Our newsletter is also available on our website in English and French
July/Aug 2008
Relax, it's summer!
Message to Members
Ahhhhhhhhh, summer! We hope you are enjoying yourselves this beautiful time of year, when nature forces us to relax, slow down, and go sit in the park instead of working that extra hour. We invite you to stroll on down to the Co-op for an iced coffee, and check out our new renovations - a beautiful new back counter surfaced with recuperated marble. Stunning!
Also, did you know that every Thursday we have the Ferme du Zephyr organic vegetable market set up outside the store? From 3-7 p.m. you can buy delicious fresh organic produce, as well as goat cheese, fresh cut flowers and other treats straight from the farm. Don't miss tomato season!
Annual General Meeting: In August we will be sending a notification to members about our upcoming AGM, which will take place in September.
We also wanted to let you know that this fall we will be launching our brand new online store! We'll be selling a selection of our favourite personal care, cleaning and conservation products to those who live too far to come visit us in person... so be sure to tell your family members in Chicoutimi.
Thanks to: Gilles Rondeau, Jonathan Morrell (Translation); Valérie Michaud (Revision)
Events 
Liberate the Marvelous: Clowning workshop for adults (in 2 parts)
(18+, inner children welcome) Facilitated by Paula Belina
www.liberatethemarvelous.blogspot.com
For both workshops the doors lock at 8 p.m. sharp to start the unwinding, so no latecomers. Sign up at the Co-op for one, or the other, or both workshops. The cost is by donation. Workshop will be bilingual.
JUL 30
Wednesday, July 30th (Co-op La Maison Verte)
Part 1: Intro to clowning, improvisation and making fun.
No thinking required! Games, laughter choir, and if all are interested, it will end with a public stunt. Phobias please note: no *actual* clowns will be present - see next month...
AUG 27
Wednesday, August 27th (Co-op La Maison Verte)
Part 2: Getting into clowning costume & character.
Face paint, costumes, characters, improv games and "clown turns." Come and expand the range in which you experience your personality! Phobias note: there will be many clowns!
New Products
Brand new corn starch-based biodegradable garbage bags. BAG-TO-NATURE bags are made in Canada, are 25% thicker than previous biodegradable bags, and are certified compostable. Available in 17x16", 24x30" & 30x48".
Member Specials
Thirsty? Enjoy a 10% discount on all of our stainless steel water bottles!
Eco Logic
Bus boom and bike path promises: Is green transportation finally taking off?
by Patrick McDonnell
I was in Quebec City the other weekend and thought I needed new eye glasses when I saw this tiny bus running around the old city. On further investigation I found out that the Harper government has helped finance eight electric microbuses to transport people around Old Quebec, Parliament hill and the Old Port/Place Royal, just in time for the 400-year anniversary celebrations.
The Écolobus service will be free for a two-year period, and is part of Transport Canada's 12.2 million dollar Urban Transportation Showcase Program. Each bus runs on batteries, has a maximal speed of 33 km an hour, and carries 20 passengers. They consume a scant 3.25 dollars of electricity per day. Built by an Italian firm, they are already in service in several cities in Europe and this is their first North American trial.
Meanwhile green buses are also becoming more common in Montreal. According to the MTC the transition from petroleum to biodiesel powered buses should be complete by this fall. The switch will have a carbon effect equivalent to taking 1,400 cars off the streets. Another eco bus already in circulation is the Nova (you may have seen it - it's the one with a strange hump on top). These hybrids have both a diesel engine and an electric transmission box, acting as transmission, generator and electric motor. The batteries are stored on the bus's roof and are recharged when the vehicle brakes. There are currently eight Nova buses operating around the city on a trial basis.
In NDG, alternative transportation is also being encouraged. The resurfacing of Sherbrooke Street and redoing of sidewalks will encourage biking and increase rider-ship of buses, and there is talk of adding bigger articulated (or accordion) buses on the 105 line to Vendome Metro to accommodate more commuters. My hope is that a new continuous bus line from Montreal West all the way downtown can be created that would follow the old tramline. It is crucial that alternative modes of transportation are brought into effect soon, to counter the huge increase in traffic in the neighbourhood when the new super hospital opens.
Montreal's thousands of bicycle riders will be given more space for their vehicles. In June the city held another meeting concerning plans for more new bike paths, which includes 100 km of new trails and 2,000 bicycle parking spots.
Also, this September the City of Montreal will launch a pilot project of affordable bicycle rental stations, similar to the popular Vélib system in Paris. If everything goes well, by 2009 we can expect 300 stations with 2400 bicycles available throughout downtown (in the non-winter months).
As gas prices continue to soar, and road congestion and pollution rise, any initiative to encourage public green transportation should be applauded. Now let's hop on our bikes or the bus and enjoy summer.
Eco Logic is a place for members to write or suggest articles about environment or community-related subjects of all kinds. Email your ideas to newsletter@cooplamaisonverte.com
5785, Sherbrooke street West, Metro Vendome + bus #105 - call us! 514-489-8000