Green Concert Living

it’s now an inescapable part of the American dialogue that we need to cut down our reliance on fossil fuels that destroy the environment.  We at True Endeavors believe that concert goers can enjoy everyday activities and special events like a True Endeavors show, without bending their green morals.

Don’t think this applies to you? Calculate your carbon footprint with CO2GETHER!

Tickets

When you purchase a ticket for a True Endeavors show you are participating in a green concert industry practice.  We use the ticket outlet Brown Paper Tickets, the first and only fair-trade ticketing service. BPT offers the smallest service fees in the industry, is based on a Not-Just-For-Profit business model, and at least 5% of profits are donated back to the community.

Madison Metro

Hassle-free, cheap, environmentally friendly, near venues, your own designated driver…

You could save $10 a day by taking a bus. That’s extra money for the Lucinda Williams show or money that could be spent on a band t-shirt. Riding the bus is 79% safer than riding in a car. Not convinced? American dependence on foreign oil would decrease 40% if just 1 in 10 people took the bus daily. Plus, public transit saves about 1.5 million tons of carbon dioxide every year, according to Larry West an environmental issues guide for Ask.com.

If the Metro routes and numbers make you anxious, the City of Madison has a site that will plan your trip for you. Go to http://trip.cityofmadison.com/hiwire and the guide will tell you which route to take for quickest travels.

Bike or Walk

There is no greener way to get to a show than by your own sweat and calories. Most True Endeavors venues are located in the downtown area which are accessible by designated bike routes. If you are unsure of where to go or what path to take, the below website will show you all of the biking and walking paths in the Madison area. Plus, Madison’s buses have bike racks right on them!

Safe bike routes to shows: http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/trafficEngineering/bicyclingMaps.cfm

Try this user friendly site to find easy-to-navigate transportation options such as bus routes, bicycle routes, walking routes, and downtown parking: http://www.soiltopo.com/meg/transoptions/city_map.php

Biking not only helps the environment, but it can also score you deals at local Madison businesses. Just buy a Bicycle Benefits sticker at any of the participating business member locations for only $5 and stick it on your helmet. Bike to any of the businesses listed and show them your sticker for out-of-this-world discounts. Visit the site to see a complete list of participating locations:

http://www.bicyclebenefits.org/index.php?option=com_sobi2&catid=63&Itemid=9999999

Share Ride Cab

If you don’t want to take your bike or the Metro, try a share-ride taxi. Badger Cab picks up other riders on the way to any destination. There is even a site that will estimate your fare to the Barrymore, Orpheum, or any preferred venue. When a show comes up, you will know what to expect to pay: http://www.badgercab.com/streetentry.asp or give them a call at 256-5566.

You can get a group of buddies together for a show and support the worker owned Union Cab. Give them a call at 242-2000 or visit their website: http://www.unioncab.com/

Drive Together

If you are an out-of-towner and can’t get around without your car, try carpooling with others from your area. There are many sites dedicated to posting carpool requests. The habit of carpooling can help reduce congestion, pollution, and most commuters save over $1,500 per yr.

This site has the option to post a “need a ride” or “give a ride”: http://www.carpoolworld.com/carpool_.html?to=Madison&state=WI&country=USA,US

Parking can be an issue when attending anything in the downtown area, but if you surf to http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/parking/downtownMap.html you can find a map with all of the parking ramps. Most evenings the parking ramp is only $3, but on event nights the parking ramps charge $4 cash only.

Community Car

If you live in the Madison area and want to find an environmentally friendly car option, Community Car may be what you are looking for. Community Car is a member-based car-sharing service. They provide cars by the hour for individuals who then have access to a fleet of hybrid-electric vehicles. All you have to do is complete an online application to become a member. When you need a car you can reserve one via web or by phone. Cars are picked up from and returned to a designated community spot and you only pay for hours and miles you’ve used.

For more information or to join Community Car go to http://www.communitycar.com

Oh the places you’ll go…

General Life Style

True Endeavors is on a mission to reduce the carbon footprint of our offices. However, we find ourselves feeling a bit overwhelmed at times trying to figure out where to start; there are green cleaning supplies, green footwear, even Barbie has gone green.

If you have always wanted to come to the green side, here are some simple tricks we have discovered to help conserve energy and save some money in the process.

Change a light bulb

Install a Compact Fluorescent bulb (CFL), it is the quickest and easiest way to save energy and money.  CFLs consume 75% less electricity and last an average of 10,000 hours (a regular light bulb only lasts 1,500 hours).

Unplug Appliances when not in use

When an appliance isn’t being used, it is still sucking up electricity. Some appliances that draw unnecessary money from your wallet include TVs, cellphone chargers, and printers. Plugging and unplugging your appliances may be annoying after awhile so purchase a power strip and just before you leave for a True Endeavors show, flip the off switch.  If you unplug appliances in your household when they are not in use, you could save yourself almost $200 a year in utility costs.

Go green by buying local produce

The fruits and veggies sold in most cookie cutter grocery stores have traveled an average of 1,500 miles before ending up on your plate. Semis delivering the produce burn fossil fuels which creates more pollution.  Some locations to buy local produce and other food items include Willy St. Co-op, Whole Foods, and Madison’s weekly farmers markets.

Fix that running toilet

A toilet that constantly runs not only increases your water bill but also wastes 200 gallons of water daily. That totals almost 73,000 gallons a year and extra money on your water bill. This may not seem like a lot, but if one in five people in Madison have leaks, that equals about 41,610 leaky loos and 8,322,160 gallons of water wasted daily.

Kermit was wrong.. It is easy being green