Flyin through October

The month has quickly come to an end and this nor'easter is making sure we push our way into November.  Winds were predicted to gust around 50mph today and with that, the state ferry stayed docked until the 2:45....I can't imagine what that ride must have been like!  The video wouldn't load, but this picture to the right shows the waves cresting in the open water and you can get an idea what a boat ride would have been like today.


In other happenings... I have been working with my advisors to conceptualize the most effective forms of public engagement for this comprehensive plan.  There is nothing more important to a comprehensive plan than hearing from as many people as possible to gain an understanding of the issues (good, bad, and indifferent) in a town. 

The ARCafe continued their weekly local food lunch prep and the 24th of October featured Mac and Cheese with Hot Dogs (all Maine-made ingredients).  The cheese used was white, so the cooks decided to add squash to the cheese sauce for a more "kid-approved" color... and they loved it! 


The Vinalhaven Energy Club held their first Interior Storm Window Workshop this past weekend in which four homeowners had windows worked on.  In the three and a half hours of work we were able to complete 10-12 windows with 6 volunteers.  We are hoping to continue this workshop monthly, pending community interest.  The windows are an inexpensive interior insert that helps to reduce drafts, and yes, you can still look through them as though they were glass (ok...older glass, but its a small trade-off for the potential energy savings).   

Lunch at the Lighthouse last weekend was great as members of the Board of Selectmen, Chamber of Commerce, and Planning Commission were invited to gather for good food and an update as to my progress on the planning process.  We couldn't have had a better day that late in fall as the temps were near 50 degrees.  The lighthouse tower was open, so we had a chance to admire the brickwork of the tower and the view from atop the light. 

After nearly two months, I finally got my hands on some lobster!  It was a learning experience as I have never cooked with food as fresh as this.  The lid fell off the pot a few times as the lobsters clearly did not want to be in there.  I have made some lobster mac and cheese and hope to make some chowder later this week. 

This week should be fun as the Book Club will be meeting and reflecting on the month's book(s) (Unquenchable and The Ripple Effect).  Both focus on the environmental, social, and economic impacts of our water resources.  As population increases and demand for water continues to increase with it, one has to wonder what will happen.  We are somewhat lucky in the Northeast in that we have lots of precipitation and surface water, so we seldom worry about water, but other regions of the world and U.S. are not so fortunate. 

Well.... til next time

Sustainability and Fallen Foliage

Last weekend I had the opportunity to be a part of an event a sustainability nut could only wish to attend.  The Institute hosted the Sustainable Island Living Conference which featured Bill McKibben AND Ben Hewitt!!!  My last three years at ESF I learned about the difference between conservation and preservation, the difference between sustainability and green washing, and how important local markets are to the contribution of healthy, vibrant communities.  So there it was, my college studies coming to life; I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet and hear both of them speak.

The ride back from the mainland was very interesting as the storm season winds begin to blow in.  I am glad I was not sleeping on this ride because I would have likely woken up on the floor of the boat.  Waves were rocking the boat and crashing the shores of Lane's Island all afternoon.


In other happenings... I went out trying to capture pictures of the fall foliage as the colors were a little late this year.  The following pictures are looks from Fox Rocks in which I thought I had found the best place for sunset vistas.  I must say, I was slightly disappointed to see that a hill to the northwest of the rocks blocked most of the color.  Also, for better or worse, here is another place you can see the turbines.  As you may notice from both of these pictures, the majority of the color in the flora on the island is now ground cover like ferns and shrubs.  Better luck next year, right?  

Row, Row, Row your boat

So it's been a while.. been pretty busy this past week with AmeriCorps/Island Institute business.  Prior to the short trip off-island I had the pleasure of watching my first rowing competition from Smith Point.  Vinalhaven won all three heats.  The photos along the side show start to finish the second heat in which VH won by multiple boat lengths.















The conference of Volunteerism at the University of Maine @ Orono was a nice break from things and the experience was shared with a couple hundred Maine AmeriCorps members.  Following the conference the Institute ran training sessions for GIS and story telling techniques.
This weekend I am pleased to say I will be stuck at another conference, this time one devoted to the sustainability efforts/measures of Maine Islands.  Bill McKibben will kick of the event on Friday night followed by a Saturday encore from Ben Hewitt.  More to report from that after the weekend.
The comprehensive plan is beginning to raise many questions as to procedures to carry-out the process.  I have been trying to wrestle the idea of a timeline for this and keep detouring my energy to other projects, both related an unrelated to the plan.
Well that is all for now.. I'll post more soon. 'til next time

Comprehensive Plan Update

So I suppose I haven't really written about my work...  I have been researching the state's general process of creating a comprehensive plan and have been holding conversations with individuals from multiple social groups.  At this point, I am in the process of evaluating the 2005 Draft Comprehensive Plan and am re-aligning it with current state policies/guidelines to identify where discrepancies and updates in the inventory need to be addressed.  I have also been considering other communication outlets to inform the Vinalhaven community as to the plan's progress, particularly as committees form and things really begin to more forward.  Suggestions are welcome, so far we have tossed out a webpage on the town's site and a facebook page.

I have also become a member of the Energy Club out here and we have been quite active.  The end of the month will offer a interior storm window building workshop as an inexpensive winterizing technique.  Other efforts will be directed towards working with the ARC more and their Community Learning Center programs... who wouldn't want to learn how to can/preserve fall harvests, bake breads, make pasta, and build gingerbread houses!?!?

Well I suppose that pretty much sums up what I have been up to in regards to the project and general community integration.
'til next time

Do a good turn daily.. have you done yours today?

Got a minute, literally!.. ok maybe 2 if you read this post and don't just click on the link below.  Help the Island Institute raise a few bucks to support their efforts in sustaining island communities in the Gulf of Maine (and beyond):

 ReVision Energy, a full service renewable energy contracting company that provides a full range of engineering, design, installation and equipment service for homes, businesses, municipal buildings and nonprofits, has chosen Island Institute as the recipient of their October “Check in for Charity” recipient!!

This means that for each person that visits their site and enters their name and email address, they will donate $1 to the ‘tute! Last month, they raised $500 for New Hampshire Audubon! They will also count new “likes” to their Facebook page! Pretty awesome, right?!

So please visit https://red001.mail.microsoftonline.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=7b260e188d2a4f98a9405b71b9400476&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.revisionenergy.com%2fblog%2fcheck-in-october-for-the-island-institute%2f and share the link on your person FB page and encourage your friends to visit the site and friend them on Facebook and let’s see if we can beat $500!

Thanks in advance for your help!

Rainy Weekend

As promised... here is a picture from the wind farm as well as a landscape view of the turbines from across The Basin (I think).  The trip to the "farm" brought about questions regarding noise and the effectiveness of GE's recent noise reducing attachments.  Time will tell as to the results of those efforts.  Questions about animal mortality via wind turbines also came about, so I am searching for studies to shed some light on the issue.  Initial findings indicate less than one percent of all bird mortality results from anthropogenic causes, emphasis on collisions (Erickson et. al., 2005).  More to come this week upon further research.

As the title of this post may indicate... the temperature dropped this weekend and the rain clouds have claimed over Vinalhaven.  Between the rain and the near record breaking high tides, some shoreline property and roads have been a little soggy.  If you had planned on going to Lane's Island for the Hawk Watch with Kirk, you were better off staying nested in your home as the guided watch was cancelled.

I still find myself treating work as if it were a school assignment and found myself comparing the 2005 Comprehensive Plan with new guidelines/requirements as the review continues.  Thanks to all those who have contributed thoughts, comments, and ideas about the old plan and fuel for the new one this weekend. 
I suppose that is all for now as there is something far more important to focus on... Patriots football!  Let's go Pats.

...til next time