Leaks, Gaskets, Caulk...

Do you like hands-on projects? Do you want to have an active role in reducing carbon emissions in your community? Then we've got the volunteer opportunity for you! 

Sign up now for our Energy Efficiency Education Program! Volunteers will complete three days of weatherization training, and then be part of dynamic teams that weatherize low-income apartments in Arlington. This is a great way to help your community reduce its carbon footprint and give back to your neighbors!

Trainings are held on Thursday nights: 9/20, 9/27, and 10/4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Fairlington Community Center.  

The program will cover weatherization, energy efficiency, and water conservation techniques such as sealing leaks around doors and windows with foam adhesive, installing gaskets behind switch plates, installing faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads, reducing water use in toilets, and other techniques. In addition to attending the training sessions, volunteers must commit to a year of community service, at which point they will be certified with master status for energy efficiency education. Training will be conducted by certified professionals in the field.

The Energy Efficiency Education program volunteer commitments include:

1. Attending three training sessions at Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA: Thursday, September 20, 27, and October 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
2. Attending at least one hands-on training session to learn weatherizing techniques on either Saturday, October 13 and/or 20. 
3. Committing 60 hours of volunteer service in one year to the program, performing tasks including weatherizing apartments and condominiums, conducting education workshops, assisting with program preparation in the ACE office, and other educational outreach tasks.

The Energy Efficiency Education program partner organizations and agencies include Arlington County, Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE), Arlingtonians Meeting Emergency Needs (AMEN), and Virginia Cooperative Extension.

If you are interested please fill our our Energy Efficiency Education Program online application.

If you have any questions about this program please contact the ACE Office at: energy@arlingtonenvironment.org 

or 703-228-6406

Make Some Salsa: Easy Steps to Canning and Preserving

Join us for a fun afternoon learning to preserve and can your favorite summer and fall produce.

The class features two recipes, one for peach salsa and one for mango salsa. Everyone will take home a jar of each! We’ll also discuss other methods of food preservation including pressure canning, freezing and drying.

Participants receive a packet of recipes and instructions to use to preserve food at home. Learn how to save your fresh produce to use all year long.

When:  Friday, July 20^th from 12:00 - 4:00 pm

Where:  Fairlington Community Center Kitchen

3308 S Stafford Street, Arlington 22206

Cost:  $20, please bring either cash or check made out to “Arlington Extension Fund”

What to bring: Dish towels and/or cloth bags to put your jars in —they will still be hot when the class ends.

To register contact Jennifer Abel: jabel@vt.edu or 703-228-6417

Please RSVP by Wednesday, July 18^th

Money Talk: A Financial Course for Women

Women have unique financial needs. Most will at some time be on their own financially. Some will never marry, some will see their marriages end in divorce, and others will outlive their husbands. This course will provide you with information that you need to take charge of your financial future. The course includes five classes:

July 11   Financial Basics

July 18   Insurance Basics

July 25   Investing Basics

Aug. 1   Investing for Retirement

Aug. 8   Planning for Future Life Events

All classes will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Arlington Central Library (1015 N Quincy Street). Cost: $25 (for the accompanying textbook). To register: jabel@vt.edu; (703) 228-6417 or print off the registration form and brochure at this link: http://offices.ext.vt.edu/arlington/news/Money_Talk__2012.pdf. This is a program of Virginia Cooperative Extension and Arlington Public Libraries.

Hearty Salads for Weekday Lunches

Do you eat out most days for lunch because you don’t have time to make something to bring from home? Join Master Food Volunteer Desiree Morningstar to learn easy and healthy hearty salad recipes that you can make on Sunday and have for the whole week. Each class will feature a different recipe that you’ll get to help make and taste. We’ll feature grains like quinoa, farro, and bulgur, lots of vegetables, and tasty dressings. You’ll receive a packet of  recipes so that you can try others at home.

When:

Tuesdays, June 19, 26, and July 10; 6:30-8:30

Where:

Fairlington Community Center Kitchen

3308 S Stafford Street

Arlington, VA 22206

Cost: $10.00 for one class or $25.00 for the series

To register:

jabel@vt.edu; 703.228.6417

4-H Clubs Trees Presentation Available

On Tuesday March 8th, the 4-H Junior Naturalist club and the Arlington Traditional School 4-H Nature Stewards club joined together for a presentation on trees by VCE volunteers/Master Naturalists, Mary Van Dyke and Kelly Brown.  This presentation on The Value of Trees includes a discussion about tree biology and benefits (wildlife uses, wood uses, medicines, food, ornamental uses, and others).  Forestry techniques for measuring diameter, height, and circumference are not only demonstrated, but participants use them on nearby trees.  With the tree data, the participants then use an online calculator - iTree Design to calculate the ecological value of the trees in dollar terms.
For example, a large Willow Oak tree, with 20" diameter can bring $52 dollars worth of annual benefits to the ecosystem in terms of storm water interception, CO2 sequestration and air quality improvement.  You can also calculate the energy benefits of trees in relation to buildings. 

For related resources, visit the Arlington Alexandria web page forestry resources at http://goo.gl/r9qCn
To inquire about or schedule a presentation for your group, contact:
Mary Van Dyke, maryvandyke4@gmail.com, or the Arlington Virginia Cooperative Extension office 703 228 6400