Green World Cafe Event Archives

Thank you to everyone who has attended our Green World Cafes. We look forward to seeing you again! Together we can help create a future that works for all!

“Presenting: 'My Green Home in a Box'”

Green Connection US has announced a new regular schedule and location for Sarasota Green World Cafe. Beginning Monday, November 10th, 2008, the Green World Cafe will be mehdl on the second Monday of each month from 7 to 9 P.M. at the John Chidsey Bayfront Community Center, 803 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, behind the Municipal Auditorium.

The program on November 10th will be the presentation of "My Green Home in a Box." Sarasota Green Marketplace, in partnership with architect Carol Hickler and Home Front Homes, is pleased to announce the unveiling of the new My Green Home in a Box (MGHB) that is designed for those who want a quick-to-build house of less than 700 squrare feet, pre-designed as a Florida Green Building Coalition Certified green home. My Green Home in a Box is green from the inside out, totally safe with no indoor off-gassing and highly hurricane resistant. It can be constructed as a free standing house or a post-disaster home that could be expanded later.

Mary Anne Bowie, FAICP, president of Sarasota Green Marketplace, a Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) green home certifying agent and a LEED for Homes field agent, explained that the entire house is being designed with Home Front Homes manufactured materials and Sarasota Green Marketplace products to meet the healthierst, most energy efficient and most economical green standards.

The My Green Home in a Box can also be attached to an existing home as an extra wing. When attached to an existing home, the MGHB roof lines will be connected to the main house and no stove will be included, to meet standard zoning requirements for an addition, as opposed to an extra home.

The MGHB will be an excellent house to use in a co-housing community, where a small cottage style home is provided for each resident, with a large common house where meals and social activities are shared.

“Elder Cohousing”

A Meeting for Sarasota Green Connection Approved Businesses to meet our new Executive Director The October Sarasota Green World Cafe will be back at Whole Foods Market on Thursday, October 9th with a discussion of Elder Cohousing with Van Deist.

Also known as senior cohousing, elder cohousing is designed especially for active adults, 55 and above. In elder cohousing, residents can choose to grow older meaningfully, consciously and independently in a self-managed, close-knit community.

For the past three years, Deist has been actively involved in promoting the development of an elder cohousing community on the Suncoast.  A twenty-five year resident of Sarasota County, he has been active in his community having served on the Venice City Council's Accessibility Advisory Committee, the County Commission's Seniors Advisory Council, SCOPE's Aging: The Possibilities project and has been a community facilitator for local elder cohousing efforts. For more information on cohousing, visit http://www.cohousing.org/.

IMPORTANT: beginning next month, we will have a new venue and a new regular date. Beginning on Monday, November 10, the Sarasota Green World Café will be held on the second Monday of each month from 7 to 9 PM at the beautiful Bayfront Community Center located across from the Van Wezel, behind the Municipal Auditorium. This will be our new permanent location, with plentiful parking and room for over 100 attendees.

“Calling All Sarasota Green Connection Approved Businesses”

A Meeting for Sarasota Green Connection Approved Businesses to meet our new Executive Director, Nancy Sloan, and get to know the new and improved Green Connection! 

Green Connection US, producer of Green World Café, has announced a meeting for current and prospective Sarasota Green Connection Approved Businesses. At a larger venue and a different date, this month's Green World Café will be moved to Veggie Magic at 4428 Bee Ridge Road on Wednesday, September 10 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Participants may order food from the regular menu and bring their own organic wine if they wish.

This event is a call to action for green business partners to participate in a collective conversation about working together to benefit the group as a whole in helping to create a future that works for all. Discussed will be green practices, products and philosophies as well as logistical steps as we move forward.
 
According to Executive Director Nancy Sloan, "Many green businesses are small start-up enterprises learning that staying viable in today's economic conditions requires innovative marketing.  We are bringing these businesses together to discuss how they can work together to participate in events and projects that might otherwise be out of reach for them."
 
Ideas for expanding the six-year-old network of Sarasota Green Connection Approved Businesses will be presented, and opportunities will be shared for cooperative participation in upcoming local events.  Two such events are the Sunday morning Siesta Key Farmers Market which will begin on October 5, and Sarasota Naturally, taking place on November 1 in downtown Sarasota.

In October, the regular Green World Café returns to the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.  The GWC monthly eco-forum is sponsored by Sarasota Green Marketplace and Natural Awakenings, and produced by Green Connection US, who thanks the sponsors for their commitment to global leadership in the green movement.

“EMFs In Your Environment”

The potential health effects of the very low frequency electromagnetic fields, or EMFs, surrounding power lines and electrical devices like cellular phones and personal computers are the subject of on-going research and a significant amount of public debate. In workplace environments, where EMF exposures can be up to 10,000 times greater than the average, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has issued some cautionary advisories. The potential effects of electromagnetic fields on human health vary widely depending on the frequency and intensity of the fields. How much are EMFs affecting you?

Join us on August 7th at Whole Foods for a Green World Cafe focused on the effects of EMFs with some of the top secialists in the field, Dr. George Carlo and Mr. William Spates.

William Spates has been involved in the operation, maintenance, design and testing of environmental systems for over 30 years, which has well prepared him for the investigation of building-related moisture damage and environmental health issues. Spates is president of Indoor Environmental Consulting, IET, a full service Indoor Environmental Consulting firm specializing in moisture and microbial investigations other aspects of environmental building investigations. IET has conducted over four thousand building inspections in the sixteen years since its founding in 1992.

Dr. George Carlo is the founder and chairman of the Science and Public Policy Institute and its sub-project, the Safe Wireless Initiative. Through collaborative efforts and research with top scientists, many of the researchers from the WTR and others, Carlo is proving the mechanism of harm to the cell membrane from all forms of wireless exposure and the synergistic effects with accumulated environmental toxins. He is currently dedicating his life and the work of SPPI, SWI and the affiliated organizations to educating clinicians, consultants and health-care practitioners on protocols of intervention to help victims of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure.

“Creating A Safe Lawn for Your Family”

Imagine rolling in a circle of deep lush green fragrant grass. Imagine not worrying about residual chemicals or invasive odors in your own yard – a place that should be your own private escape from the toils of your daily grind. Imagine your children and pets frolicking in a chemical-free paradise.

At the July 3rd Green World Café, Safescapes will offer advice on how to create your own “safe” haven, or let us do it for you. Heath Jorgenson, landscape design and consultant of Tranquillescapes, and Paige Taggart Long of Safescapes, have joined forces to create a dynamic duo that is out to revolutionize the way we care for our lawns. From the products other landscape professionals apply to the gas guzzling equipment that they use, Safescapes can offer alternatives that will give you peace of mind.

Heath Jorgenson was born and raised green, the old fashioned way. His parents are true environmentalists who introduced Heath to plants at the tender age of five. Heath learned everything he could about plants. Fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides were not part of the equation. It has always been an invigorating challenge to find ways to grow the most beautiful plants in the most aesthetically pleasing setting, without disrupting the natural ecosystem. After 13 years in Florida, Heath’s passion has morphed into finding environmentally safe ways to grow tropical plants in our SW Florida climate.

Paige Taggart Long is the proprietor of Safescapes Land Care, a Sarasota Green Connection approved business, member of FNGLA (Florida Nursery, Growers, & Landscape Association), certified at Best Management Practices, a member of Safe Lawns, and the official lawn care company for The Sierra Club. As a mother, Paige grew more interested in learning more about what was in her son’s environment. She researched everything from genetically modified foods, personal care products, household products, to pest control, and lawn care. Paige always had natural lawns (no chemicals applied), and while living in CA for four years, had a large organic vegetable and herb garden. Upon returning to FL, she recognized a need for safer lawn care alternatives in her native home. This idea gave birth to Safescapes Land Care, LLC.

“Slow Food Greater Sarasota”

On June 5, 2008, learn about the goals and activities of the local convivium of Slow Food USA and its quest to promote local gastronomic pleasures and sustainable agriculture at the June Sarasota Green World Cafe.

Speaker Robert Kluson, sustainable food professional, is the Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Sarasota County and served as a land manager for Sarasota's Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program. Some of Kluson's responsibilities include: local food system development; the Sarasota County Farm to School Program; ag-disaster preparedness, educational programs focusing on watershed awareness; and the Backyard Landscaping for Wildlife Program.

"The Green Bandwagon"

Why aren't more people already on the "green bandwagon"? It seems so obvious and natural to us. What are some ideas and approaches we can use to gently, yet effectively get more people around us to adopt a greener lifestyle - for their own benefit as well as the planet's benefit?

Dr. Joel Hamaker will discuss three major categories of the environmental mindset. Then he will lead an open discussion of ways that you can encourage our less-than-green acquaintances, in ways that they will be receptive to adopting an encironmentally friendly way of living. In addition to Dr. Hamaker's insights, your specific ideas and experiences on this matter of persuasion will be invited.

“Truly Connect With Nature”

How do we develop a deeper, more mystical connection with nature?  How do we balance high tech with high touch?  How do we synthesize a new healthy relationship with nature while living in the information age?  Anne Cederberg is the featured speaker at the next Sarasota Green World Café. She will lead us in experiences that will help us discover our personal relationship with nature. Come and bring your open mindedness and willingness to explore. Teachers are especially invited to join us.

Anne Cederberg is a professional Interpretive Naturalist, nature photographer and author. She seeks to empower others in their own connection with themselves and the rest of the natural world. 

"The 11th Hour Film"

11th Hour showing and interview with associate producer, Stephan McGuire. Location: Sarasota Film Society at Lakewood Ranch.

Synopsis:

Drought. Famine. Severe flooding. Record rainfall. Hurricanes. Acid rain. The highest average temperatures in recorded history. Catastrophe is reported on the nightly news as isolated incidents. But are these incidents isolated, or pieces of a larger global puzzle that could unlock humanity's future?

"Take Action Against Global Warming"

Global warming threatens our way of life in Florida. To avoid its worst impacts, scientists say we need to reduce our global warming pollution 80% by 2050. How can we as individuals organize for effective global warming action? What are the hurdles we must overcome in Congress to initiate national change? How are the National Environmental Trust and Greenpeace campaigns tackling the issues? Campaigners Eli Rosenfeld and Joe Smyth will address these subjects at the November 1, 2007 Green World Café.

“A Green Yard For A Green Home”

What makes a landscape truly “Green”, “Florida Friendly” and adequate to meet the requirements of Florida Green Building Coalition’s Green Home standards? Landscape Architect Frank Solinko will address these issues at Sarasota Green Connection's October 4, 2007 Green World Café.

Frank J. Solinko is a Florida Registered Landscape Architect with professional experience spanning the public, private and academic sectors for over twenty-four years.  Frank Solinko has experience in Master Planning: Creating vision for future development based on Sustainable Planning Principles including Traditional Neighborhood Design, the New Urbanism, “Green” buildings and marketplaces, and well integrated, safe and pedestrian friendly streetscapes using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Principles.

Sept. 6th 2007

"Shared Housing Solutions"

Is Shared Housing Sarasota's next solution to affordable housing?? Is Co-Housing legal?  What are the real restrictions on an extra cottage on a single family lot?  What happens when several people who are not related decide to live together?  These questions and more will be answered at Sarasota Green Connection's September 6, 2007 Green World Cafe when three great professionals will be sharing their knowledge and helping to create a new direction for housing solutions.   Monica Nazar from the Community Housing Trust, Nancy Sloan, senior loan officer from National City Mortgage and attorney Tami Conetta from Ruden McClosky are going to shed some light on how people who want to live together can make it happen.
 
Monica Nazar will present the brand new and existing CHT programs available to help people become home owners.  Those who are not related may want to live in the same home, but what does zoning allow?    Lenders will finance a house with multiple unrelated people on the mortgage, but how many? Nancy Sloan will explain some of the opportunities and challenges of financing today.
 
Perhaps the most critical item in the partnership is the arrangement between the residents that makes it work. Attorney Tami Conetta will address private agreements.   How will decisions about improvements and repairs be made? What happens if one of the residents dies? How does one individual get out of the arrangement if it becomes necessary? These and other questions need to be sorted out ahead of time in a written document that's something of a cross between a pre-nup and a partnership agreement, explains Conetta.

Aug. 2nd 2007

"New Commitment to Going Green"
  
Troy Larkin of Eslinger Homes will be the featured guest at the August 2nd Green World Cafe meeting. They have recently committed to building all their homes to meet or exceed Florida Green Building Coalition standards. Eslinger Homes is the first builder in the area to make such a commitment. They will be discussing the paradigm shift that led their business to make the change along with the procedures necessary to implement the transformation.

Eslinger Homes is a local family owned and operated company that has been building in the Sarasota and Manatee area for over 30 years. They were recently featured on BayNews 9 and in several local newspapers and magazines chronicling their decision to Go Green.

"Live Earth Celebration"

Live Earth is a 24-hour, 7-continent concert series taking place on 7/7/07 that will bring together more than 100 music artists and 2 billion people to trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis. The concerts will be broadcast to a live worldwide audience via internet. Learn more about this event at http://www.liveearth.org/
Sarasota Green Marketplace and Living Walls Furniture & Design are co-sponsering a Live Earth House Party. Come in and join like minded friends and neighbors!

"Thyme for Gather-Thyme for Dinner"

Come to 4428 Bee Ridge Road for Sarasota Green Connection’s first ever Traveling Sarasota Green World Café hosted by Cherie and Dennis Dinoia, co-owners of Thyme to Gather-Thyme for Dinner.

“An Indoor Environmental Awareness Workshop”

The Air & Water Center is an indoor environmental technologies company offering products and services designed to provide exceptional solutions for improving air and water quality in both light commercial and residential applications. The Air & Water Center Resource Team, a coalition of independently owned businesses specializing in fields relating to indoor air and water quality, sponsors these indoor environmental awareness workshops in an effort to improve the quality of life in our community by sharing research, technical information, ideas, products and solutions.

In the workshop they discuss the three categories that make up indoor air pollution, what the problems are associated with poor indoor air quality, and how serious the issue really is. The water quality portion of the program is along the same lines - what’s in the water we bathe in and drink, what the problems are associated with it, and how serious the issue really is. Finally, they will discuss simple solutions to remediate or correct the situations as they exist and ways reduce your exposure to toxins in your home or office.

At the end of the presentation you will be able ask questions of top professionals from the indoor air and water quality industries. They can answer your questions about the difference in technologies, equipment or applications available for water or air purification, treatment, filtration, conditioning.

John Cozy of the Air & Water Center has 12 years experience in the cleaning and restoration industry.  His certifications include:  Advance Oxidation Technology- Indoor Air Quality Specialist, Mold Remediation Tech., NORMI (National Org. of Remediators and Mold inspectors), Mold Inspection, Odor Control, and holds a Masters Certification in Textile Cleaning and Restoration.

"Grand Opening of Sarasota Green Marketplace"

Sarasota Green Marketplace officially opened the doors to its new retail location at 2864 Ringling Blvd. on March 28th 2007!