Playing in a Sustainable Schoolyard

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

SpongeBob lunchbox? Check. Miley Cyrus binder? Check. Sustainable schoolyard? Check! Complete the back-to-school ritual with a visit to the Sustainable Schoolyards display, part of the One Planet—Ours exhibit, at the U.S. Botanic Garden until October 13, 2008.

The Sustainable Schoolyard Exhibit includes:

  • solar features
  • water systems
  • edible gardens
  • wildlife habitat
  • green building
  • waste as a resource

Each part of the exhibit can be used to teach children about math, science, and of course, the importance of green communities for our health and the planet’s well-being. It’s a great opportunity to get them away from the TV and XBox and into nature.

Interested in learning more about how to green your schoolyard? Visit DC Schoolyard Greening. It features examples of what schools in our area are doing to promote greener living and sustainability such as planting herb, wildlife, and vegetable gardens; building green roofs; implementing composting programs; building birdhouses; and more.

Founding Farmers Opens Soon

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

DC’s first LEED-certified restaurant, Founding Farmers, which is slated to open in September, will arrive just in time to piggyback on America’s love affair with all things farm-related.

Touting “fresh farm to table American inspired food,” the 8,500 square foot restaurant designed by DC architecture firm CORE (Brasserie Beck, artiZEN Cafe, Greenwood) features farm silo-shaped booth seating made of recycled steel, ‘PaperStone’ countertops in the restrooms, reclaimed barn woods underfoot and for the communal farmhouse tables, green-sourced power, and low-VOC emitting paints.

But what good is a green restaurant without tasty food? No problem–Founding Farmers has that covered. Chef Graham Duncan has created a menu that feature “homemade traditional American classics inspired by the heartland” made with sustainably farmed products and in-season vegetables and fruits. Hearty fare includes fresh-baked breads, rustic farm sandwiches, pot roast, roasted chicken, and pies and desserts made in-house.

8 Green Ideas for Enjoying the Last Days of Summer

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Make the most of summer before Old Man Winter comes a knockin’. Here’s how:

  1. Pack a picnic with organic goodies from newly opened Sub-urban Trading Co., in Kensington, MD or stock up at one of the many farmer’s markets in the area.
  2. Fire up the grill one last time with free-range chicken and home-made sausages from Let’s Meat on the Avenue in Del Ray.
  3. Stroll through Rock Creek Park or the National Arboretum.
  4. Take a free walking tour, see the sites by bike, or even hop on a Segway.
  5. Check out a green roof.
  6. Build one of your own.
  7. Pick your own fruit at a nearby orchard.
  8. Get an au natural faux tan (well, you can do this anytime, but it’s great for Labor-day getaways)

Now, pile on the SPF and get out there while the going’s good.

The Week in Green: August 08, 2008

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

This blog was created as an online destination for DC locals or those traveling to our fabulous city to find out about local green businesses, projects, tips, services, products, and events. The cool thing is that since I started writing in January, I’ve noticed a substantial increase in items worth covering. So much so, that I’ve decided to launch “The Week in Green,” a round-up of all the juicy green tidbits that I don’t want you to miss each week.

Enjoy!

-SC

P.S Have a green tip, local event, product, or news? Drop me an email.

The Week in Green: 8-08-08 to 8-16-08

  • Green Drinks

When: Tuesday August 12

Where: Ulah Bistro, 1214 U Street, NW, DC

When: 6:30-9/10

Featured in a recent issue of Daily Candy, this locally owned cleaning company uses natural products such as concentrated sage, lavender essential oils, and vinegar to keep the dust bunnies at bay. They even offer custom aromatherapy made from select essential oils designed to enhance your mood naturally. Green and Clean, take me away….

The team behind Mendocino and Sonoma have opened Redwood restaurant in the new Bethesda Row pedestrian mall. The 7,500-square-foot restaurant features modern American cuisine that emphasizes local and organic produce, wild and sustainable seafood, and ingredients from local artisanal cheesemakers, growers, ranchers, and fishermen. Reservations are difficult to come by; even Post food critic Tom Siestsema couldn’t score a table in the main dining room on his first visit. Check out an “early look” and a sample menu to whet your appetite until the hordes die down.

These Streets Were Made for Walking

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Local urban trekkers rejoice. DC has made it onto the list of most walkable cities in the U.S., according to Walk Score, which “helps people find walkable places to live.” Top marks go to areas with a high density of nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc. and how easy it is to live a car-lite lifestyle. As gas prices continue to hover around $4 a gallon, there’s no better time to break out the sneakers and SIGG water bottle and hit the pavement.

The ranking is further broken down by neighborhood. Here are the top 10 for our area:

  1. Dupont
  2. Logan Circle
  3. Downtown
  4. U Street Corridor
  5. Foggy Bottom
  6. Mount Vernon Square
  7. Adams Morgan
  8. Kalorama
  9. Friendship Heights
  10. Georgetown