Friday, April 24, 2009

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

Friday, April 17, 2009

Cavendish Update 4/17/09 Earth Week Schedule

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 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Chester union school budget heads back to voters
2. Cavendish Earth Week

1. Chester union school budget heads back to voters
Rutland Herald April. 13 2009 By Josh O'Gorman
CHESTER — Residents within the Green Mountain Union High School District will have another opportunity to approve or defeat its budget.

During Thursday night's meeting, the Board voted unanimously to adopt a budget of $5,508,073 for fiscal year 2009-10, which is identical to the current budget.

In March, residents defeated a proposed budget of $5,596,902, an increase of $88,829 or 1.6 percent. While residents in Cavendish approved the budget, residents in Andover and Chester did not and the budget was defeated by a 94-vote margin, 519 to 425.

Board Chairman William Bourque said the $88,829 in reductions will come from savings from a new fuel oil contract and cuts in maintenance, foodservice and long-term substitute teachers. While the board did not have exact amounts for those cuts Thursday night, they will be available prior to the budget information meeting at 7 p.m. May 4 in the school auditorium.

Residents will vote on the budget the following day, May 5.

Board members said the defeat of the budget had less to do with the amount of the budget than hard feelings toward the school.

"There's poisoned information, bad information, that people are spreading about the school," said board member Arunas Jonynas.

One audience member recounted an information meeting in Andover in which people were citing statistics about the school that were five to 10 years old.

The board will apparently take a similar approach to the vote as the Springfield School District is taking next Tuesday. The board discussed mailing an informational postcard to voters, as well as telephoning voters to target those who did not vote in March.

Board Vice Chairwoman Alison DesLauriers was confident Thursday the cuts will convince voters to pass the budget.

"It would be unbelievable to me to put out a level budget and not have it pass," she said.

Board member John Colemen said the budget had a greater chance of passing than it did on Town Meeting Day, when residents went to the polls to vote on items not related to the school.

2. Cavendish Earth Week
Earth Day is April 22 (Wednesday). In keeping with this event, a number of businesses and organizations in Cavendish have been working since January to bring a full week of sustainable living and renewable energy workshops to Cavendish. All of the activities are free and will be held at the Cavendish Town Elementary School in Proctorsville, with the exception of kite flying/Skystream on Wednesday afternoon and the Sustainable Living House Tour on Sunday. In addition, the Cavendish Update will be running a series of articles next week that tie in with the workshops. Below is a schedule of events

April 20 (Monday): Depression Era Sustainable Housekeeping Tips (Clean Green for Cheap) Sponsor Cavendish Historical Society 6:30-8 PM. FMI: 802-226-7807

April 21 (Tuesday): Patrick Parenteau, Professor of Law and Senior Counsel in the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic of the Vermont Law School, will speak on the impact of climate change in Vermont. Sponsor Cavendish Community & Conservation Association (CCCA) 6:30-8 :00 PM FMI: 802-226-7093

April 22 (Wednesday): Earth Day -Windy Wednesday Celebrate all things related to wind power. Kite flying and demonstration of various wind devices, including a Skystream. 1-3 pm at Fletcher Field off of Route 103 in Proctorsville/Ludlow. In the event of bad weather, the Skystream will be parked at the Cavendish Solar Store on Route 131 in Cavendish.
• Sustainable Energy Panel Sponsor Cavendish Solar Store. 6:30-8 PM FMI: 802-226-7093

April 23 (Thursday): Gardening, composting, recycling and local foods. Sponsor Cavendish Community & Conservation Association (CCCA) 6:30-8 PM FMI: 802-226-7093

April 24 (Friday): Movie Night-The 11th Hour Sponsor Cavendish Fletcher Community Library 6:30-8 PM FMI: 802-226-7093

April 25 (Saturday): Sustainable living in Cavendish
• Sustainable building and landscaping with Calabrese Architects. Bring your questions, including photographs.
• Tax Incentives for sustainable living and renewable energy
• Group Net Metering.
• Sustainable Living Vendor display
• Food by WAWWE
Sponsored by USA Solar Store, Cavendish Community & Conservation Association, Cavendish Historical Society, Calabrese Architects, and Cavendish Solar Store. 10-2 pm at the Cavendish Elementary School. FMI: 802-226-7093

April 26 (Sunday): Sustainable Living House Tour. Meet at the Cavendish Solar Store on route 131 in Cavendish at 1 pm. Please carpool where possible. 802-226-7093

Friday, April 10, 2009

Cavendish Update 14/10/09 SB/Energy/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 4/10/09 Cavendish Update Contains:
1. Select Board Meeting Agenda for 4/13/09
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Cavendish Resident Cycling Cross Country
4. Vermont Incentives for Renewable Energy
5. Cavendish Community Garden
6. Windsor Southwest Preschool Collaborative Application Guidelines
7. Events

1. Select Board Meeting Agenda 4/13/09
The Cavendish Select Board will meet on April 13 at 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Hall. The agenda will include the following:
• Update on water filtration project construction progress.
• Follow-up from last meeting on vacant positions and confirmation of appointment of Ginny Garrow as Lister until next town meeting election.
• Follow-up on the Southern Loop/Coolidge Connector Project and the related discussion last meeting.
• Town Manager to discuss developments and activities pertaining to the Proctorsville Curb and Sidewalk Project including bid openings for Construction Inspector/Clerk of the Works and Construction General Contractor.
• Updates on various Town activities including town highway spring (mud season) maintenance.
• Discuss the idea of an identity theft prevention policy.
• Review correspondence from the Springfield Regional Development Corporation regarding the current CEDS (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy) and discuss desired feedback to SRDC.

2. Cavendish Related News

• Ludlow Sets Meeting on Fast Food Proposal:

• With Just a Little Hard Work, Dreams Really Do Come True

3. Cavendish Resident Cycling Across the US
Since March 5, Nancy Kelly, a Cavendish resident, has been cycling across the southern part of the United States to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research. Having departed from San Diego, she’s now in Texas. You can follow Kelly’s travels via her blog site http://nancybikeride.blogspot.com/. The “dead animal hotel,” complete with pictures, must have been interesting. While we’re slogging through mud season, which Nancy was quite happy to miss, she is stopping at Dairy Queens, eating absolutely decadent desserts for lunch, and yes, apple pie and coffee count as lunch. With each blog entry, she provides stats on how far she’s ridden and her daily food intake. . This past Sunday, Nancy’s stats were as follows: Bike stats: 91.28 miles (no - I didn't take any shortcuts); 7 hrs. 24 minutes ride time, 1,126 total trip miles. However, the last few days have not been too rosy. There’s a taco place down there that probably should be avoided.

4. Vermont Incentives for Renewable Energy
If you want to know more about Vermont Incentives packages for renewable energy, go to http://www.revermont.org/incentives.php During Cavendish Earth Week, April 20-26, you can learn more about different ways to reduce energy costs. At the Saturday Conference, 9:30-2pm at the Cavendish Elementary School, there will be a number of displays with specific presentations on group net metering and tax incentives. For Earth Day, April 22, a Skystream wind turbine will be set up at Fletcher Field from 1-3 pm. In case of inclement weather, the turbine will be in front of the Cavendish Solar Store on Rt. 131 in Cavendish.

5. Cavendish Community Garden
The Cavendish Community Garden, sponsored by the CCCA, is preparing for its second season with some exciting changes. We will be offering sections for people who would like to develop their own garden and a larger area for those that would like to work in a group. We are also planning to participate in the “grow a row” programs at the Cavendish Elementary School and Black River Good Neighbors. If you would like to be part of the Community Garden please call Sandra Russo at 226-7398 or e-mail at sandra.russo@yahoo.com

6. Windsor Southwest Preschool Collaborative Application Guidelines
The Windsor Southwest Preschool Collaborative is now accepting applications for their publicly funded preschool program, which includes Stepping Stones Preschool in Proctorsville. FMI: 226- 7760

What is publicly funded prekindergarten education?: Ten hours per week of developmentally appropriate early development and learning experiences that are based on Vermont’s Early Learning Standards.

Children who reside in the towns served by the WSWSU and are between the ages of three-five are eligible. Pre-kindergarten education is limited to the academic year (September 2009-June 2010).

Where are these publicly funded prekindergarten programs? The Windsor Southwest Supervisory Union’s publicly funded prekindergarten programs are located in community private early care and education programs that meet specific quality standards. The community early care and education programs that Windsor Southwest Supervisory Union partners with are:
§ The Little School in Weston
§ West River Montessori School in S. Londonderry
§ Stepping Stones Preschool in Cavendish
§ Chester Community Preschool in Chester

Is this 10-hour/week pre-kindergarten program tuition free?: Yes. Preschools that partner with the Windsor Southwest Preschool Collaborative may not charge families for the 10 hour/week program. Families will be charged fully for whatever care and education program the child needs beyond the 10 hours/week during the academic year.
Is my child eligible for publicly funded prekindergarten? If your child is 3 years old by September 1, 2009 and resides in Andover, Baltimore, Cavendish, Chester, Landgrove, Londonderry, Peru or Weston your child is eligible to participate.
Please Note: If we receive more applications than we have funding to support, then we will need to use a random selection process to determine which children receive publicly funded prekindergarten education. We will inform parents whether their child has a slot by May 15, 2009.

How do I apply? Complete an application form. Forms maybe found locally at CTES, Fletcher Library, WSWSU central office and Stepping Stones Preschool. Applications must be received in the Preschool Collaborative office by April 30th in order to be considered. Late applications may not be eligible for tuition assistance.

7. Community Events
Week of April 13: Book Fair at the Cavendish Library

April 16 (Thursday): Community Luncheon at St. James Methodist Church in Proctorsville.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Cavendish Update 4/1/09 Calendar/Wish List

The Calendar issue of the Cavendish Update is made possible by the Cavendish Historical Society www.cavendishhistory.org

The 4/1/09 Cavendish Update Contains
1. April Calendar
2. Stepping Stones Preschool Wish List

1. April Calendar
April 1 (Wednesday): Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office in Cavendish. FMI: 226:7291

April 2 (Thursday): GMUHS Board Meeting, 7 pm at the High School
• Sit & Knit" at the Six Loose Ladies yarn shop, Pollard Building, Proctorsville Green, 2:00 -9:00 PM. Open to knitters, spinners, crocheters, hookers. Free. FMI: 226-7373
• Feldenkrais workshop, 6:00 pm in Ludlow. Discounts for Cavendish/Proctorsville residents. FMI: 226-7783

April 4 (Saturday): Free Dinner and a Movie, Titanic, 1 pm at the Cavendish Library. This program was made possible by a grant from the Cavendish Community Fund.

April 9 (Thursday): Sit & Knit" at the Six Loose Ladies yarn shop, Pollard Building, Proctorsville Green, 2:00 -9:00 PM. Open to knitters, spinners, crocheters, hookers. Free. FMI: 226-7373
• Feldenkrais workshop, 6:00 pm in Ludlow. Discounts for Cavendish/Proctorsville residents. FMI: 226-7783

April 13 (Monday): Cavendish Historical Society’s Board Meeting, 3 pm at the Cavendish Library. FMI: 226-7807 or margoc@tds.net
• Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm Cavendish Town Office. This is telecast on LPC-TV. FMI: 226-7292

April 16 (Thursday): Sit & Knit" at the Six Loose Ladies yarn shop, Pollard Building, Proctorsville Green, 2:00 -9:00 PM. Open to knitters, spinners, crocheters, hookers. Free. FMI: 226-7373
• Feldenkrais workshop, 6:00 pm in Ludlow. Discounts for Cavendish/Proctorsville residents. FMI: 226-7783

Cavendish Earth Week-April 20 (Monday): Depression Era sustainable housekeeping tips (clean green for cheap) Sponsor Cavendish Historical Society 6:30-8 PM at the Cavendish Elementary School. FMI: 802-226-7807

Cavendish Earth Week-April 21 (Tuesday): Patrick Parenteau, Professor of Law and Senior Counsel in the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic of the Vermont Law School, will speak on the impact of climate change in Vermont. Sponsor Cavendish Community & Conservation Association (CCCA) 6:30-8 PM at the Cavendish Elementary School. FMI: 802-226-7093

Cavendish Earth Week- April 22 (Wednesday): Earth Day -Windy Wednesday Celebrate all things related to wind power. Kite flying and demonstration of various wind devices, including a Skystream. 1-3 pm at Fletcher Field off of Route 103 in Proctorsville/Ludlow.
• Sustainable Energy Panel Sponsor Cavendish Solar Store. 6:30-8 PM at the Cavendish Elementary School. FMI: 802-226-7093

Cavendish Earth Week- April 23 (Thursday): Gardening, composting, recycling and local foods. Sponsor Cavendish Community & Conservation Association (CCCA) 6:30-8 PM at the Cavendish Elementary School. FMI: 802-226-7093
• Sit & Knit" at the Six Loose Ladies yarn shop, Pollard Building, Proctorsville Green, 2:00 -9:00 PM. Open to knitters, spinners, crocheters, hookers. Free. FMI: 226-7373
• Feldenkrais workshop, 6:00 pm in Ludlow. Discounts for Cavendish/Proctorsville residents. FMI: 226-7783

Cavendish Earth Week- April 24 (Friday): Movie Night-The 11th Hour Sponsor Cavendish Fletcher Community Library 6:30-8 PM at the Cavendish Elementary School. FMI: 802-226-7093

Cavendish Earth Week- April 25 (Saturday)
: Sustainable living in Cavendish Workshops on sustainable building, landscaping and energy. There will also be presentations on Tax Incentives and Group Net Metering. Vendors will be on site. Sponsored by Cavendish Solar Store, USA Solar Store, Cavendish Community & Conservation Association, Cavendish Historical Society, Calabrese Architects 10-2 pm at the Cavendish Elementary School. Food by WAWWE. FMI: 802-226-7093

Cavendish Earth Week- April 26 (Sunday): Sustainable Living House Tour. Meet at the Cavendish Solar Store in Cavendish. At 1 pm. Please carpool where possible. 802-226-7093

April 30 (Thursday): Sit & Knit" at the Six Loose Ladies yarn shop, Pollard Building, Proctorsville Green, 2:00 -9:00 PM. Open to knitters, spinners, crocheters, hookers. Free. FMI: 226-7373
• Feldenkrais workshop, 6:00 pm in Ludlow. Discounts for Cavendish/Proctorsville residents. FMI: 226-7783

2. Stepping Stones Preschool Wish List

If you can donate any of the following items, please contact Stepping Stones Preschool
3628 Route 103, Proctorsville, VT 05153 or 802-226-7760 or directorsspreschool@tds.net This is a 501 © 3 non profit organization, so donations are tax deductible.
• Office Supplies: HP Color LaserJet CP2025n Printer or HP Color LaserJet CP2025dn Printer ; scotch tape; masking tape; duct tape; File folders; copy paper; CD/Tape player
• Arts & Crafts Items: construction paper (all colors); glue; contact paper; washable paint (all colors)
• Food: flour; sugar; cornmeal; cornstarch; food coloring; salt; eggs; hot chocolate mix
• Books: Bird Identification; tree identification
• Other: bird feeder food; trash bags; nitrate gloves; washing machine; kid’s snow shovels; mittens; children’s snowshoes; tissues; Rubber playground mulch; playground balls; Wooden Peg Rack (for clothing); White Latex Paint for the outdoor fence
• Gift Certificates to area stores (e.g. Walmart, Market Basket, Shaw’s, Staples, Michael’s) for purchase of needed items.
• Donations can be targeted for specific funds- operating; capital campaign, playground