4-18-07 - New Articles, and an Important Reminder

Deciding finally that content is more important than originality (or proprietership, for that matter), we've gone ahead and posted some "outside" articles to the site. The Articles section, you may notice, is now split into two categories: "Big Green City Exclusives", and "Other Articles". The "Other Articles" will include content from a variety of sources, like CNN, Treehugger.com, Time Magazine, etc--all appropriately credited, of course. We hope this addition only enhances this site's effectiveness at providing you the most pertinent, relevant information on living green. Watch for more articles to be added, both from in-house and outhouse (tee-hee), in the near future.

Also, if you have plans for this Saturday you need to cancel them, unless those plans are to attend the 11th Annual EarthFest/EarthWalk at Shanwee Mission Park, because that's where you need to be. There will be tons of displays and activities for children and adults alike; information on everything from solar power to carbon tax; food and music; and plenty of et cetera. Be sure to visit the Mid-America Electric Auto Association's area, where folks like Mark Higley (see previous post) and others will be showing off their homebuilt or dealer-bought electric vehicles. I will even be there with my Tidalforce electric bike and Black & Decker electric lawnmower. I promise you won't be disappointed, and you might even learn something you never knew you didn't know. For instance, did you know that, on average, mowing your lawn for one hour with a traditional gas-powered mower contributes more pollution into the air than driving a typical vehicle 100 miles? Even if you already knew that, I bet you know someone who doesn't, and what better way to celebrate Earth Day than to spread the good word--or the "Good World," as it were? (Ooh, I like that. Dibs!)

Visit EarthDayKC.org for more information on the event.

See you there!

4-13-07 - All the Best Things Are Spelled with X

Props to Mark Higley of Midwest EV, the areas only authorized (or unauthorized, for that matter) dealer of ZAP electric cars. He was not just mentioned, but was the subject of an entire article in the Pitch Weekly magazine, thanks to his appearance at Earth Fair.

Please, please, please visit the Pitch sit and read the article yourself. If you haven't had a chance to drive any electric cars, why not saunter up to Mark's dealership in Leavenworth and try on a ZAP? They're cheap, they're green, and they're just s'goshdarn cute.

Congrats, Mark. Here's to the New Black Escalade.

4-9-07 - MORE LIGHT RAIL TALK

Over at KCLightRail, they just posted a follow-up to Clay Chastain's Q&A at Central Exchange. He answered a few softball questions about his light rail plan--so don't expect any hard-hitting, controversial discussions when you click this link. However, it does shed some light on a few aspects of the light rail program you might not have been aware of, and it will help keep you up-to-date on how the plan is progressing, if you're into that sort of thing.

What are your thoughts on the light rail plan? What problems do you think it will solve? What problems do you think it will create? Is light rail really the best choice, or do you have another suggestion? Send your comments in via our Contact page, and we'll post your responses here.

4-3-07 - BIG GREEN CITY: NOW BIGGER, GREENER,

AND CITYIER

I was fortunate enough to attend the Clean Energy Show at Zona Rosa this past Saturday, put on by the Concerned Citizens of Platte County. It wasn't a huge event, but there were some great participants, from heavy-hitters like KCPL and MGE, to some grassroots organizations like ReEnergizeKC and True Blue Women. One thing stood out to me: there is a genuine desire amongst these people to see a positive change in our lives. They are not subversive or calculating in the least. Everyone that I talked to--minus one or two from some of the "heavy-hitters" I mentioned--was sincere and enthusiastic and passionate, and very friendly. I encourage you to get out there and meet some of these people yourself. Join their causes, show your support, and become a part of something bigger than yourself. There are other people out there just like you who want the same thing, and it just takes getting everyone involved to make things happen.

It was a very fruitful day for Big Green City, as we passed out business cards and collected enough paperwork to build a tree, and the best part is that you ultimately benefit. Check our Business Directory and Links pages to see just how much was added, and definitely visit our forum and see all the upcoming events added to the calendar. If you don't have anything to do between now and August, we've got you covered. You'll have to register to view the events calendar there, but it's worth it, promise.

Look for more content to be added continuously over the coming week as I make my way through all the flyers, pamphlets, leaflets and full-on magazines I picked up at the Show.