CLEAN
& GREEN:
Reducing our Carbon Footprint
A series of educational programs
on the topic of clean and green technologies and how to reduce your carbon
footprint. Clean and Green programs take place at the main library.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 7 p.m.
The Chelmsford Library’s, “CLEAN & GREEN” series
presents
Crafting with Plarn (plastic bag yarn)
with Kristy Medina
A Hands-on Workshop
Do you have too many plastic shopping bags
in your home? Why not turn them into something fun and useful. In this
workshop you will learn how to make plarn (plastic bag yarn), a plastic
bag wreath, and how to fuse (iron layers together) the plastic bags to
create a stronger bag. The supplies that you will need to bring are: scissors,
lots of plastic bags (make sure some are the white grocery store ones),
and a wire wreath frame ($3 at the craft supply store). The optional supplies:
either knitting needles or a crochet hook, and a drop spindle.
The students will leave with their own ball of plarn (plastic bag yarn),
the start of a plastic bag wreath, and the knowledge of how to make different
things out of plastic bags. They will also have internet links to both
video and written instructions of the workshop.
For further informaiton visit these sites
out on the internet:
Kristy's website: http://www.textiles4you.com/
My Blog (lots of how tos on it): http://textiles4you.blogspot.com/
My You Tube Channel (lots of how tos): http://www.youtube.com/user/Textiles4you
View
of list of Green Resources [pdf], including books, databases
and websites that provide information on green living & technologies.
This series is co-sponsored by the Library, Chelmsford’s
Recycling Department and Chelmsford
CAN (a chapter of MCAN -Mass
Climate Action Network- see www.chelmsfordcan.org).
If you wish to be part of the solution please join us for our next meeting.
Series funded by the Chelmsford Friends of the Library.
Visit the websites of our
co-sponsors:
Chelmsford's Climate Action Network - www.chelmsfordcan.org
Chelmsford Recycling
Department - http://townofchelmsford.us/Recycling-Department.cfm
Related programs:
Read
about Chelmsford's Farmers Market
Read
about the Town of Chelmsford's GCI Greener Chelmsford Initiative
Home Energy Savings:
Mark your calendars now for Sat. Nov 7, 2009.
"Clean and Green" will host a free Home
Energy Savings Seminar from 9-noon.
PAST PROGRAMS:
January 2010
The January “CLEAN & GREEN”
program presented author Lindsey Carmichael whose book “Greening
Your Family” was just released. Many of the household products lining
the shelves of our grocery stores contain ingredients that are linked
to adverse health effects. Lindsey Carmichael discussed tips and strategies
every family can use to minimize exposure to these hazardous ingredients,
by buying safe food, personal care, and cleaning products. Lindsey Carmichael
has a BA degree in English from the University of Vermont, She receivd
her Masters degree in Public Health from the University of NH after her
son developed asthma. In grad school she learned about commercial products
that threaten health. She has worked in the health field for 15 years
and is a frequent speaker about healthy and “green” living.
She lives in NH. Visit the author's website at
http://lindseycarmichael.net/
FEBRUARY 2009
Our first speaker on February 25th was Jean
Clements from the Mass Technology Collaborative.
Jean talked about how saving energy means saving money through simple
energy efficiency tips, and she provided information on Renewable Energy
programs that are available to individuals and small businesses through
the Mass Technology Collaborative. She also introduced the new Chelmsford
chapter of MCAN. To learn more
about how Chelmsford can help reduce the carbon footprint visit http://www.chelmsfordcan.org/
Also that evening we heard from Scott McClintock of
Nexamp. He talked about
the solar technologies that homeowners and small business owners can install
to lower their electricity bills and reduce their carbon emissions. Check
out his website at: http://www.nexamp.com/homeowner
MARCH 2009
On March 25th Phil Jones of Jones Farm in Chelmsford explained the science
of composting and why you might want to compost. He touched upon organic
gardening and landscaping. He also told us about Chelmsford's community
garden. Virginio Mendonca of Chelmsford
also covered composting and told us about his veggie car. You can visit
Virginio's website to elarn
more about his amazing means of transportation that actually helps to
clean up the environment!
April 2009
On April 22nd, our speaker was Todd Melanson,
Environmental Compliance Manager for the Chelmsford
Water District. Todd's presentation, "Water and Energy: Today’s
Connection” encompassed present-day water issues (in terms of regulation
and water shortage). He showed how energy comes into play in delivering
you clean water. Todd has a degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.
He is also a veteran with 11 years served (US Army and MA Army National
Guard). He has worked in the Environmental field as a Microbiologist and
Chemist for 19 years, having worked on projects from Hazardous Waste (Disposal
and Cleanup), Remediation, and Drinking Water, Waste Water and Surface
Water monitoring. He has a strong working knowledge of DEP and EPA regulations.
As the Environmental Compliance Manager for the Chelmsford
Water District Tod has the following duties: ensuring compliance with
DEP regulations in regards to water quality reporting, watershed protection,
water conservation, emergency response, community outreach and education.
In this vein of duties, energy planning and conservation have become topics
that he has needed to address and work on as well. Visit the website of
the Chelmsford Water District
at www.chelmsfordwater.com
May 2009
On May 27th, Jennifer Almeida,
Chelmsford's Recycling/Solid Waste Coordinator presented "In
the Bin: Everything you always wanted to know about recycling in Chelmsford
but were afraid to ask!" Jennifer gave a brief overview
of recycling basics, explaining "dual stream" (and why it's
so important that we separate fiber and containers - and the exceptions
to that rule). She explained the reasons behind some of the rules that
seem arbritrary; and talked about the affect of the recession on recycling
markets and how that has an impact on what we put in our bins.She also
told us about some new things in the area of recycling and solid waste
management.
June 2009
- GREEN INVESTING
On Thursday, June 11, 2009, Rishi Sondhi, the originator of the Library's
"Financial
Fitness" series, presented a special program on "Green
Investing" at
the Chelmsford Public Library.
Chelmsford Telemedia videotaped this presentation. Watch their schedule
guide to see when this program will be aired. The LIbrary has a DVD of
Rishi's presentation that you may check out. Click
here to see a pdf copy of Rishi's PowerPoint presentation on green investing.
Did you know this about green
technologies?
-The biofuels, wind, and solar market
is expected to increase 50% from $76 billion in 2007 to $116 billion in
2008.
-The above benchmark technologies are expected to grow to $325 billion
in the next 10 years.
-Global investments in clean energy grew from $148 billion in 2007 to
$155 billion in 2008 in spite of a down market.
-Green business is no longer a fringe movement: General Electric's (GE)
environmental solutions Ecomagination unit is expected to earn $25 billion
in revenues in 2010. Rishi Sondhi talked about the future of energy, reviewed
alternative energy trends, and explored investment opportunities in green
businesses. Read more about our presenter, Rishi
Sondhi, at http://rishi-sondhi.blogspot.com/
Read more about his seminar and other Financial
Fitness programs at www.chelmsfordlibrary.org/programs/programs/financial_fitness.html
We want to hear from you!
We want your input as we design future programs and choose speakers for
this new series! Please send your suggestions for topics and speakers
for future programs in this series. Email your suggestions to the Library's
Community Services Department at kcryanhic@mvlc.org
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