Thanks for visiting. Oliver was born on April 9, 2008, and we'll be taking some time off to be with him and to figure out this whole parenting thing! Please visit past posts for reading material, and if you need to post an upcoming event, please do so in the comments section of this post. We'll be back in a few weeks. Thanks! Rebecca
Just a quick post to thank all of you for participating in our "Name Our Greener Baby" contest sponsored by Ecoist & Rag Trade. It was a lot of fun and gave us some great ideas. We are 2 weeks from our due date, and still have not decided on a name...however, we did decide on the contest winners!
1st Place: Annabelle B. for OLIVER
Prize: Ecoist bag & Rag Trade gift certificate
It's a name we hadn't thought of before and really made us think. Plus, we love the baby's predicted eco-passion: "Trees and plants as sources of nourishment and healing, as well as strength and longevity."
2nd Place: Shimona K. for CARSON
Prize: Ecoist bag
Naming a boy after Rachel Carson was a fantastic idea, and the name is great, too!
3rd Place: Sarah P. for AMATOR DEMETRIUS
Prize: Ecoist bag
She tells us that the words literally mean "Loves" "Mother Earth", and though I don't think it will actually be my son's name, we loved the creativity behind the submission!
Thanks again to everyone. We'll try to keep up with posting every once in a while, but we may need to take a semi-hiatus with the upcoming arrival!
Miami-Dade Environmental Education Providers (EEP) non-profit organization is seeking a program coordinator. Click below to see the full job description.
Continue reading "Miami-Based Green Job Available...Apply Now!" »
There are only a couple of days left to enter the Name Our Greener Baby Contest. Again, a special thanks to our contest sponsors, Ecoist and Rag Trade Happy Clothing Co. We must receive your entry by Friday, March 7, 2008! Here are some of the latest submissions:
Name: Walden
Why: He's a nature lovin' treehugger
This baby's eco-passion: Duh! Trees, of course!
-- Submitted by Laura M.
Name: Henry, Leo, Silvio, or Max
Why: All are names of family & friends that are eco-conscious
This baby's eco-passion: Access to clean drinking water for those who need it. Maybe that will entail inventing the best desalination equipment, or litigating against greedy developers/illegal dumpers/unethical utilities, or developing innovative engineering.
-- Submitted by Juliet P.
Name: Oliver (again!)
Why: It means peace
This baby's eco-passion: To bring about a more peaceful world (and peaceful natural places!).
-- Submitted by Jen C.
Name: Carmelo
Why: Doesn't it just roll off the tongue in English or Spanish? Doesn't it simply sound sweet, like honey? The name Carmelo derives from the Hebrew Carmel defined as "orchard" or "vineyard".
This baby's eco-passion: Organic wine-making or sustainable beekeeping.
-- Submitted by Maria E.
Continue reading "Name Our Greener Baby Contest, Submissions Vol. 2" »
Green Urban Living Center
Spring B
For more information call 305-237-1218 or email.
To register call 305-237-1019 or go to www.mdc.edu/ce/north
Kids’ Classes
Nature Club for Kids -$66 (Ages 6-12)
470980
03/15 – 05/03 Sat 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Awaken the scientist, artist, and explorer in your child with Nature Club for Kids. Activities will include organic gardening, mini science experiments, arts and crafts, and Native American Traditions.
Traditional Arts/Crafts from Nature -$75 (Ages 6-12)
470981
3/16 – 04/20 Sun 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Allow your child to explore nature through Arts and Craft activities.
Healthy Cooking for Kids-$30
461997
03/01 Sat 11:30 a.m. -1:30 a.m.
Your child will learn how to prepare simple, delicious food high in nutrition and low in sugars and fats.
Gardening
Composting at Home-$29
470984
04/05 Sat 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Turn your food scraps into “black gold” for the garden. Learn the easy essentials of composting, and explore different options including worm bins, home-made systems, and aesthetically pleasing ceramic containers.
Xeriscaping - $32
471017 03/22 Sat 9:00 am – 3:30 p.m.
Learn how to plant and maintain your garden using Florida Native plants. Xeriscaped yards conserve water and do not require supplemental irrigation.
Healthy Cooking
Gourmet recipes for What’s in Season Now! -$45
470985
03/25 Tue 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Seasonal cooking! Get familiar with preparing delicious, nutritious meals in the current growing season.
Love those Lentils: Recipes from Africa and India-$45
470986
04/15 Tue 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Spice up your vegetarian cuisine palate. Chef Henry will teach you how to make a mouthwatering meals packed with nutrition.
Health/Fitness
Ashtanga Yoga-$75
470991
03/13-05/15 Thur 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Enjoy the relaxation and rejuvenation of yoga through stretching, breathing, and meditation.
Qigong -$65
470997
03/16 – 04/15 Tue 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Once a week treat yourself to a relaxing hour of moving meditation. Allow work and school related stress to melt away, and increase your energy, focus, and clarity.
African Dance -$79
470999
03/12 – 04/23 Wed 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Get an excellent work out while learning traditional West African Dance. This class is fun, energizing, and inspiring!
Pilates - $75
471001
03/15– 05/10 Sat 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Condition, strengthen and lengthen your muscles with mat work.
Yoga – All Levels $75
471002
03/16 – 05/18 Sat 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Enjoy the relaxation and rejuvenation of yoga through stretching, breathing, and meditation.
Natural Self-Care
Nutrition Essentials -$35.00
(PSR 059) 471003
03/31 Mon 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Learn how to manage your diet and understand your body.
A fairly new organization has set up shop in Miami: Faiths United for Sustainable Energy...otherwise known as FUSE. According to their site: "FUSE creates a network of faith communities who agree that energy
conservation and supporting the use and development of sustainable
energy are moral imperatives and that collective action by faith
communities is necessary."
FUSE is organizing two events later this month:
Clean Energy Interfaith Candlelight Vigil
6:30 PM, March 27th, 2008
Senator Mel Martinez’s office (800 S Douglas Road, Coral Gables FL 33134)
This event is part of a nationwide effort by people of faith to show our decision makers in Washington D.C. that we are deeply concerned about the dangerous effects of dirty energy, including climate change, illness, and poverty.
Sea Level Rise in South Florida: Clean Energy Solutions for the Threat of Climate Change
7:00 PM, March 31st, 2008
Temple Beth Sholom (4144 Chase Ave, Miami Beach FL 33140)
This is an educational event that will feature a panel of experts, including Harvey Ruvin and Dr. Hal Wanless, discussing the potential devastation to South Florida caused by rising sea levels due to climate change and will focus on the role that faith communities can play in advancing clean energy solutions.
For more details on either event or to RSVP, please email jesseg@fusenow.org or call 1-866-486-7388.
That's right, we want you to name our baby, and there is still time left! Please see below for the first installment of name submissions, or visit the original post for complete rules and guidelines!
We like what we are seeing; some of the names have definitely given us something to think about. Think you can do better? Enter the contest yourself! Or leave a comment with your favorites from the list below.
We've still got more names to process and publish, but here is an initial taste. Again, a special thanks to our contest sponsors, Ecoist and Rag Trade Happy Clothing Co.
Name: Antonio
Why: It sounds good in Spanish y ingles, and it's common, but not the most common name.
This baby's eco-passion: Helping clean up the beaches in Miami, and the oceans in general.
-- Submitted by Joe P.
Name: Carson
Why: Named after Rachel Carson, who could quite possibly be considered the mother of the green movement.
This baby's eco-passion: To inspire new generations to protect the living world and all its creatures, just like his namesake.
-- Submitted by Shimona K.
Name: Oliver
Why: Baby Oliver could extend his olive branches as peace offerings.
This baby's eco-passion: Trees and plants as sources of nourishment and healing, as well as strength and longevity.
-- Submitted by Annabelle B.
Name: Lucien
Why: Means light, illumination. Because only monsters live in the dark.
This baby's eco-passion: Sustainable energy sources, the electric car.
-- Submitted by Annabelle B.
Name: Arnan
Why: Because the purpose of life is to be happy; and because no matter, what there is something to be happy about
This baby's eco-passion: Eco-friendly homes, travel.
-- Submitted by Annabelle B.
Name: Marcelo
Why: We love our son's name so much, we want to pass it on to you! Marcelo offers a nice flow in sound with tradition and depending on how some might perceive it, Marcelo sounds exotic! Marcelo means "little warrior." However, Marcelo is our little warrior living an eco-friendly and organic lifestyle. He uses everything from Similac organic formula to organic cotton clothes and towels, lotions, and also plays with a couple of sustainable toys.
This baby's eco-passion: Your son's eco-passion should develop through his exposure of cultures and the environment, values, and abilities from everyday life. Of course, parental influence is also helpful in creating an eco-foundation.
-- Submitted by Yvonne & Jayson K.
Related posts: Name Our Greener Baby Contest
It's quite a late announcement, but we wanted to do it in style! I'm pregnant, way pregnant, and due almost on Earth Day (April 22 for those of you that forget!). This has meant a major slow down in posts in the past few months, and probably in the months to come. greenerMIAMI lives on, however, and we appreciate all of you that visit each time we have a new post, and those of you that are just now discovering greenerMIAMI each day.
In order to celebrate the upcoming arrival of this baby boy, we're holding the Name Our Greener Baby Contest! We've teamed up with local green businesses Ecoist and Rag Trade Happy Clothing Co. for some fabulous prizes, so get your thinking caps on!
General Info:
No, you probably won't actually wind up naming our baby. However, we really don't have a name for this poor kid and desperately need some help, so it is possible! Winners will be chosen by Mr. & Mrs. greenerMIAMI. We'll choose our top favorites, and boy oh boy, if we DO pick your name for our baby, you'll definitely get 1st place. You can go for originality, creativity, eco-friendliness, or practical...all will be considered! Submissions must be received by Friday, March 7, 2008.
Prizes:
1st Place: Ecoist Handbag & $25 store credit at Rag Trade Happy Clothing!
2nd Place: Ecoist Handbag
3rd Place: Ecoist Handbag
Naming Details:
The baby will primarily use his father's last name, which is of Hispanic origin, beginning with A, ending with O.
We're not planning on using a middle name.
The name should sound good in both English and Spanish.
I prefer names that are a little more unusual, or at least less common, though my husband is more traditional. Good luck with that!
How to Enter & Rules of the Game:
Email us at NameOurGreenerBaby@gmail.com with the subject line "I've Got Your Name!" and the following information -
1. Proposed name for the Baby Boy
2. Why you chose that name
3. What you imagine his "eco-passion" will be
4. Your full name, email, USA mailing address (to mail your prize if you win), and phone number. ONLY YOUR FIRST NAME and LAST INITIAL will be published. All other information is for contact & shipping needs ONLY. If you would like us to post a link to your website with your submission, please feel free to include it.
5. Make sure we receive it by Friday, March 7, 2008. Multiple entries are allowed, but each person / mailing address can only win once.
6. Winners will be selected by the parents of the baby-to-be. If multiple submissions for the same name are received, we may use the descriptive answers (#2 & 3) as deciding factors. Submissions may be published prior to contest end date, and this post will be updated.
7. You must be 18 years or older to enter, and have a US mailing address to win.
8. We'll update this post with submissions throughout the contest period, so that we can all enjoy the names that are suggested. Stay tuned!
Fun Research Tools:
You can easily find a million baby name sites. (But don't feel limited by them!) Here are some interesting ones that we've come across.
Sponsors:
Ecoist - Eco-Friendly Handbags & Accessories
Ecoist develops unique gifts and fashion accessories for the eco-minded individual. Our objective is to merge design with social and environmental consciousness to provide stylish, functional, and durable products that people will love to own. All our products are made from recycled, organic, or earth-friendly materials, and are manufactured through our network of fair trade partnerships around the world.
Rag*Trade is Miami's first and only clothing exchange + boutique. We combine the best of thrifting and high-end shopping in one cozy, unique space in the design district. Find us Tuesday - Friday 12-6 pm and Saturday 1-6 pm at 4600 NE 2nd Ave, Ste. 6. Parking & entry in the rear.
Go on, get to it! We need to name this baby!
Inspired by Thingamababy.
This is cool: each Friday night at the Catalina Hotel & Beach Club, Maxine Tower on Miami Beach, there will be a "Green Party"! The first one starts tonight. Here is the full info as it has been sent to me:
Swank Entertainment presents...
The Green Party!
Green is the new black!
Friday @ 5pm February, 15th, 2008
At The Catalina Hotel and Beach Club, Maxine Tower
1720 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, Fl, 33139
Long time nightclub legend, Mykel Stevens has teamed up with Christopher McCoy to form Swank Entertainment. With the current situation of our Environment and a desire to preserve our beaches Swank Entertainment decided to make its first event a weekly Eco event to support the Environmental Coalition of Miami Beach. Representing ECOMB will be the founder, Luiz Rodrigues and last years commissioner of Miami Beach and new member on the board of directors, Michael Gongora.
New VeeV acai spirit will be sponsoring the event with organic drink specials and a complimentary VeeV cocktail with a $10 donation to ECOMB. That $10 donation will also get you complimentary juice bar and hors d'oeuvre's and entered in a raffle for a designer one of a kind handbag, by Ecoist, made from repurposed candy wrappers. Ecoist reuses factory discarded misprints and overages that would otherwise end up in landfills.
One Group, Katheryn Rodler an Independent Representative, has also sponsored the event with mens and womens organic skin care, cosmetics and health products to be raffled off at future events.
February, 22nd The Green Party will be having an organic wine tasting, featuring True Earth Wine with a $20 donation going to ECOMB. Other future events will include live local performances, fashion shows for organic clothing and a monthly Green Pool Party.
Shelly from Repurposed4You.com recently reached out to say hello to us. This Florida based online store is a web-based gallery of eco friendly handmade goods. One of their best sellers are the cute Qwerty Magnets, made from keyboard keys. (And she tells me they are way harder to make than it seems!)
They are also looking for more "Green" Artists. Repurposed4You.com is looking for artists that make new and innovative gifts, home décor, art, jewelry and more out of recycled, repurposed and reclaimed materials. They offer it up to the web, all you have to do is make it! If you are interested, please contact Shelly via email.
I've always wanted to do a drive-along with the local trash collectors. Recently, comedian Annabelle Gurwitch (think TBS's Dinner and a Movie) did just that near her home in California. She rode with the local recycling truck and also went out to her landfill. It's a short, entertaining video that has some real insight.
Incidentally, Gurwitch grew up in South Florida and attended Miami Beach High School.
Read the entire article on The Daily Green. I especially like the bit about the Moses action figure...
Apparently Monument Island is in worse shape than usual. So help out the environment and check out this accessible-only-by-boat island (they'll bring you there) by participating in ECOMB's January clean-up.
Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Meet us at Island View Park on Purdy Avenue, Miami Beach (just north of the junction of the Venetian Causeway and Miami Beach). Volunteers will then be ferried to the island by boat. Parking will not be enforced for legally parked vehicles on the adjacent parking lot until 1 pm. Registration begins at 8:30 am. Complete details.
Register now for Classes at the Green Urban Living Center!
Green Urban Living Center
For more information contact (305) 237-1218 Jennifer Shyka
To register call (305) 237-1019 or go to www.mdc.edu/ce/north
GARDENING
Organic Container Gardening- $59
For gardeners with limited space, grow herbs and vegetables in containers! Learn how to mix proper soil medium, use organic fertilizers, selecting plants and proper container size, and basic plant care.
461999 01/26 – 02/02 S 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Building 300
Butterfly Gardening with Natives and Non Natives- $45
Want to attract butterflies and birds to your yard? Need some tips on design? An experienced landscape designer will help you choose plants that will bring more life, beauty, and balance to your yard. Second class takes place at instructor's beautiful butterfly Garden in Coral Gables.
462003 02/09 – 02/16 S 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Building 300
Composting - $29
Turn your food scraps into “black gold” for the garden. Learn the easy essentials of composting, and explore different indoor/outdoor options including worm bins, home-made systems, and aesthetically pleasing ceramic containers.
462006 02/02 S 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Building 300
HEALTHY COOKING
Healthy Vegetarian Cooking- $45
Spice up your vegetarian cuisine with coconut curried tofu, seasoned kale, and brown basmati rice. Chef Henry will teach you how to make a mouthwatering meal packed with nutrition.
462939 01/22 Tuesday 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Building 300
Raw Food Preparation - $45
Learn to make herb and nut pate, kale salad, and fruit pie using fresh raw ingredients. Discover how easy, delicious and nutritious raw food cuisine is!
462938 01/29 Tuesday 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Building 300
Aphrodisiac Delights- $45
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, learn to make a vegetarian main dish and dessert full of aphrodisiac power.
462010 02/05 Tuesday 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Building 300
HEALTH/FITNESS
Mid-day Meditation - $65
Once a week treat yourself to a relaxing half hour of meditation. Allow work and school related stress to melt away, and increase your energy, focus, and clarity.
462014 01/16 – 02/27 W 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. Building 300
African Dance - $79
Get an excellent work out while learning traditional West African Dance. This class is fun, energizing, and inspiring!
462016 01/25 – 03/07 Friday 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Rm 3125, Building 3
Natural Self-Care
Healing with Medicinal Herbs - $50
Learn about the most popular and readily available medicinal plants to support your overall health, as well as ones that help with relaxation, focus, energy, common ailments, and more!
462250 02/01 F 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Building 300
Aromatherapy: Make your own body products - $35
Using great smelling essential oils and other natural products, learn to create your own body oils, lotions, body scrubs and cleansers. Students will make some products in class, as well as learn recipes to use at home.
462017 02/12 Tuesday 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Building 300
Backyard Medicine Cabinet - $50
Learn about some of the most useful medicinal plants, and how to grow and care for them in your yard.
462124 02/19 Tuesday 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Building 300
KIDS' CLASSES
Nature Club for Kids - $ 66 (Ages 6-11)
Awaken the scientist, artist, and explorer in your child with Nature Club for Kids. Activities will include organic gardening, crafts, and Native American Traditions.
461994 01/26 – 03/08 Saturday 11:30 – 1:00 p.m. Building 300
Delicious treats with fruits and vegetables - $30
Your child will learn how to prepare simple, delicious snacks that are high in nutrition and low in sugars and fats.
461997 03/01 Saturday 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. Building 300
GREEN LIFESTYLE
Designing Photovoltaic (Solar Panel) Systems - $100
This course introduces the process of PV system selection, PV system site selection, types of PV systems, PV system electrical design considerations, PV system structural design considerations and PV system permitting and paperwork.
463228 01/19 S 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Rm 9105 Building 9
Installing Photovoltaic (Solar Panel) Systems - $100
This course introduces the process of PV system installation and focuses, in minute detail, on how to install a PV system that someone else has designed.
463229 01/26 S 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Rm 9105 Building 9
BioFuel Certification - $149
The demand for BioFuel Certified individuals is growing globally. The most current research indicates that biomass is the best option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the next decade and one of the most cost-effective.
464424 02/09 - 0216 S 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Building 300
Local green biz Ecoist is having its annual Winter Clearance sale. Check out some great deals on candy wrapper handbags & accessories on their website, or swing by their showroom (2628 NW 2nd Ave in Miami, map) on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 from 2 pm - 7 pm. This is a great opportunity to see their space, meet the team, and be able to touch and see the bags for yourself.
Local non-profit Dream in Green is celebrating their 2nd birthday. They've helped green Miami schools since starting up, and will continue to do so in 2008. Go celebrate with them this Saturday at Set in South Beach. Full info below!
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