Source your apartment's electricity from Renewables

We will be talking a lot about Solar Power over this summer, since Brookline has been selected as a Solarize community for 2013.

Before we dive into that, however, here's a quick plug for other sources of Renewable Energy. Did you know you can source the electricity from your current NStar Electric bill from a wind farm, anaerobic digester, or hydropower?

It doesn't require anything too difficult, other than filling out some paperwork. It does cost slightly more than the basic service, but is a good way to help invest in renewable energy resources.

Mass Energy has all of the details here.

Pardon our absence...

It's been weeks since we posted (due to life busyness, work over-commitments, knee surgery, etc.). Sincere apologies!
We're back, and excited to talk about Solarize Brookline, the return of the Farmer's Market, and all sorts of summer opportunities. Thanks for your patience!

Sick Days...

House Tissue Box from TheGreenHead.com

We almost put winter behind us, when yet another snowstorm decided to strike. To add insult to injury, a lot of people in my apartment and office (and on the MBTA) got sick the past few days... including the poor Brookline Green Apartments blogger.


But! Let's turn crisis into opportunity. Today's topic is:

Eco-Friendly Sick Days
("Green Sick Days" sounded too literal)

Preventative Measures
Keep your hands and apartment surfaces clean to prevent the spread of germs:

• Homemade Disinfectant Cleaner
• Homemade Hand Sanitizer

Boost your immune system with exercise, using the Brookline Recreation Department has a special fitness center pass for Brookline residents:

• Brookline Passport to Fitness

Speedy Recovery*
Use ingredients from your kitchen to help feel better. You can boil them in tea, or chew on them raw:

• Peppermint = unclog nasal passages
• Ginger = settle upset stomach
• Cumin/Turmeric (in curry) = sinus relief
• Olive oil (hold in mouth for a minute) = unclog nasal passages
• Honey = ease a sore throat

Chicken soup, for the non-vegetarians, may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Try this Orange and Coconut smoothie recipe for a vitamin boost
Salt water gargle to relieve sore throat


*Also, please see a doctor if you need to... these are just tips.

Upcycling

Upcycled Clothing at Abeille 

Upcycling reduces, reuses and recycles products in a creative way that usually increases their value. Driscoll School knows all about this - they have an afterschool class called UPcycling.

With the help of the internet for inspiration, there's many terrific ideas for upcycling. For example, TheBerry.Com recently posted an entire Gallery of Upcycled Shutters being used as all sorts of beautiful and functional home decor. Another somewhat obscenely-named blog features some designer-level upcycling ideas, including the theater photo below.

Upcycled Home Theater Seating

I recently went into Abeille on Harvard St. to ask about upcycling jewelry -- I have several earrings where I've lost one of the pair, and thought the remainder could be turned into a necklace or a bracelet, etc.

It turns out, they already upcycle at Abeille, turning cashmere sweaters into comfy scarves. The store has a lot of eco-friendly clothing and products, so we suggest you check it out.

Brookline Climate Week Continues

Climate Week Polar Bear in Coolidge Corner

We're 2 days into Brookline Climate Week, and already we've seen great attendance at all of the events.

There's more to do every day this week, but us renters are particularly interested in the Winter Farmer's Market -- which is now being held on Sundays and MONDAYS in the Arcade Building on Harvard Street (a block down from the Coolidge Corner Theater). These added days give us access to local produce year round.

Keep an eye out for the Climate Week Polar Bear -- last seen dancing at the intersection of Washington Street and Cypress, and check out all of the upcoming Climate Week events.

Brookline Climate Week

The Climate Week Polar Bear, casually reading

Beginning next weekend, Brookline celebrates its third annual Climate Week, complete with events, art exhibits, lectures, and a wandering Polar Bear (frequently seen in Coolidge Corner).
Highlights for us renters include:

Styrofoam drop off at Town Hall, Saturday (1/26/13, 10-2pm) - Since we are NOT allowed to put styrofoam in the curbside recycling (even though you probably stick your Anna's takeout trays in there anyway, you lazy....), you can drop off all your styrofoam for recycling.

Sessions on Solar Power, Wind Power, and Home Retrofits at Town Hall, Saturday (1/26/13, 10-2pm) - Even if you can't modify your apartment, you can switch you electricity source to wind-generated power.

Winter Farmer's Market in the Arcade Building, Sunday and Monday (ongoing) - For all your locally sourced grocery needs.

Winter Farmer's Market

Free Art Gallery Reception, and Free Film at the Brookline Main Library, Tuesday (1/29/13, 5-7pm and 7pm respectively) - Get out of your apartment and go get some culture!

Roundtable on Climate Policy at the Brookline Main Library, Wednesday (1/30/13, 7pm) - For all you activists and governmental policy wonks, this should be interesting.

Brookline Reads Author Event at the Brookline Main Library, Thursday (1/31/13, 7pm) - Climate Week and Brookline Reads are cosponsoring a reading by the author at the library. More culture!


We've left out a ton of events, but you get the idea. See the whole list is here at www.BrooklineClimateWeek.org. Happy Climate Week!

MBTA holding meeting about the Green Line

Before we get into the topic at hand, Brookline Green Apartments would like to remind you to attend Climate Week 2013 starting on January 26 - a week long, town wide event, with seminars, book readings, exhibits... it's gonna be huge!

Meanwhile, the MBTA has noticed that more of us are riding the Green Line. They are trying to figure out how to upgrade the service (I have a few strongly worded suggestions, but we'll save that for another time).

The MBTA will hold a public meeting this Thursday, January 17 at the Boston Public Library. Our Brookline representative, Frank Smizak, will attend, along with other state reps in the communities served by the Green Line. This is a great opportunity to voice your suggestions.

MBTA Public Meeting
Boston Public Library, Copley Square, Mezzanine Conference Room
Thursday, January 17
6 PM