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