Happy New Year to Everyone reading today! I have been looking forward to discussion with like minded supporters on the topic of the greening of Michigan and was very happy to discover this network. So you might imagine my dismay to see that there has been no discussion for over a year! Does this signify a level of lethargy regarding this issue for our great State or are people too busy with other things to post with any regularity? If you are out there, I would enjoy knowing who might be a part of this community and if it is still an entity.

As I was traveling yesterday, I heard a local radio ask its audience what three things they would do to make Michigan a better state. Submissions were to be accepted over the course of the next week. As I have little time to listen to the radio, I thought it would be interesting to post a blog to have people post their ideas on what they believe would be good for Michigan to make us a stronger state.

When I think of what makes a difference, my first choice would be to fund an improved educational system. I would like to see Michigan to be known as the state that places the highest importance on educating its population at the highest level in the nation. Guarantee a place in higher education for everyone who academically qualifies. Create a statewide corp similar to the federal job corp where graduates can volunteer to repay their low interest student loans supplied by local institutions. Michigan should be known as a leader in educating and keeping a productive, prolifically literate, and technologically progressive population. Let our children know we want them, and need them, seriously.

Have you seen the billboard around the state touting how much money the state gambling system gives to our schools? I estimate that every school in Michigan gets $1,000,000 from the lottery sytem based on those ads. What do the schools do with that money? Where does it go? Why isn’t that enough to get us off the ground?

Encourage this highly trained population to utilize their skills within the state. Provide real state tax incentives for those students who graduate from college, build and grow businesses within the state, and contribute to the new technological and ecological landscapes of the state’s future. There is no reason we can’t market these new entrepreneurs to the country or the world just as we marketed the automobile industry when it was newly developing. A state supporting its own rising and energetic business climate shouldn’ t be kept under the covers, but we don’t hear about it today. I applaud the Pure Michigan campaign. I think it does a great job promoting our state. We need a like campaign promoting our state’s outstanding educational commitment, when we get one.

Third, we need to think out of the box and get beyond the politics. In an effort to bring jobs back to our state economy, I believe we need to take a solid stand and be known for something, as a state, not as a legislator within the state. What do you think of when you think of Michigan? What would prompt you to move here? I think we need to find movers and shakers that are willing to place their faith in the future. Create a design, a focus, a direction we can move toward that announces who we are and why we love living here.

Michigan is the only state surrounded by three great fresh water lakes. Up to last year, we had more boats registered in our state than in any state in the nation. Where else will you find such a large expanse of soft sand dunes? We offer four seasons! We need to recognize the gifts our state offers us, protect them, and create ways to support, enhance, and utilize them. We need to make certain that others know we value them and protect them. I believe there are myriad ways of creating businesses around our state’s natural resources without exploiting or spoiling them. Green technology should beat a path to our state and showcase their products. We would benefit as a state and reverse current trends.

I am not a pollyanna. I know it isn’t a simple process. But seriously, why isn’t anyone stepping up to the plate? Why hasn’t anyone posted a blog on this site for over a year? Does anyone really know what time it is?

Tonight, June 20th at 5:30 pm The Grand Rapids Art Museum will receive its LEED Gold Certification Award from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Educator for Student and Adult Programs, Megan Walker, speaks on the topic of sustainable architecture as it relates to the Grand Rapids Art Museum. 7:00 – 7:45 pm

Congratulations to the GRAM for their accomplishments in making Grand Rapids a greener place to live!

Help create city policies in the first of three community sessions that will affect Grand Rapids’ parks, trails, trees, the Grand River, local food and water quality.

The City is required to update its Master Plan & Parks and Recreation Plan every five years. This is your opportunity to get involved in a citywide green infrastructure master planning process called Green Grand Rapids.

Free carpool parking for two or more people in the same vehicle is available in the City Hall parking ramp across the street from Devos Place. Bike parking will also be available in front of Devos Place.

The first 100 people to attend will get free fare cards for The Rapid.

This event is free of charge, so come share your passion to make Grand Rapids a greener place to live.

submitted by: Bryan Migliorisi - The Staga Network

I have recently launched a new website that is dedicated to providing people with a tool for both helping one another, as well as helping the environment at the same time.

The Staga Network is a collection of online communities based around individual neighborhoods. It provides neighborhood members a chance to give away their old (or new) belongings to other members of their neighborhood for free.

It helps people clean out the clutter in their homes, while helping someone who may be able to use your old things.

More importantly, it helps reduce the amount of unnecessary trash created by tossing those items to the curbside.

Everyone has something to give away, so stop by today and sign up for a free account. You can help yourself, your neighbors, and the environment all at one time.

My wife and I have made the commitment to go green every single day from April 22 2008 to April 22 2009. We are well into our green year and have been featured in several media in Canada.

It is our hope that we can show people all the green things that they can do in their lives by just going green every single day, from making a solar cooker to changing the light bulbs.

The sky is the limit when you take part in Our Green Year.
We want photos from people who are doing green things, testimonials and suggestions of what we can do.

In order to keep the passion alive and the network growing…

NETWORK-GREEN and your Planet Earth need your attention.

We are currently seeking submissions to provide fresh & informative content to our readers on a regular basis.

If you are compassionate about our one and only planet Earth and would like to share your eco-friendly ideas, products or resources …This is the place to network.

All we ask is that your submission relate towards achieving sustainability and/or a healthy impact on our environment.

We are actively seeking submissions from Grand Rapids and Michigan because networking on a local level is a huge step towards sustainability.

Because we wish to create a positive impact on our environment, it is important that all submissions be of high quality with the intent to educate and inform our readers about making choices that are both beneficial to our environment & that help to achieve sustainability.
Please refer to the submission guidelines

Add your submission - Join NETWORK-GREEN

Keep the network growing

This is a beta testing period to get the tree back up and growing strong. With growth we would love to add more features for both our readers and contributors in the near future.

If you are interested in contributing on a regular basis or if you have any suggestions for improvement - Please contact us at info[at]network-green[dot]org

♥ love your earth - she needs you… Thank You for visiting NETWORK-GREEN

The Green Chauffeur is a taxi service in Grand Rapids using only hybrid cars. Each car uses 1/3 of fuel daily compared to standard taxis.
The Green Chauffeur serves the entire Grand Rapids area 24/7.
616-617-8232

Michigan GREEN and Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP) are offering Michigan GREEN Energy Kits:

Kit#1 - $99

• (8) 13-watt CFLs
• (4) 23-watt CFLs
• (1) Low-flow showerhead (1.5GPM)
• (1) 3-in-1 Nightlight / Flashlight
• (2) Faucet Flow Moderators
• Wall Switch/Outlet Sealers
• Rope Caulk
• Energy Tips Booklet
• Michigan GREEN Carry bag
• $20 will be Contributed to SWP

Kit#2 - $59

• (4) 13-watt CFLs
• (4) 23-watt CFLs
• (1) 3-in-1 Nightlight / Flashlight
• Wall Switch/Outlet Sealers
• Rope Caulk
• Energy Tips Booklet
• Michigan GREEN Carry bag
• $10 will be Contributed to SWP

Kits can be purchased online at michigangreen.org or by calling: 1-888-473-5444

Use this browser:

• The Flock Browser: Eco-Edition -Powered by Mozilla, so it’s fast and secure. Get updated news, content, and media to feed your interest in global matters affecting our planet.

Add these feeds to your homepage:

• Grist -Environmental news and commentary.
• LighterFootstep -Lead a lighter, more sustainable lifestyle.
• MetaEfficient -The Optimal Green Guide
• Treehugger -The leading media outlet dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream.

Search with:

• Blackooogle -A minimal black Google search engine that saves electricity.

Sign up with:

• MakeMeSustainable -Online tools to help become a more environmentally conscious and efficient individual or business.
• New American Dream -Online tools and tips for living consciously and buying wisely.

Visit these websites:

• The Home Energy Saver -Web based do-it-yourself energy audit tool.
• The Freecycle Network -Nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns and thus keeping good stuff out of landfills.
• Opt-Out -Get off junk mailing lists

Download this software:

• GreenPrint -Print management software that eliminates unwanted pages; saving time, money and trees!

Additionally:

• Surf with a laptop -laptops use substantially less energy than desktops
• Enable energy management on your computer -Learn how- from ENERGY STAR
• Be sure to purchase ENERGY STAR qualified computers and monitors

Just in case you have missed the news… The ROTHBURY FESTIVAL is coming July 3rd-6th to the Double JJ Ranch in Rothbury, Michigan.

This festival is about more than just music including:

• The Think Tank -which will address the topic of Finding Energy Independence.
• An Energy Fair
• New World Cabaret
• A Yoga Program -with instructors Vanessa Lee and Ian Lopatin.
• A Food Drive -with an attempt to set a new world record in the Guinness Book of World Records for the ‘World’s Largest Canned Food Sculpture.

LET’S SAVE THE WORLD

ROTHBURY is dedicated to throwing a HUGE party… with a purpose. This July 4th weekend, ROTHBURY emerges as a new American celebration where music and cause join together to stir ideas, to awaken possibilities, and to empower through knowledge. And yeah, to have the time of our lives.

Our theme is Finding Energy Independence. ROTHBURY is guided by a bold environmental sustainability mission.”

A partial lineup of musicians:

• Dave Matthews Band
• Widespread Panic
• John Mayer
• 311
• Phil Lesh and Friends
• Primus
• Thievery Corporation
• Snoop Dogg
• Modest Mouse

View the entire lineup

Tickets are on sale now Be sure to purchase a ‘green ticket’ (an additional $3) to help with carbon offsetting for the festival.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this unique experience.