Stafford County, VA Focus
Blue Monday Democratic Social Club
Every Monday 7:00pm – 9:30pm
Ruby Tuesday's Aquia Towne Center, 2844 Jefferson Davis Highway, Stafford, VA 22554
Join us for burgers, beer and hot Democratic talk. POCs: Alicia Knight (knight.alicia (at) gmail [dot] com) Gene Sellers (ersellers (at) comcast [dot] net)
Stafford County NAACP: The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
Stafford Branch
President: Mike Lovitt
P. O. Box 160
Stafford, Va. 22555
Phone: (540) 657-7493
STAFFORD COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY:
Stafford Democratic Committee Regular Meeting
Time: Second Saturday of every month 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM EDT
Location:
Stafford Government Center (Stafford, VA)
1300 Courthouse Road
A, B, & C Conference Room
Stafford, VA 22554
It's Easy Being Green in Stafford, VA:
Green Tips from the RAPPAHANNOCK REGIONAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT BOARD:
Stop Junk Mail
The average American receives nearly 40 pounds of junk mail each year. Visit the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse website for a comprehensive list of ways to get off mailing lists. They can help you reach direct marketers who give consumer lists companies for everything from pre-approved credit card applications to coupons.
Get Involved—Support Environmental Programs
Virginia’s natural resources are important to our economy. When you support and participate in state and local programs, like litter cleanups, you are protecting Virginia’s natural resources for future generations. Become informed and engaged in your community by voting. Let your legislators know you care about Virginia’s environment.
Be a Smart Driver
Your car’s exhaust may contribute to ozone smog. Keep your car tuned and its pollution control equipment working properly. You’ll reduce air pollution and save fuel and money. Combine shopping with other errands to avoid unnecessary car trips. When practical walk, ride a bicycle, carpool or take public transportation. Encourage your employer to participate in a regional ride-sharing program.
Don’t Litter
Never throw anything from your vehicle, even apple cores. Leave parks and picnic areas cleaner than you found them. Pick up after your pet, and put a lid on your garbage can. Remember that cigarette butts are litter too. Litter is unsightly and can harm wildlife. It is also expensive for cleanup crews to pick up.
Plant a Tree
Trees cool our cities, filter the air, buffer noise, and provide homes and food for wildlife. Their leaves produce life-giving oxygen and their roots reduce erosion and absorb pollutants. Organize a tree-planting event or just plant one in your yard.
Reduce & Reuse Waste
Here in Stafford and Fredericksburg, each person on average throws out more than seven pounds of trash every day. You can reduce this amount by buying things without excess packaging, buying items in bulk, and repairing items that are broken. Everyday you can choose to use a washable cloth to clean up a spill instead of a paper towel, refill a stainless steel water bottle with tap water, and take a reusable grocery bag to the store. You can even donate old clothing and household items to charities, instead of throwing them in the trash.
Recycle! Recycle! Recycle!
Save Household Energy
Wise energy use preserves non-renewable resources, protects air quality, and saves money. Set your thermostat lower in winter or raise it in the summer, at night, and when no one is at home. Use fans to circulate air; they one-tenth the energy of an air conditioner. Turn off lights when not in use. Purchase Energy Star rated appliances and electronics. Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full. Weatherize your home by caulking windows, weatherstripping doors, adding insulation to the attic, and planting evergreens on the north and west sides of your house.
Compost Your Food & Yard Waste
Turn your food scraps and yard debris into compost for your lawn or garden. You can use your finished compost as a mulch or as fertilizer for your plants. Composting is a great family activity or school science project.
Take a reusable bag next time you go shopping. [It's easy once you are used to it]
Teach your children about environmental stewardship.
Buy “Green”
When you go shopping, think about what you are buying. Buy durable rather than disposable products. Avoid excess packaging or items with packaging that can be recycled. Buy used—clothes, books, CDs and even sports equipment can all be purchased used. Lastly, buy items made with recycled materials.
Fertilize Your Lawn Sparingly
Lawns can protect the environment by preventing soil erosion and soaking up nutrients before they run off into our waterways. But your lawncare practices may cause pollution if you’re not careful. Have your soil tested to make sure you plant the right grass and use the proper kind and amount of fertilizer. Follow the application instructions carefully. If you use too much fertilizer, the excess can run off into storm drains and streams that will carry the fertilizer pollutants into the Chesapeake bay. Too much fertilizer can also burn your grass or make it less hardy. “Cut it high and let it lie”. Raise the blade on your mower and leave grass trimmings on the lawn as a natural fertilizer.
Prevent Pollution from Household Chemicals
Many household products, like paints, cleaners, batteries, detergents, and pesticides are hazardous materials that can harm the environment if not managed properly. Be careful when using these products: read the labels and use it for the purpose intended. Luckily, “environmentally friendly” alternatives that are less toxic are available for many of these products. For example, citrus-based cleaners provide the same antibacterial results as chlorine-based disinfectants. Many homemade substitutes can eliminate the need for harmful substances such as water and vinegar for window cleaner. Properly dispose of all household chemicals at the next Household Hazardous Waste Day
Conserve Water
Conserving water saves a valuable resource and your money. Repair leaky faucets. A dripping faucet can waste 20 gallons of water a day, a running toilet up to 200 gallons. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth. Install a low-flow shower head and take shorter showers to save hundreds of gallons a week. Water your lawn early in the morning and only water 1” a week for a strong root system. Sweep off your sidewalk and driveway rather than hosing them down.
Switch to compact fluorescent lights when your traditional incandescent bulbs burn out. Be sure to recycle CFLs at the Regional Landfill or Belman Road Recycling Center. [NOTE: our energy bill went down 30% when we did this!]
Maintain Septic Systems
Have your septic tank cleaned out every 3-5 years. Poorly maintained septic systems can contaminate groundwater. Monitoring and cleaning your system regularly also saves money by prolonging the life of your septic tank.
Shop Locally
Purchase fresh fruits and veggies at the local farmers markets. You can also find honey, baked goods, fresh cut flowers, and herbs, among other things. A savvy shopper can find many local treasures from foods to home décor items in the quaint shops in our region.
Every Monday 7:00pm – 9:30pm
Ruby Tuesday's Aquia Towne Center, 2844 Jefferson Davis Highway, Stafford, VA 22554
Join us for burgers, beer and hot Democratic talk. POCs: Alicia Knight (knight.alicia (at) gmail [dot] com) Gene Sellers (ersellers (at) comcast [dot] net)
Stafford County NAACP: The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
Stafford Branch
President: Mike Lovitt
P. O. Box 160
Stafford, Va. 22555
Phone: (540) 657-7493
STAFFORD COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY:
Stafford Democratic Committee Regular Meeting
Time: Second Saturday of every month 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM EDT
Location:
Stafford Government Center (Stafford, VA)
1300 Courthouse Road
A, B, & C Conference Room
Stafford, VA 22554
It's Easy Being Green in Stafford, VA:
Green Tips from the RAPPAHANNOCK REGIONAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT BOARD:
Stop Junk Mail
The average American receives nearly 40 pounds of junk mail each year. Visit the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse website for a comprehensive list of ways to get off mailing lists. They can help you reach direct marketers who give consumer lists companies for everything from pre-approved credit card applications to coupons.
Get Involved—Support Environmental Programs
Virginia’s natural resources are important to our economy. When you support and participate in state and local programs, like litter cleanups, you are protecting Virginia’s natural resources for future generations. Become informed and engaged in your community by voting. Let your legislators know you care about Virginia’s environment.
Be a Smart Driver
Your car’s exhaust may contribute to ozone smog. Keep your car tuned and its pollution control equipment working properly. You’ll reduce air pollution and save fuel and money. Combine shopping with other errands to avoid unnecessary car trips. When practical walk, ride a bicycle, carpool or take public transportation. Encourage your employer to participate in a regional ride-sharing program.
Don’t Litter
Never throw anything from your vehicle, even apple cores. Leave parks and picnic areas cleaner than you found them. Pick up after your pet, and put a lid on your garbage can. Remember that cigarette butts are litter too. Litter is unsightly and can harm wildlife. It is also expensive for cleanup crews to pick up.
Plant a Tree
Trees cool our cities, filter the air, buffer noise, and provide homes and food for wildlife. Their leaves produce life-giving oxygen and their roots reduce erosion and absorb pollutants. Organize a tree-planting event or just plant one in your yard.
Reduce & Reuse Waste
Here in Stafford and Fredericksburg, each person on average throws out more than seven pounds of trash every day. You can reduce this amount by buying things without excess packaging, buying items in bulk, and repairing items that are broken. Everyday you can choose to use a washable cloth to clean up a spill instead of a paper towel, refill a stainless steel water bottle with tap water, and take a reusable grocery bag to the store. You can even donate old clothing and household items to charities, instead of throwing them in the trash.
Recycle! Recycle! Recycle!
Save Household Energy
Wise energy use preserves non-renewable resources, protects air quality, and saves money. Set your thermostat lower in winter or raise it in the summer, at night, and when no one is at home. Use fans to circulate air; they one-tenth the energy of an air conditioner. Turn off lights when not in use. Purchase Energy Star rated appliances and electronics. Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full. Weatherize your home by caulking windows, weatherstripping doors, adding insulation to the attic, and planting evergreens on the north and west sides of your house.
Compost Your Food & Yard Waste
Turn your food scraps and yard debris into compost for your lawn or garden. You can use your finished compost as a mulch or as fertilizer for your plants. Composting is a great family activity or school science project.
Take a reusable bag next time you go shopping. [It's easy once you are used to it]
Teach your children about environmental stewardship.
Buy “Green”
When you go shopping, think about what you are buying. Buy durable rather than disposable products. Avoid excess packaging or items with packaging that can be recycled. Buy used—clothes, books, CDs and even sports equipment can all be purchased used. Lastly, buy items made with recycled materials.
Fertilize Your Lawn Sparingly
Lawns can protect the environment by preventing soil erosion and soaking up nutrients before they run off into our waterways. But your lawncare practices may cause pollution if you’re not careful. Have your soil tested to make sure you plant the right grass and use the proper kind and amount of fertilizer. Follow the application instructions carefully. If you use too much fertilizer, the excess can run off into storm drains and streams that will carry the fertilizer pollutants into the Chesapeake bay. Too much fertilizer can also burn your grass or make it less hardy. “Cut it high and let it lie”. Raise the blade on your mower and leave grass trimmings on the lawn as a natural fertilizer.
Prevent Pollution from Household Chemicals
Many household products, like paints, cleaners, batteries, detergents, and pesticides are hazardous materials that can harm the environment if not managed properly. Be careful when using these products: read the labels and use it for the purpose intended. Luckily, “environmentally friendly” alternatives that are less toxic are available for many of these products. For example, citrus-based cleaners provide the same antibacterial results as chlorine-based disinfectants. Many homemade substitutes can eliminate the need for harmful substances such as water and vinegar for window cleaner. Properly dispose of all household chemicals at the next Household Hazardous Waste Day
Conserve Water
Conserving water saves a valuable resource and your money. Repair leaky faucets. A dripping faucet can waste 20 gallons of water a day, a running toilet up to 200 gallons. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth. Install a low-flow shower head and take shorter showers to save hundreds of gallons a week. Water your lawn early in the morning and only water 1” a week for a strong root system. Sweep off your sidewalk and driveway rather than hosing them down.
Switch to compact fluorescent lights when your traditional incandescent bulbs burn out. Be sure to recycle CFLs at the Regional Landfill or Belman Road Recycling Center. [NOTE: our energy bill went down 30% when we did this!]
Maintain Septic Systems
Have your septic tank cleaned out every 3-5 years. Poorly maintained septic systems can contaminate groundwater. Monitoring and cleaning your system regularly also saves money by prolonging the life of your septic tank.
Shop Locally
Purchase fresh fruits and veggies at the local farmers markets. You can also find honey, baked goods, fresh cut flowers, and herbs, among other things. A savvy shopper can find many local treasures from foods to home décor items in the quaint shops in our region.
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