Now, the post.

As we pour our heart and soul in into promoting an event that is so critical , we believe , to the ultimate paradigm shift needed to save ourselves on this planet, it often feels like we are pushing a rope uphill. People are oblivious, stunned by world events, trying to survive in their own microcosm of life, or stubbornly clinging to an imaginary comfort zone. The obvious is obscured in the noise of the insignificant.

Some of us heard a true story recently  on NPR that for me is now the code i whisper to myself when it seems like we are in a huge hurricane screaming out to people who can’t hear us.

A young man from Malawi -one of the world’s decimated ghettos-got an idea to build a windmill for his village to pump water. The village was starving and women had to walk many miles for any water. The young man went to a tiny local library and got a book to teach himself physics. He did not speak english, so he had to use a dictionary to teach himself and translate the book. Everyone in his village thought he was crazy and ridiculed him, especially his family. Once he had the basics, the only materials available came from the local dump. He had no tools and used, for example, a  nail heated in the fire to sauter. He used old flip flops for some buttons. And so on. But eventually he succeeded in creating the windmill. He was 14 years old.

That would be enough of a story but there is a little more. An author heard about this and went to Malawi to see this young man and wrote a book. The young man is 19 now and has received a TED scholarship to study, and all the procceeds he gets from the book go back to his village, his family , to educate them all.

This young man’s quiet contributions to his tiny village are now inspiring people everywhere.  For me, he represents the best of humanity, and the spirit of human that might just help us work thru the disaster and garbage to build a new world. Surely this is man in God’s image, literally or figuratively. This is the Divine energy manifested.

When i get down now, i whisper to myself “Malawi” and it reminds me to focus on making the effort, not watching the results. Possibly the intention of our actions, the honesty of our concern and the dedication of our hearts to improve the lot for all, is all that matters. Perhaps those intentions themselves are the building blocks of the universe that will translate into salvation. It is all energy, after all.

Malawi to you all   and thank you for being divine energy.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/05/malawi.wind.boy/index.html

One of the things we are helping with is the 350.org ralley in Fort Lauderdale at the Museum of Science courtyard. The event will be on October 24, 2009. There will be T-Shirts there and signs along withspeakers (yet to be determined).  Please if you do not know what 350.org is look at their web page and you will be surprised at were we stand with carbon in the atmosphere and were we stand on Global Warming.

Another event that is coming up is the second TweetUp for South Florida Green Businesses. Anyone that attended the last successful one in Hollywood Florida knows it is a event to meet other green businesses in the area to see how we can help each other. We are still looking for a resturant or bar to hold the event, so if  there are any suggestions please let us know. If you want to attend please let us know. It will be on the 15th of September around 5:30 so come after work and bring business cards and let everyone know why you are a green business of service. The more we know about each other the more we can help each other.

Well, I think that is enough for the first post in quite awhile. Check back on this blog to find out what the Hollywood Green Team is up to these days.

Is there any feed back on this proposal?

Here are Greenzer.com’s Top 5 Green Tips for Green Grilling

1. Green your grill
Conventional charcoal burns dirty and produces greenhouse gases. If you have a charcoal grill, look for organic or natural lump brands. Natural gas is the most energy-efficient; however, infrared grills are the greenest as they heat quickly, use the least energy, and use less gas than regular gas grills.

2. Avoid toxic materials
Grills made of cast iron or stainless steel are the safest because they remain non-toxic at any temperature. Watch out for models made from chrome-coated aluminum, which can become toxic if the aluminum oxidizes. Stay away from lighter fluids, which release VOCs into the air.

3. Stay size appropriate
Be sure your grill fits your needs—the larger the grill, the longer it takes to heat and the more energy it expends. When stocking up on supplies, be sure to know how much you need. Confirm how many people you are catering for in advance so you avoid wasting food.

4. Set an eco-friendly table
If you can’t use reusable dishware, cutlery or napkins, choose biodegradable, recycled , or unbleached picnicware. Fill your menu with greener options by choosing USDA certified organic or local grass-fed meat. If you’re a vegetarian, try certified organic soy hot dogs and burgers.

5. Keep it green when you clean
Keep your grill in top condition by scrubbing it down after use with an all-natural grill cleaner. If you serve bottled or canned refreshments, be sure to have recycling bins on hand. Have leftovers? Box them up in glass or stainless steel food storage containers.

The bad news is we are again talking about an ordnance for the any city built building be built to a green standard. We have been talking about this for almost 3 1/2 years now. We do not seem to be any closer to an outcome, and it doesn’t look like we can get before the commission before October. Sometimes it feels like we are spinning our wheels. LETS GO GREEN TEAM!

In my opinion, we need to send items to the commission that we feel will help with sustainability, weather the current commission is liukely to vote on it or not. They will ultamately make the decision as to what is good for Hollywood, the group needs to make the decisions as to what is good for our communities and planet on green issues and send it to the commission. (Just my rant, and in no way reflects the desire or opinion of the Hollywood Green Team).

We will not meet in July, but plan to meet at the end of August. If anyone out there wishes to join us please check the bulletin board for meeting times and places. (you can access on line).

I learned more about Solar Panels, green cleaning products, green printing, A/C filtration systems, on line purchasing and much more.

Check back for the next South Florida Green Business meet up. Lots of good company, some great food (Thanks to Anna Lucia) and the bar was excellent.

I guess my question would be, why develop a publicly owned piece of property. It seems very short sited. What ever is developed there typically has a life span of 20 years before more money will need to be poured into it to make it once again a viable development.

As you must have noticed with the Arts Park, a void in the cityscape can be a tremendous asset to the city and developers surrounding it. With almost no interest in developing around the area, we have interest in property around the park. This is true for so many cities around the world. Central Park in New York City has some of the most expensive developments around central park. Chicago has high end development surrounding Grant Park. Also in Chicago, the Lakefront is another example of the void sparing development. Areas around these spaces attract development that will bring in more revenue then filling the void with development. Another example is almost any city in Europe, areas around open squares and plazas are the most sought after spaces.

I just think that the city can do better then to hand over a piece of property to yet another developer. We, as a city can do better.

As for Hollywood going green, I do agree that the city has done a great deal to be green but it is certainly an ongoing process. We were consulted on what to do with the energy grant money and gave a presentation to you and the other commissioners as to what we thought should be done with the money.

Some further ideas for the city to help its citizens to help sustainability are;

1. Eliminate permit fees for solar installation (photovoltaic and hot water systems).
2. The city talks about recycling but there are no recycling bins on city streets next regular garbage bins. There should be recycling wherever there are garbage bins.
3. I know I have been to so many festivals in the city where there are no recycle bins.
4. The city could mandate that festivals follow green practices. (i.e. no Styrofoam products mandate recycle bins, use of green products, lighting, water practices.
5. LEED buildings have been discussed at length and I am sure you will see something form us in the very near future.
6. A department of sustainability would be a great asset for making sure sustainable practices are followed.
7. Hollywood is the only city in Broward County without a Sea Turtle ordinance. Why are we alone in not protecting sea turtles?
8. Allowing home owners to use grey water systems for toilets and watering.
9. Changing the city code to allow for no irrigation system if they do xeroscaping, or just not requiring an irrigation system.
10. Bring back the sidewalk replacement program. If we want to get people out of cars and use of public transportation then let’s make it easier for people to walk to these places freely.
11. The city can do an evaluation of it bicycle lanes and publish them on line.

There are so many things that the city can do and we are here to help. It does not help when we present something and get chided for not doing enough, and then never discussing what we have brought before the commission.

Lastly, we may bring something to you that you do not agree with, and that is how it should work, but we are willing to work to make Hollywood a much more environmentally friendly place.

Sam

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call.

Samuel Uccello                                                      954-927-8336

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