green tips: Million Monarchs - Exciting News! - 03/26/11 08:14 PM
A few days ago i introduced to a new program that my friend Sean Patrick is launching. (Million Monarchs- A Solar Company with a Social Mission.) Sean is doing important work here in the Portland Metro area by developing community owned micro solar farms. Each week I get an exciting update from Million Monarchs regarding the strides that they are making to bring safe and affordable power options to neighborhoods throughout the Pacific Northwest. I will share his messages here in my blog as they come in. Hi Mark.Some exciting developments over here as we continue to work through our
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green tips: Green Drinks Vancouver WA March 2011 Invitation - 03/26/11 08:01 PM
It is that time again! Next week is the March Green Drinks event. The following is the newsletter for the Vancouver WA Green Drink group. Put it on your calendar and I hope to see you there! Hello Everyone! We are so excited that spring has sprung! Buds seem to be poping up everywhere, flowering plums are in full effect, and my rhubarb is already 10 inches tall. It's time to start planning the garden. Yahoo! However, first things first, we are looking forward to our March event. We will meet on Tuesday March 29th at Niche in downtown Vancouver at 1013
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green tips: Million Monarchs- A Solar Company with a Social Mission. - 03/21/11 03:26 PM
Attached is a letter from my friend Sean Patrick of Million Monarchs, Inc. Sean is in the middle of launching an awesome new project that may change the future of energy generation in the United States! They have created a model of micro solar farms housed in neighborhoods that generate enough energy for the residents and possibly enough to credit back to the power companies. Sean's project is still in its infancy stage but he and his team have some awesome ideas and creative solutions for meeting ongoing energy needs. I look forward to sharing Million Monarchs successes as they solve many
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green tips: Green Drinks Vancouver WA Celebrates 3 Years! - 02/09/11 05:34 PM
My friends laura and Terra are at it again and this time they are celebrating the 3rd anniversary of Green Drinks Vancouver Washington. Here is the invitation and this month's newsletter. Hello everyone! Our 3 Year Anniversary Celebration is fast approaching. We hope you will be able to join us. Here are the details: DATE: Tuesday Feb 22nd TIME: 6PM PLACE: Who Song & Larry's We are very happy to announce that both Mayor Tim Leavitt and County Commissioner Steve Stuart will be our guest speakers, giving us insights into our community's "shade of green." Feeling generous? Please connect
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green tips: Green Drinks Vancouver Wa. May 26th- I Hope To See You There! - 05/11/10 11:56 AM
Laura and Terra are still hard at work leading the Vancouver Washington Green Drinks group. Here is the invitation for this months get together. Everyone is invited. It is a great group that meets to discuss current green issues. I hope to see you there!Hello Everyone, We had a fantastic 2 yr anniversay party!!!!! Thank you so much, check out the great pics on our facebook account. We are so grateful for the support. It's been a blast!! Terra and I have been approached by many people who are devastated by the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf. The question
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green tips: Green Drinks Vancouver Wa. April 27th - Our 2 Year Anniversary! - 04/09/10 07:59 PM
Green Drinks Vancouver Wa. April 27th - Our 2 Year Anniversary! Its that time again! Laura and Terra have sent out the details for April's Green Drink event:Hello Everyone, Can you believe we have been green drinking for 2 years already? We're very excited to invite you to our anniversary shindig! Please join us on April 27th at Who Song and Larry's upstairs for the April gathering of Vancouver Green Drinks. We'll start the festivities at 6pm. 360 695-1198 111 SE Columbia Way Vancouver WA 98661 We will celebrate with door prizes, green mingling with good friends, and
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green tips: Eco-Roofs - Green Building in Vancouver Wa. - 03/04/10 10:35 PM
Eco-Roofs - Green Building in Vancouver Wa. I like everything about green building. I like the high efficiency furnaces and water heaters. I like building with sustainable and local materials. I like the fact that you can paint a home without poisoning the environment. I like building a home that is sealed in such a way that it can be heated and cooled with a minimum of energy. I like high tech gadgets that generate energy. And I like eco-roofs!There is nothing new or advanced about eco-roofs. They have been around for hundreds of years. They are pretty simple yet
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green tips: 2010 Clark County Parade of Homes - The New Vision, Affordable Green - 02/03/10 05:23 PM
2010 Clark County Parade of Homes - The New VisionOn February 3, the 2010 Clark County Parade of Homes committee announced their vision for this year's Clark County Parade of Homes. With the struggling economy there aren't many builders who are able to step up and build a home just for the sake of the Parade. Lenders aren't in a position to finance either the lot or the construction and the Clark County Building Industry Association has been forced to be creative.By creative, I mean that the 2010 Clark County Parade of Homes will not be like the traditional Parade
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green tips: Green Living - Eco Tourism - Part 2 - Choosing Accommodations - 12/13/09 12:37 PM
Eco Tourism - Choosing AccommodationsAs I mentioned in Green Living - Eco Tourism part 1, "Eco tourism is responsible travel." The responsible thing to do when traveling is to consider the impact that you are having during each stage of your trip. Choosing Your AccommodationsThe best method of traveling with the least amount of negative impact is to stay with friends. Your impact when staying with friends is less than 1/100th of what it is when staying at even the most eco-friendly hotel. The reasons are simple. Towels, wash clothes, and bedding are used for several days without continuous laundering.
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green tips: Green Living - Eco Tourism - Part 1 - 12/10/09 01:35 AM
Eco TourismEco tourism is responsible travel. Responsible travel is travel with a purpose. When choosing destinations, accommodations, and tour operators, consider which ones have made a commitment to protect the environment and benefit the local cultures and communities.Who travels responsibly? Anyone can be a responsible traveler. You can get back to nature, or bathe in luxury... hike into the rain forest or explore the city... stay close to home or travel to exotic locations. Responsible travel provides many options and can be very affordable.The first element to consider when planning a "green" trip is the method of transportation. Your flight
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green tips: Eliminate Drafts, Save Money, Be Green! Vancouver Washington - 12/05/09 09:54 PM
Eliminate Drafts, Save Money, Be Green! Vancouver Washington Green Tips & IdeasYou can always count on a recession to send folks looking for ways to save money. Energy conservation is just one of the many ways to save money on a daily basis and since we had our first frost on Friday, I thought that I would share a simple energy saving tip with you.Did you know that the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that drafts can waste 5 to 30% of the energy that you are using to heat your home? Here is a simple device that was a household
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green tips: What Is ICF Home Construction? Green Building in Vancouver Washington - 11/03/09 12:44 PM
What Is ICF Home Construction? Green Building in Vancouver WashingtonAnother building technique that is becoming more common in green building in Vancouver Washington, is the use of ICF's. ICF's are Insulated Concrete Forms. Insulated Concrete Forms are stay in place forms used to build a superior concrete home. ICFs can be made from a variety of materials: Expanded polystyrene (EPS) - most common, Extruded polystyrene, Polyurethane, Cement-bonded wood fiber, and Cement-bonded polystyrene beads. The majority of forms are made of foam insulation, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), and are either separate panels connected with plastic connectors or ties; or pre-formed
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green tips: What is SIP Construction? Green Building In Vancouver Washington - 11/01/09 11:20 AM
What is SIP Construction? Green Building In Vancouver Washington Structural Insulated Panels or SIPs are one of the latest trends in green building technology. A SIP consists of a sandwich of two layers of structural board with a layer of foam in the center. Generally the structural boards are made of oriented strand board (OSB) and the foam is either polystyrene foam, extruded polystyrene foam, or polyurethane foam. Although the concept of foam core panels was originally developed in the 1930's and gained public attention in the 70's, their use as a mainstream building techniques is just now catching on
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green tips: Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs - How to kill elder bugs without using dangerous chemicals. - 10/25/09 01:12 PM
Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs - How to kill elder bugs without using dangerous chemicals.If you are a Washington resident, then you have certainly seen the Western Boxelder Bug. In the fall, it is a very common sight to see them warming themselves on the sunny side of the homes in most neighborhoods. Boxelder bugs spend the winter in protected places, including homes. On warm days, they'll come out and rest in the sun, and you'll see them on the south and west sides of homes.They are not dangerous. They don't sting or bite. They don't cause much damage to
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green tips: I Have Seen Hybrid Cars, But Hybrid HOMES? - 10/05/09 11:53 PM
I Have Seen Hybrid Cars, But Hybrid HOMES?We have all seen hybrid cars. When discussing the subject, most Americans think of the ultra modern Toyota Prius. Most people understand that a hybrid car is one that uses the latest technology to be the most energy efficient and have the least negative impact on the environment. Pretty simple right?What about hybrid homes?Have you ever heard of a hybrid home? If so, what is the image that comes to mind? Is it some futuristic modular bungalow? Or is a cape cod style home that reminds you of the sea breezes of the east
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green tips: Urban Farm School - A New Green Solution For Vancouver Washington - 10/05/09 09:55 PM
Urban Farm School - A New Green Solution For Vancouver WashingtonI had the pleasure of meeting the owner of Urban Farm School, Kendra Pearce, at last month's Vancouver Green Drinks meeting.Urban Farm School is an awesome idea and Kendra has been doing a great job educating Vancouver WA residents in the areas of gardening and home canning. The list of topics that they cover is staggering. Have you always wanted to can your own preserves but didn't know where to start? Call Urban Farm School. They can put together a class right in your own home!Want to know how to
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green tips: New Green Drinks Vancouver Slogan - Read it here first! - 10/03/09 11:45 AM
New Green Drinks Vancouver Slogan - Read it here first!Green Drinks is a casual networking group with members nation wide. The group in Vancouver WA meets monthly at a local restaurant for drinks and friendly discussion about local green topics. The conversation is always lively and informative. The attendees are always fun. Last night featured a presentation by Urban Farm School's Kendra Pearce about the benefits of home gardening. There was an interesting surprise at last night's Green Drinks Vancouver meeting. We have a new slogan: "Green Drinks Vancouver - Where Networking Isn't Lame!" photo by MirambWhen you choose
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green tips: Storytree Farm - Vancouver Washington - Green and Sustainable Living - 10/02/09 03:51 PM
Storytree Farm CSA Storytree Farm is a locally-owned and family operated CSA farm in the Pleasant Highlands neighborhood of Vancouver, Washington. Their mission is to grow fresh, tasty chemical-free vegetables, fruits & herbs using natural methods. They reject the use of GMO seed. All of their shares are sold out for the 2009 season but visit their site for information about their annual tour, classes, and other on-farm events.I have had the pleasure of meeting Storytree Farm's owner, Anne Lawrence, after helping her daughter's family find a gorgeous new home in Vancouver Washington. I enjoyed chatting with her about gardening, farming and sustainable living. They have
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green tips: Green Drinks Halloween Party - Mark Your Calendars! - 10/01/09 11:46 AM
Green Drinks is throwing a special Costume Party for October! Host Vancouver Green DrinksLocation Clark County Habitat For Humanity ReStore 5000 E Fourth Plain Blvd Vancouver, WA 98661When? Friday, October 30, 6:30PM Contact 503-329-5590 We are partnering with the Clark County Habitat For Humanity ReStore to bring you this special October event.This is your opportunity to bust out that reuse/recycle creativity and possibly win some fabulous prizes!* (Get a ticket for a drawing at the door just for coming in costume!) Some of the members of River City Classic Rock and Soul Band will be providing live tunes. Applewood Northwest Bistro
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green tips: Are those Federal Energy Tax Credits expiring this year? An End To The Confusion! - 09/28/09 11:36 PM
Are those Federal Energy Tax Credits expiring this year?The short answer is NO! With all of the things starting and stopping, you may be confused and wondering if you can still take advantage of the federal energy tax credits. The answer is yes and you should plan your projects now. There are really two programs: one for ENERGY EFFICIENCY and a separate one for RENEWABLE ENERGY. They have different sets of rules, a few of which are as follows: Residential ENERGY EFFICIENCY Tax Credits These are part of the stimulus package These apply to projects such as weatherization, high efficiency systems
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