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                                        Vol. 12, No. 4 April 6, 2011
GREEN STAR E-News

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In This Issue
Shining Stars
Events & Reminders
Spring Brings Bike Events to Anchorage
What is Earth Day About?
Thank You to our Sponsors

Thank you to

our latest sponsors.  

   

Homewood Suites

 

Visit Our Sponsor List  

 

This Month's Hot Link

AkWarm

Energy-Rating Software


 

 AkWarm is a software tool for builders, designers, energy raters, lenders, and homeowners. The software can be used for energy design, retrofit, or to determine an energy rating.  



Green Star Staff

Kim Kovol 

Executive Director

 

Josh Sherwood  

Technical Assistance

Coordinator

 

Christina Grande 

Community Outreach & Communications

Coordinator

 

Jeanne Carlson 

Web Master

 

Kyla Byers

Data Collection Intern

 

Haley Sorbel

Bike to Work Intern 

What's New

Green Star is MOVING!

Our new address will be official as of May 1st but we'll be moving throughout this month.

 

Look for us at
333 W. 4th Avenue, Suite 310, Anchorage, AK 99501.  

 

 

Green Star welcomes Haley Sorbel  

to the Green Star team for the next two months.  Haley is our new Bike to Work Day intern.


Member Benefits

Green Star offers benefits to its members beyond just energy savings and waste reduction.  Visit our Member Benefits page to learn more.

 

New to the list of benefits is a 10% discount off green cleaning supplies from Clean Green of Alaska, a Green Star member. 

Join Our Mailing List
SHINING STARS  
Green Star logo
Contratulations to Green Star's newest Award-certified organizations!!  
  • Alaskan Wind Industries
  • Beacon Occupational Health & Safety Services 

 

Green Star welcomes the latest Green Star Award applicants.  We look forward to working with these organizations to help them achieve Green Star Award certification. 

  • Alaska Marine Trucking - Juneau 
  • Homewood Suites - Anchorage  

Come out and support our newly certified organizations as they receive their award certificate at the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Make It Monday Luncheon on April 11.  Visit Anchorage Chamber of Commerce to make a reservation.  Receiving their award at this event will be:
  • Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership (AMEP)
  • Beacon Occupational Health & Safety Services
  • Anchorage RAC, LLC (Anchorage Rental Car Center)  
EVENTS & REMINDERS
 

Find more events on Green Star's web calendar.

 

Join the Ride for Clean Air - registration ends April 7

CleanAirChallengeKTVA and Green Star have joined forces to create TEAM KTVA CBS 11 / GREEN STAR for the American Lung Association's Clean Air Challenge on May 14 and 15.  We are looking for bicyclists to join the team for this fundraising ride from Houston to Talkeetna and back. Riders have the option of riding 60 miles (one way) instead of 120 miles. But if you do ride 120 miles, you get to stay at the very nice Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, included in your registration fee!   

Learn more about the Clean Air Challenge   

Sign up to ride or to sponsor a rider 

 

Lighting Technologies: Now and in the Future - April 12 8:30am - 4:00pm, REI Education Room, 1200 W. Northern Lights Blvd.  Chugach Electric Smart Power and Green Star presents a daylong seminar featuring Jeff Robbins, a commercial lighting specialist with Seattle's Lighting Design Lab.  The workshop begins with a review of lighting basics and finishes with in-class lighting application exercises.  Robbins will cover all the recent updates to the newest and hottest technologies, followed by a thorough study of current retrofit practices. Continental breakfast, catered lunch, and light snacks provided. Call 278-7827 or email [email protected] to register.  Registration is $45 and space limited to 50 people so register now.  These lighting workshops always fill up!  Visit www.greenstarinc.org for more details about the workshop. 

 BCA logo

Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage Volunteer Roundup -- April 12

See details in "Spring Brings Bike Events to Anchorage" article below.

 

1st Annual Spenard Beer and Mead Social -- April 16

Tap Root

Support Green Star by attending this new event at the Tap Root, 3300 Spenard Road (corner of 33rd Ave. and Spenard).  Meet representatives from some of Alaska's leading breweries and meaderies and discuss the finer points of the libations we all love.

 

Sample beer and mead from more than 15 different local Alaskan breweries and meaderies including: Midnight Sun Brewery, Denali Brewing Company, Kenai River Brewing Company, Ring of Fire Meadery and many more.

 

Tickets are $30; receive a souvenir 6.5 oz. glass and 15 tickets, each good for a 3 oz. pour at one of the many vendor booths.  Enjoy food and live entertainment.

 

The event has two sessions, limited to 300 participants each, and they WILL sell out so be sure to get your tickets now.  Standing room only. All ticket holders can also gain free entry (with ticket stub) to Tap Root later that evening for the Jack River Kings, presented by North Bound Productions (10pm - 2am) - space limited to venue occupant capacity.

 

A percentage of the proceeds from each ticket sold will be donated directly to Green Star. Thanks Tap Root!! 

 

Session 1: 12 - 3pm; Session 2: 3:30 - 6:30pm

Tickets available online at www.centertix.com or call 263-ARTS. Visit www.taprootalaska.com for more details.

 

Business of Clean Energy in Alaska Conference -- April 28 & 29      EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS APRIL 8!! 

Dena'ina Center.  Learn about renewable energy and energy efficiency in Alaska and network with those working in the field locally and nationally.  The conference brings together business, civic and government leaders from around the state, nation and the world in a strategic and educational forum to help Alaska move toward a sustainable energy future.  One day focuses on renewable energy and one day on energy efficiency.  The exhibitor hall is open to the public.  Keynote speakers include Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Jon Willinghoff and National Green Building Expert Jerry Yudelson.  Also speaking are David Johnson, of William McDonough and Partners; Colorado Governor Bill Ritter; and Jes Christensen, of the Danish Board of District Heating.  Learn more and register for one or both days at www.BCEAconference.com.   

 

Bike to Work Festival -- May 6

See details in "Spring Brings Bike Events to Anchorage" article below.

 

Recycled Paper Shipment.  Get your 100% recycled-content paper. The price is $55.00/box or $5.50/ream. Checks should be made out to "Coal Point Trading Company."  Pick-up is at National Wildlife Federation or Alaska Center for the Environment.  This pilot project is available due to the generosity of Coal Point Trading Company in Homer.  Contact Valerie Connor at the Alaska Center for the Environment, (907)274-3632 or [email protected], to order paper.

 facebook logo

Visit the new ANCHORAGE RECYCLES Facebook page!  Several Anchorage recycling organizations will be posting regularly so come join us, friend us, like us!

 

Recycling & Renewables Rap BLOG.  Don't forget that you have a daily online recycling resource at the Anchorage Daily News. Visit the Recycling Blog to see what's happening in the recycling world or to ask questions.

HELP US CHOOSE A LOGO!

BTWtotemlogo
LOGO DESIGN #1
This year's Bike to Work Day logo is in your hands!  Cast your vote by close of business on Monday, April 11, for one of these two logos and that'll be what's on the posters, flyers, and t-shirts this year. 

Just email your vote to [email protected] with the subject line "BTW vote" before 5pm, Friday, April 8.      VOTE NOW!

Mike Kirkpatrick, aka Screamin'Yeti Designs, is a homegrown designer, born and raised in Palmer, Alaska, and an Anchorage resident for the past ten years. For the past year and a half, he has worked on a variety of projects ranging from logos/brands, t-shirt and apparel designs, and stickers, to almost every printed material imaginable.
BTWsprocketlogo
LOGO DESIGN #2


Mike is a contributing member of the local AIGA chapter and was very fortunate to receive two Gold Awards in the AIGA-Alaska 1st Annual Design Show last November.

Mike designed both of these logos for the Bike to Work Day effort.  Help us choose which one will represent Bike to Work Day this year.
SPRING BRINGS BIKE EVENTS TO ANCHORAGE

Here are a series of events centering around bicycling in the Anchorage area.

BCA logoBCA Volunteer Roundup
April 10-16 is National Volunteer Week. Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage (BCA) is celebrating by hosting its 2nd annual Volunteer Roundup on April 12 from 6-8PM at the Midnight Sun Brewing Company!  
The first 30 volunteers who sign up to help with a BCA event get a free beer! This year BCA is trying something a little different by encouraging you and a friend to help coordinate specific events. BCA wants to:
  • grow its Free & Secure Bicycle Parking Service
  • expand Bike Fridays Coffee & Treats for Commuters with more businesses taking the lead like Chain Reaction Cycles and ANTHC & the Southcentral Foundation have already done.
  • offer more fun group rides (like the hugely successful Veggie Spring Roll and Bike First Friday).
Become a part of helping BCA's fun events flourish by taking on a leadership position as a Volunteer Coordinator.
It's easy; BCA will walk you through the process and support you the entire way.

BCA also is looking for Volunteer Project Managers to take on some exciting new projects, such as working with local businesses to sponsor more Bike Fridays Coffee & Treats stations, and provide discounts and coupons for BCA members. 

If coordinating events or managing projects just isn't your cup of tea (or pint of brew), than please consider signing up to help park some bikes or serve up some coffee this summer. It's a hoot and also a great way to wake up cyclists. You will be known as a superhero! 

BCA is an all-volunteer organization, and your efforts are essential to make Anchorage more bicycle friendly. Come to our Volunteer Roundup to be a BCA leader and help make Anchorage more bicycle friendly! 

And of course we recommend you come by bike. Bicycling to this event provides you an opportunity to score points during April's Freeze My Keys event (see below!).  Learn more (including a secret bike route to the brewery).

 

freezemykeysFreeze My Keys, Please! 

It's the perfect way to welcome spring. Join Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage (BCA) members who are choosing to freeze their car keys in a cake of ice as a commitment to ride bicycles instead of driving cars for the wet and wacky month of April.

 

In its second year, Freeze My Keys is a month-long event (April 1 to May 1) designed to give participants two options:

  • Freeze your car keys (in the literal sense) for the month of April and choose not to use your car, or 
  • Freeze your keys (more figuratively) for a couple of hours, days or weeks and log as many commuter errands or trips on the bicycle as possible.

Freeze My Keys is supported by small, local businesses, which have made micro-donations ($100) of locally produced participation prizes. Participants accumulate points by visiting these businesses.

 

"We are showing Anchorage business owners that catering to bicyclists is good for business and we're telling Anchorage bicycle commuters to support bike-friendly businesses," said BCA Vice President Dawn Groth.

 

Send an email to [email protected] and type "freezemykeys" in the subject field to register NOW!  Your scorecard will  be sent to you electronically. The scorecard will have on it about 70 different business and commuter locations. 

 

Participants and grand-prize winners will receive great prizes at the wrap-up celebration at University Mall, May 6th, 5:00-8:30pm during the Bike to Work Bike Festival.   

 

Visit http://bicycleanchorage.org/wordpress/2011/03/24/freeze-my-keys/ to see who's already signed up to ride and what businesses are participating.  It's a great excuse to get out to some of these places!

 

BTW logo 2010Bike To Work Festival
This year's Bike to Work Festival will be on May 6th, from 5 to 8pm, at the University Center Mall.  Features include:
  • presentation of prizes for the Freeze My Keys contest
  • valet bike parking by Off the Chain (now an official 501(c)(3) organization!!)
  • kids' bike trivia games with giveaways
  • bike helmet fittings by Alaska Injury Prevention
  • free ABC Quick Check for cyclists 
  • live music
  • vendors and displays  
Confirmed participating vendors to date include Alaska Injury Prevention, American Lung Association in Alaska, Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage, Boys and Girls Club, MOA Department of Transportation, Off the Chain, REI and Southcentral Foundation.

If you are interested in volunteering or being a vendor at this event, contact Josh at 278-7859 or [email protected]

WHAT IS EARTH DAY ABOUT?

Earth Day Flag
Unofficial Earth Day Flag
Earth Day was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson 41 years ago as an environmental teach-in.  It was first held on April 22, 1970. While this first Earth Day was focused on the United States, an organization launched by Denis Hayes, who was the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international in 1990 and organized events in 141 nations. 

Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network,and is celebrated in more than 175 countries by more than 500 million people every year on April 22.  The dayis intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment.

The event began on campuses across the country and was strategically scheduled to avoid major holidays and school vacations so that the most people possible would participate.  Senator Nelson felt that the environmental crisis was so imminent that every university should set aside one day in the school year for a teach-in.

 

Denis Hayes, then a Harvard graduate student, read a New York Times article about Senator Nelson's ambitious plans and traveled to Washington to get involved.  He recruited a handful of young college graduates to come to Washington, D.C., and began to plan what would become the first Earth Day. More than 20 million people participated the first year.

 

Nelson's plan was difficult to implement, as the Earth Day movement proved to be autonomous with no central governing body. According to Senator Nelson, Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. Founders had neither the time nor resources to organize 20 million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities that participated. That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself even before social media!

 

In observance of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day last year, Earth Day Network created multiple global initiatives, ranging from a Global Day of Conversation with mayors worldwide, focusing on bringing green investment and building a green economy; Athletes for the Earth Campaign that brings Olympic, professional, and every day athletes' voices to help promote a solution to climate change; a Billion Acts of Green Campaign, which aggregates the millions of environmental service commitments that individuals and organizations around the world make each year;to Artist for the Earth, a campaign the involves hundreds of arts institutions and artists worldwide to create environmental awareness.

 

Earth Day in Anchorage

Despite the organizational bodies involved and the great growth over the years, Earth Day is still a local, grassroots, campus-oriented event.  So get involved here in Anchorage this Earth Day.  Both APU and UAA are planning campus events.  APU's event is Friday, April 22 and UAA's event is Saturday, April 23.   

 

UAA's Earth Day event involves a recycling fair featuring ALPAR, Central Recycling Services, MOA Solid Waste Services, and Smurfit-Stone Recycling (Anchorage Recycling Center). The event also will feature a few UAA-related groups, including Parking Services, which will be advertising the new car-sharing and car-pooling programs that will be coming to campus, the 

Sustainability Club, and an Art professor and students, who will be selling items they have made from recycled materials.

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