Interesting Quote from the NY Times

"We're borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the planet. Every bit of that has to change."
- FORMER VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE, urging that the United States abandon the use of
carbon-based fuels for electricity within 10 years.

Something to think about.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. (The 3 R's On Target)

In the April 14th issue of Newsweek, they devoted the magazine to the sujet du jour, Green.

In my bedroom, aI plow through the stacks of magazines that will eventually become something else, I was encouraged that the cover of this Newsweek would become a great stylish bag.

Target in looking to reduce their impact on the planet, is asking us to send back our red and white plastic bags. In exchange for this gesture, they will send us a fashionable reusable bag....Free.

So in the images to follow, I have provided a photo illustration of how it all went down this AM...and all from the comfort of my bed.

Recycling in the bedroom, who would have thought it was possible.*

If one missed this issue, I am pretty sure one will find it in a doctor's lobby or by dumpster diving in your better read neighbors curbside recycling bin. (However, on the latter activity, remember we live in a YouTube world now.)




(*While this blogger believes there are many items we can make greener in our bedrooms, he does not encourage the recycling of certain items. Please do not rinse "préservatifs" and hang on your clothes line, these are still a one shot and then discard item.)

Welcome Clover!

Ah, Spring is here.

Happy Earth Day, Grand Rapids!

( Congrats on another year without bike lanes. )

Save Your Ash!

City of Grand Rapids Ash Tree Alert

I have been alerted that the Riverside Park (Knapp Entrance) and also the Fuller Street (Moving North of the 96) have seen trees coming down. The ones on Fuller appear to be Ash. We need to act fast to stop the city from removing trees until at least after the April 15th Save Your Ash community forum.

The unfortunate part is our city's policy appears to be for the mass removal of our ash trees. This removal policy HAS NOT halted the spread the pest as it has moved from each ward of our city.

I am wanting also to begin to raise the question if we have the right person in this position? Are they structured under Parks and Recreation or Traffic. We know from the past that Traffic has not been a friend to neighborhoods.

In short, the policy whispered from leaders within our community is that allegedly we have a forestry person (Bob Paasche - City Urban Forester and CNA Member) who FAVORS removing trees.

WMEAC is hosting a SAVE YOUR ASH forum next week. They may be announcing exciting new solutions to save the ash trees.

I had a great, but anonymous source answer my questions, it has been said that , "They will be treating these trees (those marked with an orange dot) with an injection method, not a drench method (drench = dumpling a bucket of chemicals at the base of a tree).

So it's not likely that much, if any, will get into the Grand River.

However, you are correct that the chemical, imidacloprid, being injected is toxic to some birds, insects (especially bees), fish and especially aquatic invertebrates. But it's also important to understand that people REGULARLY dump this chemical on their lawns to control grubs and it's WIDELY used on agricultural products. It is yet another example of a chemical NOT 'regulated' by the EPA."

We need a better solution and Riverside and ALL OUR PARKS needs to ride it out until we get this new product on the treatment list.

I am concerned that our newsletter will not reach people in time to get the word out.

So first line of defense is to organize and fast.

We need to get as many people to the Save Your Ash event. I am willing to help car pool people and will be able to take 4 people with me. (I would prefer a full car load.)

We do not have a lot of time on this matter and we need to press the city before all contracts are signed for the summer on these matters. (In truth we may be too late, but we should still try.)

Commissioner Bliss alerted us in the winter months to get geared up for this fight, now we owe it to one of Grand Rapids' greenest sections to protect our trees.

Will you join us in alerting members of your list of the event below?

Please encourage people to bring camera phones, camcorders to record these proceedings. Every little bit of viral video we can get on a public person's comment further aids our cause to make sure the people's wishes are being carried out. Allegedly from my source, Bob was laughing at a recent meeting over the idea of people trying to save trees.


EVENT DETAILS:


Save Your Ash! Public Forum
Tue, April 15, 2008 - 6:00pm
Save Your Ashes! Whether they're in your yard, block or neighborhood, the information shared at this forum will provide options and opportunities to preserve the Ash Trees that are important and valuable to you. Mark your calendar!
Click here to download a PDF flier about this event.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Plymouth Congregational UCC Church
4010 Kalamazoo SE (between 32nd and 44th streets)
Grand Rapids, MI 49508

A diverse group of speakers will share a variety of views and perspectives about your opportunities to prevent disease and/or removal of your Ash Tree(s).

Speakers include:
Deb McCullough, MSU's National Ash Tree Expert
Greg Sundstrom, City of Grand Rapids
Vic Foerster, West Michigan Tree Services
Brian Hiemstra, Bartlett Tree Services

LINKS: SAVE YOUR ASH ( with a counter! )

Reflection

This toad is so tiny and yet so wonderful that it can stop your day.
Please consider your footprint on this planet (and adjust your sails.)

Green Movement's Dirty Little Secret

With every movement there is a past and no movement is ever immune to its return in the media.

It is not my intention to tip off said media but the grandmother of all things earthen is making a comeback in the green's homes.

I can still recall the day I stumbled upon this fact while visiting KC's Heritage Hill home many years ago.

Upon entering the bathroom and lifting the lid I discovered the brightest of welcomes in the color yellow.

"Excuse me," I remarked entering the guest's living room, "but someone has forgotten to flush the toilet. Is it possible it is broken?"

Letting out a hearty laugh the host exclaimed, "We live by a simple code in this house."

And then the dirty little secret of the green's was out.

"If its yellow, let it mellow. If its brown, flush it down"

It may seem dirty but if you begin to think about the water saved, it is not hard to get over one's squeamishness of this revelation.

So many years have passed and I am not shocked anymore by the yellow badge of courage when I visit a host's home only to discover their environmental sensitivity enshrined in porcelain.

But every movement, even bowel movements, have their limits.

In no way will I ever subscribe to the leave no footprint mindset by asking my guests to don a shovel as then head out to the back yard.

Being green sometimes is be brave enough to say "I'm sorry, but you have to use the commode."