Asheville, N.C.

Greenway public input meeting

The County is in the process of composing a plan for the development of walking and bicycling trails throughout Buncombe County. The Commissioners are seeking public input on what citizens would like to see included in the plan.

Citizens can view the map and provide input at an informal, drop-in meeting, 4-7 p.m. tonight. The map is also available online at www.buncombecounty.org until Feb. 22.

The base map for this plan includes data from a regional greenways plan and pertinent data from the County's Parks and Recreation plan and the Land Conservation Advisory Board. Citizens can identify places where they would like to see trails/greenways and submit their comments to Linda Giltz at lindag@landofsky.org or 251-6622.

After Feb. 22, the map will be revised and presented to County Commissioners in March. The Greenways Plan will become part of the overall Buncombe County Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080207/LOCAL/80206041

*Bicycle Plan *The Asheville City Council will consider adoption of the bicycle plan at their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 26 in the Council Chambers on the second floor of Asheville City Hall. The meeting begins at 5:00 p.m. ...and is open to the public.

*Buncombe** County** Greenways Planning*

Linda Giltz at Land of Sky Regional Council sent out a message yesterday letting folks know that she is still collecting input for the Buncombe County Greenways Plan. A draft map based on initial input received in December is on the County's website. See http://www.buncombecounty.org/news_Detail.asp?newsID=5380 for more information and a link to the map. If you have ideas/suggestions about locations for walking/biking paths in the County, please email them to her at lindag@landofsky.org <mailto:lindag@landofsky.org>. After this week, she will incorporate the input received and produce a revised draft map. The greenways plan will be part of the overall Buncombe County Parks and Recreation Plan. You can see the draft Parks & Rec plan by clicking on the Feb. 5 "agenda packet" and selecting the presentation or report under New Business:

http://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/commissioners/meetings.htm#archived.

*2nd Annual Bike Love Party*

_THIS Saturday, February 23d_ is the date for the 2nd Annual Bike Love Party at the Wedge Gallery in the River Arts District. I've been told it is $12.00, and that the doors open at 8 p.m. Music will be by Red Dirt Floor, Count Clovis, and Pierce Eden and the Dirty Work. Thank you to Asheville on Bikes (ashevilleonbikes@gmail.com <mailto:ashevilleonbikes@gmail.com>) for arranging this event. Money supports to the Bike Locker Program.

*Bicycle Commuter Club & Lunch and Learn Sessions*

Downtown on the Move is hosting a lunch time Bike Commuter Club - encouraging folks who work downtown to use bicycles or walk or take the bus to work or to do their errands. There will be lunch & learn programs at Asheville Brewing at 77 Coxe Ave. every other Wednesday (2/27, 3/12, 3/26, 4/9 and 4/23) from 12:30 to 1:15. Lunch is available, but purchasing lunch is not required in order to participate in the learning. There is a need for skilled cyclists to be mentors to novices.

This program is presented by Healthy Buncombe Coalition.

*Strive Not to Drive* Day will be May 16 this year, and planning is underway. If you want to help with planning and activities or contribute prizes or other incentives...

Reported by...

Greenolina  
__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)

YIKES!!! TALK ABOUT -green-washing!!!!!

I was just reading my ENN Ezine and learned this:

Cancer-Causing Contaminant Soils Cleaning Products

Seventh Generation, Method and other leading personal care and cleaning brands may soon face lawsuits if they don't remove the word "organic" from their labeling and marketing by Sept. 1.

The ultimatum comes following a recent investigation by the Organic Consumers Assn., which uncovered a potentially carcinogenic contaminant in various products.

The OCA investigated nearly 100 organic cosmetic, personal care and household cleaning formulas, and found that nearly 50% of them contain detectable levels of 1,4-dioxane, which is known to cause cancer in lab animals.

None of the manufacturers disclosed this information on their labels, even though many had levels greater than 1,000 times the acceptable level.

....

It was announced yesterday that Dell Computer's 2.1 million-square-foot headquarters in Round Rock, Texas is now powered entirely with renewable energy. 60% of the energy is supplied by wind power generated by Energy Future Holdings Corp.'s TXU Energy and the remaining 40% from Waste Management's landfill gas-to-energy plant. Dell, a participant in Austin Energy's GreenChoice® power program, also announced it is increasing it's renewable energy at its Austin Parmer Campus from 8 to 17%.

You can find some of the oldest and most beautiful trees in Western North Carolina in urban areas.  Whether due to disease, old age, lightning, or proximity issues some of these trees eventually can become hazardous in that urvan environment. 

When a tree service company removes an urban tree the most common method of disposing of that tree is mulching.  Every day thousands of board feet of valuable North Carolina hardwood timber is ground into mulch.

On Friday, April 11th at 6:30pm the Asheville Treecyclers Cooperative, a group of local sawyers, tree services, woodcrafters and others whose mission is to sustainably utilize downed urban trees, to provide locally grown/manufactured sustainable wood products,.and to work cooperatively to further the awareness and practice of sustainable urban forestry in our community...will be available for conversation at GREEN DRINKS, Asheville.

Today, 125 volunteers from more than 20 states are in our nation's capital as part of iLoveMountain's 3rd Annual Mountaintop Removal Week in Washington. They're going from office to office on Capitol Hill, telling members of Congress that now is the time to take action to stop mountaintop removal coal mining.

But they need your support. Click here to watch a video message from our volunteers in Washington:

Can you take a moment to join thousands of other iLoveMountain.org supporters who are calling their representatives today and asking them to co-sponsor the Clean Water Protection Act (H.R. 2169), which would sharply limit mountaintop removal coal mining?

Click here to learn more about the Clean Water Protection Act and to call your representative today.

Your support right now will make a tremendous difference to our volunteers in Washington -- and it could make the difference in our efforts to stop mountaintop removal coal mining.

Please, help us light up the Congressional Switchboard today -- and let your representative know your commitment to defending our mountains:

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=NSdfWGYnET%2B0YIuYrLLWkehl45nsvUfe

Thank you for taking action,

Mary Anne Hitt
iLoveMountains.org

OK...one quarter of the way to meet the April CHALLENGE...we have Green NEWS from

Tehachapi, CA,
Western Michigan
Northern Virginia
Grand Rapids
Houston
Lancaster
Maui
Utah
Florida-Saddle Ridge
Southern Oregon
Florida-Suncoast
Southwest Wisconsin
Asheville
Bellingham, WA
Sacramento
Marin County
Western North Carolina

ANY GREEN NEWS FROM YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

Hello Green Building Supporters,

Join us next week for the Three Day Designing a Green Home class. Click here to register today:

Green Building 101: Three Day Designing a Green Home:

WHERE: NC Arboretum: 100 Frederick Law Olmstead Way Asheville, NC 28806

WHEN: Wednesday thru Friday, April 16th-18th from 9:00 to 5:00 each day

AGENDA:
This three-day course will familiarize attendees with the nuts and bolts of designing a green home. Over the three days, participants will go through the entire process of construction including siting a home to minimize environmental impact, making decisions about structural materials, HVAC equipment, landscaping, finish materials and much more while learning to take into account the financial implications of green building upgrades. The goal of the class is for participants to walk away with the knowledge of how to make educated decisions on benefits and trade-offs of different green building techniques and technologies. Participatory activities while working in groups will be a significant aspect to the class.

Instructor Marcus Renner is owner of Appropriate Building Solutions, Inc. and has taught classes relating to sustainable construction on the university, community college and public level.

COST: $225 for members, $300 for non-members. Pre-registration required. Lunch included.

CEU CREDITS: 16 AIA HSW, 4 ECO Agent credits

Please pass this along to anyone who may be interested.

janeAnne, this is merely a quite update on the greater Lake Norman area:

1. The Town of Mooresville is now planning to institute curb recycling
2. Lake Norman has very strict rules now regarding shoreline lots and development all focused to protect the water and the environment.  They have identified certain areas that can not have adock or even housing to protect specific natural habitat and have provided guidelines for "creating a Lake-Friendly buffer including which trees, wildflowers, shrubs and even ferns to plant or protect.  Website: http://waterquality.charmeck.org/
3. One interesting project in Charlotte:  The dismantling of the 1835 Old Crow Distillery included harvesting its vintage heart pine, brick, limestone to name a few...reclycling at its best!

Finally, about my home town of Pasadena CA.  Their retrofit of the Pasadena City Hall was LEED certified!

This week the City of Chicago in conjunction with Index Publishing at the Chicago Hilton held the Building Green Chicago conference.  Click on the link below and you will see many resources for building green in the City of Chicago that can be applied nationwide.

http://www.chicagocodes.com/ccinclude/2008_green_program.pdf

Today in Nashville was: 'Get Your Greenways On!' Event

Nashville's Team Green and The Village Real Estate CityLiving Team have partnered to support Greenways for Nashville by sponsoring a walk along the Downtown Greenway! Along with the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Environmental Committee, we walked along the Downtown Greenway leaving from the Farmers Market in Germantown. We walked to the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge (about a mile along the riverfront) and returned back to the Farmers Market for lunch and more socializing. To learn more about Nashville's Greenways, visit their website. 

Thanks for asking!

Here in Kansas City, the biggest new thing, and really just about the only "eco-friendly" thing that some people are talking about are rain gardens. There is much talk about returning the prairies that used to be here and using native grasses which require less water.

Other than that, Kansas City began a city-wide recycling program two or three years ago which has surpassed all expectations. That is a beginning, unfortunately, its use has been lagging behind what we "need" to be doing. I notice all the time how my neighbors have AT LEAST FOUR TIMES the amount of trash as my wife and myself.

Scott Finley in Kansas City

24 - Thursday Making Jams and Preserves on a Larger Scale, Asheville, NC.  Dr. John Rushing will train participants in adapting homemade jam/preserve recipes to do larger batches and get consistent results.  Readily-available scientific testing methods and food safety will be emphasized.  $10.  Held at Blue Ridge Food Ventures.  See website or email Mary Lou Surgi to register.



23-26 - Wednesday - Saturday - Polk County Ramp and Tramp Festival, Greasy Creek, Tennessee 423-338-4503

28 - Monday -  5th Annual Flower and Garden Show Grove Arcade, Asheville, NC. Contact 828-252-7799

BEATING THE BOUNDS-ASHEVILLE
A bicycle ride around the city
 9 AM Sunday, APRIL 20

"Beating the bounds is an ancient tradition to bless fields and crops, to emphasize village boundaries, and simply to bring the people of a community together."

THIS ride is a great way to celebrate community. =)  It's open to all experienced bicyclists (it's an urban ride), begins and ends at Vance Monument in the heart of the city, and travels to the four boundaries of Asheville lying east, south, west and north. "

At each boundary, riders will gather and raise a ruckus," says Robbie Sweetser, the event's organizer.

The ride traverses many of Asheville's neighborhoods: Downtown, Haw Creek, Oteen, Beverly Hills, Blue "Ridge Parkway, Skyland, Biltmore Park, Biltmore Forest, Biltmore Village, Pisgah View, West Asheville, Malvern Hills, Sand Hill, Deaver View Park, Emma, Richmond Hill, Woodfin, Lakeview Park, Beaverdam, Grace, and Town Mountain.

There will be a special observance in Biltmore Village as the parishioners bless the passing bicyclists in the front of the historic Cathedral of All Souls in celebration of the beating the bounds tradition and the opening of the Cathedral's Earth Day events, including a Bike Rodeo for the younger set.

           Public metered parking spaces near Pack Square are free on Sundays.  There is no ride fee or registration required. All riders are encouraged to bring noisemakers and wear bike-safe festive costumes for the festivities.

The route measures 64 miles.

If you are in NC... you can register  for Sustainable Site Development class that will count toward your ECO Certified Consultant real estate professional designation! 

It's on April 30^th:

WHERE: NC Arboretum: 100 Frederick Law Olmstead Way Asheville, NC 28806

WHEN: Wednesday, April 30th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

AGENDA:
The course will cover the basic principles of conservation planning and include the approaches and techniques for creating ecologically sensitive residential developments.

This course will help participants understand the types of natural resources, such as plant communities, wildlife habitats, and water resources (streams and wetlands), that are significant features of a property. It will also discuss the methods used to protect these resources through appropriate design and the use of conservation easements.

The following topics will also be addressed: minimizing construction impacts, controlling sediment and erosion, managing stormwater, utilizing native plants, and restoring habitat.
The course will be beneficial to design professionals such as engineers, landscape architects, and architects as well as private land owners, developers, and REALTORS

.
The course will include a site visit to see how these techniques are implemented.

Instructor David Tuch is Vice-president of Equinox Environmental, a local sustainable land planning and design company.

COST:  $40 for members; $50 for non-members, Pre-registration required.

CEU CREDITS: 4 AIA HSW, 4 ECO Agent , Engineers credits

I have written about David Tuch...He has helped a good number of our land/eco-friendly clients...Great Guy...Great opportunity

##

Interested in eco-innovation?  North Carolina State University Water Quality Group/ French Broad Training Center has this event that might work for ya'...you can watch as a 1,930 square foot vegetated roof is installed on UNC-Asheville's LEED Sliver Certified Facilities Management Complex.

Date and Time:  EARTH DAY...Tuesday, April 22^nd from 12:30-1:00pm

Location:  UNC- Asheville Sam Millar Management Complex (Follow Campus Drive off Broadway)-Meet outside in the lower quad. http://www.unca.edu/campusmap/

It's FREE no registration required. www.ncsu.edu/waterquality/frenchbroad/

Cherie~

Is this what you were looking for?...

Ecowidget ... available for free use on all platforms. Download it onto your desktop and out of the corner of your eye, you have instant access to the latest environmental news, eco-friendly tips, local green grocers and more!

Version: 1.0 / License: Freeware / File Size: 436K  

 

To download the Yahoo! Widget Engine, click here.

APRIL CHALLENGE.....100 comments

Add your GREEN NEWS in the comment section HERE...we are aiming for 100 comments by THIS Wednesday , Apri l 30th.   Please leave a link to your BLOG post   (good for localism) ..or simply add a comment...  TELL US what is  happening in your neighborhood...eco-innovation is the theme... 

You know I've talked a lot about one of my favorite books, Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle...Kindsolver praises the concept and experience of SLOW FOOD...here's an event in WNC that you may want to attend...

 Farm Tour Benefit and 100 Mile Diet Event
Sponsored by Slow Food WNC

When: Sunday, May 18, 4 pm

Where: At the Hawk and Ivy B&B
133 N. Fork Rd.
Barnardsville, NC 28709
828-626-3486 or info@hawkandivy.com

A pot luck focusing on spring foods produced within 100 miles of Asheville. Drinks, beer, wine and wonderful live music will be provided. Suggested donations of $5- $30 will be given to support the farmers who participate in the Mountain Farm Tour on June 28 and 29.

Directions: From Asheville turn north on 19/23 North, now called I-26 West, at Exit 4A, toward Weaverville. Go 12 miles on I-26 to the Jupiter/Barnardsville Exit. (Exit 15) Turn right and continue 6.5 miles on route 197 through Barnardsville to our house #133 on the right, a green house with a red roof.

From the north take I-26 East to Exit 15 in NC, turn left and continue 6.5 miles to our house, #133 on the right.

Park in the field on the left.

Urban Farmers' Crops Go From Vacant Lot to Market

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/dining/07urban.html?_r=1%26pagewanted=all

For years, New Yorkers have grown basil, tomatoes and greens in window boxes, backyard plots and community gardens. But more and more New Yorkers like the Wilkses are raising fruits and vegetables, and not just to feed their families but to sell to people on their block.

This urban agriculture movement has grown even more vigorously elsewhere. Hundreds of farmers are at work in Detroit, Milwaukee, Oakland and other areas that, like East New York, have low-income residents, high rates of obesity and diabetes, limited sources of fresh produce and available, undeveloped land.

keep reading at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/dining/07urban.html

Here's what one elementary school is doing in the Asheville area...
how about making this happen in YOUR neighborhood?

"We are installing a living roof at Isaac Dickson Elementary School, and we are looking for the following used materials.  We'd like to keep these things from going into the landfill.

A 10x10 piece of EPDM/pond liner/very thick plastic (no holes)
10x10 ft piece of carpet (the thicker the better)
Locust posts
2x4's and 1'x2's
Urbanite: broken up pieces of concrete from sidewalks, patios, driveways, etc

this sounds like A GREAT PROJECT to me...

I am wondering IF y'all have tailgate markets in your home town?

Almost all of the Asheville, NC area's tailgate markets are now open.  In fact, just down the street from my green-built home this week the North Asheville Tailgate Market is holding a special event: STRAWBERRY DAY May 24 to celebrate strawberries in season...strawberry jam to sample...strawberry ice cream and lots of strawberries for sale...Free Raffle to Win a Basket of North Asheville Tailgate products.

Here are all the Tailgate Market listings for Mountain Tailgate Market Association members, see buyappalachian.org for a more complete list:

Asheville City Market

Where: 161 South Charlotte Street, Asheville, NC

When: Saturday 8:00am ? 1:00pm

Fresh this Week: Seasonal produce includes greens, salad mixes, lettuce, radishes, scallions, asparagus, leeks, and strawberries. Also find great starts for the garden, locally grown nursery plants and trees, cut flowers, a huge selection of herbs, gourmet goat cheeses, eggs, local fresh meats and farm-raised rainbow trout, FANTASTIC brick oven breads and delicious baked treats, local honey, tasty preserves, a selection of natural body care soaps and herbal products as well as handmade brooms, pottery, and wood creations from the mountain art and craft community.

Big Ivy Tailgate Market

Where: Parking lot of old fire station, on Hwy 197 across from Barnardsville post office.

When: Saturday 9:00am ? 11:00pm

Fresh this Week: Asparagus, eggs, kale, chard, spinach, herbs, fresh-roasted coffee (beans and brewed), baked goods, herbs, crafts.

Black Mountain Tailgate Market

Where: 500 Montreat Rd. (Hwy 9 N. at exit 64 off I-40), yard of UU Congregation.

When: Saturday 9:00am ? 12:00pm

Fresh this Week: Organic strawberries, shiitake mushrooms, fresh herbs, cucumbers, onions, radishes, lettuces, salad mix, kales, chards, collards, spinach, lamb, beef, chicken, heirloom tomato plants, pepper plants, a variety of veggie and flower starts, fresh cut flowers and flowering hanging baskets, stone ground grits and cornmeal, popcorn, farm fresh eggs, hypertufa containers, fresh baked breads and other baked goods, handmade quilts.

French Broad Food Coop Saturday Tailgate Market

Where: 76 Biltmore Ave. next to the French Broad Food Co-op.

When: Saturday 8:00am ? 1:00pm

Greenlife Tailgate Markets

Where: Greenlife Grocery, 70 Merrimon Avenue, just north of the 1-240 connector.

When: Wednesday 2:00pm ? 6:00pm, Friday 1:00pm ? 5:00pm,  Sunday 1:00pm ? 5:00pm

Henderson County Tailgate Market

Where: 100 N. King Street (between First and Second Avenues) in downtown Hendersonville.

When: Saturday 7:00am ?  12:00pm 

Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market

Mars Hill, NC

Where: Take exit 11 off 26W. Go west on 213 to Mars Hill College. Dormitory Drive is a road on the left. Go a short way and see colorful tents and signs.

When: Saturday 9:00am ? 1:00pm

Fresh this Week: Plenty of vegetable, herb, and flower starts to help you get your garden in. Dahlia bulbs, native plants, perennial shrubs, and trees. Spring greens including lettuce, mesclun mix, chard, arugula, escarole. Beets, radishes, rhubarb. Eggs and goat cheese. Pastries, cookies, and bread. Pickles and preserves.Crafts including wood carving, homemade soap, handspun fiber arts and yarn, painted gourds, jewelry, and herbal products. Live music every week.

North Asheville Tailgate Market

Where: From the UNCA Main Entrance on WT Weaver Blvd. Go up the hill from the rotary and take the first right. OR From Merrimon, the first left entering campus on Edgewood Rd. Market is on the lower level of the two-level lot southeast of Owen Hall.

When: Saturday 7:00am ? 12:00pm

Fresh this Week: STRAWBERRY DAY May 24 to celebrate strawberries in season...strawberry jam to sample...strawberry ice cream and lots of strawberries for sale...Free Raffle to Win a Basket of North Asheville Tailgate products GREENS Lots of Greens coming in---Lettuce, Salad Mix, Spinach, Watercress, Arugula, Kale, Chard VEGETABLES--Mushrooms and Radishes Honey, Flowers, Salad Dressings, Grass Feed Meat, Jams, Herbs, Eggs, Cornmeal and Goat Cheese PLANTS--Vegetable Starts, Herb Plants, Orchids, Hollies, Blueberry Plants and Others BAKED GOODS such as Scones, Peanut Butter Balls, Bread, Pastries, Muffins, Handpies CRAFTS--Soap, Pot Holders, Vest Aprons, Bee's Wax Candles, Cutting Boards

Riceville Tailgate Market

Where: in the parking lot of the Riceville Community Center, next door to the Riceville Volunteer Fire Department

When: Saturday 9:00am ? 12:00pm

Fresh this Week: mixed salad greens, lettuce, spinach, kale, turnip greens, radishes, green onions, turnips, herbs (marjoram, lemon balm, oregano, parsley), veggie starts, landscaping plants, annuals, hanging flower baskets, bread, chocolate

Rutherfordton Farmers' Market

Where: Main Street Park located in quaint, historic downtown Rutherfordton.

When: Saturday 9am ?  12pm 

Wednesday Afternoon Downtown Tailgate Market

Where: 76 Biltmore Avenue, in the parking lot next to the French Broad Food Coop; across the street from Laurey's Catering.

When: Wednesday 2:00pm ? 6:30pm

West Asheville Tailgate Market

Where: Market is located on the grassy area at the rear of parking lot for West End Bakery and Haywood Road Market.

When: Wednesday 3:30pm ? 6:30pm

Fresh this Week: Local of course - strawberries, tomatoes, perennial plants, lettuce mix, vegetable starts, beef, fresh pasta, braising mix, heirloom tomatoes, radishes, medicinal herbs, pork, lasagna sheets, winter mix, annual flowers including Wave petunias, bees wax candles, culinary herbs, eggs, empanadas, carrots, finnochio, native perennials, bibb, leaf, red oak, and romaine lettuce, loofahs, music, neighbors, and good times.

Yancey County Farmers' Market

Where: Highway 19E at S. Main St.

When: Saturday 8:30am ? 12:30pm

Fresh this Week: Spinach, lettuce, arugula, cucumbers, radishes, onions, chard, mustard greens, fresh garlic, rhubarb, peas, annual flowers and veggies plants, perennials, shrubs, house plants, eggs, jams and jellies, goat cheese, local honey, fresh baked goods, country crafts.

THIS is exciting news...so even if you are within driving distance of Asheville, NC...you may want to check this out...

DATES: June 19th-21st,

EVENT:   the 1st annual 3-day citywide celebration & collaboration of local communities building sustainable solutions for the city, the land, and the people of Asheville!  Pre-registration is not required. 

FEATURING:

:: 14 hands-on sustainability projects

:: 30+ local sustainability organizations 

:: Hundreds of local sustainability leaders & citizens &

:: Starhawk, Julia Butterfly Hill, City Repair's Mark Lakeman & more!

For more information: www.ashevillage.org

I would say this is...!!!

Georgina~

YES...they sell from the back of their trucks ..some local growers do set up stands under umbrellas...and there is even the occasional fiddle player roaming through the mix...great fun for All!  I'll try to take some photos this weekend...

Eco-All-Stars

here's your chance to highlight one of your localism posts...just put your GREEN NEWS link in the comment section...

This is absolutley splendiforous news, Jack...I'm going to post it to the entire group right now.CONGRATULATIONS>>>>> and green fireworks>>>>>>>>>

Slow Food Picnic Dinner and Square-dance Fundraiser!

Sounds like FUN!!!  Saturday September 20^th 5pm at Sherill's Inn near Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Fairview ...the  Slow Food Picnic with an old fashioned square dance afterward.

ENJOY..."the best food the region has to offer, keeping it local with meats from Hickory Nut Gap and Flying Cloud Farm, breads from West End Bakery, all kinds of veggie dishes made with Flying Cloud veggies, not to mention homemade apple crisp for dessert! "

ALSO for pure FUN...dancing will begin at 7:30. 

Tickets:  slowfoodasheville.org and click on events.

Hands-on Workshop: Building a Solar Water Heater, September 6-7, 2008

Come on over to Asheville Folks...The Long Branch Environmental Education Center is sponsoring a hands-on workshop with inventor Walt Clark on Building a Solar Water Heater . You canlearn about the design ...it is an "Integrated Passive Solar Water Heating System (IPSWH), also known as a Batch System, Breadbox Solar Water Heater, or Integrated Collector and Storage System (ICS)."

The design is the essence of simplicity: Put  water holding tanks in an insulated box, with glass on the side facing south and fill it with water.No moving parts, nothing to break down, free fuel and no pollution. You do NOT need building skills (though architects, engineers, and building contractors are welcome), and you will be most welcome.... 

Workshop leader is Walt Clark, a solar designer, inventor, and builder with over 35 years of experience who holds an international patent on a unique solar device.

 Issues to be covered include:

• Introduction - defining passive solar water heaters, classification of types
• A History of IPSWHs - U.S. history of first solar water heaters and first commercial solar water heaters
• Basic Design Principles - radiation, available solar energy in various parts of U.S., emmitance, absorption, reflection, transmissivity, reflector types, conduction, convection
• IPSWH Design - placement, performance related to slope and orientation, color, heat retention, glazing layers, shutters, shades, insulation, reflectors, sizing, hot water needs, backup system, construction, concepts for virtually free solar water heaters, concepts for advanced solar water heaters
• Operating an IPSWH - reflector adjustment, open lids, conservation or staging of hot water use
• Backup Heating - wood stoves and heaters, gas, electric, flash heaters
• Building Your Own - step by step guide to designing and building your own solar water heater including safety considerations
• The Future is for IPSWHs - energy costs keep rising  

Cost for the workshop is $50 and will be limited to 15 attendees. Participants are asked to bring their own lunch. Please call or email Paul Gallimore at 828 683 3662 or paul@longbrancheec.org to ensure a place and get directions.

THIS one looks as if it could be a BLAST! And if you are in the Greater Asheville area..you are invited. It is old-time fun in the new eco-community heirloom apple orchard in Gerton, NC. There will be apple bobbing and apple dunking, and apple tarts, and apple pie...and cider! Check out the link to the flyer (below)

Honey Bear Orchard Organic Apple Fest

Saturday, September 20, 2008
1:00 to 6:00pm
Click here for flyer

On September 27^th, cities across the nation are coming together for a special event called "Green Jobs Now!"  This is a national day of action providing communities with opportunities to discuss what is being done to propel this movement, what needs to happen and how we can all be involved.

Green Opportunities (GO!) and the Pisgah View Community Peace Garden are hosting Asheville's "Green Jobs Now!" event.  where all are invited to hear speakers, see exhibitors, enjoy entertainment ...

Practice What You Preach

The Town of Blacksburg is showcasing it's latest project in sustainability October 25th.  This should be cool, hope to see you there.

For those of you interested in using the physical wind, there's an upcoming workshop at Malama Kaua`i, one of Kaua`i's leading sustainability organization located on Kuawa Rd. in Kilauea. If you want to follow sustainability on Kauai, you might want to subscribe to  Malama Kauai's newsletter

Academy of Sciences Museum Finally Opens in San Francisco

It sounds like a war effort or some great new candy bar, but it has been ten years in the making. Yes, the Academy of Sciences museum finally opens in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. We're totally jazzed to have this Green building icon finally opening up,

Green Jobs Now! (GO)

HERE is a wonderful innovative program in Asheville . The program is 9 months and is targeted to youth 16 and older.. According to GREEN JOBS Spokesperson, the focus of the GREEN JOBS Program is to  help to"  create a Green economy to solve environmental issues and address poverty.   "

Funded through The Clean Air Community Trust, Asheville area  Green Building Council and others, and associated with A-B Tech, the Program promises to be a positive step  toward creative resolution of eco-friendly challenges.

This Halloween season outside Asheville, NC Hickory Nut Forest is inviting folks to come out to the mountains nestled in hundreds of acres of conservation easements for a Green Halloween inspired acronym for Mountain Music, Organic Foods, Natural Building, Sustainable Living, Treasure Hunt, Eco-Friendly, Renewable Energy.  ...  The event is slotted for the Sunday before Halloween, the 26th, so it should be a great chance to get the family out and really kick off the Asheville Halloween season. 

CHECK IT OUT: Here's an interesting piece of news that may affect eco-research in colleges near you.

Roland McReynolds, Esq. who is the CFSA Executive Director of Carolina Farm Stewards  shared" "All of us, whatever state we live in, depend on the work of our region's colleges and universities to research sustainable ag. .....one of those institutions, Clemson University, is slashing its highly successful Sustainable Agriculture Program. Clemson's program is a past winner of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association's Institution of the Year award and is a major sponsor of this year's Sustainable Agriculture Conference. "

Roland explains that funding for the USDA's funding for  state integrated programs is gone, and the Clemson organic farm and sustainable ag outreach staff is about to be lost as a result. 

" In the 2008 Farm Bill, a sentence that stated that land grant colleges and universities could "apply for and receive" funds for Cooperative Extension services, " he said, " was changed to state that those institutions can "compete for and receive funds."  

 Students for Environmental Awareness at Clemson has started the petition to convince Clemson administration to provide bridge funding for the farm, and CFSA is asking you to sign on to that petition. The petition is online at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-clemson-sustainable-agriculture.

I watched the video, (see below -LINK)  about a  NOVEMBER 1st deadline to save the 98-year-old farm that's been in the family for four generations.   

Here's an idea: Place an order for a dram of pure peppermint or spearmint essential oil (good for SO many things - headaches, motion sickness, congestion, body aches, hot flashes - ...or some homemade milk or white chocolate almond toffee mint candy... these are at prices ($4-6.50) that would make perfect stocking stuffers, TEACHER GIFTS for those of you who have children, or for coworkers in your office...

AND you would be helping out a family and a tradition that does not deserve to suffer.  Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yFtlrKKfLQ, and go, if you can, hop on over to their website at www.getmint.com  ....

ONLY 2 more days for the October Challenge...let me know who to FEATURE

FOR those of you across the world who love the idea of URBAN fruit trees...here's some great info and a resource knowledgeable about  the cultural and environmental reasons to plant fruit trees in urban areas.

If you want to discover the basics of selecting the right kind of fruit trees for your geographical area, and how to get more involved in getting more fruit trees planted in your home town...
Bill Whipple, aka Professor T. Bud Barkslip, who has been a commercial orchardist for 20 years, may be able to help out.

He  teaches classes on fruit trees and their care.  For more info he can be contacted at whipplebill@hotmail.com

Arlington County Help Affordable Housing Residents Save More Money.

Arlington County are helping affordable housing residents save more money on energy bills and also reducing their green house gas emissions. Last week the county donated 1,000 Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to the residents of affordable housing.  According to the energy star if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars. 

In the long-term this generous donation will not only help residents save money on electricity cost, which is on average about $30 over a bulbs lifetime, but it will also help educate them on the importance of being environmentally focused.

Arlington County won the Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) as a prize in the 2007 Change a Light Campaign. This campaign challenged local residents and businesses to pledge to replace a traditional bulb for a CFL bulb; Arlington County obtained the most pledges.

We know that residents in Arlington County are very environmentally focused, but if you have not already made the change to CFLs, why not make the change this weekend.