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Patricia Dines Writer,
Editor, & Graphic Artist Specializing in Environmental, Health, and Community Topics |
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The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing.
You can read EcoGirl's column in the June issue of the West County Gazette and at <www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl2i.html>. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the wonderful EcoGirl column in your periodical. Click on Published Columns to see all previous columns - and future possible ones. Your input and requests are most welcome! Reader feedback "Excellent articles Patricia - and fun to read! Congratulations on the colorful front page placement and thanks for continuing to make a difference for the masses by educating via your passion and talent for writing. EcoGirl will soon be flying into other communities and publications, I can feel it. Good luck with her." |
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Current issue: July/August (Click link to download) Contents: * Properly Disposing of Our Techno-Toys - Many of this culture's enjoyable offerings can come through our technological devices, including TVs, stereos, phones, computers, game players, and more. However, if discarded improperly, the toxics hidden in these devices can harm both people and the planet. Find out more about how to green your use of electronics from purchase through disposal. Do you have a question about a specific toxic, alternative, or related issue? Check out the STEP Online Index to past issues to see if we've covered your topic of interest, and for leads for other places to check. For more information about the STEP program, click here. Thank you to Jim Gleaves for his assistance with this project; to the City Council for creating it; and for City staff for helping to make it possible. Recent reader feedback "Just wanted to say thank you for all your positive information. My husband and I are trying for our second child and I really appreciated the article regarding autism cases being higher when exposed to flea shampoos for animals. This was a great eye opener for me and I plan on using only non-toxic cleaners pre-pregnancy and forever afterwards. This type of information really does help all of us &endash; so again, thank you....I am so happy to be a part of such a caring community." |
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I'm excited to announce that I'll be presenting at the Napa Fresh Aire Festival on August 28-30. I love that this 3-day event brings together lots of speakers (over 60!) to explore many aspects of both personal growth and environmental healing. I've long enjoyed these two themes, and really think that they do belong together. Andrew Weil is the keynote speaker at the gathering, the cost is quite affordable, there are also activities, and it looks like it'll be lots of fun! More info, including about my talks, is below. Registration for the conference has opened and the full schedule is online. And if you attend, please stop by and say hi! NOTE: I'm also available to give talks to local groups, including the eco-talks listed below. Please contact me for more info. CONFERENCE INFORMATION Presenting Napa Fresh Aire Festival | enriching body, soul & planet • August 28-30 • 2009 Fresh Perspectives. New Points of View. Featuring over 60 presenters and over 75
sessions Intriguing Experiences. Powerful
Presentations. This is your opportunity to meet one-on-one with over 60 leading authorities and over 75 sessions on health and the environment including Integrative Health pioneer Dr. Andrew Weil; The Blue Zones author Dan Buettner; SuperFoods RX best-selling author Dr. Steven Pratt; specialists from UCSF's Osher Center for Integrative Medicine; Sexuality Experts Holstein & Taylor; Experimental Man author David Ewing Duncan, and many more. SESSIONS PRESENTED BY PATRICIA DINES FRIDAY, AUGUST 28 11:00 am - 12:15 pm SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 11:00 am - 12:15
pm SUNDAY, AUGUST 30 8:45 am - 9:45 am FOR MORE INFO SEE: www.NapaFreshAireFest.com FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE, SEE: www.napafreshairefest.com./schedule.html (PD NOTE: This page has the overview schedule and detailed event descriptions. Click on the link "View full schedule" to see when each talk/event will be.) |
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My
new lead article "Greening Your Home - With No
Money
Down" Yet, hiding beneath this mild-mannered exterior, lies a powerful tool to help us solve some of our most urgent shared problems. I've been watching this program emerge for a while, so I'm delighted to finally be able to tell you about its special features. To read this article and find out more, see the April issue of the wonderful West County Gazette, which features this article on its cover. Or click here to see both text and PDF versions of the article. |
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I'm
speaking at the March 28 Sustainability
Conference My talk is titled "Detoxing Your Life." My goal is to support folks in nurturing the health of themselves, their families, and our shared ecosystem by reducing exposure to everyday toxics. I'll be offering a systematic approach I've developed for identifying the everyday toxics in all areas of your life, prioritizing the ones you want to reduce, and making a plan for doing so. We don't have to be powerless to the hidden toxics in consumer products! In addition to personal actions, I'll also take a look at community-level actions. Bring your specific questions! I've been researching and writing about this topic for many years, including writing The Next STEP newsletter which gently educates people about everyday toxics and effective alternatives. I'll also be very interested to hear people's feedback on the model! For a full conference schedule, see http://sustainableconference.sc5.info/CONFERENCESHEDpublic2web.htm I look forward to seeing you there! |
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My
article alerts email
list I hope that you find my writing of interest, and that it serves our greater connection with nature's wise ways. Thank you to everyone who supports my work in the world; you truly do help make it possible. |
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I'm
now on
Facebook |
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Ask
EcoGirl Flies
Again
- In HopeDance! View this column in the January/February issue of HopeDance and at <www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl2e.html>. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, being informed about future columns, and including the wonderful EcoGirl in your periodical. Click on Published Columns to see all previous columns - and future possible ones. Your input and requests are most welcome! |
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Patricia's
Poem Published in the Wonderful We'Moon |
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Lead Article:
"Delighting
in Our Delicious Local
Farms" You can view this article in the May issue of the West County Gazette. To download the PDF, click here. Reader feedback "Excellent articles Patricia - and fun to read! Congratulations on the colorful front page placement and thanks for continuing to make a difference for the masses by educating via your passion and talent for writing. EcoGirl will soon be flying into other communities and publications, I can feel it.Good luck with her." |
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Patricia's EcoNews Blog (Reborn, In a New Updated Format!) Here's a totally personal selection of news stories that I think are especially relevant for those of us who want a better world for all. Topics include the environment, energy, health, toxics, organics, the economy, true democracy, and community. Plus I include a little personal commentary along the way! |
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Your ideas and information invited for an article I'm working on: Green consultants - I'm looking for those in Sonoma County who offer to help a homeowner or small business be more green. I'm also interested in the experiences of those who've used such services, and the questions of those who would like to. Just email me at pd [at] patriciadines.info with your thoughts. Thanks! |
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What
the Latest News About Organics Really
Means |
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Patricia Dines was part of the Global Cooling Panel at the (wonderful!) Harmony Festival, Sunday June 10, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. It was fun to connect with folks and spread the word about the joy we can feel when we make a positive difference in the world. The Festival is presented annually and has lots of fun people, information, products, music, and more. They call it "Northern California's Premier Music, Camping & Sustainable Lifestyle Festival." It's offerings include "World Class Music & Speakers on multiple stages for 3 Days and 3 Nights of Entertainment, Arts, Ecology& Healthful Living." This year's theme is "Promoting Global Cooling." For more information, see www.harmonyfestival.com. |
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Sebastopol
Peak Oil Report Released This report was produced for the Sebastopol City Council by the Sebastopol Citizens Advisory Group on Energy Vulnerability (CAGE). The purpose was to help the City explore how to maintain public services in the face of anticipated significant energy supply shortfalls (aka peak oil). Sebastopol was one of the world's first cities to take formal public action to explore this issue (just as it was one of the first U.S. cities to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions). CAGE spent over a year in focused research and analysis, understanding the facts and possible scenarios, exploring innovative and realistic ways to approach these issues, and understanding the workings of Sebastopol's operations. The resulting report was presented to the City Council by Ms. Dines on April 3, 2007. All Councilmembers was warmly appreciative of the quality of the information and usefulness of the report. Click here for the resume page summarizing the report and the responses.This page includes a link to an article about this report and a link to the final report. Thank you to everyone in CAGE and beyond who
contributed to this report's successful completion,
and to the Sebastopol City Council for seeking to
look forward and act proactively in the best
interests of the community. |