May-June 2015

What Do You Know...Series :: Water (Part One)

What Do You Know About...Tap Water?

The experts here at askHRgreen.org get asked lots of questions from Hampton Roads residents who want an easier, greener lifestyle. But lately we've been thinking it would be fun to turn the tables and ask residents a few questions of our own. So we decided to hit the streets to find out what you know about our most precious resource--- water! In honor of Drinking Water Week, May 3-9, we are pleased to premiere our new What Do You Know? video series with a conversation about tap water.

Do you think you'd know the answers to these questions? You might be surprised how much there is to learn about something we all use every single day. We hope you enjoy this first installment of askHRgreen.org's What Do You Know? series and stay tuned for more!

Extra! Extra! Read All About It

The inaugural issue of Coastal Virginia's Green Magazine hit the shelves in April and we're thrilled to be a part of it! Green Magazine is the result of an exciting new partnership between Coastal Virginia magazine and askHRgreen.org. The special lifestyle supplement is an opportunity to highlight the residents and businesses of Hampton Roads that have embraced an Earth-friendly lifestyle.

Inside Green Magazine, you'll see a snapshot of some of the great work being done across the region, including a behind-the-scenes look at a recycling audit; a report on polluted waterways and what's being done to clean them up; profiles of green homeowners right here in Hampton Roads; a compelling argument for ditching bottled water; and an eye-opening history of oyster production and how this beloved bivalve is pulling double duty to please both our environment and our taste buds.

If you haven't seen it in person, you can read the online version now. Share it with your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors. It is our hope that the stories in this beautiful magazine will educate and inspire residents and businesses to make our coastal lifestyle a little easier on the environment.

Don't Miss the 2nd Annual Keep Hampton Roads Beautiful Golf Tournament

We are excited to announce that registration for the 2nd Annual Keep Hampton Roads Beautiful Golf Tournament is now open! This year's tournament will take place on Monday, Oct.12, 2015 at the Greenbrier Country Club in Chesapeake. We'll be bringing back fabulous food, prizes and a great day of golf, all to benefit askHRgreen.org and Keep Virginia Beautiful. The tournament is open to the public and registration includes 18 holes of golf, cart rental, range balls, beverages, prizes and an awards dinner. Sign up for the "Go Green" package and get a mulligan, raffle ticket and entry into the Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive and Putting contests! Register your team online today or for more information about the tournament, visit askHRgreen.org.

Funds raised from the tournament will support local litter prevention, beautification, as well as recycling education and outreach programs right here in Hampton Roads. Last year's proceeds, along with a grant from Keep America Beautiful, are helping launch seven Cigarette Litter Prevention Program projects in the following localities: Hampton, James City County, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach. The program's proven, strategic approach consistently cuts cigarette butt litter in half, and Hampton Roads is looking forward to achieving that same result. We could not have launched such a wide-reaching project without the generous sponsors and golfers who supported our inaugural tournament.

The Team Behind the Green: Dan Baxter

This is the sixth installment in a series of profiles featuring the behind-the-scenes folks who are part of the askHRgreen.org program. From Virginia Beach to Southampton County and from as far north as James City and Gloucester counties, they come together as one region to encourage environmental stewardship among all residents here in Hampton Roads. This month, we'd like to introduce you to Team Member, Dan Baxter:

1. Tell us about your job.

I am the Business Recycling Coordinator for the City of Newport News and current chairman of the askHRgreen.org Recycling and Beautification Committee. As part of the Newport News Recovery Operations Team, I develop and maintain relationships with local businesses, civic organizations, schools and the public to promote recycling. This includes researching new recycling programs, engaging the public and conducting waste/recycling audits. The Recovery Operations Team also combines resources with other departments in the City of Newport News to collaborate, coordinate and communicate environmental stewardship throughout the city and region.

2. Why is the askHRgreen.org program important?

askHRgreen.org and the many resources offered by the website lend themselves to a wide variety of applications, both public and private. The organization has the combined talents of 17 localities in Hampton Roads. This talent base offers a diversity of backgrounds that combine to provide an exceptional resource for the City of Newport News and all residents and businesses in Hampton Roads.

3. What is your favorite "green" tip to share?

No effort is too small to make a difference.