Xavier University lecture series focuses on green urbanism

In a couple of weeks, Xavier University will be kicking off its 2010-2011 lecture series, Ecology and Sustainability: Green Urbanism. Lasting until April 2011, the lecture series will focus on the strategies and challenges of creating a sustainable urban environment.

Will Allen, an urban farming expert, will be speaking on September 26 at 7:00PM. Allen is well known for his Milwaukee non-profit, Growing Power. Because of his efforts Allen received the 2008 Macarthur Genius Award.

Check out the entire lecture series schedule. Admission is free and open to the public.

Photo by: Travis Estell

http://www.flickr.com/photos/taestell/

Buy Green: Envi Home Energy Monitor

The Envi Home Energy Monitor ($120) makes tracking home energy use fun and easy.  Attaching the monitor to your electrical box allows you to receive real time information about how much energy your home is consuming.

The monitor has some really great features.  The monitor itself is wireless and can typically be taken anywhere around the house.  The monitor updates energy usage every six seconds, making it easy to tell which appliances are using the most energy in your home.  These features alone make this a great buy, but the coolest thing  about this monitor is that it can connect to Google Power Meter, an application that allows you to track your home's energy usage on the internet.

Mark your calendars!

There are some great events happening around town in the coming months!

9/15: Greening your roof

9/16: Healthy Cleaning Seminar

9/18: Park and Vine Dolly Brigade

10/2-3: Ohio Solar Tour

10/17 Healthy and Green Expo

The Village Green Foundation

Though the outdoor growing season is coming to a close, now is still a great time to learn about gardening.  The Village Green Foundation, located in Northside, is a blossoming coop where people of all skill levels can come together and garden in an urban environment.  For $40 and 5 volunteer hours annually, anyone can gain access to a plot of land behind the foundation's green house.  Green house space is also available upon request.  The Village Green Foundation is a great place to meet new people and share knowledge about sustainable food growth.

1415 Knowlton St. 
513-541-0252

Resources: The Urban Homestead

Learn how to grow your own food and live sustainably in an urban environment.

The Urban Homestead: Your Guide to Self-Sufficient Living in the Heart of the City
Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen

Buy green: kilowatt meter

Have you ever wandered how much electricity that old refrigerator in your basement uses? You may be surprised that many of your old appliances can be costing you up to $75 a month! Buying an inexpensive, portable kilowatt meter can help you save a ton of cash in the long run by showing you how much energy each of your appliances is using.