(originally sent December 4, 2017)
PEDAL PEOPLE NEWS WINTER 2017-18 Greetings from the Pedal People Press: ...a simple, informative newsletter to support our collective path to sustainability... Contents: * Our very first PEDAL BABY is on her way! * Snow day information * Compost pick up in winter * Preparing for winter pick ups ** OUR VERY FIRST PEDAL BABY IS ON HER WAY! ** Annie, who joined the collective with gusto 2 years ago, is expecting a wee one on December 28th. This is the first baby born while being a Pedal Person in our 15 year history and we're learning as we're going! We are not able to offer much in terms of maternity benefits, so we are reaching out to our greater community for support. If you are able and feel drawn to contribute to a maternity fund so Annie can be with her babe and not have to jump back too soon into working, it would be greatly appreciated. There is a message from Annie below and here are a few ways to contribute: * Do you have a sturdy stroller (such as a B.O.B.) that you would like to pass on to Annie and her baby? * Cloth diaper service! Annie will not have a washer/dryer but would love to reduce waste by using cloth daipers. Consider a gift of cloth diaper service ($22/week). Contributions made here: www.babylist.com/annie-doran * On Annie's registry is a fee-free way to contribute to her maternity & nest fund (as well as a few other wishes): www.babylist.com/annie-doran * Send a contribution via postal mail or with your carrier: Pedal People, attn: Annie Doran, PO Box 415, Northampton, MA 01061. Write “Annie's maternity fund” in the message. Dear Neighbors, This Spring and Summer, I pedaled along the streets of Northampton with a growing babe inside of me. Especially on the rainy and cold days and the hot and humid ones, I told her that this was our adventure. How many kiddos can say they were with their mother in utero as they Pedaled 350 pounds behind them?! I have two jobs that both align with what I am called to do in this community and this world. They both offer beautiful flexibility, but neither one offers maternity benefits. My wish for all mothers in my position is to have support from the community that enables them time and neighborly connections to nurture and be nurtured during the first weeks or months of new life. I look forward to returning to pedaling in the Spring. Perhaps you'll see us both out and about! Please stop to say hello! I am very grateful for any contributions you are able to make and certainly thoughts/prayers for the coming weeks. With appreciation, Annie ** SNOW DAY INFORMATION ** Usually we maintain our regular pick up schedule on snowy days. Occasionally we postpone pickups if the storm is particularly intense. If a carrier feels confident and safe, they may choose to pick up as usual while others may postpone. You will be notified directly by your carrier if a pick up will be postponed. Rarely, but on occasion, we cancel all pick ups. We will notify all customers and post a message on our website if that is the case. As a reminder, your pick up may occur anytime between 8am-5pm to allow us the flexibility to adjust our day to the weather and efficient planning of our route for the day so we may get to everyone. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. ** COMPOST PICK UP IN WINTER ** We want to be sure to haul away your compost in freezing weather, and sometimes compost frozen to your bucket can be a problem. Here are some tips to help avoid it: * Keep your compost in a place above freezing until trash day * Put your compost out in the morning rather than the night before * Try to reduce the amount of liquid in your bucket if possible * Use a compostable bag or paper bag to line the inside of your bucket * Start off the winter with a clean bucket ** PREPARING FOR WINTER PICK UP ** Here are some simple reminders to help us stay safe and help you avoid extra charges or inconveniences: * Please clear a path for us! Customers are responsible for maintaining reasonable access to their trash, recycle, and compost. If your pick-up is not accessible, the carrier can choose to 1) not do the pick-up for safety reasons, or 2) charge $1 per 2 mins for extra time. * Please have all recycling sorted and ready for pick up. Paper needs to be separate from containers, as the recycling does not go to a single-stream facility. Most customers have everything sorted and ready to go, thank you! If it isn't sorted, we may sort it and charge a fee for our time or we may leave it and send you a reminder to sort so we aren't standing out in the cold longer than necessary. All cardboard needs to be flattened for pick up. You may leave it for us next to your recycling bins. * Take a moment to be grateful maggot season is over! Thank you for helping to keep us safe and happy throughout the winter.