Staunton Green 2020

Have you rocked the vote yet and supported Staunton/Augusta Farmers Market in the American Farmland Trust national competition? With 30 acres of farmland being lost in Virginia every day, supporting our local farmers is now more important than ever. In the 10 county Shenandoah Valley region consumers spend $1.2 billion buying food each year, but only $4.3 million of food is sold by farmers directly to consumers. We have the buying power to re-shape the local economy. Learn more here.

Vote today for the Staunton/Augusta Farmers Market and eat local every day.

Lots of things happening in Staunton tomorrow in celebration of Earth Day…

• A collection of groups will display outside Sunspots Studio, showcasing everything from rain barrels to solar gadgets (say hello to us!) Read more in depth about activities in this News Leader article by SG2020 steering committee member Bruce Dorries.
• Beverley Street Studio School will unveil its “Earth in the Balance (an anamorphic) illusion” piece
• … and of course, celebrate local food at the Farmers Market that’s going on, too.

In addition, don’t forget a special free event about the benefits of native grasses here in Staunton. Join us at City Hall coming up on the eve (April 21) of Earth Day proper (April 22).

BEVERLEY STREET STUDIO SCHOOL PRESENTS
“EARTH IN THE BALANCE (AN ANAMORPHIC ILLUSION)”

"Earth in the Balance (an anamorphic illusion)"

“It’s a small world after all…” Or maybe not!  The Beverley Street Studio School will unveil “Earth in the Balance (an anamorphic illusion)” on Earth Day, Saturday April 17 from 9:00 a.m. to noon in the Wharf Parking Lot, beside the Farmers’ Market in Staunton.  At 12′ x 45′, this work is believed to be the largest painting on canvas ever created in the city of Staunton.

“Earth in the Balance” is a giant image of Planet Earth as seen from Outer Space.  But instead of painting the usual spherical planet, the BSSS artists have created a strangely distorted elliptical blob.  Or so it will seem to viewers until they readjust their way of looking at our much-loved and much-abused planet.  From the right viewpoint, Earth will regain its graceful, familiar proportions.  Then if a spectator poses for a photo op in just the right way,  Earth will appear to spin serenely like a beach ball atop that person’s fingertip!

If a spectator poses just the right way, Earth will appear to spin serenely on its axis atop that person’s fingertip!

It’s optical magic that you won’t believe until you see it for yourself.  The project is free, open to the public, and designed to be kid-friendly and interactive.  Children, pets, and whole families are invited to pose with the picture. Bring your camera, wear a costume if you like, and be prepared to see what it’s like to personally hold the Earth in balance.

Contact: Cleveland Morris (540) 332-6111 or cmmmmix@gmail.com

In addition to the Staunton/Augusta Farmer’s Market kicking off this Saturday… (4/3/10)

A Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program through Nu-Beginning Farm is available for subscribers to pick up at George Bowers Grocery.

If you are unfamiliar with CSAs, they work similarly to a farmer’s market. Farm food is divided into subscriber “shares” and each box is picked up from a central location.

Unlike the pay-as-you-go Farmer’s Market experience, the farmer is funded up front to cover costs at the beginning of the season. You, as the consumer, pay once and enjoy your share of the harvest all summer.

More details here.

Disclosure: I am one of two owners of George Bowers Grocery.