On Wednesday, May 29, learn about ecomaine’s School Recycling Grants Program and how your school can receive up to $10,000 to implement a recycling program. The grants are available for both private and public schools, and is open to any school (elementary through graduate level) in the 46 communities ecomaine serves.

This event will provide information about the application process, highlight success stories of past recipients, review all of ecomaine’s available free resources, and answer all of your questions.

For more information, visit ecomaine’s website.

Consider planting an extra row of fruit and vegetables this year and donating it to local soup kitchens and food pantries through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Maine Harvest for Hunger program.

Most wanted: fruit of all types, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, winter squash, onions and potatoes.

The Maine Harvest for Hunger program is open to all interested gardeners and is coordinated through UMaine Extension Master Gardener Volunteer program.

Why Maine Harvest for Hunger is so important:

• 14.7% of Maine households, representing approximately 200,000 individuals, are “food insecure” according to the USDA.
• Maine ranks 18^th in the nation and 2^nd in New England in terms of food insecurity
• 23% of Maine children are food insecure.
• Maine ranks first in New England in terms of child food insecurity.

For more information or to enroll in the program visit the UMaine Extension’s website or contact their office at 1-800-287-1471.

About University of Maine Cooperative Extension:
As a trusted resource for almost 100 years, University of Maine Cooperative Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county.

UMaine Extension helps support, sustain and grow the food-based economy. It is the only entity in our state that touches every aspect of the Maine Food System, where policy, research, production, processing, commerce, nutrition, and food security and safety are integral and interrelated. UMaine Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H.

The SunriseGuide is proud to celebrate Earth Day. We are answering the call to action, helping our readers and supporters live more sustainable lives in order to protect our earth, air and water. We hope you’re inspired to make a green change in your life this year. The SunriseGuide is here to help you do just that. Learn about Maine’s healthy, local, and green resources – and have fun and save money while you do!

About Earth Day:

Earth Day is widely seen as a kind of birthday for the modern environmental movement. Celebrated on April 22 each year, Earth Day is a celebration of the environment designed to inspire awareness and concern for our planet. The tradition began in 1970 when U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin announced his idea for a nationwide teach-in day on the environment. Nelson believed that an “ecologically literate public would do far more than landmark legislation to assure a sustainable future.” We’ve come a long way since 1970, and both environmental literacy and public policy can be credited for these changes. And there is more to be done. We like to say that every day is Earth Day. But there is no denying the power of a holiday to ground us in meaning and mindfulness.

Local Events:

Visit our events page for a comprehensive list of community events for Earth Day 2013 and beyond. You’ll find celebrations, clean-ups, films, discussions, and festivals throughout southern and coastal Maine. If you have an event to add to the list, please email us.

The 2013 Earth Day Scavenger Hunt is a fun way to get out into your community with friends and family to look for ways your neighbors are reducing their ecological footprint. Tell us what you find! Download the printable guide here:

2013 Earth Day Scavenger Hunt

Tips for Celebrating:

Nationally

• Check for events in your region with the EPA.
• Submit a photo to help build a global mosaic depicting The Face of Climate Change.
• Sign up for Action Alerts through Earth Day Network to add your voice to the environmental movement.

Locally

Around the House

• Lights out and electronics free for the day
• Craft projects with recycled materials —cards, puzzles, magazine pages, etc. The recycle bin is a great source of materials for this.
• Start a garden or work in your garden, build a raised bed. Learn about and plant some native plants – visit the University of Maine Cooperative Extension resource link.
• Break bread with friends and neighbors showcasing local dishes where most ingredients used are grown or produced right here in Maine.
• Spring clean and donate clothes, recycle the rest (FreeCycle.org as a way to give away anything, the Habitat for Humanities ReStore in Portland or Bath for furniture and building materials, and Goodwill for computer equipment. They take it free of charge.)
• Use a carbon calculator to determine your personal footprint and learn tips for reducing fossil fuel consumption.

Around the Community

• Commute to work on bike or explore your local neighborhoods on bike with your kids. The Bicycle Coalition of Maine has a great Trail Finder resource.
• Explore your local public lands and take a hike with family or friends, check out Healthy Maine Walks for ideas.
• Trail clean up – contact your local land trust or trails organization to volunteer for a cleanup project, i.e. Portland Trails, Maine Island Trails, Maine Land Trust Network.
• Team up with your local school or child care center to start a community children’s garden. Here are some tips on starting a community garden from the UMaine Cooperative Extension’s Gardening and Horticulture division.

Resources:

www.epa.gov/earthday/
www.earthday.org/
www.maineenvironews.com/
www.healthymainewalks.com
www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/2502.htm
www.FreeCycle.org
www.habitat.org/cd/env/restore_detail.aspx?place=68
www.goodwillnne.org
http://necarbonchallenge.org/calculator.jsp?cookieCheck=1

“Looking to tread lightly on the planet? From healthy foods to Earth-friendly household items, we’ve got you covered.”

- The Dr. Lisa Radio Hour & Podcast

Heather Chandler

On March 10, 2013, SunriseGuide Owner & Publisher Heather Chandler was a featured guest on the Dr. Lisa Radio Hour & Podcast, talking about her publications that promote the best of what’s green, healthy, and local in Maine. Heather was joined on the show by Avery Kamila, Natural Foodie columnist for the Portland Press Herald.

Listen to Heather’s interview.

Listen to the full Radio Hour.

Garbage to Garden is now providing curbside compost pickup in Portland, So. Portland, Yarmouth, Falmouth, and Cumberland (with additional cities being added – see list of candidate cities). For a small monthly fee, they will pick up your compostable items weekly and return finished compost to you as you request it. Thanks to a partnership with Maine Standard Biofuels, they even pick up used cooking oils that will be turned into biofuel! Additional candidate cities (if enough people sign up) include Bath, Brunswick, Westbrook, Saco and more! Learn more and sign up.

1 West Market Sq. • Bangor
10 Bow St. • Freeport
372 Main St. • Damariscotta
9 & 10 Moulton St. • Portland
1338 Roosevelt Trl. • Raymond
E-mail: info@mexicaliblues.com
www.mexicaliblues.com

$25 off the Application Fee for 2013-14

Learn, Grow, Explore. Academic Excellence in the Jesuit Tradition.

For more information, contact the Cheverus Admissions Department. Limit one coupon per applicant. Offer valid for 2013 application only. Expires 08/01/13.

Click here for printer-friendly coupon.

Cheverus High School
267 Ocean Avenue, Portland
(207) 774-6238
www.cheverus.org

“I need to see a doctor, but I don’t have insurance.” “I could really use a massage, but it’s not in my budget.” “I’d love to take-up yoga, but I can’t afford to until I’m done with school.” Unfortunately, statements like these are made all too often as healthcare and wellness take the back burner to other pressing financial responsibilities. Fortunately, there are many places throughout Maine offering creative and affordable ways to ensure you can always take care of your health.

Bartering & “Paying it Forward”

How would you like to pay for healthcare while keeping actual currency completely out of the equation? Well you can with good ol’ fashioned bartering. Through Hour Exchange Portland* people can pay for doctor’s appointments and wellness services with “time dollars.” Members of HEP earn time dollars by providing a service to someone; for every hour they spend helping someone, they earn an hour that they can use for any number of services within the network. Over the years, HEP has allowed people to receive over 25,000 hours of free healthcare. True North* in Falmouth has been seeing patients for time dollars since they opened in 2002, and has gotten national press (like CBS news and NPR) for this innovative concept. Turn the Tide Health Collaborative  is a network of practitioners in Greater Portland who will see patients in exchange for them doing community service or providing a service to another person (including through HEP). If you’re in the Midcoast area, the website for Midcoast Barter could be a great way to seek out or offer your own wellness services.

Teacher Training Discounted Classes

Yoga, Pilates and other fitness studios often offer discounted or free classes taught by instructors-in-training. This is a win-win, as the trainees get hands-on practice, and students have a more affordable option for working exercise classes into their budgets. For example, Portland Power Yoga*, Greener Postures, and Springboard Pilates* regularly offer discounted classes through their teacher training programs.

Student Clinics

Along the same lines, wellness schools (e.g. massage, energy medicine, spa services, etc.) often have clinics where students can log practice hours and recipients in turn enjoy discounted treatments. For example, Spa Tech in Westbrook offers clinics in massage, polarity, aesthetics, and cosmetology, while Downeast School of Massage in Waldoboro offers appointments with student massage therapists for a suggested donation.

Community Acupuncture

Community Acupuncture clinics are springing up around the country, with the mission of increasing affordability and accessibility of acupuncture treatments. Community Acupuncture Clinics offer group treatment sessions (typically there are several people in one room receiving treatment simultaneously) on a sliding scale of $15-$50. People choose to pay whatever they can afford within the price range of the particular clinic, but the low-end of the range will never be greater than $20. There are several Community Acupuncture clinics in Maine, including Wildwood Medicine* and Maine Center for Acupuncture in Portland, and DownEast Community Acupuncture near Bucksport.

Donations and Discounts

Some places offer services on a donation-only basis. For example, every yoga class at Yogave in Falmouth is donation-based. Also, Soma Massage & Wellness* in Westbrook and South Portland offers donation-based classes. Similarly, many practices will work with you and your budget and can offer special payment options, like at Cape Chiropractic & Acupuncture* in Cape Elizabeth. It never hurts to ask your health care provider if they’re willing to make special arrangements. And lastly, don’t forget about discounts! Many places (like Zuja Wellness* in Portland) will offer discounts to seniors, students, and certain professionals. Always check with studios to see if they offer similar discounts.

SunriseGuide Coupons

The Health & Outdoor Living chapter of the SunriseGuide is consistently one of the largest sections in the book. With the plethora of coupons you’ll find there, you’ll never be short on affordable options for massage, acupuncture, yoga, Zumba, and so much more!

*Has a coupon in the 2013 edition of the SunriseGuide.

The businesses listed in this article are intended to provide examples of such services, and is by no means a complete list of what’s available in Maine. Please inquire with studios, clinics, and practices in your area to learn whether they offer any of the options listed.

About University of Maine Cooperative Extension:

As a trusted resource for almost 100 years, University of Maine Cooperative Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county.

UMaine Extension helps support, sustain and grow the food-based economy. It is the only entity in our state that touches every aspect of the Maine Food System, where policy, research, production, processing, commerce, nutrition, and food security and safety are integral and interrelated. UMaine Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H.

By Jen Levin, Guest Columnist

Seafood is about as mysterious to many people as the ocean itself. Some of the most environmentally conscious people I meet say they don’t eat seafood because of ecological concerns. Here’s the irony: Seafood is one of the most environmentally friendly proteins available.

The key to supporting sustainable seafood is being aware of where it was harvested and under what regulations.

We’re lucky here in the Northeast with ready access to the Gulf of Maine seafood. From the region’s major grocers to waterfront seafood shops, local seafood is always available. And, compared to other fisheries, we have one of the most researched, well-managed, and monitored fisheries in the world.

The regulatory system for the Gulf of Maine fisheries carefully monitors the catch levels of cod, haddock, mackerel, pollock and other species of fish to ensure long-term sustainability. Fishermen harvest allocations of fish based on scientifically determined stock sizes.

For example, recent news regarding decreased cod stocks in the Gulf of Maine has many seafood consumers avoiding the species at the store and on the menu. What news reports often fail to mention, though, is that fishery managers respond to changes in stock sizes by decreasing allowable catch levels. So if you see local cod on a menu or at the market, you can trust that it was harvested responsibly. The overall — and legally mandated — goal is to ensure long-term sustainability of each stock. In this scenario, it becomes even more important for consumers to support local fishermen working under lower, sustainable catch limits.

The mystery of seafood becomes clear with our local product. Not only are we supporting our local industry, we can be assured that the product was harvested under strict, science-based regulations to sustain fish stocks long into the future.

Jen Levin is the Sustainable Seafood Program Manager at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. For more info, visit www.gmri.org.