Title
Losing Our Cool
Losing Our Cool by Stan Cox
Losing Our Cool by Stan Cox. The spate of hot weather is really testing my belief that you don’t need air conditioning in Massachusetts.
The weather this year is an aberration. We’ve had temperatures above normal almost every day since February according to my dad the weather buff.
We won’t be getting air conditioning, however, and my resolve is strengthened by Stan Cox’s new book - Losing Our Cool: Uncomfortable Truths About Our Air Conditioned World (and Finding New Ways to Get Through the Summer).
I just bought the book so can’t give the whole review but believe me – Cox is very persuasive. We were toying with the idea of getting A/C for the second floor until I heard Stan Cox interviewed on NPR. My neighbor heard the same segment – and drove back to the store to return the two A/C units in her trunk that she had just purchased.
Losing Our Cool describes the rapid growth in air conditioning – and the Northeast is leading the way – and the impact it is having on the environment and on our energy use. Bottom line – it’s not sustainable.
Cox advocates traditional cooling methods that pre-date the relatively recent introduction of air conditioning. Open windows, porches, shades, fans, etc. I’ll vouch for the difference a small fan blowing directly on me makes – who knew?!
Now if we could bring back vent windows in cars…
PS – I can’t resist a mini rant – There is nothing “green” about a building in Massachusetts with air conditioning. It makes me crazy when I see buildings touted as “green” that have central air.
Lights Out In Cambridge And Somerville
It’s lights out in Cambridge and Somerville tonight in the fourth annual Earth Hour.
The two cities, and many other communities, are taking part in Earth Hour by turning off all non-essential lights in city buildings this evening for one hour beginning at 8:30 pm.
Earth Hour is a show of commitment and a call for action on climate change.
Truth be told I think it’s great if – for only an hour – we could minimize light pollution. Sometimes when I come home at night it seems as light as late afternoon – no need for a light outside my door – I can see just fine. When my parents lived for a while in New Hampshire I was dazzled by the sight of the Milky Way outside their house at night. Finally I was able to see the stars I remember gazing at as a child.
So – join millions and flip the switch at 8:30 tonight. You’ll be in good company – the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, the Parthenon, the Golden Gate Bridge, Big Ben, the Las Vegas strip, and Mount Rushmore will all be dousing the lights.
Get A Bargain On A Rain Barrel For Your Garden
Conserve water and save money with a rain barrel
Get a Bargain on a Rain Barrel for Your Garden Hard as it is to imagine, given all the recent rain, there’ll come a time this summer when you’ll need to water your garden or lawn.
It’s amazing how high your water bill can climb in the summer when you’re watering outdoors. A rain barrel collects water from your gutters and stores it, under cover, to be used for irrigation. Hook a hose up to the barrel and you can make use of the water when you need it and prevent rain water from running into the sewer system.
Rain Barrel Discounts For Cambridge and Nearby Towns
A number of Massachusetts towns and cities offer a discount on rain barrels in the spring. The regular price for the recycled plastic barrel is $119.95.
Rain barrels can be ordered online, and details for each town’s program are available on the New England Rain Barrel Company website where you can click on your town or city’s name for details about the program offered in your area.
Here are the discounts available and the order deadlines for local towns:
- Arlington- rain barrels are $74.95 and must be ordered by Monday, May 17, 2010 to get the discount. Composters are also available for $89.95, a $40 discount, if ordered by May 17th. The first 40 Arlington residents who purchase a composter will get an additional $35 discount – now that’s a deal!
- Cambridge – residents can purchase a rain barrel for $74.95 if ordered by Friday, May 14, 2010
- Medford – residents get a discounted price of $74.95 through the Mystic River Watershed Association if orders are placed by Thursday, May 27, 2010
- Somerville- rain barrels can be purchased for $74.95 and composters are available for $89.95, a $40 discount. Orders must be placed by Monday, May 3, 2010 to buy at the discounted price.
- Watertown – barrels are available for $74.95 if ordered by Friday, April 23, 2010.
Get a bargain on a rain barrel for your garden – check out the New England Rain Barrel Company.
Every House Is Green On St. Patrick’s Day
Green House in North Cambridge
Every House Is Green On St. Patrick’s Day In honor of St. Patrick’s Day we’re going to give Cambridge and Somerville green houses their day in the sun. Yes – it’s sunny!! after a long, rainy siege.
No – these aren’t necessarily energy efficient houses - these are green houses – painted in shades of green. Minty green, bright green, park bench green and the muted, earthy shades of green that are popular nowadays.
Green houses in Cambridge and Somerville come in a variety of styles – two families, Victorians, mansards, modern townhouses and lots of triple-deckers.
Whatever the style – on St. Patrick’s Day every house is green.
Or orange.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Centers and Squares.
The Story Of Stuff
Annie Leonard, from The Story of Stuff Project, was on the Stephen Colbert show tonight promoting her new book about the project.
I’ve got to confess to being a lifelong fan of stuff. I’m a collector – some might say packrat – and really like my stuff. Why have one of something when five or six or a dozen is so much more satisfying? George Carlin’s routine about stuff where he describes our houses as piles of stuff with roofs on top hit pretty close to home.
I’m reforming, though, and in December celebrated my third anniversary of being storage-unit free. Admittedly that’s due in large part to an attic crammed to the rafters – but still – it’s an improvement.
What appeals to me though is typically second-hand if not antique. Our throw-away culture worries me and the endless array of stunningly cheap imported merchandise that fills big box stores gives me the willies.
Nowadays it’s too easy to buy and buy and put the week’s trash out at the curb. Too little thought is paid to how all that stuff gets here and where it goes when discarded.
Annie Leonard spent ten years studying just that- “where our stuff comes from and where it goes” and this video is the result. Watch it and pass it on!
Fresh Pond Greenway – Condos at 773 Concord Ave Cambridge
Fresh Pond Greenway Condos - 773 Concord Avenue, Cambridge MA
Fresh Pond Greenway at 773 Concord Avenue, Cambridge MA is a 25-unit condo building built in 2006. The four-story building was built to Energy Star standards. You’re sure to save on your energy bills here since the building is 30% better insulated than required by state building codes.
Cambridge real estate buyers will appreciate the access to Fresh Pond Reservation across the street and the proximity to the Red Line subway station at Alewife. Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, a movie theatre, and more are nearby.
Fresh Pond Greenway Features
- One to three-bedroom condos, 680-1449 sq.ft.
- Elevator
- Garage parking and guest parking
- In unit washer and dryer
- Central air conditioning
- Eco friendly dual flush toilets (the first time toilets have made my features lists!!)
- Kitchens with granite counters, stainless steel Energy Star appliances, and shaker style maple cabinets
- Pet friendly
- Outside common area for grilling
Condo Sales at 773 Concord Ave Cambridge MA - Fresh Pond Greenway
- Fresh Pond Greenway condos sold for prices between $282,500 and $584,000.
- In 2008, a 686 sq.ft. one-bedroom condo sold for $287,000
- In 2008, a 1427 sq.ft. three-bedroom condo sold for $500,000
More Cambridge Condominiums
Cambridge Condos With Swimming Pools
Newport Road Condos in Porter Square
And if you want more – click on the Property Info link below for lots more condo overviews.
The Fresh Pond Greenway condos are at 773 Concord Avenue, Cambridge Mass 02138.
Weatherize Your Old House – Medford Class
Is this the right insulation for an antique home? Come to this Medford presentation to find out.
Brrrr!! It’s nippy out! Wondering how to weatherize your old house? An upcoming Medford class is geared to homeowners of antique houses who want to make upgrades to save energy but don’t want to jeopardize the original character of their vintage home.
Greening the Older Home is sponsored by the Medford Historical Society.
Topics to be covered:
- Insulation
- Windows
- Lighting
- Exterior sealing
- Renewable energy options
Panelists:
- Sally Zimmerman, Preservation Specialist, Historic New England
- Rebecca Williams from the Northeast Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Christopher Skelly of the Massachusetts Historical Commission
Greening the Older Home is scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
The program will take place at the Springstep building at 98 George P. Hassett Drive (next to Medford City Hall and the Route 93 Rotary).
Christmas Tree Recycling
Wondering how to dispose of your Christmas tree? The best option is to recycle your tree. Here’s information about Christmas tree recycling and pickup in local towns. Timeliness is important - most towns have a short schedule for Christmas tree pickup.
**This post was written in 2009. Here’s info about Christmas tree recyling in 2012. (Where does the time go?!)
Trees left for recycling must be bare – free of tinsel, not bagged, and without a stand attached.
Wreaths and garlands are wrapped in wire and cannot be left for mulch pickup. Wreaths and garlands should be disposed of with your trash.
Christmas Tree Pickup in Cambridge
Cambridge recycled over 4700 trees last year. Trees are chipped and spread as mulch in City landscaping projects.
Cambridge will pick up trees for mulching on your regular trash and recycle day from December 28th to January 8, 2010.
Somerville Christmas Tree Recycling
Somerville picks up trees for mulching during January. After January trees that are left out will be picked up as regular trash. For more information call the Somerville DPW at 617-666-3311.
Arlington Christmas Tree Pickup Schedule
Leave your Christmas tree in Arlington curbside for recycling on your regular trash day during the week of January 11 to 15, 2010.
Watertown Christmas Tree Recylcing
Xmas trees will be picked up curbside during January and chipped for recycling. Call the Watertown DPW at 617-972-6420 for more information.
Medford Christmas Tree Disposal
In Medford you can put your tree on the curb on your regular trash pickup day. Supposedly Waste Management brings trees to a compost facility.
Belmont Christmas Tree Pickup
Unfortunately in Belmont trees are left out with the trash and are not recylced.
Don’t see your Massachusetts town listed here or missed your local Christmas tree recycling pickup? Here’s a link to a local landscaping company that accepts organic materials for dropoff. I’m not sure of costs entailed - and they sell mulch too - call Landscape Express in Woburn at 781-933-3818 for more info.
It’s really too bad that some towns don’t turn Christmas trees into compost. Some Boy Scout troops are starting tree pickup projects where, for a small donation, Scouts will come by and pick up trees for recycling. If you can’t get your town on board with turning trees into mulch perhaps a project by the Boy Scouts would be well received.
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