O2-Michigan / Green Drinks

Join Green Drinks Invite List!

2011-10-04T12:16:00.004-04:00

You can do this at the official Green Drinks Ann Arbor blogspot webpage.

Green Drinks Revival!

2011-10-04T12:13:00.004-04:00

Green Drinks has been revived for the Ann Arbor - Ypsilanti region. So far there have been 2 events held, one in August and one in September. Both were held at the Wednesday Evening Farmers Market which is now closed for the season.

Join us for the next Green Drinks at a location that has not yet been determined but will be posted at this webpage:

October Green Drinks
October 19, 2011
5pm-8pm
Location: TBD

Fall Harvest Green Drinks

2009-10-13T13:58:00.000-04:00

October GREEN DRINKS
7pm onward, Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Corner Brewery (http://cornerbrewery.com)
720 Norris Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198

Back from a summer hiatus, join O2-Michigan for a "fall harvest" GREEN DRINKS mixer, Wednesday, October 21st, 7pm onward at Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Regulars and newcomers of all disciplines are welcome to come casually network and socialize in an informal atmosphere and discuss all things green, and sustainable.

Please forward this invite on to folks who would be interested. We look forward to seeing you there!

More info:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5961557307
http://o2michigan.blogspot.com
http://greendrinks.org/

---

O2-Michigan is a local chapter of the O2 international network for sustainable design. O2-Michigan is a proud participant in the international movement toward the creation of places, environments and products that support humane and ecologically sustainable* lifestyles. Join us for "GREEN DRINKS" every month. Newcomers of every discipline are welcome.

HomeGrown Festival 2009

2009-09-11T18:02:00.001-04:00

Did you know that Mayor Hieftje and Governor Granholm have proclaimed September 2009 is Local Food Month in Ann Arbor and Michigan respectively? Head on down to the HomeGrown Festival and see what all the hub-bub is about.

Earth Day Green Drinks!

2009-04-20T15:39:00.002-04:00

Earth Day! April GREEN DRINKS
7pm onward, Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Casa Dominick's (Dominicks)
812 Monroe St.
Ann Arbor, MI

Join O2-Michigan for a GREEN DRINKS mixer, Wednesday, April 22nd, 7pm onward at Casa Dominick's (near the UofM Business and Law schools) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Regulars and newcomers of all disciplines are welcome to come casually network and socialize in an informal atmosphere and discuss all things green, and sustainable. If the weather is nice look for us in the open-air seating, otherwise look for us upstairs.

Please forward this invite on to folks who would be interested. We look forward to seeing you there!

More info:
http://o2michigan.blogspot.com
http://greendrinks.org/

Carbon Caps = Hard Hats

2009-04-16T11:50:00.002-04:00

I totally woke up in a different country today. What a great ad campaign.

High Speed Rail?

2009-04-16T11:35:00.002-04:00

Whoa, did I wake up in a different country? Talk of high-speed rail in this country... and talk of it being overdue?!
More info

Biofuels and Bio-Based Carbon Mitigation

2009-03-25T14:55:00.001-04:00

Check out an online poster session by students at the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources & Environment on the topics of Biofuels and Bio-Based Carbon Mitigation.

Reminder: March Green Drinks Mixer

2009-03-10T14:12:00.001-04:00

March "GREEN DRINKS Slow Food Mixer"
7pm-10:30pm, Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Arbor Brewing Company "Tap Room"
116 E. Washington St.
Ann Arbor, MI

Join O2-Michigan, Slow Food Huron Valley, and the Sustainable Ag Working Group @ the University of Michigan for a GREEN DRINKS mixer, Wednesday, March 18th, 7pm onward at the Arbor Brewing Co. Tap Room in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Regulars and newcomers of all disciplines are welcome to come casually network and socialize in an informal (non-smoking) atmosphere and discuss all things food, green, and sustainable.

Prior to the mixer you may be interested in a panel discussion at 5:30pm in 1040 Dana Bldg on central campus "Going local-- chefs, farmers and restauranteurs serve up a new food system": details of this and other talks at http://www.snre.umich.edu/sustainable_agriculture_work_group.

More info:
http://slowfoodhuronvalley.org
http://o2michigan.blogspot.com
http://greendrinks.org/

Please forward this invite on to folks who would be interested. We look forward to seeing you there!

You Should Check These Films Out

2009-03-05T17:45:00.000-05:00

If you haven't heard of Transition Michigan or Transition Ann Arbor, you should (and will be hearing more in the future). They are holding a film series "Creating a Resilient Community in Times of Economic Uncertainty": showing 3 different films at 7pm on March 5th, March 19th, and April 9th respectively at Rudolf Steiner High School, 2230 Pontiac Trail. More info by clicking on the image above and by calling 669-9394.

March Green Drinks Mixer

2009-02-25T15:41:00.004-05:00

March "GREEN DRINKS Slow Food Mixer"
7pm-10:30pm, Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Arbor Brewing Company "Tap Room"
116 E. Washington St.
Ann Arbor, MI

Join O2-Michigan, Slow Food Huron Valley, and the Sustainable Ag Working Group @ the University of Michigan for a GREEN DRINKS mixer, Wednesday, March 18th, 7pm onward at the Arbor Brewing Co. Tap Room in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Regulars and newcomers of all disciplines are welcome to come casually network and socialize in an informal (non-smoking) atmosphere and discuss all things food, green, and sustainable.

More info:
http://slowfoodhuronvalley.org
http://www.snre.umich.edu/sustainable_agriculture_work_group
http://o2michigan.blogspot.com
http://greendrinks.org/

Please forward this invite on to folks who would be interested. We look forward to seeing you there!

February GREEN DRINKS

2009-02-16T11:31:00.001-05:00

February GREEN DRINKS
7:30pm onward, Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Corner Brewery
720 Norris Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198

Join O2-Michigan for the first GREEN DRINKS of the year, Wednesday, February 18th, 7:30pm onward at the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Regulars and newcomers of all disciplines are welcome to come casually network in an informal (non-smoking) atmosphere and discuss all things green and sustainable. Topics to include the recent Local Food Summit, the Transition Initiatives that have come to Michigan, and whatever topics you bring. Meet interesting people. Socialize.

More info:
http://o2michigan.blogspot.com
http://greendrinks.org/

Please forward this invite on to folks who would be interested. We look forward to seeing you there!

Green (Holidaze) Drinks

2008-12-16T13:26:00.001-05:00

December GREEN DRINKS
8pm, Thursday, December 18, 2008
Corner Brewery
720 Norris Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198

Join O2-Michigan for a holiday GREEN DRINKS, Thursday, December 18, 8pm-10pm at the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Regulars and newcomers of all disciplines are welcome to come casually network in an informal atmosphere and discuss all things green and sustainable. Practice those holiday dinner table conversations regarding your green lifestyle! Meet interesting people. Socialize.

More info:
http://o2michigan.blogspot.com
http://greendrinks.org/

Please forward this invite on to folks who would be interested. We look forward to seeing you there!

November Green Drinks

2008-11-19T15:35:00.002-05:00

Join O2-Michigan for a holiday Green Drinks, Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 7pm onward at the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Regulars and newcomers of all disciplines are welcome to come casually network in an informal atmosphere and discuss all things green and sustainable. Practice those holiday dinner table conversations regarding your green lifestyle! Meet interesting people. Socialize.

Come early and shop at the special holiday Downtown Ypsi Farmers Market which will be taking place inside the Corner Brewery from 3pm-7pm.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The "Real" Ann Arbor / Detroit Commuter Train?

2008-07-17T11:20:00.003-04:00

I am not sure everyone noticed, but in the latest post on the O2 listserve by Megan Owens of TRU, she linked to the story about progress being made in developing a commuter line on the existing Amtrak lines. I was reminded of the blog post about the "Lurid" green grass Monorail line planned for the same line from Philip (back in February). Anyway, the Amtrak plan to be more of a possibility .... although I personally vote that all ribbon cuttings should happen AFTER projects are actually completed! Here is some info:

Commuter train updates - SEMCOG video on AA-Detroit

Plans to develop a commuter train from Detroit to Metro Airport and Ann Arbor continue. There isn’t a lot of new news, but there is an interesting new video summarizing the project on SEMCOG’s website (and on YouTube). Check it out!

Impromptu July Green Drinks

2008-07-15T15:35:00.002-04:00

Impromptu Outdoor GREEN DRINKS:
Thursday, July 17th, 6:45pm onward
Ann Arbor South University Art Fair "Beer garden" at the 107one stage on Church Street just south of South University Ave.

O2-Michigan invites you to an impromptu outdoor GREEN DRINKS Thursday, July 17th at Ann Arbor South University Art Fair's "Beer Garden", located in front of the 107one entertainment stage on Church Street just south of South University Avenue. We'll begin to gather (hopefully toward the front of the beer garden) at 6:45pm and enjoy the free music from local band Back Forty followed by George Bedard & the Kingpins.

Pass this invite along and we'll see you there for a fun evening!

Ann Arbor's 107one entertainment stage details

O2-Michigan Website:
http://o2michigan.blogspot.com/

O2 usa:
http://www.o2-usa.org/
O2 global:
http://www.o2.org
Green Drinks:
http://www.greendrinks.org/

June Green Drinks will be in July;)

2008-06-17T17:54:00.004-04:00

Hi Everyone, our blog is working again!

Announcing...
Special Summertime Outdoor GREEN DRINKS:
Tuesday, July 1st, 8pm onward
Ann Arbor Summer Festival's "Top of the Park"
(in front of the Rackham Building on U of M central campus)

O2-Michigan invites you to a special summertime outdoor GREEN DRINKS Tueaday, July 1st at Ann Arbor Summer Festival's "Top of the Park", located in front of the Rackham Building on the central campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. From the festival schedule, that evening is "planetTOP: Top of the Park gets green with a variety of eco-friendly demonstrations and activities." So come early to show your support for "planetTOP" and then beginning at 8pm look for O2-Michigan/Green Drinks folks gathering in the rear of the beer garden (look for o2-Michigan/Green Drinks t-shirts and/or signs!).

Pass this invite along and we'll see you there for a fun evening!

Top of the Park Schedule:
http://www.annarborsummerfestival.com/top/TOP_2008.pdf

Top of the Park directions:
http://www.annarborsummerfestival.com/map.pdf

O2-Michigan Website:
http://o2michigan.blogspot.com/

O2 usa:
http://www.o2-usa.org/
O2 global:
http://www.o2.org

Green Drinks:
http://www.greendrinks.org/

March GREEN DRINKS

2008-03-13T17:43:00.001-04:00

March GREEN DRINKS:
Thursday, March 20th, 6:30pm onward
Corner Brewery, 720 Norris Street, Ypsilanti, MI

O2-Michigan and Slow Food Huron Valley invite you to a jointly sponsored local beer-tasting GREEN DRINKS at Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti, Thursday, March 20th at 6:30pm. Come hear a bit about brewing beer, as well as pairing it with food, and for a nominal cost taste the current selection offered by Corner Brewery. In addition, Rene Greff (owner of Corner Brewery) will speak a bit at 7pm about their plans to adjust their menus to source more locally and more sustainable. We hope to see you there!

More Info:
Corner Brewery
http://www.cornerbrewery.com

More about the their plans to change their menu:
http://www.cornerbrewery.com/blog/2007/11/arbor-brewing-company-pub-and-eatery.html

Slow Food Huron Valley website:
http://slowfoodhuronvalley.com/

O2-Michigan Website:
http://o2michigan.blogspot.com/

O2 usa:
http://www.o2-usa.org/
O2 global:
http://www.o2.org

Green Drinks:
http://www.greendrinks.org/

What to look for when your candidates go green

2008-02-14T18:29:00.000-05:00

Recent op-ed in USA Today by Ann Arborite Tom Princen... What to look for when your candidates go green.

Lurid Monorail for AnnArbor-Detroit Commute?

2008-02-14T08:25:00.002-05:00

Inhabitat is reporting a story that a Solar + Hydrogen Power Interstate Rail is coming to southeast Michigan. Specifically, this will supposedly be a commuter connector between Ann Arbor and Detroit, and construction is due to begin later this year.

This is the first I have heard about this system, and I expect we'd all be a bit more familiar with it if it had made it thorough all the regulatory and financial hurdles that were necessary to get such an enormous plan into the works.

I just hope that unnatural shade of green the grass is glowing doesn't turn out to be some kind of artifact of the system. I've never seen any vegetation that color of green in Michigan...

Special February Green Drinks

2008-02-06T16:17:00.000-05:00

GREEN DRINKS
Thursday, February 21, 2008, 7pm onward
310 S. Ashley St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Join O2 MICHIGAN for a special GREEN DRINKS at a fresh, new venue at 310 S. Ashley St. (Hathaway's Hideaway) just a few doors south of the Fleetwood Diner in downtown Ann Arbor. In this comfortable non-smoking environment come network as usual with others interested in all things green and sustainable design.

On the main floor we will have some Michigan brews available (couple
dollar donation requested). Upstairs Andrew Hoffman, the Holcim (US) Professor of Sustainable Enterprise and Associate Director of the Erb Institute at the University of Michigan, will speak and lead a discussion beginning at 8pm regarding climate change likely being the most important business issue of the 21st century.

----> meet up, talk, share ideas, incubate projects, relax, have fun

----> hear about and help us develop our new ideas and events... like our tentative Michigan beer tasting in March in partnership with Slow Food Huron Valley and our local sustainable business fair in April or May.

See you there!

Leopold Bros. to Close in June

2008-02-05T12:43:00.000-05:00

As posted on the blog Ann Arbor Is Overrated:
Leopold Bros., the frequent venue for Green Drinks, will be closing and moving its operations to Denver this summer.

Our lease expires in the summer, and shockingly (note heavy sarcasm), our landlords asked for an obscene amount per month in rent, so we’re done. This move has zero to do with the economy, or sales levels, as we are coming off of our strongest year of sales at the pub since we’ve been open. We moved here in 1998, and since that time our rent has tripled, and our new landlords want even more... because, of course, that’s what the market will bear.

According to Todd, the distilling operations will be moving in the spring, and the bar itself will close a few months later.

More discussion and information at Ann Arbor Is Overrated (where Todd Leopold is a regular).

January Green Drinks

2008-01-14T14:48:00.000-05:00

No official confirmation on the venue for our big Green Drinks event in February to launch 2008 but that is coming very soon so stay tuned...

Meanwhile, please join us for our regular monthly networking event next Wednesday January 16th 2008 at 7:30 at Leopold Bros. (523 S. Main).

Locals in the News

2007-12-19T15:29:00.000-05:00

John Barrie, who has been a regular GreenDrinks attendee for the past year or so, was featured in last Sunday's (12/16/2007) Ann Arbor News for his work with Appropriate Technology Collaborative. You can read more about some of the projects he is currently involved with there.

You can also check out his blog (Sustainable Design Update) for more information and regular updates about his projects as well as other interesting things. He also has a post there with his own take on the coverage (and a copy of the picture from the article).

And be sure to check out the information about the Gaialux light, his entry for the NASA Create the Future design contest.

Stay Tuned for a New Venue in 2008

2007-12-06T18:39:00.000-05:00

We had a very good planning meeting. Many options were discussed but one common theme seemed to be it would be good to keep some portion of the regular, mostly informal, networking and social gatherings once a month. Most agreed that that is one strength of the Green Drinks venue which O2-Michigan provides. A regular place open to all who have some interest or curiosity in being and living "Green". Anyway, we will be trying out in the New Year an exciting new (non-smoking) venue where we will bring in some food and drink for all with just a modest donation requested (to cover the venue). Stay tuned for details as we confirm that.

We have also formed committees. Please sign up for our listserv if you haven't already done so and you will hear more about the newly formed committees and how to get involved.

We will also be looking to enhance posting on this here blog. If you are interested in posting regularly (~2 posts per month) on green topics particularly relevant to Michigan please contact mi[at]o2-usa[dot]org.

Meanwhile we will have our regular 3rd wednesday of the month Green Drinks this month on December 19th at 7:30pm at Leopolds. Stop on by and socialize regarding your tips for staying green during the holidays!

2008 Planning Meeting Tonight

2007-11-28T02:04:00.000-05:00

There will be our o2-Michigan/Green Drinks planning meeting tonight at 7:30pm at Leopolds. Look for the o2-Michigan/Green Drinks t-shirts. So if you are interested in o2-Michigan/Green Drinks, and perhaps adding some energy and new ideas to it, please do come along and bring some friends. We will be re-visiting our mission statement, tweaking it if necessary and then brainstorming how we can best meet that mission in the upcoming year of 2008.

Hope to see you there!

Planning Meeting:
7:30pm, 11/28/2007
Leopold Bros.
523 S. Main St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Website:
http://o2michigan.blogspot.com/

O2 usa:
http://www.o2-usa.org/
O2 global:
http://www.o2.org

Green Drinks:
http://www.greendrinks.org/

Green Drinks Wednesday, October 17

2007-10-15T17:09:00.000-04:00

JOIN O2 MICHIGAN FOR GREEN DRINKS at Leopold Bros. on Main Street in Ann Arbor this Wednesday, October 17th, 7:30pm.

Attention sustainable design and sustainability junkies, it's the third wednesday of the month, so it's time for Green Drinks. Come meet up with a diverse cross-section of folks interested in all things green. Newcomers of every discipline are welcome. Look for the O2 Michigan/Green Drinks T-shirts (T-shirt owners were your shirt)!

Location:

Leopold Bros.
523 S. Main St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734.747.9806

----> meet up, talk, share ideas, hatch or incubate projects, relax,
have fun

----> we will discuss a mini-sustainability project idea that has been proposed by an O2 member, in addition to discussing the upcoming Bioneers conference

----> help us advertise, wear or pick up your very own Made in the USA
organic cotton O2 Michigan / Green Drinks t-shirt

Website:
http://o2michigan.blogspot.com/

O2 usa:
http://www.o2-usa.org/
O2 global:
http://www.o2.org

Green Drinks:
http://www.greendrinks.org/

Green Drinks Wednesday

2007-09-18T14:57:00.000-04:00

JOIN O2 MICHIGAN FOR GREEN DRINKS at Leopold Bros. on Main Street in Ann Arbor this Wednesday, September 19th, 7:30pm.

Attention sustainable design and sustainability junkies, it's the third wednesday of the month, so it's time for Green Drinks. Come meet up with a diverse cross-section of folks interested in all things green. Newcomers of every discipline are welcome. Look for the O2 Michigan/Green Drinks T-shirts (T-shirt owners were your shirt)!

Location:

Leopold Bros.
523 S. Main St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734.747.9806

----> meet up, talk, share ideas, hatch or incubate projects, relax,
have fun

----> we will discuss The 11th Hour film, the upcoming Bioneers conference,
and brainstorm other events for the upcoming year

----> help us advertise, wear or pick up your very own Made in the USA
organic cotton O2 Michigan / Green Drinks t-shirt

Website:
http://o2michigan.blogspot.com/

O2 usa:
http://www.o2-usa.org/
O2 global:
http://www.o2.org

Green Drinks:
http://www.greendrinks.org/

---------------------------

Tour de Fresh and Hope's Harvest

2007-09-17T11:53:00.000-04:00

Growing Hope is having a wonderful tour tomorrow of some of what they've been doing. The weather looks great for this Tour de Fresh event. They are also having a fundraiser, Hope's Harvest, this coming Sunday at Cobblestone Farm. Lots of good local food and drinks put together by local chefs - I for one and certainly going to partake.

The 11th Hour: Movie Review

2007-09-17T11:35:00.000-04:00

In a nutshell, the 11th Hour film is a must see. It is a nicely compiled and edited film that fairly simply makes the point that we need to re-think, re-design, and transition from living off of ancient sunlight back to living more off of current sunlight while using technology wisely. And it reinforces that we should all continue ramping up the green things we do individually as well as holding politicians accountable all the while voting with our pocket books and choices. Sure, for some, this is preaching to the choir but you should see it anyway so you can internalize the message this film has finely honed and continue spreading the good word.

GREEN DRINKS @ the Corner Brewery

2007-08-13T16:10:00.000-04:00

GREEN DRINKS - Wed 8/15 - 7:30PM @ Corner Brewery - Ypsi

It's time to Eat, Drink and Be Green!

JOIN O2 MICHIGAN FOR GREEN DRINKS at the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti! That's right, the third wednesday of the month, August 15, is upon us and this month we again try something adventurous (it's summer) and go to the Corner Brewery, where they have a fantastically wonderful Beergarden and lounge. Please join us this Wednesday at 7:30pm, as we meet up for a gathering at the Corner Brew. Look for us outside in the Beergarden (just look out the window as you are buying your beer!). Look for the O2 Michigan/Green Drinks T-shirts. (T-shirt owners wear your shirt!)

Location: Corner Brewery, at the corner of Norris/Forest in Ypsilanti
(www.cornerbrewery.com)
720 Norris Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198

TOPIC OF THE EVENING: Design Competition anyone?

----> meet up, talk, share ideas, hatch or incubate projects, relax, have fun

----> tell us about your green design projects for the summer

----> help us advertise, wear or pick up your very own Made in the USA organic cotton O2 Michigan / Green Drinks t-shirt

BLOG: http://o2michigan.blogspot.com/

WEBSITE: http://www.o2-usa.org/mi/

O2 usa: http://www.o2-usa.org/

O2 global: http://www.o2.org

Green Drinks: http://www.greendrinks.org/

Detroit Urban Gardens and Farms Tour

2007-08-01T12:58:00.001-04:00

OK, talk about a last second posting... but this tour of Detroit urban gardens and farms is totally worth your while. If you could get to registration by about 5:30 this evening you could probably join up:

Is a Sustainably Focused Farm Bill Possible?

2007-07-31T10:20:00.000-04:00

We here at O2-Michigan dream of the day when our representatives incorporate sustainable design into all of their thought processes. When it just becomes part of every decision we make for the future. Until then we essentially agree with Slow Food USA in urging all people who eat honest to goodness food (or who would like to) to write to congressional representatives to share views about supporting food systems that place value on diversified crops and community-based solutions along with sustainable stewardship of our land.

To see more information, go to:
http://www.slowfoodusa.org/farmbill/index.html

And to take action today, go to:
http://www.slowfoodusa.org/farmbill/sample_letter.html

Walk Score

2007-07-27T17:30:00.000-04:00

This came across our email listserv. While there of course are a lot of things missing from their algorithm to determine the walkability of your address - it pretty much just calculates distances to a variety of potential of destinations - I think it still has quite a bit of value at least as a way of comparing addresses. This Walk Score site is definitely worth trying out.

Detroit Urban Craft Fair

2007-07-27T17:25:00.001-04:00

In a little over a week on August 4th some really cool indie artists from the area are going to converge on the Majestic Theater complex on Woodward Avenue for the Detroit Urban Craft Fair. Don't miss it.

GREEN DRINKS @ Art Fair

2007-07-17T15:14:00.000-04:00

JOIN O2 MICHIGAN FOR GREEN DRINKS at the Ann Arbor South University Art Fair (Church St. south of S. University Ave.)!

That's right, the third wednesday of the month, July 18, is upon us and this month we again take advantage of the areas outdoor festivities. Please join us this Wednesday at 7:30pm, as we meet up for a strictly social gathering at Ann Arbor's South University Art Fair. Look for us in the beer/margarita refreshment tent in front of the AnnArbors107one.com entertainment mainstage on Church St. just south of the intersection with South University Ave. Look for the O2 Michigan/Green Drinks T-shirts. (T-shirt owners wear your shirt!)

Location:

Ann Arbor South University Art Fair, AnnArbors107one.com mainstage
refreshment tent on Church St., south of S. University Ave.

http://www.a2southu.com
http://annarbors107one.com/index.php?fuseaction=home.display&id=1240

----> meet up, talk, share ideas, hatch or incubate projects, relax,
have fun, and enjoy the free music

----> tell us about your green design projects for the summer

----> help us advertise, wear or pick up your very own Made in the USA
organic cotton O2 Michigan / Green Drinks t-shirt

Happy Independence Day!

2007-07-04T14:45:00.001-04:00

Hopefully you're taking part of the day (or upcoming day) considering how to declare more independence from your carbon footprint. C'mon, it's pretty fun. If you are in the A2 or Detroit areas try walking/biking/commuting to the Ann Arbor Summer Festival (which hopefully you have been enjoying) or the 2007 Detroit CityFest (over the next few days in shadow of the Fisher Building). Two great festivals which the festival organizers (hint, hint) should really consider making more carbon neutral.

On a different topic, anyone ever done a life cycle analysis of fireworks? I like fireworks. The big shows that is, backyard scale fireworks seem kind of pointless and dangerous to me. But the big shows they're pretty entertaining. Can't think of a way to make them themselves sustainable so curious what has to be done to offset them.

(Apparently 252 million pounds of fireworks were sold in 2006 to individuals for "backyard" celebrations and there were 9200 injuries in 2006 from fireworks. Stats from Wisebread.)

CSAs

2007-06-22T11:22:00.000-04:00

When I first placed a book about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) on a gift wish list of mine in the late 1990s I had to do a lot of explaning. I find these days I have to do less and less explaning. CSA is all the rage these days, particularly in sustainability circles, and what a good thing it is. Hopefully we all can help CSA become more mainstream since it is a key dimension of a sustainable agriculture system in which farmers receive fair compensation for what they provide direct from consumers.

Robyn Van En is said to have founded the first CSA in the USA in 1985. According to houseinthewoods.com she is said to have defined CSA with the following formula that I like:

food producers + food consumers + annual commitment to one another = CSA and untold possibilities

A longer definition from houseinthewoods.com states "Consumers invest in the farm with an upfront annual payment and sometimes a commitment to help out on the farm; in exchange, they receive a share of the harvest, agreeing to share in the risk or the bounty of the harvest with the farmer."

The Robyn Van En Center at Wilson College outlines 5 goals of Community Supported Agriculture:
* encourages proper land stewardship by supporting farmers in transition toward low or no chemical inputs and utilization of energy saving technologies.
* strengthens local economies by keeping food dollars in local communities.
* directly links producers with consumers allowing people to have a personal connection with their food and the land on which it was produced.
* makes nutritious, affordable, wholesome foods accessible and widely available to community members.
* creates an atmosphere for learning about non-conventional agricultural, animal husbandry, and alternative energy systems not only to the farmers and their apprentices, but also to members of the community, to educators from many fields of study, and to students of all ages.

With this is mind, SE Michigan area folks interested in getting a share have some local options, although expect some of the following to have waitlists into next year (Calling all young people - We need more market farmers!):

Community Farm of Ann Arbor is easily the oldest CSA in the area and members pick up their shares at the farm about 15 miles to the west from May-November (contact Anne Elder, 734-433-0261).

Boxelder Acres is the next oldest well known CSA in the area with members picking up their shares July-October at the farm just north of Ypsilanti (contact Asa Wilson, 734-483-7752).

Tantre Farm offers a popular share June-October that may be picked up at the farm or at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market Wednesdays or Saturdays (contact Richard Richard Andres, 734-475-4323).

Garden Works also offers some shares June-October that may be picked up at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market Saturdays (contact Robert MacKercher, 734-995-5130).

Garden Patch Farm also offers shares as well July-October which must be picked up at their farm in Pinckney (contact Tim & Robin Leonard, 734-878-2920).

Additional CSA options exist for SE Michigan and the rest of Michigan, some of which can be located at http://www.localharvest.org or http://www.wilson.edu/csasearch/search.asp. Or head on down to your local farmers market and let producers there know demand for a CSA exists and that you'd be interested if they offered one.

Incidentally, that excellent book about CSA from my wish list is titled Sharing the Harvest by Elizabeth Henderson and is available from Chelsea Green Publishing and hopefully your local book store and library.

Special Fresh Air Green Drinks!

2007-06-19T14:14:00.000-04:00

The weather forecast is clear and sunny. So please join us tomorrow 7:00pm onward, as we have a strictly social gathering at Ann Arbor Summer Festival's Top of the Park. Look for us in the back few rows of the beer garden, next to the "movie projector structure". Look for the O2 Michigan/Green Drinks T-shirts. (T-shirt owners wear your shirt!)

Location:

Ann Arbor Summer Festival Top of the Park

Ingalls Mall, directly in front of the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies on Washington Street near Burton Memorial Bell Tower on central campus in Ann Arbor.

http://www.annarborsummerfestival.org/top_gethere.shtml

Out of towners, all city street meters are free after 6pm as well as the
UofM Parking Structure at 500 Thompson St. (lot W3): see
http://pts.umich.edu/maps/central_south.pdf

----> meet up, talk, share ideas, hatch or incubate projects, relax, have fun, and enjoy the free music (Luke Doucet first set, Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers second set)!

----> tell us about your green design projects for the summer

----> help us advertise and pick up your very own Made in the USA organic cotton O2 Michigan / Green Drinks t-shirt at cost price of $13 to help us spread the word.

Green Drinks Tonight!

2007-05-16T11:02:00.000-04:00

Despite today's weather, summer is feeling like it is in full swing recently. Today is the third wednesday of the month so tonight of course at 7:30pm is an "o2 Michigan Green Drinks" - a casual networking event at Leopold Bros. Come on down and talk with like minded others about your green ambitions for the summer!

As always, newcomers of every discipline welcome. Look for a shirt wearer(s) bearing our logo on the front and Green Drinks text on the back:)

Hope to see you there!

Green Drinks Tonight!

2007-04-18T10:20:00.001-04:00

If today is the third wednesday of the month then tonight of course at 7:30pm is an "o2 Michigan Green Drinks" - a casual networking event at Leopold Bros.

As always, newcomers of every discipline welcome. Look for a shirt wearer(s) bearing our logo on the front and Green Drinks text on the back:)

Hope to see you there!

Green Publicity

2007-04-18T10:16:00.001-04:00

There was a nice write up in the Ann Arbor News on Monday which featured o2-Michigan organizing committee member and Recycle Ann Arbor's Environmental House coordinator Jason Bing.

Press of Green Drinks

2007-03-22T17:22:00.000-04:00

A shout-out to Green Options blog which reported on last nights' o2-Michigan Green Drinks! O2-Michigan member Philip Proefrock is one of their contributing writers and says Green Options may begin regularly reporting on Green Drinks events like ours and others around the globe. So be sure to make it to our next Green Drinks and perhaps you will appear on a national green blog:-)

Green Drinks Tonight

2007-03-21T19:10:00.000-04:00

Today being the third wednesday of the month, tonight at 7:30pm is of course an "o2 Michigan Green Drinks" - a casual networking event at Leopold Bros.

As always, newcomers of every discipline welcome. Look for a shirt wearer(s) bearing our logo on the front and Green Drinks text on the back:)

Hope to see you there!

Special Green Drinks pub crawl March 16

2007-03-15T14:09:00.000-04:00

As promised, here are the details regarding the o2-Michigan sponsored special edition GREEN DRINKS pub crawl being held in conjunction with the Remodel Green Midwest conference.

We will begin at the Box Bar (777 W. Ann Arbor Trail) in downtown Plymouth, Michigan at 6:30pm, Friday, March 16th. Conference goers are encouraged to carpool from the conference location - look for carpooling sign-up at the conference. All others, look for the "o2-Michigan t-shirt" wearing crowd. The fine organic Made in the USA t-shirts with our logo on the front and Green Drinks text on the back which you yourself can sport as well.

Come hang out and chat with green-minded folks. It's a Friday even!

Green Drinks pub crawl @ Remodel Green Midwest conference

2007-02-27T19:20:00.000-05:00

o2 Michigan strongly encourages folks to check out the Remodel Green Midwest conference to be held March 16th and 17th in Plymouth, Michigan.

As an added bonus, please join us the evening of Friday, March 16th as o2 Michigan sponsors a special edition GREEN DRINKS pub crawl. Come mingle with conference-goers and non-conference-goers as we tour downtown Plymouth. Also, witness the unveiling of o2 Michigan t-shirts. Stay tuned. Details will be posted here.

Green Drinks February 21

2007-02-19T22:49:00.000-05:00

JOIN O2 MICHIGAN FOR GREEN DRINKS!
Wednesday, February 21, 7:30 PM 

please join us as we have a strictly social gathering at LEOPOLD BROTHERS

Address:
523 S. Main St.
Ann Arbor, MI, 48104.

Green Options

2007-02-15T17:55:00.000-05:00

If you haven't checked out the relatively new blog at Green Options you should. It can't hurt to have more media sites like this covering the green domain (sorry treehugger, competition is often a good thing). Plus, O2-Michigan member Philip Proefrock is one of their contributing writers. Check out Philip's recent piece "Getting Local Food" which happened to mention another O2-Michigan members' attempt at sustainably designed agriculture.

O2-Michigan members are influencing the green paradigm!!!

Green Drinks Tonight!

2007-01-17T10:42:00.000-05:00

Tonight at 7:30pm is the first of 2007's "o2 Michigan Green Drinks" - a casual networking event at Leopold Bros.

As always, newcomers of every discipline welcome.

Hope to see you there!

Green Drinks Tonight!

2006-11-15T13:26:00.000-05:00

Tonight at 7:30pm is this month's "o2 Michigan Green Drinks" - a casual networking event at Leopold Bros.

As always, newcomers of every discipline welcome. I'm sure there will be some continuation of the converstations begun at our BioDiesel auto show.

Hope to see you there!

Upcoming BIODIESEL Auto Show!

2006-10-25T15:10:00.000-04:00

the BIODIESEL AUTO SHOW!

join O2 michigan and the Environmental House November 5, 2006 from 1-4 pm at the Environmental House: 2420 S. Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 [734.662.6288]

hear:
Q&A with Jim Leidel, Energy Manager at Oakland University and
organizer of a Biodiesel Co-op

and see:
> the conscientious cruiser: a biodiesel bus, originally a University
of Michigan bus converted into a mobile greenbuilding demonstration
center!

> the Brines Farm official dump truck: operated by local earth
friendly farmer Shannon Brines (www.brines.org)

> no less than 2 classy Mercedes Bio-Benz that were purchased for
less than $3500!

> and many others have been invited!

so whats special about a Biodiesel vehicle ? Nothing! Its really the
fuel that is different. Diesel engines can run Biodiesel unmodified.
Here are some websites for more information:

http://www.biomich.com
http://www.biodiesel.org
http://www.biodieselnow.com
http://www.journeytoforever.org/biodiesel
http://www.motorcitycarshare.org
http://www.goldenfuelsystems.com

design: co-lab [www.co-labstudio.org]

o2 michigan:
http://www.o2.usa.org/mi

enhouse:
http://www.environmentalhouse.org

Upcoming Green Drinks

2006-09-18T13:43:00.000-04:00

This Wednesday September 20th at 7:30pm is this month's "o2 Michigan Green Drinks" - a casual networking event at Leopold Bros.

As always, newcomers of every discipline welcome. Hope to see you there!

(Our o2 Michigan Green Drinks event for October is tentatively slated to be a BioDiesel party at the EnHouse!)

2006-08-17T15:33:00.000-04:00

at the Environmental House last night:

Special thanks to Susan Santone, who gave such a rousing talk on the work of Creative Change Educational Solutions. Creative Change has been working to develop educational curricula that is truly RELEVANT and INSPIRING! Imagine High School students debating in a caucus format the realities of sprawl and automotive based land-use patterns, and finding alternative solutions by their own motivation! Or, imagine economics taught within the context of ecology. What, is that students learning the intrinsic health or ecological value of our natural "resources"? The organization's website is actually packed with information:

http://www.creativechange.net/index.html

Keep going Susan!

Building With Awareness

2006-04-20T12:11:00.000-04:00

Last night we had a meeting at the EnHouse in which we watched the first hour or so of a very well done video Building With Awareness. Although we certainly had ideas during our discussion of steps that may be taken a bit differently, and we wondering why they seemed to skipped getting your building plans approved and permitted, overall the group was very impressed with the video and we have plans to watch a bit more of it at a future EnHouse meeting. Stay tuned for that and upcoming tours and socials. We plan to be at Leopolds again for our May "green drinks" social meeting, during which we hope to pick up a discussion again informally on the main pillars of "sustainability" that Dave Sebolt hypothesized at a previous meeting.

eco-packaging

2006-04-04T13:21:00.000-04:00

o2 Michigan member Tiffany Tomato is a finalist in an "Eco-Packaging" Contest put on by treehugger.com. See all the finalists and vote here!

whoa, chicken feathers and soybeans!?

2006-03-30T17:24:00.000-05:00

What can you make with chicken feathers and soybeans? How about a circuit board. Seriously. This just blows my mind. Supposedly the circuit board is faster than conventional ones also.

(And where should all those soybeans and chicken feathers come from? Hopefully, evenutally sustainably designed agriculture of course. Currently Tyson was helping with the project... which brings me to a final note, be sure to check out the The Meatrix II: Revolting which was just released.)

Upcoming o2 events

2006-03-27T15:35:00.000-05:00

April Green Drinks: April 19, 2006 at 7:30pm.
Topic: Short "Green" Film will be shown, title TBA
EnHouse - (Environmental House at Recycle Ann Arbor)
2420 S Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Feel free to bring your own food/drinks

May Green Drinks: May 17, 2006 at 7:30pm.
Casual Networking Meeting at Leopold Brothers - 523 S. Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Hope to see you there!

Examples of Sustainable Food Systems?

2006-02-16T16:29:00.000-05:00

I plan on attending the Building a Better Food System in Southeast Michigan conference since designing agriculture and food systems that are more sustainable is an interst of mine. I was wondering if anyone had specific examples of food systems that begin to approach sustainability - anywhere in the world at whatever scale? Please comment.

new sustainable events calendar

2006-02-16T15:23:00.000-05:00

An o2 Michigan member and some others have launched Great Lakes Green. We think this is a fabulous idea - "one stop shopping" at the ultimate calendar for all events in the region relevant to the diverse components of sustainability. We certainly will be posting our future events there. Check it out and start submiting events.

Modern Day Treehuggers

2006-02-16T13:57:00.000-05:00

Treehugger is a blog definitely worth your perusal. It is certainly growing in the number of readers. The diversity of posts (and comments), generally all with a sustainable design element, continues to impress.

Greg Vendena (o2 Michigan founder) and his colleagues at co-lab* were featured in a post this month and Tiffany Threadgould / Tiffany Tomato Designs (o2 Michigan co-founder) was featured in a post last year. So we know treehugger has good taste.

Aerotecture

2006-01-26T16:29:00.000-05:00

This is cool - "urban wind power" ideas. Let's get these in Michigan cities. Seriously. A little sustainability competition between Illinois and Michigan couldn't hurt. What do all the architects out there think - would you include this in a design?

Check out Aerotecture.

got gas?

2006-01-19T18:31:00.000-05:00

Hey o2 Mich -
have you seen these t-shirts?

can you post a comment?
nice green color for the blog, Shannon.

Mission

2006-01-18T23:55:00.001-05:00

o2 Michigan
is a proud participant in the international movement toward the creation of places, environments and products that support humane and ecologically sustainable* lifestyles. We strongly believe that environmental and social impacts must be integrated with traditionally respected design considerations (including economic, aesthetic and functional). o2 Michigan is a network, meeting point, and clearing house created to support the thoughtful conceptualization, innovative development, and practical solutions to sustainability issues.

*"sustainable" here, based on commonly held definitions of "sustainable development", means to act in a way that will not destroy natural systems that species (human or non-human) directly or indirectly depend on for survival now and in the future. This orientation must also include fair and equitable treatment of fellow human beings.

some keywords: ecological design, ecodesign, sustainable design, sustainable architecture, green architecture, green building, green design, urban ecology, environmental justice, permaculture, sustainable systems, industrial ecology, landscape ecology, Design for the Environment (DfE), Environmentally Benign Manufacturing (EBM), Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), Product Stewardship, Sustainable Development.