Please save the date for Saturday, June 20th for the 2nd Annual South Oak Park Style House Walk. More details will be available soon, but here’s what you need to know now:
Tickets will be available starting June 1, 2009 here at Green Home Experts. More updates are at www.southoakparkstyle.com.
My friend and colleague, Tom Bassett-Dilley, recently rolled out his green garage plans. Tom is an Oak Park resident (and member of the Historic Preservation Commission) and architect whom I adore. You can thank him for the delightful transaction counter at GHE, since he and his associate built it themselves.
Tom is a LEED AP architect who actually knows what he’s talking about. I feel like so many architects are rebranding themselves green these days, but truthfully, they’re just chasing the dollars. Green building is by no means new to Tom, and I enjoy sending customers his way whenever possible–the results are alway stunning. But I digress…
Check out Tom’s Green Garage site to see his plans. Materials use, water conservation, native plantings, and a connection to nature seem to be the focus of his plans. I love the green garage concept. It’s not only a structure, but also an extension of the back garden. Plus, it’s a great answer to those nasty, vinyl-wrapped hunormous garages. Thank you Tom!
I have a far-out idea, but one thing that’s missing is a biodiesel source. Anyone know where one could gas up around here? Thanks for any leads!
Yesterday we had the pleasure of participating in What’s Bloomin’ on Harrison, a street fair in the Arts District of Oak Park. Green Home Experts was represented there, alongside our friend and architect Tom Bassett-Dilley.
Here are notes from our presentation “5 Tips for Remodeling Green to Save Green”
1) Material Reuse
Whenever possible, do not buy new. This eliminates the production of new products and diverts more waste from going into landfills.
2) Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Consider an energy audit to identify the best way to maximize your dollars and lower energy costs. Tighten your home’s envelope, weatherize, and purchase energy-efficient appliances.
3) Utilize Tax Incentives
As part of the stimulus package, the federal government is offering increased incentives for residential and commercial energy efficiency upgrades. Check out our blog post about it here.
4) Remember Water Efficiency
Train your eyes to look for the EPA’s Water Sense logo in the same manner that we know to look for the Energy Star logo on appliances. Cut water costs by purchasing water-efficient toilets, faucets, and showerheads.
5) Landscaping
Save money on fertilizer, water and gasoline with these tips:
Today the Chicago City Council voted to ban baby bottles containing Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical that has been linked to cancer and neurological disorders.
While the FDA still claims that BPA is not harmful, much research has shown a link to BPA and serious health concerns. Municipalities in New York and Minnesota have already banned products with BPA.
See the full article on today’s vote here.
This isn’t exactly dinner table conversation, but perhaps it should be. This article addresses the hazards of mainstream tampons. Because it’s written by the folks at Seventh Generation, the article doesn’t mention reusable options like the DivaCup and GladRags (which we will mention, because we do sell them!) So keep that reusable idea in the back of your head while reading this.
We’re looking for someone with retail experience to help out on the weekends. Must be willing to work Saturdays and/or Sundays and be trustworthy and confident enough to manage the store alone. Some weekday/weeknight hours may become available too.
If you’re interested in seeing a job description and/or applying for the position, please email GoGreen@GHExperts.com with your resume and cover letter.
Thanks!
Thanks to our speakers and guests for your participation and enthusiasm at last night’s Grow it Green! here in the store. I hope everyone will be able to implement some of the helpful information that was shared. As promised, here are the names of the books that were mentioned. If you have any additions, comments, ideas, etc., please feel free to share them in the comments section.
All of these titles are linked to Amazon.com, but we encourage you to buy from your local independent bookstore.
From Asparagus to Zuccini: A guide to Cooking Farm-Fresh Seasonal Produce by Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture
Rodale’s Vegetable Garden Problem Solver by Fern Marshall Bradley
The Midwest Fruit and Vegetable Garden by Jeff Fizzell
Designing the New Kitchen Garden: An American Potager Handbook by Jennifer Bartley
Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening by Louise Riotte
All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew
Suffolk County in New York is now the only municipality in the United States to ban Bisphenol-A, a.k.a. BPA. Check out GreenerChoices.org for the full story.
Be sure to click on the link to petition your state’s legislature to take the same action.
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