Sustainable Norcross, Inc.

We've Moved!

2015-09-20T20:29:00.001-04:00

As you can notice we have not been updating this blog for some time. That's because we have moved to Facebook. Like Sustainable Norcross on Facebook and follow us there. Contact. But before you go to Facebook, read the current post below "In Sync".

In Sync

2015-09-20T20:00:00.000-04:00

Through an intergovernmental agreement Gwinnett County DOT manages the county and state roads inside Norcross city limits. Over multiple years and with federal grants, SPLOST, and other funding, several sets of traffic signals on busy Norcross roads have been synchronized for improved traffic low, less idling time, and quicker commutes. Less idling reduces fuel consumption for drivers and also reduces air pollution for everyone. On a per corridor analysis it has been estimated from before and after studies that annual fuel consumption can be lowered by 7% and CO/VOC emissions lowered by 17 & 12% respectively with these synchronized traffic signals. Here are some of the sets of synchronized lights in and near Norcross: 9 cameras, 15 traffic signals on 3.6 miles of Indian Trail Road between Beaver Ruin Road and US Highway 29/Lawrenceville Highway. Peachtree Industrial Blvd from Holcomb Bridge to Rogers Bridge and upgrade of existing infrastructure along Jimmy Carter Blvd from US 29 to Holcomb Bridge at the river. A similar project from Beaver Ruin Rd SR 378 from Buford Hwy SR 13/US 23 to Lawrenceville Hwy US 29 was completed around May 2010. Buford Hwy SR 13/US 23 from Global Forum Blvd to Sugarloaf Pkwy. The portion inside Norcross city limits includes 6 intersections of Buford Hwy with: Jimmy Carter Blvd, North Norcross - Tucker Rd, Cemetery St, Mitchell Rd, Beaver Ruin Rd/Lawrenceville St, Langford Rd/Old Norcross Rd. Construction started Fall 2009 and was finished in approximately April 2011. The Vision Statement of Gwinnett County Department of Transportation lists among its aspirations to “…be known as the place with …synchronized traffic signals…”among other things. To this end the division maintains over 700 signals, 170 flashers, over 200 miles of fiber optic communications cable, 207 CCTV cameras and the operation of the Traffic Control Center. Some of these signals are synchronized and we are pleased that some of them are in and around Norcross. They aid Norcross in becoming and remaining a Green Community.

Re-Cycle

2012-02-17T18:00:00.001-05:00

Here's what you can do with those unused bikes you've been tripping over in the garage, basement and storage shed. You'll also be helping a kid Earn-A-Bike! Bicycle Recycling Drive

Re-Cycle For Summerour Middle School Safe Routes to School Program

Donate your old bike for use in the new Earn-A-Bike incentive Drop off your used (or new) bicycle during the semi-annual ONE DAY – FIVE GREAT EVENTS – RECYCLE!!! Saturday April 7 from 9 AM to 1 PM at 168 Wingo Street parking lot – former City of Norcross Public Works Facility Your old bicycle will be refurbished by a Summerour Middle School student under the direction of a volunteer to create transportation to school and beyond. Bike parts, new bikes, helmets and accessories (locks, lights, etc.) also accepted. Parts that cannot be used to assemble a "new" bike will be donated to area artists for innovative creations. Be among the first to participate in this special program. Help get bikes to students who otherwise can not afford them and who will use them to bike to school. This program will also teach students how to repair and maintain their bikes and to operate them safely. Don't have a bike to donate? Contributions accepted to cover supplies and parts. Volunteers needed to unload bikes on Re-Cycle Day and to work with experienced bike repairers, provide transportation and offer other support for students working to Earn-A-Bike. Contact sustainablenorcross@gmail.com or call 770-246-0083 Another Green Community Project

Vote for a Hero

2011-11-05T18:19:00.000-04:00

You don't have to save a person from a burning building to be a hero. At least, not according to the Cox Conserves Heroes program. This is the third year the communications conglomerate has searched its service areas for unsung heroes who volunteer to “help create, preserve or enhance outdoor places for everyone to enjoy”. In the Atlanta viewing area, the program is co-sponsored by WSB-TV and The Trust for Public Land. Five finalists have been selected from the nominations received from the public. Those five volunteers are now vying for the top prize of $5,000 via online voting. The four other finalists will receive $1,250 each. All prize money goes to the environmental non-profit chosen by each of the five finalists. One of the finalists is Connie Weathers. Connie founded Sustainable Norcross, Inc. a non-profit environmental advisory and action group focused on innovative solutions and education regarding Trees and Greenspace, Land Use, Green Building, Recycling and Waste Reduction, Transportation and Air Quality, Water, Energy, and Green Power. Vote NOW for Connie and Sustainable Norcross.

Closing the Loop

2011-10-27T09:56:00.000-04:00

We came full circle Wednesday, thanks to students and staff from Wesleyan High School and a bunch of other folks along the way. Volunteers from the school were at Norcross Community Garden as part of their annual Serve-His Day.

Twelve students and two staff spent the school day in a variety of chores to benefit the recently relocated community garden. They removed kudzu and other weeds and invasive plants in and around the beds, harvested produce from existing beds that are dedicated to charity, planted cold hardy seeds and plants and cover crops, installed hoops that will be draped with special landscape fabric when the weather turns cold that will aid in year round organic food production, and distributed donated wood chips for mulch. While this was the first visit by this group of students to Norcross Community Garden, it is not the first from Wesleyan High. A group of seniors assisted with site preparations for new raised beds in early April.

Since then a Norcross High Boy Scout, Kam Hopper, completed his Eagle Scout project of building and installing seven raised cedar garden beds. These joined four existing beds that were installed several years ago by Comcast Cares, an annual employee volunteer event of the cable company. Of the combined eleven beds, some are rented to private individuals in the greater Norcross area, some were planted by two different Peachtree Corners Girl Scout troops and tended by a variety of other volunteers, some were planted by additional volunteers and managed by the Board of Directors of Norcross Community Garden.

Wesleyan High volunteers were there from the beginning and back this week to harvest fresh produce donated to those in need and to enhance the garden completing the first cycle and closing the loop. A few beds are available for rent now for individuals who want to plant a row for themselves or a food bank or for sponsorship with volunteers doing the planting and tending. Contact us today. Stay in the loop with the blog or Facebook page. May the circle be unbroken.

Help Summerour Middle Celebrate International Walk to School Day

2011-10-11T15:56:00.001-04:00

Summerour Middle School will hold it's second walk and bike to school day since the Kick Off of its Safe Routes to School Program in May 2011. This will be their first time participating in the International Walk to School event. Volunteers are needed to escort 6 - 8th grade students as they walk or bike to school the morning of Wednesday October 19. Groups will form at the normal bus stops near the school at targeted apartment and residential neighborhoods along busy Beaver Ruin Rd and Mitchell Rd. They will proceed together forming a walking school bus.

Bikers are also welcomed. Volunteer now.

Saturday October 15 - A Big Day in Norcross

2011-10-07T10:10:00.000-04:00

There’s something for everyone in Norcross most any time, but especially Saturday October 15. The semi-annual mega recycling event sponsored by the City of Norcross will be held at various locations at or near City Hall starting at 9 AM. Each featured location and activity has proven extremely popular, drawing participants from over 20 communities. The only one not open to the public is the bulky item clean up for things like old refrigerators and sofas plus the usual materials accepted for recycling and yard waste. This service is funded by city taxpayers and therefore is open only to them. Paper shredding,

electronics recycling and

paint recycling

are all available to the general public. Please remember to bring non-perishable food products to donate to the food pantry. Oh, and remember to bring books to donate to Better World Books in the big green bin located on the north side of the new police parking lot.

This is the same spot as the paint recycling. Proceeds benefit literacy and education locally and globally. Books unfit for reuse will be recycled. This is a permanent collection site. Sustainable Norcross started recruiting volunteers to assist city staff and community service workers at these recycling events 3 years ago. Some of them still volunteer today. Contact Code Enforcement Supervisor Phil Robertson directly to volunteer. Paint Recycling, added this Spring, is back due to popular demand. Sustainable Norcross introduced the vendor, Williams Upcycling, to Ms. Robertson after observing a successful event in Roswell. They worked out the details and offered the service to gauge interest. About 2,700 containers of paint products were collected. While the small fee per paint container benefits the local community food pantry, some of the paint comes back to Sustainable Norcross to use in community service projects. While all this is happening around Lawrenceville St, a few blocks away a team of volunteers will be conducting the annual Rivers Alive clean up on a local stream. This year the city owned stream will be accessed from Everglades Trail just south of the Shell Station at the intersection with Mitchell Rd. Volunteers will serve from 9 AM until noon. For more info, contact riversalivenorcross@hotmail.com.

This is the 4th year that Sustainable Norcross has sponsored this event, part of the statewide campaign to remove litter and invasive plants from our waterways. Chair Betsy Hixson has participated in these events along with her husband Ken over the years since moving to Norcross. In the early days they were organized by the city. Now the city is a partner with volunteers taking the lead. The Public Works, Utilities and Parks Department assists with removal and disposal of the litter that cannot be recycled and the yard waste that includes kudzu, privet, English ivy and other non-native species that choke out beneficial plants. Sustainable Norcross Commission member Brian Mock and Hampton Inn Northlake are providing refreshments. You can free up space in your basement or attic, get your daily exercise, visit with friends and family and serve your community at these Norcross events Saturday October 15. Will we see you there? PS Have you voted for Connie Weathers and Sustainable Norcross in Cox Conserves Heroes contest. Help win $5,000 for our service projects. Thanks.

City Lights

2011-09-28T18:16:00.001-04:00

While some people are thinking about city lite and wondering how much more its going to cost them, the taxpayers of Norcross are looking at their city lights and counting the savings. In fall 2009 the city replaced incadescent mini lights in the downtown streetscape trees with 400 strands of LED mini lights; all of them controlled with photocells for dusk to dawn operation. This has resulted in an annual savings of 54,000 kWh annually, equating to $6,100 annually. The commercial grade lights also have a longer life than the previous tree lights.

Additionally since 2009 the city Christmas tree has been lit with C9 LED lights with the savings over incadescent C9 lights 2,900 kWh or $330 each year. LED spotlights controlled by photo cells are used for up lighting trees in Webb Park and for landscape lighting at the city Welcome Center. The annual reduction from incandescent spots is 2,300 kWh, a savings of $270 per year. The total annual savings for these LED light installations is $6,700. The city continues its efficency efforts with the new LED outdoor decorative lighing and spotlights in conjunction with new signage for the Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center pending final approval and installation. Gwinnett County Department of Transportation, who manages all traffic signal lights in the county on behalf of city, county and state roads, has been converting to LED lights in their effort at cost savings and improved efficiency. This project has been ongoing and will continue until all traffic signals have been converted. A federal grant has funded a large part of this improvement. Take a look around and see Norcross through the eyes of our visitors who will be flooding in for Art Fest this weekend. It might be an enlightening experience. Although these visitors don't seem too excited.

Top photo by Chuck Cimarik, bottom photo by Mike Weathers

Spreading the Word

2011-09-28T09:36:00.000-04:00

Regular communication with city leaders is an important factor in the success of the ARC Green Communities certification program. It's also a goal of the Sustainable Norcross Commission. This staff meeting of City Manager Rudolph Smith included an update regarding the measures adopted this year by the city and reinforcement of those previously adopted. The City of Norcross currently is certifed as a Green Community at the Silver level by the ARC joining Cobb County and Roswell as the only communities among the 10 county metro area with that designation.

Since receiving that honor in December 2010 they have been Going for the Gold. The Green Communities Program includes a manual with 65 potential measures that a jurisdiction can adopt as it pursues sustainability. These measures are in 10 categories: Green Building, Energy Efficiency, Green Power, Water Use Reduction and Efficiency, Trees and Green Space, Transportation and Air Quality, Recycling and Waste Reduction, Land Use, Education and Innovation. Each measure is worth 5 or 10 points depending on the level of difficulty and impact. They fall into either Government or Community as the targeted audience with the government leading by example while also offering opportunities for the community to participate. Think the upcoming semi annual city sponsored community recycling day as one example and the recently adopted solar and water conservation incentives another for the community. Conducting energy audits on city owned properties and adopting a No Net Loss of Trees policy for city owned properties are examples of those targeting the city. The City of Norcross has implemented measures in all categories. They have attempted 100% of those in the categories of Land Use, Education and Innovation. The area with the least points attempted is Green Power. They have adopted 51 measures. Of the 14 not adopted, the city has worked on at least 3 that are still being pursued. The City earned the minimum 230 points for its Silver designation and must have a cumulative total of at least 280 for the Gold. This week they are submitting 10 measures for 70 potential points. An ARC committee of experts will review the city's application, conduct a site visit and make a determination with recognition expected in December. Thanks to the teamwork of elected officials, city staff, the city's volunteer advisory boards and others Norcross is becoming a leader and a greener, more sustainable community.

Got A Load of That

2011-09-28T00:37:00.000-04:00

Thanks to James Williams of Williams Upcycling , Sustainable Norcross now has a supply of paint to use for community service projects. Not just any paint, but recycled paint salvaged from the landfill and ready to be repurposed. This paint was collected at an event like the one scheduled for Saturday October 15 from 9 AM - 1 PM sponsored by the City of Norcross. The first time the city offered this service along with their semi annual mega recycling event was in April 2011. Over 2,700 cans of paint were turned in for reuse or proper disposal. Reuse has included some of the paint for the walls of The Nest, a new artist incubator in the former parsonage on the campus of Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center (NCACC). A project planned for Friday September 30 as part of Gwinnett Great Days of Service is to paint donated windows removed from a local home. Later the windows will be turned in to a cold frame lid and a small standing greenhouse cabinet.

Both will be used by the newly relocated Norcross Community Garden that is also on the NCACC campus.

Got paint? Need to find a new home for it before the holidays? Participate in the city's Paint Renew Recycling Program and give your old paint new life. James, get a load of that!

Get a Load of This

2011-09-26T17:10:00.000-04:00

Can you imagine that this

would all fit in this?

Well, thanks to the expert packing of Patty Russart, Executive Director of Atlanta Community Tool Bank, it did.

Then Patty fired up the electronics and printed a receipt for the tools that Sustainable Norcross has on loan for a workday at Norcross Community Garden Friday September 30. Rental value of these tools is $72.59; replacement value $2,417.39. Thanks to the Tool Bank and Gwinnett Great Days of Service (GGDoS), affiliated with Hands on Atlanta (HOA) and their generous sponsors, the rental is free to non-profits. This is the first year that Sustainable Norcross has participated, but it won’t be the last. In addition to free rental of the equipment, there are other benefits to this new partnership. The established organization of Gwinnett Great Days of Service provides assistance with publicity and recruitment of volunteers, supplies t-shirts for participants and some funds towards project materials in the form of Home Depot gift cards. The newly relocated and renamed Norcross Community Garden will benefit from some sprucing up. Plans include removal of weeds and invasive plants, spreading of wood chips from Arbor-Nomics Tree Service for mulch and weed supression around the beds, repositioning of 4 original beds, weeding and tending existing beds, planting fall crops in beds dedicated for donation to an area food bank, prepping windows donated from a local homeowner to repurpose in to a cold frame and small standing greenhouse, creation of a compost bin from wood pallets donated by Eaton Tile Co. of Norcross. A special feature will be a demonstration by Community Garden Whisperer Pattie Baker of how to create beds for winter crops using covered hoops. Volunteers will then install four. Other special guests may include Fred Conrad, Ex Dir of Atlanta Community Food Bank and representatives of Gwinnett Great Days of Service or Hands on Atlanta. Conrad is sending a team of volunteers with some supplies including water, snacks and fall veggie plants. This is the second time they have worked with Sustainable Norcross at the garden. They are supporting another garden work day, the second one with Wesleyan High School, in October. Additional volunteers signed up include a team from the Green Sustainable Club of Gwinnett Technical College led by Cris Perkins, Director of Institutional Advancement. The school is a repeat participant with GGDoS. Norcross Community Garden regulars Betsy Hixson, Kelli Persons and Connie Weathers are team leaders. Contact sustainablenorcross@gmail.com to add your support. If you cannot attend, please consider donating items from the wish list or sponsoring a bed. A contribution of $150 covers cultivation of one 4 X 8 foot raised cedar bed for a year tended by volunteers. Smaller donations will purchase seeds, plants, organic soil amendments and other supplies. Beds are also available for Do It Yourself gardening now through January 31, 2012 for $25. A 12 month rental starting February 1, 2012 is $50 plus a small registration fee. The garden is for year-round, organic food production for personal use or donation in the Plant a Row for the Hungry program. Community gardens take underutilized land and provide a catalyst for neighborhood and community development while providing food and stimulating a healthy lifestyle. Come grow with us.

Last Chance Sale

2011-06-17T12:28:00.000-04:00

Attend the Last Chance Sale Saturday June 18 from 10 AM - Noon at 155 N Cemetery St. Most items on the catalog are availble plus a few others, even the kitchen sink.

Come see for yourself and take home a little piece of history. Demolition is scheduled to begin Monday and everything will be gone!

Help find a new home for these treasures. Need a little inspiration? See these great DIY projects reusing materials similar to those available at the Last Chance Sale.

See photos of some of the items on our Facebook page.

Pre-Demolition Salvage Pickin' and Porch Party Photo Album

2011-06-17T11:56:00.002-04:00

Check the Sustainable Norcross Facebook page for an album of photos courtesy of Tina Marie DeVincenzo of Photography by Tina Marie. Thanks to Tina and all who made the event a success!

Going, Going...Gone

2011-06-02T11:25:00.000-04:00

This charming stone shed has been an icon at Cemetery and Bostic Streets since about the 1960's. It's said the original owner of the c1900 Queen Anne cottage residence on the same lot had it built for a garden shed or greenhouse. Apparently the lady of the house had a green thumb and lovingly created a period appropriate structure. And many came to love it.

When the current owner, the city, decided to clear the lot to make way for redevelopment, members of the public started making plans to save it. Upon close inspection and with the advice of professionals, it was determined the shed could not be economically relocated. The stones were actually a veneer with much concrete mortar that was very brittle, it was built on concrete footings over an earthen floor and lined with old "barn" wood.

What to do, what to do? It would be a shame to reduce it to a pile of rubble and throw it in a landfill. First, it was offered to the public, along with the house, to be moved. There were no takers. At the urging of Sustainable Norcross to find a more environmentally friendly solution, the city contracted with The Deconstructed House to un-build the shed by hand in order to salvage the parts.

The weathered tin roofing with decorative ornament and interior barn wood are now for sale at the Pre-Demolition Salvage Pickin' and Porch Party Saturday June 4 from 10 AM - Noon. There are 7 pieces of tin 8 feet by 2 feet, 8 pieces 10 feet by 2 feet, 5 pieces 20 inches by 2 feet, some ridge pieces and the decoration. A nice stack of weathered barn wood includes a variety of widths and lenghts, mostly de-nailed. Arrive early for best selection. Also for sale are heart pine wood floors, doors (including the stone shed door), a fireplace mantle, antique doorknobs, new kitchen cabinets and more. Bring cash or check payable to City of Norcross. Proceeds go towards project expenses.

Oh, and remember the party aspect of the salvage sale for a unique, fun Saturday outing. See earlier blog post and here. After the sale, stroll to Historic Downtown to the shops and restaurants.

The house and remaining outbuildings are going next, including the adjacent house on the opposite corner of Bostic and Cemetery St. Expect demolition by the end of June. Additional select items will be recycled or repurposed in order to reduce the volume sent to the landfill. All this is in keeping with the City of Norcross designation by the Atlanta Regional Commission as a Silver Level Green Community.

See you Saturday!

For Sale at the Pre-Demolition Salvage Pickin' and Porch Party June 4 10 AM - Noon

2011-05-30T13:15:00.000-04:00

Pre-Demolition Salvage, Pickin' and Porch Party

2011-05-23T16:01:00.001-04:00

Sustainable Norcross, The City of Norcross and The Deconstructed House host a Pre-Demolition Salvage, Pickin' and Porch Party on Saturday, June 4th, 2011 from 10am-12pm.

LOCATION is 155 North Cemetery St. at intersection with Bostic St., Norcross, 30071, conveniently located one block west of Buford Hwy. and two blocks east of historic downtown Norcross.

FREE ADMISSION. Join us for live old timey music,

artwork featuring salvaged building materials from Recentered Pieces,

memory quilts from repurposed favorite t-shirts or ties by Gail's Quilting Services

sustainable networking, and opportunity to purchase architectural salvage, fixtures, heart pine flooring and more from 1900 - 1930 period houses scheduled for demolition. Payment accepted by cash or check payable to City of Norcross.

TREATS available for purchase from Wholly Pops, a provider of refreshing local, seasonal and organic frozen fruit popsicles.

ENJOY costumed characters and storytelling about the old ball field and adjacent properties by Norcross Ghost Tour.

SPONSORS
Sustainable Norcross, an organization dedicated to the greening of communities, provides community-based opportunities to engage in supporting sustainable practices.

City of Norcross, certified by the Atlanta Regional Commission as a silver level Green Community, was chartered in 1870. It was created as a railroad town and summer retreat for Atlantans because of its “high altitude, balmy breezes, pure water and mild seasons”. This forward thinking community is protecting its historic claim to fame while simultaneously becoming the place to imagine for a creative and diverse population.

The Deconstructed House was founded to divert re-usable building products and architectural salvage from landfills.

Contact sustainablenorcross@gmail.com 770-246-0083.

Imagine! Fun Stuff in Norcross

2011-05-16T12:47:00.001-04:00

Wow, the busy season is off with a bang and there are plenty of ways to get involved. If you cannot volunteer in person, we have an ongoing need for funds, supplies and materials, assistance with writing, publicity, social media, planning and execution. For more details about any of the following Green Community activities sponsored by Sustainable Norcross in conjunction with the city, contact 770-246-0083 or sustainablenorcross@gmail.com.

Friday May 20 – 8 AM – 9:30 AM – Walk to School with select students of Summerour Middle School. Be part of the Kick Off of Safe Routes to School. Donate small incentives to give away to 6 – 8 grade students.

Saturday May 21 – 8 AM – 11 AM – Assist with Bike Rodeo for designated students of Norcross Elementary and Summerour Middle Schools led by Norcross PD. Donate small incentives to give away to 5 – 8 grade students.

Saturday May 28 – 9 AM – Install donated wood raised garden beds at new location of the Community Garden at Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center (NCACC). Bring your own shovel and work gloves to help spread the love…and dirt in this Eagle Scout project. Beds will soon be available to rent. Volunteer to be on the garden governing board to decide when, how much, etc.

Saturday May 28 – 9 AM and Ongoing through the summer – Weed, water and plant additional donated seedlings at 4 existing beds at new NCACC Community Garden. Produce goes to charity. These are different from the new beds being installed same day. Donate hose, pistol grip nozzle, hose reel, garden tools, wheel barrow or garden cart, paper yard debris bags, money for supplies, etc.

Saturday May 28 – 1 PM – 3 PM
Tuesday May 31 – 9 AM – 3 PM
Wednesday June 1 - 9 AM – 3 PM
Hand deconstruct and salvage materials from 2 city owned properties scheduled for demolition. Prepare best items for sale at the Pre-Demolition, Salvage Pickin' and Porch Party on Saturday June 4 from 10 AM – noon. Other materials will be recycled or repurposed. Some may be used in a public art creation. Be a part of this innovative community project. Bring work gloves, hand tools, cleaning supplies.

Saturday June 4 – 10 AM – Noon – Help with this fun event and sale of salvaged materials from 2 early 1900’s houses and out buildings, 1960’s office building and other goodies owned by the city. Bid on a piece of Norcross history. Proceeds from the Pre-Demolition, Salvage Pickin' and Porch Party used to offset costs of the project.

Saturday June 11 - 10 AM Water Saver Rain Barrel Class at NCACC - see right sidebar.

Imagine yourself an active part of the greater Norcross community. And smile…you may be on camera.

Let's Hear It For The Girl Scouts! And...You?

2011-05-09T15:14:00.006-04:00

Friday nine second grade Girl Scouts from Simpson Elementary School planted veggies at the Norcross Community Garden. The area was a buzz with activity as girls excitedly set to work clearing out the weeds and winter cover crops and got down to business. In no time squash, tomatoes, peppers and basil had been planted, watered, mulched and were happily basking in the late afternoon sun. The plants had even been sung to as the girls spontaneously broke into song a few times between planting tips offered by leader Jennifer Bonacci.

Saturday the happy scene repeated itself when Girl Scout Troop 3317 tackled the remaining two beds. The eight first graders, also from Simpson, chose sweet potatoes, onions, 2 types of tomatoes, strawberries, and beans that they started from seeds.

Leader Anila Ballerstedt organized this service project after meeting Connie Weathers of Sustainable Norcross while picking up at the Peachtree Corners CSA sponsored by Sustainable Peachtree Corners co-founder Robin Montri. Talk about perfect timing.

According to Laura Laszlo, founder of Norcross Charity Garden, they lost their space after two years of operation and were at a loss how to carry on. Relocating to the campus of Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center was a natural.

Originally a project of Comcast Cares in 2009, employee volunteers had installed and planted four wooden raised garden beds beside the Latin American Association. Last summer Pattie Baker, a/k/a Sustainable Pattie, founding member of Dunwoody Community Garden, visited the site and saw the beds languishing. Pattie promptly recruited fellow volunteer Bob Lundsten to help plant and water the beds, keeping the veggies and the concept of a community garden alive.

Now Peachtree Corners Girl Scouts have breathed life back into the little garden. But they will not be tending the beds over the summer. That’s where YOU come in.

Ideally a community garden would have a small group of volunteers to manage the process, make a few decisions about how the garden will function and dig in to make it happen. That group could include you. Lend a hand to weed, water and watch veggies grow. Gardening is great exercise and can be a fun social outing to boot.

Not the play-in-the-dirt kind of person? First, you do not need a green thumb to be a successful gardener. Come join the fun and learn by doing. Seven to nine year old Girl Scouts can do it, and so can you.

Still not convinced to get your hands dirty? You can always donate money or materials. Here’s a partial wish list: 100 foot garden hose, pistol grip nozzle that shuts off when not squeezed, hose reel, watering cans, hand tools, work gloves, garden cart, paper lawn debris bags, gift cards to garden or home stores, seeds, plants, …oh, and did I mention money? Or writing an application for a grant?

Girl Scouts have blazed the trail for us. Now who will step forward to guide us on the journey?

New Community Garden is Eagle Scout Project That Attracts A Village of Volunteers

2011-04-12T16:24:00.011-04:00

Local Boy Scout Kam and his dad Jeff lay out the location of new raised wood garden beds Kam will make and install as part of his Eagle Scout project. At a recent work session volunteers from Wesleyan High School coordinated by Atlanta Community Food Bank and Sustainable Norcross assisted in clearing the area. After a good morning of old fashioned work, the bed locations are taking shape and the area has been cleared of a truck load of weeds and undergrowth.
Thanks to these volunteers for getting the community garden project off to a great start! If you would like to assist in the next work days, rent a raised garden bed to "farm" or be on the Community Garden committee contact sustainablenorcross@gmail.com.

What IS…

2011-02-24T13:59:00.006-05:00

a group that:

has a Georgia Tech electrical engineer, a designer and charitable foundation board member, an environmental consultant, a retired EPA manager, and a Georgia Master Naturalist?

is only 2 1/4 years old?

is made up of volunteers appointed by their city’s elected leaders?

partners with others in the community to achieve common goals?

was nominated as Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful’s Best Green Government for 2010?

has been instrumental in achieving Green Communities certification at the Silver Level by the Atlanta Regional Commission and is currently Going for the Gold?

and is being honored by The Civic League for Regional Atlanta with their Regional Excellence Award at their What’s Right With the Region celebration?

It is the Sustainable Norcross Commission, of course. This five member citizen panel advises the City of Norcross on environmental and sustainability topics. Their primary objective is the development of a measured sustainable city plan and regular communication with the city leadership. Goals are in areas ranging from water and energy conservation, transportation and air quality to green building and land use. Heavy emphasis is on education and volunteerism.

Although a customized sustainability plan created for the city is a long term objective, the group embraced the turnkey program of the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) when it was first introduced in December 2008. This was only a month after the group was officially created by the city and only six months after the first public meeting to gauge interest in creating a group.

The program offered by the ARC includes a manual and other support to assist governments in the 10 county metro area in reducing their overall environmental impact. The governments in the program are leading the way to sustainable living.

And the folks advising the local government leaders are the hard working volunteers of the Sustainable Norcross Commission:
Chuck Cimarik
Kathy Nau
Heather Royston
Jim Scarbrough
Connie Weathers

Its Stream Clean Up Time

2010-10-10T18:35:00.002-04:00

The annual Rivers Alive Stream Clean Up in cooperation with the City of Norcross is this Saturday October 16 from 9 AM to noon at the city-owned property on Mitchell St. Look for the signs at the gated entrance just east of the Shell gas station.

This event is part of the state wide annual water way clean up which helps keep our water supply clean and free flowing.

All participants must sign a release. Youth under age 18 must have the release signed by a parent or guardian.

Dress to get dirty. Wear sturdy close-toed shoes that you can get wet if you do not have wading boots.

Volunteers will collect litter and trash and remove invasive plants such as kudzu, English ivy, and Chinese privet.

Special t-shirts are available for volunteers. A credit on City of Norcross storm water utility fee may also be available for qualifying participants.

For more information contact sustainablenorcross@gmail.com.

Heart Healthy Eating

2010-07-06T00:08:00.005-04:00

It's time for the Whistle Stop Farmers Market and plenty of fresh, local produce and other goodies. The market runs every Tuesday from 4 - 8 PM from June through October in Norcross between Thrasher Park and the railroad. In addition the CSA I participate in, Buffalo Lick Farm & Nursery is there with my prepaid bag of the fresh crop of the week ready for me to pick up.

Here is one of my faves - a mix of veggies oven roasted at 425 F until tender with olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. After serving with some lean baked, grilled or broiled meat I use the leftovers in spaghetti with (or without) meat sauce. A new version involves quinoa.

See you at the market!

Signed, Sealed and Delivered

2010-05-14T12:38:00.002-04:00

The application for Green Communities certification of City of Norcross is in the hands of the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). Sustainable Norcross Commission has been working closely with City leaders (staff, elected and volunteer) over the past 18 months to meet the deadline. A team of subject matter experts will review the submission for the next three months and also conduct a site visit. They will evaluate whether the City will be awarded Green Communities certification for its efforts to lead the city by example towards a more sustainable, environmentally responsible way of living and doing business.

The City chose from over 60 recommended initiatives in the following areas:
• Green Building
• Energy Efficiency
• Green Power
• Water Use Reduction and Efficiency
• Trees and Greenspace • Transportation
• Recycling and Waste Reduction
• Land Use
• Education
• Innovation

Each initiative is worth 5 or 10 points with NO partial credit available. Awards are at 3 levels:
• Level 1 - Bronze: 175 – 229 points
• Level 2 - Silver: 230 – 279 points
• Level 3 - Gold: 280 – 400 points

The ARC will notify the city in the Fall. Already the community is benefiting from the implementation of the initiatives. Additional ones are in the works, such as the upcoming process which will include public input to create the first citywide, comprehensive master plan for parks, green spaces and trails. This project championed by the Parks and Green Space Commission in conjunction with the City.

Read more about the ARC Green Communities Program, view the manual. And watch for more info about the Norcross specific aspects of the program or contact us.

For now, way to go Norcross, truly a place to imagine.

Green Your Thumb: Promote Biodiversity

2010-05-06T15:26:00.000-04:00

Green Your Thumb: Promote Biodiversity

Georgia Adopt-A-Stream

2010-04-25T10:28:00.003-04:00

Georgia Adopt-A-Stream (AAS) is the statewide volunteer water quality monitoring program. The goals of Georgia Adopt-A-Stream are to (1) increase public awareness of the state’s nonpoint source pollution and water quality issues, (2) provide citizens with the tools and training to evaluate and protect their local waterways, (3) encourage partnerships between citizens and their local government, and (4) collect usable baseline water quality data.

So the goals are to increase awareness of folks like you and me about the quality of our water and to empower us to work together to identify and correct water pollution and other problems. Volunteers can get the training and tools to collect and regularly report data on “their” adopted water. By tracking this info over time, everyday citizens can spot changes and trends that might indicate a problem that can be addressed.

Norcross has a new AAS program that tests water samples in the creek that runs along Longview Drive on the city-owned Ruby Fickling property. The thunderstorm on Saturday delayed the start and then required a quick relocation to finish the chemical tests, but the volunteers got it done. Thanks go to Keisha who started Norcross Adopt-A-Stream, Lynn from Gwinnett Sierra Club who lent an experienced hand, Brian and Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center who lent the test kit and City of Norcross for providing the location and support.

The test site is the same location as the November 2009 Rivers Alive Stream Clean Up. It is an unnamed tributary of Crooked Creek that flows under Holcomb Bridge and continues on to the Chattahoochee. See photos on the side bar.

Join us to assist or stop by to observe. The monthly testing is done the fourth or last Saturday of every month at 10 AM. Contact us to confirm.