____________________________Green Monkeys says, He must have slept here..._______________
Between the compressor and the back wall of the restaurant, there was almost a soothing hum and numbing blast of air, were about 10 empty 40 oz bottles of cheap beer and a new stretch of cardboard. Upon stumbling upon this “nest” our hearts were saddened.. But that story will continue later.
The Green Monkeys launched their Festival International 2010 off with a bang. We arranged to set up our information booth and recycle home base in the parking lot of Dons Seafood and Steak House, downtown. It was quite a site. We gathered at about noon on Saturday the 25th at the tent and set up our inquiry information distribution. The mission for the festival was simple. To educate the public through example and show as many festival goers that there were green groups with a presence in the festival. We were also slotted to pick up trash at designated times during the day in “group pickups” and make an attempt to make the world a more beautiful place. It was funny watching the people walk by. They were scratching their heads wondering what a green monkey was and some even ventured up to ask. Yafoo from AOC came and did an interview on the Saturday between his poetry sets and we were documented publicly about who we were and what we stood for. All in all, it was an amazing time and a huge success.
Two new recruits came across our paths and what I found was that these people shared our vision. Their point was to get involved and make a difference. That was heart warming. Jude was a new member of our group introduced by Samantha and Raena came to us with questions and a heart to help the world. Hopefully we can make a difference in their lives and make the world a better place. Special thanks to Rocky Landry for allowing us to use his parking lot of downtown Dons to accomplish our goals as to where without the support of our volunteers and the kindness of the community, our dreams would never be realized.
We spread the good word in shifts at the tent for the most of the two days. Our big cleanups happened at 6pm on both days. Approximately 10 people came for each cleanup and we gathered about 200 pounds of trash in total. It was during these trash pickups that the discovery and the real article came about. It was here, this nest for the homeless person who’s name we would never know made a mark on all of us. It is funny in our group how we can affect people around is in many ways. To the new recruits, the young ones, I saw the look in their eyes. Kind of like a curious disgust. Then again the point of our group is to educate the public about environmental issues. As far as homelessness goes, for people who are put out at the end of their rope it is often times that they simply have more to worry about than the environment. Mainly, where their next meal is coming from. For people who have given up on living or ever to believe again in the chance to be socially accepted as “normal” littering may not be a concern. Sad but true. I saw the look in our fellow green monkeys eyes. When we found the nest. Kind of like coming across a grave.
It is my hope not to save or change the world but simply to educate our members and possible the public. I hope to change our members for the better and make the world greater one person at a time. I feel that the greatest good in our lessons from this occurrence would be done in an attempt to delve into the parts of Lafayette that some people may not see or be too afraid to look at. The homeless
To dissect the problem may be harder than people may think. I decided to tackle the issue from a different angle. One less used and driven by our strong economy. 100 years ago we lived in shacks. Half the population didn’t wear shoes and started working in the fields at age 12 and were married at 14. I know that in the grander schemes the old expression “ times have changed” can apply but perhaps down here in cajun country things are different than they may appear. Of coarse I can blame oil, and now with the oil explosion in the gulf and the devastation to our coast line immanent. I would like to think what would have happened if this “times have changed” may be the reason for this grave behind the air compressor. The fact is that 100 years ago there were homeless people. Perhaps many more than today, but that’s just how the times were. We just made some kind of make shift bed and managed. I think its because that was the norm of the time. Cajuns slept in the dirt, drank what ever they could find and smiled and sang all day. It was all we could do to cope with the hard existence of this new land we were so graciously given. With the introduction of oil which made money fall from the sky the division between those that slept under the trees and those that bought houses was exponential. Now with the current situation when we are born into a society where we all have our own beds and creature comforts, it is easy to look down on the homeless. A lot more difficult to look at it that way when you think of the homeless person as your great grandfather or your uncle. The fact is that this is who we are, where we come from. The difference between now and then was not that the living situation was difficult it was that it was more easily accessible. Our world and economy has grown so fast that it has left behind the people. The real problem is that there is a severe lack of affordable housing, or in the old days, a decent tree to build a shelter under. I would like to say that if we simply didn’t have apartments that cost 1000 a month and someone could make a living picking up cans and afford a decent place to live, our homeless situation would be a LOT more manageable.
Typically when people hear affordable housing they instantly conjure up images of poorly maintained and crime-ridden areas that should be located as far away as possible. They envision affordable housing as a magnet for the homeless and the indigent. But what most people don’t is that the need for affordable housing — right here in Lafayette — is significant and should not only be addressed, but should be supported by leaders in our community. Also referred to as Workforce Housing, this housing is critical for the hundreds and thousands of working, tax-paying individuals who work in our community but can’t afford to live here.
The general guideline is that housing costs should not exceed 30 percent of a household’s gross income. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, "Families [and individuals] who pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing are considered cost burdened and may have difficulty affording necessities such as food, clothing, transportation and medical care." Remaining within the recommended 30 percent becomes challenging as a person’s income level decreases.
To diminish this challenge, HUD has developed various affordable housing programs for low-income individuals and families. So what constitutes low income? HUD has defined low income as those families and individuals earning less than 80 percent of the average median income. The formula is calculated on a four-person household, with numbers being adjusted as the household contracts or expands. HUD goes on to further quantify the varying levels of affordability by: low (80 percent AMI); moderately low (60 percent AMI); very low (50 percent AMI); and extremely low (30 percent AMI). Federal dollars are generally provided for those developments serving a population at 60 percent AMI or below.
In real numbers that means the 2009 median income for Lafayette Parish was $57,500, placing the moderately low (60 percent) income limit for a four-person household at $34,500. As the size of the household decreases, so does the income limit. A one-person household, at 60 percent AMI, has an income limit of $24,180.
In practical terms, based on the information provided, someone making $24,000 per year should be paying about $600 a month for rent and utilities. On average, a one-bedroom/one-bathroom apartment in Lafayette rents for $630/month – exclusive of utilities. As the household size increases, so does the discrepancy in financial means versus asking rents. Based on these income and rent limits, it becomes apparent there is a shortage of adequate, affordable housing within our own community. In its Louisiana Housing Needs Assessment, the Louisiana Housing Finance Authority estimates that Lafayette will be in need of 2,977 affordable rental units between 2008 and 2013 to meet the existing/projected demand.
Understand we are not merely talking about minimum wage earners; we are talking about firefighters, substance abuse counselors, bank tellers, retail personnel, police officers, court reporters, community and social service specialists, food services personnel. These individuals — this cirtical workforce — maintain full-time employment, pay taxes, and continuously support our local community through the on-going purchase of goods and services.
There’s this huge misconception that affordable housing and public housing are interchangeable, and they’re not. People need to understand there will always be a need for public housing, but beyond that we are faced with a much larger and farther-reaching challenge. For working families and individuals, there still exists a huge gap between wages/earnings and market rents.
"By helping working families and individuals close the gap between the housing their wage allows for and what the market provides," explains Milton Bailey, president of the Louisiana Housing Finance Authority, "they can enjoy a solid foundation on which they can build a more prosperous future."
The reality is communities need affordable housing in order to survive. Aside from providing safe and affordable housing to those who need it, affordable housing provides tangible benefits to the local community both in social outcomes and economic outcomes. Families and individuals that benefit from affordable housing tend to be:
• more financially stable
• less transient, becoming emotionally vested in the community
• involved in, and supportive of, the local economy
• committed to the local labor force
Additionally, it’s been shown that children who are afforded stabile housing tend to miss less school and perform better on standardized testing.
Aside from the substantial social benefits affordable housing produces, it also provides economic and fiscal benefits to the community at-large. The construction and development of housing generates income, wages, and local taxes through permits, utility connection and impact fees.
The individuals we’re talking about aren’t faceless people looking for a handout. They are hard-working people we work with, and come in contact with, everyday. It could be the bus driver who takes your kids to school, the firefighter who shows up when you’ve been in an accident, or the same lady who waits on you every day at your favorite lunch spot. By supporting affordable housing, we provide these neighbors with the opportunity to excel personally and professionally, and in doing so further increase the return on our investment — in our people and in our community.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
अप्रैल इन लौइसिअन
Green Monkeys Louisiana have been rolling this year!! Thanks to our new crew, Jason Boudin and Courtney Jagneaux.
January was our spring fling. We set out and for two hours on an amazing day, played Frisbee and picked up trash. Awesome!!
February was our Mardi Gras 2nd Line. We followed the Kings Parade with signs like “ monkey see Monkey DO” and “you CAN do it”. We collected cans from the crowds and reinforced the ideals that you can have fun and do good for the world at the same time. We recycled the cans and donated the proceeds to Earth Share Gardens. 23 dollars isn’t much but it can do a lot when you put it to good use.
March was a huge success with an amazing turnout for our annual canoe trip. We set out at 1ish and paddled down to bayou tortue. From there we discovered that behind the airport, the wind from such an open area blew huge amounts of trash down to the southern wilderness areas. We pulled in and claimed a bank then got to work. We collected about 4 canoes FULL of trash from our one trip. Great Job TEAM!! We also participated in the annual bowl for kids sake. We were able to have two teams show up raising a whopping 400 dollars for the big brothers and big sisters program. Yet another great fun day and what a way to show the world how to have fun and help at the same time!!
April is a special month for south Louisiana. It is the host of one of the largest free festivals in the world. Festivals International. We managed to secure a booth on the festival grounds downtown! We will be putting up our tent and having a recycling booth . We will also be doing trash pickups at dusk and showing the town and the world who the green monkeys are!!
UPCOMING EVENTS!!
MAY 18TH TREE GIVEAWAY
MAY 23RD WHISKEY RIVER DANCE
JUNE 20TH SCAVENGAR HUNT
JUNE EVENT..( NOT YET DECIDED)
JULY 11TH CRAWFISH BOIL
JULY 18TH RUTHERFORD BEACH TREE PLANTING TRIP
January was our spring fling. We set out and for two hours on an amazing day, played Frisbee and picked up trash. Awesome!!
February was our Mardi Gras 2nd Line. We followed the Kings Parade with signs like “ monkey see Monkey DO” and “you CAN do it”. We collected cans from the crowds and reinforced the ideals that you can have fun and do good for the world at the same time. We recycled the cans and donated the proceeds to Earth Share Gardens. 23 dollars isn’t much but it can do a lot when you put it to good use.
March was a huge success with an amazing turnout for our annual canoe trip. We set out at 1ish and paddled down to bayou tortue. From there we discovered that behind the airport, the wind from such an open area blew huge amounts of trash down to the southern wilderness areas. We pulled in and claimed a bank then got to work. We collected about 4 canoes FULL of trash from our one trip. Great Job TEAM!! We also participated in the annual bowl for kids sake. We were able to have two teams show up raising a whopping 400 dollars for the big brothers and big sisters program. Yet another great fun day and what a way to show the world how to have fun and help at the same time!!
April is a special month for south Louisiana. It is the host of one of the largest free festivals in the world. Festivals International. We managed to secure a booth on the festival grounds downtown! We will be putting up our tent and having a recycling booth . We will also be doing trash pickups at dusk and showing the town and the world who the green monkeys are!!
UPCOMING EVENTS!!
MAY 18TH TREE GIVEAWAY
MAY 23RD WHISKEY RIVER DANCE
JUNE 20TH SCAVENGAR HUNT
JUNE EVENT..( NOT YET DECIDED)
JULY 11TH CRAWFISH BOIL
JULY 18TH RUTHERFORD BEACH TREE PLANTING TRIP
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Green Monkeys in November
Novemeber is a special month for everyone and their famileis. With the holidays fast approaching and the long awaited christamas vacation just around the corner, we are all feeling a little ancy. And what better way to relieve such aingst then passing free time with the people, food, music, and culture of Lafayette. The Green Monkeys of Lafayette Lousiana are pleased to present to you a few local events to pass a good time during this time. Come out, relax, have fun, and see what Green Monkeys is doing for our commnity!
November 16, 2009
America Recycles Day
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Quadrangle
10am-3pm
Promoted by Speak and Green Monkeys
In support of America Recycles Day (ARD), Novemeber 15 2009, Speak and Green Monkeys will be on ULL campus November 16 to help promote ARD awareness.
November 17, 2009
Leonid Meteor Shower
Churchpoint Louisiana
9pm- until
Green Moneky's Fun Event
How many times can you honestly say that you took the time to witness something in nature as great as a meteor shower?! Come out and experience nature at its most beautiful with us!
November 29, 2009
Go Green Fest
419 1/2 Brooke Ave
12pm-5pm
Green Monkey's Fundraiser for Speak
What a great way to pass a good time with great people and great music. There will be games like dogdeball, kickball, badmitton, horse shoes, and Green Monkey olympics for kids as well adults, a raffel, and food by Peppa Mellows.
Lineup for Fair on sunday november 29th. 12-5
12:00 signup for raffell begins
12:15 signup for tournaments. Badmittion, dodgeball, kickball and horseshoes.
12:30 outfit plays
1pm 3 man dodgeball tourament
1:30 farouche plays
2:00-3:00 Dj Plays 4 man Kickball tournament (1st to 5points). Scavengar Hunt for kids /or adults. Green Monkey Olympics.
3:00 Bonsour Catin Plays
3:30 - 2 man Badmittion Tournament and Horseshoe Tournament
4:00 - Dysel & Jane Doe play
4:30 - Announce Winner of Raffels - Give away prizes
5:00 - shut it down...
November 16, 2009
America Recycles Day
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Quadrangle
10am-3pm
Promoted by Speak and Green Monkeys
In support of America Recycles Day (ARD), Novemeber 15 2009, Speak and Green Monkeys will be on ULL campus November 16 to help promote ARD awareness.
November 17, 2009
Leonid Meteor Shower
Churchpoint Louisiana
9pm- until
Green Moneky's Fun Event
How many times can you honestly say that you took the time to witness something in nature as great as a meteor shower?! Come out and experience nature at its most beautiful with us!
November 29, 2009
Go Green Fest
419 1/2 Brooke Ave
12pm-5pm
Green Monkey's Fundraiser for Speak
What a great way to pass a good time with great people and great music. There will be games like dogdeball, kickball, badmitton, horse shoes, and Green Monkey olympics for kids as well adults, a raffel, and food by Peppa Mellows.
Lineup for Fair on sunday november 29th. 12-5
12:00 signup for raffell begins
12:15 signup for tournaments. Badmittion, dodgeball, kickball and horseshoes.
12:30 outfit plays
1pm 3 man dodgeball tourament
1:30 farouche plays
2:00-3:00 Dj Plays 4 man Kickball tournament (1st to 5points). Scavengar Hunt for kids /or adults. Green Monkey Olympics.
3:00 Bonsour Catin Plays
3:30 - 2 man Badmittion Tournament and Horseshoe Tournament
4:00 - Dysel & Jane Doe play
4:30 - Announce Winner of Raffels - Give away prizes
5:00 - shut it down...
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Green Monkeys visit Texas Road House and Survivor Oak Celebration
Green Monkeys and The Survivor Oak
Sunday September 20th 2009 the survivor oak, located in the field on the corner of bud st. and saul st. was the location for the survivor oak fundraiser concert. The goal of the concert/benefit was to bring together different groups which celebrate surviving against all odds. In the early 1900’s a hurricane knocked over a massive live oak tree which in turn grew a new tree from one of its branches and stands as a monument for perseverance and the indomitable spirit of life that refuses to end.
The Green Monkeys in attendance were John Pastor, Kent Labrey, Jason Doucet, Leah Abshire, Philippe Treguier, Charissa Borque and Johnny Miller. We spent the day in the sun with Frisbee throwing and dancing. The Drew Landry Band was playing their original songs of a easy melodic harmony and the crowd of blankets and festival chairs all swayed to the beats.
It was an amazing event for support and networking of everything from dragon boat racing to trees acadiana. Booths were set up on the parameter raising funds and awareness for all sorts of good causes.
The Louisiana Urban Forestry Council www.louisianaurbanforestry.org
Gulf Coast Restoration www.healthygulf.org grace@healthygulf.org
Le Dock sur le Bayou ledock@cox.net and www.ledock.com
Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise melissa@lite3d.com
Cajun Invasion Dragon Boat Team www.cajuninvastion.org or call Sharon Vernetti @ 337-984-7657
Trees Acadiana www.lsuagcenter.com
Written by John Pastor
Restaurants and the Environment
It was a Sunday and the television was on the saints game. The television had a bar right down the middle like the whole game was filmed from behind a goal post. The green monkeys met at Texas Road House on Johnston street at about 1pm. The place was buisy as usual and we were fortunate that the bar top was free. John Pastor, Johnny Miller, Leah Abshire, Kent LaBry and Philippe Treguier gathered to have lunch and have fun.
Stephen the manager, otherwise known as the teddy bear of the restaurant greeted us with a smile and made sure that everything was well taken care of. He is an unassuming person with a warm smile and not a bit of mean in his entire body. He has been a friend of the green monkeys for many years now. Working in the restaurant industry from adolescence his management skills are fine tuned and he is a venerated warrior of the lunch and dinner rush.
We were watching the saints game the evisceration of the eagles brought smiles to our faces and good times to all. We shared stories with the bartender and she told us about the boots for sale. The boot is a collectors item that you can purchase for $3 with a beer. However the ketch was that the boot was 12 ounces and you pay full price for refills while the normal mugs are 22 ounces. We figured it would probably be in our best interests to go with the 22 ounces and be more economical. We asked about the bar on the T.V. screen and she told us that the owner didn’t want to replace it until it was completely broken. Funny but I can see the point. The t.v. still works.
A sudden sound of clapping happened behind us and we were amazed to see a row of servers doing a line dance. Apparently on the hour every hour they do a cute little version of the boot scoot n boogie. We were so entertained and caught off guard that we started clapping with the crew. I know that pride and humiliation are all parts of any job and some people are hams for attention, but in a way it was kind of cruel. Still it added to the environment and it stuck in my memory. I asked Stephen what that was all about. He said that they do it on his command. Of coarse the idea hit me to have the green monkeys join in on the line dance and take pictures. He winked and said that he would do what he could. After we finished our food the sound of clapping began and came all around us… Stephen, you’re my hero… We jumped up and made the crew laugh at our poor rendition of their dance and had a blast doing it.
I pulled Stephen aside and told him who we are and what we do. He kind of shrugged about the notion that restaurants do anything environmental. Then it hit me. Restaurants produce more than 100 pounds of waste oil a week. All of the food you know and love from fries to chicken wings are cooked in vegetable oil. The question is where does the oil go? Hopefully not in the ground, I imagine. He nodded in agreeance that the oil is in fact recycled. Companies like mallard environmental. These companies do their best to use the recycled frying oil in an eco friendly way. They have huge oil trucks that come behind restaurants to the box called the grease trap. The oil gets transplanted to a huge processing plant where it is processed and filtered. Once filtered it is put into containers and sold. Most common uses are for fuel for lamp oil and also to fuel bio friendly engines.
Remember your fries and chicken wings are all part of the environment and when you eat them you are actually helping to fuel the world around you.
Written by John Pastor
Sunday September 20th 2009 the survivor oak, located in the field on the corner of bud st. and saul st. was the location for the survivor oak fundraiser concert. The goal of the concert/benefit was to bring together different groups which celebrate surviving against all odds. In the early 1900’s a hurricane knocked over a massive live oak tree which in turn grew a new tree from one of its branches and stands as a monument for perseverance and the indomitable spirit of life that refuses to end.
The Green Monkeys in attendance were John Pastor, Kent Labrey, Jason Doucet, Leah Abshire, Philippe Treguier, Charissa Borque and Johnny Miller. We spent the day in the sun with Frisbee throwing and dancing. The Drew Landry Band was playing their original songs of a easy melodic harmony and the crowd of blankets and festival chairs all swayed to the beats.
It was an amazing event for support and networking of everything from dragon boat racing to trees acadiana. Booths were set up on the parameter raising funds and awareness for all sorts of good causes.
The Louisiana Urban Forestry Council www.louisianaurbanforestry.org
Gulf Coast Restoration www.healthygulf.org grace@healthygulf.org
Le Dock sur le Bayou ledock@cox.net and www.ledock.com
Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise melissa@lite3d.com
Cajun Invasion Dragon Boat Team www.cajuninvastion.org or call Sharon Vernetti @ 337-984-7657
Trees Acadiana www.lsuagcenter.com
Written by John Pastor
Restaurants and the Environment
It was a Sunday and the television was on the saints game. The television had a bar right down the middle like the whole game was filmed from behind a goal post. The green monkeys met at Texas Road House on Johnston street at about 1pm. The place was buisy as usual and we were fortunate that the bar top was free. John Pastor, Johnny Miller, Leah Abshire, Kent LaBry and Philippe Treguier gathered to have lunch and have fun.
Stephen the manager, otherwise known as the teddy bear of the restaurant greeted us with a smile and made sure that everything was well taken care of. He is an unassuming person with a warm smile and not a bit of mean in his entire body. He has been a friend of the green monkeys for many years now. Working in the restaurant industry from adolescence his management skills are fine tuned and he is a venerated warrior of the lunch and dinner rush.
We were watching the saints game the evisceration of the eagles brought smiles to our faces and good times to all. We shared stories with the bartender and she told us about the boots for sale. The boot is a collectors item that you can purchase for $3 with a beer. However the ketch was that the boot was 12 ounces and you pay full price for refills while the normal mugs are 22 ounces. We figured it would probably be in our best interests to go with the 22 ounces and be more economical. We asked about the bar on the T.V. screen and she told us that the owner didn’t want to replace it until it was completely broken. Funny but I can see the point. The t.v. still works.
A sudden sound of clapping happened behind us and we were amazed to see a row of servers doing a line dance. Apparently on the hour every hour they do a cute little version of the boot scoot n boogie. We were so entertained and caught off guard that we started clapping with the crew. I know that pride and humiliation are all parts of any job and some people are hams for attention, but in a way it was kind of cruel. Still it added to the environment and it stuck in my memory. I asked Stephen what that was all about. He said that they do it on his command. Of coarse the idea hit me to have the green monkeys join in on the line dance and take pictures. He winked and said that he would do what he could. After we finished our food the sound of clapping began and came all around us… Stephen, you’re my hero… We jumped up and made the crew laugh at our poor rendition of their dance and had a blast doing it.
I pulled Stephen aside and told him who we are and what we do. He kind of shrugged about the notion that restaurants do anything environmental. Then it hit me. Restaurants produce more than 100 pounds of waste oil a week. All of the food you know and love from fries to chicken wings are cooked in vegetable oil. The question is where does the oil go? Hopefully not in the ground, I imagine. He nodded in agreeance that the oil is in fact recycled. Companies like mallard environmental. These companies do their best to use the recycled frying oil in an eco friendly way. They have huge oil trucks that come behind restaurants to the box called the grease trap. The oil gets transplanted to a huge processing plant where it is processed and filtered. Once filtered it is put into containers and sold. Most common uses are for fuel for lamp oil and also to fuel bio friendly engines.
Remember your fries and chicken wings are all part of the environment and when you eat them you are actually helping to fuel the world around you.
Written by John Pastor
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Green Monkeys of Louisiana Abita Education
Green Monkeys of Louisiana take Abita Environmental Tour
The green monkeys of louisiana took their august service trip to an amazing place. Attending were, Johnny Miller of New Iberia, John Pastor of Lafayette, Kent Labrey of Abbeyville, Leah Abshire of Lafayette, Philippe Treguier of Normandy France, Tony Smith of Lafayette. The trip was schedueled as a combination event as with and educational and exploratory stay at tickfaw state park.
Tickfaw is an amazing green and lush getaway for anyone who likes nature and water. Cabins at tickfaw are extreemly comfortable and inexpensive. Kitchens come stocked with pots and utinsils and towels in the bathrooms as well as sheets for the beds. Cable television and even a working fireplace. There are two rooms, one is a master suite which is perfect for "mom and dad" while the other is a perfect "kids"room with two sets of bunk beds. There is also a pull out couch. The cabins can comfortably sleep 8. What suprised me was how clean and well kept they were. Fire pits outside and the guy that lives right outside the entrance to the park that sells 26 pieces of wood for 10 dollars. (good luck understanding him though). Cabins rent for 90 a night.
The first trip was an amazing success. We had called a month in advance to advise that we were going to be taking the tour and writing an article in hopes that we might be able to educate the public about the truth of abita brewing and their striving for green friendliness. When we arrived august 28th at 10am we ran in with an awesome group of other environmentalists and of coarse made a new group of friends! Based out of Baton Rouge, Jason E. Jones was a extreemly friendly and welcoming person. He and his group represent the U.S. Green Buliding Council Chapter. Emerging Green Builders-Br (USGBC - Louisiana Chapter). Thier group represents a baton rouge group of young professionals that are interested in preserving nature through better building and architecture. Another interesting fellow we met was Chris Schlechte. He works with fusion architecture out of baton rouge. We discussed all the possibilites of joint trips and further colaboration opportunities.
Jason E Jones EGBBatonRouge@gmail.com 225*229*4854
Chris Schlechte (aia,ncarb,apc) Chris@fusionarchitecture.com 225*235*6305
The beginning of the tour started with an educational video which was interesting and extreemly informative. Abita is a Green Brewing Plant, and thats why we came. Green brewing means that Abita is committed to preserving the environment through conservation of resources, energy efficiency and corporate social responsibility. The brewery is located in the beautiful piney woods north of New Orleans. They draw the clean, pure water from the natural artesian well to make our great tasting beer. Protecting and improving the environment is a responsibility to take very seriously. Conserving energy and water, reusing by-products and waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, driving greener vehicles and using recycled materials are some of the ways the Abita Brewing Company is working to keep our part of the world green and clean.
The abita brewing company also makes great strides to help the community around them by donating to community service projects and charitable organizations. They are pleased to donate products and merchandise to non-profit groups to aid in their fundraising efforts whenever possible. They have a very easy form to fill out online that they would be happy for you to know about (http://abita.com/donate/donation_requestform.php) Due to the heavy volume of inquiries, please allow up to 4 weeks for a response to your request.
We learned much about the difference between brewing and "green brewing."
1. Abita was the first brewery in North America to install the energy efficient Merlin Brewhouse. The Merlin system reduces boiling time and carbon dioxide emissions and actually improves the brewing process. This new technology uses 70% less energy than traditional brewing methods. A vapor condenser also captures and reuses steam from the process. Its a really cool cone looking heating device that is applied directly to the bottom instead of just boiling a pot.
2. The Abita Brewing Company also operates its own industrial wastewater treatment plant. They use wastewater to generate its own energy. A Bio-Energy Recovery System (BERS) anerobically, (meaning treated in the absence of air), treats the wastewater reducing its strength and volume, while creating a renewable "bio-gas" that we use to fuel the boilers.
3.The glass bottles used by Abita Beer are endlessly recyclable and use less glass than traditional long-neck beer bottles. The Abita Brewing sales force drives gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles. Every 18-wheeler in the Abita delivery fleet is equipped with an energy saving Auxillary Power Unit (APU) that takes over engine operation when a truck is parked. The APUs decrease engine emissions and time spent idling.
4.Even the spent grain and hops from the brewing process don’t go to waste. Local farmers use the end products of the brewing process as feed for their cattle.
Everyone at the Abita Brewing Company is committed to preserving the environment. In fact, our most recent television commercial, "Recycle & Renew", features only brewery employees, the real people who work hard to make Abita Beer. We think beer tastes better when the world is clean. We’re proud to be a good neighbor…a good neighbor who makes great Abita Beer.
Written By: John Pastor of Lafayette Louisiana. Cheezpastor@hotamil.com 337*349*8528
The green monkeys of louisiana took their august service trip to an amazing place. Attending were, Johnny Miller of New Iberia, John Pastor of Lafayette, Kent Labrey of Abbeyville, Leah Abshire of Lafayette, Philippe Treguier of Normandy France, Tony Smith of Lafayette. The trip was schedueled as a combination event as with and educational and exploratory stay at tickfaw state park.
Tickfaw is an amazing green and lush getaway for anyone who likes nature and water. Cabins at tickfaw are extreemly comfortable and inexpensive. Kitchens come stocked with pots and utinsils and towels in the bathrooms as well as sheets for the beds. Cable television and even a working fireplace. There are two rooms, one is a master suite which is perfect for "mom and dad" while the other is a perfect "kids"room with two sets of bunk beds. There is also a pull out couch. The cabins can comfortably sleep 8. What suprised me was how clean and well kept they were. Fire pits outside and the guy that lives right outside the entrance to the park that sells 26 pieces of wood for 10 dollars. (good luck understanding him though). Cabins rent for 90 a night.
The first trip was an amazing success. We had called a month in advance to advise that we were going to be taking the tour and writing an article in hopes that we might be able to educate the public about the truth of abita brewing and their striving for green friendliness. When we arrived august 28th at 10am we ran in with an awesome group of other environmentalists and of coarse made a new group of friends! Based out of Baton Rouge, Jason E. Jones was a extreemly friendly and welcoming person. He and his group represent the U.S. Green Buliding Council Chapter. Emerging Green Builders-Br (USGBC - Louisiana Chapter). Thier group represents a baton rouge group of young professionals that are interested in preserving nature through better building and architecture. Another interesting fellow we met was Chris Schlechte. He works with fusion architecture out of baton rouge. We discussed all the possibilites of joint trips and further colaboration opportunities.
Jason E Jones EGBBatonRouge@gmail.com 225*229*4854
Chris Schlechte (aia,ncarb,apc) Chris@fusionarchitecture.com 225*235*6305
The beginning of the tour started with an educational video which was interesting and extreemly informative. Abita is a Green Brewing Plant, and thats why we came. Green brewing means that Abita is committed to preserving the environment through conservation of resources, energy efficiency and corporate social responsibility. The brewery is located in the beautiful piney woods north of New Orleans. They draw the clean, pure water from the natural artesian well to make our great tasting beer. Protecting and improving the environment is a responsibility to take very seriously. Conserving energy and water, reusing by-products and waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, driving greener vehicles and using recycled materials are some of the ways the Abita Brewing Company is working to keep our part of the world green and clean.
The abita brewing company also makes great strides to help the community around them by donating to community service projects and charitable organizations. They are pleased to donate products and merchandise to non-profit groups to aid in their fundraising efforts whenever possible. They have a very easy form to fill out online that they would be happy for you to know about (http://abita.com/donate/donation_requestform.php) Due to the heavy volume of inquiries, please allow up to 4 weeks for a response to your request.
We learned much about the difference between brewing and "green brewing."
1. Abita was the first brewery in North America to install the energy efficient Merlin Brewhouse. The Merlin system reduces boiling time and carbon dioxide emissions and actually improves the brewing process. This new technology uses 70% less energy than traditional brewing methods. A vapor condenser also captures and reuses steam from the process. Its a really cool cone looking heating device that is applied directly to the bottom instead of just boiling a pot.
2. The Abita Brewing Company also operates its own industrial wastewater treatment plant. They use wastewater to generate its own energy. A Bio-Energy Recovery System (BERS) anerobically, (meaning treated in the absence of air), treats the wastewater reducing its strength and volume, while creating a renewable "bio-gas" that we use to fuel the boilers.
3.The glass bottles used by Abita Beer are endlessly recyclable and use less glass than traditional long-neck beer bottles. The Abita Brewing sales force drives gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles. Every 18-wheeler in the Abita delivery fleet is equipped with an energy saving Auxillary Power Unit (APU) that takes over engine operation when a truck is parked. The APUs decrease engine emissions and time spent idling.
4.Even the spent grain and hops from the brewing process don’t go to waste. Local farmers use the end products of the brewing process as feed for their cattle.
Everyone at the Abita Brewing Company is committed to preserving the environment. In fact, our most recent television commercial, "Recycle & Renew", features only brewery employees, the real people who work hard to make Abita Beer. We think beer tastes better when the world is clean. We’re proud to be a good neighbor…a good neighbor who makes great Abita Beer.
Written By: John Pastor of Lafayette Louisiana. Cheezpastor@hotamil.com 337*349*8528
Labels:
abita springs,
green monkeys,
john pastor,
johnny miller,
lafayette,
recycle,
tickfaw
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
July Events
1) Fun Event: Seafood Boil - Sunday July 12 (3pm-8pm)
It was fun! Everyone had a good time slipping and sliding in the water while the music was rocking thanks to john and his misfit musical team. John and Johnny successfully produced enough food to feed an army. The night was finished off with everyone swimming at PepperTree Apartments. Those who attended are: Phillipe T., John Pastor, Johnny Miller, Kent Labry, Jerry Cotrell, Pat Lablanc, Leah Abshire, Anne Morello, Leah Pastor, Richie, Tressie Barret, Ally Barret, Skyler Barret, Maria ?,
2) Service Trip: Rutherford Beach Tree Planting - July 25th -26th 2009
Who: green monkeys
What: travel and excavate an illusive Louisiana beach to plant trees in an effort to preserve the wetlands and save the world!!
When: July 26th Sunday. We rendezvous at the intersection of hwy LA27 & LA 82… map included…
Where: South Cameron parish in the Mermentaw watershed.
Why?: To save the world, of coarse?
Johnny and an elite crew will be heading to Lake Charles a day early on the 25th. They will be renting a hotel room and having an evening of good green monkey fun. The crew will also be taking a detour to the Creole Nature Trail Museum. They will be departing and meeting up with the rest of our crew at 2:30pm to progress into the Rutherford Beach wonderland.
Why is our coast line important to us? Why should we bother to do anything about it? There is so much more to the regions south of Abbeville than the fact that flooding may be an issue. The face of our culture and local families will change forever. The average price of everything you touch involving meat will change forever.
Salt water intrusion will in fact be a part of our lives sooner than we think. Everything in vermillion parish is cattle, or rice and crawfish due to the heavy amounts of flooding. Now what happens when the salt water ravages all those areas? No GRASS. No grass means no cattle. No cattle means a severe raise in the price of meat. The crippling of any civilization which is indigenous is the cut off of resources which make them self sufficient. You can expect in a short time to pay twice the price for those steaks you love.
You have the choice… support the coastline or give up steak (an exaggeration, of coarse)
Cool Websites to check out
Epa.gov
Lsuagcenter.com
Treesacadiana.org
Contact Harrold Schuffler to discuss what types of trees to plant on Rutherford beach.
1) Fun Event: Seafood Boil - Sunday July 12 (3pm-8pm)
It was fun! Everyone had a good time slipping and sliding in the water while the music was rocking thanks to john and his misfit musical team. John and Johnny successfully produced enough food to feed an army. The night was finished off with everyone swimming at PepperTree Apartments. Those who attended are: Phillipe T., John Pastor, Johnny Miller, Kent Labry, Jerry Cotrell, Pat Lablanc, Leah Abshire, Anne Morello, Leah Pastor, Richie, Tressie Barret, Ally Barret, Skyler Barret, Maria ?,
2) Service Trip: Rutherford Beach Tree Planting - July 25th -26th 2009
Who: green monkeys
What: travel and excavate an illusive Louisiana beach to plant trees in an effort to preserve the wetlands and save the world!!
When: July 26th Sunday. We rendezvous at the intersection of hwy LA27 & LA 82… map included…
Where: South Cameron parish in the Mermentaw watershed.
Why?: To save the world, of coarse?
Johnny and an elite crew will be heading to Lake Charles a day early on the 25th. They will be renting a hotel room and having an evening of good green monkey fun. The crew will also be taking a detour to the Creole Nature Trail Museum
Why is our coast line important to us? Why should we bother to do anything about it? There is so much more to the regions south of Abbeville than the fact that flooding may be an issue. The face of our culture and local families will change forever. The average price of everything you touch involving meat will change forever.
Salt water intrusion will in fact be a part of our lives sooner than we think. Everything in vermillion parish is cattle, or rice and crawfish due to the heavy amounts of flooding. Now what happens when the salt water ravages all those areas? No GRASS. No grass means no cattle. No cattle means a severe raise in the price of meat. The crippling of any civilization which is indigenous is the cut off of resources which make them self sufficient. You can expect in a short time to pay twice the price for those steaks you love.
You have the choice… support the coastline or give up steak (an exaggeration, of coarse)
Cool Websites to check out
Epa.gov
Lsuagcenter.com
Treesacadiana.org
Contact Harrold Schuffler to discuss what types of trees to plant on Rutherford beach.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Previous year Meeting Notes!!!
GM3 2008
Green Monkeys
Monthly Meetings
12-7-08
Attendees
1. John Pastor
2. Leah Abshire
Agenda
1. Scavenger Hunt
A. destinations
a. where the moon shines on the street of those who pray
b. a galaxy of food and music
c. there’s four in a dollar and its on one of our president’s streets
d. where the big dogs drink on a general’s street
e. the oldest hardware store in Freetown
f. the oldest grocery store in Freetown
g. the club house on the lot behind F. Pavy’s studio
h. take a pottery class on Garfield
i. sells 50c drafts at the end of the train
B. how to place clues
2. Call for confirmation with Danika Adams
3. Sat. 2:00pm Earthshare Gardens
4. Sat. Feb. 9th 9:00am Vermillion Ville
GM3 2009
Green Monkeys
Monthly Meetings
2- 12- 09
Attendees
1. John Pastor
2. Leah Abshire
3. Anne Morello
Agenda
1. KBON
A. John and Jason recording
2. Mardi Gras Fun Festivities
A. Fri. 3:30- music trivia
B. Sat. 3:30- Dodge ball
C. Mon. 3:30- Twister
D. Tues. 3:00- Freetown Olympics
a. 3 legged race
b. egg race
c. spin on a bat
d. pie throwing
e. face painting
3. River Cleanup
A. how to promote
a. sign up at mardi gras
b. taylors flyers
c. glabal action club – Clair Lablanc
3-31-09
Attendees:
1. Leah Abshire
2. John Pastor
3. Jason Deucet
4. Kent
5. Anne Morello
6. Dylan Crochet
Agenda:
1. Shirts
A. talk to erick
B. want to advertise
2. Website
A. add vermillion cleanup blog
B. add camping trip blog
C. get pictures from maria
3. Community Service
A. Festival International
a. call cody (239-682-0040)
4. April Activities
A. New Orleans trolley excursion
a. picture scavenger hunt
1. piano
2. beignet
3. palm reading
4. drunk person
5. cannon
6. gay bar
7. street performer
8. homeless person
5. John and Jason’s variety show
6. May
A. tree giveaway
a. find location
b. talk to danika
B. Camping trip
a. Indian creep
b. talk to Jason and Johnny
7. Dates
A. April 21-26 (festival international)
B. April 11 (New Orleans Excursion)
C. May 2 (Camping trip)
D. May 16 (tree give away?)
5-7-09
Attendees:
1. John Pastor
2. Danika Adams
Agenda:
1. Danika e-mail address (danica@bayouvermillion.org)
2. Event Tree give away
3. Date: Friday May 29th
Time: 5pm
Place: Parking lot @children’s Museum
4. Danika will contact children’s museum
5. all varieties flagged w/ pots
6. info sheets w/t
7. tent tables/chairs (water coolers) food
8. Publicity:
A. fax
B. John = pass pa tout
Good morning Acadiana
C. start @ 11am heavily
D. flyer Bach Lunch= 22nd
E. Down Town Alive= 22nd
F. web downtown biz= 27th
5-19-09
Attendees:
1. Jason Deucet
2. John Pastor
3. Danika Adams
Agenda:
1. Flyers finished 20 lrg 200 small
2. Discussion of marketing
3. Email sent by john
4. PR release done by vermillion ville marketing
5. tent table chairs (called maria, asked for tent. Have table and chairs)
6. Physical Marketing
A. 20 lrg flyers
B. key places downtown
C. health food stores
D. hospitals to human resources
E. libraries
F. natural history museum
G. Clifton Chener Center
H. Girad Park
I. Robideaux Center
J. Bougouis hall
K. girl scouts/ boy scouts
Attendees:
1. John Pastor
2. Phillipe
Agenda:
1. phillip needs:
A. letter head
2. Kent copies
3. tent, announce tent and banner placements
Attendees:
1. Leah Abshire
2. Anne Morello
3. Hillary Ozenne
4. John Pastor
5. Kent LaBry
6. Jason Deucet
7. Phillipe
Agenda:
1. last month’s failure’s and success
2. fun festivities for this month
3. service for this month
4. organize names
5. Need to do:
A. Business cards
B. anne wants a packet (337-692-3942)
Phillipe wants a packet (501-9704)
C. Idea
a. ideas* buy press for shirt = $200
6. Fun projects
A. July 27th
a. N.O. scavenger hunt trip (Same Rules Apply)
7. Service projects
A. trash pickup @ paul davis
B. 1pm Sunday May 24th
6-3-09
Attendees:
1. Leah Abshire
2. John Pastor
3. Anne Morello
4. David
Agenda:
1. annual event
2. duane jones
3. boy scouts
4. growth package/ marketing
5. contact XI
A. Bernard lemoine 5 guys
B. ponchtulu 985-687- 3093
C. Bernard@louisiana.edu
6. Contact 981-4844 (roxy) (pas pa tout)
7. Fun Project this month
A. 27th scavenger hunt
8. July Fun Festivities (crawfish boil)
9. July service (constance Beach Cleanup)
Name
Number
Name
Number
Arron Felix
236-5717
Brittney Miles
277- 3143
Russell
344-6445
Jay Rees
212- 6060
Richie Litchco
322- 9684
Toby Dore
298- 9656
Jeremiah
280-6468
Rocky
315- 7072
Jason Deucet
404-819- 8386
Cody williams
318-237- 4920
Aaron Miles
277- 3143
255- 9306
Rory Ivanoff
326- 6264
Shelby Goydon
258- 5168
Lindsey Miller
347- 0008
Kali Wheeler
258- 4707
Anne Morello
692- 3942
Kent Labry
258-4251
Danika Adams
769- 7283
Aden
251-253-1512
Celeste Gary
315- 2280
Aaron Johnson
962-2684
Ron Bailey
realcaptron@aol.com
Rob
277- 7075
Otis
315- 7004
Allie
692-4795
Andre
225-776-7616
Godfrey
215-410-0438
Heart
739- 4409
Name
Number
Name
Number
Green Monkeys
Monthly Meetings
12-7-08
Attendees
1. John Pastor
2. Leah Abshire
Agenda
1. Scavenger Hunt
A. destinations
a. where the moon shines on the street of those who pray
b. a galaxy of food and music
c. there’s four in a dollar and its on one of our president’s streets
d. where the big dogs drink on a general’s street
e. the oldest hardware store in Freetown
f. the oldest grocery store in Freetown
g. the club house on the lot behind F. Pavy’s studio
h. take a pottery class on Garfield
i. sells 50c drafts at the end of the train
B. how to place clues
2. Call for confirmation with Danika Adams
3. Sat. 2:00pm Earthshare Gardens
4. Sat. Feb. 9th 9:00am Vermillion Ville
GM3 2009
Green Monkeys
Monthly Meetings
2- 12- 09
Attendees
1. John Pastor
2. Leah Abshire
3. Anne Morello
Agenda
1. KBON
A. John and Jason recording
2. Mardi Gras Fun Festivities
A. Fri. 3:30- music trivia
B. Sat. 3:30- Dodge ball
C. Mon. 3:30- Twister
D. Tues. 3:00- Freetown Olympics
a. 3 legged race
b. egg race
c. spin on a bat
d. pie throwing
e. face painting
3. River Cleanup
A. how to promote
a. sign up at mardi gras
b. taylors flyers
c. glabal action club – Clair Lablanc
3-31-09
Attendees:
1. Leah Abshire
2. John Pastor
3. Jason Deucet
4. Kent
5. Anne Morello
6. Dylan Crochet
Agenda:
1. Shirts
A. talk to erick
B. want to advertise
2. Website
A. add vermillion cleanup blog
B. add camping trip blog
C. get pictures from maria
3. Community Service
A. Festival International
a. call cody (239-682-0040)
4. April Activities
A. New Orleans trolley excursion
a. picture scavenger hunt
1. piano
2. beignet
3. palm reading
4. drunk person
5. cannon
6. gay bar
7. street performer
8. homeless person
5. John and Jason’s variety show
6. May
A. tree giveaway
a. find location
b. talk to danika
B. Camping trip
a. Indian creep
b. talk to Jason and Johnny
7. Dates
A. April 21-26 (festival international)
B. April 11 (New Orleans Excursion)
C. May 2 (Camping trip)
D. May 16 (tree give away?)
5-7-09
Attendees:
1. John Pastor
2. Danika Adams
Agenda:
1. Danika e-mail address (danica@bayouvermillion.org)
2. Event Tree give away
3. Date: Friday May 29th
Time: 5pm
Place: Parking lot @children’s Museum
4. Danika will contact children’s museum
5. all varieties flagged w/ pots
6. info sheets w/t
7. tent tables/chairs (water coolers) food
8. Publicity:
A. fax
B. John = pass pa tout
Good morning Acadiana
C. start @ 11am heavily
D. flyer Bach Lunch= 22nd
E. Down Town Alive= 22nd
F. web downtown biz= 27th
5-19-09
Attendees:
1. Jason Deucet
2. John Pastor
3. Danika Adams
Agenda:
1. Flyers finished 20 lrg 200 small
2. Discussion of marketing
3. Email sent by john
4. PR release done by vermillion ville marketing
5. tent table chairs (called maria, asked for tent. Have table and chairs)
6. Physical Marketing
A. 20 lrg flyers
B. key places downtown
C. health food stores
D. hospitals to human resources
E. libraries
F. natural history museum
G. Clifton Chener Center
H. Girad Park
I. Robideaux Center
J. Bougouis hall
K. girl scouts/ boy scouts
Attendees:
1. John Pastor
2. Phillipe
Agenda:
1. phillip needs:
A. letter head
2. Kent copies
3. tent, announce tent and banner placements
Attendees:
1. Leah Abshire
2. Anne Morello
3. Hillary Ozenne
4. John Pastor
5. Kent LaBry
6. Jason Deucet
7. Phillipe
Agenda:
1. last month’s failure’s and success
2. fun festivities for this month
3. service for this month
4. organize names
5. Need to do:
A. Business cards
B. anne wants a packet (337-692-3942)
Phillipe wants a packet (501-9704)
C. Idea
a. ideas* buy press for shirt = $200
6. Fun projects
A. July 27th
a. N.O. scavenger hunt trip (Same Rules Apply)
7. Service projects
A. trash pickup @ paul davis
B. 1pm Sunday May 24th
6-3-09
Attendees:
1. Leah Abshire
2. John Pastor
3. Anne Morello
4. David
Agenda:
1. annual event
2. duane jones
3. boy scouts
4. growth package/ marketing
5. contact XI
A. Bernard lemoine 5 guys
B. ponchtulu 985-687- 3093
C. Bernard@louisiana.edu
6. Contact 981-4844 (roxy) (pas pa tout)
7. Fun Project this month
A. 27th scavenger hunt
8. July Fun Festivities (crawfish boil)
9. July service (constance Beach Cleanup)
Name
Number
Name
Number
Arron Felix
236-5717
Brittney Miles
277- 3143
Russell
344-6445
Jay Rees
212- 6060
Richie Litchco
322- 9684
Toby Dore
298- 9656
Jeremiah
280-6468
Rocky
315- 7072
Jason Deucet
404-819- 8386
Cody williams
318-237- 4920
Aaron Miles
277- 3143
255- 9306
Rory Ivanoff
326- 6264
Shelby Goydon
258- 5168
Lindsey Miller
347- 0008
Kali Wheeler
258- 4707
Anne Morello
692- 3942
Kent Labry
258-4251
Danika Adams
769- 7283
Aden
251-253-1512
Celeste Gary
315- 2280
Aaron Johnson
962-2684
Ron Bailey
realcaptron@aol.com
Rob
277- 7075
Otis
315- 7004
Allie
692-4795
Andre
225-776-7616
Godfrey
215-410-0438
Heart
739- 4409
Name
Number
Name
Number
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