiesindicatethatpetro-leum-basedcandlesemitmoreirritantparticulatesandtoxicsubstancesthanvegetable-basedorbeeswaxcandles.Toxinslinkedtoparaffinemissionsaretoluene,benzene,andotherofthesamebyproductsfoundindieselfuel. Butparaffin-freeproductsmaystillbeasourceofindoorairpollution—ifthey’rescented.Fragrancesmayincludeingredientsthatcantriggerreactionsforanyonewithallergies,asthma,emphy-sema—evenacommoncold,accord-ingtoKatieLorenz,communicationsmanagerattheAmericanLungAssocia-tioninGreaterChicago.Othersourcesnotethatsyntheticscentsmaycontainingredientssuchasphthalates,whichhavebeenlinkedtootherhealthrisks.

No such thing as soot-free Whiletheymayburn“cleaner,”soy,palm,andbeeswaxcandlesstillemitsomesootandsmoke,moreorless,dependingondisturbanceoftheflame.

Holidays OF Light

Bright ideas for choosing eco-friendly candles

By Betsy SheldonPh

oto

cour

tesy

of J

ulie

Kin

g


ThefollowingtipsfromCommonhelptominimizetheproblem.• Keepwickscutshort—nomorethan

aquarter-inch.Alongwickcreatesalargerflame,whichproducesmoresoot.

• Positioncandlesawayfromairmovement,whichcausesajumpyflameandblowsthesootandsmokearound,whereitcangetintoventila-tionductworkanddiscolorceilingsandwalls.

• Placecandlesinastablespot—on asolidpieceoffurniturewherethey

won’tbebumpedandjostled.• Afterextinguishing,bendthewick

intotheliquidwax,andpullupimmediately.Thiskeepsthewickburningcleanerwhenitisre-lit.

Alas,nonparaffin-contentcandlestendtocostmore.Butfactoringinthelongerburningtime,assuranceoflowerhealthrisk,andgoodkarmafromreducinggreenhousegasemissions,itmaybeextrachangewell-spent.

r e s O u r C e s :

Essence of GreenCandles available online at www.essenceofgreen.com

Country Heart Soy CandlesOrder online candles scented with natural oils and made from a special soy blend developed at Purdue University. www.maximumscented.com

Beth El zedeck Gallery of JudaicaFind boxes of beeswax Hanukkah candles in a range of prices. 600 W. 70th Street, Indianapolis, www.bezgallery.org

Herbal Art Soy-Lite CandlesSpecial holiday scents at the store in Fishers (11650 N. Lantern Rd., Ste. 205) or order online, www.herbalartonline.com

BloomingfoodsFind a selection of soy candles year-round as well as seasonal candles at three locations in Bloomington, www.bloomingfoods.com

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IndianaLivingGreenwishesourreaders,supportersandadvertisers

amosthappyholidayandgenuinelygreennewyear!

ItwasearlyDecemberlastyear,andIhadjustencouragedthevendorsatmyfarmersmarkettothinkmorecreativelyaboutturningtheofferingsoftheirfieldsandkitchensintogiftsthatourholidayshopperswoulddietobuy.Ifweweregoingtogetfolkstopartwithabitoftheirmoneyinthesecondwinterofadeeprecession,Ifiguredatleastweshouldenticethemwiththingsthatwerelocalandnatural. Ihadtosetanexample,ofcourse,andhitonevergreencenterpiecesasmycontributiontothefarm-basedgiftingarray.NevermindthatithadbeenyearssinceI’dmadeanaturalcenterpieceofanykind,letaloneonewithevergreensasthemajorcomponent. Thegreens,Ihoped,wouldcomemostlyfrommylandoritsenvirons,whichmeanttheywerefree.Betteryet,customerscouldenjoythecenterpiecesforafewweeksandthendispatchthedriedremainsasfireplacekindlingshortlyafterthelastchampagneofNewYear’shadbeensipped. Findingnousefulevergreensonourownfarm,Ididwhatallcountryfolksdounderthesecircumstances—Iheadeddownthelanetotheneighborstobor-rowwhatIneeded.Heatherwashappytoletmetrimouttheunrulybranchesfromtheganglysprucethatthreatenedtoengulfherfrontyard.Joewasequallygenerouswithhistreasuretroveofwhitepine,bluespruce,andthetwotidybox-woodbushesbesidehisfrontdoor. Mylaststopwasalongthemainroad,whereatightgroveofstaghornsumacboreariotouscollectionofthebrick-red,horn-shapedseedheadsthatgivethetreeitsname.Mygardenclip-persmadequickworkofremovingabasketfulofthehornsbeforemyfingersfroze.Meanwhile,mySteadfastSpousehadchain-sawedadeadlimbinour

SeeingRedWhileGivingGreen

woodstoperfectinch-thickdisksthatwouldserveasbasesformyensuinghandiwork. Backinmygarage,Ilaidoutmycollectedtreasures.Isooncaughtonthatbailingwirewrappedaroundthewoodendisksmadeadandyframewithwhichtoholdthegreensinplace.Symmetrywascritical,IrealizedasIworked,tuckingasumacheadhere,twistingapinetwigthere.Thefinishedcenterpiecehadtolookgoodfromeveryangle,yetberandomenoughtohaveanairofserendipity,asifthepieceshad

blowninandself-as-sembledonthewoodenbase.Eachcenterpiecewastoppedwithapairofbeeswaxtapersorafatlittlepillarcandle,andbowsfrommybigboxofsalvagedribbonscraps—aredsatinonehere,asheerredandgoldfleckedonethere—gavethefinaltouch.Atmarketthenextday,itturnedoutIhadmadeonlyonemistake,butitwasabigone.Inmyzealtothinkout-sidetheholidaybox,Ihadusedcandlesineverycolorimaginable.Afewcenterpiecessportedredcandlestobesure,butmanyhadcandlesinroyalblue,purple,evenaqua-marine.Afterall,theChristmasdecorIsawinthetrendymagazines

hadgonewaybeyondthetraditionalcolors.Turnedoutmycustomersdidn’tcareaboutwhatwastrendy.Theywantedredcandles. Intheyearsince,I’vegivenupondécor,beenextranicetomyneighbors,andmadeadealwithSanta:Heonlyhastobringmeonethingthisyear,butI’llneedawholeboxful.AndhehastodeliverbyearlyDecember.n

Maria Smietana is a refugee from the corporate

world who now writes and grows organic produce on

her mini-farm in Boone County.

30 www.IndianaL iv ingGreen.com

t h e l a s t r o w by mAriA smieTANA

© Illustration courtesy Jerry Williams

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November / December 2010 - Indiana Living Green