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Green is the color -- and not just for St. Paddy’s
Pat Lenhoff
Updated: March 29, 2012 4:02PM
Now, you might think, based on the title of this week’s column, that the ‘green’ I am referring to is in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. And you would be at least partly correct. Not only the day dedicated to celebrating my heritage but also my feast day for the saint I am named after, March 17 has always been extra-special to me. I am probably the only Jew in the world who also has a feast day, but hey, life’s too short to color inside the lines all the time.
The other green reference I want to call your attention to is the annual Green Living Fair, sponsored by the Lake County Green Congregations, a consortium of local congregations who have banded together and formed the group to foster and facilitate green living. This year, the Fair will be held on a very appropriately green day, March 17 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Libertyville Civic Center.
We hear a lot these days about green living. Recycling, choosing the best light bulbs, composting, organic products, plastic water bottles, yadda yadda yadda as Jerry would say. But you know what? It’s important stuff, and I think sometimes we tune out and adopt the attitude that we know all about it, don’t need to talk anymore, been there done that. And that’s just wrong. There’s a lot we don’t know and always something we can learn, even small things that collectively can change the world for the better, if we listen and learn to people who know a thing or two about treating our environment gently and with respect.
Admission is free, recyclable items will be accepted, and a whole host of organizations will have staff on hand to make suggestions, teach green methods, and offer information you may not have heard. CFL bulbs will be available free, and electronics will be accepted for recycling, along with plastic bags, Styrofoam, inkjet cartridges, cellphones, glasses, hearing aids, gym shoes, plastic beverage bottle caps, wine corks (no plastic), plastic plant pots, bicycles and children’s books.
I know that the scope of this lifestyle can appear overwhelming and sometimes that’s what prevents us from taking action. But I think the message that green living advocates like the Lake County Green Congregations are trying to get across is that each of us can do some things. Maybe not everything, or even a majority of green living suggestions. But if each of us adopts some of the ideas the experts share, the snowball effect begins and the movement to preserve Mother Earth’s bounties picks up steam. Plus, it just plain feels good to be part of the green team.
Enjoy St. Paddy’s Day, perhaps with some green beer, but don’t forget to include a little green living as well!
Send email to Pat Lenhoff at: viewfromvh@yahoo.com
