Guests:

Brett Olsen is here from Renewing the Countryside to talk to us about greening your State Fair Experience. Click here to check out their newsletter: "Authentic Traveler" for great green State Fair tips and more!

Tamara Downs Schwei is here from the Community Design Center of MN to talk to us about her very successful urban youth programs. Their East Side Garden Corps teaches disadvanted urban youth about gardening as well as marketing the products. They have a CSA, booths at local farmers markets and they even make products such as dried flower wreaths and flavored vinegars from their gardens. They also run a program called Conservation Corps which teaches environmental watershed improvements such as shoreline restoration, evasive species removal and rain garden construction. Get involved! Call Tamara to volunteer, sign up for the CSA or teach the youth about green jobs.

Green Ideas and Tips:

Drying for Freedom, a Film About Clotheslines

Who would have thought that some day someone would make a film about freedom, communities and clotheslines? A good topic though, considering that by 2010 more than 50 million home-owners in the US will be banned from line drying clothes outdoors for the sake of preserving property value and prudishness. A ban on using clotheslines does not only rob home-owners of their right, but also contributes to the environmental and energy crisis.

We should reconsider if living electrically is still better for us, as we spend $5 billion every year drying clothes in the US. Since the dryer is responsible for 6% of the average household bill, drying clothed on a line is common sense, but not a right everyone has. Drying For Freedom follows the fight for the right to dry clothes naturally and reveals how drying clothes became a life threatening, environmental social catastrophe. Watch the trailer on You Tube HERE.

Green Tip #791 - Look for the WaterSense Label

Look for the new label from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) called WaterSense. This program's mission is to protect the future of the water supply by promoting water-efficient products and services.

You'll find the label on a variety of plumbing equipment scheduled to roll out this year and next. WaterSense partners for high-efficiency plumbing equipment include some of the biggest manufacturers in the business: Kohler, Delta Faucet, Hansgrohe, American Standard and Crane. In fact, Kohler and its sister brand, Sterling, already have eight toilets that have earned the WaterSense label, meaning they use at least 20% less than standard toilets. Find these great toilets at Natural Built Home!

According to the EPA, the average American home uses more water for flushing the toilet than running the shower. A family of four could save 16,000 gallons of water a year by replacing its traditional toilet with a high-efficiency model, a big savings in dollars as well as droplets.

The first thing you need to do is determine what type of bike you want. For most people cycling to class, a road or commuter bike will be the best choice. Look for a light and durable frame.

Make sure to get a bike that either comes with fenders, or is compatible with them. That's extremely important... that'll keep you looking sharp for class if you ride through a puddle.

Also make sure that the bike you pick allows you to carry all the things you will need for school. You can always use a backpack, but many commuter bikes will also have racks or baskets that can make your life easier.

Road bikes can be faster - and at first that might seem like a big benefit - but remember that the seating position can be less comfortable than on a commuter bike (which has a more upright seating position), and that if there's lots of traffic and red lights on your route, the extra speed won't matter too much. Better to be comfortable, because if you don't enjoy riding, chances are you'll just give up.

If your college is in a flat area, you can save some money by getting a single-speed or fixed gear bike. But if you are in a hilly area, probably better to go for a multi-speed bike unless you are very fit and want the challenge.

Finally, make sure you get a good helmet and wear it.