CT Green Scene

Out with the New, In with the Old

by Eileen Weber

Spring is in the air! Time to bust out those cute little tops and a nifty pair of open-toed shoes. One place to visit for great designs is a little shop in Fairfield. Lauren DiNardo Boutique, owned and managed by designer Lauren DiNardo, has taken eco-fashion to new heights.

Originally selling her wares to other boutiques, she now has a shop of her own. Her signature style is recycled denim. Skirts, shorts, and halter top dresses for the summer. She even has eco-friendly cowboy boots. Made from recycled denim and recycled leather, these little beauties will keep you doing the two-step.

Her silk tie skirts are a consistent standard. “They can go in any season,” said DiNardo. “You can wear them with leggings and boots in the fall or slip on a pair of flip flops in the summer.”

Many of her skirts and dresses are made from recycled denim and a combination of recycled silk ties and Swarovski crystals. The crystals give it just that little bit of bling she looks for.

“I used to live out in Oregon,” said DiNardo. “I loved that home-grown, raw look. But when I moved to New York City, I added the glitz and glam. I love the embellishment the crystals give.”

Designing the clothes she sells is not the only thing DiNardo gets a kick out of. “I love doing custom work,” she said. “It’s really fun. I love working with antique pieces or just about anything that tells a story.”

DiNardo will often refurbish a favorite pair of jeans for her customers. “You can personalize them for about $50 and it’s like having a new pair of jeans. I can do it for jackets, too. It’s eco-friendly and economical.”

Putting the Green Back into the Economy

by Eileen Weber

I certainly don’t have to tell you that the economy is bleak. We hear it every day in the news. More Americans are waiting and hoping for the economic downturn to smile in the other direction.

But the environment is one industry that continues to grow despite what happens on Wall Street. If it’s green, it’s growing. President Barack Obama has even carved out a nice section of his stimulus package to incorporate green jobs. With that kind of support, the trend may only continue.

In a New York Times article dated March 23rd, Heather Burns-DeMelo, the Executive Director of the Connecticut Alliance for Sustainable Enterprise and the Editor for this web site, said we should expect to see an increase in “green collar jobs” with the boost in environmental training and education.

Reduce, Reuse, Renovate

by Eileen Weber

Less than a year ago, Fairfield residents Kraig and Suzanne Schulz finished renovating their home. They built it using insulated concrete forms (ICFs). They chose environmentally friendly products and energy-saving appliances. They installed compact fluorescent lightbulbs and energy-efficient windows. But all of that came with a pretty steep price tag and not without a few problems along the way.

According to a New York Times article dated March 5th, Petz Scholtus, a Belgian woman living in Spain, renovated her 18th century apartment to be “environmentally responsible on a shoestring.” However, being green on a budget is sometimes easier said than done.

Scholtus wrote a blog about her adventures trying to be eco-conscious while not squeezing her piggy bank at the same time. She reused plastic jugs as the outer shell for floor lamps. Her living room is decorated with beanbag chairs made from automotive textiles, magazine racks fashioned from antique drawers fitted with castors, and low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint on her walls. She also transported her belongings from the old apartment to the new one by bicycle. (Don’t try this at home, kids.)

Scholtus is not alone. In this country, blogs abound with nightmare renovations as well as stories of happily-ever-after eco-friendliness.

Event: Speaking of Green, Spring 2009

The Center for Green Building, located at 3380 Fairfield Avenue in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport, is proud to present our Spring 2009 Speaking of Green Series that will cover the many faces of the evolving environmental movement. Every Thursday evening, from 6pm-8pm, we will be hosting a free workshop, seminar, discussion or movie screening that will be accompanied by an industry professional guest speaker. All are welcome!

The next Speaking of Green topic will be:
March 26,
6-8 pm
Wind Energy:
Presented by Mark Garrett

Mark, from Community Energy, is committed to increasing the domestic supply of clean, fuel-free energy. He will speak about real solutions to climate change in the form of new wind power generation and carbon offsets.

Some future issues that will be focused on are:
Green Heat, Public Transportation, Environmental Stewardship, Nutrition and much more.

For more information, they can be contacted at (203) 382-0774 or visit their website at www.CenterforGreenBuilding.com. Their e-mail is info@centerforgreenbuilding.com.

Obamas to Plant White House Vegetable Garden

March 19, 2009
The New York Times
By MARIAN BURROS
WASHINGTON — On Friday, Michelle Obama will begin digging up a patch of White House lawn to plant a vegetable garden, the first since Eleanor Roosevelt’s victory garden in World War II. There will be no beets (the president doesn’t like them) but arugula will make the cut.

While the organic garden will provide food for the first family’s meals and formal dinners, its most important role, Mrs. Obama said, will be to educate children about healthful, locally grown fruit and vegetables at time when obesity has become a national concern.

In an interview in her office, Mrs. Obama said, “My hope is that through children, they will begin to educate their families and that will, in turn, begin to educate our communities.”

Twenty-three fifth graders from Bancroft Elementary School in Washington will help her dig up the soil for the 1,100-square-foot plot in a spot visible to passers-by on E Street. (It’s just below the Obama girls’ swing set.) Students from the school, which has had a garden since 2001, will also help plant, harvest and cook the vegetables, berries and herbs.

'My Time for Me' offers Loads of Fun, Adventure and ME Time!

by Heather Burns-DeMelo

As a mother, it's not often I am able to carve out time just for fun. Try as I may, other people's wants, needs and my own responsibilities come before 'time with the girls.' That's why I was thrilled to discover My Time for Me, right here in my own back yard! From organic wine tastings to truffle making, skeet shooting and fly fishing, this networking group provides a supportive platform for fun and adventure. Co-founder, Tracy Persson fills CT GreenScene in on why groups like this one are important.

What is the mission of MTFM? MTFM’s mission is to provide unique, fun, social events to women of all ages and all stages of life.

Why do you feel there is a need for this type of group and events? As women, we often put ourselves low on the priority list. We believe that each woman deserves some “me time”, no matter what her circumstances are. By MTFM organizing and planning the event, all one has to do is show up, try something new, have fun, meet new people and mingle with other like-minded women.

What do you do as a small business to incorporate sustainability? MTFM looks to work with local businesses who support our community. In our own business, we are a virtual company who practice recycling, encourage car pooling to/from events, provide reusable cups to attendees and conduct approximately 85% of our advertising via the Internet.

What are some upcoming events? Our first annual A Day For Me is happening on April 5 at Shore & Country Club in Norwalk. Not your typical trade show, our vendors will be providing unique experiences at each table, such as having your portrait professionally taken, learning how to use a Pilates reformer, try your hand at stamping or embroidery, have your Tarot cards read, etc. Later in the Spring, we have a night of meditation on April 7; Pole Dancing Lesson on April 24; Poker, Puff & Pour (poker lesson, cigar rolling and martini tasting) on April 30; and A Tour of Grand Central Terminal on May 9.

Green Binders Going Naked

by Eileen Weber

Heading out to Seattle any time soon? If you are, you may want to check out the Green Festival, arguably the largest sustainability event promoting green living. The Green Festival is a joint project between Global Exchange and Green America, two non-profit organizations committed to environmental change. So far, they expect 35,000 attendees to converge on the Seattle area the weekend of March 28th and 29th.

But here’s a little tidbit of information that might be interesting to native Nutmeggers: The Naked Binder, a sister company of Library Binding Service (LBS) based in Iowa, will be attending the festival. They will be showcasing a few of their eco-binders made from 97% post-consumer recycled materials from Connecticut.

“Our board supplier has a recycling plant that collects recycling in Connecticut,” said Ken James, Division Manager of The Naked Binder. “The paper is the recycling that you leave out by the street—all post-consumer waste.”

Considering the waste involved with vinyl binders, The Naked Binder, a company that also supports 1% For The Planet, sought a better alternative. Their product is based on a “cradle-to-cradle” concept. It takes into consideration the “lifecycle” of every component in their products and not just the finished version.

The binders are made from pressed board, metallic clips and, in some cases, organic cotton wrapping. “The rings are our sticking point,” said James of their popular binders.  “There are no U.S. manufacturers of ring systems so we import these. The book cloth, packaging materials and boxes we get locally.” James also said they get their materials locally. The cloth and packaging materials come from LBS and the boxes come from just down the street.

Edible School Gardens

by Eileen Weber

We have an epidemic. No, it doesn’t involve an incurable virus or Dustin Hoffman in a Hazmat suit à la Outbreak. However, it does involve kids, their parents, and the schools they attend.

Edible school gardens are growing at a rapid pace. Increasingly, school districts are making the gardens part of their curriculum. The Edible School Gardens Workshop at the Unitarian Church in Westport, sponsored in part by the Westport Green Village Initiative in partnership with Amy Kalafa, founder of Two Angry Moms, featured an expert panel of school garden organizers. With a room filled almost to capacity this morning, parents, farmers, gardeners, and school officials alike listened intently about how to start one in their own school system.

Dorothy Mullen, founder of the Riverside Elementary School gardens in Princeton, NJ, discussed how she got the project underway in her district. Only a few weeks post-9/11 in November 2001, she wanted to make a change in the school lunch system by introducing fresh food.

She noted how nutrition positively or negatively affects the body. “The brain is the most sensitive organ to poor nutrition,” she said. At the very least, kids can have a loss in concentration that prevents learning. “When the brain is out fuel,” she said, “we can’t learn correctly.”

Mullen, who is also an addiction counselor, said she started small by taking kids on a walking tour to her backyard garden. Then, the concept grew. She wanted to take it to the school. This was one way to instill the benefits of nutrition. She pointed out that, with a garden, there is a teaching opportunity for other subjects: science, math, food and nutrition, and art. From an environmental perspective, conservation in composting and water usage is a valuable lesson as well.

A Local Guide to Green Food

by Eileen Weber

Looking for great places to get organic food? Try the Fairfield Green Food Guide. Founded by marketing whiz and food and wine enthusiast, Analiese Paik, the web site has taken the organic food market by the horns since its inception in January. She was even recently reviewed by Local Food Rocks.

“The green food scene,” she said, “that’s my niche.”

With an MBA and certificates from prestigious cooking and wine schools, Paik has the experience, the know-how and the drive to give consumers the organic information they’re looking for.

“There’s really no place for people to go to look for fresh food,” she said. “If consumers want to find the nearest farmers market, CSA, organic restaurant, or green event, this is a place they can go. I want to become the place consumers go to look for this information. So far, we’ve had unanimously positive feedback.”

Paik said she’s been involved in the local food movement with the Fairfield Wellness Committee and being a part of improving the nutritional profile of the school lunches. “Being a health nut myself, I wanted to know where I can buy the best food for my family.”

One Fairfield shop owner believes Paik’s web site provides a great service. “People want this food, but don’t know how to get it,” said Sue Cadwell, owner and founder of Health In A Hurry, a shop that takes an organic, vegetarian twist on “fast food”.

Recession byproduct - a cut in emissions

But low level may hurt cap and trade program
The Boston Globe
March 11, 2009
By Beth Daley, Staff Writer

New figures being released today show the recession helped drive down global warming emissions from Northeast power plants last year to their lowest levels in at least nine years.

Northeast power plant emissions dropped about 9 percent last year from 2007, according to preliminary projections by Point Carbon, a consulting and research firm. The Norway-based company attributed the drop to the economic slowdown, combined with the fact that power plants are burning cleaner natural gas.

The drop in emissions may be good for the environment, but was not seen as reason for celebration. "What does this say about the state of the economy?" said Robert Rio, senior vice president of Associated Industries of Massachusetts "We could get 100 percent below the cap if we shut every business and moved them out of state."

The reduction in emissions came with another drawback: It has the unintended effect of delaying a longer-term and potentially more important effort to reduce greenhouse gases over the next decade.

Revenge, The Environmental Way

by Eileen Weber

You know the old adage, “Love is…never having to say you’re sorry.” Honestly, I can’t think of a single time someone done me wrong in which I wasn’t expecting an extra sweet apology at the end. Some flowers and a bottle of wine might be nice, too.

But take that same quote and change it to “Revenge Is…” Now apply it to the environment. That’s what Marilyn Barrett did with her company of the same name that sells T-shirts and reusable bags made from recycled plastic bottles. To Barrett, Revenge Is…wearing your plastic instead of throwing it out. She bases her company on the belief that the “best revenge is living well.”

Her passion about the environment has been heartily focused on reusing plastic bottles in her merchandise. The RPET bottles, or recycled polyethylene terephthalate, are broken down into chips and melted into molten polyester. It is then pushed through what looks like a showerhead and made into filament. The filament is then spun into fibers that are woven into fabric. All of this is done without using any further oil or oil by-product in the process.

Not surprisingly, the company’s biggest seller is the plastic bottle T-shirt. “We get a lot of feedback from people who love the material,” said Bill Schlueter, a public relations representative from LaunchPad PR Inc., a fashion focused marketing firm for Revenge Is… and other companies that use recycled polyester. “It’s made from plastic bottles yet it feels ultra-soft like cashmere.”

Organic Wines: Part Deux

by Eileen Weber

About two weeks ago, my neighbors and I got together to drink a few organic wines. There were nine eager wine tasters in my kitchen, including one who works in the wine industry. None of us walked away feeling like we’d tasted anything remarkable.

I wrote about it a few days later. I got a response from representatives of two different labels we tried. One reaction came across as a bit defensive. The other offered a challenge: Try some of our other wines and see if you change your mind. That challenge came from Jim Caudill, a public relations specialist for Brown-Forman Corporation, a wine group that includes the organic label Bonterra Vineyards.

I must say, I admired his spunk. O.K., then. You’re on. Show me the money!

Last week, Caudill shipped me three Bonterra wines: A Sauvignon Blanc 2007, a 2006 Zinfandel, and their 2004 McNab, a blend of 60% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Petite Syrah.

We tried all three. I also picked up three other organic wines that were similar for comparison. In my opinion, however, none of the other wines are worth writing about.

One Chardonnay was described by my neighbor, Sue Potter, as smoky, “like a coal miner’s idea of a white wine.” In particular, there was a Cabernet Sauvignon that had the distinct smell of cat pee. It smelled even worse as it began to open up. Not surprisingly, those wines will remain undiscussed in this article.