| IN THIS ISSUE |
| Upcoming events @ greenspace |
| Community Events |
| Vetrazzo: Lower Pricing & More |
| Insulated Klean Kanteens |
| Happy Farmer Indoor Composter |
| Green Business Networking Group |
| Newsletter Sales & Specials |
Eco Ramblings
I didn't mention it in last month's column, but I have a resolution. You may call it a wish (and sometimes it seems like a pipe dream), but I feel more strongly about it than just wishful thinking. I want to look people in the eye this year and tell them that business is good. We have whittled down every possible expense to survive, and I'm ready to grow this business. It may be my impatient and optimistic nature (not always such a great combination), but that's what I want. I hear many times a day from our wonderful customers (that's YOU) how glad they are that we are here, and I want to believe that we'll be here for a long time to come, like the other established Santa Cruz retail businesses I admire, like Bookshop, Well Within, Sock Shop, and others. There are so many green products we can offer, but haven't yet been able to, and I'd like to bring some into the store this year. We want the entire Monterey Bay area (and points beyond) to know us as THE go-to source for remodeling and sustainable living.
To that end, and even though the numbers aren't all in, we came close to breaking even in January. We have a wonderful client building an ultra green cottage in Big Sur, who purchased all the flooring (three different types) from us. Many blessings upon her and the new cottage. Flooring and paints, stains, and sealers are the mainstay departments at greenspace, followed by countertops, towels, linens, beds and bedding. The baby department though a luxury, is a favorite.
We were able to purchase the new Klean Kanteen thermoses and they arrived TODAY in three sizes: 12 oz., 16 oz., and 20 oz. We are excited to fill that gap in our inventory. Think of all the chlorinated paper cups you will no longer toss just 10 minutes after drinking your hot beverages, which will stay hot for over 2 hours!
For me, waste is incredibly easy to make, but with forethought and planning, I have been able to create new habits to reduce or eliminate it. It's one of the most satisfying and challenging green living goals in my life. I carry bowls, plates carry-out containers and utensils in the car, but recently discovered I need a little on my bike as well. My daughter and I were downtown yesterday, and the desire for frozen yogurt overcame the discipline of not getting it without those things in hand (this happens with Boba tea as well). We shared, but a paper bowl and a plastic spoon ended up in the trash 5 minutes later, which was sad. Now you know why they called me granola girl in college!
When you come to greenspace, we have tea and mugs as well as filtered water and glasses, so feel free to ask for something to re-hydrate or sooth while you wait for paint to be made, ponder flooring or countertop options, or shop for a gift. We are happy to oblige, but don't always remember to offer. Often there is a pot of coffee on as well.
Please read over the calendar carefully, as we have many interesting events to announce. First Friday is our newest fun event, with gorgeous art (someone or two new each month) live music, artists on hand, munchies and a 10% discount.
Thanks for helping us thrive, and see you soon!
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| QUICK GLANCE |
Tuesdays @ 7:30 a.m.
greenspace
Green Business Networking Group
Wednesday, Feb. 3rd
5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Moss Landing Marine Labs
USGBC Monterey Bay Monthly Meeting
Friday, February 5th
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
greenspace
First Friday Art Walk ART, artists, music, munchies - need we say more? Come see what's new! 10% off in store
Saturday, February 6th
12:00 noon FREE
Herb Room/Food Bin
TerraNova Landscaping Fruit Tree Pruning workshop, with Jerob Chop
Thursday, Feb. 18th
Johnson Art Studio
6 p.m.
Your Remodel - How to Make it Green, Featuring Jeff Talmadge, with Lydia Corser and Debbie Sek
Saturday, February 20th
12:00 noon FREE
Herb Room/Food Bin
TerraNova Landscaping Permaculture Design with Ken Foster
Saturday, February 27th
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
greenspace
Free Hot Water Seminar
RSVP to greenspace
831.423.7200
Saturday, April 10th
1:00 - 5:00 p.m., $40
greenspace
EcoStucco Lime Plaster Hands-On Workshop
RSVP to greenspace
831.423.7200
American Clay Seminar Weds-Fri April 21 - 23 Fundamentals: Weds.,
Advanced: Thursday,
Artistic: Friday
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
greenspace
Choose one or attend all three! Mid-week, as requested. Last two days only open to those who have taken Fundamentals
Call to reserve a spot.
831.423.7200
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| Coming up @ greenspace |
 February 5th, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
First Friday
New this month, and on hand to receive accolades and help sell his work: Stephen Lynch. We are honored to have art geniuses among us, and several will be on hand, including Larry Worley, weaving his incredible baskets. Polly Goldman, Robert T. Brandes, Andrew Butler, and Jefferson Shallenberger are also rumored to be present, and the following artist's work is here: Owen Commons, Neno Villamor, Hilary Scardino, Matthew Werner, Sol Aquino.
Enjoy live music with Lynn Wubbel and Friends, 10% off on store items, munchies, art and green peeps.
 February 27th, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Solar Hot Water Seminar
Karsten Mueller, Ph.D., LEED AP lives in Santa Cruz and is the Training Manager for Free Hot Water (www.freehotwater.net)
 April 10th, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
EcoStucco Lime Plaster Workshop, $40
Eco Stucco owner, Cyril Vanbatten, will conduct an introductory, but hands-on workshop to let us dabble in lime plaster and washes. This is our first time to get dirty trying it out! Join us. RSVP to greenspace to register yourself: 831.423.7200
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Community Events
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USGBC Monterey Bay Monthly Meeting:
The State of the USGBC & LEED for Homes
February 3rd 5:30-8:00 PM
Moss Landing Marine Labs
The U.S. Green Building Council - Northern California Chapter Monterey Bay Branch (USGBC-NCC MBB). Makes for quite an acronym, but that's who we are, and proud to be part of one of the fastest-growing non-profits in the world. The rapid growth of regional chapters and local branches (including the NCC and MBB) across the country, as well as wide acceptance of the LEED rating system, has shown that the market transformation USGBC began in 1993 has finally taken root. Over time the USGBC, Chapters, Branches, and the LEED rating system have evolved right along with green building; so it's time for an update. Dan Geiger, USGBC-NCC Executive Director, and Michael Kloefkorn, LEED AP Homes, CGBP, GPRater, will share their extensive knowledge and experience with the USGBC and LEED while discussing the state of the organization at the national, state and local levels.They will share latest developments in the LEED standards as a whole, with emphasis given to the unique characteristics of the LEED for Homes rating system. Monterey Bay Branch co-chairs Jordan Daniels and Daniel Silvernail and steering committee members Sarah McCandliss & Jeff Condit will address the State of the Branch.This is a great opportunity for members of the Monterey Bay community to communicate with Branch and Chapter leadership and hear more about the future of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Register Here
Your Remodel - How to Make it Green
February 18th, 6 p.m.
Johnson Art Studio,1055 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Featuring Jeff Talmage, with Lydia Corser and Debbie Sek
Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
Jerob Chop, Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping
Saturday, February 6th
12:00 noon FREE
Herb Room/Food Bin
Permaculture Design Workshop
Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping, Ken Foster
Saturday, February 20th
12:00 noon FREE
Herb Room/Food Bin
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Vetrazzo: Lower Pricing, Quarter Slabs, & Local Stock
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 Vetrazzo is bucking the inflation trend and has reduced prices on most styles of their beautiful recycled glass & concrete countertops.
Quarter size panels (54"x30") are now available for smaller projects like vanities and table-tops.
Interested in viewing slabs of Vetrazzo? Full size slabs in select colors are now being stocked here in Santa Cruz for public viewing. The full line is always available to view at the Vetrazzo facility in Emeryville. Please give us a call to make an appointment for the local showroom or Emeryville plant.
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Here now! Insulated Klean Kanteens
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Happy Farmer Indoor Composter
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 The Happy Farmer Indoor Composter is a unique indoor product used to recycle kitchen waste into an organic compost soil conditioner. This unique composting method utilizes anaerobic (without oxygen) fermentation through effective microorganisms. This process prepares the scraps for burial in less than half the time of conventional composting methods without any unpleasant odors. This method also allows effective, pest free composting of meats, cheeses, and other items not generally compostable through traditional aerated methods
Used in conjunction with Happy Farmer Bokashi, the system provides the ideal conditions to activate anaerobic fermentation that accelerates the composting process, while eliminating odors and deterring flies. The Happy Farmer Indoor Composter includes two unique features, the strainer and spigot, allowing the moisture released by the scraps of food waste to be drained out to prevent spoilage. This concentrated liquid can be used as a fertilizer or to clean your kitchen and bathroom drains once diluted.
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Green Business Networking Group
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Tuesday Mornings, 7:30 AM @ greenspace
Ken Foster, of Terranova Landscaping, has started a green business networking group, and we meet at greenspace each Tuesday morning at 7:30. We are looking for new categories of green business owners to join our group, and duplicates to create another group. We can handle about 30 business representatives. Here are the active and attending businesses thus far: Terranova Landscaping, George Allen Plumbing, Sustainable Home Solutions, Daniel Cook Design Inc. (sustainable design and marketing), Sustainability Works (performance management and workshops), Blossom Acupuncture, Water Star Motors, PedX (Pedalers Express), Santa Cruz County Bank, Surf City Painting, Local Harvest Catering, Peter Spellman Architecture, Eco Interiors (interior design), Sustainable Business Solutions, Jennifer Rupnow Real Estate Professional & Green Homes Consultant, Rick Williams, Green Mortgage Broker.
I can't say enough about how great this group is, and the referrals have been flying. Please go to our Green Business Network meet up site to see what we are up to, or just show up at greenspace at 7:30 on a Tuesday morning, to see whether it's a good fit for your green business. Some parameters: we meet every Tuesday, and have agreed that missing only 12 meetings a year will keep you in the group. Referral slips have been developed and passed around to help us grow our businesses. As soon as we have enough duplication of like businesses, we want to spin off other groups.
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Newsletter Specials
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We are making space for new arrivals and are extending significant discounts to our loyal customers on the following discontinued, demo, and overstock items:
Earthweave Wool Carpet - Dolomite "Snowfield" - 86 SQ YARDS, Normally $50/sq yd, NOW $47/sq yd -NO waiting and save $200 in freight
Squak Mountain Stone Countertops - 3 Available: - QUINAULT GREEN
36"x 36" - 2 @ $585 ea., normally $780
26.5"x98" - 1@ $1100, normally $1400
These are here and ready to go, and you save $200-300 in freight
Paperstone Countertop - Grass 30"x120"x3/4" -
Regularly $850, plus freight of $175, now $700
Needs a little sanding - fabricate with woodworking tools
Below, our list of discontinued paints available ultra-cheap!
Yolo Zero-VOC Exterior Semi-Gloss Paint
Yolo Zero-VOC Interior Cabinet & Trim Enamel
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We want to be here for you in the years to come: that's sustainability!
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