Virginia Natural Living News - October 2007
For Healthy People and Planet

Greetings and welcome to the October issue of VNL News. There are quite a few things going on this month having to do with sustainable living.

What is sustainability?

From the VT Sustainability Week website, "sustainability is meeting today's needs without compromising the ability to meet needs in the future."

What can I do?

This week is Energy Conservation Awareness Week in Virginia - see the announcement below. Take advantage of the Energy Star Tax Holiday event to use less energy at home, and take the pledge to replace at least one incandescent (regular) bulb from your home and replace it with a CFL (compact fluorescent bulb). It seems like a small thing, but if a million people replaced one incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent, 200,000 tons of CO2 emissions would be eliminated from the atmosphere, so taking small steps can add up. Have "e-waste" around the house or business? Take used computers, monitors, TV's and other electronic devices to VT starting 10/10 and recycle them, keeping toxic materials out of the environment. You can always take your electronics to the YMCA thrift shop for recycling too. Finally, check out the Sustainability Week Events below to learn more ways to live sustainably.

See details below for the above-mentioned events - and more.

Energy Conservation Awareness Week

Governor Tim Kaine has announced this week as Energy Conservation Awareness Week, which will be followed by Virginia's first ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday event.

The ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday will take place from Friday, October 5 through Monday, October 8, 2007. During this holiday, everyone will be exempt from paying sales tax in Virginia on ENERGY STAR qualified products that cost $2,500 or less, like compact fluorescent light bulbs, ceiling fans, clothes washers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, programmable thermostats, refrigerators, and room air conditioners.

As a first step to preserving Virginia's energy resources and environment, the Governor encourages you to replace at least one incandescent bulb or fixture at home with one that has earned the government's ENERGY STAR label. Please make this simple, yet meaningful commitment by taking the online ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge.

To be part of this effort, take the pledge online at http://www.energystar.gov/joincal. You will be asked to fill in your name, email and zip code. You will also be asked "Which organization referred you here, if any?" Please select "Virginia, Commonwealth of" from the drop down list as the participating organization.

With your help, we can reduce energy bills and protect Virginia's natural resources. One Small Step, One Simple Action - Big Savings!

E-Waste Recycling Event

October 10-13, Virginia Tech Campus, 459 Tech Center Drive. This free event is open to residents, schools, businesses, and colleges. For more information contact Rob Lowe at rlowe@vt.edu.

Sustainability Week

Virginia Tech, Sustainable Blacksburg, and the Town of Blacksburg have partnered to bring you Sustainability Week from October 22 - 27. Join us on campus and in the Town of Blacksburg for a week of fairs, tours, films, presentations, and webinars. See the Sustainability Week website and event calendar for details

Monthly Lecture Series on Alternative and Natural Healthcare at Blacksburg Public Library -
Next Lecture - 10/10, 7pm

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine - Victoria Taylor, a Licensed Acupuncturist, will share her knowledge of how Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine can improve organ function, decrease pain, stimulate the immune system and regulate hormonal balance and much more, by working with the energies of the body’s functions. An Acupuncture demonstration will be made available.

Blacksburg Public Library
200 Miller St.
Blacksburg, VA 24060
552-8246
View the series schedule

Climate Change and the Home Gardener Seminar - 10/15, 6pm

We hear so much about climate change and about how we as homeowners can minimize this environmental disruption through making changes inside our homes and through changing our driving choices. Not much attention has been paid to the impacts of climate change on gardening, or on the impact the home gardener can have. Come and learn how global warming may affect your garden, and how all of us can work to slow this process. Register on the VT YMCA Open University page under "Outdoor and Environment".
Course #29 Fee: $15
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Monday October 15

Want something relaxing to do TONIGHT?

Andy Matzner will return to Akke's Yoga Place tonight, Friday October 5th, from 7-8 pm with his singing bowls "sound bath" using Tibetan and crystal singing bowls. $10. For directions, visit http://www.akkesyogaplace.com

Hatha Yoga Teacher Training

Starting in Feb. 2008 with Anna Pittman of the Breathing Space in Blacksburg, VA. For more information, email Anna at amulya@thebreathingspace.org or call 540-961-1683.

Please send suggestions, activities, or questions to Larissa using the form on the website. To view the directory, upcoming and ongoing events, or to list your business or service, please visit Virginia Natural Living.