Green Chemistry – Science for a Less Polluted Lifestyle

from Green Living Ideas
by Reenita Malhotra.



Our daily lives are filled with products and chemicals that we have grown accustomed to using on a daily basis. However, may of these are filed with toxic substances that can make us sick both in the short term and in the longer term. Since we use these products all the time, it is sometimes difficult to understand which are safe to use.

Green chemistry is a field of study that specifically helps address this situation.... continue reading

Ontario Will Launch a Wind Forecasting Service

Ontario Will Launch a Wind Forecasting Service in 2010 to Help Wind Power Producers
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada from TreeHugger

It doesn't take a weatherman to know which way the wind blows, but...
The more wind power you have hooked up to the grid, the more important it is to have a good wind forecasting mechanism in place. The government of Ontario has decided to give a hand to the various wind power producers in the province by taking that responsibility and creating a central forecasting service in 2010.

From Reuters:
"Ontario, Canada's most populous province and biggest energy consumer, already leads the other provinces in installed wind energy capacity, with 1,200 megawatts of power. [...] increasing capacity this year by more than 50 percent [this year]."

"Centralized wind forecasting helps to improve forecast accuracy and consistency to make the power system more reliable. It also helps to reduce the administrative burden on wind generators, [Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)] said."

IESO also has a cool real-time (almost) web track that shows how much electricity the province's wind farms are currently producing. For example, as of this writing, production is at 460 megawatts (out of a capacity of 1,200 megawatts).

Here's an embedded version of the Ontario wind power tracker:




The IESO writes: "In April 2009, the average wind output was 41 per cent of capacity, while in June it was 14 per cent, reflecting the fact that the summer months aren’t as windy. IESO centralized wind forecasting, due to begin in the summer of 2010, will help address the variable nature of this energy supply, as it will allow the IESO to understand the periods of time in which they can expect greater levels of wind generation. Equipped with this knowledge, the IESO will be better able to manage all the province’s electricity resources used to meet Ontario’s needs."

Via Reuters

Sandestin Snowbird Program Unveiled

Major Benefits for Travelers Seeking Fun, Sun this Fall & Winter

DESTIN, FL, Aug. 18 /Canada NewsWire/ - Senior travelers, affectionately known as
snowbirds, now have more reasons than ever to go south this Fall and Winter,
with the introduction of the Sandestin Snowbird Program unveiled today by
Sandestin(R) Golf and Beach Resort, the premier resort on Florida's Gulf
Coast.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has long been a favorite for snowbirds
because of the destination's location, sugar white sand beach, favorable
climate, the friendly local community, special events, and activities
including biking, walking, golf and tennis.
The 2009-2010 Sandestin Snowbird Program includes a complete list of
value added benefits, affordable rates and amenities unmatched by any other
destination, resort or rental company.
Included in the discounted monthly Sandestin Snowbird rates are
complimentary bike rentals, fitness center, tennis court time, resort
transportation, USA Today newspapers, local telephone service, departure
cleaning, a welcome gift and exclusive restaurant, merchant and spa and salon
discounts. Monthly receptions are also held for snowbird guests.
For golf lovers, The Sandestin program offers an exclusive opportunity to
become a member of the Sandestin Snowbird Golf Club. With a small membership
fee, Sandestin Snowbirds receive a complimentary round of golf, additional
golf rounds for as low as $US20 plus tax, free weekly clinics based on
availability, and other golf discounts.
According to Scott Russell, Sandestin vice president of sales and
marketing, we want snowbirds to feel welcomed, and as a result have developed
a very attractive package. "To date, we already have 10 percent more snowbird
guests scheduled to come this year than last. It will be a great season for
our guests," said Russell.
Sandestin offers a variety of beautifully appointed accommodations from
condominiums on the beach or the bay, to villas overlooking golf fairways.
Included in the Sandestin Snowbird program are personalized reservation and
information services including unit selection assistance, information
resources and other helpful assistance.
To book a winter snowbird stay call 850-267-8253 or 850-267-7586 or visit
Sandestin.

Sandestin(R) Golf and Beach Resort offers the most complete resort
experience in North America. Located on Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast,
Sandestin is a 2,400-acre destination resort for all seasons and for all ages.
Sandestin invites guests to enter a world of 30 charming neighborhoods
featuring 1,500 condominiums, villas, town homes and a wide variety of hotel
accommodations. A member of the Beaches of South Walton, the resort boasts
more than seven miles of beaches and pristine bay front, four championship
golf courses, 15 world-class tennis courts, 19 swimming pools, a 98-slip
marina, a fitness center and spa, 65,000 square feet of meeting space and The
Village of Baytowne Wharf, a popular pedestrian village featuring a host of
boutique shops, casual and fine dining restaurants and nightlife venues.
Sandestin is part of Intrawest, a world leader in destination resorts.

Valley of the 100-Mile Diet Bike Tour

by Roberta Cruger, TreeHugger.com

Come to the Fraser Valley, home of the 100-Mile Diet, where locavores can feast on artisanal cheeses, organic produce and hand-crafted wines, and get an insider’s peak into food production at local farms. A self-guided map shows the way through the Agassiz and Chilliwack Farm Cycle Tours with many stops open to the public only on these two days. The Slow Food Movement of Vancouver hosts th...Read the full story on TreeHugger

10 Woodstock-Era Bands Still Rocking the Green Movement

 
Canadian Superstar - Neil Young

Woodstock may have been a one-of-a-kind concert, but the artists and bands that performed there didn't let their commitment to global, political, and social change end with the departure of the last muddy audience member. In the 40 years since the concert, several original Woodstock performers--ranging from Joan Baez to Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young have turned attention to the environmental issues facing the world today, joining other major voices of the era, including Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie.

Learn more about these green enthusiast-performers and more in the TreeHugger.com 10 Woodstock-Era Bands Still Rocking the Green Movement slideshow.

 

...exercise program

A very helpful exercise plan for people like you and me.

Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a 5-lb potato bag in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax.

After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato bags. Then try 50-lb potato bags and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute.

After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag.