Blog : December 2009
Portsmouth GreenDrinks makes their own New Year's resolution: more faces, more speakers, and more drinks!
With the dawning of a fresh decade, Portsmouth GreenDrinks is making some New Year’s resolutions of its own: more new faces, more engaging and dynamic speakers from all across the green universe, and -- to everyone's joy -- more drinks for all!
What won’t be changing is the venue; the gathering will continue to keep its home at Two Ceres Street in downtown Portsmouth (across from the Dolphin Striker). However the dinner menu will be expanded to include a number of special GreenDrinks eats and new discounted drink offerings every week.
Starting in January, GreenDrinks will be posting its list of speakers months in advance. Presenters through April Include: Eco Artist Tim Gaudreau (1/21); Revision Energy and the Seacoast Renewable Energy Initiative (2/18); Goodwill Industries (3/18); Timberland Sustainability Director Betsy Blaisdale (4/15). The group also plans on engaging people on the street before the event to bring new faces and new voices to the already growing chorus of local greenies.
Portsmouth GreenDrinks, which meets the third Thursday of every month, is one of over 600 GreenDrinks held in cities and communities across the globe, and offers a lively mixture of people from NGOs, academia, government and business leaders from across the community.
For more information on Portsmouth GreenDrinks, and to read their regularly-updated blog, click here!
Portsmouth Music Hall, Green Alliance team up for winter shows
By Jim Cavan
Can you imagine lessening your impact on the environment by 25 percent? How about 50 percent – driving half as much, using half as much heat? Ok, how about 100 percent -- no television, no elevators, no cars, buses or trains, no cleaning products and no garbage? Impossible? Not for one New York City resident.
In No Impact Man, a documentary film released in September, Manhattanite Colin Beavan attempted just that: to live, along with his wife and young child, impact free for a year. The film is slated to be featured – for one night only – at the Portsmouth Music Hall on Thursday, January 21st.
The movie will be followed by a panel discussion which will include Green Alliance Director Sarah Brown and other community members. Is what Beavan attempted the right approach? Is it easier for urban dwellers to live “impact-free” than those don’t live in the city? Is there even such a thing as having “no impact”? These questions and many more will be discussed.
The GA will also be on hand on February 12th, when the Music Hall, in conjunction with GA Business Partner Cuzin Richard Entertainment Associates, will play host to a Comedy Extravaganza benefit. Proceeds from the show will go to the GA, as well as the Pierce Island Fund. Mike McDonald headlines a cast of comedians from all over the country providing laughs for not one, but two great causes.
The Music Hall is a nonprofit performing arts center that entertains 100,000 patrons, including 20,000 school children, annually with acclaimed film, music, theater, and dance performances.
Tickets can be purchased at the Music Hall, or online at www.themusichall.org
For more information about CREA, go to www. Cuzinrichard.com
Green Alliance Community Videos!
Green Alliance BP Now or Never Media shot these great community Green Card videos. With your Green Card you can receive $250 off for your own Eco short! For more info about Now or Never click here!
Simply Green Biofuels: Fueling the Seacoast
Simply Green is a trailblazer, bringing transformative and meaningful greener fuel choices to the Seacoast. They offer American-grown, soy and tallow-based Bioheat and biodiesel as an alternative to standard #2 home heating oil and petroleum diesel. SG’s biofuels significantly reduce CO2 emissions and other pollutants as compared to fossil fuels, are free of sulfur and aromatics, biodegradable and nontoxic. A typical household using B20 Bioheat reduces CO2 emissions by 15% and particulate pollution by 20% -- emitting 3,200 lbs less CO2 annually. A diesel vehicle using biodiesel B20 emits 2,400 lbs less CO@ annually. Simply Green is also the only source of B100, 100% vegetable or recycled animal oil, in the region and with their new Biofuels Filling Station in Dover – biodiesel is now readily available to Seacoast residents. A vehicle using B100 emits 12,000 lbs less CO2 annually. Biodiesel emits 7.6 pounds of C02 per gallon, for a 68 percent reduction in C02 over petrodiesel.
Still Time to Take the NH Carbon Challenge
Featured on Seacoast Online
With the contest deadline days away, the city is urging residents to "Take the N.H. Carbon Challenge" to learn how to save up to $800 annually, reduce their car
bon footprints, be eligible for prizes donated by local businesses, and help Portsmouth beat Keene in the competition.
"The survey takes only a few minutes to complete and can lead to hundreds of dollars in reduced energy costs," said sustainability coordinator Peter Britz. "It's good for each household, our city and our world. I hope Portsmouth residents will take advantage of this easy opportunity to help our environment."
Compliments of The Holiday From Pixels & Pulp
As we prepare for the holiday this year things are different. There is the feeling that people are more aware of what is important. It is less about how much you buy but how much you give thanks for what you have. We are thankful for all of you—our clients both old and new and our creative partners who keep us on our toes! May your holiday be filled with warmth, nostalgic traditions and food that makes you squeal with delight!
P&P Holiday Tips:
- Remember less is ALWAYS more. This simple design rule applies to all aspects life - especially the holidays. It's the quality NOT the quantity.
- Avoid metal and plastic gift packaging. Buy nice cloth ribbon instead so it can be saved and reused next year. Wrap your gifts with the New York Times you were going to recycle. Or wrap presents in containers your friends and family can use again.
- Don’t throw away that unwanted gift. Take it to Goodwill or Salvation Army or place it on the Freecycle Group website, which is devoted to keeping unwanted items out of landfills. They match people who have things they want to get rid of with people who can use them.
- The gifts people remember are ones from the heart: something you made, a family heirloom, or the promise of your time or help on a project.
- Before throwing away leftover food, have a look on the Love Food Hate Waste website for delicious ways to use those leftover bits and pieces. If you REALLY aren't into leftovers, compost it! And make sure you give the meat scraps to you dog or cat!
- TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!! This time of year is stressful and we find ourselves rushing around and going way to fast. SLOW down, drink lots of water and get plenty of rest! Do things that make you smile.
To learn more about P&P click here! Get 20% of design services when you use your Green Card with P&P through the end of Feb!
Sun Shines on Exeter High
On Friday, December 11th, Seacoast Consulting Engineers (SCE), in partnership with Revolution Energy and Provident Bank, began installation of New Hampshire’s largest solar PV system on the roof of Exeter High School.
Several students assisted with the massive project, which by next spring will be producing up to 110 kilowatts of energy for the school.
The installation is one in a series of projects in the works for SCE and Dover-based Revolution Energy in conjunction with the School Administrative Unit (SAU) 16, a group of Southern New Hampshire public schools. The team will also be installing a new 65 kilowatt microturbine at the Seacoast School of Technology, as well as a state-of-the-art natural gas boiler at the Tuck Learning Center, also in Exeter. Both are slated to be online within the coming weeks.
According to Lee Consavage, engineer and principal with SCE, the system is a win-win for the high school. “Our intent was to provide the school district with options to replace inefficient equipment with better systems at no cost to the schools,” says Consavage. “Basically they will be paying Revolution the equivalent of a monthly heating bill – which will be less than what they were paying before – and after a certain time they will own the system outright, and will then be getting free energy for the remainder of the system’s life.”
GA, ReStore team up with new ‘construction classifieds” site Diggerslist
By Jim Cavan
Since its inception nearly 15 years ago, craigslist has helped countless millions worldwide find everything from picnic tables to jobs to relationships. But anyone who’s gone on the massive classifieds site looking for moldings, painting supplies, or used lumber, may have found themselves trolling around longer than it would have taken to drive to the nearest Home Depot and back.
Enter the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which specializes in recycled and re-used construction, building, and home improvement materials. Partnering with California-based Diggerslist and Green Alliance (GA), a Seacoast-based green business union, starting in February the Re-Store will be posting large swaths of its inventory on the growing “construction classifieds” site.
Aside from the familiar sounding name, the site looks and works much like craigslist: the main page is broken down into states, with cities and towns listed below. Once you click on a city, you get a lengthy list of projects, services, and materials – everything from fill dirt to fireplaces, cabinets to carpet, patios to paints and pools.
The goal for the GA and ReStore is to help the New Hampshire Seacoast get its own regional site on Diggerslist. Along with other GA Business Partners, ReStore will be cataloguing a large bulk of its entire inventory in the hopes that others in the area follow suit. Once the site is bulked up, Knox will launch the Seacoast Diggerslist site –hopefully by the middle of February – to coincide with the launch of Dover ReStore’s new and improved website around the same time.
Zev Yoga Resolves to Provide Free Classes in the New Year
By Laura Roach
Jonas Amberger of Zev Yoga is ringing in the New Year with a resolution to help others commit to nurturing healthy minds and bodies. He is opening the doors of his yoga studio for the second annual New Year’s open house event. On the first and sec
ond of January anyone is welcome to come and enjoy a free yoga class. The classes will be held at 11am and 3pm on January 1 and at 8am and 3pm on January 2.
“People like to do yoga on days with meaning and on January 1 the classes will coincide with making a New Year’s resolution,” says Amberger, the instructor and director of the studio and all the yoga sessions. Attending a class at the beginning of the year also reaffirms the sense of community for anyone trying to take control of their health.
Last year’s open house brought in 127 people so Amberger knows that “starting fresh” in a New Year is appealing to many. The studio is at capacity at 35 people per session so Amberger’s only worry is that the free classes will be so popular he won’t have room for everyone. The studio is located at 16 Market Sq., just above Breaking New Grounds Café.
And everyone is welcome to attend the classes; from seniors to young children. Zev Yoga has had adults as old as 90 successfully practice yoga and children as young as 5. “Children are naturals,” says Amberger, “they get it almost immediately and also understand that movement is fun,” While
Engineering firm shows old New England buildings can be green
By Jim Cavan
Featured in the Portsmouth Herald
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For years, James Petersen and his firm, Petersen Engineering Inc., have been at the forefront of green and sustainable engineering from Boston to Portland. Now, Petersen is directing its significant green credentials to a different effort: a new, super-efficient office space of its own.
Well, maybe not exactly "new." The 335 Maplewood Ave. location is an early-19th century Federal-style building. Yet while a building of that vintage seems like a difficult candidate to render green, its new occupiers are more than equipped to meet the challenge. Its client list is a veritable who's who of regional architects, building firms and institutions, and includes Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Phillips Exeter Academy and the city of Portsmouth.
According to Petersen, renovation of the new space will include a dual focus: preservation and sustainability.
Traip Academy Team Green Holiday Hints
Team Green, Traip Academy's environmental club, would like to inform you of some great things that you can do over the holidays that are beneficial to the environment. It is a very busy season for most, and we wanted to suggest some activities that will be easy to do and have a positive impact on the environment.
Environmentally Friendly Ideas:
*Wrap gifts in old newspapers.
*Send holiday emails instead of cards.
*Reuse the shopping bags that you have been given at the stores.
*Pack your gifts in boxes that you mail using old newspaper instead of buying filler.
*Conserve gas by carpooling when you go shopping.
Serendipity of Exeter - Fabulous Fair Trade and Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas!
Participate in creating sustainable and positive change in your local and global communities this season by choosing fabulous gifts from Serendipity! Serendipity’s selection of handcrafted clothing, accessories, jewelry, and gifts bring hope to many artists near and far trying to make a living creating beautiful things.
This Thursday join Serendiipity for "Exeter is the Place to be Thursday Nights". All downtown shops in Exeter will be open til 8pm hosting a variety of specials and complimentary goodies! Enjoy a special discount at Serendipity on Thursday’s of 20% off all New Clothing Sale for Ladies! and 25% off if you own our Serendipity Eco-Shopper!! Green Alliance members enjoy 20% off everything in the store, every single day! Check out some great sustainable gift ideas below. Locally Handcrafted Holiday Wreaths -Handmade in Barrington,NH
Beautifully handcrafted wreaths made lovingly on Warren Farm in Barrinton, NH. Heather and Randy Warren run a 244 acre organic veggie, herb, and tree farm off Rt. 4. One of their many speacilites is holiday wreaths abundant in dried herbs and chilies or fresh mixed evergreens and dried fruit. All herbs and greens are harvested on site. Haven't found the perfect wreath for your door or mantel? These beauties are bound to take your heart.
EarthTones Textile - Landscape - made in New Hampshire - Handcrafted by two New Hampshire artisans,this unique piece is reminiscent of beautiful NH waters, mountains, snowy scapes and clear skies. This great gift idea and home addition has amazing dimension and design. The beautiful combination of blue beads woven upon sheek fabrics is set within a rich cherry wooden frame.
Don't Forget About Fresh Local This Winter!
While the truck may be parked for the winter, our restaurant, Fresh Local BAYSIDE (in the village of Newington on the beautiful bay) is OPEN Saturday and Sunday 9-2 and is serving up the pork and burgers you loved at the truck as well as a bevy of beautiful breakfasts.
Help us make it through the winter! Come enjoy your old favorites as well as a few new menu additions:* Huevos Rancheros: homemade beans, two eggs your way, spinach quesadilla, avocado, sour cream, salsa, cilantro
* "Steak" & Eggs (Josh's new favorite): A perfect burger served heaping with caramelized onions, mushrooms and a couple of local, organic eggs!
* Porky Cake: One of our perfect pancakes studded with Popper's Breakfast Sausage (our pig in a blanket) served w/Real Maple Syrup
* Salmon-Caper Benedicts or Veggie Sausage Benedicts
* Smoked Salmon Bialy Plate
* Josh's hard-to-resist Cinnamon Rolls and Pecan Sticky Buns
Living Well & Living Wisely Takes Center Stage at Seacoast Green Home & Living Show
Featured on Newswire Today
Exhibits, experts, innovations & activities for all ages & every shade of green, Seacoast Green Home & Living Show set to inspire, inform and empower thousands to live green. From practical and simple solutions designed to reduce home energy bills, to the area’s largest selection of green and local products, you’ll find it all at The 1st Annual Seacoast Green Home & Living Show, February 27 & 28, 2010 at The Fra
nk Jones Center, Portsmouth, NH.
The Seacoast Green Home & Living Show (greenhomeandlivingshows.com) is New Hampshire’s largest green consumer event, dedicated to inspiring, informing and empowering the public to build green, save green and live green. Visitors can shop 21,000 sq. ft of earth-friendly exhibits, while gathering information and inspiration from presentations, demonstrations, seminars and activities.
Local Auditor Trains Vets To Be Green Professionals
by Laura Roach
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Paul Button, owner of Energy Audits Unlimited, has trained energy auditors before, but for the first time all of his students have one common background: they are all veterans. Upon returning home from service in Iraq or Afghanistan, veterans may face tribulation in reconnecting with civilian lifestyle. People like Button are working to provide discharged soldiers with valuable skills that will be in high demand in a future where energy efficiency is the standard.
Become a Green Alliance member today and START SAVING on local, green goods and services! JOIN NOW
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