Got Green and the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) did a demo of their plans to “recycle” an abandoned house Wednesday morning (July 21) in White Center, with 14 participants ranging in age from 19 to 55.
This project utilizes federal stimulus dollars provided through a Dept. of Labor “Pathways Out of Poverty” training grant to prepare low income communities for livable wage jobs in Green Construction industries.
Got Green is also preparing graduates to become ambassadors for home weatherization and other solutions to climate change in their own communities.
The house used for training is scheduled for demolition on the future site of the Strength of Place Initiative (SOPI) Village affordable housing development. Program graduates (all low-income workers of color) hope to provide weatherization services to Seattle area homeowners and small businesses under the “Weatherize Every Building” project being launched by the City of Seattle this fall.
Got Green (a local grassroots organization that promotes Green Jobs, Energy Efficiency, and Racial Justice) is organizing this Home Weatherization training to promote the movement for Green Collar Jobs as the best way to fight poverty and global warming at the same time. Got Green is Seattle’s home-grown branch of the national movement for equity and opportunity in the new Green Economy.
More info on Got Green is available here.
Photographer Francis Zera was there to capture the following Photo Slideshow:
Click to Play Francis Zera’s Photo Slideshow
by This weekend, some rude dude named “DEX” dumped a plastic bag containing two large books I didn’t ask for on my front walkway.
That’s right – the new white and yellow pages arrived on my doorstep totally unsolicited on Saturday (July 17). This surprised me, because as I recall, I actually opted out of receiving any more of them last year, since they’re about as useful to me as um, say, the printed version of The Seattle Times.
As you may have guessed, unlike Prince, we’re very bullish on the internet. We get at least 80% of our daily news from it, both on our laptop and iPhone (the other 20% is usually from NPR radio on KUOW). We look things up using Google (sometimes Bing just to try it out), and we have grown tiresome of printed phone books full of ads (even a refrigerator magnet for a plumber is glued to the cover!), as well as the primitive, thumb-staining search technique of having to scan through dozens of listings and ads to find what we’re looking for.
A bag of unsolicited phone books sit near another relic of the dying printed world, a newspaper box.
Like newspapers or bound encyclopedias, the obsolescence of phone books is inevitable in this new internet age. But considering that in the US alone, 97% of this $14 billion industry is earned from printed product alone, it’s obvious why these mammoth media dinosaurs want to try and hold on for as long as possible.
Hello? Is there any way that print can duplicate searching online and getting the results you need right away?
The answer is a resounding NO.
What’s worse, I went through this exercise last year and took the time to opt out of receiving these books, which are headed straight to the recycling bin as soon I can pry the fridge magnet ad off the cover and toss it in the garbage (eees nice DEX – not only did you deliver these unsolicited and against my wishes, now you’re making me create more landfill with your damned magnet ad, which is NOT recyclable!).
Receiving these hulking phone books seems to me to be a huge waste of resources – not only the paper (which, I will admit, appears to be printed on mostly recycled paper), but also the distribution costs, fuel, plastic bags (which they claim are made of “45% post-consumer recycled content,” which means that 55% is NOT recycled), not to mention the frustration of customers like me who ALREADY OPTED OUT LAST YEAR.
That’s why I’m tossing out the following idea (pun intended), free of charge, to councilmembers for the City of Burien:
Ban all unsolicited phone book deliveries in the city of Burien.
To opt out, you have to fill out a form and choose "0." But, based on our experience, just don't expect anything to happen.
If someone wants one, make it so they have to call the distributor to get it. But please, stop letting these wasteful folks dump their unsolicited, unusable litter on my property.
And isn’t there a fine for this kind of littering?
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go back to opting out of receiving these wasteful piles of dinosaur dung AGAIN – you can do the same here:
- Go to http://selectyourdex.dexknows.com/SelectYourDex/searchByZipCodeAction.do and enter your zip code.
- Select “Proceed to Select Your Dex.”
- Enter your name and address.
- Select “0″ next to each directory you wish not to receive.
- Press “Submit” and you are allegedly done.
- Bookmark this page so when you get another delivery next year, you can try again.
Another option is to dial 1-877-243-8339 to opt-out from DEX (and have the chance to yell at a human operator).
Call 1-800-929-3556 to opt-out of receiving Yellow Book directories.
To opt-out of the Verizon phone book, dial 1-800-555-4833.
| Mar |
| 17 |
| 6:00 pm |
“Got Green?,” a program of the White Center Community Development Association, is hosting its first open house from 6pm-8pm on Wednesday, March 17th at the Columbia City South Side Commons Building, located at 3518 S. Edmunds Street.
According to the WCCDA:
Expect food, entertainment, multimedia presentations and the chance to network with Got Green and their community partners on how to support Green jobs, Green initiatives, youth, low-income communities of color and more.
Child care is available – this event is open and free to the public.
Please see flier below for more information, or visit the Got Green website:
South Seattle Community College (located nearby at 6000 16 Ave S.W.) will be offering a number of very ‘green” non-credit Electric Vehicle classes, beginning with a safety course this Saturday, Feb. 27th.
The classes, part of a partnership with the Seattle Electric Vehicle Association, will be taught by a group of experienced instructors who have converted over two dozen vehicles.
Here are the details:
WHAT: A series of non-credit Electric Vehicle classes
WHERE: South Seattle Community College, located at 6000 16 Ave S.W.
WHEN: Class times vary – see details below:
- Electric Vehicle Conversion Workshop
Instructor: Ed Stegall
An intensive six days hands-on learning class that teaches the basics in converting a gasoline engine to electric power.
8 am – 5 pm M T W Th F Sat March 22-27 $899 - Electric Vehicle Safety Systems
Instructor: Roger Wright
Learn how to keep your electric vehicle safe; how a DC system works, what parts go into it, and why you should have these parts.
9 – 11:30 am Sat February 27 $35
** Enrollment is still open for the February 27 class. **
6:30 – 9 pm T May 25 $35 - Introduction to AC Drives for Electric Vehicles
Instructors: Dan Bentler and Frank Jump
Learn the advantages and disadvantages of DC and AC motors. Gain valuable insight and knowledge of how AC drives work and how to apply them to vehicles. Class will provide hands-on operating demonstrations of motors and variable-frequency drives and other motors using bench-top equipment VFDs.
9 am – 4 pm Sat April 24 $65 - Electric Vehicle Component Technology for Conversion
Instructor: Cory Cross
Learn about what parts go into a conversion and how they connect to each other. Strong emphasis placed on learning to read schematics and understanding why the parts are connected that way.
6 – 9 pm Th May 13 $45 - Electric Vehicles – Batteries
Instructor: Stephen Johnsen
Topics include: general overview of popular suitable batteries for EVs; comparison of costs and specs on various batteries available; calculating the kWhr rating of my pack; how to extend battery life; charging and recycling of batteries.
6:30 – 9 pm T May 18 $45 - Electric Bicycles
Instructor: Ed Stegall
Go through the process of actually converting a normal bike to electric. Class also covers bike safety, bike laws and basic maintenance and tips for doing your own conversion on your own or with a kit.
Class fee of $99 includes two sessions.
6 – 9 pm Th June 3
9 am – 4 pm Sat June 5
INFO: From a press release:
The six-day workshop guides students through the complete process of converting a vehicle from a gasoline engine to electric power. By the end of the workshop, the group will have completed one running electric car conversion capable of highway speeds, with a 30-60 mile range on one charge.
Electric Vehicle classes fill quickly and interested students are encouraged to sign up early.
REGISTER: Register online at www.LearnAtSouth.org, or call (260) 764-5339 for more information.
South Seattle Community College’s Continuing Education division offers 150 classes each quarter, ranging from computer skills to cooking to home repair. Designed to fit into busy schedules, these classes offer the lifelong learner variety and flexibility, with online and classroom instruction.
The Seattle Electric Vehicle Association was founded in 1979, with a mission to educate, demonstrate, and proliferate electric vehicles. The interests of SEVA members represent a wide spectrum of Electric Vehicle interests range from fast dragsters to NEVs, from home conversions to Teslas. For more information, visit the website at www.seattleeva.org.
Beverly Park Elementary School (located at 1201 South 104th Street), is one of 11 schools honored for completing the first level of King County’s Green Schools Program.
It is one of four Highline School District schools recognized; the others include Gregory Heights Elementary in Burien, Madrona Elementary School in SeaTac, and North Hill Elementary School in Des Moines.
Each school received a “We are a King County Green School” banner, a certificate of recognition, a success story on the program Web site and mention in a press release issued by King County.
Participating schools receive assistance on how to conserve resources such as paper, electricity and water, and they are often rewarded with reduced utility and garbage disposal costs.
“Each of these 11 schools has involved its whole school community – students, teachers and administrators – in reducing garbage and increasing recycling,” said Dale Alekel, King County Green Schools Program manager.
Highline Schools honored include:
- Beverly Park Elementary School (unincorporated King County)
- Gregory Heights Elementary School (Burien)
- Madrona Elementary School (SeaTac)
- North Hill Elementary School (Des Moines)
These schools completed level one of the program by initiating or improving recycling practices and engaging in waste-reduction strategies, such as decreasing paper use. Success stories for each school are at this website.
According to the King County website, some of Beverly Parks’ achievements include:
Waste Reduction and Recycling:
- Beverly Park Elementary School increased its recycling rate from 33 percent to 38 percent.
- To compost food and yard waste, paraeducator Karen Eng spearheaded the creation of two outdoor worm bins. With help from the Green Schools Program, sixth grade students from teacher Rosanne Esposito’s class participated in a King County Green Team workshop on how to compost using a worm bin. Each lunch period, selected students collect food scraps and tend the worm bin.
- The school started recycling breakfast milk cartons and currently recycles approximately 150 milk cartons and 120 juice cartons per day. Custodian Archie Champion has led this effort.
- Recycling containers provided by the Green Schools Program were added to the lunchroom for milk cartons, juice boxes, plastic bottles, aluminum cans and food scraps.
- School staff placed recycling stickers on all recycling containers. Provided by the Green Schools Program, the stickers list what can and cannot be recycled.
- Beverly Park has adopted and promoted a double-sided copy policy which has helped decrease paper waste.
Participation in the King County Green Schools Program has grown each year. To date, 10 of King County’s 18 school districts have received assistance or are now participating, and in doing so they have increased recycling, reduced energy and resource consumption, and engaged students in benefiting the environment.
The program has helped more than 300 schools cut waste and save resources since its inception in 2003. By providing hands-on assistance, including school visits, tailored recommendations, help with outreach to students and staff, and recycling containers and stickers, the Green Schools Program provides schools and school districts with the support they need to set up and maintain effective conservation practices.
In addition to providing schools with the hands-on help they need, the program offers a website, www.kingcounty.gov/GreenSchools, with useful tools and resources.
Schools interested in receiving assistance to improve conservation practices can contact Dale Alekel at dale.alekel@kingcounty.gov.
Story and Photos by Scott Schaefer
Members of Boy Scout Troop #375 were busy Saturday (Jan. 2nd), at their annual Christmas Tree Recycling Fundraiser in the parking lot of Herr Backyard Garden Center on SW 160th near First Ave South in Burien.
It’s just $5 to donate your tree(s), and they’ll be accepting more tomorrow (Sunday, Jan. 3rd) from 9am to 4pm.
“This is one of two major fundraisers we do every year,” said Scoutmaster Mark Ufkes as he supervised the kids. “Along with our annual dinner at St. Francis, the money raised today will go towards scholarships for camps for scouts. And people should know that a kid can be a Boy Scout without having to pay much money.”
Ufkes continued: “To be a Boy Scout, all you have to do is a) be between 11 and 18 years old, b) be an upstanding citizen, c) believe in a higher power, and d) want to spend a lot of time outdoors doing adventures with other kids. Having money is not a factor.”
Troop #375 serves boys in areas including White Center, West Seattle, Burien, Normandy Park and Des Moines. For more information, check out their website here.
This event is a “mandatory” one for members of this troop, and we counted at least 12 scouts while we were there Saturday afternoon. Ufkes says that all 20 boys from this troop will help out over the entire weekend, making one wonder:
How many scouts does it take to de-limb a Christmas tree?
To find out, click on Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow below:
The large truck hauler used at his event was donated by Scarsella Brothers Construction, who help out every year.
Over the last two years, 16 Eagle Scouts have been awarded in Troop #375, which is an unusually high number. The Troop is currently sponsored by St. Francis of Assisi Church in Burien.
According to the Des Moines Historical Society, Boy Scout Troop #375 was formed March 17, 1924 by Rev. Beatty, Scoutmaster, Rollin Case, and Franklin Lowery. In 1923, Rev. Cyrus Gilbert, a teacher at Sunnydale and Highline High School, had established a troop at Sunnydale.
We here at The White Center Blog highly recommend that all Readers make the trip to Burien to recycle your tree with these kids, because everything stays local, from the donations, which fund scout activities, to the firewood (which will be sold to raise funds) to the mulch made from the tree chippings (which will end up in a local yard). Herr Garden Center is located at 107 SW 160th in Burien; Phone: 206-242-2014.
| Sep ’09 |
| 12 |
| 9:00 am |
A “Recycling Collection Event” is coming to Evergreen High School in White Center on Saturday, Sept. 12th and here are the details:
WHAT: King County Recycling Collection
WHEN: Saturday, September 12th from 9am – 3pm
WHERE: Evergreen High School, located at 830 SW 116th Street.
INFO: This is a recycling collection event for residents of White Center and King County.
In addition to this Recycling Collection Event, many items may be disposed or recycled at other locations throughout King County. For more information, visit the “What do I do with…” website or call the King County Recycling and Composting Information Line at 206-296-4466.
RESTRICTIONS: Certain household hazardous wastes that are not accepted at this event may be safely disposed through King County’s Wastemobile program, including one nearby from Sept. 11-13th at the Burien Fred Meyer (details here). View the Wastemobile schedule online or call the Hazards Line at 206-296-4692 for a list of locations.
PLEASE NOTE: Computers, monitors, laptops and televisions will no longer be accepted at this event. You may recycle these materials at NO CHARGE at the following locations nearest White Center:
Goodwill Burien Store
1031 SW 128th St.
206-957-1020
Salvation Army Burien Store
16033 1st Ave. S.
206-267-7272
Total Reclaim – Seattle
2200 6th Ave. S.
206-343-7443
For additional drop-off locations or more information, call 1-800-RECYCLE or visit 1800recycle.wa.gov.
Computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and printers are not included in the E-Cycle Washington program but will be accepted at this Recycling Collection Event. This event will also continue to collect other electronic materials such as cell phones, printers, keyboards, mice, fax machines, photocopiers, scanners, stereos, VCRs, and DVD players.
For more information, contact Karen May at 206-296-4353.
The White Center Blog gives a big green “Thumbs Up” to Clean Air Lawn Care, our latest Advertiser!
Do you know that 5-10% of the Nation’s Air pollution is attributed to small engines like the ones used in gas powered lawn care equipment – mowers, blowers, edgers and trimmers?
Or that gas lawn mowers consume some 580 million gallons of gasoline annually of which 25-35% escapes unburned – that’s on top of the 17 million gallons that are spilled annually by people filling up gas mowers?
Clean Air Lawn Care of West Seattle is “Changing the Way America Mows the Lawn” by using only battery and electric operated equipment powered by renewable energy sources. The solar panels on their trucks are used to harvest the solar energy and recharge their equipment throughout the day.
Adam Werner, Owner of Clean Air Lawn Care, has been a Seattle resident since 1995 and a West Seattle resident in the Riverview Neighborhood since 2004. He has been involved with his Riverview Neighborhood group to help save the Sound Ways property from private development. He is also a member of the Highland Park Improvement Committee and a new member of Sustainable West Seattle.
Chelsea, Josh and Adam of Clean Air Lawn Care show off their solar-paneled truck.
In 2008, Clean Air Lawn Care was able to reduce air pollutants by 2289 pounds or the equivalent of 70,158 vehicle miles driven. According to the EPA, in 1 hour, 1 gas mower:
- Pollutes the same as 40 late model cars.
- Emits the amount of hydrocarbons as a SUV driven 23,600 miles.
- Contributes 93 times more smog-forming emissions than 2006 cars.
Another huge advantage of the electric equipment is the lack of noise – it’s 50-70% quieter than traditional lawn equipment. So not only do you not have to smell the gas burning, you don’t have to hear it either. This is great for working from home, napping children, and not disturbing your neighbors on a nice sunny afternoon.
Adam says that their equipment is so quiet, “We’ve had several customers tell them that they did not even know we were at their house!”
Adam and his crew are knowledgeable, professional and courteous. They provide all of Burien, White Center, Des Moines (and beyond) spring and fall clean ups, mowing, blowing, edging, trimming, weeding, mulching, hedge trimming (up to 7 ft) and other hourly work as required.
Outside of the electricity generated by the solar panels, Clean Air participates in the Seattle Green Up program and all additional electricity used is purchased from a renewable energy broker. The windpower they purchase is used to power the lawn equipment and offices, qualifying the entire organization as carbon neutral.
Be sure to stop Adam, Josh, or Chelsea when you see them in your neighborhood to get a look at the truck with the solar panels (see photo above). Josh would love to talk you about his passion for photography – his work can be seen at www.joshuakenneymiller.com/Abstract.html.
Chelsea would be more than happy to show you some of the jewelry she makes or even teach your kids to play the piano. Check out her work at www.seatemple.etsy.com.
Help your neighborhood become clean and quieter and help Clean Air Lawn Care “Change the Way America Mows the Lawn” – please click on their Ad, check out their website, or contact Adam directly at 206-941-4180!
| Sep ’08 |
| 27 |
| 8:00 am |
The Moontown Foundation, in association with the White Center Community Development Association and the Got Green Project are having a day of conservation, service, fun and action that’s being called the “White Center Energy Festival & Prosperity Project.”
The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27th, from 8am-6pm at White Center Heights Elementary School, located at 10015 6th Avenue SW (map below).
On this national day of action, 200-300 volunteers will blanket the White Center Community and knock on over 7,800 doors in an effort to educate residents on home energy efficiency and supply them with a list of “50 simple things” they can do to conserve energy, save money and reduce their carbon footprint.
White Center has long been challenged by economic and social hardships, with high levels of poverty, crime, and poor educational outcomes. Approximately 32,000 people live here, of which over 50% are communities of color; yet one sixth live below the poverty line, twice the countywide average, and 16% of its residents live on less than $10,000 a year.
The event is designed to educate residents on home energy efficiency, promote awareness of the emerging green job revolution, as well as raise funds for an Eco Apprentice Scholarship Fund, which is targeted at helping low-income youth and young adults acquire green trade skills and career training at local vocational and community colleges.
For more information, please visit: http://moontownfoundation.org/specialevents.php
Volunteers will also sign-up residents for FREE home energy efficiency assessments (valued at $500) performed by trained professionals. Residents maybe eligible to receive free home improvement products, as well as low-interest home loans to help finance major residential energy efficiency improvements.
There are still needs for volunteers and donations, so if you’re interested please contact Stacy @ (206) 201.2314 or info@moontownfoundation.org.
More info at http://events.greenjobsnow.com/greenforall/events/show/5211.
View Larger Map
| Aug ’08 |
| 15 |
| 12:00 pm |
Over 40 local youth and young adults will be celebrating their graduation Friday (Aug. 15) from a King County-sponsored summer program that focused on “green jobs” that was conducted through South Seattle Community College.
King County Executive Ron Sims will join students, their families and program instructors at a special celebration at SSCC’s Georgetown campus (just down the hill – see map below) marking the end of the six-week “Opportunity Greenway” program:
DETAILS:
- Fri., Aug. 15, 2008
Noon to 2 p.m. - South Seattle Community College – Georgetown Campus
6737 Corson Avenue South, Seattle 98108 - Keynote speaker: King County Executive Ron Sims
From the King County website:
The pilot program reached out to youth ages 16 to 21, many of them previously involved in the courts and the justice system, offering an opportunity to learn about and experience career opportunities in various “green” fields such as energy efficient construction, weatherization, energy auditing, hybrid bus maintenance, power utility work, cement masonry, and heating and cooling installation.
Created as a “learn and earn” program, Opportunity Greenway provided paid internships aimed at increasing basic skills, work habits and attitudes for success. Coordinated by the King County Work Training Program, Opportunity Greenway involved private employers, King County Wastewater Treatment Division, King County Metro Transit, King County International Airport, Highline School District and Kent Schools and Parks, and local community and technical colleges.
Participants from the program will be available at the graduation to talk about their experiences and future plans. For more information about this program and other green work underway in King County, visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/globalwarming/greenwork.
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