Reimagine Turtle Creek Watershed and Airshed on February 21, 2020 -Visioning Session 2

Join community members from the Turtle Creek Watershed, Airshed, and beyond as they come together for the second ReImagine the Turtle Creek Watershed & Airshed Communities Plus (TCWAC+) visioning session. During the first visioning session held in December of 2019, community members had the opportunity to brainstorm sustainable, regenerative solutions that they want to see implemented in their communities. At this second meeting, after reviewing the data collected from the first visioning session, we will hear from Brandon Dennison of Coalfield Development and Patricia DeMarco, and following their presentations, community members will have the opportunity to participate in the next round of visioning.

Join us to Reimagine and Act:
Friday, January 21, 2020 at the Forest Hills Borough Building, 4400 Greensburg Pike 15221, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
EventBrite Registration Link: bit.ly/2RWOzdF for Visioning 2: A Sustainable Economic Transition on Facebook 

This event is free and open to the public. A plant-based lunch will be provided. Plates and cutlery will be provided, but if able, attendees are encouraged to bring their own. Pre-registration through Eventbrite is encouraged, though not required. Questions can be directed to sustainablemonroeville@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

ReImagine the Turtle Creek Watershed & Airshed Communities Plus (TCWAC+) is an initiative to vision sustainable community development in the Turtle Creek Watershed, PA Congressional District 18, and Allegheny Council District 8.


More Information about our speakers:

Brandon Dennison:

Brandon is Ashley Dennison’s husband and father to their boys: Owen and Will. Born and raised in West Virginia, he is Founder and CEO of Coalfield Development, coalfield-development.org which incubates social enterprises designed to diversify Appalachia’s coal-based economy and cultivate opportunity for people facing barriers to employment. Dennison graduated from Shepherd University with a B.A. in History and a B.S. in Political Science. He holds a Master of Public Affairs degree from Indiana University. In 2017, Brandon was named West Virginian of the Year by WV Living Magazine. In 2016, he was named one of “40 Under 40: Young Leaders Who Are Solving the Problems of Today” by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. He is winner of the JMK Social Innovation Prize, is a DRK Entrepreneur, and is an Ashoka Fellow.

As a college student, Brandon Dennison volunteered with his church to repair homes in West Virginia’s coal country. He never forgot seeing people his own age desperate for paying work. In 2010, Brandon founded Coalfield Development Corporation as a community-based non-profit organization providing affordable homes, creating quality jobs, and generating opportunities for full life for low- income families in southern West Virginia. The Coalfield Development Corporation offers on-the-job-training, education, and mentoring to people in the southern coalfields. Brandon was quoted in the Bill Moyers “Making Change” series, saying, “Our responsibility is to create opportunity, then to provide encouragement and build the self-confidence necessary for pursuing opportunity.” Coalfield Development has created more than 200 new jobs, over 50 new businesses, and more than 800 professional certification opportunities for unemployed people, many of whom were laid-off coalminers.

Patricia DeMarco:

Patricia M. DeMarco is a native of Pittsburgh, PA. with a doctorate in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh. She has spent a thirty -year career in energy and environmental policy in both private and public sector positions. She is a Rachel Carson Scholar and served as Executive Director of the Rachel Carson Homestead Association and Director of the Rachel Carson Institute at Chatham University. She holds the office of Vice President of the Forest Hills Borough Council. She sits as Secretary on the Board of Trustees for Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

Her book, titled “Pathways to Our Sustainable Future – A Global Perspective from Pittsburgh” explores positive pathways toward sustainability, based on 28 case studies in Pittsburgh. Inspired by Rachel Carson’s environmental ethic, the book was funded by the W. Clyde and Ida Mae Thurman Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation. It was published by The University of Pittsburgh Press in 2017. Order the book and find a book signing event here https://patriciademarco.com/book/

She is the Executive Producer of a documentary film with Mark E. Dixon, “The Power of One Voice- A 50 Year Perspective on the Life of Rachel Carson” and has served as technical advisor for a video series with Kirsi Jansa titled “Sustainability Pioneers” https://patriciademarco.com/film-video/

Go Solar!

Join Sustainable Monroeville on Monday evening, May 6, 2019 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the downstairs program room of the Monroeville Public Library to learn about solar co-ops and how to:

GO SOLAR!

Solarize Allegheny and Conservation Consultants, Inc. on Solar Installation for your home!

Join us for our May gathering in conjunction with the Monroeville Public Library!

WHAT: Shining Light on Solar Energy in Monroeville
WHEN: Wednesday, May 3, 2017 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Solar energy is the fastest growing energy source in the world. While the Pittsburgh region has a reputation as a cloudy place, we receive much more sun than Germany – a leading solar nation. There are already more than 12,000 solar installations in Pennsylvania. Solar electricity is now as affordable as your electric bill and can save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the system, creating a sound investment for your home. Join Solarize Allegheny for a presentation on solar energy, meet pre-qualified solar installers and solar owners, and get information you need to consider going solar. Pittsburgh non-profit Conservations Consultants, Inc. will also be on hand to provide information about the Sound Home Plan, a one-stop-shop to help Pittsburgh-area homeowners identify and help make their homes more healthy, safe, and energy efficient (www.getenergysmarter.org). Solarize Allegheny is a project funded by The Heinz Endowments and Allegheny County Health Department to inspire the use of solar energy in Allegheny County. More information about Solarize Allegheny can be found at www.SolarizeAllegheny.org. Light refreshments provided. RSVPs appreciated, but not required at: www.monroevillesolar.eventbrite.com.

-- 
Mark Hudson, MA, MLIS, Head of Adult Services
WHERE: Monroeville Public Library, 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd., Monroeville, PA 15146
412-372-0500x113

The Opportunity in Climate Change: Seeing and Seeding Joy, Love and Peace! Pot Luck Dinner Thursday, October 16, 6:00 to 8:00 PM in Monroeville, PA!

The Opportunity in Climate Change has arrived in Monroeville, PA!

• Turning the negative into the positive
• Letting go of pre-conceived notions and political boundaries 
• Blessing everyone and everything!

My life is full of fun and adventure these days. I ponder how boring life would be without the adventure of figuring out what programs and wonderful individuals to bring to Sustainable Monroeville's mostly monthly meetings; Meeting the Living Building Challenge of an Existing Historic Structure at the project I work on at 1317 East Carson Street, http://1317eastcarson.blogspot.com, the home of Schwartz Living Market; and as a developmental optometrist, meeting the wonderful challenges, trials and tribulations of playing and working with children and adults with vision related learning disabilities, post traumatic brain injured folks, post concussion and post stroke, with multiple visual issues including double vision, difficulty tracking across the printed page and trouble perceiving three dimensionality.

Three dimensionality? How many dimensions are we really able to perceive? What of the paradigm shift that is happening right now, right here in Monroeville, PA, in Pittsburgh, PA, in the USA, and all around the globe? Participate, Dance, Live Life Fully, Dance, Sing, look your family, friends and neighbors in the eye and celebrate that we have all been chosen to celebrate life with one another at this moment in time, at this moment in he(i)rstory! Or is that heresy?!

We are so excited to be co-hosting the Great Climate Marchers right here in Monroeville, PA, on Thursday, October 16, 2014, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Monroeville Church of the Brethren. Thanks so much Pastor Schultz for opening your facility to the community! Thanks so much Carol Cutler for all of your efforts related to planning the hosting of 50 Climate Marchers and for organizing the pot luck dinner!

The pot luck dinner this coming Thursday evening is FREE and open to the public! Please come and bring along a friend or two or three that would like to learn about the opportunities in Climate Change!

Blessings and more blessings!

Elisa Beck :)
Founder, Sustainable Monroeville
LIKE Sustainable Monroeville on Facebook!

http://1317eastcarson .blogspot.com
LIKE Schwartz Living Market on Facebook!

   

Thanks Sandy for your amazing work in the Monroeville Food Garden behind the Monroeville Public Library! The library produce over 600 pounds of fresh produce for four local food banks this season with the help of many volunteers!

Explore the LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE for your apartment, your home, your building! 

Go to ILFI.org or Living-Futures.org for details!

Sustainable Monroeville's Five Year Anniversary Party Celebration! February 3, 2014, 6:00 PM Pot Luck dinner and 7:00 PM Hal Saville of EIS Solar.

Happy Anniversary to Sustainable Monroeville ! Join us for a wonderful pot luck party on Monday evening, February 3, 2014 at 6:00 PM in the downstairs program room of the Monroeville Public Library for the pot luck, and 7:00 PM to learn hands on practical SOLAR information for yourself, your family, and the community!

Hal talking about SOLAR at Schwartz Living Market during a meeting of SUNWPA folks!
Join us on Monday evening, February 3, 2014, to hear Hal Saville of EIS Solar talk with us about working together as a community to implement solar panels on all of the places we live and work.  Let's get started in Monroeville and surrounding communities collectively and collaboratively! When we work together, the price comes down.  

Monroeville is now "Solar-Ready"! The township's new solar ordinance, lays the path to encourage the growth of clean renewable energy on local homes and businesses. Energy Independent Solutions, the solar developer for Phipps Conservatory and many other local solar installations will host a free workshop explaining solar power basics, the new ordinance's purpose and how to get started with solar, including site evaluation, government incentives and project financing. Have your solar questions answered and your home or business evaluated at this informative workshop.

Hal Saville leaning on a Solar Array

We'll start out the five year anniversary celebration with a pot luck dinner at 6:00 PM. The meeting and talk by Hal Saville will begin at 7:00 PM. Remember to bring along your plate, silverware and a cup too, along with a friend, family, and a few neighbors. 

SAVE THE DATES: Sustainable Monroeville Meetings for 2014: February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2, July 7, August 4, September 1, October 6, December 1, 2014 Elisa Beck :)

Field Trip to Westmoreland Conservation District September 22, 2010

Join Us! Visit the Westmoreland Conservation District and learn about green rooftops, permeable pavement, solar and more. Formal tour with Kathy Hamilton, landscape architect, and Sustainable Monroeville 2:00-4:00 PM September 22, 2010; Informal self-guided tour of grounds 5:00-7:00 PM with Jesse John Salensky. http://www.wcdpa.com/

In collaboration with the Turtle Creek Watershed Association and the Monroeville Public Library.