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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2013)
8 • The Southwest Portland Post Dear EarthTalk: What is the new documentary film “A Fierce Green Fire” about and what does the title refer to? – Gloria Howard Washington, DC A Fierce Green Fire is a new film documenting the rise of the modern environmental movement from the 1960s through the present day. It premiered at last year’s Sun- dance Film Festival and will be playing at select theaters across the country beginning in September 2013. Educators, environmental groups and grassroots activists also will be showing the film at small and large events from coast to coast over the course of the fall. Written and directed by Mark Kitchell, Academy Award-nominat- ed director of Berkeley in the Sixties, A Fierce Green Fire (the film) is based on the 1993 book of the same name by environmental journalist Philip Shabecoff. The phrase “a fierce green fire” refers to a longer passage in one of the seminal environmental books of the 20th century, 1949’s A Sand County Almanac. In the famous “Think Like a Mountain” section of that book, au- thor Aldo Leopold relates his experi- ence as part of a predator extirpation team that shoots a wolf in the New Mexico desert: “We reached the old wolf in time to watch a fierce green fire dying in her eyes. “I realized then and have known ever since that there was something new to me in those eyes, something known only to her and to the moun- tain. “I was young then and full of trigger-itch; I thought that because fewer wolves meant more deer, that FEATURES October 2013 neighborhood in industrial society into balance with the 1970s. nature and that each of us can make Act III is all about a difference with a little effort. Greenpeace and ef- Those interested in seeing the forts by Captain film should check out the schedule Paul Watson to of theatrical releases at the film’s save whales and website, www.afiercegreenfire.com. baby harp seals, as The website also features more told by Van Jones. information on the film and fea- Chico Mendes tures historical photos of some of and Brazilian rub- the scenes and events depicted in it. ber tappers take Anyone who wants to find out more center stage in Act about the makings of the modern IV, as narrated by environmental movement should be Isabel Allende, in sure to see A Fierce Green Fire. their fight to save EarthTalk is written and edited by their Amazon rain- Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a forest. Lastly, Act registered trademark of E - The Environ- V focuses on Bill mental Magazine (www.emagazine. McKibben, as told com). Send questions to: earthtalk@ by Meryl Streep, emagazine.com. and the 25-year ef- fort to address the foremost issue of “15 Years of Responsible our time: climate Mortgage Lending” change. Serving my SW Portland Neighbors Intertwined Residential • Investment • Vacation Home within these main Small Commercial Lois Marie Gibbs and other Niagara Falls, New York residents’ stories are strands struggle against pollution buried beneath their Love Canal including the neighborhood in the 1970s, in the documentary film "A Fierce struggle for envi- Green Fire." ronmental justice, getting “back to the land,” and sus- no wolves would mean hunters’ tainability efforts in the developing paradise. But after seeing the green Jeffrey B. McCarter world. NMLS#979994 fire die, I sensed that neither the The film ends on an optimistic Direct: 503-964-1672 wolf nor the mountain agreed with note, driving home the point that GENEVA FINANCIAL, LLC, NMLS#42056 such a view.” environmentalism is really about 205 SE Spokane STE. 300 Kitchell’s film shows how this civilizational change and bringing Portland, Oregon 97202 passage and other writings were instrumental in raising awareness about the importance of wise stew- ardship of the natural environment and as such played a crucial role in the re-birth of the environmental Maplewood – $335,500 movement in the 1960s. Featuring five “acts,” each with its Spacious 4 BR 2.5 BA own central story and character, the 2227 sq ft house set on film depicts a central environmental quiet cul-de-sac near conflict of each decade since the Multnomah Village in the 1960s. Maplewood area. Kitchen w/ attached family room features sliders to backyard. Bonus room over garage. This home is a The first act, narrated by Robert fixer, flooring and subflooring missing in most rooms, house Redford, focuses on David Brower needs work, paint and new floor coverings. Jeff Parker and the Sierra Club’s battle to halt Your Neighborhood dams in the Grand Canyon in the The inventory of houses for sale in the Portland Metro area Realtor Since 1980 1960s. remains at historic lows. High demand for homes in our area Act II, narrated by Ashley Judd, coupled with low interest rates and lack of homes for sale translates to higher prices! If you are thinking of selling contact us tells the story of Lois Gibbs and today for a free market analysis. other Niagara Falls, New York residents’ struggle against pollution 503-977-1888•7830SW35thAve.,Portland,OR buried beneath their Love Canal www.parkerrealtyportland.com New Safeway almost completed Construction workers put the finishing touches on the exterior of the new Safeway supermarket at Southwest Barbur Boulevard and Capitol Hill Road. With its grand opening scheduled for early November, there's still time to apply for a position. The balcony faces Mt. Hood to the East. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand) Parker Realty, Inc.