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May 8, 2012 Vol. 3 No. 17
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Support Annapolis Green: Be a Founding One Hundred Member!
Over the past five years we've provided an on-line and in-person way to distribute local environmental information, make friends and alliances, and exchange views. Your support of our programs tells us that you believe we are providing a valuable service. Changing our status to non-profit allows us to take on projects funded by grants and tax-deductible donations. But in this "formative period," we need your financial support to get established.
 | - Charlie Birney
- infrared Tools Energy Services
- Gene Singleton & Maureen McEnerney
- Keith & Helen Drewett
- Doug Lashley / GreenVest
- Elvia Thompson
- Lynne & Mark Forsman
- Ralph Gleason
- Shelley & Eric Rubin
- Boatyard Bar & Grill
- John Nicklin
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Want to be one of the first to be a part of Annapolis Green? Then consider becoming one of our Founding One Hundred. This exclusive group is made up of the first 100 people to donate $1000 to Annapolis Green. These 100 individuals will be permanently listed on our website, letterhead and other materials. Want to join in and make your mark on sustainability in the Annapolis area? Just click on the Donate button above to learn more. The Annapolis Community Foundation is already acting as our fiscal sponsor so that we can accept tax-deductible donations even while our 501(c)(3) filing is underway.
Thank you!
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Don't Forget to Support Us Through
Mills Fine Wine & Spirits'
Community Rewards Program
Give us your Mills cash register receipts!
 When you shop at Mills, at the foot of Main Street in downtown Annapolis, save your cash register receipts and give them to us. Once a quarter we'll turn them in to receive a 5% rebate as a donation from Mills.
This generous offer costs you nothing and helps us continue to spread the word about environmental issues in Annapolis. And, a few times a year Mills will provide unique wine, spirit and beer offers specifically created for as special promotions just for Green Drinkers! It's a Win-Win! Please shop at Mills and save your receipts for us.
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Top of the Line
Next week!
Tuesday, May 15
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Charles Carroll House and Garden of Annapolis
107 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis
May is National Preservation Month and this year's theme is "Discover America's Hidden Gems." Communities from coast to coast are discovering their unexplored historic treasures-and we are too.  Because we believe that the greenest building is oftentheone that is already built, we're celebrating Annapolis' Hidden Gems - our many historic buildings and residences - our Emeralds! (Emerald, coincidentally, is the gem of May.) Partnering with the Historic Preservation Commission and MainStreets Annapolis (MAP), we are happy to be hosted by the Charles Carroll House of Annapolis. The seat of the Catholic Carrolls of Annapolis, the Charles Carroll House was the primary urban residence of its most famous owner, Charles Carroll of Carrollton. Today, the property, on the grounds of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, is among the largest and most impressive historic sites in Annapolis. Celebrating three generations and an urban cultural landscape that spans over 300 years, the Carroll House is a restoration-in-progress. This site bears great historical significance to the state of Maryland and America. Read more.
Our program will showcase our historic properties and sustainable steps being taken to preserve them. We'll even take it a step further by encouraging energy audits and other ways these grand old properties can become more energy efficient. The ideal follow up is being offered by MAP on May 31st, its Designing for Eco-Dollars: Building a Sustainable Business Environment and Economy program. See below.
The Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission and the Heritage Commission are planning to recognize stewards of landmark "gems" currently undergoing restoration in Annapolis. An announcement about that may be made at Green Drinks. Of course, our wine and beer will be purchased locally - thanks to Mills and Annebeth's! A number of local downtown restaurants will provide our sustainable appetizers including the John Barry Restaurant and Bar at the O'Callaghan Annapolis Hotel, Boatyard Bar & Grill, Level Small Plates Lounge, and Galway Bay Irish Pub. Read more about what kind of tasty beverages and appetizers will be available on our website. See you next week, Elvia & Lynne PS - Bring us your corks... your natural, not plastic corks. We'll have a great new recycling collection container for them at Green Drinks.
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Petition
to Save the Remaining Forests on Forest Drive
There is a petition that is resonating with the environmental community in the Annapolis area. Sponsored by the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter -- Anne Arundel County Group, the Annapolis Neck Peninsula Federation, the Save Your Annapolis Neck group, and the Severn River Association, it calls on the Mayor and City Council to "Stop Annapolis from Trading Forest for Traffic." The issue is the proposed construction of two projects on Forest Drive, the Reserve at Quiet Waters and the Crystal Springs development. These would include 681 residences and 200,000 sq. ft. of commercial space on 140 acres. That's a lot of traffic and pressure on already overcrowded schools. Fully 61 percent of the two surviving forests in the city would be bulldozed. At issue is this and whether the State's Forest Conservation Act is being violated. The following information has been provided by the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter -- Anne Arundel County Group, the Annapolis Neck Peninsula Federation, the Save Your Annapolis Neck group, and the Severn River Association: Update on the Reserve at Quiet Waters The Board of Appeals hearing on the Reserve at Quiet Waters was held on April 18 and continued to Tuesday, June 5, at 7 p.m. at City Hall. On April 18 the developers had ten people to present their plan including two traffic experts. It took over two hours. At 11 p.m. the hearing was continued to June 5. Besides traffic the other major issue is the Priority Forest area. The Annapolis Environmental Commission is working to enforce the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) in order to preserve the priority forest. The developer is claiming that the project requires development of this area. Even with this area preserved over 100 units could be built. The City's Department of Neighborhoods and Environmental Programs (DNEP) presented a document that stated that the developer's plan met the FCA requirements. The Board of Appeals chairman said the Board had no authority to rule on the FCA issue. Appeals have been filed to the Building Board of Appeals contesting DNEP findings. Individuals from Beechwood Hill and Hunt Meadow as well as The Hunt Meadow Homeowners Association have filed appeals. No date has been set for these hearings. In January the Annapolis Regional Transportation Management Association (ARTMA) issued a statement opposing the project based on traffic concerns. Click here to view the traffic study. One alternative proposed is to greatly reduce the number of units. This would help mitigate both the environmental and traffic issues. Citizens are encouraged to attend and testify at the Board of Appeals hearing on Tuesday, June 5 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. The City's Planning Commission has approved the 150+ homes adjacent to Quiet Waters Park. The Board of Appeals will make the final decision. The next option would be legal action. Written testimony should be addressed to boards@annapolis.gov or mailed to: Chairman, Annapolis Board of Appeals 145 Gorman Street, 3rd Floor Annapolis, MD 21401 Meanwhile, on Tuesday, May 29, there will be a Building Board of Appeals Hearing on Forest Conservation Act as related to Quiet Waters development and forest destruction at 1 p.m. at City Hall and a meeting of Save Your Annapolis Neck at 7 p.m. at the Annapolis Neck/Hillsmere Public Library, 269 Hillsmere Drive.
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Upcoming Events
We'd Like to Bring to Your Attention
Get the full details on our calendar
May 11 & 12, Conservation Plantings. Volunteers needed.
Friday-Sunday, May 11-13 - The Solar & Wind Expo, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., State Fairgrounds, Timoium If you are thinking of investing in a solar, wind or geothermal project, don't make a move before going to the Expo. In addition to exhibits and informative seminars, electric vehicles will be featured. Hear John Davis of MotorWeek discuss the feature of electric vehicles and see the THINK City, an American-made all electric car you can buy for $15,000!
Tuesday, May 15 - Maryland Environmental Trusts' Land Conservation Conference
Wednesday, May 16
- Becoming Bay Smart: Living Within Maryland's Critical Area
- Quiet Waters Environmental Lecture Series: Living Shorelines
Friday, May 18
- Bike to Work Day
- Chesapeake Bay Trust's 14th Annual Treasure the Chesapeake Celebration: Want to party for a good cause? Then mark your calendar for Friday, May 18 at the beautiful Annapolis Marriott Waterfront for an evening of fantastic fare, open bar, music and dancing, casino games, a Silent Auction and much more-all to support a very good cause: Chesapeake Bay restoration and education.
Saturday, May 19
- Recycle Your Bicycles for a Great Cause: Bikes for the World
- Nature Hike in Quiet Waters Park
- Blood Sugar Class
- Chesapeake Ecology Center Tour & Seedling Potting: Volunteers Needed.
Thursday, May 31 - Designing for Eco-Dollars: Building a Sustainable Business Environment and Economy - 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Loews Annapolis Hotel - Presented by MainStreets Annapolis and the City of Annapolis and sponsored by a group of nationally-recognized experts in historic preservation, sustainable design, historic tax credits and Main Street development with support from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Maryland, the American Institute of Architects Maryland, and the Annapolis Economic Development Corporation. More info.
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 Support our Email Sponsors
Annapolis Arts & Crafts Festival
Saturday & Sunday, June 9-10
Navy Marine Corps Stadium
Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
View the juried works of the regions' best artists and craftsmen, sample fine cuisine and select wine tastings, and enjoy live entertainment. Information at annapolisartsandcraftsfestival.com.
Garden Girls Landscaping
 Gardens Girls Landscaping is a locally owed, full service company offering design, installation, and maintenance of your landscape with emphasis on Bay Friendly restoration. We've spent most of our lives on the magnificent Chesapeake Bay, and we care deeply about its health and future viability. With that in mind, from the very first day of business, we've tried to "go green" whenever possi ble, using sustainable landscaping practices, environmentally-sensitive design principles, and bay-friendly, organic products in our landscapes.
Call today to learn how we can help you to garden using native plants, raingardens, passive irrigation, rainwater capture, and xeriscaping (planting with drought-tolerant plants,) all means to conserve precious water. Or schedule a consultation to design a lovely native planting that can replace the water-hungry lawn you've grown tired of mowing while providing habitat and food for birds and other wildlife. Call or email us to schedule a consultation Today: 410 263-1133.
Kenergy Solar
 At Kenergy Solar we believe that an educated customer is more likely to choose solar. We welcome the opportunity to help you find the answers to your questions about the environmental and financial benefits of solar energy for your home or business. Just give us a call at 410 533-4499 or email us atinfo@kenergysolar.com
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