Cavendish Update 4/24/09 Earth Week/News

This issue of the Cavendish Update is made possible by the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association (CCCA), a non-profit membership organization that is dedicated to the conservation of land and natural resources and to the preservation of historic sites within the context of sustainable economic growth. FMI: PO Box 605, Cavendish VT 05142 or 802-226-7736

The 4/24/09 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Cavendish Earth Week Continues-Resource Information
2. BRGN to Hold Rummage Sale
3. Cavendish in the News

1. Cavendish Earth Week Continues
Earth Week continues with the showing of “The 11th Hour,” staring Leonardo DiCapria, this evening, Friday, at 6:30 pm at the Cavendish School. On Saturday, there will be a series of workshops and vendors from 10-2 at the school. Workshops will be on sustainable building and landscaping, tax incentives and group net metering. Food will be provided by WAWWE and there will be ample time to meet with vendors to explore various aspects of sustainable living and renewable energy. Handouts from the various presentations held during the week will also be available. On Sunday, there will be a guided tour of sustainable homes in the Cavendish area. Those interested in participating need to be at the Cavendish Solar Store on RT 131 at 1 pm.

Below is information relating to the various workshops held during Earth Week:

Sustainable Household Tips from the 1930’s (Green Clean for Cheap)
Handout is available in PDF format by e-mailing margoc@tds.net

• The Vinegar Institute

• Planet Green (Treehugger) :

• Consumers Report

• Greening Clean Net

Patrick Parenteau
• About Parenteau:

• Vermont Law School’s Environmental Law Center:

• EPA Clears Way for Greenhouse Gas Rules (New York Times 4/17/09)

• EPA Preliminary Analysis of the Waxman-Markey Discussion Draft: The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 in the 111th Congress 4/20/09

• 2009 US Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report: Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990-2007 (April 2009)

• What You Can Do: EPA Website: This site provides over 25 easy steps you can take to not only reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, but also reduce air pollution, increase the nation's energy independence and save money.

Renewable Energy
• Efficiency Vermont: Provides technical assistance and financial incentives to Vermont households and businesses, to help them reduce their energy costs with energy-efficient equipment and lighting and with energy-efficient approaches to construction and renovation.

• Home Energy Audits:

• Energy Audits

• SEVCA Weatherization Program: This is an income driven program with a waiting list.

• Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency: Includes tax credits for consumers and commercial. Credits are available for windows and doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC, water heaters (non solar), biomass stoves as well as for renewable energy resources such as geothermal heat pumps, solar panels, solar water heaters, small wind energy systems and fuel cells.

• Skystream Compact Wind Turbine

• Renewable Energy Basics: Includes solar, wind, biomass, hydrogen, geothermal, ocean, hydropower.

• USA Solar Store:

• Vermont Foam Insulation:

Gardening, composting, recycling and local foods.
• Cavendish Community Garden: If you are interested in being part of a group garden, have your own garden or would like to benefit from the produce but are unable to garden, please contact Sandra Russo at sandra.russo@yahoo.com

• Cavendish Elementary School’s Farm to School Program: This program is looking for volunteers to “grow a row;” help with the summer garden at the school; help with the harvest; and assist the school cafeteria staff with food preparation. The following seed packets are available for free: Peppers, cantaloupe, tomato, corn, cucumber, radishes (3 varieties), arugula, Nasturtium, cinnamon basil, lima beans, string beans, wax beans, turnips, squash, pumpkins, broccoli, carrots, Swiss chard, spinach, and kale. Seed packets will be at the Saturday workshop or can be obtained by contacting Sarah Stowell 802-226-7439 or sarastowell@tds.net

• Cavendish Transfer Station has a textile station. This is where you can recycle ripped and stained clothes, sheets, shoes etc. SVECA collects the textiles and sells them to a distributor. The money collected helps them run a number of programs in Cavendish and surrounding communities. If the clothing is in good repair, recycle it at Black River Good Neighbors in Ludlow.

• Free Household Hazardous Waste Collections will be on Saturday May 9 at the Springfield Recycling Center from 9-12. FMI: 802-674-9235.

• Vermont Solid Waste District

The 11th Hour: Will be shown on 4/24, Friday at the Cavendish School at 6:30 pm.
The film can be borrowed from the Cavendish Library.


Saturday Workshops: Will be held on Saturday 4/25 from 10-2 at the Cavendish School
• Calabrese Architects: Sustainable Landscaping/sustainable building

• Vermont Net Metering:

• Tax Incentives: See links under Renewable Energy

2. BRGN to Hold Rummage Sale
Black River Good Neighbor Services is holding a huge Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 15, 16 & 17 from 10am until 4pm. All monies raised will help cover utilities/fuel cost, food and rent assistance for those who qualify and live in Ludlow, Mt. Holly, Proctorsville, Cavendish and Plymouth. Here is what you can do to help:

• Bring donations itto Fletcher Farm’s Barn located at 611 Route 103 S, between Tuesday May 12th and Thursday May 14th between the hours of 11am to 3pm.
• Volunteers are needed to move items from the Thrift Shop on Main Street to Fletcher Farm and to help work the sale as well as setup, so please come and help.
• There will be a table selling baked goods. So, if you can bake an item to donate for selling please do so. This proved to be a very popular addition last fall.

FMI: 802-228-3663 BRGNS@tds.net

3. Cavendish in the News
Cavendish to Celebrate Earth Week

Firm eyes N. Springfield hydro-power possibilities