GreenHome Wamalama Expo 2010

A local green business expo is being held at the Lakeland Center on February 27th, 2010.

With free parking and free admission, there is really no excuse for not going to check it out.

Exhibitors will feature an array of green services and products, along with sustainability presentations all day long.

Check out the details at the GreenHome Wamalama site now!

License Plate Bird House

Check out this bird house I made using an old bird-house shaped napkin holder and an expired license plate.

I found the napkin holder on Freecycle, and the SPCA gave me their old vehicle license plates to use in a craft project, since they know of my thrifty-crafty style. I put the two together, added some popsicle sticks to fill in the side openings and voila!...A beautiful bird house the SPCA will hang on their property so they can shelter birds!

Towels and Tshirts

Michelle Kauffman has the best idea for re-using towels and t-shirts. She makes comfy bath rugs out of them! Check out her video for a fast and easy step-by-step.

Towel Rug

Free in Lakeland

Scratching your head about what to do with all those coffee containers you've been saving? Did you have a good reason to save all those scrap pieces of fabric, but never saw the project come to life? Are you doing your best to help keep items out of the landfill, only to find you don't have the space for them anymore? Here's your answer!

Join one or both of two Yahoo Groups;
Freecycle or ReUseIt

They're sites dedicated to keeping items out of the landfill. All items are free, so you have to act fast. I've seen some pretty amazing things being given away here. The interested party is responsible for getting the item picked up from where ever it may be, but sometimes it's right around the corner!

I strongly suggest you check these sites out. I'm a member of both and I adore the service they provide. I've given and received and it feels so good to know you've helped to prevent items from going to the landfill.

I WANT THAT!

I followed an ad for recycled clothing on one of my favorite eco-sites, Urban Branches and I found this amazing purse:

I already have matching belts, so I'm sure this will be my next obsession! You can check out all of the recycled items on Coke's eco-apparel.

Volunteering

It's been about six weeks since my last post and that's quite rare for me. Why the long time? I've been crazy busy volunteering for the SPCA.

There's a never-ending list of things that need to be done. I admire and respect everyone there because I see how insanely busy their days are.

Over the last six weeks I have helped at the Dog and Car Wash held at Miller's Lakeland Ale House, an adoption event at Lowe's on Lakeland Highlands and an adoption event at Big Lots in Plant City. I've made doggie donation coats, done some social networking and promoting online, and I've searched for grants they can apply for. I've snapped and shared photos of pets and loaded, unloaded and transported pets. I'm getting Ani-Meals donation bins in businesses and finding auction donations. I'll also be making some bows for the animals at Lakeside Village. I've changed kitty litter, puppy sat a litter of pups while their pen was cleaned out, provided general companionship for the animals, walked dogs and even done some cleaning.

The purpose here is not to toot my own horn; far from it. By relating what all needs to be done, I am hopeful that more people will volunteer to work for the SPCA. I have probably over-extended myself already, but there is so much to do!

If you are looking for a way to help your community and you love animals, please contact Alane at the Lakeland SPCA or contact a shelter in your area. Attend the one hour orientation usually held monthly, have a short interview and VOILA! You could be making a difference. It's so fulfilling; or at least it is for me. There are so many different things you can do - even if you're allergic or can't go to the shelter for some other reason.

If you can't commit to two hours per week, you can still save aluminum cans, printer cartridges and other recyclable items that the SPCA recycles. You can donate money or items on their wish list. You may be able to provide advertising space or help with some of their annual events like Pets on Parade or Auction for the Animals. Whatever you do, I encourage you to take the time to walk through the shelter just once. Your heart will go out to the animals and you will want to do something - anything to help. (I did).

Calling All Marines

If you ever served as a Marine, or have friends or family who are or were Marines, please make sure they are aware of the Camp LeJeune Water Study.

Here's an excerpt from a recent St. Pete Times story:

Camp Lejeune, a sprawling Marine base on the North Carolina seaboard, is the site of what some scientists call the worst public drinking-water contamination in the nation's history. Its water wells were tainted with cancer-causing industrial compounds for 30 years, ending in 1987.

An estimated 500,000 to 1 million people — including Marines and family living on base housing — drank, bathed and cooked using that fouled water.

Congress has dubbed ill Marines "poisoned patriots," and in 2008 lawmakers ordered the Marine Corps to notify those who might have been exposed.

So far, almost 10,000 affected Floridians have registered with the Marine Coprs to take part in a health study, the highest total for any state except North Carolina. About 1,500 claims have been filed against the government seeking $33.8-billion in damages.

"This is worse than any Love Canal," said Jody MacPherson, 47, referring to the New York neighborhood that became notorious in the 1970s as a toxic waste site. "This is worse than Hurricane Katrina. And nobody knows anything about it."

According to The Few The Proud The Forgotten website:

It is imperative that you register with the USMC & ATSDR. The more affected people who register, the more information they have to go off of (ie. further studies) etc. You may register with the USMC at https://clnr.hqi.usmc.mil/clsurvey/ (please click here for a link explaining the privacy disclosure so that you can draw your own conclusions) or by emailing the USMC at clwater@usmc.mil and the ATSDR by emailing atsdrcamplej@cdc.gov or by calling 800-232-4636. If you prefer to email the USMC or ATSDR, please make sure that you provide your name, contact information, medical issues and dates and addresses at Lejeune.

SPCA Wish List

The SPCA of Lakeland has a wish list of items they need. Please take a look at the following and see if there's anything you can help with. (I've highlighted some common, ordinary, every day things you may have never thought of)

Please contact the shelter if you can donate any of the following items or if you would like to make a cash donation toward their purchase. Please Call 863.646.7722.

New or gently used items gratefully accepted!

18” Commercial Scrubber with Brush
3 – 10’ x 10’ Canopy Tents
Aluminum Cans
Avery Labels (5160 & 5163)
Batteries (All Sizes)
Benches
Bleach
Campus Size Refrigerators
Distilled Water
Dog/Cat Breed ID Books
Dry Puppy & Kitten Food
Gift Cards to Various Stores
Glass Cleaner
Heating Pads
Heavy Duty Trash Bags (13 or 55 Gallon)
Household Rubber Gloves (Med/Large)
Kitty Litter
Kitty Toys & Treats
Kuranda Beds – 30x20 or 40x25 (You can
donate to the “SPCA of Polk County”
at www.kurandabed.com)
Latex Gloves (Med/Large)
Liquid Soap
Martingale Collars
Nyla Kongs for Our Dogs
Paper Towels
Peanut Butter for the Nyla Kongs
Peroxide
Postage Stamps
Rubbing Alcohol
Science Diet A/D Available at Vet’s Offices
Simple Green
Stainless Steel Cat Bowls (4 Oz)
Stainless Steel Dog Bowls (5 Qt)
Towels & Blankets
Training Treats & Dog Biscuits
Used Ink/Toner or Cell Phones for Recycling
White Copy Paper
XM Radio

http://lovemyspca.com/donate/wishList.aspx

One Mans Trash

I've lived in Lakeland for twenty years and prior to this evening, I had never been to a "Downtown Lakeland First Friday". I received an email notification from the Downtown Lakeland Partnership, where I saw mention of an art display titled "One Man's Trash". Well, if you follow this or my other blog, you know I am into recycling and re-purposing items that would have otherwise gone to the landfill. Needless to say, this got my attention!

The "One Man's Trash" exhibit was held at Arts on The Park at 115 N Kentucky Avenue. I didn't take pictures of every item on exhibit, only the ones that 'grabbed me'. I hope none of the artists will be offended if their work is not shown here. There are some very talented artists there, you should definitely stop by. This exhibit will be on display through the third week of May.

The Rat Race

I haven't figured out what the metal item is, but I did recognize headless Barbie doll bodies and a hamster wheel.

Junk Mail Bowl
The card states that this bowl is made out of "Ground Paper, Junk Mail". I stood there looking at it for a long time (no touching) trying to figure out how on earth this was made. I've already warned my family I'll be the mad scientist in the kitchen tomorrow!

Rock Garden
Now this one took me straight back to 60's/70's art! The rocks are shiny and pretty to look at, but the burlap and dried foliage, wow! What a blast from the past!

Recycle Bling
Glass bottle lids, aluminum soda cans, pull tabs, nails, aluminum netting, and a few things I just don't know! I save pull tabs to make belts that can be worn, but wow! What a dress!

Circuit Anyone?
This was interesting because I honestly just could never think of any way to use old circuit boards. Oh, I wouldn't throw them away, but I just couldn't think of a way to use them!

Bovine
This little guy caught my attention, having come from beef farm country in Michigan. I recognized the old farming disc immediately. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be a tie between this cow and the following fish:

Sorry, no title
I'm sorry, I didn't realize until I'd gotten home that the title card for this piece was obstructed by the fish's mouth. If it were my piece (and I wish I'd have thought of this!) I would title it "Oven Baked Bass" or something like that - because... This was made out of an oven rack!

I must urge you to go visit "One Man's Trash" at Arts on the Park. Their number is 863-680-2787, if you have any questions about these, or any of the other art pieces.

I must also urge you to check out "First Friday" if you've never been. It's a great thing that Downtown Lakeland Development is doing, to promote our downtown businesses. I just can't imagine Lakeland without our downtown. Here's a list of the upcoming themes.

Tax Incentives For Making Your House More Green

No matter what your stance is on The American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009, tax breaks are always nice. The economic stimulus package extends Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives first enacted in 2005 and even creates some new ones for those who remodel their homes using more energy efficient and eco-friendly materials.

Some of the measures eligible for tax credits are:

• Replacement windows and skylights, and exterior doors which are equal to or below a 0.30 U factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30. Storm windows that meet the IECC in combination with their paired external window are eligible (taking into account the applicable climate zone). Storm doors paired with U-factor rated wood doors are eligible provided they do not exceed the default U-factor requirement for the combination. See the 2009 IECC for details.

• Window films certified by the manufacturer that the product meets the requirements of a "qualifying insulation system."

• Sealing cracks in the building shell and ducts to reduce infiltration and heat loss - these should be sealed so as to be consistent with the 2009 IECC.

• Pigmented metal roofs or an asphalt roof with cooling granules must meet Energy Star requirements.

• Added insulation to walls, ceilings, or other part of the building envelope that meets the 2009 IECC (& supplements) specifications.

When it comes to replacing insulation, asbestos abatement may be necessary. All homes built before 1970 contain asbestos, and many built since then contain it as well. Asbestos was used widely throughout the 20th century for a number of things, but it was mainly used for insulation due to its fire-resistant qualities. Unfortunately, exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of a rare and aggressive type of cancer known as mesothelioma. Unfortunately, the average mesothelioma survival rate is about one year as the cancer is usually not diagnosed until its later stages.

Most people are unaware of the fact that eco-friendly products can cut energy costs by 25 to 35% per year. Rather than expensive and mal-treated wood, interior walls can be made from steel and concrete, avoiding many of the problems associated with asbestos and other insulation methods. Green alternatives to asbestos include the use of cotton fiber, lycene foam and cellulose.

There are a number of alternative types of insulation that can be used that are more eco-friendly than asbestos and don’t pose any danger to your health. The United States Department of Energy has a list of insulation “Energy Savers” you can use when making plans to remodel your home.

To contact an approved Asbestos Abatement Company in your area, visit the Asbestos Abatement Directory.

Article supplied by:
Richard Moyle
National Awareness Coordinator
Mesothelioma Cancer Center
Asbestos.com