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Newtown students honored for Arbor Day poster designs

April 29, 2013 By
arbor-day-pr

 

Goodnoe Elementary School first and fifth grade students recently competed in Newtown’s annual Arbor Day Poster Design Contest. Students were encouraged to design a poster illustrating the importance of trees in our world.

The result of the challenge is a beautiful collection of children’s artwork that will be displayed on Friday, April 26th at Brian Gregg Memorial Park during Newtown’s Arbor Day Celebration.

“The poster contest is an important and hands-on component of our Arbor Day Celebration,” says Arbor Day Committee Member, Amy Moore.

“The event is about celebrating the wonders of nature and challenging the children to become actively involved in caring for our environment.  In the process of creating their posters, the children are given the opportunity to express not only their knowledge of and feelings about trees, but also their concerns for the future of our planet. The environment is clearly a topic the children are understanding the importance of based on the unprecedented number of poster entries this year.”

Six posters were chosen from many entries judged by a panel that included Borough Mayor Dennis O’Brien, Rotary Club representative Marge Torongo, Borough Councilman Perry Warren, Trove owner Christine Edmonds, past Park and Recreation president Heidi Adams, and landscape designer Karen Waitkus.

The winners, Tali Deutsch, Anish Heda, Eliana Vovk (first grade), Gulia Strokin, Sarah Porter and Caralyn Coolidge (fifth grade) will be acknowledged at the Newtown Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, April 26th at Brian S. Gregg Memorial Park on North Congress Street in Newtown Borough (rain date April 29th).

The winning posters will be on display in storefronts throughout the Newtown area, on the Newtown and Council Rock School District websites, and at Goodnoe Elementary School.

 

PHOTO CAP: Caralyn Coolidge’s Arbor Day poster entry

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Filed Under: Newtown Gazette News Tagged With: , , , , ,

Volunteers needed for Churchville Nature Center’s Summer Camps

April 29, 2013 By

If you are concerned about your children having too much free time in the summertime, consider having them volunteer at Churchville Nature Center’s (CNC) Summer Camps. Sessions begin in June, and Counselor training will be held on Saturday, June 8th from 10:00am to noon. This training is mandatory.

Besides the enormous contributions volunteers will be making to the center, they will be learning skills and enhancing their education.

CNC offers a safe, positive environment, where volunteers can socialize with other youth, all of whom share a mutual interest in their environment.

This Volunteer program fills up quickly, so hurry and register! Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the program no later than May 20th.

Anyone ages 14 and up who would be interested in volunteering and become a counselor for the summer camps at CNC should go to their website and fill out an application, www.churchvillenaturecenter.org. If you need more information call Peg Mongillo, Educational Director, at 215-357-4005 ext. 14.

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Filed Under: Home, Northampton Herald News Tagged With: , , , ,

Warmer pool, lower bills, cooler world

April 24, 2013 By

submitted by Mark Bortman, Exact Solar, mark@exactsolar.com

Ahh – spring has sprung! Time when people’s thoughts turn to playing outside and planting flowers.

It’s also time to think about one of my favorite summer activities – swimming.

I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy swimming. One of the things I don’t like, however, is getting into cold water.

I don’t know how my kids do it – it seems that they are part penguin (must be from their mother’s side) and dive right in no matter what the temperature. On the other hand, if the pool is cool, I’m the guy that takes forever to get in, if I get in at all.

Of course, there is a way to avoid this – heat the swimming pool. This can be an expensive proposition, however.

Natural gas, propane and electric bills can skyrocket to hundreds of dollars during the swimming season, not to mention the untold environmental impacts of mining and burning those fossil fuels.

Of course, there is a way to avoid this, too – harness the natural, free energy of the sun. Solar pool heating systems do an excellent job of adding 10 to 15 degrees to the temperature of an unheated pool.

They don’t cost much more than any other type of heater but they cost nothing to run! The heat from the sun is free and will never go up in price.

Solar pool heaters work by circulating the water from the pool through solar collectors. These collectors are made from a special blend of polymers and are designed to capture the heat from the sun and transfer it to the water.  Each collector is rated for up to 48,000 BTU’s per day.

Although solar pools heater are not as well-known as the other types of heaters, they have been around for over 30 years and their popularity is growing. They have withstood the test of time and their warranty supports this.  The panels come with a full 10-year and limited lifetime warranty – far longer than any other type of heater.

As the swimming season starts, think about the difference solar energy can make – a warmer pool and a cleaner environment. Then, make a choice to make a difference.

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Filed Under: Going Green, Yardley Voice Columnists Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Yardley Borough’s Annual Recycling Day set for April 27th

April 15, 2013 By

Yardley Borough’s Annual Recycling Day, scheduled for Saturday, April 27th, from 9:00am to 1:00pm, provides local residents and businesses with the opportunity to do some early spring cleaning while protecting the environment. This “rain or shine” event, co-sponsored by the Yardley Borough Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC) and the Yardley Business Association (YBA), takes place in Buttonwood Park, adjacent to the Yardley Town Center in the borough.

Entry to the event will be off of Main Street, between Firehouse Cycles and The Face and Body Spa. Volunteers will direct anyone with donations to drop off locations within Buttonwood Park.

Recycling Day also offers the convenience of on-site shredding of paper, documents and CDs. Any “sensitive” documents will be shredded directly in front of the person and disposed of properly.

On the same day and in conjunction with the event, the Yardley Borough Police Department sponsors a prescription drug collection. All unused medications, current or expired, will be accepted at the Yardley Borough Police Station. No sharps of any kind will be accepted.

“We are very enthusiastic about community involvement and the opportunity to expand on an incredibly successful event,” says Carol Such, an EAC member and coordinator of Recycling Day. “It brings together residents and businesses in the borough and nearby communities to enhance our quality of life by reducing waste, recycling and repurposing items that are no longer usable,” she notes.

Most items collected are handled and processed by Advanced Green Solutions, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based recycling company.

Acceptable Items Include:

  • American flags
  • Bicycles (any condition)
  • Cell phones (any model/year/condition)
  • Computers
  • Electronics and related equipment
  • LPs/albums/cassettes/CDs/DVDs
  • Non-alkaline batteries
  • Packing materials (bubble wrap, air packs, peanuts, Styrofoam)
  • Paper, documents, CDs, DVDs (shredding on site – cardboard not accepted)
  • Printers/toner/fax cartridges
  • Sneakers – dry and clean (cannot accept cleats or dirty, wet shoes)
  • TVs, DVD/VCR/VHS/Beta players.

Unacceptable Items Include:

  • Alkaline batteries
  • Antifreeze or used motor oil
  • Car batteries
  • Cardboard
  • Clothing
  • Hazardous waste or materials
  • Lead paint
  • Regular paint

Recycling Day provides an opportunity to learn about proper recycling and composting while enjoying a community event. Yardley Starbucks and Cramer’s Bakery will donate refreshments and baked goods.

Local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts help collect and organize donations. The Yardley Business Association sponsors NEXCUT Shredding, a document shredding company.

Glen Lowe, of Bucks Ship and Print, will collect packing materials. Firehouse Cycles will collect bicycles to be donated to the Trenton Boys & Girls Club. The Yardley VFW collects and properly disposes the American flags.

In addition to the sneakers collected on Recycling Day, Optimal Health Center of Yardley, located at 301 Oxford Valley Road, Suite 1405, will accept donated sneakers throughout the month of April that will be given to NIKE™ for recycling.

“Last year we collected 1.79 tons of paper, 48 bicycles, 112 sneakers, 131 cell phones, 113 laser and ink cartridges, six tons of computers and 20 bags of clothing,” says Carol, adding that some recyclable items will be donated to A Woman’s Place, Bucks County’s only organization that assists victims of domestic violence.

For more information, call Carol at 215.369.1479 or email: Ladymcgowen@verizon.net. On Facebook, visit “Yardley Borough EAC” or email yardleyboro_recycles@comcast.net.

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Filed Under: Yardley Voice Events Tagged With: , , , , ,

Yardley Borough’s Annual Recycling Day set for April 27th

April 15, 2013 By

Yardley Borough’s Annual Recycling Day, scheduled for Saturday, April 27th, from 9:00am to 1:00pm, provides local residents and businesses with the opportunity to do some early spring-cleaning while protecting the environment.

This “rain or shine” event, co-sponsored by the Yardley Borough Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC) and the Yardley Business Association (YBA), takes place in Buttonwood Park, adjacent to the Yardley Town Center in the borough.

Entry to the event will be off of Main Street, between Firehouse Cycles and The Face and Body Spa. Volunteers will direct anyone with donations to drop off locations within Buttonwood Park.

Recycling Day also offers the convenience of on-site shredding of paper, documents and CDs. Any “sensitive” documents will be shredded directly in front of the person and disposed of properly.

On the same day and in conjunction with the event, the Yardley Borough Police Department sponsors a prescription drug collection. All unused medications, current or expired, will be accepted at the Yardley Borough Police Station.

No sharps of any kind will be accepted.

Most items collected are handled and processed by Advanced Green Solutions, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based recycling company.

Acceptable items include:

  • American flags
  • Bicycles (any condition)
  • Cell phones (any model/year/condition)
  • Computers
  • Electronics and related equipment
  • LPs/albums/cassettes/CDs/DVDs
  • Non-alkaline batteries
  • Packing materials (bubble wrap, air packs, peanuts, Styrofoam)
  • Paper, documents, CDs, DVDs (shredding on site – cardboard not accepted)
  • Printers/toner/fax cartridges
  • Sneakers – dry and clean (cannot accept cleats or dirty, wet shoes)
  • TVs, DVD/VCR/VHS/Beta players.

Unacceptable Items Include:

  • Alkaline batteries
  • Antifreeze or used motor oil
  • Car batteries
  • Cardboard
  • Clothing
  • Hazardous waste or materials
  • Lead paint
  • Regular paint

Recycling Day provides an opportunity to learn about proper recycling and composting while enjoying a community event. Yardley Starbucks and Cramer’s Bakery will donate refreshments and baked goods.

Local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts help collect and organize donations. The Yardley Business Association sponsors NEXCUT Shredding, a document shredding company.

Glen Lowe, of Bucks Ship and Print, will collect packing materials. Firehouse Cycles will collect bicycles to be donated to the Trenton Boys & Girls Club. The Yardley VFW collects and properly disposes the American flags.

In addition to the sneakers collected on Recycling Day, Optimal Health Center of Yardley, located at 301 Oxford Valley Road, Suite 1405, will accept donated sneakers throughout the month of April that will be given to NIKE™ for recycling.

“Last year we collected 1.79 tons of paper, 48 bicycles, 112 sneakers, 131 cell phones, 113 laser and ink cartridges, six tons of computers and 20 bags of clothing,” says Carol, adding that some recyclable items will be donated to A Woman’s Place, Bucks County’s only organization that assists victims of domestic violence.

For more information, call Carol at 215.369.1479 or email: Ladymcgowen@verizon.net.

On Facebook, visit “Yardley Borough EAC” or email yardleyboro_recycles@comcast.net.

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Filed Under: Going Green, Newtown Gazette Events Tagged With: , , , , ,

Delaware Canal Clean-Up Day – April 13th

April 5, 2013 By

April 13 is Canal Clean-Up Day at the Delaware Canal State Park. The Friends of the Delaware Canal sponsor this annual event to encourage volunteers to clear trash, debris, and brush from the historic waterway and towpath that runs from Easton to Bristol.

This year’s Clean-Up Day efforts will target the stretch from New Hope to Bristol.      

Canal Clean-Up Day activities will begin at 9:00am and end at noon. Everyone who wants to participate should choose a location, and then contact the Area Coordinator for that section.  The Coordinator will provide all the details about the day’s activities. 

  [Read more...]

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Filed Under: Going Green, Home Tagged With: , , , , ,

Solar panels – MUCH cheaper than PECO

March 20, 2013 By

submitted by Mark Bortman, Exact Solar, mark@exactsolar.com

Take a look at your electric bill. It might be the lowest electric bill you’ll have for quite a while. The amount of electricity you use is measured in kilowatthours (kWh).  Starting April 1st, the amount PECO charges per kWh is going up about 10%.

This is on top of increases of 5% this past January and 20% last October.  Who knows how high the rate will be in 25 years?

About a year ago, I wrote an article about how much the price of solar panels had dropped. The title of the article was “Solar Panels – Cheaper than PECO.” That article discussed how the cost per kWh of a solar electric system compared favorably to PECO’s rates.

It seems unbelievable, but the prices for solar panels have continued to drop over the past year while PECO’s rates have continued to climb.  The new headline should be “Solar Panels – MUCH Cheaper than PECO.”

And one thing I can guarantee is that the energy from the sun is free and will never go up in price. Many people make the assumption that renewable energy is more expensive than fossil fuels. But that is not the case anymore.

Over the life of a solar electric system, the electricity ends up much less expensive than it is from the utility. In looking around on the Internet, you may not get the full picture.   There are pricing calculators out there for installed solar energy systems.  These are not updated nearly often enough to keep up.

In addition, the overall costs for solar energy systems vary from region to region. In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the solar industry has been busy for quite a while.

This experience and competition among installers has helped drive costs down and efficiencies up.

With solar panels less expensive than ever, it is an option to consider.  As I like to say, solar makes sense – it makes sense for the environment and it makes sense for your bank account.

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Filed Under: Going Green, Yardley Voice Columnists Tagged With: , , , , ,

Why do we mulch?

March 20, 2013 By

submitted by The Market at DelVal, www.themarketatdelval.com

Spring is here! Look around and you’ll see the first signs of spring everywhere, from the vibrant yellow daffodils, to the beautiful white pear trees in full bloom.

So if you haven’t already done so, it’s time to think about mulching your property.

Why do we mulch? The simple answer is that it makes our landscape more attractive.

But think about what “mulch” is.

Mulch is a protective soil covering used to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, prevent soil erosion, and inhibit weeds.

There are two categories of mulch: organic (products that decompose) such as shredded wood, leaves, compost, pine needles, and grass clippings; and inorganic (products that do not decompose) including stones, rubber, or landscape fabric.

The most commonly used mulches in our area are made from wood: Bark, Triple Shred, Black, Brown, or Red Dyed Mulch. Being organic in nature, these products decompose over time and add essential nutrients back into the soil. This type of mulch is made by grinding or “shredding” twigs, branches, and other wood debris. 

Mulch is sold in bulk or by the bag. Bulk mulch is sold by the “yard” which is short for a “cubic yard.” A cubic yard is 3’ by 3’ by 3’, or 27 cubic feet. One cubic yard of mulch will cover approximately 150 square feet at two inches thick, or approximately 100 square feet at three inches thick.  

How much mulch will you need for your yard? The most accurate way to know how many yards to order is to measure the square footage of the areas you plan to mulch. This isn’t always easy and may require an educated guess for first time buyers.

The type of mulch you use is a matter of personal preference. There is no “perfect mulch.”

Think about what you are trying to achieve. If your goal is to enhance the beauty of your landscape and you want the mulch to hold the same color most of the summer (and decompose more gradually) you probably want to use dyed mulch.

If you are more interested in adding the valuable nutrients that the mulch will provide to your soil as it decomposes, “triple shred” or “bark blend” may be right for you.

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Filed Under: Doylestown Observer Columnists, Spring Home & Garden 3 and Graduation Tagged With: , , , ,

Backyard Stewardship Training scheduled for March 2nd

February 22, 2013 By

The Newtown Township Environmental Advisory council will host an Audubon Bird Town Backyard Stewardship Training on Saturday, March 2nd, from 9:30am to 2:30pm at the Public Meeting Room in the Township Municipal Building, 100 Municipal Drive. 

All homeowners, gardeners, teachers, college students, or landowners interested in helping the environment can benefit from this training about restoring ecology to backyards and other properties.

Attendees will learn:

  • How to assess properties using Google Earth and other tools;
  • Use the 15-step design process to implement change;
  • Learn about native plants and how to create curb appeal;
  • How sustainable landscaping can help you and others save money;
  • Identify 10-15 birds and what they need in a backyard to thrive.

The cost of $55 includes a textbook ($35 value), notebook, course (including 1-2 backyard site visits, dates TBD), light morning fare, and lunch.

To register, email Autumn Thomas at newtown.tree@comcast.net, or call Steven Saffier at 610.666.5593 x112. Payment (check or cash) is due upon check-in the day of the training. 

Bird Town is an educational program that highlights the many ways Newtown Township residents can create more economically- and environmentally-friendly landscapes in their own backyards. Together, as more and more residents install rain barrels, native gardens, and plant native shrubs and trees, we can make a positive impact on the quality of life in Newtown!

To receive occasional updates and news on Newtown Township Bird Town, submit your email address to Autumn Thomas at newtown.tree@comcast.net, or visit the Bird Town website at http://newtowneac.wix.com/birdtown.

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Filed Under: Going Green, Newtown Gazette Events Tagged With: , , , ,

Be ready for that next power outage!

February 19, 2013 By

submitted by Mark Bortman, Exact Solar, mark@exactsolar.com

Don’t you just hate it when the power goes out? An outage of just a couple hours is no big deal, but the extended outages we’ve had recently sure are frustrating.

Is it only going to get worse?

In light of this, many people are looking for back-up sources of power. While generators have been the most common option, more people are turning to a quiet, environmentally friendly alternative: battery back-up.

Batteries, also known as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), have been used for years to provide constant power to sensitive electronics such as computers. Recently, these systems have been expanded to be able to power more and bigger loads.

The systems can be set up to work automatically and turn on in an instant. Best of all, if the batteries are paired with solar panels, you can harness the power of the sun to keep recharging the batteries!

A battery back-up with solar power system provides clean, renewable, emergency power when there are unexpected power losses due to work on local power lines, weather disturbances or power outages.  The batteries used in these systems are not your typical rechargeable batteries.  They are heavy duty, maintenance free, deep-cycle batteries designed for this application.

A big advantage of battery back-up systems is that they are very quiet.  In addition, batteries can be “refueled” by solar power rather than diesel fuel, propane or natural gas.

Typically with the battery systems, we isolate the “critical loads,” the things in your house you want to be sure to run when the power goes out. Since the number of batteries required depends on what you want to run when electricity from the utility is not available, separating the critical loads helps limit the number of batteries and thus the cost of the system.

Think about an affordable back-up energy solution that can replace the need for fuel-based systems such as diesel generators. The solar back-up solution is low maintenance, long lasting and produces low cost renewable energy.

Next time the power goes out, don’t be left in the dark!

As always, keep in mind that there are opportunities throughout your house to save energy and money – thermostats, light bulbs, insulation and more.

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Filed Under: Going Green, Yardley Voice Columnists Tagged With: , , , ,
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