Solar Power 101

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Pima County Public Library present Solar Power 101: A Community Education Series on Solar Energy When: Thursday, February 25, 2010, 6-8 p.m.

Where: Oro Valley Public Library, 1305 W. Naranja Drive, Oro Valley (On the south side of Naranja, just east of La Canada)

Space is limited for this presentation.  Please RSVP by Monday, February 22: RSVPsolar@mail.house.gov or (520) 881-3588

Presentations:

- An overview of residential  photovoltaic solar energy system choices and installation steps.

- Solar Energy International: SEI is a non-profit educational organization that trains contractors to use renewable energy resources and sustainable building technologies.  They will speak on the trainings they offer and national solar energy trends.

- Town of Oro Valley:  Representatives from Oro Valley will speak on how the town is moving ahead with solar energy, energy efficiency and conservation.

- Solar Power for the Home - Getting Started

- The basics of solar energy residential systems.

Natural Resource Committee Meeting

NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE GENERAL MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC The League of Women Voter's would like to invite you to a public meeting on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will focus on four aspects of climate change that they believe have a significant impact on the greater Tucson area, including public resistance to scientific findings, economic effects on local and small businesses, effects on community health, and effects on community efforts to respond to climate change.

The presentation will be built around questions from the audience. Invited speakers:  Julio Betancourt (U.S. Geological Survey), Jane Poynter (Paragon Space Development Corp), Joellen Russell (University of Arizona), David Schaller (City of Tucson) and Barbara Warren (Physicians for Social Responsibility).

Refreshments begin at 9:30 a.m., with the meeting and program from 10 a.m.-noon at the Joel Valdez Main Library (101 N. Stone Ave.).  Free parking is available in the Library underground parking lot.

GreenFest

Tucson Botanical Gardens is partnering with Bookmans and the Girl Scouts to sponsor GreenFest, a free community event filled with eco-conscious family fun and green living know-how. Experts from local businesses and organizations will offer interactive, hands-on workshops and activities for kids and adults throughout the Gardens to provide skills needed to live greener lives everyday. With experts in everything from solar, water harvesting and composting, to xeriscaping and green building, GreenFest strives to answer all your environmental questions and leave you with the skills, resources and knowledge to build a better, greener life for yourself and our community. For more information click here.

Solar Rock 2010

Join Food Conspiracy for the 4th Annual Solar Rock Festival at Himmel Park, March 27th from noon to 6pm. This free, family-friendly event includes solar powered music, great food and environmental exhibits from Tucson green businesses and non-profits. For more information click here.

36th Annual "Environmentally Elegant" Home Tour

For the 36th consecutive year, Arizona Opera League of Tucson presents “Environmentally Elegant” Homes.  A total of nine homes (includes a bonus home on Saturday, March 20) will be on tour. The tour features demonstrations and a raffle of a variety of “eco-friendly” products and services while being serenaded by Arizona Opera singers! All proceeds from the Home Tours go to support Arizona Opera’s production and Education efforts. For more information click here.

Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 10am - 4:30pm Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 10am - 4:30pm

Green Valley-Sahuarita Solar Forum

What: The environmental committee of the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council in association with the Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a solar forum. New technology for solar home energy and new financial opportunities will be presented on Saturday for residents and businesses in the Sahuarita and Green Valley areas. Area residents will have the opportunity to hear about new technical developments and opportunities for solar in their homes and businesses. Where: Sahuarita High School Auditorium, located at 350 W.Sahuarita Rd

When: 9:30 - noon

Solar Seminars

Solar Seminars in PAS Room 180.First meeting: Tues Jan 12th from 12:00 - 12:50. Thereafter: Tuesdays 12:30 - 1:30.

Feel free to bring your lunch. These meetings will encourage collaborations and seminars on solar research. They will be jointly organized by professors Conant, Cronin, and Kostuk. All are welcome to attend.  Questions can be addressed to Alex Cronin, 1118 E 4th St. Tucson AZ 85721, phone: (520) 465-8459

TFS Open House

TFS is hosting their annual Open House this Thursday, December 3rd, from 5-8pm. Please join us at our downtown location (612 N. 7th Avenue) for food, drink, slideshow and good conversation. Plenty of bike parking; car parking on north side of 5th St. Call for more info or contact us at info@tfssolar.com.

Solar Power 101

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Pima County Public Library presentsSolar Power 101:A Community Education Series on Solar Energy

The Basics of Solar Hot Water Joseph DiMatteo from Sunpower of Arizona will present on the basics of solar hot water heaters and pool heating systems. He will also elaborate on the cost breakdown for solar energy vs. electric or gas energy. Utility Update Trico Electric Cooperative will present on their initiatives in solar energy and their rebate program for residential and commercial PV and hot water. Solar Power for the Home - Getting Started The basics of solar energy residential systems.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 6 - 8 PM Wheeler Taft Abbett, Sr. Branch Library 7800 N Schisler Dr., Marana on the southeast side of Silverbell Road and Cortaro Road

Space is limited for this presentation Please RSVP by Monday, December 7: RSVPsolar*at*mail*dot*house*dot*gov or (520) 881-3588 For more solar energy information, please visit www.giffords.house.gov

Saguaro Fruit Harvest

The Sonoran Desert silently celebrates its new year with the swelling of the saguaro's rosy fruits. Join the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum to gather and prepare saguaro fruits in the traditional O'odham. manner, using a harvesting pole made from the ribs of the giant cactus, then cooking the fruit until it thickens into a rich, sweet syrup. We will learn about other desert plants that were important food sources for native peoples and about the animals who use the saguaro for food and shelter. Includes a native foods lunch.  To register click here. June 27, 2010 from 7 AM - 1 PM

Cholla Bud Harvest

Participate in a century-old Sonoran Desert springtime ritual of harvesting cholla buds sponsored by the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. After collecting this bounty from a site near the Museum, we will prepare it, along with other traditional foods such as tepary beans and nopalitos, and we will experiment making drinks with sweet "tunas". We will delve into the natural history of the cholla and its sister cactus the prickly pear, discuss associated myths, learn about the little red cactus-sucking bug that made some men rich and others slaves. The class concludes with a feast of native foods.  More information can be found here. April 10, 2010 from 8 AM -1:30 PM

Tree Pruning, Native Plants and Water Harvesting Maintenance Workshop

Saturday, December 5, 10 AM – 12:30 PM6th St./Euclid Ave. Area This workshop will include instruction and hands-on work maintaining neighborhood water harvesting sites, including caring for native trees and shrubs. Topics covered will include proper methods of tree pruning, choosing and siting native plants in water harvesting earthworks, and erosion control. No previous experience is necessary for this free, public workshop. Limited to 10 participants. For more information or to register, contact James MacAdam, 396-3266, james*at*watershedmg*dot*org.

Greening Neighborhood Right-of-Ways

Saturday, December 5, 8 AM – 12 PMCopper and Olsen, Tucson, AZ The Campbell-Grant Neighborhood has received funding from PRO Neighborhoods to build community through creating water harvesting features along the public right-of-way in their neighborhood. Watershed Management Group (WMG) is leading a volunteer workshop to teach community members how they can take action and green their neighborhood streets while reducing stormwater flooding, mitigating traffic problems, reducing urban heat island effects and more. Come help make Tucson a greener place to live. RSVP with Catlow Shipek, catlow*at*watershedmg*dot*org or by phone: 396-3266.

WMG accepting applications for Water Harvesting Certification Level 1

Watershed Management Group (WMG) is now accepting applications to the WMG Level 1 Water Harvesting Certification program, a hands-on training program in Tucson, AZ, to instruct educators, professionals, and community organizers in water harvesting systems design and construction.  The goal of the program is to provide the highest quality training in the nation to effectively transfer water harvesting skills and knowledge to new communities. Applications are due December 18. To download the full program announcement, click here.  For an application, click here.

USGBC Branch Meeting

Friday, Dec. 4, 2009 5:30 - 10 PMFor more information contact: Nancy Schneider 520.954.5704 southernprograms*at*usgbcaz*dot*org or click here

Mercado San Agustín, 100 S Avenida del Convento, Tucson, AZ

Celebrate USGBC Arizona Chapter's Amazing 2009! Recuperate from and reminisce about Greenbuild 2009. Learn about the State of the Chapter and Southern Branch. Vote on minor changes to the Chapter and Branches' Bylaws. Welcome the incoming executive leadership of the Chapter and all four Branches. Enjoy an evening of revelry indoors or under the night sky!

Organic Garden Festival

March 7, 2010, 10:30 AM - 3:30 PMAt the Garden - St. Marks Presbyterian Church, 3809 E 3rd St. The garden is actually on 2nd St. so park in the lot off 2nd. Each spring Tucson Organic Gardeners hold an organic garden festival. In addition to their plant and bake sale, there will be educational presentations, a variety of earth friendly vendors, food, raffles and live local music.

Rainwater Harvesting Demonstration Site Tour

Thursday, December 10, 8 – 9 AMThe Nature Conservancy, 1510 E Fort Lowell Rd., Tucson AZ 85719 This docent-led tour is to promote and showcase appropriate rainwater harvesting techniques for residential and commercial properties, in order to make beneficial use of rainwater run-off and reduce soil erosion. Demonstration illustrates the beneficial effects of designing with nature. Cost to attend: Free. Please contact 520-622-3861 or dboone*at*tnc*dot*org for more information.

Green Streets Block Party

Join Watershed Management Group for an evening fundraiser that will include live music from Spirit Familia and catered dinner featuring local, organic ingredients.  The event will begin with tours of WMG’s award winning work to green neighborhood streets in the Rincon Heights Neighborhood. We'll be closing off two street blocks around the Feld Davis park (8th St. & Martin) in the Rincon Heights neighborhood for this festive party!

Event tickets are available at a price of $25 for adults, $15 for children ages 7 to 14, and children 6 and under for free.

You may purchase tickets online at watershedmg.org/earthmonth, or by sending a check made out to Watershed Management Group, PO Box 65953, Tucson AZ 85728.  Please indicate how many will be attending with your check or purchase online.  Tickets must be purchased in advance!  For more information, contact Lisa Shipek at lisa@watershedmg.org or by calling 520-396-3266.

When: April 10^th from 4pm to 7pm

Sustainable Tucson General Meeting

Sustainable Tucson General MeetingJanuary 11, 2010, 5:45 - 8 PM

The January General Meeting of Sustainable Tucson will feature the premiere showing In Transition, a 50 minute-long documentary about change and hope. It shows a practical vision for creating a post-consumer society, where ordinary people make a difference. Those attending will be asked to participate in a related program before and following the showing of the film to set the themes and direction of Sustainable Tucson for local activities in 2010. The public is welcome.

Sustainable Tucson General Meeting

Sustainable Tucson General MeetingDecember 9, 2009, 5:45 - 8:10 PM

The General Meeting of Sustainable Tucson will be held in the Joel Valdez Main Library, Downtown, 101 N Stone Ave.

The meeting will profile three local and sustainable cooperatives, with a theme of “Co-operating for Sustainability.” The Watershed Management Group, the Green Retrofit Co-op and the Gardening Co-op at the Food Bank’s Community Food Resource Center will be featured. Representatives of each group will present information on their programs and be available to answer your questions. The general public is welcome.

There should be a little something for everyone at this important meeting. Come prepared to engage with the issues, ideas, and opportunities we plan to provide.