The “National Energy Education Development (N.E.E.D.) Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating students, teachers, and the community about energy and energy issues.” That’s the formal description of the program, but I met the students in this year’s NEED class at Thaxton Elementary yesterday. They are bright, fun and inquisitive young people who are learning and doing great things. Their teacher, Mrs. Viola Henry, had brought the class to the Green Living and Energy Expo at the Roanoke Civic Center to be recognized for participating in the Expo event for all 10 years it has been held. Their school program has been in place even longer, since 1993! They are creating products from recycled goods and selling them to support their program and their creativity amazes me!!!

Over the course of the day I met more students from local schools, regional business owners and managers, educators, and lots of people who are looking to improve their lives and the planet by taking action. It is an honor to be participating in this 10th annual event as it continues to grow and improve each year.

If you’re in the Roanoke area today, stop by and take a walk through, free admission and open 10:00am to 4:00pm.

This is how I feel most days… if you can’t see the picture here, it’s a green dragon dressed in full metal holding a sword at ready. If it’s not a mom thing, like today submitting the H1N1 form to my son’s school stating that under no circumstances are they to administer any vaccine to him, it’s a business thing, like trying to be in two places at one time or making a handful of people happy in the same day, it’s just life.

But today is even more important. Today I’m in warrior mode as part of a global action to bring attention to climate change. This is something I strongly believe in and want to do my part personally and professionally. That’s the best any of us can do.

In a letter from Bill Mckibben co-founder of 350.org, he says “The number is 350, and it’s now the most important number on the planet. 350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, measured in parts per million. Since we’re at 390 ppm now, it’s a tough number, and getting back to it will require remarkable efforts. The good news is that people all around the world are mobilizing around 350 in a unique and beautiful movement to solve the
climate crisis.”

On a global level, I support 350.org and their efforts to bring attention to this critical issue. On a local level, I’m part of a small group of energetic people who are taking action in our own community with Sustain Floyd. My son & I were there for this picture below taken to submit to the UN next week. I’ll also be at the Split Rail Eco Fair on Saturday, October 24 in downtown Floyd, Virginia, recognizing how community, local or global, can come together for a common purpose. Join us!

I come from a long line of entrepreneurs. My grandmother was widowed in 1933, with a baby daughter and a house payment, so at the height of the Depression, she started her own business. First, it was an embroidery and knitting shop then it evolved into a card and gift shop. I grew up in that shop, learning to make change from the cash drawer, stock shelves, help customers who needed it, manage inventory and watch trends. She sold the business and retired after 50 years and 6 robberies. It was amazing she got out alive…but she did and lived to tell the tales.

My mother went a different route. When I was 5 months old, she and my dad purchased a home at the Jersey shore. During the summer, we rented the main house and my mom, sister & I lived in a garage apartment out back. We didn’t have a phone or car all summer and really didn’t miss them. We rode bikes, went to the beach, cleaned between rentals and dreaded going back to the city and school in the fall. My mother has now renovated and retired to that home.

Over the past 20 years, I’ve become a serial entrepreneur, launching a variety of businesses, some profitable and some not. Some were created out of passion and some out of necessity to make a living. I’ve been passionate about green living for a long time so decided I needed to follow my heart and soul this time.

My newest venture is Green4Good, promoting green with style. I’m living in a green home, promoting a green lifestyle, and supporting individuals and businesses who want to incorporate being green into their lives. If you have something to share or a question about green living, please comment below. If I can be of service to you or your business, let’s talk. To learn more about my business, check out Green4Good (coming soon).