by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

We had a great time on this trip and we are also in the early stages of considering opportunities for relocating. For now, we love living in co-housing in Carrboro and will be here for the near future, enjoying and participating in this progressive town. Still, there’s something to be said for shaking things up, challenging yourself to grow in new opportunities. I’ve moved a lot and admit that relocating is a wonderful stimulus for me, pushing me into new action. So, we’re listening, watching and waiting.

Sweet Pond Eco Community is forming in Southeastern VT, about 6 miles from Brattleboro. Here, 9 environmentally friendly homes will be placed in an apple orchard, while the surrounding pastures, woods and pond will be protected - close to 100 acres of remarkable beauty and natural habitat. The construction plans will be Leed Gold certified and based on the E.F. Schumaker’s, Small is Beautiful.

Currently seeking members, a thoroughly informative website is in place at SweetPondEcoCommunity.com. We were given a tour of the property (along with lunch and engaging conversation!) with T and Zoe, a well-informed, creatively inspiring couple who set out to save land and invite neighbors to work together to create “a caring, supportive, friendly, and most importantly FUN home.” Their vision includes “a community that delights in life, values communal living and diversity, and leaves a legacy of wise stewardship for future generations.” Learn more about T.

Brattleboro itself also seems promising as an urban community, drawing people in, rather than pushing them out. The only way we can find a community-oriented sustainable way of living in America is to unite in downsizing and contract back into efficient city landscapes. Consider The Wherehouse in the heart of downtown Winston-Salem, NC, where a group found variations of life and work in an urban kind of utopia. Our cultural shift towards hoarding space and “privacy” has not brought the health or happiness that we expected. Of course, just like in yoga, contraction triggers the complementary energy of expansion and, in this case, balancing our hearts and minds and our way of life.

One thing both Jerry and I know, is that we will continue to seek a way to share a way of life, interests and resources with others, wherever we end up. Co-housing/space sharing is the way of a sustainable and hope-filled future - no matter where you put it.

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

Just how green was this trip and what is the bottom line of travel decision-making? Next time, I’ll arrange a shuttle from the airport rather than renting a car, but otherwise, I think I at least covered my carbon-emitting butt by offsetting the rest. For my future travel decisions, I am learning to look at 3 things:

1. Is this trip necessary/needed/reasonable? 2. What is the most sustainable way I can cover miles? 3. How can I further reduce my carbon footprint while traveling and still have fun?

While fun is subjective, I think we can all agree that the vacations where we lounge about poolside at the luxury hotel or resort is not necessarily what we’ll write home about. Adventure, thrills and new experiences are usually outside the boundaries of starched sheets and a suntan. While we all need a little R & R at times, life happens at the edge. What do you REALLY want to do/see/experience?

While a “necessary” trip could be about family, education or business, a “needed” trip could simply mean a way to balance your physical/mental/emotional health and well-being. A “reasonable” trip applies in both cases and could depend on where I want to go, for how long and what I do when I get there. Evaluate these things in your own way. I heard about one family who loved Hawaiian vacations, but found when they decreased the frequency to every other year, they were able to stay longer and appreciate it more. They also found they enjoyed the simplicity of vacationing at home during the off years.

Once you know where I need or want to go, explore your travel options. It’s tempting to hop on a plane that you’re convinced will be in the sky, with or without you - but remember, our consumer decisions absolutely drive market demand and airlines constantly re-evaluate flight loads and scheduling. Mile for mile, the effect of jet CO2 is over 2x that of autos. This is due to several factors, including heat trapping cloud formations (called radiative forcing).

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, trains are 18% more efficient per passenger mile than airplanes. In addition, it takes half the crude oil to generate a gallon of diesel fuel for trains than the same amount of jet fuel.

If traveling by car is possible, keep in mind that here is where size matters most. Although a car averaging 30mpg will always trump the flight (more so if carrying more people), personal SUVs and trucks can mess with that equation and make little environmental sense no matter how you look at it.

Once you’ve arrived, there are many ways you can balance your carbon output. Where you stay, what you eat/buy/consume, how you get around and what you do are variables you can work with consciously and creatively - you may be surprised at the enjoyable results.

For more on greening your getaway, go to Sierra Club Newsletter. Have an eco-travel experience? Let me know!

by Tao Oliveto, Brattleboro, VT

Brattleboro has a dominant number of thriving local businesses, many of which thoroughly but subtly display their green creds. Thrift and vintage places - my personal eye candy - were especially irresistible, and practical, as it turned out. I suddenly needed a nail clipper/file and I found both, hidden amongst hundreds of antique collectibles of every category at a store called “Twice Upon A Time”. Proving, once again, that they don’t make things like they used to. These stores can be full of surprises - I have managed to stay out of mainstream drugstores for years by using thrift/vintage for basics like this - low cost and no packaging is a bonus.

I went back several times to Boomerang - a vintage and vintage-inspired clothing and accessories shop owned and operated by Loretta, who replanted her creative roots from LA. Here I found some fun and stylish used clothing - some are cleverly marked by era - Jerry was drawn to the 50’s while I found out I’m a 60’s - 70’s kind of girl. Boomerang also supports Rise Up International, a group of artists, ideallists and social entrepreneurs using the fashion industry to empower children out of poverty. Rise Up International doesn’t mess around when it comes to giving - they donate all profits to support free education centers, drug rehabilitation and art vocational schools in India, Central America and China.

As happened in a few different cases, I was readily engaged in conversation by the locals and felt welcomed, even as I accepted my designated title as a “flatlander”.
A haven for art, music, alternative health and recreation, “Brat” - as I brazenly use the local term - has not seen the last of me!

by Tao Oliveto, Brattleboro, VT

Our first meal in Brattleboro was at the local Co-op down the street from our historically amazing hotel (see below). Now that I think about it - while we enjoyed coffee, tea and homemade goodies from many other local establishments - our first, last and most meals in between were at the co-op down the street. This is not a coincidence. A food co-op is high on my list of priorities when I’m choosing a travel destination. It allows me to eat in a healthy, simple, affordable and local way, and on my own schedule. I can also stock up on wholesome snacks to stow away for other activities like hiking.

If you’re thinking this is some kind of sacrifice - think again. In addition to organic produce and bulk items like nuts and energy snacks, co-ops usually have “salad, etc.” bars and delicious-looking hot foods (which change daily), in addition to local specialties like baked goods and farm products. In this case, we tried various local cheeses and yogurt and even an outstanding chocolate bar by Taza, made in Somerville, MA. In fact, my first meal was entirely local and organic: baby swiss cheese, cultured daikon and cabbage, fresh-baked bread with local butter and even tapioca pudding - compliments of a cow named Stella. From the hot bar, we experienced excellent scrambled eggs, breakfast burritos, vegetarian lasagna and polenta.

I like meeting co-op employees and other patrons, too - friendly, interesting and interested folks who don’t look at you funny when you pull out your canvas shopping bag or your cloth napkin. We even stumbled in on a wine-tasting event one day - no plastic cups! They gave each person their own real wine glass to use for the event. We did buy a bottle at the local wine store and when we mentioned we were at the hotel, we were offered two glasses to take with us and return later.

I save sit-down dining for selected occasions, so I’m not sure how much less I spent eating this way, but I imagine it is significant in terms of the average traveler. As you’ve read, though, I’m in it for the experience, curiosity and to satisfy my green greediness. I’ve been munching my way through many miles this way and I always end up feeling healthy, energized and happy to be part of the local economy of each new place.

Happy and deliciously greener travels.

by Tao Oliveto, Brattleboro, VT

We stayed at the historic Latchis Hotel, circa 1938, now a preserved memorial building on Main Street in Brattleboro. The original lead-paned windows still open - something now rare in most hotels - there is no A/C and the heat still comes from radiators. The stairwells are welcoming, with natural light and I noticed most guests used the stairs to the 3 floors of rooms. There is no parking garage or large, new lot, or luxuriously furnished lobby, just a straightforward comfort and friendliness.

If you do want to be impressed by style, however, visit the original Latchis “theatre” next store - now a movie house. Detmetrius Latchis had the walls painted with the images and scenes of the Greek gods, like Jupiter welcoming Psyche, the temple of Zeus and Colona with her children, Apollo and Diana. There are also statues - one of Thalia, the Muse of Comedy and Cleo, the muse of History. The ceiling is sky blue with stars and the twelve signs of the zodiac.

Staying in the heart of a city allows you to sightsee car-free and I chose this place because it’s one way to support local business (and history!) while traveling. The rooms are simple - just a few pieces of maple furniture, including a wooden bed frame. The rooms also feature consigned art by local artists.

The Latchis is participating in the Project Green, which asks guests to save resources by reusing linens. This is not so impressive, however, when you consider all the other ways we can consume less during hotel stays. Here’s my list - feel free to add on.

1. Bring your own toiletries, rather than using the small bottles and tubes provided, which will be thrown away and replaced after each use. I travel with a small shampoo/body bar, which is wrapped only in paper and can be carried with you while flying.
2. Use one towel for everything, rather than using bath mats/handtowels.
3. Skip room service during your stay, eliminating more water, energy, detergent use.
4. Use your own drinking mug and water bottle.
5. Use the stairs instead of elevator.
6. Use one trash can - rather than the two usually provided - and you will keep more plastic out of landfill.
7. Open windows instead of A/C. Turn heat off when you leave your room.

8. Ask your host where you can recycle items. If it’s not available, bring home any paper, newspaper to recycle at home.

by Tao Oliveto, Amherst, MA

We woke early the next morning, anxious to see the farm in daylight and meet our host and self-proclaimed, “dirt farmer”, Jim Pitts. We headed down the long dirt road that led to the fields where Jim was working — a lone, tall, straight-backed figure pushing a tiller across a field.

He strode over to us and within a few moments, challenged me to name the big leafy plants I was looking at. Being the city kid I am, I hesitated - but then surprised him by guessing it — rhubarb! He broke off a thick red stalk and handed it to me. In my excitement, I munched it straight down. As he led us on to the strawberry field, this time he asked me to describe the difference between hay and straw. I flunked that one, although I knew horses ate hay but not straw. I now know why - straw is the inedible dried grain stalks after the grain has been shorn and hay is the still nutritious, dried grass. We also learned that strawberries were named because they grow on top of straw, placed alongside the fruit to keep it from getting dirty before going to market. As Jim told us more farmlore, I asked him if he went to school to learn all of this. He shrugged his shoulders and said, “Sometimes schooling can get in the way of your education.”

Yet, it turns out, “dirt farmer” was only the most recent of Jim’s accomplishments. Growing up in the Deep South and an African American, he wasn’t allowed admission to Georgia Tech University. Yet, he still managed to shoot up the ranks of corporate America and become a top tech-industry executive. He also became enmeshed in politics, serving as a delegate and addressing the Democratic National Convention on the death penalty while negotiating with George Wallace on other platform issues, and working as MA manager for Shirley Chisolm’s historic presidential campaign. As we listened with growing interest, Jim began tossing out one memorable chunk of wisdom, information or history after another. When Jerry mentioned that a key flaw in the Constitution was its absence of land protection, he explained to us that one purpose of the constitution was to ensure people’s right to own land, which, as the Native Americans have always known, is an “absurd” idea.

This former editorialist recently wrote a piece for the Amherst newspaper in support of Barack Obama. Jim explained that the entrenched culture wars that have dominated post-Vietnam politics are keeping us stuck and divided. He feels Obama represents the way to finally transcend these divisions, whereas Hillary seems both trapped and defined by them.

As we reluctantly allowed Jim to get back to his plowing, he told us that he was going to be moving to Cambridge soon. Aghast, Jerry said “you’re leaving your farm!?” Jim, who was bending down to make an adjustment on the tractor, turned around and said with a wry and wise smile, “Every thing’s got to end sometime.”

Back at the house, we heard his 5-month old baby crying and were subtly reminded that with every ending comes a new beginning.

by Tao Oliveto, Boston, MA

Arriving at Boston Airport, renting car from a sea of SUV’s and Hummers, then trying to get onto the correct exit to Amherst was crazy/frustrating, especially at rush hour. The one problem of driving less in daily life is that ending up in traffic seems even more exhausting and awkward. But, we had heard of a rare macrobiotic restaurant outside the city and were determined to get there on our way out of this gridlock. We finally parked on another busy street and continued on foot to the front door, which was locked.

Just as I was about to declare Boston the least hospitable place I knew, a man approached us to share our disappointment about the closed restaurant. He explained that it was indeed a popular place but some establishments shut down during Spring Break (which made me look again at the busy streets and wonder what it was like when school was in session?). Our friendly stranger suggested another place serving vegetarian food about a mile away. He even offered to drive us there. We turned down the ride, but not until we showed our gratitude and had an enjoyable conversation about good food, home towns and kilts (Jerry was wearing his).

It was after dark when we arrived at Delta Organic Farm in Amherst. The quiet house was especially comforting. Our host greeted us briefly but warmly, said he would be working in the fields the next morning and invited us to come find him when we were awake.

I felt a little like a kid coming home, tucked in the little bedroom with a breeze blowing through the open window…and fell fast asleep.

by Tao Oliveto and Jerry Stifelman

I didn’t really forget about “Earth Day” on Tuesday. My confession is that I’ve been kind of a Scrooge when it comes to the idea because, well, every day should be Earth Day, right? I look to Jerry on this one and here’s what he had to say:

Earth Day, hmmmm, what about the other 364 days that we spend ON THE EARTH. There ain’t no living, loving, no rock and roll, no sports cars, no frisbees, no barbeques, no manola blahnik shoes ——– without the access to the resources of this most excellent and forgiving planet.

So I’m not big using Earth Day as an extra special reason for companies to sponsor events, put their logos on plastic water bottles, for people to drive to festivals and concerts.

Let’s get serious about doing good by the Earth every dang day of the week. Now that WOULD BE FUN.