Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Green Genes 3rd Anniversary Celebration!

This Weekend, April 2nd/3rd, Green Genes will be celebrating their third anniversary with lots of fun activities for kids and their families - located in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood (but there's lots of parking on their block!).

There are clothing demos, kids readings and activities, fun in the dirt with worm bins, arts and crafts. And BEST OF ALL - it's all good for you and the earth!

Saturday April 2
 10:00-1:00
Trunk Show and Demos on baby wearing with the knowledgeable people behind local company CatBirdBaby

11:00-12:30
STORYTIME with the super enthusiastic gal, Pam Plotkin. Her fave part of storytime: "doing all the wacky voices!"
 
2:00-4:00
Eco arts and crafts. Stop by to see what you can create with scraps, bits, recycled goods etc... We'd like to thank Wishcraft for their awesome ideas and inspiration.   
 
Sunday April 3rd
 1:00-2:00
Come by and chat with a representative from CUB, Citizen's Utility Board, to learn how you can lower your electricity usage and save money on your bills. CUB is all about fighting for the rights of Illinois consumers, and we appreciate that!
 
2:00-3:00
The friendly folks at The Compost Office want your food scraps! Learn how easy it is to set up your own worm bin at home. The C.O. is also on a mission to bring community composting to the busy urban dwellers and businesses of Chicago.  C'mon and get your hands a little dirty!
  
3:00-4:00
Local author and environmental activist, Alexandra Gnoske, wants to help kids become superheroes for planet Earth. Alix engages the kiddos through storytime and an eco-friendly game starring her pal Louie and his animal friends.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

DORJE Heating and Power Systems: Renewable Energy for Your Home

Solar Panels, Wind Turbines, Geo-thermal energy. Wouldn't it be great to have renewable energy systems working for you? wouldn't it be great to reduce or eliminate your electric bill? Well of course! But who can afford to implement these green systems during this record breaking recession?

I'm here to tell you that you can afford renewable energy solutions now. How? With this incredible, out of the box company, DORJE Heating and Power Systems. DORJE was incorporated in 2009 by Don Jarrett, who says, "I was tired of watching other people going about trying to do the “right thing” the wrong way."

DORJE's in-house motto is “If you’re not managing your energy, who is?”  a reference to how much of our daily necessities we leave to other people to provide and manage. Jarrett is a professional biologist, with a focus on applied terrestrial ecology who raises heirloom dahlias and reads beekeeping books. He has helped site and build power plants and pipelines; but he's also built pipe organs for churches across the country. He's a bit of a nutty scientist, but those are the best kind; creative, out-of-the-box thinkers and doers.

What can DORJE do for you, the mindful consumer? DORJE does everything from wetland delineation and construction monitoring to environmental remediation. Their renewable energy work already includes breakthrough designs in rooftop wind and hydronic home heating; and they're just warming up.

DORJE renewable energy systems include:
    •    Wind - the Dorje vertical wind turbine delivers wind-power muscle right where you need it.
    •    Solar - Dorje uses polycarbonate crystal solar cells for a long life of reliable service and the best components available for your specific needs.
    •    Geothermal - works on the idea of temperature differential.
    •    Combined Systems - a compact 8' x 8' building houses the electrical equipment and battery banks, geothermal pumps and heat exchangers -- all outside of the main residence. The living space remains undisturbed.

But what really sets them apart is their Ready-Set-Go Program, "Your energy lifestyle on layaway!" Yes, layaway program. This well received program is a membership-driven block-credit program to help people start funding their own green projects without going into debt. Jarrett explains, "We try to make sure each project is weighted for maximum benefit right up front. We have people buying renewable energy systems on this program; we make sure they can see it come together in smaller sub-projects all along the way." And their systems are not proprietary. Other companies can come in later and add on or work within their universal systems.

Isn't that awesome?!

Want to learn more or make an appointment for an assessment? The folks at DORJE are always happy to talk to interested folk, and can be reached at 1.800.682.4950 or online at green-renewable-energy-solutions.com.


Alexandra Gnoske is an Environmental Expert. She is the Author/Illustrator of "Loui Saves the Earth" and Founder of RECYCLE ME.

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN FOR MINDFUL METROPOLIS' MINDFUL BUSINESS MATTERS BLOG

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

YES Green Living - New Green Home Store

YES Green Living is your source for all things Conservation. It's a store, museum, and learning facility where you can go to answer "How do I do that?" and "Where can I buy that?"



Owner and Founder Mitchell Furlett A. said it all started because of a drought in Georgia. When he and his family stopped at a hotel in Georgia in 2008 he noticed the water tanks in the toilets were filling up all the way wasting precious water. Funny thing to notice - unless your family business is plumbing. After talking with the hotel manager he realized most people didn't know about toilet retrofits and other products that Conserve water (and save money).

When Mitch returned home he stepped down from the family plumping business to start YES Water Conservation, a company that sells and installs water saving devices. In doing this he realized the need for Conservation education and the need to bring consumers, distributors and manufacturers together to learn, shop and live green.

Museum
When you walk into YGL you see a little house. It's the YGL Museum. The roof has solar panels, inside you'll find a toilet with a sink on top, upcycled light fixtures, renewable flooring, a compost container, upcycled kids furniture, and outside is a rain barrel. You can see how these items work in your home, touch them, try them out, purchase them, and YGL has a short list of local installers if you need them.

Store
As you walk through YGL you will find many Conservation products for your home including:
  • Conservation Kits (gas, electric or water) that are a perfect house warming gift
  • Recycled, Bamboo, and Cork flooring
  • Water Conservation products
  • Wind Turbines
  • Solar Panels
YGL also highlights several local artists and manufacturers with unique green products that are upcycled, recycled, or focused on conservation that include:
  • Accessories, bags, and other neat nick nacks from It's Our Earth based in Wheaton
  • "Ferniture" Upcycled Kids in Evanston
  • Funky upcycled light fixtures by Lighting Lease from Evanston
  • Rain barrels beautifully painted by local artists
Learning Facility
What really ties all this together is the classes YGL offers so you don't have to figure out how to be green all by yourself. The most popular class is Conservation Investing which teaches you how to save money through conservation and greening your life. The class also highlights the additional benefits of health and safety when you invest in Conservation. YGL also has an education program for kids, "YES Eco-Heroes" and story time for preschoolers. Most classes are free and you can find out more by calling or visiting online.

YES Green Living is located in Evanston, IL at 2814 Central St., 60201, 847.834.YES3 (9373) YESGreenLiving.com. The store is open Monday through Saturday, 9-4 M, 9-5 T-F, and 10-3 S.
 
Alexandra Gnoske is an Environmental Expert, the Founder and President of RECYCLE ME, and the author of "Loui Saves the Earth."
 
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN FOR MINDFUL BUSINESS MATTERS, FEBRUARY 2011