| Why should we think about our water? Some interesting
notes:
Of all the water on the planet, 97% is salt water, 2.4% of the fresh water is frozen in glaciers and ice, and 0.6% is available for use. Of the water available for our use, roughly 82% is utilized by agriculture, 8% by industry, and 10% by households, for all household functions, including drinking, irrigation, washing, etc. Some average numbers: average household uses 80-120 gallons/day, a water conserving household could reduce this to 35 gal/day: lawn, 35%; toilet, 26%, rest of bathroom, 23%; laundry, 9%; kitchen, 5%; cleaning, 2%. Sustainable wisdom holds that tap water keeps things alive while rainwater helps things grow. And the list goes on, including alarming Texas statistics about the impact of drought, the multi-generational regional battles for water rights, and regulatory hindrances to greywater reuse. Annual and on-going events such as the drought in Texas, urban water
rationing, and, not least, the looming blind date with Y2K have led many
people to become more aware of their relationship to water. While this
may seem like a trivial thing, given the convenience of your nearest faucet,
there are many aspects of water which are central to the concept of sustainable
residential living as well as commercial building operations.
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Determining what is a reasonable level of self-sufficiency depends
greatly on personal and business water usage needs and habits, as well
as your ability to invest in an alternative to the water "grid." Some of
the most important considerations of sustainability and water occur in
and around your home or building and your site. But of equal importance
is our understanding of the larger issues of water and regional politics.
Topics covered this month will include rainwater and your family (residential
rainwater harvesting small and large), regional water politics and economics
and how you can influence them, Y2K and water, and how to get started as
a water activist at home or work. This months presentation will be
a panel discussion with questions and answers about the various aspects
of water, self-sufficiency and sustainability. Invited speakers include
Charles Gibson of Rain Man Waterworks, John Sutton with the Texas Water
Development Board, and another speaker TBA.
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| Michael Langley
1952-1999 A Loss to the SBC and the World -Gayle Borst Michael Langley left this world on March 31,1999. I am still not sure I truly believe he is gone...He was too alive. Many of us in the Sustainable Building Coalition not only admired the magnificent earthen buildings that Michael built but loved the unique human being who created them. No one in Austin designed like Michael, with his unhesitating use of highly saturated color, integration of beautiful Mexican architectural elements and use of highly skilled Mexican craftsmen. One of SBC's earliest site visits was to his first local compressed soil block home, and many of us were awed by his rammed earth home with stunning brick barrel vaults on last year's Green Building Tour. Michael's homes were a reflection of his personality - artistic, gutsy, bold, intense. So many things to remember about his physical presence...The ubiquitous clogs, the cross earring, the stylish hat, the Negra Modelo. SBC Holiday parties will never be the same without this special person there. Michael, we will greatly miss your presence. Memorial for Michael Langley
Discussions have begun regardingthe possibility of SBC people creating a memorial - perhaps a small elegant rammed earth wall with a bench & landscaping. Possible locations might be the Town Lake hike & bike trail or the proposed Arts complex. If anyone who knew Michael has ideas to share on this matter, please contact Gayle or Yvonne or Frank Meyer (916-8100). CASAS que CANTAN Update -Jo Wilhelm
The trip to Tuscon was a delight beyond words. At the intermission, Clint and I took the envelope (filled with checks, pictures and notes) up and gave it to Athena Steen. I had written a little note to the builder, telling how we always tuck notes in the bales at a stack, and I closed with the list of donors and asked her to tuck that note in the bales so all of us would always be a part of the house. Luckily, many of the donees have been part of stacks with us, so we had a lot of snapshots. Athena was thrilled beyond words with all of it, especially the $ 650.00 that would put up one little house and start another! When she shared with the international presenters what she had just gotten, they decided, to contribute a part of their honarium to sponsor another house! See what you Texans can inspire!!! After we got home, I got another $120 -- bringing the total for the 2nd house to $270 or more than half! If anyone wanted to contribute—you can send it directly to the Steens. The Canelo Project HC1 Box 324 Elgin AZ 85611 Help SBC promote Green Building
The Texas Environmental Center, 1711 S. Congress Suite 205 Austin, TX 78704, in association with the City of Austin, is producing a Green Building CD-ROM. At the April 21st SBC meeting we will have a video shoot and we want to hear about your Green Building projects no matter how big, small, or tiny. If you have or can get pictures of your project we want you to tell us a little about it on film. It will be fun and easy, even if you're a little camera shy. At the video shoot we will ask you to briefly describe your project (2-3 sentences) later we will project the images of your home or project behind you. For example, one sequence might run: "Hi, We're the Wilsons and we're building a strawbale garage," while pictures of the structure are shown behind the Wilson's. Please don't wear green clothing to the shoot or that part of your body will disappear. We will edit these to make a montage of what is happening in Austin area Green Building. Call Marshall Frech or Shelly Davis at 447-9669. If you can't make it to the meeting, but would like to be a part of this just give us a ring. Your pictures will be returned as soon as they are scanned and you will be credited on the CD-ROM. |
C.O.A. Green Building Seminars
11:30-1:30 open to Green Builder members. Call ahead to Mary at the City of Austin 499-3541. April 15 Roofing Systems
SBC Returns to Waterloo Park
For the sixth year, SBC will have had a presence on Earth Day at Waterloo Park, Red River and 12th. On April 17th, help cover the SBC booth and converse about SBC, Green Building, sustainability, and more; see samples of green materials; look through the many photos of SBC member. Most of all, celebrate Earth Day values that so closely match our own: respect for our planet and maintaining its precious resources. This event is a lot of fun! Great food, craftsm, many non-profit exhibitors distributing literature, and fine music. Wander around, then go to our SBC booth and talk with passers by. For info, phone 447-0459 or email <geminideas@greenbuilder.com>. SBC members are invited to display their business cards at our booth. Mail a dozen or so to Yvonne at 5400 Friedrich Lane, No. 77, Austin 78744, or deliver them personally to our booth on Saturday. Workshops and Events Of Interest
May 13-16 Earthen Floors and Natural Wall finishes. $275 in Canelo, AZ. Athena and Bill Steen <absteen@dakotacom.net> or (520) 455-5548. June 6-12 "Build Here Now," A Natural Building and Permaculture Convergence in Taos County, NM, sponsored by Permaculture Drylands Institute, Lama Foundation and The Last Straw Journal. Contact <pdrylands@aol.com> for information on this multi-topic event put together to rebuild Lama after a 1996 fire. Register by April 30th for $500 which includes three vegetarian meals per day and on-site lodgings otherwise it is $550. Colorado Natural Building Workshop 1999
Join many experienced natrual builders in Rico, Colorado June 24 to June 27, 1999, for this excellent event. $275 per person; $500 couple. Hands-on workshops, lecture, discussion, slide shows, home tour (including Sun Ray Kelley's bus stop!), and more covering your favorite topics: straw bale, lime based paint, healthy homes, earthen construction, solar, rammed earth, wildplant tour. For more information email: Keithl@csn.net Cobbing
Various small, medium and large cobbing workshops are forming located in far North Austin, Dripping Springs and elsewhere. Call Yvonne Hansen to get on the cob mailing list at 447-0459 or email <geminideas@greenbuilder.com> Cob Cottage Offering
May 21-24 in Cottage Grove OR: Pyromania! Building Stoves and Fireplaces June 6-19 in Williams OR: Cob and Natural building July 15-18 in Cottage Grove OR: Sancaturay Garden and Cob Courtyard Call Cob Cottage Company for details: 541/942-2005 or check their website www.deatech.com/cobcottage. The Institute for Deep Ecology
Various 3-day and longer programs are offered starting April 29 at Shenoa Retreat Center in Mendocino County, California. For information, email <ide@igc.org>. Basics: How To Build A Cob Wall
The essentials of building with clay soil, sand, straw and water will be offered over two week-end sessions April 24 & 25 and May 1 & 2 from 8:30 to 5 each day. Topics covered: evaluating soils, foundations, mixing, design, and more. Materials, tools, supplies, booklets and light lunch provided. Pre-registration with fee deposit required. Call Yvonne Hansen, 447-0459 for details. Permaculture Basic Design
The Drylands Permaculture Institute will conduct a 7-day design course in Taos NM May 30 - June 5. For registration information: <pdrylands@aol.com> |