Hi, Green Friends,
On Saturday, many of you living in central Newport may have found door hangers at your entries, informing you about free home energy audits and the Neighborhood Energy Challenge. We encourage you to take advantage of these programs. The audits are free because we've already paid for them with the Renewable Energy charge on our electric bills. So get your money's worth! www.powerofaction.com/aquidjames, or 888-633-7947. And of course, there's no charge to take part in the Energy Challenge http://www.neighborhoodenergychallenge.org/.)
If you live farther south in the city, don't feel left out. We'll get to you soon. We'll also be covering Jamestown in the next couple of weeks.
Our deepest thanks to Boy Scout Troop 3, Newport, the Rogers High School Green Team, the Neighborhood Energy Challenge Committee and the Channing Green Congregation Committee for helping last Saturday.
Without further ado, we move on to a bounteous calendar of events. (Reminder: all this information and much more can be found 24/7 at http://www.coolaquidneckisland.org/.)
Beth
Monday, January 11, 2010
Alliance for a Livable Newport's All Member Meeting
Time: 6:30 to 8 PM
Location: Newport Library Program room, Spring St., Newport
On the agenda is a discussion of the ALN Strategic Plan and a review of ALN activities that were initiated or completed in 2009. We've included time for discussion and we'd like to hear your ideas for topics for our Public Forums in 2010.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Green Drinks
Time: 5 to 8 PM
Location: Herreshoff Museum, Bristol
SPECIAL GREEN DRINKS EVENT! Join Green Drinkers from around Rhode Island at the Herreshoff Museum in Bristol.
The Herreshoff Marine Museum is poised to become a unique model for "green" preservation and education. In 2007 the Museum embarked upon a program of "greening" its historic campus and will soon break ground on a new "green" Waterfront Education and Exhibition Center.
During the evening you'll meet and hear from the Museum's team participating in this exciting initiative and others on the Museum's campus. You'll also enjoy locally produced food and drink while taking inspiration from the exhibits and stories chronicling more than 150 years of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, the America's Cup, and the people and yachts that gained fame around the world.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Door hangers - Neighborhood Energy Challenge
Time: 9:45 Am to 12 PM (followed by pizza)
Location: Channing House, Channing Memorial Church, 135 Pelham St., Newport
Help create the "buzz" about the Neighborhood Energy Challenge and Home Energy Audits. Meet at 9:45 AM at Channing House (next door to Channing Memorial Church) to form teams and distribute door hangers in neighborhoods in Newport or Jamestown, until 12 noon, then come back for a pizza party!
National Grid has provided the door hangers publicizing both these energy saving programs, and we need to get the word out to our neighborhoods. (National Grid is providing the pizza, too.)
Come for as long as you can. Any amount of time will be a big help! Questions? info@NeighborhoodEnergyChallenge.org.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Berm Repair at Easton's Pond - Public Meeting
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Newport City Hall, Broadway
Are reinforced concrete and steel walls the best option for repairs around the reservoir? Does the berm need to be fenced for safety? Share your opinions at this meeting. The Aquidneck Island Watershed Council encourages you to come and support your neighbors.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
An Economic Framework for Sustainable Agriculture
Time: 10:00 AM to 12 PM
Location: Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences, URI, Flagg Rd., Kingston
Presented by Michael Hamm, C.S. Mott Professor of Sustainable Agriculture, Michigan State University.
If the regional population were to eat the recommended portions of fruits and vegetables, what would be the increased consumption? What share of that consumption pattern could be grown locally? How much more land would have to be in cultivation in order to produce that much food? What would be the economic impact of the agricultural expansion?
No charge. RSVP for parking: Kim Dame, Grants Manager for the Van Beuren Charitable Foundation, 401-619-5910, or kdame@vbcfoundation.org.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Hearing - Wind Turbine Ordinance, Middletown town Council
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Town Hall, E. Main Rd., Middletown
Come be heard on this important topic! This will be the second reading of the ordinance by the Middletown Town council. This comprehensive and well-thought-out document needs and deserves our full support. It's time to stop throwing unnecessary obstructions in the path of this vital technology.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Improving Our Stewardship Of Creation - RI Interfaith Power and Light Annual Conference
Time: 4:30 to 9:20 PM
Location: LaSalle Academy, 612 Academy Ave., Providence
Where are the resources we need?
A conference for clergy, lay leaders, parents, educators, business people, students and other interested persons.
A KEYNOTE PANEL will direct you to RESOURCES and PROGRAMS, including US STIMULUS FUNDS, to become more energy efficient,
Panelists: Ken Payne, Chief, RI Office of Energy Resources; Thomas Coughlin, National Grid Program Manager, Energy Efficiency and Distributed Resources; Karina Lutz, Deputy Director, Peoples Power and Light; Bob Chew, President, Alteris Inc.; Bonnie Sekeres, Executive Director, Shalom Apartments; Fr. John Codega, Pastor, Christ the King Church, West Warwick
Panel Moderator: Rabbi Amy Levin, Temple Torat-Yisrael, Cranston.
Exhibitors offering a wide range of helpful information, and informative workshops, including Interfaith Community Gardens, This Old House of Worship, Climate Change Impacts and Implications for the Ocean State, A Grateful Way of Living, Permaculture for Sustainability, and Environmental Education
To preregister: www.riipl.org/pre_register2010.htm
Suggested donation $10 at the door
Questions? info@riipl.org, or (401)267-0029.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Economical Historic Home: Energy Efficiency Workshop for the Old House Owner
Time: 12:30 to 4 PM
Location: Buliod-Perry House, 29 Touro St., Newport
How to care for your old house, protect Rhode Island's heritage, and help save the planet!
Do you love your historic home but hate the high heating bills and wasted energy? Learn how to make your old home more "green," saving money and energy without losing its historic character.
Experts will present information and demonstrations on:
• insulation
• weatherizing the building envelope (walls, doors, roof, etc.)
• wood window repair and restoration
• retrofitting for efficient heating systems
• tax credits and funding sources
• and more
Bring the kids too: Historic New England and the Newport Restoration Foundation will be providing fun, hands-on educational activities during the workshop (elsewhere on-site). Suitable for children ages 6 to 12, they will learn about colonial life in Rhode Island.
This workshop is a joint project of Newport Restoration Foundation, Preserve Rhode Island, Historic New England, and the Providence Revolving Fund, in association with Heritage Restoration, Inc and Heartwood Building & Restoration.
Advance registration required: www.newportrestoration.org/calendar/details/13042-the_economical.
Admission: $25 ($20 for NRF members)
$10 for children's workshops.
(Discounts for adults and children with Winter Festival buttons.)
