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1. May 8: Healthy Products House Party
2. May 18: Bike Newton Rally
3. May 19: Environmental Speaker Series: "Making Materials Matter" with Dr. Ken Geiser
4. May Environment Show: "Bicycling in Newton" with Dan Fitzmartin and Bill Aldrich
5. New: Organic Gardening Committee
6. GDC/Student Events: EcoWater Walk/Run and Invasive Plants Cleanup
7. Newton Student Energy Contest Awards & Art Exhibit
8. Committee Meetings
9. June 3: Green Business Solutions Expo
10.June 9: GDC Environmental Leadership Awards, Celebration & Annual Meeting at New Art Center
11.Join GDC now for 2008
12.Other: Newton Garden Market & Lectures; Newton Conservators Spring Walks; Lexington Global Warming Action Coalition
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1. HEALTHY PRODUCTS HOUSE PARTY
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Thursday May 8, 8:00 pm
Suggested donation to Green Decade: $10
Co-sponsored by GreenCAP Committee for Alternatives to Pesticides, Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow and Clean Water Action.
You shouldn't have to be a scientist to buy shampoo, toys, or any consumer products! Everyone is exposed to toxic products, even products that could be safe. Learn with friends, and community why the invisible issue of toxic homes must be a priority. Let our legislators know what is important to you, your family, your community. Turn concern into action AND more importantly, have some fun!
See the new DVD, Contaminated without Consent, produced by Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow and starring local Boston folks and Green Chemistry experts. Then, eat, drink, and spa together after the DVD showing and discussion, plus techniques and recipes for natural products that you can make at home! For reservations, information & directions, contact Erika Keller Rogoff at 617-964-1806 or ekkr@comcast.net. |
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2. BIKE NEWTON: MAKING NEWTON A BICYCLE-SAFE CITY
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Sunday May 18, 12:30 pm
Newton City Hall War Memorial Auditorium Steps
Sponsored by the Green Decade Coalition/Newton and Newton Conservators
Bike Newton is a rally and 2.5-mile Friends & Family Ride. Join this grassroots effort to promote bicycling as a viable method of transportation in the city and to make bicycling safe and convenient for all. Honored guests and a featured speaker, Dr. Anne Lusk of the Harvard School of Public Health, will be introduced. Give-aways include free raffles of a Teen membership to the West Suburban YMCA and merchandise packages from local bike shops, bicycle safety checks and displays of transportation and cargo bikes by local bicycle merchants and healthy snacks provided by local markets.
Sign up for the Friends and Family Bike Ride and come to the rally, on foot or bike, for an afternoon of fun! Check www.bikenewton.org for up-to-date information, or contact loislevin@comcast.net |
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3. ENVIRONMENTAL SPEAKER SERIES: " MAKING MATERIALS MATTER” WITH
KEN GEISER, UMASS LOWELL |
Monday May 19, 7:00- 9:00 pm
Free
Druker Auditorium, Newton Free Library
330 Homer St., Newton Centre
Co-sponsored by the Green Decade Coalition/Newton and the Newton Free Library
Professor Ken Geiser, Director of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, will talk about the importance of focusing on materials — materials science, resource conservation, hazardous chemicals, green chemistry and toxics use reduction — as a way to advance sustainable forms of production and consumption. Topics will include new directions in chemical and materials policy in Europe, Canada and China and present examples of communities and corporations that are working to implement more effective chemicals policies. Local examples are The Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Program and the proposed Safer Alternatives Bill.
All ESS events are held at the Newton Free Library, Druker Auditorium, at 7 pm, usually on the 3rd Monday of the month, January through June. For more information about the series, contact 617-965-1995 or Environmental Speakers Series on our website. |
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4. MAY ENVIRONMENT SHOW: "BICYCLING IN NEWTON" WITH DAN FITZMARTIN AND BILL ALDRICH
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Host: Beverly Droz, Green Decade
Throughout the month of May
In keeping with the month of May as National Bike Month, bicycling in Newton is the topic of the Green Decade-produced May Environment Show. Two dedicated bikers, Bill Aldrich and Dan Fitzmartin are Beverly Droz’ guests. Both are experienced bikers of the Newton streets and, in their conversation, share their concerns and vision for a safe, non-polluting, health-enhancing mode of transportation. Tips, resources, and proposed solutions to current problems are put forward. Viewers are also encouraged to join Newton’s own Bike Newton celebration of National Bike Month, a May 18 rally and ride in support of a truly bicycle-friendly city.
The Environment Show is broadcast on the NewTV Blue channel (Comcast Chan. 10, RCN Chan. 15, Verizon Chan. 34):
Mondays 3:00 p.m.
Tuesdays 1:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m.
Wednesdays: 11:30 a.m.
Thursdays: 12:00, 4:00 and 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 10:00 a.m.
Videos of previous Environment Show programs are now available for viewing online at the GDC website. This monthly show is produced alternatively by the Green Decade and the Newton Conservators. |
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5. NEW ORGANIC GARDENING & LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE
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Spring is here and the Green Decade welcomes organic gardeners & landscapers, experienced or novice, to join this new group. Demand for the Soil Testing brochure and Organic Lawn & Landscape Services flyer increases each year, especially at the Farmers Market. Many GDC members and friends have asked for and offered information on healthy ways to create and maintain gardens, lawns and landscapes. This new group will expand the resources currently offered by the GreenCAP Committee for Alternatives to Pesticides, but will operate as a separate committee. The new committee’s purpose is to provide additional information on best plants, practices, products and services for organic, pesticide-free land/garden care, along with educational, hands-on programs during the year. These will include workshops on composting or other organic practices, and an Organic Garden Tour of Newton gardens, similar to the Energy Committee’s Annual Solar Homes Tour of 4-5 homes each fall.
First meeting: Tuesday, May 13 at 7 pm. For more information or to join the Organic Gardening & Landscape Committee, contact Karen Albert at karenalbert@rcn.com or 617-965-6738. |
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6. GDC/STUDENT EVENTS: ECOWATER WALK/RUN AND INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES CLEAN-UP
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EcoWater Walk/Run
Saturday, May 31, 2-4 pm
Cold Spring Park
Beacon Street between Walnut & Chestnut St.
Join members of GDC’s Students For A Greener World for an outdoor event at Cold Spring Park to inform the public of the hazards of bottled water. Newton North AP Biology students Carolyn Ranti and Danylko Villano have researched the issue in depth and will give a brief presentation of their research findings, followed by a pleasant walk on the running course through the woods to show their support. Afterwards, a race through the course will be held for the more exuberant, energetic, and youthful participants! Pledge to reduce your usage of bottled water and support the cause with your purchase of a reusable, plastic water bottle at this event, with all proceeds going to Green Decade. For more information, visit Upcoming Events; for registration or questions contact Carolyn Ranti: cranti@live.com.
Newton’s 1st Annual Invasive Species Clean-Up
Newton North senior Leah Wang is working with the Green Decade’s Eric Olson on her Senior Year Project, focusing on the invasive plant species that are present in Newton’s recreational areas. This month, clean-ups are scheduled at both Dolan Pond in West Newton and at Hammond Pond Reservation in Chestnut Hill to remove noxious garlic mustard and Japanese knotweed. These are big sites and volunteers are needed, so save the weekends in May for plant-pulling at these sites. Contact Leah at leah924wang@gmail.com with your availability and group size. |
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7. 2008 NEWTON STUDENT ENERGY CONSERVATION CONTEST AWARDS & ART EXHIBIT
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| The 2nd Annual Energy Conservation Contest
Awards were held on April 30, celebrating the participation of nearly
150 Newton students who submitted essays and artwork on the topic of
energy conservation! Mayor David B. Cohen awarded certificates to all
participants and prizes to the winners, funded by contest co-sponsors
including the Green Decade, NSTAR, Newton Schools Foundation , Green Energy Newton,
and other organizations. All contest artwork will be displayed in the
rotunda at City Hall from May 8 through the end of the month. See
photos of the awards and winning artwork, and read this year’s winning
essays on our website beginning May 10.
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8. COMMITTEE MEETINGS: MAY 2008
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Energy: Thursday, May 8, 7:30pm at 36 Beverly, Newton Highlands. Contact Katherine Gekas.
NEW: Organic Gardening Group: Tuesday, May 13 7:00 pm. Contact Karen Albert at karenalbert@rcn.com or 617-965-6738.
School Outreach Committee: Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 7:00 pm. 53 Gay Street, Newtonville. Contact Meg Wilcox or Bob Warren or call (617) 795-0028 for directions/RSVP.
Students for a Greener World: Tuesday, May 20 5:30 pm Open to middle school and high school students: contact Margaret Ford at mford@greendecade.org or 617-964-0606. |
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9. GREEN BUSINESS SOLUTIONS EXPO
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Tuesday June 3, 10:30 am to 7:00 pm
Newton Marriott Hotel
2345 Commonwealth Ave, Newton
FREE exhibits & workshops
Awards luncheon with keynote speaker, $35 in advance
Co-sponsored by the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce and the Green Decade Coalition/Newton
This first of its kind event will showcase existing green businesses and educate the general business community about the benefits of using green business practices in their daily operations. You'll learn about carbon footprints, energy credits, solar and wind energy, biofuels, and much more at this exciting event. Find out from the experts which solutions can help your business and what it would cost to incorporate them.
The event includes a keynote luncheon session featuring a high profile speaker on the topic of corporate environmental responsibility. The exhibit hall will be open 10:30 am-7:00 pm.
In addition, 3-4 breakout sessions will occur during the day with experts in the field speaking on practical ways to turn your business green while saving some green at at the same time. For more information contact Tom O'Rourke at torourke@nnchamber.com.
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| 10. GDC ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS, CELEBRATION & ANNUAL MEETING AT NEW ART CENTER |
Monday June 9, 7:00 pm
New Art Center
61 Washington Park, Newtonville
Join us for this festive evening at the New Art Center, site of the Green Decade's 15th Anniversary Gala in 2006! All Green Decade members -- new, old and lapsed -- are
invited to enjoy desserts,refreshments, and the program, including the Annual Environmental Leadership to an individual, a group and a business. Photos of previous winners of previous winners, further details and nomination forms are on our website.
This year's program also features speakers, discussion groups and a multi-media celebration of
the Green Decade’s activities, people and influence in the Newton
community for nearly 20 years! To join our planning committee or to
volunteer to bring dessert, fruit, cheese or other treats, contact
Marcia Cooper at marciac@aol.com or 617-964-8567.
Send in award nominations online by June 1
or download the nomination form as a .pdf and mail to Green Decade
Coalition/Newton, PO Box 590242, Newton, MA 02459. We will also be electing members to the Board of Directors and GDC Officers. On-line nomination
forms for GDC Board of Directors will be available by May
15. |
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11. JOIN GDC NOW FOR 2008
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Join the Green Decade, for as little as $25 for an individual/family membershipl, $50 for a business membership or for students, only $10 for the year! This year, new and renewing members will also receive a reusable shopping bag as our thank-you for joining the Green Decade.
Join or renew on-line and pay by credit card or download the membership form and mail with your check made out to GDC/N, to PO Box 590242, Newton, MA 02466. Membership forms are also available in each issue of the Green News. For more information, contact 617-965-1995 or e-mail membership@greendecade.org.
As always, members receive discounts at GDC events and sponsoring businesses, plus the Green News newsletter, published 6 times each year and mailed to our members. If you prefer to receive the Green News on-line, you will help save paper and postage costs. E-mail us at contact@greendecade.org and be sure to include your name and e-mail, along with Green News Online in the subject line. |
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12. OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS:
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Newton Plant Sale, Garden Market & Lectures
Saturday, May 10, 9 am-4 pm
Newton City Hall Green
1000 Commonwealth Ave.
Sponsored by the Newton Pride Committee
Celebrate spring at this annual event with thousands of plants and a garden market, plus five free lectures by local experts, including Greg Maslowe of the Newton Community Farm, and two others by Green Decade members Sue Avery and Beth Schroeder. More information on the event, lectures and speakers is at the Newton Pride website.
10:00 am Invasive Plants - Sue Avery
11:00 am Native Plants for Suburban Gardens - Beth Schroeder
12:00 pm Pruning for Beginners & Experienced - Richard Douglas Abrams
1:00 pm Organic Gardening - Greg Maslowe
2:00 pm Ten Best Ways to Assure Plant Success - Tom Strangfeld
The planning committee is also seeking volunteers for this event in plant sales, information and raffle tables, and other areas. To volunteer, please contact Margaret Ford at mford@greendecade.org or 617-964-0606.
Newton Conservators Spring Walks
Saturday, May 10 - Vernal Pool Day 10am - 4pm
Sunday, May 11 - Mothers Day Bird Walk 7:30 am
Sunday, May 25 - Riverside Park 2 pm
Lexington Global Warming Action Coalition:
An Evening with NASA Climate Scientist Dr. James Hansen
Sunday, June 1, at 7:30 PM
$5 contribution per person requested
Cary Memorial Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington
Lexington Global Warming Action Coalition will present an evening with NASA Climate Scientist Dr. James Hansen together with author Dr. Mark Bowen, speaking about the most recent findings on global warming and government attempts at censorship.
Seating is limited, so arrive early. For more information: info@lexgwac.org |
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