Archive for the ‘Walk the Talk’ Category

Going Green

Tuesday, December 19th, 2006

Are you aware of how easy it is to reduce your environmental impact while living in the Triangle area?

One quick step is to opt for supporting green power (wind, solar, etc.) from your local electric company. Duke Energy allows you to buy 100kwatt hour blocks for $4/block per month at this link. This option allows for more use of green power generators by your utility company in the increments that you purchase.

For many of us, that means that for less than $10/month, more than 50% of our energy use will be supported by green power, dramatically reducing the amount of CO2 that we pump into the environment. More info is provided here. If you aren’t with Duke Energy, check out NC Green Power to see if your utility company provides this option.

Options for “going green” are becoming more and more accessible! Now it just takes a few dollars a month and few clicks on the internet. I know I’m out of excuses – what’s yours?

Want to do more? Check out Climate Crisis to estimate your environmental impact in terms of tons of CO2/year using their take action calculator. You’ll find many suggestions for other lifestyle changes.

What kind of community do you want? (or How to quit bitching and start some evolution…)

Sunday, December 17th, 2006

Do you care about environmental affairs? housing? development and sprawl? city/county appearance? human relations? public transportation? government effectiveness? Of course you do.

It may be time to up your TQ (Tractivism Quotient) and join a civic committee…

Serving on a local board is super educational, and for those of you who might one day run for office (yes, YOU), there’s no better way to get your feet wet. Sure, it can be frustrating, but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to ask me or other Tractivists who serve on civic boards. Best perk: instant legitimacy when you tell others to quit bitching and start doing.

Durhamites: check out this info-packed email from City Councilman Mike Woodard.
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If you are interested in making Durham city government better and can devote a few hours a month to that effort, please consider applying to one of the boards, committees, or commissions that advise city and county government. There are a number of openings now. Some of these groups carry a lot of weight in terms of policy, while others help advise the staff and administration on important day-to-day operations. If you have special skills or a particular interest in one of these groups, visit the City’s website for more information and for steps on applying.

Mike Woodard
Durham City Council

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Due to a resignation, there is currently one (1) vacancy on the CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE with the term to expire on June 30, 2009. This committee works to facilitate citizen participation in the planning and implementation of the Durham Community Development Block Grant Program for housing.

Due to a term expiring, there will be one (1) vacancy on the DURHAM AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY for an ALTERNATE MEMBER. The term will expire March 1, 2010. The appointments to the Authority will be made to ensure that the interests of various segments of the community including, but not limited to the following, are adequately represented on the Authority: Elderly, Disabled, Youth, Regular Bus Riders, Business, Employers, and Neighborhood Organizations.

Due to a resignation, there is currently one (1) vacancy on the DURHAM PLANNING COMMISSION to represent DISTRICT 3. The term will expire on June 30, 2008. The Planning Commission is a fourteen (14) member advisory board made up of residents appointed by the County Commissioners and City Council. The Commission reviews recommended plans, policies and reports of the professional planning staff and makes recommendations concerning them to the governing bodies on planning policy and planning implementation actions, including rezoning and zoning Ordinance changes.

Due to a resignation, there is currently one (1) vacancy on the DURHAM CITY-COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS BOARD to represent Biological Sciences. (more…)

Tailgate party on Saturday at the BOE

Tuesday, October 31st, 2006

Durham Tractivists! FREE food, music, and revelry for Early Voters this Saturday!

Election Day is only one week away and I know you’re eager to cast that ballot and wear that sexy “I Voted” sticker (it’s SO in this season!)… but, why wait ’til Tuesday?! Beat the crowds, VOTE EARLY, and join Traction for our Early Voting Tailgate Party!

This Saturday, November 4th, is your last chance to Vote Early, and to kick off the final countdown to Election Day, Traction is throwing a Tailgate Party complete with food and drinks that herbivores and carnivores alike will enjoy, live music by the Water Callers, and a seriously fun bunch of people celebrating our civic duty! If you’ve already voted, come and have fun with us anyway!

Come and Tailgate with Traction!
When: Saturday, November 4th, 11am-1pm (when early voting ends)
Where: Board of Elections (Parking Lot): 706 W Corporation St, Durham

Special thanks to CounterCulture Coffee and Fergus of the James Joyce, who’s donating his famous chili!

See you there!

PS. Can you help? Want to Volunteer? We need some more helping hands for a variety of things, so if you have a free hour or two this Saturday, please let me know. Mail derek@getTraction.org by Thursday and THANK YOU so much!

She Voted…

Monday, October 23rd, 2006

She Voted…

She Voted
Have you?
to find out about early voting, taking place now through November 4th.

Voter Registration deadlines and tool

Wednesday, October 11th, 2006

The Voter Registration deadline in NC is this Friday (10/13) — don’t miss it!

Remind your friends and family all over the country to register & vote!

Here are the voter reg deadlines for each state.  You’ll need to check to see if the date is a “postmark by” deadline or if the VR form needs to arrive in the Secretary of State  or Board of Elections by that date.  Some of the deadlines have passed already.

Alabama         October 27
Alaska          October 8
Arizona         October 9
California      October 23
Colorado        October 10
Connecticut    October 24
Florida         October 10
Georgia         October 10
Illinois        October 10
Indiana         October 10
Iowa            October 28
Kansas          October 23
Kentucky        October 10
Louisiana       October 9
Maine           October 17
Maryland        October 17
Massachusetts   October 18
Michigan        October 10
Minnesota       pre-reg. October 17
Missouri        October 11
Montana October 10
Nebraska        October 20
Nevada          October 7
New Jersey      October 17
New Mexico      October 10
New York        October 13
North Carolina  October 13
Ohio            October 10
Oregon          October 17
Pennsylvania    October 10
Rhode Island    October 17
South Carolina  October 7
South Dakota    October 23
Tennessee       October 8
Texas           October 10
Utah            October 10
Vermont         October 28
Virginia        October 10
Washington      October 8
West Virginia   October 17
Wisconsin       October 19

Here’s a fun way to remind your friends to register: http://www.govote.org/?t1=120

Hat tips: Matt Stoller and Bob Geiger at www.mydd.com

Pride, not Prejudice

Saturday, October 7th, 2006

Tractivists!

Is there any doubt that you stole the show at the NC Pride parade? None whatsoever.

Picture, if you will, a bike rickshaw pulling a giant beautiful patchwork kite, with anywhere from 6-20 Tractivists dancing and cheering in its wake. The rickshaw driver and the two mannequins riding in back were all decked out in Traction T-shirts and the crowd went wild! We warmed them up for the very sexy men on the Legends float right behind us.

We couldn’t have done it without Anne, Celeste, Keith from Greenway Pedicabs (so cool), Keith’s partner Kira, and Chris! Anyone with pictures, please send them to getTraction@gmail.com and we’ll post them on our flickr site: http://flickr.com/photos/traction/
P.S. Coming up later this month:
10/12 Jesus Camp advance screening (we’ve got free tix)
10/14 Bill Scher, author of “Wait! Don’t Move to Canada!” at the Regulator
10/21 Early Voting Tail-gate Party (Are you registered to vote???)