14 Jan Austin EcoNetwork January 2013 Partner Showcase
We love our partners. Partnership is what makes the Austin EcoNetwork work. Austin's leading green businesses and organizations each chip in a little so that we have a network that can promote all of Austin's sustainability scene. Events, volunteer opportunites, services, news and blog by local thought leaders are all brought to you twice a week in the EcoNews. As we are starting 2013 we wanted to give you the scoop on a bunch of our partners (not all of them sent news).
Edible Austin will continue producing fabulous foodie events such as:
- Now, Forager Film & Feast on January 16. Movie tickets come with a fungi-ful meal prepared by Alamo Drafthouse chefs. Tickets on sale now!
- Sunday, April 7 (1 – 5 pm) is the Children's Picnic and Real Food Fair at the French Legation, showcasing family-friendly learning and sharing experiences with local farmers, food vendors, artists, youth musicians, chefs, culinary schools, gardeners and more. More details at edibleaustin.com.
- 7th Annual Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week, Dec. 7 -14. This is a week-long celebration of local food to raise money for local food nonprofits and build community through food.
Greenling organic and local food delivery, is "berry excited" to be expanding to Houston in early 2013!
Saturday, January 26 Greenling is working with the LoveLife Method to have a special group cleanse led by Kim Love with Greenling Love Cleanse compliant meal kits. Read more here.
Sustainable Food Center is currently in the public phase of their $4.5 Million Capital Campaign to build a permanent site: a 7,000-foot training facility and adjacent 2.3-acre community and teaching garden. With this new space, SFC will be able to train more groups and individuals to deliver their services, and to expand in line with demand from the community they have served for nearly 40 years.
Thanks to the support of partners like AEN, SFC is slated to move into our new home in June 2013! You can be a part of SFC's future home Grow with them here.
Barton Creek Farmers Market launched their Live Music at Barton Creek Farmers Market series. The Saturday market at Barton Creek Mall has music starting at 9am and this Saturday they have Dash Kizer playing his Cajun country music as their 11:11am guest. The Sunday market at Highland Mall features music by J Wagner, The Sparrow Makers. Sign up for their weekly updates for the particulars on vendors products and specials. Like their facebook page to keep up with what fine musicians are playing where.
EcoKids Pre-K Eco-Healthy Montessori is nearly one year old! On February 16th they will host an Anniversary Open House and Winter Festival. Located near 290 and 183 this facility serves organic food, emphasizes outdoor play and physical activity and follows a Montessori curriculum. They are growing and will be opening a new classroom in February.
Barr Mansion, the nation's only Certified Organic event facility and Zero Waste leader, is home to many of Austin's premier green events. Those who attended holiday parties out there may not recognize it this spring. They are in the midst of a total landscape makeover. The white picket fence is gone and the St Augustine grass is being largely removed. Permaculture artist Kirby Fry is installing berms and swales, a food forest, and they will even have room for animals!
They have just a few openings this spring including Friday March 29th and Sundays in June. Melanie and her crew love to support the eco community – think mid-week or August for opportunities to host your company or organization can host your company or organization's environmental gala at Barr Mansion.
KISS Janitorial is a full service locally owned commercial janitorial company that specializes and is CERTIFIED in "green cleaning" by the Green Clean Institute & the Green Business League. We have serviced the greater Austin Texas metro area (75 mile radius) since 1991.
Tri Recycling's latest innovation was implementing commingled, single stream recycling programs for their clients. You no longer have to worry about separating recyclables into different containers – that’s their job. So, let them do the sorting!
Austin Resource Recovery is continuing their free composting classes throughout the year. View the schedule here. Once you start composting you can change your trash cart size by calling 512-494-9400. The City of Austin will deliver a new cart to your house at no extra cost, and a smaller cart will save you money. When you downsize and take a free class you are eligible for the city's rebate on a home compost system!
The GoLocal Card, started by Austin resident Bob Tuschak, has expanded to 10 cities nationwide after their launch in Austin and are currently coming soon to two more. They also now have an app for both iPhone and Android based devices.
Public Citizen is organizing to overturn Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission! To mark the third anniversary of Citizens United this January, citizens will be planning events throughout the nation. January 19th, Grassroots organizers and activists from across Texas will take to the South Steps of the Texas State Capitol to rally in support of two concurrent Texas resolutions before the 83rd Legislature calling for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to establish that political expenditures are not protected speech under the First Amendment. In addition, Austin expects their resolution to be passed by Austin City Council on Jan 17. So if all goes well, this will be a great celebration of that accomplishment! Read more about this event here.
Texas Solar Energy Society, in a modest humanitarian project, is looking to bring solar powered lighting to a few Texans who lack power. They will again support all chapters with their October Solar Tours in conjunction with the National Solar Tour. They are also updating their Solar Resources to assist those wishing to learn more about the benefits of solar power.
Go Green Squads will be spending the spring helping Austin Energy customers take advantage of the up to $3200 Energy Efficiency Rebates which are available until March 31st. Austin Energy just began its “Best Offer Ever Returns” campaign, offering as much as $3200 rebates on home improvements that better your house’s energy efficiency including heating and a/c, insulation, duct sealing, weatherization, windows and doors, solar screens, solar panels and more. Call Go Green Squads at 
512-326-9300 to learn about and receive rebates, set up a free evaluation of your home’s energy use, and get your improvements done to save money while helping the environment. See www.
Green Fern Events is excited to be working with the US Composting Council to produce their 21st Annual Conference and Tradeshow taking place Jan. 28-31 in Orlando, FL.
Emily and her team plan and deliver a fabulous events, from conferences and trade shows for thousands to social events for hundreds, while doing it all green.
Central Texas Bee Rescue and Preserve is expanding statewide! They will be training and hiring 4 new staff people every month this year for a total of 50 new staff. Trainees will learn the ropes of saving and protecting honey bees from extermination and help preserve the future of our nation's bee population. They feed, house, and continue to nurture the bees they remove as they raise them on their farm. They have harvesting projects for soap, candle, and chapstick production as well as honey and bee pollen. Their focus is to put a great percentage of their profits into scientific research and education.
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