Goal For The Green

I firmly believe that implementing renewable energy systems is the right thing to do for the planet, for our children, for ourselves, and for future generations.  It is  a necessity for a sustainable future for all, around the world.

Sky Factory’s solar array, is a manifestation of a consensus-based company that  represents a unified desire to develop and act on that type of inner knowledge and belief, and make it a reality.

MEDIA ALERT – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sky Factory’s 54kW, 3,500 sq. ft. solar array will generate 104% of their own company’s power needs. It is the largest privately owned solar array in Iowa.
Sky Factory Flips the Switch To Become the First Net-Zero Solar Powered Business in Iowa.

On Thursday, June 7, 2012, The Sky Factory, designed and installed by Fairfield’s Ideal Energy, is a global fine art and technology company based in Fairfield, Iowa.  They will “flip the switch” to become Iowa’s first net-zero solar powered business.   The photovoltaic panel array generates 54 kilowatts of power,  and will be the largest privately owned solar array in Iowa.

You can join with The Sky Factory, to celebrate the launch of this landmark renewable energy system. You’ll hear from Mayor Ed Malloy, as to  why Oprah calls Fairfield, one of the greenest communities in America.  You can also, tour the solar array, and learn about the latest in solar technology from former US Navy SEAL and Ideal Energy owner Troy VanBeek, Founder Bill Witherspoon,  Amy Greenfield, and Sky Factory employee-owners.

Fairfield youth will also present their ideas and share their thoughts on, what it means to serve as an “Eco-conscience” of the future. They will discuss sustainability and pledge to serve as the “eco-conscience” of their family, school, community, and the world.  There you can also witness,  the group signing of the original Eco-Conscience Pledge, and honor Fairfield youth -as our “eco-conscience” of the future.

All of this takes place at The Sky Factory on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
801 N. 18th Street (between Stone and Gear Avenues) in
Fairfield, Iowa 52556

11:00 A.M. – Tours of the Sky Factory, the new solar array, and organic garden featuring greenhouse with rocket stove, composting system, and just arrived baby chicks.

11:30 A.M. – Presentations by Sky Factory founder Bill Witherspoon, and Mayor Ed Malloy. Ideal Energy owners Troy VanBeek,  Amy Greenfield,  and Sky Factory employee-owners will be there.

11:50 A.M. – The celebration will culminate in a collective “flipping the switch” to launch the Sky Factory as a net-zero solar powered company. From that point on, Sky Factory’s Illusions of Nature products, in primary use as stress-relieving technologies in healthcare facilities, will be created with wholesome, solar-made electricity.

12:00 PM – Interview opportunities and continuation of tours.

Sky Factory creates Illusions of Nature with virtual skylights and windows – that transform interior environments and enliven our innate biophilia. Products are designed and manufactured in Fairfield, Iowa, and distributed globally through a network of authorized International Partners. The company founded the Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) in 2008.  The mission of its non-profit organization is to initiate and support the development, research and implementation of sustainable systems that are locally and globally relevant.

Sky Factory was inspired by Jack Eastman, long-time Sierra Club leader and Sky Factory’s own eco-conscience.  That inspiration, led the company to  investigate and implement sustainable practices throughout. Their total recycling, new energy conserving building, and implementation of a renewable energy system, all sprang from Jack’s dedication to an eco-centric awareness of life and living.

Furthermore, for the last several decades bio-evolutionary science, has been honing the idea that human beings have an innate love of nature, called biophilia. This instinctive attraction to nature, has been dampened by the way modern life has distanced us from contact and connection with nature.  By enlivening our inherent biophilia , we are drawn closer to our roots in the natural world. It renews our sensitivity to the wonder of nature, and delivers proven benefits for body, mind and spirit.

The Sky Factory’s primary business and goal, is to create illusions of nature that enliven biophilia.  In turn, enlivened biophilia promotes a life deeply rooted with nature. As our instinctive appreciation and love of nature grows, we care for nature with greater enthusiasm and understanding.  Sky Factory has worked toward building  better tomorrows, by bringing nature and healthy illusions together indoors.

Quit the green way!

No, I’m not quitting blogging but, I did quit smoking 30 years ago!  I never bother anyone who has the habit, because I know first hand, how difficult it is to quit smoking.  It took me three different tries to conquer the habit.  Back in the early 80’s there weren’t near the helpful options that there are today, to help you quit smoking.

Click the picture

I tried the gum, but to me, I may as well have licked the ash tray.  I thought it was horrible! There were NO pills that I recall being on the market at the time. So, what worked for me was Lemon Heads hard candy.  I just wish there would have been e-cigs back then, I think it would have made the process much easier.

You may have noticed that, the use of electronic cigarettes has recently grabbed the attention of countless tobacco users worldwide. But, are they really a healthier and cheaper alternative to traditional cigarettes?

The answer is,Yes!  Creators and product users claim you can enjoy a cheaper, healthier cigarette without the bad smells, second-hand smoke, or cancer causing chemicals, found in regular cigarettes.

In fact, a study by researchers at the Boston University School of Public Health in 2010, concluded that electronic cigarettes were safer than real cigarettes, and may aid smokers in breaking the habit of smoking.

“Electronic cigarettes were found to be “much safer” than traditional tobacco ones, and had a level of toxicity similar to existing nicotine replacements.” In the report, the level of carcinogens in electronic cigarettes, was found to be up to 1,000 times lower than regular cigarettes. The report also said, that electronic cigarettes may actually help people to stop smoking by simulating a tobacco cigarette.

Doctors have even suggested, that while utilizing the electronic cigarette, that there is virtually no risk of getting cancer.  These studies also show that the real harm in traditional cigarettes comes from the tobacco smoke, second hand smoke, and the hundreds of additional added chemicals found in each regular cigarette.

“The Electronic Cigarette gives you nicotine, but it doesn’t give you any of the other 4,000 chemicals from a cigarette that can cause cancer, among other problems..” – Dr. Travis Stork from “The Doctors”

If you are a  smoker looking to lead a healthier lifestyle,  then be sure to take advantage of the Memorial Day Sale going on at v2cigs and get 20% off.

Join V2 Cigs in our Memorial Day celebration on Monday, May 28th, 2012 we are slashing prices store wide.  Enjoy 20% OFF all V2 Cigs Starter Kits, Flavor Cartridges, Platinum E-Liquid, V2 Disposables, Accessories and Clearance items.  This is your day to enjoy the sun, relax and stock up on your favorite V2 Cigs goodies. The hard-working customer service team at V2Cigs, will be available Memorial Day, during regular business hours to assist in any questions you may have or help you place an order. V2 Customer Service can be reached via email, live chat, or just pick up the phone!

MEMORIAL DAY HOURS: 10:00AM – 11:00PM EST

You can even get an additional 10% off by adding goalforthegreen or bzgrl in the referral box. Keep in mind, this coupon code is valid for ALL V2 Cigs merchandise, including kits, cartridges, and accessories. That’s a healthy 30% off your total price! So,come back here on May 28th, and kick the habit!

V2cigs offers a non-tobacco product that only contains nicotine. The nicotine is delivered in the cartridges. They are available in full strength, light and non-nicotine. So, you can gradually decrease the nicotine levels, at your own pace, until it’s completely non-nicotine. Non-nicotine E-cigs, are much easier to quit than regular cigarettes, trust me, I know on that one.  Millions of smokers have already successfully quite smoking using Electronic Cigarettes. You can be next.

With the high cost of smoking traditional cigarettes, and the danger that cigarettes cause to your health, give yourself a “thumbs up” and give v2cigs a try, for your health.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Whitney Farms for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you love the sense of pride you get from having a beautiful garden, or growing your own veggies? Now, you can grow organic produce, while getting the goodness of gardening naturally, with Whitney Farms® plant foods,soils and organic soil.

Whitney Farms® offers a full line of 100% natural plant foods and soils. Best of all, there are no additives, and nothing artificial in their products, just ingredients from the Earth. Their soils are designed to give you big, beautiful flowers and big beautiful veggies. You can be assured, that your plantings get the nutrients and goodness of gardening naturally, with Whitney Farms® plant foods and soils.

With 25+ years of leading gardening experience, Whitney Farms has now improved their products to have low to no dust, no manure odor, and its easy to apply.  Their products are specially designed with protein-based blends, to provide your plants with both macro and micro nutrients and the beneficial microbes that they need to grow and thrive.

I live near a worm farm, and know that vermi-compost is excellent for all your plants and vegetables.  However, you do need to use it sparingly, along with good soils like those offered by Whitney Farms.

I am getting a late start on gardening this year because the weather here in th Pacific Northwest, has just recently started to warm up. So long as I have my starts planted by the end of the month, it should still be worth the effort.  Here is a picture of what I would like my garden to look like.   Photo courtesy of Photo Bucket.

I know it is possible with Whitney Farms products and plant food.

If you want to grow your own produce or grow all organic vegetables, Whitney Farms has what you need to be able to do that.  Their organic plant food can help you grow beautiful vegetables and increase your yield.

Whatever your gardening style be sure and try out Whitney Farms products with the

$3 coupon available at any of the posted links here! Or enjoy a happy and beautiful bounty with their Tomato and Vegetable Food.

Get your weekend and gardening projects off to a great start with Whitney Farms, and continue to feed, nurture and enhance your love of gardening for you and your family. Together we are working toward a better and healthier tomorrow!