15 Activists Arrested in Springfield

On November 21 in Springfield, 15 activists were arrested for protesting Bank of America's decision to force poor people out of their homes. Hundreds of supporters cheered at the downtown action. Protesters were arrested for blocking the entrance to a Bank of America branch, and for refusing to leave the bank's lobby, where they held signs and chanted, "Bank of America, bad for America." Outside, people inspired by Occupy Wall Street chanted, "We/ are/ the 99 percent."

(To enlarge a photo, click on it, then scroll down and click "See full size image." photos by Eesha Williams)

Photos: Farm Workers

Unless noted, these photos were taken by freelance photojournalist Ellen Kreitmeier. They show workers on a vegetable farm in southeast Vermont. In winter, most of the workers live in Jamaica, where their families live year round. These photos were taken this summer. The fifth, sixth, and seventh photos are by Eesha Williams. To enlarge a photo, click on it, then scroll down and click "See full size image."

Photos: October Snow

These photos show the record amount of snow that fell on the Valley on October 29 and October 30. Rowe, Massachusetts, near Greenfield, got about two feet of snow, according to Rowe resident Deb Katz. She is the director of www.NukeBusters.org

Global warming caused by cars, coal and nuclear power plants and other human sources results in more severe droughts, floods, blizzards, and heat waves. That's according to the new book Eaarth by Bill McKibben of Vermont. Time magazine said McKibben is "the planet's best green journalist."

Former Senate Leader, a Woman, Wants To Be N.H. Governor

When will the first woman be elected president? Experts say a good way to make that happen soon is to elect more female governors and members of Congress. On October 25 former New Hampshire senate majority leader Maggie Hassan www.MaggieHassan.com announced she is running for governor. She is a Democrat and a lawyer. The election is about a year from now.

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photo of Maggie Hassan from www.MaggieHassan.com

Photo: Brattleboro Occupy Wall Street Solidarity Rally

On October 15 in downtown Brattleboro, hundreds of people attended an Occupy Wall Street solidarity rally. They held signs calling on Congress to raise taxes on rich people to help poor people, in support of closing the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, and other issues. The event was organized by the Vermont Workers Center www.WorkersCenter.org

Similar rallies are planned around the Valley. Details are at www.ValleyPost.org/node/601

To enlarge the photo, click on it, then scroll down and click "See full-size image." photo by Eesha Williams

Photo: Fitzgerald Lake in Northampton

This photo was taken on October 6. It shows Fitzgerald Lake in Northampton. The lake is part of a 633 acre city-owned wilderness park. There is a wildlife viewing blind with a notebook where visitors record birds and animals they see. The notebook contains dozens of entries. Directions to the park, and a trail map, are at:

www.BroadBrookCoalition.org/fitzgerald-lake

To enlarge the photo, click on it, then scroll down and click "See full-size image." photo by Eesha Williams

Pavers Battle Nature Protectors Near Keene

Hundreds of acres of wilderness on the lower slopes of Mount Monadnock, near Keene, are at risk of being clear cut logged, paved, Chem Lawned, and “developed.” But activists are racing to save the land so future generations will be able to hike there. Details about that struggle are below.

Photos: Autumn Colors

These photos were taken at a pond in the Madame Sherri Forest, a park in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, near Brattleboro and Keene. The photos were taken on September 18. More information about the park is at this town web site:

www.ChesterfieldOutdoors.com/plands/sherri.html

To enlarge a photo, click on it, then scroll down and click "See full-size image."

photos by Eesha Williams

Springfield Eviction Protests are August 29 and September 2

Bank of America paid its CEO, Brian Moynihan, more than $1.9 million last year. Now, in Springfield, Bank of America is trying to evict a low-income family from the family’s only home. On August 29 at 12:30 p.m., activists will rally in front of the Jimenez family home at 91 Granada Terrace. The Jimenez family is asking the public to attend the rally, which is being organized by a group called Springfield No One Leaves www.SpringfieldNoOneLeaves.org

Photos of a protest in May in Springfield that was organized by the same group are at:

Northampton Company Mows Lawns With Sheep

A locally-owned company is offering sheep lawn mowing services in Northampton. The advantages of sheep over fossil fuel powered lawn mowers include: the animals are usually silent; they don’t emit lung cancer-causing air pollution; they fertilize the lawn; and they produce cheese, yogurt, wool, and meat.

One hour of gas-powered lawn mowing produces as much pollution as driving a car for four hours. That’s according to:

http://environment.NationalGeographic.com/environment/green-guide/buying...

Dairy goats also work well for lawn mowing.