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Support
Bethesda Green
Bethesda Green relies on corporate sponsorships, grants, in-kind donations and individual contributions to incubate next generation green businesses, educate the community, and inspire action by initiating programs and services that promote sustainable living practices.
Thinking about making a contribution to Bethesda Green? You can now make a secure donation to Bethesda Green by clicking on the "Donate Now" button. It's quick, easy and safe.
You can set up an automatic monthly donation or make your gift in memory or in honor of someone special.
Thank you for your support.
Sponsorship info >>
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Orin Schepps, CEO of Consultance Accounting Services, is no stranger to community involvement. His company has a longstanding commitment to both corporate and personal social responsibility, supporting a variety of nonprofit organizations with missions that include promoting theater and cultural arts, protecting DC's water supply, and helping restore tree cover to communities around the world.
In addition to providing pro-bono financial guidance and bookkeeping services to Bethesda Green and other groups, the firm donates 5 percent of its fees to qualified nonprofit organizations of their clients' choosing. More >>
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Bethesda Central Farm Market -- Open Sundays, 10am-1pm (winter hours) at the Bethesda Elementary School parking lot on Arlington Road, at the corner of Wilson Lane and Old Georgetown Road.
BG 101 -- Wednesday, March 27, 4-5:30pm. Bethesda Green orientation and review of upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Contact: info@bethesdagreen.org.
Bethesda Green Finance Workshop Series & Venture Forum -- Thursday, March 28, 8-10 am @ Bethesda Green -- fourth workshop in the series will cover "Due Diligence: Evaluating a Potential Investment."
First Thursday Happy Hour, April 4, 5-8 pm @ Brickside. Join us for casual conversation and social networking. RSVP via Meetup.
Rock Creek Extreme Cleanup -- Saturday, April 6, 9-12 am. Volunteer event organized by Rock Creek Conservancy.
Learn About SCRAP DC -- Tuesday, April 9, 7:30-9 pm @ Bethesda Green. Meet the people who run this small, "creative reuse" nonprofit.
Commitment to Building Green -- Wednesday, April 10, 5:30-7:30 pm @ the new Akridge building, 7550 Wisconsin Ave. in Bethesda. Event kicks off a green building and sustainable development seminar series, organized by Bethesda Green, to help participants understand green trends impacting the commercial building sector.
Check the Events page regularly for updates.
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From the Executive Director
 | | Dave Feldman |
I have written about 60 newsletter columns, and the one topic that generates the most response from readers is climate change.
It's a hot (pun intended) and timely topic so I am jumping back in the fire.
The issue has remained prominent because of several current events -- Superstorm Sandy, recent droughts across the U.S. and, of great importance, President Obama's upcoming decision of whether to permit construction of the Keystone XL pipeline that would funnel Canadian tar sands oil through the U.S. to the Gulf of Mexico.
How to address the issue is extremely complex, contentious and too lengthy for this space, but at stake are decisions that effect the state of our economy, energy supply, land use and, of course, the future climate both domestically and abroad.
Several questions arise. Is climate change real? Is it man-made? Can we do anything about it? Here are a few facts from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
- The global average temperature increased by more than 1.4° F over the last century. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the decade from 2000 to 2010 was the warmest on record, and 2010 was tied with 2005 as the warmest year on record.
- Many places have experienced changes in rainfall resulting in more intense rain and more frequent and severe heat waves. The planet's oceans and glaciers are warming and becoming more acidic, ice caps are melting, and sea levels are rising.
- Major U.S. scientific agencies -- including NASA and NOAA -- and many independent scientific agencies agree climate change is occurring and humans are contributing to it.
I believe it is possible to have an impact on future climate change. With appropriate actions by governments, communities, individuals, and businesses, we can reduce the greenhouse gas we release and the associated risks. From the "top down," let's encourage our local elected officials to support smart energy policies, investment in alternative energy, and strong environmental legislation. From the "bottom-up," we can do many things, including: - Buy clean energy for your home or business
- Reduce, reuse and recycle
- Use water efficiently
- Green your business
- And much more
You can learn more through Montgomery County's Green Business Certification Program, links from Bethesda Green's online resource page (Green 101), or events such as Solar & Green Home Expo or the Reel Water Film Festival. I believe climate change is real and needs to be addressed today. Ignoring the issue is irresponsible and will affect future generations. We need a collective strategy that draws upon innovation, leadership and creativity. As individuals, we need to make changes in our daily lives, businesses and communities. Let's not let this opportunity slip away. |
 Growing Your Business
Finance Workshop Series & Venture Forum
Bethesda Green has launched a series of workshops and a venture forum to help grow the green business economy in the region. More information about the series is available here.
The fourth of five workshops -- Due Diligence: Evaluating a Potential Investment -- is offered Thursday, March 28, 8-10 am.
Due diligence is the evaluation process that an investor uses to verify that a company is worthy of investment. The investor will ask for specific information from the entrepreneur, often referred to as the due diligence checklist, and then verify that information through independent research. This workshop will address the substance and process of due diligence. A distinguished panel of experienced investors and entrepreneurs will discuss these issues.
SPEAKERS:
- Robert Snyder, moderator
- John May, New Vantage Partners
- Mahesh Konduru, Potomac Energy Fund
- David Levine, Geostellar
General networking and light refreshments available at 8 am; program runs 8:30 - 10 am.
Tickets available here.
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Incubator Spotlight
Altenera Technology:
Catching Good (Wind) Vibrations
by Dan Kulpinski
 | | BreezBee® Wind Panels (Photo by Altenera Technology). |
Wind does more than make turbines spin: It also causes objects to vibrate.
What if the energy in those vibrations could be tapped to generate electricity, using a method that is silent and has no moving parts?
Altenera Technology, a Bethesda Green incubator company, is developing a new device to do just that. Their modular BreezBee® Wind Panel prototype holds many "reeds" that vibrate in the wind. By utilizing a magnetic field, the device transforms the vibrational energy into an electric current. More >>
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 Learn how to green your home and save money! Solar & Green Home Expo
Saturday, May 11
10 am - 3 pm
We invite you to join us at Bethesda Green for our 4th annual Solar & Green Home Expo featuring products and services from local green businesses. Come learn about practical ways to green your home, including:
- Energy conservation
- Solar energy
- Green home remodeling
- Sustainable landscaping
- Solid waste reduction
- and much more
Bethesda Green
4825 Cordell Avenue, second floor above the Capital One Bank
More info about this free event for the community available here.
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Celebrate Earth & Water
First Thursday Happy Hour -- April 4
 Brickside
April 4, 5-8 pm
4866 Cordell Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
Join us at the newly opened Brickside restaurant for casual conversation and social networking
- Kick off the April Earth Day celebration and learn about water issues.
- Meet Tiffany Jones from Journey's Crossing, who along with Mark Leisher Productions and Bethesda Green is hosting the Reel Water Film Festival, June 15.
- Enjoy complimentary appetizers, discount drinks, and a gift card raffle courtesy of Brickside.
$10 at the door.
RSVP thru Meetup |
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