The Need to Grow, Vegan Expo, and Re-Imagine!

Happy November, and a December SAVE the DATE!

We hope to see you this week at the Monroeville Public Library 11/4/19, and at the Monroeville Convention Center, 11/9/19 as well. Mark your calendar for December 11, 2019 at the Braddock Carnegie Public Library too for our exciting Re-Imagining Turtle Creek Watershed and Airshed Communities Visioning session! Some details below with more to come. Stay tuned!

1) FREE: The Need to Grow documentary at the Monroeville Public Library:

Monday evening, November 4, 2019 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Monroeville Public Library including discussion following the film screening of The Need to Grow. Feel free to bring healthy whole food, plant based snacks to share:

FREE!

Save the Soil. Save the World: The Need To Grow documentary narrated & produced by Rosario Dawson. A film by Rob Herring & Ryan Wirick tomorrow evening, November 4 at the Monroeville Public Library starting at 6:30 pm.
The Need to Grow is an incredibly wonderful & uplifting documentary offering a view into the hearts of activists and innovators in the food movement. Join us!

2) The Pittsburgh Vegan Expo, Saturday, November 9, 2019, 10 am to 4 pm at the Monroeville Convention Center:

Food, products, wellness room, demonstrations, movies, speakers, vegan trick or treat for kids, gingerbread house competition, breakdance, beatboxer, bellydance, live music, DJ, Re-model gala (recycled dance fashion contest), Vegan Spirituality-Southwest PA, Re-Imagine! TCWAC+ and many, many, more tabling, and much more!

3) FREE: Inaugural Re-Imagine! Turtle Creek Watershed and Airshed Communities Plus, Re-Imagine! TCWAC+ Visioning Session at the Braddock Carnegie Public Library, 5 pm to 8:30 pm (with 3:00 to 5:00 pm session too), Facebook page & EventBrite Registration available soon with more details!

Join us on July 27 at Monroeville Park for Monroeville CommUNITY Day!

Sustainable Monroeville looks forward to showcasing our work from the past 10 years in the Municipality of Monroeville and beyond at the upcoming Monroeville CommUNITY Day on Saturday, July 27, 2019 from 11:00 am to 4:00 PM. If you'd love to volunteer on the 27th of July or at any time, feel free to reach out to us through the Sustainable Monroeville Facebook page or through sustainablemonroeville@gmail.com.

Stop by our booth to learn about our most recent projects and to see how you can get involved!

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!

Sustainable Monroeville on January 7, 2019 at 7:00 PM at the MPL and more!

Hello and Happy New Year!

Mark your calendar for the next meeting of Sustainable Monroeville on Monday evening, January 7, 2019 at 7:00 PM at the Monroeville Public Library. We'll hear Sudha Krishnasamy speak about her company that makes plates from plants! From Sudha Krishnasamy:

Title: Leafware products eco friendly alternative 

   Sudha Krishnasamy, Chief Executive Officer, Leaf2Go LLC https://www.leaf2gollc.com  will discuss the growing need for organizations and customers to go an extra mile in being sustainable using disposable leafware products. 

About Leaf2go:

Leaf2Go products are elegant and designed by nature, made of fallen palm leaves, sturdy, hold hot and cold liquids well, and can be easily composted in a garden or standard compost bin, unlike typical compostable products.
Leaf2go is a locally-owned, socially and environmentally responsible small business. Leaf2Go gives part of its proceeds to charities and is a proud partner of Life's Work of Western PA!
Leaf2go is a proud winner of 2017 Zerowaste award by Pennsylvania Resources Council (http://prc.org/zerowastehonorees2018/

) and 2018 Silver award by Sustainable Pittsburgh(.http://c4spgh.org/participating-businesses-communities/)

Together we can save our planet!

About Sudha Krishnasamy:

Sudha Krishnasamy:
Sudha is a Program management and Software professional with about 25 years of experience. Sudha is the founder and chief Executive Officer of Leaf2go LLC.
Sudha recently graduated from MBA, Duquesne University and has Master of  Engineering from Anna University.
She is  passionate about social and Environmental sustainability to save the planet using sustainable products eliminating plastic and foam to give back to underprivileged children and adults of Pittsburgh and India. She has partnered with Schools in India and organizations in Pittsburgh to donate part of sales from Leaf2go LLC.

As usual during the meeting on Monday January 21, 2019 at 7:00 PM at the MPL, we'll introduce ourselves at the start of the meeting and talk briefly about what we've done since the last meeting that has to do with our regenerative future. We'll save a few minutes at the end of the meeting to commit to any action at all, large or small. Sign a petition perhaps? Commit to making some phone calls for Clean Air? See some details below. Keep reading!

We've become aware that part of one of the newly proposed developments in Monroeville will be built on top of an abandoned coal mine. Is this ok with you? We've become aware that hydraulic fracturing waste has been dumped in the Monroeville land fill and other Waste Management land fills, including the Valley land fill in Penn Township since 2009. We learn about a lot of news that has not been shared widely in the mainstream media or not shared at all. 

How will you get involved to speak out about issues that concern you this year? Will you call the office of Mr. Fitzpatrick and express your concern? Will you contact your councilperson? Will you facilitate other actions around this Western PA region? Everyone is needed to do their part! Here's an idea for you:

Dave Smith of the Clean Air Council is facilitating a Health Survey in Clairton, PA. Dave wrote to Sustainable Monroeville to ask members of the group to make calls "as there are close to 6,000." Dave "...will set up some conference calls to brief folks and then we can send out list for folks to make calls. Those assisting can make calls from home over a given period of a week so you can make calls when you have time to do so."

He is "looking at setting up conference calls to train volunteers the week of January 6th and calls will be made the week of January 13th. Contact Mr. Dave Smith directly if you are able to assist by making calls: Dave Smith, B. David Smith (he/him)"

Outreach Coordinator SWPA

Clean Air Council | 200 First Avenue, Suite 200 | Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.954.8494 | @CleanAirCouncil  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What more can we do?

Check out the #noplasticsplease campaign. Begin by NOT using singe use plastics. As we the people take responsibility for our own actions, there will be no need for plastics and hence no need for the petrochemical plant Royal Dutch Shell is in the process of constructing 30 miles north of Pittsburgh and in the same airshed as most of SWPA. Then stop using all plastics. The recently passed farm bill legalizes the growing of industrial hemp. Yippee! Industrial hemp will replace plastic. This CAN be done immediately. 

Sign the petition regarding Article 1 Section 27 of  the PA constitution that guarantees citizens of the state of PA clean air and fresh water: Go to the Better Path Coalition on-line to sign or sign the paper petition we'll have at the meeting at the MPL on January 7. Travel to Harrisburg at the end of January, 2019 to take this message to the Governor of PA!

Why eat food that is vegan and organic? https://newspunch.com/erin-brockovich-poisoned-monsanto/?fbclid=IwAR0OeylbW579TZmt-11Pequ6ZFTVtjIVk2XekU_IHrXGRnicKHiQfnnjglk

May we all be blessed by standing up for our amazingly beautiful and Regenerative, beyond Sustainable future NOW!

Thank you,

Elisa Beck :)

(e): sustainablemonroeville@gmail.com
www.sustainablemonroeville.blogspot.com

October 1, 2018 in Monroeville and Plum! Electric Cars, Plum Waste Injection Well hearing announced, Deutsch Well Pad Land Development final approval in Penn Township close to Monroeville.

SAVE the DATES: Monday, October 1, 2018 from 6:30-8:30 PM for the next meeting of Sustainable Monroeville at the Monroeville Public Library with guest speakers via the internet on Electric Cars in our town and at 6:00 pm in Plum, for a hearing on the injection well in Plum, PA. How can you be in two places at once? Well...decide which event you resonate most with, then send a friend or family member to the other event! Written testimony on the Plum injection well can be submitted to the DEP through October 8. Details below.

On Tuesday, October 2, 2018 the Penn Township Planning Commission will meet at 6:45 pm for a workshop session and the meeting will begin at 7:30 pm. Some of their new business includes " Acceptance of the Deutsch Well Pad Final Land Development for final approval of a land development. The property is located at 888 Meadowbrook Road. Property is zoned RR (Rural Resource). Tax map parcel 55-02-00-0-023." This property is about 0.2 mile from the Monroeville Municipal pool and about three miles from the Monroeville Municipal building.

_______________________________________________________

Sharing Electric Cars in Monroeville? Yup! The Greenspot team is very excited to present their shared mobility program to Sustainable Monroeville. Their innovative program is a proven way to lower CO2 emissions, decrease the number of cars on the road and have far-reaching sustainable benefits for all residents. 
GREENSPOT will share their concept of electric vehicle (EV) car sharing, a promising alternative to greenhouse gas vehicles up and down our traffic corridor. They have implemented one of the only EV car-sharing programs in the United States through a pilot partnership with Zipcar and ChargePoint, which provides easy access to EV charging stations and curbside infrastructure for EVs.
Monroeville was recently introduced to how they work with municipalities and landlords to address the future challenges of urban mobility. Urban dwellers and the millenial generation are not keep to own a vehicle that sits idle for 95% of the time. It may be the right time to resort to more fundamentally sustainable alternatives such as car sharing and electric vehicles.
Greenspot will present via the internet. Sustainable Monroeville invites you to see this presentation with us. Will this reliably revolutionize the way we commute? Will it be more economical? We need a long term solution to revolutionize urban mobility!
Questions? Contact sustainablemonroeville@gmail.com

______________________________________________________________

Public hearing scheduled on waste injection well in Plum

BRIAN C. RITTMEYER | Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, 2:12 p.m.

State environmental officials have scheduled a public hearing for a company’s proposal to locate a waste injection well in Plum. 

Penneco Environmental Solutions is seeking approval from the Department of Environmental Protection to dispose of wastewater at the Sedat #3A natural gas well in Plum. 

The hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1 in the auditorium at Oblock Junior High School, 440 Presque Isle Drive. 

The conventional, non-shale well was first drilled in 1989 to a depth of 4,300 feet and extracted natural gas at three depths. The well was put out of service in 2015 and plugged to a depth of 1,900 feet. 

According to the DEP, both it and the federal Environmental Protection Agency must approve permits for the proposed injection well,  which is located off of Old Leechburg Road near Greensburg Road. 

On March 7, the  EPA issued an underground injection control permit for the well. It allows the company to inject wastewater into the well, pending DEP issuing a permit to change its use from production to disposal. Penneco applied to the DEP on March 13 to change its use to allow disposal. 

Those wishing to testify at the hearing should register in advance by contacting Lauren Fraley, DEP community relations coordinator, atlfraley@pa.gov or 412-442-4203 before noon on Sept. 28. Participants will also be able to register at the door before the hearing beginning at 5:30 p.m. 

Participants will have up to five minutes to pose comments, statements or questions, and should bring written copies of their testimony and exhibits to submit to the DEP. Organizations are asked to designate one individual to speak on their behalf. 

The DEP said it will respond to all comments and questions raised in testimony in a written comment and response document. 

Written testimony will be accepted at the DEP’s Southwest Regional Office at 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, 15222 until Oct. 8. Written statements must include name, address and phone number of the person making them and identification of the permit application - Sedat #3A. 

Brian Rittmeyer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Brian at 724-226-4701, brittmeyer@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BCRittmeyer.

 https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14092704-74/public-hearing-scheduled-on-waste-injection-well-in-plum 

All the best!

Doug Shields 

Douglas A. Shields

W. PA Outreach Liaison

Pittsburgh, PA

Food & Water Watch

dshields@fwwatch.org

Office: 1 267 428 1917

Cell:  1 412 969 5816

The Municipal Ordinance Project (MOP)
Don’t Be A Town Without a Plan! Does your local Zoning Code protect you?

Many Allegheny County cities, municipalities unprepared for shale gas drilling rebound

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2017/05/30/Marcellus-Shale-drilling-Allegheny-County-zoning-ordinance-pa/stories/201705240023

Thank you,
(e): sustainablemonroeville@gmail.com

Monday evening, September 11, 2017 at the Monroeville Public Library for INHABIT: A Permaculture Perspective at 7:00 PM, Organic Whole Food Plant Based Pot Luck at 6:00 PM; Tuesday evening, September 12, 2017 at 7:00 PM for the Monroeville Council Meeting

Hello and Happy September to all those who have been part of Sustainable Monroeville since its inception in 2009~2010, to all who have participated in our meetings and events over these past many years, and to those who have recently discovered our blog and events in the past few eventful months! 

We welcome all people of all ages and all political persuasions to join us in our now broadened Mission as Regenerative Monroeville leading to Regenerative Western PA: To gently and with lots of inspiration, joy, and fun move Western PA forward in the Regenerative Green Economy!

We certainly are blessed here in Western PA to be far inland as hurricane Harvey has passed through Houston and hurricane Irma is poised to pass through Florida and possible other southern states as I type this blog entry.... We are not displaced here in Western PA. Rather, we are hosts for lots of displaced people and animals. We are working with the shift into our Regenerative Economy, one step at a time. There are so many brilliant examples of our Regenerative Economy NOW in Pittsburgh, PA. Last night I was blessed to spend time with my family at the newest in Pittsburgh Living Building Challenge Zero Net Energy and Zero Net Water Building, the Frick Environmental Center. We viewed filmmaker Kirsi Jansa's tenth and final film short in her Sustainability series. Here's the link to the first nine episodes: http://sustainabilitypioneers.com The tenth and final episode will be available on-line soon!

Join Sustainable Monroeville on Monday evening, September 11, 2017 for an organic whole food, plant-based pot luck dinner at 6:00 PM, and a viewing of the documentary INHABIT: A Permaculture Perspective, at 7:00 PM.

INHABIT: A Permaculture Perspective : A new documentary introducing permaculture: designing a world where and planet can thrive. INHABITFILM.COM

Monroeville Council will be voting on the proposed Seismic Testing ordinance at the September Council meeting Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 7:00 PM, at the Monroeville Municipal Building. We are so excited that the Monroeville Council in collaboration with the Municipal Mayor, Lawyer, and Manager, drafted a protective ordinance based on both the South Fayette and Oakmont Seismic Testing Ordinances. 

We, the citizens of Monroeville and beyond are working along with Doug Shields, Western PA Liaison for the national non profit, Food and Water Watch and with the Municipality of Monroeville to forge an updated Protective Oil and Gas ordinance. We intend to protect ourselves, our communities, our property values, and of course, most important of all, the health and wellness of ourselves and all of the animals, plants, and the entire ecosystem here in Western PA, beginning now in Monroeville!

Have a blessed weekend and see you in Monroeville, PA early this week!

Elisa Beck :)

Founder, Sustainable Monroeville

LIKE Sustainable Monroeville on Facebook!

FREE Virtual Sustainability Summit and Wanda Guthrie of the The Thomas Merton Center speaks her truth at the November 2, 2015 meeting of Sustainable Monroeville!

Hello there, and Happy November! 

Join us on Monday November 2, 2015, at 7:00 PM to hear Wanda Guthrie, one of the original regional sustainability activists and pioneers talk at the Monroeville Public Library for the November meeting of Sustainable Monroeville.

From Wanda Guthrie:

"There is much movement in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area as people all over the world anticipate the decisions of the UN Paris Summit on Climate Change known as COP 21.

The Thomas Merton Center has a number of projects dedicated to environmental justice and climate justice. Our newest project is Pittsburgh 350 and we have been working together with other local groups to build momentum for local climate change actions and information. 

We are working with 350.org to create momentum for local, national and international actions addressing fossil fuels and climate change.

Please come and hear about our OFF + ON CAMPAIGN, POWER THROUGH PARIS, and our very important DIVEST PITTSBURGH: Asking the City of Pittsburgh to Divest from all fossil fuels."

On another note check out this virtual Sustainability Summit starting tonight for 12 consecutive days, absolutely FREE!!! Here's the link: http://theselfreliancesummit.com/the-search-for-sustainability-home/

See y'all tomorrow evening in the downstairs program room of the Monroeville Public Library. This meeting is free and open to the public. Feel free to invite others and share widely!

Elisa :)

Thank you,
Elisa Beck
(e): sustainablemonroeville@gmail.com
www.sustainablemonroeville.com

Join Us on Monday, October 5, 2015 for Sustainable Monroeville on COP21 Climate Change negotiations with Filmaker Mark Dixon of YERT fame!

Dear Sustainable Monroeville fans and community members in beautiful Western Pennsylvania,

Happy early Autumn! We are honored to host Filmmaker Mark Dixon for the October meeting of Sustainable Monroeville on Monday evening, October 5, 2015 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the downstairs program room of the Monroeville Public Library. Sustainable Monroeville meetings are free and open to the public so bring along a friend or two or three! Save some room for some delicious surprise dessert that surely will have something to do with our sustainable and regenerative future!

From Mark: "This December nations around the world will send delegates to the COP21 climate negotiations in Paris, France. This is quite possibly the most important climate-related event in all of human history, and Mark Dixon will be bringing his eyes, ears, and voice (and audio/video/photography gear) to this gathering to raise awareness about this important issue and urge responsible action by lawmakers – particularly in the Pittsburgh region.

Already an accomplished environmental filmmaker (YERT – Your Environmental Road Trip, and The Power of One Voice: A 50-Year Perspective on the Life of Rachel Carson) and climate presenter, Mark Dixon further bolstered his awareness of the UN climate negotiations by formally representing Pittsburgh’s Mayor Peduto at an official UN COP21 precursor event: the World Summit Climate and Territories in Lyon, France. Based on this event and subsequent research, Mark has developed a detailed COP21 climate presentation to inform and entertain audiences with the drama and nuance around our civilization’s greatest attempt to address the climate crisis. Mark has pre-processed the complexities of the COP21 process and our collective global response so that you can be well-informed without devoting days of your life to working through all the details. We hope you can make it! More information at http://markatcop21.wordpress.com . And my crowdfunding campaign here: http://www.gofundme.com/xthcww . "

We look forward to seeing you on Monday evening, October 5. Hey, let's learn together about shifting consciousness and creating an even more beautiful world!

Many blessings for a restorative, regenerative future,

Elisa Beck:)

LIKE Sustainable Monroeville on Facebook!

Monday, March 23, 2015 on Sustainable Community Certification with Pamela Barroso!

On Monday evening, March 23, 2015 in the conference room of the Monroeville Public Library, Pamela Barroso, long time Sustainable Monroeville participant and organizer will continue presenting and facilitating discussion on Sustainable Communities. Thanks so much Pam! Sustainable Monroeville in conjunction with The Municipality of Monroeville is working towards Sustainable Community Certification through the non profit Sustainable Pittsburgh's Sustainable Community Certification program. Join Us! :)

Lessons learned from The Great Climate Marchers and Sustainable Monroeville in Monroeville, PA !

The Great Climate Marchers came through our town! We are blessed Monroeville, PA!

College students walking across the country! That's called experiential learning!

Scouting out the route is one of the important jobs. The route from The Monroeville Church of the Brethren on Haymaker Road, crossing Route 22 and 48 to travel to Saunders Station is not yet bicycle or pedestrian friendly! No young children in the rickshaw for this part of the journey!

 Playing and cheering along the way! The young ones, they preserve the spirit of play!! So much fun!

 Thank you founder of the Great Climate March from Iowa!

Solar panels, bicycles, rickshaw and walkers....

Not much space to walk on the side of the road in Monroeville, PA while approaching the intersection of Routes 22 and 48....Lots of potential for this second busiest intersection in the state of PA!

 We have lots to learn about composting toilets. Cradle to cradle and the whole ecosystem functions so efficiently as we educate ourselves to come back to ourselves and be wise about using all of our resources!!!

What lessons did I learn through this experience with and likely because of my involvement with Sustainable Monroeville for these past many years ?

1) Sustainable Monroeville's Carol Cutler sure knows the lessons of perseverance! Thanks Carol from the bottom of our hearts for persisting by calling so many churches and temples to finally, after 12 calls to religious institutions in Monroeville, PA, find an institution willing to graciously host the Great Climate Marchers! That amazing space is called the Monroeville Church of the Brethren. This church's generous spirit and trust was truly a blessing for hosting many of the Climate Marchers while they were in Monroeville, PA.

2) The religious institutions in our town are not yet acculturated to understand how important it is to open their doors to tired, amazing individuals that are working to make the world a better place. Time will heal!

3) The Climate Marchers taught me how important it is top lighten our loads, remain unattached to material goods, and never give up!

Thanks, thank you, WOW, THANK YOU 50 Great Climate Marchers for your courage, your wisdom, for sharing your lives with us, even for the brief moment that you crossed our paths in Monroeville, PA! We honor you, we bless you, and we hope to see you again soon! Thanks so much to all of the amazing individuals that live in Monroeville, PA for hosting marchers in their homes!

The Great Climate Marchers will be arriving in Washington D.C. on November 1. If you go to meet them and make your voice heard about cultural shifting, let them know you are from Monroeville, PA, and you support them. They are happy to accept monetary donations for their work!

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

Court Gould of Sustainable Pittsburgh on Certifying Sustainable Municipalities! Monday evening, April 7, 2014

Join Sustainable Monroeville at 7:00 PM on Monday evening, April 7, 2014, in the downstairs program room of the Monroeville Public Library to hear Court Gould, Executive Director of Sustainable Pittsburgh speak about how Monroeville can become the next Certified Sustainable Municipality! 

Accolades for the 18 Certified Sustainable Municipalities

Through an underwriting campaign on 90.5 WESA and 91.3 WYEP, Sustainable Pittsburgh is bringing community accolades to the eighteen municipalities in southwestern Pennsylvania that have earned recognition through SP’s Sustainable Community Essentials Certification.

Ranging in certification level from Bronze through Gold, these municipalities have met the program's rigorous performance criteria, which tracks 131 policies and practices that define a sustainable community.

The Sustainable Community Essentials Certification assists municipalities with saving money, conserving resources and serving vibrant communities. Municipal officials, there is still time to complete the certification and be recognized. We can even provide hands-on assistance to get you started. Call us at (412) 258-6643 or visit www.sustainablecommunityessentials.org to learn more.

What you will find on the certification website
The certification website is chock full of useful information:
- Click “View Certified Municipalities near you” to see a list of certified municipalities and also those that have pledged to become certified.

- View the information municipalities provided to earn certification.
Once you access the list of certified municipalities, you will notice their names are live web links. These links allow access to the policies and practices the municipality claimed and points earned. From here one can follow web links (little green boxes) provided by the municipality to material on their website that the municipality provided as validation of their certification points earned.

- The “Learn” button on the home page includes a drop down menu link to a “Library of Sustainable Municipal Policies and Practices.” Tracking all 131 certification criteria, this library is automatically populated as municipalities provide their web links to validate their points earned.

Applause for Certified Sustainable Municipalities!
Gold: 
Forest Hills, Connellsville, Moon, Scott, Latrobe, Cranberry, Upper St. Clair, Baldwin, Monaca

Silver:
Edgewood, Dormont, Etna, Heidelberg, Findlay, Millvale, Peters, Mt. Lebanon

Bronze: 
Swissvale

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 :)

Honoring Bill Mckibben in Pittsburgh at the Sheraton Station Square on November 4, 2013 at 6:00 PM. Join us!

On November 4, 2013 Bill Mckibben, environmentalist, journalist, and founder of 350.org is being honored by the Thomas Merton Center so let's go support the center and their amazing cause and hear Bill Mckibben's words of wisdom!

There will not be a meeting of Sustainable Monroeville in November. On November 4, 2013 some of us will be going to Pittsburgh to hear Bill Mckibben and participate in the fundraiser for the Thomas Merton Center. If you'd like to carpool, let us know through the Sustainable Monroeville Facebook page!

We will see you on Monday evening, December 2, 2013, at the Monroeville Public Library for the December meeting. If you have an idea for a program or would like to offer a program, let us know!

Alaina Conner of the Allegheny County Health Department speaking at Monday August 5, 2013 at 7:00 PM meeting of Sustainable Monroeville!

Alaina Conner of the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) will be our guest speaker at the August 5 at 7:00 PM meeting of Sustainable Monroeville.  Alaina is an Air Pollution Administrator at the Allegheny County Health Department and a University of Pittsburgh graduate. She will speak about the Air Quality / Pollution Control Program in our county. 

“The Allegheny County Health Department Air Quality Program is responsible for protecting the public's health by regulating air pollutants within Allegheny County, enforcing federal pollution standards, and permitting industrial sources of air pollution.” ACHD.  There are 18 air monitoring sites throughout the county with headquarters in Lawrenceville.  One of the most challenging areas is Clairton because of the coke plant located at the base of the valley.  

Alaina will speak about certain weather conditions generating an inversion layer which makes the situation worse! There are six air quality responsibilities at the state and local level: Manage Air Quality, Measure Air Quality, Regulate Pollution Sources, Plan Transportation Controls, Develop Overall Plan, and Track Emissions.

The staff seeks public participation.  Contact them at 412-687-ACHD or go to their web site, or contact Alaina 

Sustainable Monroeville at End of Summerfest in Monroeville, PA

This was the first 'officially' combined composted and recycled event, that we know of, in Monroeville, PA. How exciting! Kudos and thanks to PA Resources Council, PRC.org, and their Zero Waste Pittsburgh program for making this possible! In collaboration with Sustainable Monreoville, the Municipality of Monroeville, and Temple David at the End of Summerfest, the PA Resources Council provided 10 recycling containers and one compost container for us.

Kyle came to pick up the compostables and enjoyed posing for this photo with his Steelers Zero Waste shirt! Thanks so much Kyle for all you do! Thanks Temple David, and the Municipality of Monroeville for making all of this possible! Here's Kyle Winkler, of PRC helping out at the end of the day along with a member and huge organizer and helper of the End of Summerfest from Temple David. 

Hey, we wanted a bunch of compost containers, but were educated by Kyle and changed our minds. We decided one compost container for this first collaborative event would be just right. But why? Well, folks, that is, the general public, understands recycling and what to do with their plastic bottles and aluminum cans. But composting? That's a whole different story!

In the 1500's, composting must have been the norm. Or was it? These Renaisasance folks sure were a bit confused looking at these oversized plastic containers. They had chalices hanging from their belts and carried their pewter plates with them. Now that's a vote for sustainability! To learn more about the Renaissance and have lots of fun, consider going to the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival sometime between August 25 and September 30, 2012. Go to www.pittsburghrenfest.com for details. And tell the King and Queen we sent you!

The King and Queen recycling their water bottle. Wait you might think, we just mentioned that the Renaissancers were carrying chalices with them. So here's the real scoop: They were adding bottled water that was supplied by the festival to their chalices in the big tent on the field, their hideaway for the day. But those Renaissance folks are responsible, yes they are. At the end of the day, one of them asked where to recycle the 70 bottles of plastic they had accumulated over the past many hours! They put all of their empty used bottles in the proper blue receptacles. We were informed that usually they have a giant urn filled with water that they use to fill their chalices. Another vote for sustainability! We sure are interested to know more about the Renaissance and what we can learn from looking back. Thanks for being such wonderful participants in our frecycling and composting efforts, King's Court and the King and Queen! We had fun dancing with you too!

    Ira, of Sustainable Monroeville and his beautiful wife visiting us at our booth.

                                                                                         

These ladies were sampling meatballs and cheese. Neither of these food items could go in our compost. Why is that? For small scale composting, meat and cheese are kept out of the pile so as not to attract pesky animals. If not eaten, that meat and cheese was put in the trash. 

        

Dana of Healcrest Farms in Garfield, an awesome urban farm, was selling delicious teas and other wild provisions. Their booth this year was the only booth that intentionally provided compostable tea sampler cups this year. Bravo to Dana and Healcrest!

Who are these groupies? Must be Lois, the hugger guy, a local couple,Pam, Skip, and Lu! Check out that wheatgrass on the table, the beautiful flowers, the great photos of the Monroeville Food Garden and more!

Elisa, founder of Sustainable Monroeville, with Kyle of PRC, at the end of the day. PA Resources Council is the oldest environmental non-profit in the state of Pennsylvania and their work is fantastic!

Thanks again and again for working with us!

End of Summer Festival 2012 in Monroeville Park 2451 Tilbrook Road with Sustainable Monroeville

Join Sustainable Monroeville and the Monroeville Food Garden to celebrate at the End of Summer Festival on Sunday, August 19, 2012, in Monroeville Park. Through Pennsylvania Resources Council's Zero Waste Pittsburgh program, along with Temple David, and the Municipality of Monroeville, we'll be recycling bottles and cans and composting food and other products! Look for the blue containers to recycle glass, plastic and aluminum containers, and look for the green container to compost food waste and other compostables at the event!

Monroeville End of Summer Fest

WHEN: Sunday - August 19, 2012

WHERE: Monroeville Community Park, Tall Trees Amphitheater,
399 Tilbrook Road, Monroeville PA 15146-4232
(Allegheny County Pennsylvania.)

DESCRIPTION: Monroeville End of Summer Fest is a food and music festival open to the public. Admission is free. There will be vendors, arts, crafts, food, a band playing on the stage, carnival-type game booths, face-painting, activities, raffles, and contests.

The event benefits the Weiger School at Temple David.

CONTACT: Email: "endofsummerfest @ gmail.com"

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/events/190510707661573/#!/pages/End-of-Summer-Fest-Aug-19th-2012/195206017182180 .

 End of Summer Fest

Sunday, August 19th   11 am – 7 pm

Monroeville Community Park
2451 Tilbrook Road, Monroeville, PA 15146

The I Made IT Market will be bringing 16 artists to join in the festivities at End of Summer Fest in Monroeville Community Park from 11 am – 7 pm. It’s second year, End of Summer Fest is a fundraiser for the JESP Preschool at Temple David in Monroeville (this school is open to all for enrollment).

This family event centered on health and wellness.  Featuring a kids area with games, activities, and face painting, live entertainment from five bands including Rox Academy, Chasing 9, Lightening Box, and the Pittsburgh Passion, this event will keep the family busy all day long.

Meet and shop from local retailers, food and our local artisans selling handmade wares as part of the I Made It! Market.  This event is free to the public to attend.

A portion of each artist’s sales will be donated to JESP Preschool.