Book Watch: Summer Reading

Summer Reading List for Kids - Time to "Go Green!"
Literacy and Reading: July 13, 2009
Asst. Prof. Jennifer Turner, College of Education-University of Maryland

I have known about "going green" for some time, but I didn't really understand its importance until my 6-year old son, Elijah, came home from school one day and started saying, "Be green." He would remind us to turn off the lights, saying with a sweet smile, "Mommy we need to be green." He'd unplug appliances that were not in use, turn off the water when he brushed his teeth, and constantly ask me to get a recycling bin for our plastics and glass.

Curious to know where he had learned this phrase, I emailed his kindergarten teacher to ask what books she had read. She told me that she had read several books within a popular curriculum series on recycling and going green for Earth Day. She had also read How Do Plants Get Food?, by Meish Goldish (1989), a wonderful book that has interesting science facts presented in a kid-friendly manner. Reading books and talking about the Earth was a very enjoyable activity for Elijah, and this started his quest to greener living.

Books for Kids Aged 3-8
Why Should I Save Energy? (Why Should I?)
Jen Green, 2005, Barron's
J 333.79 GREEN @ Burbank Public Library

Books for Kids Aged 9-12
Earth Book for Kids: Activities to Help Heal the Environment
Linda Schwartz, 1990, Learning Works
J 363.7 SCHWA @ Burbank Public Library

Books for Kids Aged 13-17
The Green Teen: The Eco-Friendly Teen's Guide to Saving the Planet
Jenn Savedge, 2009, New Society

Complete list @ Literacy & Reading News

Industry Watch: Entertainment

Reel Green Workshop: July 11, 2009 from post @ The Glass Girl Blog: July 14, 2009

Reel Green Movement:
Eco-Solutions for the Entertainment Industry

I spent late Saturday afternoon on a very hot stage in Burbank for the REEL GREEN Workshop hosted by the Burbank Green Alliance which does a great job of consistently hosting free workshops to get businesses closer to zero waste. This workshop aimed to bridged the eco-production conversation between both the above the line and below the line players. What are the concerns and solutions that each department has that we can resolve or act on now that will continue to green shoots?

I got the most insight from the break out sessions where everyone in the workshop broke into a smaller group based on their area of interest or expertise: Production, Catering/Craft Service, Electrical/Grip, Costume Design, Set Construction/Design and Special Effects.

Highlights and comments about the featured speakers & break out sessions (with links):

~ Lauren Selman, Reel Green Media

~ Josh Mark, FOX Network’s Director of Sustainability
~ Shannon Shaefer, EcoSet Consulting

2 sites of general interest:

CalMAX: "One business's trash is another business's treasure." Businesses, schools, and nonprofits can utilize CalMAX to search for available and wanted materials. Conserves energy, resources, and landfill space by helping businesses and organizations find alternatives to the disposal of valuable materials or wastes through waste exchange.

Give A Glass: The simplest solution is to serve clean, filtered water direct from your office tap in glass pitchers and glasses.

READ MORE !

Business Watch: Bob's Big Boy

Iconic Bob's Big Boy of Burbank Lauds 60th Anniversary By Going Green PRNewswire.com: July 16, 2009

Canadian Solar, HelioPower and Bob's Big Boy launch "Sixty and Solar" celebration to showcase Bob's solar power installation; invite patron participation.

Commemorating 60 years in operation by going a modern "green," Bob's is inaugurating a 26 kW Canadian Solar photovoltaic panel system installed by HelioPower. The "Sixty and Solar" celebration showcases Bob's solar power installation and invites fans to participate by sharing their Bob's stories. To kick off the celebration, Bob's patrons are invited to register their restaurant memories at a filming this weekend at the Burbank location.

The Bob's Big Boy Restaurant located at 4211 Riverside Drive in Burbank, California is the oldest remaining Bob's Big Boy in the United States. Over the years Bob's has seen a parade of celebrity names stop by for a hamburger. Movie stars of old have been regulars, with the restaurant serving some of the world's top musical talent and being the site of the celebrity attended Friday Night classic car show.

. . .

Filming of Bob’s stories will take place Friday, July 17 from 5 pm to 9 pm and Saturday, July 18 from 10 am to 5 pm at the restaurant. There is no charge; however those who participate will be required to sign a photo release form. Stories will be edited and posted online as appropriate on the campaign’s website, YouTube, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter sites. READ MORE !

Business Watch: Bob Hope Airport

Airport to Test Drive Bus with Engine Retrofit: Natural gas vehicle could pave the path for more retrofits, but cash may become strained. Burbank Leader: July 7, 2009 by Mary O’Keefe

BURBANK — A newly reorganized Burbank- Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority wasted no time delving into a smattering of issues, from pricey low-emissions buses to falling parking fee revenues and a decision to lobby against a proposed law that would require quicker response times for airport fire departments.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . > > >

The commission approved a project to reduce emissions from the airport’s fleet of buses. Ashley Moore, consulting professional from E2 ManageTech Inc., formerly known as Essentia Management Services, made a presentation to the authority on the process and results from a study on the most efficient and financially sound approach to reducing emissions in their fleet of 14 buses.

The commission on Monday voted to move ahead with a pilot program to retrofit one of its 14 buses to operate on compressed natural gas as part of a 2006 policy to cut down on emissions at the airport. READ MORE !

Sustainable Burbank Task Force

Cataloging Green Efforts
Burbank Leader: June 26, 2009 by Christopher Cadelago

The Sustainable Burbank Task Force, a newly assembled group of developers, small-business owners and community leaders, began its meeting earlier this month deciding how not to spend its first year.

After a protracted discussion, former Mayor Jef Vander Borght took issue with one of the suggestions.

“Somebody said, ‘We’re not here to save the world,’” he said. “That I disagree with.”

His attitude appears to have permeated the Media Capital of the World, from the school district to the studios, City Hall to Burbank Water and Power, said Ron Davis, the utility’s general manager.

The City Council last year adopted the Sustainability Action Plan with an emphasis on waste, water usage, business practices, urban design, open space and transportation. Cities are urged to implement as many of the 21 actions before World Environment Day 2012.

Burbank modeled its plan on the United Nations Urban Environmental Accords, designed to promote energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase environmentally beneficial jobs and protect drinking water.

Charged with advising and recommending ways to the council for implementing the plan, the task force will examine initiatives at its monthly meetings as well as bring a fresh perspective to the agenda, said Public Works Director Bonnie Teaford.

“For the first time ever, Burbank has put together a comprehensive review of what the city’s efforts are,” she said. “All these little efforts added up will make a difference, and that is what we are starting to see happen.” READ MORE !