SNAG!

Well its that time! SNAG! Off to Savannah for an earlier conference this year with the Society of North American Goldsmiths. I will be assisting Sharon Massey, co ordinating the Silent Auction again this year, our last and fourth year. Should be rockin', a bunch of crazy metalsmiths all converging on a town for a week to talk shop, watch demos, party and buy tools. Woo hoo! Back next week!

Sucked in

Oh yeah, Robert and I got sucked in. We did quite well actually... I think. We donated 2300 grains of rice. Robert's vocabulary was quite good. Click on the title to go to http://www.freerice.com/index.php and play the vocabulary word game to donate rice. Its addicting...well, to geeks anyway.

lunar eclipse - 03.03.07

This is last years lunar eclipse. I kinda like the music.... I missed the latest eclipse...but I hear it was cloudy here and not as spectacular.

Star Wars according to a 3 year old.

Oh my god Iove little kids! Why did I only have one?
three year olds are THE BEST! such insight!

AGH!

I am laughing so hard! Yes folks, people are painting cats. No, I don't mean watercolors or oils OF cats, I mean they airbrush ON cats! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH........gasp AHAHAHAHAHAHA! what in the hell is this world coming to? One women who commented on the website said she was excited about the book because she'd dipped her cat in beet juice but it was not effective he looked as if he'd killed a chicken and rolled on it. What posses someone to dip their cat in dye???!!!!!!!!! Bad enough people dye THEMSELVES but a (relatively) defenseless animal? What a riot.
http://www.whypaintcats.com/

Kayaking

We went out for a quick kayak trip at the beach yesterday. My daughter, Robert and I went down Banks Channel to a small beach and had lunch and paddled back. It was borderline too windy for Meredith and I, being the novices, but we persevered. As I walked the little marshy spoil island I thought how lucky we are. We don't have much. We chose artsy lives which don't include big salaries, very reliable cars, paid vacations, etc. But we do have this- this water to be near, this sun on our full bellies, the wind blowing the grass, the marks we make in the sand. And we have it any time we want it pretty much.
Those of us that live here on the coast live in a kind of paradise when we slow down enough to remember. Art by Shellie Mitchell from SC. Click the post title to purchase and to view her Etsy store.

Bacon

So my 12 year old daughter said, "Yeah, I thought about becoming a vegetarian, but then....
I remembered bacon."

The Grays

The Very Best Years and awesome Grays song. I couldn't embed it sorry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtkgE4h_EKw

Jason Faulkner

So if you're not familiar with him, I LOVE Jason Faulkner. My favorite cd will always be Can You Still Feel? When I play that cd people always ask what it is. I loved previous incarnations of his, the band The Gray's and later Jellyfish
http://www.rogerjosephmanningjr.com/projects/jellyfish/.

The Treasury

I LOVE intelligent pop. I guess its growing up with the Beatles...dunno/ I was glad to recently see Jason Faulkner still out there kickin' it... http://www.jasonfalkner.net/
But I just discovered this band The Treasury and love 'em! Evidently missed them last year at The Whiskey. Love their song on myspace "My Way". Good solid pop.

Chris Jordan

I am not kidding folks.... you have got to check this guy out.http://www.chrisjordan.com/



"This series looks at contemporary American culture through the austere lens of statistics. Each image portrays a specific quantity of something: fifteen million sheets of office paper (five minutes of paper use); 106,000 aluminum cans (thirty seconds of can consumption) and so on. My hope is that images representing these quantities might have a different effect than the raw numbers alone, such as we find daily in articles and books. Statistics can feel abstract and anesthetizing, making it difficult to connect with and make meaning of 3.6 million SUV sales in one year, for example, or 2.3 million Americans in prison, or 410,000 paper cups used every fifteen minutes. This project visually examines these vast and bizarre measures of our society, in large intricately detailed prints assembled from thousands of smaller photographs. The underlying desire is to emphasize the role of the individual in a society that is increasingly enormous, incomprehensible, and overwhelming.

My only caveat about this series is that the prints must be seen in person to be experienced the way they are intended. As with any large artwork, their scale carries a vital part of their substance which is lost in these little web images. Hopefully the JPEGs displayed here might be enough to arouse your curiosity to attend an exhibition, or to arrange one if you are in a position to do so. The series is a work in progress, and new images will be posted as they are completed, so please stay tuned.

~chris jordan, Seattle, 2007

Capturing the Scale of American Consumption

Fascinating talk (30 minutes? ) by Artist Chris Jordan who brings the enormous scale of our mass consumption into high-resolution. He shares Running the Numbers, composite photographs of discarded cell phones, computers, aluminum cans and other modern detritus, urging us to consider the consequences of our consumer culture while insisting that each of us has the power to make a difference. Gotta love Pop!cast.....

South River Paddle

My first OBE

And no, I don't mean Out of Body Experience.... I like to call it Out of Boat Experience! Salt Marsh Kayak and Bluefield Enterprises had their first Oyster Roast and Paddle this weekend. While we got there late to the oyster roast out in Bladen county, it was great, big fire, good food, live band.... We camped on the property and ate a huge spread that Bluefield Enterprises CEO and chief cook Scott prepared. Fresh homemade biscuits with sorghum molasses, yellow grits, sausage, cinnamon rolls, I was ready for the paddle! We were all going down the South River ending near Tomahawk NC. Gorgeous day, brisk, blue sky, Black water mmmm! The South is a nice river a bit more gravely than the sandy Black, and low this year. We had a lovely paddle about 13 of us. An adorable little black puppy hovered about as we put in and one of the group just couldn't leave her. She rode in the bow of his kayak the whole way down, 9.64 twisty turny miles! So Robert and I were hanging back, it was after lunch and the river had a bit more current than I, the beginner, am used to. There were plenty of obstacles, some really BIG trees down over the river. So lots of strainers. Robert hung back to gather some wild gourds and the puppy rescuer and I were alone trying to shoot through a tight zig zag of logs and trees down. I got trapped, the back of my kayak pinned between two cypress knees and the front wedged. I couldn't budge. and every time I did try to move I would nearly flip with the current rushing under me. I just sat there waiting for Robert as the other guy went on through. Robert came along chuckling at me sitting there looking glum. He moved to the bank, got out and helped me get unpinned. I backed up to try again. This time he was patiently giving me instructions as to how best to paddle through the narrow passage. Well I made all the same mistakes. The current caught the back end and I lost control of the boat again and got trapped....again. I was irritated, frustrated and mad at myself. The rest of the group was long gone. And then trying to move myself out of my situation I flipped.
This is a big deal for me.
I have never flipped over. I have taken a quick rescue and recovery class in the summer, in warm water, at the beach in which I flipped over hung for a second or so, and then released the skirt and popped up. But I have never accidentally flipped over in freezing cold water with nothing on but a T shirt and pfd. I panicked! It was only waist deep but the current was pulling me under the strainer and I was freaking. Robert was shouting at me to calm down and pull the skirt and get out of the boat. It took a second, I was gasping at the cold. trying to grab gear. He's shouting "leave the gear!", forget it... I was a very cold mammal at that moment, not hearing anything. so I stand up and try to wade out against the current. I shook for 20 minutes from just adrenaline. Robert had brought all kinds of extra dry clothes so I was warm soon. But it was pretty big milestone for me. And evidence as to how quick a reasonably calm looking river, no rocks, no whitewater, nothing scary can become really scary when you are being towed under logs and branches with a current especially for a novice. We are laughing about it now. And I am glad that I have that experrience under my belt. He wants to kayak the Orcas islands and I feel nowhere near ready. I am not a cold water girl! I know there's gear and all... but...I am a big chicken. I don't love adrenaline. I like yoga and making things. I love easy, gentle paddling in pretty surroundings! Needless to say I am sore and slept like a baby last night.

Its Up!

My interview with Allison Lee is up at Craftcast.com. Its moving hearing it. I was scared to hear myself, but I think its okay!
Check it out! http://www.craftcast.com/

Derech - Mosh Ben Ari

I just love csome of these lyrics if they are in fact as this person posted them:
Road (or- Way)
---------------
I wake up in the morning, I'm addicted to the road
I travel, I travel
A lot of green around, it touches laughter
It's a sweet moment
How should I move between the paths that were embroidered on me by the years
I sink into the radio
Silence is sweet again, on the escape rout again
And again it touches
chorus:
And in the nights, eye full of tears
Lips whisper To you, to you
And in the days, face to face
I'm in the middle of life
And still without you

The road does not end, it's the road to tomorrow
I touch the horizon
If only you were here with me,
to strengthen my weakeness
I would be calm

mosh ben ari-ya

Another one I am lovin'!
So catchy,happy....
Here's the lyrics posted on Youtube:

open your eyes,
we are here together in this world
and there is one God above
And just accept that it's ya ya ya...
He always comes on time.

"Mukeret Li Mipa'am"- Hebrew song, by Din Din Aviv

I am so excited about this group! Great animation
here's the lyrics that I could find on the internet:
One moment before the sunset
I embrace you and my heart, like a ball of fire,
dives and falls with you
Then comes the darkness
The magic disappears
Leaving only the depth of your eyes
and the sadness of the world
I have known you long ago
Perhaps in another lifetime
A dream that left in me a fragrance
Of a burning memory
So before I touch you
Just before sunrise
Come and say to me,
I am all yours
Perhaps from another lifetime...
There is only one in my imagination
She is good and sweet
And I am pointed at her
From a cloud of silence
Maybe that is where you came from
So if you are real
Please take me with you
And look after me
I have known you long ago...

6 Word memoirs

Can you do it?
Sum yourself up in a 6 word memoir?
I heard an interview on NPR with the books editors. Very cool idea.
Based on the story that when challenged to write a 6 word novel Hemmingway said, "For Sale: babyshoes, never worn."
I am still working on mine.
For more cool stuff like this book go to Smith online magazine: http://www.smithmag.net/
Everyone has a story.....

yael naim new soul

I think this is my life's theme song. People say "She's such an old soul..." Not me. I have always thought I landed in the wrong world and am new here. Live the video too!

Collaboration Factory-PLASTICS!

Dan Brawley is hosting a Collaboration Factory at IAC-Wabi Sabi Warehouse. If you want to make art out of plastic then come on down!



Go here for more info: http://wabisabiwarehouse.blogspot.com/

No experience necessary. Bring plastic stuff to upcycle into art! Finished works will be installed as part of the "Retirement Plan for Plastics" Exhibition at UNCW's Warwick Gallery.

EXCITING!

Dan Brawley has set up a blog for our studio space Wabi Sabi Warehouse.
Very cool...
http://wabisabiwarehouse.blogspot.com/

Lots of exciting things will be happening there this year, stay tuned!

Craftcast

Well! I was honored to be surprised by an email from Allison Lee of Craftcast.com. She interviewed me today! It will air sometime next week. Go check out her interview with Susan Lenart Kazmer and many other great metalsmiths, including Linda Darty, Kathleen Dustin, and Alan Revere. COOL!

Liveearth.org

Very cool website...Live Earth!

Behind the scenes - Making of the Lord of the Rings Props

AGH! I wish I could have worked in this art department!!!!

My step daughter's Etsy shop!

Check out my step daughter's new Etsy shop.
http://byotekiboutique.etsy.com

I mean c'mon....

their heaven has a BEER VOLCANO!
You might like it, there's pirate gear involved!
Find out more about Pastafarianism:
http://www.venganza.org/flash/guidetopastafarianismpreloaded.swf

I have heard the word......

And the word is FLYING SPAGHETTI MONSTER!
I have been touched, nay moved!

go here to find out how:
http://www.venganza.org/

The Avett Brothers sing

YES!!!!

Enough Fear.org

interesting...
"This website will collect and display photos of people from the US and Iran (and other countries as well) holding up a hand in the universal symbol for "stop!" These photos are the first step in what we hope will become an international campaign in which people from both sides will work together to prevent any attack. These are the people who will suffer if war breaks out."

Dig this Blog!

Country French Antiques

Oh what a great blog!
Such yummy imagery, and she talks about French antiques, cake and Absinthe!!! mmmmmm

http://euroantiquemarket.blogspot.com/

Copper Chameleon

Go here now! My friend Brittany's jewelry design website will allow you to design your own enamelled jewelry that she then custom makes for you. Check out the great designs and luscious pattern!
http://www.copperchameleon.com/designyourown.html

recycle

no explanation needed.

The Commission

SO! before Christmas this interesting gentleman emailed me about a commission. He wanted a cover for his pool table light that would have a House of Blues look to it. This is what I did over the next two weeks. Oh.... He also wanted references to BBQ and primitive turkeys and pigs.
The two bottom pictures are of the piece in progress. I had a blast working on this and listened to alot of Lucinda Williams to get in the Delta mood. I am working on another commission for the same person. It's a mirror with old pieces of wood tin and copper all around it. Then if he's happy with the mirror I may do some enamelled light sconces for him.

"Nothing is Lost"

Loved the Noel Coward poem on the Writer's Almanac this morning on public radio.
check it out
http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/
Breathtakingly beautiful....

Mine Enemy Grows Older

check out my buddy and former studio mate Rick Mobb's blog:
http://rickmobbs.wordpress.com/
Some fantastic writing. I had no idea the extent of his talents a fabulous painter yes!
and a poet as well.

Affirmation by Donald Hall

When listening to Fresh Air with Terry Gross tonight, I was introduced to the poetry of Donald Hall.
This one particularly struck me, thought I'd share:

Affirmation
by Donald Hall

To grow old is to lose everything.
Aging, everybody knows it.
Even when we are young,
we glimpse it sometimes, and nod our heads
when a grandfather dies.
Then we row for years on the midsummer
pond, ignorant and content. But a marriage,
that began without harm, scatters
into debris on the shore,
and a friend from school drops
cold on a rocky strand.
If a new love carries us
past middle age, our wife will die
at her strongest and most beautiful.
New women come and go. All go.
The pretty lover who announces
that she is temporary
is temporary. The bold woman,
middle-aged against our old age,
sinks under an anxiety she cannot withstand.
Another friend of decades estranges himself
in words that pollute thirty years.
Let us stifle under mud at the pond's edge
and affirm that it is fitting
and delicious to lose everything.

Joy!

As you get older its harder to make new friends and even harder to keep them. I am blessed with a core group of compadres from grad school that are the most amazing folks. Its fabulous to see when they have happy endings, or should I say beginnings!

For Aan

Sigor Ros is for Aan who passed on thursday I think of her as my Obi Wan. I am forever changed by her light.

Sigor Ros - Saeglopur (the fountain mix) SPOILERS

YEEEEEESSSSS! Ah....so beautiful. what a great flim too. not for everybody i am sure.

Sigur Rós - Glósóli

makes me want to cry am I happy? sad? beautiful

Cool! Recycled Gold!

check this out...
Go to Greenkarat to recycle your old and broken gold jewelry. You can recycle it through GreenKarat and receive a store credit, or GreenKarat suggests that you consider the Basel Action Network (www.ban.org) for your contribution. BAN is working to eliminate global trade in mercury, which has an intimate bond with gold.
You can also designate any charity to recieve your contribution through GreenKarat. Very cool way to utilize that icky wide 80's chain that's all mangled, or any old gold junk in the bottom of the jewelry box. The gold you recycle eliminates mining more.
Hey, could be tax deductable too!
Gotta love it!

Making a Difference

Watoto Wa Kwetu Trust and Children's Art Center













Don't we all want to make a difference somehow? It feels great to contribute in some small way. Here's your chance!
A friend of mine is helping the Watoto Wa Kwetu Trust and Children's Art Center in Kenya by selling screensavers of his photography at his site:http://www.brimmages.com/ksv1.htm
To learn more here is the Watoto Wa Kwetu Trust's homepage:
http://www.myspace.com/watoto_wa_kwetu_trust

Farin Greer, an artist who used to live here in Wilmington and run a wonderful gallery is involved with the trust. She writes that recently one of their new volunteers- "wrote to say that many of her friends and family have been asking questions about our choice to support programs that provide creative arts, when it seems obvious to assume that most of these children probably struggle just to get their basic necessities met, be in need of food, water and shelter. Well here is what I advised her to consider and share with people who ask this question; There are in fact many new and established organizations that specifically work to assist the children(some of whom are orphaned) to have the basics.There still remains so very much to be done in all these areas.Though I will never argue that one must have the basics for the body to survive, the soul is more complex. With nurture, by means of food, water and shelter there is still the need to nurture the soul by means of expression. We desire to offer a vehicle for the children to dream beyond the moment. We believe...if you can dream it you canf ind a way to make it happen, but if there is no dream, one may just fell a victim of their environment with no hope of something better. Creativity is a doorway to hope. I hope this helps. As the sayings go: Each One Teach One and Active Spirituality Supports Reality... Please take a minute, visit our page and consider making a donation, no gift is too small. There is great power in a collective force of love and support."
If you are interested here is Farin's artwork: www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/farin-greer.html

Trash! Glorious Trash!

Wasn't that an Oscar the Grouch song?
Thought I'd share... My buddy Steve Brimm http://www.brimmages.com gave me the heads up on Ira Glass' interview with sailor and researcher Captain Charles Moore. Captain Moore's website is fantastic http://www.algalita.org/
They offer resources and information, as well as handouts for teachers to print out about plastics. Thought I share some depressing photos from their research of dead albatross whose guts were full of plastic non-biodegradable trash.


Awareness- that's one thing all of us can do raise awareness. Then you can make small change. Just pay attention to how much plastic you use and how you dispose of it. Then start using less!




On a more positive note, a couple of great uplifting quotes:
"Always use the word impossible with the greatest caution" -Werner Von Braun
"The peope who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them" -George Bernard Shaw

Texas Co2 Central

Texas is the nation's biggest energy hog.... listen in:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16511614

Fantastical!

You MUST go check out
Su Blackwell's sculptural books....fantastical!
http://www.sublackwell.co.uk/index.php

Go Kayak NOW!

Yes! in our area the paddling right now is excellent! Less tourists, less motor boats, cooler weather.... Just because of this Robert is scheduling a Black River Paddle this Saturday for those of you who'd rather kayak than take part in the post Thanksgiving consumer frenzy. I mean come on, wouldn't quietly gliding past birds and trees be preferable? The tour is $90, all equipment provided. To reserve a spot 910-367-2545. Robert will be offering tours and lessons all winter. This photo is one taken on the Black River by my friend Steve Brimm. Rumors are he'll be up and blogging soon if not already! Click on the post title for his website. He has high quality prints available of his gorgeous photography. http://www.brimmages.com/

OMG! Stranger Than Fiction!

If you have not seen Stranger Than Fiction then you must go rent it right now. RIGHT NOW! I am not kidding. My metals student all shreiked when I naively said,"What is it about?" I have cried, my face is all puffy...OMG! What a beautiful film....
did I say that already?

Take a Good hard Look at Yourself, America

This photo came in an email from my uncle. So, unfortunately, I have no idea who the photographer is.
Prophetic though....

ADULTITIS!

Oh My! d
Do you have "Adultitis"? I wonder if it needs another name like the
9-2-5 Virus?
or Squaritis?

Funny!
Click on the post title go to: http://www.adultitis.org/facts.php

Take The Buy Handmade Pledge

Would you pledge to buy handmade items this season?
Go here and pledge and then tell your pals!
http://www.buyhandmade.org/
And ask your family and friends to do the same for you!

The Avett Brothers - November Blue

oh yeah.....

Halloween

My sister in law as a Cubist painting for Halloween!

What Was Said to the Rose

And now my favorite- Coleman barks reading what Was Said to the Rose. Makes me cry everytime..... so beautiful. Coleman Barks and his "crew" came to ECU a few years ago and performed these works, moving....

Coleman Barks reading Rumi -- Only Breath

They just keep getting BETTER! ahhhhhhh......

What Circles so Perfectly....

I am on a Rumi kick! This ones awesome.
I LOVE hearing Coleman Barks read his translations hope you do too.

The Mevlana Rumi dervishes of Damascus

unfurling the universe.... just like the making of my metal cups...spiralling... unwinding....

Rumi:The Speechless Full Moon

Walk out like someone suddenly born into color...do it now....

Rumi: Say I Am You

"Dream" video set to John Cage

Leaf Parade

Saturday there is a parade at LEAF festival. The puppets are by Paperhand Puppet Intervention

I am glad this festival celebrates the creative and intellectual spirit of Black Mountain College. That infectious spirit seems to inhabit the rocks around Lake Eden and does not remain dormant.

Fully Awake- the film

Check out this film about Black Mountain College moving little snippet of a trailer.
http://www.ibiblio.org/bmc/bmcaboutbmc.html
Makes you wish it was still there....

Trailer-Fully Awake: Black Mountain College

Black Mountain College

More about Black Mountain College....












Buckminster Fuller at
Black Mountain College 1948
Photo by: Hazel Larsen Archer

This is from a website called Black Mountain College Project:

"Black Mountain College was an experimental college located near Asheville, North Carolina. Founded in the fall of 1933 by John Andrew Rice, Theodore Dreier and other faculty who had been fired or resigned from Rollins College the previous spring, the college sought to educate the whole student – head, heart and hand – through studies, the experience of living in a small community and manual work.

Although the founders - in a truly experimental spirit - did not wish to bind the college to a rigidly codified educational doctrine, they did have strong feelings and ideas about education. The college was to be owned and operated by the faculty. A Board of Fellows made up of faculty and one student formed the central governing body. An Advisory Board lent counsel to the community but had no legal authority. Decisions were based on consensus rather than a vote. Academic bookkeeping – grades and quality points – as a measure of an education were abolished (though grades were recorded for transfer purposes). Graduation was based on achievement of a project in the student’s area of specialization along with examinations – both written and oral – by the faculty and an outside examiner.

In 1933, the college brought Josef Albers, artist and former Bauhaus teacher, and his wife Anni Albers, a Bauhaus-trained textile designer and weaver, to teach. With their arrival, the college became a unique center for the transmission of Bauhaus teaching and philosophy. The presence of refugee artists and scholars was critical to the learning experience at Black Mountain throughout its history."

I find this all fascinating!

Lake Eden Arts Festival

Just recently went to Lake Eden Arts Festival or LEAF. So fantastic! Here's the Lake seen through Tibetan prayer flags.

The festival is held in at Lake Eden above Black Mountain, NC on the site of the original Black Mountain College which was founded in 1933 and ran until the late 50's I think. It was where Buckminster Fuller built his first geodesic dome. Noted faculty were Josef and Anni Albers, John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Max Dehn, Willem and Elaine de Kooning, Buckminster Fuller, Walter Gropius, Lou Harrison, Franz Kline, Jacob Lawrence, Richard Lippold, Charles Olson, M. C. Richards, Ben Shahn, Jack Tworkov, and Robert Motherwell. Guest lecturers included Albert Einstein, Clement Greenberg, Bernard Rudofsky, Richard Lippold and William Carlos Williams. Ceramic artists Peter Voulkos and Robert C. Turner taught there as well. Among the notable alumni of Black Mountain College are Ruth Asawa, Fielding Dawson, Michael Rumaker, Robert Rauschenberg, Dorothea Rockburne, Susan Weil, John Chamberlain, Ray Johnson, Kenneth Noland, Oli Sivhonen, Joel Oppenheimer, Jonathan Williams, Ruth Asawa, Robert De Niro, Sr., Cy Twombly, Basil King, Ray Johnson and Kenneth Snelson.

The festival is predominantly music with a delightful sprinkling of artwork, healing arts and ancient earth arts. Robert went to a fire making workshop using just sticks. And we went on an edible plant walk and did couples yoga. There is such a fantastic mix of people, families, artists and musicians that generate the most wonderful spirit of peace. We contra danced to Laura and the Lava Lamps, saw the Wilders, Michael Franti solo, The Boulder Acoustic Society, (awesome BTW) and Mizero Children's Troupe of Rowanda, Les Nubians and a Morroccan Sufi musician Hassan Hakmoun, and an Indian gypsy guitarist Oliver Rajamani. It was GREAT! We camped on site and my daughter and her friend did the giant zipline over and over.

Print Studio

buffet of printmaking

Final Ink

An intaglio plate is inked and put to the press

No press? No problem!

Unconventional printmaking set to music

Intagio printing

Southworth and Hawes on Sunday Morning

For My Students

So you found it, good! The following are great videos on the processes we've been discussing in class. Enjoy!!! I certainly did!

Death Photography - Post Mortem photos

The Wet Plate Collodion Process

Plastic Bag as Art

This is the work of Paul Anthony Ramsden. Check out more on his blog:
http://share-my-art.blogspot.com/search/label/Plastic%20Bags.

Plastic Bag Ban!?

Shirking responsibility right now....
This was too cool. I found this blogging around:
"SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco's Board of Supervisors Tuesday afternoon passed an ordinance requiring large supermarkets and pharmacies in the city to replace non-biodegradable plastic bags with reusable or recyclable bags."
I have no TV (well I have one, but no cable- use it only for an ocassional movie) and I live eat and breath teaching these days. so I don't hear the news much, but man, how exciting! It was a post on this great blog:

Green is the New Black
http://greenerthanthou.blogspot.com/

"To this end, I am glad that San Francisco has banned retailers from using these horrid bags (the ban should have taken effect October 1for grocery stores if I’m not mistaken), and I wish Los Angeles would do the same. Hell, I wish the entire state would do the same. California has coastline out the ass that it needs to protect, and getting rid of the bags would be a great place to start.

Our legacy of plastic needs to be cut short pronto – and banning the non-biodegradable plastic bag is an excellent place to start. Bringing your own bags isn’t that difficult once you get in the habit."

HERE! HERE!