Easy: When we bought our home several years ago, one of my requirements wishes was that we live close to a soccer field. … At the time, I was coaching my older daughter as she began her U-8 soccer career, and I was (and am still) playing in an adult soccer league. … Coaching soccer is one of the ways I choose to participate in my community, and more importantly, my kids’ lives. Seeing the kids in the hallways of the schools, in coffee shops, in grocery stores, and knowing that for that little time of their lives, I had a impact, is something I encourage every parent to do.
Posts tagged Green
Charlottesville’s LEAP One of 10 Communities to Test “MPG for Houses”
One of 10 Communities Nationwide to Test Score Akin to MPG Label for Cars The White House today announced that Charlottesville’s Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) was selected to help pilot a new Home Energy Score Program, similar to a miles-per-gallon label for cars, before it is rolled out nationally next summer. LEAP’s Executive Director Cynthia Adams was in Washington, DC, for the announcement today which was attended by Vice President Joe Biden as Chair of the White House Middle Class Task Force, Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan. LEAP will now be one of the first to offer this valuable tool to customers and stakeholder partners in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties of Albemarle, Greene, Nelson, Fluvanna, and Louisa and will help improve the program before it is rolled out nationally. “We know that in the U.S. buildings account for 70% of our electrical and 40% of our overall energy use, and yet until now we have had no practical tool for quantifying the relative performance of these buildings.
Renovating an Historic Home? The Commonwealth of Virginia wants to Give you Money.
Frankly, as an architect who has specialized in building rehabilitation, renovation, restoration, and repair for nigh on 22 years, I share a sentiment that pervades the historic preservation community, including the staff at the Commonwealth Department of Historic Resources: This is free money.
…The house must be a) listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register or b) a “contributing structure†to a Virginia Landmarks Register District or c) judged “register eligible.†… If Landmark District designation is officially pending, and your house is listed as contributing to that District, you may proceed with your rehabilitation project. … Oh, if, at any point during this process, you cannot resist the urge to paint your house lime green, or international orange, or white with red polka dots, there’s no rule or regulation or tax credit standard that will stop you from doing so.
Charlottesville’s LEAP
Via press release: Charlottesville and Albemarle residents will have the chance to win $10,000 in energy efficiency improvements to their homes in a Home Energy Makeover Contest to be announced this Wednesday, July 7th. The contest is one of several upcoming opportunities for local homeowners to make their homes more safe and comfortable and save money on energy bills – including a major announcement about a suite of incentives and rebates to be made at the press conference. What : Launch of the Charlottesville Home Energy Makeover Contest and announcement of new energy efficiency incentives and rebates for the community. When : Wednesday, July 7th – 1:30 pm Where : Charlottesville Community Design Center, Downtown Mall Who : – Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris and Cynthia Adams, Executive Director of the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) – Local contractors who will perform home retrofits as part of the contest – Local homeowners who have recently been involved in pilot energy efficiency assessments and retrofits Local Energy Alliance Program – Charlottesville (PDF)
Charlottesville’s Buy Fresh Buy Local 2010 Guide
Thanks to Erika at C-Ville for pointing out that the Buy Fresh Buy Local 2010 Guide has been released. You can download the guide from the Buy Local Virginia site . Your list of Farmer’s Markets, local farms, orchards, vineyards, CSAs, supporting Charlottesville area restaurants, retailers and caterers – all in one place . … I’ll have extra copies if you want some.:)
Local Food in Charlottesville and Albemarle
The more I delve into and learn about the food system, local food, where our food comes from, the more convinced I become that real estate – my chosen path – is a huge component to the food system. … Albemarle loosens some key regulations : A pair of zoning amendments adopted Wednesday by the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors will make it easier for farms and wineries to sell their products. … Previously, Albemarle restricted the amount of people allowed to attend events held at wineries to no more than 150 people, and restricted such events to no more than 12 a year. UVA Planning Students audit area food systems : For each of the past five years, students in Tanya Denckla Cobb and Timothy Beatley’s class have examined different aspects of how this community obtains its food.
… There are at least nine Farmers’ Markets in Charlottesville and Albemarle: Charlottesville City Market ( CharlottesvilleCityMarket.com ) Charlottesville Holiday Market Crozet Farmers Market Earlysville Farmers Market Farmers in the Park Forest Lakes Farmers Market Scottsville Farmers Market The Market at Pen Park Whole Foods Farmers Market
A Food Revolution – Start in Charlottesville
… Charlottesville folks – What are the best local food options you have found/used? Search for local food options in Albemarle at Buy Fresh Buy Local ; Search for local food options in Charlottesville . Personally, I like reading the Green Scene blog at C-Ville .