Green Coverage

I had lots of green news coverage for you this morning, but it appears as if Scoop Heneghan is already on it!

* Click here to read about the new DeKalb County Schools policy regarding recess--MANDATORY for students in grades K-5, and at the principal's discretion for grades 6-8. (I believe unstructured play outdoors is a critical component of environmental awareness.) (BIG thanks to Jim Redovian.)

Want to see even more sustainability in action at our county's schools? Attend the DeKalb County Schools Foundation's sustainability fundraiser next Monday night.

* Click here to read about the Beer/Garden fundraising initiative at 5 Seasons Brewing Company TONIGHT (not a party--you just eat there and, like magic, 10% of your receipt goes to the Dunwoody Community Garden!) Can't make it tonight? We're doing this every first Tuesday of the month. Stay tuned for other interesting relationships as well!

Speaking of the community garden . . . If you've been visiting it, you've seen the plots slowly turning into what looks like weird covered wagons, beds in a malaria ward, or even slabs in the morgue, depending on how you see things. In reality? These plots are just covered with this white gauzy material commonly called row cover in order to add a few extra degrees and keep the plants producing into winter. In my home garden (a snippet of which is pictured above), I choose one bed to house my most tender fall crops and then cover it around now (I grew legumes--that's beans and clover and stuff like that--on this bed in the summer in order to nourish the soil in preparation for this winter crop). This row cover is better than plastic because it allows both sunlight and water to penetrate. You can get it for your home garden or community garden bed for 30 cents a yard at either of the Farmer D stores.

Let's take a leap from the community garden to the farmers market. Need a terrific reason to go this week? Not only will you find winter squash, a plethora of greens, eggs from pastured chickens, fresh cheese, and more, but you'll get a chance to wish Jen the Soapmaker and Justin good luck on their wedding, which is less than a week away!



And, just to truly "walk the walk" as they walk down the aisle, Jen and Justin have decided to have a completely local wedding. Here's who is helping them make this happen:

Chef: Steve Miller & Alex Cook (Jen's Roswell plant guys from No Longer Bound)

Food: Blossom Hill Farms, Garmon Family Farms, Ann's Okra Barn, Heriloom Gardens, Emily G's, Modern Day Marsala, Garlic Clove, and more.

Cake: Hardright Bakery

Flowers: Heirloom Gardens & No Longer Bound

Bridal Bouquet: Heirloom Gardens

Wedding & Reception: Blossom Hill Farms

Music: Kat Lewis (customer from Dunwoody)

Photographer: Mark & Leah (customers from Dunwoody/Roswell)

Wine: Angeli Winery (Jen's high school friend's vineyard in NW. Pa)

What's more, the tableware, plates, cups, etc. are biodegradable & compostable.

All the best, Jen and Justin!

Having an event this holiday season? Think local. Think green. It's a great way to keep money circulating in the local economy, and to vote with your dollar for a more sustainable marketplace. And remember our local food pantry, Malachi's Storehouse at St. Pat's on N. Peachtree Road as you put your holiday plans in place. Terrific family-friendly volunteer opportunities abound, right here in Dunwoody, and they can always use donations of food and money.

Don't miss the rest of John's latest posts to find out about transportation alternatives and tonight's Comprehensive Plan meeting about Dunwoody Village--both important sustainability things.