I CAN Drive 55

Check out this link that has info about how much gas you can save when you slow down a bit on the highway and drive 55 mph.

http://action.sierraclub.org/site/SPageNavigator/Drive55_pledge

Take the pledge and save on your gasoline bill this Memorial Day weekend.

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What's Happening to the Bees?

Here's a piece on cnn.com today about more bees being lost.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/05/06/disappearing.bees.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

This is of great concern because the bees pollinate the fruits, vegetables and nuts that we eat.

While we're talking about bees... We have local sources of honey. Colvin Run Mill has an apiary and sells their honey in the country store. Sometimes, they have programs showing how the bees make honey and how it is harvested. There are also beekeepers in our area and more are joining the list every day. I have a friend in Nokesville who is expecting her bees any day now for her new apiary. Check out our local farmer's markets for local honey.

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Smart Markets

There are 2 new farmer's markets in our area that are up and running now!

Check out their web site for more information.

www.smartmarkets.org

I read that chef, Emeril Legasse, will be at the Fair Lakes location every other Wednesday taping his new show "Emeril Green" for Discovery's newest channel, Planet Green. The shows will begin airing in July.

You can read more about Planet Green at www.planetgreen.com.

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Bright Futures!

The students of Newington Forest are taking part in the Bright Futures Project. They are selling compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) to make a positive impact on energy conservation and the environment. CFLs last longer and save more energy than traditional incandescent lightbulbs.

We could prevent 150 million lbs. of greenhouse gasses from our region's atmosphere -- the equivalent of planting over 50,000 trees - and help local consumers save more than $13 million in energy costs!

It's a different kind of fundraiser. This is a great way for each student to make a difference and at the same time earn money for the school's PTA.

There is an awards program too. The student selling the most packs of CFLs (between Arlington and Fairfax Counties) will win an iPod Nano. Four runner up students will receive iPod Shuffles. The school with the highest sales will be awarded $1000 grant.

Find out more at:
http://www.brightfuturesproject.org/

Students are taking orders now. Order forms and money should be turned in to the teachers by Tuesday, May 6th. The CFLs will be distributed on Wednesday, May 28th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. Pamphlets about recycling the CFLs will be given to each parent when they pick up the bulbs.

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