Solar and Sustainability Events

JAN 19: Bienvenidos Building Bridges Initiative Trainings - Farmington, NM

9am-1pm: San Juan College, Farmington
Topic: “Program Evaluation” with Patty Emord, Ph.D.

Course explores how evaluation is frequently used in organizations, and the benefits and challenges of evaluating the programs. The Course will also cover how to develop your evaluation questions and purpose statement, compare and contrast different evaluation approaches, and how to select appropriate data collection methods for your evaluation questions.

To register, please contact: Matthew Loehman at matthew@helpnm.com, or Martha Aragon (505) 766-4907, Martha@helpnm.com.  

Please register as soon as possible. A lack of registrations may cause us to cancel trainings. There is no fee for either training.

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JAN 23: Economic Case for Passive Solar Design Presentation - Santa Fe, NM

Social: 6pm, Dinner: 6:30-7pm,
Lecture: 7-8pm:  De Colores Restaurant

In 2000, 200+ houses in Los Alamos were destroyed by the Cerro Grande fire.  Only a few homes were rebuilt to take advantage of passive solar heating. The NM Solar Energy Association surveyed many people that rebuilt to ask why passive solar design hadn’t been included; some common responses were:
•    cost will be higher
•    contractor unfamiliar with the materials/techniques
•    it will delay the build
•    the bank won't loan money unless it has a full heating system anyway, so why bother?

Mark Chalom, an architect based in Santa Fe, will address the concerns above and relate some of his 20 years of experience in passive solar home design and construction.  The heating requirements of a passive solar Los Alamos home he designed after the fire will be examined, and compared to a few traditional construction homes in Los Alamos.  From this context, the economic case for passive solar design will be presented.

Mexican buffet (chips/salsa, green chicken enchiladas, rellenos, beef taco bar, green cilantro rice, pinto beans, tortillas and water.  General Public is invited to attend. $10 for members & guests, $15 non-members. Cash Bar.  RSVP by January 21 to Mike Steinzig, 667-5772, or steinzig@lanl.gov.

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JAN 23: Second Annual Solar Homes Tour on Saturday - Las Vegas, NM

10am-4pm

The goal for the tour is to show people real-life examples of utilizing solar energy, and "sustainability" more generally. These examples range from very low- to higher-tech: drying clothes on clotheslines, growing plants, passive solar heating and cooling, active solar water heating, photovoltaic installations, rainwater catchment and grey water reuse, backyard chicken-raising, and water and energy efficiency.

The tour will begin with a free "weatherization" demonstration, at the Las Vegas Arts Council building at 140 Bridge Street.  The public is invited to come and learn simple ways to save energy dollars in their homes.

This year’s tour includes three passive solar installations, two with active solar water heating systems and rainwater catchment installations.  An old adobe home converted to an energy efficient passive solar residence, a 1970s era Trombe wall home and a passive solar shop and residence will demonstrate low-tech, low-cost examples of how to utilize the sun’s power.  Memorial Middle School's greenhouse, photovoltaic, and wind turbine projects will demonstrate high tech energy solutions.  People familiar with application of passive and active solar principles will be available to answer your questions and discuss the process of utilizing the sun, including methods and materials, practical considerations, and tax incentives.

 Maps of the tour may be picked up at the Arts Council during the hours of the tour.  The self-paced tour will take place between 10 and 4.  The event is open to the public at no charge but donations are welcome. 

The home tour will substitute for Sustainable LV’s usual monthly meetings, second Thursday of the month at 5:15 p.m. NMHU Donnelly Library, Rm. 325.

For further information, call Emelie Olson at 454-3920 eolson@desertgate.com.

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JAN 26: Santa Fe Green Drinks - Santa Fe, NM

6.30-8.30pm: La Casa Sena La Cantina 125 E. Palace

Our focus for this month is the items on the legislative agenda that will affect our environment and local businesses in New Mexico with guest speakers from Conservation Voters New Mexico and Better Choices New Mexico.

Come enjoy Organic wine, Farm to Restaurant samples, good company, networking and fun!

UPCOMING GREEN DRINKS will fall on the last week of the month.
Days will differ due to scheduling adjustments.

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JAN 27: Bienvenidos Building Bridges Initiative Trainings - Albuquerque, NM

9am-2pm (working Lunch): HELP-NM, 5101 Copper NE, ABQ
“Community Asset Mapping” with Patty Emord, Ph.D.

Course will introduce participants to Community Asset Mapping; including a comparison of needs assessments vs. assets mapping approaches. It will also give examples of how assets mapping can be used both within their organizations and their communities.

 To register please contact: Matthew Loehman at matthew@helpnm.com, or Martha Aragon (505) 766-4907, Martha@helpnm.com.  

Please register as soon as possible. A lack of registrations may cause us to cancel trainings. There is no fee for either training.

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JAN 29-30: Riofest International Environmental Film Festival - Socorro, NM 

This year’s theme will be “Solutions”. In keeping with our desire to inspire people about solutions to environmental problems, we would like to invite you to come and present your ideas and products. We are inviting vendors in the following categories: Clothing, housing, food, recycling, energy, everyday items and environmental advocates.  If you feel like this would be of interest to you please contact Riofest at 575-312-1730 or email us at riofilmfest@gmail.com.

Please feel free to visit our website at http://www.riofilmfest.com.