Archive for April 20th, 2009
April 20th, 2009
WREX-13 meteorologist Eric Sorensen has told me before that the issue of global warming has been a debate in the weather forecasters’ community.
Last weekend, Eric attended a national forum on the subject in Chicago. He wrote on his weather blog, but here’s a sample:
Consider this: Most people in our society are quite knowledgeable in the day to day Hollywood gossip but lack daily information on science. It’s not the fault of anyone. However local news, and more importantly local weather, is the #1 source of science information for everyone. It’s for this reason solely that we are starting the 13Climate Authority.
Many TV meteorologists squabble when it comes to whether they want to be the “station scientist.” For many this is a valid point. When there’s an earthquake why does CNN turn to meteorologists for insight? … They aren’t the experts on the subject. They use the information they know to broadcast it. The same holds true for us here at WREX. We’re not experts in climatology. That’s why we’re not doing the research! We are going to publish and air the research that scientists all across the globe come up with.
April 20th, 2009
The deadline for submissions for the second annual Winnebago County Green Business Awards is May 1.
So you have two weeks to turn in your forms, found at the bottom of this site, www.winncogreenbiz.org.
Categories for 2009 are:
– Large business
– Small to medium business
– Large agency
– Small to medium agency
– Best government agency/policy (new this year)
– Best green building (new this year)
The awards will be presented by Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey and Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen at an expo and reception from 4:30 to 7 p.m. May 21 at the Webbs Norman Center, headquarters of the Rockford Park District, 401 S. Main St. The event will be free and open to the public.
Any business or organization that is implementing environmentally friendly practices, strategies or technologies is encouraged to submit a nomination. Any green practice is worthy of consideration.
Last year’s winners were Choices Natural Market, J.L. Clark, Zion Development Corp. and Freedom Field Renewable Energy Project.
April 20th, 2009
With Earth Day coming up, predictably there have been a lot of “green” headlines…
– Rockford will host the 2010 Bioenergy Days conference, which will attract folks from around the world.
– The “green jobs” effort in this area is pretty “green” itself.
– This week, green events include…
1. “Going Green… for Dummies,” the first session in the For Dummies Series for IGNITE, the Rockford chamber’s young professionals group. Mary Cacioppi of Walter Wayne Development will ask, “Is your business catching the green wave?” The cost is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. It is at 5:30 Wednesday at the YWCA, 4990 E. State St., Rockford. Call 815-316-4335.
2. A free Green Expo will be at Rockford College from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Burpee Center Regents Hall. The event is to showcase vendors who use or promote “green” techniques in their businesses.
Among the vendors expected are The Morrissey Family Businesses, promoting the new “No Idle” initiative; Cintas, for document shredding; Amazing Foam Insulation; Computer Repair; Village at Boulder Creek; Solarcone, Inc.; Oregon Soap Shoppe; and Shelter Box USA, featuring a tent with supplies that can accommodate 10 people for six months during disasters.
Side note: When I went to Woodman’s in a rare move, I bought four reusable grocery bags. The clerk said the store has been selling a bunch of them over the weekend. Good to hear. Maybe it was the deal (4 for $3). Or maybe it was pre-Earth Day guilt.
