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May2012 News

Got Thoughts about Bluegrass Greenworks? Share them PLEASE!

The BGI board is currently engaged in a discussion about how best to use the tools we have developed to forward our mission of Building a World-Class Green Community and we would like to open the discussion up to our readers.  If you are a regular GreenLink reader and you’re always thinking, “Boy, I wish Greenworks did such and such,” please share that such and such with us!


Thanks for Help with April Projects!

Bluegrass Greenworks (BGI) had a busy April and has many folks to thank for the successful publication of the 7th Annual Bluegrass GreenGuide and the 4th Edition of the Bluegrass GreenZone at the Central KY Home Garden & Flower Show in particular.

The 7th Edition of the GreenGuide was released the first week in April, featuring over 300 green businesses and organizations.  It is currently available at newsstands all over Lexington and surrounding counties.  Thanks go out to the following folks without whom the publication would not be possible:

Production/Distribution ….…….   Heidi Weigel

Layout/Graphics ………………..  Carolyn Gilles

Proofing …………………………   Theresa Archer

Online GreenGuide Web Host ..  Hensley Elam & Associates, LLC

We’d also like to thank Greg Doyle and Doyle Water Distributors for receiving and storing the GreenGuides for us

The GreenZone was a great success again at the April 12-15 Central KY Home, Garden & Flower Show, exposing 20 green businesses and 7 non-profit community groups to many thousands of attendees. BGI must first thank show manager Doug Hart with MAC Productions + owners Mike & Beck Claypool. Thanks also to volunteers Ed Sweeney, Phil Henry-Sadlo, Keith Rodgers and Patrick Johnson for staffing the BGI Booth.


GreenGroups Quarterly Meeting May 18

The UK College of Agriculture Environmental and Natural Resources Initiative (ENRI) and Bluegrass Greenworks (BGI) will host the 2nd GreenGroups Quarterly Meeting for 2012 - 9 AM Friday, May 18 at UK’s ES Good Barn - Corner of University Drive and Farm Rd, across from Commonwealth Stadium.

The meeting is open to representatives of any group which is engaged in activities which fall under the broad “green” heading, or any individual who just wants to learn what’s going in the Central KY Green Community and get involved.

The purpose of the meeting is to bring representatives of local green groups together to share information and ideas, and increase collaboration on community projects. The usual agenda includes:  1) Self-introductions, announcements and meeting agenda overview.  2) A PowerPoint containing the Accomplishments, Projects & Goals, Needs, Collaboration Ops, and Key Contacts for each participating group. Each group with a representative present may have a minute or two to elaborate on their slide(s).  3) Breakout discussions for community projects (requested 2 weeks prior to the meeting if possible).

To Participate

Contact Ben Perry - (859) 523-4773, ben@bluegrassgreenworks.org to request the PPT slide or email template by which to submit your group’s information.

You may also request a breakout session for after the group PowerPoint, to discuss a community project for which you need collaboration and/or feedback. Please request your breakout by Monday, May 14, so we can get the word out and groups who want to participate in your breakout can plan to send a representative. 

Your information will be shared at the meeting, emailed to area green groups + placed on local TV bulletin boards that are made available to us. The PowerPoint will also record the activity across the local green community for archival purposes.

 

April 2012 News

7th GreenGuide hits newsstands 1st Week of April

 After 5 months of planning and 2 months of focused effort, the 7th Edition of the Bluegrass GreenGuide will be hitting the newsstands THIS WEEK! You will find it at over 600 locations throughout Central KY including all Krogers and health food stores.  The GreenGuide will also be featured in the GreenZone at the Central KY Home, Garden & Flower Show – April 12-15 at Heritage Hall!

 The Purpose of the GreenGuide is to connect consumers with goods, services and resources that will help realize our mission of Building a World-Class Green Community. It is a one-stop resource for businesses, schools, government agencies, non-profits, community groups and other resources that can help take our mission from rhetoric to reality. 

 GreenGuide Tips

1) Use It Early and Often!  Keep it in a convenient location and make it the first place you turn for your daily wants and needs.

2) Talk It Up! Let the businesses you find through the GreenGuide know where you found them and share it with your friends, family and co-workers.

3) Help Grow the Green Marketplace!  Ask businesses to expand their green products, services, information and practices, and then increase your patronage with them when they do.  

4) Help Grow the Guide! Help us identify good prospects for the GreenGuide and put them in touch with us.

5) Help Maintain the Integrity of the Green Marketplace!  Hold businesses to their claims and promises.

6) Express your Appreciation! Thank businesses for their participation in the GreenGuide and for their commitment to the community.

 Thanks to the generous and visionary folks in the business, education, government and non-profit sectors who have supported and participated in the 7th Edition. We want to thank our dedicated staff for their great work, plus Sandy Swayze for her many years of work on the GreenGuide leading up to this issue.  Finally, we want to thank those of you who use the GreenGuide and bluegrassgreenworks.org to help Build a World-Class Green Community!

 For more information contact Ben Perry at (859) 523-4773 or ben@bluegrassgreenworks.org

 

GreenZone coming April 12-15

            BGI will again be the title sponsor for the GreenZone at the 2012 AAA Central KY Home, Garden & Flower Show - the largest annual consumer trade show in the Lexington area for over 35 years.  The 2012 GreenZone will feature the following Exhibitors:

Bluestone Geologic

Bluegrass Greenworks

Bluegrass PRIDE

BlueGrass WindPower

Comfort Master Heating & Air

Dave Leonard Tree Specialists

happyPLACE home improvement supplies & design

EConsulting

EcoRefinishers

Epiphany Foam Insulation

Furniture Medic

Habitat for Humanity Restore

Howards Creek Authentic Beer Cheese

KY Water Fuel Museum

Landmark Log Homes

LFUCG Environmental Commission

Lucia’s World Friendly Boutique

Prajna Design & Construction

Rc3

Seal Smart

Simply Nutrition

Solar Energy Solutions

KENTUCKY eSCRAP

Vespa Lexington

 

Show Details

THE BLUEGRASS GREEENWORKS GREENZONE at the AAA CENTRAL KENTUCKY HOME, GARDEN & FLOWER SHOW

WHAT: 5,000+ square feet of exhibits, demonstrations, products and services

WHEN: April 12-15, 2012 (Thurs-Fri 5-10pm, Sat 11am-10pm & Sun 12-7pm)

WHERE: Heritage Hall at Lexington Center

 

Not too late to participate!  As of 3/28/12 there was one commercial space left and several FREE 3-5 hour shifts available for non-profits, educators or community groups.  Contact Ben Perry at (859) 523-4773 or ben@bluegrassgreenworks.org for more information. See you in the GreenZone!


March2012 News

GreenGuide Deadline March 9 for Businesses & Organizations

Bluegrass Greenworks has built one of the most comprehensive green community-building networks in the US, with over 290 businesses/organizations and 2600 individuals, and GROWING through effective branding and exposure in the green-minded community.  Whether you chose a free listing, an enhanced listing or display ad, you will be a part of Central Kentucky’s Go-To Resource for Green Businesses and Organizations since 2006 and help support our award-winning network.  See below for more information and contact Ben Perry at (859) 523-4773 or ben@bluegrassgreenworks.org for more information.

Important Dates

February 1 - Listings & Ads accepted for 2012-2013 Bluegrass GreenGuide (7th Edition)  

March 9 – Listing & Ad Commitments Due (Ads/Listings due March 16)   

April 1 – News Stand Distribution Begins           

April 12-15 – GreenGuide featured in GreenZone – Central KY Home, Garden & Flower Show

The GreenGuide offers:

·         15,000 Copies distributed to 600+ Central KY locations April 1-4                              ·         Stay in front of MOTIVATED GREEN CONSUMERS for up to 12 months!                ·         OFFICIAL KICKOFF at the Central KY Home, Garden & Flower Show GREENZONE ·         Free Listings for Education, Government & Non-Profit Groups + Qualified Businesses                                                                                                          ·         Join a network of 290+ businesses & organizations + over 2,100 green consumers*

* GreenBiz membership required - Click Here for details (Free & Fee-Based options available)


April 12-15 GreenZone – Free Non-Profit time slots now available       

BGI will again be the title sponsor for the “Bluegrass Greenworks GreenZone” at the 2012 AAA Central KY Home, Garden & Flower Show - the largest annual consumer trade show in the Lexington area for over 35 years. The business spaces are full, and we are now booking spaces and time slots for non-profit/educational organizations.   If you are a green organization seeking to reach out to the community, there is NO BETTER OPPORTUNITY to get your message out to the public. 

Available Time Slots

Thursday (April 12)  - 5-10 pm   

Friday (April 12)  - 5-10 pm                                                                    

Saturday (April 12)  - 11am-2 pm + 2-5pm + 5-10pm    

 Sunday Evening (April 12)  - 12-3pm + 3-7pm   

Note: Groups must to commit to a full shift and staff it from beginning to end


THE BLUEGRASS GREEENWORKS GREENZONE at the AAA CENTRAL KENTUCKY HOME, GARDEN & FLOWER SHOW

WHEN: April 12-15, 2012 (Thurs-Fri 5-10pm, Sat 11am-10pm & Sun 12-7pm)

WHERE: Heritage Hall at Lexington Center

WHAT: 5,000+ square feet of exhibits, demonstrations, products and services

Contact Ben Perry at (859) 523-4773 or ben@bluegrassgreenworks.org for more information. See you in the GreenZone!


February 2012 News


Greenworks’ Upcoming Projects

BGI has a very busy late winter and early spring and we invite you to Get Connected, Get Informed and Get Involved in the following projects.

 February 17

New Project to air GreenGroups info on Insight Cable

 The UK College of Agriculture Environmental and Natural Resources Initiative (ENRI) and Bluegrass Greenworks Inc (BGI) will host the 1st GreenGroups Quarterly Meeting for 2012 - 9 AM Friday, February 17 at UK’s ES Goodbarn - Corner of University Drive and Farm Rd, across from Commonwealth Stadium.

 We are excited to announce a project involving Bluegrass Greenworks, Henry Clay HS & Insight Cable to create and air a video from the 2/17 Quarterly Meeting slides.  Henry Clay HS Film teacher Matt Logsdon will charge his students with the task of taking the PPT slides and bringing them to life with sound, graphics & animation.  The finished video will air 6x per week on the Insight Public Access channel.  Participating groups must email their slide to ben@bluegrassgreenworks.org by Monday, 2/6 to allow the students time to produce the video.

 The purpose of the meetings is to bring representatives of local green groups together to share information and ideas, and increase collaboration on community projects.  The standard agenda is as follows: 1) Self-introductions, announcements and agenda overview;  2) A PowerPoint containing the Accomplishments, Projects & Goals, Needs, Collaboration Ops, and Key Contacts for each participating group; 3) Breakout discussions for community projects.  Contact Ben Perry with your questions at (859) 523-4773 or ben@bluegrassgreenworks.org.

 

April 1 (March 9 content deadline)

Lucky #7 GreenGuide Approaches

Seems like just yesterday that the 1st Bluegrass GreenGuide rolled off the presses, but here we are at number 7 already (8 including the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games GreenGuide)!   With 7 straight years of steady growth under its belt, the GreenGuide is poised to grow again this year, offering more green business options and more information on non-profits, community groups and schools, plus government agencies and programs.  See below for more information and contact Ben Perry at (859) 523-4773 or ben@bluegrassgreenworks.org for more information.

Important Dates

February 1 - Listings & Ads accepted for 2012-2013 Bluegrass GreenGuide (7th Edition)

March 9 – Listing & Ad Commitments Due

April 1 – News Stand Distribution Begins

April 12-15 – GreenGuide featured in GreenZone – Central KY Home, Garden & Flower Show

The GreenGuide offers:

·         15,000 Copies distributed in Central KY

·         Stay in front of MOTIVATED GREEN CONSUMERS Year Round!

·         Free Listings for Education, Government & Non-Profit Groups + Qualified Businesses

·         Join a network of 280+ businesses & organizations* + over 2,600 green consumers

* GreenBiz/Groups membership required - Click Here for details (Free & Fee-Based options available)

 

April 12-15

Home & Garden Show GreenZone – Space still available

 BGI will again be the title sponsor for the “Bluegrass Greenworks GreenZone” at the 2012 AAA Central KY Home, Garden & Flower Show - the largest annual consumer trade show in the Lexington area for over 35 years. There are still a few business spaces available and we will begin booking spaces and time slots for non-profit/educational organizations soon.  If you are a business marketing green products or services or a green organization seeking to reach out to the community, there is NO BETTER OPPORTUNITY than the GreenZone to get your message out to the public.  Space is available for qualifying businesses at deep discounts on a sliding scale, and non-profit educational space is Free for qualified groups.

 

THE BLUEGRASS GREEENWORKS GREENZONE at the AAA CENTRAL KENTUCKY HOME, GARDEN & FLOWER SHOW

WHEN: April 12-15, 2012 (Thurs-Fri 5-10pm, Sat 11am-10pm & Sun 12-7pm)

WHERE: Heritage Hall at Lexington Center

WHAT: 5,000+ square feet of exhibits, demonstrations, products and services

Contact Ben Perry at (859) 523-4773 or ben@bluegrassgreenworks.org for more information. See you in the GreenZone!


BGI Now accepting Student Board Member Applications

Two years ago Bluegrass Greenworks (BGI) implemented a policy of recruiting a student board member (SBM) from an area college, community or technical school every year.  Danny Ray Woolums from Transy was our first SBM in 2010 and he will remain on the board through his graduation this spring to continue his good service.  Patrick Johnson from UK is our current SBM and his term runs through August of this year.  

The purpose of the SBM is to represent the 18 to 25 demographic on the BGI board of directors, offer insight and ideas from the perspective of a college or technical school student, and to act as a liaison to their school.

Due to the success of first two years of the program, this year we have decided to accept up to 3 new SBMs if we feel that multiple candidates are a good fit for the organization.

Applications for the coming 15 month term (March 2012  thru May 2013) will be accepted through Monday, February 20th so please fwd this email to the person(s) who can get it to potential candidates at your school. Applications should be emailed to ben@bluegrassgreenworks.org, drwoolums12@transy.edu and patrick.johnson@uky.edu . The candidates will be screened based on the cover letter/resume, and final decisions will be made on the basis of phone and/or face-to-face interviews.

Applications should include the following:

1) A 1-page (or less) Letter of Interest stating: 1) Why the student wants to serve on the board; 2) What skills they feel they have to offer the organization, and 3) What they hope to accomplish by their board service

2) A current resume or CV including their employment history, current GPA and course of study, personal interests, and any distinctions or awards they have received to date

For more detailed information, contact Ben Perry at (859) 523-4773 or ben@bluegrassgreenworks.org .


January 2012 News


THANK YOU Sandy Swayze!

 First I want to give a BIG THANKS to Sandy Swayze for her 6 years of service to Bluegrass Greenworks!  Sandy originally signed on as a volunteer in 2006, but we were soon able to create a small stipend for her to work on the Bluegrass GreenGuide, then the GreenExpo, and we added the GreenLink eNews to her tasks in 2009.  She is the only regular staff we have ever had.

             Sandy has done almost anything we have asked her to do and done it well. She is quick to take responsibility for her mistakes and to correct them, and modest in taking credit for her best work.  She has also taken a lot of initiative on both the GreenGuide and GreenLink, and is responsible for most of the content and editing in the areas for which she is responsible.

              Sandy will be leaving us as of January 1, 2012 as a part of our effort to achieve financial sustainability.  Dru Perry, wife of BGI president Ben Perry, will be taking over the GreenLink eNews, and it should be a pretty smooth transition thanks to Sandy’s training over the past few months.  THANK YOU Dru for agreeing to take over for Sandy and for volunteering your time to learn the procedures.

 

THANK YOU Heidi Weigel & Natural Awakenings!

             December also marked the end of Natural Awakenings Magazine – Bluegrass Edition (NA), one of our great community partners of the past 3 years.  Owner/Editor Heidi Weigel has been wonderful to work with since we connected in 2008 and she used the publication in every way she could to further our common vision for a world-class green community.  While we will miss the publication, we will (hopefully) still have Heidi’s smiling face and good energy around the community for many years to come! We plan to publish the Bluegrass GreenGuide on our own as we did for 3 years before we partnered with Heidi and NA, and we hope to continue to work with Heidi in some capacity as we move forward. 

 

Streamlining for Sustainability key in 2012

 BGI sees streamlining as the key to long-term sustainability in a constrained and volatile economy.  Much of the discussion in recent board meetings has been around “what is the core of our service to the community”, and just as it should, our discussion always comes back to our mission of Building a World-Class Green Community.  It is gratifying to have a board that really gets our mission and is not swayed by the blowing winds of change and the financial challenges facing non-profits like BGI.

 The name of the game for 2012 is efficiency + continued delivery of services.  We need to keep looking for ways to do what we do for less cost and time.  We have had to cut staff (see Sandy Swayze above) and president Ben Perry has had to cut his hours way back due his new position as a home energy evaluator, plus with the discontinuation of the GreenExpo and cuts in state funding in 2010, our budget is only a fraction of what it has been.

             Despite the challenges, we plan to continue EVERY community service we provided in 2011. That includes the GreenGuide, GreenLink eNews, GreenBiz/Groups network, GreenGroups Quarterly Meetings, GreenCard, Building a World-Class Green Community presentation and the GreenZone at the Central KY Home, Garden & Flower Show.

             Highlights of the 1st quarter of 2012 include the first GreenGroups Quarterly Meeting for 2012 (date TBA) + all of the planning and preparation for the 7th annual Bluegrass GreenGuide (April 1 publication date) and the April 12-15 Green Zone at the home show.  Contact Ben Perry at (859) 523-4773 or ben@bluegrassgreenworks.org  for more information about participation in any or all of these projects.