SLM AT HOME | Secretary of the Interior

Custom Christmas Lights?

2009-12-19T18:35:58-06:00

As we trimmed the tree, it dawned on me that we didn't have enough alternating red and white light strands to cover it, and the top would look stupid with only white. So I started painting the lights, and got so obsessed I painted the leftover strand in custom colors for next year. I wanted a pale champagney-gold, not that glaring yellow-amber the lightmakers call gold, and a true crimson, not pink or santa-red.

My project--because that's what my simple impulse turned into--required hours of product research, because I married Smokey the Bear. Andrew needed to see an email from the paint manufacturer before he would permit my project to continue.

Hah! It was safe! I was almost surprised. But if you can fire Pebeo glass paints in an oven, why not? I dug out a few soft paint brushes and got to work. Granted, I felt like an idiot stringing lights around the kitchen so they could air-dry. Yet it was deeply satisfying.

Every year, I've noticed, there's one thing I get compulsive about. One thing that takes disproportionate time and energy and is wacked enough to make Andrew wonder what time of the month it is.

It started with the Buche de Noel. I worked nonstop from Saturday morning until late in the evening, making moss out of pistachios and dusting the tops of the tiny meringue mushrooms with cocoa powder and painting the gills with fudge.

I've never done it again.

Same with the next year's project, pomanders of clove-studded oranges with velvet bows. And then there was the year I painted surrealist snow scenes on all the mirrors... the year I sewed stockings out of burgundy brocade and green velvet with elaborate tassles the dog promptly chewed... the year I used splotchy amateur calligraphy to inscribe and address all 100 cards.

I honestly don't know what comes over me.

No, I don't read Martha Stewart--that would mean I'd keep doing the Yule log and the calligraphy and just add more projects every year, until the Thorazine ran out.

And no, I'm not one of these crazed Christmas people who run around urging merriment. We've even stopped exchanging family presents because we wanted to just hang out and enjoy each other's company, without all the hassle.

But there's something about this time of the year-- maybe it's the cold, dark evenings that make me want to stay home by the fire. Maybe it's sublimation, because we don't have kids and they're the point. Or maybe it's just that for centuries, Christmas has inspired better decorations and more culinary indulgence than any other holiday. Fourth of July gets that godawful blueberry and cherry Jel-lo thing and a bunch of charred shriveled hot dogs. Halloween's a bit Salvador Dali. But Christmas! (And no, I'm not being p.c. here. We celebrate Hanukkah too, but Dreidels don't cut it.) Christmas really does go all out. You can roast chestnuts (yep, did that once, too) and bring trees inside and do kind things without making people suspicious. The lights transform the dullest street; the eggnog and fudge and cookies make even ulcerated Calvinists smile tentatively and reach toward the tray.

I always want to be part of that. I want to give a huge chunk of my normally practical, parsimonious life to something silly, just because it's fun and festive.

I suppose making more than a single halfassed attempt at each of these feats would make good sense--but repetition would turn them into a chore. And if I made enough Buche de Noels and did enough Uncial script, I might even get good at it, which would take the fun away!

That, I guess, is the childish impulse here: to try something new. To run around gathering up supplies the way we used to raid our grandparents' pipe cleaners (why did they always have them? just for us?) and gild mom's macaroni. To sit down at the kitchen table and focus vast amounts of energy on something with no practical consequences whatsoever.

Except the lights do glow softer now.

--Jeannette Cooperman, staff writer

The MYTH of Compact Fluorescent Lamps

2009-12-18T11:10:04-06:00

By Jamie Briesemeister, DesignSpeak Contributor

Energy conservation has become a hot topic over the past few years. Consumers are urged to turn off lights, use less hot water, and switch to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in place of incandescent bulbs. I agree with the first two points, but I take issue with idea of switching every light bulb in one’s house to CFLs. While they do have substantial energy savings over incandescent lamps, they also have a handful of negative traits that are rarely discussed as frequently. Here’s what you may not know:

· CFLs contain mercury. Lamps that are unbroken pose a minimal health hazard – but as soon as they are tossed in the trash and end in a landfill, they are going to break. Once this happens, people may be exposed to toxic levels of mercury vapor and/or other metals, which can be breathed easily – or easily absorbed by the ground in landfills. Proper cleanup and disposal procedures should be followed to prevent mercury poisoning. See web links and numbers at the end of this article for proper disposal information.

· Most CFLs are not designed for dimming. Dimming CFLs can damage the bulb and/or dimmer that controls it – thus shortening lamp life. For screw-in CFLs that are dimmable, proper ‘burn-in’ or ‘seasoning’ procedures should occur before dimming occurs. Even then, when dimmed they often dim to 20% or so, then shut off abruptly—or—they flicker. Higher performance light fixtures are available, but are not size or price-matched with screw-in CFLs.

· When CFLs are dimmed appropriately, they do not become visibly ‘warmer’. The color instead looks blue-white, making the environment look washed out and skin, pasty… A stark contrast to the warm white color often desired for a pleasant and relaxing ambiance.

· CFLs should really be used in areas where lights will be left on for a lengthy period of time. When used in areas where the light is switched on and off frequently, CFLs tend to have a shortened lifespan.

· Utility or work spaces are best for CFLs. According to the Home Lighting Control Alliance, CFLs should only be used where lighting color and quality are not important.

Luckily, other lighting options exist to provide you, the consumer, with a better overall ‘green’ lighting experience… to save energy, the environment, and ultimately save money and time.

Light emitting diode, or LED, lights are one great option to consider instead of compact fluorescent bulbs. In new construction or as a retrofit solution, LED lights do tend to cost more upfront, however, one LED ‘bulb’ may last as long as 50,000 hours: 50 times longer than that of an incandescent bulb and 5 times longer than that of a CFL. Here are a few more facts in favor of LED lights:

· LED lights contain NO TOXIC MERCURY

· LED lights use less energy than other lamps on the market! 85% less energy spent per incandescent light and 50% less than a CFL

· LED lights are dimmable AND produce a warmer light quality. Everything looks more lifelike and the warm, pleasant ambiance desired when dimming is attainable.

· Overall savings matter. On average, one 65-watt light for 50,000 hours would cost around $325, but with one 12-watt LED light, it costs around $60. Replacing the bulb less frequently saves resources, time, and money.

· See for yourself! Energy calculators help you see your savings over time: http://www.creells.com/calculator.aspx

As you can see, simply swapping out light bulbs for CFLs isn’t the only option available. In many cases, it may not be the best answer at all. With new fixtures becoming available – and prices dropping – consider LED lighting when trying to conserve energy in the home. In the long run, it saves more energy, more money, is dimmable, and produces a pleasant light quality. It’s win-win!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

CFL disposal information:

· Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Hazardous Waste Program:

o 1-800-361-4827

· www.earth911.org

· 1-800-CLEAN-UP

LED lighting information: http://www.creells.com/index.aspx

Home Lighting Control Alliance – www.homelightingcontrol.org

Learn more about Jamie at http://www.designspeakstl.com/team.htm

Another One Bites the Dust

2009-12-17T16:08:33-06:00

Every time a store established in other, larger metropoli, opens its doors in St. Louis, I celebrate. Wahoo! Another national retailer has finally recognized the power and potential of our market.

And when they close? Wahoo immediately turns to boo-hoo.

It's happened again. The local Viking Store is shuttering. The shop with the snazzy stoves and some of the best cooking classes around will join the ranks of here once, gone now. The morose and glum salespeople say the official last day won't be until late January but the reality is it will happen sooner—the shelves are already just about bare. The great kitchen gadgets and gourmet accessories are being snapped up by savvy shoppers. The salespeople who have always been incredibly kind and patient will soon be filing for unemployment.

It's a shame.

But...you can raise your voice and state the case for keeping the store on Brentwood Boulevard alive. Simply call the Viking Culinary Home Office at 601-898-2778 and punch in extension 6601 or 6602. In truth, I'm not quite sure how effective it will be. The voice message on ext. 6601 points out she will be out of the office on Dec. 4th (I called today, the 17th). But undaunted, I left messages on both extensions expressing dismay and just hoping they would reconsider.

Give them a buzz. You never know what will make the difference and when tides may turn.

New Lonny Magazine Hits the ... well, Whatever the Pixelated Version of a Newsstand May Be

2009-12-16T07:51:11-06:00

If you've not seen Lonny (that stands for LONdon New York), the new online-only shelter mag put together by editors from the late, great Domino, you can peek at it here. Thanks to Ted Wight of St. Louis Style for the heads up! --Stefene Russell

Think Outside the “Tree” —Non-Traditional Holiday Decorating Tips

2009-12-10T14:58:15-06:00

By Kimberly Reuther, founder of DesignSpeak St. Louis

At a young age, we are taught to “think outside the box” and discover our own uniqueness. However, when it comes to interior decorating, many people have a hard time finding their vision. I’m here to offer some ideas for non-traditional ways of decorating for the holidays.

Color is a good place to start. Many homeowners have asked for ways to incorporate holiday themes without adding in green & red. My answer to that is usually texture and sparkle! But really all white dinnerware deserves a touch of color, it doesn’t have to be red (see image below), it could be blue, purple, aubergine, whatever matches your kitchen & your personality!

I saw this table display at Pottery Barn, hanging the white platters on the solid color wall, and I thought it was a great idea. Now, you don’t want all your serving platters hanging when you need to use them for serving but you could replicate this look with a mixed match set of dishes or things found at a flea market. You could also add a bit of holiday flare by hanging ornaments randomly on 3-5 platters/plates. This is actually a fun look that could work through all seasons.

Another display that caught my eye was this one at Pizzaz 2 Interiors in Lamp & Lantern Village. I just discovered this little store/interior design firm and I love what they have to offer. Lots of great ideas big & small in such a small space! Anyway, I love the contemporary deer head with a simple wreath offset with the very elegant and colorful bowl of ornaments. That’s a very easy thing to accomplish, as we all have extra ornaments laying around.

Turquoise is the hot color for 2010 and we are already seeing it show up in fashion and home accessories. These are great examples of holiday scapes without the traditional red & green. A collection of white vases, urns, and objects feels crisp against the deep blue & lime green color combination. To the right, the fireplace mantel with soft aqua lamps is very unique in that a flamingo is the focus rather than a winter wreath. Both photos were taken at MKS Designs in Lamp & Lantern.

Which brings me to the seashell holiday tree from Wisteria. I love it! I love the soft blue mixed with the natural khaki and white tones. The flocked tree goes against anything you would see in Florida yet it works beautifully!

So, who says you have to hang a wreath on your front door? The entrance to MKS Designs shows off these unique overscaled baskets filled with large ornaments and a bit of pine greenery mixed in. What a statement!

Speaking of wreaths, I love this wreath with silver branches instead of greenery. So fun & festive! Also, this boxed topiary is a cute little addition to end table and it still pulls off the holiday spirit with a unique shape and animal print container.

Lastly, another easy tip for your front door is the bronze pot filled with tree trimmings. Replace your summer flowers with extra branches from the bottom of your tree and you’re done! If you want to add sparkle ornaments or lights that would be a nice touch as well.

Happy Holidays!

To learn more about Kimberly, visit http://www.designspeakstl.com/team.htm

In Memory of a Great Guy

2009-12-08T13:42:18-06:00

You didn’t have to know Bill Croghan long to know that he would do anything for anybody. He was one of the kindest men I ever met.

The first time I ever talked to him was one evening when he was at a Cardinals’ game and I was home desperately trying to find a way to get Courtney Sims’ basement finished. She is a wonderful 23-year-old woman who bought her house through Habitat for Humanity. The mother of two toddlers, she is also raising her 17-year-old sister; she’s been her guardian since their mother died five years ago. As editor of St. Louis AT HOME, I had spearheaded a program to get five Habitat houses furnished and finished by designers. Regrettably, problems ensued on Courtney’s house and we needed to come in and redo. The basement had been ignored; aside from one small bedroom, the space was unfinished. She desperately wanted a place for the family to watch television, for her little ones to play and a space designated as a home office.

I asked Bill if it was possible to get the space dry-walled.

He didn’t hesitate.

But then he did so much more than I asked. He had his carpenters not only finish the space but construct three rooms: the family room, a playroom/office and storage area. He donated everything.

As shown here, one weekend he personally spent hours upon hours painting and hanging doors. He sent down electricians to wire the space and then professional painters to finish it off. The basement was perfect.

I was stunned. Courtney, her sister, Nicole, and children, Mykalah and Mekale, were over the moon.

I was not only struck by his generosity but by his kindness. He took time to praise Courtney for all her hard work and to talk to Nicole about her hopes and her dreams. He sent her an inspirational book to help her achieve them.

He hugged everybody. Frequently.

I saw Bill a few times after the project was completed. The last time it was clear that the economic downturn and competition for projects were wearing him down.

He struggled to remain upbeat. And he continued to offer to help when and where he could. And he wanted to stay involved with Habitat for Humanity. When we embark on this year’s community project to redo three of Habitat’s houses, we will do it in his honor.

We are so proud to have known Bill Croghan; he will be so sorely missed by so many people. Our sincerest condolences to his wonderful wife, Rhonda, and his great kids.

May he rest in peace.

Crazy for Kiehl’s

2009-12-07T10:28:34-06:00

I’ve always had a weakness for companies founded years and years ago. I’m flabbergasted and awed at their ability to withstand the ravages of recessions, depressions and the fickle tastes of consumers.

A lot of the survivors are services, like Kalb Lighting, Morgenthaler’s Drapery Cleaning, Zollinger’s Upholstery. Others are manufacturers like billiards table maker A.E. Schmidt. Or just legendary hangouts like Crown Candy Kitchen.

My spirits also soar when an enterprise of long, long standing on the east coast decides to make its presence in our fair city.

It happened Friday, December 4th.

Kiehl’s, the company that dates back to its New York apothecary opened in 1851, has unveiled its first “shop within a shop” in the Chesterfield’s Dillard’s. Located naturally enough in cosmetics, its freestanding cases are packed with everything Kiehl’s offers.

Well, to be exact, the equine line of shampoos and conditioners isn’t there but everything else for all members of the family—including the canine—is stacked on the shelves. There’s the lip balm, number one in the country. There’s the Crème du Corps body lotion, Kiehl’s top-selling product. And Kiehl’s is great about samples: Their salespeople happily encourage you to try it before you buy it.

Another aspect of Kiehl’s, which makes it one of our favorites, is its emphasis on philanthropy. The chief causes relate to HIV/AIDS, the environment and children. As an example, at the Dillard’s ribbon cutting, the company execs handed over a check for $1,000 to the Ronald McDonald House in Chesterfield. And in the 17 other cities where they are opening, they will do the same—totaling a brilliant $18,000 donation to the terrific cause.

So if you happen to be on Highway 40 heading west, we suggest you swing over to Dillard’s and sample Kiehl’s at their brand new shop within the store.

The Healthy Abode – Countertops

2009-12-03T09:01:03-06:00

By: Melanie Holden - Interior Designer, LEED AP,

DesignSpeak St. Louis Blog Contributor

So, you’re in the market for a new countertop, and you want something that is earth-friendly, durable, sanitary, low-maintenance, gorgeous, and won’t break the bank. Where to begin and how in the world can an eco-countertop boast all of these features? Let’s talk.

First, to appreciate what makes a countertop sustainable, it’s essential to understand the meaning of sustainability. According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, sustainability is “a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.” My 2 cents – a sustainable product should last pretty-much forever, but can be easily reborn, redistributed or repurposed when necessary. You sometimes may pay a little more up front for sustainability, but will undoubtedly end up saving in the long run.

Sustainability is about the “big picture.” It’s not just about “going green” – whatever that means. A truly sustainable product is defined by its content; long-term availability; the manufacturing process; how it’s transported, how far, and by whom. The safety and well-being of workers producing the product is imperative, as well as what happens to the product when its lifetime is over.

Ok, so now that we’re on the same page, back to countertops. Probably the first types of countertops that come to mind are inexpensive Laminate; Corian; and of course, the overdone Granite. Laminate is a thin plastic material that requires a base underlayment (all too often, formaldehyde-emitting particleboard) and is attached to this underlayment with sometimes toxic adhesives. If choosing laminate, look for one with recycled plastic, nontoxic glues, and formaldehyde-free substrate. Due to its petroleum base, Corian and other acrylic composite countertops are very poor environmental choices – check those off the list. Granite countertops, though beautiful and durable, are not a sustainable choice due to the ecological damage incurred by quarrying practices, and the enormous amounts of energy and pollution produced when shipping this heavy material halfway across the globe. Not to mention the chance of bringing the dangerous carcinogen, radon (among other types of radiation) into your household, emitting from the stone itself. Yikes!

So, let’s first examine concrete as a countertop material. Concrete is durable, local, has low VOC’s (volatile organic compounds, which we will discuss in a future post) can be recycled, and is composed of recycled content. It’s extremely versatile, completely customizable, can be any color of the rainbow, and can boast added character when made in conjunction with recycled glass and other materials. It’s easily cleaned with mild soap and water, and you’ll want to periodically seal the surface. Lucky for us St. Louisans, we have a fabulous local concrete resource, CK Designs: http://www.ckconcretedesign.com/

PaperStone is another interesting option, consisting of 100% post-consumer recycled paper fiber and a non-petroleum nut resin. Who knew how durable paper could be! It is a non-porous surface that is heat-resistant to 350 degrees, plus resistant to scratches and stains. It’s warm to the touch, and has a slight “yield” that prevents glass objects from breaking when dropped or set down too hard. PaperStone comes in a variety of shades, and is comparable in price to some granite or quartz surfaces. A regular application of PaperStone Finish, a natural wax and food grade mineral oil, is recommended for protection against intense heat and moisture, and defends against harmful UV rays that can alter the color.

A truly stunning earth-friendly option is Eco by Constantino. This product is comprised of 75 percent recycled glass , mirror, and porcelain, and is bound by a corn oil based resin. A completely non-porous material, Eco does not require sealing, and is nearly impossible to scratch, scorch, or stain. Primary maintenance includes simply wiping down with a mild soap and water mixture. The only precaution with this product is that you will dull your knives when cutting directly on the countertop’s surface. Oh, and don’t use products like Draino or floor strippers on it…

Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? How about a countertop with 80 to 95 percent post-consumer recycled glass like Vetrazzo, IceStone, or Enviroglas? Using glass from reclaimed bottles, dinnerware, construction demolition, even traffic light lenses, and other hard-to-recycle types of glass, these countertops each have a their own, unique history. Maintenance includes cleaning with warm, soapy water, and regular sealing to prevent against staining. They are as durable as granite and less porous than marble – and comparable in price to both.

Natural Quartz surfaces like Cambria, Caesarstone, and Silestone are eco-friendly as well. This material is completely non-porous and nonabsorbent and you will never have to seal it, as with most other natural countertops. Quartz surfaces are stronger than granite, radon-free, and have no impact on indoor air quality—which means no VOC’s. There are countless color options, in both solid and multi-colored varieties. Quartz is incredibly heat resistant, and also hard enough to dull your knife if you fail to use a cutting board.

Bamboo countertops are another option that I must mention, but buyer BEWARE. Though it is a popular renewable resource because it regenerates approximately every 7 years, you must be extremely vigilant of the source when selecting a bamboo product. The harvesting practices are not always as sustainable as you may believe. Some bamboo is harvested too early, resulting in a very soft end product that is not very durable. On top of that, some countries are actually deforesting their native trees to make way for bamboo forests! Not to mention that so much bamboo comes from the other side of the world and is shipped across the ocean in polluting freight vessels, consuming enormous amounts of gasoline and energy. In some cases, bamboo forests are being harvested by private owners who are endangering the lives of animals that are dependent on these plants for survival. For example, the Bamboo Lemur of Madagascar is just one animal that was named on the recent world report of endangered animals - 90 percent of their diet comes from bamboo. If considering a wood or bamboo countertop, please make sure to use an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified product, like Plyboo, so that you are assured that it comes from a source that employs responsible forest management, and preferably from a local source.

Stainless steel countertops, when made from a good quality Stainless Steel (the lower grade, the better) is long-lasting, hygienic, durable, and low-maintenance. It is completely recyclable, and on average, is made from 75 percent recycled stainless steel scrap metal. There is also recycled ceramic tile as a countertop alternative, but make sure you seal that grout! There are quite a few other environmentally friendly countertops, but I would never finish this blog if I went into detail for each and every one of them. Of course, you could also find the ultimate sustainable countertop by paying a visit to your local architectural salvage dealer to see what treasures they may have to offer.

Learn more about Melanie at http://www.designspeakstl.com/team.htm

Flames Flickering Up the Wall

2009-12-01T13:28:55-06:00

For most, the excitement of Thanksgiving ends with the last piece of pumpkin pie and the last touchdown scored on TV.

We've never been like most people.

After consuming the bird and the sides, our family (with my sister and brother-in-law, her daughter and husband and grandchild), we nestled in the den to watch the (oh-so-adorable) movie, "UP." We were at the scene where the land is being cleared all around Carl Fredrickson's house. The beeping of the construction trucks played on the television—and then actually continued after the scene had ended. Someone mentioned how the beeps sounded a lot like a smoke alarm. My brother-in-law, Jim, the quiet but always the most observant one among us, said something about smelling smoke. Jason, the newest member of the clan, walked into the dining room and then ordered everyone out of the house.

A wall in the dining room was in flames.

I glanced at the disaster as I headed out the door. My husband, Jason, and Jim assumed the roles of firemen, tossing water on the wall (and turkey on the buffet below) and smothering the flames with a dish towel. (That didn't work; I never thought it would.)

We called 911, summoning the Kirkwood Fire Department to come check. When they didn't (the dispatcher thought we had the situation more under control than we did), a second call was placed. Suddenly the world was filled with sirens and trucks. The street was blocked off. The men in the yellow raincoats and big rubber boots came; they put out the fire; they axed a hole in the ceiling; the fire chief tried to calm down my distressed daughter; an investigator studied the scene.

The clue? The candle in the candlestick on the buffet in the dining room.

No mystery here.

The buffet my mother and father purchased when they were young was burnt, as was the mirror above it. The wall so beautifully upholstered in pleated linen was, of course, toast. But everyone was fine; the house was still standing; the insurance company was called.

And that's when the excitement began anew. The next morning, the wonderful people from a company called Catco arrived and left these huge machines called air scrubbers. They sounded like planes taking off on the runway but they really did the trick. Soon, the smoke in the air was pretty much gone. Then on Saturday, a crew of seven people came and cleaned our house from top to bottom. They stayed for hours. They returned on Monday to clean all the vents and furnaces, take up the rugs, scrub the carpeting and upholstered furniture and haul the draperies off to be cleaned.

Now all that remains is a chandelier that needs to be cleaned, a room that needs to be redecorated and a mirror and buffet in need of some serious repair.

And of course, we still need to finish watching UP.

Maybe next year.

After we've finished our Thanksgiving dinner. Lit by the overhead light.

No candles allowed.

EarthDance Farm: Now Accepting "Freshman Farmies" for 2010

2009-11-24T08:40:27-06:00

The crew at EarthDance Farms

Molly Rockamann was the subject of At Home's July-August End Note (she shared her 10 favorite local eco goods with us, including Irie Star's perfumes and Kakao chocolate). She was also profiled in St. Louis Magazine's 2009 green issue. What merited all this coverage? For the most part, it was EarthDance Farms, a working organic farm up in North County that's about more than just the produce. Molly likes to say they "put the culture back in agriculture," by "bringing the synergy of local activists, artists, business owners, dancers, educators, event planners, farm apprentices, local residents, organization leaders, musicians, and youth together to create a fully sustaining community farm."

If you are curious about gardening and farming, and think you might want to apprentice to become a small-scale grower, you should check out EarthDance's "Freshman Farmie," program, which is now gearing up for the 2010 season. Here's the info, straight from Ms. Rockamann herself:

"In 2009 EarthDance inaugurated the part-time training program for 12 beginner farmers, and we're excited to announce that we'll be expanding the program for the 2010 growing season with 25 apprentices and almost double the acreage - to grow more local, organic food AND farmers for the St. Louis region. We've also hired experienced organic grower Vicki Lander to serve as the EarthDance farm manager!

The foundation of the program will remain the same:
1. Field work on the historic Mueller Farm in Ferguson
2. Selling produce at farmers markets
3. Enrichment sessions / workshops on various farming topics in-depth (from farm-scale composting to planning a farm business)
4. Field trips to local farms

An additional benefit for 2010 apprentices is that they'll become the initial members/shareholders of our pilot CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program - receiving a hearty share of the produce we grow together each week of the harvest season.

Several of our 2009 'Freshman Farmies' will become 'Sophomore Farmies' in the program, building upon the knowledge they gained this year on the farm! (Others are going on to grow on their own, or with farming partners.)

At this year's Pesto Festo we were fortunate to raise enough scholarship funds to offer 3 scholarships to low-income individuals who could not otherwise afford to do the program. We are seeking current food pantry users to apply for the scholarships.

Applications can be found on our website, and are due December 15th, 2009. www.earthdancefarms.org."

So if you've read The Omnivore's Dilemma or seen Food, Inc., and literally want to get your hands dirty, here is your chance. Check out footage of the first crop of Freshman Farmies here, and if you are interested, EarthDance is encouraging folks to attend one of the two "So You Want to be a Farmer?" info sessions they've set up, the first at the Ferguson Library auditorium (35 N. Florissant) on December 8 at 7pm, and at the Schlafly Bottleworks Crown Room (7260 Southwest in Maplewood) at 7pm on December 9. --Stefene Russelll