green news

VOL.23 - NO. 6

NEWSLETTER OF GREEN DECADE / NEWTON Over 20 Years of Environmental Leadership 1990 - 2013 NOV/DEC 2013

At the Newton Free Library

330 Homer St, Newton 02459

Tuesday, November 19 - 7pm:

Sustainment Gardening in a Green World:

Peter Coppola, Master Gardener
Cosponsored by Green Decade/Newton and the Newton Conservators. The green movement and consumer desire for organically grown produce has spawned a new generation of home gardeners who want to develop their skills, reduce their carbon footprint and enjoy the benefits of gardening. This session will cover: Pre-conceived notions and expectations about maintaining a garden, Methods to produce a successful garden while reducing water consumption, Eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Peter Coppola earned his Master Gardener certification in 2003. He began his professional career as a mechanical engineer working in research, development and systems design. He earned several U.S. patents for his work in electromechanical sensors and water filtration. In 1999 he began to produce gardening articles and related videos for the Burlington weekly newspaper and cable access television; applying his engineering and business problem solving skills to his hobby. This unique perspective on the subject has proven to be successful. He authors a weekly newspaper column, Germinations, which is published by GateHouse Media. He gives lectures and workshops, and classes. by Margaret Ford

Saying NO to Keystone XL

How to Cut Back on Junk Mail

On September 21, Newton residents joined others from the Metrowest region in Newton Centre to Draw the Line on the Tar Sands Pipeline. If constructed, the pipeline would deliver tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada to Gulf Coast refineries, mostly for export to the international market. This action, coordinated by the environmental group 350.org, was one of hundreds of events across the nation to remind the President to keep his promise on climate and reject the Keystone XL pipeline. Environmentalists say the extraction of oil from the tar sands will contribute dramatically to climate change. It will have the carbon footprint equivalent of building more than seven new coal-fired power plants or putting over 5 million new cars on our roads each year. GD/N President, Marcia Cooper expressed concern that processing heavier, dirtier tar sands oil would increase the amount of toxic pollutants in communities near the refineries that are already suffering from high rates of asthma and cancer. And the pipeline will cross more than 1,000 water bodies across 3 states and 875 miles, threatening drinking water for people, farms, and ranches with the potential of a devastating tar sands spill. There was no shortage of solutions proposed by the participants in the action. Bob Morisson, of Sudbury, supports a tax on carbon, and Nathan Phillips of Newton, Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, says that Its time to leave fossil fuels behind and build a national electric vehicle charging infrastructure instead, and drive it with renewable energy. That is the kind of big, distributed infrastructure we can all support and benefit from. by Sharon Cushing

In my constant attempt to find ways to reduce the amount of junk mail in my mailbox, I have found PaperKarma. This is an app for your smart phone that is very easy to use. Just take a picture of the address label including the return address label of any unwanted junk mail. You will be prompted to enter the address as it appears on the label (you only have to enter the address once and the app stores it for later use). You then hit unsubscribe and they do the rest. It takes a few weeks to go into effect but it seems to work! by Elaine Vildzius

PAGE 2

NOV/DEC 2013

Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce President, Greg Reibman (left) with NNCC Environment Committee Chair, Peter Smith (right) welcome guests to this years Green Solutions EXPO at Harvest Fair in Newton Centre.

ELF owner, Steve Loar (left); Green Decade Board member, Peter Smith (center) and Newton North High School teacher, Stephen Chinosi (right)

Why I Joined Green Decade

ELF has arrived in Newton

My story may not be all that different from yours. If youre reading this, youre someone who is interested in conserving energy, protecting our natural habitats and preserving our environment for the near and long-term future. The trouble is, while each apple core composted or paper recycled adds up, I had a real sense that my contributions were tiny. I needed a way to magnify them, to make these small gestures add up to something bigger. Thats why I joined Green Decade. I realized that adding my voice to the group, my concerns would be heard more clearly and more often by elected officials and others. Having joined the group, I found out about programs that addressed questions I had -- what was the best way to maintain an organic lawn and garden? How viable is solar power for my house? How can I save money on my energy bills? I went to talks at the library and my kids brought home flyers from school about green lunch days and other activities sponsored by Green Decade. When Marcia Cooper asked me to join the board of the group, I was happy to, although I really wasnt sure what I could add. There are scientists, policy analysts, nonprofit managers on the board already -- and Im none of those things. Im just a father trying to negotiate a world that is different from the one I grew up in -- a world that is more aware of environmental concerns but also filled with mindless consumerism and unnecessary toxicity. I think maybe thats my place on the board: to be wellintentioned but ignorant, and to ask questions of the better informed and try to convey some of what I learned to others in my situation. Im still full of questions without clear answers, but Green Decade helps me make informed decisions. You know how when youre looking for a new car (or mortgage or piano teacher) theres one friend who can make suggestions, or at least tell you what questions you need to ask? Thats what Green Decade is for me: a trusted friend, knowledgeable about the environment, who gives me good advice. by Jack Cheng

A big hit at the Green Solutions Expo on October 20th, was the Elf, an innovative single passenger solar / pedal hybrid vehicle that is manufactured by Organic Transit. This egg-shaped tricycle, owned by Newton residents Sonja and Steve Loar was on display, while throngs gathered round to find out all about it. Steve told them how much he and Sonja enjoy using their Elf to run errands and even though the sides are open, they dont get wet when it rains. They also feel safe getting around town in a vehicle that is about the size of a Smart car. The Elf has a standard 3 speed transmission, however the Loars purchased a model with a continuous variable transmission, similar to a Prius, which has many gears giving them good pedaling cadence. The base price is $4,995.00. The Elf is designed to meet the requirements of the Federal Low Speed Electric Bike Law and is classified as a bicycle in all 50 states. It can be powered by an electric engine or using pedals like a bicycle. It comes equipped with LED lights, signals and mirrors, and the battery pack can be recharged using the solar panels located on the roof top or by plugging in to a wall outlet. The lithium battery pack can fully recharge in five hours or one hour with the optional fast charger. The cargo compartment at the rear of the vehicle offers enough room to store 8 grocery bags or a bag with your laptop. According to the website: The frame can support a lot of weight, but the battery and motor are at their best carrying a rider of around 170 pounds plus a maximum cargo of about 300 pounds. The seat can be adjusted to accommodate riders between 5'2" and 6'6". For top performance, the pedals should be used as much as possible, particularly to build momentum from a full stop. Doing so can give you a range of 20-30 miles or more. If you use the motor exclusively, carry heavy loads, go the top speed, climb a lot of hills, etc. you may experience a significant range reduction but should still get 8-10 miles on a charge. Steve says it depends on how much you pedal and how hard you press the throttle. The Loars feel especially proud to be driving a vehicle that has such a low environmental impact. Judging by the enthusiasm of those who had their first glimpse of the Elf at the Expo, we are bound to see more of them on our roads in the near future. by Marcia Cooper

Photos: Marcia Cooper

NEWSLETTER OF THE GREEN DECADE / NEWTON

PAGE 3

Margaret Ford (left), Advisor to Students for a Greener World with Roz Aronow (right)

From left to right: Greengineers, Owen Dix and Jonah Shechtman with Project Director, Stephen Chinosi

Be savvy using personal care products

We all use personal care products and often dont think about what is in them, even though what goes on your skin is just as important as what you put in your body. Our skin is a carrier, not a barrier, and all product ingredients are quickly absorbed into all of our organs. Men, women and teens are using more lotions, nutritional supplements and anti-aging treatments than ever before. Some of the chemicals included in our products are parabens, triclosan, phthalates, dioxin, formaldehyde, sodium laurel sulfate, chemical dyes and fragrances. Studies have found chemicals traces in the blood of girls as young as 14, and these chemicals are often linked to potential health effects including cancer, hormonal disruption, birth defects and sterility. Since the FDA does not regulate the cosmetics industry, consumers need to be savvy. What might look green or organic may only be part of the information you get, with hidden ingredients that may be harmful. Consumer pressure is forcing companies to remove known toxins. Since the 1970s, Europe has banned over 1000 chemicals, yet the US has banned only eleven! Parabens, which prevent cosmetics from forming yeast, mold and bacteria, allow products to sit on a shelf potentially for years. They are known carcinogens. Buying more natural products is an eco-friendly way to keep not only yourself , but your environment cleaner and greener. To learn more visit www.cir-safety.org an unbiased international cosmetic safety organization.

Green Decade sponsored a fall raffle with 2 compost bins given as prizes. Pictured above is one of the winners, Ed Lyon of Preservation Properties in Newton. The other lucky winner was Newton resident Heather Friedman.

Biking in Boulder

I spent two wonderful hours biking through Boulder, Colorado during the summer. While biking throughout the city, I biked past the high school, library, art galleries, museums, parks, businesses and condominiums. The surprising part of this whole trip was that for the entire two hours I did not cross one single street, did not ride alongside any traffic, and I did not have to avoid parked cars or wait at any traffic lights. The entire city of Boulder is crisscrossed by a series of multi-use paths. They are about 9 or 10 feet wide, wide enough for bikes to pass each other or bikes to pass pedestrians. They ran alongside the peaceful creek. At each road crossing the path went either under the roadway, over a bridge or through a tunnel. The pathways were fully signed so that I never felt lost or disoriented. Of course Boulder is not quite as built up and dense as Newton and the Boston area, but maybe we can learn something from their approach. by Elaine Vildzius

by Stephanie Lyon, Arbonne Independent Consultant, 617-212-2062

Photos: Marcia Cooper

From left to right: Claire, Colin & Shawn Fitzgibbons, Ellie Goldberg and Dan Habtemariam helping to get signatures on petitions to update the bottle bill. The law would add water, juice and other beverages to the existing 5-cent deposit law - resulting in less litter, more recycling, and millions of taxpayer dollars saved due to reduced cost of waste disposal for our cities and towns.

PAGE 4

NOV/DEC 2013

Farmers Market Friends Bring Us Animals!

Ahhhhh nothing like a nice 4 months at Cold Spring Park! We interviewed a few of the marketers that have brought animals/insects to Green Decade. First, we interviewed Tom Ashley from Dancing Bear Farm. Apparently, he has been bringing caterpillars to Green Decade for about 5 years so far. How many caterpillars has he brought to us? Hmmm thats a tough one, said Tom. Probably about 2025. After that, we asked Tom where he finds all these cute little creatures. Tomato plants out in the fields. Next, student volunteer Angeline Dervisevic interviewed our friend Leora about the assorted treasures she brought: squash borers, cicada eaters and two tomato hornworms. They were ruining my mothers garden so we thought you might want them. We named the hornworm for someone she didnt like! Audrey and Tom Ashley, Dancing Bear After that, we interviewed Zach and Maya from Heavens Harvest Leora, Angeline and new friends Farm. First we asked them where they found the caterpillar that two visiting girls brought to us. Dining on fennel, said Maya. Then we asked the 2 farmers if they think that they are going to be bringing us any more creatures. Probably a few more, said Zach. (Note: they did!)

Then, we interviewed Jackson and his grandmother, Marion Miller. They brought us 31 tadpoles and 2 frogs but lets just talk about the 31 tadpoles for now. So, first we asked Audrey with Zach and Miah, Heavens Harvest them where they found the tadpoles. On the front porch swimming in a bucket, said Marion. We love coming here! Ive been coming here for my whole life, Jackson said! On to the frogs, contributed last summer: Where did you find Frankie and Freddie? In the swimming pool! Audrey with Marion &Jackson Miller Last but not least, we have Royce McGrath, from the Newton Free Library, and her insects! What types of bugs did you bring us? Well, this is a collection of insects that my daughter (Sydney) found. Also, there was Mason the stink bug but he ran away at the farmers market, said Royce. Next, we asked her where Sydney found the insects: In the woods. (Note: these insects were dead when Sydney found them.) THOSE ARE THE INTERVIEWS FOR THIS YEAR! While helping out at the Farmers Market, aside from having fun, I learned a lot. I learned how to hold a turtle and how to hold/put caterpillars on a swing. I also met some cool people, cool animals, and I tried some awesome new foods! by Audrey Gagnon, 4th Grade, Franklin Elementary School
Audrey and Royce McGrath, Newton Library Editors note: Additional thanks for insects contributed by long-time Green Decade

members Eric Olson and Ann and Andy Martin, plus Wendy of Kimballs Fruit Farm!

Farmers Market 2013: More than food & flowers

NEWSLETTER OF THE GREEN DECADE / NEWTON

PAGE 5

Theyre back: kids and adults flocking to Green Decades tent at the Farmers Market, even though we have no tasty treats! We make environmental awareness fun with a variety of caterpillars and other insects (see related article on p.3), Wolverine the turtle and the Magic Energy Bike, plus a wide range of resources and information. Friends also brought us several hundred corks again this summer for our ongoing cork recycling project in partnership with Whole Foods and the Rainforest Alliance-endorsed nonprofit Cork ReHarvest. According to the FM grapevine, we are second only to Wallys Ice Cream as must see attractions! Many thanks to our volunteers *Roz Aronow, Marcia Cooper, Sharon Cushing, *Angeline Dervisevic, Lucia, *Sophie and *Dorothy Dolan and Venus the Wonder Dog,*Audrey and Julie Gagnon,*Eliana Gevelber, Ellie Goldberg, Sunwoo Kahng, Maureen Kean, *Sophie Magidson, Eric Olson, Naomi Osher, *Katherine, *Gigi, *Leo and *Gus Wagner, Maeve Ward, *Leora and Wolverine the Turtle (courtesy of the Wadwhani family)! Special thanks to Judy Dore, Farmers Market Manager and Maureen Connell, Assistant Manager and the Farmers Market staff -- we couldnt do it without you! -- Margaret Ford, Farmers Market Coordinator

(*Student volunteers)

One of our black swallowtail caterpillars became a beautiful butterfly -- we set it free!

Maeve Ward, Rohna Shoul, Marcia Cooper, Franoise LaMonica, Diana Cartier and Margaret Ford. Our most thoughtful friend, Rohna, gave countless volunteer hours to Green Decade since its founding and now we will surely miss seeing her here in Newton as she has moved to a community in western Massachusetts to be near her family.

Friends of Wolverine the Turtle make a tunnel for him to run through!

David and turtle friend at the Friday market.

PAGE 6

Remodel, Reuse

NOV/DEC 2013

Next time youre doing a remodeling project, think about the Reuse Center of the non-profit Boston Building Resources. Its a good place to donate old materials and/ or buy other items for reuse. I donated a wall-mounted microwave, still in fine shape, when I redid my kitchen. The Center offers great bargains on a range of donated items including full cabinet sets, appliances, windows, doors, sinks, and flooring. All items are gently used or new. The center is open to anyone for shopping, and discounts are available to Plus-category members, people who meet income guidelines, to other non-profit organizations. For more info, visit: www.bostonbuildingresources. com/index.php/reuse_center. And if youre really interested in sustainable use of building materials, well, the group is looking for Board members. by Ira Krepchin

A Letter from our President:

Thanks! and next newsletter deadline

For the next newsletter, please send submissions by e-mail to Ira Krepchin, irapk@alum.mit.edu, by Mon, Nov 25, 2013. Thanks for making this newsletter possible to Managing Editor Ira Krepchin, Editor Peter Smith and article authors. Many thanks to our mailing volunteers Sarah and Octo Barnett, Shirlee Isenberg, and Frank & Edie Propp.

Thanks for donations go to:

(for contributions received Sept-Oct) FRIENDS: Michael & Karen Hamilton, Judith McMichael, Jamie Siglar & John ONeil, Margaret Zaleski DONORS: Karen & Marty Kafka, Paul Sullivan, Teresa & David Tannozzini PATRON: Jessica Avery BUSINESS BENEFACTOR: Next Step Living Inc.
Jessica Avery, Recycling Ann Berwick, at large Eric Bobby, School Outreach Al Calderone, at large Jack Cheng, Transportation Marcia Cooper, President Sharon Cushing, Treasurer Michele Davis, Recycling Lucia Dolan, Clerk, Transportation Paul Eldrenkamp, at large Paul Holt, at large Ira Krepchin, Newsletter Lois Levin, Transportation Ken Mallory, Library Speakers Eric Olson, at large Jim Purdy, Vice Pres, Energy Myron Rosenberg, Development Dan Ruben, Chairperson Mindy Sieber, Membership Peter Smith, Newsletter; Chamber Elaine Vildzius, Energy

To our dear friends, What if we had no Green Decade these past 24 years? Fortunately, we have stayed on task to ensure steady environmental progress. In 2013 alone, our group has assisted a few hundred homeowners to sign up for the no-cost Mass Save home energy assessments. Clearly, the more homes that add insulation and make other energy efficiency improvements, the better our odds to reach the Energy Smart Newton goal of reducing energy 20% by 2020. Working with city leaders to increase the energy efficiency in all of our public buildings and businesses, dramatic steps have been taken to save on street lighting. Green Decade works to increase participation in recycling. Our green bin stickers, soon to be distributed, will assist residents to know the list of items to go in the green bins, but no plastic bags - they jam the machinery. We work on bike/pedestrian safety issues, and educate residents about safe alternatives to toxic chemicals on lawns and in homes. Our Greening Our Community Series at the library features experts speaking on these topics. We fund student grant projects, a student art contest and Students for a Greener World providing a way for kids to help protect natural resources and improve conservation. Think we ought to continue addressing environmental issues here in Newton? We can do even more in 2014 by doubling Green Decades household membership of 400 households in 2013. You can take pride in being a member, as we each do our part to make Newton a more sustainable place to live.

Board of Directors

Advisory Board

Please RENEW online at www.greendecade.org or send a $25 payment for a basic membership or
Thank you so much. Sincerely,

Karen Albert Ana Zarina Asuaje Solon, Louise Bruyn, Past Pres. Sheila Clawson David & Elva Del Porto Bev Droz, Past President Dianne Dumanoski Kevin Dutt Katherine Gekas Bonnie Glickman,EcoTeams Ellie Goldberg, New TV Fred Gordon, MCAN Bd. Barbara Herson, Past Pres. Sunwoo Kahng Francoise LaMonica Brooke Lipsitt Jean MacRae Matt Pawa Annabelle Ship Rohna Shoul Heather Tausig Maeve Ward

renew as a Friend ($50) Donor ($100), Patron ($250) to Green Decade/Newton, P.O. Box 590242, Newton, MA 02459

Our mission is to create an environment in better balance with the natural world by making significant, measurable improvements in the way we use resources. Goals include helping households, businesses and institutions to: Increase energy efficiency & seek alternatives to fossil/nuclear fuels; Use IPM and organic alternatives to pesticides; Promote high performance (green) building measures; Prevent pollution through source reduction and reduced consumption; Promote reuse and recycling practices; Improve waste disposal practices; Conserve water and other resources. Our programs are designed to build awareness, promote opportunities for public dialogue and educate and empower citizens to take personal and civic action.
www.greendecade.org

Printed with soy-based ink on 100% post-consumer waste unbleached recycled paper that is made without a chemical separation process.

617 965-1995

e-mail: info@greendecade.org