Minutes – 14 October, 2008

As requested, here are the minutes . . . posted on the coblog!  I guess people can ask questions about them here if they have them.  

Event announcements . . . mark your calendars!  

1. This Thursday, October 16 (TOMORROW) @ City Hall (1101 Poyntz Avenue) 6-8pm 
   BICYCLE MEETING!  
   Open house to discuss bicycling in Manhattan!  We all want Manhattan to be more bicycle friendly, so this is your chance to have your voice heard and your presence noted.  Go, go, go. 
   
   
   
2. Friday, October 17 from 9-2 in the quad on campus 
   Farm Club (Harvesters of Environmental Sustainability) will be holding a Farmer's Market.  And apparently they WILL be selling sweet potatoes, thank goodness.  
   
   
   
3. Saturday, October 18 – also with the Farm Club, another farm help day and camp out!  
   Starting at around 10am and throughout the whole day and night, come help and camp out and have a lot of fun!  
   
   
   
4. So we've got a spot in the Homecoming Parade, and we decided at the meeting that we're going to go for it!  . . . Which means we have to make a float now!  We threw around a couple of ideas at the meeting – including an Earth made out of recycled materials, or a field with wind turbines on it.  Sound awesome?  I thought so.  Come to the meeting next Tuesday (October 21) a little early and help work on the float.  We'll be there starting at 6pm and just stay through the meeting.  
   
   
   
5. November 19 – VegPledge!  Think about signing it – see Laura's email from October 11 for more information.  
   Here's the petition and also check out the Facebook event.  

Some other announcements:  

1. SEA is in need of a Fundraiser!  Lani has opted to step down from that position due to busy-ness with school and other responsibilities.  
   Here's the description of the position:  "The Fundraiser chair will coordinate fundraising activities and research new and creative recycled fundraising merchandise to sell at any of the social functions or Union tabling."  There are the usual crafts (recycled notebooks, hemp bracelets, bottle cap magnets, etc.)  The fundraiser also usually plans a craft party each semester.  
   
   This is a great opportunity to be more involved in the club.  This position also allows you to be as creative as you want to be.  Think about it, if anyone is interested, come to next week's meeting or send Zack (zackp@ksu.edu) an email. We'll probably hold nominations and elections soon.  
   
   
   
2. The Udall Scholarship is available for college sophomores and juniors (or any students who have at least another year of school) 
   Around 85 scholarships are awarded each year to students interested in environmental or Native American health.  If anyone wants more info, talk to Ben (champion@ksu.edu).  
   
   
   
3. Use the coblog!  See Andrew's email from this morning if you're having any trouble with it.  
   

Until next week,
Erica

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Electric Bicycles...

Andrew Gondzur from St. Louis, MO has installed a kit that added a rechargeable electric motor to his old bike. With the twist of his handlebar he can go from pedaling to a nice boost of "motorized help." "'I can, go farther and faster than I would if I were just pedaling," he says, which is why Andrew now takes his bike, not his car, to the post office, the library, his childrens's schools, and the grocery store. "Why take 5,000 pounds of car and burn expensive gas to get one thing you forgot at the supermarker? Now I leave my car at home." Its the equivalent to a hybrid car, no idling, both pedaling and electric at your fingerprints, literally.

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Yay for Free Moolah$$$

WE GOT IT!!!.

SEA,

A couple weeks ago we applied for $800 in grant money from the EPA for
an Earth Day Project. Our project was to build a bike powered light
machine where we can switch between incandescent and compact
fluorescent lights to literally feel the energy difference...

And we were approved for funding!!!

I want to thank Rachel Sherck and Rylan Ortiz for all their help in
composing the proposal, and David Carter for the tip and his feedback.

WEEEE!
becky.

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Google gives out bikes to 2,000 employees across the pond

From Daily Grist:
We have a vague recollection that there was life before Google, but it must have been a sad, empty sort of life. Anyone recall? While you're casting your memory back there, lord, we'll update you on the latest from the altruistic search engine: they're giving free bikes (and helmets) to 2,000 employees in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. "We think that these amazing bikes will help Googlers keep fit and healthy, get to know their city better, and reduce the environmental impact of their journey to work," says Liane Hornsey, HR director for the region. The shift will also provide a side benefit for the company: the folding and hybrid cycles, made by Raleigh Europe, will bear the Google logo. Smaht! The bike blitz follows last fall's announcement that Google will juice its California headquarters with solar energy, in the form of rooftop panels and solar parking-lot "trees." The company even got an award this week for using free-range eggs. It all just makes us feel warm and googly inside.
straight to the source: The Guardian, Mark Sweney, 22 Mar 2007

straight to the (old but still interesting) source: Wired, Marty Graham, 13 Dec 2006


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