Lifestyle

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.

Yard Smart is a free seminar, featuring experts from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, designed to provide effective, beneficial ways to use water wisely in the landscape. Topics vary by season and have included butterfly gardening, landscape watering, container gardens, perennials, trees and much more. This semi-annual seminar is offered each spring and fall. See website for fall seminar topics. Spring seminar topics will be posted in spring. No pre-registration is required.

Yard Smart is a free seminar, featuring experts from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, designed to provide effective, beneficial ways to use water wisely in the landscape. Topics vary by season and have included butterfly gardening, landscape watering, container gardens, perennials, trees and much more. This semi-annual seminar is offered each spring and fall. See website for fall seminar topics. No pre-registration is required.

Social Impact. Dallas. Engagement. Civic-Mindedness.
These are all words that evoke the energy and excitement around this year's bigBang! event, a forum hosted by Dallas Social Venture Partners. We will be convening the thinkers and doers of our city for a day-long opportunity to catalyze positive impact.

This year, bigBang! will be a place to jump in and get hands on. With experiences at every turn to learn about forward-thinking socially conscious businesses and nonprofit organizations, we invite you to be completely immersed in the day.
General Admission with access to all events is $225.
A micro-sponsorship of $1,000 provides two tickets and four Fellowships to be granted by purchaser or given back to bigBang! to be distributed as scholarships.

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 Third Annual Texas State Veggie Fair will take place near downtown Dallas. Thousands from across the Metroxplex and beyond will gather to celebrate the benefits of a vegan lifestyle with entertainment, food and guest speakers.

Eileen Birnbaum worked in the legal field for 27 years before begining the World Wear Project, LLC 2 years ago. Through her efforts, this business has been a force not only for landfill diversion, but distribution of clothing resources and fund raising for schools, religious institutions, community organizations and a variety of other nonprofits. Hear her story, get educated about opportunities to further reduce our landfill contributions and grab some lunch from the Texas Harvest Pie Company.

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.

he Coppell Farmers Market is a one-stop shopping trip for fresh, seasonal produce, pastured meats, eggs, breads and locally made foods. All products sold at the Coppell Farmers Market are grown, raised and/or produced directly by the vendor within the North Central Texas region, with the exception of full disclosure and approval of selling another’s product.
Weekly and seasonal offerings:
Grass fed beef, natural pork & chicken, eggs from free range hens, Gulf coast seafood, wild-caught Alaska salmon, tomatoes, lettuces and varieties of greens, herbs, beets, turnips, radishes, spring and large onions, mushrooms, new potatoes and sweet potatoes continue to be offered in addition to honey, cheese, pasta, artisan breads, pies, cookies, cake balls, soup & dessert mixes, herb-infused sorbet, chips and salsa, granola, spice blends, pecans, spiced nuts, Texas olive oil, coffee and tea.
Find bedding plants for spring/summer color, herbs or vegetables. Look for doggie treats, custom soaps and soy candles, worm castings, worm wine or pre-order vermi-composting kits.

The Coppell Farmers Market is a one-stop shopping trip for fresh, seasonal produce, pastured meats, eggs, breads and locally made foods. All products sold at the Coppell Farmers Market are grown, raised and/or produced directly by the vendor within the North Central Texas region, with the exception of full disclosure and approval of selling another’s product.
Weekly and seasonal offerings:
Grass fed beef, natural pork & chicken, eggs from free range hens, Gulf coast seafood, wild-caught Alaska salmon, tomatoes, lettuces and varieties of greens, herbs, beets, turnips, radishes, spring and large onions, mushrooms, new potatoes and sweet potatoes continue to be offered in addition to honey, cheese, pasta, artisan breads, pies, cookies, cake balls, soup & dessert mixes, herb-infused sorbet, chips and salsa, granola, spice blends, pecans, spiced nuts, Texas olive oil, coffee and tea.
Find bedding plants for spring/summer color, herbs or vegetables. Look for doggie treats, custom soaps and soy candles, worm castings, worm wine or pre-order vermi-composting kits.