Join us for EVERGREEN

We've got a great night of entertainment, sustainability, craftsmanship and community planned. Our second annual EVERGREEN fundraising party is on Thursday, November 11 from 7-10pm. It is a guaranteed good time with Michele Beschen (of b. organic, DIY Network and HGTV) as the night's emcee. Musical guests are David Zollo and Roxi Copland. And don't miss "Off The Wall" with our own green building expert Bill McAnally!

Live it Up Sustainably! Join Center on Sustainable Communities for their annual fundraising party showcasing regional craftsmanship, products and services. Enjoy a silent auction, raffles, complimentary appetizers, cash bar and live entertainment.

EVERGREEN

Thursday, November 11 from 7-10pm

West End Architectural Salvage, 22 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA

Tickets: $10 COSC Member / $15 Non-Members

Special Offer - Receive an Individual/Family Membership + 1 Ticket for only $40.00!

Purchase tickets now by going to www.icosc.com (click on "Donate Now") or contacting Leslie Berckes 515-707-2787 or leslie@icosc.com.

COSC Named USGBC Education Provider

You might notice a new addition on our website! We've been recently designated a U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Education Provider. The first of several COSC workshops approved for credit toward Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Credential Maintenance Program is  “The Fundamentals of Green Roofs in an Urban Environment.” The workshop offers 3 GBCI CE Hours and will take place as part of COSC’s “Day of Sustainability” at West Des Moines City Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 6th. A detailed description and registration information is available here.

Road Trip to Iowa Home Crafters

We found out plenty of interesting things about Iowa Home Crafters during our tour of their shop in Ames. For instance, owners Dave Hade and Weldon Abarr source local wood for their projects and mill it on-site. The kid in us came out upon our arrival and the log pile enticed us to climb. Behind Lynnae and Emily is a solar-powered kiln used to dry the salvaged wood. As the Iowa Home Crafters website explains, no tree is cut for the sole purpose of lumber, but rather their supply arrives as a result of tree being damaged, blown down or removed for other reasons. And, every log they acquire is numbered and its history recorded in their "Log log."

You'll be able to learn more about Iowa Home Crafters and our Builder Advisory Council Chair Dave Hade when our new website rolls out - he'll be featured in a member profile area! In the meantime, visit IowaGreenHomes.com.

- Siobhan Spain, COSC

Shooting Ways of Commuting in the East Village

We were among friends when Lynnae, Carrie, I and COSC board member Jenny McCoy joined Urban Ambassadors for their "Shoot Your Commute" project in the East Village. The rising temperature gauge made for a  steamy, yet beautiful, day for a bike ride in sunny Des Moines.

The photo concept originated in Germany and illustrates the amount of space consumed by various modes of transportation, which is comparable to the size of their carbon footprints.

View a time-lapse video here and photos here, which document the process.

Shoot Your Commute final images will be available at the Aug. 30th COSC connects at Jasper Winery when we partner with Urban Ambassadors and USGBC Iowa Chapter to address "Envisioning Sustainable Des Moines" with special guests Greater Des Moines Partnership. Join us by RSVPing on Facebook.

- Siobhan Spain, COSC

Rehabbing with Joe & Diane

Joe Hogue works on his Des Moines home.
Photo by Rodney White/The Register

So far in 2010, more than 700 permits have been issued for residential conversion, remodeling and repair projects. That's already up nearly 30% from last year.

The Des Moines Rehabbers Club's mission to promote neighborhood revitalization and restoration is timely, so when I saw they were hosting a monthly club meeting this morning, I decided I'd better check it out.

I arrived at a gutted two-story north-side home in time to hear the introduction by Des Moines Rehabbers Club founder Steve Wilke-Shapiro. Homeowners Joe and Diane Hogue are following the current surge in DIY (do it yourself) home remodeling projects in an effort to extend the life of their renovation budget. Since the foreclosed home was in bad shape when they bought it, they decided to expose every beam, pipe and doorway to realized the full extent of its structural needs. The couple both have full-time jobs and chip away at the renovation to-do list together on nights and weekends.

Joe's tour of the home gave attendees opportunities to ask questions about floor leveling issues, when to hire a contractor, what he's learned about remove siding and so on. It also gave the owners a chance to solicit advice on how to tackle forthcoming projects. The conversations were informative and congenial, which contributed to a satisfying Saturday morning outing. To learn more about the Hogue's project, read this article in the Register and be sure to visit renovatedsm.com.

As Steve mentioned at the beginning of the meeting, COSC and Preservation Iowa is bringing Bob Yapp to Des Moines this fall. We'll post details soon!

- Siobhan Spain, COSC

"COSC connects" Launch a Great Success!

Thanks to everyone who turned out for the launch of our quarterly social gathering titled “COSC connects” on Monday, June 7th, at the Des Moines Social Club! The Green Living Project Mobile Tour: Expedition in Central America presentation complimented the evening well. Diane Cutler helped us document the evening - click here to access our Flicker photo gallery.

Join COSC at the Natural Living Expo

COSC's Green Speaker Series

Natural Living Expo, March 27-28, 2010
Polk County Convention Complex, Des Moines, IA

Center on Sustainable Communities (COSC) is Iowa’s trusted educational resource for sustainable building. Join us for five discerning workshops on advancing our state’s building practices. Let’s build a greener Iowa - the benefits are abundant and attainable. 

Our FREE Green Speaker Series schedule:

Saturday, Mar. 27 at 11:00am

MAINTENANCE FOR A HEALTHY HOME
Green building expert Jacob Kvinlaug teaches how to create a healthier, more comfortable living environment by discovering sustainable ways to accomplish home maintenance projects.

Saturday, Mar. 27 at 1:00pm
CONSUMER INTRO TO QUALITY HEATING & COOLING
Cenergy conducts this workshop on how to save money, maintain efficient HVAC systems, improve indoor air quality and make informed decisions when purchasing a new system or retrofitting an existing one.

Saturday, Mar. 27 at 3:00pm
HOW TO CHOOSE A CONTRACTOR
Learn how to ask key questions, gauge expertise and find resources to help determine the right sustainable building contractor for your project. Led by Jacob Kvinlaug and Linda Schemmel.

Sunday, Mar. 28 at 1:00pm
EXISTING HOME ASSESSMENT
Taught by Dave and Julia Fish of FISHAUS Craftsman Builders, this workshop gives insightful information on evaluating a house as an integrated system – establish priorities for greening a home.

Sunday, Mar. 28 at 2:00pm
SUSTAINABILITY AT IOWA CAMPUSES AND BEYOND
Students and directors who are making a difference on campuses across the state join COSC’s Executive Director Lynnae Hentzen to discuss visions for a sustainable Iowa and how Iowa can support these ambitions beyond academic careers.

Find COSC's Green Speaker Series on Facebook and www.icosc.com.

The COSC Re-Building a Sustainable Iowa sessions are offered temporarily for free thanks to funding from IDED and HUD. Read the press release here.

Listen Up: Talk of Iowa talks home improvements with Bill McAnally

COSC's green building instructor Bill McAnally gives his expert insights on winter renovation projects and improving energy efficiency. The Iowa Public Radio "Talk of Iowa" segment is chock full of valuable, and timely, information. Here it all here.

Below, Bill and Linda Schemmel of City of West Des Moines discuss the West Des Moines Affordable Green Demonstration Home for the project's video production series (coming soon!).

COSC Brings Affordable Green Building Training to West Union

COSC's "Affordable Green Building Training: West Union" begins tomorrow, January 8. The free workshop series concentrates on each phase of building a cost effective, energy efficient and structurally sound home. 

Professional Series - a valuable opportunity for contractors, subcontractors, planners, architects, appraisers, city officials and other professionals to gain a comprehensive understanding of green building best practices. The free 10-workshop series takes place every other Friday, beginning Jan. 8 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Lunch is provided.

Homeowner Series - An accompanying 3-session gives community residents an overview of green building basics, alternative energy options and essential sustainable elements of new home construction. The workshops are free and lunch is provided.

Both the professional and homeowner series are held at Tap't Out Stein & Din's 2nd floor meeting room at 122 S. Vine Street in West Union, Iowa. Registration is required. Please contact Leslie Berckes at COSC: leslie@icosc.com, 515-707-2783 or www.facebook.com/ICOSC.

"Affordable Green Building Training: West Union" is provided by COSC's Re-Building a Sustainable Iowa statewide program to support Northeast Iowa's disaster recovery efforts and Main Street West Union's Green Pilot Community initiatives. For complete information visit http://icosc.com/westunion.asp.