Two Events Coming Up From Sustainable Westford

The following was submitted by Sustainable Westford. To submit your own content, e-mail the editor at asylvia@westfordcat.org

Sustainable Westford 2015 Winter Series continues…

Solar & Green Energy Basics and Home Energy Efficiency Workshop with Mass Energy Consumers Alliance, Next Step Living and Harvard Solar Gardens.  Tuesday Jan. 20, 2015,  JV Fletcher library from 7:00-9:00pm.  FREE Pre-register online at  www.SustainableWestford.org

Confused about electricity rates  solar and green energy?  Come get your questions answered about some of the current changes and confusing issues on rates, solar and green energy!  Save energy and money •  Reduce their carbon footprint • Live more comfortably • Purchase Green Energy

Mass Energy Consumers Alliance is a non-profit organization with the mission to make energy more affordable and environmentally sustainable in Massachusetts. For 32 years Mass Energy has pursued this mission though policy advocacy and their energy programs. Eugenia Gibbons Mass Energy’s Clean Energy Program Director will provide a background on clean energy policy in Massachusetts and Meredith Geraghty their Clean Energy Program Coordinator will speak about the clean power programs that Mass Energy can offer consumers including their Solar Connect Program and Green Power Program

Next Step Living is a one-stop resource for informed advice about available energy options, incentives and rebates, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions including:  Home energy evaluations, Weatherization work (air sealing and insulation), Roofing and windows, Heating and cooling (ductless mini splits, HVAC systems) and Solar panel installation!

Eric Broadbent, a member of the Harvard Energy Advisory Committee and contributor to the Harvard Solar Garden effort – will provide a brief history of the Harvard Solar Gardens, an overview of the challenges overcome along the way, and some key aspects of policy and legislation in MA that helped make the project possible.  He will also describe how these policies are changing, and what people can do to help keep them from being rolled back in MA, as is happening in several other states.

Kitchen Seminar: More Plant Strong Proteins 

Sunday Feb. 8, 2015, First Parish Church, 48 Main St., Westford, 5:30-7:30 pm. (FREE for members)  Come learn to cook a variety of tasty dishes!  From savory chickpea potpie to hearty pink sauce.  Spend a delightful evening meeting and interacting with a diverse group of interesting people from around town.  Go home with new nutritional knowledge and eight protein-packed, proven recipes that can take center stage at dinner.  Pre-register online www.SustainableWestford.org

Kitchen Seminar: Whole Food Desserts – Give in to Temptation

Friday Feb. 13, 2015, First Parish Church, 48 Main St., Westford, 6:30 – 8:30 pm  Come learn to craft several desserts whose ingredients are as edible as the final product, but whose final product tastes even better than the sum of its parts!  Think outside the pan; different is good, and dare I say good for you.  NOTE: 3 of the 4 selections are naturally dairy and gluten free.  Chocoholics welcome.   Pre-register online www.SustainableWestford.org  (FREE for members)

Real Good Food, Nutrition & Book reviews – Let’s talk!  

Sunday, Mar. 1, First Parish Church, 48 Main St., Westford, 5:30-7:30 pm.  Come learn and share about current info and trends on what to eat these days!  What do HEALTHY Vegans, Meat Lovers, Paleos & Locovores have in Common? Calling all nutritionists, dietitians, naturopaths, vegans…anyone who loves good whole foods and good reads!  Come hear some theories of what common threads might tie these groups together!  Find core connections between seemingly different-minded doctors, scientists and food experts.  A spectrum of reading material will be summarized so that you can get a glimpse of the issue from many perspectives.  Note: Books will be on sale should you be inspired to dig deeper once you have a focus upon which to zoom in.  BYO dinner! All welcome.  Free.  Pre-register online www.SustainableWestford.org