Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time.

Today is National Shrimp Scampi Day, but more importantly it is also International Pay It Forward Day!

On International Pay It Forward Day, the idea is for individuals to enact random acts of kindness and instead of expecting a pay back, ask the recipient to pay it forward by sharing an act of kindness with someone else, and so on and so on, creating a ripple effect of feel good deeds; whatever you can do to help someone, small or big. It’s a simple, but profound idea. The Pay It Forward Foundation was established in September 2000 by author Catherine Ryan Hyde and others to educate and inspire students to realize that they can change the world, and provide them with opportunities to do so.

Group Activity!!!  

Join us for another round of

'Tech Services Games at Noon'  - in the TS Library!

We may play 'Apples to Apples' again - or possibly 'Bananagrams'

Final Guessing Game!!!

Here is a random collection of cubicle shot that didn't get picked for the first round.  I had fun capturing them, so thought I would share them all...can you guess who they belong to??

Scott

Devone

Hoang

Jason

Pam

Jodie

Anne

Angela

Tom

Devone

Janet

Terry

Conn

Angela

Thomas

Conn

Anne

Terry

Pam

Jill

Monika

Scott

Conn

Jason

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. -Victor Hugo

'Tech Services Games at Noon'
- in the Alder Room!

On the AGENDA - lot of fun as we enjoy a few rounds of 'Apples to Apples.'

Earth Day, Every Day

Earth Day 2010 – 40th Anniversary


RECYCLE

Recycling materials refers to using items again after they are reprocessed. Items that can be recycled include glass food and beverage containers, aluminum and steel cans, newspaper, corrugated cardboard, magazines, plastics #1 & #2, white paper for businesses, grass clippings, leaves, nickel cadmium and lead-acid batteries and used motor oil. Recyclables are collected, sorted and processed. After baling the materials, they are sent to facilities that process them into new products. Buying products made from recycling materials will help to “close the loop” of recycling!

Recycling has many benefits. The more we recycle the less garbage ends up in the landfills and resource recovery or trash to energy plants. Less energy is used to process the materials, valuable resources are saved and therefore, costs are decreased. Recycling also prevents emissions of many greenhouse gases and water pollutants.

Another form of recycling is composting. A compost pile is comprised of leaves, grass clippings and other organic matter such as fruits and vegetables. Eventually, this pile decomposes into humus or compost. This may be used to provide nutrients to the soil, reduce the need for fertilizers, protect the soil from erosion and keep organic wastes from having to be landfilled or incinerated.

Check here for 5 surprising things you can throw in the recycling bin:

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/123/five-surprising-things-you-can-throw-in-the-recycling-bin.html

Eat, Sleep, Recycle

Today is Administrative Professionals Day

Take a break and help Michael do some cleaning up in the local park in ‘Michael, Michael Go Recycle’ Game:

http://funschool.kaboose.com/globe-rider/earth-day/games/game_michael_recycle.html

Today's eco friendly tips:

REUSE

An old New England saying is apropos to managing our solid waste today:

• Use it up
• Wear it out
• Make it do
• Or do without

We’re not going to suggest we do without our favorite items. But we do encourage everyone to use a product more than once, since it extends the life of the product and helps reduce waste (and saves you money). Reusing items by repairing them, donating them to charitable organizations and other community groups, or even selling articles is preferable to single use products. Otherwise, it can end up in the trash and add to the volume! Some of the ways you can reuse items rather than throw them away are as follows:

• Use coffee mugs and real glass instead of plastic or styrofoam
• Refill bottles, especially water and sports bottles
• Donate clothing, equipment, furniture and other items to charitable organizations
• Use empty plastic containers for leftovers
• Use “found” items for arts and crafts projects

Today's wastage is tomorrow's shortage

Volunteer Recognition Day – be sure to thank those you know who volunteer


REDUCE

Every person generates approximately 4.2 pounds of trash a day! That translates to about three quarters of a ton each year, per person.
Waste prevention or source reduction refers to the practice of decreasing the amount of garbage generated. Consuming and throwing away less garbage is one way we can manage solid waste. Source reduction is a way to actually prevent the making of trash in the first place!

There are different ways a consumer can make less trash.

One way is to purchase durable, long lasting goods and products. Seeking products that have little packaging decreases the amount of trash made. Buying fewer items, avoiding single-use items or avoiding buying things we don’t need are all ways to reduce our trash.

Using less hazardous items for cleaning, lawn care and other purposes is another component of source reduction.

To sit in the shade, you have to save paper first

Today is National Eggs Benedict Day
(We really should have the day off for this one!)

We hope that everyone has a fine weekend!

And now for today's eco-friendly tip:

Tip #10: Make your own cleaning supplies.

o The big secret: you can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like water, baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, borax, and soap.  Find environmental friendly ideas for glass cleaner, clogged drains, carpet deodorizer, and oven cleaner at this link: http://www.worldwatch.org/node/1484

o Making your own cleaning products saves money, time, and packaging-not to mention your indoor air quality.

http://www.worldwatch.org/resources/go_green_save_green

Save the earth, plant a tree!

Today is Part II of 'Brown Bag Lunch and Movie Day' as we watch the continuing story of  Wall-E at noon in the Alder Room. Bring your lunch!

Identify That Workspace - Part III
'Personality is everything in art and poetry.'
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Can you discover the "personality" involved in these final excerpts from Technology Services work areas? Points awarded for participation and accuracy!

And now for today's eco-friendly tip:

Tip # 9: Keep electronics out of the trash.

o Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
o Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.

o Recycle your cell phone.

o Ask your local government to set up an electronics recycling and hazardous waste collection event.

http://www.worldwatch.org/resources/go_green_save_green

Today is Arbor Day in Washington State

Respect your Elders (and Oaks, Pines and Hickories too)

In Celebration of International Moment of Laughter Day and to commemorate the 106th anniversary of the first motion picture public showing in1894, today we are offering a private showing of Wall-E at noon in the Alder Room.  Bring your lunch!

The year is 2700. WALL•E, a robot, spends every day doing what he was made for. But soon, he will discover what he was meant for.

Facts about Washington – The Evergreen State
State flower: Coast rhododendron (1892)
State tree: Western Hemlock (1947)
State bird: Willow Goldfinch (1951)
State fish: Steelhead trout (1969)
State gem: petrified wood (1975)



And now for today's eco-friendly tip:

Tip # 8 Buy smart.

o Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.

o Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.

o Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. You might pay more now, but you'll be happy when you don't have to replace items as frequently (and this means less waste!).

http://www.worldwatch.org/resources/go_green_save_green

Plant a tree, green the earth, clean the air, live happily.

Today is Scrabble Day!

Pull out your gameboard – or maybe play a round of Bananagrams!

Part 2 of identify that coworker…

"Everyone thrives most in his or her own unique environment."

-Marilu Henner

Here are a few more glimpses of Technology Services work areas…can you identify these unique environments? Points awarded for participation and accuracy!

And now for today's eco-friendly tip:

Tip #7: Borrow instead of buying.

o Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.

o Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know your neighbors while cutting down on the number of things cluttering your closet or garage.

http://www.worldwatch.org/resources/go_green_save_green

Save paper, save trees, save the planet

Just a reminder to
Mark your calendars for two upcoming GROUP EVENTS

'Brown Bag Lunch and Movie Day' is back by popular demand on April 14th and 15th from Noon to 1 o'clock in the Alder Room

We will watch Wall-E: An Adventure Beyond the Ordinar-E! In the distant future, a small waste collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind. After 700 years of doing what he was built for - he'll discover what he's meant for.

And now for today's eco-friendly tip:

Tip # 6:  Think before you buy.

o Go online to find new or gently used secondhand products. Whether you've just moved or are looking to redecorate, consider a service like craigslist or FreeSharing to track down furniture, appliances, and other items cheaply or for free.

o Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.

o When making purchases, make sure you know what's "Good Stuff" and what isn't.  http://www.worldwatch.org/taxonomy/term/44

o Watch a video about what happens when you buy things.  Your purchases have a real impact, for better or worse.   http://faircompanies.com/ 

We are Greenagers

Just an eco-friendly tip today, as we approach the weekend!:

Tip #5 Skip the bottled water.


o Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.

o Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.

o Check out this short article for the latest on bottled water trends.

This past week's tips have all been from:
http://www.worldwatch.org/resources/go_green_save_green

Save our planet think green.

Today is National Empanada Day…or was that Girl from Ipanema Day??

Here is a participation activity for everyone!

Orson Welles once said:  “Create your own visual style…let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others.”

Here are FIVE samples of “visual styles” found in Technology Services work areas…can you identify the owners? Post your answers! Points awarded for participation and accuracy!

And now for today's eco-friendly tip:

Tip #4 Eat smart.

o If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it's even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.

o Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever you can. Purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy.

o Watch videos about why local food and sustainable seafood are so great.

o Whatever your diet, eat low on the food chain. This is especially true for seafood.

There is no Planet B.

Today is the much-anticipated-never-to-be-overlooked ‘No Housework Day.’ (I like it!)

Today, in 1949, the musical South Pacific, by Rodgers and Hammerstein, opened on Broadway. Thousands of women vowed to wash that man right out of their hair.

If you have a chance today, take one or both of these short quizzes to find out your eco-rating and get other ideas on how to reduce your eco-footprint.

http://www.conservation.org/act/live_green/Pages/ecofootprint.aspx

http://www.myfootprint.org/

And now for today's eco-friendly tip:

Tip #3: Less gas = more money (and better health!)

o Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.

o Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work. Or move closer. Even if this means paying more rent, it could save you money in the long term.

o Lobby your local government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes. With little cost, these improvements can pay huge dividends in bettering your health and reducing traffic.

National Caramel Popcorn Day

Today is National Caramel Popcorn Day – so feel free to join in the CELEBRATION! (Samples on the back counter!) Some exciting April 6th trivia - Twinkies (so lovingly showcased in our upcoming feature movie Wall-E) hit the market 70 years ago today. Apparently the first Twinkies were banana filled.

And now for today's quote and eco-friendly tip:

Don't blow it - good planets are hard to find!

Tip #2: Save water to save money.

o Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.

o Install a low-flow showerhead. They don't cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.

o Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.

o Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area.

Go Green!

Go Green!

April is 'Go Green' Month

...with Arbor Day and Earth Day...not to mention National Caramel Popcorn Day!  Network Services is hosting this month's focus on our Core Ideology Purpose Statement, and we have several events and activities planned throughout the month...so don't forget to check your blog!  There will be daily tips to help you Go Green both at home and at work, and a smathering of other things we hope you enjoy.  It is also National Humor Month!  Today is also Dyngus Day. (Check it out - http://holidayinsights.com/other/dyngusday.htm) Monika has verified that this is indeed a true celebration!

Mark your calendars for two upcoming GROUP EVENTS

'Brown Bag Lunch and Movie Day' is back by popular demand on April 14th and 15th from Noon to 1 o'clock in the Alder Room

We will watch Wall-E: An Adventure Beyond the Ordinar-E!  In the distant future, a small waste collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.  After 700 years of doing what he was built for - he'll discover what he's meant for.

And NEW for April is 'Tech Services Games at Noon' - on Wednesday, April 28th - also in the Alder Room!  On the AGENDA - lot of fun as we enjoy a few rounds of 'Apples to Apples.'

And now for today's quote and eco-friendly tip:

When it's bright, turn off the light

The first of Ten Ways to Go Green and Save Green

In the following days, we will present 10 simple things you can do today to help reduce your environmental impact, save money, and live a happier, healthier life.

Tip #1. Save energy to save money.

o Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.

o Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.

o Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.

o Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.

o Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.