From: Bagelhole1@aol.com To: bluespin@earthlink.net Subject Resilient Neighborhoods/Greenhouses Date: Tue, Jun 15, 1999, 9:31 PM

Hello Sustainable Petaluma friends, I just wanted to make you aware of what I am doing; self-sustainability, community food security, and such. The success of which depends on the extent of global collaboration that occurs. It is an humanitarian, non-commercial, global project. This is not a solicitation for money, only for possible collaboration.

For the last 11 months or so, I have been working on the best solution to the upcoming y2k phenomenon (no one can know the degree of the consequences), which, in my opinion, is to make neighborhoods as self-sustainable and resilient as possible.

To make that a reality, I have created a website focusing on low-tech sustainable ideas, such that if one were to access the site, they could by implementing these ideas become relatively self-sustainable within 1-3 months.

http://bagelhole.hypermart.net/">http://bagelhole.hypermart.net/

THROUGH THE BAGELHOLE is a lighthearted name with the idea that everybody must pass through the bagelhole and when they do they become self-sustainable. 2 people have volunteered to fix the site up, which it badly needs, to become truly effective.

In addition, to augment the above, the sideproject: "community food security":

1. Greenhouses can be very simple, and they are more effective for growing large amounts of organics then gardens. They are especially essential in colder regions. One start up greenhouse company has offered to supply theirs at cost (somewhere between 0 and $1000). They are geodesic domes, 8' diameter.

The innards could have the latest technique for growing called "aeroponics": vertical structures for the seedlings with nutrient fed looped tubing utilizing a solar powered battery and pump (photo is attached). The manufacturer has agreed to sell these, which include hydroponic seed propagation for about $5000. These could fit about a 30'x 10' greenhouse. In one season, the produce would be of a much higher value than the setup costs. And after that the maintenance and care is very minimal. They have a working model in N. California that can be transported to SF. I have no financial connection with either of these companies.

But this seems to me a genuine and inexpensive way to create real "community food security" within the remaining months. And it would be great for kids to have the learning experience and real organic produce to eat instead of the junk they currently get for school lunches. It would also be great for churches and community centers.

There are also some ideas on how the greenhouse when built right next to a building can provide warmth and fresh air. Soon these ideas will be available at my website: As soon as the volunteers can get it reconstructed. You can hunt around there, if you like, in the meantime.

The simplest greenhouse could be made simply with pipes and clear plastic.

There is a time consideration. The greenhouses need to be in place at the latest by Fall, to reap the harvest for the winter of 1999. Installation takes a few weeks at most. Here are some other ways individuals can help make themselves and their communities food secure:

2. Vertical gardening on sidewalks, balconies, roofs, streets, etc.: Make a column out of chickenwire and tarpaper or cardboard about 3 1/2 feet high, 14 inches diameter. Hold a 4 inch diameter pipe in center and fill with sand and stones (for watering), fill the rest of the area with good soil, remove the pipe. Cut 3 inch slits around the outside thru the wire and paper in a spiral pattern. Insert seedlings in slits (40-60). Sizes are arbitrary. 4 or 5 should feed a family plenty of vegetables, plant about 2 weeks apart to keep a steady harvest.

Local govts. should be asked to bring grains from the silos across America where they often rot every year and store them in accessible places for neighborhoods in your city.

3. Lettuce, sprouts, herbs, and wheat grass on window sills. People can live on those foods above.

4. Edible landscapes and front yards 5. Stocking local ponds, lakes, with fish

I was hoping that by making you aware of these endeavors that, the "community food project" might get kick-started in your area as well as developing interest in the possibility of neighborhoods becoming relatively self-sustainable within a short time.

Kind Regards,

Tom Osher (bagelhole1) San Francisco, CA 415-824-4214

Tax id 94-3111898

-- Jean Wasp (jean@sonic.net), June 16, 1999