This Week in Atlanta

This week is a busy one here in Atlanta.  To start the week off, the local conviviums of Slow Food USA are holding Eat-Ins for the National Day of Action to get Real Food in Our Schools. There are a number of these going on around the area tomorrow.  There are several Beltline 101 sessions going on.  So, if you are living in or plan to live in an area where the Beltline will go through, you have an opportunity to give your input.  There are several networking events this week and we have the Atlanta Arts Festival this weekend.  Try to get out and take part in something this week.  I am planning on attending the Sierra Club Metro Atlanta Chapter meeting on Tuesday.

Sept 7 (Monday)

7am - 4pm - Atlanta Bicycle Coalition - Labor Day Share the Road Challenge

11am - 1pm - Slow Food USA National Day of Action - East Cobb (R)

11am - 2pm - Slow Food USA National Day of Action - Buckhead (R)

12pm - 3pm - Slow Food USA National Day of Action - Atlanta (R)

12pm - 3pm - Slow Food USA National Day of Action - Gwinnett (R)

Sept 8 (Tuesday)

4pm - 8pm - Whistlestop Farmer's Market - Norcross

6pm - 630pm - Westside Beltline 101

6pm - 9pm - US Green Building Council - GA Chapter Green Scene Networking Event (R)

7pm - 9pm - The Homeowner's Guide to Green Remodeling Seminar @ Decatur Library

7pm - 10pm - Sierra Club - Metro Atlanta Chapter Meeting - Will Atlanta have a Beltline?

Sept 9 (Wednesday)

1145am - 130pm - Green Chamber of the South - Green Wednesdays ($,R)
6pm - 630pm - Northside Beltline 101

Sept 10 (Thursday)

Cox Conserves will Announce Its 2009 Local Hero Award Winner

6pm - 10pm - Atlanta Botanical Garden - Cocktails in the Garden ($,R)

7pm - 9pm - Sierra Club & Citizens for Progressive Transit - Hot Planet, Cold Drinks

Sept 11 (Friday)

No Events Scheduled

Sept 12 (Saturday)

8am - 12pm - Lawrenceville Farmer's Market

8am - 12pm - Suwanee Farmer's Market

8am - 1230pm - Alpharetta Farmer's Market

830am - 12pm - Peachtree Road Farmer's Market

9am - 11pm - Kids Fishing Event - Chattahoochee National Recreation Area ($,R)

9am - 12pm - Trees Atlanta - Planting - See Website for Details

9am - 12pm - Serenbe Farmer's Market

9am - 1pm - Piedmont Park Green Market

9am - 4pm - Atlanta Audubon Society - 2009 Wildlife Sanctuary Backyard Tour ($,R)

9am - 5pm - American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association Conference ($,R)

10am - 12pm - Kwanza Hall/GreenCell Community Clean-Up

10am - 7pm - Atlanta Arts Festival

12pm - 1230pm - Southwest Beltline 101

Sept 13 (Sunday)

830am - 3pm - American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association Conference ($,R)

10am - 6pm - Atlanta Arts Festival

3pm - 5pm - Oakhurst Community Garden - Hands On Fall Vegetable Planting ($,R)

6pm - 9pm - An Audubon Evening ($,R)

Ongoing Activities

Tour LEED Certified Chattahoochee Nature Center - Mondays & Thursdays @ 1pm, Sundays @ 4pm (General Admission, Members Free)

Naturalist Led Canoe Trips from the Chattahoochee Nature Center - August - Saturdays 830am - 11am

This Week in Environmental History

$ - Event Costs Money
R - Registration Required
P - Private Event Invite Only
M - Group Membership Required
V - Volunteer Event

If you know of any other events, please add them in the comments.

 

Walk Downtown and Be Rewarded

Next month, yes next month is October, you can earn some bucks by walking if you live and/or work downtown.  They are putting on the Downtown Atlanta Walk there Challenge.  More info from the Downtown TMA Newsletter:

Walk There Challenge in October

If you’re going to walk, then why not be rewarded for it? During the month of October, the Downtown Transportation Management Association (TMA) will present the Walk There Challenge, a FREE program designed to encourage Downtown workers to lace up their shoes and hit the streets to improve their health, help clean up the air and reduce traffic.

Each day participants will log the number of steps they take during the month of October. The Downtown TMA will provide a free pedometer and “walking kit” to the first 1,500 individuals. Then each week a random winner will be selected to receive Downtown-themed prizes and the Downtown stepper with the most steps logged at the end of October gets a grand prize: a night on the town (Downtown, that is!). The grand prize winner will also receive a gift basket of tickets, gift certificates and more. For more information and to sign up go to www.AtlantaDowntown.com.

Peach Bites

Southface Eco Office Officially Opens in Atlanta - The new LEED Platinum certified Southface Eco Office is one of the most efficient office buildings in the world. Oh yeah, it is also Energy Star rated, EarthCraft Light Commercial certified and meets the 2030 Challenge.  MNN

 

Atlantic Station Eyes Electric Cars - Marietta based Long Drive Solar is in talks with The Jacoby Group to possibly supply hundreds of solar powered vehicles to Atlantic Station. The vehicles would range from two seater golf carts to 30 passenger buses. Atlantic Station is looking better and better as a green live, work, play destination. Atlanta Business Chronicle

 

Atlanta Streetcar Can be an Economic Driver - We are big fans of the streetcar project. Obviously, it would be neat to see old style streetcars going up and down Peachtree but many people completely underestimate the economic and residential impact of the south's biggest and most influential business corridor. Having a transit option that could get people that "last mile" from a MARTA station to their home or office would be a big win. Take the Money and Build! AJC

 

We Need a Plan for High-Speed Rail - The most discouraging thing with the whole high speed rail thing is that our city could be a major leader given its location. However, the focus just hasn't been there. Now, we face the possibility of letting Charlotte pass us by on this front. AJC

Kennesaw State Opens "Green" Dining Hall - This is a great step in the right direction for one of our local universities. The facility is huge with 54,000 square feet and is very green with vegan food that is locally sourced served on compostable paper products. The LEED certification will be a plus as well.  AJC

 

Metro Atlanta is Too Good of a Water Steward?? - Apparently, we are too good at conserving water. Too Good!! Now, we're pretty water concious in our family yet I'm sure we could do much better at conserving.  I'm 100% positive that at least 75% of Atlantans don't even think about water conservation. North Fulton.com

Decatur Library Hosting Green Remodeling Seminar Series

We learned about a very interesting series of seminars on green remodeling from the folks at Renewal Design-Build.  The three seminars will be presented by the experts at Renewal Design-Build and will be held at the Decatur Library.  Below is a detailed description of the events that we received from Kelly at Renewal Design-Build:

Topics discussed will be: The Homeowner’s Guide to Green Remodeling, Show Me the Money:Why Green makes Sense for Your Wallet, and Creating a Healthy Home.  The library is even featuring local green experts as speakers. Peter Michelson, CEO of Decatur’s Renewal Design-Build, and Joe Thomas, certified Home Performance Consultant for Renewal System Solutions, will be speaking from their extensive experience with green renovations. Renewal Design-Build is an EarthCraft Renovator of the Year and was even featured on a green remodeling show last summer. “Our hope is that this series will meet the needs of Decatur and Atlanta homeowners, who are interested in going green but may not know where to begin,” says Karen Skellie, coordinator for the Library. “By bringing in green experts who are also local residents, we feel as if the community will really benefit from the speakers’ knowledge on greening homes that are similar to their own.”

The date and description of each seminar are as follows: 

• Tuesday, September 8, 7:00PM: The Homeowner’s Guide to Green Remodeling

Thinking of going green but don’t know where to begin? This seminar will discuss the typical Decatur home’s inefficiencies, some possible solutions, and how incorporating “green” into your home will benefit your wallet, health, and peace of mind.

• Saturday, October 17, 10:00AM: Show Me the Money:Why Green Makes Sense for Your Wallet

This seminar will discuss how certain green improvements to your home will increase energy efficiency and save you money. In addition, you will learn how the most recent green tax credits and rebates will put even more money in your pocket.

• Saturday, November 14, 10:00AM: Creating a Healthy Home

Recent EPA studies have shown that the air in your home may be even more harmful than the air outside. In this seminar, you’ll learn how to improve the indoor air quality of your home and protect your family from indoor air pollutants like gases, chemicals, pests, radon, and carbon monoxide.

Renewal Design-Build, 124 S. Columbia Dr. in Decatur, an EarthCraft Renovator of the Year, provides complete solutions for renovations, additions, kitchens, baths, porches, decks, small projects and repairs.

For more information, call 404.378.6962 or visit the Decatur Library’s website at www.dekalblibrary.org/branches/decatur.html.

This Week in Atlanta

The big event this week is the Green Business Works Expo on Wednesday & Thursday.  I'm also looking forward to seeing what the Atlanta Mayoral Candidates have to say in their Green Transportation Conversation on Monday and at the Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable on Friday.  An interesting but unfortunate piece of environmental history occurred this week as well in 1914.  Martha, the last known passenger pigeon died in captivity in the Cincinnati Zoo.  The story of the passenger pigeon is one of mammoth exploitation and is tragic.  It is interesting to see just how quickly and forcefully, man can impose his will on nature. 

Aug 31 (Monday)

No Events Scheduled

Sept 1 (Tuesday)

4pm - 8pm - Whistlestop Farmer's Market - Norcross

630pm - 730pm - Atlanta Mayoral Candidates Green Transportation Conversation

Sept 2 (Wednesday)

8am - 5pm - GreenBusiness Works Expo

6pm - 8pm - Green Drinks

7pm - 10pm - Southeast Green Kick-Off Party of GreenBusiness Works (R)

Sept 3 (Thursday)

8am - 5pm - GreenBusiness Works Expo

6pm - 10pm - Atlanta Botanical Garden - Cocktails in the Garden ($,R)

6pm - 630pm - Northeast Beltline 101

Sept 4 (Friday)

730am - 9am - Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable - Mayoral Forum on Sustainability and the Environment ($,R)

Sept 5 (Saturday)

8am - 12pm - Lawrenceville Farmer's Market

8am - 12pm - Suwanee Farmer's Market

8am - 1230pm - Alpharetta Farmer's Market

830am - 12pm - Peachtree Road Farmer's Market

9am - 12pm - Trees Atlanta - Planting - See Website for Details

9am - 12pm - Serenbe Farmer's Market

9am - 1pm - Piedmont Park Green Market

Sept 6 (Sunday)

No Events Scheduled

Ongoing Activities

Tour LEED Certified Chattahoochee Nature Center - Mondays & Thursdays @ 1pm, Sundays @ 4pm (General Admission, Members Free)

Naturalist Led Canoe Trips from the Chattahoochee Nature Center - August - Saturdays 830am - 11am

This Week in Environmental History

Sept 1 - Last Passenger Pigeon Dies @ Cincinnati Zoo - 1914

$ - Event Costs Money
R - Registration Required
P - Private Event Invite Only
M - Group Membership Required
V - Volunteer Event

If you know of any other events, please add them in the comments.

This Week in Atlanta

We have some interesting events on tap this week with the kick-off party for hte Green Business Works conference as well as the Community Stabilization and Healthy Housing Summit. Don't forget that the Atlanta City Council will be voting on the proposed sustainable building ordinance.

Aug 24 (Monday)

No Events Scheduled

Aug 25 (Tuesday)

City Council Vote on Proposed Atlanta Sustainable Building Ordinance

4pm - 8pm - Whistlestop Farmer's Market - Norcross

Aug 26 (Wednesday)

7pm - 10pm - Southeast Green Kick-Off Party of GreenBusiness Works (R)

Aug 27 (Thursday)

6pm - 10pm - Atlanta Botanical Garden - Cocktails in the Garden ($,R)

7pm - 9pm - Type-A for Awareness Networking Event (R)

Aug 28 (Friday)

8pm - 11pm - Atlanta Botanical Garden - SunTrust Concerts in the Garden (R,$)

Aug 29 (Saturday)

8am - 12pm - Lawrenceville Farmer's Market

8am - 12pm - Suwanee Farmer's Market

8am - 1230pm - Alpharetta Farmer's Market

8am - 1pm - John's Creek Household Hazardous Waste Recycling (R)

830am - 12pm - Peachtree Road Farmer's Market

9am - 12pm - Trees Atlanta - Planting - See Website for Details

9am - 12pm - Serenbe Farmer's Market

9am - 1pm - Piedmont Park Green Market

10am - 5pm - The Community Stabilization and Healthy Housing Summit (R)

Aug 30 (Sunday)

10am - 2pm - Slow Food at Le Cordon Bleu Atlanta - Summer Harvest

Ongoing Activities

Tour LEED Certified Chattahoochee Nature Center - Mondays & Thursdays @ 1pm, Sundays @ 4pm (General Admission, Members Free)

Naturalist Led Canoe Trips from the Chattahoochee Nature Center - August - Saturdays 830am - 11am

This Week in Environmental History

Aug 25 - Drake Strikes Oil in Pennsylvania - 1859

Aug 26 - Krakatoa Erupts Killing Over 36,000 - 1883

Aug 29 - An Inconvenient Truth Opens in Thailand - 2006

$ - Event Costs Money
R - Registration Required
P - Private Event Invite Only
M - Group Membership Required
V - Volunteer Event

Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday Coming Up

Qualified energy efficient products will be free of state or local sales tax from Thursday, October 1 through Sunday, October 4, 2009. A broad selection of ENERGY STAR products up to $1,500 are included. Specifically, the sales tax exemption applies to ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers, clothes washers, room air conditioners, ceiling fans, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, programmable thermostats, refrigerators, doors and windows.

Additionally, some water efficient products that carry the WATER SENSE logo will also be sales tax free. These products include bathroom sink faucets and faucet accessories (such as aerators), showerheads, high-efficiency toilets, high-efficiency urinals, and weather or sensor-based irrigation controllers. To learn more about WATER SENSE, visit http://www.epa.gov/watersense.

If you are already in the market to replace a appliance or pick up a new one, hold off a little longer to take advantage of the savings. Typically, retailers have tacked on additional savings for this event so keep your eyes open.

For more info, check out the consumers guide to the sales tax holiday

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Get some great discounts at our state parks

Save your “green” and enjoy an affordable vacation in Georgia's great outdoors!

Georgia State Parks is offering "Lodge-ical" rates for their lodges that are starting at $69 per night. These rates are available at George T. Bagby State Park on Lake Walter F. George, Little Ocmulgee State Park in McRae and Red Top Mountain State Park on Lake Allatoona. The Lodge-ical rate at Amicalola Falls State Park near Dawsonville and Unicoi State Park near Helen start at $79.

These are great rates for a quick, fun getaway.

You can make your reservations with the new lower Lodge-ical rate by calling 1-800-864-PARK (7275). More information on accommodations, amenities, and meeting spaces at Georgia State Park Lodges can be found at GA Lodges or
Georgia State Parks

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

BeltLine at the Braves

Tuesday, Sept. 15 is BeltLine at the Braves night. The game starts at 7:00 p.m. Half of the proceeds for tickets purchased through the BeltLine.org website will benefit the BeltLine Partnership Capital Campaign. The BeltLine Partnership and other organizations that support the BeltLine will be in attendance with information booths before and during the game.

Order Tickets

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

This Week in Atlanta

Sorry for the hiatus last week. Bringing a child into this world is not conducive to blogging. This week has a good amount of events on tap for the green community.

Aug 17 (Monday)

No Events Scheduled

Aug 18 (Tuesday)

4pm - 6pm - Atlanta Green Communicators - Educating Marketers & Audiences on Green

4pm - 8pm - Whistlestop Farmer's Market - Norcross

6pm - 630pm - Southeast Beltline 101

Aug 19 (Wednesday)

6pm - 10pm - Whiskey Blue Goes Green Launch Party ($,R)

Aug 20 (Thursday)

6pm - 8pm - Beltline Quarterly Briefing
6pm - 10pm - Atlanta Botanical Garden - Cocktails in the Garden ($,R)
7pm - 9pm - EcoEmporium - How to Set Up a Non-Toxic Baby Nursery w/ Heather TubbsAug 21 (Friday)
1130am - 130pm - GreenPlate.org - Panelist Discussion - Lunch and Learn ($,R)
1130am - 130pm - Green Chamber - Sourcing Green Packaging for your Business ($,R)
Aug 22 (Saturday)

8am - 12pm - Lawrenceville Farmer's Market

8am - 12pm - Suwanee Farmer's Market

8am - 1230pm - Alpharetta Farmer's Market

830am - 12pm - Peachtree Road Farmer's Market

9am - 12pm - Trees Atlanta - Planting - See Website for Details

9am - 12pm - Serenbe Farmer's Market

9am - 1pm - Piedmont Park Green Market

1pm - 2pm - Whole Foods Market Buckhead - Whole Living Lifestyle Workshop

Aug 23 (Sunday)

9am - 12pm - Atlanta Bicycle Coalition - Stone Mountain Bike & Hike

Ongoing Activities

Tour LEED Certified Chattahoochee Nature Center - Mondays & Thursdays @ 1pm, Sundays @ 4pm (General Admission, Members Free)

Naturalist Led Canoe Trips from the Chattahoochee Nature Center - August - Saturdays 830am - 11am

This Week in Environmental History

No events of note

$ - Event Costs Money
R - Registration Required
P - Private Event Invite Only
M - Group Membership Required
V - Volunteer Event