Win $250 — nonprofit workspace survey

Nonprofit organizations can help shape new workspace in Bethesda and win $250!

Graceful Growing Together, Inc. (GGT) is planning a new nonprofit-focused space in downtown Bethesda and wants to know how it could serve your organization in the years to come. GGT is asking those working with nonprofit organizations to take its online survey and share information about their future space needs with its planning team.  The survey takes about 5 minutes to complete.

Everyone who completes the survey by March 30, 2012, will be entered into a drawing to win a $250 grant for their organization. Your response is not binding for any obligation but will assist with planning for nonprofit space in Bethesda for future generations.

The survey is ready to complete online. Nonprofit organizations throughout the area are encouraged to respond.

 

Local Green News and Events, Sunday, October 24

Here’s what’s going on in green.

• Bethesda Green Gala Coverage: Our first Gala was a huge success! We’ll be posting a recap soon. The heart of the event was the presentation of the Bethesda Magazine Green Awards, all of whom will be profiled in the magazine’s November/ December issue. Read about one of the winners in this Montgomery Gazette story about Noah Katz, who placed first in the 18-and-younger category. Other gala mentions we’ve seen include  nice blog kudos from Bethesda Bungalows.
• Flavor Magazine published a profile of BG Executive Director Dave Feldman and the Green Business Incubator.
• Go Green, Get Green Rebates Set to Begin in D.C. – The long-awaited DC ENERGY STAR appliance rebate program launches  October 25.  Any D.C. resident who replaces an existing appliance with a new Energy Star appliance is eligible for the rebate. For example, you can get between $100 and $125 for purchasing an energy efficient clothes washer.  You can also get up to $300 for an energy efficient water heater.
• Think Local First DC has a new website. This D.C. group’s mission is to work with independent businesses, consumers and policymakers to grow a sustainable, local economy in Washington DC. Check it out at thinklocalfirstdc.com.

Green Events

• October 28 — Green Remodeling for Your Home and Business
  This class takes place at Montgomery College-Silver Spring campus.
  What does “green remodeling” really mean when you’re just redoing a bathroom or updating your kitchen?  In this class, learn about every-day, real-world tips, techniques, and strategies that you can implement right away in your next home remodeling project.  Taught by the Green Building Institute.
  When: 7-9 p.m.  Cost: $55 registration
• November 4 – BG First Thursday Happy Hour: A Gulf Coast Tribute
  Join us Thursday, Nov. 4, from 5-8 p.m at Louisiana Kitchen for casual conversation and a Special Tribute to Gulf Coast Restoration Efforts. Bethesda Green is partnering with Gulf Savers, a nonprofit initiative that delivers native marsh grass to help restore the Gulf Coast ecosystem, and Voice of the Wetlands, a nonprofit focused on driving awareness about the loss of the wetlands in southern Louisiana. Contribution at the door: $10; Dedicated donations of $25 cover delivery of one Gulf Saver Native March Grass Bag. RSVP via Meetup.
• November 6-7 – Maryland Green Show
  Sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Maryland and the Maryland Residential Green Building Council, this event aims to educate the public on how in these tough economic times, going green can save green! The show features more than 125 exhibitors from across the Mid-Atlantic region, plus speakers and demonstrations. Come learn everything about saving energy, saving water and most importantly, saving money!
  Where: Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium.
• November 10 — Clean and Renewable Energy: Geothermal and Wind Energy
  This class takes place at Montgomery College-Germantown campus.
  Learn how these energy sources can benefit your home or business, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Taught by the Green Building Institute. When:  7-9 p.m.  Cost: $55 registration

 

Register to Attend the Bethesda Green Gala, October 7!

Bethesda Green Gala

Here at Bethesda Green, our mission is to serve as a model for environmentally sustainable living and business practices — and to grow new green businesses in our Bethesda Green Business Incubator. We provide information to people and organizations about reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, and building cleaner, healthier communities; and we help guide the nascent green firms in our program.

Now we want to recognize the environmental efforts of the Green Champions in our community, those people, businesses, other organizations and communities that are walking the walk when it comes to green living and business practices.

Please join us for a celebration!

Bethesda Green Gala

Thursday, October 7

6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Imagination Stage in Bethesda

“An evening of inspiration, celebration and recognition of local green champions, highlighted by the presentation of the 2010 Bethesda Magazine Green Awards.”

The evening will include the presentation of the inaugural Bethesda Magazine Green Awards, heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and a dessert reception. Plus we’ll have a silent auction of environmentally friendly gifts and services.

We received more than 120 nominations for the Bethesda Magazine Green Awards. From these, a panel of judges chose 7 winners in 5 categories:  People 18 and younger, people 19 and older, communities promoting and implementing green practices, businesses or non-profits that have created innovative green products or green services, and businesses or non-profits that have significantly incorporated green practices into their culture and operations.

Come out and celebrate green achievements! Visit the Bethesda Green Gala web page for details and registration information.

See you October 7!

 

Local Green News and Events for August 30

Here’s a bit of what’s been happening in green and what’s upcoming.

• Maryland Reduces Solar Incentives–Last week the Maryland Energy Administration decreased solar grant amounts, in an effort to make the incentives available to more people. The popular program awarded 2,000 grants in fiscal year 2010 and several hundred more await approval. In order to stretch its solar-grant budget, MEA reduced the amounts it will award for solar photovoltaic and solar hot water systems. Get More Info
• George Washington Named One of Top 100 Green Campuses–The current issue of Sierra magazine ranks GW University No. 57 in the Sierra Club’s ranking of “Cool Schools”–colleges doing the most in terms of environmental sustainability, among schools that filled out a Sierra Club questionnaire. Some other local schools were rated out of the top 100: Goucher College (116), University of Richmond (119), and University of Maryland, Baltimore County (158).
• County Reaches Agreement With WGES Regarding Misleading Advertising Claims–In early August, the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection secured an agreement with Washington Gas Energy Services (WGES) to correct some misleading claims in its advertising. WGES is an electricity provider competing with PEPCO. The county found WGES misled consumers with claims of “guaranteed savings” and “a guaranteed low electricity price,” while comparing its offers to incorrect descriptions of PEPCO offers. WGES agreed to change its advertising, but admitted no wrongdoing.
• Are Organic Eggs Safer? With the recent recall of more than 500 million eggs, many from big farms in Iowa, you may be wondering whether organic eggs are safer due to the way they are produced. CNN investigated this topic (video).

Local Green Events

• Sept. 1-3, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.–Sweetgreen Job Fair, Reston, Va.–Sweetgreen, a local salad and yogurt concept (and a Bethesda Green small-business sponsor) is looking for creative, charismatic and hardworking individuals to join their rapidly expanding team. Join them at  Reston Town Center this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to learn more about this opportunity!
• Sept. 2, 5:00-8:00 p.m.–Bethesda Green First Thursday Happy Hour! Gather with us at Yamas Mediterranean Grill, 4806 Rugby Ave. in Bethesda, for casual conversation and social networking. This monthly event rotates venues, but has turned out to be most sustainable!
• Sept. 22 — Car Free Day Metro DC — Go Car Free or Car-Lite and make a difference for a day by bicycling, walking, teleworking, carpooling, vanpooling or taking transit. Pledge today and you’re automatically entered into a raffle for cool prizes!

 

Shredding It in Bethesda for Security and the Environment

By Beverly Firme, guest blogger

A man dumps documents at the Community Shred, August 15. (Photo by Beverly Firme)

The Bethesda Row Community Shred, sponsored by Bethesda Row, Equinox Fitness and  Bethesda Green and held at Bethesda Lane and Elm Street on Sunday, August 15, was an opportunity for local residents to bring papers and documents to discard and shred in a secure way.  Remember how rainy it was that day?  The downpour did not deter people from coming out with bags of papers to shred.  Someone pulled up every few minutes and got out of their car with bags – and sometimes bags and bags and bags – of papers.

A crew from Clean Cut Shredding was on hand to get the paper into bins and then to their on-site shredding truck for shredding.  “It’s important that we help the community,” said Dawn Jessel, Public Relations Manager.  A subsidiary of Georgetown Paper Stock of Rockville, the company provides document shredding for area businesses and private homes.  Clean Cut Shredding provides a high level of security and privacy when it comes to shredding papers.

“We have locks on our containers, and they are locked at all times.  Our bins are padlocked with unique combinations to ensure security.  The truck we have is state-of-the-art”, said Larry Etman, Director of Clean Cut Shredding.  “It enables us to take the paper from the container to the shredder without us having to touch it.  We have no idea what’s going in there.”

Shredding papers and documents is serious business.  Identity theft is a growing concern – most of us know someone who was had their identity stolen and all are at risk.  The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.

Shredding does help protect against identity theft, but there’s an environmental reason for shredding documents as well:  It makes recycling personal documents easier.  Clean Cut Shredding shreds all paper into confetti-sized pieces, and then recycles the confetti into household paper products. So, you can protect yourself and the environment by making shredding a regular part of your routine.

After the event, Etman reported they shredded close to 3 tons of paper (5,500 lbs) that day, which works out to 47 trees saved!

Many residents asked about the next Community Shred as they emptied their bags into the bins.  Stay tuned – Clean Cut Shredding is glad to consider additional Community Shreds if there is interest and need.  We’ll keep you posted!

 

Local Green News and Events for August 18

Here’s what’s happening in green in Bethesda, Montgomery County and environs.

• Stormwater Group Urges Increase in Fines–The Montgomery County Stormwater Partners Network wants the county to double fines for violating sediment control and illegal dumping laws. Sediment and pollution harm local creeks and affect the Chesapeake Bay. The current fine for a low-level, “Class A” offense is $500.
• Retailers’ Open Door Policy: Enticement or Just Waste of Energy? Some Bethesda stores leave their doors open on hot summer days in order to lure shoppers inside. Bethesda Green suggests an alternative approach.
• Vegans Find Oasis at Café Green–New D.C. restaurant offers healthful, mostly organic menu.
• Rainscapes Rewards Rebates Return! After many inquiries concerning the release date of the new Montgomery County RainScapes Rebate application, the new process and approved rebate amounts are now available!  Notice that there are several changes to the process.  The RainScapes program promotes and implements projects on residential, institutional, and commercial properties to reduce stormwater pollution. Applications can be downloaded by visiting:  www.rainscapes.org or via the rebate page.
• Water Quality Control Survey: Add Your Two Cents–Did you know the county Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is creating an improvement strategy that involves you?  Please take a minute to tell DEP your thoughts so that they can provide the best service to County residents and improve the health of our watersheds.  Take the Survey
• ‘Hooray for the Bay’ Contest Highlights Benefits of Bay Plates–The Chesapeake Bay Trust is sponsoring a contest to raise awareness of the importance of Bay license plates. Ninety percent of the revenues from the sale of these plates goes directly toward Bay restoration and education programs. You can enter by writing and submitting a brief “Why I Love the Bay” message, or texting “BAYPLATE” to 24587, or submitting photograph one of 100 “Bay Factoid” signs planted in public places around the state. You could win a free Bay plate or $2,500! Get Complete Rules and Submit Entry

Local Green Events

• Aug. 21, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – 19th Annual Native Plant Seminar & Sale at Irvine Nature Center — This event features lectures, workshops and a native plant sale. (Get Event Brochure-PDF) Cost is $60 for Irvine members, $70 for non-members. This native plant event is a favorite of the WhereYouArePlanted blog, a BG friend. Event Location: The seminar will be at Garrison Forest School, 300 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, Md.; the sale will be at Irvine Nature Center, 11201 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117. Phone: 443-738-9200
• Aug. 26, 4-5:30 p.m. – Bethesda Green 101 – This monthly sessions for newcomers provides an introduction to Bethesda Green and ways to get involved as a volunteer or intern. More Info

 

Local Green News and Events for Tuesday, July 20

Here’s what’s in green news this week.

• Optimism Reigns at Md. Green Economy Forum – State government officials and business leaders from green companies sounded upbeat about the prospects for creating and retaining more green jobs in Maryland, at the state’s first Green Economy Forum last week. The event’s centerpiece was the release of a report by the governor’s Green Jobs & Industry Task Force. The report identified six recommendations to create and retain green jobs, support clean and renewable energy, protect Maryland’s communities and preserve the state’s natural resources.
• Maryland Markets Hotels to Green-Minded Guests – State program names the Marriott Inn & Conference Center, University of Maryland University College in Adelphi, as its first “Green Travel Partner.”
• Silver Spring’s NOAA a Leader in BP Oil Cleanup – Employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Silver Spring have often been working 16-hour days, 7 days a week, to map the flow of oil-contaminated water, alert commercial ships of clean water routes, set up ship-cleaning stations to prevent the spread of oil and deal with the catastrophic environmental impact of the BP oil spill.
• Building an Ultra-efficient Car for XPrize Contest – The entry from a team of mechanics and engineers from Lynchburg, Va., reached the final round in the Progressive Automotive X Prize contest, an international competition to build the first car that can go 100 miles on a gallon of gas and at least 200 miles without refueling.
• Chevy Volt Will Carry 8-Year Battery Warranty – GM announced last week that the primarily electric Chevy Volt, due in showrooms this fall, will come with an 8-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty.

Local Green Events

• July 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Pepco 2010 D.C. Appliance Swap: Customers can bring in old, inefficient appliances that Pepco will safely recycle at no cost to the customer. Pepco will also be handing out applications for and information about available rebates on the purchase of certain ENERGY STAR ® qualified appliances. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win a $1,000 Home Depot gift card! Location: Home Depot at 901 Rhode Island Ave., NE.
• July 24-25, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Montgomery County’s 21st Annual Farm Tour and Harvest Sale – Spend a day or two in the country petting farm animals or having lunch by a scenic pond. Purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants and more. Pick your own at some farms! Visit one or more of 14 participating farms (and one vineyard)–including one farm (Button Farm Living History Center) run by a Bethesda Green Incubator organization,The Menare Foundation.
• July 26, 8-9:30 a.m. – Introduction to the Montgomery County Green Business Certification Program – Takes place at the BCC Chamber of Commerce, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1204, Bethesda. The session will also cover an introduction to Bethesda Green and Montgomery College’s Sustainability Practitioner Certificate.
• July 29, 4-5:30 p.m. – Bethesda Green 101 – This monthly session provides the history of Bethesda Green and information about how to get involved as a volunteer or intern.

 

Local Green News and Events for Monday, July 12

Here are some of the latest green news stories and events for Bethesda and Montgomery County, Maryland.

• Restaurants Brace for Gulf Oil Spill Fears: Potential customers want to know if seafood is available and whether it is tainted or not, according to this article in the Montgomery Gazette.
• Some BP Stations See Drop in Sales Due to Oil Spill Backlash: Local station owners say anger is misplaced; some endure reduction in business up to 50 percent. AAA says sales have fallen across the nation.
• Grass-roots Gripes About Artificial Turf Gain Traction: After being pushed by concerned parents and environmental groups, the Montgomery County Council has asked three county agencies to conduct a study of the costs, risks and benefits of artificial turf fields versus natural grass fields.
• How to Conquer the Invasive Lionfish? Eat It Until It’s Gone: The relentless invasive predator is decimating coral-reef ecosystems in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The solution for this endangered species, according to a Washington Post story: Catch and sauté it, until it’s gone from its non-native range.
• Goldman, Bethesda Green Among Washington’s Green Giants: Washingtonian Magazine has a “Green Giants” online feature that includes Bethesda Green co-founder Seth Goldman. The print edition (May issue?) also mentions BG Executive Director Dave Feldman.

Local Green Events

• July 13, 6:30 p.m. — RePower at Home Meeting in Bethesda: Montgomery County Kick Off meeting of RePower at Home at the Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd. Learn how to make energy improvements in your home a breeze.  RePower at Home explores ways to reduce home energy usage. Repower at Home is project of the Alliance for Climate Protection, a national nonprofit group. RSVP to Brenna Muller, brenna.muller (at) climateprotect.org.
• July 13, 7-9 p.m. — Green Night Out with Green DMV — This fundraiser for non-profit group Green DMV features Van Jones and will be hosted by NBC4’s Wendy Rieger. Green DMV promotes clean energy and green jobs in low-income communities across America as a pathway out of poverty. Takes place at the Longview Gallery, 1234 9th Street, NW.
• July 14, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. — RainScapes Overview Program Class: This class will be a general overview of the RainScapes program with special emphasis to landscape contractors but all are welcome to attend to learn more about the program. Class highlights will include Rainscapes techniques design criteria, how to earn and properly fill out a Rebate application as well as an introduction into program opportunities in the Targeted Neighborhoods in the County.
  The class will be held at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center in Bethesda at 4805 Edgemoor Lane, 2nd floor from 9am-1pm.  Pre-requisite: Must have attended a previous training course to attend.  To register and get info, e-mail Rainscapes.application@montgomerycountymd.gov.
• July 27 and 28, 7-8:30 p.m. — Help Shape the Future of Parks and Recreation in Montgomery County! Montgomery Parks, M-NCPPC, and the Montgomery County Recreation Department are hosting public meetings to share the results of Vision2030 research, and to seek public feedback on how best to address key issues and needs identified through our survey and focus groups. Input will help guide the long-term planning for our county’s parks and recreation services, facilities, and programs.  For more information go to:  http://visionmontgomery2030.org/.  There will be two sessions:

1. Tuesday, July 27, 7-8:30 pm, Park and Planning Headquarters, 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
2. Wednesday, July 28, 7-8:30 pm, Upcountry Regional Services Center, Room A, 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown

 

WSSC Lifts Water Restrictions

As of Tuesday morning, July 6, WSSC lifted water restrictions that had been in effect for five days in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

WSSC says the pipe replacement in Potomac is complete and water safety standards have been met.  Customers can return to normal usage.

Work to restore the dig site on Tuckerman Lane will continue for several days.  WSSC wants to thank the residents and motorists in the area for their patience. Visit WSSCwater.com for more info.

Even though the restrictions are gone, you can still conserve water! Check out these resources:

• Water Conservation Tips (WSSC)
• WaterSense (EPA)
• Water: Use It Wisely (Alliance for Water Efficiency)

 

BG’s Dave Feldman Helps Ring Open Bethesda FreshFarm Market

Bell ringers--including BG's Dave Feldman (white shirt) and County Councilmember Roger Berliner (center, with jacket and green cap)--open the Bethesda FreshFarm Market, June 19.

One week ago today, Bethesda Green’s Executive Director, Dave Feldman, was part of a group of people who rang the opening bell(s) for the new Bethesda FreshFarm Market,  June 19.

The bell ringers walked the length of the one-block farmer’s market on Norfolk Ave. FreshFarm employees, Bethesda Urban Partnership representatives, County Councilmember Roger Berliner and Feldman were among the group.

The Bethesda FreshFarm Market is open Saturday mornings on Norfolk Ave.

The Bethesda FreshFarm Market is open Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. through October 30, on Norfolk Street, which is blocked off at that time between Fairmont Ave. and St. Elmo Ave. It features farmers and producers selling local fruits and vegetables, baked goods, cheese and dairy, meat and eggs, and flowers and plants. There’s even one stand that sells nothing but pies.

Some vendors were not present at the opening, but there were placeholder signs noting that they would be joining the market soon.

Ilaya Hopkins, left, speaks with shoppers at the market. Hopkins is a Democratic candidate for county council in District 1.

A decent crowd showed up the first day. One of those perusing the produce was Ilaya Hopkins, Democratic candidate for county council in District 1. Hopkins sits on the Bethesda Green Board of Directors, as does incumbent District 1 Councilmember Berliner.

The new FreshFarm market gives Bethesdans another opportunity to conveniently buy local foods, along with the Bethesda Central Farm Market that is open Thursdays and Sundays on the Bethesda Row side of town.