GREENING UP the Holidays With a Little Help From the Kids

...the school has been experimenting with biofuels for supplemental heating as well as looking for an old diesel bus to convert to run on vegetable oil.

What was that Barack Obama said about somewhere in the country someone is working on the next big idea?

LAUSD could use such innovation. Vuldn't hoit the rest of the country either.

by Sandy Sand (198 articles, 0 quicklinks, 227 diaries, 1548 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 5:37:04 AM

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thanks!

by Meryl Ann Butler (89 articles, 107 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 811 comments [45 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 11:52:25 AM

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fabulous!

this fits right in with my series on alternate gift-giving.  i love it.

and the pictures are great, too! (right now i'm working on an article about katrina and various relief projects that could benefit from volunteers and/or donations. amazing people down there doing amazing things)

i will be sure to mention and link to it when i get to the one on american made 'stuff'.

thanks, meryl ann!

by Joan Brunwasser (289 articles, 3905 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 894 comments [19 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 9:13:59 AM

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Please send me the link to your upcoming article and I can add to the end of this article, if you have it in the next few days, thanks!  I think cross referencing is a great thing to do here.

by Meryl Ann Butler (89 articles, 107 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 811 comments [45 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 11:51:50 AM

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What a wonderful school!  What wonderful teachers!  What wonderful pupils!  Everytime I read something like this, I am grateful to God that there are such people.  Kathryn Smith also posted a wonderful article re the need to reuse and recycle.  And then I read about a wonderful man who is actually going to save everything he doesn't need for a year and put it in his basement.  As a man who cares deeply about how obsessive we are to have things - while not at all concerned where these "things" land up, I'm sure his comments at the end of the year will be worth reading.  Will have to see if I still have his post because he so inspirational  - just like this school.  I can tell you truthfully Meryl, that I have been in the doldrums recently because of our cruelty to animals as well as our lack of concern for the environment, but every post like yours and Kathryn's lifts me up.  Thanx for the inspirational post.

by Suzana Megles (81 articles, 0 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 413 comments [59 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 10:30:58 AM

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You are right, when bad news gets ya down, a bit o' good news sure can help you bounce back up!

Here's the link to Kathryn's great article:

click here

by Meryl Ann Butler (89 articles, 107 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 811 comments [45 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 11:56:27 AM

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A breath of fresh air by some excellent examples of our species, the human being. Certainly restores my faith in what a few caring people can achieve, and the many lives this work touches. I hope they will add to their program more projects to encourage compassionate treatment to all the creatures with whom we share our planet,, in my opinion, a key component in taking care of the earth. Afterall, billions of animals never touch or see the earth due  to the environment damaging industrial animal production and slaughter businesses which sweep all the animals from the green earth we seek to protect.

by Netanya (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 78 comments [26 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 11:27:14 AM

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..this is an exceptional group of people, both young and , well, less young, hahaha!

by Meryl Ann Butler (89 articles, 107 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 811 comments [45 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 11:57:30 AM

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...from a friend who is not signed up to post on OEN yet:

What a great story, thanks for sharing.  I buzzed it on Yahoo and will personally buy all my christmas gifts from their catalog!! 

by Meryl Ann Butler (89 articles, 107 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 811 comments [45 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 11:55:13 AM

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Meryl Ann, thank you for such a wonderful article. It's truly inspiring. I have often thought that much of our society's problems with violence et al have a lot to do with the schooling system, a commonly-overlooked matter where fingers normally point to the homes.

If we think about how much time our kids spend in school, and the influence of that on their souls, then it's all the more important that they have a quality experience which teaches them to dive into life, to be inspired with it, to love what they do, even while they learn the subject matter at the same time.

Thank God for a school such as the Greenhouse School and I am so thankful and inspired to read about this!! Where did you learn about them, obtain the pics, etc? You are hot, Meryl Ann!

HERE'S A LINK FOR FUNDING WHICH WILL REALLY HELP THE SCHOOL AND MANY OTHER PROJECTS BESIDES:

www.fdncenter.org

This is no pipedream! It really works!

The Foundation Center website is a d-base of grantors who donate for projects nationally and internationally, in every category under the sun. There are two basic granting series: ONe for individuals, the other for non-profits. The intake question is:

"What size grant are you looking for: Under $5K or over $500K?"

Let me stress that I myself have obtained three out of four grants I applied for based on this site's d-base: It's for real and not just an idealistic pipedream.

And it's simply huge. Check it out: You'll see.

Check it out and please spread this around!

by Kathryn Smith (110 articles, 2 quicklinks, 43 diaries, 542 comments [24 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 12:28:21 PM

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...and for saying I’m “hot”! And, even though most of my “hotness” these days has to do with my personal version of global warming, I appreciate the sentiment!

You’re gonna crack up when you find out how I heard about this school: right here on OEN! Since 2003 or 2004, or earlier, (there’s a little fuzziness about the timing in my  menopausal brain) Danny and I have both been writing for OEN. We were both active in Kucinich campaigns. Yeah, I know Danny’s author page says he’s been a member for 132 weeks, and mine says that I’ve been an author for 130 weeks. Don’t believe everything you see in print. We’re older than dirt.

Anyway, that’s how I got to know him, and I got very intrigued by his school. When my book, 90-Minute Quilts: 15+ Projects You Can Stitch in an Afternoon came out, I sent them a copy. I’d always meant to write about their school, and I’m glad I finally did. And Danny supplied the photos.

The school’s an inspiration. I know Danny has applied for several grants, and I believe that includes at least one from the Foundation Center. But you are right, it is good to keep applying. And I bet Danny, who works at least 40 hours a day, in addition to visiting his mom in the hospital right now – would be thrilled to get some assistance with that, if that’s something that might ring your holiday bell!

by Meryl Ann Butler (89 articles, 107 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 811 comments [45 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 12:50:18 PM

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Hello Meryl Ann

Here is what I was told by an arts organization board member about grant-writing:

It is typical to be rejected. And, it's just as typical that it's the second application which gets funding, and not the first.

Here's what to do:
When rejected, ask why. Ask what the funder is looking for. Write down every blip from their lip (rhyme intentional! :-)

Then reapply based on what they tell you. Tailor the application to their funding needs. You've got it: Bingo!

It's also really helpful to look at the funder's history, philosophy, etc before applying for the first time. To tailor one's application accordingly can help set the success.

The "tenor" of the application is key: It's about selling oneself, not about asking for help. Licking somebody's shoelaces may turn them off, but to convince them of how wonderful you are and your project is, will not only turn them on but also be a feather in their cap if they fund you.

Enthusiastically sell yourself, be a feather in their cap, appeal to the funder's interests and you will probably succeed in getting funding.

Good luck.

by Kathryn Smith (110 articles, 2 quicklinks, 43 diaries, 542 comments [24 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 12:57:49 PM

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Hello friends

Since some of you expressed interest in my article about recycling, and the link you posted Meryl Ann gets us to the Opednews front page but not to the article, here is the link:

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Why-Reducing-Reusing-and-by-Kathryn-Smith-081203-684.html

I wrote this with the hopes that the statistical facts can help us to determine how best to reduce our carbon footprint. Note how the sources discuss the methane gases coming from landfills, and how important it is to cut back on those by reducing our contribution to those fills.

FYI the websites where I got these facts are fantastic, endless sources of insight-shedding information. Check it out! And...I am glad if this can be of help to the environment.

As with all of my work, it's all about the public service. I need no mention of my name (I use a pen name anyway, FYI) and I care not one iota about my name being attached. I hope environmental concerns are for the people and not for a silly name! Please feel free to use any info or ideas here as if they belonged to you, being sure to quote only the sources I have mentioned but not anything I myself offer.

Please pass this around. Thank you.

by Kathryn Smith (110 articles, 2 quicklinks, 43 diaries, 542 comments [24 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 12:45:44 PM

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sorry about posting the wrong link, i shoulda double checked it! Thanks for settin' us straight!

by Meryl Ann Butler (89 articles, 107 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 811 comments [45 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 12:52:22 PM

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Silly woman. We all make mistakes. Thanks and very best wishes, KS

by Kathryn Smith (110 articles, 2 quicklinks, 43 diaries, 542 comments [24 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 1:01:30 PM

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I mentioned in my comment about a man very serious about reusing, recycling.  You will find him as "Sustainable Dave" on the internet.  He is the one who started collecting his trash almost a year ago to be able to comment on it.  I believe that he has very little trash but am eager to read his post on this.  He operates his car on veggie oil among the other sustainable ideas he has posted.  He was a former director/producer of some ER episodes.  He is without a doubt an interesting man. 

by Suzana Megles (81 articles, 0 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 413 comments [59 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 1:12:48 PM

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Thanks to Meryl Ann for the great article, and thanks to all who have written in so far with interest in our "little school that could." I'm taking a few minutes from what Meryl Ann calls our "40 hour day" to post a comment because we were blown away by the response. I also forgot, when sending info to Meryl Ann, that the catalogue was not connected to the school site, because it was simply quicker to arrange through my personal site. The school site, with more info on the school, can be found at http://www.greenhouseschool.org. There is more information at our Volunteer Solutions site; be sure to check out all the opportunities to get a sense of what we've been doing over the years. Here's the link: http://www.volunteersolutions.org/boston/org/215119.html.

We are also in the middle of our Holiday Appeal, one of two times a year when we directly solicit donations from our supporters. If you are so moved, please consider it! Stocks, bonds, lottery winnings, gold jewelry--we're not picky! Anything to help us in our journey. And no one squeezes a dollar like we do, believe me, so your generosity will be put to good use! Thanks again for the support! Danny

Sincerely,

Daniel P. Welch, Director

The Greenhouse School

http://www.greenhouseschool.org - check it out

The little school with a global reach

by Daniel Patrick Welch (17 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 10 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 2:19:19 PM

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deserve every kudo! Here's hoping  this article brings a bit o' cheer to your coffers!

by Meryl Ann Butler (89 articles, 107 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 811 comments [45 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 2:28:56 PM

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Danny

Daniel P. Welch, Director

The Greenhouse School

http://www.greenhouseschool.org - check it out

The little school with a global reach

by Daniel Patrick Welch (17 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 10 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 6:04:02 PM

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I spoke too soon--it looks as if the two links have been combined into one, so it defaults to a "not found" page. Not sure if others are showing the same problem.... Danny

by Daniel Patrick Welch (17 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 10 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 9:52:46 PM

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it's fixed now, thanks for the heads up

by Meryl Ann Butler (89 articles, 107 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 811 comments [45 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 5, 2008 at 5:42:25 PM

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Thanks. Not that I expect to be FLOODED with orders and donations, but you never know! Danny

 Sincerely,

Daniel P. Welch, Director

The Greenhouse School

http://www.greenhouseschool.org - check it out

The little school with a global reach

by Daniel Patrick Welch (17 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 10 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 5, 2008 at 7:54:12 PM

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Thank you for giving me a reason to get excited about the holidays!

by Gail Davis (4 articles, 1 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 81 comments [7 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 7:11:05 PM

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