mary bigelow: Texas Winds Blow Into Michigan - 04/19/08 10:46 AM
JaneAnne is a true educator always thinking of new and interesting ways to involve members with current events and regional news. I find reading through the member blogs for JaneAnne's challenges a fun way to keep up with what is going on in other areas of the country!
This month, the April Challenge is to provide links to Green News in YOUR neighborhood.
Here is a snippet of what is going on in my neighborhood - Michigan...and Stephanie's - Texas!
Steelcase (NYSE: SCS), headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan announced in a press release dated March 18, 2008 that they have made a … (42 comments)
|
mary bigelow: As the Green Tide Rises....Green is RED HOT Contest!!! - 03/11/08 10:49 PM
"A Rising Tide Raises All Boats."
This is a very powerful quote I read yesterday as the opening statement in a unique business philosophy. I read it again today. Tonight, I choose to share it with you and invite you to share my musing...ponder the statement in the context of the industry we share, promote and embrace.
"A Rising Tide Raises All Boats."
I learned many years ago in my U.S. Power Squadrons classes that Michigan does not have to contend with tidal waters. Michigan has 1,500 miles of navigable river or streams, more than 11,000 inland lakes and 3,200 miles of Great Lakes shoreline make … (34 comments)
|
mary bigelow: Walker Green Drinks January 9, 2008 - 01/07/08 06:58 AM
It's that time again!
Ring in the New Year with Walker Green Drinks
Have a reNEWable Year!
… (8 comments)
|
mary bigelow: My Pink Christmas Wish List - December Challenge - 12/11/07 11:43 AM
This time of year I think about Francis Pharcellus Church, editor of the New York Sun who responded to a letter from Virginia O’Hanlon. Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus has become one of the most reprinted editorials in history.
With that in mind, Santa, I have a Christmas Wish List for my new home….
There are so many things I would like to include but directives on the Dena Stevens - Brad Pitt Pink Challenge dictate 5 features…
The home can be compared to the human body made up of Systems. Each system has several components … (24 comments)
|
mary bigelow: Shhh...Green Michigan News! Exciting! - 11/05/07 09:27 PM
We are seeing so many new companies emerging into the Green Scene it is hard to keep up with it. I believe many consumers are being inundated with green messages but don't necessarily understand the benefits.
It is great to see a company who is launching a new resource for consumers and industry professionals alike.
Meet Mike Brennan of MITechNews.com!!!
Mike released (unofficially) some exciting news today!!
Ssshhhhh...
I'll whisper it so no one over hears me!!!
MITechNews.com is a web portal that features stories, information and event listings about Michigan technology companies and entrepreneurs.
MITechNews.com … (17 comments)
|
mary bigelow: Transformation In Michigan - Spotlight...the little LumberYard that Could! - 11/02/07 07:05 PM
Transformation....
from Wikipedia....
Transformation (root transform) may refer to: Transformation is also referred to as a turn.
Have you ever been a part of or truly seen a transformation?
Transforming is
....altering
....changing
mutating...
So many companies these days, are Transforming.
Their transformations are not always for the good of their employees...
Electrolux, in Michigan, transformed to a company of P & L...rather than investing in their Michigan employees, they moved operations to Mexico...leaving the town of Greenville, Michigan also transformed....
THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT!!!!
I would like to discuss … (18 comments)
|
mary bigelow: Greener Pathways - 10/28/07 08:02 PM
I set out on a Green Pathway early this year....
I thought I knew everything there was to find.....
Oh was I wrong!!!
On my journey I made many new friends...
...not Tree Huggers! (they went out with the 60s !)
...not activists....(they are fighting other battles.)
I started a meet and greet... and I found ....
The colors are changing......
A spark came out of the sky and I met....
True People....True to their word....Truly concerned about our effect on the environment...
I met Stephanie Edwards. Stephanie is likely one of the best writers out there. Stephanie … (12 comments)
|
mary bigelow: The Night The Lights Went Out In....(name your town!) - 10/15/07 10:42 PM
Living in a community with underground power lines we have rarely experienced in the past 17 years more than a half day without power. We have gas water heat and a gas range so it's not that big a deal...one can always bypass the electronic ignition on the range to eat and get a hot shower. No TV? No biggie..for me that is!
We did have one power outage that lasted three days when the straight line winds came through back in 1998. I'll never forget waking up at 2 am to my husband watching the TV through his eyelids in his … (20 comments)
|
mary bigelow: Walker Michigan Green Drinks - New Chapter!!! - 09/26/07 10:28 PM
Thanks to Dena Stevens for writing about Green Drinks! Dena said,
"This is a social group of like minded people who are concerned about the environment. "
I was interested and checked it out. I wanted to attend one! Unfortunately, I didn't find a Green Drinks Chapter in West Michigan....UNTIL NOW!!!
Mark your calenders West Michigan!
We will be having our first West Michigan Green Drinks International
November 14, 2007 from 6 - 8 pm (sorry deer hunters!) The first Wednesday was our original choice until I realized it conflicted with the USGBC GreenBuild 2007 Conference in Chicago.
What a Conundrum!!!
We can't compete with … (18 comments)
|
mary bigelow: Field Trip to Ionia Michigan! What Are You Pouring?? - 09/18/07 12:25 AM
I took a field trip today to the quaint little town of Ionia, home of the World's Largest Free Fair! The Ionia Free Fair!
Although I wasn't there for the fair today!
I received an email last week from Jake with R Value Homes that they would be doing a "pour" today! WooHoo! My chance to watch how they pour Insulated Concrete Forms!! It's just kind of queer the things I get excited about these days!
I met Jake at the Michigan Energy Fair. Jake is a Team Hybrid member and he is an expert in Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF's). I have been … (19 comments)
|
mary bigelow: Green Trivia - What Are The Green Roots? - 09/08/07 11:31 AM
It seems like this Green Thing (as I call it)
Is just beginning......
But the history buff in me finds.....
It is not just beginning....It is Just picking up Speed!!!
Mike Holcomb - The Inspector General -
Shared with me a while back that much of this is not new. There have been many leaders before us who brought on environmental awareness about many issues.
For instance,
Mike shared with me that Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter regarding Lead Poisening. I couldn't take that at face value -- I had to go looking!
For your reading pleasure, here is The Famous Benjamin Franklin Letter on Lead … (14 comments)
|
mary bigelow: Yes Joan! There is a Green Information Highway!!! - 09/08/07 09:06 AM
Yes Joan! There is a Green Information Highway!!!
Are you looking for Green Information???
Are you confused about the wide variety of information out there?
A Google Search today for "Green Building" gives me the following results
Results 1 - 10 of about 137,000,000 for green building
One Hundred Thirty Seven Million!!! I wonder how many of these links I can get through today? I wonder how many of these links will provide me with valuable information???
Joan Mirantz asked me this week in my Thank You Active Rain Article
What came first, the chicken or the egg?
Joan asked,
"I have a question...did you do your own … (30 comments)
|
mary bigelow: Saving Lake Michigan - Thanks Active Rain - Small Progress!! - 08/25/07 09:26 AM
Together we have made one small step in sending a message to BP and keeping our waters clean! Thank you Eric Hughes for keeping me up to date on the issue! Eric sent me a link to Prarie Mod Blog which reports that BP Americas has announced they will not increase dumping into Lake Michigan and that they are going to maintain dumping levels where they have always operated.
Below is a portion of an email sent from Rebecca D. Stanfield, Environment Illinois State Director dated Aug 15, 2007:
Meanwhile, we've had over 70,000 people from across the Great Lakes and beyondsign our … (8 comments)
|
mary bigelow: Do You Love A Good Fairy Tale??? - 08/25/07 08:32 AM
Am I just like you?
Did you love Fairy Tales and Fables when you were growing up?
I remember buying an Aesop's Fable book when my son was born! I was so excited to bring the stories to him that I had grown up with. I still have that treasured hard cover book in my library. I'm saving it for my grandchildren I suppose!
Do you remember the story of
Rapunzel?
I stumbled upon this tower while driving through Leelanau County Michigan a few weeks ago. Seeing the tower brought back very fond memories of childhood!!!
How I wish I had time that day … (41 comments)
|
mary bigelow: MICHIGAN - Come Here To Sail -- or Participate In Our Sale!!!! UPDATED - 08/22/07 11:06 PM
I don't have any answers in this blog. Just entertain me if you will!
Is Michigan's glass half empty or half full??
Can we discuss it over a glass of wine? (or a soda, if you so choose?)
I really don't have much to say. I'm just writing on the off chance that someone out there will listen and give me some feedback.
Everyday when I talk to lenders I hear, "you're in Michigan?" Their tone makes me think the plague has hit MICHIGAN and I am running out of time.
Michigan, thanks to mainstream media, is being viewed as a quagmire … (24 comments)
|
mary bigelow: Help Save Lake Michigan - 08/13/07 09:16 PM
UPDATE: August 20, 2007
Environmental Illinois is started running ads today in the Chicago Tribune. They will be running the ad for 4 days asking BP to stop their toxic dumping plan. They will also be using the ads to announce a regionwide day of action on September 22. More news coming on the Action Day.
The website has been updated to send an email to BP CEO Tony Hayward announcing a Pledge to purchase gas from other suppliers of gas besides BP until they agree to avoid more contamination of Lake Michigan.
I don't usually copy and paste but in this instance I thought … (35 comments)
|
mary bigelow: Clean Is Happy! - 08/05/07 12:47 AM
Toto -
Should I say Bottoms UP?
Yup! Now there are High Performance Toilets on the market! Bottom line is (no pun intended) they awesome for energy savings. Toto donated not just one, but two Dual Flush Toilets to Steve, the homeowner of the Herkelrath Project...how jealous am I? Special thanks goes to Adam, The Hybrid Home Guy, for arranging that!
What is a dual flush toilet? Two flush choices
solids liquids (otherwise known as #1 and #2)
As innovative as their toilet's are Toto's advertisements!!!
I just had to share with my ECO Friends...you have to see this for yourself!
Clean Is Happy!!!
… (27 comments)
|
mary bigelow: Can You Afford NOT to Go Green? Part III...More to come???? - 08/01/07 10:02 PM
**sorry no links or pix -- I will update later -- pc is REALLY acting up! thanks for understanding!
In Part I of Can You Afford NOT to go Green? I discussed the strides that have been made in the commercial arena and the benefits companies and schools are seeing by going green and building their projects to LEED standards.
In Part II of Can You Afford NOT to go Green?, I discuss sick building syndrome and green building as the "cure". I also discuss Life Cycle Cost Analysis as a way to keep the project within budget.
WHY is a green building so … (10 comments)
|
mary bigelow: Can You Afford NOT to Go Green? Part II - 08/01/07 09:27 AM
**Sorry - no pictures! I'm having problems uploading so I will update with some pretty things for you to look at later!**
In Part I of "Can You Afford NOT to Go Green?"
I discuss the remarkable results employers and schools are experiencing with their LEED projects.
Decreased overhead costs Increase in employee productivity Less Absenteeism Employee have greater affinity for their company which results in less employee turnover
In recent years we have hear a lot about "Sick Building Syndrome"
This article from the EPA describes "sick building syndrome", many causes, investigating and solutions for sick building syndrome. This is a great … (12 comments)
|
mary bigelow: Can You Afford NOT to go Green? - 07/31/07 11:38 PM
One of the biggest questions/objections to Green Building I hear is that it is "TOO EXPENSIVE".
I believe this is a myth and in this series I would like to debunk the myth and ask instead....
"Can You Afford NOT to Go Green?"
Green Building is taking a hold all over the country. Just read some of the articles from the fabulous writers in the ECO-All-Stars Group and you will get a taste of what is going on in the residential market in the US.
Over the next 5 - 10 years Green / Sustainable building will continue gain ground in the mainstream residential market as … (16 comments)
|
;)
;)
