HumidCity

My friend Gordon posted a comment this morning in response to a post I made awhile back. As I’m not sure how many folks are getting track back on comments, I’m reposting his comment on the front page in case anyone has any suggestions for him and his very worthy endeavor!

- NOGoddess

From Gordon:

Well, here is the latest on Bio Liberty, LLC. We have been given a notice by the St Tammany parish code enforcement officer that states we are operating a commercial business on property zoned residential. After contacting the officials we have learned that although there are no State laws that prohibit making bio diesel they feel we are operating outside the law. We do not sell bio diesel. We use it to operate a lot clearing service for Lower Ninth Ward home owners. While we do make the fuel on the property in Slidell, LA. we do not conduct business there. Since my partner and owner of the property in subdividing the land and does not want to have our bio diesel operation prevent the green construction projects we have planed for. We have decided to move our bio diesel plant to another location.

So, we are looking for a place in New Orleans to make fuel for Bio Liberty, LLC. and to continue to clear lots for Lower Ninth Ward residents. If anyone has ideas about where we could relocate please let me know ASAP!

One possible solution is to create and bio diesel coop where members can make their own fuel and at the same time help the lot clearing efforts Bio Liberty has been doing for over a year now.

I don’t look at this as a set back rather, as a opportunity to expand our services and reduce our costs of gathering used cooking oil from New Orleans restaurants and recycling it into green fuel for the rebuilding efforts.

Peace, Out!

Gordon

On Edit: I just remembered this article from NOLA.com, published on the 19th and have to wonder if it is in any way connected to St. Tammany Parish’s objections to BioLiberty’s biodiesel operations. Given the way things too often work in the good old US of A - and, even more so, in good old LA, it wouldn’t surprise me if BioLiberty is getting the shaft because the big companies have been given a bond issue to develop a large biodiesel processing plant.

Developers of a proposed plant near Baton Rouge to convert animal fats, grease and corn oil into diesel fuel won final approval Thursday of a $100 million bond issue to get the project under way.

Without objection, the State Bond Commission gave final authorization to a project known as Dynamic Fuels LLC, a partnership between Tyson Foods, which produces chicken and meat products, and Syntroleum Corp. of Tulsa, Okla.

On one hand, it’s good to see the state trying something progressive, but on the other hand, should it be at the expense of good folks who have already been on the “progressive bus” for awhile (if this is indeed any part of what is happening). In any case, folks, it would be fantastic to have a biodiesel cooperative here in NOLA, so start wracking your brains and let’s help these guys find a place!

After posting a response to today’s NOLA.com story about rising food costs in New Orleans and the ensuing comments (here) I figured it might be helpful to repost the info here. So here a few of NOGoddess’s tips on eating better for less money and feeling less pinch at the gas pump:

Someone asked about biodiesel sources in New Orleans - check out BioLiberty in Slidell (an excellent biodiesel processing group that is run by and hires vets created by members of the Vets for Peace who came up here directly after the storm to provide relief services and ended up staying). They collect grease from restaurants in Slidell and turn it into biodiesel. Right now they are trying to help a NOLA collective get on its feet. Check out their website at bioliberty.net and feel free to ask them any questions, from how to convert a vehicle, process your own biodiesel or obtain already processed biodiesel, etc. They are very helpful and very friendly!

I am working on my own container garden and hope to build raised beds and put in a chicken coop as I have the time/funds. For folks looking to learn more about gardening, check out the New Orleans Food and Farm Network, they offer many resources as well as seminars on growing organic food, etc. You can find their website at noffn.org.

Folks who do not have the room to grow their own food or aren’t ready to start their own garden should check out Parkway Partners and their community gardens initiative. Community Gardens are a great way to make something positive and useful for communities out of vacant/blighted lots and work together/share knowledge with other members of the community - and - of course, produce food! You can find their website at parkwaypartnersnola.org.

Don’t forget to check out the Crescent City Farmers Markets at crescentcityfarmersmarket.org - I have been shopping the farmers markets more and more as I find that the produce is better (organic, local) and cheaper than what I find in the supermarkets. Local food does not incur the same transportation and storage costs that food shipped in from who knows where does, so it is much more sustainable, better for you - and supports local commerce! Eat local!!

Also google the New Orleans Food Co-op. Right now it is a buyer’s club (and shipments are on hiatus for a couple of months during the summer) - it’s a cheaper way to get good, healthy foods by sharing cases with other members. They also have other info and resources, so check them out at nolafoodcoop.org.

And google Victory Gardens, the gardens that people were encouraged to grow on their home lots during both world wars to help combat food shortages. Wikipedia is a good place to start. For more ideas on how to maximize growing space in small areas, along with container gardening, look up  square footage gardening and vertical gardening (and, my new favorite, upside down tomato plants!).

And one more note about gas savings: 

Someone (on the NOLA.com comments) mentioned riding a motorcycle now to save gas money. For those who don’t want to ride a motorcycle, consider a scooter. My husband and I both drive 49cc scooters when we need to go further or haul more than we can reasonably do on a bike. We get 70-80 miles a gallon and can park legally on the sidewalks. Scooters have an easier learning curve than motorcycles, and if you stick to a 49cc scooter, you don’t need a motorcycle endorsement on your license. You can’t go on the highway with a 49cc scooter, so if you need to travel on the highway regularly, consider a higher powered scooter - you will need the motorcycle endorsement, but the gas savings are well worth it!!

We do keep a pickup truck for hauling items for home repairs, really rainy days, transporting friends and larger loads, but having scooters has saved us a bundle. We paid ~$2,000 for ours new (TNG Scooters from Scooteria on Sophia Wright Place), other brands can cost a lot more - but also check scooter shops and craig’s list for used scooters as there are more and more of those on the market as more and more folks have been riding scooters here the past few years.

Eat Responsibly, Act Locally, Respond Politically!

- NOGoddess (aka Andrea)

L’Art Noir New Orleans - lartnoir.com

St. Claude Arts District - SCADNOLA.com