On Earth Hour hundreds of millions of people around the world will come together to call for action on climate change by doing something quite simple—turning off their lights for one hour. The movement symbolizes that by working together, each of us can make a positive impact in this fight, protecting our future and that of future generations. Learn more about how Earth Hour began, what we’ve accomplished, and what is in store for 2010.

Saturday (Rain or Shine)

Great Prices!!

Food & Drinks Crafts Gifts
And other surprises…

Come join us!!

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) is looking for artists, farmers, vintners, chefs and owners of eligible local business who would like to be included in the upcoming edition of Southern Maryland Trails: Earth, Art, Imagination, a popular local guidebook featuring things hand made, home grown and authentically Southern Maryland.

The fourth edition of the guidebook will be printed in late summer of 2010 and will showcase the region’s culture, heritage, cuisine and natural beauty. The book features four Trails across the five Southern Maryland counties (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s) and highlights art galleries, art studios, farms, B&Bs, wineries, eateries, lodgings, parks and natural areas along these Trails. It includes maps, photos and detailed descriptions of Trails sites, along with suggested itineraries and a calendar of special events at the sites. It is distributed free at Trails sites, visitors centers, county fairs, festivals and via the Web.

Businesses that feel they meet the Trails criteria may submit an application between now and March 31, 2010. Applications and a list of criteria are available at www.somdtrails.com/partners.html or by calling SMADC at 301-274-1922.

Owners of current Trails sites must submit a renewal form before March 31 to have their listing continued in the new book. There is a fee to apply for or renew a Trails membership. Applicants may submit an application or renewal form after March 31 if they pay a late fee. No applications will be accepted after April 23, 2010.

The upcoming edition of the book will feature, for the first time, full color ads for local businesses and organizations. Those interested in advertising in the Trails book, whether they are partner sites or not, can download the application which has an advertising contract attached.

For more information about the Southern Maryland Trails, visit www.somdtrails.com. Information about all of SMADC’s programs, including the Trails, is available at www.smadc.com.

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) was established to promote diverse, market-driven agricultural enterprises, which coupled with agricultural land preservation, will preserve Southern Maryland’s environmental resources and rural character while keeping the region’s farmland productive and the agricultural economy vibrant.

To learn more about additional programs and resources, contact SMADC, P. O. Box 745, Hughesville, MD 20637; phone: 301-274-1922; fax: 301-274-1924; email cbergmark@smadc.com or visit www.smadc.com.

Chris Parts of the Maryland Chapter of the US Green Building Council congratulates Dr. Michael Martirano and Kim Summers on Evergreen Elementary School achieving LEED Gold certification.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – During the November 3, 2009, dedication ceremony for Evergreen Elementary School, the United States Green Building Council recognized St. Mary’s County Public Schools for their outstanding achievement in designing and building Evergreen Elementary School and named the school as a Gold-rated Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project. LEED is the nation’s premier program for design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. Only some 3,400 buildings nationwide are LEED certified, with only 1,100 of them achieving gold certification. Evergreen Elementary School is the first LEED primary school in St. Mary’s County.

“We are extremely pleased with our final product,” said Dr. Michael J. Martirano, superintendent of schools.”Not only is Evergreen Elementary an example of energy conservation at its best, but it is also a hands-on learning environment for every student who walks through its doors. I thank every partner who played a role in the funding, design, and construction of this magnificent facility which is certain to serve as a prototype for future school construction throughout the state.”

The Evergreen Elementary design utilizes the LEED scorecard and includes a geothermal pilot project in which a portion of the two-story section of the building has geothermal heating and cooling and the other portion has a more traditional system. This allows for comparison to see if the future schools in our county should have geothermal heating and cooling, and also provides an opportunity for the students to evaluate the systems as instructional components. The building is also designed with natural daylighting in all instructional spaces. Evergreen Elementary School is unique because it incorporates green building concepts, and uses those concepts as teaching tools for a greener tomorrow.

Join us for coffee, juice and a light breakfast to…

Network with others who are Learn about residential and Provide feedback to our

‘Going Green’ commercial green rating elected officials about what

systems incentives and support would

Discuss the latest ‘Green HOT help you ‘Go Green’

TOPICS’ Participate in advocacy

groups to promote green Leave the meeting inspired to

Listen to experts in the field share building in Southern Maryland share this new knowledge

their green building knowledge with others

Southern Maryland Higher Education Center

44219 Airport Road, California, MD 20619

Classroom Building 1 - look for signs directing you to the meeting space.

Feel free to bring a friend – this event is free and open to the public!

For additional information or to RSVP, please contact:

Sandy Neville at: Build4Health@aol.com

Subject line: ‘Green Building Networking

Who Should Attend?

Administrators, Architects, Builders, Building Owners, Business Owners, Church Leaders, Concerned Citizens, Contractors, Design Professionals, Developers, Educators, Elected Officials, Engineers, Environmental Groups, Environmental Planners, Facility Managers, Government Agencies, Health Care Providers, Home Owners, Procurement Specialists, Product Manufacturers, Real Estate Professionals, Redevelopment Leaders, Sales Professionals, Service Providers, Students

…Everyone with a stake in the environment!

*Students are welcome to come at 7:00AM and stay as long as their schedule allows.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Southern Maryland Higher Education Center

44219 Airport Road

California, Maryland

7:00 p.m.

Speakers will address:

Financial Incentives

Practicality

Advisable Locations – where the wind blows

Legal issues

Sponsored by: The Potomac River Association

For information: potomacriverassociation.org

Dudley Lindsley: 301-373-2551

Educational Programs, 120 Acres to Explore, Manor House Tours, Vineyard, Gardens and Farm Animals.

FALL MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL – Renew or attain a new membership and your name will be entered in a drawing to win a tea or dinner in the Manor House. Get more details during your tour of the Manor House.

This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Activities will be modified in the event of inclement weather.

Cold beverages will be available for purchase. For additional information: 301-373-6607, www.summerseat.org

9am – 12 Noon

Join the American Chestnut Land Trust and our Vine Vindicator crew as they work to remove non-native invasive plant species such as bamboo, Oriental bittersweet, wineberry, multiflora rose, and tree of heaven. Bring work gloves and loppers or clippers. Tools and water will be available. Meet at the ACLT south side trailhead barn on Scientists’ Cliffs Road in Port Republic (across from Gate A). Contact Joy Woppert at 410-414-3400, or email volunteer@acltweb.org to RSVP and get directions.

Survey Categories:
Critical Area Concerns • Low Impact & Sustainable Development
Climate Change • Pollution of Waterways • Environmental Education
Protect & Restore Native Species

You Guess What Color is Which…Then Check Your Answers Here

Come join your neighbors at a special power point presentation on the original bill, the bill’s current status, and how we can make our voices heard over the special interests’ lobbyists’ voices.

DATE: Monday, June 8

TIME: 6:30-8:00pm

WHERE: Charlotte Hall Library Meeting Room

WHAT: Update & Take-Action Meeting on the Waxman-Markey bill (a.k.a. the Cap & Trade Climate Change Initiative).

At this moment, we have an opportunity to help our country make great strides in curbing global warming with this unprecedented bill that is now being debated on the house floor. It is under attack by special interests (big polluters) as it struggles to survive. By July it will all be over. Learn the latest status of the bill’s progress, plus join in a letter & fax-writing campaign to support the bill’s passage in congress. If we do nothing, we go backwards, and none of us can afford that.

INFORMATION: Gretchen: 301-475-2128 -or- Pat: 301-994-3994

WE MUST ACT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!