Be the smartest energy-cost-saving bloke on your block! Learn to make effective climate and energy choices to save money, care for the environment, and also help future generations. Consider the many ways to vastly reduce you energy use with small personal changes. But then why not think big and save even more cash in the long run with weatherization, solar farm memberships, heat pumps and more. Learn which yield the greatest impact to your pocketbook and the environment, consider incentives, as well as ideas you may not have considered. Overview innovative initiatives and organizations leading the charge for climate action in Maine. Whether you’re a busy person planning to change some light bulbs, you’re researching electric cars, or considering joining a grassroots group  – no effort’s too small! Take home info including updated weatherization and energy efficiency incentives from Efficiency Maine. Charles is co-convener of Scarborough Climate Action Team, is affiliated with Sierra, 350 Maine and Maine CCL, and offers this as a free community service.

Wed, 11/14/2018, 6:00 to 8:30 pm

$5 adult ed admin fee

Instructor: Charles Spanger

New! Join Dr. Aline Potvin, a naturopathic doctor, as she presents how to winterize the whole family!  Together we will discuss the way our immune system naturally responds to cold and flu viruses, and how we can best support the body to do what it’s designed to do at any age.  Learn to use nutrition, lifestyle changes, environmental considerations, and herbal remedies to provide a foundation for prevention. Make an immune system support tea blend together for you to take home. Come away from this class with basic strategies to support your family! 

Dr. Potvin is a naturopathic doctor, teacher, outdoor educator, and herbalism mentor who runs a family practice in Biddeford, working primarily with women who suffer from autoimmune disease, thyroid disease, chronic inflammation and digestive issues.

One night only: Thurs, 10/25/2018, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, $15

plus $5 for tea payable at class

Instructor: Dr. Aline Potvin, ND

Join the re-wilding movement! Transform conventional gardens and suburban landscapes, and support ecosystem health, wild plant reproduction, pollinators and wildlife - by incorporating native Maine plants. View a slide show on why native plants matter, how native plants have surprisingly different needs from the flowers and vegetable plants you know, and why late fall is the time to sow. Cover the seeds of wildflowers, shrubs, and trees with an emphasis on outdoor seed sowing in pots or growing beds. Discuss ecologically-responsible seed collection and storing procedures, view a demonstration, then gets hands-on sowing native seeds. All materials included; return home with several pots sown with native seeds. Partial proceeds benefit The Wild Seed Project. Heather is founder and Executive Director of The Wild Seed Project; an educator with 30 years of expertise in plant propagation, ecological design and conservation; was head plant propagator at the New England Wildflower Society’s Garden in the Woods; has lectured nationally; and is widely published.

Mon, 10/29/2018, 6:00 to 8:00 pm, $30

Instructor: Heather McCargo, MA

 landscape design, BA plant ecology

Always a popular class! You don’t have to work out at a gym, or have much physical strength, to protect yourself. But everyone should have an overall personal safety strategy in place, before they need it. Learn personal safety tips and techniques to avoid dangerous situations and avoid becoming a victim. Topics include personal, home, college, parking lot, auto, travel, and workplace safety. Learn tips on listening to your sixth sense, how to make yourself an unappealing target for suspects, and simple moves to help you get away if attacked. Perfect for seniors citizens, moms, high schoolers, and those about to attend college. Half classroom, and half demonstration, physical participation is fully optional. Partial proceeds go toward purchase of equipment for community safety classes. Sergeant Fenton serves with the Cape Elizabeth police department, is a certified self-defense instructor with the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, was a detective for 15 years, and serves on the SWAT team. Sergeant Macisso also serves on the SWAT team and is a defensive tactics instructor at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. Offered as a community service.

Thursday, 11/15/2018, 6:00 to 9:00 pm, $25

Instructors: Sergeants Paul Fenton

and Ben Macisso

Is it possible to make simple daily reuse and recycling choices to save money, care for the environment, and also help those around you, including future generations? Learn ways to think differently, change your habits, become more ecologically-mindful, and adopt a variety of thrifty, “use this, not that” options for a greener life – greener in more ways than one! Attendees will receive a few giveaways and information, including tips for the holidays. May be videotaped for future showings, but participants will not be shown. 

ecomaine is your community-owned nonprofit waste management company, providing long-term solid waste solutions in a safe, environmentally-responsible, economically-sound manner; they’re leaders in sustainable waste management strategies and offer this as a free community service.

Wednesday, 10/24/2018, 6:00 to 7:00 pm

$5 adult ed administrative fee

Instructor: Katrina Venhuizen, ecomaine Environmental Educator