green news NEWSLETTER OF GREEN DECADE / NEWTON

VOL.22 - NO. 3 MAY/JUNE 2012

Over 20 Years of Environmental Leadership 1990 - 2012

Newton South’s Visual Arts. In addition the 2012 Annual Environmental Leadership Awards recognize: Business: Meredith Management - whose actions positively affect the health of the planet; Community group: Newton Tree Conservancy - for their ongoing work to rebuild our urban forest; Individual: Maria Rose, Environmental Engineer, City of Newton - for her outstanding contribution making an environmental difference with the Charles River.

Greening OurCommunity Series

Tuesday, June 19 - 7pm:Newton’s Energy Plan: Progress to date: public building focus

In 2005, Newton’s Energy Commission released an energy and emissions inventorywith goals for the City and suggestions for residents and businesses. Since then, City public buildings were audited, Newton North was completed, streetlights replaced, the building “stretch code” was instituted, Newton became a “Green Community,” and

At the Newton Free Library 330 Homer St, Newton 02459

Monday, May 21 - 7pm:

Green Decade launched the “Eco-project.” Mayor Warren, his key City staff members along with members of Newton’s Energy Commission will summarize where we stand now and what can we do going forward. Presenters include: Bob Rooney, Newton’s Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the coordination and implementation of the Mayor’s vision across all departments and the development of policy to attain that vision; Eric Olson, Chair of the Newton Citizens Commission on Energy, teaches sustainable international development at Brandeis University; Maciej Konieczny, Newton’s Sustainability Project Manager for Public Buildings; Josh Morse, Director Operations for the Public Buildings Dept.

Our spring student program produced by students, highlight ways our children are building awareness and actively addressing environmental issues. Presentations include: • Cool to Be Green - Mason-Rice Elementary School • Newton South Environmental Club • The Innovation Lab - Newton North High School’s Greengineers • Students for a Greener World • Wind Turbines: 3-D Animation

-Imagine if everyone were green & Environmental Leadership Awards

A Community Partnership

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Honoring Barbara Herson &Brooke Lipsitt on May 31 Green Decade invites you to attend our special celebration honoring founding members, Barbara Herson and Brooke Lipsitt, on May 31, 2012 from 7-9:30 pm at the New Art Center. The evening will include light hors d’oeuvres, wine, desserts, live entertainment and a silent auction. There will be presentations to Barbara and Brooke, who have recently retired from their Board and Committee positions. At the celebration, we will acknowledge their 22+ years of superb environmental leadership. Barbara, a past GDN President, organized Newton’s very first Earth Day Celebration, and is perhaps best known for implementing recycling and waste management programs for the City, and for her popular musical programs. Under her leadership, Green Decade’s Environmental Speaker Series featured a long list of impressive speakers on a wide array of environmental topics. She produced approximately ninety programs in all! These programs have provided many educational opportunities that continue to inspire us to take steps to make our community a more sustainable place to live. Brooke has shown a steadfast commitment for our organization by actively serving on our Board of Directors, most recently as Clerk. Her valuable experience, as a Past President of the Board of Aldermen, has assisted us in establishing priorities and planning strategies to achieve our environmental goals. Brooke has also been an especially outstanding facilitator, helping Green Decade in its ongoing collaboration with City leaders on a wide array of environ-mental issues, such as transportation and energy efficiency. You may purchase tickets on-line at www.greendecade.org for $25 or $30 at the door. If you would like to pay by check, mail to Green Decade/Newton, P.O. Box 590242, Newton, MA 02459. Please join us May 31. If you would like to donate something special, such as a vacation rental, tickets to sporting events or restaurant gift certificates for the silent auction at the event, please contact marciacooper@greendecade.org byMarciaCooper

Internships & other volunteer opportunities! Interested in finding out more about available student internships and other Green Decade volunteer opportunities? We welcome your participation on a variety of environmental projects and programs, whether you have a small amount of time to give or want to participate on a more regular basis. Please contact marciacooper@greendecade.org or call 617-964-8567.

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2012 Newton Student Environmental Art Contest“If I were President, I would _________ to make America greener!” Congratulations and thanks to the students (K-5), teachers and schools who participated in this year’s EnviroArt Contest! Our environmental artists are from:Angier, Bowen, Burr, Cabot, Countryside, Franklin, Horace Mann, Mason-Rice, Memorial-Spaulding, Underwood, Ward, Williams and Zervas Elementary Schools, New Art Center and the Suzuki School of Newton. Green Medalists 1st Grade Mason-Rice: Madison Wee, 2nd Grade Zervas: Team Environment: Jordan Smith-Michaels, Bella Hamilton, Nathan Smith-Michaels3rd Grade Zervas: Green Farm Fan: Itamar Nadler and Noa Nadler4th Grade Memorial-Spaulding: Green Dependent Party: Caleb Abercrombie, Nijah Howard, Yoav Capeluto, Ethan DiTullio 5th Grade Burr: Environmental Cows: Rose Skylstad and Emily YuAfter-School New Art Center: New Art Sculpture Team: Lillian Mayer, Cecilia Robertson, Talia Rafel, Jessica Tang, Madison O’Connell, Sam Forbes

Special Recognition Pre-K Suzuki Preschool: Sophia Boyer, Isabella Guan, Ethan Hawes, Sophie Kamolsay, Chloe Kovach, Jillian Leson, Olivia Lim, Hadia Muzammel, Adrian Norviel, Anne Marie Rafferty, Peter Rindis-bacher, Amelia Sakai, Asher Salmson- Hansen, Alex Wong 1st Grade Zervas: Ava Cortez Neal 2nd Grade Zervas: Yuval Nadler Angier: Alexandra Jing Cabot: Ethan Ecsedy 3rd Grade Countryside: Ellen Yang Franklin: Naomi Grusby4th Grade Zervas: Kyla Fraser Burr: Hallie Zenga Josephson Countryside: Justin Foong Cabot: The Green Team: Isalia McIntyre and Daniela Divo 5th Grade Burr: Hayoung Song Burr: Green Girls: Natasha Sharma and Emilia DeJesusAfter-School Horace Mann: Multimedia Team: Grace Lam and Petar Dukovski Newton Art Center: New Art Video Team: Gavin Cox, Nina Khan, Arthur Motoyama, Evan Aldredge, Emma Sullaway Horace Mann: Sculpture/Mixed Media Team: Celia Viscomi- Solet and Jenna Garber

Honorable Mention1st Grade Individuals Countryside: Willa Selina, Ella Szymanski, Suzuki School of Newton: Katie Cheung, Zervas: Annie LaTorres, Ketturah John

2nd Grade Individuals - Bowen: Maya Yacovi, Franklin: Audrey Gagnon, Christian Bonadio, Ellie McBride, Giuliana Sardi-Rogines, Kianna Hill, Rachel Friedman, Memorial-Spaulding: Jenny He, Williams: Lauren O’Dowd, Zervas: Andrew Murray, Rebecca Dozortsev, Rebecca Stotsky 2nd Grade Teams - Underwood: Three Bird Brains: Eva Moughan, Anna Moughan, Layla Monet-Viera, Williams: Green Lightning: Ariana Locke, Grace Butterworth, Zervas: Go Green: Isabel Bonegio, Sylvie Spitz

3rd Grade Individuals - Franklin: Romina Paola, Emma Pinch, Mira Dreitlein, Mason-Rice: Emma Bradshaw, Ward: Megan White, Zervas: Ben Gold, Dina Kats, Gabriela Dozortsev, Mika Sade, Stephanie Little 3rd Grade Teams - Zervas: The Greenies Not Meanie: Liana Chen, Doan Le, Valerie Goldstein, Violet Goldstein, Mason-Rice: Adair & Miller: Adair Nolan, Miller Kodish, Ward: Grace+Maja: Grace Eaton, Maja Duchnowska, Williams: Sammy & Sharen: Sammy Shepherd, Sharen Lim, Williams: The Green Girls: Grace Tourtelotte, Erin Kosa, Kriti Diman, Samantha Marval

2012 EnviroArt Contest Committee• Christina Haskins, Art Contest Coordinator • Jena Page Greaser, Sponsors & Operations Coordinator • Margaret Ford, Student Programs Coordinator • Sunwoo Kahng, Schools Outreach Committee • Eric Bobby, Schools Outreach Committee • Marcia Cooper, President, Green Decade/Newton • Adela Miller, 2012 Contest Poster Designer • Diane Jaquith, Special Advisor • Lindsey Kenna, Production Coordinator • Maxwell Hamilton, Photographer

2012 Contest JudgesArlene Bandes, Marcia Cooper, Jena Page Greaser, Ellen Meyers (Newton Free Library), Cynthia Stone (Historic Newton)

Student Production Crew• Ariana & Shayan Bakhtyari • Becca & Anna Bogstad • Katie Burstein • Anson & Athenee Chan • Julian Hawke • Vikram Konanki • Sophie Magidson • Albert Materdey • Ella Palmon • Natalie Polonsky • Nia Suresh • Leyla, Zahra & Kaya Surmeli • Max & Sophia Tepermeister • Cassy & Becca Turner- Goldsmith • Ilias & Aleko Vamvakas • Taylor & Niki Yeracaris

2012 SponsorsByggmeister Design BuildNSTARNewton Organic LawnStonyfield OrganicThe Village BankWhole Foods Market

2012 SupportersGreen Energy NewtonMayor’s Office of Cultural AffairsNew Art CenterNewton Community Service CenterNewton PatchNewton PTO CouncilNewton Schools Foundation

Honorable Mention (Continued)4th Grade Individuals - Burr: Maggie Needham, Cabot: Josh Shen, Countryside: Sophia Pechan, Franklin: Chris Campbell, Michael Coscione, Memorial-Spaulding: Joshua Liu, Ran Liberman, Sydney Lipof, Underwood: Laila M. Lucas, Zervas: Caroline Murray, Kathryn Rhatigan, Maya Rhodes-Kropf, Theodore J. Harsham 4th Grade Teams - Zervas: The Green Goddesses: Hailey Robinson, Sarah Modiano, Lily Guilette, Ellie Graham, Underwood: Green Girls: Anna Weylman, Bianca Nascimento, Victoria Leaper, Nadia Huber, Memorial-Spaulding: Jake/Ben/Lolo: Lolo Garcia-Marxuach, Ben Genser, Jacob Schwartz, Franklin: The Sunlight Savers: Bella Bertolami, Jen Buras, Rachel Bindman, Burr: Grenna: Ella Thurber, Anna Thornley, Burr: Save Our World: Stephy Torres Londono, Nathan Dorval, Burr: Team Em-Lor: Taylor Annese, Emma Walker

5th Grade Individuals - Burr: Jerry Han, Kaylee Federmann, Cabot: Isabel Hoffman, Lauren Gobler, Countryside: Adam Zou, Adrianne Goodfriend, Caroline Saksena, Giovanni Lauriello, Jonathan Chen, Raquel Fisk, Mason-Rice: Sarah Kern, Memorial-Spaulding: Sophie Davis, Zervas: Caroline Whalen, Ilya Rudyak, Isaac Chapin, Jamica Crawford 5th Grade Teams - Memorial-Spaulding: Environment Project: Sabrina Clebnik, Nicole Katz

After-School Teams - Cabot: Go Green Street Style: Jason Reyes, Nik Lund, Evan Lindstrom, Horace Mann: Poster Team: Alida Parkman, Charlot

PAGE 3 MAY/JUNE 2012

Environmental Art Contestwinners receive awardsSmiles from elementary student winners, teachers, parents and friends filled the Newton Cultural Center on April 5. AllphotosbyMaxHamilton

NEWSLETTER OF THE GREEN DECADE / NEWTON PAGE 4

Our mission is to create an environment in better balance with the natural world by making significant, measurable improvements in the way we use resources. Goals include helping households, businesses and institutions to: • Increase energy efficiency & seek alternatives to fossil/nuclear fuels; • Use IPM and organic alternatives to pesticides; • Promote high performance (green) building measures; • Prevent pollution through source reduction and reduced consumption; • Promote reuse and recycling practices; • Improve waste disposal practices; • Conserve water and other resources. Our programs are designed to build awarness, promote opportunities for public dialogue and educate and empower citizens to take personal and civic action.

Newton’s first Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinators Green Decade board member Lois Levin has been appointed by Mayor Warren as Newton’s first Bicycle Coordinator, and Alicia Bowman was named as Newton’s first Pedestrian Coordinator. Levin has also been named to the newly created Transportation Advisory Group (TAG), chaired by Andreae Downs. The TAG, whose goal is to improve transportation in Newton, includes both city staff and resident volunteers. TAG members will work to improve automotive traffic flow and to encourage the use of alternatives to driving by promoting safer conditions for pedestrians, bicyclists and mass transit users. byLuciaDolan

Thanks ! and next newsletter deadline For the next newsletter, please send submissions by e-mail to Ira Krepchin, irapk@alum.mit.edu, by Mon, May 28, 2012. Thanks for making this newsletter possible to Managing Editor Ira Krepchin, Editor Peter Smith, Copy Editor Susan Tornheim and article authors. Many thanks to our newsletter mailing chairs Marcia Cooper and Frank Propp, and their team for the last issue: Sarah Barnett, Shirlee Isenberg, Naomi Osher, Edie & Frank Propp.

April 21 Bike Check-up Day This was Bike Newton’s annual Newton Unplugged event. Nathan Aronow, David Krigman, with a team of volunteers including Ryan O’Hara, Jena Greaser, Nathan Phillips, Roz Aronow and Miles Smith, checked out dozens of bicycles.

OnFridayApril13th,thestudentsatPeirceElementaryschoolcollected86pairofusedsneakers&shoesforrecyclinginhonorofEarthDay2012.26pairwereinsuchgreatconditiontheyarebeingdonatedtoTheSocietyofSt.VincentdePaultoberedistributedtoneedyfamilies.Theother80pairwillberecycledthroughNike’s“ReuseAShoe”program(nikereuseashoe.com)tobeusedtocreatenew playgrounds and sports fields.

Pierce School recycles sneakers

Seedling Sale at Newton Farm! Sat May 19 & Sun May 20, 1-3 pm General Public, noon – 1 pm Pre-sale for Friends of Farm. At 303 Nahanton St, Newton.Newton Community Farm’s seedling sale will feature 20,000 vegetable and herb seedlings, including a wide variety of each. Come select plants for your backyard and talk to expert gardeners who will be on hand to answer your questions. The cost is $5 for a four or six pack of seedlings. Cash or check only. Bring your own boxes for carrying. For information, go to Newton Community Farm’s website, http://newtoncommunityfarm.org/.

May 17 (Thurs) 7pm - Transportation Forum At the Newton Free Library, Druker Auditorium, 330 Homer St, Newton. Speakers will address how parking policy helps or hurts a business district, the effect of parking policy on traffic and safety and what are Newton’s parking rules and where do they apply? Co-sponsored by Newton Free Library, League of Women Voters Newton, and Green Decade/Newton.

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Saturday May 5 - 350 Event !This international Bill McKibben event “Connect the Dots” is scheduled to be held simultaneously all over the world. Sign up now for our activity at www.greendecade.org

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Thanks for donations: (contributions received before April 15)FRIENDS: Geoff Adams & Claudia Springer, Lynne & Dick Bail, Halina Brown & Philip Vergragt, Diana Daves, Bev & Tom Droz, Ann & Bill Hartner, Joan & Charles Hawley, Ted & Martha Holmes, Faith Justice & Rob Moote, Harriet & Richard Kahn, Susan Korn & Eliot Bolan, Marianne & Terry Louderback, Eric & Naomi Olson, Matthew Pawa, Anne Pearson, Nathan & Robyn Phillips, Frank & Edie Propp, Jeremy Russo, Joan & Carl Shiffman, First Unitarian Society Social Action Comm., Carolyn Stone & Allan Kohrman, Francine Vidockler, Britta Zecher

DONORS: Kevin Dutt & Toni Hicks, Katherine Howard, Barney & Barbara Keezell, Treff LaFleche, Brooke & Paul Lipsitt, Peter & Cheryl Lloyd, Ken & Margaret Mallory, Andrew & Anne Martin, Pat & Will Rand, Robert & Charlotte Seeley, Mindy Sieber, Peter & Helen Smith

PATRONS: Larry & Pat Burdick, Laurel Farnsworth, Betsy Leavitt

BENEFACTORS: Hugh Wilkinson

HOST DONATIONS FOR MAY 31 CELEBRATION: AnnaMaria & Fred Abernathy, Ald. Lisle Baker, Jean H. Bennett, Ellen & Michael Bettman, NewTV Board of Directors, Louise & Sevryn Bruyn, Sandra Butzel, Delia H. Cantor, Bonnie & Walter Carter, Thomas Concannon, Marcia Cooper & Jeff Rosenberg, Elaine Cory, Senator Cynthia & Harvey Creem, Ald. Deborah Crossley & Philip Vance, Nancy Crowley, Sharon Cushing, Susan Dechter & Zvi Sesling, Kevin Dutt & Toni Hicks, Joanne & Paul Egerman, Kathy & Dennis Girard, Ari & Jennifer Goldberg, Philip Herr, Steven Herson, Susan R. Heyman, Lisa & Matthew Hills, Teresa & James Hofheimer, Ald. Marcia Johnson, Douglas Jones & Virginia Drachman, Sunwoo Kahng & Peter Boberg, Richard Knutson & Patti Gorman, Ald. Cheryl & Fred Lappin, Ald. Marc & Roberta Laredo, Jean MacRae, Marian & Stephanie Mandell, Adrienne & John McGrath, Josephine McNeil, Cheryl A Nelson, Sheila & Jim Purdy, Myron & Roberta Rosenberg, Judy Rosenstein & Paul Hoxie, Dan Ruben, Stephen & Nancy Sahlein, Fran Seasholes, Peter & Helen Smith, Francine & Leonard Solomon, Babs & Walter Sonneborn, Barbara & Peter Terris, Maeve & William Ward, Jean Weinberg/Dinaburg family, Britta Zecher

NEWSLETTER OF THE GREEN DECADE / NEWTON PAGE 5

landscaper Risa Edelstein urged attendees to go wild if they want an organic yard: Wildlife Friendly, Imitate Mother Nature, Limit Your Inputs, Designed for People and Nature. The organic landscape welcomes wildlife. It attracts butterflies and bees and even bats and hawks that eat enormous numbers of mosquitoes and other insects. Bees are the preeminent pollinators essential to growing food and flowers. (Alarmingly, scientists are seeing a dramatic decline in the bee population.) Edelstein’s showed photos of her four-season garden makeovers that feature a diversity of native plants such as Black-eyed Susan and Oak Leaf Hydrangea, Virginia creeper that attracts the sphinx moth, Dutchman’s Pipe that attracts the swallowtail butterfly and common milkweed that attracts the monarch butterfly. Gardens with native berries such as raspberries, blackberries and blueberries provide edibles for us as well as wildlife. “Like nature, let it be messy,” said Edelstein. She advised using a mulch of minced leaves and letting plants stand through the winter to feed the birds and other wildlife. Edelstein also avoids chemical inputs, and recommends drip irrigation. She recommends watering well to start the garden and then water sparingly to encourage hardy deep-rooted plants. She advised monitoring for invasive plants such as bittersweet and swallow tail vine—be persistent in pulling them out. Other ecological features included a rain barrel to capture rooftop rainwater and a dry creek to channel run-off into the ground instead of the sewers. Also on the program, Jessie Banhazl, owner of Green City Growers, described how her company installs and maintains organic vegetable gardens in raised beds and cold frames. Adequate sunlight and healthy soil are necessary. She advised getting your soil tested at the Extension Service and noted that different plants may need different pH levels. To deter critters, she suggested tall beds and wire mesh fencing. Got grubs? There are some products that can help -- corn gluten in the spring and milky spore applied at the right time. Sarah Little, author of the Introduction to Organic Lawns and Yards added that research reveals that chemical treatments make lawns more vulnerable to grubs, while organic lawns resist grubs. She also noted that even organic pesticides may still be toxic. She also explained the difference between ticks that carry Lyme disease and others types and the conditions that attract them. She recommended a variety of references and the list at www.organiclandcare.net to find “160 NOFA accredited organic lawn care professionals who service Newton; 90 do yard maintenance.” The program will be shown soon on NewTV. For more resources go to www.greendecade.org/greencap.html byEllieGoldberg

Secrets of Organic Landscaping - Go WILD! At Green Decade’s March speaker program, expert

Landscapespeakersl-r:EllieGoldberg,SarahLittle,JessieBanhazl,RisaEdelstein

AtNSTAR/ChamberBusinessEnergyEventMarch20:l-rPeterSmith,ChamberEnvComChair,BobHalpin,ChamberPres,MarciaCooper,GreenDecadePres,MichaelGreis,GreenNeedham,LaureyHammel,SustBusinessLeaderProgram

Chamber energy event a success

MAY/JUNE 2012 PAGE 6

Earth Day Events!April 21 (Sat) New England Mobile Book Fair

Junk mail alert Now, there’s even more reason for concern about junk mail. The US Postal Service has a plan called Every Door Direct Mail that will increase mail sent to “current resident,” a plan that could generate billions of extra pieces of unwanted mail per year. That figure comes from a group called Catalog Choice, which reports that the USPS process enabling individuals to be left off the list is ineffective, and most companies are unaware of their responsibilities in that regard. The group is asking people to sign their letter urging the USPS to allow citizens to opt out of the program, and to take steps to improve the program. For more information and to sign the letter, visit the Catalog Choice website, http://www.citizensformailchoice.com/.

Newton UnpluggedMarch 29 the Magic Recycled Box Workshop

March29fromtheMagicRecycledBoxWorkshopattheNewtonLibrary:Bas-ketballfansteamuptomakeabasketball&goaloutofboxes&otherstuff!

March29fromtheMagicRecycledBoxWorkshopattheNewtonLibrary:I’mloadingmyairplanewithcargo,ofcourse!

AtNEMobileBookFairl-r:MargaretFord,TomLyons(newowner),MarciaCooperonMagicEnergyBike&RozAronow(notshown:NextStepLivingrep.)

April 22 (Sun) At both Newton Whole Foods

Thank you to Whole FoodsGreen Decade wishes to express our appreciation to both Whole Foods Markets in Newton for featuring our organization on Earth Day and helping to support our emvironmental work with a $1 donation for each vegan bakery item sold in their Bakery departments on Earth Day.

March29fromtheMagicRecycledBoxWorkshopattheNewtonLibrary:Motheranddaughtermakingaballoonpuppettotakehome.

Newton residents are encouraged to try composting and help the environment by diverting waste from the trash carts. Residents can sign up for a tour of the Resource Recovery Center at Rumford Ave on Wednesday, May 9th to see first-hand how leaves and yard waste collected curbside is turned into valuable compost! Tour attendees will be entered in a raffle for a chance to win a home composting bin. Residents can also sign up for a free Home Composting workshop on May 9th at 7pm to learn how to turn your spoils into soil at Newton City Hall, War Memorial Auditorium. According to the U.S. EPA, more than 25% of what we throw away is organic kitchen and garden material. This could easily be turned into compost with nutrients put back in to the garden. Composting also diverts a lot of waste from landfills and incinerators. Since Newton began selling home composting bins in 2000, over 1000 units have been sold! Home composting bins are available year-round for $53, plus tax. Stop by City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Ave, to purchase one. Once purchased, bins are picked up at the Recycling Depot. Visit the Recycling Depot at Rumford Ave and take home small quantities of compost free of charge. The Depot is open Mon.-Fri. from 7:30am-2:30pm and Sat. 7:30am-12:30pm. To sign up for events and to learn more about the benefits of composting, please visit newtonrecycles.com or call Customer Service at 311 (617.796.1000 from cell phones)

International compost week!

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NEWSLETTER OF THE GREEN DECADE / NEWTON PAGE 7

“SpringinMyBackyard”ChickenownersCassia(right)andJulianHawke(lowerleft)teachnewfriendsabouttheirchickens,Mrs.SnowdropandGodzilla.

March 23 - Newton Unplugged “Spring in My Backyard” workshop at Newton Cultural Center

“SpringinMyBackyard”Committee:L-R:SophieMagidson(GD/Nintern),AmandaWebber,AlisonWilson(NewtonCommunityFarm),MargaretFord,andSunwooKahngwithdaughterClaraBoberg.

AlisonWilson,NewtonCommunityFarm,leadsseedplantingactivity.

“SpringinMyBackyard”Twoorganicartistsmakingbeanart

Buy green, local power through Mass Energy Mass Energy Consumers Alliance is a non-profit organiza- tion dedicated to making energy affordable and environ-mentally sustainable. We started as a group of neighbors sitting around a kitchen table trying to find a solution to high oil prices. That meeting led to our discount heating oil service. As our program grew, we realized that high-priced, foreign-based oil could never be a permanent solution to our energy needs—no matter how many discounts we could negotiate. Three decades later, Mass Energy still uses buying power to protect consumers from the high prices, health risks, and environmental destruction that characterize current energy use—but now, we also do it through green power. We brought together the commitments of thousands of concerned Massachusetts residents to form New England Wind and New England GreenStart, our green power buying programs. Our members buy green power from local solar, wind, low-impact hydro, and digester gas projects. How can I buy local green power? Mass Energy’s New England Wind (NEW) Friends program is specifically for customers of NSTAR, Unitil and Western Mass Electric. You can participate in this program by making monthly contributions to buy RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates, aka “green tags”) from local community wind turbines. This puts more green power on the grid and builds upon clean power infrastructures that need our support now! Unlike the NSTAR Green program, our product is not increasing in cost; in fact, we’ve reduced the cost by buying more and more local wind power! Our wind sources are local—including turbines in Dorchester, Princeton, Scituate, Medford, Worcester and Hull. These projects create jobs, reduce emissions, and provide educational opportunities in MA communities. And, because we’re non-profit, your payments are 100% federally tax-deductible. NEW Friends cannot currently be billed to you on the electric bill like NSTAR Green, but you can make simple automatic monthly payments using your credit or debit card! Mass Energy now serves over 7,000 members with our green power programs—and its making a huge impact. We are proud to provide electricity consumers with the choice to support renewable energy.byIsabelaSmirne,ProgramAssociateforMarketingand Outreach,(ECANE)MassEnergy/People’sPower&Light

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MAY/JUNE 2012 PAGE 8

617 965-1995 e-mail: info@greendecade.org www.greendecade.org

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Board o f D irectors Advisory Board Ann Berwick, atlargeEric Bobby, atlargeAl Calderone, atlargeMarcia Cooper, PresidentSharon Cushing, TreasurerEd Cunningham, atlargeMichele Davis, Energy Lucia Dolan, Clerk, TransportationRobbie Durschlag, Faith&Env. Paul Eldrenkamp, atlargeIra Krepchin, NewsletterLois Levin, Transp;EnvEditorTABJean MacRae, atlargeKen Mallory, atlarge Eric Olson, atlargeJim Purdy, VicePres, EnergyMyron Rosenberg, DevelopmentDan Ruben, ChairpersonPeter Smith, Newsletter;ChamberElaine Vildzius, atlarge

Karen AlbertAna Zarina Asuaje Solon, Louise Bruyn, PastPres.Sheila Clawson David & Elva Del Porto Bev Droz, PastPresidentDianne Dumanoski Kevin Dutt, PublicAffairs Katherine GekasBonnie Glickman,EcoTeamsEllie GoldbergFred Gordon, MCANBd.Barbara Herson, PastPres.Sunwoo Kahng Francoise LaMonica,NewTVBrooke LipsittMatt PawaFran SeasholesAnnabelle Ship Rohna ShoulHeather TausigMaeve Ward

Please join or renew for 2012!online @: www.greendecade.org

Green Decade is proud of its 21 year history and our organization’s efforts to help residences, businesses and public facilities become more sustainable. You may also send a $25 payment for a basic membership to Green Decade/Newton, P.O. Box 590242, Newton, MA 02459

Newton’s List: Eco-Project expands its online resources Green Decade’s Eco-Project team has added new resources to its website, www.NewtonEcoProject.com, to help Newton residents live more sustainably. The site now includes referrals to plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors, etc. to help residents find the tradesman they need to make the home energy improvements that will reduce their household carbon footprint and make their homes more comfortable and less expensive to operate. The site also includes a new FAQ page about MassSave, the utility program that offers no-cost home energy assessments, rebates on insulation, a 0% interest loan program, and more. If you have questions about Mass Save or you would like to schedule an audit please visit the site. The Newton Eco-project is working with NSTAR in its Community Outreach Program to promote Mass Save. We want to help Newton residents take advantage of the various economic incentives that Mass Save offers. The Eco-project will continue to build its website to address home environmental issues of all kinds including home energy improvements, water usage, driving, recycling, purchasing practices, etc. If you have experience or expertise in a related area and would like to contribute content to the site let us know. Contact us on the website or e-mail Jay Walter at entasis@rcn.com. byJayWalter

Volunteer at a LEED home for Historic Newton tour June 3 (Sun) 12:00 pm – 5 pm – Twelve Green Decade volunteers are needed to help staff a LEED Gold certified house that will be included on the Historic Newton’s 30th Annual House Tour. As a tour volunteer, you receive a complimentary ticket (a $30 value) in exchange for donating around 2.5 hours of your time during the tour hours. Contact marciacooper@greendecade.org to sign up.

No-cost NSTAR energy audits The Mass Save Home Energy Services Program is providing money and energy saving opportunities, including:• No-cost Home Energy Assessment to identify energy saving opportunities • No-cost compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to start saving energy immediately• 75% off, up to $2000, on the installation of approved insulation improvements• Generous rebates for high efficiency heating and hot water equipment• 0% financing on eligible energy efficiency improvements Sign up for a no cost assessment at newtonecoteams.org or call 866-867-8729 and mention Green Decade Newton.