On Saturday, April 30, 2011, Baltimore County will host a joint compost bin and rain barrel sale. The sale will be held on the auxiliary parking lot of THE AVENUE at White Marsh, 8125 Honeygo Blvd (behind the movie theater across Town Center Drive). This sale will be a one-day event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. Compost bins and rain barrels will be sold on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.

The compost bin for sale is once again The Earth Machine^TM, made from recycled plastic with an 80-gallon capacity, easy snap together assembly, and a ten-year warranty.

The rain barrel for sale is once again the Systern Rain Barrel. The Systern Rain Barrel is made from recycled plastic with a 55-gallon capacity, a mosquito mesh to keep bugs and debris out, and a five-year warranty. It also comes with installation instructions, spigot, screws, and an overflow hose.

Compost bins, valued at $100, will be available for the low price of $35, including tax. Rain barrels, valued at $120, will be available for the low price of $50, including tax. There is no limit on the amount of compost bins/rain barrels you may purchase at this event and both items will be sold on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. Cash, checks, or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover) will be accepted and you do not need to be a Baltimore County resident to purchase a compost bin or rain barrel

leave the grass high for hiding easter eggs. go to a farmers market. support local businesses. walk instead of drive. open your windows. turn off your lights. bird watch. plant some vegetables and native plants. have a zero waste weekend. make a rain barrel….

There is the slow food movement which is a grassroots organization “linking the pleasure of good food with a commitment to their community and the environment. Slow Food was founded in 1989 to counter the rise of fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world.”

There is the slow money movement which suggests “we must bring money back down to earth. Slow Money believes “there is such a thing as money that is too fast, companies that are too big, finance that is too complex. Therefore, we must slow our money down.” Slow Money proposes that “the 21st Century will be the era of nurture capital, built around principles of carrying capacity, care of the commons, sense of place and non-violence. We must connect investors to the places where they live, creating vital relationships and new sources of capital for small food enterprises.”

I would like to introduce the concept of SLOW DESIGN which aims to encourage clients, contractors and architects to participate in making smart choices for a true investment in buildings, the community, and our future. Slow Design is a mindful approach to architecture:

• Creating spaces that are collaborative efforts between architect, engineers, owner and builder.
• Making decisions and choices that reflect our impact on the environment.
• Building homes and schools that are so well-designed they have a minimal carbon footprint.
• Taking the time to select high quality, durable, and local materials.
• Investing more money up front to see immediate payback in energy use, our health, and our environment.

photo by tim laman for national geographic

now that Election Day has passed, Baltimore County residents are urged to recycle their campaign signs that are made from paper, cardboard, or corrugated plastic. check your local jurisdiction to see if you can recycle your signs.

Baltimore County’s High Performance Homes Bill offers a property tax credit to homeowners who invest in improving the energy efficiency of their homes. The Bill went into effect June 25, 2010. The amount of the tax credit is a percentage of the total County property tax assessed on the home that is equal to the percentage of increased energy efficiency achieved in the process of renovation or new construction. The tax credit starts at 30% efficiency for three years and increases to a carbon neutral home with a 100% tax credit for five years. Michael and Carri Beer, AIA, LEED ap worked assiduously with Councilman Vince Gardina to make this bill a reality for Baltimore County residents.

thanks to brennen for visiting the store!

Green roofs help with stormwater retention and provide a slow release of this water. They also aid in absorption, transpiration and reducing the heat island effect.

We would love to have a green roof installed on your new project – contact brennan + company architects for full service, earth friendly architecture.