Green Living in El Dorado County Links Education/Workshops Back Home Magazine Magazine on sustainable living. Haven't seen an actual copy of this magazine yet but it looks promising. American River Conservancy Workshops include fun eco-projects as well as lectures on local floral and fauna. They have a great bookshop with local hiking and field guides, plus a catalog of native plants for sale. Cozmic Cafe The Cozmic Cafe hosts music, spritual growth, and sustainable community events---check their calendar page. Solar Living Institute Along with solar, this Institute associated with Real Goods offers workshops on organic gardening, sustainable livig, alternative fuels, and so on. Freecycling/Re-use California Resource Recycling Association California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) is a non-profit 501(C)3 organization dedicated to promoting waste reduction, reuse, recycling, pollution prevention, and composting. The CRRA works to expand markets for recycled materials, promotes sustainable materials policies and is a clearinghouse for information, innovation, and industry and governmental initiatives. Jenni Lynn Consignments Physical address is 4131 S. Shingle Road #16 Shingle Springs near the post office. Phone is 530-672-2844. Consignment store with ladies' fashions, no appointment necessary to sell items. Recycling in El Dorado County Information on resources and sites that accept items for recycling and household hazardous waste. Snowline Hospice Thrift Stores Snowline Hospice now has 4 locations, and items like clothing, furniture, books, household goods. Violets Are Blue No link, but physical location is 450 Main Street in Placerville, Phone 530-626-8362. Consignment boutique with vintage and contemporary clothing, shoes, accessories and jewelry. Throwplace A listing of free items for/from charities and others. The Bookery Large variety of used books. No link, but physical address is:326 Main St. Placerville, CA 95667 Phone: 626-6454 Flea Market on KVMR 89.5 FM If you have something to buy, sell, swap, trade or just plain give away, the Flea Market is the place to do it on Thursday afternoons from 1-2pm here on KVMR-FM with Glenn Far. Furoshiki basics Traditional Japanese cloths used for gift wrapping and carrying items---reusable for so many things. CalMAX "A free service designed to help businesses find markets for nonhazardous materials they have traditionally discarded." EDC Habitat for Humanity ReStore "Not only is the ReSTORE a great source of affordable building supplies and material for the community, it also provides the opportunity for those in the building industry to clear out old stock and discontinued items thus reducing their disposal costs. The ReSTORE is open Tuesday - Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM." Green/Sustainable Building Ani Durst (carpenter) I received a tip that Ani Durst at 530-644-3733 is a carpenter that "strives to use green products and methods" and thought I'd put it up. American Home Sales (Green manufacured homes) Office located in Auburn, but they service EDC and other areas of California. Manufactured homes that are energy-efficient, low offgasing, can be built solar-ready. Green Sacramento Ennvironmental and building supllies store in Sacramento. Carries a good variety of paints (AURO is my favorite--smells like rosemary)and flooring, furnishings, etc. Sustainable Sources Directory A searchable directory that includes Green Building professionals. Forest Stewardsip Council Its product label allows consumers worldwide to recognize products that support the growth of responsible forest management worldwide. U.S. Green Building Council Link page for the U.S. Green Building Council. A wealth of resources all on one page! GreenBuilt Construction From their website: Our goal is to provide homes whose construction provides healthy living spaces and reduces the negative footprint on the surrounding environment. Recycled Content Building Materials State of California site with construction materials organized by type (doors & windows, decking, finishes, etc.). EnviroGlas Terazzo products made from recycled glass and/or porcelain from discarded tubs and toilets. Looks fantastic and doesn't need a sealer. Green Seal "Founded in 1989, Green Seal provides science-based environmental certification standards that are credible, transparent, and essential in an increasingly educated and competitive marketplace. Our industry knowledge and standards help manufacturers, purchasers, and end users alike make responsible choices that positively impact business behavior and improve quality of life." I have found their information on paints to be especially useful. Build It Green "Supported by a solid foundation of outreach and education, Build It Green connects consumers and building professionals with the tools and technical expertise they need to build quality green buildings." A2Z Energy Contact PO Box 1026 Shingle Springs, CA 95682-1026 phone: 530-672-1595 email: a2zenrgy@pacbell.net This is from the description they have posted on the NorCal Solar site: A2Z Energy is a family-owned business. . . We will help you develop a more energy efficient home to live in. . . including PV, Solar Hot Water and In Deck Pool Heating. . . No sales person working on commission, the owner from start to finish -- someone who excels at “the small details”. Green Home Gold No website yet, but their location is 6200 Pleasant Valley Rd. in El Dorado. Hours Thursday-Sunday from 10-5:30 and by appointment. Phone 530-622-8176. Showroom and store with green building products and supplies, including flooring, paint and stain, sealers and finishers, countertops, plus linens, baby products and more. Environmental Building Supplies The site for this Oregon-based company includes products available for ordering, as well as information on green building materials. Health/Body Care Safe Cosmetics The home page for this group talks about harmful chemicals allowed to be used in cosmetics. This link leads to : "The companies listed have pledged to not use chemicals that are known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutation or birth defects in their products and to implement substitution plans that replace hazardous materials with safer alternatives in every market they serve. Several major cosmetics companies, including OPI, Avon, Estee Lauder, L'Oreal, Revlon, Proctor & Gamble and Unilever have thus far refused to sign the Compact for Safe Cosmetics." Skin Deep Database with safety information on cosmetics and body care products. A good, more frequently updated alternative to "The Safe Shopper's Bible," a book that is getting harder to find. Giovanni Hair Care Organic hair care line with salon-type formulas. Moon Essence All-natural body care, including cosmetics, moisturizers and sunblocks. Desert Essence Has some great products, but some items do contain a small amount of parabens so if you are trying to avoid parabens be sure to read the label. Ecco Bella I use their powder eyeliner and eyeshadow and like them better than the traditionally-formulated brand I used to use. Jason Natural Cosmetics Love their body and bath products. Alba Hawaiian Alba Botanica makes some fantastic products, including my favorite Oil-free Facial moisturizer in their Alba Hawaiian line. The many of their products are sulfate and paraben-free. Local/Organic Foods Z & B Ranch No link, but physical address is 1024 Wallace Rd., Placerville, 95667. Certified Organic fruits and vegetables. (530) 622-8923 or fax 622-7905 Apple Hill Organic Growers Organic Growers in the Apple Hill area. Country Gardens No link, but physical address is 5873 Green Valley Road, Placerville, 95667. Vegetable stand – summer only. One acre of organic vegetables. (530) 676-5215. The Fruit Basket No link, but physical location is: 4151 S. Shingle Road, Shingle Springs. Not necessarily organic products, but has a good seasonal selection from local farmers. Also has pies from Apple Hill, fresh-baked breads, salsas and meats. Solar Ovens A ready-made solar oven, great for home use and camping. A great way to save energy and it doesn't heat up the inside of your house since you're cooking outside. Food cooks similarly to using a slow-cooker. Zoey Farms Organic farm in Shingle Springs featuring seasonal organic produce and flowers. Cameron Park Health Foods No link, but the physical location is 3342 Coach Lane, Cameron Park, 530-677-8087. Good selection of bulk herbs, books, flours and supplements. Frozen foods include locally raised Chili Bar Emu meat, Amy's and Cedarlane entrees, and other organic/humane meats as well as meatless products. The Out on a Limb Clothing store features mostly natural fibers and Dansko shoes. Open Space Meats From their website: "At Open Space Meats we work with the environment and with the cattle in our care. That’s why we never use steroid implants, feed concentrate grains that cattle have trouble digesting, or feed antibiotics to keep our cattle healthy." Located in Newman, California but does deliver. Robert Sinskey Wines Organic wines from the Napa Valley; I was told the Pinot and Merlot are fabulous. Noah's Ark 535 Placerville Drive, Placerville, 95667. Largest organic produce store in the county. Largest selection of natural grocery & bulk. Extensive supplement & herb department. Fresh, seasonal, deli items prepared daily, including muffins, sandwiches, soup, pizza, & more. (530) 621-3663 Raley's and Bel Air Chain grocery that has a natural foods department and some organic produce. Selection will vary by location. Grampy's Produce No link, but located at 4241 Mother Lode Drive, in the old Shingle Springs train depot. Phone 530-677-2313, hours Monday through Saturday from 6 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 8 AM to 4 PM. Local, organic and other produce; syrups, jams, bread. Fitzpatrick Winery Winery in Fairplay that offers some earth-friendly local wines. Local Harvest "Find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies." Mail Order Real Goods Products for sustainable living, from recycled paper products to solar components. Also links to GAIAM, which is geared more towards wellness and yoga. Great products, but they are bad about the number of catalogs they send out every year--I pass mine along to the next person. MotherNature.com Good selection of supplements, body care, and books on natural health. They include full labels/warnings for each product. According to their website, they are 100% powered by wind, water and sun. Organic Gardening Susana Banana's No link, but physical address is 366 Main St., Placerville. Has organic seeds, seedlings, herbs, teas, cotton clothes (some organic), garden art, bird houses and seed, pots and garden supplies. El Dorado chapter of the Calif Native Plant Society Local chapter hosts plant sales and offers information on native and invasive plants. Redwood City Seed Company Good source on unusual varieties of peppers and other vegetables. Ananas da America melon is a favorite one with incredible flavor. Master Gardeners El Dorado County Master Gardeners' website: contact information and handouts on plants that do well in our area. Raintree Nursery Great source for unusual, heirloom and native plants, plus information on edible landscaping. In Washington state but similar growing conditions to areas of Northern California. Front Yard Nursery No link but physical location is 5801 Motherlode Drive, Placerville, 95667. Open year round, lots of native and waterwise plants to choose from. Specializing in hardy shrubs, trees, perennials, bare root fruit trees. A majority of the plants are grown at the nursery. (530) 626-3494, email: frontyd@cwnet.com Gardens Alive! "Environmentally Responsible Products That Work!" Source for natural fertilizers, insect and weed controls, and seeds. My favorite is the W.O.W. pre-emergent made from corn. Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply Located in Auburn but also has mail-order for equipment, seeds, tools, and plants for the organic gardener. Bountiful Gardens Excellent source of heirloom, open-pollinated seeds that are untreated. Rare and hard-to-find varieties that do well in the Pacific Northwest, but many of these plants will also like the foothills and higher elevations found in El Dorado County. Politics/Activism RenewUS RenewUS is a group focused on climate change awareness, and their site features a short film called "Climate: A Crisis Averted" and tools to help you switch your utilities to green sources (if your utility provider offers that option). Green Party of El Dorado County Local chapter of the Green Party. Maidu Group of the Motherlode Chapter of the Sierra Club Local chapter of the national organization The Sierra Club. Alliance for a Post-Petroleum Local Economy Not in ED County (but nearby). "Alliance for a Post-Petroleum Local Economy is a grassroots group concerned about the repercussions of declining oil and natural gas in Nevada county. Our vision is a more self-reliant, sustainable local economy which is localized — the opposite of globalized: we produce locally what we consume locally." Just Coz Message Group Just Coz meets in Placerville at the Cozmic Cafe, this is the link to their online message board. You can read many of the messages without being a member, but there are additional features if you choose to register. Great way to make local connections. Greenopia A gathering place for tips on sustainable urban living, with localized information on LA, SF, etc. El Dorado County Board of Supervisors Contact information for the EDC Board of Supervisors.