“Green jobs”

June, 2011: Green Jobs Panel Discussion

When: Tuesday, June 14th, 7:00 PM
Where: Clementine Cafe, Harrisonburg

Join us to learn more about current opportunities for green jobs, education and training opportunities, and what each of us can do to encourage our state and local representatives to make green jobs a priority.

Green Jobs for the Valley panel participants include Erik Curren, advocate and marketer for green  industry in the valley; Sharon Johnson, Director of Regional Workforce  Development for the Shenandoah Valley, and Ivy Main, specialist on renewable energy with the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club.

About the Panelists:
Erik Curren publishes Transition Voice (http://transitionvoice.com), an international online magazine about peak oil, climate change and the transition to a clean energy economy. He is also co-founder of Transition Staunton Augusta, a citizens group dedicated to helping the central Shenandoah Valley become more self-sufficient in the goods and services we use every day through local food and other pillars of a strong local economy. Erik ran as the Democratic candidate for the 20th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates in 2009 on a platform of green jobs and creating a Green Enterprise Zone in the Shenandoah Valley. He runs the Curren Media Group (http://currengroup.com), a green marketing agency that represents the installer of the largest solar array in the state (located at EMU in Harrisonburg) and a variety of local small businesses.

Sharon Johnson is Director, Regional Workforce Development for the Shenandoah Valley Workforce Investment Board, Inc. and Director for the Shenandoah Valley Energy Partnership (SVEP) initiative funded by a $5 million grant awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor. She has more than 20 years experience in corporate training, workforce development planning, consulting and project management working with the public workforce system, economic development, and the community college system.

Ivy Main has been an advocate of offshore wind energy with the Sierra Club since 2007. She was the lead author of the Sierra Club’s guidance for the siting of offshore renewable energy and transmission projects, published October 2010, and has produced videos and presentations about offshore wind that are used to educate east coast activists and the public. She currently serves as the Virginia Chapter’s Renewable Energy Chair as well as its Vice Chair and Legislative Chair and is active in lobbying for policies to support the development of offshore wind in Virginia. Ivy is a lawyer and a freelance writer and editor. Her background includes work as an attorney in private practice and with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and five years as a newspaper columnist. She received her bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and her JD from Boston College.

SBVA Spring Home and Garden Show

The 31st Shenandoah Valley Builders Association’s Spring Home and Garden Show takes place this Friday-Sunday, April 8-10, at the JMU Convocation Center. For only $3 (free for children under 12), attendees can see close to 20 outdoor exhibitors featuring landscaping, green design, and building suppliers – and then see over 100 inside exhibitors inside the Convocation Center – including Kline May Realty, of course!  The exhibits feature a wide spectrum of information, displays, and businesses focused all all aspects of home living.  The show is open Friday 4pm-8pm, Saturday 10am-8pm, and Sunday 12-5pm.

In addition, the Shenandoah Valley Home and Garden Show features also features a Shenandoah Valley Water Color Society art show, plant show and sale, small building sale, charity auctions, and an SPCA Great Dog and Cat Election!

In fact, there is so much at the Shenandoah Valley Builders Association’s Spring Home and Garden Show this year that there is a Treasure Hunt scheduled so visitors can see it all!   “Just for the fun of it, a Treasure Hunt Map and instructions will be given away free of charge to all adult visitors at the gate. The map will show the locations of participating exhibitors, each of whom will have a poster with a special letter or word that helps complete a winning phrase” (SVBA).

The opening ceremony at 5pm on Friday will include the Star-Spangled Banner and more patriotic music performed by the award winning Harrisonburg High School Band and color guards representing veteran’s organizations from throughout the area.

I will be working the Kline May Realty Booth for a number of time slots, so stop me at the Home and Garden Show and we can discuss your Harrisonburg area real estate goals – see you there!

Harrisonburg First Fridays Art Walks

The Arts Council of the Valley presents a monthly display of visual arts every first Friday of the month.  Over 22 restaurants and business feature art, many with full art openings that kick off a month-long display of an artist’s work.  From the Smith House to the Gallery Quilt Museum to the Laughing Dog T-Shirt and Gifts to OASIS Art Galley, the Harrisonburg First Fridays Artwalk offers both a combination of venues and artistic styles.  The event is free, and runs from 5-7pm – see you there!

MACRoCk

MACRoCk is “the event of the year” for not only local independent music-lovers, but bands and fans from the eastern seaboard – even Canada.  I stopped counting how many bands are coming to play in downtown venues when I got to 80.  In addition to the bands, there are a host of educational panels, which I have benefited from not only as an audience member but as a presenter about civil discourse and OrangeBand some years back.  Not to be missed is the Label Expo on Saturday, featuring, “independent labels, booking agencies, PR groups, distros, local businesses, and independent vendors selling art and wares all participate in a garage sale style event heralding in what they have new to offer.”

So, make a weekend of the arts in downtown Harrisonburg at the First Fridays Art Walk and MACRoCk – see you there!

Harrisonburg Downtown Restaurants' New Website

Downtown Harrisonburg restaurants now have their own website: DoDowntown.net.   The new website features information about downtown Harrisonburg restaurants, as well as specials and downtown events.

Harrisonburg’s Downtown Dining Alliance formed in 2009 as an affiliation of locally-owned restaurants operating in Harrisonburg’s Central Business District.  The Downtown Dining Alliance is an ad-hoc committee of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, which is focused on the continued revitalization of the city’s center.

Get the Best Deals Downtown

The Specials section of the DoDowntown.net website features both meal, drink, and happy hour specials.  Currently, there are specials listed at the Artful Dodger, Beyond, Clementine, Dave’s Downtown Taverna, Earth and Tea Cafe, Finnigan’s, Jack Brown’s Burger and Beer Joint, Local Chop House, and Mrs. Hardesty’s Tea Room – check it out!

The downtown Harrisonburg restaurants are an engine to revitalization, and we are proud they are 100% locally-owned.

I was struck by how affordable it was to book the ticket from the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport rather than fly from Dulles -- it was only another $20, about $350. That saves two hours or driving, the gas, and the parking costs (parking at SHD is free!). You can’t beat that deal from Harrisonburg. And, since I’m flying out for the 2010 Congress of Cities, these savings benefit all of Harrisonburg’s tax payers.

In my short interview, Greg states that this affordable and convenient travel option became possible once the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport partnered with United to offer the 25-minute hop to Dulles.

Having a local airport is tremendously valuable to our economy because it gives worldwide travelers easy access to our universities, businesses, and recreational and tourist resources. Of course, the opposite is true: anyone living in the central Valley has easy access to national and international connections via the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport.  I actually ran into a German professor Ralf Denzer who was headed home to Saarbruecken after a guest lecture at JMU.  I met him as a student a few years ago in JMU’s ISAT program (summer session in Austria with Professor Steve Frysinger).

Just like anything else, if we want the airport here, we have to use it. And thanks to the competitive pricing, that’s not only possible, but it’s smart business.

To stay in touch and see the latest deals from the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, visit www.flyshd.com, find them on Facebook, or follow the Twitter alerts @SHD_airport.

Here are some snapshots from last year and more information, from the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance’s website:

Halloween on the Square
Harrisonburg Court Square
Saturday, October 30th
10am-2pm

Wander down Main Street on a crisp autumn afternoon with your little goblins when downtown merchants open their doors to trick-or-treaters. Then enjoy music from a live DJ, free carnival games, crafts and costume contests on the square. Vendors will also offer pumpkin painting and other spooky goodies!

Schedule of Events

10 am-2 pm: Trick or Treat

DJ Music and Games
Face Painting by Kappa Pi Art Fraternity
Witches Slime and Wizard Tricks
$3 pumpkin painting at Harrisonburg Farmers Market
Make it and take it Arts and Crafts at Oasis Gallery
“The Great Gatsby” big read finale at Massanutten Regional Library with 1920′s games and crafts by the Harrisonburg’s Childrens Museum

1 pm
Kids costume contest and mini parade on Court Square

2 pm Digico Dog Costume Contest

The Staunton Lion’s Club will be holding their Annual Halloween Parade on Saturday, October 30.  Participants should meet at the band stand behind City Hall at 5:30pm.  Attendance prizes will be drawn promptly at 6:00pm for all children in costume.  Immediately following the drawing the parade will begin.  The parade route will travel east on Main St, south on Laurel St and end at the Lion’s Club.  Participants will be treated to Hot Dogs and Soda at the club.

Here is the information from the event webpage: 

The Harrisonburg Children’s Museum, Gus Bus, and the Association for Childhood Education International, dancers and musicians, even Harrisonburg’s Favorite Horses, Sony and Cher, join together with the EJC Arboretum, for the third annual Children’s Harvest Festival at the EJC Arboretum, Saturday, October 23, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Elementary school age children are invited with their parents to the free festival. The fun will be ramped-up when children come wearing festive costumes.

The Harrisonburg Children’s Museum invites you to discover the joys of “Letterboxing”, a fun adventure for the whole family. This map-based activity helps children explore plant and animal life as they navigate through the scenic trails of the arboretum. Come watch Mountain Heritage Cloggers, a youth dance troupe perform historic clogging and maybe learn a step or two, and music by the River Bend Trio.

The EJC Arboretum concludes another season of its children’s monthly reading program in partnership with the Gus Bus. Festival children can visit and go aboard Gus Bus for the final reading program of the 2010 Storytime in the Understory.

Come compose poetry with the Arboretum Director at the arboretum’s Poet Tree, and leave a poem in the poetry basket for other children and visitors to read.

Walk the magical forest on a trip to Middle Earth with arboretum docent Ginny Chandler in medieval costume to learn how to use the magical power of observing nature, and watching birds and animals, studying trees and plants found in the arboretum wooded trails, to find your bearings and make choices that direct the future of forest lands. Or collect and count acorns for a trail activity supporting the Potomac Conservancy and Virginia Forestry riparian planting. Festival children can support efforts to preserve and improve Virginia’s waterways.

Horse drawn wagon rides are available with a ticket purchase for adults and children!

Supporting young festival goers, The Association for Childhood Education International, will participate as program facilitators. These JMU student volunteers and future educator professionals will provide various activities including helping children harvest tree seeds and nuts to be grown and used for riparian plantings by the Potomac Conservancy. ACEI will also serve a snack, and help children make fall themed crafts.

For more information call (540) 568-3194.

View from the Woodstock Tower

MariAnne Woehrle sent in a great suggestion for a Thing To Do in the Shenandoah Valley: climb the Woodstock Tower.  I hadn’t heard of it until she suggested it, so thanks for the tip!

The Forest Service website has some basic information:

Standing sentinel over the far flung northern ranges of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, this tower, located on one of the highest peaks of the Massanutten Range reveals, from its elevation of 2000 feet, an expansive panorama of Northern Virginia.

In every direction you can see forests, towns and mountain ranges, the seven bends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, and acres of national forest lands.

According to HikingUpward.com, “The hike up to Woodstock Tower is an easy 2.0 mile out/back walk suitable for most people, and the 360° panoramic view from the top of the tower is one of the best in the Massanutten range. The views west are of the north fork of the Shenandoah River, and to the east you look back through Woodstock Gap to the Shenandoah National Park.”

And, Michelle at VirginiaWind.com shares an account of a hike up to the top here: 

When most people think of spectacular mountain views in Virginia, they immediately think of Skyline Drive. However, for those of us willing to take the road less traveled (and put in a little extra footwork), a view that rivals any you would see elsewhere in Virginia awaits you at Woodstock Tower, in the George Washington National Forest located in Woodstock, VA. Like most trips, the joy is more than the mere destination. It is the entire journey and the road to Woodstock Tower is no exception. [Full post]

There’s even a hang-glider launch point!

This year, the evening also includes the Block Party, coordinated by the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance.   Aimed to bring students from JMU and EMU downtown, the event features a Battle of the Bands, a cappella groups, tours of downtown businesses and safety demonstrations. 

Of special note is a Skatan Worshippers event that features a skateboarding exhibition near the Artful Dodger.