Ojai Valley Green Coalition

Healthy Home Solutions

2008-07-02T17:17:23Z

SOLUTIONS TO CREATE A HEALTHY HOME: New Construction & Remodels Utilizing Healthy & Sustainable Building Techniques & Materials. Jon Cotham, Environmental Inspector, Bau-Biologist, BBEI, and Licensed General Building Contractor will explore what it means to utilize sustainable, eco-friendly, and non-toxic building practices and materials in the construction of your home. The German term "Bau-Biologie" means "building biology" and is the scientific study of building environments and the positive or negative impact buildings have on human health. According to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report, The Inside Story, "a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within our homes can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air of even the largest, most industrialized cities." While much has been written about the detrimental effects of asbestos, lead, radon, cigarette smoke, and other highly publicized indoor environmental hazards, Jon Cotham will discuss the primary sources of indoor air pollution that are associated with common household products, current building practices and materials, as well as standard ventilation systems. Jon Cotham combines his Bau-Biologie training, expertise, and state of the art equipment with his 17 years of experience in the construction business to bring you practical solutions to create a healthy home and work environment for you and your family.

June e-Newsletter

2008-06-17T19:50:10Z

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'What Goes Around, Comes Around'

2008-06-11T23:45:14Z

Join the Waste Management Committee for its neighborhood presentation about recycling and consumerism on Thursday June 26th, 7pm, Chaparral Auditorium 414 E. Ojai Ave.

Peak Oil and a Regional Energy Summit

2008-06-09T21:09:42Z

With regular unleaded fuel in Ojai over $4.25 per gallon and a barrel of oil at $135, a record high, peak oil is on many people's mind. Our friends at the Santa Barbara based Community Environmental Council sponsored a half day Tri-County Energy Summit for Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties today in Santa Barbara. The 150 attendees were community activists, non-profit representatives, business leaders, city planners, elected city/county officials, and other governmental employees. I went as a representative of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition. Read the full article with links Here

Ojai Reads Panelists Identified

2008-06-07T00:23:43Z

Kenley Neufeld, Chairman of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition Transportation Committee has announced panelists for the ‘Ojai Reads’ book discussion gathering on June 10th, 7 pm at the Ojai Library. Lester Brown’s book, Plan B 3.0, will be the first in a series of books whose subject matter centers on the environment. A discussion by expert panelists will be followed by small discussion groups facilitated by discussion leaders. Panelist Todd Cossairt is the Director of Sustainability at Besant Hill School. He is developing and implementing a collaborative community sustainability general plan, integrating 500 acres of developed and preserved open space at the school. Panelist Warren Brush is a Certified Permaculture Designer and co-founder of the Quail Springs Learning Oasis and Permaculture Farm in the Cuyama Valley. Panelist Geoff Wardle is an automotive engineer and designer. As director of Advanced Mobility Research for the Art Center College of Design, he is interested in the future of transportation and complex systems. This new collaborative community reading program is also sponsored by the Ojai Valley Library Friends and Foundation, the Ojai Library, and Local Hero Books. The reading period began on April 13th and will go through June 10th. The book is available at the Ojai Library for borrowing and at the Local Hero bookstore in the Arcade for a discounted price of $15. A free ‘Ojai Reads’ bookmark is available at both locations. The book can also be downloaded for free at the Earth Policy Institute, http://www.earthpolicy.org. For more information, contact the Ojai Valley Green Coalition at contactcommunications@ojaivalleygreencoaltion.com or call the Coalition at 653-8445.

Help Ojai Households Lose 5,000 Pounds!

2008-06-01T23:04:40Z

Ojai Valley Green Coalition member Caryn Bosson is forming a ‘Low-Carbon Diet’ group in the Ojai Valley. This “30 day program to lose 5,000 lbs” is based on the 'Low Carbon Diet' workbook which was distributed at Supervisor Steve Bennett’s Valley-wide discussions last year. Bosson cites these statistics: The typical American household generates 55,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide annually. Taken collectively, U.S. households directly produce about 8% of the planet's CO2 emissions, and through our purchases we are indirectly responsible for another 17%. By contrast, the typical German household contributes 27,000 lbs. and the average Swedish household's contribution is only 15,000 lbs. The Low Carbon Diet program uses proven methodology grounded in extensive research. It involves households joining with other households to first measure their carbon footprint and then support each other in taking specific, measurable actions to reduce this footprint. According to Bosson “This could be something that educates and inspires our entire community and sets the stage for larger actions in the future.” Click ‘Contact Us’ and mention 'Low Carbon Diet' in the subject line to join a small group that will explore the ‘Low Carbon Diet’ and turn your concern about global warming into specific, measurable action. For further information on the program visit www.empowermentinstitute.net.

Committee Presentations

2008-06-01T22:08:06Z

The Ojai Valley Green Coalition is proud to announce our ongoing monthly presentations. The meetings will all be on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7:00pm. We hope our neighbors will attend these informational presentations about how we can each work toward our mission of creating a model green and sustainable community. Please join us to learn and meet others in the valley who are working toward greening Ojai. All of these programs will be presented at the Chaparral High School Auditorium, 414 E. Ojai Ave. next to the City's Park and Ride lot. Event flyer is - HERE Thursday July 24- 'Healthy Home Solutions' presented by the Building and Construction Committee. Thursday August 28- 'Rainwater Harvesting' presented by the Watershed Committee.

June Committee Meeting Canceled

2008-05-30T14:48:51Z

Our regularly scheduled Transportation Committee meeting has been canceled for June. It was scheduled for Monday, June 2 but has been postponed until Monday, July 7. Don't forget about the Ojai Reads event taking place on June 10 at the Ojai Library (7pm).

Medical Waste Options for the Ojai Valley

2008-05-29T07:52:34Z

Needle (sharps) Disposal: Used sharps should never be placed loosely in the trash or flushed down the toilet. Doing so, increases the risk of accidental exposure for sanitation and sewage treatment workers, janitors, and your family. Both the Ojai Valley Hospital and Oak View Family Practice have needle take-back programs. An appointment is needed at the hospital. Needle disposal is under the jurisdiction of the Ventura County Environmental Health Division . For more information contact Brandy Starjack at 805-654-5007. Old prescriptions are hazardous waste: It is no longer recommended that households flush even small quantities of household medicines down the drain. Some medicines can disrupt or destroy the useful microorganisms in the sewage treatment system and/or may pass through the system intact and potentially contaminate downstream water resources. Old medications are considered hazardous wastes and must be disposed of accordingly. The Ventura County Pollution Prevention Center accepts old medications which do not contain Controlled Substances on an appointment basis. Controlled substances must be disposed of in the trash, but it is strongly recommended that these medications be made unusable prior to disposal*. To make an appointment to drop off unwanted medication at the Pollution Prevention Center, call (805) 658-4323. *Some suggestions:for destabilizing medications prior to disposal: Dissolve in salt water and put back in the bottle. Crush tablets and mix with food waste not composting Though not officially supported, they can be added to oil base paints going to the hazardous waste center which get incinerated. DO NOT FLUSH ANYTHING DOWN TOILET OR SINK For more information contact Melissa Hernandez at 805-662-6582. Ask your pharmacy to start a take-back program for medications: Ojai Village Pharmacy takes all meds back. Ojai Hospital takes all meds back at the front desk. Medicine Shoppe – no program Rexall - no program Rite-Aide - no program More information can be found at by clicking here.

Communication and Publicity Meeting Minutes-May 08

2008-05-15T22:41:51Z

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Green Team Volunteers Needed for Ojai Music Festival

2008-05-15T18:33:58Z

This year the Ojai Music Festival is greening its time-honored annual event by minimizing landfill waste and the use of fossil fuels while promoting environmentally friendly actions. Now in its 62nd year, the Festival is selecting foods and merchandise produced with minimal environmental impact by local farmers and merchants. Part of the plan is a “Green Team” of about 10 volunteers of all ages per concert session. In return for your participation, you’ll receive a concert T-shirt and pair of concert tickets. The Festival needs folks in three areas: • to operate the Zero Waste Stations, assisting concertgoers in sorting their trash into the appropriate bins • to fill and refill concertgoers’ water bottles for free at the Water Stations • to serve as valets at the free, gated Bike and Stroller Valet Area For the Zero Waste Stations, the shift hours will be: 6/5, Thurs., 4-6 p.m. set-up 6/5, Thurs., 7 p.m. -10 p.m. (You’ll get to listen to the concert, as there will be no activity during performances—only before, during intermission, and after) 6/6, Fri., 7 p.m. -10 p.m. 6/7, Sat., 10 p.m. – 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. 6/8, Sun., 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. -8 p.m. 6/8, Sun., 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. breakdown The shifts for the Water Stations and the Bike and Stroller Valet Area will be the same, but will start and end a half hour earlier. To join the Green Team contact Deborah at coordinator@ojaivalleygreencoalition.com

May e-Bulletin

2008-05-15T11:26:16Z

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Welcome to the Ojai Valley Green Coalition

2008-05-08T16:34:59Z

The Ojai Valley Green Coalition is a gathering of residents and friends of the Ojai Valley actively working together to create an environmentally sustainable community in Ojai. In the spirit of "think globally, act locally," we exist to educate ourselves and others about ecological issues; to promote sustainable practices to our local businesses and organizations; to advocate environmental responsibility as a priority to our elected officials; and to bring green consciousness into our lives and our homes. With over 400 members (and counting), we welcome your comments, suggestions, involvement in any of our special committees, or attendance at one of our scheduled events. With a greener Ojai we contribute to a greener, healthier and more equitable world!

What is a Watershed?

2008-05-08T16:18:30Z

Thursday May 22 - 'What is a Watershed: An intoduction to the Ventura River presented by the Watershed committee. For additional info contact Paul: 648-4005 or pjenkin@sbcglobal.net.

New Donor Program

2008-05-02T00:05:30Z

Think globally, but act locally. Contributions to The Ojai Valley Green Coalition will make a difference right here in the Ojai Valley. The new OVGC donor program puts your money to work here where you live.