dream green

APR 2011

resinroots:building jewelryfrom the ground up

organic coffeeearth-friendly festivalsvermicompostinghippie vs hipster

reducereuserecycle:how clothing swaps can revitalize your wardrobe

editor-in-chief jaremy ediger kevan hannah veronica neufeld albertine watson

layouteditor kevan hannah albertine watson

additionallayout veronica neufeld jarmey ediger

photoeditor albertine watson

covermodel alana ollinger

covermakeup brett visca for v artistry

additionalmodels richard neufeld amie seier veronica neufeld

photography veronica neufeld kevan hannah albertine watson jaremy ediger sander van der wel brian goldschmeid bert luit réjean brandt

specialthanksto kitty bernes atberns & black salon & spa lisa pointon-reico and sean reico at dconstruct jewelry dave elmore and sylvie herbert at the green action centre darryl reid at green bean coffee imports the winnipeg folk festival sew dandee the pancake house garth hilderman kenton larsen steve vogelsang al guzzi karen press kent gulbrantson tiffany lachuta

VOLUME1ISSUE1

BURLAPispublishedmonthlybyJaremyEdiger,KevanHannah,VeronicaNeufeld,andAlbertineWatsonatTheRoblinCentre,RedRiverCollege.160PrincessSt,Winnipeg,MB,R3B1K9.

06ed letter

07rethinkresinalocalduoisreshapingthewayjewelryismade.

11spring2011mixingandmatching.

12tit for tathowclothingswapscanworkwondersforyourwardrobe.

15small wondersorganicandfairtraderoastersarechallengingthewayyouthinkaboutcoffee.

18growinggreeneryearbyyear,thewinnipegfolkfestivalgetsalittlemoresustainable.

22warming up towrigglersgettingcozywithwormsandthevermacompostingcraze.

25hippie vs hipsteranindie-styleretrospective

hi thereSPRING.ThatmagicaltimewhenWinnipeggerslookforwardtosunshine,sangria,andstrappysandals.WeatBurlapwouldliketoseeonemoretermaddedtothatslew:sustainable.We’rethrilledaboutthegrowingpopularityofhippie-

hautetrendslikebambooballgowns,veganvestsandhemphigh-heels.Thedayswhen“green”and“eco”meantbarefeetandgreasyhairhavebeenleftinthedirt.JustaskLisaandSeanPointon-Reico,foundersof

dconstructjewelry.Theirbanglesandbaubles,gracingthestylesectionofourpremierissue,echoEarth’seclecticelegance,provingthatfast-fashiondoesn’thavetobeapartofourfast-foodculture.Fashionchangeswiththeseasons,andsoshouldyour

wardrobe.Andwhilewe’reallaboutclothesthatgrowontrees,werealizethatmoneydoesn’t.Enter:clothingswaps.Asifsharingcocktailswiththegirlswasn’tfun

enoughalready,aswap’syourchancetogetyourhandsonyourfriend’skillerbeltedtrench–theoneyou’vebeeneyeingupallseason–andpassontheoldiestakingupvaluableclosetspace.Ofcourse,youwouldn’tbeaWinnipeggerifyoudidn’t

enjoygreatlocalmusicandacuppadarkroastoveraheateddiscussionofpublictransit.Well,yourcaffeinerushisnowavailableinorganicandfairtrade,thankstothegrowinggreenbeanmovement,andyoucanenjoyyourlocalmusicwhilereducingyourcarbonfootprintwiththeFolkFestival’snewshuttlebusinitiative.Welcometothenewgreen.

VERONICANEUFELDEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

letter from the editor

rethinking

resincommon building material is now

one of the hottest styles around thanks to a brilliant local duo.

written by albertine watson

thispage,fromlefttoright:modelalannawearsregencygoldnecklace,bananafibrecuff,lassocoalcuff,sweptsilverearrings,bydconstruct.ring:model’sown.

ofresinandconcreteasstrongindustrialbuildingmaterials,LisaPointon-ReicoandSeanReicoseethemasafoundationformodernjewelrydesigns.“Wethinkit’simportanttotryoutnew

materialsforourdesigns-thingsyoumaynotthinkofusinginmainstreamjewelry,”saidSean,whoexplainsthattheirdesignsareinspiredbytheirloveforminimalistdesignandmodernarchitecture.DconstructJewelryisaWinnipeg-

basedcompanythatusesconcreteandeco-friendlyresintoproducehigh-quality,fashionableaccessorieswithamodernedge.accessoriessostylishthatthey’regoingtobeincludedinthe2011AcademyAwardsgiftbaskets.Thebasketsarechockfullofunique,luxurygiftsgiventocelebritieswhowalktheredcarpet.ThecouplehopesthebasketswillhelppromoteDconstructJewelry.“It’skindofamazing.Onedaywe’re

justtinkeringaroundinthegarageforfun,thenextwe’retraveling,sellingourdesignswhenwegetacallfromadistributortellingusourstuffwillbeattheAcademyAwards.It’ssurreal,”gushedLisa.Itallstartedwhentheywerebuilding

theirdreamhomein2007.Theyusedalargeconcreteslabforanislandcountertopintheirkitchenandendedupwithsomeextramaterial.Notlongafter,Seanexperimentedwiththematerialtocreateastainlesssteelandconcrete

pendantnecklaceforLisaasagift.“Igotsomanycomplimentsonthe

necklacethatwestartedmakingthemforfriendsandfamily,andthenIhadastoreowneraskmeaboutthenecklaceIwaswearingandsaythatshewouldcarrythemifwemadethem.That’showitallstarted,”saidLisa.Itwasatthispointthatthecouple

realizedthiscouldbeabusinessandbeganexperimentingwithothermaterialslikeeco-resininfusedwithorganicssuchasbambooandseaweed.Resinisactuallyasecretionofmany

plants,particularlyconiferoustrees.Valuedforitsuseintheproductionofvarnishes,adhesives,andfood-glazingagents,it’salsoanimportantsourceofrawmaterialsandisusedinthecreationofincenseandperfume.Inthemodernworld,theterm“resin”hasbeenappliedtonearlyanycomponentofaliquidthatwillsetintoahardlacquerorenamel-likefinish.Thisincludessyntheticresinsderivedfromplastics.DconstructJewelryusessynthetic

resinmadefromaminimumof40percentpost-consumerrecycledmaterial.Theeco-resinmeetsLEEDcertification,whichstandsforLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign,aninternationallyrecognizedgreenbuildingcertificationsystem.Thecouplestartedoutsellingtheir

productsfromhomeandonline.Now,DconstructJewelryissoldinboutiques

thispagefromlefttoright:migrationsaffroncuff,

tingtingcuff,seaweedcuff,bydconstruct.

“worn,vintage,andbrokenjewelrytocreatedistinctivepieces.Thisreducesherbusiness’impactontheplanetandgivestheoldjewelryanewlife.VintageBlingjewelryhasbeenfeaturedinChatelainemagazine’sonlineStyleDeskblog,WeddingBellsmagazine,

andElleCanada,amongothers.Ocean’sThirteenactressElenaLevonwasevenspottedwearingalargeVintageBlingnecklaceontheGoldenGlobesRedCarpetin2007.Goertzen

explainsherpassionforvintage-sourcedjewelry.“I’veneverunderstoodhowwomencouldjustthrowawaytheirjewelry,evenifit’scheap.Youcanalwaysmakesomethingnewoutofsomethingold.ThebestpartisthatitlooksbetterthantheoriginalversiononceI’mdone.”

acrossCanadaincludingtheWinnipegArtGallery,theOntarioArtGallery,theMontrealMuseumofFineArts,theAlbertaArtGallery,andtheNationalGalleryofCanada.Piecesarepricedbetween$29and$49.SeanandLisaPointon-Reicohave

recentlycompletedasuccessfulseasonofshowsattheOneofaKindShowinToronto,Vancouver,andChicagowheretheywonthirdplaceintheOneofaKindGreencompetitionwitheco-resinvases.TheyhavealsoenteredU.S.marketsasofJanuary2011.TheymanagetodoallofthisoutoftheirhomestudioinWinnipeg.Astheirbusinesscontinuestogrow,LisaandSeanarelookingatways

toexpandtheirlineofdesigns.“Wereallywanttocontinueworking

withtheeco-resin,butwithdifferentmaterialsinside.We’realsointerestedincreatinghousewares,”saidLisa.Theyaren’ttheonlyonesintownto

createecologically-consciousfashion.Winnipeg-basedduoJake+Cleousereclaimedsilvertocreatetheirpieces.Thesilverstartsoutasapatofpreciousmetalclay,whichcontains100percentreclaimedsilver.Afterthat,allscraps,filingsanddustarecapturedtobeusedinfuturedesigns.Theaestheticfocusesonwhimsy,cleanlines,andfreethinking.Local

jewelryshopVintageBlingisalsopartoftheeco-chicfashionsceneinWinnipeg.FounderanddesignerDayleGoertzenseeksout

i’ve never understood how women could just throw away their jewelry, even if it’s cheap

‘stached.

Have you?

He’s been

Berns & Black Salon & Spa wants you to look and feel like Manitoba’s greatest. We create avant-garde looks that make you look and feel like you can take over the town. Berns & Black is devoted to creating a calm, eco-friendly environment that treats our earth and clientele with the care they and their moustaches deserve.

this spring is all about mixing and matching different styles to create your own funky look. Florals are edgy, cardis have gone sheer, and accessories reign king. There’s no one theme or style to follow. Switch it up.spring 2011

sheerasymetriccardigan,$198byLiis.availableatDolciTrameoratdolcitrameshop.com

‘Folklore’printtop,$700byAlexanderMcQueen.availableatFeathers,feathersfashion.com,orat

alexandermcqueencom

‘WeaveItToMe’bag,$145byModCloth.availableatmodcloth.com

greenw/floralsunglasses,$12byModCloth.availableatmodcloth.com

80-pagestenopad,$10byFieldNotes.availableatfieldnotes.com

decadentswankyring,moonstone,$120byNashelle.availableatcharmandchain.com

highwaisted70sskinnyjean,$64byTopshop.availableat

topshop.com

‘Corley’boot,$54bySteveMadden.availableat

nordstrom.com

brownleatherbelt,$42byAmericanVintage.availableat

welikefashion.com

titshe’s got style, she’s got grace, and it’s cluttering her closet space. clothing swaps are a new way for you to restyle yourself for a sustainable for spring.written by veronica neufeld

fortat

Partoflighteningupyourwardrobeforspringmeansdumpingthedeadwinterweightclutteringyourcloset,andclothingswapsareagreatwaytomaketheprocessinteractiveandEarth-friendly.AndeePenner,ownerofOsborneVillage’s

SewDandee,beganhostingclothingswapsatherstoreafterattendingthosehostedbyherfriends.“Ipartlylikeclothingswapsfortheenvironmentalaspect,”shesays,“butalsobecauseI’mabitunorthodox.I’dratherfindsomethingoldthatIcanre-workthangoshoppingforawholenewoutfit.”Penner,whomakesherlivingre-working

peoples’throwawayfashions,promotesclothingswapsfortheirpracticality,andrecommendsseeingthemasawaytorevampyourstyleandun-crampyourwardrobe.“MyruleisthateverytimeIseesomethingIhavetohave,somethingcomesoutofmyowncloset.”Clothingswapshavebeengrowingin

popularityoverthepastseveralyears,andcanbepublicorprivate.Thegeneralgroundrules,eitherway,tendtoremainthesame.“Noitemsthatarestained,ripped,orbeyondrepair,”saysPenner.It’salsoconsideredgoodmannerstoensureallclothingitemsarewashedbeforebringingthemintosomeoneelse’shome(youwouldn’twanttogohomecarryingsomeoneelse’sbedbugs).

KerryLanghostsclothingswapsregularlyinherWestBroadwayhome.“It’snicetogetthegirlstogetheronceeveryseasonorsototradeouroldclothesoverafewcocktails,”shesays.“Sincewe’reallfriends,wetendtokindoflikethesamethings.Ourstylesaredifferent,butmeshwell.”Lang’susualswapset-uphastheladiesin

attendancearrangingtheirpiecesinseparatepilesonchairsandfurniturearoundherlivingroom.“Onceeverything’sarranged,weeachpickapileandthengoaroundthecircle.Theruleiswe’reeachonlyallowedtopickoneitematatime.Thatwaywedon’thavesomepeoplewalking

outwithfiftyitems,whileothersonlywalkoutwithfive.”Publicswaps,likethosehostedbySew

DandeeandMentoringArtistsforWomen’sArt(MAWA)includeasmallcoverchargefortheswap.MAWAbeganhostingpublicclothingswapsin2010.Fortheseevents,$10getsyouallthegentlyusedclothingyoucanwearwalkingout,whetherornotyoubringyourowncontributions.Wheneverything’sbeendivviedupandthe

ladies’sappetitesforstylehavebeensated,leftoverclothingmaybedonatedtotheclosestsecond-handstore.Consignmentstoresarealsooftenhappytoofferstorecreditforyourmoreneworuniqueitems.

givetake+

GetCut

get conditioned get shaped

get tonedGive your hair the same body

you give your body Give it the intensive treatment

and the little indulgences Give your hair a break now and

then, so you can look and feel at the top of your game

Keep up with the latest trends, and never, ever let routine

get the better of you.

smallwonders

organic and fair trade beans are making a big splash in the conventional world of coffee.

written by kevan hannah

Eachday,millionsofpeoplearoundtheworlddrinkacupofcoffee.Sometimes,theydrinkevenmore.Coffeebeansareoneofthemostsought-aftercropsworldwide,andinordertomeetthedemand,globalfarmershavetendedtoresorttousingchemicalsandartificialmeanstospeedupthegrowthofbeans,producingcoffeethatisbiginquantity,butsmallinquality.Fortunately,arisingtrendisgiving

coffeeloversanalternative,lettingthemgetthemostoutoftheirfavouritebeverage:organiccoffee.Coffeeislabeledorganicwhenitis

grownwithoutpesticides,synthetichormones,toxicfertilizers,antibiotics,orgeneticengineering,accordingtotheOrganicCoffeeCollaboration,aprojectoftheOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA).Organicfoodisalsominimallyprocessedandwithoutartificialingredientsorpreservatives,theMassachusetts-basedgroupsaid.Theresponsetothisnewcoffee

inNorthAmericahasbeennothingshortofhuge.AsurveyconductedbytheCommitteeonSustainability

Assessmentvaluedtheorganiccoffeemarketatmorethan$1.4billionin2009,andfoundthatimportsoforganiccoffeeintotheCanadaandtheU.S.exceeded93millionpoundsfortheyear.Withanaverageannualgrowthrateof21percent,asdocumentedbythecommitteefrom2004to2009,organiccoffeedwarfedtheestimatedonepercentannualgrowthoftheconventionalcoffeeindustry,andcontinuedtogrowdespiteaworldwideeconomicdownturn.Thegreaterdemandcomesas

consumersincreasinglyadoptallthings“green,”andcoffeeroastersworkwithretailerstocreateavarietyofblendstosuitawiderangeoftastes.InManitoba,thedemandforagreener

coffeeisjustasmuchontherise.WithcompanieslikeGreenBeanCoffeeImports,aClandeboye,Manitoba-basedbusiness,localshopsandrestaurantshaveevengreateraccesstoorganicbeansfromallfourcornersoftheworld.GreenBeanoperatesasManitoba’s

onlyorganicroaster,andhasgrownitscustomerlistto32locationsintheprovinceinthemerethreeyearssincetheyopenedforbusiness,includingallSobeyslocationsinWinnipeg.Combinedwithothernationalroasters,nearlyeveryindependentlyownedcoffeeshopinsouthernManitobanowcarriesorganicoptions.Thissurgeinpopularityisno

wonder—thewords“organiccoffee”havebecomesynonymouswithquality.Accordingtotheresultsofthe2010CupofExcellenceawards,aprestigiousroastingawardgivenoutannuallybytheAllianceforCoffeeExcellence,organiccoffeesheldthetopfiverankings,thewinnerscoringmorethanhighestrankedconventionalcoffeeblendby

morethan20percent.Thebenefitstodrinkingorganic

coffeearenumerous,notonlyintermsofwhatitdoes(anddoesn’t)doforyourbody,butalsohowitimpactstheenvironment.Organiccoffeesarepackedwithavarietyofantioxidantsthatworktoprotectyourcellsfromlong-termdamage,preventingdiseaseandprematureaging.Environmentallyspeaking,organiccoffeereplenishesandhelpsmaintainfertilesoilwithouttheaidoffertilizers.Thisworkstolowertoxinsintheair,soil,andlocalwatersupply.Italsohelpstobuildabetterbiologicalsystemwithdiversityincropsandproductionofplantsandtrees.Butoneofthebiggestbenefitsto

organiccoffeeisn’tinthenutritionalvalueortaste.Asof2008,70percentofallorganiccoffeesoldtoroastersinCanadawas“fairtrade,”accordingtoTransFairCanada.Fairtradeistheconceptthatfarmers

orfieldlabourersshouldreceiveafairshareoftheeventualsellingpriceofproducts,andnottobeexploitedbymanufacturers,brokers,ordistributors.Theyshouldreceivealargeenoughsharetosupporttheirfamiliesandinvestinthenecessaryequipment,fertilizersandothergoodsnecessarytokeeptheirfarmsactive.Thisallowsthoseindevelopednationstousetheirbuyingpowerasconsumerstokeepstrugglingfarmersafloat.“Thefairtrademovementreally

startedinsmallhealthfoodandspecialtyshops,”saidMichaelZelmer,DirectorofCommunicationsforTransFairCanadainOttawa,“butconsumerseverywherearestartingtodemandfair-tradegoods.”ButfairtradehasbeenslowtogainstrengthinCanada,henoted.“Hereitisonly10percentofwhatitis

intheU.K.We’rewellbehindEuropeinthatregard.”

millions of people

aroundtheworlddrinkacupofcoffeeeveryday.Sometimes,theydrinkevenmore.Coffeebeansareoneofthemostsought-aftercropsworldwide,andinordertomeetthedemand,globalfarmershavetendedtoresorttousingchemicalsandartificialmeanstospeedupthegrowthofbeans,producingcoffeethatisbiginquantity,butsmallinquality.Fortunately,arisingtrendis

givingcoffeeloversanalternative,lettingthemgetthemostoutoftheirfavouritebeverage:organiccoffee.Coffeeislabeledorganicwhen

itisgrownwithoutpesticides,synthetichormones,toxicfertilizers,antibiotics,orgeneticengineering,accordingtotheOrganicCoffeeCollaboration,aprojectoftheOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA).Organicfoodisalsominimallyprocessedandwithoutartificialingredientsorpreservatives,the

Massachusetts-basedgroupsaid.Theresponsetothisnewcoffee

inNorthAmericahasbeennothingshortofhuge.AsurveyconductedbytheCommitteeonSustainabilityAssessmentvaluedtheorganiccoffeemarketatmorethan$1.4billionin2009,andfoundthatimportsoforganiccoffeeintotheCanadaandtheU.S.exceeded93millionpoundsfortheyear.Withanaverageannualgrowthrateof21percent,asdocumentedbythecommitteefrom2004to2009,organiccoffeedwarfedtheestimatedonepercentannualgrowthoftheconventionalcoffeeindustry,andcontinuedtogrowdespiteaworldwideeconomicdownturn.Thegreaterdemandcomesas

consumersincreasinglyadoptallthings“green,”andcoffeeroastersworkwithretailerstocreateavarietyofblendstosuitawiderangeoftastes.InManitoba,thedemandfora

greenercoffeeisjustasmuchontherise.WithcompanieslikeGreenBeanCoffeeImports,aClandeboye,Manitoba-basedbusiness,localshopsandrestaurantshaveevengreateraccesstoorganicbeansfromallfourcornersoftheworld.“Organicsaredefinitelysomeof

themostpopularblendswesell,”saidRobertKrul,whosefamilyrunsCorneliaBeanLtd.onAcademyRoad.“It’sbeenmoreandmorepopulareachyearwithcustomers.Atfirstnoonereallytouchedit,Idon’tthinktheyreallyknewwhatit

was.Butnowtherearepeoplewhogooutoftheirwaytocomeintothestore,justtogetorganiccoffee.”GreenBeanCoffeeImports,which

operatesasManitoba’sonlyorganicroaster,hasgrownitscustomerlistto32locationsintheprovinceinthemerethreeyearssincetheyopenedforbusiness,includingallSobeyslocationsinWinnipeg.Combinedwithothernationalroasters,Krulsays,nearlyeveryindependentlyownedcoffeeshopinsouthernManitobanowcarriesorganicoptions.Thissurgeinpopularityisno

wonder—thewords“organiccoffee”havebecomesynonymouswithquality.Accordingtotheresultsofthe2010CupofExcellenceawards,aprestigiousroastingawardgivenoutannuallybytheAllianceforCoffeeExcellence,organiccoffeesheldthetopfiverankings,thewinnerscoringmorethanhighestrankedconventionalcoffeeblendbymorethan20percent.Thebenefitstodrinkingorganic

coffeearenumerous,notonlyintermsofwhatitdoes(ordoesn’t)doforyourbody,butalsohowitimpactstheenvironment.Organiccoffeesarerifewithavarietyofantioxidants.Theseantioxidantsworktoprotectyourcellsfromlong-termdamage,preventingdiseaseandprematureaging.However,environmentally-speaking,organiccoffeereplenishesandhelpsmaintainfertilesoilwithouttheaidoffertilizers.Thisworkstolowertoxinsintheair,soil,andlocalwatersupply.Italsohelpstobuildabetterbiologicalsystemwithdiversityincropsandproductionofplantsandtrees.Butoneofthebiggestbenefits

toorganiccoffeeisn’tnecessarilyinthenutritionalvalueortaste.Asof2008,70percentofallorganiccoffeesoldtoroastersinCanadawas“fairtrade,”accordingtoTransFairCanada.Fairtradeistheconceptthat

millions of people

trending:organic coffee

growing greener

the winnipeg folk festival is doing more and more each year to improve sustainability- without abandoning their roots.written by jaremy ediger

“you can’t just eliminate travel or, say, cups for beer

weekendofeveryJulysince1974thousandsofmusicloversfromacrossNorthAmerica(andevenafewfromoverseas)havegatheredatBirdsHillProvincialParkfortheWinnipegFolkFestival,astereotypicalweekendofpeace,love,musicandnow,preservingtheenvironment.Dreadlockedwomeninearth-toneddressesblowbubbles

andtwirlhula-hoops,menwithlargebeardsmuckuptheirsarongsandhemppantsbydancinginthemud,allwhileamassivecrewofvolunteersworkshardtoensurethatwasteisproperlydealtwith.Musicwaftsthroughtheair,mixingwithreefersmokeasthesunsetsbehindaridgeoftreesandalargecompostheapbreaksdownbackstage.Ofcoursenoteveryonespendstheweekendinadrug-inducedhaze,alargepercentageofthecrowdisthereforthemusic,ratherthantheindulgence.Thefestivalhasgrownsteadilysinceits

humblebeginningasafree,4-stageeventheldtocelebrateWinnipeg’s100thanniversary,whichattractedanestimated22,000peopleoverthreedays.In2010,thefestivalfeaturedaround250performersonsevenstages,anddrewover70,000peopleacrossfivedays.Butofcoursewithmorepeoplecomesmoregarbage,moretotaldistancetravelledtoandfromthesite,moregreenhousegasemissions,morewasteand,intheend,amuchgreaterstressontheenvironment.Likeallmusicfestivals,FolkFesthastocarefullyplanawaytodeliveraqualityeventwhileminimizingitscarbonfootprint.Withthefestival’sgrowingpopularity

throughoutthe80s,itbegantoimplementnewgreeninginitiativesyearly.Thebiggeststeptodatewasin1997,whenthereusableplateprogrambegan.Thefestivalestimatesthatitsaves77,000paperplatesfromthelandfilleachyear,whichnowtotalsaroundonemillionsincetheprogrambegan.ItwasinthatsameyearthatFolkFestbecamethefirsteventofitskindtobedeemeda“greenevent”byCanada’sEnvironmentChoiceprogram.WinnipegFolkFestival’smanagerofmarketing&

communications,MargaretKoshinsky,saystheircurrent

waste piles like this one from Bonnaroo 2010 pose a problem for festival organizers. much of what ends up in landfills could have been recycled or composted.

greeneffortsare“primarilycentredaroundalternativetransportation.”In2010theyheldtheirfirsteverGreenRidetoBird’sHill

Park.WithhelpfromManitobaPublicInsurance,TheWinnipegFoundationandOlympiaCycle&Ski,FolkFestarrangedtoprovideasafeenvironmentforfestivalsgoerstoridetheirbikesouttothesitewithoutworryingaboutcarryingalloftheircampinggear.Koshinskyestimates70peopletookpartintheride,whichofferedpriorityentrytothecampgroundasincentive.In2011,thefrequencyofshuttlebusesrunningfromthe

campgroundtothefestivalsitewillbedoubled,fromonceanhourtoonceeveryhalfhour.Organizershopethatthiswillencouragepatronstoleavetheircarsparkedinthe

campgroundparkinglotratherthandrivethemtothemaingrounds.Theyarealsoundergoingalargecampaigntotrytogetpeopletobringtheirbikesfortransportationtoandfromthecampground.Incoming

years,therewillbeamajorredevelopmentonthesite,whichwillassistthefestivalinitseffortstobesustainable.Thiswillincludecontinuingtoplanttreesandimprovedrainage,astheyhavedoneforthepastdecade.

Mostimportantly,itwillincludeabusloop,whichcantakefestivalgoersrightuptothegate.Currently,WinnipegTransitprovideshourlyround-tripservicefromdowntownWinnipeg,butitonlygoestotheoutskirtsofthefestivalgrounds,leavingpassengerswitha15-minutehiketothegate.Koshinskysaysthisbusloopis“definitely

oneofthemajoradvancementsforoursustainability.”Thedemandforagreenerfestivalsite

hascausedFolkFesttogreatlyincreasethesizeoftheirenvironmentcrew.In2010,ofthe65volunteercrews,environmentwasamongthefivelargest.Over400peoplevolunteeredtospendaportionoftheirweekendcollectingtrashbags,pickingout

recyclables,tendingtothebackstagecompostheapanddoinganythingelseintheircontroltoensurethesiteremainsclean.Thatismorethan12timesthenumberofvolunteersthanthe30theyhadontheenvironmentalcrewwhenDavidEdigerwaslasttheircoordinatorin1985.Theirdutieswerealsodrasticallydifferentthantheyarenow.“Wehadtwojobs;pickupthegarbageandputitinbags,

anddisinfectthedirtylittleouthousestheyhadatthetime,”Edigerrecalls.Theydefinitelyweren’tsiftingthroughthewastetofindrecyclinginthosedays.“Garbagewasgarbage.”Stoppingwastefromreachinglandfillsisamajorconcernat

allmusicfestivals,andmanylargefestivalsboastabouttheirdiversionefforts.TheFolkFestdivertsabout40percentofitswasteawayfromlandfills,anumberwhichgrewsignificantlyin2008,whentheyintroducedcompostablecupsatallthebeergardensonsite.TheBonnarooMusic&ArtsFestivalinManchester,Tennessee,whichdrew75,000attendeesperdayin2010,diverts60percentofitstotalwastefromlandfills.

Togiveanideaofjusthowmuchwasteisgeneratedatalargefestival,Bonnaroo’swebsitesaysthatthediverted60percentincluded“101tonsofcommingledrecycling,23tonsofcardboard,21tonsofscrapmetal,45tonscompostablematerialand5tonsofcookingoil.”“Overallconsumptionisthebiggy,fromfantraveltoartist

traveltosuppliesshippedonsite,”BonnaroosustainabilitycoordinatorLauraSohnwritesinane-mail.“Youcan’tjusteliminatetravelor,say,cupsforbeer,soyouhavetocomeupwithdifferentsolutionsthataregoodfortheenvironmentandmaintainapositivefanexperience.”Festivalsoftenlooktoeachotherforideasonbeing

sustainable.Thecompostablecupshavebeenappearingatmoreandmorefestivalseachyear,andthelatesttrendappearstobeon-sitecompostheaps,whichbothFolkFestandBonnaroohave.KoshinskysaysthatFolkFestbegantodothesesortsofthingsbeforemanyofthefestivals,butcouldhaveintroducednewinitiativesataquickerrate.“Idon’tfeellikewearetheleader,butweareoneofthem,”

Koshinskysays.“In1997,yeah,wedefinitelyleadthepack,andothersfollowedsuit.”

> The 2011 Winnipeg Folk Festival will take place from July 6-10. Lineup and ticket information is available at: www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca

warmwrigglers

up toget cozy with creepy crawlies, and join the

vermicomposting craze that’s wiggling into homes this

spring.written by veronica neufeld

Winnipeg’senvironmentalactivityisontheup-and-up,andmanyWinnipeggersarebecomingmoreawareoftheimportanceandaccessibilityofsustainablewastedisposal.Fortheeco-awareamongus,compostingplaysjustasimportantaroleinleadingagreenerlifestyleasreducing,reusingandrecycling.InNovemberof2010,theCityofWinnipegbeganasix-

month$350,000evaluationofthecity’sgarbagedisposalsystem.Asofrightnow,nomunicipalhomecompostingprogramexists,whichputsusbehindcitieslikeTorontoandBrandon,allofwhichhaverecentlyimplementedcity-widepubliccompostingsystems.“Compostingisimportantforavarietyofreasons,”saysthe

city’ssolidwastemanagerDarrylDrohomerski.“Wecanusecompostingardensandsaveonexcavatingtopsoil,reduceemissionsofgreenhousegasses,andwecansavelandfillspace.About90,000tonsoforganicwasteisthrowninthelandfilleveryyear.That’salmost50percentofthecity’stotalannualwaste.”Formanypeople,especiallyurbanapartmentdwellers,

compostingcanseemanintimidating,complicatedandaltogetherickyalternativetotossingleftoversinthetrash.SylvieHerbertandDaveElmorespearheadthecompostingprogramatWinnipeg’snon-profitGreenActionCentre(GAC),workingtobringcompostingintohomes,schoolsandworkplaces,hostingcompostingworkshopsandeducatingWinnipeggersabouttheimportanceofthepractice.“Fortytoseventypercentofourkitchenwasteis

compostable,”saysHerbert,“butformanypeople,theydon’tunderstandtheprocess,orareafraidofit,andthatkeepsthem

fromdoingit.Ourroleistomakeitsimpleforpeople.”Avarietyofcompostingoptionsexistforpeopleliving

downtown,whetherornottheycanaccessanoutdoorbin.Forapartmentdwellers,HerbertandElmorerecommendvermicomposting,anodourlessindoorcompostingmethodthatusesredwrigglerwormstobreakdownorganicwaste.TheGAChostsfreevermicompostingworkshops,completewithfreebinsanddetailedinstructions,andseveraloutletsinWinnipegsellanddeliverthewrigglers.Theideaofgettingclosetowormsmaymakesomepeople

squeamish,butthewholethingisrelativelyhands-off.Thecompostingprocessinvolvesplacingahalfpoundofredwrigglersinacompostingbinandcoveringthemwithmoistshreddedpaper.Keepingtheminacooldarkspace,likeunderasinkorinacloset,youmaybegingivingthewrigglersyourleftoverorganicwaste.Theworms,whicharevegetarian,willbreakdownthefoodintoodourlesscompost(read:wormpoo)whichyoumaylaterharvest.CrystalWeber,27,hasbeenvermicompostinginherthird-

floorCorydonAvenuesuiteforthreeyears.“AtfirstIreallydidn’tknowwhatIwasdoing,anditsmelledjustterrible,”shegrins,standinginherapartmentamidaveritableforestofspiderplants.“Therewerefruitflieseverywhere.ButIattendedaworkshopandlearnedhowtodoitproperly.Nowthere’snosmelloranything.Thetrickistokeepmovingthecompostaround.Myplantsarethriving”Theharvestingprocessisalsofairlyhands-off,andmay

begintwoorthreemonthsaftercompostinghasbegun.Thereareseveralmethodsofharvesting,includingthelightprocess,whereinyousimplyexposethesurfaceofyourcomposttobrightlight,whichwillcausethewormstomigratetothebottomofthebin,allowingyoutoscrapeupthecompost.Harvestedcompostmaybeusedasaplantfertilizerinavarietyofways.Becauseit’ssorichinnutrients,youdon’tneedtouseasmuchofitasyouwouldregularcompostwhen

Got worms?

a variety of composting options exist for people living downtown whether or not they can access an outdoor bin.

> What are wrigglers?Redwrigglersaresimilarinsizeandshapetoearthworms,butareabletoconsumegreateramountsoforganicwaste,andprefertodineclosertothesurface,whereasearthwormsliketoburrow..Theyarevegetarian,andcontentlivinginsmall,dampcontainers.HerbertandElmorerecommendstartingoffbybuyingahalpoundofwrigglers,astheywillquicklyreproducetoaboutapound.

> What can I feed them?TheGACrecommendsfeedingyourwrigglersplentyoffruitandvegetablescraps,tealeavesandbags.Becausethewormsareunabletohandlemuchacidity,youshouldbecarefulabouttheamountofcitrusscraps,bread,rice,pastaandcoffeegroundsthatgoesintothebin.Youshouldnotcompostmeat,fish,bonesandoilyfoods.

WHAT’S ALL THIS ABOUTWRIGGLERS?

addingittosoil,andyoumayalsobrew“composttea,”anourishingliquidyoufeedtoyourplantsorspraydirectlyontheirleavestopreventdiseases.Drohomerskianticipatesacity-widecompostingprogram

willbeavailabletoallWinnipeggersinthenextfewyears,andencourages‘Peggerstovisitgarbage.speakupwinnipeg.comtohaveasayinthedirectionthecity’stakingwithregardtocomposting,recyclingandorganicwastedisposal.“Thestuffweusedtothrowaway,wecansellit,andwecanreuseit.Wewanttoseeifpeoplearewillingtoaltertheirhabitsandembracethechange.”

> Where can I buy them?ThereareseveralplacesinManitobawherewormsmaybebought,usuallyforaround$30perhalf-pound.

Red Wriggler Haven Nature’s Perfect Plant Food Winnipeg:(204)275-0253 Winnipeg:220RitaStreetwww.redwrigglerhaven.com (204)837-4190 email:nppf@mts.netWriggler Wranch Winnipeg:(204)589-0241www.redwormpower.com

> dreads:thehippiewearshishearindreadsasasymbolofhisfreespirit.dreadsoccurnaturallyinuncombedhair,andcanbedecoratedwithcolouredbeadstoaddtothehippie’s

individuality.dreadsareoftenaccompaniedbyaheadbandtoholdtheminplace.

hippie

> poncho: waybackinthe60s,thehippiestartedtowearaponchoasasignofrebellion.Ponchosoftenaccompaniedtie-dyedclothing,whichwasworntosetthehippieapartfromthewhitet-shirtsofthecorporateworld.

> bell bottoms:initiallywornonlybyrichwomen,thehippiestartedwearingbellbottomswhen

allhisfavouriteartistslikeEricClaptonandJimiHendrixbegantowearthemonstage.Theflareat

thebottomonbellbottomshelptoaddtothehippie’sflowinglook.

hipster

> striped shirt:aplainoldstripedshirtisawaytoescapefromover-designed,over-

pricedbrandnamet-shirts.Stripesnevercaughtoninthemainstream,andthehipsterlovesit.

> tight jeans:nooneknowswhythehipsterwearstightjeans.It'soneofthegreatmysteriesoftheuniverse.

> glasses:bignerdyglassesareso80sandthehipsterlovesanythingfromthedaysofyesteryear,fromtheoriginalNintendotoPokemon.Hefeelsasthoughintentionallywearinguglyclothesisironic,whichsetshimapartfrommostpeople.It'sallaboutindividuality.

> ipad:despitehisloveforthepast,thehipsterthrivesonbeingtheearlyadopter.Whenallhis

friendsarepickinguptheiriPad2,healreadythatthingliketheback

ofhishand.Hetakesgreatprideinsaying"Iwasintothatbeforeitgot

popular."