“Tapped” – a film about water on December 7 at 6:30 p.m.

On December 7, 2016 at 6:30 pm

the Northwest Conservation District and

Save Our Water CT 

will co-sponsor a showing of the award winning documentary Tapped

hosted by the Litchfield Community Center.

 “By the year 2030, two-thirds of the global population will lack access to clean drinking water.”

This figure is the provocative opening statement of the documentary film, Tapped. Water is our most precious natural resource. The western part of the country has been struggling with a multi- year drought.

 Now, almost 70% of CT is in a severe drought, with the remainder of the state in a moderate drought. It is critical that we protect our water.

As Niagara Water Bottling Co opens its plant in Bloomfield, CT, it is time to educate ourselves about the impact of the water bottling industry on our water supplies and our environment.

Come and learn more about this important issue.

Tapped, produced by Stephanie Soechtig, is an informative look at the disturbing history of bottled water in the United States and the damage this industry has done and continues to do to our planet. The movie provokes the kind of shock and indignation that inspires change. The film takes a broad look at the bottled water issue, highlighting individuals and communities that have been affected by the industry. Bottled water may not be as “pure” as advertized especially since 40% of bottled water is merely filtered tap water anyway. Furthermore, municipal water supplies are highly regulated while bottled water is subject to little or no oversight.

  Members of Save Our Water CT will be present for a Q and A after the showing. They will also give an update on their efforts to protect CT’s water from more incursions by the water bottling industry.

Think about it.

This could happen anywhere in our state.

The Litchfield Community Center is located at 421 Bantam Rd, Litchfield, CT 06759

For more information contact the Northwest Conservation District at ncd@conservect.org or 860-626-7222

Earth Film Series on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

• The Church of Christ Congregational, Goshen will present the film A Sense of Wonder as part of their Earth Film Series on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 7pm.
  The evening will include a free soup supper in the Fellowship Room of the church at 6:30pm.
  The PBS produced program is an intimate reflection of author Rachel Carson’s life as she emerges as America’s most successful advocate for the natural world. Using many of Miss Carson’s own words, it depicts Carson in the final year of her life. Carson recounts with both humor and anger the attacks by the chemical industry, the government, and the press as she focuses to get her message to Congress and the American people.
   This story of Rachel Carson’s journey is told through her voice, portrayed by a actress Kaulani Lee who seems to become Rachel Carson herself. This moving film goes to the heart of Carson and her deep love of the natural world. The impact of the film is to inspire those viewing it to share her love and care for the planet and all the life it supports. Her commitment and tireless quest to save the beauty and resources available to all of us in nature is truly remarkable. This is a most inspiring and beloved testimony to the power of one person to affect major change in the world. Acted convincingly and movingly by Lee at Carson’s actual homes in Maine and Maryland, it provides extra insight into Rachel Carson as a person of deep commitment.
  We hope you will join us and bring a friend!

Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs July 26 @ 5:30 p.m. in Goshen

Launched in June 2012, the Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs is an innovative partnership between the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network and the CT AFL-CIO that seeks to strengthen collaboration among Connecticut’s labor, environmental, and religious groups in advocating for public policies that address urgent concerns about climate change while creating good-paying jobs right here in our state.

During 2016, the Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3) is gathering input from stakeholders across the state, as part of its charge to develop a strategy/plan to meet the state’s mandated goal of an 80% reduction in GHG emissions below 2001 levels by the year 2050.

There is a stakeholder event right in our own backyard on Tuesday, July 26 at 5:30 in Goshen. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to learn about what is happening so far and to have a voice in future planning. It is being hosted by the Northwest Hills Council of Government.

To learn more about it go to : bit.ly/GC3-July26.

Jeremy Brecher, who serves on the steering committee of the Roundtable and lives in  West Cornwall, is coordinating the Goshen event.

HIs email is:  jeremy.brecher@gmail.com

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPGoftCGEZPG1EDYOirchqg90oNUnGRBBkF0ugKWeF5B-S0w/viewform

Film: “Sonic Sea” – Wednesday, August 10 at 7 p.m.

The award-winning film Sonic SEA will be free for the public to view on Wednesday,  August 10 at 7:00 p.m., followed by a panel discussion.  Fortunate Blessings Foundation is hosting the event at the Litchfield Community Center.

Sonic Sea is a 60-minute documentary about the impact of industrial and military ocean noise on whales and other marine life. It tells the story of a former US Navy officer who solved a tragic mystery and changed forever the way we understand our impact on the ocean. The film is narrated by Rachel McAdams and features Sting, in addition to the renowned ocean experts Dr. Sylvia Earle, Dr. Paul Spong, Dr. Christopher Clark and Jean-Michel Cousteau. Sonic Sea was produced by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Imaginary Forces in association with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Diamond Docs. Learn more atwww.sonicsea.org.

We will begin with the film at 7:00 PM followed by a short panel discussion on how we can take steps to protect the ocean and marine life. 

Learn more about the issues in a recent Huffington Post articleConcern for Ocean Noise Pollution Still Falls on Deaf Ears by FBF Founder, William Spear.

Free Event – Suggested $10 Donation

RSVP is not required but appreciated. You can let us know here if you are planning to attend: http://evite.me/Sy6E2Nk3F1

Seedling Sale and Open House at the Litchfield Grange May 28

The Litchfield Grange is back in action!

 Spring Seedling Sale

and Open House

Saturday May 28, 2016

from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

435 Bantam Road, Litchfield

 Featuring locally grown Heritage and market varieties of Tomatoes and Peppers, with advice on raising delicious healthy crops from seedlings. Grown without artificial fertilizers or chemicals.

 See our plans for renovating the Hall, get information on membership, tours of the Hall, and refreshments

 The Litchfield Grange seeks to serve the needs of home gardeners and small farmers, and to bring access to healthy local food to all members of the community

Seedling Sale Flyer

Earth Film series, May 18 at 6:30 at Goshen Church

The Earth Film Series presents the film “Can You Dig This” on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 6:30 pm at the Church of Christ Congregational in Goshen.
Can you dig this May 2016 Poster

A gardening revolution is taking place in one of the largest food deserts in the country. Filmmaker Delila Vallot explores the urban gardens growing up in South Central Los Angeles. What usually comes to mind in South Los Angeles is gangs, drugs, liquor stores, abandoned buildings and vacant lots. The last thing that one would expect to find is a beautiful garden sprouting up through the concrete, coloring the urban landscape. As part of an urban gardening movement taking root in South LA, people are planting to transform their neighborhoods and are changing their own lives in the process. The film follows inspirational personal journeys of five ‘gangster gardeners,’ all planting the seeds for a better life. Several of South LA’s local residents share their stories of strength, perseverance and hope!

“Gardens do more than just provide food — they have the power to inspire a mental and emotional shift. It’s these small shifts that lead to monumental changes down the line. And in the case of gardening in particular, the power really is in our hands. The skill is part of our DNA” says Director Delila Vallot.

An inspiring film not to be missed. Free soup supper and film provided.

Join the Earth Day Townwide Cleanup on April 30

Earth Day Townwide 2016

Fracking Waste Forum in Litchfield on Thursday 4/14/2016

Here is an opportunity to learn more about what fracking waste is and how its disposal could affect our environment:

Fracking Waste Forum 2016

Seed Starting Workshop

Earth Film Series – “Bidder 70” – on March 16, at 6:30 pm in Goshen

On Wednesday March 16, at 6:30 pm The Earth Film Series will be presenting the film, “Bidder 70” at the Church of Christ Congregational in Goshen.

Winner of 20 major film festival awards, Bidder 70 tells the story of a peaceful warrior whose patriotism and willingness to sacrifice have ignited the climate justice movement.  Tim DeChristopher, as Bidder 70, disrupted an illegitimate BLM oil and gas auction in December of 2008, by outbidding oil companies for parcels around Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in Utah. DeChristopher bid 1.8 million dollars and saved 22,000 acres of pristine wilderness. No property was destroyed, no one was hurt, and valid concerns were raised over the entire BLM oil and gas leasing process.

Tim’s actions earned him a national and international media presence, which he has used as a platform to spread the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for bold, confrontational action in order to create a just and healthy world.

On April 22nd, 2013 Tim DeChristopher was released from Federal Prison after serving his 2 year sentence.  A month before his release, Tim was accepted into Harvard Divinity School for Fall 2013.

The National Catholic Reporter states “ “Bidder 70” tells the story of another young hero’s great risk on behalf of the environment. It is a moving film with an inspiring message calling us to work on behalf of the environment and humanity.”

The film is produced and directed by Beth and George Gage who were inspired to tell the story. “Once in a while someone comes along that totally wows you. That’s how we felt when we read about Tim DeChristopher.”

The Earth Film Series is a program of the Church of Christ Congregational in Goshen. The program is free and includes a soup supper. It is held in the Fellowship Room of the church on the third Wednesday of the month, September through May. For more information please contact the church at 860-491-2793

Bidder 70 poster