http://blogs.e-rockford.com/gogreen Rockford Woman editor Jennie Pollock knows that we’re not going to transform our lifestyles overnight, but she looks for ways big and mostly small to protect our planet. Read about her experiences (she’s tried giving up plastic and meat, for example) and share your possible solutions here. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:30:38 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en 11/18/09 Community gardens, neighborhood gardens, Plant a Row for the Hungry gardens-all serve a similar purpose and maybe are just redundant names for the same thing.  The common theme: a place-based effort to produce small fruits and vegetables for individuals, groups, or those less fortunate.  The idea of sharing the labor, ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/gogreen/2009/11/19/community-gardens-this-isn%e2%80%99t-the-time-to-plant-it%e2%80%99s-the-time-to-plan/ If you're heading into the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago over the holidays, you have the last chance to see the "Smart Home: Green + Wired" exhibit. It closes Jan. 3. It features a rooftop garden, solar panels and a climate control system. http://blogs.e-rockford.com/gogreen/2009/11/19/its-fab-its-pre-fab/ That's the headline I take away from this week's Associated Press/NBC Universal poll. According to the AP story: A solid majority of Americans recognize the need to help the environment, although there are some things — like buying a hybrid car or taking mass transit — that people often talk about, but ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/gogreen/2009/11/18/people-want-to-be-green-but-dont-really-want-to-make-the-effort/ That's what the Dutch government wants to do (in case you missed the brief in the paper over the weekend). The payoff? According to Wired: -- No ownership or sales taxes, which are about 25 percent of the price of a new car there. --  A 10 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/gogreen/2009/11/17/taxed-by-how-much-you-drive/ The one from Home Depot that says you can get a $3 voucher toward new holiday lights if you bring in your old ones? I caught it last night. Too late! That offer only ran Nov. 5 through 15. Sharing in case you were thinking of doing this. It's an annual program, ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/gogreen/2009/11/16/did-you-see-that-ad-about-recycling-your-christmas-lights/ I wrote this fall that I was saddened by the closing of the cafe at the N Center, just a block away from the News Tower. But I managed to track down Michael Wasserman, who is still doing the same good food at the downtown YMCA. The location is called the ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/gogreen/2009/11/16/takeout-i-can-feel-ok-about/ I got a press release reminding everyone that Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful's Recycling Center in Roscoe will be open from 9 a.m. until noon Nov. 28, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Lori Gummow, executive director, also says something important to keep in mind this time of year:  “According to the ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/gogreen/2009/11/13/just-so-ya-know/ The Hoo Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center is celebrating its Renewable Energy Project with an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at 10823 Cleveland Road, Durand. Its new Photo Voltaic Green Energy System can generate and store electricity -- and lower bills, which helps Hoo ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/gogreen/2009/11/12/woo-hoo-for-green-energy/ While the hard freeze may have wiped out a lot of veggies, the activities of the Local Foods Work Group continue apace. In October I went to the national conference of the Community Food Security Coalition in Des Moines with Margaret Larson, director of our county's Extension office. Over 600 ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/gogreen/2009/11/12/growing-seasons-over-but-local-foods-activities-abound/ Five out of the seven Republican candidates for governor don't believe that global warming is caused by human activity -- you know, pollution from cars, factories and power plants. Read for yourself: 1. “I don’t accept the premise that man is the cause of global warming, if global warming even exists,” Kirk ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/gogreen/2009/11/11/huh-really/