Welcome to the October Fall of the James Group Fall Line e-newsletter!
FOJG Executive Committee - Annual Ex Comm Election Coming Soon
There are vacancies on the FOJG Ex Com and we are planning for the annual election in the next two months. If you think you might be interested or know someone who would and you'd like more information, contact Adele MacLean, Co-chair, at amaclean94@gmail.com or 804.282.8637.
SCFOJ Statement on Recycling at City Festivals and Events
On behalf of the members of the Sierra Club Falls of the James Group, as part of our "Ratchet It Up, Richmond" campaign, the Conservation Committee and the Executive Committee issue the following statement:
We recognize that the City of Richmond and Venture Richmond have taken initial steps to recycle some items at the city festivals and public events they co-sponsor, such as the upcoming Richmond Folk Festival and Friday Cheers. Entertainment venues like these generate thousands of pounds of potentially recyclable and compostable waste per year, including plastic, cans, cardboard, glass, and organic materials. We commend the City and Venture Richmond for beginning the recycling effort to make these festivals and public events more environmentally sustainable.
However, we also recognize that the steps taken so far constitute only a beginning. Much more can and should be done. Localities across the country and around the world have already proved that scaling up efforts to divert recyclable and compostable waste from city landfills is not merely feasible, it can have multiple benefits -- promoting environmental sustainability, saving landfill costs, and even generating significant revenue. In Virginia, a good example is the Isle of Wight County award-winning Isle Be Green recycling program.
We encourage the City of Richmond and Venture Richmond to ramp up recycling and composting efforts at jointly sponsored festivals and events beginning with the 2010 Richmond Folk Festival, and we offer to partner in this effort.
General Meeting Programs - The public is invited to attend these free events on the second Wednesday each month at 7 P.M. General Meetings are held at the Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 West Broad Street (map).
Don't forget our Recycling Initiative: bring your old batteries, CFC bulbs, #5 plastics, cell phones, and other hard-to-recycle goods.
Wednesday October 13th, 7:00 P.M
Energy Audits For Your Home, and Advances in Solar
Power
Double feature:
Ken Schaal, CommonWealth Solar
Tim Bryant, Greenstone Residential Solutions
"Our long-term planning should recognize that conservation is just as important an energy source as new construction. We should treat conservation investments at least as favorably as new generation investments, ..." -- Virginia Governor Tim Kaine's State Of The State speech 1/14/09
Ken Schaal from CommonWealth Solar and Tim Bryant, from Greenstone Residential Solutions, will discuss how you can reduce your home heating and cooling bills, evaluate the efficiency of many of your appliances, and provide guidance on passive or active solar energy use. Several FoJG members have recently had Energy Audits Performed on their homes, so part of the presentation will discuss residential energy audits.
An energy audit is comprised of various assessments: a blower door test, a duct leakage test, inspection of your basement and crawlspace (for insulation and moisture barriers), roof and attic materials, and other examinations. An energy efficiency report will identify problem areas in your home, with pictures, and suggest solutions. The report also estimated improvement costs and estimated payback periods.
Earth Aid & Richmond
The City of Richmond has partnered with Earth Aid as part of its Green Richmond Initiative to help promote energy conservation and efficiency in our community, and to enable Richmond residents, our partners, and the community as a whole to track their energy and water usage online! EarthAid.net/richmond is a free service that enables your household to track all of your actual electric, gas, and water utility usage in one place online, compare your usage to friends and neighbors, and find easy ways to save money. In addition, you earn Earth Aid Rewards Points based on how much energy and water you save at home. These points can be redeemed for discounts and offers at over 200 local, regional, and national participating businesses, including dozens right here in Richmond!
By the way, the Sierra Club Falls of the James already has a group page on EarthAid.net. If you are a city resident, please join by clicking here.
Urban Explorations Update
Our monthly urban education/outings/social programs are attracting good crowds -- have you attended any yet? Last year, we toured a green roof building, Rockett's Landing, the Southside Rails to Trails project, and walked the Slave Trail with Nathan Burrell. You need to pre-register for these events with Dave Medici by calling 804-833-3181 or emailing adirondman@hotmail.com.
Join us at the October General meeting for more information!
Some other dates to put on your calendar:
October 6th - EPA Public Meeting for Richmond on the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load and Watershed Implementation Plan
October 10th - Clothesline and Garden Party for 10/10/10
October 12th - 14th - Governor's Conference on Energy
October 13th - SCFoJ General Meeting (see above)
October 17th - James River Association Annual Meeting
October 20th - Richmond Climate Change Happy Hour, 6 pm
October 20th - SCFoJ Conservation Committee Meeting, 6:45 pm, for location and more information, contact Adele MacLean, Co-chair, at amaclean94@gmail.com or 804.282.8637.
October 21st - Stormwater Symposium
October 22nd - League of Women Voters presents film Gerrymandering at Byrd Theater
October 24th - PSG presents River City Saunter
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