Thanks to Green Newton for this valuable tip!
Vacation mode is a setting on your water heater that allows you to run at lower temperature than normal, saving energy and money. Typically, manufacturers set vacation mode to around 50°F, well below the temperature you need to for a shower, but warm enough to prevent freezing while you’re away. If you are going away for more than a few days, use the vacation mode setting, or if you have a digital readout, turn it down to 50°F. DON’T shut off the water heater entirely, to avoid potential freeze-ups or difficulties in restarting the heater. And when you return from vacation, don’t forget to turn the temperature back up at least one hour before you plan to shower. The temperature should normally be set to between 120° and 125°F, which usually corresponds to the “A” setting if your water heater control is marked as A, B, C, and VAC. Bon voyage! At our “Conversation With The Candidates” event last week, we heard from candidates in the contested races, and mingled with many others. If you missed it, you can watch it here. In addition, we asked ALL candidates questions that would enable the public to know where our Town representatives and office holders stand on sustainability issues. All but 2 responded and you can read their responses here. We sincerely thank all of them for running for office in Wellesley and are grateful to those serving our beautiful Town,
'Tis the season.
The Friends of Wellesley Free Libraries upcoming book donation days is this Sunday and Monday. Please consider donating gently used books to the Wellesley Free Library in the Wakelin Room this Sunday, February 11th - 1-4pm and/or Monday, February 12th - 9-11am. Thanks! Climate Coalition of Wellesley (formerly Fridays for Future Wellesley) is having it's 4-year anniversary — it's 209th consecutive Friday demonstration —THIS FRIDAY, February 2nd. Join in at 3pm at Town Hall. Bring friends and family, your own sign, or use one of theirs. Residents of all ages welcome!
Thanks to Green Newton for sharing this!
Plant-based food blogger Marla Felcher has created The 14-Day Greener Plate Challenge, a free, low-lift, online campaign to help us along a sustainable eating journey. From February 9-23, the campaign will educate participants in a fun, engaging way, about the environmental impact of what we eat. There’s a bit of health-related information too, because what’s good for our bodies is good for the planet. How will The 14-Day Greener Plate Challenge work? Every day for two weeks, participants will get one email with three “challenges.” Participants are asked do at least one of the three; e.g., watch a short 3-5 minute video, order a plant-based meal at a restaurant, or take a quiz that reveals their personal carbon “food print.” The campaign will teach easy food swaps, provide useful Apps, and include simple, scrumptious plant-based recipes. And there’s more! On the evening of February 15, chef Diana Goldman will teach a live Zoom cooking class. Who Will Benefit from The 14-Day Greener Plate Challenge? Anyone who eats and cares about climate change and health: omnivores, flexitarians, pescatarians, vegetarians, vegans, and anyone in between. When? February 9-23, 2024. PRICE? It’s free. Marla and chef Diana Goldman have created this campaign to help people learn the relationship between what’s on their plate and the health of our planet. Sign Up & More Info? Join the 150+ like-minded eaters who have already committed to learn how to “eat their values.” Join the Greener Plate Challenge Some of the highlights of the challenge are: ✅ For 14 days you will receive Daily Cooking + Coaching emails. ✅ You will receive resources galore including fabulous recipes, grocery shopping guides, starter packs, cooking tips, nutrition advice and guidance on how to eat more sustainably. ✅ The challenge is a fun way to connect with friends, create a team, and win a $250 restaurant gift certificate or $500 donation to their favorite environmental NGO. You’ll receive details when you sign up for the program. ✅ It’s for everyone, whether an omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian, reducetarian, or something in between. In addition, Chef Diana Goldman of Beantown Kitchen will be leading a cooking class on Thursday, February 15 at 5:30pm. During the class, she’ll be making these two planet-friendly dishes: Black Bean Tortillas with Cabbage Slaw & Lime Crema and Chocolate Mousse. Both the Greener Plate Challenge and Diana’s Zoom cooking class will be engaging ways to understand how each of us has the ability to decrease our carbon “food print,” easily and deliciously. News from Wellesley's Natural Resources Commission (NRC)
While warm weather might seem very far away, now is the time to sign up with a lawn care service for spring. Make 2024 the year you commit to greener lawn care practices. Finding the right provider can be challenging as the word organic is not regulated for lawn care professionals. To be sure you are getting a true organic lawn care professional NOFA has created an accreditation program. NOFA Organic Lawn Care Program works to foster professional competency in the area of organic landscaping and protect the public interest in responsible use of land care products and land resources. Click here to search a list of accredited organic lawn care professionals. Another way you can green your lawn care practices is to conserve water. Are you interested in saving money on your water bill? Do you care about conserving water use? The NRC is looking to assess resident interest in holding a community rain barrel purchase program. The program would take place in early March or April with rain barrels delivered in late April or May. Email the NRC here to be put on a list for the Wellesley Community Rain Barrel Program. This program provides residents the opportunity to purchase a rain barrel at a reduced cost. More information will be provided to those who sign up. REACH OUT To Wellesley's Energy CoachEs For valuable, no-cost advice On CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES1/22/2024
Wellesley Energy Coaching program offers valuable, no-cost advice from a volunteer expert trained in clean energy technologies. Take the first step now: complete this brief questionnaire. and an energy coach will reach out within 48 hours to schedule a personalized consultation. Our coaches empower you to explore, plan, and implement home weatherization, efficient air-source heat pumps, solar power, electric vehicles, and more. Whether you want to save money, improve your home’s energy efficiency, or take advantage of expert advice, we are here to assist you. Complete the questionnaire now and we will contact you within 48 hours. Please send any questions to EnergyCoach@wellesleyma.gov. This program is sponsored by Wellesley Municipal Light Plant, Wellesley Climate Action Committee, and Sustainable Wellesley. Please join fellow Wellesley Schools parents and caregivers at the next Wellesley Green Schools meeting this Thursday, January 25th @7:30pm via Zoom.
We will be joined by Margie Bell, CEO of Recirclable, a non profit providing restaurants and food establishments with 100% reusable takeout/food containers. She will tell us how she is currently working with Newton High School to cut down on cafeteria waste. In addition, we will discuss happenings across the district such as Food For Free (food rescue!), waste diversion, and Safe Routes to Schools. There will be time to hear what is important to you and your school community. Upcoming Meetings Save the date: 3/21 and 5/16 Wellesley Green Schools is collaborative group of parents, caregivers, students and staff working together to reduce Wellesley schools' ecological footprint and to inspire students to create a sustainable, healthy community. Join Sustainable Wellesley’s Conversation with the Candidates on Wednesday, February 7th at 7:00pm in the Wakelin Room at the Wellesley Free Library.
Feel free to RSVP to info@sustainablewellesley.com. Meet candidates running for the many important town positions and hear where candidates stand on issues specifically related to sustainability. Mark your calendars for this event so you can be ready to vote on (or before by mail) Election Day on Tuesday, March 5th. In addition, it will air live on Comcast 9/Verizon 39. Wellesley resident and first year college student Zach M., joyfully greeted visitors to Wellesley's Council on Aging last week. He share information about Wellesley's emission reduction goal and ways individuals can help make a difference.
If you didnt get a chance to meet Zach and want to learn more, simply email us at info@SustainableWellesley.com. |
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