September 28, 2011 / Issue 95

     

Mrs. Green's World 

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Greetings!

 

Green Smorgy Borgy

Every once in a while, I just have to do the green smorgasbord thing. Green brain overload or something like that. First part of this newsletter is an update to report on myself about what I ought to be doing. Second part talks about "clear as mud" issues to me and questions I don't believe I quite have acceptable answers to. So please stay here with me and I will do my best to download.

 

Follow-up to the Mrs. Green Ought-To-Be Doing list:

  1. I ought to be pursuing solar and rainwater harvesting - I have an appointment for October 11th to meet with Kevin Koch from Technicians for Sustainability (TFS) to talk about both. After doing a check-in with my buddies at GeoInnovation and TFS, it struck me once again how respectful they are of each other and about other locally owned solar installers. They all have their strong opinions about the right way to go. They may differ but their commitment to their customers and to integrity in all things stands out above all else. Don't you love that? TFS does both solar and rainwater so I thought I would start with them. Stay tuned.
  2. I ought to be eating even better - the smoothies are working. I have eaten raw spinach about 8 times in the last two weeks disguised in my smoothie. A record for me. Having totally meatless days. Have not even considered giving up the red wine when the opportunity presents itself. Work in progress.
  3. Resistance TrainingI ought to be doing resistance training - I have never used profanity in one of my newsletters and I never will. Just trust me when I say the trainer my friend Christina found for me tried to kill me last week. Okay - a bit of an exaggeration. I begged for mercy, it fell on deaf ears and my legs are still sore. Fit, fabulous and sixty? It's going to take a while but I started. Stay tuned for more whining.

On-going unresolved "swirling" dervish green questions:

 

If lots of us converted to electric vehicles, could the grid handle it? Is that still not burning coal to recharge the vehicle? But it lowers carbon emissions - right?

 

CornIs corn as ethanol really a greener choice? How much water is REALLY used from seed to gas tank?

 

Is solar leasing a good idea? Yes, leasing companies get the incentives but at the end of the day, there's more solar on more homes right? Or is it better to find a financing plan that fits your budget from a locally owned EXPERT who will be there when you need him/her?

 

What do you with your compost if you don't have a garden? And if you have all water resistant plants because you live in the desert and if your Mr. Green says "it's not worth the hassle for just two people." What to do with my guilt?

 

How can I buy "greener" clothes? I don't spend much time shopping but when I do, I get stuck when it comes to things like buying shoes and underwear. Tom's Shoes is not always the fashion forward look I want, and is ordering organic underwear and having it shipped better than the occasional purchase from a department store? Too much information?

 

Is buying a book for my iPad better than supporting my local used bookstore (in my case - Bookmans?

 

Oh the places I go in this crazy, mixed-up green head of mine. No wonder sleep eludes me many nights. Simple steps, one day at a time, name your clich�! YOUR questions anyone?
Arizona's Greenest Workplace Challenge

Arizona's Greenest Workplace Challenge  

 

The voting has begun! Only THREE more days left to vote and we are thrilled at the response! We received twenty-four (24) entries to Arizona's Greenest Workplace Challenge statewide. There are entries from businesses big and small, non-profits, and some outstanding government organizations. If you follow this link, it will take you all of five (5) seconds to vote once you read about the entries. (What? You are just now voting?)

Gardening Tips for Your Reading Pleasure!

September is a great month to get your plants started. Sea Of Green share's their tips on how to successfully clone or start from seed!     

-- Brought to you by Sea of Green  

Mrs. Green and The Plastic Bag Tree

 

Mrs. Green and The Plastic Bag Tree
Three Things You Should Know About Chapman Tucson

I never run out of good things to say about Chapman Tucson because there are many. I am sure there are things you don't know about them but hopefully will now. What you should know:

  1. Chapman Tucson is a family-owned business that takes great pride in supporting the communities in which they operate. They walk the walk. In Tucson, their dealership includes: Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, Honda, Acura, Chapman Used Cars and last but certainly not least - Mercedes-Benz. Lots of top-rated clean fuel burning, fuel efficient vehicles in the Chapman inventory!  
  2. Chapman Tucson has worked continuously in the past two years to move in a greener direction from the inside out. There are currently two active "Green Teams" facilitated by yours truly. Biggest changes? NO plastic water bottles provided to customers in the Porsche/Audi dealership, visible recycling bins in all Chapman showrooms (at least the ones I have been to) and paper recycling bins starting to appear under sales team member desks. Stay tuned for late breaking updates. Forward motion!  
  3. Chapman Tucson produces some of the coolest (should I say hottest?) commercials on TV - period. And they don't use an out of town Production Company! Keeping with the "think local" mindset, Chapman partners with Motto Productions once their creative guru, Markus Beaumonte, comes up with the concepts. Check it out on their website. A big wow - right?
Upcoming Shows

 

Girl ScoutsOctober 1  

Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona - Kristi Pallack & Kristen Culliney

Girl Scouting has been building girls of courage, confidence and leadership helping make our world a better place for almost 100 years. Some of our country's most outstanding women leaders were/are Girl Scouts. They teach girls about real connection - to each other, to their families, to their community and to the planet. Tune in to find out what national and local events are planned for Girl Scouts for their 100th Anniversary and how they engage the women leaders of tomorrow to think globally, act locally. This show sponsored by The Fairfax Companies. 

 

Jason TankersleyOctober 8
Jason Tankersley - President and CEO of The Fairfax Companies
Jason is one of those people who walks the walk, who never stops thinking about ways to find solutions to global environmental challenges and who actually comes up with them. Under Jason's leadership, The Fairfax Companies is a well-respected leader in the construction waste industry, clearly demonstrating that it IS possible to implement sustainable business practices profitably. They continue to fulfill their mission to find or create markets for ALL waste disposal in construction and demolition landfills. Jason makes you want to talk about waste. Trust me and tune in to find out why. This show sponsored by Chapman Tucson.  

 

Colleen CrowninshieldOctober 15

Colleen Crowninshield - Clean Cities Coalition
Colleen has been a regular on Mrs. Green from the start and knows more about alternative fuels, biodiesel and electric vehicles than I can articulate. Her program has won numerous national and local awards because of her team's commitment to making a difference. I will interview Colleen about Clean Cities' mission and its impact on the planet. We will make talking about diesel, ethanol and compressed natural gas vehicles fun and informative. Promise! This show sponsored by The Fairfax Companies.

Scott HamlinOctober 22 

Scott Hamlin - CEO of Looptworks

You are not going to believe this one. This U.S. based company makes 100% of their products from "abandoned" materials. They aim to rid the world of waste while inspiring a generation to reduce their impact on the planet. Looptworks has turned the way traditional apparel companies makes clothing inside out AND everything they make is, of course, eco-friendly. How are they doing it? You will have to tune in to find out. Let the questions begin! This show sponsored by Chapman Tucson.

 

Diana DehmOctober 29 

Diana Dehm - Radio Green Talk

Trust me when I say Diana Dehm is a one woman wonder whose intention is to create a global collective for a sustainable planet - one shared idea, one solution, one conversation AND one laugh at a time. Her show brings awareness around the green economy and Diana is right at the heart of all of it. You can imagine my delight when we first connected and she talked about "pumping up the volume." Heard that one before? I cannot wait for this interview and I know that we will all walk away with a greater understanding of her mission, her vision and her impact. Please join me. This show sponsored by The Fairfax Companies.

 

Mrs. Green's World GREEN TALK RADIO Show
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Mrs. Green's World