Archive for November, 2009
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on November 29, 2009
View of Arabia Mountain near Lithonia in DeKalb County. You can bring the whole family and bike or walk along the PATH, which leads through woods, over streams, across fields, and, of course, alongside Arabia Mountain, where you can explore its granite geology. (photo courtesy of DeKalb Parks, Bond, and Greenspace Program)
In metro Atlanta, many of us are aware of our severe lack of parks (trees, too), and next Thursday, December 10th, the DeKalb County Parks, Bond, and Greenspace office will host a forum to give the public the latest from the county greenspace program.
The county has used bond money to buy and improve land for parks and recreation, acquiring more than 3,000 acres since 2001, according to the office of county CEO Burrell Ellis.
- What: Officials will discuss DeKalb County’s greenspace program
- When: 6:30 p.m. on December 10, 2009
- Where: The Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Dr. in Decatur
For more information, call the county Parks Bond and Greenspace Office at 404-371-2082 and visit their website here!
Posted in Community Meetings, Parks | Tagged: Arabia Mountain, Decatur GA parks, DeKalb greenspace, DeKalb parks, DeKalb planning and development, local atlanta parks | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on November 24, 2009
Thought you missed your share of seasonal Thanksgiving food from Georgia farmers? It’s not too late – be sure to make a last-minute stop by the Decatur Organic Farmers’ Market tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov 25th, between 3 – 6 p.m. The farmers’ market is open all winter (November – February), with daylight savings time hours of 3 – 6 p.m. every Wednesday and will resume summer hours of 4 – 7 p.m. in May. Located at 163 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, 30030 in the Bank of America parking lot. They have a new blog you should check out, too!
And go ahead and plan for your winter holiday, too! No matter what you celebrate, you can get your root vegetables and winter squashes from our local farmers. And don’t forget about Whole Foods for meat selections. I’ve been trying to eat only locally raised, pasture-fed meat (Thanksgiving will be my first big challenge, especially in the south, where we like to flavor everything with meat, usually starting with bacon grease 
) and Whole Foods has been the only place I’ve shopped so far.
At most Georgia farmers’ markets (and at Whole Foods right now), you can donate to the Georgia Flooded Farms Relief Fund, sponsored by Slow Food Atlanta. Local farms suffered major damage during Georgia’s September floods – learn more here – and can use our help through donations and patronage.
Happy eating! I’m off to spend Thankgiving on the 2,000+ acres of Paulk Vineyards in south Georgia – our own family farmers with three generations of grape growers on the largest muscadine and scuppernong farm in the world!
Posted in Food | Tagged: Decatur Organic Farmers Market, Georgia Flooded Farms Relief Fund, Georgia September floods, local Atlanta markets, local Atlanta meats, local food Thanksgiving, local Georgia farms, Slow Food Atlanta, Whole Foods | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on November 22, 2009
BeltLine railroad tracks were pulled up and recycled last week behind Rathbun's Steak in Inman Park! (thanks to Lee Harrop for sending this photo along!)
…and say hello to the new walking trail that’s slated to go down in Atlanta’s northeast section of the BeltLine! Thanks to Lee Harrop, Program Management Officer for Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., for sending along this photo on November 15, 2009 after a large section of abandoned railway was removed and recycled.You can check out this future section of trails and transit by walking south along the tracks from Park Tavern at 10th Street and Monroe or stopping by one of the businesses on Krog Street in Inman Park – which is exactly what a group of us did on Friday evening.
A group of BeltLine staff and supporters gathered on the smoking patio of Rathbun’s Steak – informally renamed the BeltLine Patio – several of whom walked down the tracks from Piedmont Park. Kevin Rathbun even came out to say hello and ask about the latest in Atlanta’s biggest transportation project. Within a year or so, a hiking path will be installed and a previously overgrown stretch will become a high-traffic urban connection.
Keep up with photos and progress on the Atlanta BeltLine website or by joining over 1,500 other folks on the BeltLine facebook group!
Posted in Atlanta BeltLine, Developments | Tagged: Atlanta BeltLine, Atlanta transportation initiatives, public transit, urban hiking, Krog Street, Rathbun's Steak, railroad recycling | 1 Comment »
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on November 17, 2009
As a general rule, I don’t get super-excited about Christmas shopping, well, ever, but especially not before Thanksgiving. I’m making an exception this Saturday, though, for the Indie Craft Experience, featuring local Atlanta artists and handmade gifts. Go on, green your holidays and support our local economy!
- What: Indie Craft Experience, a Holiday Shopping Spectacular 2009
- When: Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Where: Ambient + Photo Studio, 585 Wells Street, SW, Unit A, Atlanta, GA 30312 (under the “Southern Mills” sign) (map it!)
- Bonus! Music by DJ Zano
And if you like this, chances are you’ll also like Kraftwork, a monthly market with indie crafts and artists in the same creative vein. So head over to the Young Blood Gallery the first Thursday of each month from 7 – 10 p.m. With free entrance and snacks and refreshments, what’s not to like? 636 N. Highland Ave, Atlanta, 30306 (beside the Highland Inn).
Oh yeah, and my friend Avis, creator and founder of Avie Designs, will be at the Indie Craft Experience with her custom stationary on recycled paper – so stop by and order your unique holiday cards this year! Your friends will love you for it.
Avie Designs has holiday designs ready to check out at the Indie Craft Experience, or order your own custom design!
Posted in Events | Tagged: Atlanta holiday shopping, Avie Designs, Avis Wampler, green holiday shopping, handmade gifts, Indie Craft Experience, Kraftwork, local Atlanta artists, local Atlanta markets | 2 Comments »
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on November 16, 2009
This past Saturday, I headed downtown to check out Atlanta’s environmental organizations and businesses at the 2009 Enviro Expo at the Georgia World Congress Center. My cousin and her family met me down there and we enjoyed checking out the large number of booths relating to Georgia parks, recycling, eco-friendly products, transit, and more. Although, I was surprised to see some vendors there that didn’t seem to have an apparent green connection – “Beaches” packaged vacation deals? Gorilla Glue? powdered dips without MSG? The Shen Yun show coming to the Cobb Energy Center? Hmmm…
Here are some of the booths I checked out and got information from:
- Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites :: www.GeorgiaStateParks.org :: I picked up the 2009 guide to Georgia’s parks, which includes info on the “Get Outdoors Georgia Program” as well of tons of other info.
- Atlanta Habitat ReStore, a part of Habitat for Humanity :: www.AtlantaReStore.com :: ReStore is filled with gently used home improvement items for resale. Check out their location at 519 Memorial Avenue, across from Oakland Cemetery. Open Tuesday – Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- wowgreen :: http://nowgreenclean.com :: safe green cleaning products, “Freeing the world of toxic chemicals, one household at a time!”
- GreenPlate :: www.GreenPlate.org :: Polly Sattler, co-founder of GreenPlate, was at the booth encouraging attendees to get plastic out of our diets!
- remix Recycling :: www.remixatlanta.com
- Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper :: www.ucriverkeeper.org :: Charged with the mission of keeping Atlanta’s great river clean, enjoyable, and accessible, the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper watches over the 48 miles of water that flows from Helen to Atlanta and beyond.
- Greenco Environmental :: http://GreencoEnvironmental.com :: read more about Greenco Environmental’s local, commercial composting operation here in Georgia! And meet Melia Lesko, one of the duo behind the scenes!
- RecyCooler :: www.recycoolinc.com :: A handy little cooler made with a minimum of 60% post-consumer content that you can have imprinted with custom graphics.
- Atlanta BeltLine :: www.beltline.org :: Of course Atlanta’s biggest transportation project was in attendance!
- “I Don’t Recycle” campaign by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs :: www.YouGottaBeKidding.org :: I got my special “I don’t recycle” koozie – read more about the latest ad campaign from the DCA here!
Of course, there were tons more vendors and I ate my way through very tasty food samples, touched my way through organic and recycled plastic clothes, poked my way past the baby chicken pen, and talked my way through other booths. Looking forward to next year’s Enviro Expo!
Posted in Environment, Events | Tagged: eco-friendly, Atlanta BeltLine, Georgia state parks, Enviro Expo Atlanta, Green Plate, Greenco Environmental, Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, wowgreen, Atlanta Habitat ReStore, Get Outdoors Georgia Program, Recylable cooler | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on November 11, 2009
The Georgia World Congress Center welcomes the 2009 Enviro Expo back to Atlanta for a two-day convention of sustainable practices, eco-friendly products, and tips on environmental stewardship! The expo is free and open to the public. There’s a huge list of vendors, to include organic foods, clothing, transportation organizations, energy companies, home and garden, local, state, and federal environmental agencies, and much more! Don’t miss special speakers and the eco-friendly fashion show, too (I want a dress made of Hershey’s Special Dark bar wrappers…).
- What: Enviro Expo USA 2009
- When: Saturday, November 14th and Sunday, November 15th, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Where: Georgia World Congress Center (conveniently located next to a MARTA stop so you can take public transportation!)
- How much? Free!
P.S. The Atlanta BeltLine will be there with our booth – if you’re interested in volunteering, please let me know!
P.P.S. I plan on checking out the events early Saturday afternoon (after a quick 15K trail race in the morning ), so if you plan on being there, let me know!
Posted in Environment, Events | Tagged: green Atlanta, Atlanta BeltLine, environmental stewardship, environmental events, environmental products, green products, Enviro Expo Atlanta, transportation organizations | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on November 5, 2009
Previously, I wrote about Keep Atlanta Beautiful’s Race 2 Recycle coming up in Piedmont Park next weekend (Nov. 14th, 09) and I wanted to post this update (courtesy of KAB):
Keep Atlanta Beautiful is looking for 20 volunteers to help out at the Race 2 Recycle on Saturday, November 14. Volunteers are needed to help with set-up, registration, timing on the finish line and passing out water to runners. All volunteers will receive a free organic cotton race t-shirt and are encouraged to dress in a recycled-themed costume. What a great way to celebrate America Recycles Day!
Those interested should email peggy.denby@keepatlantabeautiful.org or call 404-249-5853. Learn more about the Race 2 Recycle.
Register Today to Run the Race 2 Recycle!
In celebration of America Recycles Day, Keep Atlanta Beautiful is setting the pace for zero waste with the 3rd annual Race 2 Recycle. Make an impact by rallying your club, co-workers, family and friends to run the 5k or 1 mile fun run, around beautiful Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta on Saturday, November 14. Race starts at 8:30 a.m. Register online at www.KeepAtlantaBeautiful.org.
Runners will be joining teams from IKEA, Republic Services, Novelis, Mohawk, Wal-Mart and more! >>Learn more
Posted in Be Active!, Environment, Events, Piedmont Park | Tagged: Atlanta volunteering, Atlanta road races, environmental events, running in Atlanta GA, Piedmont Park, Keep Atlanta Beautiful, Atlanta Race 2 Recycle, recycl, America Recycles Day | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on November 1, 2009
We set up cardboard recycling containers from B Green Services along the race course just beyond the water stop tables; at the bottom, I'm holding my very small bag of trash leftover after bagging up four large sacks of paper cups and plastic water bottles!
Wow - recycling at Atlanta’s road races has been an ambition of mine for quite some time and yesterday, thanks to our volunteers and B Green Services recycling, we managed to recycle paper cups and plastic water bottles for 2,025 runners and dozens of race volunteers for the Silver Comet Half-Marathon! We have been preparing and strategizing our approach to recycling at this eco-friendly race for several weeks, starting with printing flyers on recycled cardboard for the race goodie bags, to silkscreening B Green Services t-shirts on a variety of recycled thrift store purchases, to cajoling volunteers to come out at 5 a.m. on a Saturday morning for a noble cause.
With the start line, finish line, and four water stops along the out-and-back course, we divided up pop-up cardboard recycling bins, trash bags, plastic gloves, and breakfast food for each stop. We met at 5 a.m. at the race start line at the Mable House where we set up bins for the runners and volunteers at the start before heading out to our respective water stops. We led my Dad (my #1 volunteer) to the first water stop and Zack (my other #1 volunteer) dropped me off at the second water stop while he headed onto the third (Angela and Brooke took the fourth stop). Ingrid and Emil worked the start and finish lines and my Mom came out to water stop one to help out, too. I had the pleasure of working with Anne and Jim Baker for the duration of the race as the lead coordinators for our water stop! Anne is a brave soul who teaches eighth graders at Floyd Middle School and helped guide the groggy teenager volunteers in their water stop duties that morning.
Within the hour, it started drizzling which then became a bit of a downpour which then subsided to a steady rain and then… you get the idea – it rained pretty much the entire morning. But everything held together beautifully, the kids did a great job handing out water and prepping cups, and the runners had better aim than I expected when recycling their paper cups. As someone who has never actually watched a race before (usually I’m on the receiving end of the water), it took some adjusting to get used to being on the other side – and we had a lot of fun!
When all was said and done, we had four big bags of recyclable material and less than one cubic foot of trash going to a landfill. Zack had slightly more trash at his water stop, but that’s because someone brought Dunkin Donuts for everyone.
Thank you to everyone that came out and helped – B Green Services recycling volunteers as well as Silver Comet Races and Get Fit Atlanta volunteers – for a soaked, successful race day! You can also check out more photos on facebook…
Posted in Events, Recycling, Volunteer | Tagged: Atlanta road races, B Green Services, eco-friendly, paper cup recycling, plastic bottle recycling, race recycling, Silver Comet Half-Marathon | Leave a Comment »
