1122 Soquel Ave - Santa Cruz - 831.423.7200
www.greenspacecompany.com
Open Monday - Friday 9-6 / Saturday & Sunday 10-5
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| IN THIS ISSUE |
| Coming up @ greenspace |
| Community Events |
| Natural Cork Pallet Sale & Discontinued Products |
| New Coyuchi Arriving Now! |
| VIRIBRIGHT LED Light Bulbs |
| Customer Project Photos |
Eco Ramblings by Lydia Corser |
I LOVE October. I have said it before, but I must say it again. It's the best weather of the year and a great time to enjoy life in Santa Cruz, travel, garden, and work on house projects.
October is a great month to plant or encourage a fall garden, plant cover crops, or simply rejuvenate the soil. We are still dreaming of a garden center at greenspace. In the meantime, we have two exciting garden announcements. First, we received a new shipment of Malibu biodynamic compost recently and are offering a biodynamic principles class on October 15th. We held this workshop a year ago, and it was inspiring, so don't miss it.
Our second announcement is that we are adding to our lineup of compost supplies by offering wood chip fines as a bulking agent for home composting. Most of us have mainly kitchen and wet garden waste, and not enough dry material from leaves and such. Wood chip fines can be added to provide the dryer bulk we need. This allows for better aeration and breakdown into compost - black gold sooner! We should be all set up by the 1st of October. The wood fines come from carefully-sorted recycled wood. I'm going to add a bunch to my compost heap at home and I expect much speedier (and less stinky) results.
On the living green front, I have a reflection this month on the power of positive thought. I love to ride my bike up to the UCSC pool at 5:30 a.m. for master's swim practice, because it is a great way to warm up - sweat, really - and not start the car. After swimming, there's the thrilling ride home, akin to riding a roller coaster, down the UCSC drive, and then Miramar. I got nervous about that bike ride recently, since I'd been reading about nearby robberies in the paper. I ride up Bay, which is a beautiful, tree-lined avenue during the day, but a dark and scary place at 5:30 a.m. I've always had to talk myself through it. Recently, I decided that the bad guys go to bed at 2 or 3 in the morning. They are too tired to stay up all night. It worked, and I'm much less afraid.
I am rewarded by the coyotes and owls calling back and forth, and a first-hand look at the beautiful night sky full of moon and stars, as well as an occasional skunk, raccoon, owl or coyote sighting. In my car, I feel cut off from these experiences . And, I admit to giving myself points for riding up the hill at what most people consider an unacceptable hour.
I hope to see you at the store soon. You know that we love helping with your green gift-giving and home projects.
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Quick Glance
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Saturday, October 1st
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
greenspace
Introduction to
American Clay
Sunday, October 2nd
Store Closed
Staff Appreciation
Wed. October 5th
5:30-8:00 p.m.
Ecology Action - Sentinel Building
USGBC Monthly Meeting
Thursday, October 6th
Bike to Work Day
Thursday, October 6th
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Cafe Mare
Green Drinks
Wed. October 12th
6:00-8:00 p.m.
greenspace
Book Signing:
Harvest the Rain w/ Nate Downey
Saturday, October 15th
1:00-3:00 p.m.
greenspace
Intro to Biodynamics w/ David Perkins
Saturday, October 22nd
3:00-5:00 p.m.
greenspace
SES Solar Energy Workshop
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greenspace Closed Sunday
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greenspace will be closed this Sunday, October 2nd, for Staff Appreciation Day
We will re-open Monday morning for our regular hours of 9-6 M-F, 10-5 Saturday & Sunday.
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| Coming up @ greenspace |
American Full Day Workshop
Saturday October 1st, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $200
In the fundamentals workshop you will learn everything you need to know about applying american clay earth plaster. You will be ready to plaster small or large projects. Orit Yanai will be teaching this workshop. Orit has been working with American Clay and teaching workshops since 2003. We will provide morning coffee and goodies, and you bring your lunch or dine at one of the great local resturaunts.
RSVP by calling 831.423.7200 or email
For more on American Clay visit AmericanClay.com
 Wednesday October 12th
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Harvest the Rain
Book Signing with Nate Downey
"If we want thriving landscapes, abundant food, strong communities, and sustainable economies, we can start by treasuring rain. " - Nate Downey
Join Nate Downey, author of the newly published book "Harvest the Rain", as he shares thoughts and strategies for taking advantage of rain, a precious resource that falls free from the sky.
For millennia, people relied on rainwater harvesting to supply water for households, landscape, livestock, and agricultural uses. Today, our planet's water shortage is a reality for people worldwide, but if utilized strategically, enough precipitation falls annually to provide ample water for everybody. We simply have to collect, store, distribute, and reuse just a small percentage of that which falls from the sky.
 Nate Downey shows you the way with his practical book that anyone can use to begin implementing rainwater harvesting designs today. Harvest the Rain is low tech, designed for everyone, everywhere, even for those with limited time and money. In addition to cisterns, gray water, and earthworks, the book shares important ways to help protect and rejuvenate your local watershed.
Nate Downey has been a successful permaculture landscape designer and installer for eighteen years with his company Santa Fe Permaculture; a columnist for the last twelve years for the Santa Fe New Mexican Real Estate Guide, and is a past President of the Permaculture Credit Union. He published Roof Reliant Landscaping in 2008.
For more info, visit HarvestTheRain.com
 Saturday October 15th 1:00-3:00
Intro to Biodynamics with David Perkins & Malibu Compost
Biodynamic farming and gardening originated in Europe in the 1920's. This approach is grounded in an extraordinary depth of earth-honoring wisdom. The evolution of biodynamics into a worldwide movement is gaining momentum, and it has earned respect for the quality and vitality of produce. This class is a fascinating journey into holistic and sustainable gardening for the 21st century. This workshop will cover a brief history of biodynamics, what makes biodynamics unique in the farming world, and practical take-home skills that you can apply to your garden tomorrow!
- Knowledge of an introduction to biodynamics.
- How to make high quality compost with the biodynamic approach.
- How to read a planting calendar, and cultivate awareness of working with the rhythms of the solar system.
- How to create and sustain soil fertility for personal and planetary healing.
- Resources for the road to develop as a biodynamic practitioner.
 David Perkins is a permaculture designer, biodynamic practitioner, and farm/garden consultant with a focus on soil fertility. He is a Certified Soil Foodweb Advisor, and the Regional Sales Manager for Malibu Compost, producers of certified biodynamic compost.
For more on Malibu Compost, visit MalibuCompost.com
Saturday, October 22nd 3:00-5:00 p.m.
SES Solar Energy Workshop
 Is Solar right for you? Solar + Electric Solutions believes in helping you make the right decision when thinking about solar. We teach "Solar Technologies" at Cabrillo College and want to help you understand how solar can be used on your home or business and all it's benefits. We'll cover the basics of PV Solar: system components, system design, shading, installation practices, rebates/ incentives...so much more. Please join us for an afternoon of solar knowledge, we look forward to it!
Find out more about SES @ sesalternative.com
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Community Events
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 USGBC Monterey Bay Branch
Wednesday, October 5th 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Ecology Action - Sentinel Building
LEED and the Aesthetics of Buildings: A Regional Perspective
Is there a necessary contradiction between the green design of buildings under the LEED rating system and the aesthetics of the buildings which are built? Many people seem to think so. Our October speakers will help our audience (architects, builders, interior designers, and green construction students), to frame their own answers to the problematic question of sustainable architectural design.
More info & registration here
 Green Drinks
Thursday, October 6th 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Cafe Mare - 740 Front St, SC
Green Drinks, an informal networking event where environmentally minded people meet over drinks, is a great way of catching up with people you know and making new contacts.
For the October 6th event, Laura Kasa, Executive Director of Save Our Shores will give a presentation covering plastic pollution.
Ecology Action will provide light appetizers, there will be no host bar.
More info here
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Natural Cork Drop Notice & Pallet Sale!
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 Natural Cork is clearing out the warehouse to make room for new products, and you benefit! Come to greenspace and learn about fantastic deals on select Natural Cork flooring styles. Purchase a whole pallet to receive huge savings on this durable, comfortable, and sustainable flooring. Only need flooring for a small project? If possible, we will combine customer orders to achieve the necessary quantity to receive the sale price. We have done this in the past with great success. Stock is limited, so don't delay.
And, just in-case you are in the middle of a project and may need another case or two, here is a list of flooring being discontinued by Natural Cork (please call us right away if you need more of any of these):
- Marmol
- Cordoba
- Sevilla
- Granada
- Malaga
- Valencia
- Oviedo
- Carbo
- Vinho
- Marcas Cafe
- Marcas Coco
For more info & available styles, give us a call, stop by the store, or drop us an email. For more info on Natural Cork, check out UsFloorsLLC.com
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New Coyuchi!
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Fall is here, and Coyuchi is launching the new Fall-2011 lineup. They are offering more colors, fabrics, and exciting details than ever before. We have already begun to receive the first shipments of the new line and are eagerly awaiting the upcoming offerings.
Highlights include:
For a look at all of the new Coyuchi offerings visit Coyuchi.com
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Brushed Flannel
Duvet Covers
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Organic Cotton Sateen Sheets |
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Tree-Top Pillow
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Organic Cotton Towels
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Just in: VIRIBRIGHT LED Light Bulbs
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 greenspace is now carrying VIRIBRIGHT LED Light bulbs: These bulbs use only 5 Watts of power (with an equivalent output of a 40-watt incandecscent) and use a standard screw-type base. They are available in both Warm and Cool color temperatures.
VIRIBRIGHT is a growing line of LED lighting products offering the crisp, beautiful light you'd expect from advaced lighting technology. VIRIBRIGHT LED bulbs use 80-90% less energy than an incandescent bulb and 50% less than CFLs, significantly reducing power consumption and helping to achieve global energy conservation goals. LED light bulbs generate very little heat, transferring most of their energy directly into light and eliminating excessive heat buildup that can adversely affect energy costs. LED Bulbs are also mercury-free and do not require special disposal procedures.
The best news of all is that they are affordable!  For more info, visit viribright.com
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Customer Project Photos
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Looking for inspiration? See customers installations using these green products purchased from greenspace:
American Clay Earth Plaster wall - Multi-color overlay
by Lee Smith, Principal of Artistic Drywall
CA LIC#695089 831.425.2326
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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At greenspace, we strive for to stay on the cutting edge of green, providing honest answers for your green lifestyle. Rely on us for flooring such as natural linoleum, cork, hardwood, palm and bamboo, carpet, non-toxic, no-VOC paint, stains, sealants, recycled content tile for your remodeling projects, beds, bedding, linens, towels, gift certificates, wedding and baby registries, eco-solutions, books, magazines, baby, pet, cleaning supplies, compostable picnic, water filtration, kitchen ware and more for eco living.
www.greenspacecompany.com
Open Monday - Friday 9-6 / Saturday & Sunday 10-5
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