Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Hunger Drive for Swampscott Pantry
Did anyone know there's a food pantry run out of Swampscott? One runs out of the basement of St. John's on Humphrey St. As with larger pantries and kitchens like My Brothers Table, it's open to anyone who has needs and operates out of the generosity of the community.
It's sad to admit, but Swampscott has a problem with hunger. We'd like to think we're immune to something like this, but there's a lot of people who have lost jobs, on fixed incomes or are otherwise struggling who are having trouble putting food on the table.
The Swampscott Town Democrats, of which I am a member, is sponsiring a food drive for the pantry for this entire month. We're collecting canned goods at the library. So if anyone has some extra cans laying around and isn't using them, please consider making a donation. Every little bit helps.
It's sad to admit, but Swampscott has a problem with hunger. We'd like to think we're immune to something like this, but there's a lot of people who have lost jobs, on fixed incomes or are otherwise struggling who are having trouble putting food on the table.
The Swampscott Town Democrats, of which I am a member, is sponsiring a food drive for the pantry for this entire month. We're collecting canned goods at the library. So if anyone has some extra cans laying around and isn't using them, please consider making a donation. Every little bit helps.
Labels: town life
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Tap Water: Cleaner, Fresher, Better, Cheaper
Today's such a hot day - and I've been drinking practically gallons of water to stay hydrated - that I figured I'd post locally what I've posted about at my political blog on occasion: don't buy bottled water, drink it straight from the tap. We're lucky to enjoy some of the best tap water anywhere - the Quabbin Reservoir is consistantly named among the best in the country. Tap water is more heavily regulated than anything you'll find in a bottle, plus the fact that buying just one bottle of water would pay for all the water you could drink for an entire year if from the tap.
Don't worry, you don't have to sacrifice taste or quality: Swampscott's tap, as with nearly all of Massachusetts, is cleaner and better for you. Heck, when you drink bottled water, you're usually drinking tap water anyway: bottled water plants suck up our tap water, distributing it across the country. It's actually an environmental disaster. The bottles themselves use large quantities of oil to produce (to make the plastic) and the bottling plants consume water that local communities desperately need.
Furthermore, the filters these companies use take out the good stuff in our water (minerals our body wants), while our tap water keeps those minerals while adding things that we need to remain healthy and strong. Not to mention, the bottles themselves can fester disease: water that stays bottled and stagnant, instead of constantly flowing in our pipes, is actually a good breeding ground for bacteria.
Bottled water is one of the most successful marketing jobs done ever. It's become an industry that makes billions - by getting us to pay for something we could be getting for free. We've been convinced that the tap's bad for us, or not cool and hip, or something to be sneered at akin to how many feel about public transportation (a whole other topic for a whole other post). Suffice it to say, if you're worried about being cool and hip, go buy a cool and hip water bottle, and partake in the pipes that connect us all, defining us as a civilization, where all we have to do to quench our thirst is pull a magic lever that fills our cups as often as we need. Tastes good.
Lastly, my favorite comic's views on the matter:
The annual cost of drinking water only based on the commonly recommended 8With rising gas prices and the inflating costs of nearly everything, from bread to milk to heating oil, if anyone's looking for somewhere where they can save a few hundred dollars a year to offset the difference, look no further than switching to the tap.
glasses of water per day intake (1/2 gallon x 365), would be:
- $0.84 for Tap water (that is, 84 cents)
- $27.38 for Filtered Tap water (on-going basis)
- $91.25 for the least expensive bottled water tested
- $1029.30 for the most expensive bottled water tested
Don't worry, you don't have to sacrifice taste or quality: Swampscott's tap, as with nearly all of Massachusetts, is cleaner and better for you. Heck, when you drink bottled water, you're usually drinking tap water anyway: bottled water plants suck up our tap water, distributing it across the country. It's actually an environmental disaster. The bottles themselves use large quantities of oil to produce (to make the plastic) and the bottling plants consume water that local communities desperately need.
Furthermore, the filters these companies use take out the good stuff in our water (minerals our body wants), while our tap water keeps those minerals while adding things that we need to remain healthy and strong. Not to mention, the bottles themselves can fester disease: water that stays bottled and stagnant, instead of constantly flowing in our pipes, is actually a good breeding ground for bacteria.
Bottled water is one of the most successful marketing jobs done ever. It's become an industry that makes billions - by getting us to pay for something we could be getting for free. We've been convinced that the tap's bad for us, or not cool and hip, or something to be sneered at akin to how many feel about public transportation (a whole other topic for a whole other post). Suffice it to say, if you're worried about being cool and hip, go buy a cool and hip water bottle, and partake in the pipes that connect us all, defining us as a civilization, where all we have to do to quench our thirst is pull a magic lever that fills our cups as often as we need. Tastes good.
Lastly, my favorite comic's views on the matter:
Labels: advocacy, town life, water
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Long Overdue
The Swampscott Reporter finally adopted a new comment process, where writers must register before they can post their 2 cents. That will go a long way toward solving the poisonous atmosphere on the website.
However, it's still not "Mission Accomplished" for the Swampscott Reporter. Just as a newspaper carefully guards its letters to the editor section, it must make sure that at least certain standards are met in the comments. If users are to be able to use the town newspaper as their soapbox, doubly tall, then they should have to abide by the same kind of standards of decency present in the letters.
However, it's still not "Mission Accomplished" for the Swampscott Reporter. Just as a newspaper carefully guards its letters to the editor section, it must make sure that at least certain standards are met in the comments. If users are to be able to use the town newspaper as their soapbox, doubly tall, then they should have to abide by the same kind of standards of decency present in the letters.
Labels: the Reporter, town life
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Happy 3rd of July
Great fireworks, lots of people, fun times... is there a better time to live in Swampscott than around the summer holidays? Nearly anyone in town can take a quick walk to the beach, see the fire works, buy a strawberry shortcake at the Strawberry Festival, go to Popo's or Red Rock.... endless possibilities.
The town would do well to attract more summer walkers to take advantage of our coastal perks - perhaps public bike racks, more summer activities and live entertainment, a summer series of local bands at the gazebo, for example. Hey, we may as well. Anyone want to start a new committee? LOL.
Also, here's my annual summer Independence Day post on my political blog, Ryan's Take.
The town would do well to attract more summer walkers to take advantage of our coastal perks - perhaps public bike racks, more summer activities and live entertainment, a summer series of local bands at the gazebo, for example. Hey, we may as well. Anyone want to start a new committee? LOL.
Also, here's my annual summer Independence Day post on my political blog, Ryan's Take.
Labels: town life
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Today's Parade: Huge Success
Some random notes which add up to why it was so awesome:
If anyone's feeling extra motivated by the Town Dems in the parade and wants to become involved, there's a potluck cookout July 9th at 6:30pm. Email me for more information. It's a good chance to meet everyone, feel a part of the community and learn ways to become more involved.
- I marched with the Town Dems, just behind the bagpipe band and in front of youth soccer - good music and plenty of cheers from the crowd throughout.
- The Town Dems ran out of Obama stickers midway through the parade - they were hot tickets!
- The weather held off just in time.
- Lori Ehrlich was one of only two elected officials to actually bother showing up to march. Kudos to she and her family!
- Hundreds came out, despite the ugly clouds.
If anyone's feeling extra motivated by the Town Dems in the parade and wants to become involved, there's a potluck cookout July 9th at 6:30pm. Email me for more information. It's a good chance to meet everyone, feel a part of the community and learn ways to become more involved.
Labels: parade, town dems, town life
Sunday, May 18, 2008
The Skunks are Out!!
My poor dog, Snickers, a Silky Terrier, was sprayed by a skunk tonight. Not fun!! I always check outside for skunks before I let her out, unfortunately not all the members of my family are as careful. After a full bath, a little peroxide and tomato juice (better she smell like tomatoes than skunk), she was alright. I can't say the same thing about my house though - the whole place stinks!
Labels: town life
