Home improvement

The Texas/Oklahoma Chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) will host its annual Leaders Breakfast, featuring Eric Ryan, co-founder and chief brand architect of Method Products, Inc. , maker of environmentally-conscious household products. Deborah Fuller, RID, IIDA, LEED AP will be honored for her 30 years of work in the interior design industry, and particularly for her efforts in the area of sustainability and LEED certification.
Ryan will provide the keynote address, “The Method Method: Seven Obsessions That Helped Our Scrappy Start-Up Turn an Industry Upside Down." Ryan has been named an eco-leader by Vanity Fair, and an eco-revolutionary by Time Magazine.

By Teresa McUsic
The fourth annual Ecofest Arlington, a free event to promote environmental awareness, will be held Saturday, Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Founders Plaza, 100 W. Abram St. in downtown Arlington. The event is expected to draw more than 10,000, according to a city official.
The festival will feature more than 40 vendors, who will spotlight their green products and services. Ecofest also will include free demonstrations, classes and kid-centered activities. Live entertainment will feature local bands performing at the outdoor Levitt Pavilion. Tap water will be available for free all day, while food and drinks from local restaurants will be on hand as well.
“This isn’t a city event, this is a regional event,” said Heather Dowell, parks and recreation urban forest land manager for Arlington. “We want everyone in North Texas to come.”
Arlington will give away 1,500 trees in 12 varieties on a first come first serve basis at the festival. Last year, 1,000 trees were gone within the first four hours, Dowell said.
Arlington residents also will be able to sign up for a $10 class in the city chambers for making their own rain barrel.

Over the past 11 years, this community and family oriented Green Living Fair has grown to be the largest “green show” in the South. It occurs at the end of September, every year, in historic Fredericksburg, Texas. You can see the latest in eco-friendly technologies. Learn how to save and create your own energy. Attend informative talks by the experts. Visit with our vendors to see contemporary green living and sustainability practices. Come test drive the next generation in personal transportation. It’s fun, environmentally friendly, and a great place to learn how you can make a difference!

The Dallas Sierra Club meeting will include the following programs. Solar Energy - Jim Duncan, solar PV design and installation specialist, will talk about the fast growing
renewable energy field of solar photovoltaics. Learn about solar power for your home. Find out if purchasing a solar PV system is right for you, and learn the pros and cons of leasing solar panels. More information at www.ntrei.com.

Fall Elections - David Griggs will give a brief overview of the fall Sierra Club electoral plan for North Texas, including a handout of the list of the Sierra Club endorsements.

Contact Kirk Miller at KirkMiller@DallasSierraClub.org for more information.

Event is sponsored by the Dallas Alternative Energy Group. Learn to be self-sufficient, resourceful, whether you live in an apartment or farm. Come meet our exhibitors who can teach you about canning, organic gardens, water purification solar electricity, rainwater collection, native plants in the landscape, chicken coop design. In addition, North Haven Gardens will have a speaker at 10:30 a.m. Free admission.

Local homesteading and sustainability exhibitors/demonstrations/speakers/farmers bring their knowledge to share and wares to sell. From renewable energy to green building to permaculture to intentional communities to farm produce to canning to oat rolling and more, learn what you need to live more sustainably. Admission is free.

This free self-guided tour is hosted by the North Texas Renewable Energy Group showcases multiple homes that incorporate intelligent design, conservation features and renewable energy. See locations and visitor hours online. For more information, contact Mellen West at 214-707-5161.

Event is hosted by the North Texas Renewable Energy Group. Presenter is C.T. Lloyd, Certified Home Energy Auditor.

Event is hosted by DFW Greenweavers. We will cover the construction and use of a full sized solar dehydrator.

You will receive:

* Materials list
* Hands on training on how to build a solar dehydrator
* A full understanding of how convection draw can dry food better than electrical food dehydrators.

Price is $80 to cover materials. Minimum of 6 people required.

We’ll be building a BIG one but it can be scaled down to any size to fit your needs.

Class environment is fun and easy going.
All tools will be provided.
Food and lodging are not provided.

http://www.biotechturetraining.com/training.html

Hosted by EcoTuesday, an important message to building/property owners and managers will be given by Lori De La Cruz, ABC, and the Vice President of Sustainability Education at U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce (Lone Star Chapter). This is also a networking opportunity to meet other people in the property/building industry and trades. Refreshments will be served. Please sign up ASAP to attend at: http://www.meetup.com... before registration fills up.