See the Article at Citizen.com

"Green Measures" CD and solar greenhouse project off to a great start
- The Record Enterprise, Donna Rhodes

Chase St. Market and the Cafe Monte Alto were bustling with happy people, great food and drink and live music from the Bow Junction band Friday night as Atta Girl Records released their CD, "Green Measures".

The party was given courtesy of Chase St. to assist the Thornton record company in their latest "Green Measures Solar Greenhouse Project", benefitting local schools and communities who wish to participate.

Every CD sold at a cost of $12 goes toward the purchase of a year round solar greenhouse. Interested schools would help sell the CD and $10 of each sale goes directly to the purchase of their greenhouse. The remaining $2 goes toward production of more CD's to perpetuate the project for others.

A model of the Growing Dome greenhouse, designed by Michael Udgar Parsons of Colorado, was on display for the evening and dealers Rick and Joann Vollmer of Growing Spaces in Thornton were on hand to explain how they work. The unique and eyepleasing design in the form of a geo-dome allows these greenhouses to capture every bit of sunlight and use it within the structure for year-round growing capabilities. A pool of water within regulates the heat inside the greenhouse. If temperatures rise to high, paraffin wax melts and triggers a system that cools the dome. No electricity is ever used.

"We really believe in these greenhouses and we decided, 'Let's go local!' - no one gets the money except the project", said Atta Girl member Rikki Ramsden. "It's been really exciting! We started six months ago to get the CD done ( to raise money) for it and tonight we released it. Chase St. Market put on this whole night with the food and wine, and Bow Junction donated their time to play tonight - they've been terrific!"

Kris Olsen, of Atta Girl says sales of the CD were very good right from the start of the evening. Many people, looking over the list of musicians on the recording, were excited about the selection. New Hampton selectman, Paul Tierney, and his wife Mary were among those who had come out for the release party and to hear Bow Junction perform.

"This is a great line-up of musicians", Tierney said as he scanned a flyer for the CD. "And $12 is a great price!", his wife added.

The CD is a complilation of music by musicians who believe in the concept of "green living". All have donated their time to the recording, accepting no royalties from the project whatsoever. Recording artist Jonathan Edwards, who lives a "green" lifestyle, has been very supportive of the project from the beginning, Ramsden said. Tom Rush has contributed a song, "Sailing (Sarah's Song)", never before released on any other album. Also included are artists Justin Bennett, Jennifer Kimball, Dan Merrill, Cheryl Wheeler, Jason Spooner, PossumHaw, Eliza Gilkyson, Unu Mondo, Do'a, Jan Marvel and Susie Burke & David Surrette. Folk, bluegrass, jazz, Celtic music, country and contemporary tunes make this an enjoyable album for all.

Across the U.S. schools have been using these structures to study environmental science, engineering, art, nutrition, hydro-culture, ecology and much more. Ramsden reports that Plymouth Regional High School is currently considering the project at the school and students are excited about the prospect. She is hopeful that other N.H. schools will take an interest as well.

Atta Girl Records has produced three albums so far, the second of which was released in 2004. All proceeds from the "Tsunami Relief Project" was given to CARE to assist people in the Indonesian region following the devastating tsunami that struck there on Christmas day. "That was a great thing!", Ramsden said of CARE, "We did our research and they were a group that really gave to the victims, so we went with them. They were so impressed with what we did that they even allowed us to put their name on the CD."

Anyone interested in participating in a grid-free greenhouse project for their school or community may contact Atta Girl Records at 603-726-8980 or visit their website, www.attagirlrecords.com for more details and a sampling of the music on this release.