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Westport Library Green Task Force

kmnash — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:08:46 CST

The Westport Library Green Task Force is a committee that was formed to implement a strategic goal adopted by the Library's Board in 2009. The task force consists of six library staff members including one administrator. The first meeting convened in February 2009 at which time we shared ideas for purpose, direction, and goals. We voted Kris Nash and Nancy Kuhn-Clark co-chairs of the committee and George Wagner adviser/consultant. We decided that the first order of business should address immediate building related issues. We agreed that the first priority would be to obtain and strategically place RECYCLING BINS around the building. Other projects included researching energy efficient refrigerators to replace two old clunkers in the staff room and maintenance room; ways to raise staff awareness to avoid everyday energy waste, like turning off lights, computers, fans and copier machines at night. Finally, we decided to invite someone from the town's green advisory board to come and talk to us.
March 25, 2009: At our second meeting, we had special guest Kim Lake and Frank Grazynski. They learned a little about who we were, and we learned about the Town Task Force which was established in the Spring of 2007 for the purpose of figuring out how to reduce the carbon footprint in the town of Westport. The town's mission was to try to reach a 20% reduction in its carbon footprint by 2010.
The Green Task Force convened on June 15th at 2PM. Highlights included:
George’s announcement that recycling bins have been purchased and will be placed in various parts of the building for paper only (no newspaper). The official kick-off date for recycling paper at the library is JUNE15th. We also discussed how we will accomplish recycling bottles and cans since our garbage hauler would charge extra to provide that service. New refrigerators will be here soon. We also discussed programming, how to get high school students involved, fundraising efforts including offering green beverage mugs for sale at the café, and re-cycling our cartridges to Staples for $ (or credit). Demas volunteered to take cartridges to Staples and a box is in the server room for dropping them off. George started delivering

The GreenTask Force met again on October 19, 2009. Highlights of the meeting were as follows:
Signage will be provided in conference rooms and the Mc Manus and Seminar rooms reminding users to turn out the lights when they leave. Reading Room newspapers will be recycled at the end of the week. We looked at a guide to recycling produced by the town of Greenwich. We will find out if the town of Westport produces any similar publication- if so we will make it available at the library. Energy Star rebates will be active before the end of the year. Our new refrigerators will be purchased as soon as these rebates are available. There was further discussion of the green beverage mugs and how to use them in some creative way. An event for staff is being planned for January.

The Green Task Force met on November 23, 2009. Highlights of the meeting were as follows:
Promotion Commotion will send sample cups for us to look at. There was discussion of dollar tote bags and whether our customers would like to have this option in addtion to the $4 library bags. The question arose of using donated used plastic bags for customers who do not want to buy a bag. It is unclear whether the ordinance banning plastic bags in town refers to bags being reused, or just new plastic bags. We will find out. Copies of the Town of Westport sheet of recycling information will be made available in the bins under the community service bulletin board. The library is investigating expanding our cafe to include locally produced foods. Larger recycling bins have been added in busy areas.

WESTPORT LIBRARY GREENER THAN EVER

nancela — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:57:29 CST

AL GORE'S
NEW BOOK IS HERE:
OUR CHOICE: A PLAN TO SAVE THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

AL GORE'S

NEW BOOK IS HERE:

OUR CHOICE: A PLAN TO SAVE THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

CHECK OUT GREEN BOOKS

WESTPORT LIBRARY'S GREEN TASK FORCE:

We have some great books on organic gardening and cooking.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST!

WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

WESTPORT LIBRARY'S GREEN TASK FORCE:

Eco-Craft: Recylce,-Recraft- Restyle Global

Warming for Dummies: Understanding the science behind climate change, recognize causes of global warming and reduce your carbon footprint.The greenest books, speakers, and programs will keep you thinking and entertained, while the most beautiful natural backdrop (the Saugatuck River) borders our prime location. Sit under a tree (check out the gorgeous Ginko Baloba tree) or listen to music "on the green"!
Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution by Thomas Friedman
Clean : the humble art of Zen-cleansing Help keep your house ship shape without hurting the environment.

Ignition: What you can do to fight global warming Essential guide on how to help.
Good Green Kitchens Create beautiful and eco-friendly kitchens.
FOOD MATTERS: A Guide to Conscious Eating with more than 75 recipes by Mark Bittman
Green This! Deirdre Imus' guide to a healthy house!

Measure the amount of power that your appliances use. We lend them here at the library in our A.V. Dept.EZ Watt Power Meters

Measure the amount of power that your appliances use. We lend them here at the library in our A.V. Dept.EZ Watt Power Meters

Courage for the Earth Celebrates life and writing of Rachel Carson.

CLASSIC GREEN
Silent Spring America's first warning.

An Inconvenient Truth If it isn't a classic yet, it probably will be!!!

The Next One Hundred Years From 1990, maybe a little out of date but beautifully written.

GREEN NEWS

nancela — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:42:49 CST

WESTPORT TOWN PROJECTS & INITIATIVES

nancela — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:31:34 CST

Westport Green Village Initiative
Check out the web site. Plenty of events and projects to get involved with right here, right now!

PLASTIC BAG...WHAT A DRAG!

Westport, Connecticut has become the first city on the East Coast to ban plastic shopping bags.
http://www.cpbn.org/westport-bans-plastic-bags

RESOLVED: That upon the request of four RTM members, an ordinance that bans plastic checkout bags used by retail stores and other organizations selling products to the public is hereby approved. (Second reading. Full text available from the Town Clerk’s Office) http://www.citizenscampaign.org/PDFs/08%20Retail%20Checkout%20Bag%20Ordinance-Westport%20as%20approved.pdf

SHELLFISHING IN WESTPORT! Shellfishing is a fun outdoor adventure (and a delicious meal). You can do it here in Westport. Check out the facts: http://www.westportct.gov/default.asp

Contact your local offices for up to the minute information:

http://www.westportct.gov/government/boards/sc.htm

RECYCLE! TALKIN' TRASH
http://www.westportct.gov/agencies/townmanagement/publicworks/Recycle.htm

Solar Panels!

Want to know more about what's on the roof at the Westport Fire Station?
The System.

Westport Community Gardens the official communication channel for those interested in The Westport Community Gardens.

GREEN LIVING

nancela — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:33:50 CST

WELCOME TO WESTPORT LIBRARY'S

ONTHE GREEN WIKI

green tips
from National Geographic!

This wiki is a place to share ideas, information and thoughts related to the concept of a sustainable environment, i.e. keeping our community and the world cleaner and greener.

Please feel free to add and prune widely but judiciously.

WHAT'S A WIKI?

To participate in our Wiki just go to the top of the page and click on SIGN UP

It's painless, paperless and free!

Then, take a look at the categories running down the left hand column.

Point and Click!

EAT GREEN

nancela — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:56:19 CDT

FAIRFIELD GREEN FOOD GUIDE
Analiese Paik, self-described "die-hard foodie", is a Fairfield resident who has developed an on line guide to green food. Find fresh grown food in Fairfield Counry, green food events, and other hidden gems.

Organic agriculture, food and products...Learn more: http://www.organic.org/

What's with organic eggs in plastic cartons?
http://www.thebigmoney.com/articles/greenwash/2009/04/21/green-eggs-and-plastic

Bestselling NYT author, Mark Bittman's book is here:
FOOD MATTERS: A GUIDE TO CONSCIOUS EATING

Here are the healthiest foods of 2008 brought to you by the NYTimes
(The 11 best foods you aren't eating!)

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/the-11-best-foods-you-arent-eating/?em

HEALTH FOOD STORES IN CONNTECTICUT:

Connecticut
• Lim's Health Food - In Business over 25 years. (Bloomfield) • Super Natural Mkt & Deli - . (Bristol) • Health Food Junction - Natural Food Store. (Canaan) • Sunflower - . (Danielson) • Health Matters Natural Foods - Natural foods, bulk items, bodycare and more.. (Enfield) • Mrs Green's Health Food Market - Natural Foods Retailer serving Fairfield!. (Fairfield) • Garden of Light Pure Foods Market - Grocery, Deli and Bakery. (Glastonbury) • Greenwich Health Mart - Herbs, Supplements, some grocery and more. (Greenwich) • Country Grocer - Open for over 24 years.. (Guilford) • Thyme and Season - Natural Food Store. (Hamden) • Amazing Grains - A small natural foods store with a little bit of everything!. (Litchfield) • Fiddle Head's Market - Natural Food Store. (Litchfield) • It's Only Natural - Natural Food Store. (Middletown) • It's Only Natural Market - . (Middletown) • Sunwheel Health Foods - Friendly, personal help. (Monroe) • Puritan & Genesta Natural Foods - Natural Food Store. (Mystic) • Lexington Gardens - . (Newtown) • Natural Food Store - Natural Food Store. (Niantic) • Norwalk Natural Foods - . (Norwalk) • Ginger Root Health Food Store - A variety of products. (Norwich) • Green Planet Co-op - Green Planet - Improving the quality of your life. (Oakville) • Green Planet Market - Green Planet Market. (Oakville) • Foodworks - . (Old Saybrook) • Harvest Moon Health Foods - Healthy Foods for Healthy Lifestyles. (Putnam) • LaBonnes Market - Organic Produce, Meat,Grocery, Dairy,and Frozen Items. (Salisbury) • Mrs. Greens Health Food Market - Natural Food Store. (Stamford) • Natural Nutrition Shoppes - . (Stamford) • Champlion's General Store - Natural organic foods cosmetics vitamins homeopathy herbs spices. (Storrs Mansfield) • The Good Life - Natural Food Store and Holistic Wellness Center . (Torrington) • Willimantic Food Co-op - Full line vegetarian natural food store specializing in bulk, organic, and local foods. (Willimantic) • Wilton Organic Gourmet - Wilton Organic Gourmet. (Wilton) • New Morning Natural & Organic Foods - Natural and Organic food store with Deli. (Woodbury)

Health food stores in other states:
http://www.greenpeople.org/healthfood.htm

WESTPORT FARMER'S MARKET:
http://www.westportfarmersmarket.com/

OTHER CONNECTICUT FARMER'S MARKETS:
http://www.buyctgrown.com/search_map?filter0=&filter1=645&op2=250&filter2=hartford/

Can chocolate save the planet? NPR reponds.
HAPPY COW'S VEGETARIAN GUIDE

COFFEE? TEA?
http://green.yahoo.com/global-warming/treehugger-218/how-to-green-your-coffee-and-tea.html

Places to eat:

Newman's Home Grown Restaurant

Try this restaurant in Fairfield- a feminist, restaurant and bookstore w/a veggie menu.

http://www.bloodroot.com/

IN WESTPORT

Other Food-Related Information:

Slow Food USA

Farm and Food

Organic Delivery!!

GREEN RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION!

SHOPPING GREEN

nancela — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:39:00 CDT

WESTPORT FARMERS' MARKETS:
2 DIFFERENT DAYS - 2 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS!
Thursdays at the Imperial Ave.Parking Lot (walk from the libaray!)from 10-2PM
Sundays behind the Saugatuck Congregational Church from 11:30-2:30 PM.

GREEN UMBRELLA
Check out Westport resident's new on line store:
http://www.greenumbrellastore.com/

Lisa Storch is a certified holistic health counsellor with a green lifestyle website.

FREE IS GOOD!
http://green.yahoo.com/earth-day

Buy CT Grown Website!!!
http://www.buyctgrown.com/

http://www.wholesomewavefarmmarkets.com/

ENVIRONMENTALLY SUPERIOR PRODUCTS from MOTHER JONES
http://motherjones.greenhome.com/products/

Skin Deep is a safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products brought to you by researchers at the Environmental Working Group

WHAT IS FRAGRANCE?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN5IiaOaIt8

Green Make-Up...
http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/119/makeup

GARDENING GREEN (Green Thumb!)

nancela — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:34:00 CDT

START AN ORGANIC GARDEN THIS YEAR!

SEE FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA'S...
WHITE HOUSE GARDEN PLAN!

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture published a new brochure,
FARM STANDS AND STORES THROUGHOUT CT.
lists government-approved markets and stands broken down
by county and includes seasons and hours of operation!
This is an article with excellent tips on sustainable gardening techniques.
HOW TO GO GREEN IN YOUR GARDEN

How Difficult is Organic Gardening?
http://www.organic-gardening.net/articles/how-difficult-is-organic-gardening.php

Northeast ORGANIC FARMING ASSOCIATION of CT.
http://www.ctnofa.org/index.php

Organic Lawn Care - offered on the University of Florida Extension Service web site: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP140

Treehuggers.com offers tips on how to green your
garden:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/06/how-to-green-your-gardening.php

So how do I find out more about composting?
http://www.organic-gardening.net/compost/

Natural weed whacking compliments of YAHOO! Green
http://green.yahoo.com/blog/greenpicks/144/natural-weed-whacking.html

GET THE BEST TOMATOES THIS SUMMER.

http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-5-16-1561,00.html

CHICKS AND THE
CITY

HOW TO GROW HERBS
IN
POTS!

GREEN PARENTING

nancela — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:28:18 CDT

NEW BOOKS:

Feeding Baby Green the earthfriendly program for healthy, safe nutrition during pregnancy, childhood, and beyond.

Raising Baby Green: Thre earth friendly guide to pregnancy, childbirth, and baby care.

the earth friendly program for healthy, safe nutrition during pregnancy, childhood, and beyond

Blogs:

Busy Moms Go Green Blog Join the conversation!

Defamisher: part of the parenting blog Offsprung, gives (humorous) advice on feeding children a healthy diet.

BUSINESS GREEN

nancela — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:52:01 CDT

Environmental NonProfits? Here's a pretty good list!
http://www.change.org/nonprofits/browse?category_id=4

Green Business Tips from Earthshare:
http://www.earthshare.org/greening-business.html?gclid=COr7zJWp6pwCFSBN5QodGyW3rQ

Accelerating the dialog around the value and best practices of energy efficient solutions offered by companies large and small:
http://www.greentechnologyalliance.org/gta/

FIVE TO WATCH in the Business of Being Green:
http://blogs.reuters.com/environment/2009/04/24/five-to-watch-in-the-business-of-green/

An online communiy for eco-entrepreneurs:
http://www.greenbusiness.net/

http://www.innserendipity.com/ecopren/ecoprenhome.html is a fresh and dynamic approach to entrepreneurial thinking, blending passion for the planet with small business pragmatics and smashing the stereotype that "doing good" and "running a business" can't go hand in hand.

Join the global conversation courtesy of the Internaional Herald Tribune

JOBS OF A DIFFERENT COLLAR!
According to the New York Times (March 2008), "the environmental work force is difficult to define, but one thing is certain: it's poised for growth."
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/26/business/businessspecial2/26collar.html?ref=businessspecial2

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Company going green?(May 2, 2008)
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/kkr-gets-a-little-greener-with-environmental-pact/

GREEN KIDS

greengodess — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:41:29 CDT

Welcome to the Kids' Green Wiki

This wiki is a place to share ideas, information and thoughts about nature and keeping our world clean and green.
To join in our Wiki, just go over to the right hand column and click on
"Join this Wiki". It's easy.
Then you can share all your green ideas with us.

Plant a tree in one of our national forests by sending a Give-A-Tree card ($5.95) from the Arbor Day Foundation at http://www.arborday.org/index.cfm.

Take a trip to a garbage museum and learn all about recycling

http://www.crra.org/pages/edu_museums.htm#strtfd

Here are some other fun web sites to look at:
Find a Connecticut nature center or park to have fun in.
http://www.westportlibrary.org/children/funsites/daytrips/nature.html

Take an underwater tour of Long Island Sound.
http://www.lisrc.uconn.edu/lis_uwtour/

Learn all the ways kids can recycle.
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/kidspage/

What's it like where you live?
http://www.mbgnet.net/

Environmental Kids Club
http://www.epa.gov/kids/

EPA Global Warming Kids Site
http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html

Kids Saving Energy
http://www.eere.energy.gov/kids/

EEK! Environmental Education for Kids
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/eek/

Lose Your Excuse - For tweens and teenagers ways to save energy through games and interactive tools
http://www.loseyourexcuse.gov/index.html#/index

Information and games about energy and the environment form Con Ed
http://www.coned.com/kids/

Games on the Net:

ASPCA Animaland - For kids who love animals http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer? pagename=kids_home

Frogland - Games and jokes about frogs
http://allaboutfrogs.org/froglnd.shtml

Imagination Factory- Art activities using recycled materials http://www.kid-at-art.com/

National Geographic Kids -Games, videos, stories and activities http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=kids_home

Do some outdoor exploring.

We have an Outdoors Backpack you can use with a compass, magnifying glass, binoculars, butterfly net, field guides and more. Just come up to the children's library and we'll show you where it is.

Do you have some ideas to share about how kids can go green? Join Kids' Green Wiki and tell us!

GREEN TECHNOLOGY!

nancela — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:00:47 CDT

What's green, made of corn and has buttons? Green Phones!
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/whats-green-made-of-corn-and-has-buttons-all-over/

GREENER PASTURES (Local places)

nancela — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:39:33 CDT

Here are some places that you don't have to go very far to visit guaranteed to bring a little green into your life.

EDIBLE GARDEN AT NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN! (Not quite local but still...
http://www.nybg.org/edible_garden/

PICK YOUR OWN FRUIT!
Here's a guide - by county- in Connecticut.

http://www.ct.gov/doag/lib/doag/marketing_files/2008_pyo_brochure.pdf

WESTPORT FARMERS' MARKETS:

2 DIFFERENT DAYS - 2 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS!

Thursdays at the Imperial Ave.Parking Lot (walk from the libaray!)from 10-2PM

Sundays behind the Saugatuck Congregational Church from 11:30-2:30 PM.

Westport Farmers' Market

FIND A PLACE TO RECYLCE THAT'S CLOSE TO YOUR HOME. JUST ENTER YOUR ZIP CODE!!
http://earth911.com/

FIND A PLACE TO RECYLCE THAT'S CLOSE TO YOUR HOME. JUST ENTER YOUR ZIP CODE!! http://earth911.com/

http://www.wholesomewavefarmmarkets.com/

Earthplace

GardenTours

Westport Astronomical Society

GREEN LIFESTYLE

nancela — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:29:49 CDT

* Green Routines: Suggestions for the way we live now.

* Not Buying It (New York Times, 6/21/07): Freegans embrace dumpster-diving as a way of recycling.

* Freegan website: "Freegans are people who employ alternative strategies for living based on limited participation in the conventional economy and minimal consumption of resources. Freegans embrace community, generosity, social concern, freedom, cooperation, and sharing in opposition to a society based on materialism, moral apathy, competition, conformity, and greed."

* Craigslist Free Section: Like an online garage sale, but free! A great way to save things that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

* Westport Freecycle Group: "It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns and thus keeping good stuff out of landfills."

GREEN PETS

nancela — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:39:21 CDT

* Earth Animal- natural pet food and supplies

Want to make your own dog biscuits? We can show you how! Check out books at our library:

TOP GREEN PET TIPS:
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/green-pets/green-pets-tips.html

Ultimate dog Treats

Natural dog Food

GREEN JOKES

nancela — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:28:00 CDT

* Understanding Food Labels at Whole Foods from McSweeney's

President Bush says he's really going to buckle down now and fight global warming. As a matter of fact, he announced today he's sending 20,000 troops to the sun.
 David Letterman  

Joke on Leno last night-- Bush is starting to get concerned about global warning, which is why he's trying to rekindle the COLD war.

President Bush has a plan [to fight global warming]. We can lower the temperature dramatically just by switching from Fahrenheit to Celsius.
Jimmy Kimmel    

PARTY! IN GREEN

nancela — Sun, 31 May 2009 14:18:51 CDT

Eco -cocktails for your next summer party?

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/greenpicks/182/eco-cocktail-anyone.html

EVITE is an e-greeting card and invitation service. Here is their answer to eco friendly party planning. Check it out:

Green Party Ideas

Get all your friends ready to turn over a new leaf this fall with an eco-friendly party. Here are some tips for greening up any gathering:

From food to décor, buy all your party goods locally. Shop your nearest farmers' market or family-owned store (vs. national chains) to reduce your carbon footprint.

Need a little eco-motivation? Go see The 11th Hour, a documentary that illustrates how we can make a big difference in our Earth's future. Use one of our invitations inspired by the film to get your group together.

EVITE INSIDER TIP
Tread lightly when heading to your events. Evite Carpool helps you party smarter — and greener — by helping you coordinate who drives and who rides. Learn more about this feature.

SAMPLE EVITE GREETING CARD

The message you write to your friends will appear here. You can write as much as you want. Have fun!

Cheers,

The Evite Team

Design by Annie Bakst. View all designs by Annie Bakst

GREEN TRAVEL

nancela — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:00:01 CDT

Tips for Greener Travel

Reducing your speed to 55 mph from 70 mph could increase your fuel efficiency by 23 percent.

THE GREEN RV

"A small group of environmental pioneers is trying to
transform the ultimate gas guzzler."
From the NYT (Escapes, Nov. 7 2008)

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/travel/escapes/07RV.html

The NEW (Toyota 2010) PRIUS REVIEWED:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/automobiles/autoreviews/29AUTO.html?ref=automobiles

Hotels
Green Accommodations: Check out green hotels

Responsible Travel

BLOGGING GREEN

nancela — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:30:15 CDT

NewYork Times Green Inc

A Green Blog by ThinkDwell: good resource for information on green building, products and money-saving tips.

Dot Earth is a blog worth a look, brought to us by New York Time's reporter, Andrew C Revkin.

A Little Greener Everyday "Some useful information, some anecdotes, some rantings, and some inspiration from my quest to make my family and perhaps the world around me A Little Greener Every Day."

Yahoo Green Green editors interested in all kinds of earth-friendly stuff, like organic food, green parenting, recyclable crafts, biking to work, eco-travel, and sustainable holidays.

Going Green at your Library
Environmentally friendly practices for libraries and beyond!

Green Blog Green Blog is a newly created multi-author environment blog. Daily updates and posts from authors around the world.

BUSY MOMS GO GREEN. Join the conversation!

From Brown to Green: a green library architect's journey of discovery

National Geographic Blogs

LISTENING AND WATCHING GREEN

pchang — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:45:29 CDT

NEW GREEN TV!!!!
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/?campaign=dpg-launch-1-nyt001

YOU TUBE GREEN

What's the Worst that could Happen?

Blue Man Group about Global Warming

TOP TEN DVDs on the Environment (According to Booklist, a well respected review journal)
http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=show_product&pid=2509649

SONGS FOR AN OVERHEATED PLANETMSN's Live Earth site has videos o f concerts and a collection of articles on environmental issues: http://www.liveearth.msn.com and
http://www.liveearth.org

Directory of Environmental Podcasts:

http://www.naturepodcasts.com/index.html

Making your own CD covers/envelopes

http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=iOmcm50bzmA&feature=related