"Greens"burg, Kansas - Out of Tragedy into a New Green Reality

Heard this wonderful story on NPR tonite about Greensburg, Kansas that was almost completely flattened in a 5 mile-wide tornado in 2007.

The originally very conservative residents adopted a concept to rebuild their town with "Green" elements. They've now totally adopted these green concepts in their homes, businesses and agricultural lifestyle that is the foundation of their economy.

Such an inspiring story of people who came out of a complete disaster and rebuilt their lives together with faith and courage.

photo credit - Greensburg Green Town Blog

Some neighbors left, but many stayed and many came back to recreate their town.  They created a non-profit, not unlike an agricultural co-op to rebuild their downtown. The non-profit is called Greensburg Green Town.

Just think what those of us who've not had our town destroyed by a tornado might be able to do!

Here is a blog post from SOTRU (State Of The Re-Union) about the Kansas town that was reborn after
a terrible storm destroyed everything they had known.

SOTRU's Al Letson & Tina Antolini

State of the Re:Union (SOTRU) is a radio show distributed by National Public Radio and PRX that explores "how a particular American city or town creates community, the ways people transcend challenging circumstances and the vital cultural narratives that give an area its uniqueness". The concept for this program was created by Al Letson as an entry for a contest designed to identify new talent for Public Radio; Al was one of three finalists. Al and the show's producer, Tina Antolini, accompanied by NPR's Peter Breslow, traveled to Greensburg this winter to interview residents about the rebuilding effort. Their take on the community is captured both on the radio broadcast that aired this month, and through the photos, blog entries, and shorter interviews that are featured on their website. NPR's All Things Considered featured a seven-minute excerpt of the SOTRU piece on May 14.

Photo Credit - Greensburg Green Town Blog

This building is the renovation of a home based on the "silo" that survived the tornado.

Amazing that the tree pictured survived too.

Tree Stories for Memorial Day

There are many programs around the nation, where trees are planted in memory or to honor our veterans.

I think that we could replicate such an idea in Shoreline. In fact, Shoreline does not have a "Veterans Park" yet.  What a great way to honor our veterans and remind everyone of the sacrifice and dedication they've shown by risking their lives and working for America's ideals.

Why not a program here to honor veterans by planting trees? In Los Angeles, for instance the group Veterans for Trees recently started a tree planting program in Frazier Mountain Park.


http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/14/local/la-me-vet-tree14-2010mar14

In Kentucky, 7000 trees have been planted in a Fayette County, Veterans Park in a partnership with local businesses.

http://www.kentucky.com/2010/04/17/1228374/volunteers-plant-7000-trees-in.html

And here's a story about a Vietnam Veteran, Geoffrey Steiner who has planted 100,000 trees near Cushing, Minn despite debilitating Lyme disease.

http://www.startribune.com/local/94978659.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUgOy9cP3DieyckcUsI

In Denver, a program is ongoing to train veterans as Urban Foresters. Most likely, there are veterans just returning from recent service who would like to have this training. With a little creativity, a similar project could be launched here. Of course, it's best to plant trees thoughtfully, with consideration on how they will fit in when grown, and how the location fits the type of tree. Many organizations can give advice on how to place the right kind of tree, such as the WNPS (Washington Native Plant Society.)
Planting Trees for Veterans could yield benefits for everyone.

Perhaps there have already been such planting programs in the Shoreline area.
Let us know if you are familiar with one, old or new.

This story from the Denver Post -

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/14/local/la-me-vet-tree14-2010mar14

DENVER AND THE WEST

Denver tree program trains veterans to be urban foresters

By Colleen O'Connor 
The Denver Post

POSTED: 05/26/2010 01:00:00 AM MDT

UPDATED: 05/26/2010 09:03:42 AM MDT

Dyana Lynch prepares a tree for planting Tuesday as fellow veterans Frederick Sales, left, and Dan Higginbotham dig the hole along Zuni Street in Denver. The Veterans City Canopy program is teaching them skills that may be used for future green jobs. (Diego James Robles, The Denver Post)

Desert Storm cap planted on his head, Dan Higginbotham installed free shade trees Tuesday in front yards along Zuni Street, hauling mulch and watering the roots.

"It's nice to have work," the veteran of the 1990s Persian Gulf War said.

Higginbotham and six other homeless veterans are part of Veterans City Canopy, a new program that is training them to be urban foresters.

"It's a wonderful trade to get into because nothing stops growing," said Dyana Lynch, an Army Gulf War veteran.

The initiative was recently launched by Veterans Green Jobs, a Denver nonprofit that helps homeless veterans get the skills and experience to join the green-jobs economy.

The program has a contract to plant free shade trees in homeowners' front yards as part of Greenprint Denver's The Mile High Million program, which aims to plant 1 million trees by 2025. Over the next five growing seasons, 35 vets will plant 4,600 trees that will shade homes to reduce energy usage and lower energy bills.

"We're the pioneers," said Frederick Sales, a veteran who years ago studied soil sciences and forestry at Ohio State University.

Last week, as part of their field work, they practiced planting trees at local elementary schools.

"The kids came out and helped," Sales said. "They were really on it. Kids can really dig holes."

Crew members had two weeks of classes, during which they studied tree biology and tree planting, along with basic math and computer science.

On Tuesday, they hoisted bags of mulch and shouldered shovels and rakes.

After planting the first two trees, they huddled and decided how many they planned to plant per day.

Forty, they agreed.

Sara Davis, program coordinator for The Mile High Million tree initiative, offered suggestions for best-planting practices.

So did John Arigoni, Veterans City Canopy's program manager, who is also working to find future employers for the

Dan Higginbotham, left, and Dyana Lynch work together Tuesday to prepare a tree for planting along Zuni Street in Denver as part of the Veterans City Canopy program. (Diego James Robles, The Denver Post)

crew.

"We're trying to get a large gathering of landscape contractors throughout the city and state together to give them more information about this program," he said, noting that there are tax benefits and wage supplements available to businesses that hire veterans.

Lynch said the best part of the program is "learning from experienced people."

A former diesel mechanic, she's excited to be getting a start in the new green economy.

"The more trees we plant," she said, "the better for the environment."

Colleen O'Connor: 303-954-1083 or coconnor@denverpost.com

---

More information

Homeowners interested in ordering a free tree should call The Mile High Million at 720-913-0681.

Landscape contractors in Denver who are interested in hiring these veterans should contact John Arigoni at 720-236-1309, or e-mail john@veteransgreenjobs.org.

Silva Cells - Aurora Phase II Is Top Project

Shoreline's Aurora Phase II Project is now the largest ever use in state of "Silva Cell" Deeproots System for tree planting. 

City of Shoreline Aurora Project Silva Cell Installation

The Silva Cell application allows a tree to achieve maximum root growth.

Photo credit - Google images

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.stormh2o.com/editorial/issues/march-april-2010/reshaping-downtown-minneapolis/easset-upload-file180-64078-e.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.stormh2o.com/march-april-2010/reshaping-minneapolis-project.aspx&usg=__29OgXYiphpI4PfM7f17FEcbcsIs=&h=360&w=270&sz=118&hl=en&start=19&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=LxaJxKmdI50t0M:&tbnh=121&tbnw=91&prev=/images%3Fq%3DSilva%2BCells%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26tbs%3Disch:1

 The concept is designed to allow the street trees to thrive and let their roots expand without disrupting sidewalks or pavement. Street trees traditionally have a difficult time because of the conflicts that will result with adjacent paved areas.  This technique allows the trees to grow naturally, because of the surrounding gravel beds and pervious sidewalks, which are supported by the "cells".  It also combines stormwater runoff infiltration technology and water quality benefits. 

The City of Shoreline is undertaking a huge remodel on the second phase of the Aurora Project with additional state of the art technologies to better address stormwater issues. The Shoreline City Council approved the "Hybrid Plan" Phase II project unanimously in 2007, and one of the major factors in arriving at a consensus was inclusion of this suite of Stormwater Control techniques. The Silva Cell Deeproot System is just one of many technologies being utilized including natural stormwater treatments such as pervious pavements and filtration concepts.  The business community worked with the City to achieve working solutions to connect the highway to local businesses. The project is supported by grant funding from the State and Federal governments.

Providing Street Trees and landscaping was one of the goals of the project along with BRT(Bus Rapid Transit), safety and improved pedestrian facilities. Silva Cells are a great way to achieve this goal and allow the trees to prosper. That way they will hopefully avoid the fate of other street trees in our community recently.

Photo credit - Vicki Westberg

Former Shoreline Mayor Cindy Ryu, made a statement at a recent "Complete Streets" event hosted by Cascade Land Conservancy about the techniques Shoreline is deploying. 

In 2006, Shoreline  adopted a goal “to create an environmentally sustainable community” and in 2008 an award winning comprehensive Environmental Sustainability Strategy.  We have been incorporating elements of Complete Streets in our “environmental tool kit” for Capital Projects.   

What started out as a beautification and safety road project in the first mile of Aurora Avenue project was made even better for the 2nd and third miles of this State Highway because of our focus on environmental sustainability.

In addition to the great start of sidewalks for pedestrians, the completion of the adjacent Interurban trail for bikes,  and a dedicated Business Access Transit lane, it will be "complete" with natural drainage systems, pervious sidewalks and installation of Silva Cells to improve the quality of water being released into Lake Washington.  In fact, it is the largest project using the Silva Cell tree well technology in the State to give trees the room to grow to their potential.

From BuildingGreen.com site -

Silva Cell

DeepRoot Partners, LP

The Silva Cell system holds soil for tree growth and stormwater management in a structure strong enough to support paved surfaces. Growing trees in urban areas can reduce the heat island effect, replenishes oxygen, and connects us with the natural environment. Silva Cells support this by creating a space that holds ten cubic feet of soil, enough for tree roots and most utilities. With the proper drainage medium they can also manage stormwater runoff to reduce flooding and erosion. The 48” x 24” x 16” fiberglass and polypropylene cells have galvanized steel supports and, to provide additional space, can be stacked up to three cells high before the decking is attached. Silva Cell meets the American Association of State Highway and Transportation H-20 standards for highway loading, so it can be used under most paved surfaces, from parking lots to streetscapes. Though the company does not recommend these under roadways. For use with new trees only and may require root barrier.

What makes this product green:

• Building components that reduce heating and cooling loads
• Reduces stormwater pollution
• Enhances community well-being
• Enhances well being through connection with nature

Rep Jay Inslee - Legislative Alert

From the desk of Representative Jay Inslee:


Congressman Jay Inslee represents the 1st Congressional District which includes Shoreline.
He made a floor speech in the House of Representatives about concerns on illegal subsidies in the bidding controversy for the air fueling tanker issue. Jay Inslee is a Democrat. http://www.house.gov/inslee/index.shtml

I want to alert you to a vote that took place just last night and may have a huge impact on Washingtonians.

Last night, the House of Representatives passed the Fair Defense Competition amendment by a vote of 410-8.  I crafted the amendment with a bipartisan group of House members, including my Washington colleague Rep. Rick Larsen.

In simple terms, this amendment requires the Department of Defense to consider illegal subsides received by a bidder in any proposal to build the next generation of air refueling tanker for the United States Air Force. 

This is what I said on the House floor just last night:  This is what I said on the House floor just last night:

"All Americans believe in a strong national defense and all Americans believe in a fairlevel playing field in economic competition.  In the competition for the procurement contract for the Air Force's next generation air-refueling tanker, to preserve national defense infrastructure, to preserve fairness, we need to assure that unfair competitive advantages, illegal subsidies, are in fact taken into consideration during this bidding process.  We have prepared an amendment to do that. 

This legislation will insist our bidding process be conducted fairly.  That when any bidder, domestic or foreign, has an unfair competitive advantage that it is taken into consideration. 

At stake are 50,000 American jobs and nothing in international law compels us to provide a stimulus program for France.  We know American aerospace workers can compete if they have a level playing field."  

Cindy Ryu – Building support and gaining momentum

Cindy, Making Progress on 32^nd Legislative District State Representative 

Position 1 Election Campaign

In just less than one month’s time, Cindy Ryu and her campaign are generating support and enthusiasm from a broad coalition of community leaders, organizations, and residents across the 32^nd Legislative District.

Most recently, on Tuesday May 25th, the King County Democratic Central Committee awarded Cindy with an early endorsement by a unanimous vote.

In addition to this most recent endorsement, Cindy has also received the enthusiastic endorsements of the M.L. King County Labor Council, Snohomish County Labor Council, Washington State Labor Council, and the nomination of the 32^nd Legislative District Democrats.

“I am absolutely thrilled to receive the endorsements of these great organizations and their members.  I look forward to taking my campaign to the voters of the 32^nd District, one neighborhood at a time, and earning their support over these next several months.

“If elected as your State Representative, I will work every day, serving the residents of the 32^nd District to bridge differences with my colleagues in Olympia. Together, we can bring results to the hardworking citizens and families of the 32^nd District.”

Cindy Ryu was first elected to public office in 2005 when she served as a city council member before the city council elected her to a two year term as Mayor of Shoreline. Cindy thus became the first Korean-American woman mayor in United States history.

As a city council member and Mayor of Shoreline, Cindy worked hard to deliver results for the residents of her city.  

Cindy bridged relationships between the City and the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce and led the way for local small businesses and Shoreline’s economy by adopting the “Economic Development and Strategic Plan.”

During Cindy’s term as Mayor, Shoreline was rated 2008’s “Best Neighborhood” by Seattle Magazine. Under her leadership the City adopted a very successful and comprehensive “Environmental and Sustainability Strategy.”  Cindy worked with neighborhood leaders to defend against the city’s inadequate cottage housing regulations to protect single family neighborhoods, and instead adopted the Comprehensive Housing Strategy recommended by a community-based Citizen Advisory Committee.

As State Representative Cindy pledges to…

• Bring accountability and fiscal responsibility back to State Government.
• Protect neighborhoods as well as our environment.
• Focus on economic development and bring jobs to the 32^nd District.

Cindy lives in the Richmond Beach neighborhood of the 32^nd District with her husband Cody and their son Cody Jr., a student atShorewood High School.  Cindy also has two adult daughters, Candice and Christine.

Cindy attends the United Presbyterian Church of Seattle in Edmonds and administers the grant program for the only Summer Food Program in the Edmonds School District. She invites community members to her campaign’s Kickoff Dinner/Fundraiser to be held in the church gym on Thursday, June 3^rd.

Farewell to Rapscallion

Saying goodbye to our little kitty Rapscallion today.



She passed away suddenly. So hard to understand.
Her two kitty friends are mystified.

She was only about 4 years old.

Life is a mystery.

Best,

Janet

News from Gulf - Don Norman Working to Assess Damage

News From the Gulf Oil Spill

Our friend and Native Plant guy, Don Norman is actually a Wildlife Biologist, from Shoreline, where he owns and operates Go Natives Nursery supplying Native Plants to gardeners in our area. He has done extensive bird life studies in the Gulf Habitat Areas in the past and is now offering his professional services again. He's also a principal in the Puget Sound Bird Observatory.

He is now on a mission in New Orleans area to help out on assessments of the damages from the Gulf Oil Spill. He is sending us occasional updates from the field which we'll publish here.

Don was interviewed on Nightline yesterday! We're all proud of the work he's doing.
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/lousiana-beach-gulf-oil-spill/story?id=10752755

Today, just a short greeting as things are getting underway. To help Don out on his mission, you can purchase some plants from his nursery. Check - http://gonatives.com/about_gonatives.htm


Greetings Friends:

Things are getting really grim and crazy down here.  Check out the story that nightline did on Wed on ABC news.

I am off to meet with NYT reporter...

If you are looking to a way to support efforts down here, consider the NO Musician's clinic.  

If we can't get any more seafood, we can still get the music...

More later... 

don

ABC News - Nightline Story -

Awhile later, "Nightline" joined Cathy Norman's brother, Don, a wildlife biologist and toxicologist, on a boat as he set out to do an assessment of the bird population on Wisner Trust lands.

At this time of year there are more than 50 species of birds on these lands.

As we arrived at the beach, a work team overseen by the Army Corps of Engineers was scrambling to block a breach so that oil wouldn't enter the fragile marshlands.

It was already too late. Oil contamination was widely apparent.

"It's very likely that these birds that are oiled will not survive," said Don Norman. "If the bird has actually been feeding in the water that's got oil in it, it could be ingesting [oil] on or in the organisms it's [eating]."

Oil Spill: Tracking Impact on Wildlife

For 10 years Norman has been doing a census of the bird here. He has watched the population recover from the havoc of Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav. But for the last month, he has been waiting and wondering if BP's spewing oil well represents an even bigger threat.

Madrona School in Edmonds Gets Green Award!

This article from My Edmonds News Blog.
Great news on work to Green Up Schools and get credit from State Department of Ecology.

Madrona School receives Green Schools certification

Madrona School, a K-8 school in the Edmonds School District, recently received Level 

1 certification from the Washington Green Schools program due to its focus on 

recycling/waste reduction and energy efficiency. The school’s Green Team added 

composting and TerraCycling during the lunch periods to the recycling program it 

already had in place to make it one of 20 schools in the state to achieve Level 1 certification.

 

“Systemic change is traditionally hard in schools, but this Green Schools initiative has 

taken hold quickly at Madrona and is dramatically changing not only our waste reduction 

habits here at school, but influencing the choices we make in our homes,” said Principal 

Lynda Fischer. “Our students’ enthusiasm for changing how we reduce waste and recycle 

has been absolutely contagious!”

 

The school will be honored on Wednesday, May 26 for achieving this certification by the

 Washington Green Schools program. It will also received a Terry Husseman Sustainable 

Schools award from the Department of Ecology. State Rep. Maralyn Chase and Edmonds 

Mayor Gary Haakenson will join the school in celebrating this accomplishment.

 

Teachers Nancy Spencer and Johanna Kalmus, along with their students in SND and 

Renaissance centers, the school’s head custodian John Young, assistant principal 

Craig Baldwin, and food service worker Jody White lead the Madrona Green Team, 

with significant support from the Madrona Integrated Team, individual parents, and 

the district’s resource conservation specialist Pandora Touart.

 

The school has decreased its energy use, particularly electricity, which is down 8 percent, 

and increased the amount of food waste recycled. Since February, the school has recycled 

approximately four and a half tons of food waste. The efforts have also reduced Madrona’s 

garbage bill by approximately $100 per month.

 

Washington Green Schools provides a free, web-based structure, tools, and resources for 

public and private K-12 schools to use to reduce their campus environmental footprint and 

utility costs. Student leadership and community service are also key goals. Washington 

Green Schools was developed by environmental and education experts throughout the 

state and is currently funded by a grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology. 

More information is available at http://www.wagreenschools.org

Maralyn Chase for Senate Campaign Kick-off this Wednesday

 State Representative Maralyn will be celebrating her campaign for State Senate with a Kick-off party this Wednesday, May 26th at the Shoreline Masonic Lodge.

Maralyn now represents the 32nd Legislative District and has decided to run for the Senate seat vacated by retiring Sen Darlene Fairley. Maralyn has been in office since 2002 and is well known for progressive values and a voting record supporting labor, education, environment and small business.

She is the nominee of the 32nd District Democrats.

The Committee to Elect Maralyn Chase to the Washington State Senate

Invite you to join us in Kicking Off our Campaign to Elect

Maralyn Chase

Washington State Senate

Wednesday, May 26

6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Great fun to be had by all – kids welcome!

We’ll have pizza and may be treated with a song from our Snohomish County Chair Bill Philips!

Shoreline Masonic Temple

WHERE:     Shoreline Masonic Temple   185^th & Linden wa    Shoreline, WA.

1 block west of Aurora on 185^th NE --just West of Fred Meyer and Spiros.

From I-5 take the 175^th St Exit, turn West towards Aurora and Linden, turn North on Linden to 185^th.

Please RSVP  

Questions?  Contact Carin at Carin @MaralynChase.com or 425 775-8449.

For more information about maralyn, please visit

For more information about maralyn, please visit

www.maralynchase.com

She has already garnered many major endorsements including:

Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Martin Luther King Jr. County Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Snohomish County Labor Council

Aerospace Machinists Industrial District Lodge, 751

AFSCME Washington Federation of State Employees

Joint Council of Teamsters No. 28

UFCW, 21

King County Conservation Voters

May Arkwright Hutton Chapter, Federation of Democratic Women

King County Democrats Chair, Susie Sheary

Snohomish County Democrats Chair, Bill Phillips

Snohomish County Sheriff, John Lovick

Former Snohomish County Chair, Mark Hintz

Former Snohomish County Chair, 1st LD Representative Kent Hanson

George Bacon, Editor Seattle Gay News

Senator Donn Charnley (Retired); Senator Claudia Kauffman; Senator Adam Kline; Representative Bob Hasagawa; Representative Dave Upthegrove; Representative John McCoy; Lloyd Hara, King County Assessor; Honorable Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, Edmonds City Council

    

Maralyn at her Announcement event flanked 

by Rich Horner and Luis Moscoso