Do NOT use #Votesafe [dot] Org (Update: Don’t Even Go Check it Out!)
September 10, 2026
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/9/10/800096548/community/do-not-use-votesafe-org/
#USPol #ElonMusk #ElonSucks #VoterDisenfranchisement #IdentityTheft #DOGE #USElections #2026Elections
#Anthropic Building a #PreCrime System to Surveil #AntiAI #Dissenters, Investigation Shows | Common Dreams
One legal expert said that as AI companies “become more hated, there’s more pressure on them to over-disclose knowing that some of the people they identify for law enforcement shouldn’t be targeted.”
by Brad Reed, September 9, 2026
"The American Prospect on Wednesday published an investigation revealing that top artificial intelligence firm Anthropic is building a predictive surveillance system aimed at tracking activists who are opposed to advanced AI development.
"The Prospect found that Anthropic last month issued a job posting seeking an intelligence specialist to “identify, assess, track, and investigate global threats including geopolitical instability, terrorism, crime, activism, nation-state targeting of the AI sector.”
Read more:
https://www.commondreams.org/news/anthropic-pre-crime-surveillance
#PreCrime #ThoughtCrime #AIResistance #ResistanceIsFertile #AISucks #CriminalizingDissent #TheResistance #WaterIsLife #AirIsLife #HumanIntelligence #TechFascism #Fascism #CharacteristicsOfFascism
@VeroniqueB99 I came across this and thought of you...
HT @transworld "In an historic move, the Saddle Lake Cree Nation says it's invoking the 'medicine chest' clause. The Alberta First Nation is establishing a safe haven for gender-affirming care — contrary to provincial law.."
#Alberta #FirstNation invokes treaty clause to set up gender-affirming care safe haven
By Karen Bartko and Lisa Johnson
September 9, 2026
" 'All children, including #trans and #TwoSpirit children and their family, will have safety under our treaty,' Saddle Lake Chief Dale Steinhauer said on Wednesday."
https://globalnews.ca/news/12053337/alberta-first-nation-gender-affirming-care-safe-haven/
#SaddleLakeCreeNation #GenderAffirmingCare #TransRightsAreHumanRights #TransgenderRights #MedicineChest #FirstNations #NativeAmericanNews #CanPol
Sounds about right... A fitting metaphor!
#DataCenter Caught Watering Its Lavish Lawn While Human Neighbors Are on Year-Long Water Restriction
"You better believe that they are watering their entire green with so many sprinklers that it's literally making a giant pond."
By Joe Wilkins
Published Sep 7, 2026
"When the #DenverCO board of Water Commissioners approved stage one #drought restrictions back in March, they did so facing some of the driest conditions in decades. According to the #USDrough Monitor, the watershed sourced for Denver’s water utility is experiencing a 'severe to exceptional drought,' while the Denver metropolitan area has been in a “severe drought.”
"As a result, residents and businesses have been asked to scale back. Denverites now have to limit watering their lawns to two days a week, chosen by address. And even on those days, customers are prohibited from watering between the hours of 10am and 6pm, Gadget Review reports.
"Yet as some 1.5 million customers honor the restrictions, one major customer is evidently refusing to close the tap: a brand new #AIDatacenter .
"In a now-viral video circulating on social media, an unidentified resident of Denver’s Elyria-Swansea neighborhood filmed the massive lawn of a data center being sprayed with copious amounts of water.
" 'You better believe that they are watering their entire green with so many sprinklers that it’s literally making a giant pond,' the woman says.
"The identity of the data center in question is unconfirmed, but it’s likely the new 18 megawatt facility owned by the cloud computing company #CoreSite. At around 170,000 square feet in size, the mammoth facility recently went live in #ElyriaSwansea, though not without sparking a wide-ranging debate around Denver’s zoning regulations.
"It isn’t known which tech companies are renting out space in CoreSite’s Denver facility, but elsewhere the company has proudly partnered with tech giants like #Amazon, #Google, and #Microsoft ."
Read more:
https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/data-center-lawn-neighbors-drought-water-restrictions
#AI #AIDatacenters #USPol #Colorado #WaterIsLife #Datacenters #Datacentres #WaterRestrictions #WastingWater #Drought #ClimateChange
I had a long chat with my next door neighbor the other day. Her garden isn't doing that great either... The birds decimated her sunflowers, and then started eating her chard (and that's what has been happening to my chard as well). Since it's been so hot and dry, the birds don't have their usual fare to nibble on. And like I had mentioned before, our ubiquitous Black Cherries are bitter and pretty much inedible (though the bears are eating them anyway).
Well rats... The #CommunityGarden is looking pretty sad (except for my plot neighbor's peppers). I salvaged the Mammoth Sunflower seed head, and the cosmos and zinnias are still blooming and the cornflowers are winding down. I'm still planning on planting some oats, barley and clover in my plot, but since the electric fence is either not functioning or the deer just jump it, I don't have high hopes for the garden continuing (I've seen this story before -- but last time we kept it going for five years). Anyhow, I talked to hubby about expanding the home garden so I can start doing proper crop rotation. I mean, who needs a front yard lawn -- especially since part of it (the other side of the driveway) is becoming a mini-wildflower meadow anyway.
#HomeGardens #MoreFlowersLessLawns #ContainerGardening #SolarPunkSunday
RE: https://mastodon.social/@2003MugishaPhocit/117236774049713343
Seeing if this post can be quoted. Testing, 1-2-3...
#Massachusetts #datacenters need approval before getting a permit following new executive order
by Amal Elhelw, Tue, September 8, 2026
"Gov. #MauraHealey is now putting Massachusetts among a growing number of states taking a closer look at how data centers are built and who gets a say in where they go.
"For years, Massachusetts has promoted itself as a place for the technology industry to grow, including data centers powering the #AIBoom.
"As those projects have gotten bigger, so have the concerns about their impact on #electricity costs, the #environment, and local communities.
"Back in February, Gov. Healey said data centers need to power themselves, pay for it, 'and do it in a way that doesn't harm residents.'
"More than six months later, Healey said she's putting local communities in control.
"On Tuesday, she signed an executive order requiring local approval for new data center infrastructure.
" 'Unless a community says yes to a data center, we're saying no,' Healey said.
"The move comes after the Governor first paused new applications for the state's data center sales tax exemption in June, saying stronger protections were needed.
"That tax break was created by a law Healey signed in 2024, giving qualified data centers a potential 20-year sales tax exemption.
"On Tuesday, Healey addressed that, saying she signed that package but did not include the tax exemption herself.
" 'As I've seen things, I just didn't think that it was right for that sales tax exemption to apply in the midst of what we're dealing with right now, which is a lot of concern across communities in Massachusetts and this country about the impact data centers are having or could have,' Gov. Healey said.
"Tuesday's executive order also requires developers to prove that they're not going to harm the environments or communities where they want to build. They also have to provide their own clean energy on day one, and if they can't, they have to pay ratepayers for the energy they consume until their own supply is in place.
"Republican candidate for Governor, Mike Minogue agrees that Massachusetts is in an energy crisis.
" 'I would always let a local community have input, but in reality, today, we're seeing more override votes than ever before just for operations,' Minogue said. "What I want to do is give more money back to the towns and cities if they will reduce the stretch codes, which destroys the opportunities for many builders and developers.'
"A proposed data center in #WestfieldMA has yet to seek permits from state agencies. Should the project come to the state, the developer would need to present a Community Benefits Agreement and its plans to meet the state's water and energy expectations.
"The state currently has about 50 data centers, meaning Tuesday's announcement could help determine how many more Massachusetts is willing to take on."
Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/mass-data-centers-approval-getting-205657908.html
#USPol #MassachusettsPol #NoDatacenters #AIDatacenters #NoisePollution #EnergyConsumption
#Akwesasne #Mohawks oppose #US Senate Bill 3475 to ratify #NewYorkState Land Claims Settlement
by Shé:kon, #MohawkNationNews, September 7, 2026
Excerpt: "S.3475 is about whether the United States Congress will help repair a historic injustice or whether it will make that injustice permanent. It is about whether Congress will respect the Mohawk people – the Kanien’kehá:ka as we say in our own language — as a living people with our own governance, laws,
responsibilities, language, culture, and relationship to the land — or whether Congress will again treat us as a problem to be settled, divided, and erased. We are here to say clearly: #S3475 must be opposed. At minimum, it must be paused, and if it is ever to move forward, it must be substantially amended. No federal settlement should be passed that finalizes land status, governance issues, easements, rights-of-way, claims, or future rights without the full, free, prior, informed, and culturally legitimate consent of all affected Kanien’kehá:ka-Mohawk people and all affected Kanien’kehá:ka- Mohawk governance systems."
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2026/09/mohawk-nation-news-akwesasne-mohawks.html
#USPol #NativeAmericanNews #Kanienkehaka #MohawkNation #StolenLand
There's not enough housing for America's poorest while low-income units sit empty
By Claire Rush
September 7, 2026
"Mathew Davis, who lives in a #HomelessShelter in Austin, Texas, would love an apartment of his own. But with the little money he makes donating blood plasma, even a $450-a-month tiny home with no running water and a communal bathroom would be a stretch.
"Meanwhile, over 4,500 units the city classifies as affordable — nearly 16% — sit empty.
" 'I don’t make enough money really to afford anything,' Davis, 49, said of the few hundred dollars he earns a month. 'I just keep trying to swim uphill.'
"The poorest people in the U.S. face the most acute shortages of affordable homes. But the majority of low-income housing financed in recent years is for those earning 50% of an area’s median income or above, according to a survey of state housing agencies.
"Some cities are now seeing an uptick in vacancies as rents for these units approach market rates. The result: Apartments designated as affordable sit empty because the poorest of the poor cannot afford them.
"Meanwhile, some people are forced into #homelessness and others into desperate circumstances to pay for housing they can’t afford."
Read more:
https://apnews.com/article/affordable-housing-shortage-poorest-us-80fab2a0fb645e4d629b0ef7e3c2b496
#USPol #Unhoused #Housing #Homeless #EmptyBuildings #VacantBuildings #NoAffordableHousing
Tagging @bojacobs
Um... ☢️
A #Michigan #NuclearPlant shut down for good is being switched back on for #AI power
Story by Everett Sloane, September 6, 2026
"A nuclear plant on the shore of Lake Michigan that shut down for good four years ago is now weeks or months away from producing electricity again, in what would be the first time in American history a retired commercial reactor has been brought back online. #Palisades #Nuclear Generating Station, in #CovertTownship, Michigan, ceased operating in 2022 after Entergy concluded it no longer made economic sense to keep running. Its new owner, #HoltecInternational, is now racing to restart it, betting that the same wave of electricity demand from artificial intelligence #datacenters reshaping the U.S. power grid can justify resurrecting a plant that was, until recently, on a path toward permanent teardown. The attempt is being closely watched across the utility industry because more than a dozen other reactors were permanently retired nationwide over the past decade, and each one is a potential candidate for the same kind of revival if Palisades proves it can be done safely and on budget."
#AISucks #AIDatacenters #NoNukesForAI #NoNukes #Holtec #PalisadesNuclearPlant #PalisadesNPP #WaterIsLife #LakeMichigan #RethinkNotRestart #AIBoom 💥
#GorhamME officials consider permanent ban on #Datacenters
Several cities and towns in Maine already have moratoriums on data centers, and others are looking to do the same.
by WGME Staff, Fri, September 4, 2026
GORHAM (WGME) -- "The Town of Gorham is considering a permanent ban on data centers.
"The town already passed a moratorium in June, temporarily banning them.
"On Tuesday, town councilors voted unanimously to have the planning board schedule a public hearing and find out if the ban should become permanent.
"Before the ban could go into effect, the planning board will need to vote to change the town's land use and development code."
Read more:
https://wgme.com/news/local/gorham-officials-consider-permanent-ban-on-data-centers-maine-economy
#MainePol #DatacenterMoratorium #DatacenterMoratoriums #Datacentres #DatacentreMoratorium #Hyperscale #Hyperconsumption #AIDatacenters #NoisePollution #LightPollution #WaterIsLife #EnergyWaste
How to Store #Cabbage So It Stays Crisp for Weeks, According to Culinary Pros
The best methods for storing whole, cut, or pre-cut cabbage.
By Kirsten Nunez
Updated on February 24, 2026
"From crunchy coleslaws to hearty soups, there are so many classic dishes that rely on cabbage. But first, you need to know how to store cabbage if you want to get the most out of this modest vegetable. How do you keep it from wilting and browning—and can you freeze it for long-term storage? To find out, we spoke to culinary professionals to learn how to store cabbage the right way.
How to Store Cabbage in the Refrigerator
Whether whole or cut, cabbage should always be stored in the refrigerator.
For the best results, store cabbage in the crisp drawer of your refrigerator, which is designed to maintain humidity and keep vegetables fresh longer.
Whole Cabbage
Whole, uncut cabbage should be kept in an airtight container or large plastic bag in the refrigerator. Storing it inside a container or bag will help retain its moisture, says Mike Makuch, M.A.T., CEC, associate professor of culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.
How long whole cabbage lasts: When stored properly, cabbage can last a long time in the fridge, up to two months, says Makuch. But for the best quality, he says to use it within a month.
Cut Cabbage
After cutting a cabbage, store it in an airtight container or bag. Place it in the coldest part of your fridge—avoid storing it on the door, where temperatures tend to fluctuate the most, says Makuch.
Cut cabbage should be used or cooked within three days according to Makuch.
[...]
Can You Freeze Cabbage?
While it's possible to freeze cabbage and keep it for longer, there are some things to keep in mind.
First, frozen cabbage should only be used for cooked preparations, such as soups and stews. That's because cabbage loses its crunch when it's frozen and thawed, making it less ideal for raw recipes like coleslaw or salads.
It's also important to blanch cabbage before freezing it. 'Blanching will deactivate enzymes [that] cause flavor loss and texture degradation,' explains Makuch. It also helps retain the color of the cabbage while eliminating any surface bacteria before storage, he adds."
Learn more:
https://www.marthastewart.com/how-to-store-cabbage-8764995
#SolarPunkSunday #FoodStorage #CabbageStorage #PreservingTheHarvest #FreezingCabbage #Blanching
[2/2] #StarIsland, #GosportNH - #GreenGosport Initiatives that can be practiced on the #Mainland!
"Plan Your Errands
Star Island: We run a boat back and forth to the mainland most days of the week, and we recognize the cost of doing so both environmentally and economically. By planning our boat schedule accordingly, we eliminate unnecessary or redundant trips and reduce the number of times we need to go back and forth. This means less diesel to power the boat.
Mainland: When you have errands to do, make one long trip out of it instead of several. Going back and forth from your home is less efficient time wise, but also uses more gasoline if you’re driving. This requires planning, but we know you can do it. You plan to come to Star Island, right?
Star Island: #Walking is how we get around on Star Island. Aside from a few freight trucks used to move heavy objects around the island (like luggage, or trash), people get from A to B by walking. This provides exercise, but also means that we are not using carbon-based fuels for transportation. Walking is an easy way to get where you’re going on island, even if it requires three flights of stairs. The only time we don’t suggest walking on island is if you’re late for a boat, then try running.
Mainland: We recognize that walking isn’t always the most practical form of transportation on the mainland, but we encourage you to think about where you can walk. If you live near your city center, why not walk to go out to eat instead of drive? Or, if you’re driving to a shopping center, park once and walk to several stores instead of driving to each one. Walking takes time, yes, but it’s well worth it. Studies have even suggested walking promotes creativity.
Make Informed Purchases
Star Island: We make purchases mindfully and consider several factors: do we need this item? Is this item energy efficient / #EnvironmentallyFriendly? What’s the quality, will this item last? Are we supporting another local organization? Sometimes we seek alternatives. For example, we mix #vinegar and #BakingSoda together for an all-purpose cleaner and use vinegar to wash windows and mirrors instead of glass cleaner. Also, we consider packaging when purchasing: is the product packaged in bulk? Can we reuse or recycle the packaging?
Mainland: When you’re shopping, think about what you need instead of what you want. You might miss the latest cellphone craze, but you’ll still be able to text and call people, right? Shop second hand. Purchase in bulk and reuse containers (for example: use canning jars to purchase and store dry goods such as coffee, popcorn, oats, and rice among others). Also, consider paper bags instead of plastic bags when making purchases. Or, remember to use a reusable bag or opt out if you’re only purchasing a few items.
Comfort Level
Everywhere: Do what makes sense for you. Don’t walk 50 miles to work when taking public transportation makes more sense. And if you don’t have a yard, growing a garden will be rather difficult. We encourage you to make choices that you are comfortable with, but also to ask yourself if you can do more to make a sustainable impact in your life and for your community. Be creative. Have fun. #GoGreen! "
Source:
https://starisland.org/the-island/green/practices/
#SolarPunkSunday #SolarPunk #SelfReliance #RenewableEnergy
#Renewables #RenewablesNow
#GreenPractices #OffGrid #IslandLiving #EcoConsciousLiving #IslesOfShoals
[1/2] #StarIsland, #GosportNH - #GreenGosport Initiatives that can be practiced on the #Mainland!
Green Practices
"For centuries, living on Star Island has required a knowledge of conservation and respecting the environment. Since 2011, we have taken a more proactive approach to this with the Green Gosport Initiative — a program designed to educate our island and mainland communities about sustainability, and to serve as a model for others. The efforts we make on island are sometimes huge (we recently installed a solar array), but often are relatively easy to accomplish. Here are some of the things we do on Star to reduce our impact locally while thinking globally. We’ve included suggestions about how you can take what we do on the island and practice it on the mainland.
#Reuse
Star Island: Everything carried to the island needs to be carried off, unless it can be turned into something useful. Therefore, we seriously consider how we can reuse items on-island before trashing or recycling them. For example, several years ago we collected used glass bottles to line the beds in our vegetable gardens. We also reuse historic furniture and replace small parts instead of replacing entire fixtures. We also reuse food waste to create compost, which in turn helps to grow more food.
Mainland: Instead of throwing something away, ask yourself if you can reuse it. Some simple things to reuse include plastic sandwich bags for more sandwiches, shopping bags as trash bags, and newspaper for kindling or wrapping paper. Random bits of plastic from everyday products and toys might also be great sources for a rainy day art project. And to help you stay hyrdated, use a water bottle to refill instead of buying new bottled water.
Star Island: When you can’t reuse, recycle. We send metal, glass and paper off island to get recycled if we can’t reuse it.
Mainland: Most municipalities have curbside recycling, and we encourage you to take advantage of this easy way to recycle. Also, if you’re ever out and about and need to dispose of something (paper coffee cup, plastic drink bottle), check to see if it is recyclable and find a proper receptacle instead of trashing by default.
Use #RenewableEnergy
Star Island: In the fall of 2014 we installed a solar array on Star that has provided an estimated 60% of our energy needs since the 2015 summer. We’re not fully running on solar power, but this renewable energy source is our focus moving forward.
Mainland: Installing solar panels on your home allows you to take advantage of sustainable energy and excess, unused energy can even be back fed into the larger electrical grid. Not only are you taking a step to reduce carbon emissions, but you could also be saving money.
Turn Off Lights
Star Island: We turn the lights off whenever possible. Although lights are left on in certain public spaces such as walkways, hallways, and the main lobby for safety, for the most part the island goes dark at night. We even rely entirely on candlelight for evening chapel services. On Star we’re swapping outdated bulbs (incandescents) for more efficient LEDs, and considering sensors for lights in areas that don’t need to be lit when no one’s using them at night (bathrooms, hallways, walkways). Fewer lights means less electricity, reducing the need to use as much diesel to support the solar array.
Mainland: If you’re the last one leaving a room, turn the light off; installing automatic switches can be helpful if you’re apt to forget. Also, question if you really need the light on-daylight is often just fine. Fewer lights means less electricity, which may even reduce your electric bill.
Use Energy Efficient Equipment
Star Island: Replacing equipment with more efficient models has allowed us to reduce demands on our island’s infrastructure. A recent example is the purchase of a new dishwasher, which uses less power during operation and also uses less water. Less water used means less drinking water treated and less used water sent to the island’s wastewater treatment facility. This leaves more water available for other uses, such as guest showers. Water and wastewater treatment are also two of the three biggest electrical uses on-island, so this energy and water efficient dishwasher means an overall reduction in energy use. On Star we’re also swapping outdated bulbs (incandescents) for more efficient LED’s.
Mainland: Replace household appliances with those receiving Energy Star rating. Energy Star products are “certified to save energy without sacrificing features or functionality.” This rating helps you choose household equipment that can help realize energy savings. Click here to learn more.
Star Island: Over the past few years we’ve been generating more produce from the several vegetable gardens on island. This produce supplements the food we order from the mainland. By growing our own food, we are also able to eat fresher, more nutritious food and also reduce the cost of our food bill.
Mainland: Just like a 1940’s victory garden, growing a portion of your own food is a great cause. You are stating that you want to know where your food comes from, and you’re choosing varieties of produce you like. Having your own food in your yard, or in a planter on your porch might also mean less trips to the grocery store.
Eat Your Veggies
Star Island: We know that eating your vegetables isn’t just good for your body, it can be good for the environment, too. Every meal on Star includes a vegetarian option. When you register, just let us know you’ll be choosing the vegetarian option. And while we have your attention, why not consider making your stay on Star a chance to try out being a vegatarian? You’ll still get your protein and iron, don’t worry. Want to learn more? Click here to read about the effects of cattle farming on the environment.
Mainland: Try practicing a vegetarian diet. You might find your grocery bill to be lower than usual, and you might find some awesome recipes that you’ll keep forever. If switching to a vegetarian diet is a bit too much, we suggest trying #MeatlessMondays as a way to incorporate meals one day a week that are less intenstive on the environment.
Star Island: Everything carried to the island needs to be carried off, unless it can be turned into something useful. We separate food waste from trash and compost this to transform it into a beneficial commodity that helps improve island soil in gardens and on the lawn. Chickens also help by eating leftovers such as bread, oatmeal, and mashed potatoes (they love vegetarian pot pie!). Composting food waste helps reduce demands on island boats and provides the island with a reusable product.
Mainland: A small compost bin is easy to use and maintain for household scraps. You can build your own, or check with your town/municipality to see if they participate in a program that offers compost bins for a reduced cost. By composting you reduce the amount of waste that is thrown into landfills. Some municipalities are even starting to collect compost along with trash and recycling. We encourage you to investigate your mainland options including companies that collect compost for you.
Take Fewer, Shorter Showers
Star Island: If you’ve stayed on Star Island you know that we have a shower schedule that provides 3 showers for both staff and guests over a 7-day period. We limit showers because water on-island is hard to come by. Yes, there’s plenty of salt water nearby, but fresh water isn’t readily available (recall the Rime of the Ancient Mariner: Water, water everywhere and not one drop to drink). Fresh water is provided through reverse osmosis of sea water, filtration and disinfection of collected #rainwater, and water delivery by boat (i.e. a lot of work).
Mainland: An every other day shower schedule isn’t just something to practice for water conservation, it’s also recommended for your skin and hair health."
https://starisland.org/the-island/green/practices/
#SolarPunkSunday #SolarPunk #SelfReliance #RenewableEnergy
#Renewables #RenewablesNow
#GreenPractices #OffGrid #IslandLiving #EcoConsciousLiving #IslesOfShoals
#Maine - The Annual Obsolete #Pesticide Program - Deadline for registration is October 5, 2026
"Registration is now open for the 2026 Obsolete Pesticide Collection Program.
2026 Obsolete Pesticide Collection
The Maine Board of Pesticides Control and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection offer Maine residents a free, safe, and environmentally responsible way to dispose of obsolete, unusable, or unwanted pesticides. Collected materials are transported to licensed out-of-state hazardous waste disposal facilities.
The program is open to Maine resident homeowners and family-owned farms.
The program does not accept commercial pesticide waste. Commercial applicators, businesses, and other commercial entities are responsible for disposing of pesticide waste through a licensed hazardous waste contractor.
What can be collected?
The program accepts obsolete or unwanted pesticides, including but not limited to:
#Herbicides
#Insecticides
#Rodenticides
#Fungicides
Disinfectants
Spray adjuvants
Materials may be accepted whether they are unused, banned, no longer usable, frozen, caked, or otherwise unsuitable for use.
Collection Events
One-day collection events will be held in November 2026 at the following locations:
#PresqueIsleME
#BangorME
#AugustaME
#PortlandME
For security reasons, event dates, times, and specific collection locations are provided only to registered participants. Pre-registration is required. Drop-in participants cannot be accepted.
Need to Dispose of Pesticides Sooner?
If you need to dispose of pesticides before the annual collection program, contact your local Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) office for guidance. Many Maine municipalities also host #HouseholdHazardousWaste Collection events during the summer, where residents can safely dispose of pesticides and other household hazardous wastes. Contact your local town office for information about events in your area or see our Disposal Options page for additional guidance. The Board of Pesticides Control cannot provide emergency hazardous waste disposal. If you have an immediate disposal need, contact your local DEP office or a licensed hazardous waste contractor.
Registration Reminder
Pre-registration is required for all participants. Registrations must be submitted by the individual currently possessing the pesticides. Materials delivered on behalf of another person or business cannot be accepted. Registration Deadline: Monday, October 5, 2026.
FMI:
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/pesticides/public/obsolete_pesticide_collection.shtml
#SolarPunkSunday
#MaineEvents #PesticideDisposal #Pesticides #Chemicals #FallCleanups #WasteDisposal
Online Workshop - #Aotearoa / #NewZealand - Why can't I fix my #WashingMachine?
15 Sept 2026, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
"How New Zealanders are getting a bad deal on repair – and what the UK shows is possible.
When a washing machine fails, dirty laundry piles up while owners wait weeks for an authorised repairer. Even simple faults can become expensive repairs once call-out fees and labour charges are added.
Yet many common repairs are straightforward. Replacing a door gasket, detergent hose or drain pump doesn't require specialist qualifications – just basic tools, practical skills, and access to the right information and parts.
We investigated ten popular washing machine brands in New Zealand, grading each manufacturer on whether owners can access repair manuals and purchase spare parts. We found a pattern of barriers that prevent owners from carrying out simple repairs themselves.
Then we repeated the investigation in the UK using the same manufacturers.
The results were dramatically different. Many brands that restrict repair support in New Zealand provide UK consumers with detailed manuals, online parts catalogues, stock availability and direct ordering.
The barriers to repair are not technical or logistical. Manufacturers already have the systems needed to support repair – they simply choose not to make them available to New Zealand consumers."
Audience: Open to all
Cost: Free entry
Venue: This is an online event
Maximum Capacity: 500
Register and find out more:
https://www.repairnetworkaotearoa.org.nz/repair-festival-2026/why-can't-i-fix-my-washing-machine%3F--how-new-zealanders-are-getting-a-bad-deal-on-repair-%E2%80%93-and-what-the-uk-shows-is-possible.
#SolarPunkSunday #FixIt #WashingMachineMaintenance #ReuseRestoreRepair #MakerFest
#RepairFestival2026 #RightToRepair #WashingMachineRepairs
#Aotearoa / #NewZeland - #SewingMachine General Maintenance Workshop
19 Sept 2026
10:40 am – 12:00 pm
569 Ferguson Street, Terrace End, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
"Join us for this workshop alongside our 19 September #PalmerstonNorth #RepairCafé, at the Palmerston North Community Leisure Centre, as part of #RepairFestivalAotearoa.
The workshop will cover:
Cleaning your sewing machine
Oiling and what not to oil, type of oil to use
Setting tensions
Needle and thread selection
Daryl will have sewing machines there to demonstrate. He says that most problems with sewing machines are related to dirt, needles and not oiling properly.
Please feel free to bring along fabric or material which gives an example of your sewing challenges. So if your overlocking is not nice and even, or you have challenges with grinning stitches (where it pulls apart after sewing)."
#SolarPunkSunday #RepairCafesAotearoa #RepairCafesNewZealand #FixIt #SewingMachineMaintenance #ReuseRestoreRepair #MakerFest
#RepairFestival2026