Debra Sinick

Posts Tagged ‘sustainable living’

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Environmentally Sustainable Kirkland

In Built Green, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on January 28, 2009 at 10:59 am

What should environmental sustainability mean to Kirkland?

What is Kirkland doing about sustainability?

These were the questions asked at the start of the “Environmentally Sustainable Kirkland”  meeting last night by Mayor Jim Lauinger.  A group of interested citizens, mostly from Kirkland, met last night to talk about the direction Kirkland should take with sustainable and environmentally conscious living.  The people present had only one interest, sustainable living and protecting our environment for now and future generations.   Private citizens, Realtors, environmentalists, educators, retired public officials, and  city officials all participated.

President Obama’s message that we as individuals must join with our community and government to make changes was heard loud and clear by this group.   The group consensus was there’s a strong need to build community, educate, and develop individual/community partnerships  to promote sustainability.

Who can we in Kirkland turn to to help spread the word about sustainable living?   This was a question the group answered, creating a list of people and groups who could help:

  • Schools
  • Scout Troops
  • Business leaders
  • Employers
  • Media
  • Religious groups
  • Neighborhood associations
  • Builders
  • Realtors
  • PTA
  • Elected Officials-City Council-State Legislators
  • Non-profit groups
  • Hospitals

How can we use all the forces available at the federal, state, city, business, and individual level?

  • Regulate
  • Educate
  • Lead by example
  • Offer incentives
  • Develop a green business directory
  • Work parties (a very successful Kirkland endeavor already, particularly in the Highlands!)

Where is the city of Kirkland going with sustainability?

  • Easier and faster permit process for “green building”
  • urban forester program
  • 20 year forest restoration plan to remove invasive species
  • parkland acquisition program
  • recycling programs
  • encouraging “green” powered jobs
  • Kirkland city fleet- looking to hybrid vehicles, electric cars, and scooters

The question asked at the close of the meeting by one of the participants:

How do we balance the growth of Kirkland with sustainable measures?  A compelling question for everyone to answer.  What are your thoughts?

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From My Inbox: Sustainable September in Kirkland, Washington

In Built Green, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, Remodeling on September 10, 2008 at 10:15 am

One of the things I really love about blogging is people in the community contact me to post different things.  It’s a great opportunity to find out what’s going on and what’s important to people in Kirkland.  Alexandra Steele, who is the Marketing and PR Director of Sustainable September 2008, contacted me about Sustainable September.  Because I’m so interested in reducing our carbon footprint and “going green”, I decided to write about this month’s event.

Sustainable September is an organization committed to local economic and environmental issues. Started in 2006 by the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, the program unites business and community leaders with the City of Kirkland.    The program runs hrough the month of September and includes classes over the next three Saturdays, the 13th,  20th, and 27th, and the Kirkland Green Festival on the 17th.  The festival will host an outdoor eco-market during Kirkland’s Wednesday Farmer’s Market.  On the 27th, homes remodeled with “green” principles in mind will be open for public viewing. More events are listed in the calendar of events on the Sustainable September website.

September 13th- Greening Your Home Remodel

September 20th-Saving Money and the Planet with a Home Audit

September 27th-Designing and Building a New Green Home

All classes are in the City Council Chambers at Kirkland City Hall, 123 Fifth Avenue in Kirkland.

The organization and its events have grown with sponsorship from the Washington State Department of Ecology, Puget Sound Energy, Waste Management, and the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce.  Other sponsors, including the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, are listed on the website.

If you attend any of the classes, let me know what you think. This is a terrific opportunity to learn more about “going green.”

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Free and Green, A Green Building Seminar in Kirkland, WA

In Built Green, buyers, Kirkland News, Real estate, Remodeling on January 17, 2008 at 3:26 pm

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Built green is one of the most recent buzz words in real estate and remodeling. If you are thinking of remodeling or simply interested in the topic,  Kirkland is sponsoring a free seminar on Wednesday, January 23, from 8 AM to 12 noon at Kirkland City Hall, 123 5th Ave.   The Eastside Business Weekly also wrote an article about the upcoming class.

 Since green built and environmental concerns are so important to buyers today, if you are planning to remodel, it may be valuable for you to consider green built techniques.  Buyers will always be looking for that special feature that sets a home apart.    When remodeling or buying, it’s smart to  consider popular features and styles.  It’ll most likely increase the enjoyment of your home and help you make the most money when selling. Interestingly, green building isn’t always as expensive as people think, and it may even save homeowners money in the long run.

Ironically, I will be taking a class on Built Green techniques through Windermere Real Estate on the very same day.  The class I will be taking is at Windermere’s education center in Seattle.  It begins at 12:30 PM.  Hmm, making I could run from one class to the other? 

I will post an article on my www.eastsiderealestatebuzz.com blog about what I learn next week and also have a link here.

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