ROCKFORD WOMAN MAGAZINE (To read this article at Rockford Woman Magazine, click here.)
A journey begins with one step
Newcomer vows to get around town without a carBy Kelly Epperson
The latest green girl in town has a big heart and big plans. Patricia Loya moved from Orange County, Calif., to Rockford in October and wanted to start fresh with a downsized — and green — lifestyle. An accident totaled her car right before the move. “Why replace it?” Loya said. “I wanted to go green. This will literally be a step in the right direction.”
Living downtown in the William Brown Loft apartments, Loya is just two blocks from the main bus terminal. In nicer weather, her gorgeous, shiny red Schwinn bicycle that she has named Caroline gets her around town.Loya’s first experience with the public-transit system left her slightly baffled. “The bus schedule is thick and not the easiest to decipher,” she said. “And a main transfer point near a large retailer has no bench, no shelter to protect from the weather. There were 40 people waiting for the bus with nowhere to sit. Tired kids and moms with bags of groceries need a place to sit that isn’t the street curb.”
Loya is a doer. She immediately contacted the transit authority, and the retailer. She is working now with the marketing director of the bus system to form a co-op of residents to make using public transportation in Rockford easier.
This entrepreneurial spirit is another way to make life greener. A former interior designer, Loya now is the writer, editor and artist of several online magazines. She also sells her artwork in collaboration with her daughter at cafepress.com/sarahjoy. Working from home is the ultimate green option. No commute means on the nastiest of winter days, she can stay put and not have to worry about the bus or a bike.
The online shop started after her daughter, Sarahjoy, entered drug addiction recovery. Loya’s artwork of encouragement and humor for her daughter evolved into a product line. There also are many uplifting products for everyone, including La Vert Sachet (the green bag), a canvas tote bag with that wording on one side and a whimsical collage of her artwork on the other.
Being green means helping others go green and making it fun and easy to do so. That is Loya’s energy. “The gas issue is going to have more people thinking about moving into cities, so they can drive less. Living in the city and getting involved in the community is what it’s all about,” Loya said. After being in town only a few weeks, she started volunteering at the soup kitchen at the Jubilee Center, a part of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 412 N. Church St., and posted a note in her building asking others to join her.
City life. It’s green, and so much more.
Reprint From Rockford Woman
This article was written by Kelly Epperson. The following article, "Look At My Butt," is Kelly's and you can also read another story in my blog which is from her book, "When Life Stinks, It's Time To Wash The Gym Clothes," about Princess Diana by clicking here. You can go to Kelly's website of the same name When Life Stinks, It's Time To Wash The Gym Clothes here.
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