| News to Move You | Fall 2010 |
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Never Fear
 | | Nightmares of Count Frackula? |
We haven't vaporized from excessive exposure to natural gas news or etherized as a result of too much Marcellus on our minds.
We're baaaaaaack... and we're gearing up to celebrate Heron's Eye Communications' 5th birthday in 2011. Details in future editions of News to Move You.
For now, let's just say that, like many of you, we've logged many miles on the road to learning as much as possible about fracking and its potential impacts on our land, water, economy and way of life.
We've attended public meetings and hearings, talked with our elected officials, visited drilling sites in Dimock and Bradford County, PA and watched our friends and neighbors choose sides on what has sadly become a divisive issue in many communities.
Along the way, we've been inspired by the activists and everyday folks devoting resources, time and talent to the ongoing public discourse. In this issue, we highlight a few of those people and their places.
Keep to it!
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 | | Tannis Kowalchuk as Carrot. |
NaCl Invents Agri-Theatre
NaCl Theatre consistently creates original work that pushes boundaries -- artistic, cultural and physical -- while exploring topics like time travel, the paranormal and interpersonal relationships. Now, NaCl is producing a new work about, well, produce. Fresh local produce, that is.
Catch the premiere of "The Little Farm Show" on Sunday, November 7 at 3:00 PM at the company's church-turned-theatre in Highland Lake, NY. Then, enjoy a feast of local foods from Willow Wisp Organic Farm prepared by local chefs.
"The Little Farm Show" is an all-ages musical performance about the universe, farming history, how we eat, where our food comes from, today's agricultural trends, environmental awareness and good stewardship.
Tannis Kowalchuk, a Founder of NaCl and performer in "The Little Farm Show," operates Willow Wisp with her husband Greg Swartz. The couple is raising their son Simon on their land in Wayne County, PA and have lent their voices to the regional discourse about gas exploration.
NaCl recently staged its "Frackenstein" production prior to a screening of the film "Gasland" in Callicoon, NY. The event featured Kowalchuk as the monster, on stilts, with a lighted drill rig towering up from her shoulders.
To reserve your seat at "The Little Farm Show" or to schedule a performance in your community, contact Tannis.
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 | | Homestead Students visit Dimock, PA. |
Students Glimpse Gasland
Fourth, fifth and sixth graders from The Homestead School in Glen Spey, NY traveled to Dimock, PA to experience firsthand what it's like to live in gasland and to learn more about natural gas exploration in the Marcellus Shale.
The students saw rolling hills blanketed in fall foliage and studded with drilling rigs; and well pads next to houses, barns and schools. They met Dimock residents Craig and Julie Sautner, whose drinking water was contaminated during Cabot Oil and Gas Corporation's drilling activities; and they spoke with fellow grade schoolers William and Rachel Farnelli, whose water was also contaminated by Cabot.
The students even paid a visit to Congressman Chris Carney's Dimock residence to present him with a Green Power Alliance T-shirt. The group did not find Carney at home, but they had previously met the Congressman during a town hall meeting in Milford, PA where they asked Carney to co-sponsor the Clean Water Protection Act.
The Homestead students followed up their recent visit with an open letter to Congressman Carney about their experience in Dimock and his lack of reply to their town meeting communication.
News coverage of the field trip appeared in The River Reporter and on Time Warner Cable channel YNN.
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Land on the Verge
 | | Water Holding Pond in Bradford County, PA |
Heron's Eye Communications visited Bradford County, PA with the editorial staff of The River Reporter for perspective on the natural gas activity occurring there. Our guides for the day included Michael Lovegreen, Bradford County Conservation District Manager; John Sullivan, a Bradford County Commissioner, Conservation District Board Member, farmer and gas leaseholder; and Terry Lutz, a 22-year township supervisor and gas leaseholder.
The county's farmland was at the early stages of conversion to an industrial landscape.
Our guides reported economic benefits for some landowners and business owners, as well as increased truck traffic, serious damage to roads, excessive dust and noise, a spike in crime, housing cost hikes, and a new way of life to adapt to for all county residents.
For more, read Sandy's River Reporter article and Krista's ConserveLand Blog post.
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Friends in
the Field
 | | Sabrina Artel |
Some people hit the road to lose themselves in adventure; others find themselves emerging through the miles. For Sabrina Artel, who drives her 1965 Beeline trailer to events happening on the streets and in people's neighborhoods, it's a bit of both.
As Artel broadcasts Trailer Talk live from the kitchen table of her little Beeline, it's a journey she shares with the whole community.
Trailer Talk is live performance, community building and journalism, plus homemade brownies! Artel bakes up a batch, hits the road and welcomes people to sit down to talk.
"The kitchen table represents the democratic tradition of public dialogue that values the coming together of diverse and often opposing voices to create common ground," says Artel, who has been exploring the issue of Marcellus Shale and natural gas exploration. Trailer Talk has interviewed activists in Albany, NY; visited Dimock, PA with Dish, TX Mayor Calvin Tillman; and recorded the pro- and anti- sentiments delivered to the Delaware River Basin Commission during public hearings.
"All viewpoints welcome as always," adds Artel.
Forthcoming is Trailer Talk's Shale Project focused on the complex economic, social and environmental issues gas drilling presents for New York State. Guests from all sides of the issue are invited to share their stories. "Come on in and join us for this traveling salon and portal of possibility!" says Artel.
Trailer Talk can be heard on WJFF Radio Fridays at 2 PM.
 | | Artel's 1965 Beeline. |
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