Category Archives: Not Green

Incomplete streets

Today I did it.  I crossed Highway-141 on foot, against all odds.   But first, some background information.

What is a complete street?

“Complete streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities must be able to safely move along and across a complete street.”1

The streets around my office are perfect examples of incomplete streets.  At the intersection in question, I had to cross 4-6 lanes of traffic (depending on where I was in relation to the turning lanes) without the aid of a sidewalk, crosswalk, or pedestrian traffic signals.  I started my journey on a nice bit of sidewalk that quickly disappeared, leaving me to walk on the grassy and sharply angled side of the road, using a concrete drainage ditch as my “sidewalk” part of the way, and jumping over said ditch at other parts.

Once I reached 141, I decided it would be safer to cross before the intersection than crossing at the intersection, with cars turning every which way.  The only slightly redeeming feature was the grassy median between the east and west bound lanes, so I didn’t have to cross all the way at once.

As it happened, a police car was staked out on the shoulder of the road.  I walked right in front of it, wishing that the officer would have the nerve to say something to me about crossing the road.  I was quite ready with my righteous indignation at the absurdity of the situation and the lack of accommodations for anything other than motor vehicles.  Is it jaywalking if there’s no crosswalk or pedestrian signal in the first place?

Anyway, active forms of transportation, such as biking and walking, are great ways to meet people.  After I made it across, someone pulled over and asked me how to get to the mall (being new to these parts, I didn’t know).  The end result was that the guy gave me his number.  Now that wouldn’t have happened if I was in my car, would it?

This little adventure ended with me crossing back over 141, this time on the other side of the intersection, where I discovered that the median was still quite muddy from recent rains.  Oh, for want of a decent sidewalk!

1. For more information on Complete Streets, go to http://www.completestreets.org/

Coal country

Despite really just wanting to stay inside and hunker down on a chilly, wet November evening, we headed to Greendrinks on Tuesday night to watch Coal Country.  We saw a short version, a screener for the entire movie that just aired on the Discovery Channel’s Planet Green.

Since we pretty much never watch TV, and don’t have cable, we were out of the loop on that one, but it will be re-aired on December 20 at 12pm, December 24 10:30 pm, and December 25 at 2:30 pm.  I think all the times are Eastern.

They presented both sides, the people of Appalachia whose families have worked in coal forever and believe their local way of life would collapse without coal, and other long-time residents who see their way of life being ruined because of the coal.  You can click here to find out more about mountain top removal, which is anything but clean.

 

Dirty coal – part deux

So, I can’t type “dirty coal” without thinking of the N’Sync song “Dirty Pop.”  I would just as soon not think of any N’Sync songs, with the exception of JT’s “Sexy Back” (which is not technically an N’Sync song).  I feel like the brainwashed Derek Zoolander when “Sexy Back” plays, except that instead of being programmed to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia, I am just programmed to dance.

Anyway, to get back to the topic of dirty coal, StL Green Drinks‘ November event will be a showing of the documentary Coal Country this Tuesday, November 17th.  If you’re in the area, click on the link above to get the details.  And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some dancing to do.

No love from the vampires

I scheduled the appointment for early in the afternoon, ate a big lunch, and drank lots of water.  I also refrained from taking the pain reliever that I really wanted for my mysteriously tight and sore neck.

I realized as I approached the donation site that a mobile unit meant that a diesel engine would be running constantly to power the thing.  I was less than thrilled about the prospect of breathing diesel fumes while donating blood — I’d had enough problems with being light-headed during my previous donation, no fumes required!

In the end, despite my best efforts to be in great shape for donating blood, my efforts were foiled by an iron count that was just a wee little bit too low.  Ever so slightly.

Lessons learned:
1. Choose a fixed donation site, not a mobile unit, unless you have a special fondness for breathing diesel fumes.
2. If you’re in fairly serious pain and want to take medication, it may be better to take it and reschedule your blood donation than suffering (which in this case was needless since I was unable to donate anyway).

Dirty coal

Let’s call it what it is, people.  Coal companies are now marketing to children.  You can read about it by clicking here.  Disgusting, but not terribly surprising.

If you are like me, you might think that a symposium titled “America’s Energy Future” would be about sources of renewable energy, like wind and solar . . . and you would be wrong.   Instead, Washington University in St. Louis recently hosted a symposium by that name that focused on coal.  My blood pressure shot through the roof when I initially read about the symposium.  I wanted to attend and speak my mind, but I was busy breathing second-hand smoke that day.  (Thank you, St. Louis City Uncivil Court House.)

I was thrilled to discover a grassroots student movement opposing the cozy relationship between the university and coal industry execs.  They organized a flash mob demonstration during the reception following the symposium, which you can read about here.  Love it!