Ensuring the Future by Acting in the Present
Green Build/Biz
For more information about this task force, contact Scott Downie at sdownie@spiezle.com. Mission Statement: To achieve a sustainable Cherry Hill through green building and land use planning practices by 2020.
Strategies:
Objectives:
Ongoing Efforts:
Meetings: this task force meets the third Saturday of the month at 9 a.m. at Panera Bread located at Route 70 & Haddonfield Road (Garden State Plaza) to enhance awareness, recruit participants, and develop additional ideas for advancement ________________________________________________
The event at Caffe Aldo Lamberti included a buffet breakfast and networking among the Platinum Lea Sustainable Cherry Hill thanks the sponsors, our dedicated volunteers
May 2012
SCHâs Green Building/Business task force designed this event over about five months and the team succeeded in drawing top-notch business leaders to learn and share about green business practices. SCH executive board member, task force leader and Spiezle Architectural Groupâs Scott Downie led the presentation that was originally developed by Marstel-Day analyst and task force member Tony Tancini. Tony & Scott collaborated to come up with the key questions and some thought-provoking answers on why a business should work to reduce its impact on the environment, how to get started and what actions will lead to results. The question-answer session and networking put many businesses together on how to collaborate on potential greening projects as well as sharing best practices. Because of the success of the sold-out event and enthusiastic interest, the task force will work to plan a follow-up event later this year. Many thanks are extended to Mayor Chuck Cahn who welcomed the attendees and promoted participation in the âItâs in Our Powerâ program that continues in the township. The task force and Sustainable Cherry Hill are also grateful to Leadership sponsors including Hutchinson Mechanical Services and the law firm of Montgomery McCracken as well as event sponsors Waste Management, Arch Design Architects, White Optics, Organic Diversion, Trinity Solar, Wu Associates, ZLED Lighting and in-kind sponsor Camden County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Thereâs a Cherry Hill pre-teen who takes one-hour showers. Honestly! That was the eye-opener Sustainable Cherry Hill Green Building task force members discovered at their water conservation booth during the Cherry Hill Art Blooms Earth Day Festival April 24, 2010.  How much water can you save? Our task force led by Scott Downie, focused on how we can conserve water. Member Yvette Kline compiled data from a water usage survey taken by dozens of people in the township to show how many thousands of gallons of water we save â or in some cases- waste. The interest in the poster display included a message suggesting people cut down their shower times to about five minutes which saves water and of course, saves on your bill. When we suggested to this 11 or 12-year-old girl that she could save water and (her parentsâ) money by cutting down her shower time, she refused to consider the idea. She said her shower time is time to relax. Fortunately, there  Action News paid a visit to the Cherry Hill Earth Day Festival were many people visiting the water conservation booth who were surprised at how much water is wasted. We feel as though we were successful in planting the seed that water conservation is an important step in sustainability. The day simply would not have happened without the outstanding organization by Sustainable Cherry Hill board member Jodi Raditz. She recruited merchants, school environmental clubs, community groups and volunteers and so much more to make the day complete. Sustainable Cherry Hillâs collaboration with Cherry Hill Township and the Arts Board in presenting the Art Blooms Earth Day Festival  Wild Birds Unlimited exhibit brought thousands of visitors to Croft Farm adjacent to Challenge Grove off Brace Road at Bortons Mill Road. Our sponsors included Chef Joe Palombo and Mirabella CafĂŠ whose staff served up delicious food through the sunny day; Alber Service Company, Body Solutions and the Delaware River Port Authority. Many other businesses and organizations participated with donations and in-kind services including South Jersey Magazine, NJ American Water, the Courier Post and Money Mailer. Weâre hoping to build on the success of this yearâs Earth Day Festival as we plan for next yearâs event.
YIKES! HOW MUCH WATER DO I USE??!! Did you get your March water bill?
If you are a typical American, you use about 100 gallons of water a day, most of that at home — flushing the toilet, taking a shower, doing the laundry, washing the dishes, brushing your teeth and watering the lawn. Thatâs 100 gallons for EACH person in your house.
Since your water bill is not a major budget buster, most of us are only loosely aware that our monthly water consumption is measured to the nearest thousand gallons. While your water bill might not grab your attention, compare your usage with your neighbors’ and you have something worth looking at! The Green Building Task Force of Sustainable Cherry Hill conducted a water usage pilot study.
Thanks for participating AND for checking out Art Blooms Earth Day Festival at Croft Farm on April 24, 10 a.m. â 5 p.m.
Where were you the night of September 30, 2009 between the hours of 7 and 9? If you were one of the more than 85 attendees of Sustainable Cherry Hillâs âGo Green/Get Green – the ABCâs of a Home Energy Audit” seminar, we thank you for your participation. For everyone, we want  to remind you that you can still take part in the NJ Clean Energy Program Energy Audit and submit any planned improvements through all of 2010; the program has been ectended through December 31, 2010. Following your audit you must submit any planned improvements (e.g., insulation, heating, air conditioning, hot water replacement) to the New Jersey Clean Energy Program. But thatâs Step 3. Step 1, as youâll recall, is getting a $300 home energy audit through NJCEP at the discounted price of $125. It can take up to eight weeks to get through all three steps, so if you havenât already scheduled your audit, youâll want to act soon. Just call 866-NJSMART, or contact one of our program sponsors*, or visit the NJCEP website to locate another contractor in our area. Insider tip: Follow up with the contractor who conducts your audit to make sure he/she submits the NJCEP paperwork so you will receive the coupon for 10 free compact fluorescent light bulbs. Even if you do nothing else, the information you receive from the audit and the compact fluorescent light bulbs are a worthwhile investment in your home’s health, safety and sustainability. So, if you are one of the 89% surveyed who indicated you were more likely to take action because of what you learned at the seminar, and/or one of the 91% who found it all very interesting, itâs time to pick up the phone! For additional information on the program, see www.njcleanenergy.com/residential/programs/home-performance-energy-star/benefits-and-incentives. To stay up-to-date on SCHâs many happenings, visit www.SustainableCherryHill.org . View Power Point Presentation from 9/30/09 program here: SCH-Energy Audits  Mother Nature and YOU Shine at Earth Festival 2013: Celebrate-Learn-GrowEvery picture tells a story, so they say and clearly the many photographs we have of the 2013 Earth Festival show an event blessed with outstanding weather and so many participants .Our theme – Celebrate-Learn-Grow was portrayed in so many ways throughout the festival. SCHOOLS: The crowd was estimated at 5000 and was augmented by the many Cherry Hill school students, family members, teachers, PTA ENTERTAINMENT: Two stages of performances had toes tapping, hands applauding and the Phillie Phanatic in awe of all the talent in our community. Kudos go to: Thought-provoking performances by elementary students from the Mann and Paine schools, melodious sounds from the Rosettes and Close Harmony (Rosa International Middle); string and saxophone quartets DID YOU KNOW?
Our dedicated organizing team which includes Cherry Hill’s Recreation Department with support from the Department of Public Works, Police and Fire Departments, Mayor’s Office and Mayor Chuck Cahn, is already planning for the 5th Cherry Hill Earth Festival. We have a list of updates and tweaks and we’ll work to make the 2014 festival a showcase for South Jersey. Enjoy this video collage of Earth Festival 2013. Produced by Brenda Jorett
Green Drinks this Wednesday!Think global. Â Drink local.
Join us on Wednesday, May 1st, 2013Â in the back room at PJ Whelihans from 6-8pm!
SCH has its own chapter of this popular social and business networking happy hour that brings together a wide array of environmentally minded people each month over beverages to discuss green and sustainable solutions, ideas, concepts and much more. This laid back, unstructured gathering is part of an international movement and a collaborative effort with Green Drinks Philadelphia. And remember, the efforts of SCH are regional and inclusive⌠you do not need to be a Cherry Hill resident to participate with us. Stop by the first Wednesday of EVERY month at PJ Whelihanâs on Rt. 70 and Greentree Rds in Cherry Hill from 6-8 pm to hang with us and other like minded folks in the community. Everyone is friendly and eager to meet new people! Note: SCH provides the âGREENâ opportunity to network, but not the âDRINKSâ! Everyone either runs a tab or pays by the drink. Contact Lori Braunstein for more information Lori.Braunstein@sustainablecherryhill.org
Sustainable Cherry Hill Earth Day Festival goes Guerrilla!This was originally posted on Guerrilla Haiku Movement by Haiku Mistress on 04.30.13 in 2013
A) The high school Agents of Haiku fully embraced their mission (to get EVERYONE to write at least one haiku) and approached as many people as they could find thereby initiating conversations with and between 100s of strangers, impressing me and all people lucky enough to interact with them with their enthusiasm, commitment and positive energy. B) Haiku were written in Turkish, Bangladeshi, Italian, Spanish, French, and Japanese making the polyglotism of the Cherry Hill community impressive indeed. C) People embraced the Festivalâs purpose and wrote many haiku of an environmental ilk! D) An enormously good time was had by all! Over 300 total haiku were written through the course of the festival, and a sampling of them are available here for your viewing enjoyment! Â Thanks to Sustainable Cherry Hill and our amazing Agents of Haiku for a lovely day of celebration!
5 Reasons to Visit the Cherry Hill Earth Festival – April 27thAs we celebrate Earth Day, you get a great opportunity to spend some quality time outdoors at a Cherry Hill historic gem – Croft Farm. Here are the top five reasons to pay a visit to the 4th Cherry Hill Art Blooms Earth Festival – rain or shine Saturday, April 27 – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: 1. Celebrate: we expect several thousand people to celebrate the Earth as the Croft Farm foliage 2. Learn: See how students, teachers, staff and parents from 19 Cherry Hill district schools have learned how to foster our resources through character education – citizenship, responsibility, respect, being fair and working for the common good. Student videos, displays, skits, songs and stage performances. AND we have green crafters, non-profit groups, businesses and more engaging us with different ways to understand sustainability in our everyday lives. 3. Grow:Â Children can plant tree seedlings while grownups exchange or purchase garden plants at the Plant exchange; visit the beautiful gardens around the Arts Center where the April 27-May 11 Art Blooms weeks get underway. Grow you mind and spirit as the Haiku Mistress and Cherry Hill High School West volunteer students engage children of all ages in chalk-art haiku on the black top in front of the Farm House and throughout the festival grounds 4. RECYCLE – then Dance, Sing, Romp: When you arrive at Croft Farm for the festival, drop off your end-of-life small electronics, appli TWO stages of solar-powered (sun-permitting) entertainment features: The Rosettes & Close Harmony from Rosa International Middle School; plays by students from Paine & Mann Elementary Schools; Kobukan Karate; String quartets from Cherry Hill East; Happy Feet dancing; Cherry Hill East Sax quartet, Cherry Hill Pine Barons; Out of the Beardspace band: The DG Band & next to the Arts Center Little Stevie & His Electric Mojo. The little ones can ROMP at the Moon Bounce! The Phillie Phanatic brings his antics to the festival in the 11 a.m. hour! 5. YUM!Come to enjoy tasty and healthy lunch and snacks from Chimp Ade (benefits the Jane Goodall Foundation) & J-Dogs; Alex’s Lemonade. The Cherry Hill Earth Festival is planned by Cherry Hill Township and Sustainable Cherry Hill. This year’s event is presented by Hutchinson. Our Leadership Sponsors are Camden County, Magnum Computer Recycling and Rosenblatt Roofing. Â Our Green Sponsors are Body Solutions, Metro PCS and Penn Medicine. We thank all of our sponsors and in-kind supporters. Most of all we thank YOU for being an agent of the EARTH. See you at the Earth Festival – Sat., April 27 – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.! For more information, see our complete Art Blooms Earth Festival page!
We need to sustain ourselves too.7 Keys to an Authentic Life
Key #1: Surround yourself with positivity Negativity is not only toxic â itâs contagious. Itâs difficult to maintain a positive outlook when you are constantly bombarded by the negative views and opinions of others. Anger and bitterness lead us toward combative interaction with the world, which will inevitably permeate our social relationships and jeopardize our stability and happiness. The more we surround ourselves with positive people and influences, the more likely we are to view the world in a healthy way  and enable our peace and well-being. Key #2: Put relationships first We have a lot to juggle in our daily lives. Itâs easy to lose sight of whatâs important when we are bogged down with work, chores and responsibilities. But when we create the time to be meaningfully connected with those close to us, we create an emotional safety net which helps to ensure sustainable happiness. Honestly, how likely are we to be happy with our relationships if we donât take the time to cultivate them to their greatest potential? Key #3: Find gratitude There are tremendous riches all around us, yet we often focus on what we donât have, which can set us on a course to habitually seek elusive external gratification. Only when we find gratitude for what we do have will we then be able embrace the present and reduce the stress and frustration of continually pursuing âmoreâ. Make a list of things for which you are thankful, and look at it every day. Key #4: Seek fulfillment Many people find themselves exhausting their productive energy in jobs which neither inspire nor fulfill them. But we can also seek fulfillment in other ways such as volunteering, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing creative outlets. When we are fulfilled, we honor our best attributes and also bring the best to the world, enabling us to be of service to others in a positive way. By having compassion and helping others, we can actually reduce stress and enhance our longevity. (See âStess and Human Healthâ, July 2012). Key #5: Donât resist reality How often have we gotten upset about something that did not go the way we planned, only to realize later that it was ultimately for the best? Itâs easy to get uptight when things donât go the way we think they should. When we learn to view lifeâs events as part of a continuum essential for our personal growth, we liberate enormous amounts of positive, productive energy within ourselves. Be thankful when things go âwrongâ, and then youâll be able to learn from those situations to empower yourself to move forward. Key #6: Donât believe everything you think Our individual reality is based on our perception, and our thoughts drive our perception. When we understand that we have the ability to undo negative or unhealthy thought patterns, we can change our reality. But first we have to acknowledge the deep-rooted emotions which have driven our perception for most of our lives. Although this is no easy task, it helps us become empowered by starting with ourselves, rather than futilely trying to change the people and circumstances around us. Key #7: Be OK with yourself One of the most elusive tasks is to learn to accept ourselves for who we are. This can be an extremely painful process, since over our lifetime we tend to cling to the belief that we are never good enough just as we are. This thinking fosters fear-based decisions which steer us away from our authentic selves. Only when we overcome these internal blocks can we embrace a life where peace predominates over fear and anger. _______________________________________ No one can create an authentic life for us â we can only do it for ourselves. But over time, applying conscious living and self-control to our thoughts and actions can reward us with the peace and fulfillment that only an authentic life can give. If we are to truly embrace sustainability, then we absolutely must include our own lives in the equation. Youâve only got one chance at life. Why not do it in a way which makes you happy and uplifts others around you?
Paul Hanley is a long-time Cherry Hill resident, freelance writer and Environmental Science professor at the Community College of Philadelphia. Look here on Sustainable Cherry Hill for more upcoming blogs from Paul in the coming weeks. He can be contacted at phanley@ccp.edu.
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