Earth Day is today

What are you doing for Earth Day 2009?

How about plan your next vacation and do it green. Here at The Craftsman B&B, you can purchase Green-e certified renewable energy certificates, Green Tags, to help offset the carbon footprint of your travel. A $1.00 Green Tag equals 24 Kilowatt/hours of wind energy and prevents 33.6 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable Travel International is providing U.S.-based Green Tags from the portfolio of activities managed by the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.

As I mentioned a few blogs ago, for Earth Day try to do something. A walk in a park, whatever. Make a decision to think about our impact on this planet. Me, I plan on hanging out in the yard and watch Mike doing his chores and keep watch on the neighbor hood. Maybe I'll eat some grass, it's really good this time of year.



The house finches are back in Pacific City, so I'll watch them flying around the yard. They are too fast for me to catch, but are real busy this year. As most of you know, the NW and the Oregon Coast is prime ground for moss and lichen. The window in the pantry is across from an apple tree. Mike has a great views from his desk. Anyway, the finches come up to the window, land on the sill and tap on the glass. They are eating what ever is growing at the base of the window. It's very entertaining to watch. I lay on my rug and they are only a few feet away from me. Hey that's a good reason to not clean the windows, we are feeding the birds.

Taking Green Lodging One-Step Farther.

The Craftsman Bed & Breakfast Partners with Carbonfund.org To Go CarbonFree®
Taking Green Lodging One-Step Farther.

Pacific City, Oregon – 19 February 2009 – The Craftsman Bed and Breakfast today announced that it is offsetting its carbon emissions with Carbonfund.org; the country’s leading nonprofit carbon offset organization. By joining Carbonfund.org’s CarbonFree® Partner program, The Craftsman B&B has joined a national movement of businesses and organizations that are leading the fight against global warming.

Carbonfund.org’s CarbonFree Partner program supports renewable energy, energy efficiency, and reforestation projects in the U.S. and abroad to reduce CO2 pollution and help hasten our transition to a clean energy future.

Here at The Craftsman B&B, we are committed to greener business practices and encourage our guests to experience our green ideas. We choose our vendors and spending to reflect that commitment, and network with other organizations that share our commitment. We have set achievable goals and a realistic framework for achievement of green practices, but we are flexible to evolve our goals as the business at our Bed and Breakfast increases and changes. One of our ideas to promote our green and CarbonFree business is to discount our rates for guests that use public transportation, bike, or drive an alternative fueled vehicle to our B&B.

“We are proud to have found this house and rescued it from possible demolition,” said Mike Rech, owner of The Craftsman B&B. “We had the vision to restore one of Pacific City’s oldest buildings. With our loving restoration, we were able to breathe new life in this family home. We took care, respecting what was here and returned the style that had been removed. Our plan was to do it with the smallest impact possible. This didn’t come without some challenges during the restoration and challenges we face today to become greener and have a smaller impact on our planet.”

Carbonfund.org President Eric Carlson said, “We applaud The Craftsman B&B’s initiative in helping the fight on global warming and hastening the change to a clean energy future by becoming a CarbonFree Partner. The Craftsman B&B is supporting Carbonfund.org’s verified carbon offsetting projects that are helping to reduce or sequester emissions of greenhouse gases.”

One challenge the Pacific City bed & breakfast faces today is that living in a remote area increases driving to get the basic supplies for the business. They are too small for food companies to deliver to them, so they must go shopping for food weekly, always combining errands to one shopping day. Mike rarely gets in a car, but when he does, his car is carbon neutral. VW of America and Carbonfund.org are planting the VW Forest. They are offsetting carbon emissions by funding the reforestation of the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. The Craftsman B&B is also working on our guests’ ability to purchase “green tags” to offset their stay at our B&B. How much more green is a small B&B in a small town on the Oregon Coast?

About The Craftsman Bed & Breakfast:
Located in Pacific City, The Craftsman Bed & Breakfast welcomes you to experience the beautiful Oregon Coast in style, grace and comfort. Your stay begins as you enter the front door and are taken back to a time of simple elegance. Built in 1921 and renovated in 2005 to include the comforts and conveniences of today. You will marvel at all the details of the Craftsman era that went into the renovation of one of Pacific City’s oldest homes. Whether for a simple escape from the chaos of "the city" or to celebrate a special or romantic event, we will make your stay memorable. Everything in town is within walking distance. Park your car, relax and unplug. No lace, no doilies!

About Carbonfund.org:
Carbonfund.org is the country’s leading nonprofit climate solutions organization, making it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and organizations to reduce their climate impact. Carbon offsets enable individuals and businesses to reduce carbon dioxide emissions they are responsible for in their everyday lives by supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects where they are most cost effective. Carbonfund.org works with over 1,000 corporate and nonprofit partners including Discovery, Volkswagen, Amtrak, Dell, Orbitz, Staples, and JetBlue.