February Meeting Updates

Kids + Passion = Energy; that’s how this month’s GT meeting began.

Mrs. Martha Fisher’s 3^rd grade class from Westerly Elementary School gave an awesome presentation on their rain barrel project to the Green Team. The class plans to raise awareness for storm water management by assembling and selling rain barrels this spring. This is a wonderful project that the class is undertaking—there was a lot of enthusiasm for the project by everyone there--the children, their parents, and GT members.

The Community Garden is preparing to open this spring—targeting early April to open, weather dependent. Fifty Nine plots are already assigned—a total of 130 are available. Bay community garden head Bob Shields is looking for people to chair and participate on the various sub committees. A new fence will be purchased. There are plans to hold a kickoff meeting for Community Garden participants in March. A new requirement for community garden service will be added this year.

On the waste management front... Council approved Automated Trash Pick-up with a vote of 7-0 in January. The ATP will include increased curbside recycling (of cardboard, mixed paper) and compost (yard waste in brown bags). The green team is in strong support of this initiative due to the potential to significantly increase the recycling within the city. The Green Team plans to support the ATP roll out by working with Republic to create labels for the inside, top of the containers. Bay will be the first west side community to have labels on the recycle containers—this should increase the recycle compliance. The Green Team will also publish various alternatives for using or donating your used trash can. We don’t want them going to the land fill!

Ideas include:

· Donate those in good shape to Habitat for Humanity (must be clean)

· Donate those that are blue in good shape to the Bay Schools

· Keep them for excess trash, that will be picked up monthly

· Repurpose them into compost containers. This is a great way to use a can that has holes, as holes are needed to aerate the compost. An informational link is also provided on our website for repurposing to a backyard digester in the January 2011 Meeting Update posting.

· If all else fails, recycle them. Chances are the metal or plastic can be recycled (probably not curbside)

Upcoming Events

· Wednesday, April 13, 7 PM Bay Community House—Compost Seminar with Kathy Rocco of the Solid Waste District

· Saturday, April 16, 9am to 5pm —Habitat for Humanity Pick Up at the BVPD parking lot

· Wednesday, April 27, 7 PM Bay Community House—Build a Rain Barrel with Amy Roskilly of the Cuyahoga County Soil and Water Conservation District.

· Saturday, May 21, 10:30 AM to 2 PM—Project Earth Water Way Clean Up

· Saturday, May 21, 9am to 5pm—Habitat for Humanity Pick Up at the BVPD parking lot

For a complete set of Minutes from the February 8^th meeting email us at bayvillagegreenteam.com. Join us at our next regular GT meeting on Tuesday, March 8^th, 6:30 PM, at the Bay Community House—New location to note.

Make a difference, get involved!

Winter, a Time to Rest

The beautiful winter season brings not only frigid weather but also a stark beauty that is absent during the rest of the year. The leafless trees remind us of a black and white picture that is quietly serene. It has a calming effect on you and it can easily put you into a winter trance. It is true that winter takes its toll on us physically and mentally. It tests our physical endurance. Whether we are battling the frigid winds or trying to be sure footed on a slippery walkway it challenges us. The time that it takes to put on all the extra layers of clothing is enough to wear us out before we even begin our outdoor adventure. The winter season also brings fewer hours of daylight which makes us crave the warmth of our homes and earlier bedtimes. While the weather is cold outside let us appreciate that as of now there is no yard work to be done. Let us relax, have some hot cocoa, sit back and save our energy. Soon the spring temperatures will bring raking, planting and plenty of outdoor work. All the seasons of the year have a unique appeal and each one is a work of art in its own way. Be patient with Mother Nature and remember under the heavy blanket of white snow, a wonderful surprise awaits us, the promise of spring.

January 2011 Meeting Updates

The Bay Village Green Team hit the ground running in the New Year. Despite the weather, the January meeting brought together a few familiar faces of the past along with some new faces from the community–welcome one and all!

In the past the GT has identified and focused on 5 areas of sustainability that include: general sustainability, waste management, transportation, environment and energy & green buildings. Since the budding success of the community garden last summer a 6^th category was added with the heading of local foods.

2011 goals were discussed in each of the areas beginning in communications. Some highlights include: The BVGT fact sheet is currently in its final stage of completion, soon to be ready for release; the team is looking for ideas and writers for monthly “green” articles for submission to the Westlake Bay Observer; arrange for speakers at the monthly meetings on a quarterly basis and develop a presence on the new city website.

For those of you that didn’t know… on January 24^th City council members unanimously voted to pass the implementation of automated trash pick-up in the city beginning this Spring. Although this is a city-sponsored project, the Green Team is in strong support of the increased curbside recycling that will be available. We’ll be promoting recycling awareness as part of the ATP roll-out to help residents identify the proper items to be placed in the recycle bins by creating a label to be attached to the lids of each Recycle bin. The team is currently writing a grant proposal to the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District for funding on a postcard to all residents on the Recycle Bank Program as well as a video explaining how and why to recycle for posting on the City website. The grant will be awarded the end of March. Ideas were discussed on the best method for disposal of existing residential trash cans to avoid being land filled. A city-wide collection and donation to Habitat for Humanity was suggested as one possible solution. Old trash cans can also be easily repurposed for composting or digesting food scraps or animal waste appropriately and responsibly. Here is a great video link for a DIY backyard digester: http://vimeo.com/15752957.

For a complete set of minutes from the January 11^th meeting email us at bayvillagegreenteam@gmail.com. Join us at our next meeting Tuesday, February 8th at 6:30 PM—City Hall. Make a difference, get involved!

2011 Bay Village Round-Up Collection Dates

In conjunction with the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District the Bay Village Service Department will have the following Round-Ups collection dates for the 2011 season.

Computer Collection: April 11 – April 16, 2011; August 15 – August 20, 2011

Household Hazardous Waste: April 25 – April 30, 2011; September 12 – September 17, 2011

Tire Collection: August 15 – August 20, 2011

Drop-off your old computers, household hazardous waste and tires during the above dates at the Bay Village Service Center, 31300 Naigle Road, or call the Service Department at (440) 871-1221 for more information. Hours of collection will be Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 11:15am & 12:15pm to 3:00pm.; Saturday hours 8:00am to 12:00pm.

Phone Book recycling collection takes place at 12 Cleveland Metropark locations including the Huntington Beach Reservation in Bay Village (south side of Lake Road) beginning June 1^st running through September 30th.

Green Your Commute

Make a New Year’s Resolution to save money and green your commute. Save wear and tear on your car. Relax --let someone else do the driving! And, do your part to reduce emissions in Northeast Ohio.

The RTA has several bus routes that go in to Downtown Cleveland on weekdays. The cost is $2.25 or $2.50/ride—much cheaper than most downtown parking. And, you can get bus passes that reduce the cost even further.

West Shore Flyer--Route 55F
The Bus route goes through Bay Village—on either Lake Road, Wolf Road, or Osborn—within a few blocks of just about anyone that lives in the City. The route continues on Lake Road to Clifton Boulevard, and on into Downtown Cleveland. Morning eastbound routes run between 6 and 8 AM. Evening westbound routes run between 3:30 and 6:30 PM.

If you live in Westlake, there are several routes that go between Crocker Park and downtown Cleveland. Or, you can catch the 55F at the Clague Road Park-N-Ride (at the intersection of Clague and Wolf Roads)
Westlake Park-N-Ride Route 246
This is a great option if you prefer a route with no stops into Downtown Cleveland. The Park-N-Ride leaves from the RTA Lot that is between Columbia and Clague, off of Sperry Drive. There is also an entrance off of Columbia road in Westlake just past the Rail Road tracks. Morning eastbound routes run between 6 and 8:30 AM. Evening westbound routes run between 3:30 and 6:30 PM.

You can also connect at the Westgate Transit Center to come in to Downtown Cleveland. From the Westgate Transit Center, you can make a connection with several bus routes, including Route 26 or Route 55 into Downtown Cleveland.

Detroit-Wager—Route 46
This bus route is on Detroit Avenue between Crocker Park and the Westgate Transit Center. The westbound route has a stop at the Westlake Park-N-Ride. The bus schedule is hourly throughout the day, ending around 6 PM.
Center Ridge—Route 49
This bus route connects Crocker Park (corner of Market and Main) & St John West Shore Hospital with the Westgate Shopping Center & Fairview Hospital via Center Ridge Road. You can also get a connection at the Westgate Transit Center or the West Park Rapid Station. The bus schedule is hourly throughout the day, ending around 10 PM.

For specific bus routes, schedules, and fares, visit www.riderta.com.

The Bay Village Green Team meets at 6:30 PM on the second Tuesday of each month at the Bay Village City Hall, second floor conference room. Please join us at an upcoming meeting on January 11 or February 8.

Season's Greening!

Did you know that between Thanksgiving and New Year's, Americans throw away one million extra tons of garbage every week?

Here’s some Green Tips (and facts) that even Santa would cheer...

Real vs. artificial Christmas tree - real trees can be recycled which is an easy way to return a renewable and natural source back to the environment. By recycling into mulch, trees can be used in landscaping and gardening or chipped and used for playground material, hiking trails, paths and walkways. An even better option is to purchase a living, potted tree this Christmas and then plant it after the holidays. Some asthma sufferers may not be able to handle a live tree. Artificial trees can be cost efficient, convenient and reused for years but on the down (and not green side) they are typically manufactured with metal and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a non-biodegradable, petroleum-derived plastic plus they are typically manufactured in China—ouch! If you want to go with an artificial tree, your best bet is to buy a used one.

When purchasing Christmas lights LED are your best choice because they use 90% less energy than conventional lights.

While shopping for presents be sure to buy locally and support our Cleveland economy. From art to candy and even resale shops our town is booming with many cool and unique stores that offer a variety of “green” gifts for the holidays. Also, consider Fair Trade marked items which are good for the environment as well as people, since viable work depends on reliable supplies of resources. Plus a Fair-Trade gift gives twice—to the recipient and the craftsperson. While shopping online make sure to either reuse that cardboard box it’s delivered in or break it down and take it to the Bay Village Service Center Drop Off for recycling. If you put it out on your tree lawn for trash pick up it will go to the landfill—reuse, recycle!

Instead of buying Christmas wrapping paper why not use the comics or an outdated map or if you want to get creative try stamping (with vegetable based ink of course) on some plain newsprint or use the inside of a paper bag. Don't forget to reuse all those gift bags you received last year’s gifts in.

When entertaining let your guests know that you are having a “green” event, and ask them to help by using recycle containers if bringing anything and reusable containers for leftovers. Buy local food items at the grocery store or farmer’s market. Set up a recycle container to collect plastics, bottles and cans. Recycle your cardboard boxes (such as cracker boxes) at the Bay Village Service Center Recycle Drop Off. Buy re-usable dinner ware, silver ware and cloth napkins. Set up a compost bin in your backyard to collect organic food scraps such as fruit and vegetable scraps. Also, remember to take a reusable cloth bag or box to the store as an alternative to plastic bags when bringing home your purchases.

The Bay Village Green Team wishes everyone a wonderful and very GREEN Holiday Season!

So you think it's hard to be GREEN?

From time to time the BVGT receives emails from residents talking and asking about GREEN. Below is one such letter whose sustainable methods and green practices are so impressive that we wanted to share with all.

Hello - My husband and I were happy to see the information about recycling in the October issue of the Bay Village News. We have been residents here since December 1998 and have been doing most of the items mentioned since we moved in.

Initially we started out with a compost pile - 6 ft square, if not larger. We composted all kitchen and yard waste in addition to some shredded newspaper and small branches. We converted our compost pile to a garden so now we do vermi-composting (red wiggler composting worms). It does not handle all grass clippings. But, we use the grass clippings and mulched leaves as "mulch", which then decomposes. It works wonders for the raspberry patch, small garden and flower beds around the yard.

We recycle all paper and cardboard. We do the plastic and glass recycling. We separate the pop cans and take them to the fire station for recycling - they donate the money to the burn units.

In the last few years we have also started to collect rain water. We have a simple collection system that irrigates water to the flower beds around the perimeter of the yard. We also have a rain barrel that collects water from the garage roof and we use that to water our small garden. It is hooked up to a sprinkler, which we control from the collection barrel. Not to mention, any water collected by the dehumidifier in the basement - that is used to water potted plants. It does not go down the drain!

We love to pass on our experiences to others who are interested in GREEN. Once you are in the habit of doing these things it is really not a big deal. Some of the local communities are actually going to be monitoring the "recyclables" that residents set out for recycling. We think that is a great idea. It might force people to take those few extra steps and start thinking about some of these issues.

Kudos to you for passing on the information to all of Bay's residents; if we all did our part we could really reduce what goes to the landfill.

Thank you - Suzanne & Jeffrey

Gardens Under Glass--A Whole Lot More Than Gardens!

Its not easy being green, but Gardens Under Glass located under the glass atrium of the Galleria in downtown Cleveland hopes to make going green easy to achieve.

Last year after reading an article in Urban Land, Vicky Poole came up with the idea to utilize the empty space in the Galleria to support the local Food movement. “As we run out of land, why not utilize empty buildings and especially the Galleria as it lends itself perfectly.” The Civic Innovation Lab must have thought the idea would bear fruit, as she was awarded a start up grant of $30,000.00. Poole demonstrates different growing methods with the use of hydroponics, which uses water and nutrients instead of soil, aquaponics and conventional growing methods. Vertical growing is also an important demonstration, as urban agriculture is gaining popularity. So far she has had success growing vegetables such as lettuce, herbs, cucumbers, and currently has a nice crop of peppers on the way.

The ultimate vision for the initiative is to provide a neighborhood functional retail and business "ReSource Center" (opened in September), providing information about local food production, environmental sustainability, and green products and services to promote lifestyles that leave a much lighter footprint on the earth!

Vicky Poole will be the guest speaker at the BVGT meeting Tuesday, November 9^th at City Hall beginning at 6:30 pm. Come and hear all about this innovative and exciting project!

October Meeting Updates

Highlights from our recent 10/12 meeting began in the waste management area with an update of the automated trash pick up (ATPU) for BV from city council member Dwight Clark. Noted was the promotion of uniformity and increased curbside recycling--typically increasing community recycling by 30% or more due to the increased curbside options and would include cardboard and mixed paper. In addition, the yard waste in brown bags would go to a compost facility in Avon (currently, it goes to the landfill). Adoption of ATPU has not yet been approved and is still under review with council. However, a possible target date for adoption is 4/1/11. There will be a town hall meeting on Wednesday, October 27th, 7:30 PM at the Police Station community room on ATPU and GT members are encouraged to attend to support this important initiative.
Next on the agenda was an update by Bob Shields on the community garden. The harvest for the summer season was excellent and far beyond expectations. Current gardeners have until Oct 25^th to renew for next year; after Nov 1, open enrollment will be on a first come first serve basis. At this time, current garden plots also need to be prepared for winter. The compost area is under development (as an Eagle Scout project), projected to be complete by the end of October. The main priority is the deer fence. The deer have breached the fence in the last month on a regular basis. The group is looking at various fencing options, and will need to meet with the city regarding the fence ordinances. One idea is to have a fence that is 6 ft tall, with a single wire around the top, extending the height to around 8 ft.
As we continue to look for ways to fund the community garden, a grant discussion by Ellie Bricmont and Brenda O’Reilly followed. Information and ideas were given for consideration in obtaining grants and Ellie suggested that we put together a Fact Sheet and a Wish List with all of our funding needs. Both of these can be placed in front of potential donators. Likely our donations will not come from foundations, which are currently more focused on providing funding for projects that benefit those in need, but private donors or merchants may be very interested in funding “Green” Initiatives. Anyone interested in making a donation can contact the BVGT at the below email address or the Mayor’s office at 440-899-3416.
The communications update included the Composting 101 postcard (being mailed to all BV residents the week of Oct. 25^th); a laser print copy of the postcard that circulated and 3 sample layouts of the recycling sticker on display. The GT also had a message in the latest Mayors Quarterly Newsletter, the Green Scene, about recycling, composting and the Habitat for Humanity collection that took place Oct. 16th.
To request a complete word doc copy of our current or past minutes, email us at: bayvillagegreenteam@gmail.com

Harvest Time

It’s finally the time to reap the benefits of all our hard work and effort. It is harvest time. But the anticipation has been worth the wait! The beautiful towering sunflowers welcome us and invite us to come inside. The height and strength of those golden beauties is always an amazement considering the seeds from which they came. They have provided dazzle and inspiration. Along with the sunflowers, the gardens have come alive with rich, luscious vegetables that tempt our appetites. We need only to take a leisurely walk down the garden paths and no matter which way we turn, our eyes can feast on various colors of the rainbow, from the oh so subtle pale of a yellow pepper to the deep purple of a perfect eggplant. What a delicious sight to see. Smiles are abundant too from the gardeners who tilled the soil, planted the seeds with a gentle hand and watered faithfully, all done with quiet anticipation of this time. Soon the late fall crops will begin a show of their own , but for now let us enjoy the many colors and mouth watering delights that await our picking. Ah, the sweet satisfaction of a job well done.

Semi Annual Review of the BVGT

This month’s Bay Village Green Team meeting was the semi annual review of GT activities to Mayor Sutherland. Beginning with the Waste Management Update, Brenda O’Reilly gave a report on Recycling in Public Places and the 24 recycling bins the team received, in the form of a grant from the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District. Acknowledgment and thanks was given to the City’s Service Center since each bin needed to be lettered with recycling instructions along with being placed in strategic locations around town and for special events. The Service Center also provided paper recycling bins in all city buildings, significantly reducing waste. Also covered was a follow-up to the SWD Compost Seminar held in July. Forty-five attended with 17 compost bins being sold resulting in more people composting and less waste going to our landfills—more organic waste being repurposed; way-to-go fellow composters!

With regard to further recycling discussion, Bay currently recycles 50% of its waste—this is due primarily to a very successful leaf and brush pick up program. The leaf and brush is picked up by the city and is delivered to the Westlake compost facility, made into mulch and humus. Excluding the leaf and brush, Bay recycles around 13%. There is an opportunity to increase recycling with Automated Trash Pick up, combined with education and public awareness. Automated Trash Pickup is currently under review with the city. Talks of holding a Town Hall meeting on this topic may begin in the Fall. Many communities are now converting to automated trash pick up—statistics show that it at least doubles recycling due to increased curbside pickup. In Bay, the curbside pick up could be expanded to include compostable yard waste, mixed paper, and cardboard.

Bob Shield’s gave an update on the Bay Community Garden beginning with the community’s interest and participation being way beyond all expectation for its first year. There are 82 plots, with 73 rented. The others are to churches and scouts for use in growing food to donate and for education. There is also a pumpkin patch for kids, sun flower garden along the north end of the fence, and butterfly garden at the corner of Wolf & Forestview. Currently the Community Garden Sub Committee is focused on maintaining the garden—watering the vegetable gardens and newly planted flowers, weeding, harvesting, cutting grass, filling barrels. We expect increased enrollment next year based on the interest that is being expressed.

Other discussion items that rounded out the meeting included: The Mayor being asked to consider a Zero Waste BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) for the city. Across Northeast Ohio, companies and organizations have signed up with a Zero Waste goal. Bay Village could be the first municipality to declare a zero waste goal and how cool would that be!!! Other topics discussed were: A budget to plan more trees; E4S Sustainability Implementation Training; Solar & Wind power; and Emerald Ash Bore infecting a number of trees in our city.

Remember, anyone is welcome to join us at our monthly meetings. Make a difference, get involved and come to our next BVGT September 14^th meeting, 6:30 at City Hall.

If anyone is interested in receiving the official meeting minutes send an email request to bayvillagegreenteam@gmail.com with 8/10/10 Minutes copy request in subject line.

Compost Seminar - July 20

Learn how easy it is to COMPOST at this FREE seminar. Composting is highly beneficial--recycles rich, organic nutrients back into your soil. And, it preserves the environment for future generations by reducing the waste that goes to the land fill. According to the EPA, nearly 25% of all waste in land fills can be composted.

Join us on Tuesday, July 20 at 6:30 PM at the Bay Community House, 303 Cahoon Road to learn the do's and don'ts of successful back yard composting with Kathleen Rocco, Education Specialist, Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District. The seminar is FREE and two (2) different types of Composting Bins will be available for purchase at a discounted price of $50 each (Checks or cash accepted if you wish to purchase a compost bin—no credit cards, please)

This event is being arranged in partnership with the Bay Village Green Team. Advance registration is appreciated.

For more information contact: Warren Remein at 440-724-1578 or email Wlremein@yahoo.com.

Bring the entire family for an evening of education & start composting this summer!