Great EcoParents Book Party...thanks!

Thanks to everyone who helped make last night's book signing party a great success! What LOCAL fun! A local author, a local artist, a local new gallery, local cheese from our local co-op, and great local friends!!

Thanks again to Linden Hills Co-op for donating all of the food, and to Michelle at Galleri M who opened her brand new gallery to us last night! What a beautiful space in our neighborhood!

For those who missed out, the book Practically Green: Your Guide to Eco-friendly Decision Making can be found at Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.com...and at the Bibelot Shoppes! It's really a great resource book, packed full of very accessible information, resources and ideas. Check it out...and don't forget to check out the Mindful Momma blog!

Congrats also to fellow EcoParent Susan for having her gorgeous hand-felted artwork displayed at Galleri M!

What a confluence of great local women-centered talent!!

Book Party THIS WEDNESDAY

Instead of a regular meeting in Nov/Dec, EcoParents is HAVING A PARTY! A book party to be more precise!

Held in the soon-to-be opened, woman & locally-owned Galleri M, with local food donated by the Linden Hills Co-op, it promises to be a great night out!

Practically Green: Your Guide to Eco-Friendly Decision Making
Wed, Dec 2, 7-9 pm
Galleri M, 4404 Abbott Ave S, Mpls

Local green blogger and author Micaela Preston will highlight some great eco-ideas from her brand new book, Practically Green, as well as lead us through a fun make-and-take project!

And did I mention free sustainably-produced wine??

Free wine, free food, free eco-project, and lots of great ideas! Can it get any better??

Micaela will happily sign any books purchased at the party. Makes a great holiday gift for a fellow eco-savvy parent...or yourself!

Hope to see you there! Please RSVP to ecoparents@lindenhills.org if you think you'll try to make it (for planning purposes). Thanks.

Lead STILL found in major brand toys!

The Center for Environmental Health just reported that high levels of lead were found in seven toys and children's products, despite the passage of a new federal law! Among those with excessive levels of lead are a Mattel Barbie bicycle accessory set and a Disney "Tinker Bell" necklace set.

So, it is important for us all to remember that even with new federal law on the books, there are still unsafe toys - major brands, at major retailers, not just 'made in China off-brands' - out there! The products were purchased from San Francisco area and San Diego retailers, including Target, WalMart, TJ Maxx, Tuesday Morning, Sears, Walgreens and other stores this fall.

In addition to the Mattel and Disney products, CEH found levels of lead in violation of the new federal law in a Dora the Explorer game set, two children's shoes, a child's poncho, and a child's belt. Of the seven products CEH found with high lead levels, the Disney jewelry and Mattel bike set had the highest lead levels. The amount of lead found in the seven products ranged from twice the legal limit of 300 parts per million (ppm) to more than 65 times the legal limit.

Results of tests by CEH and other organizations are available at Healthy Toys (www.healthytoys.org). Healthy Toys also maintains a searchable database for children's products...definitely worth consulting as we enter the holiday season. But what to do when you're out and about shopping and unsure about a certain toy??

Did you know you can access the HealthyStuff database by SMS using your mobile phone??

Simply text the HealthyStuff keyword (cars, kids, clothes, pets, toys), followed by your search text (e.g., fisher price train) to 30644. Queries can contain product names, model years, manufacturers. You may also filter your results by overall level of detection and/or score (HIGH,MED,LOW). More info available here.

You can also access HealthyStuff's mobile sites from any web-enabled device such as iPhone, Blackberry, etc... Simply point your device to www.healthystuff.com!

Click here for the full report from the Center for Environmental Health (pdf).

See a report from CBS News about the most recent report about lead in children's products:
Watch CBS News Videos Online

Green Gifts Fair - THIS SAT, Nov 21, 10am-5pm @ Midtown Global Market

Kick off the holiday season with Do It Green! Minnesota's free 4th Annual Green Gifts Fair this Saturday, November 21st from 10am-5pm at the Midtown Global Market on Lake St. and 10th Ave. in Minneapolis.

Shop among 70+ local, eco-friendly artists and businesses, pick up the new 2010 edition of Do It Green! Magazine, catch the low carbon cook-off, an eco fashion show, children's activities, and learn how to entertain green this holiday season. This is a free family fun event. Estimated attendance is 6,000+.

Activities at the Green Gifts Fair include...
* 70 + local green retailers
* Launch of the 2010 Do It Green! Magazine (which includes an article on EcoParents!!!)
* Taste test at the Low Carbon Cook Off with local chefs
* Sew your own reusable cloth gift bag
* Kids can make a recycled origami decorative ornament
* International Food Market vendors
* Eco Fashion Show
* Local holiday foods cooking tips, demos and recipes
* Keeping a non-toxic and clean house during the holidays
* Low Waste Oasis on hosting green holiday gatherings
* Eco holiday tree displays

Click here for more information and to view all vendor & educational booths.

EcoParents Book Party - Wed, Dec 2

EcoParents is having a BOOK PARTY!

Practically Green: Your Guide to Eco-Friendly Decision Making
sponsored by Linden Hills EcoParents, Galleri M, and Linden Hills Co-op

Wednesday, December 2
7:00-9:00 pm
Galleri M, 4404 Abbott Ave S (in former Hariann's Upholstery shop)

Kick off the holidays with a fun book party featuring local green blogger and author Micaela Preston. Micaela will highlight some great eco-ideas from her brand new book, Practically Green, as well as lead us through a fun make-and-take project!

Held in the soon-to-be opened, woman & locally-owned Galleri M, with local food donated by the Linden Hills Co-op, it promises to be a great night out! Sustainably produced wine will be available as well!

Join us for a fun time to hear from a great local eco-savvy author AND discover a new local business in the neighborhood. EcoParents is happy to introduce you to both the author and to Galleri M!

Please RSVP to ecoparents@lindenhills.org by Monday, Nov 30. See you there!

Feel free to forward on to other friends or neighbors who may be interested!

Million Baby Crawl to Action - Southdale, Nov 18

The Million Baby Crawl to Action is coming to Edina on Wednesday, November 18th and they need parents and their babies (or toddlers) to participate in a press conference that day.

A coalition of organizations is trying to get 20 parents and their children to attend a press event at 10:50 AM. There will be a spokesperson so parents don’t have to worry about speaking to the press. (If you are interested in participating in the press conference, contact Kim LaBo at klabo@cleanwater.org)

Crawl to Action
Southdale Center
November 18, 2009, 10am-2pm

WHO: Healthy Legacy Coalition, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, Seventh Generation

WHAT: Seventh Generation along with Healthy Legacy is launching the Million Baby Crawl to Action to send 1,000,000 babies to Washington DC to push for reform of the outdated and ineffective Toxic Substance Control Act so that we are all protected from harmful toxins. Events will be happening throughout the day so bring your kids to have some fun!


Crawl to Action events include:

• Crawl to Action Rally at 11:00 AM featuring appearance by local dignitaries, politicians and celebrities
• Crawl to the Capitol play area: children crawl for change as they navigate an obstacle course leading towards a large visual of the Capitol with babies receiving an “I demand a change” bib
• Free family-friendly entertainment, plus t-shirt and onesie giveaways
• Soapbox Photo Opp: Opportunity for babies to “take a stand” and be photographed on a Million Baby Crawl “soapbox.”
• All children will receive a “Say no to toxins” flag
• Seasons of Change mural created by a local artist/muralist that reflects the number of children “crawling for change.” Mural will be donated to community.

Go Green Expo THIS WEEKEND

This weekend is the first ever "Go Green Expo" in Minneapolis. Friday is business-to-business events, but the business-to-consumer expo is Saturday and Sunday. Click here for a full schedule of events.

Go Green Expo
Minneapolis Convention Center
November 6-8, 2009

$10 for a full weekend pass
$5 for Students & Seniors with proper ID; Children 12 and under are Free

Buy your tickets in advance online here. Use the code FBK50 or TRIBUNE for 50% OFF the regular ticket price!! Also, when you register online, you are eligible to win a Vikings gift package that includes a signed Jared Allen jersey, a tour of the practice facility, Vikings apparel and more! (But as many of you know, I'm a Packer fan...so if you win, keep that stuff away from ME!)

Unfortunately, I will be out of town again this weekend, but let me know if you go and what fabulous information you discovered!!

LED Holiday Lights at Linden Hills Natural Home!

I just found out that Linden Hills Natural Home has LED holiday lights in stock this year! As you probably know, LED lights use a fraction of the electricity as traditional holiday lights. Consider making the switch this year...if you haven't already!

Thanks to Kerry at LH Natural Home for this update!

Recycle 2-liter bottle into a birdfeeder!

I came across this as an easy fun idea to recycle a 2-liter bottle into a bird feeder! It's an easy project to do it with your kids, and they can watch the birds visit the yard over the winter.

It's just $10 from Uncommon Goods, a neat company with a commitment to sustainably-produced gift items.

The End of Waste forum. RSVP deadline TODAY!

Here's the info on the EPR event mentioned at last night's EcoParents meeting. Deadline to RSVP is TODAY!!

Public Forum: The End of Waste
Saturday, October 3, 2009 7-9 p.m.
Macalester College, Smail Gallery (Olin-Rice Science Center)

"On Saturday October 3, Helen Spiegelman, a community activist and waste policy
analyst from Vancouver, British Columbia, will speak about the concept of Extended
Producer Responsibility (EPR). EPR is a critical component of the Zero Waste
movement that is revolutionizing waste policy by shifting the focus from waste management
to waste prevention. British Columbia has the most advanced EPR legislation
in North America, but their experience highlights the importance of full community
engagement if EPR is to achieve its potential. She and a panel of experienced community
activists will explore how citizens can effectively engage in the shift to EPR
and create a Zero Waste future."

PANELISTS:
• Helen Spiegelman, Product Policy Institute & Zero Waste Vancouver
• Susan Hubbard, Eureka Recycling
• Lynne Pledger, Don’t Waste Massachusetts
• Tim Smith, Initiative for Sustainable Enterprise, Institute on the Environment
• Kathleen Schuler, Healthy Legacy Coalition & Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy

Macalester College, Smail Gallery, Olin-Rice Science Center, 1600 Grand Avenue

*Please RSVP by September 30* to Jim Parker at jimp@eurekarecycling.org or 651-222-7678.

Learn more about producer responsibility in the Twin Cities at www.eurekarecycling.org.

Reminder: EcoParents Tomorrow Night (Tuesday)

Just a reminder:

Non-toxic Home Cleaning
Tuesday, Sept 29
6:30-8:30 pm
Linden Hills Park Building (43rd & Xerxes)

Bring a small lidded container if you want to make your own nontoxic soft scrub cleaner. We'll have all the ingredients available!

TWO GIFT BASKETS FOR GIVEAWAY

• Bucketful of Mrs. Meyers/Clean Day Nontoxic Products
• Linden Hills Natural Home - supplies for making your own cleaning products!

Hope to see you there!

Ordering sustainable seafood with confidence!

Last week, I had the good fortune of going out for a birthday dinner at Sea Change, the new restaurant at the Guthrie Theater, in the former Cue space. While this is not intended to be a restaurant review blog, I have to say that it was very very good! The design of the space is much brighter, more hip, and not as loud as when it was Cue. But the best part was being able to freely pick from the menu, knowing that the seafood on the menu was sustainably caught. I have always loved seafood...raw or cooked! But it has always been tricky to know what was ok to eat, both for environmental and health concerns, and what should be avoided.

Now...a restaurant that does the thinking for me! And nothing is sacrificed in terms of fine dining experience in exchange for being eco-friendly!

Of course, Sea Change is not the first nor only restaurant with a comitment to local or sustainable sourcing of its food. Lucia's, Spoonriver, Red Stag Supper Club, and many more are examples of other local fine dining establishments with such a focus, but Sea Change is (one of) the first such seafood places!

I ordered sturgeon, which I hadn't ordered in a long time because I thought it was a 'no-no'...and it was delicious!

Two other options for checking on your seafood choices when you're dining out (date night or Mom's Night Out):

• The Seafood Watch Guide from Monterey Bay Aquarium is available as a downloadable pocket guide to carry in your wallet, or a mobile application for iPhone or iPod touch! How cool is that?
• FishPhone from the Blue Ocean Institute will provide you with instant information about a seafood choice. Simply text "FISH" and the name of the fish in question to 30664 and they will text you back with their assessment and better alternatives to fish with significant environmental concerns! Blue Ocean’s Guide to Ocean Friendly Seafood is also available for online and for mobile users (different sites).

If you buy fish to eat at home, look for label from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). This international nonprofit organization uses independent certifying agencies to make sure fisheries are catching their fish in the most environmentally friendly way possible. The label now appears on more than 180 frozen, fresh, and smoked-fish products sold in grocery stores across the country, including Whole Foods and Target.

Organics Recycling Volunteer Opportunity at Lake Harriet Lower Campus

As you may know, Lake Harriet Community School's upper campus started organics recycling in the cafeteria last year. This year, they are planning to expand the program to the lower campus cafeteria. They are looking for volunteers to help the kids learn to separate organics from the rest of their lunch trash.

The time commitment is two lunch periods (11:15-1:35) per month.

If you can help, please contact Keren Price (kprice@pro-ns.net).

This is a fun and easy program that's a great way to encourage the next generation of recyclers!

Older SIGGs contain BPA in their liners!

In case you hadn't heard (it broke a few weeks ago when EcoParents was on vacation)...it turns out that SIGG water bottles made prior to August 2008 have BPA in the lining of the bottle! Boo. Yuck. BUT, SIGG maintains that there is no evidence that there is any leaching of BPA from the liner into the contents of the bottle. But, I for one, purchased SIGG bottles for my kids on the assumption that they were free of BPA completely.

The firestorm surround this discovery has rocked SIGG's reputation, for sure. SIGG'S CEO recently issued a letter addressing the controversy and announcing a voluntary exchange program.

Not sure if you have an 'old' SIGG bottle (with BPA in the liner) or a truly BPA-free one? Here's how to tell. Look inside your bottle,

• if the liner has a shiny, coppery-bronze finish, it's the OLD liner (on the right)
  

• if the inside has a dull yellow pale coating, it's their new "ecocare" liner (on the left)
  

Again, SIGG maintains that their old liner (used prior to August 2008) is a "proprietary water-based epoxy liner thoroughly tested and showed absolutely no leaching of BPA." But, the company also admits that it was less than forthright and clear in its communication and marketing of its bottles.

So, what to do??

• SIGG is offering a volunatary exchange program. You just have to pay for inbound shipping and SIGG will send you replacement bottles with their new EcoCare liner. (Note: they can't guarantee the exact same design, as their designs change from year-to-year.) Visit the exchange program website for details and to print off shipping labels. Exchange program is good through October 31 only.
• If you feel so burned by SIGG, there are other options for BPA-free and phalate-free reusable bottles. My understanding is that KleenKanteen, Thermos, and Safe Sporter are made from stainless steel, not aluminum, and therefore do not need a liner.
  
• There are also safe plastic options...HONEST! Check out the Safe Plastics Guide from IATP. Look for cups/bottles made from polypropylene or polyethylene. "Safe" plastics for food include #1, 2, 4 and 5. Avoid Polycarbonate, which is marked #7, although other non-polycarbonate are marked #7 as well (since #7 is 'other plastics').

On a personal note...as parents, all we can do is make the best decisions we can make with the information available at the time. If you, like me, have been using a SIGG bottle for the past few years to avoid BPA (as well as waste), I don't think it's worth beating yourself up! I actually trust SIGG when they say that the liners don't leach BPA. But, now knowing that they contain BPA, I will take advantage of the exchange program and get new BPA-free SIGG bottles for my family. (Heck, the lids needed replacing anyway...)

Southwest Light Rail Public Hearing this Thursday

Interested in hearing more about the proposed expansion of light rail to the southwest metro? The current proposal is to run from downtown to Eden Prairie, through St. Louis Park & Hopkins.

Southwest LRT Public Hearing
Thursday, September 17th 6:30pm
Eisenhower Community Center Theater
1001 Highway 7 Hopkins, MN 55305

To sign up to testify email swcorridor@co.hennepin.mn.us; sign up will also be available at the hearing. Comments will be limited to three minutes in length.

For more about the Southwest LRT project, visit www.southwesttransitway.org

Thanks to EcoParent Karen B for the heads-up on this meeting!! Post a comment with your thoughts, if you go!

Organic Bob TONIGHT - Start Next Year's Gardens Without Digging

Sorry for the late notice, but if you're free...here's a great FREE event for organic (and painless) gardening!

Start Next Year’s Gardens without Digging
Monday, September 14th, 7 – 8:30pm, Linden Hills Park Building Art Room.

Without digging, you say? Impossible! Organic Bob will give you a couple of methods of creating rich organic garden beds this fall, for next spring, without the back-breaking process of digging. Let the microbes do the work for you, for healthier soil and a healthier you.

These workshops are free, but e-mail Sharon Kennedy at lindenhillswater@gmail.com to register or with your questions. Cosponsored by the LHiNC Environment Committee Waterkeeper’s Project and the Linden Hills Co-op.

Non-toxic Home Cleaners - next EcoParents meeting!

Mark your calendars for our next EcoParents meeting!

Non-toxic Home Cleaning
Tuesday, September 29
6:30-8:30 pm
Linden Hills Park Building (43rd & Xerxes Ave S)

Come and learn from fellow EcoParent Evan all about alternatives to traditional around the house cleaners. Traditional cleaning products are typically filled with some pretty nasty chemicals. Evan will bring us a bunch of recipes that she has tested herself...along with her tips and stories!!

More info to come soon...but mark your calendar now!

We're baaaack!

Well, it's September...which means Linden Hills EcoParents is back, after taking August off. I still have the entire grant report to write, but will try to get the blog rolling again! And check back soon for updates on new meeting dates and topics.

In the meantime...mark your calendar for the next installment of the speaker series from Linden Hills Power & Light.

Tuesday, Sept 8 -Windows for your Soul
7:00 pm
2720 W 43rd Street
free for LHP&L members, $5 donation for non-members

Considering new windows? Not all replacement window products qualify for the tax credit. Learn what a "u-value" is and what Solar Heat Gain Co-efficiency (SHGC) number you need to look for. Are new windows the right solution? Old windows can perform as good as or better than new windows and even a good new window will last only 25 years or so. Come and meet our window experts, including a window restoration specialist who can show you how to fix your own windows - and how to tell if they should be replaced. Erin Hanafin Berg - Preservation Alliance.

Click here to RSVP. More information about the LHP&L Speaker Series is available here.

Please complete online survey evaluating EcoParents! Need your input for our grant report!

Please take a moment to complete this brief online survey evaluating the Linden Hills EcoParents program over the past year. The survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete. Regardless of your level of participation in EcoParents, your input is important!! Plus, these data are necessary to complete a grant report for our funders. Thank you very very much.

The survey is available online here.

Please try to complete the entire survey, but only once per person please. (If more than one person in your household participated, you may each complete a survey.)

Please contact me if you have any problems!

Thanks...and stay tuned for a September meeting date and topic! (We are taking August off...)

Resources & Links for 'getting rid of it'

Here are the (much belated) links presented at the last EcoParents meeting on "Getting Rid of It"

City of Minneapolis: What To Do List
Hennepin County: A to Z How to Get Rid of It Guide for Households
RethinkRecycling: What to Throw & Buy

Info on problem materials & recycling drop-off facilities:

• Bloomington/South Hennepin Drop-off Facility
• Brooklyn Park Drop-off Facility

Disposal Alternatives:

• Hennepin County: Choose to ReUse Directory
• Twin Cities Freemarket
• City of Minneapolis Curbside Recycling Guidelines (if you live elsewhere, check with your municipality or haulers for guidelines)

Remember...the city & county sites for recycling & disposal guidelines are limited to what they accept. There are other miscellaneous recycling collection programs around the metro for materials not collected by the city or county!! Check out the blog post here for programs beyond curbside collection!

Do you know of a resource or program not listed?? Make a comment so we can all learn about it!

Two Will Steger Events next week

An invitation for two really great local learning opportunities with WILL STEGER & BILL McKIBBEN!

Our Clean Energy Future
Free Public Forum with Bill McKibben and Will Steger
Tuesday August 18th, 7:30 pm
Leo Fick Auditorium, Edina High School

Join Will Steger and special guest Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org and author of Deep Economy & The End of Nature to hear about the global movement to develop a meaningful Global Climate Agreement at the Copenhagen Climate Summit in December 2009.

********

Will Steger Foundation's 4th Annual Summer Institute on Climate Change 2009
Wednesday August 19th, 8:30-4:30 pm
University of Minnesota, Continuing Education Conference Center, St. Paul Campus

APPLY ONLINE NOW! Go to www.willstegerfoundation.org to register NOW!

The 2009 Summer Institute invites YOU to join them in-person, or by webinar, for a full day of interactive exploration of international climate solutions and related curriculum.

The 2009 Institute will focus on the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen and unveil a brand new curriculum on international climate solutions for grades 9-12.

Visit Will Steger Foundation online to learn more about the 2009 Summer Institute and how to register.

Recycling beyond curbside

Thanks to Nancy for all her great information about innovative recycling opportunities around the metro and online. It may be a bit more work than just sorting for curbside pick-up, but think of what is being kept out of the landfills or incinerators! Also, the existence of these programs prove that so much more can actually be recycled than is currently collected...so let's press our municipality to start up collecting some of these materials as well!

• mattresses: Hennepin Co. Recycling Center and Transfer Station, 8100 Jefferson Hwy., Brooklyn Park
• christmas lights: holidayleds.com or Home Depot (check w/ the store; may be seasonal or one-time)
• packing peanuts: reusable at any UPS store
• plastic bags: It's In the Bag program, available at most grocery stores. Many more kinds are recyclable than just grocery and newspaper bags. must be free of all food, clean and dry. remove "zippers."
  
• CDs: recyclable through greendisk.com. Off-site: Lifecyclers Inc. and John’s Twin Ports Recycling, both in Duluth. More info available here.
  
• CD and DVD cases: recyclable them through Greendisk.com or give them away via Craigslist or twincitiesfreemarket.org
• plastic containers: recyclable at Eastside Food Coop and the Coon Rapids Recycling Center. Eastside Food Co-op (2551 Central Ave NE, Mpls) accepts #1, #2, #4, #5, #6 (no foam). Full details available here. The Coon Rapids Recycling Center accepts plastics marked #1-6 (plus styrofoam). Full details available here. Preserve's "Gimme 5" program accepts #5 plastics. Click here for a previous blog post on Gimme 5.
  
• milk cartons, juice boxes, soy milk, soup, broth boxes: recyclable in St. Louis Park, St. Paul, Roseville, Maplewood and Lauderdale's municipal recycling programs (managed by Eureka Recycling). They look waxy but actually are 70-85% paper, which is separated from the plastic coating in a pulping process.
  
• Styrofoam blocks: Coon Rapids Recycling Center (1831 111th Avenue NW (one block east of Hanson), Coon Rapids)
• incandescent light bulb, compact fluorescent light bulb : recyclable at Ikea
• cassette tape, zip disc and other electronics: recyclable through Greendisk.com.
• worn-out blue jeans: Lands End collected them to be made into insulation for habitat for humanity.
• plastic garden pots: accepted at garden centers metro-wide. More info here. And check with your garden center if it isn't listed!
  
• plastic screw-top bottle caps: Aveda makes them into new shampoo bottles. bring to any Aveda store.
• ink cartridges: many organizations collect them ie. Recycling for Raptors, Minnesota Valley Humane Society, etc. only specific brands and types. Check individual websites for guidelines
  
• eyeglasses: Edina Eye Clinic collects for the Lions Clubs. Check with other eye clinics as well.
  
• old shoes: recycle at REI

Get money for your charitable organization for recycling drink pouches, candy wrappers, cookies wrappers, flavia freshpacks, frito lay chip bags, kashi packaging, energy bar wrappers, toasted chips, bear naked bags and wrappers, cell phones, corks, yogurt containers. 2-5 cents per piece.http://www.terracycle.net/ they send you pre-paid envelopes and boxes.

Check here for even more information on recycling more obscure materials!

For me personally, the most exciting opporunity is the ability to recycle plastics taht aren't collected curbside! The Eastside Food Co-op and Coon Rapids Recyling Center accept plastics marked #1-6. It's a bit of a haul, but super-recycler Nancy has offered to accept your plastics at her house and transport it to one of these other great programs! If you are interested, please email me and I will let you know her address (b/c I am NOT posting it directly on the blog). Please SORT your plastics before dropping them at Nancy's.

Greening Your National Night Out

Here are some of the ideas discussed at last night's EcoParents meeting. Click here for a PDF file with these ideas, if you want to email it to your block captain. Also, there are leftover compostable utensils. If you are interested in sets for your block party FOR FREE, email me (ecoparents@lindenhills.org) and I'll put some on my front porch for you to pick up before National Night Out! (but you have to contact me first!)

1. Encourage attendees to bring their own reusable plates and flatware, and cloth napkins. OR, provide compostable plates & flatware for attendees (available at Linden Hills Co-op, Twin Cities Green, Whole Foods, and Litin Paper). Avoid disposable plastic plates, plastic cups, and plastic utensils!
2. Provide well-marked containers for recyclable materials (e.g., cans, bottles). Consider providing separate containers for the different types of recyclable materials (i.e., glass, plastic, metal). Place all disposal containers in one common location. Consider posting a knowledgeable person by the ‘disposal station’ to help direct people as to what goes where, to prevent contamination.
3. Provide a well-marked container for collection of compostable materials (e.g., food scraps, non-recyclable paper, pizza boxes, etc…). If you live in Linden Hills, or somewhere else where organics are collected curbside, simply provide a container lined with a compostable bag for compostable materials and have a volunteer take the organics home to their compost cart. If you live in a Minneapolis neighborhood where organic materials are not collected curbside, you may rent a compost cart from the city of Minneapolis for $20 for an event. Or, collect only non-animal product food scraps which are appropriate for a backyard compost bin.
4. Avoid juice boxes and plastic cups! Instead, bring compostable cups (e.g., paper or wax-covered, not plastic) and a pitcher/cooler of juice and/or water. Or, even better, encourage attendees to bring their own water bottles or reusable cups. If possible, avoid bottled water.
5. Encourage attendees to bring items in reusable or recyclable containers, including recyclable cans and bottles, and reusable serving pieces. Avoid plastic wrap. Use containers with their own lids instead.
6. Encourage attendees to consider packaging when purchasing and preparing for their block party contribution.
7. Encourage attendees to focus on local, seasonal, minimally processed foods, due to the overall environmental impact of processing and transportation of foods.
8. Avoid individual serving-sizes and single use items.
9. Avoid plastic tablecloths. Instead, use cloth tablecloths or avoid tablecloths altogether!
10. If you have games and/or prizes at your block party, avoid ‘cheap’ prizes that are likely to end up as trash. Pay attention to the packaging of prizes. Avoid plastic wrapped candy and toys, and make sure that all toys are free of phtalates and BPA. (www.healthytoys.com, www.healthylegacy.com, www.BPA.zrecs.com)

If your block party implements these or other 'green' ideas, email me so that we can post your experiences and successes on the blog!!

EcoParents Rebate Program - Deadline extended

If you haven't yet applied for the EcoParents Rebate Program, you're in luck...the deadline has been extended to July 30, 2009! Click here for the rebate form, with all the details.

To assist EcoParent participants in implementing action steps to reduce waste and/or toxicity in their homes, Linden Hills EcoParents is offering a rebate program.

• The rebate is good for a percentage of the purchase price of item(s) that assist in the implementation of action steps related to waste and/or toxicity reduction, up to a maximum of $30. For items purchased from a Linden Hills retailer, the rebate is good for 50% of the pre-tax purchase price. For items purchased from a non-Linden Hills retailer, the rebate is good for 30% of the pre-tax purchase price
• “Linden Hills Retailers” are defined as those located within the boundaries of Linden Hills as well as those in the Morningside Business Association.
• Purchases from home-based businesses are acceptable, provided a receipt is issued.
• The rebate is available only to active participants in the Linden Hills EcoParents program. “Active” participation is defined as having attended at least two (2) EcoParents meetings and/or events.
• The rebate may be combined with other discounts or specials, as offered at individual retailers.
• Each participant may request an EcoParent rebate only ONE time between November 17, 2008 and July 30, 2009. No rebate requests will be accepted after July 30, 2009. A maximum of two rebate requests per household will be accepted, but only if there is more than one active adult participant from a single household.
• Item(s) purchased before November 17, 2008 are not eligible for a rebate.
• Clothing is not an eligible item.
• Contact Keiko Veasey at ecoparents@lindenhills.org with any questions about the EcoParents Rebate Program.
• To request a rebate, please complete fully the form and return with original receipts attached to EcoParents Rebate Program, c/o Keiko Veasey 4436 Abbott Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410 or bring to any EcoParents event.
• Please allow up to 8 weeks for processing of any rebate request.