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| Going Green With EverGreen Concepts August 2008 |
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Greetings!
July was the crazy month I expected it to be with summer camps, family vacations and trying to keep up with work in between. For us at EverGreen Concepts, the most exciting event was the Charleston Green Fair press conference at the Aquarium, with Mayor Riley and James Meadors of the Green Committee. They were both gracious enough to take time out of their very busy schedules to come out and support our plans for the Green Fair, coming September 28th to Marion Square Park. To find out more, check out the articles below and click on the link to the CGF website to see clips from the press conference. For the next two months most of our attention will be on bringing together all of the pieces to make the Charleston Green Fair the event we have all imagined. We are also excited about the positive feedback we have received regarding our plans. We have received tremendous support from Charleston's wonderful green community. The City has really stepped up to help and we have had people reaching out from all around the Lowcountry to offer to spread the word and help with volunteers. We hope to kick off something this year that can grow in future years to help support and sustain the local businesses, as well as the residents trying to do the right thing for our community! Thank you to everyone who came out to attend the press conference and to the media who is using their influence to also help spread the word. We are especially encouraged by the many businesses who have expressed their desire to create a healthier and more efficient workplace.
On a more personal note, I want to get sappy for a moment (for those of you who know me - this is rare); and thank all of our family, friends and business associates who have supported not only EverGreen Concepts, but Drew and I, as well. Going green is not always easy and at times we may feel like throwing in the towel and giving it all up, but it is those of you who have shared your encouraging words and kind gestures that truly make it all worthwhile! We believe that together we as citizens and business owners can make positive change happen in our towns and cities. Please know that we are always here to make your "going green" journey as fun and easy as possible!
Suzie Webster
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Do Granite Countertops Cause Cancer?
Recently an article was published in the New York Times (see link below for the full article), espousing the potential dangers of granite countertops. The article tells the story of two families who upon having their homes tested for radon, discovered that their granite countertops were emitting radon gas levels 10 times higher than elsewhere in the house. After being told to keep his pregnant daughter several feet away from the countertops, one of the homeowners immediately had them removed from his home. The article goes on to state that radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and that radon above a certain level is equivelant to smoking a half a pack of cigarettes per day. Ok, so now I'm scared! The article does also say that most granite emits radon in extremely low levels, but that the EPA is receiving a higher frequency of calls from both radon inspectors and homeowners.
In response to the article, the Marble Institute of America stated that they would be doing their own independent study on radon levels in granite and that The New York Times article was "playing to emotions, rather than basing it on fact". It also stated that the EPA recommends venting to combat off-gassing. Well, I guess that is all well and good, but personally, I'd rather have no off-gassing!
To do a little further research, I checked an online medical source to get their thoughts on the subject and I was not reassured by their opinion, which stated the following:
"Experts agree that most granite countertops emit some radon and even other types of radiation. The question is whether they do so at levels that can impact cancer risk.
New York State Health Department research scientist Michael Kitto, PhD, says only a small fraction of the granite samples he has tested have emitted radon at levels that were over those considered safe.
But he added that a few of his samples showed levels that were high enough to alarm him.
"I wouldn't have them in my house," Kitto tells WebMD."
While this is not a new topic, with all the emphasis on having a healthier home, homeowners and the media have started raising the issue more loudly. At the end of the day, most of us feel no risk is worth the health of our families. While opening windows and venting options are a short term solution, we need to consider the many safe alternatives available. For more information on healthy and sustainable countertop solutions please contact us at (843)881-7577 or check out our website by clicking here.
Sources:
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| Is All Dark Chocolate Created Equal?
 The good news is dark chocolate is good for your health. The bad news is you can't eat very much of it because of all the added ingredients. Most dark chocolate is loaded with sugar, waxes, fillers, preservatives and caffeine. The healthiest way to satisfy a craving for chocolate is to consume dark chocolate is in its pure form. Pure, unprocessed cacao is one of the most powerful antioxidant superfoods on the planet! Choose a chocolate that is high in this precious cacao, processed correctly and free of harmful ingredients. Enjoy!
Contributed by:Lisa Hartley, lisahartley@mindspring.com
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| Three Best Friends Go Green Online With Charleston's First Eco-Website For Kids!
 Three 13 year old best friends were a little bored this summer. A bit too much free time was making them antsy. So they decided to take their boredom and turn it into something productive. With no help from any parents or adults (other than monitoring their content); they created Charleston's first kid's eco-friendly website. With tips for kids to go green, environmentally conscious craft projects, a community blog and eco-patrol fun video skits; the site offers more than many adult websites. The website was started by Ryleigh Evers and Georgia Barfield and with the help of their third muskateer ,Keil Licke the girl's update their website several times a week with new videos, tips and blog entries. They have already expanded to include Ryleigh's 10 year old sister Katie Franyo, as their wasteful, environmentally uneducated foil in the videos. They are excited to expand in the future to include other underage eco-minded contributers to this blossoming website. When asked what prompted them to start their site, Georgia had this to say: "Most green websites are geared towards adults and we wanted to have a site where kids could make their own decisions and make a difference." Added Ryleigh, "it helps kids to be inspired to do something without pressure from their parents. They are doing it because they want to and they think it's cool!" The Eco-Patrol welcomes questions and contributions to their site. To check it out click on this link and find out what our local teens think about going green!
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Thoughts to Live By... 
"The people that get on in this world are the people that get up and look for the circumstances that they want; and if they can't find them, they make them."
-- George Bernard Shaw
I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.
-- Sir Winston Churchill
Always do right -- this will gratify some, and astonish the rest.
--Mark Twain |
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Charleston Green Fair!  Coming to Marion Square September 28th!
Where can you go to find the latest green technologies; exciting speakers and demonstrations covering such topics as "Energy 101", "Green Building Roundtable", "Making your own cleaning products", cooking with local food and so much more; popular regional musicians like "Sol Driven Train" and "Dangermuffin"; as well as local eco-friendly products and services? There is only one place, one day and one chance in 2008 and that is the Charleston Green Fair!
Brought to you by EverGreen Concepts and Charleston City Paper, Charleston Green Fair will be the largest green event in South Carolina. With the help of national recognized Seven Star Events, Green Fair will highlight ways to have an environmentally responsible large event, while providing family friendly entertainmant and education. See demonstrations on alternative energy, find out about growing green initiatives in our local and state governments and talk with citizens and business owners who are truly making a difference! There will be fun interactive activities for all ages, along with local restaurants like The Glass Onion, Manza and Taco Boy showcasing sustainable and delicious food.
Some of our sponsors include WCIV ABC 4, Charleston Home Magazine, Santee Cooper Green, PDA's new Greenlight Productions, Charlestowne Hotels, Wholefoods, Gaylord Designs and Wine Awhile, who is sponsoring our "Wine and Beer Garden". Tickets will be sold on site for the Wine and Beer Garden to benefit Lowcountry Earthforce and The Sustainable Seafood Initiative - otherwise the event is free to the public. If you are interested in being an exhibitor or a sponsor please click here for more information. Booths start at $500 and space is extremely limited!
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Charleston Green Gala
at the South Carolina Aquarium
On September 25th, starting at 6pm, Charleston Green Fair will be highlighting a different side of green at a "green" tie optional cocktail party at the beautiful South Carolina Aquarium. We will highlight local fine dining restaurants such as Hanks Seafood, all who are using sustainable food practices in their menus and are a Sustainable Seafood Partner. Beer, wine and cocktails will also be included. We will also enjoy a presentation by well known Lowcountry Visionary and Urban Developer, Vince Graham; who will be discussing Urbanism Past and Present. There will be also be musical entertainment throughout the evening.
In addition to promoting the Green Fair and raising awareness about the Green Initiative in Charleston, this event will raise money for two wonderful non-profit organizations Lowcountry Earth Force and The South Carolina Aquarium's Sustainable Seafood Initiative.
So put on your favorite green cocktail attire and join us for an evening of fun, friends, great food, exciting entertainment. More importantly, learn more about the individuals and businesses making a difference to the green movement in Charleston. Click here for more information or to order tickets. |
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Check Out Our Newest Members!
Click on the links to learn more about these local green companies!
"Green marketing is mostly about making green stuff seem normal - and not about making normal stuff seem green." |
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We hope you will take some time to come visit our growing Resource Center in Mount Pleasant. As always thank you for your continued support and please feel free to share your comments and suggestions. Your enthusiasm is what keeps us going everyday!
Warmest Regards,
Suzie Webster & Drew Franyo
EverGreen Concepts
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| FREE
Green
Gift |
Come by and visit our Resource Center at 320-B West Coleman Blvd and receive a free green gift for your home! We hope to see you soon!
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| Offer Expires: September 15, 2008 | |
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