Welcome

Happy October! There is something for everyone – from age six to 106 – in the myriad of green initiatives and events happening in and around Vancouver this month: from deals for keeping your home cozy and bright this fall to the BC Green Games for students, workplace cycling challenges, small appliance recycling, and a TravelSmart program just for seniors. Read on to find out more.

One Day is a City of Vancouver initiative that encourages residents to take small actions in their daily lives to use less energy at home and on the move, to help protect the climate, and to make Vancouver the cleanest, greenest, healthiest city in the world.

Action of the month

It’s true, autumn in Vancouver can be pretty soggy, but as they say in Denmark, there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. So get a work team together, some rain pants and a front fender, and get out during Fall Bike to Work Week, October 31 to November 6.

Read about one woman’s story of how she learned to love cycling in the rain.

New in your region

Small appliance recycling is here!
Starting October 1, you can recycle your old and broken small appliances at one of over 100 Unplugged recycling drop-off locations across the province. The program accepts more than 120 types of appliances, ranging in size from toasters and electric toothbrushes to countertop microwaves and vacuum cleaners.
It’s easy and it’s free. Just check out the Unplugged website to find a drop-off location near you.

October is PowerSmart Month
For the rest of October, BC Hydro has discounts and rebates on energy-efficient products and some great contests and events.

TravelSmart has a program just for seniors
Navigating the public transit system can feel like a daunting task for anyone unfamiliar with it. TransLink’s Access Transit Department offers several programs for seniors to help them learn more about the transit system, such as how to use ticket vending machines, the TransLink Trip Planner, figuring out fare zones and security.

If you know a senior who could benefit from a little peer-to-peer training on our transit system, forward this e-mail.

Green Generation Awards
Get more funding for your favourite green projects in your neighbourhood! Vancouver Foundation is asking people to vote on six green themes, from recycling to gardens to green energy. The kinds of projects that get the most votes will get the most funding next year! You can also check out the projects Vancouver Foundation funded this year, which included trike delivery co-ops, finding alternatives to shark fin soup, protecting secret bogs and gardens galore.

BC Green Games
Science World's annual environmental action contest for BC schools is on! Students can sign up a team with a sponsor teacher from September 15 to November 30. $24,000 in cash prizes will be awarded.

New Clear Air Website
Ever wondered what happened to the view of Mt. Baker and what it might mean to your health? Check out the new Clear Air website for the region. You can view real time visibility conditions in your community.

One Day Wonders

This month’s One Day Wonders are the folks at the West Vancouver Memorial Library for being the first library in the country to receive the LEED Canada certification for existing buildings!

Built in 1950, the West Vancouver Memorial Library building is a community treasure. In 2006, staff started to reduce garbage and recycle everything from Styrofoam to electronics, conserving water and energy, and sourcing greener office materials and cleaning supplies. The West Vancouver Memorial Library Board has since adopted a Green Building Operations Policy and has plans to further green their operations. They are sharing their story and hoping to inspire other organizations.

Did you know...

…it takes 95% less energy to recycle aluminum than it does to make it from raw materials?
If you know someone who loves recycling trivia, forward this e-mail. They’ll love One Day.

New readers, sign-up here.

What's happening

Warren Gill Memorial Lecture - Makeshift Metropolis
Oct 17
7 pm - 9 pm
Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema, 149 West Hastings Street.
Noted author and critic Witold Rybczynski explores the influence that planning theories have had on urbanism in the twentieth century. Admission is free, but reservations are required.

Green Drinks Vancouver
Oct 20
5:45 pm - 7 pm
Steamworks pub, 375 Water Street
A casual monthly gathering for anyone interested in sustainability issues. Kind of like a big house party for greenies, but without the house!

Power to the People - Growing Our Own Food Right Here
Oct 22
6:15 pm- 9:45 pm
The HiVE, 128 West Hastings
Learn how to integrate affordable, easy and compact growing systems and approaches into your life no matter where you live.

Bicycle Valet at the Vancouver Whitecaps game
Oct 22
The game starts at 4 pm at BC Place. Bicycle valet parking (bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades or strollers) is open at 3 pm, at the Plaza of Nations opposite Gate E.

Ideas Fair for Rooftop of the West End Community Centre
Oct 26
3:30-6:30 pm
West End Community Centre, 870 Denman Street
Share your vision for the rooftop communal garden with the Park Board. Can't make it? Information will be available on vancouverparks.ca starting October 24, or you can forward comments and queries to pbcomment@vancouver.ca.

Candlelight Conservation Dinner
Oct 27
Dine by candlelight as a way of demonstrating how simple actions, like turning off unnecessary lights, can make a big difference when it comes to saving electricity.
Over 100 BC restaurants are participating.

Elders and the Environment Forum
Nov 24
8:15 am - 3:30 pm
The theme of this second annual forum is built around the question “What can I do?” The Forum’s response - “Start Where You Are.”

Check out the One Day events calendar for more sustainability related events happening in and around Vancouver.

Did you know...

…that the One Day website has a volunteer page? It lists environment-related organizations that are looking for volunteers.


October, 2011 Hello! Welcome Happy October! There is something for everyone – from age six to 106 – in the myriad of green initiatives and events happening in and around Vancouver this month: from deals for keeping your home cozy and bright this fall to the BC Green Games for students, workplace cycling challenges, small appliance recycling, and a TravelSmart program just for seniors. Read on to find out more. One Day is a City of Vancouver initiative that encourages residents to take small actions in their daily lives to use less energy at home and on the move, to help protect the climate, and to make Vancouver the cleanest, greenest, healthiest city in the world. Action of the month It’s true, autumn in Vancouver can be pretty soggy, but as they say in Denmark, there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. So get a work team together, some rain pants and a front fender, and get out during Fall Bike to Work Week, October 31 to November 6. Read about one woman’s story of how she learned to love cycling in the rain. New in your region Small appliance recycling is here! Starting October 1, you can recycle your old and broken small appliances at one of over 100 Unplugged recycling drop-off locations across the province. The program accepts more than 120 types of appliances, ranging in size from toasters and electric toothbrushes to countertop microwaves and vacuum cleaners. It’s easy and it’s free. Just check out the Unplugged website to find a drop-off location near you. October is PowerSmart Month For the rest of October, BC Hydro has discounts and rebates on energy-efficient products and some great contests and events. TravelSmart has a program just for seniors Navigating the public transit system can feel like a daunting task for anyone unfamiliar with it. TransLink’s Access Transit Department offers several programs for seniors to help them learn more about the transit system, such as how to use ticket vending machines, the TransLink Trip Planner, figuring out fare zones and security. If you know a senior who could benefit from a little peer-to-peer training on our transit system, forward this e-mail. Green Generation Awards Get more funding for your favourite green projects in your neighbourhood! Vancouver Foundation is asking people to vote on six green themes, from recycling to gardens to green energy. The kinds of projects that get the most votes will get the most funding next year! You can also check out the projects Vancouver Foundation funded this year, which included trike delivery co-ops, finding alternatives to shark fin soup, protecting secret bogs and gardens galore. BC Green Games Science World's annual environmental action contest for BC schools is on! Students can sign up a team with a sponsor teacher from September 15 to November 30. $24,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. New Clear Air Website Ever wondered what happened to the view of Mt. Baker and what it might mean to your health? Check out the new Clear Air website for the region. You can view real time visibility conditions in your community. One Day Wonders This month’s One Day Wonders are the folks at the West Vancouver Memorial Library for being the first library in the country to receive the LEED Canada certification for existing buildings! Built in 1950, the West Vancouver Memorial Library building is a community treasure. In 2006, staff started to reduce garbage and recycle everything from Styrofoam to electronics, conserving water and energy, and sourcing greener office materials and cleaning supplies. The West Vancouver Memorial Library Board has since adopted a Green Building Operations Policy and has plans to further green their operations. They are sharing their story and hoping to inspire other organizations.	Did you know... …it takes 95% less energy to recycle aluminum than it does to make it from raw materials? If you know someone who loves recycling trivia, forward this e-mail. They’ll love One Day. New readers, sign-up here. What's happening Warren Gill Memorial Lecture - Makeshift Metropolis Oct 17 7 pm - 9 pm Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema, 149 West Hastings Street. Noted author and critic Witold Rybczynski explores the influence that planning theories have had on urbanism in the twentieth century. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Green Drinks Vancouver Oct 20 5:45 pm - 7 pm Steamworks pub, 375 Water Street A casual monthly gathering for anyone interested in sustainability issues. Kind of like a big house party for greenies, but without the house! Power to the People - Growing Our Own Food Right Here Oct 22 6:15 pm- 9:45 pm The HiVE, 128 West Hastings Learn how to integrate affordable, easy and compact growing systems and approaches into your life no matter where you live. Bicycle Valet at the Vancouver Whitecaps game Oct 22 The game starts at 4 pm at BC Place. Bicycle valet parking (bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades or strollers) is open at 3 pm, at the Plaza of Nations opposite Gate E. Ideas Fair for Rooftop of the West End Community Centre Oct 26 3:30-6:30 pm West End Community Centre, 870 Denman Street Share your vision for the rooftop communal garden with the Park Board. Can't make it? Information will be available on vancouverparks.ca starting October 24, or you can forward comments and queries to pbcomment@vancouver.ca. Candlelight Conservation Dinner Oct 27 Dine by candlelight as a way of demonstrating how simple actions, like turning off unnecessary lights, can make a big difference when it comes to saving electricity. Over 100 BC restaurants are participating. Elders and the Environment Forum Nov 24 8:15 am - 3:30 pm The theme of this second annual forum is built around the question “What can I do?” The Forum’s response - “Start Where You Are.” Check out the One Day events calendar for more sustainability related events happening in and around Vancouver. Did you know... …that the One Day website has a volunteer page? It lists environment-related organizations that are looking for volunteers.