Livingston, Montana!

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Livingston, Montana

Life is finally calming down a bit to give me time for a fun blog.  In early October, Dan and I took a trip to Montana for a Rocket Mass Heater Innovators Jamboree and since that is a really long drive, we stopped partway there in a little town called Livingston, Montana.  It was so lovely I knew I’d do a blog on it to give you all a little taste of it.

Our first goal on making this trip was to have accommodations so Dan went on Airbnb and found a great place in Livingston. There are a bunch of places in town but this was one of the least expensive.   Ginger was our host and she was terrific.  The space is cozy and while the bed is really great for many – it’s a nice bed, really – it was a bit firm for me.  Dan loved it.  And she has a bunch of pillows which I loved.  There was a snack and welcome basket with a handwritten note and it just made us feel super special.  I hate to even tell you about all the wonderful things because you know how it is when someone gets your expectations up and then you’re like, “Hmmm, it was good but I was expecting more.”  But I am almost not even worried about this as Ginger does go the extra mile.

She has Netflix on the TV downstairs and, since we don’t have TV and were just pooped after driving for 12 hours+, we decided to watch a little something and found this cute show called Disjointed with Kathy Bates about an L.A. marijuana dispensary.   Here’s a review from a non-drug user at the LA Times that I found to be accurate.

When we’d told our friends Jon and Rita Koll about our trip they explained to us that Livingston is actually a really popular place with the superstars.  Apparently it’s no big deal to see a movie star enjoying dinner at the same restaurant as you.  However, we arrived on a Wednesday night and were leaving early Thursday so I did not expect to see any superstars, figuring they will be there mostly on weekends.

Having gone to bed relatively early, I got up and went for a walk to town while I let Dan, who’d done most of the driving, sleep in a bit.  As I’d been hearing trains go by, I wanted to see one up close so I headed to the Historic Train Depot and Depot Rotary Park just a couple blocks down from the BnB.  Lucky for me, there was some train activity early on a Thursday.    It was crisp at 34°F but I was layered in a couple sweatshirts and did fine – though I wished for some gloves.  I walked along Park Street (also Hwy 89 and I-90) which is the main drag along the railroad tracks through town.  I darted to my right onto Main Street and noted the temperature – missing those gloves now!

There were a bunch of little coffee shops, art/gift shops, galleries, and general town businesses.  I loved that the Montana Watch Store was located in the E. Thomas and Son Building – reminding me of my boy who always loved watches growing up.  I was thrilled to see a couple with their down on their bicycle built for three!  I missed getting a photo (but was able to crop one from the video to open this blog) so they did a U-turn on Main Street and gave me a chance for a video!!  It looks like a fun and quirky community – I was really stoked by their Community Ed poster.

I found two local bookstores.  The Sax & Fryer was founded in 1883 and the building has a beautiful tile entryway.   Warning.  Looks like they are a cash only business.  There was also a smaller antiquarian and used bookstore Elk River Books that had a wonderful sounding speaker that evening, Gretel Ehrlich.  I just wish it was later in the day so I could go into some of these lovely shops and that we were staying another night so I could visit that bookstore event.  Ah, next time.

And, as I didn’t, perhaps you don’t know that Livingston was once the gateway to Yellowstone.  There was a fellow guest at the BnB and he was meeting with family in the park.  Well, had I known how close we were I might have asked Dan to add a couple days on the front end of the trip – though where we’d have found them, I cannot say!  September to October there just are not enough days to get everything done that needs done.

The most interesting part of my walk that morning was when I stopped to take a second look at a building that had caught my eye on the walk east along Park Street.  Coming back to the BnB, I walked a block south to get a closer look and as I was checking it out, a woman pulled up in a minivan asking, “Are you buying that building?”  I explained that I was just taking a second look at it as I wondered what it was – it looked to me like a Nazi HQ.   She proceeded to tell me all about Livingston, Montana and her family’s presence there since the town was established.  Her great-grandfather had settled in the late 1880’s to work for the railroad.  Her family lived on 6^th street.  I noted, BTW that the city of Livingston has identified their streets on each corner.  I think maybe it’s because if the Yellowstone Caldera blows, leveling all the infrastructure, the street names will allow identification of locations even without all the houses and buildings. Anyhow, this lady was one her way to a cleaning job but she spent about 30 minutes telling me all about the corporations that began in Livingston, how the first Yellowstone guests arrived in stagecoaches – hence the hotels that popped up in town, how sometimes there are superstars – and her own sighting of Garrison Keillor in town, and how she often gives tours and she wished we were staying longer so she could give us more of a tour of Livingston.  I imagine she’s a pretty good tour guide as her time with me was pretty entertaining.  I believe this is her family home while growing up – if I followed her description accurately.

While on my walk I’d seen signs for Sacajawea Park and decided that Dan and I would check it out before heading on to Missoula.  I’m so glad we did as it was a beautiful park and a lovely day to see the Yellowstone River.

I’d say that we really enjoyed our short time in Livingston and I can see potential for a longer visit in the area.  Maybe next year we’ll make more time on our way to the Rocket Mass Heater Jamboree.

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Enbridge Line 3 Public Hearings Part 2

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activism

So I should not have so quickly judged the Administrative Law Judge in the case filed by Friends of the Headwaters.  After attending the Public Hearing in Bemidji this past week, I realize she just has a sing-song voice.  I don’t think it’s an intentional belittling, it’s just the way she talks.  It is, when you see it as a whole, somewhat comforting.  But it was still tough occasionally when it did feel patronizing.  She sounds like a first grade teacher dealing with her class.  OK, I’m still really judging her… but I am giving her the benefit of the doubt that most of the time, it’s just how she sounds.

Onto the Public Hearing details…

We attended the afternoon session in Bemidji on October 17^th.  The afternoon session (1-4 PM) was going to be the harder of the two sessions with more Water Protectors expected for the evening session (6-9 PM).  Many of them have to work for a living so would not be available during the workday.  But that left plenty of room for all the paid Enbridge supporters at our afternoon meeting!!  They were all wearing green shirts.  Most were employees but some were local landowners, farmers and other concerned citizens.  Many had been bussed in for the event and there was even a party room at the Sanford Center where Enbridge catered in snacks and drinks, all to help their supporters feel more conformable.  I will say that this does mean ALL the Enbridge supporters were compensated for their endorsements of the pipeline.  And I think this is an important point.

It’s easy for someone to be paid to support something.  If I get snacks, a ride, perhaps even paid for my hours and travel time, it’s EASY for me to agree to give my support. On the other hand, if I’m strictly volunteering my time, have to pay my own way to the event, and maybe even have to take time off my job to support Mother Earth in the Public Hearing, I do consider my testimony more honorable.  It’s a sacrifice for me to give of myself for our Earth which cannot speak for itself at this hearing.  But for paid employees or people who are given gifts for their endorsement, I see this as less pure.  It is corrupted testimony.  It is, or at least can be perceived to be, induced or persuaded testimony.

I was one of the first 10 people to speak. Dan and I were only 10-15 people apart or so at the event and I believe we both did well.  Overall, the Pro-Pipeline folks outnumbered the Water Protectors but it wasn’t as bad as I had expected when I saw the crowd on arrival.  Overall, there were about 18 Water Protectors and 27 Pro-Pipeline speakers.

And I will give the ALJ props on her willingness to stay until 5 PM to assure that all the first time speakers got a chance to be heard.  However, I do wish there had been a question posed to each person when taking the stand – “Have you received any compensation for your testimony today?”  I believe knowing this about each speaker would have made an impact on how the testimony was perceived.

I also noted that the process of events was very “white man’s world”.  What I mean by this is that the 3-minute time limit did not allow for the respectful, spiritual nature of the presentations by a couple of the Anishinaabe speakers. Dawn Goodwin, for example, had jars of Water, Manoomin, and other Medicines that she set up for her speech.  She noted that, if one is to speak of these beings, they should be present.  It struck me that the process of the event was not taking into account the way of life of the people to whom we should give most of the attention – those whose land this has been from the beginning.

Whether we will make a difference or not is to be determined.  I was talking with a fellow Water Protector after the event and she noted that the Department of Commerce speaker Bill Grant said that Enbridge had not proved a Need for this pipeline “at this time”.  This indicates they will have further opportunity to provide additional data or information to prove said need.  However, the public comment period ends November 22^nd and will be made without seeing any of this additional information.  It would seem if Enbridge is allowed to submit more information, it too should be able to receive public scrutiny.  So we’re not out of the woods yet with Line 3.  While the Public Utilities Commission and Department of Commerce hammer it out, we will remain vigilant.

 

Note: I did get a response from the PUC on my question regarding Enbridge providing more data.  Here it is: Upon closure of the public hearings, the evidentiary hearings will begin. As indicated by the ALJ the evidentiary hearing process is meant for the official parties to the proceeding. A transcript of the evidentiary hearings and any filings made by the applicant and official parties will be available via the eDocket system for any interested person to review. Once the public portion of the hearing ends on November 22nd, the ALJ reviews all the information and provides the Commission with her report and recommendation.

In other news, Bagley, Minnesota may be the place to watch regarding Climate Change.  The Valve Turner Trials – trials for Annette Klapstein and Emily Johnston, along with their supporters Ben Joldersma and videographer Steve Liptay – have recently been granted permission by the Judge to present a Necessity Defense.  What does this mean?  They may be able to prove that their actions were justified in light of the inaction by companies and governments to protect the citizens’ rights to clean air and water.  Because there has been no movement on actions to mitigate Climate Change, their actions were Necessary to help mitigate Climate Change.  This would mean they are innocent of breaking man’s laws because they were answering to a higher law.  350.com press release

I am hopeful that Minnesota, right here where I live, may be the place we make real strides in defeating the Fossil Fuel Industry, in helping to save our planet from the destruction of pollution.  The world is watching.

Enbridge Line 3 Public Hearings

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activism

The Administrative Law Judge in the case filed by Friends of the Headwaters against Enbridge is currently hearing Public Comments and our chance to speak in Bemidji happens tomorrow.  So while Dan and I had a really wonderful trip out to Missoula and to Denver to visit Tom and Celia, we had to cut our trip short to be home in time to prepare our remarks for and attend the Public Hearing.  [The blog on the adventures out West will follow this week’s timely topic.]

I decided that my focus for the Public Hearing will be on the fact that we cannot afford to pull any more fossil fuels out of the ground.  We need to leave most of what remains in the ground if we hope to have a planet that is livable for humans in the long run.  Here is what I plan to present:

In 2012, Bill McKibben wrote an article entitled “Do the Math” to simplify the then current situation with regard to fossil fuels on Planet Earth.  He explained that, if 2°C is the maximum we can increase global temperature and maintain a livable planet, we could only put 565 more gigatons of CO₂ into the atmosphere. At that time we had 2,795 gigatons of carbon in proven coal and oil and gas reserves meaning we were planning to burn 5 TIMES the amount that would allow us to maintain a planet which supports life for humans.

Fast forward to 2016 for Bill’s update article entitled “Recalculating the Climate Math” after a study by Oil Change International in partnership with 14 organizations from around the world recommended three things: 1) No new fossil fuel extraction or transportation infrastructure should be built and governments should grant no new permits for them. 2) Some fields and mines – primarily in rich countries – should be closed before fully exploiting their resources, and financial support should be provided for non-carbon development in poorer countries. 3) This does not mean stopping using all fossil fuels overnight. Governments and companies should conduct a managed decline of the fossil fuel industry and ensure a just transition for the workers and communities that depend on it.

Bill concluded: If we’re serious about preventing catastrophic warming, the new study shows, we can’t dig any new coal mines, drill any new fields, build any more pipelines. Not a single one. We’re done expanding the fossil fuel frontier. Our only hope is a swift, managed decline in the production of all carbon-based energy from the fields we’ve already put in production.

Meanwhile, we’re finding that the effects of increasing CO₂ are far worse than predicted.  You may have noticed the increasing ferocity of Hurricanes and Forest Fires which are not only devastating infrastructure but also killing more and more people.  Scientists now agree a more reasonable target for maximum global temperature rise is 1.5°C which will require significantly less fossil fuel usage in order to maintain a livable atmosphere.

The state of Minnesota has been a leader in this nation, more recently with decisions on gay marriage and health care.  As ideas and opinions change over time, in the end, Time reveals what is best and true for our country.  Scientific development often leads the way and the science is telling us the era of fossil fuels is over.  We need to abandon pipeline efforts in Minnesota and focus on the true future of our nation and our world, conservation and energy alternatives. The future is NOT fossil fuels. Every week we hear of another car company vowing to build only electric vehicles in the very near future; another major user marching away from the fossil fuel industry.

Minnesotans already lead in reduced greenhouse gas emissions by having more E85 refueling stations than any other state.  Minnesota is also a leader in wind power generating over 9% of our electricity with this renewable resource.  Let’s keep growing our alternative energies and be a leader in abandoning the dying fossil fuel industry by saying “NO to Line 3”, “NO” to Enbridge.

Dan’s focus will be on jobs.  There has been a lot of propaganda in the papers regarding the number of jobs that Line 3 will provide but we’re finding that Enbridge’s own numbers contradict what is being promoted by Jobs for Minnesotans which is a lobbying group consisting of the MN Building and Construction Trades Council and the MN Chamber of Commerce.  Their website states: “Combining the state’s rich heritage in natural resources with modern technology and workforce expertise, mining and energy transportation projects can significantly increase jobs and economic development for the state while protecting Minnesota’s water and great outdoors.”  However, their focus seems to be on mineral extraction and energy transport with the environment being an afterthought, if truly given any consideration at all.

In fact, there was a study – requested by Apex, a local business booster – and conducted by University of Minnesota Duluth Labovitz School of Business and Economics, that says of itself: “The study… looked only at the economic impact of the project and gave the caveat that ‘this analysis does not consider the social or environmental impacts of the project and should not be viewed as a cost-benefit analysis or environmental impact assessment.’”  So, it’s clear that they cherry-pick the data to give a good economical showing for these projects while ignoring the more important social and environmental aspects.  I believe most citizens would agree that clean water and air and fair treatment of all citizens, not giving some more protections than others, are far more important than mere money… especially when that money is primarily going to big corporations and not us everyday citizens.  Fun Fact: The best part of the Study to read is Appendix C which describes the assumptions used by the software, most of which are not applicable to a real-world economy.

It was interesting to note that Enbridge only claims 1500 construction jobs will be created while local papers quote figures like 4200, half of which will be local jobs, or even as high as 8600!  Regardless, much of the work will be temporary with only a handful of permanent jobs resulting from the pipeline installation (I believe 31 was the final number I saw).  Interestingly, calculations made using Enbridge’s own estimates show ~8300 job would be generated to remove the old Line 3, 5.5X the jobs of construction!  If we also consider the three additional pipelines that will become obsolete in the near term, we can look at 20X the number of jobs in removing the old energy transport infrastructure than we get in constructing the pipeline.  Removal is where the jobs are, not construction.

Some say that this is a done deal… that Enbridge has already lined the proper pockets and the PUC will grant the Certificate of Need and the Route Permit so Enbridge can connect the already constructed pieces on either side of Minnesota.  Even though the Department of Commerce has officially  noted that Enbridge has not demonstrated a Need for the line. There is a piece of me that has listened to the ALJ Hearings to date online and has little hope.  To hear the Administrative Law Judge Ann O’Reilly thanking people for their comments, often in a condescending or sing-song type voice, doesn’t seem to convey the respect for the public that she might be hoping to portray.

What gives me hope?  In a 10-9-17 presentation, the following was presented as a Summary of Commerce Testimony:

• Enbridge testimony indicates continued operation of existing Line 3 if a CN is not granted despite extensive testimony about the risks of continued operation;
• To date, Enbridge has not demonstrated need for the proposed project;
• The PUC could determine that Enbridge has not demonstrated that the minimal benefits to Minnesota of the proposed project outweigh the high socioeconomic and environmental costs.

I guess at this point, we need to provide our testimony and then just wait and see what happens in 2018.

Health Care Antics

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communication, health care

This week I had one more realization of how our health care system is so broken.

I am starting service with a new clinic and they emailed me an Authorization for Disclosure of Protected Health Information form to complete.  This will give my old clinic permission to send my records to my new clinic.  The new clinic is only requesting records from 9/1/2015 to present which is a pretty small amount of information I believe, since I rarely go to the doctor.

Anyway, so I completed the form and scanned it in and emailed it back to the address from which it came.  I got a return error…

Apparently, this was a no-response email address.

So I called the clinic… first to listen to their answering machine and then again days later when the office was open again as they don’t allow you to leave a message so they can get back to you when they have time.  You just have to call when the office is open.  You still have to listen to a message when you call but if you sit patiently for a while, your call “will be answered in the order in which it was received”.

The gal who answered the phone was not the same one to whom I spoke previously and who sent me the form.  This new gal said I could fax it and I explained that I don’t have a fax machine.  She asked if I wanted to mail it and I said, “No, I’d like to send it electronically, the same way you sent it to me, so you have it right away and can get the ball rolling. I’d imagine your office has an email address to which these kinds of documents can be sent.  This is the 21^st century after all.” OK, I know that last part was not really necessary but, for God’s sake, shouldn’t our medical clinics HAVE and USE the latest technology?

She let me know that the person who sent the letter would typically handle it.  So I asked if she could give me her email address.  She then reluctantly and slowly (because she doesn’t know it by heart) gave me HER OWN email address at the clinic.  I sent the document and she said, “Yep, it looks like I got it.  I’ll print it out and fax it to where it needs to go.”

WTF??

So, yes, in trying to work electronically, the clinic will still use a piece of paper to print this document and THEN, generate another piece of fax paper – are we really still use these things??? – to get the job done.  Why couldn’t she simply forward my message to the gal’s email who had originally worked with me?  Better yet, why didn’t she have that person’s email to provide to me directly?

No wonder health care is so expensive.  This is a lot of steps and I imagine there is some kind of scanning that will then be done to keep a record of the document.  Which could all have been avoided if they simply knew how to use electronically emailed documents in the first place!

I really thought that the ACA was going to help all clinics go electronic, not only for this kind of communication, but also for sending records from one clinic to another.  With this antiquated system still in use, I’m guessing that my paper records may still be in transit when I arrive for my appointment later this month.

Serendipity

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communication

So I love how things just “happen” in life at what seems like just the right time and in a totally unexpected way.  I do think you have to keep your eyes open to see them coming but sometimes they are just real obvious.  And sometimes you have to reach out to capitalize on them when serendipitous moments arise.

This past month I worked the Hostel and there was a great young lady there.  She was reading a book about intentional living and so I mentioned to her that I was trying to live more intentionally.  I basically said that my husband and I had decided to move to the woods and live more sustainably and simply and that we were “happier than ever”.  A couple hours later, she stopped by the office and said something like, “I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier about being happier than ever…”  So I said, “Let’s sit and chat awhile.”  Here she is, considering life and how she really wants to live it and she runs into someone who has decided for themselves how to make this transition to a more meaningful life and was available to chat.

We spent the next hour and a half talking about all kinds of things.  I learned about her world travels, her work experiences, her family and I shared about my life today, some of what led me to where I am, and some of the challenges to making this shift in life.  It was a fun and fulfilling conversation and I applaud her for having the gumption to reach out to me and ask for more on an idea that intrigued her.  And I was tickled to hear more about her story.

We’d invested a couple hours of time in sharing life stories and those little details will carry us forward and make impacts small and large on how we weave our upcoming adventures.  I think we both left hoping for the best future for the other.

At the end of the weekend, a friend texted asking if it was okay for her and another friend (just an acquaintance to me) to stop by the Harn as they were travelling to the area.  I replied, “Sure. We’re making chicken and chorizo but if we need a veggie option I can make some soup.  Let me know.  What time?”  She said they should arrive around 6.

Well, the friend she was bringing was a Producer/Director for a Film Company.  They just happened to be doing a short film on the Paddle to Protect project – you may remember that from a previous blog.  Dan and I were big supporters of these courageous kids as they made their way from the Headwaters of the Mississippi to Big Sandy Lake spreading a message for us to “Love Water Not Oil” and fight the Line 3 project currently pending approval in Minnesota.  These kids get that Water is more important to Life than Oil.  They know that if they want a planet that will support their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, it will require clean water and air.  And they are approved as Youth Climate Interveners in the legal battle against Enbridge.

Well, this filmmaker could not believe she’d lucked into staying at a place where there would be people so aware and connected to the project so… she decided to interview us for the film!  She kept saying “Serendipity” and I knew exactly what she meant.  It’s kind of funny how things seem magical sometimes but I find it often in my life.

I don’t know that we’ll get much of a part in the short film but it was really interesting to talk with these two powerful young women in the fight against the Fossil Fuel Industry.  And it felt good to hear about the work they are doing to support these young people in their fight.

I don’t know what life will bring next, but once we have a link for the film, I’ll be sure to share it with you all.

P.S. Sorry for the crappy graphic… I’ll have to spend some time with my son getting tutored on how to do things like this better.  😀