Cville Go Green Roundup May 15, 2011

The morning after our big event.  What a fun time!  I’ll be sharing photos with you soon, but I wanted to tie up some loose ends first.

1.  Our Garden Flag Winner was announced at around 1pm yesterday in Snow’s Garden Center.  4 year old Walker Shrum threw his hands in the air, hopped up and down and yelled “I WON I WON I WON!!!” To the right is his entry.  We will be sending this design off to be produced and will soon have the flags available for the public.  Stay tuned to www.cvillegogreen.com for more details.

2.  We had some terrific businesses come out to share their level of  ‘greenness’ with the community.  LEAP (the Local Energy Alliance), The Gaines Group (Green Architects), Bridgeport Construction (Green Builders), eShield of Virginia, APM Energy (energy audits and remodels), RideShare (commuter info and opportunities) and, of course, Dixon Disposal and Snows Garden Center.

3.  We had some wonderful folks keeping the kids entertained.  The Kona Ice truck was serving up some wonderful snow cones (kids everywhere with blue tongues), we had SUPER FUN with Cville Inflatables.  They brought a huge moonbounce.  The Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA brought out five of the sweetest canines on the planet and introduced them around to the crowds. 

4.  We were VERY thankful to have had several members of the local media attend.  Of course our media sponsors C-ville Weekly, but we also had our friends at the Newsplex show up and shoot some video and do some interviews with us and our vendors click here for video.  The Daily Progress was nice enough to send a writer, Graham Moomaw, to write an article.

So we’ve decided for certain that we’ll be having the Cville Go Green Fest annually to continually increase awareness about green practices and energy saving techniques.  If you’re a local business in the Charlottesville area, we’d love for you to join us next year!

Denise Hood, Owner/Director/Designer/Event Planner - Creative Juices Marketing

Green Ideas May 13, 2011

This is Kristie Kintner’s entry.  I thought provoking image that could give a person ideas.

I especially like the green shadow the bulb is casting and the spillover dirt around the bottom.  Good job Kristie.

From the hands of babes… May 12, 2011

This entry was created by one Walker Shrum, age 4.  Fantastic representation of color and whimsy.  Thank you for your hard work Walker!

So many ideas… So little time! May 12, 2011

These submissions are from Susan Shrum, who apparently talks to the animals like Dr. Doolittle. 

Very sweet and colorful. 

Thanks Susan!

2 Entries – 1 Artist May 12, 2011

Janet Pond submitted both of these entries into our Go Green Garden Flag contest.  They are BOTH eyecatching, the first simple and to the point – the second well-thought-out displaying different ways to Think Green.  I especially like the way she used UVA colors with the green on the first flag.  Great job Janet!

Go Green All You 5 year olds! May 12, 2011

 This entry comes to us from 5 year old artist, Devin Malhotra.  It’s very abstract and organic.  Very nice Devin!!

Colorful and Creative Entry May 12, 2011

This is an entry from Sharonda Foley.  Very creative and colorful!  The most colorful and thoughtout flag design I’ve receive yet!

Thanks Sharonda!!

Recycled Companions -Final Blog May 12, 2011

DOG LOG BLOG – 12 MAY, 2011

Entry #6  Author:  Jessup (photo on right) Plot Hound/Male/Available for Companionship

Hi Everybody! I’m Jessup! I’m a very shy boy (yet I had no problem pushing the other dogs aside to write this blog).  I’m looking for a quiet home and I do like other dogs (even though I pushed them aside to write this blog).  I’m a very beautiful boy with very beautiful, striking markings.  I adore my ears being rubbed.  But enough about me.  I’m hoping the gang will bring me to the Cville Go Green Fest this Saturday from 10-2.  Come and meet my friends (and hopefully me) and we’ll all kick back and enjoy our earth together!  

If I don’t happen to meet you, please visit www.CASPCA.org or come by the shelter to visit me.  Have a great night!  Don’t let the bed bugs bight!

DOG LOG BLOG – 10 MAY, 2011

Entry #5.  Author:  Toby (photo on right) Cool Canine/Male/Available for Companionship

I was out walking today and enjoying the sun and fresh air.  Listening to the birds sing, watching the flowers grow.  I made sound corney, but I LOVE the Earth!  How could you not?  I’m hoping the gang here at the shelter will be taking me out to the Cville Go Green Fest this Saturday so I can let people know how great the Earth is!  I’m also hoping some Earth-loving individual will LOVE ME, adopt me and take me home.

I’m a sweet, calm dog.  One of my favorite pastimes is cuddling and being loved.  How cute am I and how can you resist?  Swing by the Cville Go Green Fest at Snows Garden Center from 10-2 and if I’m not there, ask about Toby.  Thanks for your consideration.

Toby

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BUNNY LOG BLOG – 9 MAY, 2011

Entry #4.  Author: Sabre (photo on right) Itty Bitty Bunny Rabbit/Female/Available for Companionship

I had to bust into the blog.  Too many people believe that Dogs and Cats are the best companions.  Consider ME, a very soft, petite bunny rabbit.  I’m a shy girl but I’m also quiet and clean and OH SO Adorable. I just need someone to love so I can finally feel secure and happy.

Being 100% vegetarian myself, i’d say that I’m more GREEN than anyone, but I won’t be able to come to the Cville Go Green Fest this Saturday to help raise awareness of Eco-Friendly practices.  I’m too little.  BUT I am here at the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA waiting for you to visit me and perhaps take me home!   Hope to see you.

Peace Out…  Sabre

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DOG LOG BLOG - 7 MAY, 2011 

Entry #3.  Author “Rose” (photo on right) Coonhound Mix/Female/Available for Companionship

My name is Rose and I’d love to be your companion.  I am a very pretty girl (if I do say so myself) and I have been told my eyes are gorgeous. I am laid back and very easy to get along with.  I’m a BIG fan of nature… the outdoors… the fresh air and sunshine. 

I’m hoping I’ll get to join my friends next Saturday at the Cville Go Green Fest.  We’ll be looking for new families to scratch behind our ears and perhaps even take us home with them.  I, for one, only leave a tiny carbon paw print.  Are you watching your impact on the earth? 

Hope to see you soon!  Love Rose

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DOG LOG BLOG – 4 MAY, 2011 

Entry #3.  Author “Taz” (photo on right) American PitBull/Siberian Husky/Male/Available for Companionship

Woof.  So glad that the rain has stopped and now I can splash around in puddles.  You see, i’m just a big, playful baby and I’d love some humans to play with.  Who in the world can resist a face like mine????   Take a look at www.caspca.org for more information about me and my puppy dog friends – or swing by the shelter and scratch behind my ears!  You know you want to.

I’ve heard that the humans here are Earth-friendly.  Not sure exactly what that means, but I certainly like dirt!  I should fit right in.  I’ll hug a tree (or tinkle on it).  Whatever it takes to be your new best friend.  Come by the Cville Go Green Fest on Saturday May 14th.  www.cvillegogreenfest.com for more info.

Raz Ma TAZ… catch ya on the flip side!

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CAT LOG BLOG – 3 MAY, 2011

Entry #2.  Author “Margot” (photo on right) Domestic Longhair/Female/Available for Companionship

‘Dog Log’ indeed!  I am sure you are a “Cat Person,” are you not?  At any rate, it’s high time felines had their say.  They call me Margot.  You can call me whatever you would like as long as you decide to take me home today. I only require the most basic needs, like food, water, shelter, and love.  In return, I will smother you with hugs and kisses.  Take a look at www.caspca.org for more information about me and my feline friends – or swing by the shelter and say hi.

Now, I hate to get on my GREEN soapbox, but I must.  Might I suggest that you start considering the impact you have on this earth?  How can you reduce the trash you produce?  Is there a way you could drive less?  Could you help out with a community clean up event? If you need some guidance or ideas, head over to the Cville Go Green Fest on May 14th at Snow’s Garden Center from 10-2.  Some of my friends from the shelter will be there to greet you and look for new families to adopt them.  Check out www.cvillegogreenfest.com for more information.

Please watch for daily entries to this blog from my friends.

I am Margot and I am sleepy.  Thanks for listening.

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DOG LOG BLOG – 2 MAY, 2011

Entry #1. Author “Sally Mae” (photo on right) Beagle mix/Female/Available for Companionship

It’s a beautiful morning in Charlottesville, VA. Perhaps today will be the day my family will come for me. I snort with glee at the thought. To be a friend, a confidant, a boon companion again would be the key to my ultimate and life-long happiness. Please consider visiting www.caspca.org and viewing additional pictures of me or swing by the shelter and say hi.

I would like to inform readers of this dog log blog that I am INDEED an eco-minded canine. I treat our earth with extreme respect. Green is my favorite color and nothing edible will EVER go to waste around me. In fact, the only ‘waste’ I ever leave on this Earth is 100% organic! I hope to see you all at the Cville Go Green Fest on May 14th at Snow’s Garden Center from 10-2 if you don’t visit me beforehand. My friends and I will be there sporting Cville Go Green scarves and looking for Eco-Friendly Families to give us a scratch and consider taking us home. Go to www.cvillegogreenfest.com for more information.

Please watch for daily entries to this dog log blog from my friends.

Sally Mae Signing Off

Contest Entry (Clever) May 11, 2011

This Go Green Garden Flag Entry comes from Joni Lane.  Very nice and to the point!  I love the little spiders crawling up the right side and the floral vector design flows very nicely.  Thanks Joni!

If you would like to enter your flag design (digital, hand drawn, painted, crayoned), please email me at cvillegogreenfest@gmail.com TODAY!  The deadline is May 13th and the winner will be announced on May 14th at the Cville Go Green Fest.  You don’t need to be present to win, but we’d LOVE to see you there for terrific earth-friendly information, free food and drinks, moon bounce for the kids and lots of GiveAways!

LEAP into an eco-friendly lifestyle May 9, 2011

The Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) is a community-based non-profit in Central Virginia that provides local residents and property owners with a one-stop shop of who to call, what to do, and how to pay for it when it comes to creating a more comfortable, efficient and affordable home or building.  They will be in attendance at the Cville Go Green Fest this Saturday.

Check out this really cool interactive graphic created by ENERGY STAR for tips on improving your home’s energy performance (click ENERGY STAR). While the do-it-yourself measures are important, LEAP encourages all homeowners to take a “whole house” approach where you analyze the costs and benefits of specific actions and develop a prioritized plan of action in consultation with specialists. 

Please join LEAP for a community Open House at ecoREMOD this Thursday, May 12 5-7pm at 608 Ridge Street, Charlottesville (MAP IT). Light refreshments and tours of the house will be provided. Download the event invitation and share it with friends and neighbors.

 
LEAP’s mission is to lead the effort in our local community to conserve water and energy in buildings and promote cost savings, job creation, sustainability, local economic development and environmental stewardship. Through financing and the bundling of existing incentives from all levels of government and local utilities, LEAP helps home and building owners invest in efficiency. Here’s a video that explains the option for getting your home’s “energy score” so you can decide what to do to make it more efficient. If you have questions, LEAP can help.