Jackson County SMARTWorks: Mobile water station

“Water on Wheels”: That fresh, clean and mobile drinking water station viewed Friday during Fourth of July in Ashland, Oregon is a service of Jackson County SMARTWorks.

Decoupage decorates this water bottle

There was a definite “cat” theme to my selections of comic and magazine art for Saturday’s decoupage in the teen department at Jackson County Library Services’ Ashland branch library.

To the left, a stainless-steel water bottle is decorated with superhero and online gaming characters, all of whom have feline qualities in common.

“Decoupage” involves decorating an item’s surface by applying paper cut-outs and coating it with varnish or lacquer. Check the JCLS online catalog or browse among 745.546 in your branch’s nonfiction stacks to look for books about decoupage.

Teen “Crafternoon” takes place on the first Saturday of each month at the Ashland library, located at 410 Siskiyou Blvd. For more information, call 541-774-6994. Watch for announcements on Facebook. I also post notices to my blog.

Water refill station at Fourth of July celebration

Water on Wheels

Some kind of awesome: The “water on wheels” refill station encouraged reusable bottle use during the Fourth of July celebration in downtown Ashland, Oregon. It was an unexpected pleasure, this being a federal holiday event and not, say, the Rogue Valley Earth Day celebration.

Consumer choices carry environmental weight

The message of two videos viewed this week for my women’s health class is that consumer decisions carry weight. The resulting impacts are entirely up to us.

TapIt Water bottle refill network finds refill venues on-the-go

Ashland Food Co-op allows water bottle refills from the tap

In my women’s health class for general education credit, we are focusing on behavior changes that will lead to healthier lives. One of my assignments this week is to offer advice for a classmate’s goal -- and drinking water is an area with which I’m familiar through the logistics of carrying and refilling a reusable water bottle.

Carrying a water bottle is a great way to stay hydrated. Reusable bottles can be refilled from sinks, water coolers or from drinking fountains that have a high enough arc. I’ve refilled bottles from soda fountain spigots and even at grocery stores with gallon-jug refill kiosks. Try the TapIt Water bottle refill network to find refill venues on-the-go.

Mixed review for Sonoma County Fair

We went to the Sonoma County Fair this Sunday and I offer a mixed review. First, here are the positive aspects of my experience.

Kate Wolf Festival has ‘green’ emphasis

Jonathan spent this past weekend at the Kate Wolf Festival, where he worked in our friend Evan’s clothing booth. The festival takes place each year at Black Oak Ranch in Laytonville, home to the Hog Farm and Camp Winnarainbow circus camp.

‘What does good service mean to you?’

“What does good service mean to you?” I decided to write about this question when I considered how readily I tell businesses that their actions have disappointed me. Do I as readily communicate about service that I consider to be exemplary? The purpose of this essay is to do just that.

Sustainability begins at home

The visiting speaker presented a simple message: vote against Proposition 23 in the November election and receive the gratitude of successive generations for stopping climate change.

A stainless-steel water bottle was nestled at the speaker's feet, but in the back of the meeting hall, snacks were being served on paper plates with paper napkins and plastic silverware. The majority of those present did not have reusable bottles or travel mugs, so beverages were being drunk from disposable cups.