News & Events – August
In light of the pandemic, and the lack of group activities or events, here are some links that we hope will be helpful to you as we struggle through this most unusual summer.
If you missed our last list, see here.
Stay safe. Stay healthy!
1) Move your Money for Justice. Local First AZ is promoting an effort to encourage you to move your money to local banks and credit unions that have a better track record supporting local businesses, particularly local business owners of color. The big drive actually ended last week, but we encourage you to look in to it. I moved all of my personal and business accounts about 8 years ago from Wells Fargo to Desert Financial Credit Union. Not only was I distressed by the role that the big national banks played in the Great Recession, but I also wanted to know that my money was being re-invested locally. There are so many good reasons to move your money to local credit unions, especially as we struggle through the pandemic.
2) Small Business Grants are Still Available. Sticking with Local First a little longer, it is notable that small business grants are still available. There are several sources for these grants, which you can see listed here. The county, the city and semi-public agencies all have applications and processes in place to help small businesses survive. And, let’s face it. This is going to be a long haul.
3) Water Harvesting Classes. UrbanFarm.org has a whole array of classes that you can take safely on line. However, water harvesting is one that I wish I had taken before I made certain decisions years ago. Water harvesting is increasingly popular in Arizona. It can be as simple as using appealing landscaping to direct rain water to retention spots around trees. Or, it can be as complex as pulling water in to cisterns for use later. When I put a new roof on my house in 2014, I did not realize that you may not want to use water harvested from asphalt shingle roofs for edible plants. I might have made a different choice. It’s another reason we should use more sustainable materials for our roof tops.
4) Farmer’s Funds. In addition to support for local farmers that the Downtown Phoenix Public Market gives through its new on-line farmer’s market platform, organizers are raising money for farmers in remote rural communities that are struggling with food insecurity. You can learn more at their website here while you order treats to pick up at this next weekend’s farmer’s market.
5) Paths Less Traveled. It is definitely hot out. So, if you are cooped up and you are trying to find some places to visit, be very careful. I find that you can still get a beautiful hike in and see a stunning sunrise if you are willing to head out at about 5am. Hey, you do what you gotta do when you can’t stand looking at that same cobweb in the corner of your room. (Too specific?) Anyway, here is a nice list of social-distance-friendly places to visit, at the City of Phoenix events page.
6) Hazardous Waste Disposal. I was afraid that the hazardous waste disposal days that the City of Phoenix has always hosted would be put on hold during the pandemic. But I was wrong! You can still recycle old computer parts and batteries and you can drop off hazardous waste. A new list of locations and drop-off days will be published in late August.
These guys at the city handle hazardous waste all day. What made me think they did not have the skills to grab stuff out of my car at their waste drop-off days, as usual? Silly me.
But, look, here’s the thing. We recycle less than about 5% of all of the Lithium-Ion batteries that we put in all of our devices. That’s terrible, especially when you see the permanent damage that is done to our beautiful landscape as we look for more rare earth metals for more batteries. It is completely unnecessary, if we would all take 30 minutes once every 6 months to drop off old computer parts, batteries and chemicals.
Imagine the jobs we could create if we all recycled batteries that could be re-built in to new batteries here in Arizona! Can you tell I’m passionate about this one?
So, please check this out. Drive to the drop-off locations, stay in your cool car and the the professionals do the rest!
