Beth Fiteni

New LEED Home on Long Island

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I had the privilege of meeting Stephanie March through my consulting business, Green Inside and Out, after she and her husband, Bobby Flay, built a new green home in Amagansett. I visited their lovely, traditional-style home when construction was nearly complete, and helped advise the landscaper on how to establish and maintain an organic lawn. Low VOC paints and low-flow water fixtures were used in the home, and cisterns will capture rainwater for irrigation. The house is very energy efficient and utilizes solar power and a geothermal heat pump. They hope to achieve a LEED Gold status from the US Green Building Council.

In addition to the environmental features of the home, we met in NYC this week, at Bar Americain, to discuss the health benefits of using greener materials in the home. E.g. the importance of using green cleaners, minimizing use of carpets where possible, and asking for safer, natural pest control products at the local nursery.

This is an exciting project, one of very few like it on Long Island. I hope Ms. March and Mr. Flay will “live happily ever after” in their new green home, …and that maybe Mr. Flay will invite me over for a vegetarian meal some day! : ) A girl can dream, right?

Beth Fiteni and Stephanie March at Bar Americain, NYC

New Live/Raw Cafe in Huntington, NY!

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The world is changing for the good…I never thought I’d see the day that a raw/live food cafe would open, not only on Long Island, but in my hometown!! Much appreciation and praise go to Okima Wilcox, owner of the new Live Island Cafe, for manifesting this wonderful place where we can now eat fabulous vegan food. I’ve tried several items and especially loved the “cheese,” nori rolls, and pies all made from healthy ingredients, with natural enzymes- and potent flavor- intact. Word is spreading, and Okima says the fresh food made daily often runs out long before closing time, so get there early! Viva the Live Island Cafe!

Location: 201C East Main St, Huntington, NY.

For more info see www.liveislandcafe.com.

Food & Faith Conference, CT

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I spent Martin Luther King Day traveling by ferry up to New Haven, Connecticut to the Food & Faith conference hosted by the Unitarian Fellowship of New Haven. I was joined by several others from Long Island who work to bring local food opportunities to Long Island, including Fran Whittelsy of the Gateway Community Farm in Huntington, NY plus Bhavani Jaroff and her helper Yolanda, who both are involved with Slow Food Huntington and iEatGreen. We learned about similar efforts happening in CT and how places of worship can be involved in the local food movement. We learned that groups there have worked to start gardens at schools so kids can learn how to grow their own food. Great idea!

(Clockwise) Beth, Yolanda, Frances, and Bhavani at Food & Faith Conference

“What’s On Your Plate” Book Signing & DVD Release

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Beth, Sadie & Safiyah

This week I got to meet the makers of one of my favorite movies– “What’s On Your Plate?” — at their book signing and DVD release! This beautiful film was made by Catherine Gund, and featured her daughter Sadie and Sadie’s friend Safiyah. The film follows the two lovely young ladies as they learn about where their food comes from, and as they become active about the need for more fresh food and farmers markets to be available in all neighborhoods of New York City. They were so brave to go out and interview many people for the film, even Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough president, who helped coordinate a book featuring healthy recipes by Harlem chefs. Now Ms. Gund and the girls  have a book out also called What’s On Your Plate, with activities for kids. It was a privilege to meet these inspiring people, especially Sadie and Safiyah who are so mature and accomplished for their age, as well as the Angel family farmers who were also featured in the film. I hope they keep up their great work. See: www.whatsonyourplateproject.org.

The girls and film-maker/author Catherine Gund

Met Gov. Paterson at solar carport event!

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Congratulations to Suffolk County, NY and LIPA as they launch their partnership for 7 carports made of solar panels. Today was the groundbreaking for the first one, located at the Brentwood train station. A win for the environment and local jobs– good stuff. Attended by County Executive Steve Levy, former CEO of LIPA Kevin Law, Town Supervisor Nolan, Assemblyman Ramos, Legislator Vivian Fisher, the LIRR, Gordian Raacke of Renewable Energy LI and Adrienne Esposito of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. The best part: NY State Governor Paterson was there, and I got to speak to him afterwards! He grew up near Molloy College. :  )

A good day for Long Island….

 

Beth Fiteni & Gov Paterson

 

Gov. Paterson at Solar carport groundbreaking, Brentwood, NY

Interfaith Thanksgiving Nov. 28, 2010

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The Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury hosted an interfaith day of thanks which included prayers read by leaders from the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths. Prominent speakers included Bishop William Murphy, Assemblywomen Michelle Schimel of Great Neck, and a representative of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The purpose was to highlight a wish for peace and harmony among the various people of faith in our society during the Thanksgiving holiday. I went to represent the LI Interfaith Environment Network (LIIEN.org),  and several members of my committee were there. It was an inspiring occasion, and I wish the spirit of solidarity there could spread to the places in the world where hostility unfortunately runs so deep.

Bishop Murphy joins Jewish and Muslim leaders in prayers