Western Wake – Cary Farmer’s Market Opens Saturday

More farmer’s markets!!!!  There are now 8 in Wake County.

Check if there’s a Farmer’s Market near you at NC Farm Fresh.

Grand Opening Celebration:  This Saturday, May 30,  8am-12pm
You Are Invited to the Celebration! You are cordially invited to the Grand Opening Celebration of the Western Wake Farmers’ Market! We’ve had four great weeks since the market opened at the start of May, and now it’s time to celebrate all this fresh, local goodness! Come and shop for fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, seafood, baked goods, coffee, eggs, cheeses, honey, flowers, herbs, jewelry and much more! Our many vendors will be giving away prizes too. Special events: Education: Learn about solar energy from Ed Witkin of Solar Tech South and hear Dr. Jiger Shah of Serene Smiles Dentistry on nutrition and dentistry. Taste:  Taste samples of fresh gazpacho from Chef Scott Crawford of Herons in The Umstead Hotel and Spa and hear what he has to say about eating local. Plus enjoy plenty of free samples from many vendors! Two Great Performances: Bring a blanket or a couple of chairs to enjoy this week’s special entertainment. The Turkish Teen Dance Group will entertain adults and kids alike at 10:15!  Come enjoy the unique sounds of RTOOT (Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle) at 11:00. Ribbon-cutting Ceremony: 9:45 am. Speakers include: Morrisville Mayor Jan Faulkner, Tommy Esqueda, Environmental Services Director for Wake County; Brent Henry, County Extension Director; and Jennifer Robinson of the Cary Town Council. Where & When Carpenter Village Marketplace May 30, 2009 8:00 am-12:00 pm CONTACT: Jennifer Gibbs Market Manager jgibbs9995@yahoo.com www.westernwakefarmersmarket.org

Green Building Program Receives Recognition

PRESS RELEASE

Green Home Builders of the Triangle Receive Recognition

For the third year in a row, the Green Home Builders of the Triangle (GHBT) received an Honorable Mention for Program of the Year during the recent awards ceremony at the National Green Building Conference, which was held by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in Dallas, Texas.  Renewable-energy advocate T. Boone Pickens was the keynote speaker for the awards ceremony, during which recognition was given to outstanding green builders and projects from all over the country.

Several GHBT members, including current chair Chad Ray, were present at the awards ceremony.  “We were very pleased to be recognized again as one of the top green building programs in the country,” commented Ray.  “This recognition is a testiment to the hard work and dedication of the residential construction professionals in our area who have embraced and promoted green building technologies,” he added.

GHBT is a joint project of the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties and the HBA of Raleigh-Wake County.  With more than 240 members representing various aspects of the residential construction industry in the Triangle, GHBT promotes building techniques and materials that produce homes which consume less energy and other resources, facilitate better indoor air quality, and provide a more durable product requiring less maintenance.  During the past two years, more than 270 green homes in the Triangle have received GHBT certification through a process requiring third-party verification.  Each year, GHBT offers a Triangle-wide Green Home Tour, which is a free event that allows area residents to view a variety of these green-certified homes and talk directly to green builders.  More information on the GHBT program and annual Green Home Tour can be found at www.GreenHomeBuildersoftheTriangle.com.

Next year’s awards ceremony for NAHB’s National Green Building Conference will be held in Raleigh.  GHBT members will serve as the local hosts for this annual conference, which is scheduled to be held at the Raleigh Convention Center on May 16 – 18, 2010.
Contact:
Leigh Scott, Dir. of Green Bldg. Programs
cell 919-451-8116; w 919-493-8899
leigh@hbadoc.com

Chad Ray, GHBT Chair
cell 919-422-1365
wfpacker@aol.com

Way to go!  I’m excited to be a member of the GHBT and be part of greening the Triangle!!!

Did you notice that next year’s NAHB convention is here in Raleigh?  Yeah!!!

BuildSense understands the green market

Score two for BuildSense.  Randy Lanou and company spectacular modern designs packed with green features.

930 W. Markham Avenue Durham in Trinity Park is edgy,  sleek and true to it’s intent is a shining example of universal design.  The empty nester owners home is filled with features that will allow them to remain in their home as they age.

The most striking feature is the butterfly roof.  The primary design is to divert water into the 1700 gallon underground water storage tank installed by

930 W Markham Durham

Rainwater Solutions.  Once you feel the benefit of the height – roomy and airy plus space to for windows.  The family room is bathed in daylight from a wall of windows.

See more photos!

According to NCSU’s Universal Center for Universal Design, universal design is defined as:

The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.

Some of the features incorporated into the Markham Street home include:

• 1 story living
• grab bars
• barrier free entry
• lever handles

This home exceeds the standard ENERGY STAR levl and is projected to be 40% more efficient than a regular home.  The Markham Street residence will also be s Silver Certification by the Green Home Builders of the Trangle.

Look for a review of BuildSense’s Cole Drive entry.  It’s stylish, practical and oh so green!

If you missed the tour,  click here to view the online tour guide complete with photos, directions and availability.  Many of the homes are open just for the tour but a good number are listed in MLS.   If you’re interested in a green home, click here to setup a customized free home  search.

Local food events coming up!

Be part of the growing movement of supporting local agriculture

There are two great events coming up for you to learn more about the importance of growing food locally May 28th in Knightdale and celebrating the abundance at the Slow Food event June 14th in Orange County.

Organic Eating and Supporting Your Local Farms – Knightdale

When: May 28, 2009 7:00 PM

Where: East Regional Library, Knightdale

Learn more about the importance of eating local, the current state of local farming and we can support our local farms, and tips for eating in season on Thursday May 28th at 7:00 pm at the East Regional Library.

Carrie Le Chevallier Marketing Team Leader of Whole Foods Market and Annette White of Feed the Farm will be presenting this informative and vitally important program.

Fun organic fingerfood refreshments will accompany the program.

For further information or to register stop by the library at 946 Steeple Square Court Knightdale, call 217-5300, or email jmorley@co.wake.nc.us.

Learn more here:
http://environment.meetup.com/243/calendar/10432955/

Farm to Fork Picnic 2009

Hurdle Mills, North Carolina

Eat Local Triangle

Sun, June 14, 2009
4:00 – 7:00 PM

W. C. Breeze Family Farm
Hurdle Mills, Orange County

Join Piedmont farmers and chefs for an early evening of food, music and fun activities for the entire family! Visit http://www.farmtoforknc.com for ticket information, updates and to view the 2007 Farm to Fork Picnic slide show.

Organized by CEFS, Slow Food Triangle and Orange County Cooperative Extension and Economic Development

Price: $50 per person; kids 12 and under are free.
RSVP: tickets required
Website: http://www.farmtoforknc.com
Also: http://www.slowfoodtriangle.org/

PS. Last year’s event SOLD OUT quickly!

Learn more here: http://environment.meetup.com/243/calendar/10432938/

PS. The links go to REACH Meetup for you to meet others with similar interests or ride-share. I am one of the assitant organizers for the meetup Raleigh Environmental Action Circle for Humanity) that focuses on sustainability, environmental and social equity topics in the Triangle.

R-Line – Raleigh’s new hybrid FREE downtown connector bus

Be green..take a ride on the R-Line!!!

So many Downtown Home Tour participants rode the R-Line yesterday and liked the experience…yeah!

While this event wasn’t promoted as ‘green’ think of the event’s carbon footprint.   Participants drove to a central location and rode mass transit for the day instead of driving individual cars to each location.

Each year the average American drives 2,500 miles and emits 1 Ton of carbon dioxide.

Downtown Raleigh Allinace Route/Stop map

City of Raleigh | R-Line

R-Line Map

Originally Posted by City of Raleigh | R-Line

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the purpose of the Circulator?

The Downtown Circulator was proposed as a resource for commuters in the central business district (CBD). The purpose of the circulator is to provide connectivity to the CBD’s major parking decks and entertainment districts.

How often will the circulator run?

The circulator will run every 10-12 minutes. The route will be served by 2 buses that will allow for headways to remain at 10-12 minutes.

What type of buses will run on the Circulator route?

This route will be served by 3, 40′ hybrid electric, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) style buses; one bus will serve as a spare. The City of Raleigh chose to use 40′ buses because they can easily be placed into regular CAT bus service if necessary.

Why a BRT style hybrid?

The City of Raleigh chose a BRT style hybrid because it is environmentally friendly, will run quietly in the CBD and it provides a distinctive look to the service.

How much will it cost to ride the Circulator?

This will be a free service!

What are the hours of the Circulator?

Mon-Wed Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Thu-Sat Hours: 7:00 AM – 2:15 AM
Sun Hours: 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Downtown Raleigh Home Tour & CityGate Sustainable Living Demo Days

Downtown Raleigh Home Tour

Three great opportunities this weekend in downtown Raleigh!

• Downtown Raleigh Home Tour Saturday 11 am-5 pm – link to meetup for more information
• Chicken Coop Tour 10 AM to 4 PM, Rain or Shine
• Artsplosure Saturday and Sunday Moore Square

The CityGate Real Estate office will be a stop on the Downtown Raleigh Home Tour so please stop by and check our our vendors who will be here to discuss sustainable lifestyle decisions, more information on “green” choices while building, renovating, or upgrading your own home! Also a comparative analysis of the downtown Condo and Neighborhood Market will be supplied for all interested Buyers!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

What: Downtown Raleigh Home Tour
When: Saturday, May 16, 2009
Hours: 11 am-5 pm
Tickets: $10 in advance / $14 at the door (cash or check only at the door)
Check-in: All attendees will need to check-in at the Home Tour Headquarters at the Wachovia
Capitol Center Courtyard (150 Fayetteville Street). The Headquarters will be open throughout the entire tour and attendees that purchase tickets in advance can pick up their tickets at WILL CALL.

SAVE MONEY: To save $4 per ticket, purchase in advance by clicking here.

Welcome to this year’s 5th Annual Downtown Raleigh Home Tour.

GET CLOSER to one of North Carolina’s most vibrant, eclectic downtowns. It’s an area of inspiring contradictions-classic, turn-of-the century architecture alongside crisp, state-of-the-art modernism. Whether you’re looking for a single-family home, historic neighborhood or a condominium overlooking the city and beyond, rest assured-you’re about to get a closer look at a space you’ll want to call home.

Each living space will feel truly alive amidst downtown Raleigh’s cosmopolitan scene. Dining, shopping, art, live performances-it’s all right on our doorstep.

As usual, there are a number of fun-filled activities taking place on Saturday, May 16. We’d like to encourage you to make a day of it and take advantage of all the happenings in downtown Raleigh. Dine at one of the downtown restaurants participating in Restaurant Week, take in the art scene at Artsplosure, or attend a fashion show as part of the Plaza Condominiums Raleigh Fashion Week & Strut 09.

For the first time ever, the Tour will be produced by the Downtown Raleigh Alliance. For more information on the Alliance and downtown Raleigh, visitwww.YouRHere.com.

For more information on the Downtown Raleigh Home Tour, visit www.RaleighDowntownLiving.com.

2009 Green Home Tour – first installment

Over the top!  How can each year’s tour entries be even more exciting than the last?

2009 Green Home Tourguide

It’s the  excitement from the participants and the increased number of people participating!!!!

My favs from Saturday are the Habitat homes, Anchorage Building Company’s home in Pittsboro for architect Grimsley Hobbs and Alfermann Construction’s Chapel Hill home.

Why Habitat homes?  It proves that green is affordable!!!!  These System Vision homes hover around 1,00 sf and have a guaranteed utility bill of $30.   Yes, you read that correctly.

More details and pictures to follow.

Remember the tour ends today at 6pm for all the homes that are not MLS listed homes.

Link to the list of homes on the 2009 Green Home Tour