I tried it out at the Whidbey Garden Workshop, the Earth Day Festival and the Penn Cove Water Festival.  It was a big hit at the Farmer’s Market.  At National Night Out hundreds of kids wanted to play.  Even some parents tried it.

Here’s how it works.  I lay out the carpet of Astroturf.  At one end I set up the open garbage can.  Next to it stands the wire circle with a bunch of leaves inside.  A cardboard box sat under the Astroturf at the corner creating a hole.  I spread the fake pet poop on the fake green grass and wait.  People walk by and notice all the piles of pet poop.  They make awful faces and utter “Ooooo.”  But then they look up at me and want to know what this is all about. 

I ask if they have a dog or cat.  ”Yes.”  I ask what they do with their pet waste.   Some have a litter box for their cat.  “What do you do when the litter box is full?”I ask.  Some say they pitch the poop it into the bushes.  Some say they compost it.  One guy even told me about his elaborate pet poop septic system which is just a fancy way to bury it. 

Harmful bacteria in pet waste can spread round worms, Giardia or E. Coli and can be transferred to children, gardeners and others who like to play on the lawn.  Even people walking with sandals or flip flops are vulnerable.  And if pet poop is left on the ground some bacteria can persist up to 4 years. 

So  I offer a plastic bag and ask them if they know how to pick it up.  With kids I tell them the plastic bag is like a puppet.  Together we slip our hands into the plastic bags and pull them up our arms.  Our puppets are hungry and want to “eat” a “chocolate donut”.  With my puppet hand I grab a plastic pet poop and they do the same.  Then I show them how to take the other hand and pull the plastic bag all the way over the plastic poop.  If the child does this without letting go of the fake poop we all cheer.  Once we’ve bagged the pet poop, we tie a simple knot and then comes the fun part.

The child stands at one end of the Astroturf and faces the garbage can, wire screen and the carpet depression at the other end.   “Where does the poop go now?” I ask.  The compost pile?  The hole in the ground?  No, try again.  The garbage can!  Yes!  So they wheel back and throw the plastic bag of pet poop toward the open garbage can. Bags of fake pet poop fly through the fairgrounds!    It often takes more than one try, but we cheer loud and long when it goes in. 

Pet Poop is raw sewage, a public health hazard and a water quality problem.  The Pitch the Poop Game is a silly way to address a serious issue.  An estimated 15,000 pets live in Island County alone.  They excrete 5,000 pounds of poop a day.  Though we try to reduce waste there is no better place for toxic poop than your garbage can.  To reduce the risk for solid waste handlers, put all the individual bags of poop into a larger bag and tie it shut.  Then place it into your garbage can. Thank you and have a cleaner, greener New Year.   For more information visit: www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu/island/  or call 360-279-4762.

But here’s a way to reduce that waste, uphold our gift giving traditions and support small, local businesses, too.

The City of Oak Harbor started the Waste Wise Holiday Campaign 3 years ago.  We offered free ads in local papers to businesses who would offer discount coupons for gifts of experience.  Experiences don’t require much wrapping, usually just an envelope with a gift certificate inside, which trims the trash while you trim the tree!

This year, with 3 new co-sponsors, the campaign is going Island-wide.  Thirty stores are participating  including some in Langley, Freeland, Greenbank, Coupeville and Oak Harbor.  If you missed the ads that were in local papers on Thanksgiving week, you can print the coupons from the City website (www.oakharbor.org)  and shop all over the rock!

The coupons offer 10%-50% off on…

Gifts of Experience - a massage, salon treatment, tickets to a play, bowling, knitting classes, diving lessons, yoga sessions, wine tasting, dining, coffee and treats. Take the kids to Paint Your World or give them a gift certificate to Popsies candy store.  Get tickets to the Green Home Tour in March and support a local non-profit.  You could even take your sweetie to a B&B.

Gifts made of Recycled Materials like bird feeders made with recycled plastic, fleece clothing, artwork and jewelry made of recycled materials. 

Green Gifts like stainless steel water bottles, walking sticks and lunch boxes, even beautiful cedar worm bins.  (I can supply the worms-279-4762.)

Stop in at the Fort Casey Lighthouse open weekends between now and Dec. 18 to shop in their gift shop and support WSU Extension programs like Beach Watchers, Waste Wise and Shore Stewards.  Shop at holiday bazaars that support other local charities.  Give a membership to a non-profit organization.

By shopping locally you save money on gas and the ferry.  You could even catch the free Island Transit bus to shop all over the Island. ( Find their schedule at www.islandtransit.org ) You’ll also be supporting local families who count on your business to survive. 

Locally owned businesses:

Give 250% more to local non-profit charities than chain stores;

Provide local, living wage jobs;

Know their customers and provide better service;

Do business with other locally owned businesses;

And keep more money in the community which goes to support the services we all need like schools, hospitals, transit, fire and police protection.

Unique, local businesses give our community it’s distinctive character which attracts tourists, skilled workers and entrepreneurs who then invest in our community making it a better place to live. 

All our Whidbey Island communities have charming, historic downtowns where shopping is a unique and delightful experience.  This time of year there are parades, carolers, holiday lights and the smell of hot cider is in the air.  

So enjoy the holiday shopping season with Waste Wise Holiday coupons.  Save money, reduce waste and support local families.  Happy Holidays!

The first treatment plant we visited was at the edge of a neighborhood in Carnation.  It had the latest technology including membrane bio-reator filters that resulted in 99.9% pure water leaving the plant.  The water drained to a duck pond about a mile away.  (We toured the pond too and there were indeed ducks.)  There were no offensive odors and it was neat and clean inside and out.  This was a small facility serving less than 1,000 homes.

Next we went to the largest Waste Water Treatment plant in the world with the most modern technology in North America.  The Brightwater Center near Woodinville.  This state-of-the-art treatment plant also houses a community meeting hall and environmental education center with interactive displays and a lab for school groups. 

The environmental education building  is certified LEED Platnum, the highest standard of green construction.  The radiant floor heat is  a biproduct of the treatment plant cutting energy costs.  Solar panels adorn the roof.  Public art delights the entrance.

 The 60 acre grounds were transformed from a junk yard to an outdoor classroom and salmon habitat after planting over 22,000 native shrubs and trees on the site.  Three miles of walking trails are used by visiting school groups and nearby residents.  The park is nourished by the clean water leaving the treatment plant. 

Our last stop on the tour was a pump station for sewer and storm water.  It’s a small structure in Snohomish by a city park with a rain garden and bike route.  Though pump stations are usually more function than fashion, this one was so beautifully designed that many people mistake it for the nearby visitor’s center.  The building has been plumbed for future restrooms.   The exterior brick walls provide a stylish backdrop for a display of cast metal salmon sculptures swimming up from the sidewalk and leaping to the rafters.   It showed us what could be done with some creative input.

This tour changed my impression of what a Waste Water Treatment Plant could be.  The smelly, industrial looking facility at Windjammer Park today, will be replaced by something that will be as inviting and pure as what we saw last week. 

The City has just begun to plan for this project.  Through a series of public meetings, we have narrowed the possible site to 3 locations.  Most people have urged the City to put it as far from the downtown and beaches as possible.  But after seeing these facilities, I think the City would be proud to make it community center for the public.  An interpretive center in the facility could become an attraction on our waterfront and provide a beautiful place for meetings and events.  Putting the facility on the existing site would stretch the City’s funds for the project and save Oak Harbor residents more money.

It’s hard to imagine so I encourage you to see for yourself.  If you get a chance to stop by the Brightwater Center, or another modern treatment plant like the new one in Blain, please stop by.  Even if you don’t take a tour, at least take a whiff from the parking lot.

http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/brightwater-center.aspx

By Maribeth Crandell

“Trick or Treat”, is the question as you answer the door with a bowl full of candy.  The same thing could be asked about the unused prescription drugs in your medicine cabinet. The little monsters and goblins that come to your door on Halloween soon turn into teens looking for something more exciting than candy.  Each day an estimated 2,500 teens get high for the first time using prescription drugs most often found in the homes of family or friends.  These are definitely more of a trick than a treat.

But this phenomenon is not limited to teens.  More than 700 million Americans abuse prescription drugs, according to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  In Washington State drugs now kill more people than auto accidents.  The legal and illegal use of powerful painkillers is on the rise resulting in drug abuse with related injury and violence.  Between the late 1990’s and 2006 the national drug related death rate nearly doubled according to the Center for Disease Control.  Cocaine and heroin continue to be a problem but most of the increase is attributed to powerful prescription drugs like Oxycontin, methadone and Vicodin that may be prescribed by a doctor.

If you have drugs left over from a serious illness or injury that are no longer needed, here’s how you can dispose of them safely. 

October 29^th is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.  Local law enforcement agencies will collect unwanted drugs from 10am to 2pm for free.  In previous drug collection days on Sept. 25, 2010 and April 25, 2011 over 4,000 agencies across the country collected more than 309 tons of unwanted prescription drugs.

On October 12, 2010 President Obama signed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act.  Congress passed a law amending the Controlled Substances Act to allow the Drug Enforcement Administration to develop a process for people to safely dispose of prescription drugs year round.  Until they’ve completed this work, they will continue to hold a Drug Take Back Day every six months. 

Rick Wallace of the Oak Harbor Police Department says “We’re always surprised at how many people come in to drop off their drugs.  It’s a very effective program.”  Jerry Mingo of Island County Solid Waste reported getting several pounds of out of date drugs from an animal shelter.

If for some reason you cannot bring your unwanted drugs to a law enforcement agency on Drug Take Back Days, you can dispose of prescription drugs at home, but take a few precautions. 

First, don’t flush them down the drain.  Our sewer treatment plants are not equipped to remove them from wastewater.  Instead, take them out of their original container and mix them with something repulsive like pet waste, cat litter or coffee grounds.  Then bag them and throw them out with the garbage. 

To dispose of hypodermic needles, put them in a clear plastic bottle with the lid screwed on tight and taped shut.  Bring them to the Coupeville Solid Waste Complex open Monday through Friday 8am – 4:30pm, or take them to the Recycle Parks at Bayview on South Whidbey or North Oak Harbor Road in Oak Harbor.  For more information call 360-679-7386.

On Oct. 29th take your unwanted drugs between 10am and 2pm to:

Oak Harbor Police Department

860 S.E. Barrington Drive, Oak Harbor, WA

Coupeville Marshals Office

4 N.E. Seventh Street, Coupeville, WA 98239

Island County Sheriff’s Office

5521 E. Harbor Road, Freeland, WA 98249

It was a first, collecting compost from 1,000 people at a public event in Oak Harbor. Special compost bins were set up lined with biobags made of corn starch.  On either side was a garbage can, a recycle bin and an orange bucket for liquids. 

Volunteers Ernie Branigh, retired Navy, and OHHS student Dahlia Braunstein, WSU Waste Wise Coordinator Janet Hall and myself were stationed at waste collection sites near the picnic tables.  Together we managed to divert over 100 pounds of paper plates, napkins and leftover food scraps from the garbage to the compost.  That’s 100 pounds less going to the landfill and 100 pounds more making supplements for good soil. 

(For information on home scale composting or worm bins call 360-279-4762 or visit: www.wastewise.wsu.edu.)

Part of planning a Waste Wise event is anticipating the types of trash that might emerge from different activities and making an effort to offer supplies that are recyclable or compostable.  So we served food on plain paper plates with paper napkins that are compostable.  (There are compostable utensils and cups but they were beyond our limited budget.) 

We also gave people canvas bags to take “shopping” along Pioneer Way.  Most of the merchants were giving away treats and the reusable bags reduced the number of plastic bags used. 

Scoopy Doo, a giant dog wearing an “I love Puget Sound” T-shirt, gave away dog poop bag dispensers to everyone with a dog at the event.  The bags inside are biodegradable.  Pet poop from dogs and cats contains bacteria that can spread Giardia, Round Worms and E. coli.  It can last on the ground for up to 4 years.  So please pick up pet waste, bag it and put it in the trash.  Scoopy Doo had fun sharing that message.

Bert the Salmon got to dance with Mayor Slowik and shake fins with a lot of little tadpoles.  Bert pointed out the small plants circled by grates in the sidewalk.  “That plant is cleaning Puget Sound,” he said.  The shrubs and soils in the planters soak up the toxins that run off the street when it rains.  “Keep Puget Sound clean and you can eat salmon for generations to come.”  

The Grand Opening was attended by over 1,000 people.  The Tribes grilled 500 pounds of salmon while local restaurants served the sides.  Popsies dished up a lot of ice cream as the day was warm and sunny.  Whidbey Coffee and Angelo’s Cafe’ kept the coffee coming.  While people were waiting in line for the free dinner, they discovered the unique shops and the kids created chalk art masterpieces.   Even after the food was gone the crowd stayed to hear the live music and roam our new improved historic downtown. 

Many of  the businesses on Pioneer Way reported one of their most successful days ever.  The recession and construction was a double whammy for them, but with the inviting new streetscape and the holiday season fast approaching, things are looking up. Come back again over the next few months to see the Mermaid and other artwork put in place, the overhead lines removed and electric car charging stations installed. The new Pioneer Way is a place we can be proud to share with friends and family for generations to come.

The new and improved Pioneer Way is nearing completion and the mood in the street is ecstatic!  The street is paved and painted, the planters are full of trees and greenery, and the new wide sidewalks are clean and inviting.  

Though there will be aspects that need more time to complete, like connecting all the businesses to underground utilities before they remove the old wires and telephone poles,  most of the work has been done.  And just think, it will only get better.  YEAH!

On Saturday, Oct. 15th, starting at noon the Mayor is throwing a party!  There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Mayor thanking the contractors and city staff that managed this remarkable project.  The Tribes will be grilling 500 pounds of salmon and the local restaurants will serve up the sides.   The OHHS Cheerleaders will be there to lead the celebration.  Scoopy Doo and Bert the Salmon will be there.  A clown will have balloons for the kids, and there will be live music by local bands.  A DJ on the corner of Dock Street and Pioneer Way will crank out some tunes and we’ll have dancing in the street! 

The merchants who’ve hung in there through this difficult summer of construction deserve a big bonus from all of us.  Stop in and get a head start on holiday shopping, a hot drink or an early dinner after the event.  The sense that I get is that though some may have had reservations before the project began, most are very pleased with the results.  There’s more parking available, better accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists and physically challenged, and the street looks more refreshing with the new sidewalks, street trees and public art.  Now these shops are on the most beautiful street in town, our historic, downtown waterfront, the jewel of the city!

The beauty is not just skin deep but the construction and infrastructure was done to new sustainability standards.  Pioneer Way is one of the first streets in Washington State to qualify for the new Greenroads Certification.  The University of Washington developed a checklist for road design and construction that takes into account the health of those working on the project, the use of recycled materials, paving techniques that cut greenhouse gas emissions and many more features that won’t be visible to the passerby but will pay off over the long haul in cleaner water, and air, less waste and better health conditions for those building the road and those using it.

One thing that you will be able to see are the 26 Filtera storm water filters planted with a short variety of bamboo.  The worst pollution in Puget Sound comes from our storm water.  Filtera systems use soils and plants to slow and clean storm water before it drains into Puget Sound. 

The Grand Opening event will also be a Waste Wise event, which means we’ll be serving salmon on paper plates and drinks in cups that will be composted along with any leftover food.  Special recycling stations will be set up with volunteers to help explain how it works. 

 And as long as we’re trying to be green, why don’t you leave the car at home and take the bus.  It will stop just one block from the festivities.  Or try out the new bike racks or wide pedestrian sidewalks.  So it’s a Greenroad with a green Grand Opening event!  Put on your dancing shoes and come on down!

 Okay, raise your hand if you walked to school when you were a kid.  My folks used to say they walked to school barefoot, through the snow, uphill, both ways.  My siblings and I would roll our eyes, knowing there wasn’t much snow around there and it was pretty flat besides.

 I grew up on the edge of town.  There was a path through the woods and over a creek that all the kids in our neighborhood walked to school about a mile away.  I remember on my first day of school it was sort of a mystery unfolding walking through the woods with the bigger kids.  They encouraged me to go first so I would knock down the spider webs that were so plentiful in the fall.  I left a few for the taller kids.  We were under strict orders not to play in the creek until after school when we were on our way home.  I loved our walking commute and often met other kids to play by the creek on Saturdays, too.  Who needs a water park or jungle gym?  We had our creek and plenty of trees to climb. 

Nowadays, many parents are afraid to let their kids play outside.  In some housing developments there are even covenants that forbid kids to be outdoors without an adult.  That would have thrown a big crimp in my childhood. 

In Last Child Left in the Woods, Richard Louv quotes one study after another that shows how children need contact with wild nature to develop imagination, resourcefulness and creativity.  The Washington State Superintendent Office of Public Instruction sites studies that prove that outdoor experiences in Environmental Education improve scores on standardized tests.  The Island County Public Health Department encourages regular outdoor activity for a healthy lifestyle.  How many studies do we need to tell us that it’s good for kids, and the rest of us, to spend time being active outside?  Isn’t that a given?

Walking or biking to school is a good way to fight the obesity epidemic in America.  It would help reduce the cloud of noxious fumes around schools caused by parents idling while dropping kids off or picking them up.  And if more of us walked together, we’d become visual advocates for creating safer routes to school on sidewalks or bike paths. It would give our kids a jump start on their school day.  

Recently I discovered International Walk to School Day.  This year it’s on Wednesday, October 5^th.  The’e’s a website and a cute logo that says “Hike it, Bike it, We like it!”  On their site you’ll see photos of crowds of kids walking to school together in cities and towns all over the world.  www.walktoschool.org

Parents who’re concerned about their children walking alone can organize a Walking School Bus or Bike Train in their neighborhood.  The idea is that parents in the same neighborhood take turns escorting the kids to school on foot or by bike.  If you’re not sure how to get started, ask your kid’s PE teacher who might also be able to direct you to resources like free bike helmets or tips on the safest walking routes.

If parents are too busy, maybe there are other adults that could help.  Grandparents, older siblings or other family members might be invited to jump in. 

We might think we’re “treating them” with a hot cocoa while we idle at the take out window for our morning latte’, but what are we teaching them through our example?  That we should start the day with a big disposable cup of caffeine and sugar?   The real treat would be to develop a healthy lifestyle getting daily exercise and having quality time together.  And it’s a lot less expensive than the java jive. 

Rideshareonline is offering a luxury get-away for two to either the Sun Mountain Lodge, Inn at the Market, the Salish Lodge, Coeur d’Alene Resort or the historic Davenport Hotel.  Or you could get an iPad2.  All you have to do is carpool or vanpool twice a week from now until Sept. 18th and your name will be automatically entered to win.  You could also win a $50 gift card just for registering!  And the website will help you find a carpool match near you.

 Not only that but Island County will enter your name  in a drawing for a $50 gift card to the local business of your choice.  Just take a bike, bus, vanpool, carpool or walk to work 10 times a month (that’s 5 round trips).   This offer is good through December 2011.  Register now at www.Rideshareonline.com

Join me at the Oak Harbor Public Market on Thusday, Sept. 8th when I’ll be offering biking tips, Island County Bike Maps and may even help you fix a flat.  BYOB!

On Saturday, Sept. 17 there will be a Kid’s Bike Rodeo at Hillcrest Elementary in Oak Harbor.  They’ll have some bikes or you can bring your own.  This is a great opportunity for kids to learn how to ride safely, how to manuver and build confidence.  And it’s a great way to prepare for the up-coming…

Tour de Whidbey on Sat. Sept. 24.  Register on line for the 10 mile family friendly route that starts and ends in Coupeville.  Or sign up for the 30, 40, 50, or 100 mile route out of the Greenbank Farm.  It’s a fully supported ride along Whidbey’s beautiful backroads.   The benefits go to the Whidbey General Hospital Foundation.  Just “Google” Tour de Whidbey for details. 

After the ride there will be a party for cyclists at the new Greenbank 19o4 Pub hosted by our own Whidbey Island Bicycle Club.  Visit their web site to learn more about riding with others on Whidbey. www.whidbeybicycleclub.org

Sept. 24 is also the International Move the Planet Campaign.  Visit: www.350.org for more information and learn how people all over the world are making smarter, greener transportation choices. 

Wednesday, Oct. 5th is International Walk to School Day.  Their slogan “Hike it, Bike it, I like it!” says it all.  Walk or bike with your kids to school to help them get an invigorating start to the day and promote a healthy lifestyle.  Talk with neighbors and the gym teacher at your school to coordinate a Walking School Bus or Bike Train.  Get information at www.walktoschool.org/2011. 

All Schools are No Idle Zones!  When lines of cars sit idling at the start or end of a school day, a cloud of smog forms that children must walk through.  Smog can damage young lungs, so please, if you must drive to school,  turn off the engine while you wait.   Or drop your students off a block from the building.

The 2 Mile Challenge!  40% of all trips in America are 2 miles or less .  90% of those trips are made by a motor vehicle.  If one million people swiched one 2 mile trip per week from a car to a bike, we could reduce our country’s carbon footprint by 50,000 tons a year!  Take the 2 Mile Challenge and CLIF (makers of CLIF and Luna Bars) will donate $100,000 to charity.  Chose between Bicycles Alliance, Safe Routes 2 School or 350.org.  Visit: www.2MileChallenge.com for details and a very cool video.

Or you could walk.  Walking 2 miles takes about 45 minutes which is what doctors recommend for daily exercise.  It’s a great way to warm up the brain cells for work or relax at the end of the day. Oak Harbor is about 2 miles across so a bike or stroll across town is very doable.  To be safe, remember to wear bright colors and use reflectors or lights in dim light.  Cyclists should always wear a helmet and follow the rules of the road.  And register those trips on  www.Rideshareonline.com

Be safe, get fit and enjoy the rest of our summer!

Burning garbage and burn barrels  have been illegal all over Washington State for many years.  Smoke can damage the lungs of children and young adults and trigger life threatening asthma attacks at any age.   My neighbor used to burn garbage  in her burn barrel.  More than once I’d be outside gardening or just enjoying the afternoon on my deck, until I’d be engulfed in some foul smelling cloud.  I’d have to hold my breath, rush inside and close all the windows and doors. It’s not only an annoyance, it’s a health risk.  To report illegal burning of garbage, just call 911. 

Here in rural western Washington we have some of the best air quality on the planet.  The prevailing winds come across the Pacific and are washed by our rain forests on the Olympic Peninsula.  I’ve spoken with many visitors who have commented on our clean air, something I’ve taken for granted.  But when a neighbor starts burning garbage or brush next door, suddenly something connected to our immediate survival is denied. 

There are lots of great alternatives to burning garbage or brush.  Last night I gave a presentation about recycling and other ways to reduce waste at City Hall.  It was taped and will air on channel 10 on Wed, Fri, and Sun at 9am, 1pm, 5pm and 9pm until Sept 13th.  Anyone on Whidbey Island who gets Comcast cable will be able to see it (except in Coupeville because they have their own programs).  The DVD will also be available for check out at any Sno-Isle Library.  Check it out and find out about reducing waste, composting and how to responsibly dispose of drugs, electronics, and other hazardous waste.

You could also call me at 360-279-4762 or visit the city website www.oakharbor.org go to “links” and click on Environmental Education for information on recycling, composting or starting a worm bin for food waste.  If you live outside Oak Harbor another good website is www.wastewise.wsu.edu  or call Island County Recycling and Hazardous Waste @ 678-7386. They take yard waste as well.  Mailliard’s Landing on N. Oak Harbor Road also takes yard waste for a small fee.

There are so many better options that burning to get rid of garbage or yard waste.  Just save a few sticks for roasting marshmellows well away from the neighbors.

Visit this web site for more information or call me at 360-279-4762. 

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/outdoor_woodsmoke/residentialburn.htm#Is%20it%20legal

I have a table at the Oak Harbor Thursday Market each week and while I’m there giving out free reusable shopping bags or talking about worm bins, I keep an eye on the recycling bins.  I’ve made signs that I post on the bins.  I’ve glued a plastic bottle and aluminum can to the top but still people throw in all manner of things they probably think is recyclable, things like plastic cups with domed lids and straws, take out trays or paper plates coated with BBQ sauce.  One vendor has gone above and beyond the call to purchase compostable take out containers, when in fact we don’t have anywhere to professionally compost it on Whidbey Island. 

In Seattle if you put recyclables into your garbage you could be fined.  In Oak Harbor if you put garbage in your recycle bin you could be fined.  However, if you shop wisely (reduce the amount of packaging you bring home), have a compost pile and worm bin, and recycle everything you can, you’ll save about $500 a year.  You’ll also be reducing pollution, conserving natural resources and saving energy.  So it pays to get smart about what you can recycle in your community.  It’s different if you live in Oak Harbor, or Camano Island, than if you live on the rest of Whidbey, unless you have access to the Navy Base.  So the first question is always, “Where do you live?”

It’s hard to keep up with the changes that occur frequently in the recycling world.  There are political changes, market changes, and population changes that effect recycling services. 

Recycling laws change as well.  For instance in 2009 our State passed legislation that requires manufactures of certain electronic components to pay for proper recycling of their products.  Up until then most people threw their old TVs or computers in the garbage.  These electronics are laced with hazardous heavy metals that can poison soils and drinking water.  Many of these components were shipped overseas and taken apart for scraps by impoverished people in Asia and Africa.  Their villages were polluted and their health suffered. 

The new E-cycle Washington Program has responsibly recycled 78 million pounds of electronics in its first 2 years.  Now Washingtonians can recycle TVs, computer monitors, computer towers and laptops for free. The recycling is paid for by the manufacturers. 

Drug overdoses have surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of deaths in Washington State.  The majority involve prescription pain relievers.  Prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs and supplements involve over half of the accidental child poisonings in the State.  Flushing them down the drain pollutes our waterways and threatens wildlife. 

So in September of 2010 a National Drug Take Back Day was held when citizens were encouraged to bring unused medications to the local law enforcement agencies.   Nationwide 121 tons of prescription drugs were collected.  A few days later Congress passed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act.  The next Drug Take Back Day will be on Oct. 29^{th, 2011}.

What do you do if you can’t wait?  Remove the drugs from the original containers and mix them in a bag of dog poop, kitty litter or coffee grounds.  Then dispose of them in the trash.

These are just a couple of examples of the stories behind recycling efforts.  As the City Environmental Educator I get questions about recycling everything from old VCR tapes to car batteries, plant pots to florescent bulbs.  When I get these questions, I first ask another question.  “Where do you live?” Then  if I don’t know the answer, I usually know who to ask. 

Jerry Mingo at the Island County Solid Waste Complex is in charge of recycling, hazardous waste and yard waste collection for Island County.  At the Solid Waste Complex just south of Coupeville there is a recycle center that includes a thrift shop.  You’ll be able to properly dispose of hazardous waste just around the corner.  While you’re there you can pick up free paint, cleaning supplies, and other common household hazardous waste.  Mingo aims to keep as much out of the landfill as possible.  He’s a great resource for county residents trying to do the right thing.

Jerry Mingo and I will try to answer your recycling questions at a seminar on Recycling in the Real World at Oak Harbor City Hall on Tuesday, August 9, 5:30-6:30pm.

August 13-14 Puget Sound Energy will Rock the Bulb at Ace Hardware in Oak Harbor.  Bring in ten old light bulbs and replace them with your choice of ten new, high efficiency, CFL bulbs for FREE!  If you’re hestitant to convert to CFL bulbs because they don’t fit your fixtures, take too long to warm up or have a weird glow, look again.  All these issues have been addressed in the latest versions. 

You ‘ll be able to choose between a wide array of bulbs including dimmers, globes and even some shaped like a candle flame.  They come in soft, warm glows or ultra-bright.  Take your pick.  They don’t take but a second to warm up.  And there will be exhibits that show how much energy you’ll be saving which translates into saving big bucks for you.  These bulbs sometimes sell for $5 each.  But at this event they’re free.  Once they’re installed you’ll save up to $30 more on energy bills over the life of your bulb.  Then multiply that by ten and you’ve got a good reason to come Rock the Bulb with us.

It’s true that CFL bulbs have a trace of mercury in them (about as much as is in your watch battery).  So it’s smart to screw them into a sturdy lamp or fixture.  If one breaks, open the windows for ventilation and get children out of the room.  Scrape up the bits with index cards.  Put them in a sealable bag.  Then wipe up the tiny bits with a damp paper towel and put that into the bag, too.  Seal it shut and dispose of it, and any other used CFL bulbs at these locations.

Oak Harbor City Hall

Oak Harbor Senior Center

Oak Harbor Library

Home Depot

Ace Hardware

Island County Recycle Station at 3151 Oak Harbor Road.

Another great place to go is the Oak Harbor Public Market on Thursday evenings between 4:00 and 7:00pm.  It’s between the NWMS track and the Chamber of Commerce along Highway 20.  The City of Oak Harbor information table will host fun educational activities for kids, and offer lots of free green living gifts.  Come by and ask about recycling, storm water, composting or worm bins.  Other organizations will partner with us each week.  Here’s the schedule for July and August.

July 14 – Spin the Wheel of Waste and win a canvas shopping bag.

July 21 – Learn about the new Whidbey Green Seal.  It’s not just for businesses.  Any organization with a building open to the public can apply.

July 28 – Make non-toxic cleaners with Janet Hall of WSU Ext. Waste Wise.  ($5 donation will support WSU programs.)

Aug. 4 – Visit the Bulb Mobile and get a free CFL bulb from PSE.  Learn about other energy efficiency programs, rebates and incentives.

Aug. 11 – Learn about Rain Gardens with the Whidbey Island Conservation District.  Rain gardens slow and filter storm water to reduce pollution.

Aug. 18 – Find out how to create Backyard Wildlife Habitat with the W.I. Conservation District.   Apply for your certificate.

Aug. 25 – Play Pitch the Poop and get a free Scoop the Poop Sticker. 

Come see me at the Public Market.

There is also an important Shoreline Master Plan meeting coming up on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 6:00-8:00pm  at the library’s meeting room at Skagit Valley College.  For anyone who is concerned about preserving our beaches, water quality, regulations or development on our city’s shoreline, this is your chance to learn more and share your views.  For more information on this meeting call City Planner Ethan Spoo at 279-4513.

The City didn’t want to stop with cosmetics.  We are comitted to a full upgrade of infrastructure.  A new Greenroads Certification had just been developed at the University of Washington.  It provides a sustainability rating system like the LEED certification for buildings.  It includes many options that were incorporated into the Pioneer Way Improvement Project.  Underground powerlines, wider sidewalks, more parking, street art, storm water filters built into planter boxes, warm asphalt and several other steps would reduce waste, minimize pollution, and make the street more pleasant for people.  Though there are several Greenroads pilot projects currently being proposed, it appeared that when the Pioneer Way Improvement Project was completed in the fall it would be the first certified Greenroad in the State. 

Strider Construction had worked expertly and efficiently and had just announced that they were about a week ahead of schedule… until Thursday that is.  One of the construction crew digging beneath the layers of the old street discovered bones.  Work came to a sudden halt.  City project staff and the county coroner were called to the scene.  He determined they were indeed human bones and probably native American.  The tribes were notified.   The State Archeologist was summoned but he wasn’t able to come immediately.  News crews arrived with helicopters and microphones.  Now we know there are bones beneath our feet on Pioneer Way and they’ve been there for at least a century.

While we wait for the officials and the tribes to work things out, a fence has been erected around the site and the bones respectfully covered.  Curious onlookers will find there is not much to see.  Still we expect people to talk about it and gaze a while at that small patch of covered ground.  It’s only natural to stop and ponder about the bones beneath our feet.  But it is illegal to remove them or disturb them in anyway.   I know I wouldn’t want anyone disturbing my family cemetery. 

Now the City engineers, planners and construction crew are trying to figure out how to continue working on the project while leaving this site undisturbed.  It will certainly slow things a bit which isn’t good for the downtown businesses who have already had to put up with months of construction outside their doors.  Though that part of the project will be put on hold for awhile, it reminds us that everywhere we walk has been shared by those before us.   Discovering these bones makes it clear that one generation is connected to the next, and the next, and the next, in a very real sense. 

When those bones were placed in the ground there were salmon in Puget Sound as big as I am.  There were abundant shellfish and waterfowl.  Wolves roamed Whidbey Island.  In a hundred years, a lot has changed.  Puget Sound is in trouble.  Our Orca and salmon are listed as endangered.  Our beaches and shellfish beds are periodically closed due to toxins flushed from our city streets.  It is not a legacy I would want to leave behind.

In  striving for the Greenroads certification on Pioneeer Way we aim to create a streetscape that will be better for our children and grandchildren, leaving less waste, cleaner waters and air, and a more pleasant place for people to gather as a community.  

It would be good for each of us to keep in mind those who came before and those who will follow even in our daily actions. 

Like my mother always said, “Be sure to leave a place better than you found it.” 

For more information on the laws that protect native American burial sites visit:

http://www.ibsgwatch.imagedjinn.com/learn/washingtonlaw.htm

Year two, Ward Beebe took first place with 720 miles.  He’d ridden in some long distance races like from Shelton to Westport and back.  Second place winner Jerry Mingo came in with over 600 miles.  Jerry commutes from Port Townsend to his job in Coupeville putting his bike on the ferry and taking the steep route to work.  He’d go on weekend rides around Marrowstone Island or down to Quilcene and back.  Charles Arndt took third place.  He’s known for his Sunday rides from Coupeville up to Mount Erie and back.  What a workout!  But there’s a great view from the top.  All of these guys have full time jobs.

This year (I know you’re dying to find out) the winner with the Most Miles in May is Brian Wood, founder of the Whidbey Island Bike Club.  How appropriate is that?  Though this May was cold and damp Brian logged 667 miles.

Brian Wood wears the Whidbey Island Bike Club jersey.

Most of his miles were logged commuting between Oak Harbor and Coupeville around Penn Cove.   He wrote a poetic account of his experience.

Most of my mileage resulted from setting a goal of commuting every workday in May. I achieved the latter goal despite less than cooperative weather and though it was a struggle initially, once I got into the groove, I pretty much looked forward to the trip each morning. Bike-commuting on Whidbey is like a bicycle vacation anywhere else.

Although I have a vague memory of some very nice scenery from my drives into work, I know that I and my bicycle were an integral element of that scenery as I rode in. I am sure that some drivers, looking out over the landscape, saw a cyclist as one of the landscapes many engaging components, a piece that seemed to fit in with the overall picture in just the right way. I can’t recall a bike commute day where I did not wish for a camera to capture the subtle alterations in lighting, cloud cover or water movement that paint Penn Cove. Some mornings the snow covered Olympic Mountains seemed to glow in distance that seemed oddly close. Some days the roads glistened with rain and many other days my dry roads contrasted with the curtains of stretched clouds that announced the deluges that everyone else was experiencing. Everyday I hoped to see my favorite kingfisher perched on the fallen madrona limb that juts out over the water. And everyday I found that I loved the way the road undulates like a ribbon over the land so that my eyes look forward to the next curve and rise, even when my legs protest. Each commute brought me flowers, eagles, ponds, homes, trees, farms and a myriad other novelties that kept me glad that I was moving at just the right speed to appreciate them.

The Most Miles in May contest started 3 years ago.   This year our top 6 riders won prizes donated by local businesses, Whidbey Island Bank, Dean’s Sports Shop, Bicycles Northwest and Whidbey General Hospital Foundation donated a registration to the Tour de Whidbey on Sept. 14th.  We appreciate their support.   Next year we plan to include a separate youth division for those 18 and under.

 I ride a bike part way to work, 5 miles, and then catch the bus.  I really look forward to it at the beginning and end of my days.  My bike came from the thrift shop, I wear a bright green T-shirt for visibility and I always wear my helmet.   So it cost next to nothing to get started.   Now I’m hooked and look forward to more recreational riding.  It feels good to be physically moving myself.  I’m loosing weight and enjoying the experience.

People at work formed a bike team as part of  the Group Health Commute Challenge put on by the Cascade Bike Club in Seattle.  This May there were over 1400 teams, 11,112 riders, 88,921 bike trips,  and get this… 1,306,014 miles logged in just one month! That’s over 100 miles a person.  Impressive.

I learned that40% of all trips taken in America are 2 miles or less and 90%  are done by car.    Okay maybe some of those trips are made with kids in the backseat or groceries or whatever you’re hauling around.  But I expect a good many are with one driver and not much else. 

Cars run on fossil fuels that are getting very expensive not only at the pump but also with our multi-year multi-billion dollar wars and the impact  human lives.

In contrast, the bicycle is the most efficient form of transportation ever invented.   One hundred calories will fuel a cyclist for 3 miles, but would only move a car 280 feet.  Bikes run on food, a renewable resource you can grow yourself.  

Mostly I ride because it’s way more fun than sitting in a seat and touching a gas pedal with one toe.  No wonder drivers are so distracted, eating, drinking, playing music, talking on the phone, texting, or just spacing out.  Driving is dull.  Riding a bike is just plain fun.

Starting on July 1st the Washington State Parks, DNR and Fish and Wildlife areas will require a Discover Pass.  The fee will be $10 per vehicle or $30 for a annual pass.  This is an incredible deal!  That’s access to 7 million acres of year round fun for the price of one cheap dinner with a date.

Let’s face it.  Our State budget is down to bare bones.  Many State Parks, DNR and Fish and Wildlife areas would close to the public without the new Discover Pass.  More staff would loose their jobs.  The facilities would fall into disrepair.  This is a brilliant way to let those of us who use the parks and wilderness areas contribute to the upkeep.  And it’s so affordable!

The Discover Pass includes camping, boat access, trails, restrooms, picnic areas, wildlife and wilderness areas, interpretive centers, amphitheatres, equestrian paths, bike paths, bandstands, forts,  lighthouses, boat programs, historic sites… there’s even a planetarium!  For birdwatching, horse riding, kayaking, mountain climbing, star gazing, swimming, sking, sailing, surfing, sun bathing, biking, boating, wildlife watching, windsurfing, picnicing or just relaxing our parks and wilderness areas can’t be beat.  From the Peace Arch on the Canadian border to Mount St. Helens, from coastal Fort Columbia to Steamboat Rock on the dry side, you’ll find an overwhelming array of options available for year round fun and fascination.

We have some of the most beautiful parks right around here.  Deception Pass State Park is by far the most popular, but there’s also Fort Casey, Fort Ebey, Joseph Whidbey, and South Whidbey State Park on Whidbey.  Cama Beach on Camano is a great place for families with cabins and campgrounds on the beach and lots of activities for kids.  Or take the Port Townsend ferry to Fort Worden and Fort Flagler, great places to explore, enjoy the beach, the aquarium and the natural history museum, music festivals and dances. 

Save on gas this summer.  Have a great vacation just down the road in our incredible State Parks and wilderness areas.  Here’s how to get your new Discover Pass.

*See the website for specifics about what is included or excluded (ie: some fishing, hunting, trapping licenses don’t require an additional fee but a shellfish license does.)  People accessing these sites by boat, bike or walking are not charged the vehicle fee.

• Online http://www.discoverpass.wa.gov/
• In person from any of nearly 600 recreational license vendors where state fishing and hunting licenses are sold.
• By phone. Call toll-free (866) 320-9933.
• When you renew your vehicle license. Beginning in the fall of 2011, you will be able to purchase the Discover Pass through the state Department of Licensing vehicle registration and tab renewal process.

Thank you for supporting Washington state recreation lands.

If you haven’t been yet, it’s held among the trees between the OHMS track and the Chamber of Commerce each Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.  Driving by on Hwy 20 you start to see the trucks backing in and the tents sprouting around noon. Tables are set up and bins full of colorful produce are displayed.  Crafts people, artists, musicians all share their talents.  The smell of BBQ and Kettle Corn, egg rolls and salmon waft through the air.   Cars pull up, people begin to meander through.  The shopping begins precisely at 4:00 when Peg Tennant calls with her booming voice that, “The Market is Now Open!”   

Peg Tennant calls "The Market is Now Open!"

You can buy meats, cheeses, fruits, veggies, nuts and preserves and stay on your 100 Mile Diet.  It’s all fresh and comes from local farming families you may know.  It’s fun to talk with the different vendors who often introduce me to something new.  One co-worker goes there to buy milk, another goes for the flowers, and several friends go to have dinner at the picnic tables each week.  It’s a festive atmosphere and fun for all ages.

Buying local food means you’re getting the very freshest food available.  Ask the vendor and they’ll tell you it was harvested in the last 24 hours.   Most of it is grown organically so it’s good for you, and the farm workers and the earth, too.   The average grocery store food travels over a thousand miles between the farm and the plate.  It’s harvested before it’s ripe and pumped full of stuff to keep it looking good all the way to your store, but lacks nutrition.  When I read the ingredients of some of the processed foods in the store I wonder if it’s really food at all. 

Farmer’s Markets are a way to get the best food your money can buy.  It feeds you and your community.  Even though I have a garden and grow some vegetables at home, I can get more variety at the market and get things like meat and diary that I can’t grow.   Plus, it’s just fun.

I’ll be there again this summer with my information table and I’ll be inviting friends to help.  My table is near the ”food court”.  Each week I’ll have a different focus and usually have freebies to give away.  Put these dates on your calendar and look for me at the market!

June 9-Spin the Wheel of Waste, answer recycling questions and get a free shopping bag.

June 16 – I’ll have the Pitch the Poop Game, get a Scoop the Poop sticker.

 June 23 -the City Water Division will be encouraging water cosnervation and giving away low-flow showerheads and rain gauges to Oak Harbor residents. 

June 30- Shore Steward, Scott Chase will be demonstrating how to set up a rain barrel.  Enter your name for a drawing to win a rain barrel.

July 7- Janet Hall, WSU Waste Wise Coordinator, will be demonstrating how to set up a worm bin.  Enter your name in a drawing to win a worm bin. 

Check back later for more dates, topics and freebies.  There’s always a good reason to go to the market.  If you can’t make it to Oak Harbor’s Thursday Market, try to make it to these other local markets. (From north to south.)

Anacortes Farmer’s Market- Sat. 9am-2pm by the Depot Arts Center at 611 R Ave.

Coupeville Farmers Market- Sat. 10am-2pm beside the Library at 788 NW Alexander St.

Greenbank Sunday Market-Sun. 11am-3pm at the Greenbank Farm.

Tilth Farmers Market-Sun. 11:30-3:30 on Hwy 20 and Thompson Rd.

Bayview Farmers Market – Sat. 10am-2pm by the Bayview Hall at Bayview Rd and Hwy 20

Terrace at Scenic Heights, Gateway to Waterfront Trail

Big News!  Scenic Heights Park Opens New Gateway to Waterfront Trail

The Oak Harbor Waterfront Trail, 20 years in the making, now has a new entrance on Scenic Heights Street.  The Scenic Heights trailhead park presents a beautiful gateway to the City’s 3 mile long Waterfront Trail embracing Oak Harbor Bay. 

As part of a long range transportation plan, the Waterfront Trail helps meet the City’s goal of providing alternative transportation options with easy access for pedestrians and cyclists, along with restoring habitat and beautifying the waterfront.  The Waterfront Trail makes it easy for residents and visitors to engage in a healthier, more active lifestyle.  The trail is a popular route for joggers, baby strollers, cyclists,  bird watchers and dog walkers.  (Please pick up their poop.)  There are campsites, picnic areas and the City Marina all within a stone’s throw of downtown and residential neighborhoods with multiple access points and now a new grand entrance.

In 2003, the City bought the lot on Scenic Heights Road from the Freund Family and began planning the trailhead park.  If they hadn’t bought this lot at that time, entry to the waterfront trail would be a ten foot wide corridor between private property lines.

After years of restoration work, trail building, and even planting a few snags, the Freund Marsh portion of the Trail was dedicated in August of 2008.  A series of new Interpretive Signs were unveiled with help from the State Dept. or Ecology and the Marine Resource Committee and created by local artist Kris Wiltse and writer Dan Pedersen. 

In April of 2009, the Waterfront Boardwalk was dedicated, providing an important link between two established sections of the trail.

Then, thanks to partnering between the City and Navy, the extension to Maylor’s Point was opened in April of 2010. 

This spring the Scenic Heights trailhead park will be added with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:30pm on April 7^th. 

Besides trail access, the Scenic Heights trailhead offers parking, paved pathways for those with disabilities, and a circular terrace ringed by a bench with views of the marsh and the bay.  If you stand in the center of the terrace and speak softly, you’ll hear your voice naturally amplified.

The City chose to incorporate Low Impact Development (LID) features that slow and filter storm water.  The pervious concrete in the parking area and pervious trail pavers allow rain water to soak into the ground, recharging ground water tables and reducing surface water runoff.  These features also reduce ice on the pavement in the winter. 

The rain garden acts like a natural wetland absorbing storm water and filtering pollutants from the street.    The City wanted to offer these LID features to protect the wetlands, recreational beaches and aquatic life as well as provide a demonstration of the LID designs.  Colorful new interpretive panels will explain how they work. 

Another interpretive display will recognize the cultural history of the site.  Freund Marsh and the Scenic Heights Trailhead Park were once part of the Freund Family’s 1860 donation land claim.  Oak Harbor was one of the earliest European settlements in the State of Washington.

The Scenic Heights property was purchased with Island County Futures Funds, construction costs were covered with Federal Transportation Enhancement Funds, and the Department of Ecology funded the interpretive signs.  Local designers, contractors and suppliers included Cane Engineering, HBB Landscape Architecture, Corey Johnson were involved as well as the City’s own Planning, Engineering and Parks Department staff.    We’re proud to open this new park to the public and welcome all to the three mile long Oak Harbor waterfront trail.

March is a good month to wear the Green, but it seems like green is popping up everywhere, in every season.  We’ve got green tea, green beans, Green Hornet, Green Bay Packers, green businesses and now even green roads.   The Pioneer Way Improvement Project is a new Greenroads pilot project and may be the first street in the country that has been designed and constructed to achieve certification under this program.   Being one of the first means that a lot of people, like myself, have no idea what that means.  So I looked into it.

The Greenroads program is a rating system to determine the level of sustainability in the design and construction of a new or rehabilitated roadway.  It’s a holistic approach to road development with a well defined list of best practices that will guide the project toward greater sustainability.  The word sustainable has been used almost as much as the word green, so the introduction in the Greenroads manual defines it with three concepts: ecology, economy and equity.  These along with four more e words; extent, expectations, experience and exposure, are the Greenroads principles.

 If you’ve heard of the LEED Certification for buildings you’ll see similarities.  LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and like the Greenroads certification, there are four levels.  In the Greenroads program they are Certified, Silver, Gold and the highest level is Evergreen.  Can you tell this idea was hatched at the University of Washington?

I was surprised to read that the original concept started with a master’s thesis written in 2007 by a woman, Martina Soderlund.  Her thesis titled, Sustainable Roadway Design: a Model for an Environmental Rating System is available for check out at the University of Washington library.  The program has evolved with the help of dozens of other University scholars and professional collaborators and now is actually being worked out in the field through pilot projects in several locations including Whatcom County, Mercer Island and right here in Oak Harbor.   The Pioneer Way project started with a groundbreaking ceremony on March 1^st and will continue through most of the year.

Each Greenroads project must meet the same eleven project requirements.  Beyond that there’s a menu of suggested actions that will earn points which apply to credits that add up to a total score which will determine the level of sustainability.  Each project must earn at least thirty-two points (above and beyond the eleven requirements) from the list of voluntary credits for the minimum level of Certification.  Not all of the suggestions will apply to each project but there are enough so that any project can meet at least the minimum certification.  The suggestions and point system help planners chose between options that will result in less ecological impact and a higher quality of life.  Oak Harbor City Engineer, Eric Johnston said, “They were mostly things we were planning to do anyway.  We just added a few more.”

The Pioneer Way Improvements will include multi-modal and pedestrian-friendly streetscape enhancements like widening sidewalks, burying power lines, public art and more gathering places.  Street improvements will provide more parking, the removal and replacement of the entire surface street cross section, an improved storm water drainage system, and sanitary sewer system within the limits of the existing infrastructure.   Choosing the Greenroads approach will mean reduced waste, decrease demand for fossil energy, water use and reduced emissions, better use of resources, improved accessibility, human health and safety for the workers and later as people use the street.

Being able to achieve Greenroads certification and publicize that sets a new standard in the planning, design and construction of roadways just as LEED and BuiltGreen Certifications have done for buildings and homes.  For instance the cottages in the Highlands in Langley are certified BuiltGreen.  Like the LEED certification for buildings and the BuiltGreen standards for homes, Greenroads will help guide us to a more sustainable future.

To find out more about the options that will be applied to Pioneer Way, the City has opened a new office at 720 Pioneer Way Suite 1-A in order to closely supervise the project, give support to Pioneer Way businesses  and share information with the public.  Project Specialist, Larry Cort and City Engineer, Joe Stowell are there to answer questions.  There’s also a new web page devoted to the project at www.oakharbor.org/page.cfm?pageID=379

Credit to the Creators of the Greenroads Program; Muench, S.T., Anderson, J.L., Hatfield, J.P., Koester, J.R., & Soderlund, M. et al. (2010)  Greenroads Rating System v1.0. (J.L. Anderson and S.T. Muenich, Eds.) Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

I was in New Orleans for Mardi Gras once and another year  I was in Holland during Festival.  Both are pre-Lent parties where people go wild.   The parades were awesome.  There was incredible music, colorful and elaborate costumes and dancing in the street, lots of good food and even more drink.  Everybody goes all out!  It’s like you have to do 40 days worth of partying in a concentrated time frame to get it out of your system before Lent.  Then suddenly everybody gets quiet.

As an environmental educator I’m always encouraging people to change their behavior for their own benefit and the benefit of all.  Last year I came across the Earth Ministries web site in Seattle.  They had a calendar of different behaviors they recommended for each day of Lent.  One day it was to change a light bulb to CFL.  Another was to ride the bus.   Nice ideas, but I’ve learned that to make lasting change, we need to keep doing something for about a month straight, no excuses, no breaks, for it to become the new norm.

So what if we each chose one thing, one behavior that we change or something new we can do for the duration of Lent.  Yes, that’s more than 30 days, but an extra week or 10 days is just more insurance that we stick with it for good.  Pick one thing that will make this world a better place to live in, and probably improve our quality of life, and then just do it. 

It’s got to mean something to you, reflect your values and what you’re most concerned about.  Maybe you have an idea of something already and just haven’t taken the next step.  So let’s let Lent prompt us to get going. 

If you have no idea of what you could do, here are a few ideas;

No Idling-Do not “warm up”  or idle your car for more than 30 seconds before driving.  It will save gas, money, clear the air and it doesn’t harm your engine.   Idling around schools can harm your child’s brain development.

Bring your own bag(s) to the store.  Everytime. 

Use real plates and utensils- Ditch the plastic.  It’s hard to recycle and ends up in the water.  There’s now 6 times more plastic than plankton in the ocean.  Never put plastic in the microwave or you will be eating it.

Start a worm bin or compost pile.  It will reduce your waste and benefit the soil in your garden.  Visit: www.wastewise.wsu.edu for information.  Then stop using pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.  See our compost demonstration site at the Public Works Shop, 1400 NE 16th Ave. Oak Harbor

Take the bus, bike, walk or carpool.  Try leaving the car at home at least once a week.  Register at www.rideshareonline.com for a chance to win $50. Take your kids out for a bike ride, properly dressed with bright clothes and a helmet.  Join the Whidbey Island Bike Club here http://www.whidbeybicycleclub.org/  or on Facebook.

Pick up after your pet – even in your own yard.  There are an estimated 15,000 dogs in Island County who dump 5,000 pounds of poop a day.  Pet poop (dogs and cats) carries E. coli, giardia and round worms and is hazardous to human health and water quality.  Bag it, tie it shut and throw it in the garbage.  Do not compost it.

Recycle as much as possible.  If you live in Island County and you don’t have a recycling system set up at home, work, school or church, please give me a call.  279-4762 or visit: www.wastewise.wsu.edu

Take a Walk once a week in one of our wonderful parks.  Pick up  a little litter along the way.   Kick the sticks off the trail.  It’s refreshing, healthful and helps build an appreciation for what we have.  Say a little prayer for the planet while you’re out there.

Try it and let me know how it goes.  Email:  mcrandell@oakharbor.org

Thanks.

Greenroads, on Pioneer Way- Tuesday, March 8 at 5:30pm @ Oak Harbor City Hall -  Come hear what’s planned as part of the Pioneer Way Improvements.  Find out about the Greenroads certification, a new sustainability rating system for road design and construction (much like LEED or BuiltGreen for buildings).  Pioneer Way will be one of the first roads in America to become  Greenroads Certified.  The goal is to go beyond existing regulations.  Hear this presentation by Project Specialist, Larry Cort.

Wonderful World of Worms – Sat. March 12, 2pm @ Oak Harbor Library -   All you ever wanted to know about worms but were afraid to ask.  Learn how to start a worm bin and what worm bin might best suit your site and lifestyle.  Study the secrets of worm courtship, reproduction and their dietary preferences.  $ave money and reduce waste while creating wonderful soil amendments for your garden.

Whidbey Gardening Workshop – Saturday, March 19, 9:30-3:30 @ Coupeville Middle and High School  - with keynote speaker Graham Kerr (formerly known as the Galloping Gourmet).  Sign up for multiple workshops, visit vendors and displays and enjoy a day among the greenest people around.  Visit: www.island.wsu.edu or call 360-240-5527.

Open House for Landscapers, HOA, Realtors and Property Managers - Tuesday, March 22 -   Join us for breakfast and a smorgasbord of mini talks on rain gardens, caring for Oak trees, the latest in irrigation systems, low impact development and landscaping with native plants.   RSVP 279-4762 or email Mcrandell@OakHarbor.org

South Whidbey Green Home Tour – Saturday, April 2, 10am-3pm presented by Whidbey Watershed Stewards.  Tickets are $20.  Call 360-579-1272 or info@whidbeywatersheds.org for more information. 

Puget Sound Starts Here - Tuesday, April 12, 5:30 @ Oak Harbor City Hall-  Learn about the health of Puget Sound and how Low Impact Development is helping to reduce some of the worst pollution.  Presenters include Rob Hallbauer of Whidbey Island Conservation District, Tillie Scruton and Mohmaud Abdel-Monem of WSU Beach Watchers. 

 Rain Garden Basics -Saturday, April 16, 2pm @ Oak Harbor Library Learn how to build a rain garden and why you might want to.  Find out how to integrate native plants for a waterwise and habitat friendly landscape.

Earth Day  Family Fun Fest  Saturday, April 23, 10am-2pm  @ Oak Harbor Yacht Club    Bring the whole family for this Green Living festival of fun.  Try the Wheel of Waste, Recycle Relay, or Pitch the Poop game.   Learn how to make your own non-toxic cleaners,  start a worm bin, or set up a rain barrel.  There will be a kid’s bike rodeo, beater bike give-away, inflation station and bike repair clinic.  Get a prize if you arrive by bike, bus or on your own two feet.   If you or your group would like to volunteer to help, please contact me ASAP @ 360-279-4762 or mcrandell@oakharbor.org

Saturday, April 30, 11:00am -Holland Happening Parade  Bring your bike and join the Like2Bike contengent on east Pioneer Way at 10:30.  Wear a costume and a helmet to be in the parade.  It the “Year of the Bike!”

Monday, May 2, First Monday in May Breakfast for Bikers  This is a kick-off to Bike to Work Month.  More details will be forthcoming.

Most Miles in May -Get in shape now to log the Most Miles on your bike in May.  The top three winners will get valuable prizes.  More details soon.

There is more but I’m all out of breath.  Happy spring!

I’ve already registered at Rideshareonline.com walking part way and catching the bus to work.  Soon I’ll start riding my bike part way.  There’s a great bike path near my house but it’s dark this time of year, so I’m waiting for the morning and evening light to shine on my commute.  The hour of bike riding each day will take the place of my gym membership.  I’ll save money by quitting the gym, and save more by taking the bus instead of driving. 

Another of my New Year’s Resolutions is to save money.  With the cost of living going sky high and my cost of living raise being cut to nothing, I have to make some changes.  The AAA says the actual cost of driving your car is 52 cents more than the price of a gallon of gas .  Think about the insurance, maintenance, repair, registration, and other expenses.  Compare that to carpooling and you’ve cut the cost of your commute by at least half.  Then try taking the bus once or twice a week and you’ll be saving some big bucks.   Island Transit doesn’t charge a fee.  How cool is that?  With gas prices above $3/gallon it makes a lot of cents.  There schedule is posted here:  http://www.islandtransit.org/

Speaking of big bucks, if you’re an Island County resident and commute without driving alone in a car you could win $50.  Just register on www.Rideshareonline.com.  Use their online calendar to keep track of how you commute each day, by bus, bike, vanpool, carpool or walking, and if you make at least 10 one way trips a month your name could be drawn for a $50 reward.  If you commute in or out of Coupeville, you could also be eligible for a $100 gift card for the Coupeville merchant of your choice.   Multiple names are drawn each month so the chances of winning are pretty good.

Island Transit carries 5,000 people a day with their bus, vanpool and para-transit services.  That’s 5,000 less cars on the road,  a huge reduction in traffic noise and congestion, and a lot less water and air pollution.  There are 90 vanpools carrying people on and off island.  If they all used the ferry they’d take up half a boat.  If these vanpoolers were each driving their own vehicles they’d take up 3 ferries.  Buses are safer than driving your own vehicle, too.  You can sit back and listen to music, text, read, sleep or visit with friends while enjoying a stress free commute. 

I’ve made lots of friends on the bus.  Louise gave up her car years ago.  She commutes by bus or carpool and occasionally borrows a family car for vacations.  Several friends  commute by bike whenever possible, just for the fun of it.  The new Whidbey Bicycle Club are good folks to ride with, too.  Find out when by visiting; www.whidbeybicycleclub.org   Islander Kurt Hoelting, wrote a book about getting around on foot, by bike, by kayak and public transit for a year.    His book, Circumference of Home, shares adventures of a very deliberate year of living locally.  I see kids getting around pretty well on skate boards, too.  Now that’s an adventurous form of travel.  I’m looking forward to biking, busing, walking and kayaking more this year, and maybe winning $50!

Yo Ho Ho!

I am tickled pink that we have more merchants participating in our Waste Wise Holiday Campaign this year than ever before!  This is the 3^rd year we’ll be offering discount coupons for gifts of experience that require little or no packaging.  Starting Thanksgiving week clip and save on gift certificates for salon and spa visits,  dining, bowling, theatre, knitting, quilting and scuba diving classes, massage, coffee and treats, and for the kids, a discount on painting your own pottery or a visit to Popsies candy store to pick out their favorite flavor of  ”sugar plums”.  So there really is something for everyone on your gift list.  

Every year Americans generate 25% more garbage during the holiday season, that’s a million more tons of garbage EACH WEEK between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.  Can you believe it?!  There’s alot of unrecyclable plastic and styrfoam around those new electronic gadgets we crave, lots of parties resulting in food waste and unrecyclable paper plates and cups, wrapping paper ribbons and bows under the tree, tinsel, lights and stuff we use to decorate the house, yard and office.  These money-saving coupons are meant to get folks interested in giving gifts of experience that don’t need a lot of packaging.   A simple envelope should do the trick and that’s easy to recycle.

I, for one, am going to get at least 2 gift certificates for my very own self,  guilt-free!  I’ll be supporting my friends and neighbors, contributing to our local tax base which goes to support local services (like the bus I take to work each day), while getting a discount on a great massage and a dinner out at one of my favorite restaurants.  For every $100 I spend at locally owned businesses, $68 will remain in our community.  If I spent the same $100 at the big chain stores in town, only $43 would remain in Oak Harbor. 

Besides, going to the mainland is so time consuming, gas guzzling, the traffic is terrible, parking is competitive, and the canned muzak is thoroughly nauseating.  So why not stay closer to home, relax, enjoy the local craft bazaars and seasonal events, visit with friends and family and have a less-stressful holiday experience.

Many of the participating merchants are on Pioneer Way in our historic district where  it’s fun to stroll from shop to shop, up one side and down the other.  Soak in the quaint feel of our charming downtown all spruced up for the season.  With all the upgrades that will be done on Pioneer Way in the coming year, these businesses will need all the support they can get to make ends meet while the street is under construction.  So let’s help them out and help ourselves to a delightful holiday shopping experience.

Look for the Stuffed Sock ad in the Whidbey News Times and Whidbey Marketplace on Thanksgiving Week to clip your coupons.  They’ll also be available on the front counter at Oak Harbor’s City Hall and on the city web site (under public works, environmental education- news, http://www.oakharbor.org/news.cfm?pageId=142).  Clip and save not only money but landfill space, natural resources, reduce pollution and energy while supporting our community.  Shop local,  reduce waste AND save a bundle!  It’s a Win Win!

Happy Holidays,

Maribeth

Let’s cut to the chase.  We Americans LOVE our automobiles.  Great! Share them with a friend or two or three.  In other words, CARPOOL.  By sharing your ride with just one other person, you’ve cut your transportation carbon in half!  Now wasn’t that easy? 

I shared my ride this morning with a dozen others on an Island Transit bus.  That took 11 vehicles off the road so less traffic congestion.  I get to listen to music or  read on the way.   Sometimes I ride with people I work with so we get a jump start on our projects, thus we spend less time in meetings.  The drivers let me off within a few blocks of my office, even though it’s not an official bus stop.  I get a little exercise walking to and from the bus each day which is especially good as the holiday season approaches… And by riding the bus consistently (Island Transit has no fare) I save a ton of money. 

Now there’s a really great tool that helps me track how much money I save and how much I’ve reduced my carbon footprint.  Visit: Rideshareonline.com and register.  Your own personal calendar tracks how you got around on a given day, for work or fun.  You can chose between; walk, bike, carpool, vanpool, bus or hot air balloon (just kidding).  Their calculator (based on the AAA estimates of the real cost of automobile use) automatically computes your results each time. 

My calculator says since I registered in September I’ve not driven 44 times, saved $416, and reduced my carbon footprint by 615 pounds.  (I’ve lost a lot of weight!)  Statewide we cut 232,777 trips driving alone, saved $2,219,873 and reduced our carbon dioxide in the air by 3,282, 622 pounds.  That is totally awesome.  See what a difference you can make!

And there are prizes!  Last summer they offered an iPad or a luxury vacation.  In October they gave away $2,500.  The Town of Coupeville is also offering incentives.   If you commute in or out of Coupeville and register on Rideshareonline you are automatically entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card to the Coupeville Merchant of your choice.  Who couldn’t use an extra $100 about now? 

So let’s see, we can cut carbon emissions, burn calories, visit with friends or co-workers, enjoy listening to music or reading in a clean and relaxed commute, while we’re saving a ton of money and becoming eligible for prizes.  Or we can drive our own gas guzzling, carbon coughing, money burning vehicle door to door and become fatter and uglier by the day?  Your choice. 

Now log on to the Island Trasit website and check on their schedule.  If their routes don’t serve your neighborhood consider taking a bike to where you can catch the bus.  Or find someone in your neighborhood that can carpool with you.  Island Transit also has dozens of vanpools running up and down and on and off the Island everyday.   Visit:  www.islandtransit.org

Last timeI checked Rideshareonline has 126 Oak Harbor residents already registered.  The County has 397 registered and State wide there are 18,285 people who are making smart trip choices.  So get with it!  Stop reading this blog and go to Rideshareonline.com!

Look around this evening after you’ve turned out the lights.  How many tiny colored eyes are still beaming at you.  Whatever has a remote control, a digital read-out or a tiny glow is still on, even after you’ve turned it “off”.  A TV, VCR, DVD, game console, Computer, laptop, iPod, cell phone charger, remote phone, answering machine, stereo, even your electric tooth brush.  Some will tell you they’re in “sleep mode”, but don’t be fooled.  If it’s still plugged in, it’s still sucks. 

In the average American home this “phantom load” accounts for 40% of the energy use.  How would you like to cut 40% off your electric bill each month?  These vampires require 17 power plants just to meet their demands. 

Dont’ be defeated by these demons.  Take back the Power.  Get a Power Strip from the local hardware store for about $10.  Put it under your desk and plug in the computer, printer, scanner, copier, whatever vampires you can find within reach.  When you finish using them, flip the switch and cut the power to all of them at once.  Do the same thing for your TV, VCR, DVD, game console, stereo, etc.  It really turns them off.   The Isole Plug Load Control, Smart Strip, Mini Power Minder or Green Switch can offer new, hi-tech energy saving features.   You’ll be  arming yourself against the dark side, Luke.

Plug in your cell phone charger only when it needs charging.  Then UNPLUG it.  Duh.  Better yet, get a solar charger and go really green.  It’s the time of year when looking green is the thing. 

Now for something really enlightening.  Get a Kill-A-Watt meter from the local library.  The librarians can show you how to use it.  You plug it in and plug your appliance or electronic equipment into it.  It lets you know how much energy that thingamabob consumes.  Try it on your computer or TV in sleep mode.  Or use a Power Cost Monitor which is also available at the library.  Check it out!  

A good time to go to the library would be for one of these up-coming energy workshops.  Puget Sound Energy will present weatherization tips, safety instructions for using a generator, and discuss the home energy audit program “Home Print”.  They’re both on Thursdays, 7-9pm.

Oct. 21 – Coupeville Library, 788 NW Alexander

Oct. 28 – Freeland Library, 5495 Harbor Avenue

Weather experts are telling us to expect a harsh winter.  So now is a good time to put up the storm windows, add insulation, caulk around the pipes or put weather stippping around the windows or doors.  And banish the vampires once and for all!

If you haven’t been there recently, you’re in for a treat.  The trail is the most recent extension to the City’s 3 mile long waterfront trail that circles Oak Harbor Bay.   Maylor’s Point is on Navy property that has been opened to everyone in recent years.  The City has improved the rutted dirt road and closed it to unauthorized vehicles making it a peaceful and beautiful waterside walk.  Joggers, dog walkers and cyclists have found that Maylor’s Point is the most natural part of the trail.  With a forested hill on one side and the water on the other you can listen for sap suckers, watch for otters, or smell native roses while walking out to an interpretive sign about the history of the site.  This waterfront trail will encourage people to be more active for a healthier community and environment.

Why are we scheduling this work party on a Sunday?  Well 10-10-10 is a date that is irresistable and because we’ll be joining with millions of people all over the globe that will be rolling up their sleeves as part of an International Day of Action.  We’ll be one of over 5,249 events scheduled (so far) around the world.  Check out this website at 350.org who sponsor this awesome effort to show our world leaders that we’re doing something about climate change.  Photos will be taken at each work party to post online along with those from around the world that were posted last year.  Be part of the solution.  Bring gloves and shovels and join us.  Parking is available at the City Marina, then walk south to the Maylor’s Point trailhead.  Get down and dirty and join us and the rest of the planet on 10-10-10.  Call me at 360-279-4762 for details.

Here’s what some of the other groups are doing…

10/10/10 Event Highlights

Funniest: Sumo wrestlers cycling to practice in downtown Tokyo.

Most remote: An education center in the Namib Desert in Namibia installing six solar panels.

Smallest country taking part: Divers on the smallest island nation of the world, Nauru (8.1 square miles) will plunge into their coral reefs for an underwater clean-up.

Most presidential: President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives is installing solar panels on his roof.

Most tipsy: Partiers in Edinburgh will be throwing a “Joycott” (a reverse boycott) at a local bar that agreed to put 20% of its extra revenues on 10/10/10 to making the bar more energy efficient. Attendees will try and drink as much as possible to raise money. Cheers!

Most poignant: In San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico, students will hand out solar-powered lights to families who are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Alex this June, 2010.

Most cross-cultural: Over 100 cyclists from Jordan, Israel and Palestine taking part in a 3-day bicycle relay to carry water from the Yarmouk River and the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea to symbolize the need for cooperation to stop climate change and save precious water resources.

Most educational: 850 universities in China, India, and the United States are joining 10/10/10 as part of the Great Power Race campaign, a clean energy competition.

Most carbon cut: On 10/10/10 the Mayor of Mexico City will sign a commitment to reduce the city’s emissions 10% in a single year. The city government will be directly responsible for 5% of the reductions and lead a public campaign to get citizens to cut the remaining 5%.

Most futuristic: Young people in Barbados will be demonstrating the viability of fuel cell technology in a hovercraft they have built themselves.

It’s been a tough year, not only because of my own struggles with cancer but also because my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last spring.  I went to North Carolina to help take care of her in her final months.  She died at the end of June.  It was a difficult time but brought the family together and I’m grateful that I was able to be there.

My mom had a blue bottle tree in the backyard.  It’s a Southern thang.  She cut back the branches on a dead sapling and stuck blue bottles of all shapes and sizes on them.  They looked beautiful in the sun.  When she died we took down 10 blue bottles, washed them and lined them up on the alter at the funeral home.  We put a sunflower in each one.   That image is locked in my memory now. 

After her memorial service  I returned to Whidbey and went directly into a new round of chemo.  My oncologist didn’t want to put it off any longer.  Every 3 weeks I got another hit.  In between I’d try to work as much as possible but my energy level is low.  I take medications for the side affects that put me to sleep or make driving a bad idea.  All summer I’ve been playing catch up. 

Now that I am “sliding into home”, I want to publicly thank all those who’ve helped me get through this.  The City of Oak Harbor, my employers, have been incredibly supportive.  Councilman, Rick Almberg shaved his head in solidarity ( I think).  Friends tied pink ribbons on their bikes in the Holland Happening Parade, and Councilman Bob Severns mentioned me over the loudspeaker (though I don’t know what he said).   While I was gone, Arnie Peterschmidt, a city engineer, managed the Like2Bike campaign and took care of the worm bins at Public Works.   Debbie Meuller kept my hours and leave time straight and checked on me almost daily.  This summer the City hired Tillie Scruton to run the Jr. Naturalsit program and be our public contact person at fairs and events.  Other employees donated their sick leave, gave me rides to doctor’s appointments, made meals and sent home groceries with me. 

Other friends offered rides to work, walked my dog,  brought garden produce and canned soups to my house.  A week before Christmas, friends came caroling at my doorstep!  Girlfriends took me for slow walks.  Even my former in laws let me use their waterfront guest house for a quiet weekend retreat.  Janet Hall, WSU-Ext. Waste Wise Coordinator gave me gluten free goodies after each chemo treatment for my primary caregiver who shares her allergies.   Rhonda Severns, Oak Harbor Water Dept. organized meals for me in the last 2 months of my treatment.   I cannot imagine going through this without their support. 

Four years ago I was in the best shape of my life hiking 20 miles a day on the Appalachian Trail that runs from Georgia to Maine.  I felt like a super star!  I’ve always been health conscious, got daily exercise, tried to eat right and get plenty of rest.  So when I was diagnosed with cancer it was a real shock.  My doctors and nurses kept saying, “It’s a good thing you’re so healthy to begin with.” 

I consider myself fortunate, that I caught it in time, that I have good insurance and access to excellent health care, that I have the support of a great family and awesome friends and co-workers, and that I was “so healthy to begin with”.  In another month or so, I’ll be extremely happy just to feel “normal” again.  I know among many other things, I’ve neglected this blog, so I also want to thank you readers for all your patience and support. 

Live Strong!

I’ve been writing about cutting carbons for months, tracking what is happening in Skagit County with the Cool Community Challenge and more recently the pilot project in Coupeville.  But I have a confession to make.  After being so righteous about my efforts to cut my carbons, I have to admit that my emissions shot up around Thanksgiving and it had nothing to do with roasting a turkey. 

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in mid November.  I had 2 tumors the size of golf balls, one in my breast and one in a lymph node under my arm.  I was at the Women’s Pavilion in Everett when they found it.  The staff there took immediate action with a doctor’s exam, mammogram and ultra sound. I went back the next day for a biopsy.   They set up a meeting with an Oncologist and a Surgeon.  Then everybody went off for Thanksgiving weekend.  I was in shock.  I went home and soaked in a hot bath, totally abandoning my water conservation and energy efficiency efforts. 

I had  been so good about commuting by bike and bus or walking to run my errands.  Over the next few weeks I made the trip to Everett several times for tests and consultations.  My car was in shock, too and literally blew a gasket!  

A few weeks later I started chemo therapy and spent alot more time at home.  I lost my hair which made me more cold so I turned up the heat.  When I went to work I had to quit my bus commute for fear of the spread of germs while my immune system was compromised.  Instead I carpooled with a friend. 

Getting seriously ill increased my carbon emissions significantly.  But one thing that helped…my friends stuffed the freezer with good food which made it run more efficiently.  My sister and her husband flew out from North Carolina.  They spent a weekend cooking and cleaning for me.  It was awesome, but that meant guzzling  jet fuel and leaving behind a big carbon footprint. 

Some of you may have seen the article I wrote about my parents and their water conservation efforts that appeared in the Skagit Valley Herald on March 5.  We were experiencing a rare winter drought and Oak Harbor had called for a Stage I, voluntary water conservation.  My parents were coming from N.C. – more air travel.   They came to help me through my surgery, which went well.  The pathology report came back clean, no cancer in sight.  I was to continue with more chemo followed by radiation just to make sure and to reduce my risk of recurrence.

It was when my parents were visiting that I realized my mom needed more help than I did.  She couldn’t stand up for long.  She’d been loosing weight.  She complained of stomach aches and wouldn’t eat much at all.  Other family members had expressed concern but this was the first I’d seen of it.  As soon as my parents returned to NC my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  It was too late for her.   The best we could do was try to make her final days comfortable.

As soon as I was able to fly, I headed east.  I’ve been living with my folks, helping take care of mom for the past month.  My folks had several water conservation methods.  They catch water in the shower as it’s warming up, then wash dishes with it in a tub and then empty the water onto the plants.   They have a rain barrel just outside the laundry room door that they use to fill the washing machine.  But since mom’s been sick we’ve laxed our water conservation efforts.  I could see my dad struggling with it.  But we’ve both learned that as “Green” as we’d like to be, there are situations that over ride our conservation ethics. 

It has taught me to be more lenient of people who are in different circumstances.  Families that struggle to reduce their travel time while their kids want to go, go, go!  Or older or injured people who aren’t comfortable on a bike.  We all do what we can.  Every little bit helps.  And sometimes, in certain situations we have to put that all aside, temporarily in order to help one another get through a difficult time.

In Skagit County it has proven to be true with over 100 households participating and over 650,000 pounds lost so far.  All the tally’s aren’t in yet and may never be, but still the average of all these households is over 5,000 pounds of carbon emissions.  Okay, Okay, it took more than 30 days but still it’s impressive when you take into account it was over the holiday season when most of our carbon footprints go up a few sizes.

On Thursday, March 4th Whidbey Island is going to start a LCD pilot project.  Coupeville will host the initial meeting at the Recreation Hall from 6:30-8:00pm.   Folks from all over Whidbey are encouraged to attend, get a Low Carbon Diet workbook and start loosing!   Cathy D’Almeida, Coupeville’s Sustainabiltiy Coordinator, and volunteer, Mary Ann Imkamp will be launching the effort.

Some still debate about whether climate change is really happening or just a myth.   However, most people are coming to the realization that the actions we need to reverse climate change are going to make the world a better place no matter what side side of the debate you’re on.   And in many cases it can save us money which is becoming critical in this economy.  We have much to lose AND alot to gain?  Consider this:

I take the bus or carpool to reduce the cost of my commute, get my old car to last a few more years, and get a cleaner environment in the bargin.  I’ve enjoyed visiting with friends on my way to work.  In warmer months I get in shape by taking a bike-bus combo.  I don’t need a gym membership and I saved over $700 on my commute last year.

Now what about energy savings?  In the last 2 years I replaced old appliances with a new Energy Star refrigerator and front loading washer and dryer, changed a dozen old fashioned light bulbs to CFLs and put up insulating curtains, “insider” storm windows and outlet sealers and weatherized my doors.  I also hang my clothes to dry, inside or out, most of the year.  It’s a little early to tell exactly how much all these energy efficiency steps have saved but my energy bill has gone down even as the rates have gone up. 

I’ve been pretty good at reducing garbage for a long time but this past year we put in a compost demonstration site at work.  We have 3 worm bins now that gobble up the coffee grounds and food waste from our lunch room (anything from a plant) and create great fertlizer for organic gardening.  We were able to reduce the weight of our lunch room trash by 25%.  In Oak Harbor if you increase your recycling and composting to reduce your trash from a 65 gallon roll cart to a 35 gallon roll cart, you could save $323 a year.   (For info on reducing waste visit: www.wastewise.wsu.edu)

It all adds up to great savings.  If you cut your carbons and save say $1,000 a year, you could make an investment in more insulation or a solar hot water heater and move steadily toward a carbon zero lifestyle.  

The Low Carbon Diet workbook gives you an idea of how many carbons you can cut by making specific changes, but it doesn’t tell you how much money you can save.  In my experience it’s a significant chunk of change. 

Some might say it’s  ”pie in the sky” idealism but my grandmother, who lived through the Great Depression, would say it’s common sense.   I hope to see you in Coupeville for the launch of Whidbey’s  Low Carbon Diet pilot project.  Want to carpool?  Meet at Albertson’s at 6:00pm by the glass recycling bin.

One of the first things I wrote on it was the Jan. 9th gathering in Anacortes of the Cool Community Teams.  I’ve been writing about my experience with this campaign and how over 100 households participated in the Cool Community challenge.  These households joined a team of people who aimed to cut thier carbon footprint by at least 5,000 pounds in just 2 months using the book the Low Carbon Diet as their guide.  That’s particularly challenging over the holidays when we travel more, shop more, trash more and use more energy to heat our homes and light up our dark landscape with holiday cheer.  But even though they haven’t gotten a complete tally, the Skagit County Cool Community Campaign has already dropped over 600,000 pounds of carbon on the Low Carbon Diet!  I’m hoping we do this on Whidbey in 2010.  If you’re interested please call me at 279-4762 or visit: http://www.skagitbeattheheat.org/

There’s another wonderful event planned for February 6th.  Sound Waters is a very successful conference put on by the WSU Beach Watchers.  It fills up the Coupeville High School with over 500 people from on and off the island.  This is their 15th year and the line up is phenomenal.  You can choose between classes on birds or bats, kelp or kayaking, plastics or pioneers, renewable energy, rain gardens, recycling, compost, climate change or dozens of other topics.  It’s not to be missed.  For more information and on-line registration visit: www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu/soundwaters

On March 20th there’s the Whidbey Gardening Workshop at the Coupeville High School.  For anyone interested in growing anything, this is the place to be.  There will be classes on rain gardens, native plants, noxious weeds, pruning, planting, soils and how to encourage, and in some cases discourage wildlife.  Visit: http://www.island.wsu.edu/Gardening/WGW.html

On April 23-25 Oak Harbor hosts the Holland Happening with a parade and street fair, carnival rides and other special events to celebrate spring.  The tulips are blooming in the Skagit Valley and we all shake off winter and get some sun on our cheeks.  Visit: http://oakharborchamber.com/calendar-of-events/

The 3rd annual North Whidbey Green Living Fair will be held on May 8th at the Oak Harbor campus of Skagit Valley College.  The theme for this year’s fair is Clean Energy and Andy Wappler will be the keynote speaker.  Theme rooms feature displays and information on Recycling, Gardening, Green Building and Fitness.  Outside the Like2Bike campaign will feature a kid’s bike rodeo, beater bike give-away and a bike repair and maintenance clinic.  For more information or to join our volunteer crew email: carolyn.batchelor@skagit.edu

June 4-5 is the Relay for Life event when people walk around the track at North Whidbey Middle School for 24 hours.  Cancer doesn’t sleep, so why should we?  Everyone knows someone who has struggled with cancer. This event raises money to help support them, fund research, and provide treatment.  You can sign up to walk a lap or make a contribution.  Visit:  http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=21944 for more information.

July just seems too far away right now but I’d also like to mention the  Sustainable Living Workshops that take place at Oak Harbor City Hall each 2nd Tuesday from 5:30-6:30.  We’ll have speakers (in this order starting in Feb.) on Energy Efficiency in older homes, Water Conservation, Rain Barrels, Renewable Energy, Orcas and Puget Sound water qualtiy, Growing Food for the Hungry, Responsible Yard Care, Island Biking, Returning Salmon, Recycling at School and Work, and Preserving Key Habitat on North Whidbey.  These seminars are free and open to the public.  They will also air on our local government access channel 10 for a month after.  For more information visit: http://www.oakharbor.org/ or call 279-4762.

Nothing will change your financial future faster  and improve the planet quicker than the decisions you make about transportation.  Most Americans work 2 to 4 months a year just to pay for their car!  There’s the obvious initial expense of buying a car or truck.  Then there’s the license tabs and registration, insurance, gas, oil, maintenance, parts and repairs, parking and cleaning.  It all adds up!

Besides the expense of owning and operating a personal vehicle, there’s devastating damage to our environment.  We pump 1,300 million tons of CO2 into our air each year.  That’s about 7 tons per driver.  Every 2 weeks our automobiles drip enough oil to match the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska.  Oil and other automotive toxins pour into Puget Sound everyday with each rain that washes the pollutants off our streets and into our storm drains. 

The automobile makers spend about $14 billion a year to convince us to buy another new shiney, sporty, sexy new car or truck.  The Federal Highway Administration says there are 241 million cars and trucks on the road in the US.  That’s 30 percent of the world’s automobiles.  (We only make up about 5 % of the world population.)  To fuel this frenzy we use 8.2 million barrels of oil a day.  About as much as Saudi Arabia can pump out of the ground.  That accounts for about 30% of the greenhouse gas emissions in developed countries that causes Climate Change putting our future and life as we know it at serious risk.

So, the first step is changing how you drive.  Let’s start with idling.  It takes less than a minute for a modern car to warm up.  Anytime your car is idling in traffic or waiting at a take out window longer than 30 seconds you are wasting gas and polluting the air.  This is especially noticable at schools when parents are lined up to pick up their children.  The kids are collecting outside in a cloud breathing thick smog.  It is actually better for your engine to turn it off and restart it than to idle. 

When you’re driving, ease in and out of starts and stops.  It will save your brakes, take less gas, cause fewer accidents and save you money.

Next consider what you’re driving.  The average fuel economy in the US is 20.2 miles per gallon.  Shocking!  (In Europe it’s 35 mpg.)  It’s because so many people drive SUVs or large trucks which average 18 mpg.  Look around.  There are several cars that get excellent gas mileage even without investing in a Hybrid.  A Honda Civic gets 36 mgp on the highway and 25 in town.  A Toyota Matrix wagon gets 33 on the highway and 26 in town.  Now let’s do the math.  If your car gets 35 mpg, you’d spend $884 less on gasoline every eyar than if it got 20 mpg.  Check out your vehicles fuel efficiency at www.epa.gov/greenvehicles and find a greener ride at www.greenercars.org

Better still, leave the car at home.  Have you ever taken the bus?  Island Transit is a great bus system.  There is no fare.  The drivers are friendly and helpful.  You can get the schedule at www.islandtransit.org  And they connect with ferries and other bus lines around Whidbey.  I’ve been taking the bus to work about 4 days a week for over a year.  Even though my car gets 30 mpg I can save $650 a year in gas alone by taking the bus.   I spend less on oil, parts and maintenance, too.

Carpooling is another way to cut the cost of transportation.  If you share your ride with one friend you cut your costs in half.  Take two and you’re really reducing your financial and environmental burden.  Carpooling and taking the bus allow time to relax with friends going to and from work.

Friends of mine ride bikes to work and for fun all year round.  The more cyclists we have on Whidbey the stronger our lobby for bike lanes or bike paths.  It’s a great way to stay fit and costs a fraction of the expense of a car.   Don’t forget your helmet, wear bright clothing, lights and reflectors and use the appropriate hand signals when moving through traffic.   http://www.be-safe.org/css_com/bicycle/rules.html 

There are bike clubs in the Seattle area and Skagit County which offer group rides, bike maintenance workshops and other fun outings.  Visit http://www.cascade.org/Home/ or http://www.skagitbicycleclub.org/  I especially like their spring Tulip Pedal.  Look for more about Like2Bike Whidbey when Bike to Work month rolls around in May.  And the Tour de Whidbey is a great way to get the family involved and it benefits the Hospital Foundation.  For more information visit: http://www.whidbeygen.org/whidbeygeneralhospitalfoundation/tourdewhidbey

So green your ride, green your planet and green your wallet all at once!

There is merit in working alone or in a small group, but there is real power in drawing together a roomful of like-minded folks with a common goal.  As I found in my Cool Community Team, we have inspired, taught and supported each other through our efforts.  I’m looking forward to hearing from the other teams, too.

Since Oct.  I’ve lost roughly 10,000 pounds in carbon emissions, double what I was expecting.  My success was due in great part to my partner, Beno, who closed off our large fireplace, made insiders (indoor storm windows) and caulked the air leaks in our house.  I got my car tuned-up, insulated our outlets and switches and plugged our stereo, TV, computer and printer into a power strip.  Most of the other things were small behavioral changes.  These efforts didn’t cost much or take alot of time but they’re making a big difference in our carbon footprint.

I know others that participated in the Cool Community Campaign found significant ways to cut their carbon.  One couple finally bought a new, more efficient furnace.  I’m sure that wasn’t cheap.  Some bought carbon offsets for their air travel.   Others made big lifestyle changes like taking the bus to work or starting a worm bin.  One woman I know gave up her car.  Now that’s committment.  I applaud these efforts. You are all an inspiration. 

I saw a sign in front of a fitness center today that said, “The average American gains 7 pounds over the holidays.”  I’m pretty sure they’re thinking of calories, but it’s  true for carbon, too.  Our garbage increases 25% between Thanksgiving and New Years.  We travel more, use more energy with festive lighting and entertaining.  We buy more stuff and send it to loved ones all over creation.  We give ourselves a temporary exemption from whatever discipline we’d been practicing.  But the key to “sustainability” is to make our lifestyles “sustainable”, that means everyday of the year, year after year. 

So it got me thinking about what gifts I give my family and friends.  How I wrap them (if I wrap them).  What kind of holiday foods I serve and where they come from.  If it’s a special occasion shouldn’t we serve the best, local fare available to celebrate and support our community?  Shouldn’t it promote good health?  I’ve been more conscientious as I move through the holidays.  I haven’t practiced everything I’ve preached but I get a little closer each year.

Last weekend I was out on the front lawn.  My 5 year old  neighbor came over to see what I was doing.  I had a large ring, some twine and a lot of evergreen branches I’d gathered on walks with my dog.  I told him I was making a wreath and he asked, “Why don’t you just go to Wal-Mart and buy one?”  I said I didn’t want to spend that much time.  He said it wasn’t far away and it would be easy.  Meanwhile I was wrapping the twine around the evergreens lashing them to the ring.  In a few moments I had a wreath and topped it with a big red bow.  He turned his argument around saying, “You don’t need to drive to Wal-Mart to get a wreath?”

We can find most of what we need close to home.  It makes me grateful for the bounty of our agricultural lands, forests, waters, and  the strength and creativity of our community.   Someone told me today that already the sun rose 3 minutes sooner than it did the morning before, so I’m grateful for the return of the light, too! 

Bring a little light into these dark times.  Give hope to your loved ones.  Be an inspiration to others.  Send your positive thoughts and prayers to our political leaders as they wrestle with controling our carbon emissions, but at the same time,  see how much you can lose.   Have a great holiday and a happy, healthy New Year.

Look at the Conference in Copenhagen last week.  People from all over the world gathered to take on a huge common goal, to significantly reduce our global carbon emissions by 2050. 

The spotlight was focused on this event and the pressure was on.  I hope the pressure doesn’t let up just because the conference is over.  I’ve heard many commentators discuss the failings or successes of the conference.  Personally, I’m thrilled that it took place at all and that so many key players were at the table.  Whatever our political leaders hammer out, I know that real change takes place from the bottom up.

Our Cool Climate Team has met twice now.  We’ve shared ideas, books and resources for water conservation, waste reduction and even giving up your car.  Most often we talk about energy efficiency.  We get excited about promising new technology that use solar, wind or cow power.

I have a friend who converted his diesel truck so it runs on pure cooking oil.  He eats at the local diner once a week and they slip him a big vat of chicken grease out the back.  He pours it directly into his truck. So as long as there’s fried food, he’ll have “free” fuel and a large following of dogs chasing after him.

At our last meeting someone brought in a can of spray insulation that seals off leaks where plumbing comes in under the sink.  I’ve heard that stuff also keeps out rodents.

They also had some foam outlet insulators.  I had just put some in the night before.  It was easy enough for even a tool klutz like me.

You get a packet of 8 at the hardware store for a few bucks.  Then all you need is a screw driver and about 15 minutes.  You unscrew the face plate off the outlets and switches on the exterior walls of the house, slip these insulated foam covers in and replace the face plate.  Voila!

We’re so dazzled these days with all the latest gadgets that we forget some of the most common sense steps we can take to reduce our carbon footprint.  I’ve heard some reports from other cool climate teams that are also discovering low cost, low-tech ways to cut carbon.

Linda was amazed that someone in her group wore long johns all winter inside and out which made it comfortable to turn down her thermostat.  Linda asked, “Do you have them on right now?”  Her team mate pulled up her pant leg to display her silk long johns.

The Anacortes American team wrote that they’ve taken several steps at work like replacing ordinary bulbs with CFLs.  But what caught my eye was the mention of using thermoses instead of leaving a coffee pot on all day, a brilliant idea.  Now I make a thermos of tea for myself in the morning.

I’ve been using a tea cozy more, too.  If I cook something that requires bringing it to a boil and then letting it simmer, I let it boil, then turn the stove off and wrap it in my tea cozy.  Last week I made a big pot of soup, boiled it and tucked it into my laundry basket surrounded by towels.  After walking the dog for an hour I came back and it was done.

At least half of my group didn’t use their dryers anymore.  At our last meeting our hosts showed their indoor clothes rack that holds an entire load of laundry and when not in use, folds compactly into a closet. Others had strung up a clothes line in the basement. Since that meeting I put my clothes on a rack in the guest room.  It takes more time, but zero carbon.

This time of year I get muddy pants whenever I walk my dog in the woods. So I started saving one pair of pants exclusively for dog walking.  Now I don’t have to wash my other pants as often.  Recently I started hanging my once worn shirts outside on the porch overnight.  They smell fresh in the morning.  I’m sure my grandmother knew all these tricks.

Since I started keeping a record of all my driving, the date, the miles, the reason, I decided to reduce Webster’s carbon paw print.  I found a park walking distance from home where she can play in a big field while I do laps around it.  We still go to the woods on the weekends.  We’ve cut driving the dog down to 10 miles a week instead of 30-40.

So far I’ve cut my carbon footprint by:

Taking my car for a tune up and inflating the tires properly = 1,500 pounds Making and installing “Insiders” indoor storm windows = 800 pounds

Adding insulation and sealing air leaks = 1,000 pounds

I replaced an old fridge and washer with Energy Star models = 1,000 pounds Reducing solid waste, junk mail, recycling, composting, worm bin and shopping for less packaging (I did this already but I’ve improved a little) = 100 pounds Taking 5 minute showers and installing low flow showerheads = 500 pounds Reducing laundry loads and using cold water = 100 pounds

Eliminating the use of the dryer = 260 pounds/load

Installing a power strip for TV, stereo, etc. = 100 pounds

Installing CFL bulbs in 16 light fixtures = 1,600 pounds

Wearing long johns and sweaters and turning down the heat = 900 pounds Cutting Webster’s carbon paw print by 75% = 1,000 pounds

Driving at 55 and easing in and out of stops whenever possible = 1,100 pounds Buying Green Power from PSE =800 pounds

I plan to get a live tree for Christmas and planting it afterward = 25 pounds My total= 10,785 which is pretty good but I know I can do better.

Do your own calculations at www.empowermentinstitute.org Get tips on Green Living at www.skagitbeattheheat.org and click on Living Well Living Green guide.  Or attend my presentation on how to reduce waste over the holidays come to my presentation at the Burlington Library Dec. 3 at 7pm.

Our cool climate team got together last weekend and reported on calculating our carbon footprints. Some folks had trouble finding the information required. We coached each other on calling our utility companies, looking at on-line accounts, consulting utility bills, and determining gas mileage. Most of our team had completed the assignment. Some were shocked at what they found. Even though most of us thought of ourselves as pretty green, there was still plenty of room for improvement.

I hadn’t checked my gas mileage for years so decided to do it again just out of curiousity. I’m keeping a notepad on my dashboard and logging how many miles I drive and where. I don’t drive much. I take the bus to work 4 or 5 days a week. I live in town so I can walk or bike to do most of my errands. Most of my driving was to go on longer trips or occasionally haul things around. I estimated my car use and mileage for the carbon calculator and was satisfied with my results.

But wait! I share my house with a man and a dog. I had to add theirs to mine for a total household equation. The man works at home most of the time. But while I’m at work the two of them go out for long walks in the big woods.

Webster was a 7 month old stray when they brought her to the shelter.  We got her last winter and tried to walk her around the neighborhood on a leash. However, she’s a hound dog and if you’ve ever known a hound dog you know they have to run. If she doesn’t get out and race through the woods for at least an hour everyday, she goes crazy and drives us crazy, too. Trying to keep her on a leash is like trying to hold on to the Tazmanian Devil. 

When the man of the house left for a week, I took over dog duty and began to realize how much driving my dog requires. We drive her the shortest distance to a trailhead where we can let her loose and still it’s at least 4 miles a day. On the weekends we take her and ourselves on different trails for variety which might double the distance. It adds up to 30-40 miles a week!   Short trips are the hardest on your car and the most polluting for the environment. Could we teach our dog to ride a bike? Maybe we should get an electric bike with a trailor for the dog.

Then I started wondering where her food comes from. I checked the dog food bag. The ingredients were corn, wheat and meat biproducts. It was distributed by a company in Tennesee. She recently enjoyed some locally smashed pumpkins  and occasionally scores some local seafood on beach walks. But the bulk of her meals come from far away fields and cost alot of carbon to get to her bowl.

The next step in the Low Carbon Diet, after calculating your carbon footprint, is reducing garbage. So last week, just before I took it out to the street, I weighed my garbage. Just a pound for me, mostly plastic. I have a compost pile, worm bin and a large cart for recyclables. I’m trying to reduce the flow of junk mail and to shop wisely so I don’t bring home extra packaging.

My dog’s waste however, outweighed mine. Pet waste has horrific bacteria and pathogens that are harmful to wildlife and human health.  I pick up her poop, bag it and collect it in a larger plastic bag which I tie shut and add to my garbage can each week. Her contribution more than doubled mine and smelled much worse. A scientist I know has been experimenting with treating pet poop so it’s less toxic and can be composted. But he has yet to attain the desired results. I’m cheering him on.

Other cool climate team mates struggled with different members of their households. One had asked his teenage son to take 5 minute showers. When he checked back later his son said he wasn’t taking shorter showers but he was taking fewer of them.

Some team mates said they don’t use their driers anymore, even in winter. They just hang their clothes on a line in the basement or on a rack in the guest room. That’s where mine are now.  Group guilt is a powerful tool.

A retired couple in our group who have a very green lifestyle realized their air miles added significantly to their carbon footprint. They considered traveling by train or buying carbon offsets. Figuring our carbon calculation got us all thinking, considering small changes we can make that will add up to a big difference.

So even though my dog has a significant carbon paw print I can think of a few ways she helps reduce mine. She loves to reduce waste and cleans the floor at the same time. She makes sure I stay in shape for walking and biking. And I can keep the heat low because after dinner each night she climbs into my lap and keeps me warm. 

Calculate your own carbon footprint at www.empowermentinstitute.org

For more information on this Cool Community Campaign, visit:

At the Cool Climate Cafe we heard presentations from Anacortes’ Mayor Maxwell, representatives from Padilla Bay Reserve,  North Cascades Institute, Skagit Beat the Heat and WSU Climate Stewards.  They talked about climate change and how it might affect us here in the near future.   The Mt. Vernon Cafe’ had a cool band called the Home Grown Tomatoes, which I heard was fantastic, like their name.  In Anacortes we had a great spread of local food donated by the deli and grocers in town.

Displays and information on energy efficiency, renewable energy and other cool topics were around the sides.  There was alot of cheerful chatter as the room filled.   High School students sat together at two long tables.  Just their presence reminded us that its their future we’re talking about.  I sat with a few friends in the back.  We decided to work together as a team.  Between the 2 Cafe’s 20 or so teams were formed representing well over 100 households. 

All of us are using the Low Carbon Diet, a book by David Gershon.  As with most diets, the first step was to measure our current weight or in this case, calculate our carbon footprint.   I sat down Sunday with my laptop and went to the website, www.empowermentinstitute.net/lcd

There are alot of carbon calculators out there but it was important for all of us to use the same one.  This one asked for an average of the last year’s kWt use which is printed on my power bill, the amount of garbage we throw out each month, the amount we drive with both our cars and their gas mileage, and it included air travel.  As it turned out my carbon footprint was less than the average German but more than the average Swede.  It was less than a 1/3 of the average American. 

Living in temperate Western Washington means I don’t use alot of energy on heating and cooling.  I bought new Energy Star appliances last year to replace some that were over 20 years old.  I counted 19 CFL bulbs in use at our house and we use a clothesline whenever weather permits.  I usually take public transit to work and I fly once a year to visit family.  Pretty “green”, huh?  Or so I thought.

The next step was to come up with an action plan.  How would I loose 5,000 pounds when I was already so “green”?  The Low Carbon Diet book has a check list.  As I went down the list I was surprised to find how much weight I could loose by getting my car tuned up and properly inflating my tires.  Adding weather stripping and storm windows helps, alot, too.  But the shocker was how much weight I could loose by reducing my trash.  That’s especially challenging over the holidays when Americans throw away 25% more garbage.  (I’m offering a workshop on a Waste Free Holiday at Oak Harbor City Hall, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 5:30-6:30pm for ages 8 and up.  At 7:00 pm Janet Hall will give a presentation called the Truth About Trash.   Call me for info 2 279-4762.)

Each week our team will address certain areas where we could loose weight.  I’ll keep you posted on how our diet is going.  If you want to shed a few pounds, follow along with our team.   

Also, check out www.theGreenestHouse.com, a reality TV show series made in Bellingham that shows 2 families competing for an  electric car.  Fun and frantic with lots of how-to info and resources all of us could use.

By Maribeth Crandell

It’s that time of year when we all start thinking about scary stuff.  Spiders, bats, glowing pumpkins that look possessed.  I’ve come across some scary stuff in my time, grizzlies, rattlesnakes, my mom when she’s upset…  But I’ve learned how to handle these threats.  The one big fear that persists is climate change.  I am haunted by dreadful images of polar bears on melting ice; sea level rise overtaking major cities; our local glaciers (our drinking water reservoirs) dwindling.

One thing that helps alleviate fear is a better understanding.  Last year I took an excellent class offered through the WSU-Skagit and Island County Extension called Climate Stewards. Expert scientists from the region made presentations and offered clear explanations.  The news can be overwhelming but my fellow classmates, and I,  community educators and concerned citizens, have since been offering workshops at the local libraries, creating community gardens, installing solar panels and publishing a Living Green resource guide. For more information visit: www.skagitbeattheheat.org   But wait, there’s more! 

The group has joined with others to launch a Cool Community Campaign.  On Oct. 24, the International Day of Climate Action, they will hold a Cool Climate Café.  There will be a morning Café at the Skagit PUD in Mt. Vernon from 9:30 to 11:30 and an afternoon Café in Anacortes at the Fidalgo Senior Center from 1:00 to 3:00.  They’ll offer short presentations and then ask folks to join a Cool Community Team to take the Low Carbon Diet. 

The Low Carbon Diet, is an easy to follow workbook written by David Gershon.  It offers tips on how to loose 5,000 pounds in 30 days.  Now that’s a heck of a diet.  The group has a goal to get at least 100 households involved in cutting 5,000 pounds of carbon emissions each.  That’s half million pounds, a significant reduction. 

Some groups are already forming teams from Deception Pass State Park, the City of Anacortes, Skagit County, Soroptimists International, Anacortes Ace Hardware, American Association of University Women, Northwest Clean Air Agency, the Samish Tribe, the Anacortes American and others.  A grant paid for the first 100 copies of the workbook.

Our planning team is working through the Low Carbon Diet now so we can speak from experience when we host the Cool Climate Café.  I thought I was pretty green already but I found I could do more.  In the first chapter on reducing waste, I pledged to try harder to “Precycle”, shopping with more attention to reducing packaging.  To reduce the amount of junk mail I get I contacted DirectMail.com to get off their mailing lists.  The Low Carbon Diet workbook along with the new Living Green guide gives us lots of ways to cut carbons.  The cool thing about this effort is that even if all the world’s best scientists got it wrong (which seems unlikely) these carbon cutting changes are still a good idea.  It will save us money, make us healthier and reduce pollution.  So don’t just stand there!  Do something!

Meet us at the Cool Climate Café on Oct. 24 for refreshments and presentations.  Get together with friends and neighbors and form a Cool Community Team.  And if you cannot make it on Saturday, but are interested in joining a team, contact Susan Wood: swood@padillabay.gov 

NEWSFLASH:  There will also be an event on South Whidbey at Bayview Corner at 3:00pm.  Bring an umbrella for a photo shoot to be sent to 350.org.  Photos will be taken of groups in 179 countries on Oct.24 and sent to our political leaders before the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change in December.  For more about their global efforts to curb climate change visit: www.350.org