Join betterArts board members Justin Chirico and Matthew Tardif Feb. 21 on a snowshoe hike hosted by the Indian River Lakes Conservancy (IRLC)—then come back to Better Farm for a craft beer tasting by the wood stove hosted by betterArts.
Read MoreTwelve people on Wednesday were shot to death in the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical and controversial newspaper in Paris that features cartoons, articles and jokes. The attack is thought to be in backlash to cartoons considered offensive to Islam. Among the dead were Stéphane "Charb" Charbonnier, the newspaper's editor and head cartoonist. The day after the attack, remaining staff members at the paper announced that publication would continue, with next Wednesday's issue spiking in production by more than 30 times its normal run to bring up to 3 million copies to the public.
Read MoreAfter hitting -20 last night in Redwood, I wandered outside this morning to see how Better Farm's greenhouse-chicken synergy is going.
Read MoreMacsherry Library slated its 11th Annual Heart of Winter Art Show and Chocolate Reception, which will take place Saturday, Feb. 14, in the library's community gallery.
Art in any medium representing aspects of winter in the north country is welcome. There is no fee, and the show will be on display through Feb. 28. Written works, including poems and essays, will also be accepted. There will additionally be a craft table for the creation of Valentine's Day crafts. Chocolatiers are also invited to bring in their delicious creations for a friendly chocolate competition.
The public votes for their favorite artworks, written works and chocolate desserts. Bragging rights are the prize!
To submit artwork, email sehb@hillwoman.com for a contract and further information. Deadline for admission is Feb 4; all work must be at the library for hanging by Feb. 11.
Macsherry Library is located at 112 Walton St., Alexandria Bay NY.
BetterArts is seeking reporters, musicians, show anchors, volunteers, story tellers, gardeners, savantes, and local personalities for its new station, Better Radio WBTS 88.5 FM.
The low-power FM station, set to go live at the annual Better Festival June 20, 2015, is getting ready for its launch by archiving content throughout the winter months.
Better Radio will feature an NPR-like format that showcases everything going on in the North Country; from original music to gardening advice to fishing and hunting reports, conservation efforts, news and weather, political roundups, health and wellness programming, and much much more.
A series of workshops will be slated throughout the winter to offer free training to any interested volunteers in the basic mechanics of sound engineering, editing, uploading, and syncing files for use on-air. Anyone interested in renting a recorder to create sound files (original music, funny jokes, personal narrative, or interviews) is welcome to do so free of charge as long as he or she has had a basic training session in how to use the equipment.
Here is a list of programming planned so far. If you have interest in contributing as a guest, musician, interview subject, reporter, sponsor or otherwise, please email
. Until we go on-air in J
une, we will be pre-recording segments, renovating o
ffice space to s
erve as station studio, and creati
ng connections with local organi
zations. This is a great time to get in
volved
with th
is exciting new project! We are also accepting
interested in
New Me
dia, broadcast journalism
, or sound engineering. Musicians applying to the residency program additionally now have the opportunity to host their own show
during their
time here or contribute their music to the station for airtime.
Daily Programming
Music Exchange
Better Health & Wellness
Spirituality Programming
Outdoor Show
Kids Broadcasting
Open Mic
Love Line
Green Thumb
Holiday shopping is upon us in just two little days; and there's no shortage of jacked-up consumerist sensibilities. But while there are inevitably going to be items each holiday season you're compelled to buy—like that video game your kid's dying to have, or a new flatscreen for the home, or a certain tie/dress/sweater/coat/fill-in-the-blanks that your spouse/cousin/parent/etc. has specifically asked for—there are also plenty of other gifts you're going to buy this season. You've got stocking stuffers, little gifts for people you love, the obligatory gift for your boss, co-workers, mailperson, dry cleaner, sanitation worker, and child's teacher.
So why not do something different this year? How about, instead of buying mass-produced stuff, you use your money to make a difference?
There are millions of ways to make real change with your money this holiday season. Whether you want to support artisans, shop local, or buy from organizations that will use your money to help people (
) in need, gifts this year run the gamut from sending young women to school to purchasing handwoven baskets from an underpriveleged person in Nepal. You can donate to a non-profit you believe in on behalf of someone you care about or in memory of a loved one; or simply buy a from a company you believe has ethical business practices. Here's a short list of some of my favorites this year (full disclosure: shameless plug for
to support sustainability outreach is of course included in the roundup):
Any individual retailers and/or artisans are encouraged to leave their own website/store information as a comment below for holiday shoppers.
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| Chickens enjoy a warmer climate where they can still scratch on the ground, while the plants get a heated home in which to grow. |
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| Community greenhouse. |
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| A basic Solviva greenhouse design, as found at Backyard Chickens. |
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BetterArts this Saturday will create gratitude trees with children at Hospice of Jefferson County in order to express the youngsters' thanks to people they love who are no longer with us.
The arts 'n' crafts project is part of an annual partnership between betterArts and Hospice of Jefferson County, in which the two groups come together to provide a holiday party for children whose loved ones have passed away. This year's holiday party comes during the Thanksgiving season; so it is a fitting time for the children to focus on the gifts left behind by those who have passed away. These gifts may be in the form of memories, stories, life lessons, surviving family members, or anything else the children can imagine.
Those at the event will also be given the option of recording their fondest memories of their loved ones; a project undertaken by betterArts latest initiative, Better Radio. Those who opt to participate may have their memories burned onto a CD; or even broadcast on-air.
Here's some information on the healing power of gratitude, as published at the Chopra Center: Many scientific studies, including research by renowned psychologists Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough, have found that people who consciously focus on gratitude experience greater emotional wellbeing and physical health than those who don’t. In comparison with control groups, those who cultivated a grateful outlook:
Felt better about their lives as a whole
Experienced greater levels of joy and happiness
Felt optimistic about the future
Got sick less often
Exercised more regularly
Had more energy, enthusiasm, determination, and focus
Made greater progress toward achieving important personal goals
Slept better and awoke feeling refreshed
Felt stronger during trying times
Enjoyed closer family ties
Were more likely to help others and offer emotional support
Experienced fewer symptoms of stress
If you want more happiness, joy, and energy, gratitude is clearly a crucial quality to cultivate. It is a fullness of heart that moves us from limitation and fear to expansion and love. When we’re appreciating something, our ego moves out of the way and we connect with our soul. Gratitude brings our attention into the present, which is the only place where miracles can unfold. The deeper our appreciation, the more we see with the eyes of the soul and the more our life flows in harmony with the creative power of the universe.
- See more at: http://www.chopra.com/ccl/cultivate-the-healing-power-of-gratitude#sthash.f6jPMFkv.dpuf
Many scientific studies, including research by renowned psychologists Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough, have found that people who consciously focus on gratitude experience greater emotional wellbeing and physical health than those who don’t. In comparison with control groups, those who cultivated a grateful outlook: - See more at: http://www.chopra.com/ccl/cultivate-the-healing-power-of-gratitude#sthash.f6jPMFkv.dpuf
Many scientific studies, including research by renowned psychologists Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough, have found that people who consciously focus on gratitude experience greater emotional wellbeing and physical health than those who don’t. In comparison with control groups, those who cultivated a grateful outlook:
Felt better about their lives as a whole
Experienced greater levels of joy and happiness
Felt optimistic about the future
Got sick less often
Exercised more regularly
Had more energy, enthusiasm, determination, and focus
Made greater progress toward achieving important personal goals
Slept better and awoke feeling refreshed
Felt stronger during trying times
Enjoyed closer family ties
Were more likely to help others and offer emotional support
Experienced fewer symptoms of stress
If you want more happiness, joy, and energy, gratitude is clearly a crucial quality to cultivate. It is a fullness of heart that moves us from limitation and fear to expansion and love. When we’re appreciating something, our ego moves out of the way and we connect with our soul. Gratitude brings our attention into the present, which is the only place where miracles can unfold. The deeper our appreciation, the more we see with the eyes of the soul and the more our life flows in harmony with the creative power of the universe.
- See more at: http://www.chopra.com/ccl/cultivate-the-healing-power-of-gratitude#sthash.f6jPMFkv.dpuMany scientific studies, including research by renowned psychologists Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough, have found that people who consciously focus on gratitude experience greater emotional well-being and physical health than those who don’t. In comparison with control groups, those who cultivated a grateful outlook:
Felt better about their lives as a whole
Experienced greater levels of joy and happiness
Felt optimistic about the future
Got sick less often
Exercised more regularly
Had more energy, enthusiasm, determination, and focus
Made greater progress toward achieving important personal goals
Slept better and awoke feeling refreshed
Felt stronger during trying times
Enjoyed closer family ties
Were more likely to help others and offer emotional support
Experienced fewer symptoms of stress
If you want more happiness, joy, and energy, gratitude is clearly a crucial quality to cultivate. It is a fullness of heart that moves us from limitation and fear to expansion and love. When we’re appreciating something, our ego moves out of the way and we connect with our soul. Gratitude brings our attention into the present, which is the only place where miracles can unfold. The deeper our appreciation, the more we see with the eyes of the soul and the more our life flows in harmony with the creative power of the universe.
Gratitude trees are a great project for you to embark on solo; but they also make wonderful projects for the whole family. Here's all you need to make your very own!
Wall-Mounted Gratitude Tree
You'll need a roll of colorful paper, construction paper, and markers or paint (whichever you like, or both!) Simply cut a big tree with a bunch of limbs out of the paper and adhere it to the wall with double-sided tape. Cut leaves from the construction paper and write one thing you are grateful for on each one before sticking each leaf to the branches
Gratitude Tree in Vase
You'll need a vase (betterArts will be using vases donated to by the Whimsical Pig in Watertown), pebbles or marbles for the bottom of the vase (optional), small branches collected from outside, string and construction paper. If you like, you can even tie a ribbon around the branches to hold them together. Put the branches and pebbles in the vase, add the branches, and then cut leaves from the construction paper. On each leaf, write one thing you are grateful for. These make terrific centerpieces at Thanksgiving!
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| Photo from Syracuse.com. |
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| The scene. Photo/Nicole Caldwell |
Hello, Friends of Better Farm!
Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away—and now is a perfect time to reflect on all the things we're grateful for.
Practicing the act of gratitude is a great way to reduce the negativity we're overloaded with in our daily lives. If we insist on acknowledging what we appreciate and feel thankful for, we have less room in our minds for the mustn'ts, don'ts, shouldn'ts, impossibles, won'ts, and never haves. Instead of spending so much time fretting about what we don't have, gratitude forces us into the here and the now with all the gifts we already possess.
There are so many people you know who go out of their way on a daily basis to show kindness to strangers, volunteer in their communities, do something to help the environment, or just take the time to pick up the phone or offer you their ear. People like you! Let's all promise to take some time out this month to thank all those silent heroes in every community who do this often-invisible, vital work that brings us all a little bit closer together.
To that end: I am so grateful to all of you for being a part of the "better" mission! As I practice this reflection of gratitude, I can't help but focus on what a difference your volunteer work, attention, encouragement and involvement have meant for Better Farm, betterArts, the Redwood community, the environment, and each individual who has stepped foot on this property. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
As always, check in at our blog to follow all of Better Farm's daily adventures.
Until next time, better be. And, thanks.
Nicole Caldwell
Executive Director and Co-Founder
Better Farm
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News: All the Buzz At Better Farm
Better Farm to be Featured in Ways of Living Documentary—We mentioned last month that Better Farm is included in a new documentary coming out this winter called Ways of Living. The wonderful ladies making that project have created an indiegogo campaign to raise production costs for the flim. Click here to find out more and chart their progress!
Better Farm's Partnership with Airbnb brings Tourism, Sustainability to Redwood—Better Farm since March has hosted more than 60 reservations through Airbnb, furthering the farm's mission of sustainable living—and travel. Airbnb, which offers 800,000 listings in 33,000 cities of room-shares or entire homes available for a night, week, or longer, recently released its first environmental impact study on the sustainability of home sharing. Turns out, Airbnb guests in North America use a full 63-percent less energy than hotel guests. That's enough to power 19,000 homes for an entire year.
BetterArts Helps at Royal Fall Faire— BetterArts last month participated in Sackets Harbor PTO's Royal Fall Faire at Sackets Central School in order to provide children with an arts 'n' crafts station that included leaf printing, decorating pumpkins, and face painting. Check out pictures from the event here.
Better Farm Educates on Health at Wellness Fair—Better Farm set up an information booth at Indian River Central School's annual wellness fair. Students and parents were informed on community organizations promoting health and wellness. The "better" crew passed out information, talked about local food sources, and shared some banana apple bread hot off the barbecue grill.
BetterArts Board Member Opens New Gallery—Kari Zelson Robertson has opened a new gallery showcasing her original pottery creations in Rutland Center at 28279 Route 126, about 3.5 miles east of Watertown. Robertson's pieces range from vases and mugs to wall hangings and wine holders. Click here for more information.
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Better Radio Updates!
Volunteers got together in October to install Better Radio's tower, which will broadcast in 2015 from WBTS 88.5 FM.
Ham radio operator Walter Dutcher out of Rochester, N.Y., shared his extensive knowledge of radio frequencies and operating procedures which allowed the newly formed Better Radio committee to experiment with signal strength and to get a better idea of how this project will work.
The group was pleased to discover the signal strength is more than expected: about 20 miles in every direction. For the next several months, we'll be purchasing equipment, recording music, compiling segments and shows, and getting ready for our tentative on-air date of June 20, 2015! To get involved, email info@betterarts.org
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Upcoming Events
Here's a quick rundown of upcoming events. For more information, email info@betterfarm.org or
.
Nov. 7 —The 66th Annual Juried Fine Art Show, put on by the North Country Arts Council, is slated from 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 at the Dulles State Office Building in Watertown. This year's show features work by betterArts board members, Better Farm staff, and former betterArts residents. Click here for more information.
Nov. 13 —Better Farm's annual (Early) Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner Party is slated for 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 at Better Farm in Redwood. To RSVP, email info@betterfarm.org.
Dec. 8—Nicole Caldwell guest lectures at Jefferson Community College to Intro to Business students, 12:20-1 p.m.
December Date TBD— Hospice of Watertown Christmas party with kids
December Date TBD—We're kicking off our monthly movie nights this December. On the agenda are educational flicks dirt!, Fed Up, Food Inc., and many more. To sign up, email info@betterfarm.org.
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Better Farm's Sustainability Education Program
Better Farm’s Sustainability Education Program was created to offer individuals an immersive, introductory crash-course in sustainability initiatives. Those enrolled in the program receive a hands-on education in a myriad of seasonal topics related to sustainability and environmental issues. Instead of a traditional working farm with acres upon acres of one or a few different crops, Better Farm has many gardens demonstrating different styles of small-scale farming and stressing the need for diversity of crops instead of mono cultures. Better Farm equips students with a variety of solutions to real-world agricultural issues, including small spaces, temperamental soils, pests, and climate change. The aquaponics, hydroponics, layered gardens, fruit orchard, and forests on the property are extremely varied so students coming from all over the world will learn real-world tools that can be applied back home. The Sustainability Education Program runs in one- to three-month intervals year-round. Those attending receive daily assignments and chores all related to sustainability initiatives and organic farming, as well as the opportunity to design and implement projects on their own. Upon completion of all units and responsibilities, participants will receive a certificate from Better Farm. College students may additionally receive course credit for completion of Better Farm's Sustainability Education Program.
To learn more and to apply, visit www.betterfarm.org/sustainability-internship.
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betterArts Residency Program
betterArts offers a unique opportunity to artists, writers, performers, and musicians with a residency program based out of Better Farm. Residencies are designed to offer artists of every discipline space and time to work on specific projects; whether a series of paintings, a composition, book, set of sculptures, or album.
A private room, 24/7 access to a fully stocked communal kitchen, linens and towels, WiFi, parking, and round-the-clock access to the Art Barn are all included in a low stipend required of all residents.
betterArts residents are encouraged to interact and participate in the goings-on around the property, and to help out with chores and farm-related responsibilities between three and five hours each week. These responsibilities may include working in the gardens, participating in arts-related community outreach projects, helping with house chores, cooking, or assisting with other odd jobs. At the conclusion of each residency, an artist is required to present his or her work to the public in a gallery show, reading, performance, or via some other appropriate medium.
Residencies are for two weeks, three weeks, one month, or two-month periods. Basic facilities at Better Farm will be provided; but betterArts residents are expected to provide the majority of materials and equipment they would need for the production of their work.
For more information about the betterArts Residency Program and to download the application, click here.
