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                                        Vol. 13, No. 5  May 2, 2012
GREEN STAR E-News

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In This Issue
Shining Stars
Events & Reminders
Bike to Work Day Activities
Green Star Member, Lime Solar Opens in Anchorage
Green Star Chosen to Compete for Toyota's 100 Cars for Good
Reducing Your Dust Exposure During Break-Up
Visit Us On Facebook
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Green Star AK 

Keep up with Green Star's busy schedule; come join us, friend us, like us!

 

 

 

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 Anchorage Recycles

Stay current on what's happening in recycling around Anchorage. Several recycling organizations post regularly.

 

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Plug at 20 Anchorage  

Keep up with local events and cold-weather driving tips.  

 

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Bike to Work Anchorage 

 The bicycling community pedals into spring with events and trainings.  

Thank You to our Sponsors
Thank you to all of our sponsors and donors for supporting the
Green Star.

 

Visit Our Sponsor List  

 

This Month's Hot Link

Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

A great Green Star supporter!  Stop by after work on Bike to Work Day to cash in your Bacon Station drink coupon.
Green Star Staff

Kim Kovol 

Executive Director

 

Josh Sherwood  

Technical Assistance

Coordinator

 

Christina Grande 

Community Outreach & Communications

Coordinator

 

Jeanne Carlson 

Web Master

 


What's New

Green Star's address is

333 W. 4th Avenue,  

Suite 310,  

Anchorage, AK 99501.  

 

PLEASE MAKE A NOTE! Several web listings that are beyond our control list out-of-date contact information for Green Star in Anchorage.  

 

Member Benefits

Green Star offers benefits to its members beyond just energy savings and waste reduction.  Many local businesses offer product and service discounts to Green Star members. 

 

Visit our Member Benefits page to learn more.

 

Join Our Mailing List

Green Star logoSHINING STARS  

  
 

Welcome to our latest members!

  • Kodiak Island Brewing Co.
  • Pebble Limited Partnership  

 

Thank you to Tap Root for donating proceeds from last weekend's Spenard Beer and Mead Social to Green Star!  Thank you to the brewers, distillers, distributors, and other participants who donated to the amazing silent auction.

  • Alaskan Brewing Company
  • Anchorage Brewing Company  
  • Anchorage Night Out 
  • Bare Distilleries
  • Bear Creek Winery
  • Celestial Meads 
  • Denali Brewing Company  
  • K&L Distributors
  • Kodiak Island Brewing Company
  • Midnight Sun Brewing Co.  
  • Moose's Tooth Brewing Company 
  • Ring of Fire Meadery 
  • Silver Gulch Brewery  
  • Sleeping Lady Brewing Company 
  • Specialty Imports
  • The Odom Corporation   

Congratulations to the Green Star businesses on the 2012 Corporate 100 List in the April issue of Alaska Business Monthly. 

  • Udelhoven Oilfield System Service
  • The Odom Corporation
  • Span Alaska
  • Prudential Jack White/Vista Real Estate
  • Providence Health & Services Alaska
  • PND Engineers
  • Lynden, Inc.
  • Holland America - Princess
  • Exxon Mobil Production
  • Denali Alaskan Federal Credit Union
  • Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc. 
  • ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc.
  • Chugach Electric 
  • BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc. 
  • ASRC Energy Services, Inc.
  • Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
  • Alaska Sales and Service
  • Alaska Railroad Corporation
  • Alaska Interstate Construction LLC

Congratulations to the Green Star businesses and their staff recognized at the Anchorage Downtown Partnership's Heart of Downtown Awards last month. 
  • Dena'ina Award (team) - FOR PROFIT
    winner -- RIM Architects / RIM Design / RIM First Peoples 
  • Chugach Mountain Award (employee) - FOR PROFIT
    winner -- Rachel Droege (Circular)
    nominee -- Nick Coltman (Indigo) 
  • Chugach Mountain Award (employee) - NOT FOR PROFIT winner -- Joshua Sherwood (Green Star)
 

 

EVENTS & REMINDERS
 

Find events on Green Star's web calendar.   

   

Treat Stations for Bicycle Commuters

Treat stations will be set up on Bike to Work Day (May 18) and on Bike Fridays (the last Friday of every month) throughout the summer.  Look for email updates or check with Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage for locations, station sponsors, and the treats to be served!   

   

Bike to Work Festival -- May 7

new 2012 btw logoJoin Green Star, the Muni's Department of Health & Human Services, Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill,
Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage, and Off the Chain for a festival celebrating bicycle commuting.  The event is 5pm to 7:30pm at Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill (1230 West 27th Ave.). Green Star will present two bikes to two worthy recipients needing alternative transportation for "Bike to Work/Back to Work."  Bikes donated by Off the Chain. Learn about commuting by bicycle in Anchorage, register your Bike to Work Day team, and enjoy the movie "The Boy with a Bike" as part of Bear Tooth's Premiere Art Films and Classics. Bear Tooth is close to the Chester Creek trail, and a great excuse to ride the separated multi-use path from Chester Creek up to Spenard.  Green Star and BCA are looking for volunteers to staff the bike valet for this event.  Contact Josh at [email protected] if you'd like to help.    

 

Clean Air Challenge -- May 12 & 13 

cleanairchallenge2012You can participate by forming a team to bike or pledging to an existing team.  Choose the 60-mile bike ride from Houston to Talkeetna, or the 120-mile ride from Houston to Talkeetna and back again, with an overnight stay at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge.  Or if riding isn't your cup of tea, support the Challenge by pledging to one of the teams already signed up.  We suggest supporting  11 Up - the KTVA CBS 11 News team that includes Green Star staff! Learn more at Clean Air Challenge.       

 

Bike to Work Day -- May 18

Teams are eligible to receive this year's gorgeous BTW t-shirt and everyone who fills out a survey after the event will be entered to win fabulous prizes, including a mountain bike donated by Chain Reaction.  Check back at the registration site for a growing list of teams and the prizes you can win.  See the article below for more information about activities of Bike to Work Day.     

 

BCA logoBCA-AIA Alaska Summer Bike Commute Challenge -- May 21 - August 17
Register your business to compete in this fun and friendly challenge to see which businesses or organizations have the greatest percentage of bike commuters.  The competition is organized by the Alaska Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage (BCA). 

Get all the rules and other details at BCA's web site.  Register by sending the following information to [email protected]

 

1. Business name (you can also include a team name but we must have your business name). You also can register a division, section, department, agency rather than the whole business or organization.

2. Total number of employees at your business (or division) (not the expected number of those bike commuting).

3. Team contact, including email address.

   

5.1 A to Z GuideAnchorage to Zero Waste Guide -- on-line at www.muni.org/sws.  Produced twice a year by the Municipality of Anchorage's Solid Waste Services, this issue includes organics management and water quality tips and resources, as well as updated recycling, energy efficiency, and waste prevention information.  Your definitive guide to reducing waste in Anchorage.    

 

Free Energy Efficiency Workshops -- Ongoing  

Offered by the Alaska Craftsman Home Program (ACHP Alaska) and Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), these free hands-on workshops are available to homeowners, contractors, and other professionals who want to make energy efficiency improvements. Most workshops are held Mondays through Thursdays from 7 to 9pm at 3400 Spenard Rd., Ste 9. Topics include: Building Science Basics, Finding & Fixing Air Leaks, Energy Savings with Lighting & Appliances, Healthy Indoor Air through Ventilation, Heating & Hot Water Choices, Insulating for Savings & Comfort, How to Choose a Contractor, Evaluating Doors & Windows, and Ice Dams.  A few workshops are half-day or all day and include topics like Advanced Cold Climate and Best Practices for Ventilated Crawlspaces.  Registration is required and class size is limited. For more information, visit www.achpalaska.com or call 907-258-2247

 

Alaska Materials Exchange.  Don't forget to list your used items on the exchange or look there for items before going shopping.  At any given time, you can find office furniture and supplies, chemicals, pallets, constructions materials and more.  Visit AME for more information. 

 

BIKE TO WORK DAY ACTIVITIESnew 2012 btw logo

Green Star, the Muni's Department of Health & Human Services, Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage (BCA), and the State of Alaska, are teaming up once again to bring you the best Bike to Work Day yet! 
 
Registration for Bike to Work Day is now open so get your team signed up. 
 
Among the events and activities planned for Bike to Work Day are the following: 
  • Treat Stations will be operating all over town, on the major trails and intersections.   
  • The Bacon Station will be open once again with bacon donated by Spenard Roadhouse and other refreshments and drink coupons provided by Midnight Sun Brewing Co.  The Red Cross will be there too and plenty more organizations still to be announced. Stop by the Bacon Station on the trail at the intersection of New Seward and E. 20th. 
  • Alaska Club will be offering free showers for any bike commuter on Bike to Work Day.  Just bring in your helmet to prove you rode!  
  • Inlet View Espresso will be offering a free large coffee to bike commuters on Bike to Work Day.  They're located at 333 W. 4th Ave.  Just show your bike helmet and let them know you participated in Bike to Work Day.  
Thanks again to Screamin' Yeti designs for this year's BTW logo.  
 
GREEN STAR MEMBER, LIME SOLAR OPENS IN ANCHORAGE

Lime Solar Grand Opening
left to right, Chris Rose (Director of Renewable Alaska Energy Project), Senator Mark Begich, Kim Kovol (Director of Green Star), Jesse Moe (co-owner of Lime Solar), Chester Dyson (co-owner of Lime Solar), Pastor Prevo, and Grant Larson (Business Advisor from the Small Business Development Center). 
  

On April 14th, Lime Solar, LLC, hosted a "Grand Opening" event at its new store in Anchorage.  Lime Solar offers solar, wind, and alternative energy products and services for Alaska.


"We are humbled by the presence of so many Alaskans today, particularly to have the support of U.S. Senator Mark Begich, and Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) Executive Director Chris Rose, both of whom spoke on behalf of alternative energy businesses in Alaska," noted Chet Dyson, a partner in Lime Solar.

 

Lime Solar was formed in October 2011. The company's menu of services and inventory include solar, wind, and LED lighting products for commercial and residential applications, design and engineering consultation for custom system, intermediary assistance for customers working with utility companies to ensure compliance with codes and requirements, and providing technical support on renewable systems.

 

"It's inspiring to see this type of motivation and commitment from two Alaska-grown businessmen," Sen. Mark Begich said. "I'm so pleased to see this investment in Anchorage's future, the commitment to renewable energy and helping Alaskans reduce their energy bills, and the growth of a local business that will bring jobs and economic support to this area."

 

"Our goals are to offer quality renewable energy designs, products, and services to residential, commercial, state and federal industries. Our mission at Lime Solar is to provide Alaskans financial freedom from cost prohibitive utility expenses while serving a greater global purpose through reduction of carbon emissions," added Jesse Moe, Dyson's business partner and an electrical engineer.


Lime Solar enrolled in the Green Star program in December 2011, shortly after forming. At the grand opening, Lime Solar recognized Green Star for its efforts in assisting Lime Solar the company in becoming more sustainable. Green Star made recommendations during the build-out phase, including using LED lighting and low-flow toilets. Lime Solar hopes to submit its achievement report and earn Green Star Award certification this year.  

 

"Green Star is excited to work with such enthusiastic and dedicated individuals with a wide array of energy-efficiency services for large or small businesses. Quite frankly, these guys have amazing staff and products," says Kim Kovol, Green Star executive director.    

 

Learn more about Lime Solar. 

    

GREEN STAR CHOSEN TO COMPETE FOR TOYOTA'S 100 CARS FOR GOOD

Toyota 100 Cars for Good logoGreen Star is thrilled to have been chosen as one of 500 finalists for Toyota's 100 Cars for Good program. Help us win a new car so we can make an even bigger difference in our community. We need your support! Tell your friends and vote for Green Star at www.100carsforgood.com on June 28, 2012.
 
Toyota's 100 Cars for Good program will be awarding 100 vehicles to 100 nonprofits over the course of 100 days based on votes from the public. A total of 500 nonprofits were selected from more than 4,000 applicants nationwide. We are hoping to win a new Toyota Tundra to help haul recyclables, Green Events recycling bins, Bike to Work Day Treat Station supplies and gear, and educational materials throughout southcentral Alaska. 
 
REDUCING YOUR DUST EXPOSURE DURING BREAK-UP   

 

driveway sweeping manSpring is here and soon we'll be seeing green grass, leaves, and flowers. Many of us are eager to get out and clean up the winter grime left on our driveways, decks, and walkways.  However, this can increase your exposure to airborne dust.   

 

For many, exposure to dust is just a nuisance but for those with asthma, chronic bronchitis, and other lung disease, dust can be a real health danger.   

 

Here are some tips to reduce your dust exposure this season:

 

  • Use wet clean-up methods when possible. Consider wetting your driveway prior to broom sweeping. You can pick up the bulk of the dirt with your broom and then use water spray to cleanup the residual 'fines' left after wet sweeping.
  • Don't use a leaf blower unless you wet the area first. Using a leaf blower can create a tremendous cloud of dust that will expose both you and others in your neighborhood. Creating excessive amounts of dust by 'dry-sweeping' with a leaf blower is also a violation of municipal code.
  • Consider watering your grass a day or two before mowing for the first time. This will help reduce the amount of dust generated from that first mow.
  • Wear a N-95 rated dust mask before engaging in a dusty activity. These are inexpensive and available at most hardware stores.
  • Remove contacts and consider using goggles if the dust is flying.

 

 To check out real time air quality in Anchorage. 

 

 

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