Wednesday, June 12, 2013
CCMA Conference 2013 - Austin, TX
Consumer Cooperative Management Association (CCMA) - Austin TX - June 6th-8th:
As a new board member of the Brattleboro Food Coop I was selected by the board to attend the CCMA conference in Austin, TX. CCMA is a 3-day gathering of several hundred food co-op managers, staff members, directors, and consultants, plus their national allies. THis year Wheatsville Coop in Austin, TX was the host Coop and provided tours of their market and an inside view of their culture, success and love for cooperatives. Both myself and Alex Gyori the GM of the Brattleboro Food Coop attended.
When we arrived at the airport in Austin this wonderfully jubilant guitar was present while picking up our bags. Many different artistic versions of this guitar also graced the streets of Austin.
During my first hours in Austin I checked into the Hyatt Regency and walked across the Lady Bird Lake to enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant with Alex.
As my walk continued throughout the capitol of Texas I visited the State house which was built in 1885.
On Thursday Alex and I enjoyed a tour of the Wheatsville Coop which is the only Food Coop in Texas. Wheatsville has 13,000 owners and has been in business since 1976.
Thursday we registered for the conference and started attending seminars on Friday. Friday was highlighted by an opening speech by Kristen Christiansen who initiated the Bank Transfer Day. Other highlights of Friday included lively discussions and seminars on topics such as food access, engagement of owners, recruitment of board members and policy governance.
During the award ceremony on Friday night the Monadnock Food Coop won startup Coop of the year!
Mark Winne kicked off Saturday challenging food cooperatives to mobilize and reduce food insecurity. Saturday's seminars included effective decision making, member owner engagement and democratic participation.
Later that night we had our final dinner party at The Bullock State History Museum where we ate Southwestern food including Popcorn TOFU from the Wheatsville Coop!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Mastodon and Feist
Monday, November 7, 2011
Creature Breath – I Am Creature Breath
The debut album, I Am Creature Breath, by Creature Breath (Shawn Westendorf) is a wondrous adventure packed with swirling beautiful vocals, psychadelic folk instrumentation and lyrics inspired by love and spiritual exploration.
This album was originally written in Somerville, MA in a blue chair by her bedroom window. Over the past year she wrote a song a month. Many of the songs started with a guitar or kalimbo melody and the lyrics grew from the musical vibrations of the instrumentation. On October 1-3, 2011 many of the songs written over the past year were recorded in Brooklyn, NY @ SukiSound studios and produced by Heidi Harris. The instruments include acoustic/electric guitar, xylophone, clarinets, turtle whistle, kalimbo, bells and piano.
Here is a track-by-track review:
“Sun is Shining” greets its audience with a pretty guitar, xylophone melody and the sweet voice of Creature Breath. This song epitomizes the earthy, emotional, organic and psychadelic tones that flutter through out the album. Furthermore, Creature Breath pens lyrics of great depth; “The wind carries in the sweet scent of your Protector and drops of the dewey eves' nectar.”
“Quiver” was written on an African thumb piano, a Kalimbo, two weeks prior to being recorded. On this track multiple pretty voices wander within the thumb piano melody as ghostly electronics creep around in the background. One can catch a glimpse into the eyes of Creature Breath: “I'd swim cross the vastest ocean to know you deeply, love you deeply… You will find me in your dreamtime lost and lonely, lost and lonely.”
“Spiral Arms” is the rawest songs on the album as it is just Creature Breath strumming and singing away. This song highlights her excellent singer songwriter capabilities and her producer’s awesome backing vocals.
“Comfort Your Mother” Witch-like wandering vocals tip toe in the background. Strummed guitar provides the rhythm while the vocals screech: “I’ll bring your maker to meet you”…”I'll comfort your mother when you have gone.” Creature Breath states that this song came from a place she doesn’t know and that there was the influence of a spirit. If that’s not enough, there is turtle whistle on this track.
“Rebirthday Party” is an upbeat track that that talks of coming into new awareness of one’s self. The presence of a clarinet brings new textures to the album. The production skills shine on this track with two plus thoughtfully recorded and layered vocal parts soloing over each other in a spirited and awakening force.
“The Pull” is an orchestral vocal experiment with spooky electronic noises. Creature Breath’s love for the earth and her connection to its powers became evident. “Feel the pull of the Earth/Bringing you closer to Her/Fall to your death/Life awaits on your next breath”
“Praire” has a new wave feel to it due to a synthetic keyboard that meanders and provides the melody. The backing vocals sound like a bird cawing and the lyrics share the joys of love: “May I raise my voice so my heart can/Sing the songs of joy/The songs of your love and beauty
“Darlin”
This song opens with a heart melting piano, breaths with plucked acoustic strings and peaks with a flurry of impassioned vocals. The vocal solo at the 4:40 mark is epic, emotional and leaves the listener craving more. The lyrics evoke a feeling of a love craved being; "won't you come for me, darlin won't you comfort me.” I was fortunate enough to hear this song performed acoustically and after hearing the recording solidified my opinion that this is the finest track on the album.
This album can be downloaded via Band Camp:
http://creaturebreath.bandcamp.com/album/i-am-creature-breath.
You can become a fan of Creature Breath on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Creature-Breath/138622622906684?ref=ts&sk=wall
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Red Hot Peppers - I'm With You
The new Red Hot Chili Peppers album I’m With You was released in the U.S. today!
With MTV dying and digital downloads dominating the CD market I thought it would be nice to send out the news of this phenomenal album to all of my friends and family!
I bought my copy at Turn It Up in Brattleboro this morning. You can buy yours at a local independent chain or online through the Red Hot Chili Peppers Web site and iTunes.
With the departure of long time guitarist John Frusciante a new fello named Josh Klinghoffer joined Flea, Anthony and Chad to record this new album.
During my first listen through the album there are funk riffs, boppin’ bass lines, heart felt lyrics, trumpets, ripping solos, funk stomp drum parts and some of the best vocals ever spouted by the band.
Highlight songs for me so far: "Monarchy of Roses", "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" and "Goodbye Hooray"!
A full review will be coming once I digest a bit more!
The lead single “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” is a funk tune with a snazzy cowbell.
You can check out the video here. Pretty cool how they filmed in on top of a roof in L.A. and local folk got to jam out to it!
Tonight the Red Hot Chili Peppers are playing the album in entirety LIVE and airing it across the globe in Cinemas in HD. 8/30 and 9/1 only! This is freakin’ cool…. Go to the Web Site and put in your zip code to find the nearest Cinema to you.
Seriously, go support a local record store and buy the album or just spend the $11 and download it from iTunes. Good rock records are hard to come by these days, don’t miss the boat!
With MTV dying and digital downloads dominating the CD market I thought it would be nice to send out the news of this phenomenal album to all of my friends and family!
I bought my copy at Turn It Up in Brattleboro this morning. You can buy yours at a local independent chain or online through the Red Hot Chili Peppers Web site and iTunes.
With the departure of long time guitarist John Frusciante a new fello named Josh Klinghoffer joined Flea, Anthony and Chad to record this new album.
During my first listen through the album there are funk riffs, boppin’ bass lines, heart felt lyrics, trumpets, ripping solos, funk stomp drum parts and some of the best vocals ever spouted by the band.
Highlight songs for me so far: "Monarchy of Roses", "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" and "Goodbye Hooray"!
A full review will be coming once I digest a bit more!
The lead single “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” is a funk tune with a snazzy cowbell.
You can check out the video here. Pretty cool how they filmed in on top of a roof in L.A. and local folk got to jam out to it!
Tonight the Red Hot Chili Peppers are playing the album in entirety LIVE and airing it across the globe in Cinemas in HD. 8/30 and 9/1 only! This is freakin’ cool…. Go to the Web Site and put in your zip code to find the nearest Cinema to you.
Seriously, go support a local record store and buy the album or just spend the $11 and download it from iTunes. Good rock records are hard to come by these days, don’t miss the boat!
The Kornguth's Annual Soapbox Derby
Attention residence of Southern VT, NH and Western MA!
I met a man named Daniel at Coffee Country in Brattleboro today.
He is repsonsible for putting together The Kornguth's Annual Soapbox Derby.
This is going to be the fourth annual and it is upcoming on Sunday September 11th!
Rules are here
Some photos from previous years.
This looks like a rad time and I highly recommend checking it out if you have the open Sunday.
I met a man named Daniel at Coffee Country in Brattleboro today.
He is repsonsible for putting together The Kornguth's Annual Soapbox Derby.
This is going to be the fourth annual and it is upcoming on Sunday September 11th!
Rules are here
Some photos from previous years.
This looks like a rad time and I highly recommend checking it out if you have the open Sunday.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Primus - Green Naugahyde
New Primus album out September 13th - Green Naugahyde
First single is "Tragedy's a Comin'"
Tour will consist of two sets of Primus each evening starting in September.
Claypool spoke with Spin Magazine recently and said this about the single....
"Lyrically, this is me focusing on eventual demise or at least the notion that big rain is coming and at some point I'm going to get pretty fucking wet," Claypool tells SPIN. "Who says lemmings can't dance as they go over the cliff?"
You can follow Primus on:
Twitter - @primus
Facebook - primusville
Tons of new songs on YouTube from shows over the spring and summer of 2011.
Prepare for Pain!
First single is "Tragedy's a Comin'"
Tour will consist of two sets of Primus each evening starting in September.
Claypool spoke with Spin Magazine recently and said this about the single....
"Lyrically, this is me focusing on eventual demise or at least the notion that big rain is coming and at some point I'm going to get pretty fucking wet," Claypool tells SPIN. "Who says lemmings can't dance as they go over the cliff?"
You can follow Primus on:
Twitter - @primus
Facebook - primusville
Tons of new songs on YouTube from shows over the spring and summer of 2011.
Prepare for Pain!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Factory Farming
Approximately three years ago I watched the movie Food Inc.
It opened my eyes to factory farming in the United States and the horrible acts of cruelty brought upon animals to feed the American addiction for fast food, meat, eggs and seafood.
In order to feed our addiction we have taken an age old tradition of farming and turned it into an assembly line like at the Chevy plant.
These animal assembly lines are riddled with sickness just to make sure we can eat $.59 burgers and get ground beef for $1.79 a pound!
In no way do I feel that we should torture animals for our holiday feasts. Nor do I feel that as Americans we should be consuming an animal that has been subjected to such a torturous life.
Consuming hate and sickness only breeds hate and sickness!
The following video clip is gross, compelling, sickening, twisted, eye opening, wild, weird, strange, grotesque and utterly offensive.
It is an illustration how much of our meat, eggs, dairy, seafood, poultry and pork is killed to reach your super market in the United States and around the world.
If you do not want to see where your McDonald's, Long John Silver's, Shaw's, Hannaford's, Big Y, Sam's Club, Albertson's, Kroger's, KFC and Costco food comes from then close your browser now.
If you would like to be humbled click the link here: http://www.meatvideo.com/
On a positive note...
In no way do I think eating meat is a bad thing. I think that it is an important part of my diet and I do enjoy it. I believe we as humans should pay a premium to enjoy animals as a part of our dinner. Not to mention we should honor them and ensure that they were raised and slaughtered responsibly. We should be buying form local farms, those that raise happy animals and treat them fairly.
I like many are guilty of the occasional Taco Bell run or fried chicken at a Celtics game and we can change this one day at a time.
In no way am I advocating for you to be Vegan. What I would like to advocate for is changing our eating habits one day at a time.
Here are some ideas on how to change your eating habits and end factory farming....
Grow a garden to eat fresh veggies more often as your main course.
Go to McDonald's or Wendy's once less a week.
Next time you need to buy steaks go to a COOP or a local farm and pay an extra three or four bucks to know your meat was raised happy. I guarantee you'll taste the difference, you did at my Wedding!
Raise chickens yourself.
If you cannot raise chickens do a quick Google search and find a local farm that sells eggs.
Buy Tofu or Tempeh, its good, seriously and its filling.
Watch meatvideo.com or Food Inc.
It opened my eyes to factory farming in the United States and the horrible acts of cruelty brought upon animals to feed the American addiction for fast food, meat, eggs and seafood.
In order to feed our addiction we have taken an age old tradition of farming and turned it into an assembly line like at the Chevy plant.
These animal assembly lines are riddled with sickness just to make sure we can eat $.59 burgers and get ground beef for $1.79 a pound!
In no way do I feel that we should torture animals for our holiday feasts. Nor do I feel that as Americans we should be consuming an animal that has been subjected to such a torturous life.
Consuming hate and sickness only breeds hate and sickness!
The following video clip is gross, compelling, sickening, twisted, eye opening, wild, weird, strange, grotesque and utterly offensive.
It is an illustration how much of our meat, eggs, dairy, seafood, poultry and pork is killed to reach your super market in the United States and around the world.
If you do not want to see where your McDonald's, Long John Silver's, Shaw's, Hannaford's, Big Y, Sam's Club, Albertson's, Kroger's, KFC and Costco food comes from then close your browser now.
If you would like to be humbled click the link here: http://www.meatvideo.com/
On a positive note...
In no way do I think eating meat is a bad thing. I think that it is an important part of my diet and I do enjoy it. I believe we as humans should pay a premium to enjoy animals as a part of our dinner. Not to mention we should honor them and ensure that they were raised and slaughtered responsibly. We should be buying form local farms, those that raise happy animals and treat them fairly.
I like many are guilty of the occasional Taco Bell run or fried chicken at a Celtics game and we can change this one day at a time.
In no way am I advocating for you to be Vegan. What I would like to advocate for is changing our eating habits one day at a time.
Here are some ideas on how to change your eating habits and end factory farming....
Grow a garden to eat fresh veggies more often as your main course.
Go to McDonald's or Wendy's once less a week.
Next time you need to buy steaks go to a COOP or a local farm and pay an extra three or four bucks to know your meat was raised happy. I guarantee you'll taste the difference, you did at my Wedding!
Raise chickens yourself.
If you cannot raise chickens do a quick Google search and find a local farm that sells eggs.
Buy Tofu or Tempeh, its good, seriously and its filling.
Watch meatvideo.com or Food Inc.
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