community news: Eco All Star August Localism Challenge- Oh My!
- 09/03/08 02:36 AM
ECO-All-Starsmoderators, Stephanie, Mary and I concocted an appetizing Summer "dish" in the Eco-All-Stars (monthly) August Challenge. Eco All Star August Challenge
This "entree" is designed to gentle us into the workings of Localism...as Steph pointed out...
" The NEW Localism is all about talking WITH the consumer not TO the consumer. So, how can WE as a group provide approved content to Localism, provide the consumer with amazing LOCAL information....
And get them involved with the site, blog, comments...It's about making connections. Finding like minded people in the community that want to share information as well?
The contest had been extended … (7 comments)
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community news: Asheville's Green Real Estate, Buyers' Brokers & LAND BUYS THAT LOOK TO THE FUTURE
- 11/25/07 08:01 AM
For the past many years,I and my investors and clients have been engaged in locating and acquiring land buys with an eye to the future.
In almost any season, folks from down south, and north, and west, and yes, even from Eastern North Carolina's magnificent ocean shores head for the mountains and beautiful rural farmlands of Western North Carolina. In the summer, the fresh cool air is particularly welcoming, but I love all four of our seasons. For those who have discovered the lands I love, there's no doubt that investing in Land right now is a smart move for the future.
photo … (13 comments)
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community news: Charles Eliot, The "Human-Scale" Architect I'd Like to Thank in GREEN for Changing the World!
- 11/21/07 07:22 AM
Today I send a happy bow of thanks to Charles Eliot, one very talented arhitect who found himself on the grounds of a castle in Europe and, drinking in the "energy of the place" managed to put it all in perspective and thus change the world.
Like many others, this man believed that buildings and their architectural features must be taken in context; must be appreciated from the viewpoint of the land on which they stand.
From this viewpoint, human beings remain in the equation,and from-it, too, the eco-friendly traits we all can enjoy emanate... .
So today,thankfully, I'm telling the story of the Father of … (12 comments)
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community news: Native Traditions-Contemporary Life, Part III. Sustainable Community
- 10/28/07 02:46 PM
If you are following this three-part series you might recall that I suggested that we might choose to weave threads of Native wisdom and traditions into a contemporary tapestry. Then our lives and times could by seen in the larger context.
Referring to traditional Native governing techniques, for example, we would note that villages were governed democratically. Adults gathered to discuss matters of import in the council house; members of a community sat with and learned from the Elders. Effective remedies for life in the region were introduced and applied.
And this is the subject of Part III , this post -- the … (10 comments)
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community news: Native Traditions. Contemporary Life. Part 1
- 10/14/07 02:38 AM
Especially at this time of year ,when we are gathering together to talk with our neighbors beneath the brilliant tresses of maple trees, perhaps discussing the harvest, perhaps a season of plenty, native traditions appear like colorful threads in the tapestry of contemporary life.
Yes...this year in the valley near our home in Guaxule (the Cherokee name for Asheville, North Carolina) a black bear raised three cubs, the wild turkey family, male, female and seven chicks roamed undisturbed, rabbits scooted here and there while hawks kept an attentive eye. At least one coyote howled loud enough to wake visiting grandkids.
Life outdid itself right out our … (40 comments)
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community news: Love MAPS?
- 07/05/07 10:06 AM
I don't know about you, but I LOVE maps!I love unwrapping them the night before a journey into places unknown, spreading them out, full-paged, on the kitchen table. It makes me smile to gather "the crew" around those cartograms and talk into the night about a mutual adventure that is just around the bend.
Context. That is exactly what maps provide. If you are out on the road, feeling lost and all alone in some mysterious land far from familiar city lights, all you need to do is park under a weeping willow by a bubbling brook and get out your map.
Keeping in mind … (27 comments)
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community news: Tailgate Markets Mean Fresh Picks and Fun for the Family
- 07/03/07 12:44 AM
Not too long ago, our local farmers, artisans, craftspeople and music-makers got together to create one of the treasures of our sustainable community here in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
They formed the Mountain Tailgate Market Association(MTMA) in 2002. Their collaborative effort with sustainable agriculture as its seminal force brings more than fresh food, artisan crafts of the area's farmers, artists, bakers, food processors, and other products made by local vendors.
The weekly tailgate markets they conceived now bring a sense of community --the chance to spend time with your neighbors delighting in your "green roots" . This seems to be something that everyone cherishes.
(logo courtesy of … (4 comments)
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community news: HORSE & Home: Can a HORSE FACILITY Be Eco-Friendly?
- 06/22/07 01:34 AM
You may have read my post on creating an eco-friendly barn/stables in which I told the story of our client, the avid equestrian, "Doc" . She stopped in to visit and to talk about "Energy"-- specifically Energy Star Rated buildings that might work for her horse barn construction project.
That really got us thinking. Right away, I dropped an email on over to AR's Tricia Jumonville and Janie Coffey who commented and gave Doc's project some ECO-juice. Don't ya' just love it when the gang gets together to brainstorm about healthy living space remedies?That got me thinking about all our horse farm clients … (13 comments)
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community news: SMART GROWTH for Asheville
- 05/17/07 03:55 PM
We are a vocal community here in Asheville, very much involved in what is happening in the way of development and plans for positive futures for all concerned. One example, the Downtown Association just released this item:
News Release Urban Advisors Lecture of Economic Growth for Downtown Asheville For Immediate Release
In an effort to support the Downtown Commission's goal of crafting a Downtown Master Plan, The Downtown Association, City of Asheville and Quality Forward are offering a free seminar May 24, 2007 at 5:30 pm at The Asheville Community Theater for all interested parties. Ed Starkie with Urban Advisors, LTD from Portland Oregon will be the guest … (13 comments)
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community news: Local Growers Score Big with Food Lovers
- 05/09/07 09:01 AM
Love really fresh food that is really, really good for you? Here's information about a safe and nutritious food supply produced, marketed and distributed in a eco-wise way; that adds value to rural and urban communities, alike, right here in North Carolina. The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP), a nonprofit organization, supports farmers and rural communities. The Project provides education, mentoring, and community development. Follow the link to a partial list of local growers you may want to get to know!
Blue Hill Organic FarmFullam CreameryGreen Toe Ground FarmHickory Nut Gap FarmLet It Grow Organic GardensPalmer Ford OrganicsSunburst TroutWhistlepig FarmYellow Branch FarmZimmerman Berry Farm
IF you would … (18 comments)
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community news: North Carolina's Positive Futures
- 05/06/07 01:12 PM
If you make your home in North Carolina, you will find many a grassroots organization at work in communities across the State. Most promote stewardship in the form of "Smart Growth, sustainable development and/or the protection and to preservation of natural habitats, land, water and air resources.
Most recognize and offer educational opportunities. Weaving threads of possibility into the fabric that nature and personal responsibility provide, they groups hope to achieve positive futures. Here are just a few of the issues in which grassroots organizations, local governments and neighborhood activists involve themselves.
Air QualityEnergyForest managementHazardous WasteLand Use PlanningNuclear WasteMountain Slope DevelopmentSustainabilityWater QualityWith … (0 comments)
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community news: Green Building Council is Doing it Again!
- 04/18/07 05:05 AM
The WNC Green Building Council is doing it again!! Offering a design a green home course in Asheville, NC, that is! Interested real estate investors from across the State and a number of our clients plan to attend this Three-Day Design a Green Home Course that begins June 20 at the NC Arboretum.
One of our favorite resources is teaching the course. That's Marcus Renner of Appropriate Building Solutions, Inc. Marcus not only teaches sustainable construction at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. but has solid experience as a green builder.
One of our resources for clients relocating to the Greater Asheville area who are … (11 comments)
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community news: Habitat for Humanity & Community Volunteer REALTOR® Challenge!
- 04/10/07 12:32 AM
I posted an article on Habitat for Humanityand REALTOR® involvement on a home here in the Asheville, N.C. area for which our own Corey Atherton is the point person.
"Through the dedication and energy of a group of real estate professionalsled by our own Active Rain Member, and ECO-All-Star, Corey Atherton, one Family's dream is about to come true , " I wrote.
THREE CHEERS FOR COREY!
We have quite a conversation going on that article, and it has opened up to a CHALLENGE to all real estate and real estate-related professionals!
Here's how the CHALLENGE came about: This morning I replied to a comment Ginger Sala, another … (22 comments)
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community news: Let's Get Together and Relax! The Sustainable North Carolina Land and Green Home Style.
- 04/02/07 05:14 PM
Let's Get Together and Relax! The Sustainable North Carolina GREEN Homes & Land Way... dateline~ Asheville, North Carolina(Buncombe County).
Would you agree that there's a lot happeningaround the world these days? -- A lot happening around the U.S.A., in Your State, Your Home Town, and in Your Neighborhood? Sometimes all that's happening could make your toes curl...if it were not for a timely sojourn down to the "pond" ...to which the gentleman pictured to your right will undoubtedly attest!. "Let's get together and just relax for a bit...Carolina Home Style," he'll tell you. " Happenings from that prespective can be remedies to everyday stress."
YOU ARE HEREBY INVITED to relax … (9 comments)
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community news: How the Good Old French Broad Got Her Name
- 02/16/07 10:54 AM
You may cross her time and again, the sometimes swift and sometimes rebellious, and sometimes welcoming French Broad. "WHAT River is THAT?" my clients ask...and I tell them.."THAT'S the French Broad...again!It seems the French Broad River is ever-present around here...and it takes special care...even has a River Keeper. (see link below) He's the person to ask serious questions about it, but I do know a few things that might interest you...such as where she starts and to where she flows... and,see for yourself (in the photo to the right).how generous she is
Ask most of the folks around here and they can tell you that the … (9 comments)
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community news: PRIMETIME Stars "GREEN" Sundance Channel Due in 2007
- 01/17/07 07:09 AM
So I've been pretty "star struck" with discovering "trends" we could well take stock of lately. Here's my latest fascinating news. HEY! This is as good as getting on great snow before all the other skiers, and flying down the mountain while it's pure white and almost untouched. You'll see why I'm using the ski analogy in a second.... A "weekly primetime destination focusing on environmental topics" is due to launch in 2007. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia....
Here is a STAR, Redford Redford, who not only is creative, talented, handsome...but generous...and he has a clue when it comes to "green trends" the future. His SUNDANCE RESORT outside of Provo, … (16 comments)
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community news: Growing Trend Toward Green-Builts
- 01/06/07 10:34 AM
It is empowering to be part of the growing trend toward green-built homes here in Asheville, NC. (see photo of green-built home)
It is exciting to participate in sustainable practices "meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs."
My clients tell me they really want to play a part in helping to preserve the natural beauty here in the Greater Asheville, N.C. Area. To take good care of your bioregion, the place in which you live and work, is something I believe that everyone wants to do. Through eco-wise choice making, … (21 comments)
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community news: ASHEVILLE, Embraced by Mountains, Fed by Rivers, this is Real Property Investing at Its Finest
- 01/02/07 10:46 AM
Where can you find gourmet vegetarian dishes served by candlelight, and a smorgasbord of goodies for the culturally-inspired? Why in Asheville, North Carolina, of course. Embraced by mountains, fed by rivers, and admired by all who come to visit, this could be the opportunity of which real estate investors dream. Asheville is both welcoming and exciting, both growing and with stable roots.
This is not only an investment opportunity, but a home place with the compelling combinationof city amenities and village charm. (see photo)
Sounds great, but what do you do around here? Here are just a few chooices.
1. Take Day Trips! Explore … (5 comments)
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community news: Life in Corporate HQ or Promises of Romance & Prosperity in a B&B? Ask Your REALTOR® (Part 2)
- 12/07/06 01:26 PM
As REALTOR ® who loves the mountain landscapes , historic homes now converted to successful Inns and prosperous B&Bs nestled in Asheville, N.C., and nearby in picturesque villages have a special appeal for me.
As the former owner of a "green renovation" B&B Homestay, I can recommend the B&B business--but only to my clients who enter it with eyes wide open, even if the building is green-built and new.
Whether investing in a new or restored building, or possibly one you will restore due diligence is essential.
It is also essential to know for sure that this business is for you.I can tell you for … (6 comments)
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community news: ~ Asheville (Buncombe County and Surrounds) North Carolina~ Adventures in the Dazzling Provinces of the Blue Ridge (part 2)..
- 11/25/06 07:14 AM
This year in the valley near our home in Asheville a black bear raised three, yes three! cubs, Mom and Pop Wild Turkey and their eleven chicks roamed undisturbed, rabbits scooted here and there, and at least one coyote howled loud enough to wake visiting grandkids. Life outdid itself right out our back door. It's easy to get close to nature here, it's easy to be IN nature just by looking out the window. Hiking, horseback riding, sharing celebrations by fireside under the stars with family and friends seems to be a "given" in the Grater Asheville area of Western North … (10 comments)
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ECO-All-Starsmoderators, Stephanie, Mary and I concocted an appetizing Summer "dish" in the Eco-All-Stars (monthly) August Challenge. Eco All Star August Challenge
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