Alpine Green Living Winter 2009

AGL02_cover

12/3/09

4:50 PM

Page 1

N O R T H E R N N E VA D A , L A K E TA H O E , S I E R R A F O O T H I L L S , A N D S U R R O U N D I N G A R E A S

WINTER 2009

Snow Sports on a Recessionista Budget

2009 Eco-Gift Guide

Tahoe Resorts Race to Go Green Green Job and Career Opportunities GREENING THE HOLIDAYS | CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING | THE GREEN MARKET GUIDE

p02_agl02_wildscenic

12/3/09

4:52 PM

Page 1

AGL2_TOC

12/3/09

4:56 PM

Page 1

contents

6

winter 2009

18

24

6

Tahoe Resorts Race to Go Green Industry meets 21st Century challenge

10

Snow Sports on a Recessionista Budget

12

Changes afoot on the West Shore Homewood going green

16

Nevada City APPLE Center for Sustainable Living

18

Greening the Holidays Advice for making an eco-holiday

20

2009 Eco-Gift Guide Sustainable gift ideas for the holidays

24

A Firefighter’s Solution Building with fire safe materials

27

Green Job and Career Opportunities in the Northern NV, Lake Tahoe & Truckee Region

29

The Green Market Guide to earth-friendly products & services

20

27

10 16

ad layout

12/3/09

4:58 PM

Page 2

Smart Structures Inc.

Give gifts that give back.

Design • engineering • construction

We build green, fire safe, sustainable, solar powered, and energy efficient homes!

• Recycled & Sustainable Building Products • Energy Efficient Doors and Windows • Solar Design • Fire Resistant Construction Materials for wildland urban interface

w w w. 3 d s m a rt s t r u c t u r e s . c o m or call (775) 742-0360

A gift to Heifer gives livestock to a family in need. The livestock gives food and income, and eventually, more livestock, which the family passes on and on and on. Learn more at heifer.org

AGL_02_edit_page

12/3/09

5:00 PM

Page 1

from the editor Green Living Magazine PUBLISHER/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER DAN TEIE [email protected] PUBLISHER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR SCOTT BLAIR [email protected] MANAGING EDITOR JUDY GELWICKS [email protected] MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS LORI HYDE-BLAIR [email protected] SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE LORI LACHMAN [email protected] WRITING/EDITING GIDEON RUBIN [email protected] JEREMIAH OSHAN [email protected]

AD SALES [email protected] 1-800-493-5551

HOW TO REACH US By Phone: 1-800-493-5551 By Email: [email protected] By Mail: 16887 Skislope Way, Truckee, CA 16161 Alpine Green Living Magazine (ISSN 1947-2269) is published quarterly by the Alpine Publishing Group, LLC. For inquiries, call 1-800-493-5551 or email [email protected]. All rights to the contents of this magazine are owned fully by the Alpine Publishing Group, LLC. Alpine Green Living Magazine may not be reproduced in whole or part without written permission from the publisher. Views expressed herein are those of the authors and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the ownership or the management of the magazine. Contents © 2009. All rights reserved. Alpine Green Living Magazine is printed on Endeavor Velvet text and cover. Endeavor contains 50% recycled fiber, 25% post-consumer waste, and is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council to come from well-managed forests. Printed with soy-based inks and a water-based finish on the covers.

AS

In many ways greening up the holidays simply reminds me of my childhood. During the 1950’s most people did not have much money, so meals were simpler and smaller, gifts were fewer, and decorations often made from what nature provided. We cherished the old decorations; many made in our elementary school classes, and loved displaying them year after year. We always made it a family event to decorate the Christmas tree, making decorations of popcorn and cranberries, and chains made out of construction paper. Even the glue was simpler—made from flour and water. In our stockings we could count on getting a tangerine and a few walnuts, and if we were lucky maybe a piece of home made fudge and a candy cane. Going Green for the Holidays doesn’t have to feel like a sacrifice. Every time you know that you are driving less, buying less, and cutting back on the waste and the CO2 you create, you will feel that you are not only giving a gift to yourself, but to your family, friends and the rest of the world. How is that for a good gift this season? Since we are welcoming the ski season, we’ve included in this issue two interesting articles on what the local ski resorts are doing to go “Green”, and how Homewood is taking an earth friendly approach to their resort expansion. Fire is a sure thing in the Sierras and one firefighter has done something about it. Read his recommendations. And read about APPLE, the new community supported sustainability center in Nevada City. With the economy really suffering in California we have a special article about green job trends and training in the Sierras. Positive movement towards taking care of our planet is happening in our neighborhoods. We just have to continue this movement and make it part of our everyday lives. Please pass this magazine on to friends and businesses so others can learn about what great things are going on and hopefully inspire more people to get involved.

Happy Holidays

S IT ON

•

R

ec

Reduce

ycle •

•

P

W

ith the Holidays just around the corner you may want to consider giving a gift to Mother Earth this season. With green options in every category I am sure we can all find fun and creative ways to be more earth friendly. This issue is partially dedicated to those options from ideas for gift giving and wrapping to options for your holiday tree.

RE

USE •

PLEASE DO NOT DISCARD THIS MAGAZINE Help us reduce our carbon footprint by sharing this magazine with others. You can read the entire contents of this issue as well as more features and news online at www.alpinegreenliving.com

Judy Gelwicks

tahoe_resorts_green

12/3/09

5:03 PM

Page 1

outdoors ski resorts

6 WINTER | 2009

tahoe_resorts_green

12/3/09

5:03 PM

Page 2

outdoors ski resorts

Tahoe Resorts Race to Go Green Industry meets 21st Century challenge By Gideon Rubin

I

t wasn’t that long ago that the corporate community barely paid lip service to the environment. These days, nearly everyone with business interests is tripping over themselves trying to show who cares more. Oil companies, utilities, car manufacturers and retail chains are all jumping on the Green bandwagon like never before, touting measures they have taken to promote sustainable practices. For some industries, it is simply a matter of good business sense to be on the right side of a climate change debate now that it’s no longer even much of a debate. For a ski industry that suddenly finds itself imperiled by global warming, it’s a matter of survival. And despite a spotty environmental track record, the ski industry in the last decade has by all accounts, emerged as a leader in developing sustainable practices. Industry insiders acknowledge the resorts are responding to an environmentally conscious clientele that is demanding decisive action. “We have to be ahead of other industries in thinking about the implications for our business,” Kirkwood Ski Resort CEO David Likins said. “We should be the early adopters of practices that address the impact of potential climate changes. If reducing our carbon footprint is part of a broader solution, then we have to do our part.” Sierra ski resorts say they’re doing just that. Most of the bigger resorts now employ state-of-the-art technologies to reduce energy consumption, reduce waste, recycle, and tap into renewable energy sources while promoting conservation efforts. Expansive plans to implement renewable energy sources on a grand scale are in the works too. According to the independent Ski Area Citizen’s Coalition, two Sierra resorts ranked among its top 10 Greenest ski resorts in the western states. The coalition ranked Squaw Valley fifth, awarding it a 78.3 percent score. Alpine Meadows ranked sixth with a 77.4 percent score. Aspen Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado was the coalition's top-ranked resort, receiving an 85.7 percent score. Colorado’s Copper Mountain Ski Resort received a rock bottom 31.9 percent score, the lowest ranking among the surveyed resorts. None of the coalition's bottom 10 ranked resorts are in California or Nevada. Squaw’s financial investment in environmental stewardship figures to have scored the resort points in environmental rankings. The resort’s ambitious multi-million dollar environmental improvement program involves retrofitting older buildings, using energy efficient snow guns and using snowmelt instead of lake water for man-made snow, Squaw spokeswoman Savannah Cowley said. The resort has invested in advanced energy efficient cable car motors, and uses a geothermal source to heat a 12,000-square-foot children’s center. An advanced heat exchange system is used to simultaneously freeze the surface of an ice skating pavilion while heating a swimming lagoon and spa. “A beautiful and pristine mountain experience brings guests and employees to Squaw Valley,” Chairman and CEO Nancy Cushing said in a prepared statement. “It is our duty to make every effort to protect that experience.”

ALPINE GREEN LIVING 7

tahoe_resorts_green

12/3/09

5:03 PM

Page 3

outdoors ski resorts

At remote Kirkwood, the transformation of a corporate culture has produced dramatic results, said Likins, who touts a conservation program that has cut power consumption 45 percent and water consumption 40 percent over three years – figures he says are “staggering.” Likins said the transformation of Kirkwood’s corporate culture extends from the boardroom to seasonal employees who from Day 1 are indoctrinated to conserve energy and water at every turn. Kirkwood employees transport themselves around the resort riding tiny Kawasaki mules that use an eighth of the fuel of the four-wheel drive truck fleet they replaced. “When we turn off a facility we don’t just turn off a light switch, we don’t just turnoff the circuit breakers, we go all the way back to the meter, we turn off transformers,” Likins said. Likins acknowledged that the resort’s obsession with power consumption is borne from equal parts environmental concern and economic necessity. The ski village, about 35 miles south of South Lake Tahoe, draws its power from a diesel plant owned by a subsidiary company that served the resort and a community of 600 residential customers and a handful of small businesses at a prohibitive 30 to 35 cents per kilowatts hour. Kirkwood in the last year has signed letters of intent to build solar arrays and wind turbines that are part of a complex $30 million power purchasing agreement with the Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District. The deal also involves the U.S. Forest Service, which will permit the construction of power cables connecting the village with PG&E’s Salt Springs hydro electric plant 22 miles away. The link to Salt Springs is integral to future plans to draw energy from renewable wind, solar, and hydroelectric sources that are inherently intermittent, Likins said. “It’s an interesting conundrum,” Likins said. “In order to make new technology work, they have to interface with a technology that can handle that variability in what you can produce via wind, and to a lesser extent solar.” Nearly all Sierra ski resorts are doing what they can to reduce their carbon footprint. Northstar-at-Tahoe has made responsible growth the centerpiece of its environmental stewardship. The newly constructed Northstar Village is the nation’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified ski village, resort spokeswoman Jessica Vanpernis said. A Ritz-Carlton luxury hotel under construction at the resort is being built to LEED specifications too. A gondola connecting Ritz-Carlton guests to the ski lift will mitigate traffic, and a state-of-the-art waste site will significantly decrease the amount of recyclables in the waste stream and increase recycling participation among homeowners, employees and resort guests, Vanpernis said. Habitat protection is also a key component of the Northstar’s growth plan. Partnering with Sierra Watch, the Mountain Preservation Foundation, and East West Partners, the resort has developed a habitat 8 WINTER | 2009

management plan that documents all wildlife on its 8,000-acre property. Sugar Bowl is making moves too. The resort has made a 10 percent reduction in energy over two years its stated goal, Sugar Bowl spokesman John Monson said. To get there, the resort has invested in energy efficient snow guns and solar panels to power chair lifts. They’ve also purchased 4,072 Mega-Watt Hours of Renewable Energy Certificates that Monson says is the equivalent to taking 579 cars off the road each year or converting 419 homes to renewable energy. Additionally, Sugar Bowl offers a free shuttle from Truckee, and runs all highway vehicles on bio-fuel. Sugar Bowl has also installed oil separators and sediment ponds for parking lot storm water runoff collection. New technologies are by all accounts integral to how the ski industry adapts to climate change. But while such advances create much of the buzz at trade shows, the smart money is with conservation, a tried and true sustainable practice, Likins said. “You can find wind power and solar and other opportunities, but until you have looked at your operations top- to-bottom and sliced out the waste as far as it pertains to the environment, you haven’t really made an impact,” Likins said.

See what other area resorts have to offer: Squaw Valley: 530 581-6985 www.squaw.com Boreal: 530 426-3666 www.skiboreal.com Sugar Bowl: 530 426-9000 www.sugarbowl.com Alpine Meadows: 530 583-4232 www.skialpine.com North Star: 530 562-2248 www.northstarattahoe.com Soda Springs: 530 426-1010 www.sodasprings.com Tahoe Donner: 530 587-9400 www.tahoedonner.com TD Nordic Center: 530 583-5475 www.tahoeexc.org Spooner Lake: 775 749-5349 www.spoonerlake.com Homewood: 530 525-2992 www.skihomewood.com Mount Rose: 775 849-0704 www.mtrose.com Diamond Peak: 775-832-1177 www.diamondpeak.com Sierra at Tahoe: 530 659-7453 www.sierraattahoe.com Heavenly Valley: 775 586-7000 www.skiheavenly.com Royal Gorge: 800 500-3871 www.royalgorge.com Kirkwood: 209 258-6000 www.kirkwood.com Granlibakken: 877 552-6301 www.granlibakken.com Donner Ski Ranch 530 426-3635 www.donnerskiranch.com

ad layout

12/3/09

5:08 PM

Page 1

Cedar House – Ecostyle Luxury The Cedar House Sport Hotel, located just outside of the Historic Downtown Truckee, fuses innovative green architecture with the best of contemporary design. Described as a stunning combination of hip and organic, The Cedar House incorporates a number of ecofriendly elements, bringing a fresh and environmentally conscience style to the Sierras. Featuring 42 rooms and suites, The Cedar House has all the modern conveniences, from flat screen TVs to Egyptian Cotton Linen, proving that you don't have to sacrifice comfort and luxury to go green. The Cedar House Sport Hotel is the dream work of Jeff and Patty Baird. The hotel is a reflection of the Baird's experience visiting small family run hotels in the European Alps. At The Cedar House, a guest is a guest in “one’s home”, not a customer. The goal is to create a place to “return to”: at the end of a fun filled day, at the end of a business meeting, or for one’s next vacation. The Cedar House creates a climate of home, where guests become temporary members of a larger family. Although modern and hip esthetically, the homey feel of The Cedar House opens itself to guests, allowing them to participate and share in the richness of a community, while still allowing whatever degree of privacy they prefer. Meals and drink can be shared with the owners and other guests, allowing new relationships to be created and old ones to be enriched.

ski_budget

12/3/09

5:09 PM

Page 1

outdoors budget snow sports

Snow Sports on a Recessionista Budget By Felicia Sampson

Tahoe and Truckee locals seem to be a religious group of people, judging from the “pray for snow” events and salutations that become increasingly common this time of year. An ample snow fall is vital to the economy and ecosystem. Also, snow sports are great activities for fitness and a mental respite from our current economic woes. So how does the average person or family continue to enjoy the myriad recreational opportunities without going into further debt? First, there is no reason to ever have to pay full price for a daily lift ticket. Each ski resort wants your recreational dollars and will be offering cool deals to lure you to their terrain parks, steeps, and groomers. For example: Sugar Bowl returns with its Core Rewards Program. You buy a pass and save bucks with every trip. You can also earn points to redeem on lessons, foods and beverages. Last season, a mid-week lift ticket included free lessons and rentals.

10 WINTER | 2009

Northstar-At-Tahoe & Sierra-At-Tahoe will again offer its Double Whammy Pass, which allows you to ski at two resorts for one reasonable price. This flexibility is particularly advantageous if you live off the hill. Let’s say you don’t want to drive all the way to the basin; you head up 50 to Sierra-At-Tahoe. Or you’re staying a few days and want to enjoy some après ski activity; the charm of downtown Truckee is minutes away.

All of the resorts offer competitive rates on season passes with deeper discounts for those flexible enough to sit out the black-out dates and crowded weekends. The cool thing about getting a season pass is that after 5 days, you’re skiing or riding for free. But what if it’s variety you crave and don’t want to ski that many days at one place?

ski_budget

12/3/09

5:09 PM

Page 2

outdoors budget snow sports

Some suggestions: Sliding on the Cheap is a great website packed with information about deals on lift tickets, clothing, ski waxing and bus trips, and other necessities such as bargain ski waxing. Log onto slidingonthecheap.com and click onto “deals”. Be sure to sign up for their newsletter. Snowbomb is another helpful website. Log on to snowbomb.com. This company is currently offering the winter Tahoe Card for about $40. A winter card purchase gets you a one-day lift ticket to either Sugar Bowl or Kirkwood, which, in itself, pays for the card! In addition to discounted lift tickets, you will get deals on apparel, equipment rentals, tuning, and waxing. I used my card to demo some skis free before I bought a pair…which brings me to the next topic…buying equipment on the cheap. REI, Costco, and many ski shops often partner with a ski resort for discounted lift tickets. Some resorts, like Mt. Rose and Alpine Meadows, offer discounts on their slower days. For example, Ladies Day on Thursdays at Mt. Rose, and the Alpine Meadows Alpine “39 Days @ $39” special through the Alpine Club.

Some ski areas partner with local non-profits for discounted tickets; you get to ski for less money and do some good at the same time. These events are often publicized on the Snowbomb and Sliding on the Cheap newsletters. The North Tahoe weekly, a free paper found at kiosks around Truckee and North Shore, is also a good source for resort discounts. Find it online at theweeklymagazineonline.com For our courageous troops who have been serving our country, several resorts offer military discounts. Similarly, furloughed state employees may also cash in on deals, as can employees whose workplaces are signed up for the “BeyondWork” discount program. Check Sliding on the Cheap for more information. New this season is an interchangeable North Tahoe ski pass. The catch is that it is not available to Northern California or Western Nevada powder hounds. If you are from out of the area or have friends who are, this could be a great way to entice them up…make sure they pay for dinner.

By the time this goes to press, most of the tent sales and ski swaps will be over. If you do your homework, however, you can pick up some great deals mid-season and in the spring. One caveat: as the prices drop, so does the selection. I suggest checking out some of the thrift and consignment stores for good deals just prior to the first big dump. My favorites are the Sports Exchange on West River Street in Truckee and Nine Lives in Tahoe City, next to Fiamma. Both stores generally switch from summer to winter inventory in the late fall. You can also bring in your used stuff to sell on consignment. For ski and snowboard apparel, I have found some great buys at the Tahoe Forest Hospital Thrift Store in Truckee (Meadow, off Donner Pass Road). The staff is wonderful about keeping the chaos to a minimum, and the quality is generally above par. I’ve snapped up several base layers and pairs of ski pants for less than the price of one fleece at retail. I’ve also purchased great demo skis at the end of the season by just asking around at the resort rental shops. If you do this, check the overall condition of the boards. Keep in mind that the demo bindings tend to be heavier so ask the folks in the shop for a test drive. By doing a little research, you can do your part to reduce the cost of your next snow outing. You’ll also sleep a little better having recycled previously enjoyed equipment and clothing. Ski green and save a little green in the process. And pray for snow! Felicia Sampson is an avid skier, hiker, and bargain hunter. She and her dog, Lacy have been praying for snow and look forward to another Tahoe winter!

ALPINE GREEN LIVING 11

homewood

12/4/09

8:16 AM

Page 1

outdoors ski resorts

Changes afoot on Homewood Going Green By Gideon Rubin

T

The first noticeable difference the casual skier will see is the new lift. Homewood’s quad chair—the most conspicuous capital improvement San Francisco-based JMA Ventures made when they purchased the 1,086-acre property from the Yurosek family in 2006—jets skiers to the top of the resort’s North Base in just seven minutes, some 11 minutes faster than the 30-year-old lift it replaced, and uses less energy to get them there. The lift is one of the first steps JMA took to create a “boutique style” Green ski resort that the developer says would coexist in harmony with the region’s environmental treasures, while at the same time retain the West Shore’s down-to-earth charm. The two-phased project is Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified for community development. “The vision is to create a new West Shore community that recalls the architectural traditions of the past that were at Lake Tahoe,” JMA Senior Vice President David Tirman said. JMA’s blueprints call for a 145-room hotel with 70 condominium units, a 25,000-square-foot parcel slated for commercial development and an additional 56 adjacent condos on the North Base to be completed by 2012. A 99-condo development would be completed on a South Base enclave two years later. The developers are awaiting approval from Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Placer County before they can move ahead on the project, Tirman said. The project could be a catalyst for large-scale Green development, generating a ripple effect spreading across the Tahoe basin and beyond, said Sierra Business Council President Steve Frisch. Frisch said JMA’s commitment to building the Tahoe basin’s greenest resort was apparent to him Day One. “I think the most important thing about the way they’ve handled the project so far is that before they even started talking about what they needed to get out of the project as an economic investment, they began to look at the sustainability component,” Frisch said. “From the very beginning of the project they took what is known in the Green building world as an ‘integrated design approach,’ ” Frisch said, noting that the developers assembled a team with shared core values that communicates effectively at every step. 12 WINTER | 2009

homewood

12/4/09

8:16 AM

Page 2

outdoors ski resorts

the West Shore

ALPINE GREEN LIVING 13

homewood

12/4/09

8:16 AM

Page 3

outdoors ski resorts

“IN ORDER TO PROVIDE QUALITY WINTER AND SUMMER RECREATION AND CONTINUE TO HAVE OUR GUESTS ENJOY THIS SPECIAL PLACE IT MUST BE PROTECTED. AFTER ALL, IT IS THE SPECTACULAR ENVIRONMENT THAT DRAWS THE VISITOR IN THE FIRST PLACE AND IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN THAT ENVIRONMENT.”

“The engineer has to know what the building contractor is looking for, and the erosion control people have to know what the mountain maintenance people are looking for,” he said. “A lot of people think of (the sustainability component) as an afterthought, and because they think of it as an afterthought they lose opportunities to apply new ideas.” JMA’s new ideas about greenifying the resort are based on a series of SBC recommendations for reducing its carbon footprint and beefing up water quality standards. JMA is exploring alternative energy options including hydroelectric and solar, Tirman said, noting that two streams that flow through the resort could potentially provide the resort's power needs for about five months a year. Also in the works, Tirman said, are European-style “bike banks,” allowing visitors to cycle for free, a hybrid shuttle service, and water taxi linking visitors to a planned ferry system that would have access to the entire basin. The developers have already begun an expansive plan to restore old mining and logging roads that for years have been the source of polluting runoff, Tirman said. Since acquiring the West Shore property, JMA has restored 240,000 square feet of roadway that was the source of toxic sediment. They have also renovated two parking lots at the foot of the resort that were the source of polluting runoff. JMA received $700,000 in state grants to complete the project, Homewood spokeswoman Rachael Woods said. Homewood is among JMA’s first ventures outside San Francisco, where the company has been involved in some of the city’s highest profile projects, including the Ghiradelli Square redevelopment. The Homewood acquisition typifies JMA’s approach to purchasing and renovating distressed “fixer-upper” properties Tirman said. “The Homewood revitalization—taking old dilapidated historic buildings and giving them new life—is really one of the purest forms of sustainable development,” Tirman said. Homewood General Manager Kent Hoopingarner said he’s received overwhelmingly positive feedback from visitors and locals who share JMA’s vision for the Tahoe basin.

14 WINTER | 2009

“Homewood’s environmental initiatives are long-term investments,” Hoopingarner said. “In order to provide quality winter and summer recreation and continue to have our guests enjoy this special place it must be protected. After all, it is the spectacular environment that draws the visitor in the first place and it is our responsibility to protect and maintain that environment.” The Homewood proposal follows a recent trend, Frisch said, which seeks to change the ski industry’s not-always-so-green reputation by taking more socially responsible actions of late. The California Ski Industry Association has publicly supported the California State Assembly’s Global Warming Initiative (AB 32) calling for a reduction of greenhouse gases statewide to 1990 levels by 2020. Frisch also cited recent efforts by Canyons Resort of Park City (Utah) and Central Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor to make their resorts virtually car-free.

homewood

12/4/09

8:16 AM

Page 4

outdoors ski resorts

The Homewood project, he said, could accelerate that change. “The ski industry in this area can be a leader, and I think Homewood is on the leading edge of that,” Frisch said. “(The industry is) going to change anyway, but I think this speeds that change and I think JMA ventures and (company owner) Art Chapman should be applauded for trying to speed up that change.” Such sustainability measures are integral to the industry’s survival in an age of increasingly scarce resources, and the public demand that all businesses °V not just ski resorts °V take action to reduce their carbon footprints, Frisch said.

“Energy efficiency, conservation, controlling erosion and adapting to climate change is more economically efficient than doing things the old way, and I think they’ll change for that reason, like most businesses and industries in California will change for that reason,” Frisch said. “The more we can speed the adoption of new technologies and adapt to climate change, the better off we’re going to be. The businesses that get out in front of it are going to be more competitive than the businesses that lag behind.”

ALPINE GREEN LIVING 15

sustainability_cntr

12/4/09

8:19 AM

Page 1

community sustainable living

Nevada City APPLE Center for Sustainable Living by Jesse Locks and Elisa Parker

T

hink globally act locally, is the message that twenty-nine year old Mali Dyck, Executive Director of the APPLE Center for Sustainable Living, wants community members and tourists to take away from a visit to the newly opened resource center in downtown Nevada City, CA. At just 800-sq ft this little building is poised to have a big impact in the community. Not only is it a model for energy-efficient workspace, but a hub and an incubator for ideas on how to live green. The APPLE Center (named after its non-profit fiscal sponsor the Alliance for a PostPetroleum Local Economy) offers a free library with books and dvds, hosts classes and workshops along with educational exhibits on sustainability, energy conservation and the local economy. “My background is in the local food movement,” explains Dyck who also owns a small farm and landscaping business. “When I wanted to open the center, it was about supporting our farmers and community gardeners, but then I realized you can’t talk about food without talking about energy, transportation, air quality and other elements that are inter-connected.” The idea for a “one-stop-shop” resource center that would provide people with knowledge and tools for sustainable living evolved out of a community meeting hosted last December by Reinette Senum, cofounder of Power-Up Nevada City and Mayor of Nevada City. Determined to create a town that is both sustainable and energy efficient, Senum invited the entire town of almost 3,000 to participate in the planning and implementation process. The kick-off event, named appropriately the Community Congress, included contractors, teachers, students, business owners, parents, nonprofit managers, community organizers and more who all collaborated together to identify five key goals for the next five years; 1) localize our food, 2) create a low interest revolving loan fund, 3) create a sustainable

16 WINTER | 2009

transportation infrastructure, 4) reduce energy consumption by 30%, 5) increase public awareness and involvement in reducing energy. Senum realized the power of a small town early on. After reading the book The Tipping Point, she learned of the idea that to tip the scale one must reach 15% of the public. To reach 15% in a city with millions of people would be difficult, but to reach 15% of the people in a town with a population of 3,000 like Nevada City would mean only 450 people. Suddenly the idea of creating change seemed less overwhelming. “It’s not that cities can’t do it, but a city will be more complicated,” says Senum. “It’s like a cruise ship. Getting a cruise ship to change direction is much more challenging than a rowboat where you can turn around really fast. That’s why I think places like the APPLE Center can become the clearinghouse and nexus for communities to come together and centralize. It’s a collective place.” In July, Dyck and Senum received a $40,000 grant from Butte County Private Industry Council and along with the help of volunteers, who donated hundreds of hours of labor and over $64,000 in materials were able to gut and retro fit the small building. The APPLE Center for Sustainability celebrated its grand opening on Sunday, September 20th. Hundreds of community supporters and those curious about exactly what a sustainability center is poured through the Center’s doors. It’s only been a few months and the APPLE Center is already hosting presentations, workshops and socials the Center and other community groups. Dyck hopes this is only the beginning of getting the community involved at all levels to connect the dots and complete a much bigger picture of sustainability. “A lot of us feel like as an individual we’re powerless against the big machine, but in my experience with opening this center, it’s actually the consumer who has the power,” says Dyck. “We need to vote with our dollars.”

Jesse Locks and Elisa Parker have a FM radio show called See Jane Do which runs from 1-2p.m. at 89.5 or 105.1 the 1st Wednesday of every month highlighting ordinary women doing extraordinary things.

ad layout

12/4/09

8:22 AM

Page 3

greening the holiday

12/4/09

8:24 AM

Page 1

advice sustainable holidays

Greening the Holidays Christmas Tree Options How would you like a Christmas you won’t soon forget? Pack up the kids and the dog, throw in some snacks and hot chocolate, and set off to cut down your own Christmas tree. We are lucky living in the Sierras because there are at least two forestry departments which are giving out permits for tree cutting. (See their websites below.) You not only get the adventure of tromping through the snow trying to find the perfect tree, you get the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to thin the forest thus making it healthier and more fire safe. Then, when the holiday festivities are over, make sure you participate in the chipping program your community provides. Each year 50 million Christmas trees are purchased in the U.S, of those, about 30 million go to the landfill. (Environmental News Network). The chips are put to good use being placed on hiking trails and at sites for soil conservation. If cutting down your own tree isn’t possible this year, we have some other suggestions: 1. Buy a locally grown tree which should translate into it being fresher than those transported from outside of the area. 2. Buy from a charitable organization so your money goes to a good cause. 3. Buy a living tree which you can reuse until you are ready to plant it. The Plumas and Tahoe National Forests allow 2 permits per household, costing $10 each, and are available through December 23. Maps to the tree cutting areas are provided with the permits. Plan for snowy conditions, how you are going to transport the tree, and enough travel time. Don't forget the rope, saw, flashlight and most of all the camera. I know you will have a great time.. For more information go to: Lake Tahoe: www.LakeTahoeBasinManagementunit.com Plumas National Forest: www.PlumasNationalForest.com

18 WINTER | 2009

greening the holiday

12/4/09

8:24 AM

Page 2

by Lori Lachman

Creative Gift Wrapping The holidays are here, and that means presents. And presents mean gift wrapping. According to RecycleWorks.org, from Thanksgiving to New Years Day, household waste increases by more than 25%. Added shopping bags, packaging, wrapping paper, bows and ribbon add up to an additional 1 million tons a week to our landfills. We don’t want to put a damper on your love of giving at the holiday season so we have provided some ways to have more fun with the gift wrapping chore, and at the same time be gentler on the earth. Try theses options: Cut down on the packaging: In the U.S., annual trash from giftwrapping and shopping bags total 4 million tons. Think of alternatives to wrapping paper, or make the wrapping part of the gift. Re-usable bags, scarves, handkerchiefs, bits of spare fabric and bandanas are useful options. Reuse paper, ribbon and containers: Use an old tea tin; decorate a shoe box or use newspaper and magazines for wrapping. Craft paper can be personalized with stamps or children’s drawings, outdated maps and old sheet music are colorful and interesting. Get the kids involved and make an event out of creating gift boxes, use old buttons, old photos or beads, even dried beans and peas will work. It’s up to you. Use nature for decorating: If every family reused just two feet of holiday ribbon, the 38,000 miles of ribbon saved could tie a bow around the entire planet. Give a gift to the earth and avoid ribbon altogether. Decorate with nature instead – pine needles, pine cones, leaves, twine and raffia are things that can be composted afterwards. Not only will this creative gift wrapping save you money, but your time and effort can be enjoyed by the recipient as well. When your loved ones experience the fun involved in this wrapping process they may be inspired to do the same.

Shop Locally for your Holiday Feast When you live in the snow covered Sierras it may be hard to think that you can purchase locally grown produce and meats, but we can. If you think of local being within a two–hundred mile radius we have plenty of ranchers and farmers who are serving this greater community. In the U.S. our food on average travels 1200 miles, which creates more pollution, more of a dependence on oil, and less support for your local economy. Produce is generally picked weeks before it is ripe so that it can survive the trip, reducing the quality of the item. Supporting local farmers keeps them in business, keeps dollars in our towns and ensures our food security. The food is fresher, tastes better and has more nutritional value. For local farms near you check on www.localharvest.com, www.nevadacountygrown.org, and www.placercountygrown.org. Look for signs in your local stores that say Think Local First or Buy Local Buy Fresh. Free Range Meats When shopping for meats - think about buying products that are sustainably raised. Meat from less stressed animals, raised responsibly, and fed organically on native grasses, is a more flavorful, tender product with a higher nutritional content than mass produced meats. Nevada County Free Range Beef is one of our local beef producers. Owner Jim Gates has been ranching all his life and because he was worried about the integrity of our food supply he decided to start his own company in 2004 using sustainable farming practices. Go to www.nevadacountyfreerangebeef.com for ordering and distribution info. Diestel Turkey Ranch in Sonora is another great company that raises its animals in a sustainable manner. Their free-range turkeys and hens are fed only the finest grains and never any animal by-products and are certified organic. Diestel is committed to moving toward a zero waste policy and therefore compost all their manure, re-use and filter their groundwater and don’t use any toxic chemicals or fertilizers on their ranch. The compost they produce and sell is OMRI listed. www.diestelturkey.com In Truckee, check out Shaw Family Farm for range fed chickens, and turkeys, home made bread and eggs. This is the first farm in Truckee in decades and is meeting the needs of the residents who wish to buy local and organic. www.shawfamilyfarm.com When eating out, Moody’s Restaurant in Truckee, Ikes Restaurant in Nevada City as well as Diego’s Restaurant and Briar Patch Deli in Grass Valley all use locally grown produce and meats besides providing a warm atmosphere and interesting ambiance. Let them know that we recommended them. ALPINE GREEN LIVING 19

AGL_gift guide09

12/4/09

8:27 AM

Page 1

ALPINE GREEN LIVING MAGAZINE

2009

Eco-Gift Guide

Solar Bags Two sided design allows solar panel to face the sun or your body, 2 interior zipper pockets – 1 for lithium-ion storage battery and electronics, chrome-free, vegetable tanned and dyed, full-grain cowhide leather, hand shibori dyed hemp/cotton fabric with natural pigments, organic hemp/cotton lining. $330 at noonsolar.com

Tom’s One for One Shoes Walk the talk with Tom‘s. Be socially responsible while delivering on style. With every pair you purchase, Tom‘s will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. Canvas shoes run between $30-$40 www.tomsshoes.com

Being Green Earth friendly wares. This Eco-fleece fabric is the best quality polar fleece available. It's super plush and warm, and ages gracefully. It's made entirely from 2 liter pop bottles! Unbelievably soft and warm. These hoodies are designed for elegance and comfort, out of plush eco-fleece. It is designed with contour fit, long belled sleeves and generous hoods. The seam lines are an exposed satin serge stitch. The tribal-inspired wrap style ties in back. XS-XL. Wrap Style - $90 Visit 408 Broad St #9 Nevada City, CA 530-470-0442 www.beinggreenshop.com

20 WINTER | 2009

AGL_gift guide09

12/4/09

8:27 AM

Page 2

2009 eco-gift guide

Organic Soap Invigorate your gift giving with this natural soap. Using the finest ingredients available and an artisan’s attention to detail, Sirona Springs makes beautiful handmade soap in small batches by the cold process method. Starts at just $5.00 www.sironasprings.com

Bamboo Sheets Give the next level of comfort with these eco-friendly bamboo sheets from the Bamboo Home Store. These light and airy sheets are delightfully soft and incredibly breathable. Located at 108 Mill Street Grass Valley (530)272 0303 www.bamboohomestore.com

Olive Oil Gift Box Calolea's award-winning organic olive oil has been certified "extra virgin" by the COOC and has an acidity level of 0.13%. The olives on the Keller's 100 year old Mission and Manzanillo trees are hand picked, stone crushed and cold pressed within 24 hours to create the highest quality oil possible. Look for it at your local farmer‘s market or order it at www.calolea.com

Natural, fair trade chocolate Who doesn’t want a little chocolate in their stocking? Try these delicious raw chocolates from Chocolatl. www.flowfoodschocolatl.com

ALPINE GREEN LIVING 21

AGL_gift guide09

12/4/09

8:27 AM

Page 3

ALPINE GREEN LIVING MAGAZINE

Samsung Reclaim A new generation of eco-minded tech gear, a first of it's kind, this networking phone is made from 80% recyclable materials and is 100% biodegradable thanks to new bio-plastic technology. www.samsungmobileusa.com

Solar powered weather station Combining a wireless weather station with a radio controlled clock and calendar. This state of the art Solar home weather station brings you vital weather information at a very affordable price, including indoor and outdoor temperature, local weather forecast and the correct time. www.oregonscientific.com

Aladdin Sustainable Containers Recyclable and PBA-Free for those on the go who want to keep things fresh and temperature controlled, These products will come in handy all year round. Get these and other useful gifts at Ace Mountain Hardware 11320 Donner Pass Rd Truckee. (530) 587-4844 www.mountainhardwareandsports.com

Solar Keychain Need that perfect stocking stuffer? These Hook to a belt or add on to a bag to soak up the sun in the day, and, voila—instant light when you need it. 4-volt solar panel keeps rechargeable batteries juiced. Provides light for 2 -3 hours when fully charged. Features carabineer. Black ABS plastic; 3.25" x 1.62" x 1.62". Under $5 at www.recycledjournals.net

22 WINTER | 2009

AGL_gift guide09

12/4/09

8:27 AM

Page 4

2009 eco-gift guide Water Powered Alarm Clock The Bedol Water Clock is the most accurate, environmentally practical, hassle-free chronometer of its kind. Want a high quality, beautifully designed clock that literally runs itself? Look no further. Because the handsome Bedol Water Clock works 100% on natural power. It’s true. No batteries, no chemicals, no electricity – no pollution. You don’t even need to wind it up! Just fill the tank with natural tap water ... add a splash of natural lemon juice ... and you’re set for 6 to 8 weeks of accurate timekeeping before refreshing. (You won’t even lose time while changing water, thanks to the built-in memory chip!) With its bold modern styling, space-age accuracy, and surprisingly low price, the Bedol Eco-Friendly Water Powered Clock is ideal for home or office – or as a unique gift item.Just $16 at www.bedol.com

Solar watch Go solar with these catchy little time pieces. These come in a range of styles for all ages. Get this and other cool gifts at www.kaboodle.com

Ecotronic Toys No batteries required! Check these fun and earth-friendly toys for the kids. Many to choose from and never batteries to buy. www.ecotronictoys.com

ALPINE GREEN LIVING 23

A Firefighters solution

12/4/09

8:30 AM

Page 1

building fire prevention

A Firefighter’s Solution Building with Fire Safe Materials by Judy Gelwicks

J

im Bolton has been employed as a fire fighter for 22 years, trying to protect homes in what is called the “Wildland Urban Interface Zone” in Oregon, Nevada and California. These zones are where development encroaches into previously open space whether it be forest, grassland or desert. After years of having to make decisions on which houses to save when there weren’t enough firefighters, time or equipment to save every house in a big forest fire, he developed some strong opinions and wants to make an impact on the solution. “As firefighters we are dedicated to trying to save every house in a forest fire. However, as harsh as this may sound, there is a reality as to what we can do. In extreme situations like the Angora Fire in Lake Tahoe, or the recent Southern California fire, we have to do what is called “structural triage’ where we decide on which houses we can save. Under those conditions, we look at things like debris around the house, trees growing too close to the house, firewood stacked beside the house or under the deck. If people aren’t going to pay attention to what the Forestry Department and their local fire departments tell them to do to keep their property safe, then their house may have to be the one that we can’t save”, Jim Bolton explained. “When you are the one out there fighting the fire, you sometimes have to make those split second decisions to help save other houses or even fire fighters’ lives.”

24 WINTER | 2009

A Firefighters solution

12/4/09

8:31 AM

Page 2

building

fire prevention

“If people aren’t going to pay attention to what the Forestry Department and their local fire departments tell them to do to keep their property safe, then their house may have to be the one that we can’t save” The tremendous destruction of the Angora fire in South Lake Tahoe in 2007 is now blamed on the build up of forest fuel around houses in the over grown forest, as well as residents leaving items like lawn furniture with pillows on decks when they were away. “If fire wood was stacked under decks or beside the exterior wall of a house, it was fuel for the fire. Shake roofs, dead trees, piles of pine needles and stuffed pillows are like kindling for fires. All they need is a spark to get the fire off and running. You put a little wind into the equation and you can see how a wild fire can leap frog from one house to the next”, Jim stated. Because Jim is a firefighter and has seen the devastation, he wanted to take a more proactive approach to help protect homes from forest fires. With everything that he has experienced with fighting fires, he decided to get into the “fire safe building materials” business. First, he started a business called 3D Smart Structures, Inc., a distributor for fire resistant building panels, which are also considered excellent insulating materials. He has since expanded to a whole development company, Enviro-tech Development, which designs and builds fire safe structures. The fire-resistant panels are made of concrete with a core of recycled Styrofoam. Once the panels are in place, they are sprayed with concrete, making them water resistant and even more fire safe. Concrete is applied to both sides of the panel to finish the wall. This type of building system is a Structural Concrete Insulated Panel or SCIP for short. The concrete used completely eliminates “out casting” of CO2, making the panels environmentally safe. These panels are being used in three of the homes that are being rebuilt after the Angora fire where 250 homes were destroyed. Since decks are often the first part of the house to catch fire, Jim also distributes fire safe fly ash decking and fencing which looks just like wood but is 100% fire retardant. Decks in the Sierras are often composed of ultra dry wood and sparks landing on the dry decking, even from a barbecue, can get a fire established. Once the deck catches on fire, the house is in real danger of being consumed. “Living in the forest should be no different than going back-packing. You go prepared. You learn about your terrain, you take a map, a compass, and you learn about the hazards you may encounter. You should build and live in the forest knowing your environment and what to do to be safe. Fire is a naturally occurring event in the forest. There are thousands of fires started by lightening strikes each year. Then you add accidents like camp fires that are left without being completely extinguished; kids playing with matches or fire crackers; the barbeque, fire pit or backyard burn that jumps out of control; and then the most serious — arson. It all adds up to a lot of forest fires each year. We all ALPINE GREEN LIVING 25

A Firefighters solution

building

12/4/09

8:31 AM

Page 3

fire prevention

Fire-resistant panels made of concrete and recycled foam are being used in some of the homes being rebuilt after the Angora fire. need to do our part to be part of the solution and take care of our own property to be as fire safe as possible, so if a fire comes to your neighborhood, your house can be one that can be saved.” Talking with Jim Bolton, one can tell that he is very passionate about the products he uses and recommends. In hearing his stories you can understand why. “If people had built their homes with appropriate materials for living in such a hazardous environment, many more homes may have been saved in the Angora and Auburn fires.” “Hopefully people will see the light and replace their homes with structural materials that can withstand such fires.” He estimates that the cost of going this route with the concrete panels is just 3-5% more than regular 2x6” wood frame construction. “However, due to the significant energy efficiency performance of the system, you get that back with the savings on utility bills in an average of about 2 years. Most importantly, you have the peace of mind of knowing your home is fire safe.” Something to think about for those of you who are planning to build in the mountains.

26 WINTER | 2009

green jobs

12/4/09

8:34 AM

Page 1

community green jobs

Green Job and Career Opportunities in the Northern NV, Lake Tahoe & Truckee Region Prepared by Scott Terrell

The Obama Administration has made the economy and jobs a high priority for the next four years. And the color of the new jobs targeted for creation is green. Green jobs not only help the environment, but can also significantly help the US economy. Our area has plenty of opportunity to benefit from a new green economy with an infusion of hundreds of new green jobs while keeping energy dollars in our local economies and pockets. Energy Efficiency There is an immediate opportunity to employ hundreds of people in our region over the next few years in energy efficiency. Energy efficiency jobs will be created through education, training and a market ripe for making homes and businesses more energy-efficient while helping those homeowners and renters and businesses reduce energy costs and become more profitable. Energy costs affect the bottom line and one less dollar spent and exported out of the area is one more dollar that gets circulated in the local economy. And a penny saved is more than a penny earned because the “profits” created from conserved energy are not taxed. Job Training Those seeking jobs in energy efficiency need to begin looking for and taking classes and workshops in energy efficiency. One of the best ways to develop the skills needed to become an energy expert and apply that

knowledge and skills in making buildings more energy efficient is to get energy audit training. There are occasionally classes offered at local community colleges and four year institutions in energy auditing. Some of the larger utilities like Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) have their own training center and classes. Energy Auditors Traditional—There are many types of energy professionals that fall under the guise of energy auditors. There are those who are trained to go through an entire building and look at every energy and cost-saving opportunity and recommend those measures that have a reasonable economic return. Energy audit measures are often prioritized by which measures give the biggest bang for the buck. The measures and end-uses often targeted in homes and small business are: appliances, building efficiency, electronics and office equipment, lighting, motors, space (heating and cooling) conditioning and water heating. RESNET & HERS raters—Then there are those energy experts who have the tools to come into a building and look for ways to improve the thermal efficiency of those buildings. Home Energy System (HERS) raters and RESNET trained professionals are among a growing number of building science energy professionals that do just this. Thermal effi-

ALPINE GREEN LIVING 27

green jobs

12/4/09

8:34 AM

Page 2

community

ciency involves several components of a building: the building envelope (floors, walls and ceiling) and the ability of the building envelope with high insulation values and minimal air leakage to minimize heat loss in the wintertime and heat gain in the summertime. A building’s heating, cooling and fresh air distribution system also needs attention to minimize heat loss and gain and air quality issues. HERS raters use a blower door to test the building envelope and often a duct blaster to test air leakage in the forced-air distribution/duct system. Building Thermographers—Some energy experts use infra-red thermography to identify where heat is being lost in a building affecting heating costs in the winter or coming in the building affecting air conditioning costs and/or comfort in the summertime. Comfort becomes a big issue in areas with generally mild climates and buildings without air conditioning. Infra-red thermography involves using a thermographic camera that takes a picture of a building and shows clearly where heat can easily move in and out of the building. Those areas of high heat loss or gain need attention in order to make a building more comfortable and reduce the building’s heating and cooling costs. Energy Efficiency Opportunities Utility Programs—Many energy utilities have programs that encourage their customers to apply energy-efficiency measures by offering cash incentives to buy and use more energy-efficient appliances and other measures. Utilities have traditionally used limited staff to help their communities manage their energy use. There is a growing need for more trained and qualified energy auditors to go into homes and businesses and show people how to cost-effectively save on both their energy and water costs. Utilities are looking at some new ways to meet this growing demand for energy efficiency savings through programs that will encourage home and business owners to use the services of private sector energy professionals, namely energy auditors. Legislative Mandates—The State of Nevada has a law on the books that will require every home sold in Nevada to have an energy audit performed at time-of-sale. This legislation goes into full effect January 1, 2011. There are not many trained energy professionals and energy auditors around the world. This is a profession that will be in high demand requiring a significant need to train millions of people around the country for good paying, high reward jobs. For more information on what is happening with this mandate contact the State of Nevada Energy Office in Carson City. Green Non-Profits—An energy audit is a very valuable service that should be performed on just about every building around the country. Green organizations have an excellent opportunity to build this service into their membership. Green organizations are prime since their members generally understand the benefits of energy efficiency and would likely value the energy audit service on their home and/or business. Most non-profits would have to raise their membership fee to cover the cost of adding the energy audit service to their list of member services. The service could be ongoing year after year as the building energy bills could continually be monitored and worked on.

28 WINTER | 2009

green jobs

Where to Start: Regional Resources for Green Jobs Training: Lake Tahoe Community College Green Sustainable Education (GSE) Program Classes in: Energy Efficiency & Energy Auditing, Water Efficiency, Solar Energy, Green Businesses & Green Marketing, Green Careers, etc. Sierra College (including Truckee campus) Developing a Solar PV Training Center and Program May also be offering classes in Energy Auditing Truckee Meadows Community College Recently developed a two year program in Renewable Energy TMCC is developing a Solar PV Training Center and Program and currently offers classes in Renewable Energy, Solar Energy and Energy Auditing University of Nevada, Reno UNR is developing a Renewable Energy Program with classes already underway. The UNR Business Environmental Program has a small business energy auditing program being planned for implementation soon. UNR also has a Renewable Energy Center (REC) located at their UNR Redfield Campus building off Mount Rose highway. University of Nevada, Reno Extension UNR Extension is looking at offering classes in Energy Management UC Davis Extension Certificate in Energy Resources Management: Courses: Intro to ERM, Demand-side EM/Energy Efficiency, etc. Workforce Training – Many agencies and organizations throughout America are expected to receive considerable funding for Green Jobs training through the President’s Economic Stimulus package.Keep an eye out as to what organizations actually receive the funding and for the types of jobs and careers the funding will be used to provide training.

greenmarket_09

12/4/09

8:38 AM

Page 1

greenmarket Creative Coops Unique modular back yard chicken coops. Expandable in size. Wheels available. See more at:

Moody‘s Bistro & Lounge Moody’s is proud of the partnership with our local farmers:

www.creativecoops.com

Sierra Valley Farms, Shaw Family Farms, Watanabe Farms and Del Rio Botanicals.

Phone: 530-272-3700. [email protected] Facebook: creative coops

10007 Bridge Street, Truckee 530.587.8688 www.moodysbistro.com

Lifekind

Precision Flooring

Lifekind® organic mattresses are extremely comfortable, and their purity is third-party certified. If you can find a purer mattress, they’ll give you one for free.

Serving Truckee & North Lake Tahoe for 30 Years. • • • • •

Carpet/Area Rugs Laminate/Hardwood Vinyl • Repairs Window Covers Green Products

800.284.4983 www.lifekind.com

530.587.0102 11357 Donner Pass Rd. Ste.E Truckee, CA

The Magikal Florist

Strauss Family Creamery

Full service Florist. Satisfaction guaranteed. Seasonally organic flowers. Supporting local growers. Delivery available local and world wide.

Straus Family Creamery is a a family-owned dairy and creamery in West Marin producing milk in returnable glass bottles with delicious cream on the top.

Something available for everyone's taste and budget. 530.265.8307 821 Zion St., Nevada City Propel Fuels Clean, American-made fuel for your diesel or flex fuel vehicle. Located near Roseville Galleria on Stanford Ranch Road at the 76 station. More information, www.propelfuels.com.

Visit us at: www.strausfamilycreamery.com

Nevada County Free Range Beef Order from the ranch by the quarter, half or whole, or NCFRB Select Cuts Packs. Also available at BriarPatch Market and locally owned grocery stores. 530-273-1025 www.NevadaCounty FreeRangeBeef.com

ALPINE GREEN LIVING 29

greenmarket_09

12/4/09

8:38 AM

Page 2

greenmarket Nevada City Seafood Nevada City Seafood is dedicated to bringing Nevada County the freshest seafood and shellfish available. We focus on sustainable, wildcaught products as well as sustainably farm-raised shellfish from all over the world.

Summer Thyme‘s Bakery & Deli

1020 Whispering Pines, Ste. G Grass Valley, CA 95945 (530) 274-2919

421 Colfax Ave, Grass Valley 530.273.2904 www.summerthymes.com

Calolea Olive Oil

Make Local Habit

Calolea's organic olive oil has been certified "extra virgin" by the COOC. These olives are hand picked, stone crushed and cold pressed within 24 hours to create the highest quality oil possible.

Featuring over 40 different artists and crafters, you will find 100% locally made goods. Quality, Unique, Fun, Local.

Gourmet natural foods • Gluten Free Bread & Muffins • Organic Coffees • Breakfasts • Hot Entrees • Salads • Sandwiches • Croisants • Scones • Bagels

1451 East Main Street Grass Valley

530.749.1240 www.calolea.com Bamboo Store

Being Green

Fine natural fiber bedding, bath and clothing.

A Green Living Store.

Luxury has never felt so good.

30 WINTER | 2009

• • • •

Eco-friendly • Fair Trade Sustainable Made Clothing Housewares • Body Care Eco Gifts and more...

530.272.0303 108 Mill St. Grass Valley www.bamboohomestore.com

530.470.0442 408 Broad Street, Suite 9 Nevada City www.beinggreenshop.com

Diestel Turkey Ranch

Frey Vineyards

60 years of family farming, the Diestel Family range grows natural and organic turkeys with sustainable farming practices. Turkeys, deli turkey, ground turkey, sausage, parts and more. www.diestelturkey.com, ask your grocer for it!

Frey Vineyards is the pioneer organic winery in the US. Family owned and operated since 1980, they make wine without added sulfites in northern California. www.freywine.com

ad layout

12/4/09

8:39 AM

Page 4

Award-Winning Graphic Design Marketing Materials Advertising Design Sales Collateral

Teie, Gelwicks and Associates

Packaging Design Brochures/Flyers Custom Publications

Home of Alpine Green Living Magazine

1.800.493.5551 www.teiegelwicks.com www.alpinegreenliving.com

p32_01_alpine ad

12/4/09

8:41 AM

Page 1

PLEASE DO NOT DISCARD THIS MAGAZINE Help us reduce our carbon footprint by sharing this magazine with others. You can read the entire contents of this issue as well as more features and news online at www.alpinegreenliving.com

For advertising information or to exchange ideas, visit www.alpinegreenliving.com or call 1.800.493.5551 Green Living Magazine