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8/9/2019 Campus Center for Appropriate Technology Newsletter, Fall 2004
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A.T.Inside this
edition:
Move Update
CCAT Week
A CCAT at EveryUniversity
Make Your OwnHerbal First Aid K
Clay PlasteringMade Easy
Alternatives to ToxCleaners
And More
Fall 2004
TR
ANS
FE
R
Campus Center for Appropriate Technology
Humboldt State University
Appropriatetechnologyis technology with ahuman face.E.F. Schumacher
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The AT Transfer is the newsletter for the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology, which is funded
primarily by the Associated Students of Humboldt State University. The views and concerns of The AT
Transfer are not censored or reviewed by the Associated Students. All correspondences may be addressedto: The AT Transfer, CCAT HSU, Arcata, CA 95521. HSU supports AA/EO
AT Transfer staff:Co-Editors:Jordan Ramsey & Matt SmithDesign:Jordan Ramsey & Matt SmithPhotography: CCAT employees
Campus Center for Appropriate Technology staff:Front Row left to right: Miah Mann (Project Engineer),Sara Dykman (Groundskeeper), Elizabeth Kimbrough (Co-Director), Lisa Murgatroyd (Info-RequestCoordinator), Peter Jarausch (Grantwriter), Bill Hodges (Grantwriter), William Zoller (Office Manager),Garrett McSorley (Co-Director), Second Row left to right:Abigail Rohr (Maintenance), Scott Willingham(Maintenance), Krystal Rogers (Events Publicist), Third Row left to right:Jeff Adams (Co-Director) JordanRamsey (Newsletter), Shane Philipps (Maintenance), Cole Shatto (Librarian), Daniele Allion (OutreachCoordinator), KJ Coop (Web Administrator) On the Sign left to right:Jasper Peach (Maintenance), GlennHowe (Maintenance/Project Coordinator), Lumby Lumbert (Groundskeeper) Not Pictured:Erin Ryon(Gardener), Dustin Dougherty (Gardener), Emilia Patrick (Herbalist), Matt Smith (Newsletter), MichaelPadget (Web Administrator), Renee Kerson (Tour Guide Coordinator).
CCATs Mission is to demonstrateThat living lightly on the Earth
Is practical and rewarding.We live out our mission by: Demonstrating appropriate technology in a residential setting Providing hands-on experiential learning opportunities to
Humboldt State University and the surrounding community
Collecting and disseminating information about appropriate
technology
Dispelling the myth that living lightly on the Earth is
difficult or burdensome
Cover:
rebuilding
the yurt at the
new location.
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by Garrett McSorley, Elizabeth Kimgrough, and Jeff Adams,CCAT Co-Directors
Yes, the CCAT houseis currently rolling to a new
foundation to make room for
the construction of the five-
story Behavioral and Social
Sciences building. CCATs houseand gardens are being moved
approximately 75 feet downhill and
will have a new ground floor with
a large meeting room, an office,
and plenty of opportunities for new
student projects.
During this past July, the CCAT
house was placed on steel I-beams
and industrial sized dollies, hooked
up to a large water truck, and towed
west approximately 80 feet to rest,
temporarily, in a gravel lot. As
the contractor moving the house,
George Kurwitz, said, Its a lot
easier when you just think of it as
moving a big box.
Now that phase one is complete
and the house is safely out of the
way, heavy equipment has begunto grade the site and dig the new
foundation. The CCAT house will
be moved again when the new
foundation and ground floor are
built and ready. Unfortunately, the
move is taking much longer than
anticipated and is not likely to
be complete until the end of June
2005.
So where is the CCAT program
today? CCAT is in a temporary
home, the Jenkins House, a
neighboring residential style house
that has been used as an office
for various academic programs.Immediately planting a garden in
the front yard, we made ourselves
at home here and are carrying
out the program activities as
scheduled despite the seemingly
overwhelming circumstances.
CCAT continues to offer free
weekly workshops, curriculum
integrated projects, endless hands-
on volunteer activities, and a
redesigned tour. We are also taking
this time to assess the opportunities
and challenges presented with this
move and design new integrated
systems for our house and
landscape.
Were
MOVING... Still!Our current projects include wiring
the solar photovoltaic system on our
Mobile Renewable Energy Trailer,
removing ivy and other invasive
species from our new grounds, sheet
mulching and laying out swales,and rebuilding the yurt. Everyone
is invited to come partake in this
momentous occasion in CCAT
history and share ideas for adapting
the program to its new environs.
To left: CCAT Buckhouse
waiting for a new foundation
Above: Co-directors working
on plans for the new location
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Imagine: A CCAT atevery University! A student-run
demonstration home promoting
sustainable living through hands-on
workshops and experiential learningon every campus around the nation,
or even the world. Guess what?
The multiplier effect is happening.
This semester we had an incredible
experience meeting students
from two other CCAT-inspired
programs.
In October, the CCAT
Co-Directors along with future
Co-Director Glenn Howe headed
for Portland, Oregon to attend
and present at the Conference on
Sustainability and Higher Education.
It was the first conference of its
kind in the western United States,
and an exciting opportunity to
learn about some of the successes
and challenges for improving
campus sustainability at other
universities from the perspectives of
administrators, staff, faculty, and thestudents themselves.
Representatives from HSU
included President Rollin Richmond,
who was a featured plenary speaker,
and Alec Cooley, HSU alum and
Solid Waste Reduction Manager
presented on the justifications
for a campus recycling program.
Bob Schulz, HSU Director of
Facilities Management presented
on the design-build processand the Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design green
building rating system. The
CCAT Co-Directors participated
in a panel discussion on Models
for On-campus Sustainable Living
Programs, along with our new
friends, Sebastian and James from
CASL, and Megan and Katie from
the SENS House.
CASL, pronounced castle, is
the Center for the Advancement of
Sustainable Living at the University
of Oregon. They are currently
working with their university
administrators to secure an old
residential home on their campus
so that they can begin renovatingand creating a multidisciplinary
community resource center for
sustainable living. Even without a
home, the CASL program is active
and alive with regular potlucks,
workshops, and movie nights. CASL
began in late 2002, initially as
student Jo Rogers Masters Project
which was inspired by a visit to
CCAT. CASL quickly developed
into a large group of active memberswith significant staff, faculty, and
community support. Even though
CASL has had a challenging time
in the bureaucratic stage, they have
remained organized and focused
while having fun and planning for
the future.
The SENS House, of the
Sustainability and Environmental
Studies program at Berea College,
Kentucky, is a residential home
of four student directors that was
designed and built by students a fe
years ago. Also, with sustainably
harvested timbers from their
campus tree farm they built a post
and beam house with straw bale
in-fill, and natural plaster on the
interior. They have many technolog
demonstrations similar to CCAT,
including solar photovoltaics, a
composting toilet, a greywater
treatment marsh, and a rainwater
catchment system that provides
for all their drinking and home
water needs. During the discussion
following our panel presentation
we found that the SENS house wasalso inspired by CCAT, and they
love the opportunity to spread the
message of sustainable living to the
more conservative population of
Kentucky.
What an inspiration it was t
get to know our counterparts at oth
universities. We came home to HSU
with new energy, realizing that our
day to day activities are adding up
much more than just the hours thatpass; we are making a difference an
meeting our goals.
It s become a frequent
occurrence to hear from schools
across the nation asking for input to
help them in their implementation
programs similar to and inspired by
CCAT. CCAT is not alone anymor
and perhaps it wont be long
before there is a CCAT at every
university.
A CCAT At Every Universityby Garrett McSorley and Glenn Howe, CCAT Co-Director and future Co-Director
SENS-www.berea.edu/sens/ecovillage/senshouse.asp CASL-http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~casl/house.php
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The 3rd annual
CCAT weektookplace during the last week ofOctober. The week was a timeof lots of food, music, and fun.There were also 16 workshops andpresentations on subjects rangingfrom straight veggie oil conversionfor diesel cars to papermaking anda permaculture design presentation.124 people participated and had agreat time, too.
Clockwise from upper left: Knitting fun; The
wonderful world of raw foods; The finer points of
rocket stove making; Winterizing bikes in the CCA
kitchen; Everyone loves carving pumpkins!
Opposite page: The student-built
SENS House at Berea College
(Kentucky).
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Everyone should have a first aid kit atthe ready in the case of an emergency, yet many of ushave difficulty finding a Band-Aid when we need one.Here is a guide for making an herbal emergency kit
for home, car, or travel. As the Boy Scouts say, Be
prepared!
I. Find a container
Any small bag is adequate. Fanny packs or toiletry
bags work fine and theyre easy to find used. The
main ideas are 1.) Portabilitybecause when you
dont have it with you is inevitably when youll need
it most, and 2.) Organizationfor easy access (or incase someone needs to use it on you!).
II. Compile your dressings and tools
I once asked a forest defender what first aid items he
carried. His immediate reply: Duct tape and iodine.
If youre not quite that hard-core, try the items below:
*Scissors: Get a pair thats made for first aid. Their
angle makes it easier to cut through clothes in a real
emergency. If you cant afford them, any pair will do,but, replace them ASAP; youll be glad you did.
*Gauze pads: Used for cleaning and dressing
wounds. You can also unfold a few to make a sanitary
prep table in the field or an herbal poultice.
*Steri-strips: More efficient than butterfly
bandages, these hold the edges of a larger cut
together. If used properly they minimize scarring
without using stitches.
*Band-Aids: Get some big square ones and a multi-
pack with fingertip/knuckle Band-Aids. Youll use the
biggies more than you think.
*Tape: Dont waste time with cheap stuff; it doesnt
stick. Also, duct tape really is handy. Wrap a inch
thick roll around a stubby pencil, pen, or even a bottle
in your kit. If something really bad happens, duct
tape will hold things togetherliterally. It can even
function as a tourniquet or rough splint. ALWAYS
cover skin with cloth or gauze before wrapping with
duct tape so it can be cut off easily later.
(Note: split the cost of Band-Aids and other items
with a friend or twoits cheaper, and youll each get
enough without having a lot extra.)
III. Collect your herbs
Powdered herbs can usually be purchased in bulk but
youll need small containers to keep them fresh and
tidy. Old tincture bottles with the droppers removed
work. Be imaginative and see what you can find. A 4
oz. spray bottle is helpful (see GSE below.)
*Cayenne is essential! This amazing powder will
slow/stop bleeding when applied directly into a fresh
cut. It also helps curb internal bleeding. One or two
tiny pinches on the tongue can revive shock victims
(human or animal). It can ward off frostbite when a
few grains are added to gloves or socks. Cayenne has
even been noted for its ability to gain precious minutes
in cases of heart attack. The burn is minimal butthe rewards are plenty.
*Raw Honey is one of the most ancient healing
ingredients. Its nearly impossible for bacteria
to survive in raw honey so it works like a topical
antibiotic. Plus, honey helps tissues reconnect, and
its generally very soothing.
*Yarrow is a truly multi-purpose herb. It is especially
useful for fever and insect bites. Its a blood toner so
it can also help internally against infection if youreaway from home. It commonly grows wild in western
states.
Making an Effective Herbal First-Aid Kiby Lumby Lumbert, Groundskeeper
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*Slippery Elm, as the name implies, is
mucilaginousthat is, when its wet, it gets gooey
and, wellslippery. This is helpful for coating the
lining of an upset stomach, soothing a scrape or bug
bite, or for low-level burns. The powder can be mixed
with water, Aloe Vera, or honey to make a paste useful
for different applications.
*Peppermint oil is great for anxiety. A drop or two
in a glass of water will generally ease headaches and
stomachaches, when sipped slowly. A drop under
each side of the chin (or a tiny, tiny, dab right by the
nose for the brave!) will start to calm even the most
frazzled nerves.
*Clove is good for pain relief, sprains, and bruises.
The oil can be diluted with olive oil or massage oil and
used like a liniment; some people use it full-strength.
*Barberry has many of the same chemical attributes
as Goldenseal, but isnt as over-harvested. You want
this in powder form but you should look for it in
capsules if you cant find it so. This can be applied
directly to a cut (or taken internally over time) for
protection against infection.
*Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) isnt called
Citricidal for nothing. ALWAYS DILUTE IT!
Taken internally (1 drop per 16 oz. water) its great for
killing off intestinal bogeymen. You can also make
an antiseptic spray/wash for cleaning wounds. And
guess what? That spray will even keep no-see-ums
from munching you up (watch your eyes, though).
*Rescue Remedy is a tried-and-true flower essence
formula that is used for emotional support duringtraumatic events; it generally calms and soothes.
*Activated Charcoal isnt an herb but its excellent
for food poisoning. The charcoal adsorbs the toxins,
rendering many of them harmless. Bacteria multiply
VERY rapidly, though, so chances are some will
survive and reproduce. So, this should be used prior
to an experienced herbal healer or doctors visit.
As you use these herbs youll gain a deeperunderstanding of how they work. They are all pretty
forgiving and safe. So, use common sense and dont
worry too much about using something the wrong
way. Read up on them! I recommend Ten Essential
Herbs by Lalitha Thomas. Infection is the main thing
to watch out for, and of course, if you have doubts
about any injury, go to a doctor.
All the necessary
ingredients for an effective
herbal first-aid kit.
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Successful Natural
Plastering Methodsby Jeff Adams, Co-Director
Natural plasters are a great way to add an earthenfeel to a structure and are a critical component ingood straw-bale building. However, not just any
plaster will do. In order to make sure that you get the
best plaster possible, you will want to conduct some
tests and observe the way your specific materials
interact in different combinations.
Following the steps below will help to ensure
that you have a mix that will be able to stand up to
the elements and protect your structure (assuming you
have taken other necessary precautionary steps such as
adequate roof overhangs and proper elevation of walls
from the ground).The different components that you can include
in your plaster and their properties are summarized
below.
Clay think of clay as the mortar that is going
to glue your plaster together.
Sand is comparable to the bricks in
conventional masonry and adds compression strength
to your plaster. Youll want to use angular sand (i.e.
river sand) rather than rounded sand (i.e. beach sand)
because the rough edges help to lock the particlestogether.
Fiber there are a variety of fibers that can
be used. In general, fiber is the equivalent of rebar in
conventional building and adds tensile strength to your
plaster.
Cow Manure fresh this recycled grass
product has very small fibers and enzymes that help to
form a solid plaster. Cow manure helps to make your
plaster more water resistant while still allowing it to
breath.
Horse Manure dry after grating driedhorse manure through 1/4 inch wire mesh you are left
with a good fiber source.
Paper Pulp helps to keep the form of your
plaster consistent through wet/dry cycles because the
lignified vessel elements that hold water, and are
responsible for water conduction in trees, are rigid.
This minimizes the amount of cracking in a good mix.
Straw provides tensile strength.
Other fibers can be used as well, but make
sure to do adequate testing (long term) to see how
these materials work before applying them on a large
scale.
Now the fun begins! The first step is to prepar
the bales that you are going to test your plaster mixes
on. This involves covering the bales with a clay slip.
It is important to make sure that the clay you use has
a high enough content of clay (see the clay testing
inset).While you are allowing your clay slip to dry
on the bales you should gather your materials. (For atleast three days, preferably a week, taking care not to
allow the surface to dry to much quicker than the rest
of the structure by giving the bales a gentle misting on
occasion). For the purposes of testing, you should try
to obtain a few different types of fiber material along
with your clay and sand so that you can experiment
to find which mix works best for you. It is critically
important that the materials you use for your test be
from the same exact source as the materials you use
for your plaster project.There are six mix ratios that should be done
every time you are testing plasters.
These Ratios are:
1 part sand:1 part clay 4 sand: 1 clay
2 sand: 1 clay 1 sand: 2 clay
3 sand: 1 clay 1 sand: 3 clay
Jeff, Glenn,
& Liz
mixing
clay for
plastering
One part can be equivalent to any quantity you want a
long as it stays consistent for each component. Reuse
salsa containers provide a good size to start with.
Keep in mind that you should try to fit 8-10 mixes oneach bale to achieve a spectrum of test ratios.
Before applying any plaster to your clay
slipped bale, moisten the clay slip to the extent that it
appears to be sweating. You want beads of water to
form but not to the extent that water is running off the
surface and carrying away clay particles.
After the stock six, you want to test each of
your fiber materials to the extreme with different ratio
of clay and sand. For instance, you may try 3 sand :
clay : 5 paper to test how the paper pulp reacts,.
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Jeff applying plaster tests to hay-bale.
on the edges of the plaster to see how well it is
bonded to the bale.
Spray each plaster test with thejet/fullspray setting of
a hose for a few seconds. Observe how much plaster
runs off, how much water is reabsorbed into the
plaster, and how the consistency of the plaster feels
after it has been doused. If water is absorbed and the
consistency of the plaster still feels fine it is a good
sign that your mix will be able to withstand wetdry
cycles.
After conducting these tests and observations,identify which plaster mixes performed the best.
Compare the ratios of these mixes to determine
similarities and differences in the combinations of
materials. You may want to synthesize the best plaster
mixes through slight modifications in the ratio to
achieve a better plaster. Now, using the best 2-4 mixes
(or a synthesis of the best mixes), you should cover an
entire bale with each, allow it to dry, and then perform
the same observations and tests. This is important
because sometimes materials perform differently in a
small test batch than they will when covering a largerarea. By now a good mix should be apparent and you
are ready to begin applying it to your structure. Good
luck and have fun!
Special thanks to Peggy Frith for providing
guidance and expertise during my first plaster testing
experience.
For further information, refer to The Natural
Plaster Book by Guelberth and Chiras.
and you may want to try 2 sand : 1 clay : 3 cow
manure. The idea is to test the extremes of each
material and how the materials interact with each
other so that you can identify the mix ratio that will
perform the best. Doing 15-20 different mixes will
allow you to adequately explore the properties of
each material. Make sure to document what the ratio
of each mix is and to label each mix on the bale
so that you can easily replicate the best mixes. Letyour plaster tests dry until they are solid. Again,
take care not to allow the surface to dry too quickly
by occasionally applying a gentle misting.
After your plaster tests have dried, youll
want to perform the following observations and
tests:
Observe the amount and severity of
cracking. Excessive cracking usually indicates not
enough sand and too much clay
Scratch the surface and observe the dustingthat occurs. If the plaster crumbles or dusts off a lot
it is typically an indication of too much sand. Pull
A range of different-ratio plaster tests
drying.
CLAY TESTINGHaving a high clay content soil is essential to a good
plaster mix. In order to get a feel for how clay-rich your
soil is, the following test should be done.
1) Moisten a golf ball size amount of clay and kneed
it to the consistency of silly putty. Make sure to
break up any chunks. Avoid making it to wet.
2) Roll the clay between your palms into a long
snake with a thickness approximately equal to
your pinky finger.
3) Wrap the snake around your finger.
4) Observe. If the snake has major cracks or tears,
there is not enough clay. If the snake holds its
form or shows minimal cracking, then your soil
has enough clay.
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I dont know about you, but my computersare my best friends and my worst enemies. Decidingto get rid of one is an emotional process. So, it helps
if you know the options available to you.
If your main complaint is that the computers
too slow, there are some simple housecleaning
measures you can take. There are many invader
programs that nefariously install themselves and use
your computers CPU for various evil deeds. This can
slow down the computer and also cause all sorts of
irritating errors. Some are viruses but others are whatare known as spyware, adware, or malware.
A company by the name of Lavasoft makes a
program called Ad-Aware which will get rid of many
common types of spyware. Two of these versions are
available for download at http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
software/adaware/. Ive been using the free version for
years, and I can recommend it without reservation.
Run it on your old computer before getting rid of it
and maybe youll find the computer is not so slow
after all. Its worth noting that Ad-Aware is not anti-virus software and should not be used in place of your
regular anti-virus program.
If youre still dissatisfied with your computers
performance, consider upgrading. That is, instead of
replacing the whole machine, try replacing some parts
that are not as cutting-edge as they used to be. For the
average computer user, the performance of video cards
and sound cards isnt very noticeably different today
than they were several years ago and dont need to be
replaced unless defective.
The memory and the CPU control the speed ofthe computer and tend to go out of date first. Even if
youve never been inside the computers beige tower,
you can hire someone who can help you find the right
parts and put them in for you.
There are many places to find such a person.
You can look in the phone book or at the information
kiosk at the Co-op or bulletin boards on campus.
Even if an ad does not mention hardware specifically,
its a pretty good bet that the person placing the ad is
qualified to do it. At HSU, the Computing
Science Club ([email protected]) or the Help Desk
([email protected]) can put you in touch with aperson capable of doing the job for you.
If your hardware is relatively new and you use
the computer mostly for surfing the web and word-
processing, consider performing a clean install. That
is, remove all the information from the hard drive
and reinstall the entire operating system. This often
helps becasue, through years of faithful service, the
computer can get bogged down with programs that
for one reason or another dont work, or that you may
not even realize are installed. A clean install gets rid
of all those things and allows you to replace only the
programs you need or want.
If you do decide to get rid of the old computer,
you can retire it or give it to someone else. If you do
decide to retire it entirely, recycle it. Not only because
recycling is wonderful but because its the law. There
are materials in a computer that make it dangerous to
the landfill. When you take things to the dump they
get compacted until they take up as little space as
possible. Some parts inside computers and monitors
dont take kindly to such squishing and can explode.
Under no circumstances should you throw an oldcomputer, or any of its parts, in the garbage.
Much of the time when you go to recycle
things you get money back. For computers, you pay
the recycling center. I recently paid $19 to have a
monitor recycled, though it varies by place and part. .
For this reason, I recommend giving the
computer to another human being rather than recycling
it. You may think no one wants your old curmudgeon
of a computer, but you might be surprised.
What To Do With Your Old
Computer by KJ Coop, Web Administrator
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ -
8/9/2019 Campus Center for Appropriate Technology Newsletter, Fall 2004
11/16 Appropriate Technology Transfer
Old hardware has a lot of devotees who would
love to get their hands on a completely outdated
machine. Even if the whole computer doesnt work,
chances are there are parts that do work. I know I have
never turned down a free computer.
If you dont happen to know any such people,
get in touch with HSUs Computing Science Club.
Even if you just upgraded, you may want to contact
them about taking the old memory or CPU off yourhands.
Resist the temptation to just give your old
computer to a thrift store. A lot of the time they get
computers faster than they can get rid of them. Unless
an organization expressly asks for your old computer,
they probably dont want it.
However you decide to dispose of your old
computer, be sure to consider data security. If you
have sensitive information saved to your computer
(i.e. financial records, love letters), you probablydont want to give that away. There s no need to get
paranoid about this though. Most people are safe
just erasing the contents of the hard drive. For very
sensitive data though, you can physically remove the
hard drive and give away the rest of the machine.
The old hard drive can even be placed in the new
computer, and you can avoid losing any documents.
If youre buying a new computer to replace
the old one, you may be able to use your current
peripherals (i.e. mouse, keyboard, printer, scanner)
with the new machine. Whether or not you candepends mostly on the age of the machine. If your
old computer was manufactured within the past 7 or 8
years it most likely uses the same kind of connectors.
Monitors still connect the same way they did ten years
ago, although they have gotten fancier in that time.
Reusing the old components will also save you the
cost of buying new versions of them.
If all else fails, contact me at
[email protected], because I can usually find room
for one more computer.
It is almost impossible to thank all those who have contributed to CCAT. Everyone, even those who
just stop in for an hour, have contributed to our program. Although many will be left off of this list no one is
forgotten.
CCAT would like to thank: our fabulous Steering Committee, Patagonia, the Humboldt Area Foundation
The HSU Special Projects Foundation, Ralph Bronner, Arcata Educational Farm, Ramones Bakery, The North
Coast Co-op, Wildberries Marketplace, the Tofu Shop, Bug Press, everyone whos working to safely move the
CCAT House, Peggy Frith, Eddie Tanner, Alec Cooley, Scott Davies, Brian and Becky Wilson, George Wright,
Eric Johnson, Paula Allen, Dave Grow, Emilia Patrick, and of course, all of our employees and volunteers.
THANK YOU!
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Just about anyone who has spent time cleaning a
house or apartment has experienced the light-headed,
dizzy, and nauseous feeling that comes with exposure
to typical cleaning products. A few years back, (with
eyes watering from Windex and hands burning with
Comet) I thought, there has to be a better way!
Happily, there is. My grandmother had told me long
ago that there is a non-toxic and natural equivalent to
almost all commonly used modern household cleaning
products. What held me up though, from trying
out the non-toxic alternatives was strength. I mean,seriously, what can knock-out grout mold like Comet?
Well Ive done some experimentation around the old
Jenkins house and heres what Ive found to work:
The basic ingredients for most homemade cleaners:
v Borax: a mineral used to disinfect, deodorize,
and inhibit mold
v Vegetable based soap- (i.e. Dr. Bronners)
v Baking soda: absorbs odors and chemicals
v Lemon juice: cuts grease, dissolves build-up,
bleaches
v White vinegar: cuts grease, dissolves sticky
build-up, deodorizes
v Essential oil of your choice
v Seltzer water: good for stains
All-Purpose:
Any combination of borax, baking soda, vinegar or
lemon juice and hot water. Essential oil can be addedfor fragrance. I personally use 2 parts borax, 1 part
vinegar (or lemon juice), a lot of hot water, and a dash
of lavender oil.
Dish soap:
Any vegetable based soap works. At CCAT we love
Dr. Bronners.
Scouring powder:
4 parts baking soda and 1 part borax.
Tub cleaner:
Lemon slices dipped in borax or baking soda seems to
do the trick.
Glass cleaner:
8 parts water to 1 part vinegar.Or, you can try using lemon juice and water with a few
tablespoons of borax.
Use old newspaper to avoid streaking when wiping
windows.
Mold cleaner:
1 tsp borax, 3 tbsp vinegar, 2 cups hot water.
Put into a spray bottle.
Spray on mold and scrub off. Then spray some on
without rinsing off to inhibit future growth
Stains:
Wine or Juice: soak in seltzer water.
Oil/grease: cover with baking soda and a bit of water.
Let sit awhile, then rinse.
Blood: soak in cold water and rub with soap. Or, use
borax to bleach it out.
For a more comprehensive list of products and
homemade alternatives visit CCATs website and click
onNon-toxic Household.
Keep It Clean
Alternatives to toxic householdcleaning products
by Elizabeth Kimbrough, Co-Director
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Arcata Educational FarmSupport local, organic, and sustainable agriculture at the Arcata Educational Farm (AEF). AEF provides fresh fruits andvegetables to Community Supported Agriculture and Farmers Market customers. AEF is a student run 1.6 acre organicfarm located in Arcatas Bayside Park. Classes are offered through HSU. Drop by the Farm anytime, volunteers are alwayswelcome: head down Bayside just after the roundabout; turn left at the purple sign. Contact at: (707) 825-1777
Wild Urban GardenersWild Urban Gardeners is a community agriculture group promoting the cultivation of native plant species, edibles, andorganic gardens as an alternative to resource intensive lawns. Learn to de-pave your property, start composts, grow your ownfood and share in the tool lending library. For more information E-mail Wild Urban Gardeners [email protected]
Redwood Peace & Justice CenterThe RPJC is a non-profit community program dedicated to fostering peace and justice via community involvement. Spaceand resources are available to local organizations and community members to aid in the advancement of social andenvironmental justice.To get involved stop by the RPJC Monday-Saturday 12-6, 1040 H St., Arcata. Or contact the RPJC at: (707) 826-2511; http://www.rpjc.net/
Get Involved WithYour Community
Visit CCATs website at www.humboldt.edu/~ccat to read past issues of the AT Transfer.
Library Bike Program
The Library Bike Program utilizes a check-out system in
which community members rent used restored bikes for
$20. Money is refunded upon return of bike. Workshops
and classes are offered in bicycle maintenance. Checkbikes out in a variety of locations in Arcata, such as
Wildberries Marketplace on G St. and 13th. For more
information call Bill: 707) 822-3759
Northcoast Environmental Center
The NEC is a non-profit group at the forefront of the
Northcoast environmental movement. Their monthly
publication, ECONEWS, documents local and national
environmental issues and events. For More Information
visit the NEC at 575 H St. in Arcata. Or reach the NEC
at: (707) 822-6918;www.necandeconews.to
Youth Educational Services
Y..E.S. supports Humboldt State University students
in creating and implementing volunteer programs
which provide service to community members in need.
Y.E.S. acts as a liaison between the HSU communityand community of Humboldt County to end cycles of
oppression. Visit the Y.E.S. House on campus at House
91, Humboldt State University. Or contact Y.E.S. at:
(707) 826-4965; [email protected]
Potawot Health Village
The Potawot Health Village is a project of United
Indian Health Services located on Wiyott Way near the
Mad River Hospital off of Janes Rd. Potawot provides
multiple ways to gain valuable hands-on experience
while helping to support the project. Opportunitiesinclude volunteering in the 20-acre Restoration
Area, the 2-acre organic garden, or the herb garden.
Workshops are offered on various aspects of organic
food production, land restoration, and nutrition.
Contact Ed Mata or Eric Johnson at 826 8476 for more
information.
mailto:[email protected]://www.rpjc.net/http://www.rpjc.net/http://www.humboldt.edu/~ccathttp://www.humboldt.edu/~ccathttp://www.rpjc.net/http://www.rpjc.net/mailto:[email protected] -
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I am a sophomore working on an
interdisciplinary degree in ethnobotany. I mayactually be 5 feet tall now and I like to squish my
toes in mud.
I came to HSU in the Fall of 2003 for a
variety of reasons. At the time, I wanted to escape
Alabamas honeysuckle sap to frolic in the tall trees
of California. The opportunity to be involved with
CCAT also helped draw me 3,000 miles across the
country.
I suppose I am the youngest and least
experienced Co-Director CCAT has seen in its 26
years, and wow, what a time to step in. Strategicplanning, permaculture grounds design and 72-hour
monumental decisions; I couldnt have asked for a
more intense term. Yet, despite my recent addiction
to Chai tea, so far, my experience has been
overwhelmingly positive. Ive been introduced to a
plethora of new ideas and, like a sponge in a river,
am just trying to soak it all in as it washes over me.
What has been most inspiring to me are
the people I have met through CCAT; heroes and
warriors of wit fighting each day for social andecological change. Because of these amazing
individuals I feel empowered to do just about
anything. I look forward to watching CCAT grow
over the next few years and hope that it continues to
encourage and ignite people the way it has inspired
me.
I was born and raised in Falmouth,Massachusetts and began my university track at
UMASS Amherst as another undeclared student.
After attending HSU through an exchange program,
I was captivated by the free flow of ideas and the
readiness for action that is omnipresent in Arcata (the
scenic beauty and wilderness helped too). When I
found out about CCAT, my dreams for living lighter
on the earth and being more self-reliant took a turn
towards reality and I began to acquire skills and
knowledge that will stick with me throughout my
life. I am now pursuing an Interdisciplinary degree inIndigenous Technology.
CCAT has been an inspiration to me since
I first walked up the hill over four years ago and
continues to be a focal point of my higher education
experience. CCAT is where classroom theory meets
real-world application and the opportunities for
learning and exploration are virtually boundless.
After spending time as a groundskeeper, volunteer,
and on maintenance staff, I am currently a Co-
Director. While I wont have the experience of
living in the Buck House, grazing its lush gardens, or
monitoring its many appropriate technology systems,
I feel fortunate to be a part of the organization at this
critical juncture and to be able to participate in the
creation of the new grounds and revitalization of the
program.
This time of transition has been full of
opportunities and challenges. I am working hard with
my fellow Co-Directors and the CCAT community tostrengthen the program and ensure that our transition
to a new space is fruitful. I am excited for all of
the projects that will emerge in the coming years
as a result of the move and encourage anyone and
everyone to stop by for a visit or volunteer to help us
rebuild.
Jeff Liz
Discover the Force Behind CCAT
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Reflecting on my time at CCAT, I think
about the words painted above a door in the dining
room: The path for enlightenment is learned by
students teaching students. When I first read this
sign I had no idea how true it was, but it has since
come to shape my college education.
CCAT has a way of bringing students of all
majors and cultural backgrounds together, enabling
us to share knowledge, perspectives, and common
visions for a healthier society. This is what makes
a University, and this is what gives me hope for the
future.
It is no wonder why so many students arecoming to HSU because of CCAT. Inspiration flows
from this place. We are actively showing that it is
practical and rewarding to live lightly on the Earth,
and we are creating this change in everything we
do.
I want to give thanks to Krystal and
Kendra, Jeff and Liz, Eddie and Glenn, Erin, and
to everyone who has been part of the CCAT. It has
been incredible traveling this path with you.
My first visit to the Campus Center for
Appropriate Technology as a bewildered freshman left
me awestruck and humbled. The alternatives presente
by this building, its surrounding landscape, and most
importantly, the passionate, motivated students runnin
the show lit a fire in my soul and gave me hope and
inspiration for the future. Now, five years later, I am
looking at an upcoming year long term as a Co-Directof this program.
How did this happen to an Elementary
Education student? I always thought CCAT was for
Engineering and Environmental Science students, and
never considered applying for Co-Directorship. As I
got more involved with the program, it became clear t
me that CCAT was an organization that needs people
from all disciplines, and has a place and a purpose for
all minds
In preparing for this upcoming year ofopportunities, challenges, growth, and friendships, the
strengths and assets I can bring to this program began
to be revealed to me. Behind all our efforts to educate
our society of the necessity of developing a sustainabl
lifestyle and, more importantly, of the inherent richnes
and joys that ensue, lies a fundamental need for a
shift in the values of our nation. My chosen path as
an educator leaves me in a position I cant ignore. I
hope to combine my background in education with
the mission and values of the Campus Center for
Appropriate Technology in an attempt to reach ourcommunitys children and show them an alternative to
what the mainstream media depicts.
Rather than teaching them to grasp for riches
and power, I hope to reveal the simple satisfactions
of a lifestyle of caring for the planet, our bodies, and
our community. There is no coincidence in my having
stumbled upon this beneficial synthesis of disciplines.
The movement embodied in CCAT needs all of our
skills, and this program holds a niche for each of us.
Garrett
GlennCo-Director starting inSpring 2005
Meet the Co-Directors
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Campus Center forAppropriate TechnologyCCAT, HSUArcata, CA 95521
Non-Profit Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
PERMIT No. 78
Arcata, CA 95521
Workshops- Weekly workshops are free and open to the public.Tours- CCAT holds free, guided tours weekly or you may take aself-guided tour anytime during business hours.
Workdays- On Friday afternoons, volunteers help makeCCAT look beautiful and work on projects.
Potlucks- Every month, everyone is invited to share a meal at CCAT.Courses- Receive credit at HSU by enrolling in classes taught at
CCAT.
Library- Check out a book from CCATs extensive library collection.
Get Involved with CCAT
Visit www.humboldt.edu/~ccator call (707) 826-3551for more information.
From June until October, 2004, CCAT will be