I’m Learning

     I hope ya’ll will be patient with me as I learn how to navigate wordpress.  It may take me awhile to get the hang of things.  I did want everyone to know that I have been getting the final paper work finished on my project and still writing thank yous.  If you haven’t gotten your thank you, it is coming!  I love this picture of Lorax Lodge.  My mom took it as we were getting ready to leave for home after the dedication.  It was such an amazing “cold” day.  I still can’t believe that 74 people came to share in this incredible day.

The Lorax Movie

If you haven’t seen The Lorax please make plans to see it soon!  I have only seen it once so it is hard for me to select my favorite part of the movie because it was just incredible.  I think one of my favorite moments was the song that referred to the villain as a “greedy dirtbag”.  It is great and heartwarming.  The Lorax is a movie to see with your kids, mom & dad (no matter how old you are), archenemies, or go by yourself.  It is simply an amazing movie that is filled with lots of hidden messages.  And they are the messages that need to be heard.  They are not the messages that will convert you into super liberalism or a conspiracy (that others have stated).  They are just simple messages and reminders we ALL need to hear.  After all, someone needs to speak for the trees.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better it’s not.”

-The Lorax, Dr. Seuss

Coca-Cola Scholar 2011

     In April I travelled to Atlanta, Georgia as a 2011 Coca-Cola Scholar.  As you might suspect, I met 250 of the most amazing teenagers in the United States and now some of my best friends.  They were all passionate people determined to make the world a better place.  During the four day extravaganza I realized the world is in very good hands because there are so many people that care and are willing to take action.

   Even at age three I was already thinking about Coca-Cola.  My mom thought it was my destiny to be a 2011 scholar.  (Mom’s are like that!)

   While in Atlanta, we were involved in a community service project.  We worked in small groups and painted rain barrels that would be auctioned on E-bay as a fund raising campaign for the Coca-Cola Scholar’s Foundation.

  Thank you again Coca-Cola!

Thank You Girls Life Magazine!

     I recently returned from a wonderful trip to Amelia Island Plantation.  I was the first place winner in 2010 of the Girls Life Magazine “Project Girls Gone Green.”  This was a wonderful opportunity to explore some of the world’s most beautiful environment with my family.  Amelia Island Plantation was a dream and we enjoyed our trip during my Spring Break.  It was a breathtaking area.  I kayaked in the marshes, collected sea shells along the beach, and explored the wonders of nature.

     It felt like such an honor to be in front of such beauty; it was almost magical.  Every sunset and ocean wave that I saw just reminded me of how important it is to continue our efforts to protect our environment.  This adventure that I was set upon just proves that the world is our playground, but to continue to play we must protect the grounds that we inhabit.

     To continue seeing the natural beauties of the world we must continue to preserve it and enjoy all the world has to offer.  Thank you again, Girls Life for the amazing trip to Amelia Island Plantation and I will continue to work as an advocate of our environment and inspire others to do the same.

April, 2011

Giving Back…

Being friendly and helpful to the Earth doesn’t mean just being green.  Volunteering, in general, is a way to give back to our world by giving your time and kindness to someone or something.  Thus, making our world a better and greater place to live!  This summer, I delivered meals for Meals on Wheels.  It was a great experience for me.

    July, 2010

visionisgreen.org-CLOSED!

     Not everything can go on forever.  With that said, I want to thank SuddenLink Communications for sponsoring my visionisgreen.org web-site for the past two years.  It was an amazing web-site and I can proudly state that I had over 4000 hits!  I will continue to monitor and update this blog site on wordpress.com.  
     NEWS.  In June I was honored by the TCEQ (Texas Commission for Environmental Quality).  I was the 2009 recipient of the Texas Environmental Excellence Award-Youth.  This is another amazing honor which I accepted with great humility.  When these great things happen it reminds me that anything is possible!  And, with hard work and determination, we can make a difference in our world.  I have uploaded the link of a very cool presentation the TCEQ made about Lorax Lodge.

      

The picture I added this month is from the American Clay, Inc. workshop that was held at Lorax Lodge.  All of these amazing people helped with the interior finish on the walls.  Carol Baumgartel, Marketing Director with AC traveled from NM to make sure the walls were perfect.  And they are.  I also want to thank Hamilton Acoustical of Lubbock, Texas for their hard work in prepping the walls for American Clay.  I don’t think I can ever thank these wonderful people enough for volunteering to help make Lorax Lodge the incredible building that it is today.

Summer Green Tip.
We all like bottled water but how many of us leave water in the bottle?  Use this water by emptying in flower pots or even the dog’s water bowl!

Washington DC & PEYA Award

     I recently returned from Washington DC where I was honored with the President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA).  I want to encourage anyone who has created an environmental project to look at the requirements for this award, the experience was amazing.  This was my first trip to our capitol city, and it blew my mind. I have never felt so much awe before in my life.  From the magnificent architecture to our country’s inspiring history, I think I fell in love.  Not only was meeting the President of the United States an unbelievable honor, but it was so surreal; it was hard to imagine that it all was really happening to me.  
     While enjoying the four days in DC I also got to visit many other amazing places.  I went to the Spy Museum, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, a night tour of all of the monuments, and last but definitely not least the Library of Congress.  I had fun getting lost with my mom and my new friends and I don’t think I ever would want to be lost in any other way.
      The PEYA award was very important to me because I was allowed the honor of meeting extraordinary and talented teenagers. They were just as nerdy as me and just as passionate about the environment and of life.  I believe that everyone who received the award, including myself, will have bright futures that will consist of making the world a better place for today’s generation as well as the generations to come.  

Green Tip of the Month.  Now that school is out, walk and ride your bike.  Not only will you get great exercise but you will save fuel, too.

Dreams!

Hey   Everyone,
      I am combining my March and April blogs.  This is a super busy time of the year for me but I  wanted to do something special to celebrate EARTH WEEK!  I also wanted to let you all know that my project, The Vision is Green, has been recognized and I will be receiving the Presidential Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) in Washington DC.  I am super excited and really proud to receive the award as a reflection of the hard work and commitment that so many made in helping me build Lorax Lodge and to bring my vision of green to the Texas South Plains. 

     The picture this month is in front of the hiking trail I made that leads to Lorax Lodge.  It is a steep  1/4 mile hike and is beautiful in the late Spring with all the wild flowers.  I named it Rattler Trail for the very cool rattle snake I found on my trail last Spring. 

DREAMS
We dream of greener pastures
and dream of clear blue skies;
We dream of climbing mountains
and on occasion, we hope to rise.

But sometimes as we go along;
we might forget what is right and what is wrong.

We might forget when we had nothing
and only had the land to rely;
Soon our money will run out
and dreams may say good-bye.

So in vain this attempt may seem–
all I ask is don’t forget your dreams!

March & April Green Tip
Just have a super Spring and celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd.  Send me a note sometime because I would love to hear from you.
Sarah Jo

February “The Month of Love”

I hope everyone has been enjoying the month of LOVE but unlike Valentines Day that only comes once a year, being environmentally friendly happens each and every day. Living “green” is a lifestyle change and commitment.

So for my tip of the month… instead of buying fresh cut flowers for a special occasion such as Valentines Day, a Birthday or Anniversary, buy a plant that can be re-planted outside when the weather is warmer. Your gift could possibly live for several years versus a few days. Also, Valentines Day cards are great to receive but don’t throw them in the trash – remember to recycle them, too.

The picture in this month’s blog is a water recycling barrel that is being used at Lorax Lodge. This is a great way to use rain water for a slow drip irrigation system for your own yard and garden. I thought you might want to see how great they look as you start planning your spring and summer gardens.

Enjoy the rest of February!  Sarah Jo

Greenivate Your New Year

It’s the New Year and resolutions are going to be made whether you keep them or not. But maybe this year you will have a new spark in your step and passion in your heart to follow through with your resolution to waste less and protect our beautiful planet.
There are many things that you can do to make the world a greener and cleaner place! I would like to challenge each of you to take on two or three things this year that you did not do in 2009. Let’s get the new decade off to a great start with less pollution. And, I am going to help you by offering a GREEN tip each month to my Blog site. Remember, it’s all up to you! But together we can make our world a greener place to live.

January Green Tip: UNPLUG! After you have charged your cell phone, unplug the charger from the electrical socket.

Thank You for Everything!

I would like to thank the following individuals and companies for their generosity.
ANNONYMOUS DONATIONS (Numerous)
84 Lumber, Inc. – Pete Cantu, Lubbock, TX
Acme Brick, Lubbock, TX – Andy Anderson, Mgr.
Airgas Southwest, Lubbock, TX
Alderson-Subaru, Lubbock, TX – Workshop Sponsor
Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, Texas Tech University
     Monica Archuleta
     Blake Lannom
     Macy Layne
     Joseph Silva
     Ronnie Gilkey
     Layne Burner
     Patrick Tran
     Kyla Yakabowskas
     Annie Lin
     Jay Davis
     Katrina Stephens
     James Drake
     Adam Wilkinson
     Mariana Garcia
     Michael Kleine
American Clay, Inc. – Interior Wall Finish
     Carol Baumgartel, Albuquerque, NM
     Janet Elitch, Albuquerque, NM
     Matt Coker, Lubbock, TX
     Vincent Sanchez, Lubbock, TX
     Victor Escamilla, Lubbock, TX
     DeAnn Stringer, Lubbock, TX
     Grace Laski, Lubbock, TX
     Melvin Laski, MD, Lubbock, TX
     Melissa Howard, Lubbock, TX
     Judy Rainger, Lubbock, TX
     Kellie Kelly, Amarillo, TX
     Pam Allison, Canyon, TX
Andy Gray, MD, Lubbock, TX
Armadillo Camera, Lubbock, TX
Asco Equipment, Lubbock, TX
Bee Equipment & Machinery Lubbock, TX
Beef O’Brady’s, Lubbock, TX
Bill & Sharon Derby, Council Bluffs, IA
Blue Crickett Graphic Design, Lubbock, TX
Bolton Oil Company – Charles Bolton, Lubbock, TX
Brittany Savage, Lubbock, TX – volunteer
Bruce Thornton Air-Conditioning, Lubbock, TX
Candy Haymes, Lubbock, TX – Advisory Committee
Charles Frater, Crosbyton, TX – Welder
City of Lubbock – Melanie Mallory
Cletis Williamson, Ranger, TX – volunteer
Contractor’s Choice Supply, Lubbock, TX
Cornerstone Group, Lubbock, TX – Dedication Production
     Monica and Farris Hightower
Craig Wallace Construction, Lubbock, TX
Crosby County Commissioners
Crosbyton Lion’s Club
Crosbyton Middle School – volunteers
     Mr. Tommy Rodgers, Instructor
     Lance Fox
     Jonathan Castro
     Robert Vernon
     Jon Silva
     Julio Calderon
     Eli Henry
     Reymundo Salinas
     Alfie Favela
     Azemy Parra
     Alex Flores
     Robert Payner
     Rudy Garza
     Andrew George
     Cassidy Pesina
     Kayla Moreno
     Blake Mullins
Dakota Lemon, Lubbock, TX – volunteer
Danny & Kim Owens, Lubbock
David & Janet Tucker, Lubbock, TX
Dea Window & Doors, Lubbock, TX – John Dea, Owner
Dennis Covington, Crosbyton, TX – volunteer
Digital Base, Lubbock, TX – web site design
Jordan Polk, Lubbock, TX
Dillon, Jack, Lubbock, TX – volunteer
Disabled American Veterans Thrift Store, Lubbock, TX
DoSomething, Inc., New York, NY – Environmental Grant
dubroWorks, Mariana Del Ray, CA – publicity
     Julie DuBrow
     Rosette Pambakian
Dustin Wright, Lubbock, TX – Design Committee
Dusty Cornelius, Mayor Crosbyton, TX
Ethan Williamson, Ranger, TX – volunteer
EarthCo Building Systems* – PRICELESS
     Larry Williamson
     Gary Hames
Ed Iron’s Middle School- Student Council, Lubbock, TX
     (Environmental DVDs and books)
Ed Iron’s Middle School- NJHS
Ediblemetals, Lubbock, TX
     Kate Williams
     Charise Adams
Egenbacher Real Estate, Lubbock, TX
Electracom Supply, Inc. – Lubbock, TX
Ellen Robertson, Lake in the Hills, IL
Fast Signs, Lubbock, TX
Frank Falbo, Lubbock, TX – PRICELESS
Frank Moore, Crosbyton, TX
Gary Hamersley, Crosbyton, TX
Gebos, Lubbock, TX – Marshall Holmes, Mgr.
Georgia-Pacific, Sweetwater, TX
Girl Scouts Gold Alliance Committee, Lubbock, TX
     Jan Taylor, Chairperson
     Kathy Appleton
     Vicki Gentry
     Carla Moore
     Ann Sanders
     Paula Wilkinson
Girl Scouts-Texas Oklahoma Plains, Inc.
GS Troop 6846 – Shelby Hernandez – brochure
GS Troop 6846 – Jaime Garcia – brochure
GS Troop 6846 – Teresa Rice – brochure
GS Troop 6326 – Sydney Long – volunteer
GS Troop 6326 – Natalie Upp – volunteer
GS Troop 6326 – Dolores Upp – volunteer
GS Troop 6069 – Taylor Bradberry – volunteer
GS Troop 6069 – Megan Laird-Dillon – volunteer
GS Troop 6069 – Aislynn Threet – volunteer
GS Troop 6069 – Christa Threet – volunteer
GS Troop 6069 – Jaleigh Marett – volunteer
GS Troop 6069 – Marnie Bradberry – volunteer
GS Troop 6069 – Dusti Dillon-Stoner – volunteer
GS Troop 6069 – De’Ann Porr – volunteer
GS Troop 6069 – MaRanda Porr – volunteer
GS Troop 6069 – Kasey Porr – volunteer
GS Troop 6347 – Laura Bryan – rain barrels
GS Troop 6347 – Madison Bryan – volunteer
GS Troop 6347 – Ramsey Oglesby – volunteer
GS Troop 6347 – Addison Fuller – volunteer
GS Troop 6347 – Raelee McDonald – volunteer
GS Troop 6347 – Rachel Bradley – volunteer
GS Troop 6347 – Hallie Brown – volunteer
GS Troop 6347 – Lauren Gallagher – volunteer
GS Troop 6109 – Laura Bennett – rain barrel
GS Troop 6109 – Parker Bennett – rain barrel
GS Troop 6109 – Kennedy Rodriguez – rain barrel
GS Troop 6109 – Kristi Rodriguez – rain barrel
GS Troop 6446 – First aide kit
GS Great Escape Weekend 2010
Grace Laski, Lubbock, TX – Gold Award Advisor
Grainger Industrial Supply – Tim Harleson, Lubbock, TX
Great Plains Steel, Lubbock, TX
Greer Electric, Lubbock, TX
Habitat for Humanity, Lubbock, TX
Hamilton Acoustical, Lubbock, TX
     Matthew Henley
     Michael Teague
     Greg Sanders
     Thomas Espinoza
     Ray Cunningham
     Martin Valencia
Hamilton Roofing, Lubbock, TX
Hallgren Company, Lubbock, TX – Mark Hallgren, Owner
Harbor Freight, Lubbock, TX
Hartman Roofing, Lubbock, TX – The Roof
Home Depot, Lubbock, TX
     Team Depot
     Jamie Reed
     TJ Smith
     Austin Ganaway
     Chase McKenzie
     Elvira Lara
Interstate Batteries, Lubbock, TX – Carl Coleman
J. Ferg Roofing and Foam, Lubbock, TX – foam insulation
     Craig Katilus
     Jeremy Yost
     Robert Wilson
     Joe Lara
Jack Dillon, Lubbock, TX – volunteer
Jere & Alan Newton, Lubbock, TX
Jerry & Karen Williamson, Eastland, TX – volunteers
Jim & Karen Higgins, Lubbock, TX
Kenny Jones, Crosbyton, TX
KCBD- News Channel 11, Lubbock, TX
L Howard Construction, Abernathy, TX – Lonnie & Jackie Howard
Laura Covington, Lubbock, TX – volunteer
Leah Sides, Lubbock, TX – volunteer
Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, Boulder, Co
     Kate Bullock & Tracy Howard – kick-off workshop
     David Winter, Director, Boulder, CO
Little Red Nursery, Lubbock, TX – Tree
Lolah Grimes, Lubbock, TX – volunteer
LoneStar State Bank, Lubbock, TX
Lori Mears, Lubbock, TX – Design Committee
Lowes Corporation, Moresville, NC – Community Grant
Lowes, Lubbock, TX
Lubbock Avalanche Journal – media coverage
Lubbock Labs, Inc., Lubbock, TX
      Amy DeLavan
     Della Falbo
Matthew & Maureen Lambert – My Parents
Matthew Lambert II, Lincoln, NE
Melinda Earl, Lubbock, TX – Advisory Committee
Melissa Grimes, Lubbock, TX – Advisory Committee
Melissa Sides, Lubbock, TX – volunteer
Mika W. Watt, Lubbock, TX
Miranda Williamson, Ft. Worth, TX – volunteer
MSA, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Mt. Hideaway, Lubbock, TX – workshop sponsors
     Kyle Jones
     Zach Meixner
Muleshoe Valley, Muleshoe, TX
Natalie Harvill, Parkhill, Smith & Cooper, Lubbock, TX
Pacific Enzymes, Sacramento CA
Patricia Henry, Levelland, TX
Pella, Inc., Lubbock
Plains Capital Bank, Lubbock, TX – Community Grant
Pyco Industries, Lubbock, TX
Office Max Corporation, Naperville, IL
OL Slaton Middle School-NJHS, Lubbock, TX
Oriental Trading Company, Omaha, Nebraska
     Karen Alexander, Marketing Director
Orlando’s and Caprock Café, Lubbock, TX
Quick Stripe, Lubbock, TX
Rafter D Whitetails – James and Melinda Dixon, Crosbyton TX
Ramona Leach, Lubbock, TX
Ronald & Judy Rainger, Lubbock, TX – volunteers
Ray Falbo, Lubbock, TX, volunteer
R.D. Electric – Lubbock, Texas
Robert Heath Trucking Company, Lubbock, TX
     Jody Heath
     Mike Reeves
     Jimmy & Terri Shankle, Boerne, TX
Ronald Jones, Lubbock, TX
RSC Equipment, Lubbock, TX
Rubber Flooring, Inc., Gilbert, AZ
     Tony Schmidt, General Mgr.
Ruth Krieg, Lubbock, TX
Ruth Reynolds, Lubbock, TX
Sam’s Club, Arkansas – Community Grant
Sarah Gragson, Lubbock, TX
Science Spectrum – James Nesmith, Lubbock, TX
Seventh Generation, Burlington, Vermont
Solar Dynamics, San Antonio, TX
South Plains Electric Cooperative, Lubbock, TX – Grant
      Lynn Simmons, Community Relations Director
Staples, Inc., Lubbock, TX
Stanley McNeely, Crosbyton, TX – welder
Stanley Proto, Dallas, TX
Steel Depot, Lubbock, TX
Steel Truss & Frame Fabricators
     Ryan Tubbs, Lubbock, TX
Stella’s – Billy Rizzo, Lubbock, TX
SuddenLink Communications – 3 year web-site sponsor
     Tracy Edwards, Lubbock, TX
Summer Littlejohn, Lubbock, TX – Mentor-Priceless
Sutherland Lumber, Lubbock, TX
TG Trees, Lubbock, TX 2010
Teinert Metals, Lubbock, TX
Terry Kirk, Crosbyton, TX
Texas Tech University, Environmental Engineering & Masonry Students
     Dr. Mukaddes Darwish, Instructor
     John Gutierrez
     Donald Wakefield
     Derek Rodriguez
     Andrew George
     Shaffer Braun
     Robert Payner
     Byron Cornelius
     Simeon Urende
     Alan Trammell
     Dawson Adams
     Adam Rogers
     Andrew Woelke
     Jerred Trimm
     Albert Vickers
     Brian Rademacher
     Scott Kahler II
     Scott Thomas
Tina Mann, Lubbock, TX – GS Support
Tom’s Tree Place, Lubbock, TX
Travis & Katie Rubelee, Lubbock, TX
Trumble Cranes & Rigging
     Charles Trumble, Lubbock, TX
Tyler Foundation, Dallas, TX – Community Grant
Tyler Technology, Lubbock, TX
United Supermarkets, Lubbock, TX – Community Grant
Veronica Estrada, Lubbock, TX
United Rental, Lubbock, TX – Wesley Rose, Mgr
Williamson Interiors, Lubbock, TX
     Ruben Castillo
     Susie Williamson
WW Steel, Lubbock, TX
Xcel Energy, Lubbock, TX – Community Grant
Steve Deaton, Community Relations Director
X-Stream Auto Clean, Lubbock, TX
Yellowhouse Machinery, Lubbock, TX