A Dry Winter

http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/DM_state.htm?VA,SE

Just a quick note to let you know we're having a bit of a dry winter and by the looks of this data, we're in a moderate drought.  I must say I'm a bit concerned for what's in store this summer if we're already this dry. 

Majora Carter: 3 stories of local eco-entrepreneurship

City of Roanoke Green Academy

Citizens for Clean and Green are pleased to present the City of Roanoke Green Academy. If you are a resident of the City of Roanoke and are interested in reducing your energy costs and learning about green building, then this series of evening classes is for you. Regional experts will share their knowledge on everything from energy conservation and weatherization to renewable energy and water conservation.

Sessions begin Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011, at Fishburn Park Elementary School and continue on Thursday evenings – Jan. 20, Jan. 27, and Feb. 3 – for a total of four weeks. Classes will start at 5:30 p.m. with a light dinner; each program will run from 6 to 8 p.m. A graduation event will be held Feb. 11. (Location TBD.)

An online application is available here: http://www.roanokeva.gov/85256A8D0062AF37/CurrentBaseLink/N28C5PFA895JBEDEN. Or you may download the informational brochure and application form and return it by mail.

For more information, please contact Director of General Services and Sustainability Ken Cronin at (540) 853-1805.

Greening the Holidays

Like you, I am interested in finding ways to make life

a bit easier and to cut costs when i can.

Here are some websites that I find invaluable at

doing both:

www.flylady.net

http://www.flylady.net/images/HCJ2003.pdf

www.cannywomen.com

www.treehugger.com

When it comes to the holidays, who couldn't use a little help keeping costs down while learning to tread lightly on the Earth?

here are what some folks have suggested:

~Use LED lights and use less strands of lights to help with the electric bill.

~if someone on your gift lift doesn't need anything, give to a charity of her/his choice in her/his name.

~when it comes to meals, buy local, go vegetarian or vegan, if you so choose and take a walk after your big meal

~Use nontoxic cleaners as you

~serve an Organic bubbly for new year's eve

~focus on your own Personal development instead of focusing on -new year's resolutions.  Work on yourself a little bit at a time~~cut down on clutter, volunteer your time or money, improve your recycling habits,  speak out for those who can't or won't

~before putting your decorations away, Swap or donate unwanted items

~ wrap presents using maps, sewing patterns, towels, material, bandannas, brown paper, the Sunday Comics.  cut magazines into strips to use as filler in gift bags or the bottom of gift baskets

~purchase your Holiday tree from a local tree farm or buy a small tree in a pot and reuse each year,

~I'm fond of buying online and taking advantage of free shipping whenever possible.  What are your thoughts?  Is Online shopping vs. shopping big box stores or local stores better or worse for the environment?

Below are the links where you will find these ideas and more to help you enjoy the holiday season:

 http://earth911.com/seasonal/green-your-holidays/

http://environment.about.com/od/greenchristmas/a/green_shipping.htm

http://www.sierraclub.org/tips/holidays.aspx

http://greenopolis.com/goblog/green-groove/go-green-christmas-recycled-decorations

http://greenopolis.com/goblog/litegreen/what-will-i-do-all-these-used-christmas-greeting-cards 

http://www.treehugger.com/giftguide/?campaign=th_nav_holidays#08gg

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/green-holidays-guide3.html

http://www.thefamilygroove.com/GiftGuide09_Green.htm 

October 2010 Meeting

Hey everyone!
I hope you are doing well.  :-)

Our next meeting is this Tuesday, October 19th, 7 PM- 8 PM.

We will be meeting at Cups Coffee & Tea on Grandin Rd. @ Westover in the Rockfish Grill building.  
The address is 1402 Grandin Rd.
Roanoke, VA 24015

Our topic will be greening the holidays: Tips, tricks, and ways to green the holidays, 'do' instead of 'buy', all to keep costs down and, of course, go easy on Mother Earth.

Below are some links to websites you might find useful.

See you then!
Suzanne


 http://earth911.com/seasonal/green-your-holidays/

http://environment.about.com/od/greenchristmas/a/green_shipping.htm

http://www.sierraclub.org/tips/holidays.aspx

http://greenopolis.com/goblog/green-groove/go-green-christmas-recycled-decorations

http://greenopolis.com/goblog/litegreen/what-will-i-do-all-these-used-christmas-greeting-cards 

http://www.treehugger.com/giftguide/?campaign=th_nav_holidays#08gg

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/green-holidays-guide3.html

http://www.thefamilygroove.com/GiftGuide09_Green.htm 

https://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2240831/ecofriendly_christmas_cards_that_give.html?cat=46 

September Meeting 2010

We will be discussing Car Sharing on September 21st, 2010, 7 PM, at the Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea in Salem.

Jeremy Holmes, Director of Ride Solutions will be on hand to discuss Car Sharing in the Big Lick area in the not too distant future.

~~~Jeremy will not be able to attend tonight.

Sailing Into the Future

Several times this week I've been pryvy to the affects the current economy is having on people.

Some folks are looking down-trodden, frustrated, bits of anger flaring;  Others are flourishing, 

happy, eager to help others. 

New stores have opened in the area while some big companies are announcing that

they'll be closing some of their brick and mortar locations.

The pendulum is swinging back the other way in the real estate market,

however, those in the know are saying a couple of more years til we

get back to normal. 

I don't know about you, but I don't have the patience to wait and certainly not for a couple of years.

This summer I have taken matters into my own hands, have set sail, and am eager to share with

you where I'm headed and how I'm getting there.

 

Until next time, as my friend Nikki says, Live, love, laugh, share, and pay it forward!

Suz

Facebook Link

Another place to stay connected is Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Lick-Green-Businesses-Tribe/147054964510?ref=ts

August Meeting

WOW!  My how the summer has flown!
Have you enjoyed all the hot, humid, sunny weather?


We will be meeting at the Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea ~ Salem
on Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 7 PM.

Come enjoy a cold beverage while conversing with other local Greenies. 
Feel free to bring a friend!
We're super casual!

This month let's talk about whether or not we are driving less than we used to.  Why or why not?  Is Car Sharing a viable option in the Roanoke area?


http://www.realtor.org/wps/wcm/connect/2af3d68042b1f8658117b5d4db880d7c/cpa_smartgrowth_ocg_summer2010_2.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=2af3d68042b1f8658117b5d4db880d7c

No Meeting in July

No meeting July 2010.
We will meet again in August.
Again, no meeting tomorrow.  Enjoy your summer!

AEP ends Green Pricing Program

Did you know that AEP did away with their Green Pricing Program?

February Meeting 2010

Tuesday February 16th 7-8:30 PM Panera @ Valley View. We will be discussing education, Earth Day and the 3/50 project.

November Meeting

Do to the upcoming holiday, we'll be meeting this month on Tuesday, Nov. 17th, 2009, @ Panera Bread Valley View, 7:00 PM. I know some of you may already have prior commitments, and I understand that.

Wishing each of you safe travels and the happiest of Thanksgivings!

We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count.
~Neil A. Maxwell

September's Meeting Topic

It's funny how life works sometimes.
I've been away from the 'green scene' for about a week, and the Universe has redirected me back to it now that I have time to focus once again.

Several people are asking about greening their business. What can they do? What tips/tricks/advice do I have?

These questions came at a great time and I think this is a great discussion for this month's meeting.
Let's start by looking at our office environment. Do you recycle? What do you recycle?
Who participates in the recycling? Do the products in your office have low-toxicity?
Are there any little green lights on when you leave your office at the end of the day/night?
Where did your furniture come from? Is it low-carbon furniture?
Do you have a green library? What sort of items does it contain?
How green are your print materials?
Do you use the web for your advertising?
Do you know the life-cycle of the products and materials you use?
What kinds of green gifts do you give?

August 2009 Meeting

Our meeting this month will be on
Tuesday, August 25th, @ 7 PM
@ Panera Bread, Valley View

Feel free to spread the word and bring a friend. :-)

Green Pages, Green Entrepreneurs, and Green Manufacturing

July's meeting held a lot of great discussion and I'd like us to
expand on that.

What do y'all think of the local Green Pages?
http://www.lifestreamcenter.org/greenpages.html

What kind of research do we want to pursue in terms of bringing green
manufacturing to the area?

What will it take to bring green businesses here?

How do we get the entrepreneurs to develop ideas for green
businesses, services, products and then how do we promote
them?

How do we go about educating the general public on the various aspects
of green living?

How do we create competition and drive down the prices of green
products and services,
making them affordable for all?

A GreenPrint for Your Home

August 1st, 2009
Taubman Museum
Auditorium 2-6 PM
usgbcswva.org