The Healthy Planet

A Noah’s Ark for Plants

cstudios_da — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:53:53 +0000

by Linda Wiggen Kraft

The story of Noah’s Ark is incomplete. Yes, all animals needed to be saved from the flood, but what about the plants? After all, how would animals live without plants both on the boat and on land later? According to some stories, Noah had a wife whose job was to save plants and seeds. Knowing about Noah’s wife makes the story complete, with important implications not only for Noah’s time but also for our world now.

Saving endangered plants with all their unique genetic material is as important as saving endangered animals. And just like the animals, the loss of plant species is rampant. Some estimates say 100,000 plant species are threatened. These plants which feed, cloth and shelter life can never be replaced once lost.

Gardening, just like all other parts of life, has changed drastically in the last centuries. Before the introduction of seeds for sale by seed companies, gardeners saved seeds from their gardens to be planted year after year. The diversity of different plants varied from region to region. Gardeners would save seeds from the plants that grew best in their land, selecting ones that had adapted to specific conditions. These plants would produce “pure” or “open pollinated” seed, where the offspring were identical to the parent plant.

Seed companies began producing hybrid seeds that combined genetics from two different “pure” plants. The seeds from hybrid plants don’t produce identical offspring, instead the offspring are very different, so the need to buy seed every year was established. Many gardeners quit saving seeds. As these gardeners who knew how to save seeds passed on the threat of the loss of knowledge about saving seeds and these plants themselves was, and is, enormous.

The foresight of knowing the dire consequences of losing plants that have the potential to provide life saving crops in case of plant blight, or provide new ways to improve the world, was felt in two pioneers in the seed saving arena. In 1975 Kent and Diane Ott Whealy started Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa to preserve heirloom open pollinated seeds and set up a catalog where gardeners could share these kinds of seeds with other gardeners. Today there are over13,000 different varieties of seeds offered in the Seed Savers Exchange Member Yearbook. There is also a Flower and Herb Yearbook. A printed and online traditional seed catalog offers heirloom vegetable, flowers, herb seeds and other items to help grown heirloom and save seeds.

Seed Savers Exchange is a day’s drive and worth a visit. There are 890 acres at Heritage farm, which maintains thousands of garden heirloom plants in the organically certified Preservation Garden, over 700 historic 19th century apple varieties in the Historic Orchard and a herd of ancient White Park Cattle. Visitors are welcome March 1st to Dec. 23rd.

Diane Ott Whealy, co-founder of Seed Savers Exchange will be a featured presenter at the Missisouri Botanical Garden’s, Garden Blitz on Saturday March 3rd. She will share inspiring information on Heirloom Edibles and Your Garden. Don’t miss this pioneer in the seed saving efforts when she speaks here in St. Louis.

To register for Garden Blitz contact the Missouri Botanical Garden (314) 577-5140, email classes@mobot.org, or visit www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. To see the complete schedule visit: St. Louis Horticultural Coop Website: www.hortco-op.org.

Linda Wiggen Kraft is a mandala artist and garden designer who uses the wisdom of many traditions in her work. Call her at 314-504-4266 or visit her new blog: www.creativityforthesoul.com/blog.

Spring 2012 St. Louis Garden Blitz: Solve – Grow – Enjoy!

Guest Speakers:

Doug Tallamy, author of “Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants”; www.timberpress.com.

Diane Ott Whealy, co-founder Seed Savers Exchange and author of “GATHERING: Memoir of a Seed Saver.” www.seedsavers.org.

Cindy Gilberg, speaking on Plants for Rain Gardens and Moist Soils. www.cindygilberg.com.

Are Your Vitamins Working?

cstudios_da — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:53:52 +0000

by Dr. Rosa Kincaid, MD

Vitamins have become a part of our American lifestyle as well as a billion-dollar industry. We are reminded on several cognitive and subtle levels to take our vitamins to: increase our energy level, keep parts of our body from “breaking down” (anti-aging), avoid diseases that “runs in my family’” and keep that “fit” look. When you take your daily vitamin, you feel that you’re really trying to do something good for yourself. What is it that you are doing?

Vitamins are substances that are supposed to protect us from the damage to our cells that is occurring each day. This damage is caused from pollution, cigarette smoke, overexposure to the sun, processed foods, and stress. Wow, this sounds like it includes the majority of us living in this modern, industrialized environment. This is an almost unavoidable lifestyle! Our protection from daily free radical can be managed and now even measured.

The solution to free-radical damage or oxidative stress is the increased intake of carotenoids. Carotenoids are a class of ant-oxidants found in fruits and vegetables that happen to have a deep red, orange or yellow color. Antioxidants stabilize the body tissue and blood cell walls and prevent disease by boosting up your body’s natural defense (your immune system.) Antioxidants protect your body from disease. However, taking vitamins should not be your only means.

Lowering your Body Mass Index (BMI) to an appropriate level between 19-23, decreasing your stress level, getting at least 7 1/2 hours of sleep each night, decreasing sun and pollution exposure and eating a high consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables puts a check on free radical damage, premature aging and future serious health concerns.

Ramen Spectroscopy is Nobel Prize-winning technology that has been introduced several years ago. It has now been adapted to measure tissue carotenoids. It is therefore measuring your overall antioxidant status. It is telling you whether your vitamins are doing their job or if you also have to make some lifestyle changes. This “BioPhotonic “ scanner is a great predictor of your overall general health.

This is a non-invasive test, which just involves your placing your hand over a blue light for five minutes. It is not painful and is very accurate. It will clearly print out your antioxidant score and give an uncomplicated healthcare plan.

Please visit the office of Dr. Rosa Kincaid, M.D. for your free scan and free 10-minute consultation. Find out if your vitamins are working! 314-531-0008. And visit our booth at the Healthy PLanet Natural Living Expo, Sunday, March 4, in Webster Groves.

See page 3 for more info.

Annual Mercy Heart to Heart Fair, Feb. 24-25 at West County Center

cstudios_da — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:53:52 +0000

Heart Disease is Number One Killer of Americans

Get A Free Heart Health Screening

Did you know heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, yet many people aren’t aware of their risks and the simple steps they can take to lower their risk of developing heart disease? In an effort to save lives and promote heart healthy living, Mercy Heart and Vascular Hospital will host its annual Heart to Heart Fair, a community event which offers free heart health screenings with on-the-spot results, one-on-one consultations with a Mercy healthcare professional, lively fitness demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, physician presentations, giveaways and more.

The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25 at West County Center located at I-270 and Manchester Road in Des Peres.

Anyone age 21 and over is encouraged to attend Heart to Heart and it is not necessary to fast prior to the heart health screening. All participants will have the opportunity to be evaluated for important health indicators, including:

• Total Cholesterol

• HDL Cholesterol

• TC/HDL Ratio

• Triglycerides

• Blood Glucose

• Blood Pressure

• Body Mass Index

• Waist Circumference

“The Mercy Health Foundation and Boeing are proud corporate sponsors of the Heart to Heart Fair,” says Sarah L. Spradlin, Regional Vice President, Mercy Foundation. “This event enables Mercy to promote a heart healthy lifestyle, and we are fortunate that it has become one of the largest outreach efforts in the area regarding cardiovascular health.”

Contrary to the common belief that heart disease is only a “man’s disease,” it is in fact the leading cause of death for American men and women. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event and every minute, someone will die from one.

“Our goal is to save lives by early detection,” says Dr. Jeanne Cleveland, one of the Mercy physicians who have been involved with the project for the past five years. “We will focus on how people can help prevent heart disease using risk factor modification, such as smoking cessation, exercise, and dietary changes.”

Although the event is free, online pre-registration is encouraged at mercy.net/stl or call 314-856-0502.

Bringing Nature Home

cstudios_da — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:53:51 +0000

by Cindy Gilberg

Biodiversity is increasingly threatened around the globe through habitat destruction. In “Bringing Nature Home”, author Doug Tallamy gives compelling insight into our historically non-native approach to development and landscaping that has produced landscapes devoid of many plant and animal species that were once common sights. Suburbia is a vast area connected by lawns, pavement and with a low number native plant species.

Why should we only be able to appreciate our natural ecosystems in parks and conservation areas and how can these areas compensate for the vast amount of land without healthy habitat? Anyone with a patch of ground, no matter how small, can be part of the solution. The addition of native plants in the landscape contributes much needed habitat and thus increases our connection to the natural world—right on our own property. Human well-being is directly associated with these natural connections.

Tallamy, an entomologist, explains how insects form the basis for much of the food web in our ecosystems and, since many are highly specialized, they depend on specific native plant species for their survival. The other side of the coin is that many native plants depend on insects for pollination. This give and take balance is all part of the intricate interrelationships, the “web of life”, in the natural world. As native plants disappear from the landscape, there is a subsequent drop in insect populations that leads to a drop in animal populations higher up the food chain. This ripple effect can ultimately lead to extinction of species.

Understanding these relationships and how different native plants contribute to replacing lost habitat is the first step in choosing which native plants to add to your landscape. The habitat requirements for animals are food, water, shelter and nesting sites. Many native plants satisfy multiple habitat needs. For example, native Viburnum species, chokecherry (Aronia melanocarpa)and winterberry (Ilex verticillata) are multi-stemmed shrubs that offer shelter and great nesting sites for birds. In addition, these shrubs have berries at different times of the year, providing nutritious food as well as supporting many insect species, a great protein source for many birds and other animals. Native grasses, such as little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and prairie dropseed (Sporobolis heterolepis) offer fine-textured leaf blades that are ideal for building bird nests. In the fall and winter, they supply abundant seed for food and shelter to small mammals and birds. Summer-blooming native flowers, such as coneflowers and blazing stars, offer pollen and nectar for many insects that in turn become protein for other insects, birds, small mammals and reptiles. In the fall, seeds ripen and offer another smorgasbord for wildlife to feast upon. A single native oak tree supports a large number of insect and spider species as well as providing food for mammals (acorns) and nesting sites for birds.

In “Bringing Nature Home”, Tallamy lists many plant-animal relationships that give gardeners details for what and how to plant to maximize the quality of habitat on their property. Another great book with information on Missouri’s native plants is “Landscaping for Wildlife and People” by Dave Tylka’s. It is important to use plants native to our specific area since they are better adapted to our local climate and soils and the wildlife here evolved with and depends on them for survival.

Many native plants make great landscape choices, working into design schemes from formal to naturalistic. Choose plants from each plant group – large and small trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowering annuals and perennials and include those that offer food at different times of the year.

Want to learn more? Here are a few events this spring to attend. Doug Tallamy is the keynote speaker for the St. Louis Garden Blitz March 3rd at Missouri Botanical Garden and his book is the subject of a 2-part class in the Native Plant School at Shaw Nature Reserve February 10th and March 9th. On March 31st at Missouri Department of Conservation – Powder Valley, there will be an all day symposium devoted to ‘Naturescaping’ with in-depth information specific to Missouri native plants for creating habitat.

Cindy Gilberg is a Missouri native and horticulturist whose work includes design and consulting, teaching and writing. Much of her work focuses on native plants, habitat gardens and rain gardens. Cindy’s projects include work at Shaw Nature Reserve and its Native Plant School, the Shaw Professional Landscape Series and the Deer Creek Watershed Alliance. Cindy can be contacted at 314-630-1004; cindy.gilberg@gmail.com.

Believe in Spontaneous Healing: Medical Spiritual Wellness for Bushwhackers

cstudios_da — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:53:50 +0000

by Simon Yu, MD

with Chaplain Paul R. Johnson

Do you believe in Spontaneous Healing and Miracles? I do. You don’t have to be a deeply religious person to believe in “spontaneous healing” or miracles. Most Holistic medical doctors believe in spontaneous healing, although often the conventional medical profession calls the phenomenon the “placebo effect.”

I have addressed the challenge of treating “incurable” patients and the phenomenon of spontaneous healing in my previous article, Incurable Disease and Spontaneous Healing (see the articles page on my website).

It seems some of my patients simply get well regardless of what I do. I may start with typical recommendations including de-worming (eradicate parasites), colon cleansing, chelation therapy for heavy metal toxicity, food rotation diet and nutritional therapy with vitamins and minerals based on food allergy testing and hair mineral analysis. Most of my patients believe in natural healing and trust my recommendations.

Others do not respond no matter what I do for them. I may try every known traditional and unconventional, alternative medical therapy with no response by the patient. Have I missed something? They have already been to many other practitioners and visited many well known medical institutions. They are considered the incurables.

Many of these cases need to be evaluated and treated in the realm of the whole person. The physician needs to focus on mind/spirit rather than physical body. Your incurable medical conditions may actually be a result of your unresolved emotional conflicts.

Once one’s emotional conflicts such as suppressed guilt, fear, anger, blame, shame or self-doubt are resolved and lifted, a chain reaction may be triggered and cause a major shift in one’s hormonal, neuronal, psychological, and immune response. Miraculous, spontaneous healing happens.

Pondering these situations over many years with the question of “how can we speed up the healing process?”, I determined the answer may lie in tapping into the essence of Mind/Spirit. So, I teamed up with my good friend, Chaplain Paul R. Johnson to start a Medical Spiritual Wellness Support Group. Medical related Spiritual Wellness is good for everybody’s health, even for Atheists or bushwhackers. This is not related to religion or New Age.

Here is what Chaplain Paul R. Johnson has to say about Holistic Medicine and Spiritual Wellness: “Holistic Medicine is committed to treating the whole person, Body, Mind and Spirit. Medical research continues to support the fact that our health is very much related to our Spiritual Wellness. The understanding of our spirituality as part of our being and its role in our health and wellness is crucial.

What is the definition of Spirituality? ‘Spirituality is the individual, subjective experience of and from which a person derives Purpose, Meaning, and Hope.’ (Miller & Thoresesn 2003 in Press Ganey Knowledge Summary)

Spiritual wellness is based on the balance and dynamic of what defines our purpose, meaning and hope in life. Just as with the body, any toxic element that contaminates our spirituality compromises our whole being. Unresolved emotions such as Fear, Guilt, Shame, Blame, and Anger are extremely destructive and impede our ability to maintain physical, mental and spiritual health.”

Prevention and Healing is committed to enabling and empowering the whole person to achieve optimum health and well being in their life. We have started a Spiritual Wellness Support Group that meets the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8:00 PM at our clinic, 10908 Schuetz Rd, 63146.

The purpose of the group is threefold. First is to create a safe and warm environment to share with one another and create a community of support. Second is to provide education, resources and tools for maintaining a strong spiritual health. Third is to provide teaching and exercises that can help empower your spirituality. The diversity of all faith traditions is welcomed. The group facilitators are Dr. Simon Yu and Chaplain Paul R. Johnson.

In just the first few months that we have been meeting, many participants are reporting a significant improvement in their well being. We invite you to come join us as we strengthen one another and empower our spiritual health.

Dr. Simon Yu, M.D. is a Board Certified Internist. He practices Internal Medicine with an emphasis on Alternative Medicine to use the best each has to offer. For more articles and information about alternative medicine as well as patient success stories, and Dr. Yu’s revolutionary health book Accidental Cure: Extraordinary Medicine for Extraordinary Patients, visit his web site at www.PreventionAndHealing.com or call Prevention and Healing, Inc., 314-432-7802. You can also attend a free monthly presentation and discussion by Dr. Yu on Alternative Medicine at his office on the second Tuesday each month at 6:30 pm. Call to verify the date. Seating is limited, arrive early.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in A Healthy Way

cstudios_da — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:53:49 +0000

by Kari Hartel, RD, LD

Program Coordinator, Cooking Matters, Operation Food Search

Valentine’s Day brings not only feelings of love and joy, it also brings high-calorie chocolates, candies, cookies, and other treats. Since February is American Heart Month, which aims to encourage adopting permanent lifestyle changes to keep your heart healthy, let’s try to celebrate the love-filled holiday in a heart-healthy way. Here are some tips:

Indulge in homemade heart-healthy desserts, such as fresh fruit dipped in dark chocolate, which contains antioxidants that protect your heart.

Make healthy substitutions when baking, including using whole-wheat flour, using oil instead of butter, reducing the sugar called for in a recipe by a third, or replacing half of the fat with pureed fruit, such as applesauce or canned pumpkin.

Ask your significant other not to buy you chocolates or other treats. Drop hints about other presents you’d like that aren’t food-related.

Celebratory foods don’t have to be off-limits if you exercise portion control and maintain your usual exercise regimen during the holiday.

Instead of going out for an intimate dinner, prepare a healthy, romantic, candlelit dinner at home with your special someone and enjoy a glass of heart-healthy red wine together.

Try this healthy dessert recipe below:

Spiced Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat flour and 1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder, unsweetened

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon clove powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup canola oil

2 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup skim milk

1 cup warm water

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350° F and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

2. In a large bowl sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, clove and salt.

3. In a medium bowl mix together sugar, oil, egg and vanilla. Combine with flour mixture and blend together.

4. Mix in the milk and then the water. The mixture will become quite runny.

5. Equally distribute the batter among the two cake pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

6. Let cool completely, remove from pans and frost with Chocolate Icing (recipe follows) or sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Chocolate Icing:

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons butter;

3 Tablespoons water;

1/2 cup chocolate chips or grated chocolate bar;

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

Heat all ingredients together in a small or medium saucepan over low heat. When the ingredients have melted, frost the cake.

* This recipe also makes great cupcakes. Bake 20-25 minutes.

Kari Hartel, RD, LD is the Program Coordinator, Cooking Matters at Operation Food Search. You can call her at 314.726.5355 ext. 22, email: kari.hartel@OperationFoodSearch.org or visit online at www.OperationFoodSearch.org.

Ask The Herb Lady

cstudios_da — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:53:49 +0000

With Cathy Burkemper

Please Explain Different Types of Vitamin B12

Q: I am confused about

the different types of B12. Can you please explain?

A: This is a question I get asked very frequently. Many of us have a Vitamin B12 deficiency and look to a supplement to help. However, if we are not taking the right type, we are wasting our time and money. B12 is in a class of compounds called “cobalamins”. There are many types but only three that are used as dietary supplements. They are hydroxocobalamin (not common), cyanocobalamin and methylcobalamin. Even though they are all technically B12, they are not the same and can affect you in different ways. The most common form, cyanocobalamin, also the type that is given as B12 shots, is actually the poorest choice. You need a much higher dosage in order for it to be effective and it is not always helpful for B12 deficiency.

Your overall top choice is methylcobalamin. It is actually a coenzyme of B12. This is the form that is found in food and has much higher bioavailability. Other forms of B12 require a methyl donor in order to be converted into a biologically active form in the blood. Methylcobalamin does not need to be converted. Also, the methyl form is the only form that can help the central nervous system. It protects nerve tissues and brain cells and should be used with neurological diseases. It has been shown to slow the progression of ALS, MS and Parkinson’s disease. It can help regenerate the myelin sheath that protects peripheral nerves. It also reverses numbness from nerve damage or neuropathy.

It is widely used as an energy supplement, gives you mental clarity and has cardiovascular benefits. Other maladies that are benefited include Alzheimer’s, Bell’s Palsy, Fibromalgia and Shingles to name a few.

You want to take a sublingual form (a tablet under the tongue) at a minimum of 1,500 mcg. per day.

This herb information is for health education purposes only. It is not intended to replace the services of licensed health practitioners. Consult with a physician for any condition that requires professional care.

Do you have questions about herbs or vitamins? Send them to Cathy Burkemper, CNHP and Certified Herbalist. Write to: Herbs & More, 16021 Manchester Rd., Ellisville, MO 63011.

ArtFul Happenings

cstudios_da — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:53:49 +0000

NEW EXHIBITS

Through February 23

TIM EBERHARDT: VESSELS,

TILES, FIGURES

Opening reception, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; Meramec Contemporary Art Gallery, 11333 Big Bend; 314-984-7632.

Through February 23

SUKKAH CITY ANNEX: DEFYING

& DEFINING BOUNDARIES

Works by eight artists; Art St. Louis, 555 Washington; for info, call 314-241-4810 or visit www.artstlouis.org.

Through February 25

MIKE CALWAY-FAGEN:

INDETERMINATE LENGTH

Good Citizen Gallery, 2247 Gravois; for info, call 314-348-4587 or visit www.goodcitizenstl.com.

January 27-March 3

JUDY PFAFF: RECENT WORK

CARMON COLANGELO:

SEVEN DAY IN O LAND O

JILL DOWNEN: MIDSECTION

MONIKA WEISS: ABIDING

Opening reception 5-9 p.m.; Bruno David Gallery, 3721 Washington;314-531-3030, www.brunodavidgallery.com.

Through March 3

MACEDONIA INSPIRATIONS:

MODERN ARTIFACTS

Photography by David R. Hanlon; ceramic vessels by James Ibur; PHD Gallery, 2300 Cherokee Street; 314-664-6644.

Through March 4

SPIRIT & HISTORY

Experience the African-American journey through the paintings by Fr. James Hasse and Judge Nathan B. Young; St. Louis University Museum of Art, Lindell Blvd.; for info, call 314-977-2666 or visit http://sluma.slu.edu.

Through March 31

CANDLE LIGHT

Paintings, drawings and prints by Bulgarian-American Galina Todorova; Comprehensive Chiropractic and Studio, 113 West 5th Street in Eureka; 314-606-2095, www.galina-art.com.

Through April 22

CHRISTODOULOS PANAYIOTOU

& FIGURE STUDIES

Recent representational works on paper; Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington; for info, call 314-535-0770 or visit www.camstl.org.

February 3-28

CATHERINE GASS:

INFESTATIONS/CONTEMPLATIONS

NATHAN MARSHALL:

MIXED MEDIA WORK

Opening reception 6-8 p.m., The Gallery of University City Public Library, 6701 Delmar; for info, call 727-3180 or visit www.ucpl.lib.mo.us.

February 10 through April 7

STUDIO DESIGN:

CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE

By Brian Ferrell, Kimberly Winkle, Matt Keim; opening reception, 6-8 p.m.; Kranzberg Arts Center; Craft Alliance, 501 N. Grand; for info, call 314-534-7528 or visit www.craftalliance.org.

February 16-May 12

NEW DESIGN FROM HERMANN MILLER

Gallery 210 on UMSL campus; for info, call 314-516-5976 or visit www.gallery210.umsl.edu.

February 17-March 13

JOHN NEWMAN: WORD IMAGES

BEVERLY AROH: FALLING LEAVES CERAMICS

Opening reception, 6-10 p.m.; Third Degree East Gallery, 5200 Delmar; for info, call 314-367-4527 or visit www.stlglass.com.

February 17-May 12

EDGE OF DARKNESS: PHOTOGRAPHS BY STEVE GIOVIACO & TIM SIMMONS

MADE IN THE SHADE: PAUL RUDOLPH’S FLORIDA HOUSES REVISITED

February 17-June 9

NORTHERN HAITI: HUMAN LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHS BY PATTI GABRIEL

February 17-August 22

LIQUID TERRAIN: 20 YEARS OF WORKS ON PAPER BY EVA LUNDSAGER

THE BEAT GOES ON:

INSTRUMENTS FROM THE HARTENBERGER COLLECTION

Opening reception for all exhibitions, February; The Sheldon Galleries; 3648 Washington; for info, call 314-533-9900 or visit www.thesheldon.org.

February 19-May 13

THE ORCHESTRATED VISION: THEATER

OF CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY

Main Gallery, St. Louis Art Museum; tickets required; for info, call 314-721-7600 or visit www.slam.org.

February 23-March 18

FRONT ROOM EXHIBITION:

JESSE McLEAN

Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington; for info, call 314-535-0770 or visit www.camstl.org.

February 23-March 22

POP MANIFESTO PART 2

Works by emerging artists; Gallery Visio in Millenium Center on UMSL campus; for info, call 314-516-7922 or visit umsl.edu/~visio.

FUN THINGS TO DO

January 31-February 14

VALENTINE’S DAY TRUNK SHOW

Handmade jewelry by Lisa Colby, Susan Freda, Susan Goodwin; Craft Alliance, 6640 Delmar; for info, call 314-725-1177 or visit www.craftalliance.org.

February 2-12

PLAYLAND

Presented by Mustard Seed Theatre; adult language; 8 p.m. nightly; 2 p.m. weekends; Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre; for info, 314-719-8060 or visit www.mustardseedtheatre.org.

February 3-5, 10-12, 17-19

FILM SERIES

7:30 p.m.; Moore Auditorium, 470 E. Lockwood; $6 admission; $5 students/seniors; for info, 314-246-7525.

February 4

CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM ANNUAL GALA

Black tie event celebrating the legacy of Director Paul Ha; 6 p.m.; Four Seasons Hotel; for tickets, call 314-535-0770 x217 or visit www.camstl.org/gala.

February 5

FIRST SUNDAYS OPEN STUDIO

For children 3 and up; 1-3 p.m.; $8; COCA, 524 Trinity Ave.; for info, call 314-725-6555 or visit www.cocastl.org.

February 5, 12, 19, 26

FAMILY SUNDAYS: CRAZY ABOUT COLOR

1-4 p.m.; St. Louis Art Museum; for info, call 314-721-0076 or visit www.slam.org.

February 7

ART TEACHER ENRICHMENT

New projects for the classroom with finished art to take home; 5:45-7 p.m.; $12; Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles; 636-255-0270 or visit www.foundryartcentre.org.

February 8

MARDI GRAS CAJUN DANCE

Lessons at 7:30 p.m.; live music by Cajun Gator Baitors 8:15-10 p.m.; $8; Focal Point, 2720 Sutton Blvd.; for info, call 314-822-0310 or visit www.dancindonna.com/Cajun.

February 9

LOVE GONE WRONG: SONGS OF LOVE AMUCK

7 p.m.; $5; Recital Hall, 8282 Big Bend.

February 10

FUNKY DOG BALL

Mardi Gras gala with music by Funky Butt Brass Band and Dogtown Allstars; 9 p.m.; Sheldon Ballroom; tickets $15; for info, call 314-534-1111 or visit www.thesheldon.org.

February 10-12

FAMILY THEATRE SERIES:

TALL STORIES: TWINKLE TWONKLE

COCA; 524 Trinity Ave.; tickets from $14; for info, call 314-725-6555 or visit www.cocastl.org.

February 10-12

A VALENTINE CABARET

Dramatic License Productions, ARTropolis at Chesterfield Mall; 636-220-7012,www.DramaticLicenseProductions.org.

February 11

STUDIO STL’S YOUNG WRITERS WORKSHOP:

TEA WITH CHEREE

Stationery designer Cherre Berry leads a valentine card making and the valuable art of letter writing; for ages 6-10; 10 a.m. to noon; free; Centene Center for Arts and Education, 3547 Olive; for info, call 314-289-4080.

February 11-12

DISNEY IN CONCERT

Featuring classic Disney film clips and scores; St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Powell Symphony Hall; for info, call 314-534-1700 or visit www.stlsymphony.org.

February 14

STRINGS OF ARDA CONCERT

Members of St. Louis Symphony perform at the Piper Palm House in Tower Grove Park; 7 p.m.; free but limited space; for info, visit www.stlsymphony.org.

February 15-19

BAD THINGS FOR GOOD REASONS

By Jim Greer; for mature audiences; free; 7:30pm, 2pm matinee Sun.; Meramec Theatre, 11333 Big Bend; 314-984-7562.

February 15-19, 22-26

HELLO AGAIN

Performances at 7:30 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m.; $12, $6 seniors; Emerson Studio Theatre, 130 Edgar Road; 314-968-7128.

February 16

AIRs PANEL DISCUSSION

Artists Molly Douglass, Eric Hoefer, Samara Rosen discuss their art and residencies; Free;7 p.m.; Kranzberg Art Center at Craft Alliance, 501 N. Grand; 314-534-7528 or visit www.craftalliance.org.

February 17

THIRD FRIDAY OPEN HOUSE

6-10 p.m.; Jazz pianist Carolbeth True performs at 8 p.m. with guitarist Randy Bahr; free; Third Degree Glass Factory, 5200 Delmar; 314-367-4527, www.stl.glass.com.

February 18

16th ANNUAL ART, WINE & BREW GALA

Tasting and sampling from 7 p.m., live music at 9; O’Fallon City Hall, 100 N. Main Street in O’Fallon; $40 per person; advance tickets required, call 636-240-1818.

February 18

ROMERO FAMILY GUITAR QUARTET

Presented by St. Louis Guitar Society; 8 p.m.; 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in U. City; tickets from $28; for info, call 314-935-6543 or visit www.metrotix.com.

February 19 & 26

KEN KULOSA: BACH CELLO SERIES, PART I & II

Baroque cello concert; 4 p.m.; $5; Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 9 S. Bompart.

February 24

BACH’S LUNCH

Free performance; noon; Moore Aud., 470 E. Lockwood.

February 24

ART AFTER FIVE: THE HANDSOME FAMILY

Americana music; 7p.m; free advance tickets; Grigg Gallery, St. Louis Art Museum; 314-721-7600 www.slam.org.

February 25

SOUNDS OF ARGENTINA

Free performance, 3 p.m.; Meramec Music Department, Humanities West 201, 11333 Big Bend; 314-984-7639.

Changing Farmers’ Lives One Farm Family At A Time

cstudios_da — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:53:48 +0000

By Nancy Smith, Secretary, Farm to Family

Since it’s always been the plan of Farm to Family to change the lives of our Missouri and Illinois farm families, we shouldn’t be surprised when it works, but sometimes it works so well that we are amazed! Laban Graber, of Green Meadow Family Farms, and his family are an excellent illustration of how our support of local farmers makes a real difference.

Two years ago, I met Laban at a class I was teaching for the University of Missouri Extension Grow Your Farm program. I was struck immediately by his knowledge and his willingness to work really hard at marketing his farm products. At that time, free range eggs were his only farm product and he was only selling a few dozen a week. A steady supply of free range eggs grown under really optimal conditions sounded like a great idea to me, so I immediately made a commitment to buy some eggs and try them. Laban, in turn, agreed to come to Sappington Farmers Market with his chickens so people could meet the farmer and the hens. That first delivery was 45 dozen eggs and we struggled a little to educate consumers about the benefits of free-range versus conventional. The best selling point was the deep orange yolks that stood up and glowed in a little dish.

By the second week, our order for Green Meadow Family Farms had increased to 90 dozen, and I had traveled to Laban’s farm to see for myself how well he and his family care for their chickens. I was delighted to see the old school buses with nesting boxes that Laban was moving around from pasture to pasture so his hens could eat grass and have convenient facilities for egg-laying. Having the opportunity to watch Laban’s children care for chickens and candle and clean the eggs made the trip worthwhile. Laban is a gentle task master who makes sure that the work is appropriate to the children’s age, which makes the jobs more fun than work as the children enjoy making important contributions to the farm income. Laban is happy to report that the family’s lifestyle has greatly improved since that first delivery of eggs. But he’s not “resting on his laurels”. He and his family constantly work to improve their farm operation.

Over these two years, the egg sales have increased to 250 dozen every ten days, as more and more of our customers discover the great taste and freshness of Laban’s eggs. And, starting in January of 2012, all Green Meadows Family Farms chickens will eat only 100% GMO-free feed along with their fresh pasture grass. That important step makes those eggs just about perfect!

See the Sappington Farmers Market ad in this issue for a coupon for Green Meadows Farms eggs. Sappington Farmers Market is located at 8400 Watson Road, between Elm Ave. and Laclede Station Road. Visit our booth at the Healthy Planet Expo.

Do GMOs Threaten Farming & Nature?

cstudios_da — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:53:47 +0000

by Don Fitz

More and more organic farmers, safe food activists, forest protectors and biologists are becoming con-cerned with how genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can affect ecological systems. While altering the biology of plants, GMOs interfere with soil microorganism and insect species. They undermine bio-diversity by encouraging the use of monocultures and pesticides. Monocultures of eucalyptus trees can be especially prone to forest fires.

Organic gardening and farming is much more than growing food locally without pesticides. It means knowing the value of non-crop species and how to use organic material to build soil. A good organic farmer understands how cultivated plants are in continuous interaction with their living and non-living surroundings.

During February 2012 Green Time TV will air four programs looking at how pesticides and GMOs can affect organic gardens and farms as well as forests. The first two shows feature discussions with St. Louis organic growers James Meinert of New Roots Urban Farm and Paul Krautmann of Bellews Creek Farm. They pay particular attention to the many dimensions of biodiversity and whether agricultural chemicals can make food less nutritious.

Both episodes include interviews with Dr. Vandana Shiva, who compares pesticide usage to drug addiction. These interviews, along with those with Dr. Charles Benbrook, Walter Heafeker, and Douglas Tallamy, are from the movie, “Nicotine Bees.”

In the third February program, biologist Claudia Henriquez and forest activist Daniel digger Romano explain that engineering trees to contain less lignin can ease the manufacture of paper products. Unfortunately, it can also make trees susceptible to disease and falling over. This program includes the brief movie, “Anti-GE Tree Day.”

The final February episode features biologist/philosopher Dr. Marti Crouch contemplating the value of weeds as a source of food and for maintaining the health of agriculture and ecosystems. Dr. Crouch maintains that the goal of keeping agriculture and nature separate is neither possible nor desirable. She offers the dandelion as an example of a useful and vigorous plant that some would risk poisoning their children to destroy.

Green Time can now be seen on KNLC stations in four Missouri areas. It appears at noon on Saturdays in St. Louis on Channel 24-1 and at 8 pm on Mondays in St. Louis on Channel 24-2, Springfield on Channel 39, Joplin on Channel 36 and Marshfield on Channel 17.

February Green Time programs focusing on GMOs, farming and nature air on these dates:

• Saturday, February 4 & Monday

February 6: “Organic Agriculture;”

• Saturday, February 11 &

Monday February 13: “Green Revolution:

Promise or Peril?”

• Saturday, February 18 &

Monday February 20: “Genetically

Engineered Trees?”

• Saturday, February 25 &

Monday February 27: “Let There

Be Weeds.”

For information about Green Time, call 314-727-8554 or email fitzdon@aol.com.