Articles about GREEN LIVING
La Cuesta Farm
This falls into the Who Knew? category. Beautiful goat’s milk cheese is produced on La Cuesta Farm, about an hour and a half outside of Dallas near Lake Whitney. Order online, or find their cheeses and other goat’s milk products in one of the groceries listed on the website. York Street Cafe and Parigi both serve their cheese.
Nuclear Blast
I’ve really had it. Spider mites and aphids attacked my indoor palms and a large braided money tree four months ago. I tried everything organic to kill them, including soap spray and $80 mail order, microscopic “predatory mites” that allegedly feast on the buggers. All I got from that was a house full of corn meal — because you can’t see the things, the mites come packaged in corn meal so you can spread them around. I also tried spraying the plants with a solution of rubbing alcohol and water, from a recipe on the Internet. “It really works!” the gardening blogs exclaimed. All that did was burn the leaves. Soon after, everything keeled over and died, so I replaced them all a few weeks ago with big bushy plants from the Farmer’s Market. Again, they’re infested with mites and aphids. A few days ago, I thought I’d try something new: live ladybugs, guaranteed to keep aphids and mites under control, and be fun to boot. So, after a trip back to the Farmer’s Market, I released a package of 1,700 ladybugs onto my plants. Yes, inside. They immediately flew onto the draperies and onto the floor. Most of them died by the next morning, and the ones that didn’t are still flying randomly around. I’ve gotten sick of the whole thing, and only just got back from buying a bottle of real insecticide, the kind with a yellow warning label on it. It’s pointed at a plant right now. And I swear I’m going to use it.
An Evening with Neil Sperry
Texas horticulturist Neil Sperry is a household name in our backyard. Last spring, with the help of Calloway’s, we choose indigenous plants that returned strong this year, thanks to Neil’s Complete Guide to Texas Gardening. Like perennials, his book comes up again and again as a solid reference. Meet the man behind the book, and the gardener’s voice on KRLD (1080 AM) since May 1980, at the DMA on Thursday, May 1, at 7 p.m. Join him for Green Landscaping–Facts and Fantasies–and the latest trends in Texas gardening. Call 214-922-1826. $15.
Eco-Moms
Seems that Mother Earth is networking through a national group of dedicated “eco-moms.” They’re learning how to save the world, one household at a time. BRAVO. Read all about them in The New York Times.
Waterless Toilet
I’m not here yet. But, I am very impressed if you are.
Roses are Red, Violets are Blue…
Here’s a little more info for you.
Stainless Steel with Eco-Sense
When evaluating a product’s real environmental merit (or lack there of), the true bottomline takes into account material sourcing and lifetime use. The more I learn, the more I value a company like Julien. They have designers who create beautiful stainless steel products - and executives who insist on using 100% recycled and recyclable stainless steel. Last year alone, the company sold over 1,000 tons of stainless steel to steel reclaimers for reuse. Treat yourself to a gorgeous new sink from a company with a conscious.
What Has Kenneth Blasingame Been Doing?
Helping Laura Bush freshen up the White House, as documented in the new March issue of Architectural Digest. And we know Laura loves green. In fact, the Green Room is her favorite.
How Green Will You Go?
I love the new technology in showerheads from Waterdecor. It lets you customize the waterflow instead of being set to a fixed GPM (gallons per minute). Low flow is anything under 2.5 GPM. These showerheads can be set in a range from .5 to 2.2 GPM. Considering that a typical household of four people consumes approximately 9,000 gallons of water per month or 108,000 gallons per year –enough to fill a bathtub more than 2,500 times – every gallon saved counts.
Laura Fiffick in the News
Dallas’ very own Director of Environmental Quality was quoted in The New York Times today. The article discusses why it is so hard for some communities to go green. Read Laura’s comments on the bottom of page two.
Going Green with Daltile
The Dallas-based tile manufacturer and distributor (the biggest in the country, by the way) has launched a website where consumers can find out the recycled materials content and other green facts about the company’s products. Check it out here.
Powerful organic cleaner?
In Real Simple’s current issue, readers recommend great household products. One woman’s suggestion interested me: Shaklee’s Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate. While most of my own cleaning products are green (thanks to Loyd’s prodding and a college-age sister who got me a great retail discount on Mrs Meyers stuff), I still can’t seem to part with my 409 or Kaboom. There’s just nothing else quite like them. But this might be my answer. Apparently it’s strong enough to remove hair dye and other tough stains (I’ll leave the other, grosser suggestions of what it cleans up to them). I’ll try it and report back.
Benjamin Moore’s “Green” Aura Paint
Finally, a high-performance, low VOC paint! Translated: this is a super premium, beautiful paint with minimal environmental impact. Most paints give off high levels of VOC’s - airborne contaminants that are toxic and contribute to ozone levels. Benjamin Moore’s Aura uses waterbourne colorants that eliminate the problem. In addition, Aura is self-priming and only one coat is generally needed. Over 144 gorgeous new colors have been created for this line, but all 3,000 Benjamin Moore colors are available in this eco-friendly formulation. I am rushing over to the Benjamin Moore store on West Lover’s Lane to pick up a sample and will post my “review” after the weekend. (Oh, how I adore painting!)
Green Dallas
Since I am always surfing for websites with environmental news, you can imagine my utter delight when I stumbled upon GreenDallas.net. Created by our very own city staff, I am told it is the first of its kind in the country. Never underestimate the dedication of our Office of Environmental Quality. We love you Laura Fiffick (Director).
EPA Ranks Dallas #1 for Sustainable Energy Use
The EPA’s latest ranking of local governments shows that Dallas uses more sustainable energy (wind, solar, etc…) than any other registered local government entity. Wow. Perhaps even more impressively, Dallas ranks #9 on the national list, ABOVE THE EPA! This list includes everything from Fortune 500 corporations to government agencies.
According to the EPA, the City of Dallas’ green power purchase of nearly 334 million (kWh) is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of nearly 48,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 33,000 average American homes annually. Nice.
Diane Cheatham Developing New LEED Project
I was just speaking with Diane Cheatham about progress at Urban Reserve (read all about it in my column in March) and she mentioned her newest green venture -a ten unit condominum project directly behind Whole Foods (think Oak Lawn area). The units will be LEED certified and available in 800 or 1250 square foot plans. She’ll break ground this spring and hope for an early 2009 completion. These will be very cool (pardon the pun) with the latest green innovations, including a geothermal system. Go Diane go…you’re my hero.
Laura Hunt, Val Glitsch, Emily Owens Lasko, Virginia McAlester and Amy Monier
What do all these talented women have in common? They are all graduates of The Hockaday School, a private, single sex college preparatory mecca from preschool through twelth grade that has educated some of the city’s most notable, talented and extraordinary women. (My daughter and her friends included.) This evening HAARTS (Hockaday Alumnae in the Arts): Art on a Living Scale: Architecture and Interior Design lauds these women’s accomplishments. Everyone knows Virginia McAlester and her talented film-writing daughter, Amy Talkington, designer Laura Hunt and my dear friend Amy Monier, developing the area’s first truly green, self-sustaining land trust on her family’s farm, Connemara. I look forward to meeting Val Blitsch, an architect and artist as well as Emily Owens Lasko, Associate Principal and Studio Director, Good Fulton & Farrell Interiors.
No More Plastic Bags at Whole Foods
Whole Foods, already one of my favorite stores, is phasing out plastic and encouraging shoppers to carry reusable bags. Nice.
Green Kids Patrol for Energy Waste
Love this effort. Someone is training them well at home…
The Panic Room: Maffco Puts Together A Safe, Solid, Energy-Efficient Palace
If this had been Dorothy’s home, there would be no Wizard of Oz! 5414 Falls Road is no longer on the market — but you just have to see it. One of the most energy-efficient homes built in town, 13,000 square feet BUT costs only about $800 a month to heat and cool. (Yeah, stings those of us paying that much in rent, but trust me, for a home this size, $800 is peanuts. God I hope Mama doesn’t pick up on this one.) Architectural design by Richard Drummond Davis, interior design by Cyndy Severson, 5,100 square foot basement with “ThermaSteel” insulated panels, ground water reclamation system, geothermal HVAC, insulated windows, a “Groin” vaulted gallery — have no idea what that means, hope it is not referring to the male anatomy — media, wine, library and of course a safe room. Turns out the buyer lived through a tornado when he was a small child so he bought this home with all its underground glory to keep the fam super duper safe. Take a look-see.
Report on Chemical Consequences
Warning: do not read this unless you have had a cup of strong (purified) coffee. It will make you sick. Bottomline: California is always the first to figure it out. What you do at home really does matter - ditch all those chemicals in your laundry room, under the sink and in the garage. Run to the store and replace them with natural products.
A Little Chilly This Morning?
Resist that temptation to crank up your central heating system for a few minutes of relief. The US Department of Energy says that 56% of a typical home’s energy goes to heating and cooling. A space heater uses about 86% less energy that a central heating system. Do the math - buy a space heater. For inexpensive models go to Lowe’s or Home Depot. For a premium blast, check the Vornado Touchstone
Modern Dallas
This is an energy efficient prefab home if you can believe it. Buy it, build it. Find out about it and other prefab models on Michael Lasky and Mark Milikin’s amazing site, DallasMod.Com.
The website is devoted to all things modern in Dallas, including great modern houses (at all price points) for sale, forums and discussions on modern interior design, furniture, shopping, architect. This is a site to bookmark and visit often.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Want To Pimp You Up
Or at least your powder room. Since I am in northern California, I have no idea if this story is sprawled all over the Dallas Morning News given the outcome of Sunday’s game, but it should be. Roto-Rooter, those folks plunge us when life gets tough, are sponsoring the Pimped Out Powder Room contest January 22, 2008 through April 1, 2008. The winner will be crowned on National Plumber’s Day, which is April 25, 2008. Mark those calendars! For an event of this royal magnitude, RR has enlisted the help of some flushing women, our very own Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. RR says that when it comes to, um, stoppages, women are the experts and most likely to dial up the plumber. (Mine’s on speed-dial.) RR also thinks girls need more excuses to spend time in the bathroom (more stoppages?) so the lucky POPR winner will get a salon-style hair dryer, pedicure tub, Nintendo Wii (what?) flat screen TV that functions as a mirror and heated towel rack (hope no one gets electrocuted), and of course, the Plumber crown. People really like this: 300,000 “Pimped-Out John” entries in years past have included custom-made commodes complete with kegorators, LCD TVs, and more. I totally think the D Home Editorial staff needs to enter this contest — visit rotorooter.com to register — here’s the release:
Eco-Iconic
One of my favorite trend reports just coined the term eco-iconic. According to their global research team, green design has moved from eco-ugly to eco-chic to eco-iconic. The idea is to visibly demonstrate one’s eco-credentials to the public. They cite the Bahrain World Trade Center as an example, the world’s first commercial building to incorporate wind turbines into its design and functionality. That’s setting the bar pretty high…
Green Backs for Green Collar Jobs
In case you’re still skeptical about the escalating green movement, read this. Albeit less $$$ than was hoped for, it’s still the start of some great new legislation and funding to educate builders and energy providers on earthy friendly practice. I am hoping our Mayor snags some of this for his private and municipal green training plans.
Locally Grown: Where Exactly?
If you’re like me, January and February are highly depressing months in the produce sections of the grocery stores. Put your zip code in this search engine for neighborhood specific places to go for everything from locally produced cheese to farm raised beef to, best of all, PRODUCE.
Mod Green Pod
I knew it was just a matter of time before “green” fabrics went from being organically brown and dull to being stylish, colorful, and fun. One of my favorites is Mod Green Pod available locally at ID Collection in the Dallas Design Center. Of course, the name sort of intrigues me, too. I get the green, and the mod, what about the pod? All kinds of things come to mind - pod people, hallucinogenic drug pods, etc.
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