greencitybaltimore

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• 1. Introduction to Green Home Renovations  |  June 28, 2007 at 2:28 pm

  Basis for the Program and Workshop
  In the Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington DC regional market it is estimated that there is a $37.5 billion dollar industry for upgrading homes that are energy inefficient and have poor indoor air quality. Nationally, it is estimated that 110 million dwellings and over 9 million commercial buildings are in need of upgrading to a higher “Greener” standard.
  Understanding the science of buildings and the effects of changing the various components of the building during a renovation project is critical to the success of each remodeling project. Adding a “green” component requires an integrated “holistic” approach so that the modifications do not adversely affect the building or the building occupants.
  This workshop establishes a basic understanding of conducting green home renovations through instructions of the basics and through a workshop using case studies in a design charrette design format to understand real life approaches to develop real life solutions.
  The Program
  The workshop will start with a discussion of Green Renovation Principles including:
  Green Renovation Principles
  1. Orientation Analysis
  2. Connection to Site
  3. Structural Analysis
  4. Heat and Cooling Analysis
  5. Renewable Resources
  6. Selection of Materials
  These principles will then be incorporated into selected case studies of real life projects selected for discussion. The attendants of the workshop will be spilt into groups, one for each case study. The principles will be discussed again with the context of each case study. Each group will develop concepts for the green renovation of each project and discuss them with all participants.
  Participants will take home a basic understanding of how to approach and execute a green renovation of different types of projects from simple interior modifications to more elaborate structural modifications.
  Topics Covered
  • What are the differences between Green vs. conventional renovations?
  • What is Integrated Design?
  • How can I use Integrated Design in my renovation?
  • How do I approach doing a green renovation?
  • How will an energy audit improve my design?
  • How do I incorporate passive solar?
  • What kind of materials should I use?
  • What are some of the challenges in green renovations?
  Date: Saturday, October 20, 2007
  (Please register by 9/30/07*).
  Time:
  8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Tour of a green building (Enviro-Center®) & Check-in
  9:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Intro to Green Renovation Principles
  11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Intro to Case Studies
  12:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Team Review of Case Studies
  3:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Discussion of each Case Study

  greenbuildinginstitute.org

• 2. Introduction to Passive Solar Design  |  June 28, 2007 at 2:30 pm

  What is passive solar design?
  Passive solar design is a building method that takes advantage of the sun’s energy for heating, cooling, and illuminating spaces. It requires only minimal, if any, maintenance, is very aesthetically pleasing and lowers energy costs.
  (Please note – this class does not address active solar systems – solar electric (photovoltaics) or hot water (solar thermal) systems.
  What topics will be covered in the class?
  Determining an appropriate site location based on climate/environmental factors
  Choosing house orientation
  Determining window placement and style
  Methods of insulating the home to naturally regulate heat/cooling
  Making use of overhangs and shade
  Taking advantage of natural heating using sun’s rays
  How to optimally use thermal mass
  Placing rooms within the house to optimize use of outdoor passive solar elements
  Smartly landscaping the grounds around the house for further temperature regulation
  High efficiency back-up heating systems
  Benefits of Passive Solar Design:
  Healthier indoor air quality
  Lower energy bills and increased freedom from utilities
  Low maintenance and reduced operating costs and repairs
  Higher house resale value
  Sunny interiors and open floor plans
  Who should attend?
  Architects & designers
  Potential homebuyers
  Contractors
  Builders
  Landscape architects
  HVAC specialists
  Real estate agents
  Students
  General Interest
  Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2007
  Time:
  6:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Check-In
  7:00 p.m.– 9:00 p.m. Introduction to Passive Solar Design

  greenbuildinginstitute.org

• 3. Go Green, Save Green  |  June 28, 2007 at 2:31 pm

  Learn:
  Steps to reduce energy costs
  Conservation methods
  How to use natural resources on your site
  Ways to improve indoor air quality
  How to take action in your own homes and lives
  About community resources and contacts
  How to decrease the environmental burden on the local environment
  Date: Saturday, December 1, 2007
  (Please register by 11/15/07*).
  info@greenbuildinginstitute.org
  greenbuildinginstitute.org
  Time:
  8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. Check-in
  8:45 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Tour of a green building (The Enviro-Center)
  9:30 - Noon. Go Green, Save Green

• 4. John Mello  |  July 18, 2007 at 11:44 am

  I want to notify you about the Green Advantage ® residential green building workshop and certification, sponsored by Civic Works .

  This is an opportunity to acquire a nationally recognized green building credential.

  The workshop will take place Thursday, August 2 from 8am to 5pm (continental breakfast and lunch provided), at The Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center . The Green Advantage ® Certification exam will be held one week later, on Friday August 10 from 8am to 12pm. The Exam may also be scheduled for Friday 8/3 at a local community college.

  I look forward to your participation in this exciting workshop, presented by renowned author and green building expert, David Johnston .

  Register now!

  Go to for more information or to download a registration flyer.

  10% discount to firms, companies, organizations, families, or tribes that enroll five or more participants at once.

• 5. Hannah Wood  |  July 31, 2007 at 3:53 pm

  Earth Home
  Building Self-Sufficient Homes

  What is Earth Home?

  A fully integrated self sufficient building system that uses local materials to meet all the needs of the occupants for comfort, water,

  sanitary waste, electricity, hot water and cooking, without the need for central power, water or sewer.

  What are the components of an Earth Home?
  What topics will be covered in the program?

  Compressed Earth Brick Construction
  Rain Water System
  Composting Toilet
  Grey Water System
  Solar Water Heater
  Solar Electricity
  Solar Oven
  Environmental Responsive Building Design
  Who should attend?

  Architects
  Builders
  Engineers
  General Interest
  Homeowners
  Non-Profit representatives
  Benefits of Earth Home:

  Built with local materials
  Affordable
  Non Toxic and healthy
  Zero Energy
  Zero Water
  Zero waste

• 6. alterego  |  August 15, 2007 at 10:55 am

  Greenfestival DC - October 6th and 7th. Visit http://www.greenfestivals.org/ for more information.

• 7. pavel  |  September 10, 2007 at 2:59 pm

  The alternative to BGE is WGES where you can enroll in the address above for your gas and electricity services, which will still get billed via your BGE bill but at least the money does not go the BGE.

  Love

  Pavel

• 8. The Current (Solid) State of LED Lighting  |  September 19, 2007 at 11:06 am

  This class will discuss current LED technologies (the good, the bad, and the expensive) and applications for residential and commercial uses.

  What is LED lighting?

  Light Emitting Diode (LED) is a semiconductor device which converts electricity into light.

  What will I learn?

  What is the potential impact of implementing LED lighting solutions.for residential and commercial applications?
  What are the advantages/disadvantages of LED lighting?
  Which LED solutions are “not ready for prime time”?
  Where can I introduce cost effective LED lighting solutions?
  How does LED lighting integrate into a solar photovoltaic system?
  Can I get a federal tax credit for updating to energy efficient lighting?
  How about other emerging technologies - Cold cathode compact fluorescent, ceramic metal halide, etc?

• 9. Home Performance in Maryland  |  September 19, 2007 at 11:07 am

  See what we discovered performing 150 TerraLogos Home Energy Inspections©

  What are the most common, easily fixed home energy leaks?
  How does improving energy efficiency also improve comfort and health?
  What home energy investments yield the biggest return?
  What should I know about energy improvements when renovating my home?
  Considering windows, HVAC or solar installations? Learn how to maximize these investments.
  See the Blower Door and the Infrared Camera in action – tools we use to diagnose home performance.

  Date: Thursday, November 15, 2007
  6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Check-In
  7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Home Performance in Maryland

  Location:

  33rd Street across from the former Memorial Stadium site
  Johns Hopkins Eastern building (the former Eastern High School)
  3rd floor ETC Conference Room
  1101 East 33rd Street
  Baltimore, MD 21218

• 10. Indoor Air Quality  |  October 29, 2007 at 4:14 pm

  About what topics will I learn?

  Items that affect your indoor air quality (ex: furnishings, finishes, cleaners, air fresheners, cabinets, human activity, and others)
  The benefits of selecting Eco-friendly interior finishes and paints
  Impacts of building systems, equipment, and the entire building package on indoor air quality

  Who should attend?

  Homeowners
  Contractors
  General Interest
  Non-Profit Professionals
  Why should I take this class?

  Here are just some of the many benefits of learning and incorporating green products & techniques:

  Healthier indoor air quality and safety for you and your children
  Reduced exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), exempted VOCs, and other neurological and pulmonary toxins (see below)
  Clear conscience of using socially and environmentally responsible products
  Learn about alternatives in decorating your home.
  Let your home work more as a system, synchronizing the benefits of indoor air quality, health, energy savings, and sustainability
  Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.

  All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored. Examples include:

  Paints and lacquers
  Varnishes
  Paint strippers
  Cleaning & disinfecting supplies
  Cosmetics
  Fuels
  Pesticides
  Floors, carpets, cabinets, paneling, and other building materials and furnishings
  Office equipment such as copiers and printers
  Correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.

• 11. Stacy  |  February 11, 2008 at 5:04 pm

  Maryland Outdoor Club

  Come meet the members of the MOC at one or many of our monthly social hours. Everyone is welcome to attend (members and non-members, 18 and over) and there is no need to RSVP. Just show up!

  The social hours are very casual and we encourage you to come alone or bring a pal with you. We will make sure that you are introduced to other members, just look for one of our “Social Greeters” wearing a nametag. Also note that you can arrive at any time and stay as long as you’d like

  https://mdoutdoorclub.org/events/socialhour.asp

• 12. Mark  |  February 29, 2008 at 3:03 pm

  Soulful Sundown: The Art of the Earth
  Sunday April 20, 2008 @ 6pm
  Unitarian Universalsits of Fallston
  1127 Old Fallston Rd
  Fallston, MD 21047
  (410) 877-3773

  a meditaitonal service using hte arts to express our respect and concers about the earth. A good way to get inspired for earth day. http://www.myspace.com/uufallsonconcerts

• 13. Katie  |  March 27, 2008 at 10:01 am

  Join the Maryland Science Center for our 2008 Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 19. We’ll have activities for everyone, plus a “marketplace” of local vendors and groups sharing their eco-friendly products, services, and projects. 12-4pm, all activities included with museum admission.

  If you represent a group that would like to be part of the marketplace, please contact Katie at kstofer@mdsci.org

• 14. Leslye Wilson  |  March 27, 2008 at 10:28 am

  The Year-Round Vegetable Garden - An Organic Approach for Maryland

  A Two Day Workshop being held on
  Saturday, April 19th & Sunday April 20th, 2008
  Time: 8:30am to 4:30pm
  Class location: The Enviro Center
  7761 Waterloo Road, Jessup MD 20794

  This is a two-day workshop designed to provide a framework for creating the successful design and implementation of a productive organic vegetable garden in Central and Southern Maryland.

  What topics will be covered?
  The philosophy and principles of the organic approach to gardening, soils, composting, planning, planting, maintaining, garden pests, gardening by season, use and care of tools.

  For more information, visit: http://www.greenbuildinginstitute.org/pages/courses/OrganicGardening.html

• 15. Baltimore Free Store  |  April 2, 2008 at 12:26 am

  Baltimore Free Store upcoming Free Markets:

  April 12, 2008 - Collington Square (12p-3p)
  April 26, 2008 - EcoFestival (12p-5p)
  May 10, 2008 - Green Fair (time TBD)

  “Take what you want, give what you can.”

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