[image-1] - Need new outdoor furniture for your Spring and Summer fêtes? Don't buy new ones -- make them instead! Wow your guests with these patio chairs made from wooden pallets.
EarthTalk: Sockeye salmon on the rebound? - Some 34 million sockeye salmon returned to Canada's Fraser River this past summer and fall, following years of decline that had many scientists worried about the future of the fish and the industry built around it. There is now great optimism for better times ahead.
What is LEED? Funny short video featuring the Queen of England explains it all (video) - "LEED is a system to prove that your building is environmentally friendly. Otherwise any jerk can say a building is green -- even if it was designed by a monkey or worse: a Canadian architect."
Green your New Year's Eve festivities - Start the new year the eco-friendly way by greening your New Year's Eve bash. Take a look at these easy tips, some of which are inexpensive and even free (and can be used for any party, at any time of the year).
New fresh market: First Saturdays at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel - You'll find a a variety of local, certified organic, hydroponic and conventional produce, as well as Florida native plants, herbs, flowers, organic garden supplies, prepared foods, local art and eco-friendly products.
Don’t forget to check out our Green Community Calendar for green events and workshops in the Bay Area!
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed last week:
Downtown Disney boots McDonald's, replaces with healthier fare and BabyCakes gluten-free bakery - Pollo Campero, Fresh Apeel and NYC's BabyCakes gluten-free bakery will be taking Mickey D's place. This project was headed by the Spiaggia restaurant group who wanted to put healthier fare in the parks.
EarthTalk: The controversy over "fracking" for natural gas - Fracking, shorthand for “hydraulic fracturing,” involves blasting millions of gallons of water, sand and hazardous chemicals at high-pressure into sub-surface rock formations to create fractures that facilitate the flow of recoverable oil or gas. It has come under serious attack of late due to fears about contaminated drinking water and other threats to public health.
St. Pete residents: Recycle your Christmas tree into Yuletide mulch (and how the rest of Pinellas and Hillsborough can get rid of theirs too) - Don't go sticking your withered Tannenbaum in the dumpster after the holidays, let the city turn it into "Yuletide" mulch.
Interview with New Port Richey market gardener Jim Kovaleski (video) - Another interview of a local market gardener, Jim Kovaleski, by Code Green Community founder Eric Stewart.
Permablitz gardening event at The Angelus with Code Green Community - Sunday, January 2nd - The Angelus is looking for volunteers to help with its newly formed local food production operation to help support its residents. The group is planning to work on their community garden and food forest and to fill up their green houses and accessible garden with lots of fruits and vegetables.
