German American Social Club - Family night this Friday January 28, 2011

As a new director for the GASC (German American Social Club) of Greater Miami, please join us this Friday, January 28, 2011 at the club for a fun Family night with Table Tennis (Ping Pong), Skat and other fun games and food...

See you there!

USGBC South Florida - Cliamte Refugees screening. January 19th

The USGBC South Florida chapter is presenting a networker screening on January 19th, 2011.

101 Way to Conserve Water in College - guest contribution

Nice article about more ways to conserve water:

www.onlineclasses.org

50 Ways to Go Green at your Wedding - Guest Blog

Interesting story about what you can do to Green up your wedding.

Today, green is the new white. To truly go green for your big day, you may have to sacrifice an extravagant dress, artisan-designed invitations and plastic decorations, but who really needs those things anyway? Green weddings are just as beautiful, chic and enjoyable as any other wedding, but with the bonuses of saving money, being environmentally friendly and getting back to the basics. Here are 50 ways to go green at your wedding:

Green Wedding Guides

These green wedding guides will help brides and grooms explore their eco-friendly options and get inspired in no time.

1.Green Wedding Shoes: Get inspired by these cool Southern California style weddings and DIY decorations that are cheap and eco-friendly.
2.Great Green Wedding: From eco-friendly wedding flowers, green wedding invitations to re-used wedding gowns, this blog provides tons of resources to green any wedding.
3.Eco-Beautiful Weddings: By the looks of this ultra-chic wedding blog, you'd never guess they plan environmentally-friendly weddings.
4.Ecopolitan Bride: This site will make you rethink the normal wedding traditions and consider more original ideas, such as ethically sourced birthstones, vintage bouquets and organic cotton wedding dresses.
5.Wedvert: Check out this site's experts tips and resources for planning a green wedding that minimizes your environmental impact and still looks beautiful.
6.Etsy Wedding: Eclectic brides, who also care about the environment, will enjoy this innovative bridal blog and its eco-friendly finds.
7.Emerald Weddings: Get inspired by the green weddings this Seattle-based wedding consultancy puts together.
8.Green Bride Guide: This site has awesome resources and clever ideas to guide you through green wedding planning.
9.Ethical Weddings: See what this online green wedding magazine and planning resource can do to green your weddings to the max.
10.How to Reuse it Creatively: From paperless RSVPs, a reused wedding dress to bringing your own food to the reception, this blog will teach you new creative ways to make your wedding green.


Read More:

http://www.toponlinecolleges.com/blog/2010/50-ways-to-go-green-at-your-wedding/

50 Online Resources for Eco-Friendly Schools - Guest contribution

Please see a good article on the "50 Online Resources for Eco-Friendly Schools" published on Bestcollegesonline.net

Village Green Man

Lutron Radio Ra 2 - Residential Specification Seminar - Thursday, October 28 in Plantation

Please find information below for the upcoming Lutron Radio Ra 2 Residential Specification Seminar happening at the Fort Lauderdale, Florida Experience Center in Plantation, FL:
• Thursday, October 28th, 2010 - Click to Register

This is a Free 1-day course to learn about the latest technology in residential lighting and energy control systems including:
• Energy savings through automated control systems
• Touchscreen integration
• Thermostat controls
• Vacancy detection
• Preset dimming systems throughout the home

If you are involved with medium to high-end residential construction, please read below and plan to attend to learn more about the latest in wireless lighting control, Radio Ra 2.

Sly



Interested in the rapidly growing market for residential energy-savings technologies?

Attend Lutron’s Specifier Qualification training, focused on the ground-breaking RadioRA 2 wireless light and shade control system, featuring Lutron’s patented Clear Connect™ RF technology.

RadioRA 2 was built specifically to address the emerging, tech savvy, and environmentally conscious mid-market consumer, who demands a simple to use, reasonably priced, IP “connected” technology which can be easily installed in an existing home.

Now is the time to develop the retrofit market for energy-savings technology! (100 million existing homes, vs. 650,000 new homes being built in 2010—and a difficult new construction outlook).
Save energy effortlessly, beautifully and add an entirely new element of convenience to your customers’ lives with RadioRA 2.

RadioRA 2 offers the progressive “trend setting” interior designer, architect, remodeler and builder the greatest opportunity for differentiation and comparative advantage amongst a challenging economic environment.

RadioRA 2 & Lutron Products
• Lutron products save the world over $1 billion a year in energy and lamp costs.
• Lutron shading solutions reduce HVAC costs, harmful UV rays and unsightly glare.
• RadioRA 2 light and shade control reduces a building’s carbon footprint.

Lighting Control–change how you experience light
Just as the shift from horse and buggy to automobile changed how we experience transportation, moving from the switch to lighting control will change how we experience light. RadioRA 2 is the vehicle for this change!

We invite you to share a day with us to explore our exciting RadioRA 2 lighting & shading control technology:
Course Syllabus:
• 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM Course Overview
• 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM RadioRA 2 Essentials Designer Software/Product Knowledge/Specification Workshop (Lunch & Experience Center Tour included from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM)
• 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM Quick Quote Tool/Product Reference Guide/Specification Documents (including CSI Spec)/ Literature & Marketing Tools
• 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM High Impact Abbreviated Sales & Business Training (featuring USGBC’s LEED for Homes and REGREEN for existing homes, NAHB Green Standard, Energy Star for Homes, Home Star, Title 24 and American Energy & Security Independence Act discussion)

RadioRA 2 Specifier Software Access Program RadioRA 2 Qualified Specifiers will earn access to the innovative and robust RadioRA 2 Essentials Designer software package (100 devices). RadioRA 2 Qualified Specifiers will be updated as new and improved software products are released.

Who Should Attend
• Interior Designers (ASID welcome)
• Architects (AIA welcome)
• Builders (NAHB welcome)
• Remodelers (NARI welcome)
• Kitchen & Bath dealers (NKBA welcome)

Costs
Course is free of charge!

Happening at the Fort Lauderdale, Florida Experience Center in Plantation, FL:
• Thursday, October 28th, 2010 - Click to Register

Blogs on Sustainable Buildings - Guest contribution by Ron Delfs

This is a great blog worth looking at. Look for the post: "25 Best Blogs at the Forefront of Sustainable Building”

http://www.environmentalsciencedegrees.net/blog/2010/25-best-blogs-at-the-forefront-of-sustainable-building/

Village Green man

water...what kills people

What we really need is water. This is a great little clip about the water use (and waste) on a global scale...

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/09/12/george-will-earth-doesn-t-care-what-is-done-to-it.html?gt1=43002

Village Green Man

Sebastian Eilert, AIA to speak at Arkiforum 10 in Santo Domingo – November 18, 2010

It is with great pleasure that I share this year’s Arkiforum 10 conference for Architects in the Dominican Republic. I have been asked to be the Keynote speaker for this one day conference addressing global and local concerns of green building. It is particularly exciting to be part of the sustainable efforts beyond the borders and the reach of the US.
The conference will take place November 18, 2010 in Santo Domingo. Please see the events flyer and help spread the word...

www.matchtalent.com.do

Village Green Man

City Miami free FRUIT TREE Giveaway - August 21, 2010 8 - noon

A great opportunity to get a free fruit tree!

The City of Miami along with some great sponsors is having a fruit tree giveaway this weekend. It will be help at the Belafonte Talcolcy Park located at 6161 N.W. 9th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33123. 8am to noon.

Pre-registration is available at your local NET office. See flyer for more details!

USGBC LEED scholarships due this Friday...

...a great opportunity for students and young professionals to cover the cost for the LEED GA exam.
The USGBC Chapter LEED Scholarships are due this Friday, May 7th. They are for Students and Emerging Professionals, 30 and younger and will cover all costs associated with accreditation.

see the flyer below.

Florida Green Building Law: Florida’s Renewable Energy Landscape – Past, Present, and Future

Excellent article on FloridaGreenBuildignLaw.com on renewable energy in Florida:

As a professional in the solar power industry, I’m frequently asked why Florida, the “Sunshine State,” doesn’t have an abundance of solar panels on its rooftops. While the sun’s rays fall generously on the state, our legislature and utilities have prevented the development of a renewable energy industry in Florida that would spur economic growth, create jobs, and draw investment. Indeed, a strong clean energy market is more about regulations and incentives than it is about sunshine and motivated consumers. This gap between potential and policy drives Florida-based renewable energy companies, such as mine, to seek work in other states.

read more HERE

Bike Miami days coming back to the Grove - Sunday April 25

The City of Miami continues its green movement by once again bringing back the Bike Miami Days. Bann the cars and ride, skate, scroll through the streets of the Grove. A great way to end Earth Day week…

Learn more at their blog: bikemiamiblog.wordpress.com

The German

German parking garage...a very green building!

STATE OF THE ART GERMAN PARKING GARAGE

This is pretty amazing! Can you imagine how all of this operates?

And how do they lock each car in its cubicle for safety? (Actually, that is not much of a concern because no one could possibly get inside it here, but the Germans will lock each car anyway.)

Talk about German efficiency! The two photos above were taken at a new parking garage in Munich , Germany . The actual space that the facility occupies is approximately only 20% of a comparable facility with the traditional design that is used primarily in the United States .

Not only is the German structure less expensive to build, but vehicles are also "retrieved" in less time and without the potential of being damaged by an attendant.

It seems that Germany remains in a very leading positoin when it comes to sutianbel buildings. Surely some elements that we can use and learn form here in the US.


The German

top 50 greenest building arounf the world

Top online engineering degree, a blog by Betty Jones, has created a magnificient list of some very sustainable buildings around the world. take a look:

http://toponlineengineeringdegree.com/?page_id=122

The German

Miami Riverday - April 10, 2010

This Saturday, Aril 10, 2010 from 11 am to 4 pm, enjoy a free Riverday at Lummus park. See the flyer for more information or click HERE.

The German Architect

Dream in Green Miami Kick off event April 10, 2010 - Keep the dream alive!

Kick off Earth Month 2010 by joining Dream in Green for Cocktails and Hors D'oeuvres, a Silent Auction, Entertainment and More!

Dream in Green is asking for your support to help expand our Green Schools Challenge program in South Florida. All proceeds from the event will go to support the Green Schools Challenge.

Visit www.dreamingreen.org for more information and to register.

The Our Green Schools Challenge program involves students and staff directly in designing and implementing environmental and energy solutions at their schools. The Green Schools Challenge helps local schools save money by reducing their overall energy consumption through student-led conservation initiatives. While conserving energy at their schools, students learn important lessons about environmental sustainability, which are later applied at home and in the community.

During the upcoming 2010-2011 school year, Dream in Green seeks to make the Green Schools Challenge program available to all schools in Miami-Dade County and also expand our Broward County pilot program. To accomplish this goal WE NEED YOU!

HELP KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE by attending our fundraising event, donating, and spreading the word about this important program.

Non-Profit MemberDream in Green is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is funded through grants and donations. We depend on sponsors like you to continue bringing valuable educational programming to students, teachers and communities in South Florida.

Dream in Green is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is funded through grants and donations. We depend on sponsors like you to continue bringing valuable educational programming to students, teachers and communities in South Florida.

Health Insurance for Foreign Nationals, Worldwide

I have been looking for good health insurance coverage for a very long time. With my German background and living experience, the US health insurance system was always challenging to understand and accept. Even with the newly passed health insurance reform, there are many gaps in coverage and cost that simply do not compare to what I know about insurance in my home country and other places in the world.

As a small business owner I also explored group insurance, something that requires 4+ employees to be worthwhile. Finally, the relationship of premium and deductable was simply amazing to me. My last coverage had a $5000 deductible, a monthly premium of over $300 and many exclusions.

I finally found a great coverage from a European based company. They insure worldwide and only insure foreign nationals, i.e. people who are not living in their country of citizenship. Fitting the profile I have signed up and am extremely happy with my coverage. In fact I am so happy, that I am writing about it and offer the insurance to those who are interested.
There are straight forward deductibles, the one I selected is extremely low ($125) and the coverage excellent. There are also no pre-existing condition exclusions and the carrier will not drop you. Furthermore, this company offers a few simple affordable perks, such as disability insurance, dental and personal liability.

If you are fed up with eh US health insurance system and/or are in search of a new provider, or know someone else that fits the profile, give me a call @ 786.556.3118 or email me.

Sebastian Eilert, AIA, LEED AP.
SeasbtianEilert@gmail.com

Shades of Green @ Village of Pinecrest for Earth Fest

SHADES OF GREEN: Sustainable Initiatives
Awarded “Best Green Film” to Screen in Miami at Pinecrest Gardens


(March 31, 2010) WKLG’s world premiere of SHADES OF GREEN: Sustainable Initiatives receives award for “Best Green Film” at the Delray Beach Film Festival.

Shades of Green was shot on location in South Florida and employed a local crew from WKLG Inc.

The film was directed by Gavin Bagwandeen, produced by Doug La Rue, and written by Executive Producer Susan Spinnato. Additional local crew members include Editors and Camera Operators Adrian Arias & Jason Gracia.

The film features local leaders and professionals including Mayor Carlos Alvarez, Mayor Manny Diaz, Commissioner Katy Sorenson, Sustainable Architect Sebastian Eilert, Founders of Congress for the New Urbanism; Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk and Andres Duany, Citizen Activist Albert Haram-Alvarez, and numerous select others.

The film was recognized and celebrated as its title was called and granted the award for “Best Green Film” by Dr. Michael Posner at the festival’s award ceremony in Delray Beach.

In its 5th year, the Delray Beach Film Festival; founded and directed by Dr. Michael Posner, has been coined the “Sundance of the South,” as it affords independent filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their work. Taking place in the environmentally conscious city of Delray Beach, the festival has gone “green;” including a green category for competition, hosting a green workshop, and initiating a beach clean-up. This is the third consecutive year WKLG has screened films at the festival with Ferdinand Magellan: The Presidential Pullman winning “Best Short Documentary” in 2008.

Shades of Green documents what is happening in South Florida as it takes the needed steps towards a sustainable future. Introduction to key organizations informs viewers of current discourse and policy shaping. The continuum of Smart Growth, New Urbanism, and Green Building is introduced with supporting examples. Relationships between land-use and transit are examined to show how wise-planning and other initiatives play integral roles in energy conservation and efficiency.

Shades of Green is an educational outreach documentary film illustrating how individuals, businesses, and governments can save resources, energy, and money - while benefitting the environment and health of all living things.

A free screening of Shades of Green will take place at the Pinecrest Gardens’ Earth Day Festival on Sunday, April 25th at 2:30pm.

Shades of Green will also be screening at the Santa Cruz Film Festival in May and the Central Florida Film Festival this summer.


WKLG Inc. - Doug La Rue is co-founder of WKLG Inc. which has owned and operated FM Radio Station WKLG better known as STAR 102.1FM since December of 1984. In 1986 he expanded into the Commercial Photography, Video, and Film business, with an active interest in preserving South Florida’s history through multi-media creativity. The company’s scope of interest has expanded to include preserving South Florida ecology and increasing awareness of social issues and solutions.
For more information, please visit: www.wklginc.com

Earth day is coming... City of Miami Goin' Green. April 24, Bayfront Park

With Earthfest approaching, i am sure that we will have many great events around town. Here is the first one that came to my attention:

City of Miami, Goin' Green at Bayfront Park. April 24, 2010, runs from 10 am to 7 pm.
Check out the link:

http://www.miamigoingreen.com/


Village Green man