IN THIS ISSUE:

eco-LOCAL Living Winter 2010

Author: ecolocal |

The late 1900’s were bad for upstate New York’s old cities. The new highways and mobility of the car culture took money and investment out of the city in favor of the new suburban landscape. Instead of being hemmed in by city blocks, developers could expand onto acres and acres of open land, creating the malls and suburban cul-de-sac neighborhoods that are now ubiquitous in modern America. Many of the old factories that supported the old cities closed, left behind in the march for progress out to the exit ramps and the strip malls. The Geography of Nowhere, a book by local author James Howard Kunstler makes the case that our “happy motoring” lifestyle that is built upon cheap fuel, cheap money, and cheap imports, has in fact, cheapened our very existence. Despite the expanse of sprawl in our midst, there is a movement back to the city, most exemplified in Saratoga Springs. People want to live and work downtown and there’s a renewed sense of community. Some call this New Urbanism, the catch phrase for creating a sense of place that makes for happy human habitation. The New Urbanism is a reaction to sprawl. A growing movement of architects, planners, developers, and others, the New Urbanism is based on principles of planning and architecture that work together to create human-scale, walkable communities. One of the key players in the New Urban revitalization of Saratoga Springs is the team at Bonacio Constructtion. They are responsible for the rehabilitation of many of the old buildings in Saratoga Springs, as well as the residential and commercial spaces that has recently sprouted up around town. Sonny Bonacio’s vision is for Saratoga to be a vibrant blend of old and new urbanism, where history blends gracefully with the present, and sets the stage for a sustainable future. Bonacio has done more for re-localizing Saratoga Springs than practically anyone else, so we are proud to feature he and his team are our eco-localizers for this Winter edition.

Also in this issue, we also take a look an alternative idea for education. Education has been in the news a lot lately – it always seems to need more money and better teachers. There’s one school however, that seem to get by with less of both, yet delivers on the promise of what education is all about – nurturing and developing the creative spirit in our children. It’s an old school principal, finding new life at the Adirondack School, located out in the middle of Nowhere, but not far from Greenwich in Washington County. Speaking of out in the middle of nowhere, have you been to Pompanuck Farm? This one of a kind “eco-retreat” is way out there, and not just in the measure of miles. Scott and Lisa Carrino are your host of this remarkable escape in the woods near the border of Vermont. They are on there own educational mission, rehabilitating broken lives, inspiring greatness in children, and providing a real life example of sustainable living. Scott and Lisa believe that a good teacher is really a good listener. Their agenda-free workshops flow with creativity and love, and the teaching moments are everywhere.

2010 promises to be a year of transition. We are seeing the old economy crumble all around us. While it is painful to witness and experience the strife this is causing, the good news is that we are moving towards a better way. The sooner we accept it, and embrace it, the sooner we will reap its blessings. Like Winter gives way to Spring, there is opportunity for new growth in this new, emerging decade. Be sure to stop look, and listen for the signs. They will come to you, if your heart is in the right place. Be Still. Be Quite, Be Local. Be eco-Local!