Stimulating the economy with a smart purchase

Today I did my part by stimulating the economy with a purchase of a new smart car. The rep at the Smart Center in Bedford, OH said I would love driving the car and he was so right. I didn't want to stop driving it around today. I tested it in the city and the country, taking it out to Hinckley Park and Granger township to test the curves and hills on the narrow country roads.

The automated clutch takes a little bit of getting used to. I found that the lighter I was on the throttle in first to second, the better the shift. Yet out on the highway, I managed to zip up the entrance ramp and merge into traffic with no problem. Then I was going 65 before I knew it -- whoa! I could have easily gone faster if so inclined.

I took it to a few places in Montrose, checking out its parking capabilities. One should never pull a smart car all the way in to a parking place. Other drivers will attempt to pull in, because they don't see the rear of a car sticking out as they approach. A man and a woman came up to my window in the parking lot outside of Mustard Seed. Thought it might be an electric car. Nope, not yet -- a fleet of electric smarts are being tested in London this year. Maybe two or more years til they can be had here. The couple were totally struck by the car's uniqueness, and of course, cute-factor. The woman could not stop saying, "Oh how cute!" Like it's a pet or something.

Inside the showroom, the smart cars feel large and inviting. Outside, on the lot they almost look like toys compared to the rows of Mercedes in the lot next door. (in the beginning, Mercedes co-developed the smart with Swatch (watches) Group. The design elements are the result of forward thinking (ecologically and aesthetically) in approaching automotive design. Indeed the logo, a capital "C" (Compact) linked with an arrow (Forward Thinking) provides a visual manifesto, probably the shortest one ever written! The designation of an uncapitalized "smart" as brand name is playful and at the same time encourages us to be smart about everything that we make and use in our daily lives.

A smart car is exhibited in the Metropolitan museum of art. Smart enthusiasts wrap their plastic panels in skins and spray or hand-paint designs and images over the solid color plastic panels. The panels can be recycled into new panels for the smart cars of the future.

While some people view smart cars as design objects or fashion icons, I do think some smart owners have turned their cars into pets. They give them names such as "Bluebelle", "Mustard Seed" or "Bruiser" and assign them a gender. (Check out variously named vehicles at the Smart Car of America Forums, a place where the collective wisdom of smart enthusiasts is gathered and available for all.)

Today was a perfect Ohio all-kinds-of-weather-all-day-long day. I drove it off the lot into bone-chilling temps. So I reached for the seat heater button and felt immediate warming relief. Later, winds buffeted traffic on the expressway, but the smart stayed on course easily. After spending the evening with friends, I went out to depart to find snow and slush all over everything, including my new smart. I got in and headed up a slippery hill on one of Akron's delightful old red brick-paved streets. Not a slip or slide. "Grippy," I thought.

Naturally, by the end of day one, I was calling the car "Grippy" out loud, practicing my best Stephen Colbert imitation. I tried to avoid the issue of gender. Grippy is all black on the exterior, with a hot red with black interior design. I know when the panels are switched out to red against the black tridion, the car's name will change. And once the Kinks Preservation Society bumper sticker goes on, the car will gain a gender as well. Red and black and Preservation -- Here Comes Mr Flash!

And I swore I'd never name a car! Well, I'll never fork over the money for vanity plates. Because I have to save up for a navigating system. Gotta keep stimulating that economy, you know.

Pix to come soon. What you see above is a stock photo of a black Passion with black interior.

Coal or passive heat -- hmmm?

This?

















or this?



















Two stories in the New York Times focus on home energy. In Germany, architects and engineers have been working on building passive houses, with no furnaces. They work because the homes are insulated to the point that heat from appliances and bodies is all that it takes to keep things snug. Instead of a furnace, a heat exchanger is the only equipment needed. Fresh air coming into the house is heated by the stale air going out.

In Germany, the added cost of building a passive house is about 5 - 7% according to the NYT article. However, that cost would rise in the US because the heat exchangers and special window and door units are not on the shelves at Lowe's or anywhere else. And another problem for acceptance of this kind of house in the US is the fact that they are built on the small side, the usual allocation is of 500 sq feet per person per house. Americans are obsessed with more space to house more stuff, rather than focusing on energy efficiency.

So what is the growing trend in terms of home heating here in the US? According to the other article in the NYT -- it's coal. Yep, people are buying coal furnaces and loading up on anthracite. And breathing in all kinds of particulates. Lovely. Be sure to check out the picture of the happy coal family -- dad loading up the furnace with coal while mom tosses baby into the particulate laden air.

Meanwhile, a guy in Berkeley, CA is attempting to build a passive home, but the green certification folks won't give him credit for using the heat exchanger -- too exotic or beyond their comprehension? And in Akron, as you drive past all the new housing developments being built for folk with low to working class incomes, imagine what a boost you could give those people by building housing that essentially provides all their heating needs at no cost once the house is built. And of course, think of the jobs that could be created by manufacturing the necessary passive window and door structures, plus the heat exchangers right here in the USA.

Had enough economic stimulation? Buy Nothing!

News reports indicate consumers are beginning to pay in cash rather than use credit cards. A good idea, but why not simply opt out of buying a lot of useless junk? Black Friday fast approaches, and I urge you to stay at home and Buy Nothing! Yes, it is the 17th annual day dedicated to throwing a wrench in the capitalistic machine.

Ever wonder what it takes to make all that stuff in China that ends up in your Walmart cart? Check out the opening scene to the documentary Manufactured Landscapes:

Long fascinated with the impact of industrial development on natural landscapes, photographer Edward Burtynsky travels to China to witness the effects of the country's explosive urbanization. This thought-provoking documentary accompanies Burtynsky on his journey, elaborating on his intriguing still images while probing issues surrounding short-term progress versus long-term environmental health.

It's the perfect antidote for the urge to consume mindlessly:

Setting the rules for our dumping grounds

Did you see the interesting report in the ABJ this weekend about who gets to dump their waste in landfills operating in the Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne district? Evidently the folk there are getting tired of all the hassles associated with providing dumping grounds for the surrounding counties. Things like noxious smells, toxic leaching, and possible air, ground and water pollution continue to plague Countywide Landfill, for example.

So that district made up some new rules that state quite simply, they aren't going to accept waste from communities that are not recycling at the same or greater rate as Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne. According to the article, 17 counties do not meet that criteria, including Summit. (There is a catch, however -- if a county has a greater access to recycling than Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne, then they can still dump their trash. Two counties from the list of 17 qualify on access grounds, and that includes Summit.)

Bob Downing's story doesn't answer the big question that leaped into my mind -- why are all these counties unable to achieve higher levels of recycling? Does it cost too much? What is the long term cost of not achieving higher rates of recycling, both residential and commercial/industrial?

One final dismal thought -- if Ohio continues to lose population, we may have to open up the whole state to dumping. If you can't get people to live here, then why not turn it into one giant dumping ground?

Bonus Link: Here's a blog entry about seven quilts that were saved from a landfill. Enjoy the beauty of the saved work and wonder at the minds that thought it was okay to throw away such historic works of folk art.

Bailing on the US Auto Industry

I hear that Obama wants to bail out the US auto industry. I hope he's talking about the workers and not the corporate wrong decision makers. You know who I'm talking about -- the folks who brought us the gas-hog Hummers and the unsustainable SUVs. I call 'em wrong decision makers, but I'm sure that their corporate boards loved them for selling so many expensive cars for so long.

I've decided to bail on US cars. My Ford Ranger is 14 going on 15, and still runs well enough to get me through another winter. However, I knew I'd be facing another car purchase soon, so I began looking last spring. I wanted something green that I could afford. That led me to the Smart ForTwo car. I put down a $99 deposit on one last March, but the demand was so high for these nifty two-seaters that all the 2008 year models sold out long before my turn in line arrived.

Last Friday, I got my Configuration email from SmartUSA. This means that I got to go over my initial order, change any details and return it so that my car goes into production -- in Europe. Sometime between April and June, my little red Smart Car will arrive in Ohio! Wanna see what it will look like?

















I ordered the basic Pure version (basic price: $ 11,990.00) rather than the upscale models. After all, these are tough economic times and I really don't have any desire for a convertible. I like the idea of having a hard roof over my head and I certainly don't need a sun roof in order to tan while driving. I did configure in some additional features:

Heated seats		$ 220.00

smart radio (AM/FM, single CD; incl. 2 speakers, Aux input jack)		$ 350.00

Anti-theft alarm system		$ 160.00

Air conditioning with automatic temperature control (incl. dust, pollen filter)		$ 600.00

Destination charge:	$ 645.00
Total price[*]:	$ 13,965.00

It has a Mitsubishi engine and a Mercedes-designed super safe body, receiving top safety rankings for its pod-like design. And the gas useage? 33 city and 41 highway. It is the fourth most fuel efficient car in the US, but at half the price of a Prius.

Having driven a small truck for years, I am quite used to the small size of a truck cab. In fact, the Smart car will feel larger as I don't have any room behind the seats of my truck, just the flatbed of the truck that has been empty space I've been hauling around for over a decade. Every now and then, I might haul something in the back of the truck, but with the Smart Car, if I need to haul something big, I'll either have it delivered or rent a trailer. But mostly, I'm thinking that driving the Smart Car is yet another step toward downsizing my life. The less space available, the less I will be tempted to fill it with yet more unnecessary stuff.

Smart is planning on introducing an all electric model in 2010. I won't wait for that one, because at 35K only rich folks will be buying it. The Smart car remains the least expensive of the green cars available. It was designed with "green" in mind:

"The smart fortwo is produced at "smartville" in Hambach, France. System partners on site deliver the prefabricated modules directly to the production line. Protecting the environment, energy efficiency and preservation of natural resources are hallmarks of smart brand. It starts with smart development through to the production of the cars in smartville. For example, only water-soluble paints are used for the smart's three basic colors – black, white and red. Painting the tridion safety cell is done by the powder-coating process. This removes the need for solvents. The body panels with molded-in color are fully recyclable. Environmental Management is a high priority in Hambach. smart is dedicated to protecting the environment with future focused recycling and an environmental policy that makes a strong statement.

The smart fortwo is also classified as an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) due to its extremely low exhaust emissions. The catalytic converter is positioned close to the engine for a quick response. An electric pump blows fresh air into the exhaust port when the engine is cold to almost completely oxidize the carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) and render them harmless."

It's just too bad that US automakers chose to ignore such things as the end of cheap petroleum and the effects of carbon burning gas guzzling SUVs on the environment. Instead, they trashed their electric models and chose to build bigger and flashier instead of smaller and greener. So bail out the workers, if you must bail out anybody. Give them the empty factories and a mandate to come up with an American smart car. But until that happens, I've committed to the made in France Smart ForTwo.

One guy started a blog about his Smart car. You can check it out here.

Hurricane Relief

I think it is entirely appropriate that the Republicans have scaled back their convention and are focusing on raising money for Hurricane Gustav relief. After all, the Republicans are the ones with all that extra money to donate and then write off on their taxes. And the Republicans are also the ones who don't like "government" to take care of the citizens in need. So let them foot the bill for Gustav -- after they've taken care of everybody still living in Katrina trailers.

It is very obvious that the Gulf coast has a long way to go before it is able to survive the increasing hurricane activity that comes with climate change. With rising sea levels on the horizon and decreasing wetlands lost to out of control human commerce and development, our government lucked out today. The hurricane's path and velocity were not of a level to breach the levees and for that we give a nod to luck and to some repairs made by the Army Corps of Engineers who say they will be finished with all the levee repairs by 2011. According to this August 23, 2008 AP report, the levee repairs and reconstruction post-Katrina have been fraught with all kinds of problems:

In a yearlong review of levee work here, The Associated Press has tracked a pattern of public misperception, political jockeying and legal fighting, along with economic and engineering miscalculations since Katrina, that threaten to make New Orleans the scene of another devastating flood.

They dodged it this time -- but in the long term, a lot more thought, environmental engineering, and money need to go into solving the problems of living on the Gulf Coast. Somehow I doubt the Republicans will give enough to make a difference. You can help out via Barack Obama's web site -- just click here.

From Senator Sherrod Brown

When I read about the 10 million solar roof act, I popped over to Senator Brown's web site and sent a message in support of that bill. I wasn't prompted to do so by MoveOn.org or the numerous other progressive and/or Democratic groups who are always calling for mass emails to various persons of power. Nope, I did it because I thought it was a very cool green idea that would help give this country a kick start in its way too complacent and cushioned rear.

Did nobody get what Al Gore just said a few weeks back? Is no one paying attention to all the penguins dying, the seas filling with plastic dead zones and on and on? To get ten million solar roofs up in 1o years means getting a whole lot of folks involved in manufacturing and installing these things, and it gives people of moderate and working class incomes the opportunity to benefit from lower energy costs. Heck, I want to be first in line for one of those 10 million solar roofs!

So in a temporary burst of feeling like one email could matter, I wrote to Senator Brown. Forgot all about it until I received this emailed reply today. I don't care if it was written by a staffer or is one of a dozen canned responses -- it is still music to my ears! Senator Brown is a smart guy and he clearly sees what is needed in terms of an energy policy for this country. Senator Obama would do well to start singing the same green notes.

I appreciate hearing your ideas and agree that we need bold, innovative approaches that enhance our nation’s energy security. We need to create a new approach to energy policy where we move away from subsidizing 19th century resources like coal, oil, and natural gas and broaden our energy portfolio by investing in the clean, renewable energy sources that will power the 21st century.

For far too long our country has pursued a policy of consumption rather than conservation when it comes to energy usage. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on foreign oil, we must pursue significant and innovative energy-saving efforts. The recently passed energy bill included numerous energy efficiency initiatives as well as an increase in fuel economy standards. This legislation not only provides common-sense ways to reduce consumption, but fundamentally changes our nation’s approach to energy policy.

It is also important that we provide the funds needed to rapidly develop our next generation energy sources and technology. That is why I introduced the Green Energy Production Act (S.2940). This bill would provide the resources and encourage the entrepreneurship needed to bring alternative energy sources to the marketplace and make our schools and communities more energy efficient.

Sound and sustainable energy policy must be a national priority as we work to bring green-collar jobs to Ohio, lessen the impact of climate change, and strengthen our nation's energy security. Thank you again for writing and I will keep your support in mind as future energy legislation comes before the Senate.


Sincerely,
Sherrod Brown

You can read the full text of Senator Brown's proposed bill here. It is full of practical ways to turn our communities into energy efficient neighborhoods, providing funds for energy research and development. It also addresses the need to set up training and apprenticeship opportunities in green energy businesses. We are going to need a workforce that automatically thinks in terms of sustainable, energy-saving, non-toxic solutions to how we house, feed, cloth and furnish our lives.

Reading that bill, I started thinking about the idea of a green Kenmore once more. Filling up all those empty store fronts on Kenmore Blvd with green businesses. Squeezing out the game of chance parlors and putting in shops filled with products manufactured out of recycled materials. Further on down the boulevard, there are blocks of small manufacturing buildings that could be set to work recycling materials and manufacturing products that are ecologically safe. And wouldn't it be great to have solar, wind and geothermal production training programs in the Career Ed track at Kenmore High School? Senator Brown's bill would provide the funds to do just that.

If you think this bill is a good idea, whether you are from Ohio or any other state, write to your senators in support of it. Tell 'em what you think and help spread the word.

Detritus of the Day

I had the cable news-babble going this afternoon.

First, a huge thank you to Senator Sherrod Brown for voting against the FISA bill today. You can see who voted for and against here. Senator Clinton did the right thing, but I see that Senators Biden and Richardson voted aye. Think they are aligning themselves for the VP slot?

Throughout the afternoon, the news people were torn between reporting the very important breaking news about Iranian missiles or the apparently equally important breaking news that the Ramsey family has been ruled out as suspects in the 12 year old JonBenet Ramsey murder case.

According to one earnest news spinner, the Iranian posturing "plays to McCain's strength" ie foreign relations. Why is foreign relations a strength of McCain's? Because he is a hawk? That's the sad truth. People who prefer negotiation can't ever be considered strong. Funny how in school we are all trained to teach our students to avoid aggression in dealings with each other. Punishment is swift for any kid who strikes another. We spend years teaching our students how to work cooperatively. And yet on the international playground, we see grown men drawing lines in the dirt and daring the grown men on the other side to just try and cross this line and see what happens. What happens is weapons blasting, lives lost, atmosphere poisoned. Great way to solve problems, fellas.

I broke away from the breaking news and hopped on the new bike for my first ride to the Acme. Last night's rain cooled things down, so it was a glorious sunny yet comfortable ride through Kenmore. I'm amazed at how fast I can get places on my bike. And how riding it brings me into the community I'm riding through, unlike driving down the boulevard hidden inside the cab of my truck. Tomorrow I'm venturing even further, taking a bike ride over to U of A for a thesis conference with my advisor. Yes, it still isn't finished, but I've put myself on a writing schedule for the summer that will bring it to completion before school starts at the end of August.

Finally, if you haven't read yesterday's post on Greensburg, please do and be sure to check out the comments. Anita, a resident of Greensburg popped in here to update us on how the town is doing. Be sure to visit Greensburg GreenTown for all the latest news on the greening of Greensburg:

Greensburg GreenTown is a nonprofit organization established to provide the residents of Greensburg, Kansas with the resources, information and support they need to rebuild Greensburg as a model green community following the May 2007 tornado. Read more about our programs in the About Us section.

They are seeking a million five dollar contributions to help them achieve their goals. Please consider contributing -- I already did and challenge all my readers to do so as well.

Upcoming Green Events in Akron/Cleveland

I've been totally immersed in the garden over the three day weekend (and have the sore muscles to prove it!). Meanwhile, a number of "green" event announcements have made their way into my email box. Hope to see you all at one or more of these worthwhile events:

"An Ohio RPS! How Was It Passed & What Does It Mean for the Akron Region?"
Thursday, May 29th, 6:15 - 7:30 PM
Ohio Brewing Company
222 S. Main Street
Akron, Ohio 44308
Join GEO as we discuss a historical measure for the state of Ohio - the passage of Am. Sub. Senate Bill 221 that was signed into law by Governor Strickland on May 1st, 2008. This bill includes the adoption of a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which provides that 12.5% of Ohio's Electricity will come from renewable energy resources by 2025. The RPS is part of the Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard [CLICK HERE]. See summaries of Am Sub SB 221 provisions on the Bricker & Ekler law firm site [CLICK HERE].

Speakers:
Amy Gomberg - Environment Ohio
Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic (Invited)
Ohio Representative Vernon Sykes (Invited)

Learn more on upcoming clean energy events, and network with professionals and others dedicated to creating a sustainable energy economy in Ohio. The event is Free and open to the public.

Please RSVP by May 27th to Program Manager Athan Barkoukis at Athan@GreenEnergyOhio.org.

Blossom Music Center Is Going Green.

Blossom administration has a new green initiative. Recycling (including purchasing) will be a top priority this year. Making sure the recyclables are collected and placed in the correct container is not an easy job considering there can be over 20,000 people attending a concert with approximately 50 employees per event.

Blossom Music Center and the Summit Akron Solid Waste Management Authority are partnering to coordinating volunteers to help the maintenance staff in collecting the recyclables off the grounds at the end of each concert.

To show their appreciation to the volunteers for helping to keep recyclables from entering the landfills, Blossom will give FREE concert tickets to volunteers that assist with this task. To qualify volunteers must collect recyclables after three concerts to earn tickets (approximately 6 hours of volunteering.)

Volunteers can pick out concert tickets of their choice. Blossom would like five-ten volunteers per concert, ages 18 or older.

The first concert is May 31, 2008 Eric Clapton. Clean-up is the next morning. We need five volunteers to collect recyclables from the grounds on June 1, 2008 at 9:00 am.

Call me if you have any questions or want to sign up, Lisa Bostwick 330-338-1243

June Schedule

Date	Concert	Time	Number of volunteers
June 1,2008	Eric Clapton	9:00 a.m.	5
June 13, 2008	Iron Madden	9:00 a.m.	5
June 16,2008	Brooks and Dunn	9:00 a.m.	5
June 18, 2008	Jack Johnson	9:00 a.m.	20
June 23, 2008	Tom Petty	9:00 a.m.	10

SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY IN AKRON

E4S Greater Akron Network Event

Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Time: 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm Location: GOJO Industries General Price: Free

Discover the Possibilities with the E4S Network Join 120+ leaders from business, government, academia and nonprofit organizations as we explore the possibilities to bring triple bottom line benefits to your business or organization and the region. Discover how to reduce costs, generate new revenue opportunities, start new businesses or product lines while reducing environmental and climate impacts. More Details about Sustainable Mobility Program Coming Soon! Registration is Required: Click here to register online or call 216-451-7755. Event Sponsorships Available: E4S is actively seeking event and program sponsors to help grow the E4S Hub. Sponsorships start at $1,500 per event to reach nearly 6,000 people interested in building a sustainable economy in Northeast Ohio. Contact Courtney for more information on sponsorship at courtney@e4s.org or via phone (216) 451-7755. Request a Display Table: If you have sustainable products or services for businesses, we welcome your display table request. A staff member will get back to you within a few days of your form submission. E4S Members receive $50 off tables. For more information contact Peter at 216-451-7755. $150 - Full Table $100 - Half Table

The Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force

Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Time: 4:00 am to 8:00 pm
Location: Joseph E. Cole Center, Cleveland State University, 3100 Chester Avenue ,Cleveland, OH 44115
General Price: Free

The Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force is bringing all Ohioans to the table to explore the broad spectrum of transportation issues facing the state. With your input, we will prioritize how the state balances the movement of people and freight, promotes safety and reduces congestion, creates jobs and encourages responsible growth, helps to build sustainable communities, and links all modes of transportation - connecting highways to rail, aviation, water ports, and transit.

For more information contact ODOT Communications, at 614-644-8640

ENGAGE ALL YOUR EMPLOYEES IN SUSTAINABLE CHANGE

E4S Third Tuesday Network Event

Share Your Best Practices

Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 Time: 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm register for this eventrequest a display table Location: Great Lakes Brewing Company, Tasting Room, 2701 Carroll Ave. Cleveland General Price: Free

Discover the Possibilities with the E4S Network
Join 200+ leaders from business, government, academia and nonprofit
organizations as we explore the possibilities to bring triple bottom
line benefits to your business or organization and the region. Discover
how to reduce costs, generate new revenue opportunities, start new
businesses or product lines while reducing environmental and climate
impacts.

Registration is Required: RSVP for this free event today by filling out our online
form, or call 216-451-7755.

Directions: Follow GLBC instructions to the Brewery Tasting Room, 2701 Carroll Ave. (click here)

Request a Display Table:
If you have sustainable products or services for businesses, we
welcome your display table request. A staff member will get back to you
within a few days of your form submission. E4S Members receive $50 off
tables. For more information contact Peter at 216-451-7755.

• $150 – Full Table
• $100 – Half Table
  
• 
  

Dump the Pump Week

Week of June 16th

Official Dump the Pump Day is Thursday, June 19th

METRO will have a live radio remote with WKDD on Monday the 16th or Tuesday the 17th at Eddy’s bike shop on Exchange (or ??? awaiting some final stuff)

Prior to the event DAP will promote with flyers, emails, lit drops in parking lots,…throughout downtown. Persons can park at various remote parking for free and use as a park and ride lot on Thursday, June 19th (if they take buses to their final destination). Thursday, June 19th will be a ride METRO FREE day. Except for the METRO SCAT service and the NorthCoast Express Service to Cleveland. Persons who ride METRO on Thursday, June 19th receive a “ticket” to attend the DAP event on Friday, June 20th in downtown Akron from 4 pm – 7 pm. The ticket can be used to ride to downtown on Friday (from 5 pm -9 pm) for free on a METRO bus. The ticket will be surrendered at the event for a freebie at the DAP event. The ticket will also be used as a prize drawing for persons to win a bike*. The passenger/ticket holder will have to pay for their return trip on the bus. METRO pass holders can present their 31-day pass at 121 South Main St (our customer service window) for a free gift, since they won’t benefit from a free fare day.

Throughout the week METRO will conduct prize patrols on METRO buses and pass out “gifts” to riders. We will do various cross promoting, as well.

*METRO will work with Car Gear or Eddy’s Bike Shop as a potential vendor/location for radio remote. Perhaps they can raffle off a bike to persons who turn in their ticket at the DAP event.

The Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force

Date: Monday, June 23, 2008
Time: 4:00 am to 8:00 pm
Location: John S. Knight Center, 77 East Mill Street , Akron, OH 44308
General Price: Free

The Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force is bringing all Ohioans to the table to explore the broad spectrum of transportation issues facing the state. With your input, we will prioritize how the state balances the movement of people and freight, promotes safety and reduces congestion, creates jobs and encourages responsible growth, helps to build sustainable communities, and links all modes of transportation - connecting highways to rail, aviation, water ports, and transit.

For more information contact ODOT Communications, at 614-644-8640

Save our river -- from ourselves!

In the PBS documentary The Return of the Cuyahoga, we see a lot of positive actions all along the river, as citizens work to restore it to health. The film takes on the old "mistake by the lake" designation along with the metaphor of the burning river to show the progress that has been made on restoring the Cuyahoga river to health.

From vacuuming the surface of the shipping lanes to banning factories from dumping waste to restoring the headlands and the tributaries, the documentary is full of determined NE Ohioans working to bring a river back from the dead.

There are still some unsolved problems, including the Gorge dam in the Falls, still the object of conflict between an energy company and environmentalists. And the river, downstream of Akron, still receives human and industrial waste when rain and run-off water overwhelm the Akron combined sewers.

Note that this is the same sewer system that our mayor wants to sell to a private company to run. Buyer beware! As for Akronites, do we really want to continue sending everything we flush into the Cuyahoga? Or are we going to continue to pretend once it leaves the bowl it's not our problem?

If you missed the documentary, go here to order the DVD from PBS and visit the documentary's web site. Meanwhile, here's a clip:

Earth Day Environmental Film Festival in Kent

Looking for something to do to celebrate Earth Day? Here's something to to mark on your calendar:

WHO: Standing Rock Cultural Arts is pleased to announce

WHAT: The 2nd Annual “Who’s Your Mama?” Earth Day and Environmental Film Festival
-Block Party, Main St., Downtown Kent, April 19
-Films at The Kent Stage, April 19 & 20
-FEATURED FILM "RETURN OF THE CUYAHOGA", Sun. April 20, KENT STAGE

WHEN: April, 2008

WHERE: Downtown Kent and throughout Portage County
-Headline Event at The Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St., April 19 & 20
-Block Party on Main Street, Downtown Kent on April 19, 11am-5pm.
-Green Building Tour, Old Brady Lake School, Lake St. Kent, April 18
-Studio 425, 425 Gougler Ave, Sculpture, Film, and Poetry
-Films at Portage County Libraries. Locations TBA

ADMISSION TO KENT STAGE:
-$10 one day
-$15 week-end pass
-$3 off for Students/Seniors

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT KENT STAGE, SPIN MORE RECORDS, WOODSY’S MUSIC, AND NORTH WATER STREET GALLERY.

CONTACT: 330-673-4970
-www.kentstage.org

DIRECTIONS: www.kentstage.org/directions/html

UPDATES AND FILM SCHEDULE: www.whosyourmama.org

STANDING ROCK CULTURAL ARTS: www.standingrock.net

FESTIVAL DESCRIPTION AND REQUEST FOR SPONSORS:

We are currently planning The 2nd Annual “Who’s Your Mama?” Earth Day and Environmental Film Festival to take place between April 16 and April 20, 2008. Many of the events and activities will take place at The Historic Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St. in downtown Kent.

The purpose of the festival is to celebrate Earth Day and bring a greater awareness to the idea of sustainable, ecological activities to a large number of people in our region.

We truly appreciate Mama Earth and would like to invite you to come join in the celebration!

There are 4 Main Themes.

1. Alternative Energy
2. Sustainable Agriculture
3. Conservation
4. Multi-Media Environmental Education (Films, Fashion, Dance..)

Here’s what has been planned so far:

-MAIN STREET IN DOWNTOWN KENT WILL BE CLOSED ON APRIL 19, between Depeyester and Water Streets for environmental activities and displays.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

-A Solar Power Station will be set up to provide solar power for the event and run the DVD Projector for the films. Solar Trailer provided by The Wayne County Sustainable Energy Network and Habitat for Humanity.

-A Windmill Demonstration featuring AZ Renewable Energy

-A Pedal Powered Generator or “Energy Bike” will be on display as a demonstration for how to use human power to charge cell phone batteries or run a laptop. This is a collaborative project involving Standing Rock Cultural Arts, The Ravenna Athletic Center, and The Kent Roosevelt High School’s Environmental Science Class and Environmental Club.

-The Bio Bus, a biodiesel mobile eco-bus of the Portage Park District will be on hand. Staff of the Park District will lead a mask making activity featuring 200 years of Wildlife in Portage County.

-The Grease Machine, An F-250 Pick-up truck that runs on Waste Vegetable Oil from Ray’s Place restaurant will be on display.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

-There will be a Local Food Challenge at downtown restaurants and eateries. Each chef, cook, or baker will be invited to include an item on their menu that uses local, and if possible, organic ingredients.
Participants TBA.

-Kent Natural Foods Co-Operative will be having an Open House on April 19, offering food samples and a member discount to the general public.

- Totally Cooked Catering will be providing sumptuous delectables that are locally grown and masterfully prepared to please the palette at The Kent Stage, April 19.

CONSERVATION

-The Portage County Soil and Water Conservation District will have a Rain Garden Display in the downtown area. Location TBA.

-Design with a Vision Architecture will offer a multi-media presentation on Designing a Green Building at the Kent Stage at noon on April 19.

-Green Building Tour presented by Builder’s Diversified on Lake Street in Kent. Tour begins Friday, April 18, 10pm.

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

-Storytelling with full blooded Native Cherokee, Edwin George. Time and location TBA.

-A Portage County Bicentennial Coloring Contest featuring Native Plants and Animals at the Kent Stage, April 19, 10-11:30am. There will be three winners drawn from a hat and each will receive a bicycle and helmet.

-The Portage County Recycling Center will have a vermiculture display. Children and the Public will have a chance to see what a Worm Farm is.

-Native Seed Planting. Master Gardeners of Portage County will have recycled containers, a pile of dirt, and a choice of native plant seeds for children to plant and take home.


MULTI-MEDIA ENVIROMENTAL EDUCATION

-PBS's WVIZ Ideastream, is planning to screen the film they recently co-produce titled, "*The Return of The Cuyahoga**"*

-The Davey Tree Company is planning on screening a film they helped support called "The Return of The American Elm". Filmmakers Daniel and Catherine Smith will be present.

-A Panel Discussion on the theme of Conservation is to be held at the Kent Stage on Sunday, April 20.

-Elaine Mattern and the Filmmakers Daniel and Catherine Smith will lead a discussion about the film "The Return of The American Elm."

DANCE

-A modern dance performance by SAFMOD, a Cleveland-based dance phenomenon performing work on the theme of Wildlife Conservation.

FASHION

-A Fashion Show highlighting recycled clothing by Tragically Delicious Eco-Fashions

MUSIC

-Music by The Speedbumps, The Shiva Zoo, Hal Walker and others TBA

POETRY AND SCULPTURE

-“Sculpture and Poems from the Tree”
-Studio 425, 425 Gougler Ave., Kent
-Tree Sculpture by Jim VandenBoom (tree from John Davey’s land)
-Poems by Home Schooled, Holden and Davey Elementary and Maplewood Career Center Students

RAFFLE

-A Green Item Raffle will take place at the Kent Stage on April 19. Items donated by local businesses.

-Local businesses such as Kent Natural Foods Co-Operative, Haymaker Farm Market, Design With A Vision, Builder's Diversified, Organic Roots Horticulture, EnviroScience, and Renewable Lubricants will be on display in the lobby of the Kent Stage and on Main Street between Depeyster and Water Streets.

-There will also be craft booths of earth friendly crafts.

-Standing Rock Cultural Arts is working in cooperation with the The Portage Park District, The Kent Parks and Recreation Department, The Ravenna Parks and Recreation Department, The Portage County Soil and Water Conservation District, The Portage County Recycling Center, The Portage County Bicentennial Committee, Main Street Kent and The Portage County Library District on this event.

-Standing Rock Cultural Arts has been awarded grants from the Ohio Arts Council (Arts Innovation), The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Education Mini Grant), The Kent Environmental Council, and The Sylvia Coogan Foundation for the 2008 festival.

-Current sponsors include The Record Publishing Co, The Davey Tree Expert Company, AZ Renewable Energy, Green Energy Ohio, Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority (PARTA) and EnviroScience Inc, The Water Resources Research Institute of Kent State University, The Portage County Health District, Organic Roots Horticulture, H-W Organic Farms, Balanced Living Magazine, The Daily Kent Stater, City Bank Antiques, Design with a Vision Green Building Designs, The Portage County Local Emergency Planning Committee (PCLEPC), The Hoppin Frog Brewery, The Great Lakes Brewing Company, Abruzzos Wine and Homebrew Supply, The Master Gardeners of Portage County and more..

-We are also looking for sponsors who would like to be a part of this exciting and worthwhile event on April 19.

-Sponsors would receive free passes to the event at The Kent Stage, April 19 and 20, 2008.

Sponsorship Levels:

Gardener: Wood $100
-Listed in the program of the event:

Farmer: Bronze $300
-Listed on printed materials (posters, fliers, program):
-Booth Space at Event:

Solarian: Silver $500
-Business Card Size Ad in program (plus logo on printed materials)
-Booth Space at Event

Aquarian (Lead Sponsor:) Gold $1000
-Logo on 12' x 15' banner and all promotional materials.
-Booth Space at Event.

Champion Tree Sponsor: Platinum $1,500.00 +
-Top Billing on all promotional materials
-Booth Space at Event
-Mentioned on Main Stage at Event

In-Kind Donations such as solar panels or deep cycle batteries, marketing and publicity materials, and compact fluorescent bulbs are accepted and appreciated as well.

Checks payable to
Standing Rock Cultural Arts
257 N. Water St
Kent, OH 44240

Thank you for your time and consideration,

"Who's Your Mama?" Earth Day and Environmental Film Festival
Standing Rock Cultural Arts
257 N. Water St.
Kent, OH 44240
330-673-4970
www.standingrock.net

www.whosyourmama.org

Current Schedule of Festival Events and Activities.

Check www.whosyourmama.org for updates.

Ohio continues to do nothing about the environment

From the AP via the Akron Beacon Journal online:

COLUMBUS: A conservation group says it can't grade Ohio lawmakers on their environmental records because they passed almost no substantive laws on the topic last year.

The brief snippet on a subject of utmost importance goes on to say that legislators had time to name the official state of Ohio amphibian, while not considering things like:

1. Cleaning up the toxic industrial wastelands that pollute our urban areas.

2. Building a high speed train that connects all the major Ohio cities.

3. Establishing green building standards for every state contract that is given out.

4. Establishing higher standards for clean air, water, and waste management.

5. Banning plastic bags!

6. Moving away from coal and nuclear power to sustainable forms of energy.

And that's just my short list!

Here in Akron, we need to do way more than simply call for a new "Green-print" for our city. It is going to take some major focus and energy, not to mention a commitment in funding. One of the problems is that very few of our "leaders" recognize that it is the small things that count largest. For example, the ubiquitous plastic bags that choke our landscapes and kill our wildlife and use up obscene amounts of petroleum. San Francisco banned them. Now China has also abolished their use, so why not Akron?

How much of the new building that goes on in our city is based upon green and sustainable principles? Not to mention energy conservation and emphasis on use of recycled materials? Meanwhile, Medina has just built itself a brand new environmentally responsible library.

How do we get our politicians to get focus on vital matters instead of playing "king of the hill" all the time?

Just say no to plastic

Fake Plastic Fish blog is the blog I wish I were doing. Blogger Beth Terry is trying to lower her plastic usage. Her blog is an outstanding resource for ways to avoid plastic. For example, she recently purchased a soy milk machine to avoid the plastic caps that comes with every brand of soy milk on the market.

Reflecting on all the plastic in the world makes one realize that it is pretty near impossible to live life plastic free in our society today. Plastic is everywhere, animals are choking on it and our landfills are comprised of stinking piles of leeching toxic plastics. So little is recycled.

I have a container I am filling with plastic caps from various bottles. I'm thinking I can do a wall mosaic with them some day. I've stopped buying any kind of plastic wrap or bags except for trash bags. Too many plastic bags come into my house without invitation, even though I'm using cloth bags for shopping all the time. They are foisted upon us without thought and we take them mindlessly home. Produce, pasta, bulk foods, even socks and underwear come in plastic bags. It takes determination to find ways to purchase goods without the attendant plastic.

At Fake Plastic Fish, I learned that most tin cans these days are lined with plastic. And glass jars come with lids that also contain plastic . You just can't win, when trying to avoid the stuff. What I admire most about this blogger's project is that she mails back packaging that she cannot recycle to the manufacturer with a request they switch to something biodegradable.

If I were young and just starting out in life, I'd be trying to invent compostable packaging that can be manufactured sustainably. Whenever I travel along Kenmore Boulevard, I imagine all the store fronts and small buildings filled with green businesses based upon sound environmental science and sustainable practices. Imagining a Kenmore Boulevard in a society that does not move in this direction is too horrifying to handle.

E4S helps you implement sustainability

Entrepreneurs for Sustainability continue to offer cutting edge workshops that can help us turn our building and manufacturing processes away from wasteful, mindless practices that harm our planet and our environment. This one looks very interesting and very useful:

Introduction to SI Workshop (SI = Sustainability Implementation Group)

Date: Thursday, November 1, 2007

Time: 9:00 am -11:30 am

Location: E4S Connection and Learning Center
540 E. 105th St., Suite 213 Cleveland, OH 44108

Price: $50 / organization (We recommend that 3-5 individuals from your management team attend)

What is an SI Group?
A eight month, peer-based, action focused, learning process that increases the rate you can learn new technologies and processes and the probability you will successfully implement what you learn. Develop relationships with other entrepreneurial leaders who will support you during and after the SI Group ends its journey.

Sample of Monthly SI Group Topics:

• Principles of Sustainability – such as Natural Capitalism, Whole-Systems Design and more
• Developing an implementation plan based on successful case stories
• How to engage your employees in the process
• Waste elimination
• Green procurement
• High performance, green building
• Energy efficiency, renewable energy and alternative fuels
• Curriculum for each SI Group will be custom designed to meet each group’s needs.

Who:
Entrepreneurial business leaders and their top management team (3-5 participants/organization) who want to learn how to implement sustainability principles in their buildings, processes, product, markets and company culture.

• To read more about E4S SI Groups click here
• To register for the E4S SI Group Intro Workshop click here

Weekend wrap-up

"Up" being the operative word here, as I drove up I-71 from Cincinnati to Akron. today. The long drive was made ever so much more bearable by listening to the Browns keep the Dolphins winless. First time I've driven to the Queen City, the other two times were bus trips.

It's a long lovely rural stretch from Cincinnati to Columbus. Great big harvesting contraptions were eating up acres of field corn all along the way. Lots of carbon dioxide being belched out of those behemoths, upping the environmental cost of whatever the corn is used for -- from ethanol to pig production. (Petroleum is also used to make pesticides which get sprayed on the corn and eaten by those pigs.)

Speaking of pig production, I had to close the windows at several points along the journey, the old familiar smell of pig farms came back to haunt me. (Growing up in rural Ohio, my school bus drove past a pig farm twice a day -- we all yelled EWWWW every time.) What a shame people actually eat those delightful and intelligent creatures.

Not a single windmill along the journey, signifying a lot of talk is going on by our state politicians but precious little action. Ohio is fiddling while Greenland melts. Instead I saw two billboards proclaiming these, and a barn roof facing the highway painted with one of these.

Don Plusquellic's Greenprint for Akron

The Village Green is endorsing Don Plusquellic for Mayor of Akron, having just read his Greenprint for Akron.

I was born in Akron, attended the University here, left for ten years, then returned to establish a career, buy a house and live a happy life in my hometown. The happy part would not be complete until my city began to take serious steps toward sustainability and lessening our collective carbon footprints. I am delighted to read this manifesto for a greener future here in my hometown.

With all due respect to my Finley supporting friends in Highland Square, I want a mayor who can make things happen. Plusquellic has done that many times in his public service career. I salute him for stepping up to the plate for green issues.

Recently, I read an article that listed the 15 greenest cities in the world, and my immediate thought was -- wow, why can't Akron be one of these cities? If we want to attract people, then this is the way to go. If you think so too, why not become part of this conversation? Let's send our environmental wish lists to the mayor and see what happens.

My first wish is that the building codes for this city be upgraded to include energy efficiency, sustainable materials and environmentally sound practices from plumbing to flooring to siding and so on.

The lovely cityscape banner and portrait of the mayor shown above was lifted from the city of Akron's web site. Since it is paid for by my taxes, then I figure I can use it free of charge!

Good luck Mayor Plusquellic! And go green Akron!

Solar Conference

I wanna go solar! After a morning at the Solar 2007 Conference in Cleveland, I was convinced. Solar panels on my roof -- oh, if only!

For 5K, I can get a portable solar panel about the size of a ping pong table that can sit anywhere outside and simply plugs into my electrical system, offsetting a good amount of electricity that is probably coming from a nuclear plant or coal. For a heck of a lot more money, I could be completely off grid.

The exhibit hall was rocking and it wasn't even noon yet. I looked at miniature and portable panels that can be used to recharge batteries, cell phones and other electronic devices. And I picked up a huge bag full of information to read on solar, geothermal and wind energy sources.

A lot of the exhibits were really technical. People were displaying various materials, hardware, software, electrical systems -- even an electrical car to plug in and charge on your solar powered system.

In one corner of the exhibition room, job openings in the solar business were posted and many young people were checking them out. Dustin Hoffman famously received the sage advice of "Plastic" as a metaphor for his generation. I'd say that the new word for the current generation has got to be "solar." And may it signify something more positive than plastic!

I found an educator's display table with lots of resources for teaching solar and alternative energy in the classroom. Other tables had piles of the latest books on a wide variety of solar topics, including how to build your very own outdoor solar oven. I joined Green Energy Ohio, which is the central clearing house for alternative energy information in Ohio.

It was very encouraging to see so many people in attendance. The Solar 2007 Conference at the Cleveland Convention Center is going on until July 12th and the exhibition hall is open to the public at certain times of the day. Check here for all the details and be sure to look for the solar coffee maker, somewhere outside of the hall on the west side: