Tonight, June 20th at 5:30 pm The Grand Rapids Art Museum will receive its LEED Gold Certification Award from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Educator for Student and Adult Programs, Megan Walker, speaks on the topic of sustainable architecture as it relates to the Grand Rapids Art Museum. 7:00 – 7:45 pm

Congratulations to the GRAM for their accomplishments in making Grand Rapids a greener place to live!

Help create city policies in the first of three community sessions that will affect Grand Rapids’ parks, trails, trees, the Grand River, local food and water quality.

The City is required to update its Master Plan & Parks and Recreation Plan every five years. This is your opportunity to get involved in a citywide green infrastructure master planning process called Green Grand Rapids.

Free carpool parking for two or more people in the same vehicle is available in the City Hall parking ramp across the street from Devos Place. Bike parking will also be available in front of Devos Place.

The first 100 people to attend will get free fare cards for The Rapid.

This event is free of charge, so come share your passion to make Grand Rapids a greener place to live.

submitted by: Bryan Migliorisi - The Staga Network

I have recently launched a new website that is dedicated to providing people with a tool for both helping one another, as well as helping the environment at the same time.

The Staga Network is a collection of online communities based around individual neighborhoods. It provides neighborhood members a chance to give away their old (or new) belongings to other members of their neighborhood for free.

It helps people clean out the clutter in their homes, while helping someone who may be able to use your old things.

More importantly, it helps reduce the amount of unnecessary trash created by tossing those items to the curbside.

Everyone has something to give away, so stop by today and sign up for a free account. You can help yourself, your neighbors, and the environment all at one time.

My wife and I have made the commitment to go green every single day from April 22 2008 to April 22 2009. We are well into our green year and have been featured in several media in Canada.

It is our hope that we can show people all the green things that they can do in their lives by just going green every single day, from making a solar cooker to changing the light bulbs.

The sky is the limit when you take part in Our Green Year.
We want photos from people who are doing green things, testimonials and suggestions of what we can do.

In order to keep the passion alive and the network growing…

NETWORK-GREEN and your Planet Earth need your attention.

We are currently seeking submissions to provide fresh & informative content to our readers on a regular basis.

If you are compassionate about our one and only planet Earth and would like to share your eco-friendly ideas, products or resources …This is the place to network.

All we ask is that your submission relate towards achieving sustainability and/or a healthy impact on our environment.

We are actively seeking submissions from Grand Rapids and Michigan because networking on a local level is a huge step towards sustainability.

Because we wish to create a positive impact on our environment, it is important that all submissions be of high quality with the intent to educate and inform our readers about making choices that are both beneficial to our environment & that help to achieve sustainability.
Please refer to the submission guidelines

Add your submission - Join NETWORK-GREEN

Keep the network growing

This is a beta testing period to get the tree back up and growing strong. With growth we would love to add more features for both our readers and contributors in the near future.

If you are interested in contributing on a regular basis or if you have any suggestions for improvement - Please contact us at info[at]network-green[dot]org

♥ love your earth - she needs you… Thank You for visiting NETWORK-GREEN

The Green Chauffeur is a taxi service in Grand Rapids using only hybrid cars. Each car uses 1/3 of fuel daily compared to standard taxis.
The Green Chauffeur serves the entire Grand Rapids area 24/7.
616-617-8232

Michigan GREEN and Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP) are offering Michigan GREEN Energy Kits:

Kit#1 - $99

• (8) 13-watt CFLs
• (4) 23-watt CFLs
• (1) Low-flow showerhead (1.5GPM)
• (1) 3-in-1 Nightlight / Flashlight
• (2) Faucet Flow Moderators
• Wall Switch/Outlet Sealers
• Rope Caulk
• Energy Tips Booklet
• Michigan GREEN Carry bag
• $20 will be Contributed to SWP

Kit#2 - $59

• (4) 13-watt CFLs
• (4) 23-watt CFLs
• (1) 3-in-1 Nightlight / Flashlight
• Wall Switch/Outlet Sealers
• Rope Caulk
• Energy Tips Booklet
• Michigan GREEN Carry bag
• $10 will be Contributed to SWP

Kits can be purchased online at michigangreen.org or by calling: 1-888-473-5444

Use this browser:

• The Flock Browser: Eco-Edition -Powered by Mozilla, so it’s fast and secure. Get updated news, content, and media to feed your interest in global matters affecting our planet.

Add these feeds to your homepage:

• Grist -Environmental news and commentary.
• LighterFootstep -Lead a lighter, more sustainable lifestyle.
• MetaEfficient -The Optimal Green Guide
• Treehugger -The leading media outlet dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream.

Search with:

• Blackooogle -A minimal black Google search engine that saves electricity.

Sign up with:

• MakeMeSustainable -Online tools to help become a more environmentally conscious and efficient individual or business.
• New American Dream -Online tools and tips for living consciously and buying wisely.

Visit these websites:

• The Home Energy Saver -Web based do-it-yourself energy audit tool.
• The Freecycle Network -Nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns and thus keeping good stuff out of landfills.
• Opt-Out -Get off junk mailing lists

Download this software:

• GreenPrint -Print management software that eliminates unwanted pages; saving time, money and trees!

Additionally:

• Surf with a laptop -laptops use substantially less energy than desktops
• Enable energy management on your computer -Learn how- from ENERGY STAR
• Be sure to purchase ENERGY STAR qualified computers and monitors

Just in case you have missed the news… The ROTHBURY FESTIVAL is coming July 3rd-6th to the Double JJ Ranch in Rothbury, Michigan.

This festival is about more than just music including:

• The Think Tank -which will address the topic of Finding Energy Independence.
• An Energy Fair
• New World Cabaret
• A Yoga Program -with instructors Vanessa Lee and Ian Lopatin.
• A Food Drive -with an attempt to set a new world record in the Guinness Book of World Records for the ‘World’s Largest Canned Food Sculpture.

LET’S SAVE THE WORLD

ROTHBURY is dedicated to throwing a HUGE party… with a purpose. This July 4th weekend, ROTHBURY emerges as a new American celebration where music and cause join together to stir ideas, to awaken possibilities, and to empower through knowledge. And yeah, to have the time of our lives.

Our theme is Finding Energy Independence. ROTHBURY is guided by a bold environmental sustainability mission.”

A partial lineup of musicians:

• Dave Matthews Band
• Widespread Panic
• John Mayer
• 311
• Phil Lesh and Friends
• Primus
• Thievery Corporation
• Snoop Dogg
• Modest Mouse

View the entire lineup

Tickets are on sale now Be sure to purchase a ‘green ticket’ (an additional $3) to help with carbon offsetting for the festival.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this unique experience.

• Ada Covered Bridge Farmers Market
  Ada Historic Museum, Thornapple River Drive
  June – October
  Friday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Allendale Farmers Market
  6676 Lake Michigan Dr., (M-45),
  East of Allendale Twp Office
  June – October
  Tuesday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Belding Farmers Market
  Central Riverside Park parking lot
  Corner of Bridge and Depot
  May – October
  Saturday, 8 a.m. -Noon
• Byron Center Farmers’ Market
  8350 Byron Center Ave, Byron Center
  May-October
  Saturday, 8 a.m. -1 p.m.
• Coopersville Farmers Market
  N. Main Street Parking Lot Pavilion
  May – October
  Wednesday, 8 a.m. -1 p.m.
• Grand Haven Farmers Market
  Next to Chinook Pier
  1000 S. Harbor Drive
  June – October
  Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Fulton Street Farmers Market
  1147 East Fulton St.
  May – December
  Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday
• Holland Municipal Farmers’ Market
  Eighth Street Market Place
  May – December
  Wednesday & Saturday 8 a.m. -5 p.m.
• Ionia Farm Market
  Corner of Adams and Steele, Ionia
  May-October
  Wednesday & Saturday 8 a.m. -12 p.m.
• Lowell Area Farmers Market
  Lowell Fairgrounds, 225 S Hudson
  May 17-October 11
  Thursday 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
• Muskegon Farmers’ Market
  700 Yuba, off Seaway Dr, between Spring and Marquette
  May-November
  Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 7 a.m. -3 p.m.
• Rockford Farm Market
  South Squires Street parking lot, off Main
  June – October
  Saturday, 8 a.m. -1 p.m.
• West Michigan Coop -The region’s first-ever online farmers market
  Choose from a huge selection of products from local producers.
  Pick up your order at Media Rare, 1111 Godfrey SW
  Annual user fee of $35
• West Side Farmers Market
  In the rear parking lot of St. James Catholic Church next to the West Side Library
  733 Bridge St. NW
  May 24 - October 27
  Thursday, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.