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June 2014 Newsletter
Thank You

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.

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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. 
 
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Upcoming Events 
Rock Creek Community Meeting -- Saturday, June 21, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, Mount Pleasant Library, 3160 16th Street NW, DC, hosted by Rock Creek Conservancy.

GreenWheaton Gala -- Wednesday, June 25, 6-9 pm, Ballroom at Wheaton Glen, 2400 Arcola Ave., Wheaton, MD.

Fishbowl Investor Pitch -- Thursday, June 26, 1-5 pm, plus reception at Bethesda Green, 4825 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, MD, a "shark tank" like-program hosted in partnership with the William James Foundation.

Bethesda Central Farm Market -- Open Sundays, 9am-1pm at the Bethesda Elementary School parking lot on Arlington Road, at the corner of Wilson Lane and Old Georgetown Road.

 

BG 101 -- Wed, June 25, 4 - 5:30 pm. Bethesda Green orientation and review of upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Contact:[email protected].

 
Check the Events
page regularly for updates. 
 
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New Environmental Offices in Montgomery County
Montgomery County Council created two new offices to oversee efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and promote the use of sustainable energy sources in the county.

See article in The Washington Post.

Poolesville Goes Solar
Poolesville recently celebrated the opening of its new solar array, expected to save $30,000 in energy costs in the first year of operation. Since the array came online in February, it has created enough energy to power 40 homes for a year and has saved nearly 600,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere.

See article in the Gazette.

Solar Mowing Business Grows
In 2009, Lyn DeWitt decided that she had had enough of the fumes and noise associated with gasoline-powered lawn mowers and launched Solar Mowing, a company using battery-powered mowers charged by photovoltaic solar panels affixed to a truck.

She initially invested about $30,000 on the truck, solar panels, mowers and other equipment. Since then, the company has grown to six mowers, eight trimmers, three trucks with solar panels and a dozen employees.

See article in the Gazette.


See past
Newsletters.
at Bethesda Green

Interested in volunteering or applying for an internship position with Bethesda Green or one of our Incubator companies?  The first step is fill out our online Volunteer Registration Form.  If you have any questions, contact [email protected].  

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From the Executive Director
Dave Feldman
Dave Feldman

Congratulations, Bethesda Green.
 
You have impacted so many in the community and are now inspiring others across the region.
 
This past month, two new initiatives launched.
 
On June 11, Prince George's Green (PGG) launched with a farm-to-table dinner. County Executive Rushern Baker committed his support to PGG becoming a catalyst for the green economy in Prince George's County with a focus on workforce and green business development and a goal to start a new business incubator modeled after the Bethesda Green Business Incubator.
 
On May 21, the Alexandria Emerging Technology Center (AETC), in collaboration with Livability Project, hosted a soft launch sponsored by The Neighborhood Restaurant Group and Arcadia Center for Food & Agriculture. AETC will be a "hub" intended to attract and incubate early stage companies, entrepreneurs and innovators focused on solving sustainability and urban resilience challenges.
 
On June 27-29, these and other groups (GreenWheaton, Silver Spring Green, Poolesville Green, Annapolis Green, Anacostia 2025, Baltimore Green Works, the University of Maryland and several others) will participate in a three-day workshop called Growing Livable Communities.The event, hosted by my new endeavor the Livability Project, will build and connect green community hubs based on the understanding that the environment, economy, and community are all interconnected.
 
Bethesda Green has inspired a new generation of creative, entrepreneurial leaders who will tackle their communities' toughest challenges. These groups, individually and collectively, are in a position to transform the way we work together to address local issues.

 

Please support this growing community. Feel free to forward this newsletter or join us at the workshop.

Green Business Incubator Event


Fishbowl Investor Pitch

Hosted by Bethesda Green and Mentor Capital Network (formerly William James Foundation)

Thursday, June 26
1-5 pm, plus reception
Bethesda Green
4825 Cordell Ave., second floor above the Capital One bank
Bethesda, MD

Green business entrepreneurs will pitch to professional investors in an educational and experiential setting.

In this unedited "shark tank" like-program, you will not see an investor make an investment, but you will see entrepreneurs pitch and answer questions from investors AND you will get to hear investors debrief each other about their reactions to the entrepreneurs' presentations and business models AND you will get to ask questions yourselves.

Come learn what hot new green products and services are being generated locally. 
 
Fee: General Admission, $15; Incubator Companies, FREE

Space limited -- register here.

Conservancy to celebrate Rock Creek Park's 125th anniversary  

 

by Nic Wells  

 

You don't have to be a treehugger to appreciate what Rock Creek Park has to offer.

 

From enjoying the cool shade during hot humid summer months to exploring Civil War history at Fort Stevens and Fort DeRussy, you are guaranteed to find something of interest in Rock Creek Park.

 

Unfortunately, Rock Creek Park is not as lucky as its visitors. In recent years, its natural and cultural resources have taken a beating. Non-native invasive species like English ivy threaten the ecosystem's fragile balance, and historical landmarks and access routes have deteriorated. Luckily, Rock Creek Conservancy is working to change this.

 

With the 125th anniversary of the park approaching in 2015, the Conservancy is developing exciting yearlong plans to celebrate the occasion, some of which include engaging with neighbors in local communities that use the Park and its resources.

 

See full blog post with more details.

 

Nic Wells, a McLean native, interns for Rock Creek Conservancy, part of the Bethesda Green Business Incubator, and studies Geography and Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.


 
BG Gala 2013 v1

5th Annual

Bethesda Green Gala

 

SAVE THE DATE

Thursday, October 9

Bethesda Blues & Jazz Club

Bethesda, MD

First Thursday Happy Hour

 

We will take off for the July 4th holiday weekend. Our next happy hour networking event is scheduled Thursday, August 7, at Markham's Bar and Grill, 7141 Wisconsin Ave., next to the Women's Farm Market in Bethesda.