Change Your Stripes

GZ Tip #3: Save Water. Fight Drought. 
With two years of statewide drought and a drier-than-normal start to winter, saving water should be a priority for everyone. San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is urging at least a 10% voluntary consumption reduction. For the last two years, we've been able to avoid mandatory rationing through water management and voluntary reductions, but this summer we face the possibility of mandatory cutbacks. Please take action today, so we can avoid stricter rationing later this year. You can meet this goal by saving 10 gallons of water a day. Here are a  few simple changes you can make to meet this goal.

    ▪    Shorter showers. Each minute you cut saves 2.5 gallons
    ▪    Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth or washing dishes. Save 2.5 gallons per minute.
    ▪    Don’t prerinse dishes.  Save 2.5 gallons per minute.
    ▪    Use the Dishwasher. A dishwasher uses as little as 5 gallons per load, compared to hand washing at 2+ gallons per minute.
    ▪    Wait for a full load of dirty clothes. A traditional washing machine can use 40+ gallons per cycle.
    ▪    Use a broom to clean sidewalks, driveways, and pavements. Running a garden hose can waste up to 10 gallons per minute.
    ▪    Install aerators on faucets to reduce indoor water use by about 4%. Inquire about FREE aerators from the SFPUC.
    ▪    Check for leaks.
    ▪    Adjust sprinklers so that water reaches your landscaping, not the pavement. Reduce evaporation by watering during cooler temperatures at night or early morning.

Learn more about how you improve water efficiency with Green Zebra participants:
Taylor Made Water Systems
The Green Handyman

Upcoming Events

3/24 - Water Conservation Showcase, San Francisco
3/26 - Appel & Frank Spring into Style, San Francisco
3/27 - Kindle Cafe- a vegetarian speakeasy, San Francisco
3/28 - Earth Hour, 8:30 pm
3/28 - 3/29 E-Waste Drop Off Event, San Francisco
3/28 Bay Friendly Gardening, Livermore
3/29 - Yoga for Gardeners, Palo Alto
3/31 - Green Home Energy Upgrades, South San Francisco
4/2 - Planetwalker, San Jose
4/4 - Urban Composting, San Francisco
4/11 - Bike Bags for Beginners, Berkeley 

For more green events in the Bay Area check out the Green Zebra Calendar 

 Greetings!

With Earth Day coming up on April 18th, it's a great time to reflect upon what each of us can do to help stop global warming. At Green Zebra we have made green resolutions for the new year and encourage you to do the same. Pick one thing in your life, big or small, that you can do to help the environment. It can be anything from cutting one minute off of your shower to pledging to grow your own vegetables this summer. Don't forget to let Green Zebra know what you are doing. Send your green resolutions to contest@thegreenzebra.org for a chance to win a set of 6 Olive Smart reusable shopping bags ($39 Value) so you can just say no to paper and plastic on your next shopping trip.

Don't forget to bring your old electronics to Green Zebra's E-Waste Event at Sports Basement in the Presidio this Saturday or Sunday March 28th & 29th between 9am and 3pm.

Improve Your Home Performance with Sustainable Spaces
Who would ever guessed that homes produce twice as much greenhouse gas emissions as passenger cars do? Retrofitting your home will cut down its environmental impact, reduce your bills and family incidences of allergies and asthma, while increasing your home’s comfort and value. Use your Green Zebra pass for 50% off a GreenUP test, a 3-hour comprehensive analysis to determine your home’s performance.

Sustainable Spaces provides homeowners with a cost-effective roadmap through their six step approach:
1.    Listen to your problems and test your home
2.    Analyze the data
3.    Uncover the root causes of your problems
4.    Engineer whole home solutions
5.    Use their expert crew to do the construction work
6.    Retest after the retrofit to ensure that your problems are solved

For more great ways to save energy and save money, get a copy of the Green Zebra by clicking the picture below. Receive a free mini recycling or compost bin with your purchase of Green Zebra this month as our Earth Day present to you (remember to tell us in the comments section if you'd like a recycling or compost bin)!

Spotlight on Common Ground Organic Garden Supply 

10% off purchase of tools, fertilizers, books, gloves, water cans and plants. OR Save $4 on a class of your choice when you register at least 2 days in advance.

Getting to know Patricia of Common Ground Organic Garden Supply 

1. What do people love most about Common Ground?

The practical gardening classes and related product integrity.  Customers respect and count on the best high quality tools, plant starts, seeds, fertilizers, books and gift items available supplied at Common Ground.

2. What makes Common Ground green?

Everything!  36 years ago this non-profit began recycling in Palo Alto.  A few years later the city took it over from Common Ground. Customers and students have been bringing us their leftover shopping bags for us to give other customers.   Big reusing has been going on here for decades.

3. What was your inspiration for being green?

I love taking care of my body by eating green foods and other colorful vegetables, grains, fruits, nuts and seeds!

4. What is your guilty, non-green pleasure?

5.  What would you like to see accomplished in '09?

I would love to see more people voting with their dollars and realizing a deeper connection community. There is tremendous enjoyment and benefit in doing business with our neighbors in the community and Bio Region.

 559 College Avenue, Palo Alto

Pick up a Green Zebra for these great coupons too!  

• Sigona's Famers Market: Save $5 on any purchase.   
• Webb Ranch Farm: Spend $15 or more at our farm stand, receive "Farmer's Choice" seasonal fruit or vegetable. 
• Yarn Paper Scissors: 40% off one full priced retail item.