Why do people look at me like I have 2 heads?

I'm very passionate about my thoughts on accountability when it comes to sustainability.  And I live by this.

To me it is this simple.

If you purchase something, you are now the responsible party that when you are through with it that it is disposed of correctly.  I'm talking about the day to day items in our lives.  When you are finished with the dish soap, rinse out the bottle and recycle.  You know that roll in the center of the toilet paper - that is recyclable too.  How about those old pair of jeans - they recycle too.  Aluminum foil - it can be recycled infinite times, rinse it off and toss it in with the recyclables.  I could go on and on.

Nothing gets me going faster then to see a recycling container sitting directly beside a trash can and the trash can is filled with items that should be in the recycling container.  Why does this happen?  Is it laziness?  Is it because people need to be educated on what is and what is not recyclable? 

I'm going to offer this for anyone in the Pittsburgh area.  If you are unsure of what is recyclable, email me and I will help you by either locating a guide (City of Pittsburgh has a nice one that lists the recycling basics). 
http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/pw/html/recycling.html
No cost to you - my only payment is that you will learn what to do with "that" item(s) in the future.

I care about this planet, my family, for your family, and for all the children yet to come.  Please won't you join me in taking these little steps of recycling.

Marcellus Shale links:

What is:  http://www.marcellusshales.com/

Drilling projects and other information:  http://www.marcellus-shale.us/

Combination of a web-based DataTool for tracking & visualizing data related to gas extraction in the Marcellus Shale region:  http://www.fractracker.org/

Marcellus Shale Coalition:  http://marcelluscoalition.org/

Marcellus Shale Protest:  http://www.marcellusprotest.org/

Action alliance:  http://shaleshock.org/

Keeping the public informed:  http://themarcellusshale.com/

Neighborhood drilling:  http://www.lpactiongroup.com/

Additional Information on Natural Gas Drilling:

http://damascuscitizens.org/   - Damascus Citizens 

http://lpactiongroup.blogspot.com/ - LP Action Group Blog

http://shaleblog.com/ - Shale Blog 

http://threeriverswaterkeeper.org/maps.html - Three Rivers Waterkeepers 

http://www.chk.com/Pages/default.aspx - Chesapeake Energy

http://www.donnan.com/Marcellus-Gas_Hickory.htm - Bob's Blog 

http://www.marcellus-shale.us/ - Marcellus Shale US

http://www.pennfuture.org/default.aspx - Penn Future

http://www.propublica.org/ - Propublica

Mother Earth News Fair - September 25-26

The Mother Earth News Fair (MENF) far exceeded any possible expectation that I could have had.  

We made it to 7 Springs Resort around 11:30 and the extended parking lots were quickly filling.  The MENF had set ups outside of the resort as well as two levels inside.  We were very fortunate that Mother Nature cooperated - it was a beautiful warm fall day in the mountains.  Between the vendors, music, demonstrations and panel discussions - it was hard to pick which way to go next (at least it was for me).

There was a large turn out of visitors as well as vendors. I was like a kid in a candy store.  I've heard that MEN is planning other events elsewhere in the country and I do hope that this will be the start of an annual event in this area.  MEN is sponsoring a "Green Home" at the resort, so I would suspect that we will be seeing another MENF next year.  Kudos to the volunteers, MEN staff, vendors, supporters, resort staff for making this a viable event - actions speak louder then words: People want change!

Thank you Mother Earth News!

http://www.motherearthnews.com/

Pittsburgh: Hard to Recycle Events - September/October

Hard to recycle events for September/October:  http://bit.ly/an6m8N

Saturday, September 25th, 2010
City of Pittsburgh Environmental Services
3001 Railroad Street. Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Saturday, October 16th, 2010
The Mall at Robinson(Mall Parking Lot)
100 Robinson Centre Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205

Putting Down Roots: Maren's List: Aug 27/28: GASLAND showing in Frick Park

Putting Down Roots: Maren's List: Aug 27/28: GASLAND showing in Frick Park: 

"Josh Fox is coming back to Pittsburgh!An outdoor screening of his recent film 'GasLand' will be presented in Pittsburgh by Josh Fox and Rooftop Films in Frick Park, in the swale below

Blue Slide playground (near the intersection of Nicholson Street and

Beechwood Blvd. in Squirrel Hill.

The event is scheduled to begin at 8:00pm, and will include live music,  

the film screening, and a panel discussion. 

Planned date is Aug 27;  in case of rain it'll shift to Aug. 28.  

More information can be found here. 

Courtesy of "Putting Down Roots: Maren's List"

Pittsburgh City Council Unanimously Passes Bike Parking Requirement Ordinance

City Council Unanimously Passes Bike Parking Requirement Ordinance