newsletters

Newsletter 12/5/2016

Hi everyone,

Interesting times, interesting times… We do have our work cut out for us.

Transition Wayland will meet next on Tuesday, 12/13 at 7 PM, and we invite your suggestions for events, programs, campaigns, adventures, and celebrations. Also check out a new page on our website, “Proposals,” where we will publish your proposals (within the mission and spirit of Transition), or where you may find an idea that takes your interest. The first one up (Proposal 001) is for a Community Soil Fertility and Carbon Sequestration Program. And below, lots of good causes and groups to check out:

School weeks of 12/5 an 12/12: Parent volunteers needed to roll out Happy Hollow cafeteria lunch food composting program

Happy Hollow is delighted to roll-out a new “green school” composting initiative.They are looking for one or two parents per 11:30-1:30pm session to help train the students on how to properly sort and compost cafeteria food leftovers. Students have already started and just need some helpful reminders and instructions. Volunteers must have a CORI form on file at the school (if you don’t, or are not sure, please contact leslie_corner@wayland.k12.ma.us).

Please register using this Volunteer link – and thank you! Here’s how it works in 3 easy steps:

1) Click this link: http://signup.com/go/C7Ve9y

2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.

3) Claim that spot! It’s easy – you will not need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.

Questions? Email deborah_niles@wayland.k12.ma.us.

 

Thursday, 12/8: 350Mass Metrowest Node meeting

7-9 PM, at the Common Street Spiritual Center, 13 Common Street, Natick

Lisa Young, our state Climate Justice Partnerships Organizer at Better Future Project, will lead an open discussion about environmental justice. Ms.Young has a B.S. in Chemistry, an M.S. in City Planning, and lots of experience in the climate justice movement. We must recognize that climate change does not affect all people equally. Many poor and minority communities disproportionately suffer the negative effects of environmental degradation. As advocates, we must be aware of the ways in which injustices intersect with one another. As we improve our energy sourcing, we can be conscious of the broader picture in order to improve our shared backyard and ensure a cleaner, more equitable future for everyone. We are in this together. Light refreshments available. More information: metrowest@350MA.org – www.facebook.com/350MAMetrowestNode.

 

Tuesday, 12/13: Transition Wayland Meeting

7-9 PM, at the Peace Lutheran Church on 107 Concord Road.

We will discuss what Transition Wayland will be doing in 2017. If there is a cause dear to you that you want to see realized or helped, come and share it with us. We often get suggestions and requests for help with community projects, or requests to promote other groups’ events or collaborate. Over the years we have gathered skills, experience and connections that may be of help. Check our website for an agenda. We thank Peace Lutheran for hosting us.

 

Saturday, 1/7: Transition Framingham – A Taste of Compassion for the New Year

1-2 PM, Susan P Dickerman Hall at Edwards Church, 39 Edwards St., Framingham

With the growing awareness of the value of plant-based eating, perhaps your new year’s resolution will include changes to your diet. Transition Framingham invites you to come taste an exciting array of creative and delicious vegan dishes. Talk to the chefs and get some new recipes to add to your repertoire. More info at transitionframingham.org.

 

Tuesday, 1/10: ENERGY INITIATIVES ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

7:30-9 PM, at the Wayland Town Building. Room will be posted.

The Committee will host guest speaker Jillian Wilson-Martin, Natick’s Sustainability Coordinator, to talk about her town’s experience with community electricity aggregation and electric vehicles.Topics for discussion will include:

Updates on current projects–solar installations, streetlight LED retrofit

Planning for Green Communities grant application–possible grant requests for energy efficiency improvements for the Town Building, electric vehicles, and charging stations for the town vehicles and hybrid conversion technologies

Updates and planning for new initiatives: residential LED initiative, community solar possibilities, MCAN membership.

 

Saturday, 1/14: Carpool to the 30th NOFA/Mass Winter Conference

8 AM: carpool leaves, conference 9 AM – 5:15 PM at Worcester State University.

This year’s Northeast Organic Farming Association winter conference gives you a front row seat to gardening and agricultural workshops, demos and exhibitors. Activities for teens and children too! Workshop tracks include drought resistance, soil carbon sequestration, beneficial insects, farming, permaculture, homesteading and more! Email us if you want to carpool.

 

AND, DID YOU KNOW?

Mass Energy Launches Drive Green: an Electric Vehicle Group Buy Program

Mass Energy Consumers Alliance launched the first group buy program for electric vehicles in the Northeast Region. The program, Drive Green, is offering pre-negotiated discounts on five of the most popular electric vehicle models currently available with some prices as low as $12,000 for a Nissan Leaf fully electric vehicle. Anyone from across the country can participate by purchasing these vehicle models from participating dealerships in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The program will run until February 28, 2017. Find out more about the program and how you could make the choice in the New Year to drive greener here.

Massachusetts is not the first state to launch a group buy program to promote electric vehicle purchases. The concept of a time limited group buy program to accelerate adoption of electric vehicles was originally piloted in Colorado and Utah, where both communities witnessed increases in vehicle purchases made as a result of the promotional offer. Read more about these respective programs here.