Green Living March 2019

MARCH 2019

CASTLE HOT SPRINGS RESORT NEWLY RENOVATED HISTORIC RESORT IS ALL SHADES OF GREEN

WALKING AND BIKING

WE ALL WALKED OR BIKED TO SCHOOL. SHOULDN’T OUR KIDS, TOO?

SEW WHAT?

EDUCATING STUDENTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING

THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC ONE MUSIC TEACHER’S JOURNEY TO SPREAD JOY THROUGH MUSIC

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CONTENTS

MARCH 2019

LIVE

PLAY HOT SPRINGS RESORT 32 CASTLE This newly renovated historic resort is all shades of green

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YOUR GUT FEELING

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BANS ON PLASTIC STRAWS OPEN DOORS FOR GREENER OPTIONS

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GREEN JEANS

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BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES THROUGH WALKING AND BIKING

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A PERSONAL JOURNEY IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY Does “biodegradable” really mean biodegradable?

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A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE

INCONSPICUOUS TREASURE 42 AN IN THE SONORAN DESERT

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SUSTAINABLE YOU: ONE THING YOU CAN DO...

Ric Coggins explains the immune system’s role in cancer recovery

Former NFL Player Launches Eco-Friendly Straw Company

Extending the life of denim for the greater green good

We all walked or biked to school. Shouldn’t our kids, too?

Spring cleaning time! But first, declutter and organize.

Choosing beef that is sustainable, humanely-raised and local is best

WORK

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CHAMPION: TRACEY HASLAM, CEO 34 GREEN OF WESTECH RECYCLERS

Reducing electronics waste to create a better world for generations to come

GREEN, SHE’S GREEN 36 HE’S The good, the bad and the ugly of breakfast reviews

38 RECIPES Colorful foods for every occasion KIDS (WRITTEN FOR KIDS, BY KIDS) 40 GREEN Finding your own song when Jr. High has you singing the blues

2018 HONDA CLARITY PLUG-IN HYBRID A green car sporting high quality at a low price

Southern Arizona’s Ironwood Forest National Monument awaits

OUTRAGEOUS STUFF 44 COOL Unique green products for giving and keeping SCENES 45 GREEN What’s happening this month around Arizona

GENERATING LEADS THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY

The cold call is still alive and well!

ENERGY RATING INDEX IS HERE 20 THE What Phoenix homeowners need to know HEALING POWER OF MUSIC 22 THE One music teacher’s journey to spread joy through music

POP-UP EVENT RECAP 24 ECO-CONSCIOUS Recap of the January Ecotourism event WHAT? 26 SEW Educating students on the importance of supporting sustainable clothing

SYNERGIES, 28 STAKEHOLDERS, AND SUSTAINABILITY

Newly recognized Tucson 2030 District works toward climate neutrality

BELGIUM BREWING COMPANY 30 NEW Green beer all year round

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greenliving | March 2019

ON THE COVER

The exterior tubs in the Bungalows at Castle Hot Springs allow you to enjoy the serenity of the high desert, the majesty of the Bradshaw Mountains and the stars. Photo by John Hall greenlivingaz.com

Yours in practicing a greener lifestyle PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Dorie Morales EDITOR: Aimee Welch COPY EDITOR: Michael Ziffer ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR: Kait Spielmaker DESIGN: Sly Panda Design ADVISORY BOARD: Ric Coggins Valerie Crosby Lori Diab Ken Edwins William Janhonen

Jon Kitchell John Martinson Mary McCormick Eric Olsen Thomas Williams

CONTRIBUTORS: Abduraafi “Raafi” Andrian Barbara Augsdorfer R.J. Brenner David M. Brown Andrea Brundage Taylor Burke Jennifer and John Burkhart Ric Coggins Hailey Colbrunn Jordan Diab Megan Goodwin Melissa Goodwin MEDIA CONSULTANTS: Lisa Racz John Waechter Hailey Colbrunn EDITORIAL INTERNS: Abduraafi “Raafi” Andrian Sema Topin Nikcole Thompson

C. Haire Corey Hawk William Janhonen Karen Langston Trevor Ledbetter Laura Madden Allison Ross Kait Spielmaker Sema Topin John Waechter Aimee Welch

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Green Living magazine is a monthly publication by Traditional Media Group, LLC. Periodical rate postage paid at Scottsdale, AZ. Publisher assumes no responsibility for contributed manuscripts, editorial content, claims, reviews, photographs, artwork or advertisements. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the company or official policies. Entire contents © 2019 Traditional Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of content in any manner without permission by the publisher is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in signed columns and articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Submissions will not be returned unless arranged to do so in writing. One print subscription is $39 per year or digital subscription is $12 per year. Canadian orders please add $13 per year for shipping and handling. International orders add $22 per year for shipping and handling. Bulk and/or corporate rates available. No representation is made as to the accuracy hereof and is printed subject to errors and omissions. Green Living magazine is printed on recycled paper.

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March 2019 | greenliving

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Letter from the Editor Yes, we had snow on the mountains – in metropolitan Phoenix! – but it’s March and spring is in the air… a time for fresh starts, new life and sunny days ahead.

If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering what happened to January and February. I had big plans for the new year like getting organized, avoiding jam-packing our family calendar, keeping my car clean, donating stuff we no longer use and enforcing family dinners at the actual dinner table. Yet, here we are in March and we’re still flying by the seats of our pants and living in squalor. But we’re happy and busy and blessed, so no complaints.

Either way, March is here, and spring fever is in full force at Green Living Magazine. Our March issue is centered around sustainable living, and we’re excited to share it with you.

Learn about the reopening of the historic (and sustainable) Castle Hot Springs Resort northwest of Phoenix, and read about the annual Meet the Monument spring event at the aweinspiring Ironwood National Forest in Southern Arizona.

In Sew What? find out why a collaboration of Tucson organizations came together to talk to students at the University of Arizona about sustainable clothing and, in Green Jeans, where to buy and sell denim to give it a longer life. Learn all the ways decluttering your space can improve your life, and how one Chandler music teacher is bringing people of different generations together through music.

We are also excited to be partnering with Keep Phoenix Beautiful for its tenth annual Earth Day Expo, where we’ll host our second Simple Solutions Summit featuring two panel discussions – one about air, education, food and health, and the second about the fashion industry’s environmental impact. We’ll also feature an eco tank competition. You can find more info on our Facebook page.

We hope you enjoy this issue, and always welcome your feedback! Please feel free to connect with us on social media or email editor@greenlivingaz.com.

Best,

Aimee Welch Aimee Welch, Editor

Spring fever has set in! Nothing makes me feel happier or more connected than a good road trip with my people around our beautiful state.

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YOUR GUT FEELING…

PART 3 OF RIC COGGINS’ JOURNEY INTO CANCER RECOVERY

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ur immune system exists to protect us from things that would cause us harm. I contracted cancer when my immune system finally could not keep up with the load that I had been piling on it for more than 60 years. I was actually amazed that it held up as long as it did when I learned about the impact of diet and RIC COGGINS environmental toxins.

I was able to beat my cancer by restoring my immune system.

First, I removed the things in my diet and lifestyle which taxed my immune system, and then I added things to enhance it.

But what is our immune system? A couple of years ago I knew it had something to do with white blood cells that came from somewhere in our bone marrow. That’s about all I knew.

Today, science tells us that as much as 80 percent of our immune function capacity resides in our gut.

Rolled out flat, the human gut surface area measures about the same as a regulation tennis court. It makes sense that our immune system would set up its first lines of defense along the gastrointestinal tract. After all, the GI “tube” is a path by which things from the outside world enter our mouth seeking access to our inside world. It is at this tubular “border crossing” that our immune system places the bulk of our soldier cells to identify and turn away pathogens.

Recent medical advances indicate that we have more than just our own immune soldier cells guarding the gate. In fact, our own cells are significantly outnumbered by “mercenaries” which have taken up residence in our intestinal tract – some one hundred trillion organisms, consisting mainly of bacteria and yeasts, collectively comprise what is referred to as the gut microbiome.

Some studies indicate that for every hundred-thousand of our own cells, there are as many as one million mercenaries called probiotics. In a perfect natural balance, good bacteria perform many duties, including the stimulation of additional white cell production. Unfortunately, there is little “natural balance” left in the world today and this extends to most people’s gut biomes.

The 1920s saw the liberal application of antibacterial drugs, first on people and then into the barnyard. Well-meaning medical professionals, unaware of the gut biome as we understand it today, prescribed antibiotics for nearly everything. We are just learning that antibiotics hit their intended target bacteria, but they also do considerable collateral damage to gut biome bacteria. Also, more than 70 percent of antibiotics today are fed to animals raised for food production. Antibiotics administered to animals later show up in the meat, poultry, and dairy that people eat, adding to the stress on our gut. Even city water supplies are now testing positive for prescription antibiotics.

GMO foods, herbicides, and pesticides found in standard American foods also cause pressure on the gut biome. Dr. Edward Group III of The Global Healing Center relayed a study where participants ate only McDonald’s food for 10 days. At the greenlivingaz.com

end, more than 40 percent of the varieties of the participants’ gut bacteria had been completely lost.

SO HOW DO WE RESTORE OUR GUT BIOME? Avoid/Limit taking prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

If you must take them, avoid eating non-organic foods that contain additional toxins and other “secondhand” antibiotics.

Eat foods that are rich in probiotics. Live fermented foods (not canned) like sauerkraut, pickled items and kombucha contain amazing amounts of good bacteria. Microwaves destroy any probiotics that may naturally occur.

If you have to take an antibiotic, take a daily probiotic supplement AFTER you’ve completed your prescription. The best probiotic supplements consist of billions of live bacteria to help restore your biotic gut balance.

More than 2,000 years ago, the Greek physician Hippocrates taught that “All disease begins in the gut.” Perhaps he already knew about the microbiome!

Ric Coggins is a University of Arizona Master Gardener who grew up on a one-acre garden tended by his father, who was a regular contributor to Mother Earth News and Organic Gardening and Farming magazines.

Ric continues his father’s “green” traditions on a one-acre organic garden urban homestead in Mesa he calls The Fool on the Hill Farm.

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March 2019 | greenliving

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DID YOU KNOW GREEN FACTS FOR GREEN LIVING

ARIZONA RANKS 3RD IN THE NATION FOR SOLAR POWER

Averaging 3,872 hours of sunshine per year, the Valley of the Sun is an obvious choice when it comes to maximizing solar panels. A solar panel in Arizona produces 60 to 70 percent more power than similar solar panels in states like New York, which has fewer sunny days. Incentives in Arizona include a $1,000 state tax credit and a 30 percent federal tax credit. In the last five years, the price of solar has decreased by about 55 percent in Arizona, making it a cost-effective green option.

ENERGY STAR-CERTIFIED APPLIANCES USE ABOUT HALF THE POWER AND WATER

If you want to go green and save money, look for household appliances with the ENERGY STAR label. These appliances are held to strict EPA-established energy standards that will reduce your utility bills and help protect the environment. Although these appliances may initially cost more than their less-energy-efficient counterparts, the monthly savings on utility bills will quickly pay off.

90% OF A WASHING MACHINE’S ENERGY IS USED TO HEAT THE WATER

“Green” laundry practices are a big energy saver, considering most families do more than 400 loads of laundry each year. Most laundry expenses come from heating water for washing, so one simple way to save money and reduce the wear on your clothes is to wash with cold water. If every American family switched to cold water washing, the U.S. could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 11 million tons!

WATER HEATING IS THE SECOND-LARGEST EXPENSE IN THE AVERAGE HOME

According to Energy.gov, the average household uses 64 gallons of water every day and spends $400 - $600 every year heating water. After air conditioning, this is the second-biggest energy expense in a household. Choosing an energy-efficient water heater (determined by its Energy Factor), and installing a timer to turn it off while you’re at work, asleep, or during your utility company’s “peak hours,” can save a lot of money and help the environment.

OUTDOOR WATER USE ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT 58% OF RESIDENTIAL WATER USE IN THE U.S.

In Arizona, each person uses approximately 100 gallons of water each day, and about 70 percent of that is outdoors, including pools, cleaning and especially lawns.

That’s why many Arizonans are opting for desert landscaping. The flowers and plants native to Arizona have already adapted to regional rainfall and require little to no maintenance or additional water. Native plants actually promote healthy soil and insect life, which attract birds and create biodiversity.

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BANS ON PLASTIC STRAWS OPEN DOORS FOR GREENER OPTIONS FORMER NFL PLAYER LAUNCHES ECO-FRIENDLY STRAW STARTUP TO COMBAT THE PLASTIC CRISIS

Photo by Tom Gavin

BY JORDAN DIAB

“

Sustainability is not just for the ‘granola’ anymore,” says Ryan Mundy, former NFL player and co-founder of SWZLE, a reusable straw company dedicated to making “going green” trendy and more accessible than ever. SWZLE makes and sells stainless steel and paper straws that are BPA-free, dishwashersafe, and come in three different shapes: bent, cocktail, and straight. You can select your straws from a rainbow of colors and even personalize your own carrying case. “Our straws are trendier than their competitors, making you want to pull them out at the coffee shop, bar, or club,” says Mundy.

Ryan Mundy is a man of many hats: business owner, father, and a former NFL player for the Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New York Giants. He is also a man on a mission to make a difference step by step – or rather, straw by straw. If you’ve been living and breathing within the past few years, surely you have heard about the plastic plight facing our planet and its eco-systems. In the U.S. alone, people use about 500 million straws every day, according to thelastplasticstraw.org. That’s enough to fill Yankee Stadium nine times. These straws are not biodegradable, so they end up in our landfills, the air, our oceans, and our food chain. “As a nation, we are extremely plasticdependent,” says Mundy. “We have to bring awareness and start somewhere.”

When asked how his professional football career helped shape his ability to make a difference, Mundy laughs, “I can’t tackle people anymore. It’s just not conducive to a good business greenlivingaz.com

model.” He says his time in the sport has taught him grit, focus, and leadership. While he is passionate about reducing plastic waste for our planet, he says his overarching goal is to empower former professional athletes to see themselves for more than their past athletic abilities. “Athlete transition is something I’m really passionate about,” says Mundy, “The transition out of professional sports can be difficult, as one may not know who he or she is without the sport.”

Today, however, Mundy’s focus is on using SWZLE as part of the solution to stopping the detrimental effects plastic is having on our planet. The company recently partnered with Shedd Aquarium in Chicago to work together on solutions for the planet, ocean, and ecosystem. “I want people to know that we are in this for the long haul. This will take time, but we [at SWZLE] are excited and committed,” says Mundy. His advice to those who are trying to live greener? “Start by asking yourself why you want to... once you do this, you will be able to realize that you have an effect on the environment. This creates a level of empathy in everyday life.”

That’s one small “straw” for man, one giant leap for mankind!

To purchase your own SWZLE straws, visit www.swzle.com/ collections/shop Jordan Diab is a Phoenix native who is currently studying Psychology at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

March 2019 | greenliving

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GREEN JEANS

SECONDHAND DENIM MAKES ICONIC AMERICAN STYLE A SUSTAINABLE ONE

BY LAURA MADDEN

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enim jeans are an iconic American style, referring back to classic Ralph Lauren ads, Brooke Shields in her Calvins, cowboys, and that California cool effortless vibe. What other garment could be more American than denim jeans? After all, jeans were originally created to clothe the laborers of the Gold Rush era because of denim’s durability. Shortly thereafter, they were made a wardrobe staple

by Levi Strauss & Co. when the company became the first mass manufacturer of jeans. Unfortunately, there are a few cracks in this American success story. In fact, most of our jeans are not very American at all. According to Fashion Revolution, onethird of the jeans purchased in the U.S. come from China, which produces 260-300 million pairs per year.

Denim jeans are one of the most polluting garments in any wardrobe. And as the demand for denim continues to rise, so does the drain on the environment’s resources. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it takes approximately 2,900 gallons of water to produce one pair of traditional cotton jeans.

Just to give you an idea of the products and resources (fuel, water, dyes, pesticides, human labor, etc.) that go into the making of a pair of denim jeans, here is the CliffNotes version of the process.

1. Cotton is grown 2. Fabric is milled 3. Fabric is dyed 4. Pattern is cut 5. Jeans are re-dyed 6. Jeans are washed several times to make them softer, reduce shrinkage, prevent bleeding dyes, and to provide a “worn” look 7. Oftentimes jeans are artificially distressed, which traditionally requires copious amounts of toxic chemicals, such as acids SOLUTIONS FOR WEARING DENIM RESPONSIBLY This is not about guilting you into forever giving up your denim. Creating a cleaner, more sustainable planet doesn’t have to require suffering and sacrificing. I want you to have your denim and wear it too (wink). Where to start?

• Buy secondhand. Since the resources have already been used, you are extending the lifecycle of existing denim, and strengthening the circular economy by sourcing these items. (e.g., outfit shown from My Sister’s Closet, Scottsdale, AZ) • Look for transparency. Look for brands that share specific details about their manufacturing and supply chain

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Wearing head-to-toe secondhand denim styled by Tess Loo and sourced from My Sister’s Closet, with locations in Chandler, Scottsdale and Phoenix. www.mysisterscloset.com. Photo by Aaron Blackburn

processes. Labels like sustainable, ethical, or eco aren’t enough. Brands should disclose how they’re doing what they say they are doing.

• Choose green materials. Organic cotton is better than conventional, but cotton is still one of the most waterdependent crops grown today. Alternative fibers such as Tencel (sourced from Eucalyptus trees) use 85 percent less water than cotton to produce.

• Shop for recycled denim. Recycled, upcycled, deadstock, vintage denim – essentially repurposing and redesigning denim from previously owned denim garments that have been discarded – is a green choice.

• Shop local. Look for brands that produce their denim jeans as close to home as possible; huge amounts of resources are saved in shipping.

DENIM CARE TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR JEANS Your denim’s sustainability journey doesn’t stop there.

How you care for your denim matters, no matter where you’ve purchased it. Denim is extremely resilient and doesn’t need regular washing. According to sustainability expert and fashion designer Tracey Martin, you can wear your denim up to 10 times before washing. Instead, in between wears freeze garments in a bag to kill bacteria and remove odors.

Lastly, forgo the dryer, which is extremely damaging to your clothes, can break down fibers quickly, misshape them, and prematurely fade the color. Follow these simple tips and you can do the most sustainable thing possible – help your clothes last longer.

Laura Madden is a fashion advocate, model, and creator of Laura Madden Lifestyle, a lifestyle brand and blog that inspires a life of style, sustainability and self-esteem. Visit www.laura-madden.com and follow her on Instagram @lmlifestylist for sustainable shopping tips and her sustainable fashion trends.

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BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES THROUGH WALKING AND BIKING ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION TO SCHOOL

BY ALLISON ROSS

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recently attended an open house at our local school with my soon-to-be kindergartner, where we met his teachers and toured the school. As I listened to a presentation from the principal, I was amazed that nobody from the roughly 75 other families joining us that evening had asked a single question – until she mentioned drop-off and pick-up procedures. The hands shot up. I was impressed as the principal addressed concerns related to safety and traffic; however, I couldn’t help but feel a bit dismayed that every question was related to student transport by car. Now is probably a good time to disclose my bias – I am a researcher who studies active transportation to school.

Active transportation, more commonly known as walking and biking, was once the typical way to get to and from school.

In fact, in 1969, nearly half of all students in grades K-8 walked or biked. By 2011, that rate decreased to 13 percent. During that same period of time, the decline in active transport was mirrored by an increase in students traveling to school by car. Many factors have contributed to this shift, but the most common explanations for the decline in walking and biking are related to concerns about safety. Ironically, instead of improving safety, our focus on driving kids to school has created a vicious cycle. As more people drive, the traffic increases and parents become more concerned with safety. This concern causes more parents to begin driving their children, adding even more traffic to the roads around schools and perpetuating the cycle.

As I left the open house that night, I started thinking of ways to break this cycle. The research shows a number of amazing

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benefits related to active transportation (such as improved physical and emotional health, reductions in traffic and trafficrelated injuries, and prevention of harmful greenhouse gas emissions), but parents need easy and practical strategies.

Walking is one of the simplest, most effective, and most affordable strategies for getting exercise and turning physical activity into a healthy lifelong habit, but families are busy and sometimes driving is easier.

Could a solution be as easy as simply working together? We could coordinate with neighbors to carpool, or take turns leading walking or biking groups to school. Everyone is busy these days, but coordinating with others can help alleviate stress and create strong community bonds that have a lasting impact on kids. Safe Routes to School is a national program dedicated to increasing safe and enjoyable active transportation to school and has helped implement programs like this in many schools in and around Phoenix. Taking a moment to simply question the potential of using active transport is an important first step toward promoting our own health, the health of our children, and the health of our communities.

To learn more, visit www.saferoutespartnership.org.

Allison Ross is a research professor in the School of Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University (ASU). In conjunction with the Center for Sustainable Tourism at ASU, she studies how active living can build community in neighborhoods and schools.

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A PERSONAL JOURNEY IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY PART 2: SIMPLE ALTERNATIVES

BY KAIT SPIELMAKER

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early half the plastic that has ever been manufactured was produced after the year 2000. That fact has really stuck with me. A healthy planet is crucial for the health of its inhabitants.

As I dive further into this project, I am amazed by the technology that people are crafting to combat plastic pollution. There are so many options out there, and we are living in a time where more and more individuals want to be part of a change. Bright people with bright ideas use their resources to fix this problem and come up with reusable and biodegradable products that improve the livelihood of our future selves. That is truly remarkable and it leaves me feeling hopeful and willing to contribute.

Where does one start? If you don’t know already, I am the poster child of a modern 20-something; in that weird limbo between trying to figure out where I’m headed and actually being there. I am a graduate student with two jobs, a lot of student loan debt, and almost no disposable income. So if this project is anything, it’s practical. By now, most of us have reusable shopping bags and water bottles. In my opinion, those are the two simplest things you can do to make a difference, eliminating plastic bags and water bottles from your day-to-day life. Furthermore, I have been using compostable trash bags and reusable paper towels made from bamboo around my home for a couple years now and they work really well. The bamboo towels eliminate waste and the need to purchase new rolls of paper towels since they are machine-washable. You can find both of these items on Amazon with a quick Google search.

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Something I have learned during this plastic purge: be aware of labels that claim to be biodegradable, as I have been subject to false claims. I bought “biodegradable” dog bags from Amazon and never bothered to do research because it’s “biodegradable” – or so I thought. In reality, some plastic companies claim to be biodegradable because they use degradable plastic additives in their product to help it break down faster. These products are called oxo-biodegradable. When using this additive, known as EPI, micro-organisms will eat away at the additive but not the plastic itself, leaving tiny pieces of microplastic behind. One study tested three different plastics in different environments and came to the conclusion that even if the plastic is labeled oxobiodegradable, it doesn’t change the lifecycle of the plastic itself when compared to material with no additives at all.

When you decide to start spending money on a more sustainable product, definitely research it first. Something to look for is BPI Certified, which stands for Biodegradable Products Institute. This means your product is certified compostable and complies with global guidelines. I now buy dog bags from a company out of Royal Oak, Michigan; they are made from corn starch and break down in 90 days.

Kait is a Michigan native who recently relocated to Phoenix and is the administrative coordinator for Green Living magazine. She is an avid hiker with a sense of adventure. She is currently working on her master’s degree in Sustainable Tourism at Arizona State University.

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Photo by Dan Deaner on Unsplash

A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE THE BENEFITS OF DECLUTTERING AND ORGANIZING

BY ANDREA BRUNDAGE

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iving and working in cluttered spaces can affect your mood, your productivity, and even your relationships with others. People who are, or feel, surrounded by clutter often describe themselves as overwhelmed, stressed, stuck, frustrated, or all of the above. That’s one reason the old proverb “a place for everything and everything in its place” still rings true. Spending a little time cleaning up your space can do a lot of good for your productivity and your well-being.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DECLUTTERING AND ORGANIZING Creating a productive and relaxing home or office is a process that involves both decluttering and organization, which are two different processes.

Decluttering is looking at everything in your space and asking yourself why it’s there. Do you love it, use it, wear it? Decluttering requires decision-making about what stays and what goes.

Organizing is categorizing, containing, and using a like-withlike approach. Organizing is putting the things you’ve decided to keep in places that are logical, easy to access, and easy to maintain.

BEING ORGANIZED IS A LIFESTYLE, NOT A ONE-TIME PROJECT Once you’ve organized an area in your home, commit to spending time each week or month sprucing it up again. If you stay on top of clutter accumulation, you will find it much easier to maintain long-term order.

Pay attention to habitual dump zones. If you consistently dump mail on the countertop and don’t take time to process it, you’ll soon have a pile. Take time every day to process your mail.

If clothes are discarded and left in heaps on the floor, you’ll soon have a mountain of laundry and a chaotic closet. Rehang what you’ve decided not to wear and adopt the habit of placing laundry in a bin or basket.

Stop procrastinating. If I’ll deal with this later is a consistent inner dialogue, commit to doing whatever it is now. Delayed decisions can be found at bottom of every pile.

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THE BENEFITS OF BEING MORE ORGANIZED Being organized saves you time and money, and can enhance your peace of mind. If you frequently spend time and energy looking for misplaced items, a little organization can go a long way. Knowing what you already have on hand can reduce overbuying and duplicate purchases. Best of all, by eliminating the frantic search for your keys, wallet or sunglasses, you’ll also reduce your stress level.

THE TREND OF TIDYING UP There is a lot of buzz these days about tidying up. Much of that can be attributed to Marie Kondo, an organizing consultant from Japan whose 2014 book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up introduced America to her KonMari method of decluttering.

Additionally, Netflix released her show called Tidying Up in January of this year. The show features eight different families using the KonMari process to tidy up their homes.

The KonMari method is good... if it works for you. However, like most things, there is more than one approach. If you are motivated and inspired to declutter and organize your space on your own, go for it! If you need assistance, professional organizers can help you sort, purge, dispose of, categorize, and organize your belongings – especially helpful for those who don’t know how or where to start.

WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THAT STUFF? There are a lot of eco-conscious ways to dispose of your castoffs. To reduce the landfill burden, consider ways and places these items can be gifted, regifted, donated, repurposed, recycled, sold, or consigned.

As a professional organizer and bringer of calm, Andrea Brundage has been helping clients turn chaos into calm since 2005. Simple Organized Solutions (SOS) is an Arizona-based business that services residential, seniors, and corporate clients locally and nationally. Her book, Simplify: 8 Principles to Turn Your Chaos into Calm, will be released and available for purchase in March 2019.

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EAT SUSTAINABLE, HUMANELY RAISED BEEF

BY KAREN LANGSTON

B

efore the rise in technology to speed up cattle rearing, good ol’ fashioned ranching was sustainable and humane. In fact, it was not until farming was introduced to unnatural feed, hormones, and drugs that we started to have a problem.

Numerous studies support conventionally raised cows as contributing to global warming because of the methane gas they produce. On conventional feedlots, after a calf is a couple of months old, it is forcefully transitioned into an unnatural diet of genetically enhanced grains to resist glyphosate, antibiotics, and hormones, according to research on eXtension.org. Because of this unnatural diet, excess methane gas is produced, which contributes to greenhouse effects.

Cows are designed to eat grass. The naturally occurring small amount of methane gas created is broken down by digestive

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enzymes, resulting in minimal impact on the environment.

The bacteria and nutrient-rich poop then enrich the soil for a continuous healthy ecosystem.

Experts have argued it costs more to raise cattle because of the additional plots of land needed to grow their food. But feeding cattle an unnatural diet of grains also requires additional chemical fertilizers and petroleum. According to John Robbins, author of No Happy Cows: Dispatches from the Frontlines of the Food Revolution, “a typical steer will in effect consume 284 gallons of oil in his lifetime.” How do we cut down on this problem? Raise pasture-fed cattle.

WHERE’S THE BEEF… COME FROM AND IS IT HEALTHY? Did you know the meat you are eating may not have been raised in the United States? Under the Country of Origin greenlivingaz.com

Have you struggled to find healthy, humanely sourced meats to support your family?

Date Creek Ranch is an environmentally healthy, diverse and socially responsible cattle ranch that strives for a healthy and happy atmosphere for wildlife, people, and livestock.

All of our meat is hormone and antibiotic free. Our beyond organic beef and lamb is 100% grass fed, and lives entirely on native forages and irrigated pasture.

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March 2019 | greenliving

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Labeling laws, beef and pork are exempt raised rancher. Here in Arizona, there from disclosing their country, labeling are numerous ranches.

Purchase from these foreign meat as “Product of the USA”, You can check out Eat Wild, a humane Arizona ranches: according to the Organic Consumers directory of pastured-raised products Arizona Grass Raised Beef Company Association. This is unethical and including a map of local farms, www.azgrassraisedbeef.com unsustainable. It is also a potential ranches, markets and restaurants. If JH Grass Fed health hazard and is bankrupting you are only within driving distance www.jhgrassfed.com American grass-fed farmers. of your local grocers, check out Global Date Creek Ranch And what about the ill effects of Animal Partnership to become www.datecreekranch.com eating beef? There are numerous studies familiar with the brand names and Double Check Ranch indicating that eating red meat contributes logos so you can choose ethically www.doublecheckranch.com to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, raised grass finished products. mainly because of the saturated fats. The DON’T BE FOOLED BY studies focused on conventionally raised MARKETING cattle. But the cow’s health matters too. Like humans, eating an If it says “grass fed,” don’t believe it. Although the animal has unhealthy diet leads to sickness and disease. This results in more been fed grass, they may still be confined to a feedlot, inhumanely antibiotics for the cows, which affects the microbiome and the treated, and consuming grains a couple of months before harvest immune system. We then eat these sick animals. Studies have shown to fatten them up. You end up paying more for something that is eating animals pumped full of growth hormones and antibiotics is negatively affecting our gut bacteria. Dysbiosis of our gut bacteria has not quite the whole story. been associated with many diseases plaguing Americans.

When it comes to choosing beef products, here is what you are looking for on the packaging: We know eating our greens chock-full of nutrients keeps us healthy. Cattle grazing off the pasture consume more natural 100% grass fed, 100% grass fed and finished, 100% pasture nutrients including vitamin E, C, beta-carotene, and heart-healthy raised, and/or Certified Humane.

What to look for on the package when buying beef:    

omega 3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid and vitamin K2. You know you are getting ample amounts of vitamin K2 when the fat has an orange tinge to it. You will not see this on feedlot beef.

Instead, you’ll see only white saturated fat full of toxins.

IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE THAT COUNTS Eating pasture-raised beef means fewer, if any, antibiotics.

Ranchers are not using growth hormones, because they believe in allowing an animal to come to full term the good ol’ fashioned way — time.

If you are looking to keep yourself healthy, be conscious of ethically raised animals, and reduce your carbon footprint, then look to your local sustainable, hard-working, humane, pasture-

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greenliving | March 2019

100% grass fed 100% grass fed and finished 100% pasture raised Certified Humane raised

This means the animal was fed (for its entire life) a diet predominantly of grass. Also look for the “Certified Humane” logo from the Humane Farm Animal Care Nonprofit Organization. Of course, purchasing local is the way to go.

Protein is necessary to sustain our biological needs and, ultimately, you have the power. Choose wisely, eat humanely, and support your local ranchers.

Karen Langston is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist working with clients and professionals on how to have three healthy poops a day. Poop well, be well. www.HealthyGutAdvisor.com

greenlivingaz.com

GENERATING LEADS THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY

GROW YOUR BUSINESS BY RETURNING TO BASICS: THE COLD CALL

BY JOHN WAECHTER

T

he process of generating business leads has changed immensely. It has become complicated with the advent of technology. Although it can lead to success, finding leads through technology can be expensive, time-consuming, data-driven and difficult to comprehend, much less execute.

There are even new lead generation buzzwords to learn – content operation, demand generators, infographics, data analytics, and on and on. If the new lead generation processes and language are a bit much for you, maybe a return to the basics is in order… an old tried-and-true, simpler approach to growing your business.

Yes, I am indeed referring to the cold call!

The outbound telemarketing campaign has come under scrutiny over the years, leaving some companies and the basic cold call with unsavory reputations. But it does not have to be that way. With a little bit of planning, forethought, and politeness, an effective call strategy can be implemented by virtually anyone at any skill or education level.

One of the questions a business person needs to think about is, “What is a new customer worth? 100 bucks? 500 bucks? 1,000 bucks?” The answer will be different for everyone, just like the cost of a lead will be different depending on the type of lead system you choose to implement. For example, would you pay another person to make 100 calls for two dollars each to potentially receive in return one sale, one interested party, and 98 other prospects that you now know exist? If the answer is yes, a cold call campaign might be what you are searching for. Let’s explore!

COMPONENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE TELEMARKETING CAMPAIGN 1. Proper Targeting. A quality prospect can make a big difference, as an appropriate target would more closely resemble a “warm” call than a “cold” call. If the people on your list are knowingly potential customers, the probabilities of a successful campaign increase. For example, if you are a veterinarian, you would naturally want a list that was comprised of pet owners. A list of the general population would dilute the probability of an effective campaign.

2. Compelling Script. Scripts must quickly garner the attention of the person answering the phone, and convey value. Value can take many forms besides the obvious special offer or discount.

It can be stating a relevant fact, or even a question like “Did you know that….?”. Regardless of the technique, the perception of value is critical.

3. Prepared, Polite Callers. Statistically, most phone calls will result in a simple introduction of your company to a prospect that doesn’t know about your company and has no current interest in your products or services. But now, at least, they will hear your name and know you exist. As a result, it is imperative that the greenlivingaz.com

caller be extremely respectful, so your prospect hangs up the phone with a good first impression.

For prospects who demonstrate an initial, genuine interest in your product or service, preparation of the caller is paramount.

Most interested prospects will want more information or clarification, so callers should be trained by the business to handle a limited number of normal questions or requests. The ability to answer questions will significantly increase the chances of moving that prospect closer to a “qualified” prospect.

4. Timely Follow-Up. Swift follow-up is crucial to the process of an effective telemarketing campaign. Every person who demonstrated any interest to the initial caller should receive a timely call providing further information and/or relevant materials. This follow-up needs to happen right away. Response time indicates the company’s appreciation for the prospect, so the sooner the response is executed, the greater the chances are that the prospect will increase his or her consideration for your product or service.

LONG LIVE THE COLD CALL The further we delve into our technology-oriented lives and businesses, the more we need to refresh ourselves on the basics. That includes a good, old-fashioned phone call.

Picking up the phone and just talking to your customer can do wonders to establish, maintain, and increase the all-important relationship between businesses and consumers. Telemarketing campaigns have been around a very long time, and if planned and implemented correctly, they can remain a vibrant source of valuable growth for your business, now and well into the future.

John Waechter, MBA, is an independent business, media, and behavioral assessment consultant. Contact him at jwwaechter@comcast.net.

March 2019 | greenliving

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EARTH Forward 2019 March 29th | 8 am - 1 pmÂ

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Two $500 scholarships!

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The E.A.R.T.H. Forward Summit is for students, staff, and faculty who are interested in taking action towards a more sustainable future through Education, Adaptation, Resiliency, and Technology for all of Humanity.

Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.

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greenliving | March 2019

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March 2019 | greenliving

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THE ENERGY RATING INDEX IS HERE WHY THAT’S A BIG DEAL FOR PHOENIX HOMEOWNERS

BY BILL JANHONEN

A

s of September 1, 2018, plans submitted for review on new residential construction will need to comply with the 2018 Phoenix Building Construction Code. This is a big deal for homeowners, contractors, architects, engineers, real estate sales individuals, and appraisers. What is the big deal, what is ERI (Energy Rating Index), and why should we care?

Let’s start with an explanation of “Building Codes.” Building codes exist to perform one very important function: to guarantee safety. We all want to know that any house we buy is safe, and built in such a way that we feel confident our family will live in comfort. Building inspectors perform the important function of determining compliance with existing codes to ensure our safety.

Codes are always changing and they only get more stringent, never less.

ADOPTING A HOLISTIC VIEW TO BUILDING SCIENCE We see so many huge and unexpected changes in our lives.

Who would have thought that over the course of a few years the entire film photographic industry would be nearly out of business because of digital cameras? Can we even keep pace with the

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greenliving | March 2019

change in computers and phones? Can you even buy anything other than a flat screen television today?

Building methods and products have also undergone tremendous industry changes. Things we once assumed were correct in building science have been proven to be dead wrong.

So, we adapted and tested and experimented and brought in technical experts. We started looking at home building not as a set of directions like a medical prescription, but with a holistic view to see how the entire building worked together as a whole.

The proven results have given us a new option for building code compliance known as the “performance approach.” We now have diagnostic tools that can accurately measure how a proposed design will perform against a baseline.

UNDERSTANDING THE HOME ENERGY RATING SYSTEM The measurement tool we have is a product of RESNET (Real Energy Services Network) called the HERS (Home Energy Rating System) Index. A score of 100 represents a home built to a code standard, and anything below a score of 100 is greenlivingaz.com

that percentage more energy-efficient. For example, a home with a HERS rating of 65 would be 35 percent more energy-efficient than the same size home built to standard code in the same area.

The Energy Rating Index (ERI) for the City of Phoenix as adopted for the 2018 Building Code has set the required HERS score at 64. One of the most important benefits of the ERI compliance path is the requirement for third-party verification of compliance. This proposal would require that the third-party verifiers are working under a program that has quality assurance requirements, and the homes they’re responsible for verifying are subject to quality assurance standards.

So, you say, that’s all very interesting, but what’s in it for the home buyer? When you buy a car, what is one of the first things you look at… the miles per gallon sticker. Think of the HERS Index as an MPG sticker for your home. A lower HERS rating means a more efficient home. That means a home with a HERS rating of 130 is less energy-efficient than a home rated at 64.

HERS ratings take into account every aspect of a home including windows, doors, orientation, insulation, HVAC and appliance efficiency. Homes with a lower rating are more comfortable, cost less to operate, are more durable and have a higher resale value, according to RESNET. Many mortgage companies give

improved mortgage rates to “green homes,” and some insurance companies provide improved premium rates.

The Appraisal Institute and RESNET are working to provide an integration of HERS Index information directly to the MLS so homeowners can easily see what the efficiency of a proposed new home purchase provides. And we can’t forget renovations and remodels, as the Appraisal Institute’s Residential Green Addendum allows individuals to list any improvements to their new or renovated home for consideration by appraisers and prospective buyers.

So, what’s the big deal? The big deal is that now we can look at all aspects of a home and accurately measure the efficiency and compliance with safety by testing and measuring performance.

We all will benefit from the strides the building industry is making to ensure we live in comfort and safety.

Bill Janhonen is a Building Science instructor, HERS rater, Energy Star verifier and long-time writer of several articles on Sustainable Building.

He holds a Brokers license in three states (NY, CT and NC), and is an approved instructor for the National Association of Home Builders – oh, and he is an advisor to Green Living AZ magazine. For questions, contact William Janhonen at wjanhonen@wsjenterprises.com.

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March 2019 | greenliving

21

THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC WE’RE NEVER TOO OLD OR TOO YOUNG TO FEEL IT

BY BARBARA AUGSDORFER

A

random search on the Internet will yield literally hundreds of websites that tout the benefits of music on the brain. More specifically, the benefits of music on the cognitive development of a child’s brain, and the ways music helps Alzheimer’s patients reconnect with their past. So why have funds for extracurricular programs such as music, art, physical education, and foreign languages been cut from 80 percent of U.S. schools since 2008?

Bucking that trend is Sarah Burke, the music teacher at Bright Beginnings, a K-6 public charter school in Chandler, Arizona.

What it boils down to is children want to learn music. They want to sing. So, teach them.

In addition to teaching music class during the school day, Burke has two after-school groups at Bright Beginnings: Treble Makers for students in first, second and third grades; and Notables for students in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades.

Outside of her school groups, Burke leads a singing group of middle and junior high school students called House of Harmony (HOH). Most members are alumni of Notables or a similar group due to the difficulty of the music. HOH now rehearses at The Village at Ocotillo, a senior assisted-living facility in Chandler. “When the group originally started, we met at my house. The group was named ‘House of Harmony’ by the kids for that very reason,” Burke recalls. “But after one year, we outgrew my house and needed more space. I started noticing that

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when we would rehearse, my neighbors would stop on their way to the mailbox and listen for a bit. One neighbor even asked if she could come and watch [and she did]. That’s when I realized that even when we are still learning, people enjoy it. Even when it’s not ‘perfect,’ it is still beautiful.”

Burke knew that music benefited seniors in many ways.

House of Harmony needed a rehearsal space. She had an idea.

“My mother was in a nursing home for many years before she passed. I’d always wanted to do something where music was utilized to bring joy to seniors or those with various diseases,” Burke explains. “Since we needed more room, I decided to contact nearby nursing homes and retirement communities to see if perhaps we could rehearse there so that the residents could watch and listen.” She got a taker. “The Village at Ocotillo loved the idea and has a large open space with a grand piano, so it works perfectly. We practice and the residents come and go as they please. Their favorite is when we sing The Star-Spangled Banner.”

As for musical selections, the choirs have done everything from the 1920s to current Broadway musicals. “The year we did the songs from the Beatles and Queen, they were obsessed,” Burke says. “When we learned music from the 1920s, they were completely hooked on learning the Charleston. They know Elvis, Buddy Holly, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, The Beach Boys… the list is quite long. This year it’s Broadway, so they greenlivingaz.com

are walking the halls singing songs from Hamilton, Wicked, The Lion King, Les Misérables, and more.”

Burke’s choirs work hard all year, and the students really seem to enjoy it. Students come back year after year, with many moving on to HOH after graduating from Bright Beginnings.

“Every year, I start with patriotic music before starting that year’s theme,” Burke says. “We perform at a special 9/11 ceremony at our school. In December, we have a big holiday performance for my choirs where the street in front of my house gets shut down and we fill it with fire pits and Santa and crafts and a huge potluck dinner. Families gather around the fire pits and listen to

“Kids who initially wouldn’t make eye contact or were petrified to speak to adults now get up and sing in front of a large crowd.” an hour-long concert featuring the two older choirs. Last December there were more than 400 people at that performance.”

Burke has seen a lot of growth in her students’ confidence when it comes to performing, and also in their social skills.

Music performance tends to do that. “Kids who initially wouldn’t make eye contact or were petrified to speak to adults now get up and sing in front of a large crowd,” Burke recounts. “Kids who struggle with anxiety or low self-esteem start believing in themselves, and kids that I could barely hear or not hear at all because they were so scared for their voices to be heard are volunteering to sing solos.”

Even Burke herself has seen some personal growth. “I used to be scared to death to be

greenlivingaz.com

in front of a crowd, and now I do it constantly and don’t think twice. Teaching these kids and watching them grow has resulted in a great deal of self-growth as well,” Burke explains. “Music – especially choir – is such a healthy way to express yourself and to practice using your voice. I don’t mean just your singing voice, either. Singing with a group of friends and being a part of a team that requires you to use your voice and be heard makes speaking in front of people so much easier.”

Notables and House of Harmony will compete at Disneyland later this year, and Bright Beginnings has a big performance on May 14, at Sun Valley Church in Tempe.

Barbara Augsdorfer earned a BA in communication arts from California Lutheran University in 1983 and an MBA from University of Phoenix in 2017. She has many years of experience writing and editing for a variety of magazines and newspapers, and currently resides in Providence Forge, Virginia, with her husband, son, and a spoiled 13-year-old Rottweiler/black lab mix named Lucky.

March 2019 | greenliving

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ECO-CONSCIOUS POP-UP EVENT RECAP

Photography by Roberto Daniele From gorgeous guided hikes through South Mountain Park’s breathtaking trails to rousing and informative speeches on responsible hospitality, Green Living Magazine’s January Ecotourism Event was a success on all fronts. The crowd ate delicious gourmet food while learning about the growing sustainable tourism industry in South India, courtesy of CGH Earth. One lucky guest even won a seven-day stay at an Ayurvedic resort!

GL’s monthly eco events give green professionals and stewards the opportunity to connect and collaborate. In January, businesses like CGH Earth, ASU Center for Sustainable Tourism, Addison Taylor, and Travdek delivered stirring seminars on what it means to provide goods and services in the modern age while balancing profits and good environmental practices.

In particular, Addison Taylor’s interactive speech about their Tree of Life movement and line of jewelry moved much of the audience, literally and figuratively. To demonstrate that the root of all positive change in our lives comes from love, they had the audience form a circle and hold hands.

We hope to see you at future events! Follow our Facebook page for updates and to RSVP for functions. On April 22, we will be holding a seminar on various facets of environmental business along with a green Shark Tank competition and an eco-fashion upcycle design challenge after-party!

PARTNERS:

CGH Earth ASU Center for Sustainable Tourism

Addison Taylor Events by Danielle Travdek

DON’T MISS OUT ON THE NEXT ONE!

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greenliving | March 2019

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March 2019 | greenliving

25

SEW WHAT?

TUCSON BUSINESSES COLLABORATE TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ABOUT SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING

BY AIMEE WELCH

L

ook at the shirt you’re wearing right now. Do you know where it was made? Any idea about the process, the resources or the labor it took to get that shirt to the store where you bought it? The truth is, the apparel industry is one of the most destructive industries on the planet. And if you knew the “true cost” of that shirt, you probably would have thought twice before buying it. “We’re in a war without sides. Everybody’s on the same side. They just don’t know they’re on the same side yet,” says Skya Nelson, owner of sustainable clothing company Fed By Threads (FBT) and originator of the SEW TRUE educational series to teach students, specifically Greek life, the impact of the apparel industry’s global supply chain.

Fed By Threads isn’t fighting the war alone. Many organizations have made sustainability a priority, and are working together to make a difference. On February 21, FBT hosted a lecture at UA to discuss the importance and benefits of sustainable clothing. The lecture is part of a larger-scale effort

by FBT, the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning, the University of Arizona (UA), Tucson Federal Credit Union and other partners to educate college students about the apparel supply chain. SEW TRUE is the collaboration of these ecoconscious organizations and people.

SEW TRUE is specifically targeting Greek life because of the group’s ability to organize and effect change, and because they buy a lot of T-shirts. There are 5,000 Greek life students at UA, each required to buy approximately 24 shirts, for a grand total of 120,000 non-sustainably-made shirts every year.

“These are people who should be leading the way on campus toward sustainable apparel purchasing… they’re the most highly organized shirt purchasers on campus,” says Nelson. “What we’re trying to do is get them to stop buying those sweatshop-made, unethically made T-shirts.”

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greenliving | March 2019

On March 28, a follow-up film screening of the documentary The True Cost will be shown at UA, followed by a Q&A session with a panel of representatives from the sustainable apparel industry, and Lina Srivastava, co-creator of the My City project, and the lead on the Transformational Change Leadership storytelling project.

THE TRUTH HURTS The SEW TRUE events are designed to be fun and educational, but the sobering facts about the apparel industry’s global supply chain are hard to take lightly: It takes 600 gallons of water to make one T-shirt. One out of every six people on the planet works in the garment industry, and 168 million of them are children between ages of 5 and 14. Most mass-produced clothes are treated with toxic chemicals that are harmful to textile workers and the environment. And that doesn’t even scratch the surface.

The road to change is long, but sustainability experts say education is the key. “The overall message of The True Cost is important to students, the University, and Tucson communities because we too often ignore the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion or the production of cheap clothing,” says Trevor Ledbetter, director of UA’s sustainability department.

“The fashion industry is one of the most environmentally destructive industries in the world, second only to the fossil fuel industry… something few people realize.”

Nelson says the SEW TRUE initiative isn’t about reprimanding anyone, but about educating them.

THE TRUE COST OF SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING IS LOWER THAN YOU THINK Price is a key driver for apparel purchasing, but most don’t realize they’re paying about 25 percent more for their nongreenlivingaz.com

Skya Nelson, Fed by Threads creative director, speaks about sustainable clothing during his presentation “Why Shop Green?” at The University of Arizona in Tucson on February 21.

Photos by Rebecca Sasnett

sustainable shirts than they would pay with FBT, and their choice helps others. Every FBT purchase helps secure and distribute emergency meals for food banks. For the SEW TRUE events, all donations will be matched by the Tony Robbins Foundation and used to help provide meals for Feeding America and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Nelson says, “It’s kind of a no-brainer. It costs less, it does good, and it meets their social responsibility requirements for being part of the Greek organization… how can they not?”

TUCSON COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO EFFECT CHANGE Nelson says the SEW TRUE events have been a team effort.

Longtime partner Manish Shah, CEO of Maya Tea, a sustainable Tucson tea company, says, “The message of sustainability and conscious consumption should register with virtually everyone.

College students and young people in general are beginning to form their beliefs and habits around these topics. It’s important for them to get this message so it can be a part of their thinking going forward.”

Graduate student Deanna Kulbeth became involved with FBT last year as project manager for the Cooper Campus Outreach Team at UA. “I have learned so much about sustainability since then,” Kulbeth says. ”One important learning is that I will never be able to unlearn this information, therefore I am responsible for living it,” she continues.

Educating and changing the mindset of students like Kulbeth is exactly what needs to happen to make positive changes in the apparel industry and beyond. Ledbetter says, “One of the more effective ways for us to move the needle in our existing economic systems is to put our money where our values are, and once educated in this subject, I hope our students can start to do just this.”

greenlivingaz.com

Fed By Threads makes eco-and human-friendly apparel, with every purchase contributing to emergency meals. For more information, visit www.fedbythreads.com.

Aimee Welch is a freelance writer and editor. She’s a graduate of The Ohio State University (go Buckeyes!) and is currently putting her journalism degree to good use as editor of Green Living Magazine.

She spends the great majority of her free time shuttling her two kids to hockey and soccer events… and loving every minute of it.

CRAFT NIGHTS

Summer Arts & Crafts Camp

ALL ABOUT SPACE Ages 5-8 years old | $175/week June 3-7 | 9am-12 noon

for more details CraftNights.com/SummerCamp March 2019 | greenliving

27

STAKEHOLDERS, SYNERGIES, AND SUSTAINABILITY THE SECRET SAUCE TO CLIMATE NEUTRALITY THROUGH TUCSON’S 2030 DISTRICT

BY TREVOR LEDBETTER

T

he Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius in October 2018, and it paints a bleak picture for humanity. Without novel technologies and collaborative, concerted approaches to reducing carbon emissions, global warming and climate change will impede economic growth, increase poverty and public health crises, and irreversibly alter regional and global ecosystems.

One innovative approach to addressing these issues is the establishment of 2030 Districts across the country. The 2030 Districts are private-public-nonprofit partnerships comprised of local property owners, industry professionals, and community stakeholders. The goal of each district is to achieve 50 percent reductions in energy use, water consumption, and transportationrelated carbon emissions by 2030. These goals are modeled after the 2030 Challenge for Planning, issued by Architecture 2030, whose objective is to transform our built environment in order to accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral economy by 2050.

Through 2030 Districts, local property owners and building managers gain access to the tools and resources necessary to measure the performance of their building(s), as well as the knowledge of how to reduce resource use and achieve cost savings.

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greenliving | March 2019

TUCSON RECOGNIZED AS A 2030 DISTRICT Tucson recently became one of 22 cities across North America to adopt this novel way of combating climate-altering emissions, while simultaneously encouraging economic growth and saving local businesses money. The Tucson 2030 District was recognized as an Established District by the national network of 2030 Districts in December. The commitments from the University of Arizona (UA), the City of Tucson (CoT), and Pima County to become members of the District were significant to this achievement. This brought the total committed building space within the District to nearly 18 million square feet. The addition of these three major community organizations, along with a growing number of private sector members, considerably enriches the collaborative effort to navigate the complexities of mitigating climate change and increasing community resilience.

By convening these diverse partners, sponsors, and technical experts, challenges and best practices can be openly shared in a collaborative, iterative manner, helping to overcome some of the major barriers to greater operational sustainability.

Notably, the goals of the Tucson 2030 District align closely with those of the University. As part of the UA Strategic Plan released in November, the University has committed to a greenlivingaz.com

significant decrease in natural resource use, as well as a carbon neutrality date of 2040 or earlier – a full decade sooner than the original target date of 2050. The University also recently joined the University Climate Change Coalition, a network of top research institutions across North America dedicated to leveraging each university’s environmental research enterprise and international best practices to accelerate climate solutions, a clear point of connection and strength the University will bring as a 2030 District member.

FLAGSHIP EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM HELPS BUSINESSES AND STUDENTS The Tucson 2030 District has already helped to foster unique programming. Through its partnership with Local First Arizona, UA, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and the Community Investment Corporation (CIC), the flagship educational program SCALE UP (Sustainable Communities Accessing Lending and Expertise Upon Performance), was born in March 2018. Open to 11 locally owned, independent businesses, SCALE UP was a holistic series of workshops that offered education across six topical areas including energy efficiency and water conservation, giving these businesses the tools and resources necessary to create their own actionable sustainability plans. To incentivize the implementation of these plans, exclusive incentives and benefits were put together, including access to a Sustainability Revolving Loan Fund, courtesy of the CIC, giving businesses access to loans between Guests enjoying a Tucson 2030 event hosted by Hotel Congress, a member of the 2030 District. Photo by David Eisenberg.

greenlivingaz.com

$500 and $10,000 at below-market interest rates to finance improvements to and within their buildings.

SCALE UP has already allowed many of these businesses to meet the 2030 District’s goals, with plans in place for additional utility and cost savings, proving that environmental goals can align with the bottom line. SCALE UP also provided valuable career-based, experiential opportunities for seven UA students.

As Program Ambassadors, these students were educated on how to benchmark buildings using EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, and then assigned to participating building owners to assist in data collection and the development of recommendations for each business’ unique sustainability plan.

With the additions of UA, CoT, and Pima County, the Tucson 2030 District is poised for even more growth in 2019 and beyond. Plans include a continuation of the SCALE UP program, increased involvement by the University and its students, and access to new resources through an expanding portfolio of professional partners and grant procurement. The Tucson 2030 District is just one piece to the puzzle that is meaningful climate action; however, through this network and its engagement with all sectors, we can all work to build a more sustainable, resilient Tucson together.

Trevor Ledbetter is the Director for the University of Arizona’s Office of Sustainability and serves on the Tucson 2030 District Board of Directors. Please feel free to contact him at 520-621-1760 or tledbetter@email.arizona.edu if you are interested in collaborative partnerships with the University in the sustainability space.

March 2019 | greenliving

29

NEW BELGIUM BREWING COMPANY FAT TIRES, PEOPLE BEFORE PROFITS, AND THE ELEVATION OF BEER CULTURE

Photos courtesy of New Belgium Brewing Company

BY MELISSA GOODWIN

I

f I said the words “beer culture” to you, what would pop into your mind? Burly forearmed women with fists full of steins?

A sports fan with cans and siphons strapped to his hat? A Dalmatian and some Clydesdales? All those images have a place in the beer world. But what if I suggested an image of a brewery with solar panels on the roof and an on-site water treatment plant? How about a beer company that has donated over $10 million to charity through its grants program? Or a former CEO and current Executive Chair of the Board of Directors who has been named one of 2018’s 30 World-Changing Women in Conscious Business? That has a place, too, in the beer culture of New Belgium Brewing Company.

The word “culture” has become a bit trendy, which is why New Belgium’s website says that culture isn’t about what you say, it’s about what you do. And this brewing company does a lot.

Being a force for good has been a part of the company’s identity and vision since its start in 1991. To that end, it became certified as a B Corporation, meaning it’s certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. These standards are evident in every aspect of the business.

In its 2018 Force For Good Report, New Belgium outlined the company’s efforts to combat climate change. Water, barley, hops and fruit harvests have been hit hard by climate change.

To counter these effects, New Belgium has taken extraordinary

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measures to make its business green and sustainable. It works hard to reduce its greenhouse emissions by utilizing solar panels, creating electricity by using process wastewater, capturing and repurposing heat created in the brewing process, and achieving LEED certification. These efforts are not funded by passing the cost on to their customers, but by taxing itself on its purchased energy usage. That money is then used to fund the processes necessary to help reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

As impressive as New Belgium’s eco-conscious efforts are, its human-conscious achievements are downright stunning. In late 2012, employees were gathered together by CEO Kim Jordan to discuss the fact that the business had been sold. Each employee was handed an envelope; inside was a reveal of the new owners… a mirror. Their Employee Stock Ownership Plan had just gone from 42 to 100 percent employee ownership.

Kim told NPR, “My advisers said it’s really customary to give management ownership, but you really don’t want to give a forklift driver ownership. I said, ‘No, I really do want to give them ownership.’ To me, we were building this community and we were all in this together. I wanted to test the model where people in America get to own something where they build value.”

I spoke with Jesse Claeys, a New Belgium Brewing spokesperson, to find out how and why it was so important to build these values into the company from the get-go.

greenlivingaz.com

Green Living (GL): How did the commitment to being green and sustainable come about?

Jesse Claeys (JC): When our co-founders started the company in the basement of their home in 1991, they took a hike out to Rocky Mountain National Park, where they defined their core values and beliefs which would eventually be implemented company-wide. They included environmental stewardship, honoring nature at every turn as a business, being a business role model both socially and environmentally, creating jobs, having meaningful relationships with one another, and having fun.

GL: Making the modifications to your brewery to make it ecofriendly must have been enormously expensive. Was there ever a hesitation about the added costs?

JC: The reason we do all of this is because it makes business sense. There are certain motivations for getting into it and that comes from a deep place of compassion and understanding, but we wouldn’t be able to do it if we were not able to make a strong business case for it. Simply put, using less resources saves money.

It is just extremely smart, especially for the long-term health of our business, to make investments in sustainability, reduce our environmental impact, and enhance others’ lives.

New Belgium Brewery is 100% employee owned.

Kim Jordan, CEO of New Belgium Brewery.

GL: Are there ways that you’re contributing to the sustainability of your community, city, and state?

JC: We work primarily on three areas: climate change issues, land and water protections, and social equity. We also have a policy arm involved in advocacy around those areas. Then we have a philanthropic arm that supports our initiatives, values, and goals. We give away $1 per barrel of every barrel sold. There have been a number of areas where we’ve been successful.

Kim Jordan and her team have built a legacy at New Belgium Brewing Company whose effects have undeniably impacted the beer world. She has also shown how businesses can be a force for good by promoting positive social and cultural practices and committing to environmental stewardship. And by producing world-class beers in an environment of respect, creativity, and fun, she’s elevated beer culture to lofty, tasty new heights.

Find out more about New Belgium at www.newbelgium.com.

Melissa Goodwin is the owner of Wave Health and Pain Therapy, where she offers lowfrequency acoustic wave pressure therapy, a drug-free, non-invasive approach to total body health and pain relief. Learn more at wavehealthaz.com.

greenlivingaz.com

March 2019 | greenliving

31

CASTLE HOT SPRINGS RESORT REOPENS WITH GREEN WELCOME MAT

BY DAVID M. BROWN

I

n January 1945, a 28-year-old Massachusetts naval lieutenant recuperating pilots and injured officers like Kennedy. Because began a three-month rehabilitation at Castle Hot Springs, of this, the U.S. flag still flies 24 hours daily on Salvation Peak about 50 miles northwest of Phoenix in the Bradshaw overlooking the resort.

Mountains. Here at the luxury resort for American aristocracy – In the spirit of the president, today’s guests will rehabilitate. the Vanderbilts, Pews, Rockefellers and Wrigleys – he recovered “Castle Hot Springs will be a tranquil adult retreat with a ‘digital from a back injury sustained while commanding PT-109 in detox’ philosophy. There will be no televisions in the guest World War II. rooms, and the wireless signal will be limited to the main lodge,” John F. Kennedy convalesced until April 1945, hiking the says Steve Sampson, director of resort sales and marketing, and high-desert trails, playing the resort’s golf course and soaking national sales for the developer and resort manager, Scottsdaledaily in the hot springs, which produce approximately 220,000 based Westroc Hospitality. gallons daily of pure mineral water from a cistern estimated at Westroc partners Scott Lyon, Bill Nassikas and Pete Corpstein 10,000 feet deep. The hot soaks and hikes helped – 15 years later are well known for the Valley’s Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Kennedy became the 35th president of the United States.

Resort & Spa, Hotel Valley Ho, and the new Mountain Shadows.

After 40-plus years of ghost town conditions following a To develop Castle Hot Springs, they teamed with longtime December 1976 fire, the 220-acre Castle Hot Springs Resort Phoenix business owners Mike and Cindy Watts. reopened February 1, featuring many sustainable elements.

Accommodations include rooms in The Lodge; twelve The resort was opened in 1896 by Phoenix Guests wishing for relaxation, including on horseback, have been visiting Castle Hot entrepreneur Frank Murphy, who later promoted it Springs for more than a century. Photo courtesy Castle Hot Springs as “a rendezvous for the worn-out businessman or capitalist.” Here, his brother, Territorial Governor Nathan Oakes Murphy, made the first Arizona telephone call in 1902. Today’s guests can repeat this history from a phone booth in the beautifully reconstructed 1896 Lodge House.

Kennedy’s father, businessman and former ambassador to the Court of St. James, Joseph P. Kennedy, knew Walter Rounsevel, the general manager from 1923 to 1963. After rationing and food shortages closed the resort during World War II, Rounsevel leased the property in 1945 and 1946 to the U.S. Army Air Corps as a “rest center” for

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greenlivingaz.com

525-square-foot Spring Bungalows, with indoor/ outdoor gas fireplace and an adjacent private room with an open ceiling; and nineteen 378-square-foot Sky View Cabins, with large covered patios and telescopes for stargazing.

A spa cabana and relaxation area is available at the upper hot springs. “We have secured the services of professional spa therapists, yoga instructors, wellness consultants, equestrian wranglers, astronomers, and many other industry experts to conduct activities and daily workshops and seminars for our guests,” Sampson explains.

A LONGTIME RESERVATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY The hot springs also source in-room drinking, the restaurant, brewing in the Castle Hot Springs Brewery, irrigation, fire hydrants and pools. The water to irrigate the organic farm is recycled.

Scottsdale-based green building specialist, Edwards Design Group, incorporated a variety of sustainable elements into the buildings, including high-density spray foam insulation, highefficiency and long-life LED lighting, and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified lumber for the millwork. Other strategies include passive solar design, ultra-high SEER HVAC systems, and low-e windows and doors. All scrap metal, cardboard, and plastics from the construction debris was recycled. Solar arrays are planned.

In addition, onsite building materials such as stone, sand, and gravel were used whenever possible. The early 20th-century Stone House has been rebuilt with original rock mined from the nearby quarry and will serve as a function room and chapel for special events.

“Our guests will be transported on property only by electric vehicles,” Sampson says. “We have no disposable plastic items on the property, and all paper, glass, and cardboard will be recycled.”

The Spring Bungalow at Castle Hot Springs elegantly affirms the history of the property with rustic elegance and contemporary comforts. Photo by John Hall

AMENITIES INCLUDE A SUSTAINABLE FARM The Harvest restaurant in The Lodge serves a farm-fresh menu prepared by Executive Chef Christopher Brugman, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate and associate of Chef Charles Wiley at Hearth 61 in Mountain Shadows. The Castle Hot Springs Brewery will soon be creating its proprietary Lithium Lager and other fine ales on site.

The Farm at Castle Hot Springs includes a 1,237-square-foot greenhouse, which will yield 150-plus varieties of organic fruits and vegetables for Harvest. “One of my biggest goals is to be as environmentally conscious and sustainable as possible going forward,” says Ian Berger, the owner/lead farmer of Scottsdale’s Brother Nature Farms and the resort agronomist.

All crops are raised organically: pesticide- and herbicide-free, non-GMO with no synthetic fertilizers. Responsible crop rotation is part of the farming cycle, and beneficial insects will be used as required. Berger is also creating a closed-loop compost system to turn farm waste and kitchen scraps into soil for the garden.

“We want Castle Hot Springs to be what it was and even better today,” says resort owner Mike Watts. “We want it to be a haven for our clients to relax, re-center and enjoy their Arizona desert getaway, much as guests did a century ago, and, at the same time, to fulfill their expectations for 21st-century environmental responsibility.”

David M. Brown is an Arizona-based writer (www. azwriter.com).

greenlivingaz.com

March 2019 | greenliving

33

EACH MONTH WE FEATURE A GREEN CHAMPION WHO IS MAKING STRIDES IN THE GREEN COMMUNITY

TRACEY HASLAM

WESTECH RECYCLERS CEO LEADS BY EXAMPLE

BY HAILEY COLBRUNN

As a growing awareness about the world’s garbage crisis increasingly permeates news outlets and social media platforms, the recycling industry is feeling the responsibility to become part of the solution.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans generated about 254 tons of waste in 2013, and only 34.3 percent of that was recycled.

The facts and figures connected to U.S. behaviors and perceptions about recycling indicate a high awareness of paper and plastic recycling; however, what many people don’t know is that electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastestgrowing portion of the trash stream in the U.S. Of the 2.37 million tons of e-waste created in 2009, only 12.5 percent was recycled, says the EPA. That includes televisions, VCRs, DVD players, stereos, fax machines, tablets, computers and more.

As President and CEO of Westech Recyclers, Tracey Haslam is leveraging her position to educate businesses and people across the state about electronics recycling. She is working to set an example, and help develop systems and processes for a field that is in need of improvement.

Electronic waste is the fastest-growing waste stream on the planet, making up 70% of waste in landfills in the U.S. Photos courtesy of Westech Recyclers.

“As a strong woman leader in the math and science field, it was important to show my two girls that you can be a strong woman in the math and science field,” said Haslam.

“I really wanted to have a job that they would be proud of and to set a good example for them... [a job] that was close to home and reflected the values that I wanted for the family. So that’s how I got into recycling.”

Haslam’s experience and background working in the technology, product management, and business development industries bring strength and innovation to one of the oldest and largest recycling firms in the Southwest.

Westech Recyclers is a full-service certified electronics recycling company located in Phoenix, which serves businesses across the state of Arizona and throughout the Southwest. The company provides recycling services for electronic equipment which includes demanufacturing of the products into individual materials as well as preparing products for their implementation back into the electronics market.

“We do break down stuff to steel, to plastic, to copper, but if there’s a way we can harvest some value and reintroduce it into the market, that’s the best way,” says Haslam. Parts are reused to bring function back to equipment and electronics, which can then be sold at the company’s store or to other buyers. “We get a lot of laptops in from businesses that are just three years old, so they’re done with them and they upgrade. Well, they are still perfectly good laptops,” explains Haslam. “Reuse would be the best option to give them a second life in the market... maybe even a third life in the market.”

As the company grows and continues to educate businesses and the community about electronics recycling, Haslam anticipates developing new technology and strategies. “I’m a techie. I want to set an example for my kids. I want to do math and science and try new stuff... take an industry that’s ripe for improvement and improve the heck out of it,” says Haslam. “I want to make sure my kids get to live in a nicer world.”

Hailey Colbrunn moved to Arizona from Minnesota two years ago and finds continuous inspiration from the eclectic landscape and the opportunities for exploration.

If you want to nominate a Green Champion, please email editor@greenlivingaz.com

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greenlivingaz.com

First LEED Platinum Remodel in Arizona

HERS rating is 37 (63% more energy efficient than similar homes) • Soy-based stains and no VOC paint Bathroom with 200 year old vanity and recycled travertine flooring • Tankless hot water heater 100% wool Geoffrey Hurst carpets • Bamboo flooring • Energy Star appliances Gas cooktop & furnace • Xeriscape landscaping Jan Green REALTOR®, GREEN, SFR, EcoBroker® jan@gotgreen.info 602-620-2699 www.AzGreenRealty.com www.GotGreen.info® Green Maven Approved Site

SEPTEMBER 2018 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 9

DECEMBER 2018 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 12

NOVEMBER 2018 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 11

DRESS FOR SUCCESS + 10 QUESTIONS WITH DIANA YAZZIE DEVINE + ONE•N•TEN

OCTOBER 2018 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 10

COOL TO BE KIND

WHEN IT COMES TO CHARITY, THE ARIZONA COYOTES FOUNDATION HAS GOALS

THE BE KIND PEOPLE PROJECT

A MATTRESS Debbie Gaby is Beginning a New Chapter of Her Fairy-Tale Life

FIESTA BOWL CHARITIES + VETERANS MEDICAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL + ARIZONA SISTER CITIES

GOMPERS + 5 ARTS CIRCLE + GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK FAMILY PROMISE + LOCAL FIRST ARIZONA FOUNDATION + IMPACT ONE

Celebrating the people and groups who give generously and work to build the future of our community.

FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE + THE KNOCK + FRONTDOORS TV WITH CAREY PEÑA frontdoorsmedia.com

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March 2019 | greenliving

35

SHE’S GREEN JOHN BURKHART

HE’S GREEN

BREAKFAST

Product reviews from our eco-conscious couple John & Jennifer Burkhart

JENNIFER BURKHART

Breakfast may be touted as the “most important meal of the day,” but how many of us have time to make a nutritious meal? Luckily, there are some shortcuts and easy options to save time in the morning. But, what is sacrificed in the name of saving time? We definitely found out...

IAN’S

CINNAMON FRENCH TOAST STICKS, GLUTEN-FREE, DAIRY-FREE HE SAID: This is just like regular french toast. Regular french

toast that’s been infused with glue. Regular glue toast that’s been soaked in oil for a week. Seriously, this oil glue toast was really bad. The flavor wasn’t terrible; it tasted like cinnamon french toast. But the consistency was far from light and fluffy.

SHE SAID: The large box with a photo of perfect sticks of

toast was a bit deceiving. What tumbled out of the box was a shockingly small portion of bread, seemingly hacked up by machete-wielding monkeys. The recommended oven prep produced toast with a glazed texture so crunchy it was nearly inedible. Not even our kids finished these.

CLIF

CINNAMON ALMOND ENERGY GRANOLA, GLUTEN-FREE, USDA ORGANIC HE SAID: Yummy trail food right here. This energy granola

was light and crunchy with a nice sweet cinnamon taste. This one makes me want to dig out my camping gear and go hit the great outdoors... just as soon as it stops being cold, and rainy, and gross outside.

SHE SAID: Not the best granola I’ve had, but it’s got more

protein than most, at 8 grams per serving. In milk, some parts were very crunchy, but the oats became soggy really fast.

Finding the perfect speed for eating granola isn’t usually on my mind in the mornings! And personally, I’d like more cinnamon and almonds.

CALIFIA FARMS

CULTURED NUT MILK DRINK, MANGO, GLUTEN-FREE, VEGAN, NON-GMO HE SAID: This probiotic drink supports your digestive health with a bunch of cultures I can’t pronounce (Bifido.....huh?).

It had a strong mango flavor that made it seem more like a dessert than a health drink. And I honestly had to read the front label twice to realize it was dairy-free.

SHE SAID: Some probiotic drinks are heavy with sugar and

so sweet. This one was the perfect sweetness with a smooth, light mango flavor (not a huge fan of mango). It still has 12 grams of added sugar per 8 ounces, but also 10 billion CFUs (colony-forming units or live/active micro-organisms), and fiber too. Happy to see there are dairy-free probiotic drinks out there!

NATURE’S PATH FOODS INC.

QI’A COCOA COCONUT SUPERFLAKES CEREAL, GLUTEN-FREE, USDA ORGANIC HE SAID: Yum, I’m a sucker for chocolate cereal. I poured

a big bowl of this and drowned it in almond milk. I excitedly sat down at the table, scooped a bite, and sunk my teeth into disappointment. This cereal is like chocolate-flavored concrete chips. My jaw literally hurt after a small bowl.

SHE SAID: Not unlike an avocado, this cereal was only edible for half a second. It was either teeth-shatteringly crunchy or slimy-soggy in the blink of an eye. The flakes weren’t really worth it anyway, bland as they were. The coconut shreds were the only sweet thing about this cereal.

APPLEGATE NATURALS

CHICKEN AND MAPLE BREAKFAST SAUSAGE, GLUTEN-FREE HE SAID: Deliciously tasty little chicken sausages. They were sweet and maple-y up front with a nice chicken and black pepper taste after. Give me a couple of these and some eggs and toast, and I’m a happy camper.

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SHE SAID: Mornings can be hectic around here, so a quick 8-minute saute in the pan for tasty sausage? Yes, please!

I prefer less maple flavor (none, truthfully) but these had enough savory flavor to balance it out. I appreciate the absence of nitrates and nitrites too!

greenlivingaz.com

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS SUMMIT 2019

Water

Waste

Health

Food

Fashion

Energy

Education

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Air

9 Pillars of Sustainability

Celebration happy hour sponsored by Green Living, April 22: 4 pm - 7 pm Simple Solutions Summit, April 22: 10 am - 2:30 pm Phoenix City Council Chamber 200 W Jefferson Phoenix, AZ 85007

RSVP to attend at www.greenlivingaz.com/arizona-events/eco-events/ For sponsorships email sales@greenlivingaz.com or call 480-840-1589

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March 2019 | greenliving

37

RECIPES

A Colorful Spring Bouquet of Flavors NO-BAKE KETO CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BALLS

Recipe courtesy of Salomae Schroeder of My Gal Sal Bakery

INGREDIENTS: 1 cup peanut butter (or any smooth nut or seed butter) 4 tbsp butter, melted 1.5 cups powdered sugar (Erythritol or Swerve) 6 oz sugar-free chocolate (either a bar or chips) DIRECTIONS:

RADIANT RUBY PITAYA BOWL Recipe courtesy of Cameo Rose of Foxy Fruit Bowls & Smoothies

SERVES: 1 PREP TIME: 10 minutes BLEND INGREDIENTS: 1 medjool date, pitted 1/4 cup fresh organic fresh grapefruit juice 3 oz organic frozen pitaya puree 3 oz organic frozen cherries 5 oz organic frozen mango TOPPING INGREDIENTS: 1/4 cup gluten-free organic granola 1/8 cup goji berries Pinch of coconut flakes Pinch of organic orange zest

Mix the peanut butter, melted butter, and powdered sugar together (If your peanut butter batter is too runny and doesn’t stick, put in the fridge to set – about 30 minutes) Using a small cookie scoop, or your hands, roll out about 2 tablespoons of batter to form small balls. Lay them out on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Chill in the fridge for an additional 30 minutes. They must be very cold for the next step. Melt 6 oz. of sugar-free chocolate in a small, deep bowl for 10-20 seconds at a time in the microwave, stirring in between. Give your chocolate a good stir; it should be runny enough to fall off a spoon in ribbons but not so runny that it doesn’t coat your peanut butter balls. Place one truffle at a time into the bowl and using a spoon, rotate it onto all its sides, coating it evenly in chocolate. Use a fork to lift it up and allow the excess chocolate to fall off. Place the dipped truffles on the parchment paper lined baking sheet and let them chill for about an hour.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

1 peanut butter ball is 200 calories, 17 grams of fat, 5.9 protein, and 5 net carbs.

DIRECTIONS:

Using a high-speed blender or food processor, pour grapefruit juice into pitcher with medjool date (for best results, puree dates into a paste in advance or let soak in water for 10-20 minutes to soften). Add in pitaya, cherries, and mango to pitcher. Blend with a tamper or process on high for about 2-3 minutes, or until creamy consistency is reached. Scoop out of pitcher into a bowl and top with toppings of choice. We use and recommend the topping ingredients listed.

This recipe is featured at our shop January through March, during Phoenix’s citrus season, and utilizes local oranges and grapefruits as well as our house-made gluten-free granola.

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greenliving | March 2019

greenlivingaz.com

BLUE CHEESE DIP WITH BUFFALO CHICKEN STRIPS

Recipe courtesy of Jamie Miller, registered dietitian at Camelback Village Racquet & Health Club

SERVES: 4 (2 strips each) PREP TIME: 40 minutes INGREDIENTS FOR BLUE CHEESE DIP: 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese 6 oz fat-free Greek yogurt 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp white wine vinegar 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder salt and freshly ground black pepper DIRECTIONS:

Combine all ingredients and let chill in refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve with toasted whole grain pita or whole grain crackers and sliced veggies.

INGREDIENTS FOR BUFFALO CHICKEN STRIPS: 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 tablespoon oil 8 strips of chicken tenderloin (12.5 oz) 1/4 cup Frank’s Hot Sauce 4 celery stalks, trimmed to 4-inch strips Optional: 1/2 cup skinny blue cheese dressing

DIRECTIONS:

Combine garlic powder, paprika, chili powder and black pepper in a medium bowl. Season chicken with spices and toss to evenly coat the chicken. Heat half of the oil in a large non-stick sauté pan over medium-high heat; when hot, add half of the chicken and cook until golden, about 3-4 minutes, turn chicken and cook until center is no longer pink. Set aside; repeat with remaining oil and chicken. Pour the hot sauce over the chicken, tossing well. Serve with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing if desired.

MEDITERRANEAN 5 LAYER DIP

Recipe courtesy of Jamie Miller, registered dietitian at Camelback Village Racquet & Health Club

SERVES: 16 (¼ cup each) PREP TIME: 10 minutes INGREDIENTS: 1 lb hummus (family size) 1 large red bell pepper ½ English cucumber, diced 2 Roma tomatoes, diced 3 oz (1/3 cup) feta cheese, crumbled Optional: 1/4 cup black olives DIRECTIONS:

In an eight or nine inch round (or square) serving dish, spread the hummus evenly on the bottom of the dish. Layer everything else on top of the hummus. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve with toasted whole grain pita or whole grain crackers and sliced veggies. greenlivingaz.com

March 2019 | greenliving

39

GREENKIDS ”

THE POWER OF MUSIC

BY TAYLOR BURKE

S

ome days I don’t feel like getting out of bed. I don’t have the motivation to lift the sheets when I hear my alarm screaming.

Every kid has been there. I force myself up and walk across the almost frost-like tile floor to the bathroom, pick up my phone, and the sideways triangle “play” button makes waking up a little easier. I pick up my hairbrush microphone and sing with my favorite artist. Music is my favorite way to start the day.

On my walk to school, my imagination roams. I can’t control which thoughts come into my mind — good or bad. I can’t focus. My earbuds are my shelter from the rain. Music is my shield from negativity.

At school, I can’t control others, so music helps me control my own reactions to them. Every song has different notes like a fingerprint; maybe inside everyone is a unique song. “My” music makes me feel like a dove with strong wings, but feathers as fragile and beautiful as a butterfly. I can soar gracefully with the music’s beat. Other songs make me feel sad or furious, and every now and then can leak through my shield. But when I look in the mirror, everything is the same.

Negativity is something we all deal with sometimes. Music helps me deal with school drama. After school, I walk home, and my playlist is the one thing that can heal sadness. When you’ve had a bad day, music can grip your eardrum in a powerful hug no human could ever give.

My favorite way to finish a tiring day is in my cozy bed with cuddles from my dog, Bandit. I rest my mind until my lashes fall to my cheeks; everything is dark, silent, and empty. Perfect.

But I cannot sleep. My brain races. Suddenly I’m sweating and breathing faster. No one is in my room to calm me, so I go to Christina Perri and Grace Vanderwaal, my favorite artists. They lullaby me to sleep like a baby cradled in its mother’s arms. My body flips off like a switch.

This cycle repeats day after day. For me, music is always there.

In a hum in my head, or jamming out with my friends. In a dance, on the radio, an iPad, or iPhone, to millions of people around the world. That’s powerful.

Through music, I’ve made great friends. It’s made me closer to

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my musical family. It brings back memories of specific people or times. Musical memes make me giggle when I need it. Music has shown me parts of myself I cannot see or explain.

So when you’re feeling a little glum, remember, music is always there. It can help heal any trouble that comes your way. The right song allows you to run another mile when your legs are stretched like rubber bands, and you don’t have the motivation to run anymore. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, whatever you’re thinking, there’s always a melody at your side. You are your own song… don’t let anyone change a single note!

I am a junior high student and if I could describe myself in one word, I’d use creative! I love drawing, writing, and singing… it’s my life. Hope you enjoyed my article!

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2018 HONDA CLARITY PLUG-IN HYBRID CHOOSE BETWEEN GASOLINE HYBRID OR FULL ELECTRIC OPERATION

BY C. HAIRE

T

he Clarity is Honda’s answer to drivers who see the advantage of electric cars, but don’t want to be limited by their short range. Eco-friendly and able to go the distance – this car offers the best of both worlds.

The solution offered on this Honda is simple. First, a charging cord is plugged into an electrical socket. In a standard household outlet, charging time is 14 hours; in a stronger 240-volt plug, about three hours. This gives the Clarity battery system the ability to drive 47 miles on electric/battery only. After the main battery is depleted, the gasoline/hybrid system cuts in, operating like any other hybrid vehicle.

If you charge the car twice a day, you can get 90 miles of electric driving without ever having to visit a gas station. On a long trip, the hybrid system will give you a claimed fuel economy of 42 mpg. With a seven-gallon gas tank and charged battery, this translates to a maximum range of 340 miles, or 294 on a depleted battery. If you drive 47 miles to work on electric and 47 miles back using gas, you’ll average 95 mpg.

For people who take short trips to the market, work, and dropping kids off to school, this car is advantageous. I had errands to run every day, so I charged the battery and made it

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home before the 47-mile range was depleted. In seven days, I ran up 260 miles of driving without spending a penny on gas.

For longer, out-of-town trips, a seven-gallon tank means plenty of pit stops. The posted 294-mile range looks good on paper, but when you hit 220, it’s best to play it safe and fill up again. My real-world fuel economy was 40 mpg highway. Like most newer hybrid/electric cars, there is no spare tire provided. There’s a cheap repair kit in the storage area but it’s best to bring a spare for longer trips.

THE TAKEAWAY This is a pleasant car for daily commuting. I don’t care for the tiny dash controls, but otherwise, it’s very comfortable and quiet.

These are 100 percent Japanese-made, so it’s no surprise the quality is outstanding. The reasonable price is a surprise though.

This is a loaded Touring version, which comes with everything standard, like leather trim, and all the luxury toys – for $37,490.

The base car with fewer goodies is $33,400. Add Honda reliability at no extra charge, and we have a winner.

C. Haire writes reviews of hybrid or gas-saving vehicles for Green Living magazine. He also reviews cars for Arizona magazines, newspapers, and local TV audiences.

March 2019 | greenliving

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AN INCONSPICUOUS TREASURE IN THE SONORAN DESERT IRONWOOD FOREST NATIONAL MONUMENT

BY R J BRENNER

A

lthough it’s difficult to compete with the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, the combination of Arizona’s diverse topography and ancient cultural history offers endless opportunities to discover off-the-beaten-path roads and little-known travel destinations. Exploring these hidden gems provides a sense of place, and peace, not found at more popular sites and attractions.

In Southern Arizona, the Sonoran Desert landscape diversity rivals that of any other terrestrial ecoregion on Earth. Its six ecological biomes — desert, thorn scrub, semi-desert woodland, Madrean evergreen woodland, interior chaparral, and temperate forest — span more than 100,000 square miles. According to the National Park Service, the Sonoran Desert is thought to have the greatest species diversity of any desert in North America with 560 fauna and more than 2,000 flora species.

Even more striking than species diversity may be the tremendous variability in Sonoran Desert lifeforms and their adaptability to withstand the desert’s extremes — soaring heat to frigid temperatures, and monsoon rain to extreme aridity are the hallmarks of this remarkable Sonoran Desert ecosystem.

Less than two hours south of Phoenix and forty minutes west of Tucson, an inconspicuous treasure awaits exploration by weekend travel warriors: Ironwood Forest National Monument (IFNM). When viewed on a map, its boundaries form what resembles a sideways ‘W’ encompassing 129,000 pristine acres

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Ragged Top Mountain in the IFNM. Photo by Osha Gray Davidson.

of habitat. Officially designated a national monument in June 2000, it contains a rich collection of ironwood trees, a keystone species of the Sonoran Desert.

Ironwoods, also known as desert ironwood (Olneya tesota), live in excess of 800 years, some as long as 1,500 years, and grow nowhere else in the world. Due to the dense nature of these trees, wood from them will sink when placed in water.

Members of the pea family (Fabaceae), the trees can grow to a height of 45 feet and their leaves and lavender-colored flowers resemble those of a sweet pea.

In IFNM, ironwoods are the dominant ‘nursery’ plant and offer notable benefits to other desert species: roosting sites for hawks and owls, forage for desert bighorn sheep, protection for saguaro cacti, burrows for tortoises, flowers for native bees, dense canopies for nesting birds, and protection against sunburn for night blooming cereus.

In addition to the iconic ironwood, stands of palo verde and saguaro blanket the monument floor in IFNM beneath the rugged Silver Bell, Waterman, and Sawtooth Mountain ranges.

Above it all, at just under 4,000 feet, Ragged Top Peak towers over the plains as the biological and geological crown jewel. The desert bighorn sheep dwelling in the region are the last viable population indigenous to the Tucson basin.

Elevations in the monument range from 1,800 to 4,261 feet offering ideal habitat for several endangered and threatened greenlivingaz.com

species, including Nichols Turk’s Head cactus, lesser long-nosed bat, and cactus ferruginous pygmy owl.

Three areas within the monument, the Los Robles Archeological District, the Cocoraque Butte Archeological District and the Mission of Santa Ana del Chiquiburitac, constructed in the late 1700s for Spanish Franciscan friars, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Humans have inhabited the region for more than 5,000 years and more than 200 Hohokam and Paleo-Indian archaeological sites have been identified dating to between 600 and 1450. Evidence of the Hohokam people dominates the archaeological record, with sites that include numerous artifacts, roasting pits, and petroglyphs.

In recent studies conducted by the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society (AAHS), as many as 11,200 petroglyphs have been discovered in two sites affiliated with the monument. This is possibly the largest collection in the Southwest. According to research team leader Janine Hernbrode, an independent rock art researcher, many of the petroglyphs reflect ‘Flower World’ imagery characterized by colorful sunrises and sunsets, flowers, iridescent birds, dancing butterflies, and rainbows.

In addition to the petroglyphs, more than 120 bell rocks have been discovered within the monument. Bell rocks or ringing rocks, also known as lithophonic rocks, are boulders that resonate like bells when struck. Physically these rocks look just like other rocks but scientists do not know why one rock rings and another doesn’t.

As a member of the pea family, ironwoods bloom lavender-colored flowers like those of a sweet pea. Photo by Jim Avramis.

Butte petroglyphs with an old ironwood tree in the background.

Photo by Lauren Trench.

“Ancient peoples may have used the rocks as a sort of alarm system or used them in sacred or ceremonial rituals,” said Dr. Boyle, an independent researcher working under the auspices of AAHS. “It is likely ancient peoples gathered and played them similarly to how musical instruments are played today.”

Given its fairly remote location and dirt tracks requiring high-clearance vehicles, the best way to explore the monument is through scheduled tours and hosted programs coordinated by Friends of Ironwood Forest (FOIF). Be sure to catch this year’s annual spring event, Meet the Monument, March 16 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Presentations by experts on topics like saguaros, archeology, bighorn sheep, and the role of the Wilderness Society and the BLM will be offered.

Interpretive exhibits and walkabouts led by local naturalists provide visitors with insights about what sets this region apart and how to protect it. “Recent governmental actions to downsize the country’s national monuments makes protecting them increasingly important,” says Tom Hannagan, President of the Board of FOIF. For more information about Ironwood Forest National Monument or Meet the Monument, visit www.ironwoodforest. org and www.blm.gov/visit/ironwood.

R J Brenner is a freelance journalist specializing in travel and natural history articles. With a degree in Communication from Miami University, she is currently working on her first book.

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March 2019 | greenliving

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COOLOUTRAGEOUSSTUFF 100% RECYCLED TOILET PAPER

What happens to your toilet paper when it gets flushed down the drain? Is it biodegradable?

Who Gives a Crap toilet paper is an alternative, green option. This toilet paper is free of inks, dyes and scents, and is made with 100 percent recycled paper (no trees!). It’s also delivered right to your front door. Who Gives a Crap donates 50 percent of its profits to help improve sanitation in the developing world, and build toilets for the 2.3 billion people around the world who don’t have access. Buy yours at www.us.whogivesacrap.org

TRANSPORTABLE REUSABLE BAG/DRINK HOLDER

You know that feeling when you get to the checkout line and realize you’ve left all 45 reusable bags at home or in the car? What if you had a tool to make it easier for you to keep track of and carry your bags and other stuff? Toolaloo can lighten your load. It’s a multi-function tool that attaches to your shopping cart to hold drinks and reusable bags.

You can use the convenient headrest hook to store your reusable bags in the car so they’re ready when you need them. Toolaloo’s simple handle makes it easy to transport your reusable bags from your car to the house. Toolaloo is made in the USA with postindustrial materials and comes with a money-back guarantee. Get it at www.toolaloo.com

NATURALLY ORGANIC HAIR PRODUCTS THAT COMBAT HAIR LOSS

Dorian `Rue science-based hair care products are made with organic plants proven to produce hair scalp growth. Neroli, rosemary, jasmine, chamomile, aloe vera, lavender and other naturally organic ingredients make hair thicker and fuller, and can even promote hair growth in people with thinning hair. Dorian `Rue products include Deep Moisture Replenishing Shampoo and Conditioner, Essential Curling Custards, Naturally Pure Argan Oil Styling Gel, and Defining Edge Tamer Gel. All products are free of sulfates, parabens, PEGs, dyes and artificial fragrance. Take a look at www.dorianrue.com

RECYCLED FRAMES FOR GLASSES

You can be stylish and good to the environment when you wear Sunski sunglasses.

Sunski is a San Francisco-based company that offers SuperLightTM Recycled Frames, made from post-industrial scrap plastic that would otherwise be bound for the landfill.

Sunski glasses are comfortable, polarized, super light and come with a Forever Warranty. And, bonus: Sunski donates 1 percent of all sales to environmental nonprofits. Get your own pair at www.sunski.com

REUSABLE SNACK BAGS

Get rid of the plastic and switch to silicone, reusable, green snack bags from Stasher – “the evolution of storage bags.” Available in a variety of colors and sizes, Stasher’s 100 percent pure platinum food grade silicone bags are perfect for snacks like fruits, vegetables, pretzels, crackers and more. Because they’re made of silicone, you can also use them for baking, microwaving, boiling and freezing. Or you can store toiletries and make-up. They are washable in hot water (hand or top rack of the dishwasher). Stashers provide an alternative to plastic, which our planet desperately needs. Great as a gift or for your own family! Buy at www.stasherbag.com

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greenliving | March 2019

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GREEN SCENES

MARCH CALENDAR OF EVENTS CENTRAL ARIZONA

March 1-3

MARICOPA COUNTY HOME AND GARDEN SHOW

There will be 1000 exhibit spaces at the show with home improvement companies, interior designers vignettes, specialty products garden pavilion, ask the experts, landscape display, boutique products marketplace, seminars on remodeling/ decorating and gardening, and prize drawings. Price is $8 per ticket. The show will be held at State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Dr., Glendale, AZ 85305. For more information, please visit www. maricopacountyhomeshows.com

March 2-3

HEARD MUSEUM GUILD INDIAN FAIR & MARKET

The Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market is a long-standing, nationally recognized event. It is the largest art market in Arizona. Furthermore, it is the secondlargest market of its kind in the country.

Participants include more than 600 Native artists from 116 tribal affiliations in the U.S. and Canada. A variety of traditional and cutting-edge media dazzle visitors each year. Also noteworthy are live performances on two stages, storytelling, crafts, book signings, artists’ demonstrations, and featured artists. Held the first weekend of March, the event attracts over 15,000 guests and has become a gathering place for art lovers and the community to celebrate and learn about Native arts and cultures. Ticket price for non-members is $20. The fair will be held at the Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004. For more information, please visit www.heard.org/fair

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March 2-3

March 8-10

Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish hosts delicious Polish cuisine and beer, folk dances, Polish music and activities for the whole family, plus a souvenir boutique.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission and parking are free. The festival will be held at 2828 W. Country Gables Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85053. For more information about the festival, please visit http://festiwal. polskaparafiaphoenix.com

Long recognized as one of the top art fairs in America, the Scottsdale Arts Festival is a three-day-long celebration of art, music, food and family fun. The event features 170+ jury-selected artists from throughout the United States and Canada, continuous live music and entertainment on two stages, gourmet food trucks and vendors, creative activities for kids at the Community Art Studio family area, free admission to Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and more. Single-day tickets are $12. The festival will be located at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251.

For more information about this festival, please visit www.scottsdaleartsfestival.org

16TH ANNUAL POLISH FESTIVAL

March 7-10

66TH ANNUAL PARADA DEL SOL RODEO

Events at the rodeo include bareback bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, cowgirl’s barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping and tie-down roping. Parada del Sol is a non-profit corporation that provides financial and volunteer support to charities that provide health care, resources, and community programs that benefit the underserved.

Tickets cost between $10 and $45 depending on which performances you select. For more information about the rodeo, please visit www.paradadelsol.net

SCOTTSDALE ARTS FESTIVAL

March 16

COFFEE AND SUSTAINABILITY – A DOWNTOWN TOUR

The tour will take place on Roosevelt Row, and you will join Local First and some profound local coffee experts for a walking tour of sustainable coffee and local art.

They will be meeting with multiple coffee companies and experts along their trek down Roosevelt Row. Coffee professionals of the day will range from roasters to cold brewers and from coffee shop owners to sustainability experts. This tour will culminate in a lively conversation at Local First’s own Modified Art Gallery. The tour lasts from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Prices range from $15 to $20. The tour starts at Fair Trade Café, 1020 N. 1st Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003. For more information about this tour, please visit www.localfirstaz.com/ events/coffee-and-sustainability

March 2019 | greenliving

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GREEN SCENES

MARCH CALENDAR OF EVENTS CENTRAL ARIZONA

BUSINESS

March 13

SCOTTSDALE FORWARD 2019

March 23

March 30

The 15th annual Salsa Festival will be held at Copper Sky Regional Park on Saturday, March 23, 2019, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Festival guests will enjoy kids’ games and activities in the Little Pepper Zone. Salsa chefs will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in the highly competitive salsa competition and compete for cash prizes. There will also be food, spirits, and entertainment by local entertainers.

Admission is free, but there is a $5 parking fee. For more information about this event, please visit www.maricopa-az.gov/web/ salsa-festival

Celebrating a decade of delicious family fun in downtown Chandler, the 102.5 KNIX Great American Barbeque & Beer Fest returns on Saturday, March 30, from noon to 10 p.m. This year, the event will feature country music on dual stages across the main lawn for uninterrupted, continuous live performances throughout the day.

A family-friendly expanded VIP zone, petting zoo, carnival, and more interactive experiences are also featured. With BBQ pitmasters, beer, spirits and novelty food items, the 10th anniversary event will offer a full day of finger-licking good food and amazing drinks to wash it all down.

For more information, please visit www. chandlerbbq.com

15TH ANNUAL MARICOPA SALSA FESTIVAL

March 29-31

SPRING TEMPE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

The Tempe Festival of the Arts is a community event that showcases over 350 artists. This urban fine arts festival features visual artists from around the country.

There are two stages with live music all three days, a Kids Block including a K-12 exhibition, a wine tasting event, and many other features that make it a festival for the entire family. Free admission. The festival will take place at 281 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ. For more information, please visit www. tempefestivalofthearts.com

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greenliving | March 2019

THE GREAT AMERICAN BARBEQUE & BEER FESTIVAL

Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce hosts this annual economic development symposium, featuring timely, valuable information to help business leaders, developers, and others learn where Scottsdale’s economy is headed. The program is Wednesday, March 13 at 7am at Scottsdale Community College. For more information and to register, please visit http://scottsdalechamber.chambermaster. com/events/details/scottsdaleforward-2019-10810

March 28

USGBC ARIZONA HEAVY MEDALS AWARDS BREAKFAST

This important event supports and highlights the work of Arizona building owners and their teams for accomplishing LEED® certification for their buildings.

The seventh annual Heavy Medals Awards celebration is March 28 from 9 a.m. to noon at Audubon Arizona, 3131 S. Central Ave. in Phoenix. Featuring keynote speaker Colin Tetreault from S2 Consulting, the event will include networking, breakfast, and a recognition program. For more information, visit www.eventbrite. com/e/usgbc-arizona-heavy-medalstickets-55786562109

March 28-30

ASU’S THE SUSTAINABILITY OPPORTUNITY: 3-DAY PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE

This course is designed for mid-career professionals in the private sector who want to gain an advantage by reorienting their abilities. Sustainability strategies reduce cost through efficiency, increase revenue, and help organizations come out on top in the talent war. Participants will leave with tangible and applied tools, and a plan for leveraging organizational change. Classes are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the ASU Tempe campus. To register, visit www.sustainability.asu.edu/events/ rsvp/sustainability-opportunity-3-dayprofessional-certificate-program

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GREEN SCENES

MARCH CALENDAR OF EVENTS SOUTHERN ARIZONA

NORTHERN ARIZONA

March 2-3

TUCSON FESTIVAL OF BOOKS

The annual Tucson Festival of Books is coming back. The festival has a whole range of authors who will be at the event, literary awards, panel discussions, and so much more. The range of literature that will be presented is very wide, from children’s books to adult fiction. It will be held on the University of Arizona campus from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information about the festival and author appearances, please visit www.tucsonfestivalofbooks.org

March 16-17

TOMBSTONE WILD WEST DAYS

The 10th annual Tombstone Wild West Days is back. There will be a salute to the men and women who are serving in the armed services, as well as street activities, and a Salute to the Troops parade on March 16 at 11 a.m. The times of the Wild West Days are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about this event, please visit www.tombstonechamber.com/event/ wild-west-days-salute-to-the-troops

March 22-24

FOURTH AVENUE SPRING STREET FAIR

This nearly 50-year-old, family-friendly tradition brings over 600,000 people to the heart of the Old Pueblo every year.

The fair hosts artists from around the world, decadent food, local entertainment and a lot of fun! The event is biannual, taking full advantage of our wonderful

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March 9 Sonoran Desert climate, with one in the winter and the other in spring. The fair is produced by the North Fourth Avenue Merchants Association, Inc., a local nonprofit. Funds are used to support the Avenue’s infrastructure, invest in local neighborhoods and other nonprofits, and to create other free community events throughout the year on Historic Fourth Avenue. The fair takes place from 10 a.m. to dusk every day. For more information, please visit www.fourthavenue.org/fourthavenue-spring-street-fair

NORTHERN ARIZONA

March 1-3

SOUTHWEST LEATHER WORKERS TRADE SHOW

The Southwest Leather Workers Trade Show is a weeklong event that includes workshops, the Prescott Leather Art Exhibition, the leather carving contest, and the leather trade show. Prescott is the perfect venue for the trade show, which has become a favorite in the industry. The show will take place at Prescott Resort and Conference Center, 1500 E. State Route 69, Prescott, AZ 86301. For more information about this event, please visit www.visitwhc. org/events.html

ARCHAEOLOGY DAY

Join archaeologists and demonstrators for an afternoon of exploring how prehistoric people lived. Try out ancient technology and weapons, create your own pinch pot, and sample some Anasazi stew. This event is a part of Archaeology Awareness month.

Adult tickets are $12 and youth tickets are $8. The event takes place at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

For more information about this event, please visit www.musnaz.org

March 11

HOWLIN’ FOR THE PLATEAU

Museum of Northern Arizona Artist in Residence, Ed Kabotie, will share songs and stories that express his love for the sacred lands of the Colorado Plateau. This is part of the Sedona Muses 2019 Lecture Series, which features the theme “For the Love of the Land.” Tickets are $7 for non-members.

The event takes place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m at Sedona United Methodist Church, 110 Indian Cliffs Road, Sedona, AZ 86336.

For more information, please visit https:// business.flagstaffchamber.com/events/ details/howlin-for-the-plateau-23106

March 2019 | greenliving

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Moving?

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