Bi-Monthly Newsletters/May 14, 2012
From Sustainable Ballard
Hello Neighbors
Water is the most essential element of life on Earth. It's amazing to think that the water we have today - covering 70% of the Earth's surface - is the same water that's been circulating for millions of years. However, only 3% of the earth's water is fresh, potentially drinkable water, and it's becoming more scarce. Population growth is increasing demand, and pollution is reducing the amount of fresh water available.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are blessed with an abundance of fresh water, and we use it for things that future generations will find insane. Think about it: "Yep, they used fresh treated drinking water to wash their cars. Can you believe it?" "You think that's bad? I hear they used to flush it right down their toilets!!"
Now if you've started to think, "but, what are my other options?," there are a number of things you can do, most of them in the comfort of your very own home. And local governments will help you with many of them, with resources and rebates!
First of all, Conserve Water. Maybe you already take shorter showers, skip some flushes, and turn the water on and off when you do dishes. Do you have a low-flow toilet? Low-flow showerhead? Checked your toilet for leaks? You can save on your water bill, while also saving water. Visit the Saving Water Partnership] to find rebates for high-efficiency toilets and sprinkler systems. You’ll also find an instructional video there for finding and repairing leaks which can save you up to $200 per year. At WashWise you’ll find a rebate for Resource-Efficient Clothes Washers.
Second, Retain Water. This is really exciting! Rain gardens retain, filter and clean stormwater while adding an attractive native habitat to your yard. Cisterns retain water during peak events, which reduces stormwater overflow and toxins going directly to the sound. Adding trees also helps, because they catch rainfall on their leaves and needles, slowing and evaporating it, and their roots loosen the soil, improving infiltration. Seattle’s Residential RainWise Program gives up to 100% rebates for cistern and rain garden installations. Seattle’s Trees for Neighborhoods program provides free trees to Seattle residents for planting in their yards. SDOT’s Community Tree Program is planting and maintaining about 800 free trees in parking strips in neighborhoods
Finally, Protect Water. Without realizing it, many of us are delivering pollutants and toxins directly to our storm drains, and then, to Puget Sound. Read this list of the top ways to keep toxics out of Puget Sound, and see if there isn't an easy change or two or three you could make: 1) Pick up Pet Waste, 2) Properly Dispose of Toxic and Hazardous Waste, 3) Use Car Wash Facilities Instead of Washing Cars on Driveways,4) Walk, Bike and Ride Public Transit, and 5) Practice Natural Yard Care. Learn more at tox-ick.org.
Join us at our monthly gathering next week as we explore the topic of water and how we can all be environmental heroes in the comfort of our own backyards!!
Monthly Gathering
Protecting Our Puget Sound - What We Can Do From Home
May 21st, 6:30-9:00 pm, Sunset Hill Community Association
Guest Speakers:
• Franziska McKay of People for Puget Sound will talk about the number one threat to our beloved Puget Sound – polluted runoff. She will explain why it is a problem, how it affects us, and what we can do to help.
• Jim Bristow (SB and Bristow Enterprises) will talk about new city regulations that allow the use of rainwater in your home. Jim will also discuss Rainwise - a new program for some Ballard neighbors that can help you install cisterns and raingardens for virtually no cost. See live examples of cisterns and Sunset Hill's raingarden.
Potluck at 6:30 pm. Program at 7:00 pm.
NOTES:
- Check out our Resource Table! A great spread of resources and hand-outs and even coupons from some of our sponsors!! Plus a mini-freecycle box.
- No time to make a dish? Can't balance that casserole on your bike?... Don't let that prevent you from attending! Bringing a dish to share is not required for attending the potluck and program. A $5 contribution could be given instead, which would help defray the costs of space rental, food, etc.
- Sustainable Ballard Book and DVD Library! View the full list of our collection at LibraryThing then let Tom know what you'd like to borrow. You can also donate to the library.
We look forward to seeing you!
Announcements
9th Annual Festival Planning Begins - May 23!
This year's Sustainable Ballard Festival and Repair Fair will be held Sept. 30th at Ballard Commons Park. Join the planning team early and watch your ideas come to fruition! Bring your creative energy and help shape our biggest event! Wednesday, May 23rd, 7:00PM. Contact Jenny for location and more info.
Ballard Urban Gardeners (BUG) - First Gathering!
A new Sustainable Ballard project is forming to bring gardeners together to share knowledge, secrets, and good practices; tools and land; seeds and fertilizer; recipes and food; work - digging, weeding, watering, harvesting; celebration and fun! The first meeting will be May 26th. Contact Michael for time and location!
Thanks from Think Green!
Hello Think Green Recycling Challenge Partners-
As our Think Green Recycling Challenge concluded on March 30th, we have seen quite an improvement in the diversion rate of our Seattle neighborhoods. Remember, a diversion rate measures how much of our waste does not go to a landfill. The overall diversion rate from all of Waste Management’s Seattle neighborhoods increased 0.4%, compared to the same time last year. A decrease in garbage and an increase in composting accounted for most of the diversion increase. Most notably, you composted 880 more tons this 6-month timeframe than in the same time last year!
4th Annual Ballard Edible Garden Tour - June 23
Join us for our walking / biking Edible Garden Tour, this year featuring gardens of NE Ballard.
Our goal is to educate and inspire folks to grow food by giving examples of creative uses of parking strips, containers, raised beds, bee houses, chicken coops, fruit trees & berries and more! Meet the gardeners and ask questions. Tour includes a dozen gardens to explore, within walking distance of the Whittier Elementary School. $10 supports Sustainable Ballard's community projects. Volunteers and gardens needed. Contact Paula for details.
Solstice Celebration and Solar Fair - June 24
In collaboration with Sunset Hill Community Association and Groundswell NW, Sustainable Ballard will host a mini solar fair at Sunset Hill. We will have food trucks and information about all things solar. Contact Jenny for details.
As usual, let's now take a look at our Calendar:
Sustainable Ballard Events & Meetings
- Tuesday, May 15th, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
- Green Home Incentives Overview
- Learn about big rebates and savings on raingardens, weatherization and solar installations
- Sunset Hill Community Association • 3003 NW 66th St
- Monday, May 21st, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
- Monthly Gathering - May 2012
- Protecting our Puget Sound, What We Can Do From Home
- Sunset Hill Community Association • 3003 NW 66th St
- Wednesday, May 23rd, 7:00pm - 8:30 pm
- 2012 Sustainable Ballard Festival Open House and First Planning Meeting
- Let the planning begin!
- RSVP for location and directions
- Saturday, May 26th
- Ballard Urban Gardeners (BUG) 1st Meeting
- Bringing Ballard gardeners together to share resources
- RSVP for time and location
- Thursday, June 7th, 6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
- Tox-Ick Presentation and Pubic Conversation
- Learn how to protect our Puget Sound right in your neighborhood
- Friday, June 8th, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
- Ballard Knitters for the Homeless - Jun 2012
- Knit community and warmers for homeless community members
- Aster Coffee Lounge • 5615 24th Ave NW
- Thursday, June 14th, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
- Sustainable Ballard Second Thursday Social - Jun 2012
- Stop by The Stepping Stone for a drink and a chat
- The Stepping Stone • 5903 24th Ave NW
- Saturday, June 23rd, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
- 4th Annual Ballard Edible Garden Tour
- Grow, Don't Mow!
- Get Tickets at Tour Startpoint - Whittier Elementary • 1320 NW 75th
- Sunday, June 24th, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- Solstice Party and Solar Fair
- Join us and SHCA for this Celebration of the Sun!!
- Sunset Hill Community Association • 3003 NW 66th St
Other Community Events
- Thursday, May 17th, all day
- 17th of May Celebration 2012
- The biggest 17th of May celebration outside of Norway!
- Friday, May 18th, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
- Summer Streets/Bike to Work Day Celebration 2012
- Saturday, May 19th, 5:00 pm
- Trinity United Methodist Church 2nd Annual Outreach Auction
- To support TUMC's programs to feed the hungry and homeless
- Saturday, May 19th, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
- Seattle Young People's Project 20th Anniversary FamBam!
- A Dinner and Celebration of the SYPP Family
- Thursday, May 24th, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
- Ballard Community Taskforce on Hunger and Homelessness - May 2012
- Monthly meeting - All welcome to attend.
- Wednesday, June 13th, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
- Ballard District Council - Jun 2012
- Always Open to the Public