Alchemical Blog
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Quick Post Test May 11
Quick Post Test May 11
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A Creative and Alternative Inner Harbor
This is a post that I wrote a few months back when initial request for comments was published on the Inner Harbor RFP. I noticed today some new press in a couple online locations, so figured I would get this up online here to refer folks to when commenting.
Beyond development in the economic sense, we should be looking at our social
and sense of community futures as well, or even most primarily, in regard to
the Inner Harbor. Maintaining the sense of history and natural influences
should be paramount. I would argue for commercial to be kept at a minimum,
with a higher emphasis on services, and resources for the public, from which
visitors and residents can then be mobile outwards from this destination, towards downtown for instance, to access a commercial core.
* Comments relating to increasing the number of develpment opportunities
from a few select individuals or firms, to a broad range and number of
opportunities, should most defenitely be heeded first off. The last thing
we need is a homogenization of development in the hands of a few. We would
most certainly in the long run benefit from a decentralization of power and
an equity of opportunity and creativity at the Inner Harbor.
* It would be amazing to have a municipal campground (excepting RVs please)
for bikers through the Erie Canal corridor, or visitors to the city who
might want to use us as a stopping off point before the Adirondacks or the
Great Lakes (and enjoy what Syracuse has to offer in the meantime such as
our attempts to create a festival economy downtown). During a recent bike
touring trip around Lac St. Jean north of Quebec City, I was able to see the
extraordinary sense of place developing around the Veloroute idea for
bicycle tourism and the intrinsic role that the series of municipal
campgrounds we stayed at had on the accessibility of this route and
communities for touring bicyclists -
http://www.veloroute-bleuets.qc.ca/en/hebergements/
* How about a swimming lagoon utilizing the natural water from the harbor as
it becomes cleaner due to our GIF advances? I have read and heard from
numerous sources the lake water itself is swimmable as long as the sediment
isn't disrupted, is this true of the harbor as well? If so, creating a
lagoon separated from the sediment of the harbor, while utilizing the harbor
water itself would be analogous to the popular Ylströnd geothermal beach in
Reykjavik Iceland - http://www.nautholsvik.is/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-715/
.
* Major facilities for bicyclists such as an info center, maps, and an
expanded bikeway and bicyclists area for convergence. Expansive signage and
painted roads with biker symbols and rights-of-way markings should be
integral.
* How about an arboretum park and/or botanical garden? An edible forest
garden project as part of this demonstrating the enormous variety of foods
we can grow in our city, and I'm not just talking raised community garden
beds here, but edibles such as spruce tips or pawpaws. We have the
expertise, wisdom, and likely person power (students) from SUNY-ESF or
emerging permacultural based groups such as the
Alchemical Nursery to
contribute directly to this component. For an explanation of Permaculture
and an introduction to the upcoming Community Ecological Design Training
course being held in Syracuse this fall visit
http://www.alchemicalnursery.org/news/412-community-training-in-ecological-design-in-syracuse.html
* And while we are dicsussing agricultural type endeavors, with the rising
interest in urban ag, what a better place for a farm incubator program? In
case you are not familiar with the excellent example of the Intervale Center
in nearby Burlington VT - see http://www.intervale.org/
* And finally, echoing others' mention of including residential in the
overall plan (especially in opposition to any employment center that would
only encourage day-jobs for suburbanites leaving town every evening after
work), please consider the concept of ecological co-housing or ecovillage
type development - http://www.cohousing.org/ or
http://ecovillageithaca.org/evi/
Overall, I ask, what more could make the inner harbor at Syracuse a city
destination and hotspot BESIDES more retail? When at the Harbor for the Big
Splash concert event earlier this year, it was a beautiful spot with a
beautiful connection with nature as Onondaga Creek enters the Harbor, with a
beautiful view towards the lake, maintaining such a viewshed within
development pressures can be ensured with implementing a creative mix of
ideas such as I've proposed above, and that others will hopefully reflect
and add to over this process. -
Forest Garden Next Planning Steps and Southside Stand Article
The latest issue of the Southside Stand is out with an article about the Rahma Clinic Forest Garden project. Check it out at http://mysouthsidestand.com/more-news/a-growing-community/
If you'd like to get involved with the Forest Garden project take a look at the latest planning committee email copied here, and contact me (Frank) at frcetera@alchemical nursery.org nursery.org> or 315-308-1372:
After looking at the calendar, It appears that Saturday October 29th (10AM - 2PM) will be the most appropriate for our final work day of this year for the Rahma Forest Garden project. (I had originally been thinking the weekend of Oct 22-23, but there are so many amazing things going on that weekend it would be foolish to try to pull in enough volunteers - see my note at the end of this message for a list of the cool things you might want to get involved with that weekend).
We'll primarily need to finish the sheet mulching. We have enough wood chips on site, but will need to bring enough new cardboard to cover the area (which is about 1/3 of the total site area - so I would estimate, based upon our previous experience, that we need the equivalent of about a full pickup truck load). If Alex is available to come up, we'll build the second raised bed. And depending on which perennials/shrubs/ trees we are able to acquire, possibly do some planting.
I've created a plant list based upon Steve's design concept. If you can supply any of the items from the list please let me know.It can be viewed at:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AojqPrjAiK0HdHdMUTdTVGM1RGZNcm5zWkctSXM0N0E&hl=en_US
If for any reasons you'd like to have editing priviledges just let me know and I'll set you up with that.
I'd also like to schedule an evening for us to get together for a short in-person meeting to catch up and review the project to date and for the Oct 29 work day. I'd like to suggest Wednesday Oct 12 at 5:15 PM. Ideas for a location? Maybe we can go to Roji or Recess and have tea/coffee together?
Okay, please feel free to respond and let the group know how you are doing, any progress you may have made with funding, cardboard collection, plant acquisition, or reaching out to others about the project. Best ~Frank
p.s. As I mentioned, see what interests you from the awesome weekend Oct 22 promises to be in Syracuse.
* Syracuse Peace Council 75th Birthday Dinner -
http://www.peacecou ncil.net/ bday/
* Salt City Urban Arts and Crafts Market -
http://www.saltcitycraftmart.com/
* Syracuse Zen Center's Fall Sesshin -
http://www.zencenterofsyracuse.org/sesshin/2011/fall-sesshin
* Elements of Magic Weekend Intensive (taught by our very own
Lindsay) - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=176766859064029
* Small Scale Woodlot Management with the Onondaga CCE in Tully
(which I am going to attend if anyone wants to come with) -
http://www.extendonondaga.org/events-3/?event_id=133
* Ghost House show with local bands at Spark (with Utility Life -
personal friends of mine from the Gear Factory on the Westside) -
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=162276267192398
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Update from Sept 10 Forest Garden Work Party
Well, finally getting around to saying thanks to everyone who helped out with the planning and came out for the Acts of Kindness Weekend at the Rahma Clinic and the Edible Forest Snack Garden project. We had a great turnout of at least 30 people, including press from the Post-Standard and the Southside Stand, plus a visit from Howie Hawkins (Green Party Candidate for 4th District Common Council).
We completed about half of the work area in
sheet mulch, built and installed a raised bed with help and locust wood from Alex Hyland of Ithaca, and installed the sign that Zay lettered. We had an Intro to
Permaculture presentation from Steve Gabriel, and a great lunch of stuffed grape leaves, pita and hummus, and corn bread with tomatoes.
I have posted pictures in the Alchemical Gallery at http://www.alchemicalnursery.org/photo-gallery/rahma-forest-snack-garden/acts-of-kindness-weekend-work-party-september-10-2011.html In the meantime, we will be looking at holding another workday near the end of October, I am going to tentatively suggest October 22 as that weekend corresponds with National Food Day on October 24. We will finish sheet mulching and install the second raised bed, and also plant any trees or shrubs we are able to acquire by that time. I'lll contact everyone again after this busy weekend and try to get us together for a meeting in between now and the next work day.
If you're looking for anything to do this weekend, try Block Blitz by Home Head Quarters being held on the 700 block of Otisco St. 717 Otisco (the future home of the
Alchemical Nursery) is on the docket ass a work site, come help out with cleanup, exterior siding prep, foundation painting, and landscaping at this future permaculture demonstration site on the westside. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=139434566122625 - (Please ignore the poorly chosen throw away water bottle graphic on the flier that HHQ chose to include, there will be free tap water at 717 for refilling your reusable water bottle brought to the event).
Or find Alchemical at the 20th Anniversary of the Westcott St Cultural Fair this Sunday. We will be hosting an exciting clothing swap with a mountain of clothes spilling out into the street party! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=245803882127995
Best ~Frank
p.s. We will still need more cardboard for our next work day. Please start saving and collecting once again, hey, you only live once, embrace the cardboard fever! It's also time to start thinking about putting together an online fundraising campaign (I think we should consider the IndieGoGo site) for the Forest Garden as part of the Community Permaculture Design Open project. Are you someone who can help out with getting this set-up? If so, contact me ASAP. Cheers ! -
Westcott Neighborhood Bulb-Give Away/Garden Extravaganza 17,700 Perennial Bulbs Will be Planted in Syracuse
Westcott Neighborhood Bulb-Give Away/Garden Extravaganza
17,700 Perennial Bulbs Will be Planted in Syracuse
Saturday, Oct 1 The Westcott Neighborhood Bulb Project, a project of the Westcott Community Center will hold its 9th annual Bulb Give Away day at the Westcott Community Center, cor. of Westcott and Euclid from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
In 2010 the project went city wide for the first time. Working with 35 neighborhood organizations and individuals throughout Syracuse another 17,700 spring blooming, perennial bulbs will be distributed in 2011 bringing the total to 90,000 bulbs planted since the project started in 2003.
Westcott Neighborhood Bulb Give Away Day
Westcott neighbors only can pick up 18 free perennial daffodil bulbs. 5,400 will be set aside for the first 300 people who show up from the Westcott neighborhood. Any resident of the Westcott neighborhood can pick up a free packet of 18 mixed daffodil bulbs as long as you are willing to plant them where they can be seen from the street for all to enjoy.
Compost donated by Toad Hollow Farms, www.toadhollowfarms.com (Please bring your own container). Planting instructions will be available..The rest of the Bulb Give Away activities are open to all from Syracuse.
Schedule:
10:00 - Bulb Give Away starts, food, music, farmers market, vendors, perennial plant sale...
11:00 - Film showing - First Earth followed by panel discussion.
2:00 - Bulb Give Away ends
This year we are excited to offer a free showing open to all of the documentary film "First Earth: Uncompromising Ecological Architecture"" (90 minutes) co-sponsored by The
Alchemical Nursery, www.alchemicalnursery.org
"First Earth" by filmmaker David Sheen, is a documentary about the movement towards a massive paradigm shift for shelter -- building healthy houses in the old ways, out of the very earth itself. "An audiovisual manifesto filmed over the course of 4 years and 4 continents, FIRST EARTH makes the case that earthen homes are the healthiest housing in the world."
A panel discussion will be held at the conclusion of the screening to discuss reaction to the film as well as natural building initiatives in the CNY region.
Panelists * Erich Kruger, Deconstruction Program Coordinator, Finger Lakes ReUse, Inc.
Erich's self built straw bale home incorporates natural plasters,
passive solar heating, thermal mass, a masonry wood stove, and humanure composting toilet.
* Kirk Glundal, Owner Operator, EarthEmbers Natural Building
Kirk specializes in sacred spaces and small shelters such as his own cob and straw bale home, as well as masonry heaters, outdoor bread ovens, natural saunas,
retreat cabins and pavilions.
* Frank Cetera, President and Co-Founder, The Alchemical Nursery
Frank is leading the renovation of a blighted urban Victorian home in Syracuse NY incorporating natural materials and building techniques such as natural plasters, homemade paints, earthen floors and insulation, and more.* Josh Morrow, Community Planning Student at SUNY-ESF.
Josh is a designer/builder from Corning, NY experienced with a variety of natural building techniques including Earthships, yurts, primitive shelter building, straw
bale and cob.
Alchemical Nursery promotes the development of regenerative lifestyles and landscapes, and the principles of
Permaculture design.
Pick up bulbs, learn about rain gardens, view a film, enjoy a Farmers Market, music by Larry Hoyt and Friends, Syracuse Real Food Coop pumpkin sale, bake and perennial plant sale/fundraiser by Westcott Community Center Kid's Club, vendors and information tables.
To help raise funds for the (WNBP), we are announcing our 2011 raffle prizes. Ten prizes donated by the following generous supporters:
* Radio personality Amy Robbins of station 93Q in Syracuse (www.93Q.com) will plant a packet of extra-special specialty bulbs at the home of one lucky Syracuse resident.* Six packages of specialty bulbs (50 spring-blooming bulbs in each packet) donated by Pat Koloski, sales rep for The Netherlands Bulb Company, www.netherlandbulb.com
* A $50 Gift Certificate donated by Carol Watson's Greenhouse, Lafayette, NY, www.carolwatsongreenhouse.com
* A Gardener's Gift Box donated by Syracuse Soapworks, www.syracusesoapworks.com
* A copy of Mel Bartholomew's book for urban gardeners, Square Foot Gardening, donated by Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3454 Erie Blvd East, Dewitt, NY.Tickets are available at the Westcott Cultural Fair, Sept. 18, Westcott Bulb Give Away on Saturday Oct. 1, or contact Jane Tretler at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 315-637-0331. Tickets are $1, 6 for $5, 15 for $10. Drawing held Oct. 7 .
Friend us on Facebook or check out our new web site www.bulbproject.org or www.westcottcc.org for more information.
GW Associates
702 S. Beech
Syracuse, NY 13210
315-476-3396
603-590-8273 fax
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.peterwirth.net -
Plant Swap/Sale Fundraiser for Westcott Community Center Donations Needed
As part of the Westcott Bulb Project festivities (where we will be screening First Earth):
Plant Swap/Sale Fundraiser for Westcott Community Center
Donations Needed
As part of the Westcott Neighborhood Bulb Give Away/Garden Extravaganza Day, Saturday, October 1 there will be a fall perennial plant swap/sale as a fundraiser for the Westcott Community Center Kids Club.
If you have extra perennial plants ("What gardener doesn't?") drop them off, labeled, at the Westcott Community Center, corner of Euclid and Westcott street Saturday, Oct 1 from 8:00 am - 10:00 am or the day before. If you donate plants you get a plant for free.
Help us beautify Syracuse. For more information contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 637-0331.
For More Information ContactFor Immediate Release
Peter Wirth
637-0331
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.bulbproject.org -
Upstate Notes from the NE Permaculture Convergence
Thanks to Patty Love of Rochester for being the note taker and then sending them to me for posting. These notes came out of the Upstate/Western NY Regional Round Table at the NE
Permaculture Convergence at Camp Epworth in High Falls, NY on Sunday July 24.Most of the conversation was free flow as you can see from the notes below. The most immediate task at hand appears to be working on next year's location for the Upstate NY Permaculture Gathering. If you have a suggestion, and/or would like to be part of the planning/organizing process please get in touch. ~Frank
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Edible Forest Garden Working Group Notes - June 14
We had a good and productive meeting last night, notes follow. Please consider committing to joining us on July 25th and bringing lots of cardboard when you come (see below). Cheers ~Frank
Edible Forest Garden Working Group: Rahma ClinicTuesday June 14, 2011 - 7:00 pm - 8:10 pmAttending: Frank Cetera, Derek Bryant, Dave Greene, Lindsay Speer, Magda BayoumiNext Meeting: Work party on Monday July 25th, 5:30 pmGood News! The clinic has received it's state license and will be opening its doors for service in the very near future.For promotion, partnerships and recruiting of volunteers we will be submitting the forest garden project to the following formal applications. Frank will complete the forms and the submissions:WTB A-OK Weekend Sept 10-11SYracuse Grows Member GardenTedX Manhattan ChallengeFundraising report from Lindsay:Community Foundation Green Spaces grants no longer available.Home Depot Foundation $5,000 grants available and will look into further regarding application.DEC Environmental Justice grants. Workshop being held this Thursday 5:30 pm at Beauchamp Library on South Salina. Lindsay will be attending and looking at how we can integrate the forest garden project with the Onondaga Earth Corps initiatives within a grant application.Note from Frank: Also look into Soil and Water Conservation District for donations/funding?Community involvement:Lindsay to contact Baltimore Woods/Nature in the City program.Magda to follow up with Clinic representative to contact local woman Rachel to possibly be a part of our planning/organizing group.We also still need to consider a connection to McKinley School one block over.
Layout and Construction:We will utilize the poplar logs that Dave will work on thinning and then transporting to the clinic site for path making. Dave will also follow up with Steve Harris (City Arborist) for arranging a dump of wood chips when we need them in both July and September.Upon Dave's return to Syracuse on July, we will work on creating a demo section of the trail and sheet mulching layout likely on the north end of the project site. We can also use this opportunity to do some actual placement and moving around of logs to help visually determine final trail layout.Monday July 25th at 5:30 pm we will meet at the clinic site to work on the demo section. Dave will provide the logs and have the wood chips delivered. We all will hoard cardboard for sheet mulching and will bring it with us on July 25th. Zay and Derek will specifically arrange cardboard pickup at Syracuse Bicycle (big and wide cardboard boxes that bikes arrive in). Derek offers storage for cardboard if needed before July 25th. Cardboard brought to the clinic site and not used on July 25th can be stored in a utility room of the clinic until September. Dave will continue work on demo section as needed the evenings of July 26th-27th.Work day on A-OK weekend of Sept 10-11 also still scheduled (and to include class from the Community Ecological Design Training course). We will need to facilitate water, snacks, other materials, supplies?No report on possible donations of plant materials / trees from local contractors of landscapers. Possibly Alicia can be asked to follow up with this task? General phasing will include sheet mulching and trail layout, raised bed production and cover cropping, tree trimming/pruning, woody vegetation (trees/shrubs) planting through this fall. Continued planting and maintenance in the spring.Accessibility will be prioritized in the following way:There will be basic accessibility via surrounding sidewalks for the time being. Depending on funding and availability of appropriate materials, further sections of the trail system may be made more accessible. Focus would be first for the interior/arbor circle section, followed by the remaining pathways. All trails will be made wide enough to accommodate wheelchair travel. The wood chip trails will enable some partial use by heavier duty wheelchairs as is until other options are possibly implemented. Work and completion of the forest garden and trail system will not be delayed due to accessibility concerns; we will make something worth getting people to first and then adjust for accessibility along the way as needed/desired.Submitted by Frank -
Curator Wanted for 2011 TTP
VOLUNTEER CURATOR / ADMINISTRATOR WANTED FOR 2011 TRASH TRANSFORMER PROJECT
The
Alchemical Nursery's Trash Transformer Project has enabled and facilitated the creation of artworks from castoff, waste products, and discarded materials starting in 2009 with the mission of demonstrating the problem of over-consumption, rampant consumerism, and excessive use of resources in our culture.In both 2009 and 2010, we hosted a traveling exhibit of the TTP works at numerous Syracuse locations, and auctioned off a number of the pieces, with a portion of the proceeds going to the artists. In 2010, we received a Cultural Resources Center grant which enabled us to provide stipend awards to artists for producing works for the TTP collection. In 2011, three pieces from our TTP collection are being featured as part of the Syracuse Art Library.
In 2011, we have been awarded a $500 grant to continue this project, but our primary organizer has had to step back from her planned oversight of the funds and the project - and now we need someone new!
Are you interested in taking on the role of volunteer curator / administrator to oversee the project, solicit artists, and acquire artworks? We have a $500 grant at our disposal for supporting costs/expenses and artist stipends. You would be supported by our volunteer Board of Directors whom have administered the project in previous years, but allowed to express your independence and vision for the project as you see fit within the Alchemical mission, grant guidelines, and general direction of the previous TTP activities.
If interested contact Frank at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 315-308-1372 so that we can discuss the details and figure out the best use of the funds within the grant agreement, and towards the goals of the TTP and the Alchemical Nursery mission.
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An Interview for Planetshifter: Permaculture Quinta Essentia
Permaculture Quinta Essentia, An Interview with Frank Raymond Cetera, Alchemical Nursery
"The history of Alchemy is so complex and plump (dating back over 2500 years and concerning the physical, spiritual and philosophical worlds) that the present day study and integration of traditional alchemic processes and symbols into
permaculture could be a job for many people for many lifetimes. We just don’t know what may come of all this."Read the full interview at:
