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CONTENTS
Buy your Birkenstocks where you buy your Bulgur!
D E PA R T M E N T S
04 04 06 09 14 16 18 20 21 21 22 23
09 It’s festival season!
In this month’s issue we feature a handful of festivals that have an eco angle, from the venerable Indiana State Fair to the brand-new WARMfest. + BY SARA CROFT, GINNYE CUBEL AND AISTE MANFREDINI
Doom & Bloom Gardening with Lynn Watts & Whatnot Cover Story Advocates Cruising Green Imbibing Green Building Green Doing Green Ask Renee Eco-Crossword Life is an Egg by Joe Lee
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06 A fierce urgency to engage Meet Denise Abdul-Rahman, the newly appointed Chair of Indiana NAACP Environmental Climate Justice. + BY INDIANA LIVING GREEN EDITORS
16 Green, peace and quiet
Three years after its introduction as one of the country’s first all-electric vehicles, the Nissan Leaf is maturing into a practical and stylish commuter car for the environmentally conscious. + BY LORI LOVELY
20 IndyMod Homes plots our urban future
Ursula David is doing something many would think impossible – building intelligently sustainable, affordable prefabricated homes. + BY JORDAN MARTICH
PUBLISHER Kevin McKinney
SALES & MARKETING
COURIER Dick Powell
kmckinney@IndianaLivingGreen.com
MEDIA CONSULTANTS Nathan Dynak ndynak@nuvo.net
WEB
EDITORIAL EDITOR Jim Poyser jpoyser@IndianaLivingGreen.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER Kelly Pardekooper kpardek@nuvo.net
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Ginnye Cubel, Jordan Martich
DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Mary Morgan mmorgan@IndianaLivingGreen.com
CONTRIBUTORS Katherine Coplen, Sara Croft, Ginnye Cubel, Rita Kohn, Joe Lee, Lori Lovely, Aiste Manfredini, Jordan Martich, Bowden Quinn, William Saint, Renee Sweany, Jennifer Washburn
MARKETING & EVENTS MANAGER Lauren Guidotti lguidotti@IndianaLivingGreen.com EVENTS & PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR Kate Bragg kbragg@IndianaLivingGreen.com
INTERNS Laura Fernandez, Aiste Manfredini DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Kathy Flahavin kflahavin@IndianaLivingGreen.com
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GARDENING
DOOM & BLOOM with Jim Poyser
WITH NATURE by Lynn Jenkins
Free your soil
Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul I wanna get lost in your rock n roll And drift away
Indy’s new Cultural Trail has brilliantly tackled the issue of stormwater runoff with bioswales and stormwater planters. (vimeo.com/66131674) For the home gardener, consider how much impervious surface you may be able to re-work in order to “free your soil.” While lawn is better than solid hard surface, go the extra step and create a rain garden, wildflower meadow, wildlife habitat or just plant a few more trees and shrubs. It is something every homeowner can do to make a difference in our environment, while protecting our water, air and soil, as well as helping birds, butterflies and other pollinators in their dwindling world. Thanks to Wendy Ford and “HortusScope” (hortusscope.info) for sharing depave.org. You can subscribe to her monthly e-bulletin for the Central Indiana gardening community by contacting Wendy at hortusscope@ comcast.net. Joan Mohr Samuels also distributes “Native Roots,” a bimonthly e-newsletter “to promote the enjoyment and stewardship of natural areas in West Central Indiana.” To subscribe, email Joan, mohrsamuels@ comcast.net. Both newsletters are free; thanks Wendy and Joan for your earth-friendly work. 4
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• offering opportunities to plant native plants for birds, butterflies and pollinators.
719 East St. Clair St.
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• filtering of pollutants that would have emptied into storm drains, polluting waterways.
IndyFringe Basile Theatre
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• allowing water to be absorbed back into the ground to recharge groundwater aquifers.
er Jim Poyser: Director, Co-Produc Will McCarty: Co-Producer, Graphic Designer Bill Wilkinson: Illustrator
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The song ‘Drift Away’ kept roaming my mind when I saw Depave.org’s slogan, “Free Your Soil.” It’s a clever tag; I drifted instantly to a fantasy of unlimited options. Yes, it was just the music talking, but when I got serious about the mission of this organization from Portland, Ore., I saw huge possibilities when you depave. “Depave promotes the removal of unnecessary pavement from urban areas to create community green spaces and mitigate stormwater runoff.” Don’t roll your eyes. It’s not just those fanatic granola-chomping northwesterners that are depaving their cities. Philadelphia and Chicago also have their supporters. In fact, the City of Brotherly Love is encouraging depaving through the city’s Water Department. Removal of asphalt or concrete and replanting offers many benefits including:
ilk ins on
If you’ve never been to IndyFringe, this is your year, and not just because I will be performing. IndyFringe is an annual ten-day festival of theater, dance, stand up comedy and avant garde performance, along Mass Ave in downtown Indianapolis. You don’t even have to see a show to enjoy yourself, as the street is alive with performers and revelers. But I hope you’ll see my show. Some of you may not know I got into this journalism gig via my life as a playwright. No kidding. In 1990 or so, a friend who’d seen my numerous plays gave me a freelance writing job at the Bloomington Voice. Who wouldn’t say yes to reviewing movies for a freelance check? Things unfolded from there. So, since my background is theater, it’s great fun for me to have my own Fringe show. Each year, the public call goes out for Fringe participants. Indy’s Fringe (there are numerous Fringes all over the world) is a non-juried event; no judges lord over the applicants and say ‘yes’ or ‘sorry, pal.’ It’s a first-come, first-serve situation. So when the call came out this year, I seized it without a clear vision of what I wanted to do. I was just beginning my adventures in powerpoint, the Climate Re-
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Friday, Aug. 16 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18 9:00 p. m. Tuesday, Aug. 20 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 9:00 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25 1:30 p.m. ality slideshow, and I figured I could grab a Fringe slot and do something with the slideshow for my performance. I knew I wasn’t going to use any of the existing slides, however. I am not going to deliver the Climate Reality slideshow to Fringe audiences. I have to mix up a little, you know. Give y’all something Fringe-y to enjoy. In early April, I was invited to be the keynote speaker at Brebeuf High School’s GreenCon, where a few dozen high school kids would be in attendance. Preparing the slideshow, I wondered what approach might appeal to these savvy, post-post-ironic teens. I had a glimmer one morning as I was biking to work and encountered a car bedizened with bumper stickers, all of an eco-nature. I thought ‘There’s irony for you. A planetkilling implement trying to compensate with bumper stickers.” Call it mea carpa. So I asked my friend Will McCarty to make me a bumper sticker. That request turned into two bumper stickers, then six, then a couple dozen. That’s my show. It’s my Climate Reality slideshow, without the science slides, without the trend lines and statistics. Just bumper stickers. See you at the Fringe.
WATTS & WHATNOT Denise Abdul-Rahman, talking to some 150 people at the recent Beyond Coal rally in downtown Indianapolis.
^ ^ photo by michelle craig
A fierce urgency to engage An interview with Denise Abdul-Rahman person that can engage in Indianapolis on behalf of the Indianapolis NAACP. We don’t have a lot of time, we want to do it by 2025.
Newly appointed Chair of Indiana NAACP Environmental Climate Justice, Denise Abdul-Rahman, visited the NUVO/ Indiana Living Green offices to discuss her new position, its mission and challenges. Interviewing her were Hannah Leyva, editorial intern, Jim Poyser, Indiana Living Green editor and Rebecca Townsend, NUVO news editor.
ILG: There is no dispute over the science of what fossil fuel and industrial pollution does to the environment. Why aren’t we moving from something that is clearly destructive to energy sources that are not destructive? ABDUL-RAHMAN: I believe that companies are highly invested in their current infrastructures. And communities are not as outraged to move them to make them be more socially responsible. To move them to clean energy requires an investment.
INDIANA LIVING GREEN: What do you understand your mission to be? DENISE ABDUL-RAHMAN: Indiana NAACP has 26 branches and my charge is to try to get as many of those branches on board … to get involved in advocating for clean air, clean water and [lower] energy costs.
ABDUL-RAHMAN: Communities of color are impacted because coal plants, like the Harding Street coal plant [in downtown Indy], are built within their community and the toxins that they emit — sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide — are typically within the three-mile radius of people of color and of low-income people. Statistics show [an increase in] asthma attacks, heart attacks. ILG: What is your plan of action, regarding the Harding Street plant? ABDUL-RAHMAN: First, is to go out into the community, organize township meetings and get feedback. Also, identify a 6
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health care management Masters degree and I’m also studying health informatics which incorporates environmental informatics. My whole background has been in civil rights. My grandmother made the march in 1963 to the “I Have a Dream” speech. She was the first black woman in Lafayette to come to the Indiana convention in the 1970s. My mother has been a civil rights advocate and a grass roots advocate. ILG: Do you feel that there are special ways to frame environmental issues?
ILG: Why did NAACP pick you for this job?
ABDUL-RAHMAN: I have to then look at myself and say what would motivate me to buy the 7th generation product for seven dollars as opposed to another product for just a dollar. When I went into that thinking it just came down to some messages. One is, if we don’t move into sustainable living then from a health standpoint we’ll be challenged. If you own a home you’re not going to be able to start selling it if you don’t start making your home sustainable. So that’s a motivator. We need to teach our children to take care of our earth, so that they won’t have to live in horrible tornadoes or hurricanes. I understand that as a person of color it may be challenging economically, but if we don’t [change] we will be left behind.
ABDUL-RAHMAN: I’m a hard working and determined person and I’ve worked for the NAACP for major campaigns. Also, I have a
For more info., see The Coal Blooded report, naacp.org/pages/coal-blooded1
ILG: So you are not seeing outrage in the immediate communities that are being dumped on?
ILG: What are the challenges to communities of color when it comes to the environment?
By Indiana Living Green Editors
ABDUL-RAHMAN: In my short period of time I have not seen it. I do need to still go out into the community and gauge why there hasn’t been outrage. Is there no knowledge or are people just concerned with getting up and getting a job and just trying to make it? I think it is our responsibility — those that are aware — to make them aware that life is going to be affected — the longevity of your life, the quality of your life — is affected. And so there is a fierce urgency to engage.
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WATTS & WHATNOT Steve Hallett visiting Indy last spring, as part of the EcoSummit at IUPUI. Here, he’s standing outside the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library.
^ ^ photo by jim poyser
Steve Hallett’s The Efficiency Trap By Jim Poyser
Steve Hallett, a professor of botany at Purdue University, annoys a lot of people both in and out of the environmental activism community. His basic philosophy, which is boldly and entertainingly laid out in his new book, The Efficiency Trap, is simply this: “Stop trying to save the world, it’s not working.” Hallett’s perspective is basically this: the world is too far gone at this point: Too many people, a lack of leadership and a corporate commitment to burning all the fossil fuels left in the ground. This combination will surely wreck the ecosystem not only for people, but also for much of organic life. In the prologue, Hallett states his premise, that the idea of efficiency “is the worst nightmare of the environmental movement” and that “new technologies can never save the world.” The problem, as he points out, is that we are “conflating efficiency with conservation.” Conservation — using less, stepping with a lighter footprint upon the earth — could have enormous benefits. But efficiency just leads us to consume more. We are in an era that Hallett calls “the petroleum interval,” a short — geo-
logically speaking — period of time that energy-dense, relatively cheap fossil fuels lifted our civilization into hyperdrive. Unfortunately, these fossil fuels are non-renewable resources. These sources required epochs to form, and in the course of a measly 300 years or so, we’ll deplete the planet’s supply of oil, coal and natural gas. And ruin the earth in the process via climate change.
Assessing energy spent “It’s not the end of oil that threatens our civilization,” says Hallett. “It is the escalating costs of obtaining the oil and the realization that, eventually, we will be too energy poor to produce the oil that remains in the ground.” Hallett adds, “The time may have finally come when our insatiable consumption has bumped up against impenetrable ecological limits to growth.” Here in the US there is no political will to even consider the idea that growth is bad, that capitalism and consumerism are damaging the ecosystem. And so we think we can work around our problem with increased efficiency, so that we can continue our way of life ILG
without sacrificing too much. Increased efficiency has been called “the fifth fuel … [a] relatively painless” way to “make the world a better place.” Hallett says that the trap is that we have been convinced “that we have found a way of conserving without abandoning progress and growth…. But more efficient technologies drive progress, and the time and money we saved is soon used for more consumption.” Examples abound, from the more efficient furnace in your home leading you to edge the thermostat up a notch or two, to that hybrid car in your driveway that inspires you to drive just a little more often. Or TVs, which have grown much more efficient, so now we have one in nearly every room. Same with refrigerators.
What about renewable energy? Think we can solve our problems with renewable energy? Hallett ponders and pretty much obliterates the renewable energy options one by one: wind, solar, hydroelectric. All of them cost the earth, and none can replace the energy created by the fossil fuels that are damaging our habitat. SEE, ///
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WATTS & WHATNOT cont’d
TRAP, FROM PAGE 7 Take solar energy. Hallett points out that “the American economy consumes more energy than is fixed from the sun over the entire landmass of the lower forty-eight states.” In other words, the sheer scale of our needs far outdistances our ability to feed it via solar. “The countryside would be riddled with solar cells and the environmental impacts would be enormous.” Thinking in terms of the entire life cycle of a product is the key to understanding why the promise of renewable energy falls short. Photovoltaic cells are not “green.” “They usually contain cadmium and arsenic, and while sunlight is renewable, photovoltaic cells are not.” Wind turbines are also fraught with problems. “Have you ever seen one of these things being transported along the highway or being erected? It takes some serious, energy-guzzling machinery to get these things in place,” Hallett laments. The problem with renewables, says Hallett, is the “problem of energy density. The energy that solar cells and wind turbines harvest is not a densely-packed bundle of ex-
plosive energy, like a rail car of coal, a barrel of oil, or a pipeline of natural gas…” Renewable energy will “always be faced with the basic problem that lots of energy must be invested in cells or turbines to concentrate the dispersed energy of the sun and wind.”
Shall we surrender? So what to do? Surrender? In a sense, yes, if what we’re trying to do is continue our current, profligate lifestyles. Hallett’s book hammers home the idea that it is simply impossible to keep it up. Big Biz won’t leave those valuable fossil fuel resources in the ground, and our consumer demand will keep on growing as developing countries embrace the consumption ideals established in the United States in the past half century or more. But Hallett is not about to give up. To face the truth of the enormity of our energy problems, and to juxtapose that truth with the reality of human nature, is to be liberated from the burden of the big picture. “No system that consumes the volumes of resources that we consume,” Hallett maintains, “and dumps the volumes of waste that we dump can ever be remotely sustainable.”
He concludes, “We can not sustain this model of civilization and should not even try. The longer we succeed in keeping it alive, the more damage it will cause …” The key is to take care of the small picture. Pick your battles. Save what you can: land, for example. Build resiliency. Recycle. Develop renewable energy — but keep it localized and decentralized. None of these approaches will “prevent the overall collapse, but it will soften the landing.” These changes do, however, make a difference to you and your neighbors. In a world where everything is just too big and too entrenched, it’s all you can do: “We need to abandon the relentless quest for dominance. We need to abandon our visions of progress as growth, because progress measured as growth is transient.” Hallett says, “Only progress in diversity, equality, and beauty can stand the test of time.”
The Efficiency Trap Steve Hallett Prometheus Books; $18
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l na’s festiva ia d In t, s u g By Au full swing. season is in e highlight ew In this issu we feel have ts n e those ev y eco-aspect, r an exempla Indiana State whether it’s Pavilion, the Fair ’s Food st known as rk fe farm-to-fo e brand new r Dig-IN, o thof the White celebration st. Read, go, Mfe River, WAR nd be green! enjoy — a
BY GINNYE CUBEL The season is here: 4-H animals are being preened for their debut, the music shows are lined up, and the kids are angling for that first sight of the tilt-a-whirl. That’s right, the Indiana State Fair is here. Now in its 157th year, the Indiana State Fair is not only a source of pride for Hoosiers but also an opportunity to showcase talent and innovation from around the state. And this year, the State Fair is looking to expand its usual agricultural showcase of animals and support a more encompassing view of the agricultural industry by promoting farmers, artisans, chefs, and of course, food. Launched last year, the State Fair’s effort to present Indiana food is housed in the 16,000-square foot DuPont Food Pavilion near the Midway arch on the fairgrounds. The building is divided into three parts with Purdue University’s MyPlate taking up a substantial area. MyPlate will focus on nutrition and overall wellness in relation to food and food consumption and is geared toward kids with several interactive exhibits
including a play. In addition to the exhibits, Purdue’s section will offer information on how to make healthy eating choices at home, restaurants, grocery stores, and even the fair! In the middle of the pavilion sits the Hoosier Market, a retail store that sells valueadded food products from across the state and includes everything from marshmallows to salsas. “Big companies, small companies, a lot of them are Indiana artisan companies,” said Brian Blackford, a program manager for the Indiana State Fair Commission. “They range from South Bend Chocolate Company to Red Gold down to Frittle Candy Company.” Blackford said that thanks to the Indiana Grown initiative a program from the state Department of Agriculture, a variety of fresh items are also available for sale. Last year watermelon was featured as the fresh item. The featured item this year had not been determined at ILG’s publication deadline. The third and final component of the DuPont Food Pavilion is the Red Gold Culinary Corner — a full kitchen that features a series ILG
Delicious and local: yogurt from Traders Point Creamery.
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of demonstrations and discussions throughout the fair. “[We’re] trying to provide a platform for chefs, artisans, nutritionists, people passionate about food to come in and do demonstrations,” Blackford said. Exhibitions range from cooking presentations to the carving of the big cheese (in which Sarah Kaufmann will carve a sculpture out of a giant block of cheese over six days) to local chefs chatting about the recently published ///
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The DuPont Food Pavilion will focus on nutrition, wellness and locally produced goods.
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Food For Thought: An Indiana Harvest. A full list of demonstrations can be found on the State Fair website at in.gov/statefair/fair/ entertainment/food_pavilion.html.
event but also encourage Hoosiers to travel: “You can come to the fair for 17 days and you can buy these products, see these chefs, but the rest of the year here’s how you go experience these restaurants and interact with these folks.” Slow Food Indy, a local chapter of the national grassroots organization that seeks to promote and encourage ethical and nutritious food, will showcase its snail-of-approval seal from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 11 in the Red Gold Culinary Corner. The snail-of-approval program started in New York in 2007 as a way to recognize restaurants and organizations committed to responsible and clean food. The Indianapolis chapter launched its snail-of-approval program in 2012 to encourage and identify local restaurants committed to the ideals of slow food. Slow Food Indy will feature a lineup of food organizations such as Smoking Goose, R Bistro, Second Helpings, Late Harvest, Fermenti Artisan, and Indigo Duck.
BIG, SMALL, URBAN AND RURAL One of the biggest challenges, and yet, most important parts of bringing the exhibitions together is establishing diversity. The agricultural industry isn’t just about animals or farms — it encompasses restaurants, chefs, artisan products, commodity groups and more. “We’re really showing a diverse range of chefs, a diverse range of food products and we want to promote all things agriculture in Indiana.” Blackford said. “Big, small, you know urban, rural — we want to promote everything agriculture related.” One way the State Fair has tried to advance this goal is to form partnerships with local groups to encourage cross-promotion and different viewpoints. Groups that the State Fair has formed partnerships with this year include DuPont, Red Gold, Porter County and Slow Food Indy. Porter County, and by extension the Indiana Dunes Tourism Office, will be featuring products from restaurants in northwest Indiana. Blackford hopes this will not only help add to the diversity of the 10
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THE PARTS MAKE THE WHOLE While promoting and demonstrating diversity is a major goal, it isn’t the only thing the exhibitions feature. Education also is a major component of the presentations. Vari///
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ous groups will inform about nutrition, responsible food production and consumption, and even social problems like hunger. The State Fair has also partnered with the Indy Hunger Network to educate on the serious issue of hunger in the state and beyond. With one in six people going hungry daily according to the Indy Hunger Network, the group is committed to building a system that will allow all Hoosiers access to food by 2015. Blackford explained that an important part of the DuPont Food Pavilion experience is to expose fairgoers to all aspects of food and agriculture. As such, the fun aspects intermingle with the serious ones. “We sell gourmet chocolate and then we talk about hunger and then about healthy eating,” Blackford said. Juxtaposing education with entertainment, the DuPont Food Pavilion’s various activities — cooking demonstrations, sampling and retail opportunities, kids’ activities, discussions — will all come together to illustrate the importance of the role of agriculture in Indiana. By focusing exclusively on food, as opposed to farming or animals, Blackford hopes to attract a larger swath of fairgoers to educate and entertain about agriculture: “Everybody can relate to food; not everybody likes agriculture. But they’re one and the same.”
BY SARA CROFT Dig-IN, A Taste of Indiana Executive Director Rob Gaston is providing a new set of eyes to the fourth year of Indiana’s farm-tofork celebration. Since 7 a.m. on the day of the first event in 2010, Gaston has worked his way from volunteering with set-up to becoming top leadership, but he has other culinary experience that lends to his new position. In 2006, Gaston joined Ivy Tech’s Culinary Arts Program, where he studied under Thom England, a local food activist. England was reviving the Slow Food Indy chapter and taught Gaston the benefits of local food. In 2008, Gaston became the Purchasing Coordinator for the Hospitality Program at Ivy Tech. “I was responsible for everything that came through the door for the program,” said Gaston. Learning how to communicate with Ivy Tech’s chefs was key. Gaston stressed the importance of understanding the chef’s needs in order to purchase the right foods: “When a chef sources produce for a salad, it needs to be more pristine than if it was plated with a sauce, which doesn’t.” Gaston joined the board of directors at Slow Food Indy in January 2012, and by the end of the year he was elected as board chair. A few months later, the executive director position at Dig-IN became available, and Gaston knew it was the next step for his career. “What really sold me on the job is that they were looking for someone who could establish year-round programming – dinners, conversational series of speakers and interactive talks, farm tours and cooking classes – so that DIG Indiana could move from a one-day festival to more education and outreach,” said Gaston. “I had experience in culinary arts training, in being a purchasing coordinator, a business background, and I had some nonprofit experience, so I think that a combination of all of those things is what led me to be the new director.”
GROWING SMALLER In the past few years, Dig-IN has had issues with long lines and making sure all ticket holders received food from each vendor. “We’re
actually getting smaller this year,” said Gaston. “At 5,000 people, the capacity of White River State Park, the number of vendors and food availability becomes tricky. We want to have a better experience for everybody, so we capped the tickets at 4,000 this year. We don’t want to exclude people — we want everybody who is there to have a great experience.” Since the event is not a fundraiser, where does money from ticket sales actually go? “One thing that is unique about Dig IN is that funds are raised to put on the event, not the other way around,” Gaston noted. “Chefs are often asked to donate product for charity events or fundraisers, but in our case, we actually pay for any Indiana sourced ingredients that are used in the dish. This allows us to promote Hoosier farmers and chefs without asking either to donate everything.” “Zero waste” will be a new theme this year with no trash cans on site. Aided by Indiana Recycling Coalition, compost and recycling bins will be stationed throughout the park, and volunteers will instruct attendees on how to properly dispose of their food and plates. A VIP tent will feature chefs Neal Brown and Greg Hardesty, who will offer cooking demonstrations and samples that can only be found in the tent. Mesh on Mass, Black Market and Delicia are a few of the new restaurants that will be joining the event. DIG Indiana is like no other farm to fork event. “They’re all different, and I think that’s what the nature of a farm-to-fork event is. If you’re showcasing local, that’s different based on who is involved in putting it together and where you’re at,” said Gaston. “It’s year four, and we’re very much still growing the organization. We’ve got a lot of diversity on our board, and there are great perspectives and strength in that.”
Dig-IN, A TASTE OF INDIANA White River State Park Aug. 25 | Noon-5 p.m. | digindiana.com $40 General | $60 Early Admission $90 All Access to VIP tent
Images from Dig-IN; food and fun for all!
^ submitted photos
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BY AISTE MANFREDINI
purpose to cultivate stewardship. To create stewards of the White River.” The second element of WARMfest is the music festival itself. National and local bands with popular headliners will be playing, like Michael Franti & Spearhead who’s well known for the catchy single “Say Hey (I Love You).” “When it comes to the production of the music festival, my production team and my sound and light crews, everybody’s directed to be as environmentally conscious as possible,” said Ripley. “We used LED lighting as much as possible and we try to use clean energy and electricity over generators when possible.” The third element of WARMfest is to offer non-profit initiatives an aligned purpose. Non-profit organizations like Friends of the White River, Friends of Broad Ripple Park, and ROW will be in place to encourage and educate patrons on recycling and reconnecting people to waterways. “We’re doing things like creating recycling containers with basketball goals that light up if you throw your plastic cup through the goal to start teaching kids,” said Ripley. Utilizing the vision set forth in Greening The Crossroads, a project led by Central Indiana Land Trust, CGFS will spearhead an initiative that will clear non-indigenous growth along the Broad Ripple Park waterfront, allowing park visitors and festival attendees to experience the beautiful view of the river that the park once offered. “There’s a lot to learn to use these waterways responsibly, and that education process is a big part of that initiative, said Ripley. “With a little effort and awareness, improvements can happen very quickly.” In addition, WARMfest is peddle- and paddle-friendly. Docks and lots will be available to accommodate guests who attend the festival with transportation like boats or bikes. “Our festival is really more than just a music festival,” said Ripley.
This year’s Labor Day weekend, WARMfest music festival is making its debut in Indy’s Broad Ripple Park and expecting to host 30,000 guests. The idea of WARMfest (The White River Arts & Music Festival) started with a passion for the White River and the idea of cultivating stewardship in the Indianapolis community. Dan Ripley, executive director of WARMfest, is an avid fisher, boater and kayak enthusiast, and has been a devout promoter of environmental responsibility, independent business and artisans, and sustainable goods and services. “The main purpose of the festival is to raise awareness so that people will begin to learn and appreciate again what we have as a natural resource,” said Ripley. “And the festival hopefully becomes replicable and scalable enough that they can move and go other places, maybe Riverside Park, and raise money and revitalize that part of the river too.” The Carl G. Fisher Society (CGFS), managers of WARMfest, has a vision to restore and promote the White River to return it to the grandeur of a century ago. Their mission is to educate the community to envision this great river as a recreational and visually appealing natural resource. “We want to be responsible in every way along the way because as stewards, we’re trying to cultivate stewardship, we’re trying to set a system of best practices for the festival and we’ve approached Indy’s parks to work with us,” Ripley asserted. There are three elements to WARMfest. One of them is stressing the importance of reuse and repurposing — what Ripley calls the secondary marketplace. “I view the secondary marketplace as one of the most responsible parts of environmentalism that there is, and it’s sort of neglected for what it is. My theory is that we kind of make all the stuff we need, we don’t need to throw stuff away and make more,” said Ripley. Ripley has been in the art and antique business for 15 years and thus regularly sells items within that reuse marketplace. “By selling in the secondary marketplace, we’re selling things that have already been made and used, and I’m trying to transfer that purpose to this waterway here, this 12
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WARMfest Broad Ripple Park, 1550 Broad Ripple Ave. Aug. 31-Sept 2 | warmfest.org
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WARMfest performers include: top, Lily and Madeleine; middle, Mayer Hawthorne; bottom, Michael Franti
on the bucolic grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Over 300 artists, six stages of live entertainment, an extensive children’s area, and over 50 arts-related exhibitors — plus plenty of food and drink vendors — make Penrod one of the nation’s largest single-day art fairs.
FOURTH STREET FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS AND CRAFTS Here are all the festivals we could find over the next couple of months. Some are more sustainability-minded than others, but all at least will get you out in the Great Outdoors, appreciating Mother Earth’s bounty.
INDIANAPOLIS GREEK FESTIVAL WHEN: August 23-25 LOCATION: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 3500 W. 106th St. The Greek Festival has been going strong in Indianapolis for four decades, and it’s one of the most popular ethnic gatherings in the city. Now firmly settled in their location in Carmel (3500 W. 106th St.), the festival continues the traditions of Greek culture, food and music that have made it so popular for so long. Check the website for event details closer to event date. Free. indygreekfest.org
FEAST OF LANTERNS WHEN: August 24, noon-11 p.m. LOCATION: Spades Park, 1800 Nowland Ave. Spades Park on the city’s Eastside, acquired in 1898, is heavily wooded and bounded by a creek. It’s a sylvan setting for the annual Feast of Lanterns, a neighborhood festival which features hundreds of handmade paper lanterns, bedecking the trees and illuminating the night. The festival gets started in the afternoon, with games for kids, live musical entertainment and plenty of good food. At dusk there’s a festival parade, the lamps are lit, and the fun really begins. Admission is free and the lanterns are beautiful. /IndyFeast
WHEN: August 31-September 1 LOCATION: Downtown Bloomington Your one stop shop for all-things-Bloomington arts. Get to know all the performance art groups; wander among the artists’ booths. Food, drink and party. Now 35 years old, this has to be one of the best art festivals anywhere. And hey, it’s B-town; even a leper festival would be a draw. Bloomington is about 50 miles southwest of Indy. 4thstreet.org
penrod.org
IRISH FEST WHEN: September 12-15 LOCATION: Military Park, 601 W. New York St. All things Celtic reign o’er downtown’s Military Park for this annual Irish celebration. There’s plenty of foot-stomping music, and a seemingly endless supply of beer. But there are also sheepherding exhibitions, an Irish toast contest, a rugby jamboree, a hurling tournament (as in the sport!), an Irish breed dog show and, on Sunday, a Catholic Mass to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The festival closes on Sunday at 6:45 p.m. with a jam involving all the participating festival bands.
FRENCH MARKET FESTIVAL WHEN: September 7 LOCATION: St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4217 Central Ave. St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church dates back to 1929. While its annual French-inspired free festival is a relative newcomer, at 20 years old, it has, nevertheless, established a firm identity for itself as a community fixture on the near Northside. The food is a big reason: seafood crepes, escargot en croute, French onion soup, beignets, tarte flambé, quiche, French dip roast beef and Provencal chicken are all available — even Marcel Proust’s madeleines. There’s also live entertainment, artisan’s booths, a bake sale and children’s games and food until 5 p.m. sjoa.org/frenchmarket
indyirishfest.com
CARMEL INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL WHEN: September 28-29 LOCATION: Carmel’s Arts & Design District The free, 16th annual Carmel International Arts Festival, held in the Arts and Design District, will feature over 125 juried artists exhibiting everything from paintings to photography and more. The Young Artist Tent will showcase Carmel’s local, talented youth, and the Young at Art stations throughout the festival will get the little ones involved! Alongside the beautiful art, tempting eats will be around every corner in the form of food vendors as well as the District’s outstanding restaurants.
PENROD ARTS FAIR WHEN: September 7, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. LOCATION: Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road Whether you think it marks the end of summer or the beginning of fall, Penrod has a knack for usually getting the weather gods to play ball. Thousands of people can be counted on to show up for this 47-year-old arts extravaganza
Last year, ILG Editor Jim Poyser went to a festival, had a beer from a vendor, then took his cup back to the vendor to refill. He was refused. He persisted. The vendor told him they could not refill a cup, because it wasn’t up to the health code. That vendor was incorrect. Cut out the information, to the right, and take it to your festival. If you get pushback when you go to refill your cup, show them this info that explains you can indeed receive a refill in your initial cup. Drink responsibly, waste as little as possible!
carmelartsfestival.org
OF HEALTH: FROM THE INDIANA STATE DEPT. returnables; section (a) 410 IAC 7-24-247 Refilling glasses may be refilled by (3) promotional beverage nif refilling is a contaminatio employees or the consumer s der section 261 (a)(4 ) of thi un d ifie ec sp as ss ce pro e fre nt (4 ) The dispensing equipme rule… 410 IAC 7-24-261 (a) be all sh … e ism and filling devis actuating lever or mechan ce rfa su ct with the lip-contact designed to prevent conta of refilled. (Note: a violation of glasses or cups that are ”) this is a “noncritical item. ILG
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CRUISING GREEN ^ ^ photos by lori lovely
The Nissan Leaf
Green, peace and quiet: the Nissan Leaf Three years after its introduction as one of the country’s first all-electric vehicles, the Nissan Leaf is maturing into a practical and stylish commuter car for the environmentally conscious. According to Tom Wood Nissan leasing manager BJ Knapke, Indianapolis drivers have taken notice: sales are up – perhaps in part because of the more affordable base model. Often purchased as a third car for in-town commuting, the Leaf still comes with a federal tax credit of $7,500. Available in S, SV and SL trim levels, the five-passenger, front-wheel-drive Leaf is powered by an 80 kWh electric motor (107 horsepower and 187 pound-feet of torque) fed by a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The EPA estimates its range with a full charge at 75 miles, which is an increase over previous years due to the regenerative braking and a stylish aerodynamic profile. A new 6.6-kWh onboard charger cuts charging time in half, but despite an “app” that displays nearby recharging stations on the 7-inch touch-screen monitor, Knapke says some drivers still experience “range anxiety.” Range can be extended by choosing the new “B-mode” that increases regenerative braking under deceleration by nearly 10 percent, although that reduces the amount of torque, which is already noticeably less than in comparable petrolpowered vehicles. Electric motors produce 100 percent of their torque at zero RPM for instant acceleration without lag. However, performance testing by Edmunds indicated that the Leaf accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 10.2 sec16
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onds – slightly slower than comparable EVs. What the well-engineered Leaf excels at providing is near-silent operation, precise handling – thanks in part to placement of the low-mounted battery pack (which also allows for a roomier back seat), crisp braking and ample interior space that comfortably accommodates passengers as tall as the 6’5” Knapke with room to spare. The 60/40 split rear seats provide additional cargo space. The SV model features heated steering wheel and seats – front and rear; cruise control, cloth upholstery made from partially recycled material; navigation system, six-speaker surround system, LED headlights and a remote access system. The Leaf received five out of five stars for overall protection in government crash testing. Safety features include an optional 360-degree view monitor on the SV and SL models, traction control, front airbags and side curtain airbags and antilock disc brakes. However, Edmunds testing rer vealed the Leaf took longer than average to stop: 130 feet at 60 mph. The Leaf is a fun and saucy four-door urban run-about with minimal reliance on fossil fuels. Future versions may use even less electricity. Knapke says solar panels will be incorporated in the roof of the car to power accessories. ///
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By Lori Lovely
Vehicle Information • Completely electric: no fossil fuels used to power it, other than those required to produce the electricity to recharge it • Doesn’t use oil • Zero emissions • Energy efficiency equivalent rating (MPGe) of 129 mpg city/102 mpg highway and 115 mpg combined • Assembled at Nissan’s Tennessee plant for a shorter delivery • 10-year warranty of lithium-ion battery • Annual fuel cost: $500* • Fuel savings over five years: $9,500* • Annual petroleum consumption: 0.2 barrels* *Source: fueleconomy.gov
CRUISING GREEN BREIFS Indy’s new bikeshare program As bikeshare programs throughout the nation continue to expand and thrive, Indy is adopting a city program that’s expected to kick off in May 2014. Bikeshare is a service that makes bicycles available to individuals for a small fee for short periods of time. Bikeshare programs aim to make it convenient for citizens to move around their cities—all while decreasing their dependence on cars and encouraging that daily dose of physical activity. “The Indianapolis Cultural Trail will operate the Bikeshare program,” Kären Haley, Executive Director of Indianapolis Cultural Trail Inc., said at a mid-July public input meeting. “Indy’s Bikeshare program will also be coordinating with the new car share program.” Memberships, user fees and sponsorships will fund the on-going operation of the Bikeshare program and will be the responsibility of ICT, Inc. ICT, Inc. will collaborate with Bolloré Group and the car share program where applicable as the system is developed. Bicyclists will be able to conveniently sign up online or at a Bikeshare station kiosk. Typically, Bikeshare programs have 24 hour ($5-7), three day, and annual memberships (approx. $65) available to residents and visitors, said Haley. The program will also offer pre-paid debit cards gift certificates if paying with your credit card isn’t an option. Indy’s Bikeshare program will be located in the downtown area, with stations placed close to the
Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick (ICT, Inc.). This initial $1 million investment comes from federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds through the Federal Highway Administration. The approved contract is with B-cycle, a company that provides equipment for and manages similar bikeshare programs across the country. The Indianapolis Bikeshare system will have approximately 300 bikes and 25 stations. “We’re going to make sure there are enough lots for circulation throughout the city,” said Haley. In addition to printed maps, every bike will have a GPS that tells people how many hours and/or miles they’ve ridden. “We’re excited to operate the Bikeshare program,” Haley said. “The Cultural Trail is the downtown hub for the City’s greenway system and intersects with several city bike lanes. This Bikeshare program will make it easier for people to use the fantastic bike infrastructure that already exists in our city.” The public is encouraged to provide input on the station locations by visiting indyculturaltrail. org. ICT, Inc. will provide updates on the Bikeshare program on the website as well and on their Facebook Page and Twitter @INCulturalTrail. If interested in discussing sponsorship opportunities related to the Bikeshare program, please contact Karen Haley at khaley@indyculturaltrail. org or 454-8526. — AISTE MANDFREDINI
GM and Honda work on improving fuel cell technologies
Bicycle repair stations installed at IUPUI
General Motors and Honda, leaders in fuel cell technology, plan to work together with stakeholders to develop important technology that will further advance refueling infrastructure. The companies agreed to co-develop next-generation fuel cell system and hydrogen storage technologies. Fuel cell technology addresses many of the major challenges facing automobiles today – petroleum dependency, emissions, efficiency, range and refueling times. Fuel cell vehicles can operate on renewable hydrogen made from sources like wind and biomass. The only emission from fuel cell vehicles is water vapor. Additionally, fuel cell vehicles can have up to 650 kilometers of driving range, can be refueled in as little as three minutes, and the propulsion technology can be used on small, medium, and large vehicles. These two companies expect to succeed by sharing expertise, economies of scale and common sourcing strategies, and aiming for the 2020 time frame. By working together, GM and Honda have the potential to help reduce the dependence on petroleum and establish sustainable mobility.
Three do-it-yourself bicycle repair stations have been installed at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, enabling campus and community cyclists to do quick repairs anytime and be on their way, thanks to a Greening IUPUI grant and an IUPUI student group focused on bicycle initiatives. Steve Godanis, outgoing president of the IUPUI Student Sustainability Council, decided to pursue installation of bicycle repair stations at IUPUI after seeing stations at IU-Bloomington. The council hoped that faculty, staff and students would be inspired to ride their bikes and use the stations. The Student Sustainability Council was established to make a positive impact on IUPUI by helping the campus become more sustainable. It serves as the voice for sustainability- focused students and facilitates sustainability-driven goals on campus. The stations are located at 1) The School of Public and Environmental Affairs breezeway, south end, 2) the Campus Center, by the bike racks at the south side of the building, and 3) the east side of Hine Hall. These bike stations are useful additives that help make IUPUI a more bike-friendly campus.
— AISTE MANDFREDINI
— AISTE MANDFREDINI ILG
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Wheelin’ wins spot in film festival Wheelin’, a short film about Steve Carter and his mission to preserve the history of cycling, premiered at New York’s Bicycle Film Festival in June. This video was produced by TrendyMinds and created by Indybased bicycle-lovers. The project’s team includes director JD Schuyler, plus Jason Drake, Luke Tate and Jeremy Albert. Since Albert is heavily involved in bicycle advocacy via a non-profit called INDYCOG, he immediately understood Steve Carter’s connection to the high wheel. According to the JD Schuyler, not only did they learn about bicycles from Steve, but their history as well: “it was interesting to learn that bicycles played a role in women’s suffrage, for example. We see bicycles as exercise and transportation, but they have also served as a source of empowerment.” While people are watching the documentary, the team hopes that people realize the long history that surrounds bicycles. They want the documentary to encourage viewers to find a way to incorporate them into their lives - “Not only are bicycles a more environmentally friendly method of transportation,” Schuyler said, “they can provide a sense of pride to their owners.”
AUGUST 2013
— LAURA FERNANDEZ ///
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^ photo by rodney mcphail
^ photo by greg emig
IMBIBING GREEN People’s Brewing Company on left: Phil loads grain and pulling the spent grain; Lafayette Brewing Company on right: Brewing system at the Feast of the Hunters Moon and a nice pint.
Crafting sustainability in Lafayette Sunday ride from a local bike shop to our brewery and then on to Lafayette Brewing Company.” Every Thursday, a running club along the Runs Trail stops at PBC for a pint or two as a respite before continuing their circuit. Johnson began professional brewing at Lafayette Brewing Company, where founder/brewmaster Greg Emig restored a 121-year-old furniture store into a brewpub in 1992, a major move in reclaiming downtown Lafayette. “At LBC, we’ve re-purposed a variety of brewing and foodservice equipment and focused on sourcing locally produced products for both the brewery and kitchen,” says Emig. “The bison for our extremely popular bison burgers are raised just up the road in Buffalo, Ind. We use compostable cups for off-premise beer service and recycle all cardboard, plastic, glass, newspaper and spent grease from our fryers.” LBC and PBC are active participants in the annual “Beers Across the Wabash” event at the John T. Meyers Pedestrian Bridge over the Wabash River. Emig points out that all participants receive a re-fillable plastic tasting cup to cut down on waste. The event provides recycling containers for paper and plastic (no glass permitted on the grounds) and a bulk supply of drinking/rinse water. “We highly encourage using public transportation and biking to the event. Our host hotel is located directly adja-
People’s Brewing Company [PBC] brewmaster Chris Johnson and managing partner Brett Vander Plaats refurbished an old warehouse near downtown Lafayette in 2010 to start up their brewery. Their commitment to sustainability continues with a 4500 sq. ft. expansion that includes a new floor heating system to use their waste cooling water as a heat source. Even though water is beer’s main ingredient, the major use of water is for cleaning and for cooling the initial water and grain mixture so yeast can successfully be added. Johnson explains, “The hot cooling water will be held and distributed through a heat exchanger to heat our new addition and the existing production area.” “We recycle glass, metals, plastics; spent grains go to our local farmers for feed supplements; trub and solid wastes are removed for composting both with local companies and Purdue University’s Student Farm,” says Johnson. “We remove our trub to keep organics out of the city sewers.” PBC sources locally grown ingredients for their tasting room menu and features north German-style beers to utilize Lafayette’s hard water so no energy is wasted changing water to fit styles requiring soft water. Since the brewery is located on a leg of the most extensive bike trail system in the Lafayette/West Lafayette city limits, PBC encourages biking to the brewery. “We have a group that does a weekly 18
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By Rita Kohn
cent to the festival grounds, so travel between the venues is by foot,” adds Emig. Emig demonstrates the most sustainable brewing practice annually at the Feast of the Hunter’s Moon where he sets up an 18th century outdoor brewing operation, utilizing a wood fire with a copper kettle and on-site ingredients at Historic Fort Ouiatenon Park. Wildcat Creek Winery, another Lafayette artisan beverage company, partners with PBC and LBC for philanthropic events including TAP at TAF to benefit Tippecanoe Arts Federation held annually in May.
Information • People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. 9th St, Lafayette, Ind. 47904; peoplesbrew. com; @PeoplesBrew; 765-714-2777. • Lafayette Brewing Company Brewpub, 622 Main St., Lafayette, Ind. 47901; lafayettebrewingco.com; @Lafbrew; 765-742-2591. • Wildcat Creek Winery, 3233 E. 200 N., Lafayette, Ind. 47905; wildcatcreekwinery.com; 765-838-3498. • “Beers Across the Wabash” at John T. Meyers Pedestrian Bridge over the Wabash River. Aug. 24; beersacrossthewabash.com. • Feast of Hunter’s Moon, at Historic Fort Ouiatenon Park, Oct. 5-6; tcha.mus.in.us/feast.htm. • TAP at TAF at 638 North St.; tippecanoearts.org.
The Buzz • Contact Ross Harding at ross@ indyurbanbeekeeping.com. • Visit the Indiana Beekeepers Association at their Indiana State Fair booth to sample local honey, observe a hive and speak with local beekeepers. • Members of the public interested in beekeeping are encouraged to join the Central Indiana Beekeeping Association. Find meeting information at indyurbanbeekeeping.org.
IMBIBING GREEN
Bee educated Ross Harding pulled thousands of bees out of a bedroom ceiling this year. Their new digs? The R Bistro garden, just off the Cultural Trail. “It’s really nice to take bees from somewhere like that –– where someone might kill them –– and save them and relocate them to a place like [R Bistro],” Harding said. That hive now houses more than 60,000 bees, who, by day, are constantly coming and going between the flowering trees, lavender bushes and various plants that populate the garden. At night, they fan their wings furiously, drying out the nectar they’ve collected and turning it into honey. Harding, 27, has been beekeeping for almost two years. His interest was sparked by an article covering the basics in Backwoodsman magazine. “I got into it for honey,” Harding said. “But then I built a huge appreciation for the honeybee, especially [after reading about] the decline of the population.” Now, he’s part of the core group of the Central Indiana Beekeepers Association, where he presents monthly Bees in the News information sessions, keeping the group up to date on the latest threats to bees. He also teaches regular bee education courses.
^ ^ photo by will mccarty
Ross Harding’s Cultural Trail bees are ready for their close-up By Katherine Coplen
2,000 eggs –– more than her body weight. While regular workers (sterile females) and drones (males) live approximately 45 days (“They essentially flap their wings off,” said Harding), a queen can live up to six years. Right now, he stops by the R Bistro hives about once a week. It’s not ready for honey harvesting yet –– each hive needs between 80 to 100 pounds of honey to make it through the winter – so it’s fairly low-maintenance for now. “Once I know that they’re set up with a laying queen, I don’t have to worry about them too much. I make sure they have enough space; if they don’t have enough space, they can swarm.” But Harding is experienced with swarms. In fact, his now- hived swarm at R Bistro is currently one of his healthiest colonies. Harding’s goal for the end of summer is to place 10 total hives. He’s planning for hives on top of Ivy Tech as part of the Culinary Arts Program. There, he plans to conduct beekeeping skills classes and demonstrate honey harvesting techniques. He’ll also remove swarms from houses, trees and other structures when requested – where there’s wild swarm, Harding will be there.
“A lot of people are afraid of bees,” said Harding, who works full time at a local communications company and bee-keeps in his free time. “Knowing that they’re not out to get us, that they do good for our environment, that we need them for food, that’s what’s most important.” Earlier this summer, Harding conducted a basic beekeeping course for the employees of R Bistro, who got to peer into the two hives that sit just outside the kitchen of their Mass Ave restaurant. As he pulled the frames out of the top bar hive one by one, he talked casually about the structure of the hive –– guard bees, nurse bees and hive cleaners scurried over the panels. Then, on frame four, something special. “I can see the queen from here,” Harding said excitedly, as he eased the frame from its slot. The wax covered frame teemed with hundreds of bees –– and there, right in the center, the queen. Queens are much bigger than other bees and are slightly lighter in color than the drones and workers. As we watched, she buzzed from cell to cell over the honey comb, dropping eggs into each cup. Over the course of one day, a queen can lay more than ILG
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BUILDING GREEN N IndyMod Homes’ Ursula David smiles about her new place in Cottage Home neighborhood.
^ ^ photos by mark a. lee submitted illustration
IndyMod Homes plots our urban future By Jordan Martich
On a plot of land close to the Near East Side in the Cottage Home neighborhood, Ursula David is doing something many would think impossible – building intelligently sustainable, affordable prefabricated homes. Cottage Homes, labeled a ‘Conservation Area’ by the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission, is welcoming the addition of new green housing with open arms, working with David to make the project possible on every level. She’d seen ads for modular homes with environmentally conscious aspects in magazines like Dwell and thought, “Why don’t we do this here?” The homes include eco-friendly alternatives to flooring, paints and other building materials. The factory that builds the homes recycles 70 percent of the scrap materials, and because they’re building in a controlled environment they’re able to keep the waste to a minimum. Each home’s walls are built 2’ by 6’ to allow room for extra insulation, cutting down heating costs for the owner. Another perk to ordering prefabricated
homes is that they’re built 20 to 25 percent faster than an average house. “It’s environmentally conscious meets cool contemporary,” David says. David went through a lot of modular housing companies before settling on Hi-Tech Housing, Inc., located in Bristol, Indiana. They matched her needs with dedicated and swift service, much like her architecture design company Axis Architecture and Interiors Studio, whose designs cater to innovative builders like David. During the downturn in the housing market a few years ago, David wasn’t building anything. She knew that she had to make a change; most of the homes that she built sold for a minimum of $500,000 and that was clearly not how the market would continue. Her dedication to sustainable housing and the community she’s building in is serious. David’s own house was delivered June 20 and it took only about a month of work before the house was completed. She chose the neighborhood for its incredible sense of community, saying
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that anyone could live in her homes and become a part of the neighborhood. She’s been building since 1983, now certified as a green professional and a board member of Big Car, the arts collective that does too many fantastic things to list. Her experiences with Big Car inspired her to use her artistic talent to better the Cottage Home community. Along with financial feasibility and community came a knack for building sustainably. Although she doesn’t include some features like solar panels in the base model of these homes, customizing a home can be simple, easy and fun. The National Conference of Historic Preservation recently asked IndyMod to showcase her eco-friendly redefinition of the historic community as part of their conference in Indianapolis from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1. IndyMod Homes will be part of a presentation on building projects in urban areas. “I don’t see the point in continuing the urban sprawl out of Indianapolis with more crazy concrete and ugliness,” David says. “We’re taking available pieces of land and turning it into homes.”
ASK
RENEE
DOING GREEN “AWAKENING THE DREAMER, CHANGING THE DREAM” SYMPOSIUM August 3, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The public is invited to help create a hopeful and sustainable future for Earth by attending the “Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream” symposium from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. This symposium is an international movement to help all people change the dream of consumerism to the dream of sustainability and mutuality. It uses video, personal reflection and group activities to bring together indigenous wisdom and modern knowledge in a transformative learning experience. Participants can expect to find hope, inspiration and a commitment to action toward an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and a socially just presence on Earth. The cost for the program is $35. To preregister, email rmorton@spsmw.org or visit WhiteViolet.org for more information.
HERB SOCIETY OF CENTRAL INDIANA Aug. 5, 7 p.m. Sue Arnold, Member and Herb Garden Coordinator, presents “Planning and Maintaining the Herb Garden at White River Gardens.” Includes herb plant information with beautiful photos of the garden. Public welcome and yummy herbal treats will be served. John Hensel Government Center, 10701 N. College Ave., Indianapolis
SUSTAINABLE LIVING EXPO Aug. 8-10 This year’s Sustainable Living Expo is sure to be an eco-delight, focusing on alternative energy, homesteading, and healthy living while featuring seminars, demonstrations and vendors. With the aim of
Got a question for Renee? askrenee@indianalivinggreen.com
promoting individual responsibilities in wholesome living, the expo will feature many speakers, including Dr. Don Huber, speaking on the effects of GMOs, David Kline, shedding light on our role in sustainable community, and Reuben Stoltzfus, talking in a seminar titled “From Soil to the Table.” Michigan Event Center, 7605 N. SR9, Howe
MASS AVE CRITERIUM Aug. 10, Noon – 11 p.m. Bicycle tires will be squealing on Aug. 10 on Mass Ave as racers line up for the annual Mass Ave Criterium. With speeds up to 40 mph, $5000 in cash and $5000 in prizes, the race — affectionately dubbed MAC — brings elite cycling up close and personal. The two-thirds mile, fully enclosed course begins and ends at 432 Massachusetts Ave., close by to the Chatterbox Jazz Club. Brought to you by our sister publication, NUVO, the MAC is becoming one of the most exciting bicycle races in the country — and it isn’t just for elite racers. There are Junior Races, Kids Races and a Kids Rodeo. MAC starts at noon and runs to 11 p.m., with ample food and drinks available, so plan on spending the day in downtown Indianapolis along one of its greatest streets, Mass Ave. Fees for participants range from $10-45, and entry to the MAC for fans is free! For more, see mac.nuvo.net.
UNCOMMON AT THE COMMONS Aug. 27, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Flower Show with Chaos (the famous sculpture by Jean Tinguely). A standard flower show sponsored by members of Flower Lane Garden Club, affiliated with The National Garden Club, Inc.; Central Region /Garden Club; and The Garden Club of Indiana, Inc. Free and open to the public. The Commons, 300 Washington St., Columbus
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ECO-DESTINATION PORTLAND ARCH NATURE PRESERVE This National Natural Landmark delights all who visit. Located near the Wabash River in Fountain County, this preserve is marked by Bear Creek flowing through a deep ravine. Joined by a tributary, the waters carved an open-
ing through a massive sandstone formation, creating the natural bridge dubbed the Portland Arch. Managed by the Indiana DNR, this 435-acre tract features two trails, with natural beauty and wildlife abounding. Treat yourself to this one of a kind destination! For more eco-destinations, see our web site. ILG
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Q: Was
hoping you could direct me to a drop off place open to the public that recycles polystyrene #6? Coffee cups, takehome food boxes, etc. Thanks so much for any help! Kay Kay, You are not the first, nor will you be the last, to ask this question. And I wish I had a better answer for you. First, let’s clear up the differences between the types of polystyrene materials. Foodservice foam, like coffee cups and take-home containers, are NOT recyclable at this time by any plastics recyclers in Indiana. Also included on the NOT list are egg cartons and foam film (the type that is sometimes wrapped around breakables). The type of polystyrene that CAN be recycled is Expanded Polystyrene, EPS, or the white block foam. It’s the stuff that is often molded around electronics and furniture. If you break it in half, you see little white balls of foam. This is the stuff that is recycled, IF you can find a place that will take it! The only place I know of that accepts EPS foam from consumers right now is East-Terra Supply, 2525 N Shadeland Ave. Building 60, Indianapolis. The catch is that they are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If you’re still looking for a place that will accept packing peanuts, check out the Plastic Loose Fill Council locator. They also have a Peanut Hotline: 800-828-2214. If you are a business that generates a lot of EPS waste, contact East-Terra, DAO or Crossroads Industrial Services to implement a recycling program. Here’s a fun fact about EPS: The Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers reported that 56 million lbs of EPS was recycled in 2006. That’s a lot of foam considering that EPS is 98% air! And that’s the challenge for recyclers – its volume is much greater than its weight making transport inefficient. So, Kay, the answer to your question is stop using polystyrene (and other throwaway) coffee cups and take-out containers and do your best with the rest. Piece out, Renee SIGN UP for the Ask Renee newsletter at indianalivinggreen.com
AUGUST 2013
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SUMMER ON FALL CREEK
by William Saint
See solution in the September issue of Indiana Living Green. See July’s solution on pg. 23. 22
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LIFE IS AN EGG by Joe Lee
August 10, 2013
ELITE INDIANA STATE CRITERIUM CHAMPIONSHIPS
start/finish/registration 435 Mass Ave, downtown Indy We couldn’t throw this without
the help of our volunteers!
contact Kate Bragg at kbragg@nuvo.net. For more information and sponsorship opportunities
contact Lauren Guidotti at lguidotti@nuvo.net. Visit us at mac.nuvo.net follow us on facebook at Mass Ave Criterium
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© 2013 William Saint
MONTH SOLUTION:
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