SGC Admin Eco News

FYI Eco -friendly tips from Micheal Bloc

From the editor: Some neat ideas and tips from Michael Bloc’s Green newsletter: Click on the title to take you to Michael’s pages. Sign up for his newsletter ☺Michael is located in Australia so he isn’t “local” but I have peeps over there and Michael just seems so passionate about being green, I can’t help but spread the word. ☺


      
The Glyphosate Debate
Glyphosate is one of the world’s most popular weed killer. It’s a broad spectrum herbicide; particularly useful for broadleaf weeds and grasses. Often viewed as the lesser of the herbicide evils, rumblings about its potential impact on the environment are growing.
 
Advantages of rooftop solar power
A major solar farm project is impressive, but so is a small rooftop solar power system in my opinion. Those comparatively few solar panels do so much more than just crank out free electricity.
 
Solar power myths
In the time I’ve spent talking with people about solar power, the same sort of myths and misconceptions pop up; some of which I also had before I started my solar journey.
  
Reusable bags
Disposable plastic shopping bags are becoming a thing of the past in some countries, but they need to be replaced with something. In this article, I take a look at different types of reusable bags.
  
Waste Not, Want Not
Waste not, want not is a saying I heard many times growing up and it’s taking on even more importance now with our environment under assault on so many fronts and many natural resources rapidly dwindling.
  
Toilet chemicals and the environment
Our toilets and sewage treatment systems deal with more than our own waste. In our efforts to create a hygienic domestic environment, we’re often killing more than just the bacterial nasties. Here’s some tips for a greener loo that will save you a stack of cash as well.
  
Cutting food waste
The amount of food waste we generate each year is incredible. It’s not only an environmental issue, but a humanitarian and financial one. Pick up some food waste reduction tips and save a stack of money!
  
Greening Back To School Supplies
As parents prepare to shell out a stack of green for school supplies; thinking about a different type of green can help alleviate associated environmental impact – and sometimes also cost.
  
Dealing with Cockroaches
A cockroach infestation is a nightmare for many people. Pick up some earth friendly tips for getting rid of cockroaches – and add your own!
 
Cutting boards
Greening your life can be done in all sorts of areas and in ways large and small. This includes your choice of the humble cutting board you use in food preparation. Wood or plastic – which is more hygienic and the most environmentally friendly? Learn more in this article.
 
Uses for egg cartons
A common household waste item is the egg carton – it’s waste that in many cases doesn’t need to be taking up space in landfill. Pick up some tips for making better use of egg cartons.
                  
Article archives
    
Why buy a book? Save paper, transport, emissions and money. There’s now over 400 free articles on Green Living Tips containing advice to help you live a more eco-friendly life! – you can browse by category or use the search feature.
    

 

SGC Admin "thoughts"

FYI RE: New “Smart” or TOU (time of use) Meters (electricity)

From the Editor:Washing-machine3

As many of you may be aware as of May 2011 our esteemed Ontario Energy Board directs us towards the most inexpensive time to do our household chores.

The reason behind this decision (I think) is to stop us from using too much energy during peak times.

Now I get that energy is an enviromental and financial  issue, I am of the “green” mind and so applaud any thoughts, decisions and ideas that relate to finding greener ways to use and produce the energy we need.

However, I fail to see how the “Smart Meter” is going to assists us. It is big business,  retail companies, auto and other manufactoring companies that use the bulk of our energy, this is only logical as it likely takes more energy to make a car or run a big office building then it does for me or you to bake and do our household chores.

Putting in the smart meters, means that our seniors, shift workers, homemakers, people who work from home and the unemployed are going to be the ones paying the higher “on peak” prices.  Cooking the family meal will also affect us, as most of us, including those who work outside of the home usually prepare the evening meal anywhere from 5pm to 7pm.Family_cooking_together : Mother and daughter preparing a chocolate cake Vector

Oh yes, we will all be able to do our chores on the weekend without being penalized as weekends and holidays are under the off-peak hours… Although I am sure most of us have other things to do during the weekend then cook, clean and do laundry, so I am sure how this is supposed to help any of us?

I am upset with this new system, and some may say, I get upset over the silliest of things, and that perhaps I should read the book “don’t sweat the small stuff” ☺ But to be honest it’s the principle of the thing that gets my goat, I mean why should I (or anyone else in my position) be penalized for doing my JOB during morning/day time hours… isn’t that a kind of discrimination??

Anyway, just in case there are those of you out there who aren’t aware of the “Smart Meter” situation, here is the breakdown of the off-peak, on peak and mid-peak pricing…. and if you are like me and are fed up with governments and “higher-ups” making decisions that affect our daily life, then don’t be shy send in your thoughts to the email address at the end of this post.☺

Times and Rates from May to October: (Summer) Weekends and holidays are priced as of-peak hours the whole year.

Off- Peak time: 7 pm to 7 am: (yes folks all night long)

Off- Peak pricing: 5.9 cents KWH (Kilo Watt Hour)

Mid-Peak time: 7:01 am to 11am and 5:01 pm to 7 pm

Mid-Peak pricing: 8.9 cents KWH (Kilo Watt Hour)

On-Peak Hours: 11:01 am to 5pm

On-Peak pricing: 10:7 cents KWH (Kilo Watt Hour)

Times  from November 1 to April 30 (Winter) Rates are the same as summer.

Off Peak Hours: 7pm to 7am

Mid Peak Hours:  11:01 to 5pm (at least the winter months allows us to do our chores and pay less than during the same hours then summer. ☺

On-Peak Hours: 7:01 am to 11am and 5pm to 7pm , (which means making dinner is going to cost more during the winter then it does during the summer).

If you have a contract with an electricity retailer TOU doesn’t apply to you and there won’t be any changes to your account. 

Our Ontario government is attempting to ease our financial burdens regarding energy expenses, by giving each of us 10% off our electric bill. The reason they say is because of their long-term plan to move the province of Ontario towards clean sources of power, while shutting down coal plants, (which pollute our air).  See note from ontario.ca/energy plan.

To help you with the increased costs of these essential investments (renewable energy industries, solar, wind and hydroelectric) the Ontario Government has taken 10% off your electricity bill, including electricity costs, regulatory charges, the debt retirement charge and taxes.”

This will be in effect for the next 5 years.

I am totally confused with this but hey, I will take the 10%  although I would rather it went towards the debt retirement charge instead. (I still have an issue with that and don’t understand why I am paying off the debt of someone else?)

Send your questions and comments regarding the smart meter issue to: consumerrelations@ontarioenergyboard.ca

Regarding the 10% clean energy benefit contact: 1-888-668-4636 or go to the Ontario.ca website:

And as always I welcome your comments on any of our posts…you can comment by clicking on the comment button at the top or bottom of this post or by sending us an email. ☺

SGC Admin Links and Connections

New Links and Connections Added:

 

Social Solutionz.com “Social Solutionz is a member driven club and learning program inspired” by the son of one of the founders. 

Our club members are young adults and include, but not are limited to; people challenged with:

Acquired Brain Injury

ADD/ADHD

FASD/FAE

Attachment Disorder/Issues

Learning Disabilities

Social Awkwardness

Lack of Motivation

Socially Anxiety Disorder or Shyness

Brain Malformation and other Neurologically Based Complaints

 

 

 

Bangles beads and great gifts.com Check out this fabulous site of handmade jewellery and loads of unique gift ideas. Dee has been doing this for many years and has spent a lot of time at craft sales. Dee loves making stuff and has a vivid imagination, product will change, so if you see something you like grab it…. ☺

SGC Admin Moon Phase: Current Sun Sign:

Sun Enters Virgo:

The Sun moves into the sign of Virgo on August 23 2011 until September 23:

Virgo = Earth: Feminine: Mutable:

Virgo folks are the ones who keep everything rolling behind the scenes. Taking care of and seeing to all the little details that others may miss is important to them, and without them we would be lost. However sometimes Virgo folk can get a bad wrap as they can come across as being critical or overly picky, yet what others seem to not notice is that they are just as hard on themselves as everyone else and all they want is for everything to be “perfect” ☺

Thanks for caring guys and gals and for all your long hours and hard work, we might not say it often but we do truly appreciate it… ☺

Happy Birthday to Dayle, Cal, Dezi and David… ☺

SGC Admin Monthly Enews

Serenity’s Gift Cove September 2011 E-News… ☺

Serenity’s Gift Cove

 Psychedelic Hippy Bus

September 2011 E-News

 

Whew, what a summer, I can’t believe its back to School time already..

 

We apologize to all for our E-News this month and for our tardiness regarding updates on Serenity’s Gift Cove. It’s been a very, busy summer  we have been blessed with vacations away and company with company from Australia and  the States (who are still visiting ) which has made it difficult to find time to do our online “work”. But you can be sure we will be back at it very soon… ☺

 Upcoming Events:

Monday Sept 12th: Circles in Circles Women’s Business Group will be beginning their 2011 monthly meetings on Sept 12th: Please Contact Sherry Gostlin of Chic Interior Redesigns at : sherry@chicinteriorredesigns.com for location, time or for more information about this fun and informative group. Visit Sherry’s web site at: www.chicinteriorredesigns.com

 

Monthly Meditation Circle with Julie Ditta: Please Contact Julie at 905-666-8238 for time and location or to enquire about Julie’s intuitive tea leaf readings. Julie is happy to do party events also.

 

Monthly Drum Circle with Julie Ditta: Please Contact Julie at 905-666-8238 for time and location or to enquire about Julie’s intuitive tea leaf readings. Julie is happy to do party events also.

 

Join Mary Lou and Pamela Scott for their twice monthly healing sessions. Please contact Mary Lou at: whiteswanmeditation@sympatico.ca for dates and times.

 

Sept 27 2011: Jim Cuddy’s new CD is released. Check out www.bluerodeo.com for information or to order your copy.

 

For more events and updates throughout the month, check out www.serenitysgiftcove.com.

 

 

News and Views:

 

 Check out www.serenitysgiftcove.com for this month’s news, eco news and views.

 Links and Contacts:

Check out our Links page for new contacts and great site links… coming this month: Dee’s new website loaded with hand made jewelry and fabulous gift ideas…  Links and Connections

  September Full Moon and New Moon:

 This month’s Full Moon falls on September 12th moving into the sign of Aries. The moon will be void off course from 9:45pm Sept 12th until 2:49 am September 13th.   The New Moon falls on Sept 27th in Libra.

 Gratitude and blessings…

Thanks to all who have supported us in the past and continue to support us by visiting our site, passing on our E-News to friends, family and co-workers, sharing their thoughts, ideas and talents with us all and for passing on the word about our weblog….

  Birthday Greetings

And best wishes go out to: Dezi, Dustin, Dayle, Bell and all who celebrate a birthday/anniversary this month… Have a fabulous year…