Groups take steps to make New Orleans more bike-friendly

Ranked sixth in the nation for bike commuters, New Orleans is becoming one of the most active cycling cities in the country. And cyclists say more areas of the city need to be bicycle friendly.  

"It's very bike friendly as far as getting around. As far as safety, it's not safe yet. And I say yet because I have high hopes for it," said Shelley Bourgeois, a member of the Metro Bicycle Coalition.

Cyclists cite close calls with both cars and pedestrians.

But some of those situations, police say, stem from cyclists disobeying traffic laws.

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Loyola University New Orleans improves green report card

Loyola University New Orleans’ efforts "to go green" have greatly improved, according to a report by the Sustainable Endowments Institute. The institute released its findings this week in the 2011 College Sustainability Report Card, in which Loyola was graded an overall score of B-, up from a C- in 2010.

The aim of the report card is to provide accessible information so that schools may learn from each other's experiences, thereby fostering more effective sustainability policies. The report reviews 52 indicators, from green building initiatives to recycling programs to endowment investment policies, and uses an A to F letter-grading system to evaluate performance.

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Home Sweet Home at The Creole Cottage

You…are a fabulously stylish earth girl who isn't easy to please when it comes to dressing your digs. Problem is you have caviar taste on a spam budget. 

No problem. That's what The Creole Cottage is for.


You: The Creole Cottage?

Us: Yes, The Creole Cottage. It's this oh-so-cute upcycled home goods boutique located on Magazine Street. They take old furniture trash and turn it into new home treasures. You can find everything from dressers, to side tables, to beds and even linen; perfect for a shabby chic, interior design diva on a dime. But don't tell anyone we told you.Their stuff is so practically priced that items rarely stay in store for long. It's New Orleans' best kept home goods secret.

You: Oh really.

Us: Yes, really. Don't believe us, then check out their website or stop by the store. 

You: Hmmm...I guess I'll see what the hype is about.

Us: Fabulous! Fish eggs don't sound too tasty anyway.



Where y'at?
The Creole Cottage
1817 Magazine Street
NOLA, 70130

When are you open?
Wednesday-Saturday, 11-5

What do you look like?
Check out the website to see current goods or become a fan on Facebook for discounts and sneak peeks at what's to come!

Brad Pitt's Make It Right houses are challenging the way New Orleans homeowners think about solar energy

Before settling back on Tennessee Street, Ann Parfaite heard from neighbors that her future home, loaded with green building features like solar panels and rain-water collectors, would help cut her electricity bills by a third or more.


"I was hoping they were telling me the truth," said Parfaite, who purchased a three-bedroom, two-bath home last year in Brad Pitt's Make It Right development in the Lower 9th Ward, built in the same place Parfaite had lived for more than four decades until her home was destroyed when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans five years ago.

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The Water-wise Garden: Basic Watering Techniques and Rainwater Catchment

Saturday, March 20, 2010

 

The Water-wise Garden: 

 Basic Watering Techniques and Rainwater Catchment

 

 1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd

 

 

Zach Youngerman of Groundwork Nola and Demitria Christo of Eco Urban LLC will present an overview of water cycle issues, raingardens, cisterns and drip irrigation with an accompanying on site tour of raingardens. 

Please don't forget to reserve your spot!  Seats are filling quickly.  You may register by going to our websitewww.noffn.org. If you have questions or concerns regarding registration, please contact Ariel at ariel@noffn.org or (504) 864-2009.

 

Cost: $5.00 with free vegetable, herb and flower seeds available.  Light refreshments also available.

 

 

And don't forget the last training this year: 

The Green Project Honors Local “Green Giants”

NEW ORLEANS, LA – The Green Project will present A Studio in the Woods co- founders Lucianne and Joe Carmichael with the coveted “Green Giant” Award, honoring a local environmental hero. The award will be presented March 19,  2010during the organization’s annual gala. 

“Each year we honor those who have done exceptional environmental work in New Orleans with the Green Giant award. With the creation of  A Studio in the Woods, the Carmichaels built a sustainable environment from salvaged and reclaimed materials long before it was the accepted practice and then gifted it to Tulane,”said Phyllis Jordan,  one of the The Green Project’s board members. “What they’ve given to the city’s artists’ community is an invaluable gift that will last a lifetime.”

FULL STORY AT HUMID BEINGS

 

Urban farming begins to grow in New Orleans

With the spring growing season right around the corner, slow-food and environmental advocates are making their annual call for more urban farming, with special emphasis on the "urban" part.

Growing food, proponents say, does not require a backyard or a community garden, but simply realistic expectations, some decent sunlight, persistence and some inventive planters.

"Urban agriculture is a global movement, " said Pam Broom, deputy director of the New Orleans Food and Farm Network. Broom will conduct a "Growing For Food" workshop today at the New Orleans Botanical Garden in City Park.

"Particularly because the first lady created the garden at the White House, because recently she launched the initiative focusing on childhood obesity, and because we all as a society strayed away from healthy eating "¦ this trend has not only taken off nationally but here in New Orleans.

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New Orleans House Salvaged

A dilapidated camelback shotgun house in the Holy Cross Neighborhood of New Orleans has become the cornerstone of a project to rebuild the Katrina-damaged area in a greener, more sustainable way.

When the city handed the vacant and structurally unsafe building off to the Preservation Resource Center (PRC) in the fall of 2007, mold was growing, and the roof had caved into the buildin

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Grow Mo Betta 2010

Saturday, January 16, 2010
"The Garden Refresher: From Plan to Planting"

 Co-Sponsored by Mitsubishi Corporation - Gulf Coast Fund

 

at the New Orleans Botanical Gardens

 

Please don't forget to reserve your spot!  Seats are filling quickly.  You may register by going to our websitewww.noffn.org. If you have questions or concerns regarding registration for the January training, please contact Pam atpamela@noffn.org or (504) 864-2009.

 

Cost: $5.00 with free vegetable, herb and flower seeds available.  Light refreshments also available.

 

 

And don't forget about the remaining trainings this year on
"HOW TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE GROWING SPACE"
 

Saturday, February 20, 2010
"The Tidy Garden: Garden Chores and Pest Control"

Saturday, March 20, 2010
"The Water-wise Garden: Basic Watering Techniques and Rainwater Catchment"

Saturday, April 17, 2010
"The Fruiting Garden: Creating the Home Orchard"

For questions or concerns regarding February-April trainings, please contact Ariel at ariel@noffn.org or (504) 864-2009.

NOLA Recycles 2010 January Mobilization Meeting

Date: Monday, January 11, 2010 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM (CT)  Location: Langston Hughes Academy Charter School 3519 Trafalgar Street New Orleans, LA 70119

Can you attend this event?  Respond Here

Green Homes for New Orleans' Ninth Ward

In New Orleans, Brad Pitt's initiative - Make It Right Homes - is refitting the devastated 9th Ward with an interesting collection of affordable green homes. Four years after the storm, several units are finished and occupied, more are under construction, and still more are on the way.

From The New American Village by James Polk

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LESS WASTE, MORE LIFE DISCUSSION GROUP

LESS WASTE, MORE LIFE DISCUSSION GROUP Tuesday, August 18th 6:30pm - 7:30pm The Less Waste Discussion & Simple Circle Discussion Group is a time to share and discuss your ideas and concerns regarding waste, landfills, methods to reduce, reuse & recycle, the pros & cons of recycling, when to purge or downsize, and local reuse/recycling resources. Come meet us at Fair Grinds Coffeehouse in Mid-City to vent & discuss.