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Silver Lake Armoring “Displaced” Already
High-intensity rain storms this summer have displaced the armor stone system in the storm water outfall channel near the intersection of 4th Street and Silver Lake Boulevard in Pittsfield. This 42-inch outfall pipe drains storm water from a large portion of Pittsfield into Silver Lake. With EPA oversight, GE will remove the displaced armor stone, repair a disturbed area of the underlying cap isolation layer, and install a new, much stronger armoring system. This work is anticipated to last one week and is scheduled to occur in September 2014. Any questions please contact Kelsey O’Neil, Community Involvement Coordinator, at 617 918 1003 or at oneil.kelsey@epa.gov, or David Dickerson, Project Manager, at 617 918 1329 or at dickerson.dave@epa.gov.
BIG NEWS at our PITTSFIELD LOCATION
from Erica Heinlein, Pittsfield Guido’s Front End Manager
Effective the first week of September 2014, the Pittsfield Guido’s will eliminate thin-film, handled, plastic grocery bags as a bagging option during the checkout process.
Owner Matt Masiero says “We’ve wanted to do this for a long time. Environmentally speaking, this move is long overdue. After a successful transition away from plastic grocery bags in our Great Barrington store, we felt that to carry the policy through company-wide would be the right step forward.”
What does this mean for our Pittsfield customers? As your Front End Manager I will strive to make this as smooth and painless as possible — I understand that unexpected change at your favorite market is going to take some getting used to. As we remove thin-film, handled, plastic grocery bags from our checkout areas, we will have paper bags available for a small fee on an ongoing basis, and free recycled boxes too (while supplies last each day). Ultimately we encourage you to use your own bags as there will be a charge for paper bags in the near future.
Further, while we will eliminate the $.05 refund we give per bag at checkout, we WILL be increasing the very popular BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) raffle. This raffle is eligible to any Guido’s customer who brings in their own bag for us to use during checkout. Right now I draw two names at the end of each month — winners receive a $25 gift card to the store. After we eliminate plastic, I will start drawing one name each week to win a $25 gift card!
Please feel free to ask any questions of ownership or management during this voluntary environmental change. Together we will eliminate an astonishing 850,000 plastic bags per year!
What to remember:
Bring your own bag, enter the BYOB raffle
Paper will be available for a small fee
Free boxes are available each day, while supplies last
Guido’s is taking a big environmental step forward!
Enjoy these remaining sweet summer days!
Introducing Petrolify!
from Post Carbon Institute
Imagine there was a pill you could take every day that would provide you with wealth, freedom, and luxuries beyond the imagination of even the wealthiest kings of yesteryear. Taking this pill would give you the equivalent of hundreds of slaves, working for you 24/7, to grow your food, cool and heat your home, entertain you, carry you however far you wanted to travel, fill your bath with hot water, you name it… That’d be amazing!
Well, guess what? You’re already taking it. And it’s called Petrolify®.
[Click on any of the Petrolify® links to watch PCI’s new video.]You’re ingesting Petrolify® with nearly every breath and every footstep you take. Most of us don’t realize that Petrolify® is being pumped into our water and injected into our food. But we reap its magical benefits regardless. Did you sleep indoors last night? You can thank Petrolify®. Did you eat breakfast today? Again, that was thanks to Petrolify®. Are you reading this message on your mobile phone or computer? The miracle of Petrolify® never ends!
Except that miracle comes with some deadly side effects, and an expiration date.
That is why we created the above parody commercial, to remind as many people as possible that the dream we’re living—a dream fueled by a one-time, finite fossil fuel bonanza—is far darker than they might suspect.
When we open our eyes to the hidden costs of Petrolify®, it’s easy to blame the ‘corporate bad guys’—the manufacturers, the drug reps, the doctors—who are pushing their product on an unwilling populace. But we’re not quite so unwilling, are we? No, we want what they’re selling. And, there is no “they”. They are us.
Thankfully, our wellbeing doesn’t have to depend on Petrolify®. We can choose for our energy needs to be met with renewable, and more ecological and socially just, sources. More important, we can learn to live well with less. Conservation doesn’t have to be the “c” word.
The first step is recognizing our pill-popping addiction for what it is. Please help spread the word that Petrolify® may not be right for us.
You can also visit www.petrolify.com.
Post Carbon Institute
DRIVERS, BRAKE FOR MOOSE AND DEER THIS FALL
from MassWildlife
Because fall is the breeding season for both moose and white-tailed deer, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife reminds motorists to be mindful of increased deer and moose activity, especially during early morning and evening hours. Moose, found in central and western parts of MA, breed in September and October. White-tailed deer breed from late October to early December.
Moose on the road are especially hazardous. The dark color and height of moose make them difficult to see at night; moose eyes rarely shine like deer eyes because their eyes are above headlight levels. In addition, long legs and top heavy bodies make moose very dangerous to motorists when struck.
Observe road signs for moose and deer crossings and slow down. Do not swerve to avoid hitting a deer because it may lead to more risk and damage than hitting the deer. Moose are less likely to move from the road than deer; so stay alert and brake when you see a moose in or near the road.
By law, after a moose or deer/car collision, drivers or passengers are allowed to keep deer they have hit with their vehicle (salvaged deer must be officially reported). DFW or Environmental Police make decisions regarding the disposal of moose after collisions. All moose or deer/vehicle collisions should be reported to the Environmental Police at (800) 632-8075 or to DFW Wildlife District offices.
PADDLERS BE SAFE AS WEATHER COOLS
from MassWildlife
Paddlers in kayaks and canoes must wear life jackets from September 15 to May 15 every year. According to the Massachusetts Environmental Police, most boating fatalities in the Commonwealth result when boaters fail to wear life jackets while in small craft in cold water or cold weather. Waterfowl hunters using canoes or kayaks are reminded that this law also applies to them. Read more about boating safety.
Registration Opens for Third Annual Campus RainWorks Challenge
from Water Headlines from EPA – September 3
Registration opens on September 2 for EPA’s third annual Campus RainWorks Challenge, a green infrastructure design challenge for college and university students. Student teams and their faculty advisors will submit design boards, a project narrative, and a letter of support describing a proposed green infrastructure project for a location on their campus. Registration ends Oct. 3, and registrants must submit their entries by Dec. 19. Go to
www.epa.gov/campusrainworks to register.
Handmade Holiday Festival – APPLY NOW!
Calling all artisans, designers, and food producers…
We are now accepting applications for our 2014 Handmade Holiday Festival!
The Handmade Holiday Festival is a curated, modern craft fair featuring contemporary makers, artisans, designers, and food producers. From pottery and jewelry to chocolates and quilts, it is a one-stop spot for holiday shopping in the Berkshires. Showcasing handmade goods by local and regional artisans, we give shoppers the opportunity to meet and support the makers of their gifts AND keep their holiday spending in the community!
Here is the deal:
1. This year the Festival will run Saturday, December 6th from 10am to 5pm and Sunday, December 7th from 10am to 3pm at the Paterson Field House at BCC in Pittsfield, MA.
2. All work MUST be handmade and all makers must be present at the show.
3. This is a juried show. That means your work will be looked at by our jurying committee… We are looking for a diverse range of makers- pottery, housewares, glass and/or metal work, jewelry, fiber arts, notecards, apparel, etc.
4. There is a $10 non-refundable application fee. You can pay through PayPal (through the application link below) or mail a check to Alchemy Initiative, PO Box 1805, Pittsfield, MA 01202. Applications will be accepted through September 20, 2014.
5. Full booths are approximately 10 x 10 and are $185. Half booths are approximately 5 x 5 and are $100. Please note that we do not provide tables or grids for your use. Vendors must provide their own set-up. Pop-ups are NOT allowed.