Thursday, December 17

Green Living Tips Room By Room

This is going to be a series of post on how to Green your home room by room.  Today we will start with the bathroom.

• If it's yellow, let it mellow.
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
• Put a brick in the holding tank of your toilet.
• Take showers with your significant other to save water.
• Use natural biodegradable soaps & tooth paste.
• Stop using disposable razors.
•  Instead of using toilet paper, use washable, re-usable wipes.
  
• Re-use your towels more than once before washing them.

Tuesday, November 17

Winter Energy Saving Tips

Old Man Winter is knockin' at our door.  You can feel him knocking louder everyday now. Pretty soon he is gonna barge on in, plop his happy, cold butt down and hang out for a while like an uninvited guest who stays waaaaay past his welcome.  You know the type.

This winter, save money and staywarm. Keep your energy bill and your pollution output low this winterby taking a whole-house approach to heating.  Use these tips from <a href="http://www.energy.gov/winter.htm"> The US Dept. of  Energy</a> to help save a buck and the planet.

• During the heating season, keep the draperies and shades onyour south facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight toenter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feelfrom cold windows.
• Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable when home.
• By resetting your programmable thermostatfrom 72 degrees to 65 degrees for eight hours a day (for instance,while no one is home or while everyone is tucked in bed) you can cutyour heating bill by up to 10 percent.
• Weatherize your home"caulk and weatherstrip any doors and windows that leak air.
• Properly maintain and clean heating equipment.
• Replace furnace filters regularly.
• Check the insulation in your attic, ceilings,exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces to see if itmeets the levels recommended for your area.

Tuesday, October 13

Embed our FREE TO BE GREEN widget to your Facebook, Myspace, Twitter or to where ever your corner of cyberspace is!  Just click the "embed" link on the widget in the upper left corner of this web page.  

Remember, it is up to all of us to spread the word about green living!

Wednesday, October 7

Eating local is great for the earth & super easy to do in Southeastern Wisconsin. I thought I would follow up yesterday's post with a list of Farmer's Markets in the Southeastern Wisconsin area.  There is still a a couple of months left in the season so get out there & support your local farms!

Southeast Wisconsin

Port Washington Farmers Market

Saturdays, 8 am - noon, late Jul through late Oct. WIC & Senior Nutrition.
Call 262-305-4220.
N Franklin St and E Main St, Port Washington, Ozaukee County.

Bristol Farmer's Market

Vegetables, honey, plants, Crafts, spices and rubs, candles, organic pet treats. You will find our charming little market at Veterans Park, just west of our Town Hall.
Call 262-857-9796.
19801 83rd St, Bristol, Kenosha County.

Brookfield Farmer's Market

Early May to late Oct, 7:30 to noon Saturdays. Annuals, perennials, fruits and vegetables in season, piedmontese beef, cut flowers, maple syrup, chickens, eggs, bison meat, baked goods, dried floral, garden art and much more. Entertainment and demonstrations throughout the season. Weekend of Sept 23 is 70th annual Dahlia Show with more than 600 blooms on display for judging.
Call 262-784-7804.
City Hall, 2000 N Calhoun Rd, Brookfield, Waukesha County.

Bradley Road Farmers Market

May 30 to Oct 31.
Call 414-354-6923.
W Bradley Rd & N 43rd Blvd, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County.

Cedarburg Farmers Market

Mid Jun - Late Oct, Fridays, 9 - 3:30 pm.
Call 262-377-9620.
Cedarburg Cultural Center, W62 N546 Washington Ave, Cedarburg, Ozaukee County.

Cudahy Farmers Market

Fridays, 10 - 5 pm, May to Nov. Special kickoff markets on Saturday May 27 and June 24. Fifteen to 20 vendors provide baked goods, fresh produce, apples, honey, flowers, crafts and even a tarot card reader! Lots of parking available.
Call 414-486-9593.
Municipal parking lot, 4700 S Packard Ave, Cudahy, Milwaukee County.

Delafield Farmers Market

7 am to 1 pm Saturdays from May 1 through October. Upscale market featuring locally grown vegetables and fruit, fresh and dried flowers, perennials and bedding plants, homemade bakery products and a variety of arts and crafts.
Call 262-646-9305.
Fish Hatchery parking lot, just west of Genesee St (Hwy C), 514 W Main St, Delafield, Waukesha County.

Dousman Farmers Market

2 to 6 pm Wednesdays from early May through late Oct.
Call 414-881-2098.
Dousman Community Center, 235 N Main St, Dousman, Waukesha County.

Downtown Burlington Farmers Market

June 12 - Nov 20, Thursdays, 3 - 7 pm. Revamped Farmers' Market in beautiful downtown Burlington, new vendors, entertainment and more. Wehmoff Square, corner of Washington and Pine Streets.
Call 262-210-6360.
355 N Pine Street, Burlington, Racine County.

Downtown Fond du Lac Farmers Market

Saturdays, 6:30 am - noon. May 16 - Oct 31. City/ County Building Parking Lot. WIC.
Linden St & Western Ave, Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County.

East Side Green Market

The new East Side Green Market will focus on urban agriculture & sustainable living. Featuring growers from the city of Milwaukee, garden supply, a weekly rotating selection of art, clothing & crafts. Demonstrations and information about sustainable living from composting to green building to bicycling. Entertainment from great local bands and food & beverages from superb local producers. Saturdays 10-2 June 27 - Oct. 10, No market July 4. Beans & Barley parking lot.
Call 414-278-7878.
1901 E North Ave, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County.

East Town Farm Market

Saturdays 7:30 am to 12:30 pm from June 3 to October 21. Forty vendors provide farm-grown produce, baked goods, specialty foods and arts & crafts, along with free musical entertainment and children's activities.
Call 414-271-1416.
Cathedral Square Park, Kilbourn and Jefferson Sts, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County.

Elmwood Plaza Farmers Market

8 am to noon Tues and Fri May 9 to Nov 3. Depending on the season: asparagus, rhubarb, beans, tomatoes, corn, melons, bedding plants, apples, baked goods, chickens, eggs and fresh flowers. The range of produce grown in southeast Wisconsin.
Call 715-639-5001.
E of Lathrop, 3701 Durand Ave, Racine, Racine County.

Farmers Market at Bradley Road

Open 9 am to 6 pm every Wednesday from May 17 to Oct 25, and 8 am to 1 pm every Saturday from May 13 to Oct 28, 2000. Annuals and perennials, herbs, fruits and vegetables, roses.
Call 414-354-6923.
Bradley Village Shopping Center parking lot, N 43rd St and Bradley Rd, 4300 W Bradley Rd, Brown Deer, Milwaukee County.

Fond du Lac Festival Foods Farmers Market

Fridays 7 am - noon. Jul 10 - Oct 9. WIC.
1125 E Johnson St, Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County.

Fondy Farmers Market

Year-round market 7 am to 2 pm weekdays; 6 am to 4 pm Saturdays. Closed Sundays. Largest central city market with 30 to 45 vendors offering fruits and vegetables, chickens, ducks and turkeys.
Call 414-444-6067.
Just off North Ave, 2200 W Fond du Lac Ave, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County.

Fox Point Farmers' Market

The Fox Point Farmers Market supports Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin by offering delicious, fresh produce, cage-free eggs, Piedmontese pastured beef, chickens, honey, award-winning Wisconsin cheeses, bakery and maple syrup. Native plants, cut flowers and herbal soap are also popular. The market is open Saturday morning from 8-noon, with live music or a demonstration from 10-noon. Open from the 3rd Saturday in June through the 3rd Saturday in October. Phone us for more information or a list of events.
Call Mary at 414-352-0555.
7300 N Lombardy, Fox Point, Milwaukee County.

Germantown Farmers Market

Saturdays, May - late Oct, 8 am to 2 pm. The market is located at the Livery on the corner of Rockfield and Division Road in Germantown. Vendors at this years market will be selling a variety of produce, plants, jewelry, wood carvings, gem stones, jams, jellies, baskets, honey, candles, and more. Come experience a farmers market at a Washington County historic landmark.
Call 414-651-4080.
N132 W17303 Rockfield Rd, Germantown, Washington County.

Grafton Farmers Market

Thursdays, 9 - 5 pm, early Jul to late Oct. In the Twin City Plaza Lot.
Call 262-377-1650.
1720 Wisconsin Ave, Grafton, Ozaukee County.

Greendale Green Market

Farmers' produce, apples, jams, syrups. 8 am to noon, every other Saturday, Late Jun to Late Oct.
Call 414-423-2790.
Municipal parking lot, 5650 Parking St, Greendale, Milwaukee County.

Growing Power Outdoor Market

Mon - Thr, 9 - 4pm; Fri - Sat, 9 - 5 pm; Sun, 9 - 2 pm; in June.
Call 414-527-1930.
5500 W Silver Spring Dr, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County.

Hales Corners Harvest on the Homestead

8 am - noon, select Saturdays, Jun to Oct.
Call 414-708-0584.
9724 W Forest Home Ave, Hales Corners, Milwaukee County.

Harbor Marketplace of Kenosha

9 to 2 pm on Saturdays, Late May to Late October. Fashioned after some of the finest markets in the United States and Europe, enjoy a unique experience at Kenosha's open-air market on the lakefront. You will find locally grown fresh produce, flowers and herbs, cheeses, meats and prepared foods, arts and crafts, entertainment, chefs' demonstrations, and kids' activities.
Call 262-498-4388.
56th St & 2nd Ave, Kenosha, Kenosha County.

Hartford Farmers Market

Saturdays, 7 am - 1 pm, early May through mid Nov. Recreation Center parking lot. WIC.
Call 262-673-7193.
147 N Rural St, Hartford, Washington County.

Horicon Farmers Market

Thursdays, 7 am - noon, early May through late Oct.
E Lake St & N Cedar St, Horicon, Dodge County.

Howell Avenue Farmers Market

8:30 to 12:30pm, weekly, July 18 to Oct 24, 2009. Five to 10 vendors provide fresh produce, plus music and activities for kids.
Call 414-881-1185.
US Bank parking lot, 4015 S Howell Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County.

Janesville Farmers Market

Saturdays 8 - 1 pm, May to October. All Wisconsin grown/vendor produced product and vendor made crafts -- plus Entertainment! 49 vendors.
Call 608-758-9359.
100-200 N Main St, Janesville, Rock County.

Kenosha Harbor Marketplace

9 - 2 pm, Saturdays, Late May through Late Oct.
Call 262-914-1252.
56 St and 2nd Ave, Kenosha, Kenosha County.

Lake Geneva Farmers Market

8 - 1 pm, Thursdays, Early May through Mid Oct.
Call 262-248-7598.
Horticultural Hall, 330 Broad St, Lake Geneva, Walworth County.

Mayville Farmers Market

7 am to noon Wednesdays, June through October. Fresh vegetables, local home-grown produce.
Call 920-387-1167.
Main Street, Mayville, Dodge County.

Menomonee Falls Farmers Market

7 - 5 pm, Wednesdays, Early May to Mid Nov. Fresh vegetables, eggs, poultry, bakery, fresh flowers (annuals and perennials), honey, collectibles.
Call 262-251-8797.
Menomonee Falls North Jr High parking lot, Main Street, Menomonee Falls, Waukesha County.

Milwaukee Public Market

In addition to the 20 specialty food merchants that are located within The Milwaukee Public Market, there is an Outdoor Seasonal Farmers Market that features an array of Wisconsin grown and crafted products. Cherries, lilies, honey, all natural, handmade herbal soaps, fruits and vegetables, plants and flowers, beef and sausage. Parking is FREE for the 1st hour in convenient lot adjacent to the Market. Free musical entertainment and chef demonstrations throughout the season. Sat and Sun, 8 2 pm, late May to late Oct.
Call 414-336-1111.
400 N Water Street, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County.

Mitchell Street Farmers Market

Call 262-895-6992.
1002 W Maple St, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County.

New Berlin Farmers Market

7 - noon, mid May to late Oct, Saturdays.
Call 262-786-5280.
New Berlin Plaza, W National Ave & S Moorland Rd, New Berlin, Waukesha County.

Oconomowoc Farmers Market

7 am to noon Saturdays May through October. Fruits, vegetables and crafts.
Call 262-567-2666.
210 E Pleasant St, Oconomowoc, Waukesha County.

Racine Downtown Farmers Market

8 am to noon Saturdays May through Oct. Fresh fruits and vegetables, plants and flowers.
Call 262-886-3284.
Corner of State and Erie Streets, 700 State Street, Racine, Racine County.

Racine Southside Farmers Market at Regency Mall

8 am - noon, Tue and Fri, early May to late Oct.
Call 262-886-3284.
5538 Durand Ave, Racine, Racine County.

Racine Market on the Square

9 - 2 pm, Saturdays, early Jun to early Sep.
Call 262-634-6002.
Monument Square, 800 Center St, Racine, Racine County.

Ripon Farmers Market

Tuesdays and Saturdays, 7 am - 1 pm, June through Oct. Locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, preserves and numerous other products. Village Green.
Call 920-748-7466.
400 Watson Street, Ripon, Fond du Lac County.

Riverwest Gardeners Market

Sundays, 11 - 4 pm, mid Jun to late Oct. Five to 10 vendors provide fresh produce and craft items, plus live music.
Call 414-265-7278.
E Locust St & N Bremen St, two blocks W of Humboldt, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County.

Sherman Park Farmers Market

Memorial Day to Labor Day, Sat and Sun, 8 - 2 pm.
Call 414-875-7375.
W Roosevelt Dr & N 49th St, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County.

Silver Spring Farmers Market

Open seven days a week, 10 am to 6 pm from June 1 to October 31. Roadside stand provides Wisconsin- grown produce from three to five vendors.
Call 414-527-1908.
5500 W Silver Spring Dr, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County.

Skelly's Farm Market

Pick your own or pre-picked pumpkins, all your fall produce and decorating needs, weekend wagon rides (wagon rides by reservation for groups of 10 or more).
Call 608-754-1536.
2344 Hayner Road, Janesville, Rock County.

South Milwaukee Green Market

Mid May to late Oct, Thursdays, 10 - 2 pm. Fourteen to 18 vendors provide bedding plants, fresh and dried flowers, apples, berries, baked goods, chickens, eggs, occasionally lamb, and a large range of locally grown produce.
Call 262-835-4386.
13th Ave and Missouri (just off Rawson), 1304 Manitoba Ave, South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County.

South Shore Farmers Market

Late Jun to late Oct, Saturdays, 8 - noon. Over 20 vendors provide fresh produce, jams, honey, coffee, spices, baked goods, grapes, herbs, flowers and dog bones.
Call 414-744-0408 or toll-free 800-248-9826 x108.
South Shore Park, one block off Superior, 2900 S Shore Dr, Bay View, Milwaukee County.

Thiensville Farmers Market

Daily 6 am - 6 pm, June through October. Next to Walgreens. WIC & Senior Nutrition.
Call 414-332-2080.
278 N Main St, Thiensville, Ozaukee County.

Uptown Farmers Market

Sundays 8 am to 3 pm from June 4 to October 29. Twelve to 16 vendors provide Wisconsin- grown produce, fruits and out-of-season provided by local wholesaler.
Call 414-527-1908.
Triangular parking lot, W Lisbon Ave & N 49th St, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County.

VFW Farmers Market

Wednesdays & Saturdays, 7:30 am - 1 pm, June through Nov. WIC & Senior Nutrition.
260 Sand Dr, West Bend, Washington County.

Waukesha Farmers' Market

Saturdays 7 am - noon, mid May through October. A wonderful market on the banks of the Fox River in historic downtown Waukesha between Broadway and Barstow, just east of 332 Riverfront Plaza by the river.
Call 262-549-6154.
Downtown, Waukesha, Waukesha County.

West Allis Farmers Market

Tue and Thu, noon to 6 pm; Sat 1 to 6 pm; May to Nov. Locally grown plants, produce, berries, corn, tomatoes, squash. All items sold must be grown by the farmer or on family farms.
Call 414-302-8652.
W National Ave and S 65th St, 1559 S 65th St, West Allis, Milwaukee County.

West Bend Farmers Market

Saturdays, 7:30 - 11 am, early Jun through late Oct. Over 60 vendors offering a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, and many other homegrown or homemade items. Entertainment provided (weather permitting). Old Settlers Park.
Call 262-338-3909.
N Main St & N 6th Ave, West Bend, Washington County.

Westown Farmers Market

Wednesdays, 10 - 3 pm, early Jul to late Oct. Sixty vendors at this oldest city market provide fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers, organic products, homemade jam and jellies, juices, cider, frozen fruit treats, pastes and sauces, herbs and spices, gourmet popcorn, art, jewelry, crafts and prepared foods. Entertainment by local musicians and artisans.
Call 414-276-6696.
Zeidler Union Square, 301 W Michigan St, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County.

Whitewater Farmers Market

8 am to sell-out Saturdays, rain or shine, from June 24 to the second Saturday in November. All home-grown produce, fruits, plants, some crafts, bakery.
Call 262-473-3221.
Wal-Mart parking lot off Main St, 1609 Turtle Mound Circle, Whitewater, Walworth County.

Southwest Wisconsin

Black River Falls Community Farmer's Market

Tuesdays 3 pm to 6 pm and Saturdays 9 am to 1 pm, April through October. Featuring Helstad's Best Pork Products (year round), numerous local produce growers, fresh baked products, local honey, and jams & preserves. Come see us!
Call 715-284-4454.
Front lawn area of Scholze Ace Home Center, 133 County Hwy A, Black River Falls, Jackson County..

Holmen Square

3 pm to dark Wednesday, June to October. Featuring fresh produce, bedding plants, perennials, flowers, herbs, honey, houseplants, and some crafts.
Call 608-785-9872.
Holmen Square (Skogen's IGA parking lot) Highway HD, Holmen, La Crosse County.

La Crosse - Bridgeview Plaza

8 am to 1 pm Wednesday, June to October. Featuring fresh produce, bedding plants, perennials, flowers, herbs, honey, houseplants, and some crafts.
Call 608-785-9872.
Bridgeview Plaza parking lot, 2500 Rose St, La Crosse, La Crosse County.

La Crosse - Cameron Park

4 pm to dark Friday, May to October. Featuring fresh produce, bedding plants, perennials, flowers, herbs, honey, houseplants, and some crafts. Also music, art, and drama performers.
Call 608-785-9872.
Cameron Park at 5th Ave and King St, La Crosse, La Crosse County.

La Crosse - County

6 am to 1 pm Saturday, June to October. Featuring fresh produce, bedding plants, perennials, flowers, herbs, honey, houseplants, and some crafts. Also musical performances.
Call 608-785-9872.
County parking lot, bordering 3rd and 4th streets, La Crosse, La Crosse County.

Market on the Square

Wednesdays from 2 - 5:30 pm and Saturdays from 8 - 1 pm. The season opens May 13th and runs through October 24th. Located downtown on the Square, on 11th Street between 16th & 17th Avenues.
Call 608-328-4023.
1717 10th Street, Monroe, Green County.

Mauston Farmers Market

7 am to sell-out Saturdays from June through October. Crafts, arts, fruits, vegetables, honey, maple syrup.
Call 608-847-4142.
Juneau County Courthouse lawn, Mauston, Juneau County.

Onalaska Crossing Meadows

8 am to 1 pm Sunday, June to Oct. Featuring fresh produce, bedding plants, perennials, flowers, herbs, honey, houseplants, and some crafts.
Call 608-785-9872.
Crossing Meadows Shopping Center parking lot, Crossing Meadows Drive, Onalaska, La Crosse County.

Platteville Farmers Market

7 am to noon Saturdays, Platteville City Park, across from City Hall. Also, a Tuesday Market from 3 - 7 pm located in Millenium Theater parking lot on Bus Hwy 151. First Saturday in May through October. Locally grown fresh produce, bedding plants (vegetable, herb, and flower), baked and canned goods, honey, and featuring Art at the Market on the first Saturday of the month.
Call 608-348-9827 or 608-348-3992.
9474 Greenwood Road, Platteville, Grant County.

Tomah Farmers Market

7 to 1 pm Saturdays and 4 to 7 pm Wednesdays, June 1 through October. Edible products, plants, Amish breads and candies.
Call 608-372-2166 or toll-free 800-948-6624.
Gillett Park, East Holton Street, Tomah, Monroe County.

Tuesday, October 6

10 Reasons to Eat Local Food

Eating local means more for the local economy.  According to a study by the New Economics Foundation in London, a dollar spent locally generates twice as much income for the local economy.  When businesses are not owned locally, money leaves the community at every transaction.  (reference)

Locally grown produce is fresher.  While produce that is purchased in the supermarket or a big-box store has been in transit or cold-stored for days or weeks, produce that you purchase at your local farmer's market has often been picked within 24 hours of your purchase.  This freshness not only affects the taste of your food, but the nutritional value which declines with time.

Local food just plain tastes better.  Ever tried a tomato that was picked within 24 hours?  'Nuff said.

Locally grown fruits and vegetables have longer to ripen.  Because the produce will be handled less, locally grown fruit does not have to be "rugged" or to stand up to the rigors of shipping.  This means that you are going to be getting peaches so ripe that they fall apart as you eat them, figs that would have been smashed to bits if they were sold using traditional methods, and melons that were allowed to ripen until the last possible minute on the vine.

Eating local is better for air quality and pollution than eating organic.  In a March 2005 study by the journal Food Policy, it was found that the miles that organic food often travels to our plate creates environmental damage that outweighs the benefit of buying organic. (reference)

Buying local food keeps us in touch with the seasons.  By eating with the seasons, we are eating foods when they are at their peak taste, are the most abundant, and the least expensive.

Buying locally grown food is fodder for a wonderful story.  Whether it's the farmer who brings local apples to market or the baker who makes local bread, knowing part of the story about your food is such a powerful part of enjoying a meal. 

Eating local protects us from bio-terrorism.  Food with less distance to travel from farm to plate has less susceptibility to harmful contamination. (reference)

Local food translates to more variety.  When a farmer is producing food that will not travel a long distance, will have a shorter shelf life, and does not have a high-yield demand, the farmer is free to try small crops of various fruits and vegetables that would probably never make it to a large supermarket.  Supermarkets are interested in selling "Name brand" fruit: Romaine Lettuce, Red Delicious Apples, Russet Potatoes.  Local producers often play with their crops from year to year, trying out Little Gem Lettuce, Senshu Apples, and Chieftain Potatoes.

Supporting local providers supports responsible land development.  When you buy local, you give those with local open space - farms and pastures - an economic reason to stay open and undeveloped.

EatLocalChallenge.com

Thursday, August 6

I saw a terrible thing this morning on my commute into work.  Driving doesn't usually make me angry or hostile. Today was an exception.  Sure, people are going to pass you on the right in the parking lane.  Of course other drivers are going to be applying make-up, sending text messages, yacking on their cellular phones, doing god knows what except paying attention to the road and the general flow of the traffic around them.  This I can deal with.

What got my blood boiling this morning was a pig-headed driver in a rusted out Mercury Sable that I was behind. I was just cruising along listening to a swinging rock tune on my head phones (a terrible invention if you ask me...every time i take the bloody things off my ears are ringing like church bells) and it didn't bother me that the driver I was behind failed to use his turn signal not once but twice.  It also didn't bother me that he reacted like molasses on a freezing day every time the stoplights would change from red to green.  I quickly got over the fact that he wanted to drive 10 under the speed limit (I am thinking this swine's thoughts move at 10 under as well).  It was a nice day and the sun was in my face so the delay was enjoyable.

What irked me about this filthy animal was the bag of  **insert McFast food chain here** trash that he chucked out the window.  Of course it exploded in the street with shrapnel of  OJ containers, sandwich wrappers, ketchup packets & a melee of napkins tumbling in the wake of the rusted out Mercury Sable.

I cringed, winced and then cursed this foul being.

Americans' total yearly waste would fill a convoy of garbage trucks long enough to wrap around the Earth six times and reach halfway to the moon. It is estimated that this year 222 million tons of waste will be generated by Americans (dumpandrun.org).  Imagine if everyone just threw this trash in the streets.  Our world as we know it would be surrounded by garbage and rubbish of every sort known to man.

Besides not wanting to live in a world of garbage mountains, trash creeks and streets filled with refuse.  There are many reasons not to litter.  One being, it is LAZY.  Really is it that difficult to find a trash can. FACT- Most Littering occurs within 6 yards from a trash can (reenecoservices.com).  Being lazy is a terrible character flaw and there is no excuse for it.

Another reason is that it negatively impacts your neighborhoods potential for economic development.  No developer is going to want to invest in a trash filled area of the city.  The less appealing your neighborhood or city is, the less money will be invested into the area, creating stagnant pockets of rundown, dated, economically depressed communities.

What can you do to prevent litter?
A.) Stop littering if you do!
B.) Educate yourself and others about the harmful effects of litter on the environment and your communities.

I would have stopped and confronted the littering swine in the rusted out Mercury Sable, but I was in no way packing the kind of fire power I would need if things got ugly. 

Thursday, July 16

Summer vacation time is here! Use these great tips to help "green" your summer road trip.

Inflate Your Tires
Keep the tires on your car adequately inflated. Check them monthly. Save 250 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $840 per year.

Change Your Air Filter
Check your car's air filter monthly. Save 800 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $130 per year.

Don't Idle in Your Car
 Idling wastes money and gas, and generates pollution and global warming causing emissions. Except when in traffic, turn your engine off if you must wait for more than 30 seconds.

Buy a Fuel Efficient Car
Getting a few extra miles per gallon makes a big difference. Save thousands of lbs. of CO2 and a lot of money per year.

Carpool When You Can                                            
Own a big vehicle? Carpooling with friends and co-workers saves fuel. Save 790 lbs. of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year.

Buy a Hybrid Car
The average driver could save 16,000 lbs. of CO2 and $3,750 per year driving a hybrid.

Thursday, May 7

Free 2 Be Green Tip of the Day

Mow your lawn this summer with muscle power instead of fossil fuels!
Did you know that in 2006 lawn mower engines contributed 93 times more smog-forming emissions than cars did.  By switching to a human powered push mower you can save 80 lbs. of carbon dioxide from being introduced in to the atmosphere a year.

Besides from emitting noxious fumes, gas powered mowers are noisy.  With a human powered push mower you can mow your lawn at 5am if you wish and you won't disturb the neighbors or your backyard wildlife.

Also with a human powered push mower you won't have to store stinky and flammable gas cans in your garage and forget ever running out of gas mid-mow.  That won't happen with muscle power.

Mowing your lawn with human power is just one way to help the environment, check the Free 2 Be Green Blog for more tips on living a green lifestyle!

Friday, April 17

Welcome to the Free 2 Be Green Blog!

My 24 and CW 18 are proud to have it's 1st annual My Green Milwaukee & Free 2 Be Green campaign, designed to educate viewers on how to conserve, be ecological aware and offer simple steps Milwaukeeans can take in their everyday life that can have a large impact on the environment and their pocketbook.

This is an exciting time for the Green movement with a new environmental awareness that we have never seen in our society.  There are tons of exciting things going on around the country and in Wisconsin. Construction of new wind farms, sustainable agriculture, to alternatives to fossil fuels and much more.

Here at the Free 2 Be Green Blog we will keep you informed with up to date happenings in the Green Movement in and around Milwaukee, as well as tips on how to save energy, money and most importantly the Earth!

Remember....
Living green isn't a fad - it's a way of life and its here to stay.

Ten things to do to help the environment

Free to be Green Milwaukee Blog

Milwaukee green fast facts