Rise and Shine Detroit -- National Geographic Traveler

Rise and Shine Detroit -- National Geographic Traveler

This article appeared today and I could not just read it and leave it... so please read the story that is hitting the March/April Nat Geo with the now famous Chris Roddy. I was recently in the city visiting with some fellow Board Members from my suburban community of Oxford and we walked right into the Guardian and there here was. Christopher in his full humble glory waiting for us to meeted and greeted. He charmed the ladies in our group with his well... charm... and then offered to give us a tour... that is before... his job called him to the attention of a elderly visitor who had collapsed and was in need of medical attention. This humble servant of Detroit made his way to world wide attention... if only for a brief glimpse (two seconds at second 39-40) ... from his short video appearance in last years Super Bowl smash hit commercial featuring Marshal Mathers attempt to lift Chrysler Corporation on his back to resurrect the brand rising up from the ashes of the complete collapse of bankruptcy.

http://greenfundraiserstore.blogspot.com/2011/02/chrysler-eminem-super-bowl-commercial.html?spref=bl

Yes... I just revisited this blog from February 2011 and I am willing to admit that it still gives me the goose bumpy chills when I watch it on YouTube. Funny how a year has passed and now that Marshall Mathers message of "This is the Motor City and this is what we do...." has been attempted to be topped  with another super star... from a different era... in Clint Eastwood and the "It's Half-time..." ad. Again... I will admit that this was again a goose bump spot on commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/chrysler

I was not sure what to expect when I heard that Clint Eastwood had been hired in to do the spot this year. In fact... I missed it completely due to some running around and transporting kids that occurred at my own household half time. I did see the Madonna show... missed the bird that got flipped and then missed the Chrysler spot. Thank goodness for YouTube as my son and I cued it up the next morning and... again... a strong message that I did not think was as powerful as the Marshall Mathers message... but then again... Marshall is from Detroit or now lives out in the extended suburbs not too far from my neighborhood.

I was taken back a bit by the storm of controversy that followed the next day and has just now started to settle down this week. It appears that there are all types of conspiracy theorists at work on the hidden messages and meanings of this ad. The most outrageous one I have heard has to do with the theory that this is somehow Chrysler paying back Obama for the bail out loans that occurred. The theory is that "half-time" represents the half way point in Obama's attempt for re election for the next 4 year term.... and that somehow Clint Eastwood is paying it forward to Obama in this ad.

I heard an interview with local Detroit radio host Paul Smith and Sergio Marchionne on WJR Radio the Monday following the Super Bowl. Later that morning the dissection began taking place of the interview and some of the further conspiracies that were quite laughable. Marchionne is the head of Chrysler... who is now joined with Fiat... and this leads into the European influences on the entire ad campaign.

One thing I learned later that day... it appears that the NFL forced Chrysler to remove the ad since they had apparently violated some type of agreement and used a term that was either trademarked or propitiatory in the use of the words.... "Half Time". First Boise State threatens our local high school stating they have the rights to the words... "Blue Turf" and now the NFL says they own "Half Time"? Very soon we will not be able to say a word without infringing upon someones ownership rights to the words!

http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2012/02/marchionne-talks-with-wjrs-paul-w-smith-about-super-bowl-ad

I will finish with one of my favorite catchy little toons that I think summarizes the entire Spirit of Detroit.... Sammy Davis Jr... we miss you!

"Hello Detroit" ... is a song that Sammy Davis Junior wrote about the D back in the day when he apparently felt pretty good about his experiences here in the Motor City. I don't know the story about how that song actually came to be... but Sammy belted it out and here it is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Update:  March 8th, 2012

I caught this article on a local Facebook page for Digg Detroit from a visiting journalist who was in town to cover the Romney event at Ford Field.  He saw something in our city that many journalists have failed to see.... hope of a real sustainable recovery.  Please check it out....

  Two cities: two works in progress....

And... my reply to the comments posted....

donaldman
posted 2 days ago

Thank you Richard for you thoughtful comments about your recent visit to Detroit. It is refreshing to see some more positive light being shined on a city on its knees. You see as an advocate for the fair City of Detroit...I read, watch and hear plenty of the bad news and poor coverage of the city. I caught your story on a Facebook page known as Digg Detroit and I recommend a visit there to get a vibe on what I am about to try to explain to your readers. As the first Chrysler superbowl ad said...most critics have never even set foot here. How can you pass judgement on something you know little or nothing about? Some of your reader comments are kind in thought but lack prespective from some current facts. I will direct you to some great web places for fuether thoughts on what is happening at the grass roots level... Visit Lemonaide Detroit and Google search Dan Gilbert...Quicken Loans owner and his continued investment in city gems long ago abandoned and under redevelopment. There is an entrepenurial renassance taking place very quietly and the nation needs to understand what happens when you have gone to hell and back...again quoting Chrysler super bowl ad last year.... You had better learn from the past mistakes or plan for the final chapter. Please also visit National Geographic online March April edition for a great story in 3ise and Shine Detroit...and see my favorite gem in the Guardian trust building...alive and well in 2012 dating back to the pre first depression boom and unfolding of the automotive explosion in the making. 5eroit was then known as the Paris of the midwest due to its ever expanding deco skyline. Now donkt let me leave you with the idea that I am not in touch with the facts...as was stated in the article...we have COMPLEX issues that are mind blowing. Last month each week a new more horrifying story surfaced of chilren being murdered...one baby shot to death while sleeping on a sofa in a drive by...40 plus shots into a house...gang drug related. Those are deep dark issues that go way beyond any revitalization plan. Sorry about the typos...I am doing my best with Blackberry. Check my FB for more pictures and my personal committment to find the beautiful things in the D!

February 1st 2012... In balmy Michigan

I just tore off the sheet on my old fashioned paper calendar for January 2012.  It occurred to me that although January is the first in the line of 12 months on the calendar... I'm never sorry to turn the page to February.  Now some might say that we can just chuck February and March too... because if your from Michigan... and you prefer lets just say... the "other" months... the first part of the year can be down right blahh.
Enter the new climate conditions for 2012... throw out the rule books, trade in your snow thrower, and let's break out the shorts and flip/flops (did you know some Michiganders actually never put them away?) cause spring comes in February  now.  Yes... the ground hog has been fired... no need for old PA Phil to tell us about winter and spring anymore.

You know your in Michigander when...

Number 1:  You drop the top on the convertible... and its partly cloudy and 45.
Number 2:  You decide to swap out the car for the motorcycle... partly sunny and 50.
Number 3:  You start calling around for tee times at the golf course... overcast and 49... remember in April you'll likely complain about windy and 58.
Number 4:   No worry kids... but the snow board aside for the long board... I see my neighbor kids hitting the rolling hills in the hood today...no jackets of course...
Number 5:  You start to complain about a string of too many nice days in a row... it upsets your inner Michiganian.

Now... keep in mind that just 36 hours ago we were blanketed in 3-4 inches of snow and we even had the threat of a dreaded... "snow day..." .  Funny how your perspective on this changes as you become a parent.

So... to all those local community event planners... sorry about it... Tip up Town... the annual winter event that brings winter enthusiast out onto the ice with their Ice Shanty's and Tip up's... not gonna happen.  Right through the ice and into the drink.   Fire and Ice... how about smoldering embers and slush?  Winter Blast?
Change it to Spring fling.  It is really hard to plan for winter events and it is always risky at best.

http://tip-up-townusa.com/

At the same time.... I hear about record snow in Alaska and cold in the UK... hard to figure it out and that is because... you can't.   It's called climate change... because the climate... is always changing.  This article in the Detroit News kind of explains the science of "Why".... theoretically.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120202/NATION/202020398/Winter-largely-dodges-large-swaths-U-S-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p

Earlier this year I swear I could even smell it.  Yes... in our local area there was chatter about that unusual smell in the air.  What was it?  Never had it before in the winter... I though perhaps it was the smell of... climate change.  My theory was based on the temperatures staying above freezing for so long that we were catching the hint of a moldy smell in the air.  Once person I talked to theorized a proliferation of "Winter mold" caused by above average temperatures.  Others speculated it was from a manufacturing facility that had just recently went back on line after a long shut down.  Others pointed to the local landfills and truth be told my sniffer caught this every time I was in the vicinity of these places.  Problem is... the manufacturing facility is located right in between the two growing mounds of rubbish.   Something happened... and not sure what... but the smell is gone now and were not sure to this day where it was coming from or what caused it... or why it went away.  It just smelled like... climate change to me!

So... keep the faith... keep doing the small yet significant things you can do in your course of daily living.  It all counts as we learn each and every day.   I want to share this link I discovered from a green minded friend this week and I think is the ultimate in "reuse".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-Fpsw_yYPg&feature=share

Let's just say... it sheds some light on a new way to use a plastic Pepsi bottle.

One last thing... we are still showing world wide interest in Greenfundraiserstore.com  with 56% visitation from China in January and a host of others around the globe.  We've had groups contact us from placed like the Philippians to talk about partnering with their fair trade farmers, missionaries in India to share their need for support,  a Spanish club on the east coast, and several non profits in Detroit, Michigan.

There seems to be a strong connection about wanting to "do the right thing" when it comes to taking care of mother earth... but it is not necessarily universal.  There are still many who really don't think they can effect the outcome and choose to do nothing.   Our target is really not necessarily them... but their children, grand children, nieces and nephews.   If we can get the attention of the grass roots level... and work up from there... I think that is the most effective way to go.   Going at it from top down is a road that can be... just impassible.   Coming at it from the roots up... well that just is a more effective and efficient process.   I might not be able to convince a firmly entrenched  curmudgeon to recycle plastic... but I bet his grand daughter will... ;)    

Cities Visits %
CN: 5,725 56.36 %
US: Coldwater 1,214 11.95 %
US: Seattle 732 7.20 %
US: 687 6.76 %
RU: 401 3.95 %
CN: Beijing 318 3.13 %
US: Mountain View 208 2.05 %
UA: 124 1.22 %
UA: Kiev 74 0.73 %

US: Palo Alto 52 0.51 %
US: Fremont 38 0.37 %
US: Atlanta 35 0.35 %
US: Dallas 30 0.29 %
US: Washington 24 0.24 %
US: Rochester 22 0.22 %
US: Clarkston 17 0.17 %
DE: 15 0.15 %
US: Sartell 14 0.14 %
GB: 14 0.13 %
US: Ypsilanti 13 0.12 %
DE: Bremen 12 0.12 %
PH: Manila 8 0.08 %
Other 321 3.16 %
Total 10,158 100.00 %
1&1

Update: Going Green with the OakGreen Challange

Earlier this week I began blogging about the OakGreen Challenge.  This message was intended to introduce those of you who have not yet heard about this program and to educate you in what it is all about.  As many of you know that is the main mission behind the greenfundraiserstore.com project.  Teaching... and then action steps.

http://www.oakgov.com/oakgreen/

What we discovered is that this is a really an energy usage challenge put forth by the Oakland County Executive L.Brooks Patterson.  He issued:


The "OakGreen Challenge" at the May 13, 2010 Green Summit Event. Registration for the Challenge officially opened at the May 2011 Green Summit.

The OakGreen Challenge encourages home, business and government facilities to decrease energy consumption by 10% within the next two years.


Challenge Reward:  Win the Oakgreen Challenge and have your utility bills paid for one year (up to $1500.)

I want to share a story with you that began back in Springfield Oaks County Park at the Oakland County Fair.  Our new start up company, Greenfundraiserstore.com was invited to partner with the Oakland County Fair in an effort to "Green up" the fair.  We were able to assist in this effort by:

#1 Displaying Greenfundraiserstore.com products and services in the Green Tent.

#2 Consulting with the Fair leadership on steps that could be taken to reach first year greening goals.

#3 Assisting in locating and implementing a soy bean based component into certain aspects of the fair     grounds operations.

#4 Participating in the education and awareness of green issues to fair visitors throughout the week.

I am mentioning this as a lead up to the main component of this message today.  And... that is the relationships that we formed in the process of participating in all of the above.

Who did we meet that week?  You can refer back to my Oakland County Fair Blog for a revisit of the weeks events.

    http://greenfundraiserstore.blogspot.com/2011/07/greening-of-oakland-county-fair-july.html

Today I want to focus on the special accomplishments of one vendor who quietly and yet prominently displayed his talents at the green tent.  I have not yet talked much about the relationship I formed with what I will describe to you as a "green contractor" in Damon Dotson of Solar Works, LLC.

http://www.solarworksllc.com/

Why this has become top of mind and focus of today is relatively simple.  This guy not only talks the talk about green energy solutions... but... he walks the walk.

Damon invited me to visit his home in Whitemore Lake, Michigan... the world HQ for Solar Works LLC.   I had heard about some of the practices he has implemented not only at his home... but at many customers homes and businesses throughout Michigan.  I lost track of Damon after our week long encampment in Springfield Oaks County Park... come to think of it this was before the whole "occupy" movement made it's way to the main stream media.  I suppose you could say we were "Occupy Oakland County Fair" for the week!

With the limited time I have today I will introduce you to some of the great and innovative uses of green technology I discovered at the Dotson's home and then followup again in the near future with some Flip video I took during my visit.  Kind of like a hack version of "This Green House" coming soon.

The main purpose of my visit was to see the new solar panel installation that Damon began telling me about over a couple of short conversations throughout the summer.  He described to me a system that seemed very practical, affordable AND portable.   What I found unique about this installation was that it did not involve a roof mount or side mount onto a structure.... but was simply taking advantage of the large amount of open space with great undisturbed exposure to the suns rays.   The one main feature that really stood out in the conversation was the word "portable".   Why you ask?

Because... we are fickle people... who start out with one vision in mind... and then want to change it.  The added value proposition here is clear.  You invest in this great technology... your enjoying the benefits... and perhaps life delivers a change and your facing a move.  How many people do you know that have been faced with that decision.  What happens if the buyer of your home isn't so excited about your system... ?  Easy solution here!
Pack it up... and take it with you!

Please note the careful preparation of the foundation area of this panel system.  Damon described to me the extra steps he took in digging down into the ground and bringing in special A rating gravel for drainage and compacting.  Then added a nice additional layer of slag sand... compacted it all in to a nice firm foundation.  Next, he brought in concrete bumper blocks that you'd find in your average parking lot and fixed them into the ground with metal rods.  The panels are then firmly screwed into the weighed/staked bumper blocks for what Damon indicates is rated for over 100 MPH wind resistance.  Sure beats the heck out of my patio umbrella!

All this is connected together with all types of weather resistant fasteners, clips, wires, and modules that flow into a control box staked into the ground.  Next, Damon trenched a line running to the house that feeds into a DTE utility service panel attached to the side of his home and feeds into a special metering system.  This system allows for instant feedback with a digital display panel showing how much juice your panels are producing at any given time.  Damon demonstrated to me on this low sunny day in November that he was generating enough juice to satisfy his homes needs for the day AND anything over was being sold back to DTE through a special program he was able to implement called Solar Currents.  As of today... DTE is no longer taking new Solar Currents applications.  Bummer! And... I can understand why! If there are a lot more Damon's who implement what he has done... not really a good deal for someone like DTE who makes a living off you and me buying electricity from them.

So... in closing today... here is a guy who is leading by example.  I hope to be able to implement some of the steps I have learned about from Damon on my visit to his home.  I will share more of that with you in a coming additional blog with video content... in the coming weeks.

Until next time... "Hey... turn off that light switch! "  It really does all add up!  ;)


   

        

From Apple picking to Kid Rock... ask yourself "Are you up for a Challenge"? Perhaps the OakGreen Challenge?

This past month has come with changes that quite frankly I could skip over or do with out many of them.  Don't get me wrong... I love the fall leaves and the annual fireworks display that mother nature brings to us with out fail.  The trips to the cider mills for fresh pressed cider and doughnuts.  This year we headed to our favorite "cider country" in Romeo Michigan for a quick trip to Big Red's and then a new tradition we are forming in picking our own apples at Stoney Creek Orchards.   Each place has it's own distinctive nitch and I love each place because of that.  Big Reds for example offers a wide range of activities AND products that we enjoy.  The kids love to climb on the stacks of hay bales literally the size of a small barn and the petting zoo.  Now... nothing here comes without it's price... so be sure to bring some cash.  I laughed at the boiling pot of water being set up to sell corn on a stick for $2 each... and then walked into the farm market and discovered I can get 6 for $2.95.  Hummm... a premium for sure to have some one else prepare this for me.
I really enjoyed the Heirloom tomatoes that I have heard so much about.

Now over to Stoney Creek Orchards... this is really a fully operational orchard that gives visitors access to the fields to get a true pick your own experience.  I believe they charge you by the amount of apples you can fit into a bag they provide at the point of boarding a hay wagon pulled by tractor out to the fields.  So... you get the experience of the hay ride and apple picking all wrapped up in one neat package.  Funny thing... when you arrive at the drop point and disembark from the wagon... you don't quite know which way to turn first.  There are apples literally falling off the trees and the kids can hardly hold back the initial excitement.  It's like a rush to get there before they're all gone... but that is unlikely since there are so many of them AND trees planted according to variety.  The biggest thrill for the kids is knowing that there are tall ladders available... because every kid must know that the best apples are at the top of the tree.  Right?  My group surly  knew this bit of information because we could not keep them off the ladders!

         As you can see here my nephew needed a lift to get to the better quality AND being that I'm the tallest guy around with no ladder in the area... you get the uplifting experience from Uncle Don!

Last thing on this... rumor has it that Kid Rock lived somewhere very close to here and I have a reliable source that can confirm that.  Let's just say my wife picked up Kid Rock's undies... when he was just a little stone growing up in Romeo.  Mrs. Richie was my wife's tennis instructor and the girls did some house keeping for the family.  Little Bobbie... Hell on Wheels... then and now.   Whowooddaknown?


http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/macomb_county/kid-rock-surprises-romeo-high-school-students-at-assembly

Now... onto the real reason for today dialogue... we move across the border and back into Oakland County for something new and exciting to tell you about.  Got Green?  Then... you need to check out the new link up on greenfundraiserstore.com .

If you have visited the greenfundraiserstore.com web site in the past week you may have noticed a new banner begging for your attention in the intrigue to "Take the OakGreen Challange!".



http://www.greenfundraiserstore.com/

http://www.oakgov.com/oakgreen/oakgreen_challenge/index.html

When you get here you will find:

 OakGreen Challenge: What Is It? 

The OakGreen Challenge is a commitment to reducing the energy consumption in your home, business, municipal facility or school facility by 10% by the end of 2012. Your efforts benefit the environment, your community, and your financial bottom line.

Getting Started

This is the end of year two of this important program that extends the request to reduce energy consumption by 10% by the end of the year 2012.  What is more important is that it is extended to:

 Residents, Business, and government AND provides all the resources you will need to get started.  

I know for me it is something simple that we all can do to get started.  With four children I could make a full time job of just going around the house turning off all the lights, appliances, fans, computers, and electronic equipment they seem to forget to do every day.  LITERALLY... I have formed a comment to them as we pass in the morning... "Please turn all your electronic devices off before leaving today..."  Kind of like the same thing as "make sure your seat is in the up right position as we prepare for landing...".   No kidding I think I can reach Brook Pattersons Challenge just in this simple act alone! 

    

All the funny business aside... this is a pretty important time and place in our history when it comes to the race for new technologies.  Those who can do things... faster, smarter, with less red tape, and more efficient will win the race.  Not only residents and businesses have to watch their triple bottom line... but local government needs to get on this.  If you want to look to a city that is really taking this to the next level... look no further than Grand Rapids.  In fact last year at the inaugural OakGreen Event... Grand Rapids sent their "full time" sustainability manager in as one of the key note speakers.  This guy does the same thing I'm doing at home (running after my kids to turn off their stuff) but on a huge scale.   The statistic that stood out for me was that this guy save GR well over many time of what his salary was.  In fact... if he worked under a performance incentive (bonus for a % of total dollar savings) he would have been way ahead! 

So... in closing today... Get to the OakGreen Web Site... read up on what you can do... and stay tuned for further announcements on the annual event coming up in early 2012.  With that in mind stay tuned for some pretty exciting announcements coming soon about the next steps for the Greenfundraiserstore.com and the bricks and mortar version under development!   ;)  

The Parade Company.... The Spirit of Detroit.....a legendary Detroit Tradition...

This post is about traditions.  Let me start by sharing part of my daily ritual of putting on the coffee (yes... I don't consider this a hassle.... and have not been tempted to switch over to the quick fix of slamming an energy drink fix) and tuning into WJR radio.  Today they are broadcasting from The Parade Company and the annual pancake breakfast.   This is a major fund raising event for TPC and a vital part of getting major corporate sponsors lined up for the events they do.


These events include America's Thanks Giving Day Parade, The Hob Nobble Gobble, The Turkey Trot, The Detroit Fire Works and much more.  If not for this group... how would life be different?  No parade? No fire works?  Well... I guess it would be kind of empty and much less exciting.  I'm not just talking a talk here... I am willing and have walked the walk for TPC.  Are you man enough to dress like this?

Here is the challenge.  How does a non profit like TPC exist?  Certainly not from government funding.  Certainly not on it's own dole.  It takes donations and fund raising to keep these traditions alive.  Now... your not Blue Cross/Blue Shield or GM or Compuware or any of the large corporate donors.  

What can the you do to show your support?  We've got the perfect answer...

Here is an easy and affordable way to show your support for The Parade Company,  The Detroit Lions, The Detroit Tigers AND The Spirit of Detroit.  ALL... Detroit Traditions.

When you think about it.... The Spirit of Detroit wraps up the entire conversation in one nice neat package.  Do you love the Tigers and all they have done for our spirits this season?  Do you love the Lions and the new tough winning image they are forging?  Do you love the image of The Spirit of Detroit and what it means to each of us on a personal level?  

I am happy to share with you some of my own personal "Spirit of Detroit"... and I am not shy about broadcasting this loud and proud!  

NOW THEN... you can join me in showing your own "Spirit" by supporting the fund raiser for this unique collectible and iconic Tee that wraps it all into one package.

Introducing "The Year of the Cat.... Spirit of Detroit"  tribute tee.  Note the image in each hand of the statue holding up an image of a Tiger in one hand and a Lion in the other.

Proceeds from the sale of this tee will go to The Parade Company. We are planning on $5 per shirt sale to go directly to The Parade Company.  Get it now... while supplies last!  

Sizes:  L, XL, 2XL

http://www.greenfundraiserstore.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=2&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=233&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=133&vmcchk=1&Itemid=133

Shipping via USPS only $4.95
By on line today with payments being accepted via Paypal.

The Ecological Tee Shirt Company... a sister company of Greenfundraiserstore.com

You've heard a lot from me over the past year about changes you can make in the course of daily living that can lead to a cleaner, greener, and healthier life style. Many people across the world have responded positively by visiting our web page, making a purchase, down loading materials, and engaging in green fund raising. 


http://greenfundraiserstore.com/


This past week we reached a milestone in our mission of creating education and awareness of "green shifts" in the course of daily living.  On October 25, 2011 the 100,000 milestone occurred in the way of web site visitations. At the end of the day our reporting showed 100,355  This was a very satisfying day... not unlike watching the odometer of your car cross over the sacred threshold. Today the quality of vehicles is so much improved it would be very disappointing not to get at least 100,000 miles out of a vehicle.   And, so last week our analytic reports showed we crossed the first milestone of visits to the web site.





I spent time yesterday looking at the report and wondered who was the individual that clicked in on 100K?  The outreach has been much greater than expected and the results show global outreach like I never imagined. My geography skills are pretty good and as a former science teacher with an emphasis on earth science I have studied all parts of the world.  However,  there are some parts of the globe that I admit to not being very familiar with.  And so... today I now know where Izmir, Turkey is since there were 66 visits from this place.  Or... Beijing, China where we had 1,534 visitors.  And... 3 visitors from Ghana Africa.  


http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&source=hp&q=Izmir%2C+Turkey&pbx=1&oq=Izmir%2C+Turkey&aq=f&aqi=g4&aql=1&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=16l2855l1l4555l1l1l0l0l0l0l109l109l0.1l1l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=f10181c958c90d45&biw=1639&bih=800


I would love to meet the 100,000 visitor.  It would be great to visit there hometown and see what is going on in their corner of the world.  Unfortunately the reporting is not that sophisticated and we will never know.  I would like to present the lucky visitor with a gift basket loaded with GFS products as kind of my way of saying... "Thanks for the visit... and come back anytime...".  And with that in mind let me say the same to you and yours for all you have or may have considered doing in the way of support, encouragement, or just a visit to Greenfundraiserstore.com .


Today I want to introduce to you a sister company of GFS that goes by the name of "The Ecological Tee Shirt Company"  or The ECOTEECO. 


http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Eco-Tee-Shirt-Company/133120500093188




 You may have some of the ECOTEECO's early work in the way of the category of "organic clothing".  One of the early projects was the iconic M24 Tee.  This was a creative shirt designed to raise funds for the Oxford Chamber of Commerce located in Oxford Michigan.  The message was designed around a theme of celebrating the many traits about the Oxford-Orion community that we some times overlook.  We focused on the "Live, Work, Play... Shop, Dine, Stay... Bring your family, friends, and business... Enjoy our Rivers, Lakes, and Trails...".  


http://www.greenfundraiserstore.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&product_id=226&flypage=flypage.tpl&pop=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=133









What's different about a tee from the ECOTEECO?  What is our value proposition?  It should come at no surprise that each shirt we produce has to meet a "green" standard.  We apply the following standards in the production of every tee: 
http://tsdesigns.com/blog/2011/06/30/more-photos-of-organic-cotton-in-nc/


Effort to use an organic cotton Tee...
and/or
Use of water based inks for imprinting...   


From our printing partners web page:

How We're Different

Our company is different, from the way we produce our products to how we run our business. Here are just a few things that set us apart:

• We run our business based on a triple bottom line - a model that looks after People, the Planet, and Profit equally.
• We print your t-shirts with super low-impact water-based inks. These inks have both a significantly reduced environmental footprint, and are no-feel, which means that the print is part of the fabric rather than a plastic, thick coating on the surface of your shirt.
• Our three TSD-brand t-shirts are all made right here in North Carolina, less than 100 miles away. Each one has a unique sustainable attribute - one organic, one recycled, and one made from local cotton.
• We believe in the power of transparency, and we practice it religiously. Many details of our processes and products are published right here on our website, from suppliers to ink contents. If you want to know anything about how we operate, just ask.

What does that mean for you?  We feel that with every purchase the buyer will know that the farmer who grew the cotton has applied farming practices that meet the organic standard (no toxic pesticides or genetically altered product techniques).  


AND inks that are water based meaning that they have been created with techniques that allow for clean up with water and are not toxic to the environment.  Traditional plastisol imprint screening are plastic and are known to be harmful to the environment.


Therefore... we feel that our Tee's are in fact... "Ecological Tee's " and we want you to know about... and tell the story to your circle of friends, family, co-workers, and even your enemies... about our story. 


Watch for big news coming soon... Major press release coming in the next few days about our next big step in creating a cleaner, greener... never meaner... world!  And... where sustainable is obtainable!   


Thank you! 


Don Sherman
President of the Greenfundraiserstore.com AND NOW... 
The Ecological Tee Shirt Company




  


     

Is your school selling students short through unhealthy fund raising programs?

What would you say to allowing your child or school to participate and promote the sale of a product with the following labeled on it?:


WARNING:  THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF CHRONIC DISEASES SUCH AS CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, TYPE 2 DIABETES, AND SOME TYPES OF CANCER, AS WELL AS SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL TROUBLE INCLUDING PEER STIGMATIZATION,  DISCRIMINATION AND BULLYING.

I want to refer you to the following three links for factual data and statistics that support my concern about an alarming trend that has settled into our public schools and will have a major effect on you, your family, friends and neighbors.  It has seeped into the infrastructure and currently has a firm hold on those who are leading our schools efforts to replace lost revenue for funding school programs.

It has entered right through the front door and is has long term effects that will can eventually lead to a lifetime of addition as well as long term health problems.  I'm not talking about smoking, drugs, or other commonly accepted lifestyle choices that effect us.  This is really not a new phenomena... but just now getting attention in the media.  Why now?  Because the statistics are alarming AND people are beginning to notice the results of life style choices.

I'm talking about a point and time where we are talking out of both sides of our mouths.  Just yesterday morning I dropped off my daughter to her elementary school.  While walking through the front door I noticed two volunteer moms eagerly setting up a poster on the front office window announcing the new fundraiser through a major well known school food fund raiser.  The sign was there to announce the Gourmet Pie fund raiser.

Now on the surface this seems like a harmless way to get people to simply shift their buying decision from one provider (bakery or box store) to the corporation supplying the gourmet pies.  However.... upon closer examination... if we knew that this seemingly innocent activity was being implemented at the same time that almost one third of our children are classified as over weight, obese and at risk for adverse consequences.... then why are we not questioning this behavior?  (see Executive Summary below....)

The studies show that children are at risk for issues that including increased risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer, as well as social and emotional trouble including peer
stigmatization, discrimination and bullying.

Why are we not questioning this type of activity?  Isn't this like throwing gas on a fire?  Or feeding the addition?  Other life style choices such as smoking, alcohol consumption or even something as simple as taking over the counter medication require a warning label on the product.

WARNING:  THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF CHRONIC DISEASES SUCH AS CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, TYPE 2 DIABETES, AND SOME TYPES OF CANCER, AS WELL AS SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL TROUBLE INCLUDING PEER STIGMATIZATION,  DISCRIMINATION AND BULLYING.


http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/EnvironmentalScanExecutiveSummaryReduced_244924_7.pdf




http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/obesity.htm

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Diet/michigan-track-kids-weight-statewide-registry/story?id=14518613



Executive Summary:  Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan

Childhood obesity has risen to the forefront of the public health
agenda. Fueled by unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity, childhood obesity rates have climbed steadily across the
United States over the past four decades (Figure 1). Michigan
has experienced similar trends in obesity rates (Table 1). This is
concerning because obesity is associated with a number of adverse consequences, including increased risk of chronic diseases
such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and some types
of cancer, as well as social and emotional trouble including peer
stigmatization, discrimination and bullying.
1,2
 In addition to
jeopardizing the health of Michigan’s future, obesity also weighs
heavily on the health care system, both in terms of increased use
of health care services and increased medically related health
care expenditures.
3
The changes to our environment and lifestyles that have contributed to obesity represent a complex web of interrelationships.
Increased consumption of foods away from home, larger portion
sizes, increased television viewing, decreased walking and biking
to school, increased consumption of soft drinks and lack of
physical education in schools (Figure 2) may all contribute.
4,5
Expert organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Institute of Medicine, and American Academy of Pediatrics agree that instituting policies that protect the health of youth through providing healthful foods and opportunities for physical activity are a key strategy in reducing childhood obesity. Michigan has several policies in place to protect children’s health. Many of these policies are aimed
at schools, where the majority of children spend a large percentage of their time.

Of course like any other product that leads to addictive behavior or may lead to poor health consequences one could say that it is all good in moderation.  However, with one-third of our children already into the problem stage... that is an alarming percentage  If you think we have a medicare problem now... just wait for this group of on track diabetics to arrive at this future epidemic.


I know some of you are rolling your eyes over my thoughts and opinion here.  But... let's face the facts... just like other addictive substances that we try so hard to protect our children from... we have let our guard down in the name of funding for school programs.

I will tell you that over and over again in the past two years that I have been out talking about our unique education and awareness program.... that school administrators,  athletic directors, coaches, and parents have all said....

"You know... your right... but that cookie dough brings in $6,000 a year for our school program and we cannot afford to chance on not having that additional funding."

 OR

"We have to allow soft drink companies into our cafeteria because the money we get from the sales is too great to pass on"...

OR

"OH... we have so much fun with the sale of Pizza kits... It's really  not that bad."

Looking at the reports... I'd say it's time to reexamine who is making the decisions here AND who is going to be held accountable for the long term effects.


WARNING:  THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF CHRONIC DISEASES SUCH AS CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, TYPE 2 DIABETES, AND SOME TYPES OF CANCER, AS WELL AS SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL TROUBLE INCLUDING PEER STIGMATIZATION,  DISCRIMINATION AND BULLYING.


Think... "Super Size Me" and then place that over a kid who is left at home unguarded from the "crack" that they may be addicted tucked away in the pantry.   Is that a stretch?  I don't think it is.

Fund raising that makes sense.... www.greenfundraiserstore.com